the end.

roller coaster livin'

As I am writing this, I sit in a hostel by a fire, surrounded by strangers and good energy. To begin to describe what led to this place, I will start by describing my day today. Upon waking up, I decided today was the day I quit the soul-draining job. Before work, I called the hostel in town and made a reservation in preparation for the big move. All day, I worked wondering when would be the time I talk to management and let them know my decision. For the first time today, I worked with someone that I really connected with. The difference between her & the others? She is a lifer, trying to make something permanent work for her here in Tofino. Needless to say, it was the best day yet. The day seemed to pass without much time to think about having the much-needed conversation with management... I have not really quit something before, so it would be fair to say that I was dealing with a great deal of nerves about the whole ordeal. After work, I realized my time was evaporating. I went to the managers apartment above my house, and had the conversation. Phew, it was over. In summary of the conversation, I just spoke about how I felt my heart wasn't in the job and she responded with her ever- positive mhmm, yep! no problem! It was crazy that this news seemed to not phase her. I'm thinking either it happens super often or she simply doesn't care about people who do not wish to be there. She asked when my last day would be and I told her I was done. To continue to train me at this point would be useless for everyone involved and I am sure my direct manager would feel the same way. I'm very ready to close this chapter in my adventure and move on to bigger and better things.

An important life lesson to note: 

Last night on my way out of town, I thought I treat myself to a cheap, but good dinner of fish and chips. I decided to stop at a restaurant just on the outskirts of town. Hoping that it would be a Tofino treasure.. Well, I can safely report that it's not and far from it. I ended up paying $16 for the worst meal I have ever had. To add some clarity to the situation: Today the cab driver, informed me that the place I went is pretty well a drug operation in disguise and that any drug you could possibly want can be found there. LIFE LESSON: if a place looks sketchy, it probably is. No community would disguise a gem as a dive. 

To celebrate tonight, I decided I would go out to sushi, at a restaurant the cab driver suggested. It was delicious, the tuna rolls were made of fresh BC tuna. Definitely worth the money, and a real tofino treasure. After dinner, I wandered over to a local hangout for an open mic night. It was so sweet to hear some live tunes and poetry. 

 I was able to talk to the gardens more today and they offered me an amazing job package. I am most definitly confident in my decision to commit to this opportunity. Things are looking good! 


I can only imagine what lies before me. It completely boggles my mind it has only been 4 days here in Tofino. A week in total. The best way to describe it has to be roller coaster livin' and I'm definitely learning to love it!

- most definitely channeling wonderlust in every possible way.

Nobody said it would be easy. I just think it has to be worth it.

