tales from the kitchen

Back in December I was offered a position as a software developer co-op (basically an internship) with a company in Kitchener, Ontario. At the time I didn't expect it at all. When I received the interview offer I was thrilled but also anxious at the thought of having to move away. I thought, "I'll cross this bridge if I get the job!" and it turns out I crossed more than just a bridge.

I traveled a few thousand kilometers to Toronto, then hopped on a bus to complete the trip to the Kitchener-Waterloo area, and the rest is history (albeit very recent and still in progress history). Work has been great to me (will likely make a post reflecting on my time here at some point), the place I'm staying is super convenient, and everything has been pretty darn superb.

Things that have surprised me so far:

- people here are missing out on the great opportunity to call Kitchener "the kitchen"

- the light rail here is on the ground

- there aren't a lot of Asian people here (outside of students at the university)

- culture wise there doesn't seem to be too much difference from what I can tell

- somebody from my high school lives a block away from me

- I don't mind eating the same things every day, but I enjoy cooking different meals

And so it has been just about 6 weeks into my time here in Eastern Canada and sometimes it still doesn't quite feel real to me. I'll be walking back home, in the freezing cold, watching my breath disappear into the sky, and I'll feel like tearing up for some reason. Maybe it's because I never anticipated achieving so much, or having the fortune of such a pleasant chapter in my life.

I do miss home, family, friends, and the comforts of Vancouver (the food is much better back home), but the learning and growing experience has been unmatched to anything before. With confidence I can say that I will be a better, stronger, and more well-rounded person when I go back home.

That's all that I have to say for now, I hope you enjoyed that little peek into what I've been up to lately! Thank you for reading, tune in next time for how Western Canada's largest hackathon went and my goals for the esports club :))