30 before 30: Move to Vancouver

I did it. I am here. Vancouver. I move into my apartment on the 15th. I'm excited to get a job and furnish my place. I want to join running clubs, book clubs and just focus on finding myself. I miss my family a lot, and I will miss them insanely more, but I really had to get away from that mess. I feel good here. 

Though a weird part of me feels like I need to take on a big project or achieve some crazy goal - to prove something to myself. My good friend pointed out, that I already did: I moved! I am not sure what I have in mind. 

I have a lot of things I want to accomplish. And, I will. 

My move took a long time. 

Only an hour into our drive and I am already out of the car taking pictures of the scenery. Miss the Yukon much? I think so. 

 I have no idea where this is. Northern BC I think.

 Moose! Tones of wildlife on the road. Bison, Elk, Horses, Moose, Coyotes, Birds, Bears. Dead animals getting eaten by other animals. It was cool to see nature like that. Though I feel guilt for building roads in their living room. 

 Pissed off Weimaraner. Luna hates cars, and he hates when her schedule is messed up. She's been pretty mad at me for the last month. I've left her in a boarding kennel while I am running a race in Victoria. I have some kissing up to do. :( 

See!? trying to get her into the hotel room! I had to physically lift her out. 

I think she is so stressed looking here. 

Won't even smile. But to be fair, I am about to drop her off for two nights and three days at a kennel. Don't believe me, but dogs know your every thought. They are good like that. 

Running Group: "Hills are awesome!" Said none of us, ever!

I'm gunna miss my Thursday night group. 

We ran 10 miles across the top of a mountain and back tonight. 

Six peaks to go up, and over to get to the summit. 

 Then we had to turn around and head home, over the same six peaks we just staggered over.

30 before 30: Hike in Denali National Park

I spent 10 days travelling the State of Alaska. I drove 3,400 Kilometres. Took over 500 pictures, and ate out of way too many dehydrated food bags. 

I met a lot of really cool people and saw even more great things.

I learnt a lot about myself. I found peace in the rain, and got more and more depressed the closer I got to home proving the move to Vancouver is not by any means a mistake. 

New shoes! First run in them! 

Luna and I chilling at the beach in Seward. The only blue sky while I was in that funky town. 

My favourite place of the trip. 

Mount Marathon. I hike half-way up and got pepper sprayed.. She wanted to make sure it works. It worked.

When you can only carry 4L of water at a time and you are never really sure where the next refill comes from, you learn a new kind of respect for the land. 

Moose! A baby moose allowed me to hang out with it on a park path in Anchorage, AK 

The bus that took me 89 miles into the National Park of Denali. 6 hours on this thing is enough. 

Mt. McKinley. This picture does it no justice. We are still 30 or 40 miles as the bird flies to the peak. There are about 50 days a year when you can actually see it. I lucked out. 

Long live the river! 

Yep, love books. 

30 before 30 Spreading Jim in the Tombstones

I actually hiked and spread Jimmy on July 1, 2012. Two months ago... I am getting really bad at posting. Sorry. 

I was all alone out here. 

Could never grow tired of these mountains.

I dug a hole and put her ashes in the ground here. E.M.O.T.I.O.N.A.L! 

Alaska Bound.

A week from today, I'm heading to Alaska for 10 days. I'll be spending it with Luna fishing, hiking and bumming around the coast.

Hiking in Denali is on my 30 before 30. I haven't put much thought into it yet. I'm excited. I'm scared. I'm looking forward to a break from my phone-family-job.

Hopefully after Alaska I will have time to update this thing more often.

Until then, keep dancing.

30 before 30: Grand Canyon

As you know, my 29th birthday was a week ago, so I decided about a month ago I should try to complete 30 goals before I turn 30. Yes, typical of me to leave things to the very last minute- I know. When I finish editing my list I will post it, but I have to be careful what I put on it as I am soon to be out of a job and house... 

So, here is the first thing I've done on my list. Hiking in the Grand Canyon. I've just returned from three days there. It was humbling to say the least. You don't realize how small and insignificant you are until you've been somewhere so magical, for the lack of a better word. 

I asked one of my best friends to share the experience with me. God love her for tolerating my driving, picky eating and terribly smelly armpits.. 

 On the first day, we were lucky to make it in-time for the solar eclipse. We sat on the edge of the canyon wall watching the eclipse. Sorry about the camera shake, I didn't bring a tripod. 

 North meets South in the East. 

We took a break for lunch here. It was quiet with lots of space to think.

 The trail at the top on our way back.

Powell Lake Damn where we started on our rafting journey down the Colorado River. 

 Fly Fishing in the river

Shannon and I after our hiking adventure down the South Kaibab Trail. 

Lately:

I think I just allowed the biggest, burliest, tattooed dude to live in my basement for the summer. Oh please God, don't let him be some kind of psycho killer!

I've been doing yoga and drinking too much beer.

Listening to a lot of hip-hop and classical music. I don't get it either.

Loving my time with Shannon. Dang woman, you're a good listener. Thanks for the perspective.

Eating a lot of take-out and cooking zero. It's depressing to cook for one. Never been good at it. Out-of-the-pot-and-over-the-sink has never been my thing... Yes, that's how I eat when I am alone. Tables with empty chairs depress me.

Being told to keep going over chicken fingers and messy sandwiches. I don't take that lightly, it is easy to crumble and stay there. Thank you.

Sleeping not very much. Constantly having nightmares. Last night a fellow high-school student shot me in the head. People in the street didn't care I was dying.