These past few days have been filled with so many ups and downs  this experience is truly shaping up to be an amazing adventure. The 4-bedroom house I am staying at in Cox Bay, isn’t really what I thought it to be. I don’t know when it happened, but at some point I have grown out of the resort lifestyle. As shocking as it may be, no one I work with surfs. No one is really into health, and few can be distracted from anything else but where the next party is at. For the past little while, I have really been focusing on asking myself what truly makes me happy, and I’m finding little of that in this current place. I didn’t realize how much I disliked housekeeping until I did it again. The days are so long, and there has only been two of them. Last summer I was a housekeeper, but there was a certain magic to the environment that made it likeable, Strathcona will forever be the first and last housekeeping job I have. I realized that this job, in an ideal world, will last me through the nine months I have off. I had to get serious about finding one that fit my interests and unique sense of happiness better. After my first day of work, I rode my bicycle into town- without question my most sacred possession right now, a lifeline as you will. On my way into town, I stopped at the Botanical Gardens (where I had previously applied to work, and turned down an interview) I spoke with someone who told me to come back the next morning. The Gardens themselves are gorgeous, what a lovely piece of land. I kept peddling into town and started talking to some people about finding accommodation.  As I wondered up to one neat looking house, someone pulled in the driveway. A middle-aged woman jumped out of the truck and introduced herself as Joan, one of the tenants in the house. I asked her about housing in the area and she couldn’t offer much help, but after some discussion she gave me her business card and said perhaps she could help me out with employment, she is the assistant manager of the credit union- well I’ll be.  I took her card and was happily on my way, rein stilled by the goodness in human nature. I went to the COOP bulletin board and say an ad for tenants in a quiet, four- bedroom apartment by the ocean. I emailed the lady, thinking what did I have too loose. Later that night, I heard back and I’m hoping to go and see her accommodation as soon as possible.  $475 everything included, it will be interesting to see what it looks like for that price, but hey, beggers can’t be choosers. After grabbing a $4 slice of pizza (food is super expensive here) I wondered into the local pharmacy to ask some more questions about accommodations. The teller was super helpful and directed me to the Tofino Motel, which also operated as a large property manager for the area of Tofino. I was able to have a super good conversation with the lady there and left with a very promising feeling. I decided since it was getting dark, and I most likely had a 45 minute bike ride in front of me to get back to the resort that I would try and find a hostel bed to sleep in for the night. I lucked out and found one for $25 breakfast included. Later that night, I sat around a table with a couple from Ireland- the lady was also named Norah, a girl from Australia, and Nick, the man that owned the hostel, and had a fabulous conversation to top off the productive night. Later on though, when I was trying to get to sleep, the lady below me was quite a snorer, let me tell you, it got to the point where I had to put my ipod in and cough loudly to wake her up- I’m not kidding I think I heard a thank you applause from the other people sleeping in the room with us.  I woke up at 7 and had a waffle and was off anticipating a great meeting at the Gardens. My dear friend Mere, had wolfed there over the winter and had put in a good word for me, Thank you Mere! Upon arriving at the gardens, I got the chance to sit down with George and Harmony and discuss what the job looked like and chatted so they could get a good idea of who I was. Immediately upon walking into the gardens, you feel a certain sense of magic that doesn’t happen that often, I loved it. I eagerly answered their questions, and was even told of the possibility of living in the garden with harmony in a cabin. It all sounds exciting and like a much better situation then I am currently in. The position is majority front-desk with a side of housekeeping that I can handle. After chatting, they told me that they would make a decision within the day and get back to me. Well how excited was I when I got off work I had both a phone message and email, extending a job offer. The only thing that holds me back from totally embracing this opportunity is my worry about meeting people and creating a sweet social circle, as the gardens employs very little. But to be honest, my mind goes back to what I’ve said in an earlier post, life is really simple- surround yourself with people that make you happy and spend your time at something that challenges you and peaks your interest and I think the rest will look after itself. Needless to say, I took the job. Another way I was able to calm my nerves about meeting people was, upon talking with the motel, they told me about a two bedroom apartment that exists in the downtown of Tofino. There is already a girl living there but she is in need of someone to fill the other room. I think this might be a great opportunity to have the best of both worlds. I’ll live in town but work at the gardens, being only an 8 minute ride out; it is definitely doable. The only negative thing is that the apartment does not become available till May 15^th, but I am hoping the Gardens will allow me to stay in their hostel room until I am able to move into the apartment. In the past three days, I have been faced with so many choices and realizations; it’s hard to put it on paper. Three things I know for sure is: keep it simple- surf everyday, a happy life is lived by the ocean, by doing what you love, things come together in a way you could of never of imagined.

just the beginning.

