My New Normal

“You’ve got to blog about it.”

I heard that a lot in the months before my move north. The experience was bound to be so profoundly different from my mundane life in Vancouver, a life that wasn’t all that different from that of my neighbours, my co-workers, my friends, my family.

And so I shared my new experiences online. I had a lot to say because indeed everything was different.

When I first arrived, I was excited, but the early days were also a struggle. I’d be lying if I said they weren’t.  

It was dark. Very dark. And I was afraid to venture out until it became bright. Because of the wolves and the lynx and the moose, you know? The ones they told me about. The ones they told me to be ready for.

Cairo equipped me with a knife. “Just in case.” He told me what to do if I encountered a wolf. But I promptly forgot his instructions and the knife became no more useful than the lipstick I always carry in my pocket.

It was cold. Very cold. -47 is the coldest I experienced, but for many days on end it wasn’t much warmer than that. In my first blog post, I wrote about wearing nylons as long underwear. You guessed it, they didn’t work. On one of my first days, I walked several kilometers to Cairo’s work in -45. I felt empowered, but also petrified. What if I froze on my way there?

It took time to adjust to the lack of social interaction. It was winter and people stayed indoors. There was no coffee shop to go and sit at — make eye contact with the fellow patrons, exchange words with the employees. No restaurants or theatres, shopping malls or people-filled streets.

I spent hours toiling in the kitchen - a place I’d barely stepped foot in before moving north. I poured over recipes, measuring carefully and doubting my every move. I struggled to meal-plan, to update my grocery lists, and to learn what kept and what spoiled given that the trip to the grocery store only came once every six weeks.

So, I spent my spare time (of which I suddenly had a lot) updating my social media and maintaining my blog. I kept people in the loop about this ‘oh-so-different-way-of-life’. After all, it was all new, and all somewhat incredible compared to my ordinary life in Vancouver.

And then, as the weeks passed by, I found it was more difficult to share stories of my wardrobe choices, of my paranoia about the cold and the darkness. Without realizing it, I didn’t have as much to say. My ‘oh-so-different-way-of-life’ was quickly becoming normal.

I was settling into a routine. And those things that felt so new at first became manageable.

The darkness didn’t phase me as much and I realized that with a headlamp, you could walk anywhere.

The more I learned about the wild animals here, the more I knew how to respond if I did, indeed, encounter one.

It didn’t feel strange anymore to pull on long underwear, or to come home from a walk covered in frost.

I managed to navigate the kitchen and before I knew it, I could make dinners without a recipe and, believe it or not, they were actually quite tasty.

It’s pretty incredible how we can adapt to new places and experiences.

Recently, I visited one of my brothers in China. He’s been there for a while now—experiencing a way of life entirely different from the one we had growing up. He’s not only experiencing it, he’s living it. For him the busyness, the crowds, the language, the food, the heat, the air quality that I found overwhelming when I arrived, have become completely normal. Like me, he has adjusted and adapted to his new life.

A year ago when my friends told me to ‘blog about it’ and to document my experiences up north, I fully intended to. I was going to blog regularly, but, almost imperceptibly, this new life has become normal and blog posts have become less frequent.

So where have I been for the last six months? I’ve been living the dream. The cold (but sometimes warm), the dark (but totally bright in the summer), the wild (there are always animals around), the cookingfrom-scratch-filled (gotta eat, right?) northern dream.

Here’s a brief run-down of what the last six months of my now-normal-northern-life has consisted of:

1. Hiking

A highlight was the Chillkoot, which I did with a group of awesome people. The hike, which took us three days, is 55 kilometres through Alaska and northern British Columbia. It is rich with history and the experience was incredibly rewarding.

2. Biking

My most memorable ride was a solo trip from Beaver Creek to Whitehorse (470 kilometres). This three-day bike trip empowered me and left me wanting to keep going further. Beaver Creek to Vancouver next year? You think I jest, but I don’t!

3. Working and Studying

I now have two part-time jobs in the community. Though work in my field and my PhD keep me busy at home, it feels nice to give back to the community that has so graciously allowed me to make the north my home.

4. Travelling

I went to China, which was a reflective trip that led me to think about my habits as a consumer. I’ve vowed not to buy clothing for a year as a result.  

5. Hosting

Friends and family are taking advantage of our life in the Yukon and it has been amazing to share this wonderful place with them.

7. Living

I am preparing for my first Christmas away from family. My first Christmas in Beaver Creek.

And on that note, I wish you all the best for the holiday season!