Nine Year Hiatus

I was a senior in high school the last time I visited my father here in Frelighsburg, Quebec. To give some perspective on that span of time, since I was last here I:
-spent five and a half years at four different universities in three cities and two continents in order to get a degree that should only take four years in the first place
-worked as a zookeeper, deckhand, divemaster, construction worker, and veterinary technician
-helped rebuild two scuba dive boats
-dated a girl who, in a past life, performed in a Peruvian circus as a trapese artist
-eaten an ostrich egg omelet
-considered careers ranging from carpentry to teaching english to building roads
-learned to say "hello" and "thank you" in Thai, Laotian, Hindi, German, and Polish

Though much has changed since last I was here (the house, the dogs, me), it has been so nice to feel like I am home. The months of constantly having to plan and adapt an itinerary for everyday was interesting and life-changing for sure, but now it is such a relief to be on familiar territory among family. Speaking of which, I am really enjoying the opportunity to forge a relationship with Ulysse, my 10 year old half brother (Andree's son). For such a young guy, he sure does keep me on my toes. He is constantly coming up with new ideas for things to work on and, though his english is incomplete (yet far better than my french), we get along quite well. Who knows? Maybe someday he will come to visit in California (or wherever I may wind up!).