Here it is!

Two weeks ago, this post would have been a work of fiction. Not the sentiments, but the...announcement.

I am moving back to Halifax.

Not right away. My timing will be similar to that of my intended escape to Vancouver. I am moving back to Halifax because of my family. Nothing new has happened. There's no emergency that has prompted me to change my destination so drastically. I'm just very fond of them, is all. The distance between St. John's and Halifax has been difficult enough. It's not that I don't think I can handle living in Vancouver. I know I can, and this idea is what makes me comfortable with not going now. I may still make the drastic move to the West coast. I just won't do it yet.

My basic reasoning for ignoring Halifax as an option these last two years has been the emotional baggage. There's a challenge to living in the town/city where you were raised, especially when you have had a chance to move so far beyond it. I have thought that no matter the positive aspects of living in Halifax, I would not be able to stay happy with all of that weighing on me.

I don't doubt that I will have moments, especially when I have reason to go back to Bedford on occasion. My mother still lives there. Until I can convince her to get the fuck out, that will be a reality. But, for the most part, I will keep my existence in the city of Halifax. And it really is a fine city.

Once I started considering the ups to being close to my family again, I got very excited. I have arranged with my younger sister to live together. Her current lease expires the end of June, so that will dictate the timing of my move somewhat. We have already started looking for apartments, hoping to find something with character in the North or South end (she goes to Dal).

The emotional baggage seems so minor now. I am already getting giddy about living with my sister, being half an hour away from my mother, mere hours away from my father in PEI, spending silly times with my best friend since childhood, having access to delicious and diverse food choices, possibly taking continuing studies at NSCAD, and generally taking in Halifax in a way I couldn't before - through being there by choice, rather than by default.

My only real concern is what I'm going to drink when I can no longer get my hands on Black Horse.