Homestretch

We are heading into the last week of classes for the semester, and if current weather forecasts are to be believed, perhaps the last week of winter snow on the ground. That doesn't necessarily mean the last snow, as it is more than possible for new snow to fall in April and May. But once the snow that has been on the ground all winter has melted, it is clear that any new snow won't last long. I have my fingers crossed that it does really get as warm as it is predicted to, because seeing bare ground would probably have a positive psychological impact on everyone around here. Yesterday it got up to 7°C/45°F, and people went outside in droves. There was a palpable spring fever, and I can only imagine how much excitement will be in the air when it finally does get to 15°C/60°F.

Other than the slight mania associated with improved weather, I have managed to remain illness-free. More than ever I am a true believer in handwashing and hand gel, and it is always nice to see (at the very least an illusion of) a link between behavior and outcomes. At times when it seems like so much is uncontrollable, these small victories are extra sweet :-)

Some work updates I'm not sure whether I have shared: I was able to successfully recruit a graduate student to come and work with me next year, and I will have two honors students working with me. When you add that to my current graduate student, current honors student (who has expressed interest in sticking around to do some volunteer work in the lab), and two dedicated volunteer research assistants, I expect to have a bustling and fully functional research group come fall. Is still feels a bit like playing house – like I can't possibly be actually in charge of all of this – but by all indications things seem to be going fairly well.

I am also continuing to do my best to integrate myself into the Regina community. I have been volunteering for a while now at an after-hours volunteer-run health clinic that provides services related to both medical needs and social determinants of health in a neighborhood that has a high degree of need for such services. It is nice to sometimes see a different side of the city, and to be around different people than I am around most of the time. I think it helps me to feel more connected, and to feel a greater sense of belonging. Getting established in a new place takes time, and although I don't quite feel like I have fully taken root here, I am working on it.

Related to that, I continue to do two or three activities a month with the Regina Newcomers Club. I wouldn't say that I have met my new best friend there yet, but it is getting me out and about to restaurants and coffee shops that I otherwise wouldn't explore. As my mobility improves, and as the ice in parking lots melts, I am more and more free to see what this town has to offer. And fortunately, I'm discovering that some of the things that I thought early on (no good restaurants, no coffee shops that feel like what I'm used to coffee shops feeling like) are not exactly true.

All in all things are going reasonably well, and I can only expect things to get better in the near future!