Coulda Woulda Shoulda

My lovely friend from Korea, K, sent me this link and I basically strained every throat and stomach muscle laughing my arse off at all of these posts. It also made me miss the magical craziness of Korea. If you've lived there, you'll love this. If you haven't, here's another window into the wacky world of being a waegook. Thanks Kimmers. http://kikinitinkorea.tumblr.com/

I'm training for my 4th half marathon, my first international run in Myrtle Beach SC and the first one I will see my parents at the end of it. It's an early start, 6am I think and I'll be dealing with jet lag so possibly it will feel more like 3am but hey, try everything once right? 4 weeks today. And, as always tends to happen when I'm training, the panic and fear tends to set it right about now, the 'you can't do it' voices begin creeping in and the pj-all-day thoughts tempt me away from getting out on the road and getting my legs in gear. I'm training alone again for this one and have actually switched my music for podcasts. Actually makes for a more reflective run. And, maybe makes me feel a bit like I'm not running alone. When I trained for the Victoria half in October, I set out with the Running Room in Richmond. Lovely, motivating, run-obsessed people there but always coming in last certainly took it's toll on the mental portion of t...

This is my favourite time of year. Whether I'm with family or connecting with people via Skype, I always find it the most relaxing and rejuvenating time of year. For me, the summer is about busy-ness. It's about being outside, getting into nature, jumping on my bike and riding around some of the beauty that BC has to offer. It's about spending time on patios, alternating between mornings on the beach and evenings watching the sunset. It's about finding amazing things to do, adventures to go on, islands to visit, festivals to enjoy. But this time of year provides the most quiet solace for me. Probably because we aren't always near loved ones, which means this time of year ends up being filled with late mornings, lounging pj time and junkfood-filled days. As I type, I can see various runners trek past the window along the dyke, diligently adhering to their holiday fitness schedules. And, since I do have another half marathon ( Dasani Half Marathon ) in about 6 wee...

Having just returned from 3 weeks visiting friends and family, I must say quality can beat out quantity any time. I feel even more solid in my belief that combining close relationships with a nomadic lifestyle is achievable. There are challenges, risks, sacrifices and yet, what life doesn't have these things? I have more write here, things I discovered about myself on this journey, things that came to light because of this journey and things that I've learned next time would be better to do (bring my travel partner D for starters) It was a great trip home. Filled with stories and memories I hope to share. But mostly, now, I'm enjoying being back on my couch, implementing the ideas that percolate when you surround yourself with the energy of loving friends and family.

As I was driving to the grocery store today I was taken aback by the beauty of the mountains along my view.  We've been here for over a year now, working and studying away, pleasantly surprised by the mild weather, not so surprised (or enthused) about the expenses here in the most beautiful & expensive end of the country. It feels like home, like we've been here forever. And although I've spent a good chunk of this 'winter' outdoors, spring is making it feel even more like a renewal. But even with all this comfort and homey-ness abound there is still one sight I'll never get used to. Those glorious mountains. And even as the thought crossed my mind, "Wow, do they ever look pretty today" I had to correct myself. I mean, do these suckers ever NOT look pretty? Snapped during Vancouver 2010 ...... but they looked like this today... minus the cute boy in green

Just having a fabulous moment of happiness. My life is great. I have so many great things. And even when I think I'm straying off the path, I suddenly realise this is not the case at all. The path was just leading me to where I needed to be, without me needing to do anything at all. Energy will get you there. You just have to relinquish control. Ok. Lesson learned. Thanks universe.

Something of interest :) . I've not been inspired as of late and decided there really was no point in rambling on about what I had for breakfast or how I'm in desperate need of a tire guard for my bike so that I can stop having to wash my muddy jacket after every time I go for a bike ride. Wow. See? I guess I just DID tell you about that. And perhaps that's another reason to step slowly. away. from. the. machine. But I'll leave you with this first.Cause it's catchy. And awesome. And inspiring. Just what I need:

When I was training for my first half marathon over a year and a half ago, I dreaded the early morning Sunday run. I whined and complained how could it be POSSIBLE that I rise early and head out to face over 10kms? I used to do some of the long runs on  my own in the afternoon, just so I could get a bit of a lie in on the token day of rest. I was thinking of those times this morning, as I eagerly woke at 730 to grab a quick breakfast of salad (great way to start the day: ruffage but doesn't fill you up to the point you can't go and exercise right away) and a hot water and lemon before I set off to meet my friend A to the P and head out on our 30km Sunday morning bike ride. It's a little tradition the two of us started, mostly because she has to work at 11:30, so the only time she could do it was bright and early. We head down the Shell Road path towards the water, chatting away and catching up about our weeks. We managed through the woods just before the waterside, ...

