The end of the 2012 – not the
end of the world as I was led to believe – is here and I wanted to wish
everyone the best for this Holiday Season. I hope everyone had a great year and
that everyone is plotting and planning to make 2013 a great one. 2012 for me
ranks up well against other years but still doesn’t beat 2009, the year I moved
to Japan. However, if my machinations come to fruition, 2013 may be the best
yet.
We spent this year living in
Lancaster and, hopefully, this coming January we will be moving to Holland. In
all, we will have spent 16 months in the UK. Helene set up her translation
business and loves what she does. One of her contractors is a film company and
she translates films like ‘Skyfall’, usually commentaries for the DVD. I have
been finishing my two Master’s degrees: one from my University in Kyoto in
Japan, where I studied last year, and the second at Lancaster University.
The year started a bit pressured as
the first round of papers was due. Once
they had been submitted, we had a great weekend in London as Helene was writing
an exam for the Chartered Institute of Linguists. Six months later, we learned
that she had passed with Distinction. Now she has DipTrans (IoLET) added to her
name, making her a certified translator. We also saw the London West End show ‘Rock of
Ages’ – now a hit movie – very funny.
Later, I helped organise three events related to Holocaust Memorial Day,
including speaking at various schools.
Between February and July, I blogged for
a Spanish organisation called Universia where I wrote
articles on education in the UK from a foreigner’s perspective. The articles
compared Canadian, Japanese and UK teaching styles and university practices. I
also wrote beer articles for the Langdale Drinker, as I’ve been researching the
history and art of brewing beer.
In February, I had a spontaneous
wonderful four day trip to Madrid with my friend Anas, where we may have had
too much fun and ended up with questionable results. The walk home from the two
clubs will go down in history. Got the flu and judged the Lancaster Beer
Festival with a fever. Another trip to London where my class visited the UK
Foreign Ministry and we saw the rooms Canada, India and the rest of the Empire
were ran from. 
In April, I got a visit from Tavis Moffat,
which started a 7-day pub crawl that ended with wild hog sandwiches in Edinburgh.
Ate Haggis for the first time – loved it. Soon afterwards, Corey Longmore
delivered his own baby and named me the Godfather. The
month ended with wonderful week in Switzerland where I visited a few towns and
then our class visited the UN, WTO, the Red Cross, and the Green Cross.
Helene won
tickets to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and another quick trip to London
was due. Canada Day is still way better. The trip tied in nicely with a reunion
in Devon of friends from my time in Paris.
Spent two
months finishing my thesis for my Japanese university and then traveled there
in July to present it. Not only did I receive the highest grade point average, my
thesis was also published in my school’s periodical. The three weeks in Japan were
incredible – seeing friends and visiting old favourite places while eating
incredible food. I miss Japan immensely and wish to go back soon. Helene came to
join me and we had a short side trip to Obama where we ate fugu (blowfish) and
swam in the northern Japanese sea. In September, I obtained my M.Phil in
International Relations from Ritsumeikan University. Thanks to all those who
supported my return to school.
The lease to our
apartment was up at the end of September, so we decided to move across town.
Now I live in the centre of Lancaster, giving me a 5-minute walk to the movie
theater.
August
through to October was filled with writing my second thesis. My aim was to
write the best possible paper so that I could choose any university for my PHD
if I ever decide to do one. I hope to get my second thesis published as well. My
final score was equivalent to a 98% and I graduated in November with a Distinction,
receiving an MA in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy. I got word that one of the
papers I wrote this year will be published in an academic peer-reviewed journal
in the upcoming year.
Saw
Bowling for Soup live. Manchester Independent Brewers convention at the
stunning Victoria Baths, with Fabien and Joel. Visited Helene’s Aunt Lyn and
Uncle Tommy and searched for wedding venues, as next July I will be celebrating
my wedding not too far from London. Visited Helene’s grandparents near Southampton
and saw the 50 years 50 vehicles of James Bond exhibit.
In December, I was
accepted to a week course in Munich at the NATO School where I learned about
civil-military cooperation. I figured if I want
to work for or with NATO, I should learn how the organisation works. Made a
crazy amount of connections and learned a lot. Helene and I also got to enjoy
the Christmas market in Munich. No one does Christmas like the Germans.
The year
ended a visit from Helene’s brother Pierre to our little city in the north. I
took him to see Manchester vs. Sutherland at Old Trafford Football stadium
(soccer for the North Americans). Later that week, we stayed with Fabien in
Paris for a few days and a then had a 7.5 hour drive to Toulouse for the
holidays with Helene’s parents. Though the turkey and sides were wonderfully
well prepared and delicious, the tummy bug that enveloped Pierre’s girlfriend
found its way to me and I spent Christmas Eve and Day violently ill. The
leftovers were amazing.
Spiritually,
I have started writing a journal with my personal reflections about myself and
the world. Helene and I met Joel, a local priest, who has helped us explore
more metaphysical ideas of our spirituality, and this has brought us closer
together as we understand more of where we are coming from. Our sessions
encouraged me to explore my ideas more deeply.
I have become better
connected with British culture, food and lifestyle. Had a chance to see the
country a bit and make some really good friends. From the big-city vibe of
Manchester to the wide open horizons of Morecambe Bay and the hills and valleys
of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales where there is good walking, I enjoyed
this region! But the weather is terrible. It forever feels like November, cold
and usually raining. I also became an artisan on making English style homemade
pies – ask me for a recipe. About to
reach my 1000th beer review on ratebeer.com
My time in the UK has been wonderful but after our trip to
Japan, Helene and I realise that it’s just too similar to what we know. We love
the challenge of language and culture and are really looking forward to moving
to the Netherlands.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year 2013, filled with joy.
Love,
Mike
