Well folks, the time has finally come. Ian and I are starting a fresh, new life and we couldn't be happier. After months of stress, job hunting, and empty bank accounts, we've made the massive decision to move away. Yes, I have "moved away" before, I left my hometown of Summerside and moved an hour away to Charlottetown. I loved living there, it was a whole different world than Summerside. It was "the big city" for me as I had grown up in Summerside, a much smaller, quieter, less cultural city. There I was, loving life in what I thought was the biggest place I'd ever live. Then, between student loan mix ups and our economy (job cuts) failing, things turned to hell. Ian was working, but I couldn't seem to find anything.
After a couple of months, we made the tough (and humiliating) decision to move in with my mother and step-father (in Summerside). Neither of us wanted to do so, but we were left with no choice, we just simply couldn't afford to live otherwise. We've been here a little over a month now, and I have yet to find a job. Ian is working, but not near full time hours, and I have been searching for a job since we got here, I have had only one interview and haven't heard a thing back. Both of us quickly became stressed out and knew we needed to come up with a new plan.
There have been numerous (250+) job cuts on PEI recently, in a small province, that makes finding a job near impossible. Our economy is garbage and there is nothing to be had. After much discussion and planning, we made a choice. We knew we needed to move off island, the question was...how! How were we going to save enough money to move to another province, get an apartment, and survive...without jobs in said province? It was the dilemma of year. Initially, we were discussing moving to Toronto. We figured, it is a massive city with a lot of opportunities, and we could easily save enough money to live in a cheap hostel while we found jobs and an apartment. However, after a little more though, we realized that we did not know anyone in Toronto, no friends and no family. We'd be alone in this huge city that neither of us had been to before. Sure, its been done...but it just was too much of a risk for us. We started to lose hope. I found myself laying in bed until 6am just thinking about how neither of us will be landing full time jobs in the near future and how we must find an apartment by September. I was lost, depressed, cranky and stressed.
Then, one of the most amazing people I know, stepped back into my life and agreed to help us!! I was starting to think the world was against us, but I now realize there are still good people out there. Let me explain. I messaged my good friend Katie, who currently lives in Ottawa. I explained my situation and "vented" to her about everything that has been going on. Then, I had to swallow my pride and ask the question I did not want to ask anyone...I asked her if she had room to let us crash there for 2 weeks MAX while we found jobs and an apartment. To my surprise, she said YES and said we can stay as long as it takes to find what we need to get settled. I could not believe it!! I was in awe. I mean, I always knew she was a really good friend and would always be there for me, but this was just unreal. I still have not thanked her enough.
Now, I must explain that I did not choose Ottawa for that one purpose. I have a decent amount of lovely family members there, and 3 of my close friends (Katie included) live there. I know the city really well as I have been going there since I was a kid. It is a really clean, upbeat, beautiful city and deep down I have always wanted to live there. I am beyond excited for this, as is Ian. I am leaving PEI on July 3rd, 2012 and have no plans on returning (other than to visit family and friends). Ian will not be joining me in Ottawa until 2 weeks later, for financial reasons, but I think we can survive 2 weeks apart in order to have a fresh start.
Bring on the jobs, education, and city life!! And Katie, my dear, dear Katie....Thank you again!! You are saving us!!!
-Drea
