Moving in, moving about
The commenter who has moved seven times in ten years will roll her eyes. But for me, this move was a massive event, physically and emotionally.
What I didn't anticipate:
- Unpacking, you will handle every item you own, at least once. While we had divested at least half of our belongings, there was still an endless stream of things to place...somewhere. Our furniture fit, the paint colours sang, thanks to pre-move hours on the treadmill spent watching Nate Berkus.
- Moving alters your senses. Time expands and contracts, attention sharpens. Like travel, you can't auto-pilot through the day. Every feature, from wall sockets to street signs, demands scrutiny; you see more, do more. The move-in week was both one of the speediest and most expanded of my life.
- You'll use all your various thinking skills, from investigating to directing to imagining. We've also found it good for the spirit, infusing us with curiosity and wonder. Full disclosure: we also succumbed to a few fights borne from exhaustion and frustration: "I thought you packed the picture hangers."
We are walking more, shopping scarcely beyond the day's needs, aiming for a less-sedentary life. Here's the market, a six-minute walk away.
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| Just down the street! |
Shoes! Spring in new city makes me interested indeed. I wanted to coax the low-heeled oxfords off the seller's realtor's feet. They were similar to these Fluevog Dohje's; price, $275.
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| Fluevog Dohje |
I've also noticed the ultra-long scarf, worn as shown to soften a suit or dress, or bandolier-style with jeans. It's not steamy yet, so it doesn't look pretentious and hot (in the temperature way), but spring-fluttery. (Shown, Tavan & Mitto suit.)
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| The long scarf |
And I need more French fluency. Bilingual Montrealers switch to English to accommodate my struggle, but I want to practice and improve my French. ("La paix linguistique ne profite qu'aux anglophones", is scrawled on a wall, a pointed reminder that guarding the priority of the French language remains a vital issue in Quebec.) (Translation: "Linguistic peace benefits only anglophones.")
Comments
In answer to yesterday's question, yes I am still considering a move. I cannot imagine not living in a city someday, but it may not be this move. There is no advantage to it for the shut in spouse who needs full-time care. I am considering the possibility of a move nearer to family for him for the intermediate term, and then another eventual move for me. There are still too many variables in play for firm decisions and the decision will not be made until sometime next year.
That suit + long scarf is one of the best silhouettes I've seen in some time (reminds me of your friend Huguette's gorgeous summer-wedding outfit.) Such a graceful look, and practical, too. In Miami this spring, I found myself adding a long scarf of thin cotton lawn most days--useful against air-conditioner chill, sunburned neck & shoulders, wind-blown hair.
C.
Anonymous: Usually Fluevogs are not my taste; prefer more conventional lines. These are about my edge. "Jolie laide" in some styles, cartoonish in others. But I have noticed that women with beautiful legs wear eccentric shoes far better than I.
The realtor's were more classic but the same idea, taupe, off-white and black oxfords with similar heel. She wore them with a strict, narrow-legged black pant suit.
Mardel: Access to, and quality of caregiving agencies is probably on your list, too. We thought, moving here, of the many turns life can take and what kind of elder care is available.
C.: A friend looked at that photo and said, "Isadora Duncan". But the car was fairly new then and I'm sure we can manage our long scarves.
Darla
Though not "true elites", my children are bilingual and achieved that living in Toronto.
My own generalization: there is far more accommodation of both languages here in 2010 than when I worked regularly in Montreal in 1980 for one of those large corporations whose head office left the city.
It's not hard to acquire a second language (especially in youth) if you (or your family) value that ability for reasons of culture, politics, heritage, career opportunity or simply the pleasure of speaking it.
And second: are you thinking of taking French lessons? Or will you rely on daily conversations, leDuc's help, etc.? Pater and I have really been enjoying the sessions with a great tutor, but now, of course, I miss the opportunity to practise in my daily life.