We only had two weeks in Thailand during our six month trek through Asia and Russia, which in hindsight was certainly not enough time but at least a put-together tourist place like these islands made it easy for us to relax. Anyone who has been to Thailand will tell you of ‘must go’ places; specific islands that your trip will be lost without. But in reality, as with all destinations, each island has its own magic, similar to each other in the same fantastical ways and yet special and unique enough to help create a very personal experience. We spent three nights on Koh Tao during our short trip, at the suggestion of a friend, who later revealed to me that this moment I shared with this man and his fishing rod, is one she was privileged to experience as well. It’s easy to get caught up in the tourist flow of a place, especially Thailand. Everywhere you look, there is something for YOU. Scuba diving lessons, ENGLISH breakfast, cheap room rates, FREE Internet with purchase of coff...

I spent the month of August in Dallas (potentially not the BEST month to visit Texas, however..) for work and did manage to learn a few things about the lovely, wonderful people of that grand state .. or at least the Dallas area. 1. You will be called Ma’am. Street art As a Canadian, I’m used to politeness but there is something significantly special about the way the people in Texas converse with each other and people they’ve just met. Their every word appears to just drip with southern kindness topped off with a lovely smile and “you have a nice day now you hear and come back real soon.” 2. You better enjoy meats. And large potatoes. And very large amounts of food. Lunch? The portion sizes are always a shock for us Canadians but I’ve got family in northern States and I’m not certain that I’ve ever seen as much food presented as a one-person meal as I’ve ever seen in my life. The BBQ’ed anything was to die for and the steaks were thicker than my head. Oh and did I mention the ...

Being somewhere means you have an opportunity to experience something. That means, if you are on a beach in Mexico, you have as many margaritas as you can and eat as much tortilla as humanly possible. If you’re hiking the Mournes in Northern Ireland, you make sure to stop when the sun comes out to admire a rare view. And if you’re at home, where you live, where you work, where you don’t necessarily think of yourself on vacation, you find the things that make the place where you are incredibly special and you make sure you soak in all of those places. I’ve heard it called a ‘staycation’, which I like, though I would go further than that and say this is more a state of mind. Sure, it’s easier to explore when you have multiple days off in a row but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience at least some form of discovery each day. I am lucky that I do have the hours in my day to make this possible. I don’t commute as I have a home office and I don’t have children that need me. Both o...

I've been taking an accidental holiday from updating this blog, due mostly to the fact that I've been busy with work, travel and most importantly, spending as much time outside as possible. But I have been thinking a lot about this space and how it needs to grow with me and where I'm at in my life now. I'm beginning to see ways in which my current-future travel experiences will eventually intersect with the world of words. Recently I've been gabbing with some fantastically talented indivduals who are soon to be part of an exciting collaboration that sprung from the genius mind of Sean Cranbury of Books on the Radio . And it got me thinking, mostly about the way I read books set in places I've actually been to and the way I read books set in places I've yet to go. I've been mulling this over and over in my brain about how experience changes perceptions and how this affects you as a reader. When I am travelling, I'm living in the moment. Taking...

Last week, I was wandering through a bookstore, soaking in all the wonderful-ness that comes with wandering around a store filled with stories, I was hit with a bit of inspiration. I've certainly been at a cross roads before. Certainly had the opportunity to make a choice one way or the other way. And for many years, my perfectionist self consistently want to make sure I was doing things the RIGHT way. Whether it's age or experiences or the west coast air, I think I've slowly come to the realization that in essence, it doesn't really matter which path you take as long as you're always moving forward. I tweeted "Accept that your life could go in many directions, all fulfiling, and you will fear less about making mistakes...". And since today I emerged from a bit of virus hell (sorry all those who may have had to come along the ride with me) I was reminded of this tweet and it made me think about it all over again. I could be a travel writer. I cou...

I've been having an extrordinarily amazing time in Ontario and Chicago visiting the two cutest new little people you could ever meet. Every day I am prouder of each of my sisters in what they have accomplished as women and as mothers. For all you mothers out there, it take a whole whack load of strength and patience to do what you do and after watching it first hand I understand even less how you have the will to do it. You all rock my world. It has been hard to be away from D. I mostly try to forget that I'm not seeing him every day or experiencing the excruciating minutia alongside him but I do take comfort in the fact that distance does make the heart (and the libido!) grow stronger and that I'll be with him again in a few short days. I suppose that brings a bittersweetness to the fact that I will be saying goodbye to a lot of little and big people before I journey home. I feel lucky to have been here for so long and think the length of the stay was j...

