That’s a wrap

It’s been a week since my last day at work and this draws my time in Canada to a close. Working here as an advanced care paramedic for the last 18 months has been a whirlwind to say the least. I’ve grown so much as a person, learnt new skills, made new friends and if anything I’ve found where I really belong, London.

I think the mix of both working out on the ambulance and working at the cardiac clinic has been a nice balance. My ECG knowledge is better than ever and I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing people and insanely intelligent doctors. I got the sweetest leaving card and a bottle of wine and these guys are for sure making it harder to leave.

I keep thinking that this move didn’t work out as I’d hoped, but what was I hoping for? If it was to find somewhere I’m truly happy well it did work out, because I now know that’s London. If things had been different and I’d enjoyed working here more I think I’d have moved back to Toronto, deep down I’m just a city girl. But the thing is, Toronto is just London without all the stuff (a Steve Martin reference there) so why not just come home ?! Don’t get me wrong, the mountains and the scenery here are INCREDIBLE. Canada has so much to offer, I’ve loved getting to experience it all, I’ll look back fondly on this time and it’s just another chapter of my ever changing life, another story to tell.

After many 3am virtual house viewings (being 7 hours behind isn’t ideal in these circumstances) we finally found a nice little flat in Fulham. By we I mean Eve and I, the Scottish girl I mentioned I met earlier this year. Eve has never lived in London and I think being able to experience that with her brings a whole new level of fun to my return venture. I honestly can’t wait to get back, go the pub, the theatre, run along the river, see old friends, spend quality time with my family and just feel at home.

I also had the shock of a lifetime last week. My friend Katie (an Australian medic I’ve been friends with for a few years now) was due to visit and spend my final week with me. Katie had a car rented from the airport and my address, however I thought it was rude of me not to meet her so I went along to the airport to surprise her. I accidentally therefore ruined my OWN surprise which was one of my best friends Lauren (shock, another medic) also coming along !!! They kept that bloody secret well hidden from me. When I saw them at arrivals my first thought was ‘oh Katie made a friend on the flight, how nice’ (I wasn’t wearing my glasses evidently). Well within seconds of them getting closer I knew and wow, the best surprise ever.

As a three we’ve spent my final week seeing the snowy Rocky Mountains, going to Christmas markets and enjoying all Alberta has to offer, a little farewell trip from me. What a special send off and one I’ll treasure forever.

It won’t be easy fitting back in where I left off, nobody at work will know who I am, I’ll probably be mistaken for being new, I’ll start calling arrests ‘codes’ and asking for the ‘epi’ but I’ll fall back into old habits fast. I hope 2025 brings new opportunities my way (I’ve got my fingers crossed for an MRU hiring) and I can continue to enjoy the career I love.

I don’t think I’ll be posting again but thanks for following along on my journey if you are reading this. Maybe I’ll write a book one day because if you think this chapter has been a ride, you haven’t heard the half of it.

I’ll still post on Twitter / X so I’m not falling off the face of the earth.

Next stop, LONDON BABY !!

Em x