Today the weather has turned rainy and gloomy. I don’t have any errands to run, other than a haircut in the afternoon. I’m expecting a package to arrive from the U.S. with some shoes and other purchases I made from online retailers and forwarded via my shipping service. I also sent an early Christmas present to my friend in O. in Strasbourg, France that I’m hoping will arrive today. I give her a...

Lately I’ve been sleeping in later, but today I get up and going earlier than I have in awhile. I’m expecting a package to be delivered before 12 noon, and instead of dilly-dallying I take a shower right away and get dressed, so that I’m ready to head downstairs whenever it arrives. Then it’s back to my usual routine of coffee and breakfast, and as I’m washing the...

It’s drizzly out, and without any compelling reason to leave the apartment, I decide to stay in and catch up on emails, do more job searching, etc. I’m surprised and excited when another email notification regarding my Personal Public Service (PPS) number application shows up in my inbox this morning. I did not expect to hear anything this week, assuming that the officer...