For the second time in a week, my vibrating phone has woken me. Those of you who know me, know that I like my sleep and I'm not a great one to wake up. And yes, stop drooling that on Saturdays and Sundays and MY BIRTHDAY I am probably still sleeping at 9am. The perks of being childless and not training for a half marathon. So when the vibration started this morning, this the day of my 34th birthday, I was seriously hoping someone had just done the math wrong with timezones and would quickly hang up. Then I looked who it was. "Mom" flashed back at me. Mom. Can you ever not answer the phone when your mom is calling? It was for my birthday wishes, I figured, and yes also figured she hadn't got the math right. Until, well, until she had other great news. Other great news???? WHAT??? My sister H had gone into labour 7 hours earlier and I was going to have a niece born on my birthday. Now that was news worth waking up for. We giddily spoke about our excite...

My lovely sister C went into labour in the wee hour of Saturday morning, 2 hours before she was headed into the hospital to have labour induced. Nature works in mysterious ways. The expansion of our family tickles me to no end. What was more touching and inspiring was seeing pictures of her 2 and a half year old meet his little brother for the first time. Since I am also 2 and half years older then my sister, the momentousness of this moment is not lost on me. There was a time when my mother, sat on a hospital bed and introduced me to someone that solidfied that I would never be alone again. And I saw that moment today in that picture of my sister introducing her new little boy, LDC, born just before 10am EST on Saturday morning, to her first born MGC, who couldn't stop saying 'I want to hold him'. You're a lucky little boy, LDC. I can't wait to meet you.

This process of revealing is becoming a cathartic way to get the week started right. It's almost like letting a truth out about yourself and watching it float away like a balloon. If it weren't for D, I would be a hoarder. Hands. Down. As previously stated, I've got a little addiction to reality TV. And when I was watching one of the most recent episodes of people who have their homes stacked with stuff, I had an uncomfortable revelation. The 'patient' ie hoarder who we are exploiting as we peer into her life began explaining to the doctor why she did not want to throw a stuffed animal she had gotten for her 13 year old son when he was 2 away. (paraphrased) Patient: This toy brings back good memories Doctor: So, is there another way to honour those memories than keeping the stuffed toy? P: Well, when I look at it, it reminds me of all the times that were good when he was little. D: You'll still have those times. P: Yes but I have a bad memory and ...

D and I recently purchased a couple of used bikes to take advantage of the glorious weather that appears to happen year round this end of the country. I was always a big bike rider when I was younger - I suppose one should use the word 'cyclist' but that sounds a little too advanced for what I'm talking about. Cyclists probably have strategy and stamina and lots of bike bling. Me? I just used to get on my bike and go. During my pre-teens I had the bestest friend ever. L.C. Looking back at those years, L.C and I were inseperable. I was so lucky during that period of my life to have someone who was such a dedicated friend. She made me laugh, always had my back (can you say bullies??) and generally just made my life better. We used to spend weekends listening to 60s music, playing cards and going for bike rides. And we used to relish swearing in her house. Her mom is a fantastically creative person, a piano teacher and someone who didn't let words really affect h...

And then there was 2. That's right, the woman who decided to be a goalie in high school because she HATED RUNNING has now two lovely half marathon medals to her name. That's me, people. Yes, it really is. And you know what? I have to keep looking at this picture to remind myself that it WAS me, it IS me and I am a half marathon runner. It's an intensely humbling and emotionally indescribable feeling to train for, run in and complete a run of that distance. When I set out to do this originally, it was for myself. It was to give myself a challenge. It was because it was something I didn't think I could do. We had just gotten home after being away for over 6 years I was eager to try something that living a nomadic lifestyle does not really allow you to do. Training for a long distance run seems liked one of those things. It was with the encouragement of some good friends that I decided to train for my first 10km. After another couple of 10kms, it was time f...

I had envisioned that I would have written something between the two Monday confessions however with a project wrapping up at work and my half marathon prep, I simply just did not get back to this lovely page until today. And so, in its second installment, I bring you my confession Monday I use a Neti pot to clear out my sinuses and survive allergy season. This isn't necessarily a very evil aspect about  myself, but I guess more revealing and um perhaps a bit embarrassingly personal? For those of you who do not know what  Neti pot is, you are probably wondering why this may be something a bit embarrassing to admit. Here I'll show you: I love in this video how she says it's not that bad. Define BAD. I mean, no there isn't any stinging and yes the 'return' liquid is clear as well but essentially using water to flush out your sinuses is about as, well, awkward as it sounds. But so is flossing but that doesn't mean you don't do it right? An...