The Journey and the Destination

Arrival – Canada!
Raised on a farm in southwestern Ontario. Mama Bear was busy with her brood - seven children
over almost twenty years. Yours truly ended up being the middle of seven children – and we
weren’t even Catholic. As Papa Bear liked to say, we were just sexy Protestants! It was expected
that I would take over the farm, as my father had and my grandfather before him. That was not
in the cards. Instead, I was the first to go to university, and ended up becoming a teacher. After
eight years of teaching, my feet were itchy, and other horizons beckoned.

1st Stop – Indonesia!
Arriving in Jakarta – oh the sights, sounds, and smells – I was hooked from the get-go! A train
ride into the mountains of West Java, to the Dutch colonial city of Bandung. Working an at
international school. Learning Bahasa Indonesia as well as some Sundanese. Weekends in
Jakarta, dancing the night away at the Tanamur disco. First-hand witness to the protests, fires,
and military retaliation during the overthrow of Suharto. Throw in a few earthquakes for good
measure. Two unforgettable years flew by.

2nd Stop – Turkey!
Time to move on. A new international school. A few weeks after arriving, there was a
devastating earthquake. There would be others over the years. Progressed from teaching into
leading, and my first principalship. Immersed myself into another culture and learning another
language. Fell in love with the country and the hospitality of its people. Oh Istanbul, the most
glorious city in the world! Six years that forever changed me, but oh those feet started itching
again.

3rd Stop – United Arab Emirates!
We all make mistakes – this was my biggest one. A year from hell. Enough said!

4th Stop – Turkey ... again!
Missed Turkey terribly, and fled back to my adopted homeland, tail between my legs. But this
time I was the principal of a school in Izmir, on the Aegean Sea. A wonderful city. Different
vibes. An Istanbulian at heart, I went to my favourite city in the world as often as possible. But
no hardship to live in Izmir. Eight years in that Aegean coastal city, and I started to get antsy
again.

5th Stop – Israel!
The opportunity to be the director of a new international school that brought together students
from Israel, Palestine, and a range of other countries around the world. Reunited with a friend
and made new ones. Lived in Tel Aviv, one of the most exciting cities in the world – rather like a
combination of NYC and Miami. Good times overshadowed by rocket attacks. Protected by the
Iron Dome. It was only one year, but another life-changing experience.

6th Stop – Turkey ... yet again!
Home is where the heart is. And mine was in Turkey. For the final phase of my career, I
transitioned into university counselling at a private school. My Turkish god-daughter became the
centre of my life. This rolling stone is content to stay in one place.