Hello friends,

It’s been a while since I’ve made an update about what’s going on in my life and I think it’s time to catch up. The last 8 months since I graduated have been filled with a lot of new experiences and learning opportunities, but also with a lot of anxiety. I’ve been doing contract work in St. John’s for the last 6 months while I’ve been looking for a permanent job and before Christmas I very happily accepted a new job starting in February in Vancouver! So I’m leaving Newfoundland and I’m moving out west to British Columbia.

I hate leaving Newfoundland because it is my home and it has the most beautiful scenery and people, but I’m very excited to be starting a new chapter in my career and to have the opportunity to try living in a new place. I’ve been off for the last month and I’ve spent it catching up with friends and clearing through the clutter that’s accumulated in my room over the last few years. I’m moving at the beginning of next week and I’m starting my new job the following week. I’ve been finding it difficult to post regular blogs over the last few months, but I plan on getting back into the swing of writing regular entries to share my adventures as I check out a new city and province.

I’m going to be based in Burnaby, which is next to Vancouver (they feel like one big city to me) and I’m going to be living in New Westminster. New Westminster is a smaller municipality located on the river between Burnaby and Surrey and I hope I’m going to like it there. I’m pretty excited about exploring a new place and I hope to do some skiing in the winter and lots of hiking in the summer. I spent a decent amount of time on the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland and I’d like to get acquainted with the West Coast Trail in BC.

I don’t know too many people in Vancouver and would love to make some new friends, so let me know if you’re in the area or know anyone in the area that I might be able to connect with. I’m hoping to make a few weekend trips to nearby places in BC and across the border in Washington. I welcome any ideas and recommendations on places to explore and I have extra room in my apartment if you ever want to come for a visit and explore them with me!

I’ve enjoyed my last few months of work in St. John’s, but I’m excited to settle down into a permanent position as I start my career. I always hate saying goodbye to Newfoundland, no matter how long I’m going for, but I’m looking forward to new opportunities to learn and grow. Hope you’ll follow along in my new adventure!

Love Maria