the end of a wicked era.

In a process that seemed like forever, I am nearly  moved out of my apartment in Brantford. Definitely a bitter sweet feeling. I'm excited for the future adventures and freedom, but strangely enough, I'm finding it hard to get used to having all of my belongings in the same place. I have been so lucky to have great helpers- ma & pa; i honestly don't know what I would do without them. The Temple apartment will always have a warm place in my heart, I had two beautiful roomies and many good times shared. 

As one door closes another seems to burst open. I have had some more interviews out west, Cox Bay Beach Resorts being one of them. If I had to work in the resorts this would probably be my top pick. We'll see, I haven't heard anything yet. As it stands right now- I'm thinking once I get to Tofino, I will hopefully be able to find a cheap but lovely place to live in town (fingers crossed) and a job at a surf school. -This would be a big dream come true. 

I am trying my best not to leave things to the last minute, which in past trips- i most definitely have,  and plan out the rest of my time in Ontario.

16 days till I fly. 

woohooo!

 

march 13, 2012.

March 13th 2012...

 will forever be the day I remember as the day the Tofino tourism industry came out of hibernation. The Tuesday morning started out like any other, class-run-work. While I was at work I got a call from a resort located right on McKenzie Beach. While walking home from work, I got another surprise phone call from my top pick of the resorts Cox Bay. I had an on-the-spot interview and we left the conversation on a very positive note. Upon checking my email, I had three messages waiting for me from jobs that i had previously applied to. Most exciting of all, one email was a response from Raph Bruhiler. CONFESSION: I was walking in a parking lot, when I got this email and actually screamed out loud. The Bruhiler family was one of the founding families of the surf scene in Tofino. Their family house was on Chestermans Beach, and all grew up surfing. While visiting last year, I got the opportunity to visit the surf shop/school and meet Raph. I had emailed Raph a few days earlier to inquire about possible job opportunities. I would love the opportunity to work here, and if given an offer I would take it without question! Well see, keep your fingers crossed for me. At this point, I'm thinking of (depending on bruhilers) getting a full time job w/o living quarters and find that part outside of my work. I think it might be a neat adventure to move in with a bunch of strangers.. isn't there that corny but reassuring saying "there are no strangers, only friends you haven't met yet?" Well I'm hoping that's true. On another note, I got an interesting call Friday from the principal of the Tofino school that has agreed to proctor me. It's a go I think, so that's pretty exciting. I decided to celebrate all that happened on the 13th by looking into getting a bike in Tofino. I could get a used for around $99, but I was dreaming of a cruiser beach bike, kind of surreal. We'll see what comes my way.
 Little by little, my life in Tofino is coming together.
I know it won't be easy but it's time. 

what we see, depends manly on what we look for.

live in possibility.

“ Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. Make all your friends feel there is something special in them. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on the greater achievements of the future. Give everyone a smile. Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others. Be too big for worry and too noble for anger. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you.” 

           – Christian d. Larson 

One day I was window shopping with my ma when a card jumped out at me. It was simple yet spoke more to me then anything I had ever read. It was these words spoken by Larson. 

words to live by.

"The best day 

of your life

is the one on which

you decide

your life is

your own. 

No apologies or excuses. 

No one to 

lean on, rely on, 

or to blame.

The gift is yours-

it is an

amazing journey- 

and you alone

are responsible for

the quality of it.

This is the day

your life

really begins."

- Bob Moawad 

the end.

a one-way ticket west.

big gulp. sweaty palms. nervous pacing. 

-it's time to book my ticket west. 

It's a magical thing when something you've greatly anticipated comes to the point of actually happening. I have packed my up my belongings at my parents house as well as my apartment at school to the point of having bare essentials left for these last few weeks.  I have stayed committed to getting rid of a ton of stuff, garbage bags upon bags to the donation bin. That piece of clothing I loved but never wore- gone! The sentimental note from my high school days gone! knick knacks- how the heck do we wind up with so much- pretty well gone! And to be honest I'm feeling good about it all. This past summer taught me how little we need to live when it comes to material belongings and how happy we can become because of it. In packing up, I have made it a goal to greatly reduce my material possessions to things I use and can use as I take my steps forward.

