Heading home

As of the evening of Friday, July 29th, I’ll be home for good.

For those of you who don’t already know, I’ve been away from home for the last 4 months, working in Eel Ground, New Brunswick. It’s an Aboriginal community, just outside Miramichi. My job has been to train a group of Aboriginal students in the art and science of software testing.

It’s hard to describe how I’m feeling. Naturally, I’m ridiculously happy to be home with my family again. Being away for 4 months, with only a weekend visit once a month to tide me over, has been very difficult for us all. My wife and my daughter are pretty much the centre of my universe, so being home again is going to bring things back in to alignment. I’d particularly like to give a shout out to my wife, who has been incredibly supportive and has had to carry the entire household on her own while I’ve been away.

I’m also a bit sad to go. My class, now interns, have made me so proud in the last few weeks. I know they’ll go on to be great testers, and make their families and communities proud too. They’re setting the foundation for something that may change a lot of lives over the next few years. I’m going to miss them…well, most of the time anyway! 😉

Living in Miramichi has been an interesting experience. I don’t know if I would have had the same kind of opportunity to experience Aboriginal culture in quite the same way anywhere else. The people here have been so welcoming, and I’m grateful for having been welcomed here.

As a bit of a beer nut, living in New Brunswick has offered me a nice opportunity to try a lot of fantastic beers that I wouldn’t have access to in Newfoundland. In particular, the local craft brewing scene in Fredericton is awesome. One of my favourites has been prett much anything from Maybee Brewing. The shining stars in their lineup are the Stone House Belgian Trippel, and the Roseway Red. It’s also really nice to see that cideries are starting up here. In particular, I really enjoyed the work of York County Cider.

While I’m not a fan of the heat, it’s been interesting living once again in a place that really does get hot, at least compared to St. John’s. I definitely remember why I prefer the climate in Newfoundland, even if we lack a “real” summer some years.

To everyone I’ve met on this adventure, thank you. You’ve added to the tapestry of my life, and I’m glad for it.