Sometimes, even the best laid plans don’t stick.

I am a firm believer in taking opportunities when they are presented to you — because as corny as it sounds, the chances you don’t take really are the ones you end up regretting.

As a result of this philosophy, Mr Midday Musings and I are in Canada for awhile longer. Strangely, despite my initial disappointment and anxiety about changing plans and altering our life decisions, I’ve come to an almost serene point of view. I’ve realised that I’m happy.

Yes, I’m not exactly where I thought I’d be at age 30. I’m working in a different kind of role, in an industry I’d never heard of before, but you know what? I’m enjoying it. Yes, I’m renting in an expensive city, and yes, it’s a small place by Australian standards but again — looking at other places to rent or buy makes me appreciate how lucky I am; how beautiful it is to live near the ocean and the park; how much I love my short bicycle commute each morning; and how I even kind of love how old and ugly our building is because it means we have a big living area and a few quirks (an oval-shaped pool, slightly strange garden statues, and on-site staff who know your name) that don’t come in modern buildings.

Yes, I miss my family. So much, sometimes. Yes, I miss the ocean and the beach (sorry English Bay, I love you, but you just aren’t the same as an Aussie beach) and as the days grow greyer, I really miss the sun shining nearly 300 days a year.

But I’m building my own support crew here, my own little Vancouver family full of friends, old and new. Beyond the people in my life, I love that the mornings are getting more crisp each day, that there are hints of yellow and reds in the leaves, and you can almost feel people retreat indoors in these early days of fall.

It’s now the season of scarves, coats, dinner parties, walks in the rain with my pretty umbrella, and honestly, these things are all wonderful in their own way. Before you know it, it will be winter, and I’ll eagerly await weekends in the mountains the same way I do in summer, albeit for very different activities.

I don’t need to look at my summer highlights reel to know that I am lucky. Ridiculously, unbelievably lucky to live a life full of friendship, love, and good fortune. Maybe life isn’t going the exact way I’d like, maybe there are some heartaches and stresses along the way, but honestly, what life is perfect?  This just might be as close as it gets to happiness — and I’m going to enjoy it.

Thank you, Vancouver, for another beautiful summer. I’m looking forward to the next one.