It is safe to say, my adventure has most definitely started. After saying some sad goodbyes to some lovely people I was off. At 5:30 in the morning on Monday, I was dropped off at the Hamilton airport by my Mom & Dad. During my flight to Calgary, I met Jim, a welder from BRANTFORD Ontario. Such a small world! We had great conversation and the flight went by in the blink of an eye. Soon enough I was hugging Annie and Arlo in the Vancouver airport. It was so good to see them. I was able to quickly grab my knapsack, and bicycle and we were on our way. Anne did a wonderful job strapping the bike to the top of their Subaru and we were off to see their new house! We pulled up to a lovely house on a beautiful street. I was so happy when Annie announced this was theirs. It was amazing to see the gardens and the great amount of work that they had already put into it. Over the next couple days, many laughs were had, plays with Arlo, a spa night, stories read, errands run and yummy food made and best of all lots of time spent catching up with Anne, Ben, Arlo. As wonderful as my time had been with the Bresnahee’s it was coming to a close quite quickly, as I started my job at Cox Bay later on in the week. On Thursday Morning at 5:30, (do I sense an early morning trend here) I was off again. Ben & Anne helped me tie my bike back to the Subaru and we were off to the ferrie. I do not think I had truly processed how difficult it would be navigating myself onto a ferry with a gigantic bike box, huge, overfilled knapsack, smaller stuffed knapsack, & the biggest “purse” known to man kind. However, with the help of a very cute and helpful man, I was able to make the journey a little simpler. He was a paramedic from Nanaimo, that was working full time in Vancouver as a paramedic, as it is too difficult on the Island to find full-time work. I really appreciated his efforts to help me but even more-so the reminder of how powerful going out of your way for somebody can be- Definitely made my day so much better. Upon getting in the ferry terminal, I know had to juggle all the baggage on my own once again. To make things easier, I asked at the customer service desk if they would be able to watch my bag…. Upon going to retrieve my bag the strap had gotten stuck underneath the door. My bus was at the terminal and I had no time to waste. I urgently tried to pry the strap loose, with no luck. Finally, I decided the best option was to cut the strap-on my brand new birthday pack- and be on my way. I won’t bore you with the ridiculous details of how my heart broke etc. but continue to tell you that the bus ride was good. What made things easier was that Annie was able to find a bus that would drop me off at Cox Bay Information Center opposed to right in town. I was dropped off and promptly picked up by a co-worker and brought to the resort. She dropped me off right on sight, at a four bedroom accommodation. It has a beautiful fire place and nice rooms, well see if this place sticks with me. By the sounds of it, no one stays around this house for long. Right now, I have one roommate with two empty rooms. I travelled down to the water and finally took it all in. The ocean definitely has a way of putting me at peace. When I started this blog again, I made a promise to myself to be honest and write about everything- the good, the bad. The first couple days are always the hardest for me. I am pretty sure they could have a parade, party or bouncy castle (all good things) and I would still have the same experience. I remember Strathcona Park last year, I went to bed from a campfire the first night and so deeply regretted my decision to come there, and within three days I loved it. Right now, I’m just trying to remember that, and the awkward unknown feelings pass with time. The hardest challenge is learning/acknowledging this time and appreciating it. That is really what I’m trying to do. Take the positives and make the most of it. Walking by the ocean, really helped me remember that. On a super positive note- I called the bike company and the man was able to come to the resort and pick up my bike to put it together- WOOHOO! This means by tomorrow night, I will most likely have a bike to ride. This is a huge positive. I can’t wait to go to town and do some groceries, check out the house-renting market. I’m hoping something good will come my way.

So the adventure has begun. I can only imagine what tomorrow brings, but I’m stoked to see what it has in store for me.

"It’s nice to be important, but it’s important to be nice" 

                                      -unknown 

a little bit of everything.

"In the midst of our lives, we must find the magic that makes our souls soar" 
                               - unknown. 

I simply cannot believe how fast time flies. This realization confirms the fact that nothing is forever and that all good things must come to an end. 

Today was my last day at Woodview, an alternative placement that I'm doing as part of my teaching program. It has been one of the best experiences of my life, and has definitely awakened my spirit in ways that not too much else has. I was working in a classroom setting counseling high school aged students- AMAZING. Combine this experience with a rad team of counselors & a fourth year Adolescence seminar class and you have most definitely sparked my interest instilling a motivation to continue my education towards pursuing my goal of obtaining my Masters of Social Work.

As for school, I have one formal exam left on the 12th and two take home exams to complete by that time as well. By this coming Thursday at 3, I will be officially completed my winter semester! The heaviest course load I have ever taken on.  WOOHOO

The COUNTDOWN is on! 10 days till the big move out west! I am weirdly calm and trying to remain as collected as possible as I finish up school and start to pack up my life. 

This past week, I was offered and accepted a job at Cox Bay Beach Resorts! Woohoo. This would be the resort that maintains the surf cam that I am quite religious to in checking/watching live shots nearly every day. It's another housekeeping position, but hey it's a start and a girls gotta start somewhere. In the whirlwind of excitement that accompanied finally accepting a job, it totally slipped past me that they wanted me to start work April 17th... I only get to Vancouver on the 16th... so not cool! I emailed back and negotiated a little bit of a later start date. Plus side full time work earlier then expected, down side- less time with my lovely cous and fam that I have missed SOOOOO much and a pipe dream vaca to Victoria squashed. 

I'm really trying to prepare myself for this move better then my last move to the Education Lodge, as I was most likely one of the most clueless towards what I had gotten myself into.. I didn't even bring a flashlight.. This time first thing in the to-be-packed pile is most definitely a flashlight.. 

Fun Purchase- When I asked my employer things that I should bring but probably wouldn't think of: she replied a good rain coat and gum boots, well ladies and gents I splurged and bought a really nice pair of rain boots. Celebrating surviving a heavy semester I suppose?  

And finally, I have to share a super cool cosmic occurrence that literally re-instills my faith in putting things out there in the universe. In an earlier post, I wrote about beach cruiser's and how cool I thought it would be to own one. While, my Uncle G was cleaning out his shed and stumbled across a bike that he had won in a sports tournament years ago. He asked my Dad, if he knew anyone who could make use of it.  Well it just so happens, this girl's dream came true.