When I moved to Canada I received a card from my boyfriend’s mom with the above message on it. She was right! Even though the next years weren’t easy, doors started opening, just as she said they would.

The most recent door closed a few weeks ago. It has been closed for years, in an unspoken-kind-of-way, but part of me was still holding on to that life that no longer exists. Future Antje knows that she simply outgrew her past life.

Lesson learned: You can’t go back in the past – but, if you dare to dream, the doors just keep opening 🙂 Looking forward to adventures in the New Year!

I just submitted the last set of final marks for this semester. Feeling good and exhausted – like that time Olivera and I were so excited to be done with our paper in Dublin that we went to the pool and took over the lane for professional swimmers.

Next on my list: Prepare for Spring courses. Bake cookies. Celebrate Christmas. Sleep. Drink coffee on our lovely deck.

Happy happy Holidays sweet friends and family <3

Yes, we participated in the the gingerbread house competition this morning!  The Children’s Centre, ECCE faculty, and ECCE Club contributed! Here is our birdhouse: Woodland Nest.

I am greeted by my friends Lucy & Rachel every time I go to the cafeteria at work. The three of us were hoping to start a book club this summer, but everyone got too busy with life! I will have to visit both of them in Toronto one day soon 🙂 Then we’ll catch up, read, and hopefully write!

PS: Jeffrey says hi! We sometimes chat on the bus.

Below a photo taken on a lovely Thursday afternoon at Green Leaf Brewing at Lonsdale Quay. My dad and Marianne had just returned from their trip to Prince Rupert and I managed to finish work early to pick them up at the airport.

After living in North Van for two and a half years (I have been home for two and a half years!!!) we decided to move back to Vancouver. We found a beautiful little laneway house, Jörg-approved, back in our old neighbourhood near Commercial Drive. Evan has been riding his bike to work, I drive or take the bus.

Our favourite spot to sip whiskey or coffee -or a mixture of both- is the balcony, or better, the tree house.

our new tree house

When we walked down the street the other day Evan said, “It’s funny how we ended up back on Commercial Drive, when we could have lived anywhere else in the world – like Berlin.” I am not ready for that adventure today, but I can imagine that life will take us there one day.

Last weekend Kerstin and the kids flew down to Victoria. My mom and I took the ferry over to meet them for the weekend 🙂 We took care of Lenni & Yanni, while Kerstin enjoyed her seminar with other Linguists from around the world. A lovely and sleepless weekend <3 

Summer and fall are filled with good friends and family this year <3

Bill & Deb in May

 Volker, Martin, & Petra in July

My sister and nephews in August

Evan’s Mom & Nanna at the end of August

Jörg in September

My dad TOMORROW 🙂