Guess what? I am writing to you from my new apartment in Montreal! It has been a hectic few days what with the packing and train riding and biking with a backpack on my back and a guitar on my front… BUT WE MADE IT! I am so happy to finally be able to call this apartment home.

It can be a weird feeling to live in two different places (I am sure you students out there can relate to this). I have my home in Toronto where I grew up, and then I have my many different homes in Montreal (I’ve moved apartments every year I’ve been here, and am now on apartment #4). Before I moved to Montreal, I would have called myself a sentimental person. I felt very attached to my house, to the objects in it, to the people who surrounded me and made it so special. As a child, I attached emotion to everything.

It is hard to describe exactly what I mean by this, but to put it simply I felt that I had a connection to each chair, mug, hairbrush, etc. that existed in my home. These objects had personalities, feelings, and all contributed to my sense of family and belonging. This feeling lingers into my adulthood, but it has changed substantially. I’ve realized through multiple moves and apartments that it really takes very little to make a place feel like home.

There are things I need like my quilt, cowy (a stuffed cow that plays “old Macdonald had a farm” who I’ve had since I was a baby), a couple of special mugs, my tea collection, and music. When you have your sentimental things, it becomes easy to gather them up and create a new home. I have tried over these last 3 years to reduce the amount of “things” that I bring with me from place to place, but there are still those small things I need and I think are important.

All this to say that I am here, with my things and with Sebastian, and I feel very at home already. I don’t think that I will ever feel a city is as deeply my home as Toronto is, but that doesn’t mean I won’t feel at home in other places. I know that as the years pass I will collect a new idea of home, something to keep close at heart and carry with me in an intangible way. I can feel it growing now. It is something I can’t put into words but that exists and is sure, true, and deeply rooted in who I am. And to have that feeling is just completely awesome.

I tried to think of a bunch of names for this sandwich that were more descriptive and informative, but really it is just a huge and deliciously satisfying vegetarian sandwich. Sandwiches are probably my favorite food (can you say that about something that is not a specific food?). When made right they are both cozy and bursting with flavors and veggies. So, here I give you exactly that. It is perfect for lunch, dinner, and then lunch again the next day! Especially with school coming up, I like to have all the ingredients prepped and on hand for an easy bring-to-school lunch. You could even just prep the ingredients the night before and bring them to work/school with you for the next couple of days. It is also very adaptable – you can add in your favorite fillings and spices. Simply perfect 🙂