Roll Back 10 Years: What’s Changed?

Today I happened upon TheSprog.Blogspot.ca which was featured on Miss 604’s site.  It turns out that Lisa Corriveau was a Vancouver Top 30 Blogger for 2012.  I was at the Top 30 Mom Bloggers reception earlier this year and was one of the Top 30 Bloggers for 2011. (Note to self – check out all the winners!)

While reading the blog I soon noticed that Lisa is taking part in the Monday Listicles project put together by  NorthwestMommy.com. It sounds like a fun project and I like that it is organized within the Pacific Northwest.

Diving in – here’s my Top 10 for how my life is different from the younger me ten years ago.

Different

* I drive!

This is a huge difference.  Since I lived in Japan for many years, and was living on a tight budget before and after my years in Japan, owning a car and driving was never an option. After I got married my husband encouraged me to drive.  We moved to a suburb of Vancouver last year and I had to face the music – or should I say the Walk Score in our neighbourhood (17 versus 97 in Yaletown).  The skills I learned when I passed my test in ’07, before my twin pregnancy and before my twins arrived, would have to be put to use.  If you are a new driver or you’re learning to drive after 30, check out my post on this topic and do share your thoughts with me. I can relate!

* I’m not in school.

Good grief –  I have been in and out of University from age 17 until age 35.  In my mid 20s I completed a Montessori teacher (directress) training proramme and went back to complete a Master degree when I was 32, taking a year off to deal with a medical disability. I love studying and research work.  Indeed I was fortunate enough to take on three research contracts while I completed my last degree. It’s a pipe dream of mine, but I’d like to complete a PhD in my field as well.

How about you? What are your academic aspirations?  How are they coming along? Do you have any academic pipe dreams that you’d like to put into action?

* I’m married.

This is a major change and isn’t one that I’ve written about on this site.  I got married when I had just turned 38. This means I spent many years as a single adult and have a deep understanding of what it means to be a single woman in today’s world.  When it comes to any topic that compares single women to married women, or women who have children to those who don’t, I take a split perspective on the matter.

* I’m a mum.

Of course this is a major change too.  Ten years ago I was a devoted aunt, and I am still strongly committed to my three nieces. Except I now have three more nephews and a niece by marriage.  Ten years ago I had just finished up a contract as a teacher working with young children. I’ve been fortunate to have children in my life regularly since I became a Girl Guide leader in 1993.

* I no longer rent.

I have enjoyed most of the places I’ve lived in, and ten years ago I was living in quite a few as I shifted from one location to another on campus at UBC and then lived in two flats in Metro Vancouver before getting married.  I don’t miss being beholden to a landlord and have to admit – now that I’m in a house – that I don’t miss hearing neighbours through the walls.

* I don’t walk on the wild side.

It would be a stretch to say that I’ve lived a wild life, but let’s just say there are a few lifestyle choices I’m not favouring anymore.  I’m not blowing through international airports regularly, like I’m making a quick dash through a subway station. I’m not dancing in clubs in Florence at 2 in the morning. (Read night clubs catering to gay men.) I’m not single and dating men who are fun, fascinating and brilliant  – but who live life in the fast lane. I’m still having fun but my activities are definitely more sedate.  Like the Slow Food/Eat Local movement, I’m taking it slow –  savouring each moment in my local community.

* I’m done with cell phones.

Half the time I can’t find mine, or if I do it’s not charged. (See The Evolution of Cell Phone Nomophobia.) This situation might change.  I might even buy a smart phone, but the need to cruise the Internet while I’m on the go hasn’t hit me yet, and I don’t expect it will anytime soon.

* I’m not dashing about

Ten years ago I had just finished an active period of traveling internationally and was still popping over to Barbados.  Since then I’ve made trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska (quasi international) various islands in Greece and that’s it!  After a lifetime of living overseas (in six countries) and popping round here, there and everywhere, it’s been a quiet decade for me travel-wise.

* I’m still interested in political parties but don’t volunteer

Ten years ago I was a keen volunteer for my Federal political party association of choice and, I think it’s fair to say, I was pretty darn good at it. Having young children, no childcare programme and volunteering for political party associations doesn’t go together very well. Ditto for attending political party events, which tend to be adult oriented.  This is not only my loss, but I think my political party of choice is losing out too. If events and initiatives could be ones where you could sometimes bring your children along, more Canadians would engage with political party activities in British Columbia and Canada.

* I’m not fashion-focussed.

It used to be that I’d scour fashion magazines and watch for hot international trends. I was passionate about Frank Magazine and Wallpaper. I’d want a specific perfume or from Italy or I’d ask my brother to send me a type of makeup product from Canada.  I’d order from international fashion catalogues, or hunt down handmade leather sandals in Barbaods. I’d frequent stores in Japan that featured unique, affordable brands from the local market. When I traveled I’d make a point of buying upscale street fashion in the cities that I visited.  More recently I wrote a piece called Time for a Fashion Reboot.  Here’s a quote from this piece:

Recently  I experienced a bit of an unexpected ego smack when someone from a different age cohort let me know indirectly (but oh so directly) that my belief in my ability to dress well and look good was misplaced.  Let’s not go into the nasty details.

Nowadays I buy pieces on sale at The Bay, Sears or Costco.  If I can find something online and have it sent to me with no shipping charge, I’m in! My wardrobe is acceptable but doesn’t knock my socks off.  I’m waiting for What Not to Wear to pay me a visit. Sadly I hear you can’t nominate yourself and it seems they never cast in the Vancouver area.   🙁

How about you?  What are some of the significant changes that you’ve experienced in the last ten years?

You can comment about this posting using the comment function below or by visiting the BC Family Facebook page. Your opinion matters so don’t be shy!

Daily Dish Archives: Pamela Chan/Publisher, BCfamily.ca

2 thoughts on “Roll Back 10 Years: What’s Changed?

  1. All of the sudden we are all grown up and buying clothes where we hated our parents buying it for us 😉
    Great list, lovely to meet you!

  2. Thanks for visiting, Stasha. So much can change in ten years, hey? Your list series is a fun idea. I look forward to taking part in the next one.

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