Walking a lot with Luna. Enjoying the spring smells.

Planning to move.

Asked to job shadow under a caterer here. I don't even care if I get paid!

Reading Born to Run. I'm glad I took a third attempt at it. Also a book on how to make friends. As I have none. And I probably need them

Creating a summer bucket list. It's going to be an action packed last summer here. 

Telling myself, "I just have to adjust to life without him, and that I will be okay." Adapting to an adverse situation. I could have cancer or no legs. This should be easier.

Trying to be grateful. Failing at it.

Forcing myself to focus on me, and my goals for a change.

Learning to let go of the past. It has always been a challenge.

Fixing my house to sell it in June.

If I've missed telling you that I was leaving in the fall, I am sorry that this is how you found out.

Much love, dear friends.

In my world it's cheque-run day, which is a day I normally like. Except, today my printer won't print.

Insert office rage.

I wish I could draw you a stick woman stabbing a printer, because that is how I feel on the inside. Imagine me in my trousers and flats, holding a butter knife (that's all they allow me to play with,) angrily stabbing away a plastic hunk of junk. *sigh*

ha-ha at least my boyfriend is cute..

Weekend Getaway.

Justin and I went with another couple to a little cabin in Atlin, B.C. for the weekend.

This was the sunrise from the cabin's window this morning. The cabin was nested into the mountain side looking over Atlin Lake.

Peaceful isn't a good enough word to describe how I felt out there.

They went out snowshoeing, but I stayed back to read, think and sleep more.

We played boardgames, watched the football game, ate a lot and had lovely conversations throughout.

I know I ate and drank enough to sink that ship. (Too soon?)

Living was easy, and I am upset weekends are only two short days.

I have a feeling that I will need to hold God's hand and leap this week.

Happy New Year Rob.
My, how a year can change things.

I am excited for your new walk in life.

Hard work pays off.

You're proof of that.

Though you're far, you're near. Peace be with you.

Family.

Today I am thankful, and so very jealous, of the gift that is family.

It has been really nice to visit with a completely new-to-me family. I've enjoyed listening to the reminiscing of stories that are not mine; I love that they still laugh over them-as my family would. I love that they bicker in front of me; I love that they've requested Justin and I to take separate rooms. I love that they made it easy for me not to miss my own as much.

Today I thank God for Justin's family.

Spoiled.

Elegant "truck stop diners", north stars, eclipsing moon, lazy morning breakfasts and tea, instruction manuals and comic books, The Nutcracker soon, Christmas Tree support, missing sleep, driveways and garbage cans, warm feelings galore!

I am lucky, really lucky. It's hard not to smile.

Being Ridiculous

I rubbed my leg, calf, ankle and toes for 30 minutes tonight. Then proceeded to talk to it. I sent it positive thoughts and words of encouragement. I told it about the miles we'd soon be covering. Hopefully it helps.

It's less swollen than last week, but still has a painful, tingly sensation on the outer half on my toes and top of the foot.

I am trying hard at remaining pleasant, but on a good day, I can't even stand myself.

Sorry if you've been blessed with my presence lately. But when you lose your independence, and not by choice, it can make one's self bitter. I feel like a burden to those who still remain around me. I am struggling with this as I know it is only building character. However, this current character is not working for me.

I'm off!

I'm leaving this cold, dark place tomorrow for something slightly warmer, and a a whole lot wetter. I am getting surgery on my Achilles Tendon on Friday. My mister is coming along for support because I cry like a girl around needles. (I needed my sister to hold me a few years back when I had to get a measly little flu shot. Ask her - I was a mess!)

I don't even know what to do with my own self while lying in a hospital bed for two days let alone with him watching me lay there. We may end up just staring at each other trying to remember how to relax. And chances are he may get sick of me because I plan to attach myself to his side. I plan to ask him for a million stories. Oh wait. I already do that. Sorry Mister.

Here's to hoping this goes well, and that I don't wake up alone in the supply closet, again.

I am currently writing a post on why I think it is important to celebrate all things big and small. Even the things that make you feel sad should be celebrated - I believe.

However, I have not had the time to finish it - I have been reading a lot. These are some good books.

On a completely different note: my cast came off today so I could meet with the surgeon. I am getting the surgery. But that's not the cool part, the cool part is that my left calf muscle is now almost 2 inches smaller than the right.

Okay it's not cool, but it's amazing how the body deteriorates so quickly!

dream big

I am gathering information and employing my imagination in preparing myself for what is to come: Life.

My 29th birthday is rapidly approaching and I feel as if 30 is a shorter distance away; it is time to get going before the going has up and left me.

It is easy for me to feel as though my life has no purpose and is without meaning - as you know, this is not the life I would have chosen if it were up to me. I know I am an important role in my work place as it could not function without me, but that does not automatically fill one with the satisfaction and lust for life that one needs.

My passion is in food. I don’t mean the mundane task of eating the food placed in front of us at each meal. I mean the bringing together of our loved ones; the reuniting with long lost friends; the falling in love with a stranger. We build our lives around food. We nourish our souls along side our family and friends. Our busy lives disconnect and separate us, but dinner will always encourage sharing and warmth.

It is in these moments while gathered around the table that I love to step back and watch life unfold its beauty. I take pleasure in knowing that a simple dish can create life. It brings reminiscing, makes plans for the future, and comforts us in ways only our loved ones know how.

Therefore, the way I see it, the maker of food makes life. Who wouldn’t want to be a chef?

- "Be ignited, or be gone." - Mary Oliver

Slims West With The Mister.