And there must be a lot of people with the same needs for sanity because there are just so many opportunities to engage with diverse communities here! There are language groups, parents n tots groups, parents n infant groups, dancing, yoga, martial arts, and just in case nothing fits, there are established channels and even grants for you to start your own initiatives.
I currently teach a yoga class here, and run some parenting workshops in this and other nearby communities in Vancouver, and my husband and I also set up a old-family-meets-new-family-over-dinner initiative, which is funded by UBC. Through these I’ve met some wonderful friends that play no mean part in keeping me in sound mental health… and who have also become sources of help, information and opportunities. And in the crappy days when its raining (did I mention it rains a wee bit here?) and the kid’s being challenging and my brain refuses to understand what I’m reading for class, its usually these outside home/school activities like yoga or gardening or laughing with friends that reminds me not to take myself so seriously, and that life’s good, I’m good, its all good… again.
So when you’ve moved in, don’t forget to come out and play!
by Angela Low