In keeping up with Tofino progress- I have re-applied to a lot of places and was lucky enough to hear back from a place last week! Fingers crossed, I should have an interview in the coming days.. this place would enable me a full time job and a place to stay... solutions to very big unknowns of my Tofino dream right now...

Also a couple weeks ago, I found out about an educational society that exists on the rain-coast. They have 2 internship opportunities to tour school groups and tourists through the natural surroundings... this opportunity is extremely tempting and I'm thinking I'll apply when the job opens up.

The weekend of suicide first aid training went off with few hitches and we can now say there are 17 more individuals equipped and ready to talk about the issue of suicide! 

This week will be a blur no doubt, an exam and a big paper... perhaps giving me a bigger reason to have a big gulp. sweaty palms and nervous pacing but for some reason these things never have quite the same effect

 wonderlust

         - a desire to travel to understand ones very existence.

courage.

Here she is. My good ol' life list. 

Some would call me an idealist, perhaps even an optimist at times but w.e. I may be I'm trying to be a realist when it comes to making dreams come true.

This is the root of a lot of my adventures. They have all pretty much started with a seed planted by a pen on a wrinkled old' well traveled piece of paper. This single sheet, may be my most treasured possession as it captures what I truly want from life.

Not to be taken to seriously, there are things on the list like #28 host a lemonade stand, &  #30 throw the most bad ass party ever. I'm no mother theresa. I think one of my favorite aspects of putting these thoughts down on paper has been the conversations that have happened as a result with so many different people. Depending on the person, some have a mental list that they carry around with them, while others such as myself have a list or have the intent of making one one day. As cheesy as it may be, this list essentially is just for you. A wise person once told me, you must put things out into the universe in order to see life present them to you or at least provide you with the vehicle to get there. Although, living in Tofino is not exactly on the list, having the ability to surf every day is, and through completing other ideas  it has led me to this destination.

With only three weeks left of school, the anticipation is definitely building. I cannot wait to find out who I'll be working for this summer/where I'll be living. Ive been trying my best to put forth the effort in finding out these things but also giving away the worry behind having the control of them. 

The wind may blow me somewhere wonderful, if I only I learn to let it. 

where am I going?

This question has been a constant thought on my mind these days. Amongst this hectic time of finishing up my undergrad, this unknown seems to occupy my mind the majority of the time. I have dreamed of living in Tofino for three years, and I've finally decided it's time to make this a reality. If your dreams don't scare you there not big enough right? I have been applying to jobs everyday, and have wonderful people helping me find my way. This time although stressful has already taught me so much. 

Specifically three major realizations: 

1. build happiness on the foundation of your own character 

2. there are things in life out of your control, don't waste your time chasing this fact

3. surround yourself with wonderful things/people and your life will in-turn be wonderful- its just that simple. 

It seems everyday I apply to jobs, hoping something good will come my way. I have had a lot of promising applications, and I believe I've entered the waiting game, well see. As for my living situation, I have responded to some ads and put one out there myself in hopes of finding something. I am told your best bet in Tofino is to go out there and hit the pavement and good things will come your way. 

Good news tho! A couple weeks ago I sent out emails to the local school principals in Tofino and Uce, I got a response yesterday, with a principal volunteering to be my proctor! woohoo! one more thing to strike off the list! 

Something else to celebrate: an ASIST workshop (suicide prevention training) that I've been putting together for the better part of this school year is a go! woohoo! I'm so happy that there has been a passionate group of individual's emerge with interest in participating!

I will try my best to keep up this blog as things come my way... I think a couple people may remember the one hit wonder of my last travel blog... this one will hopefully have a longer lifespan! Fingers crossed. 

"The only difference between fear and excitement is your attitude about it."