well i'll be.

Two months. 

It is incredible to begin to reflect on the time that has passed since I have been living in Tofino. It is even more incredible to realize the difficulty I have when trying to think back to when the feeling of transiency left and I was able to settle into a life, living in the present as much as possible.

I have really been loving the laid back, passionate flow at the Gardens. It's lovely to really respect who your working for and know them personally. I think that has been a key realization for me.. I need to know who I work for and believe and stand by their goals. I've been keeping up with the tutoring. The student is really making some great progress, which is terrific to be apart of. I have kind of backed into two other gigs which has been nice. I'm serving at a restaurant once a week, The Sea Shanty, or how I like to call it.. the job with the view. It has a 180 of windows and looks right over the ocean. Waitressing really doesn't really make my heart sing, but I'm really not looking for it too it's more just to have some extra funds to play with. 

A cool opportunity that has come my way was connecting with a member of the Bruhwieller family (a major surf family in Tofino). Catherine B, is opening up a paddleboard school right down the lane from where I live. I called her to chat about possible energy exchange opportunities for me to be able to use the board and she jumped on board right away! She is pretty rad and totally open to helping me get my instructor's qualifications, so that possibility is on the horizon! 

Something I've always wanted to learn, and have had many try to teach me, is crochet or knit. Bless those people who have put forth solid efforts in the past, as I know I was not an easy student. I decided upon exploring the local knits by the sea shop in town that I was going to take a class and hopefully through the structure and paying for the instruction I would put a stronger effort forward. I was stoked to see that I had been the only person to sign up for the class, giving me one-to-one attention (I must say much needed) The first project was making a toque/beanie, umm amazing!! I picked a nice grey wool and we got to work.. it took almost half the lesson for me to learn how to hook the yarn, but past that point it was really interesting and the teacher had all the patience in the world. By the end of the lesson, I was 'hooked' to say the least. The workshop was two parts, one lesson that night and another a week later. I was determined in the time between the lessons to finish my hat! Within a day I had finished a hat, too bad it wouldn't fit a new born. This situation turned into a great opportunity for me to learn how easy it is to undo your mistakes. I started from scratch pretty much determined to get it right. This time around I wound up making a pot holder, which is the result of making a hat too big.. I also ran out of yarn .. go figure. I once again undid the hat and started from the beginning. Sure enough third times the charm, I got it just right. Before finishing I added a couple rows of pink/purple yarn that kind of gave the hat a cool finish, wobbly and just right! My teacher was impressed! I have now moved on to making a neck cowl, or infinity scarf! I splurged and picked a really nice hand dyed blue. It's a bit of a longer project so stay tuned to hear how it turns out.. should be interesting! 

My crazy cousin Anne has encouraged me to join her in a 40 day challenge. Basically the premise is to make several promises to yourself to lead a healthier lifestyle and complete them everyday for 40... potentially make it a life long habit. Parts of my challenge have been easier then others. I've decided to honor my food allergies again and stay away from gluten and dairy. I have honestly not felt as good in such a long time. This one might stick. another promise was to attend beach boot camp twice a week at 6:30 am. This one has been by far one of the best. It sucks to wake up so early but by 7:30 we are done, energized and I already have a killer workout under my belt. I'm trying to wake up at 5:30 the other days and go surfing with the team but it hasn't happened yet... The first couple weeks were defiantly tough as I could barely get on my bicycle, I WAS SO SORE. It was pathetic, I had to lower my bike on the perfect angle and slide my leg across... I tried to ignore the stares from on-lookers. I have been pulling up my socks and trying to make it to yoga twice a week, were lucky enough to have it happen right on property. I have been faithfully washing my face twice a day. 

Yes, some of the things on my list are that simple and doable.

I found this great DIY toner that really does the trick: 

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Lemon juice

1 Cup Water

2/3 Cup Witch hazel (can purchase at any drug store)

Plastic bottle or jar

The witch hazel tightens your pores and reduces inflammation

Lemon Juice reduces blemishes and lightens skin

I do it both at night and in the morning and have really noticed my skin brighten! 

I am Ontario bound in a little over 2 weeks and I AM SO EXCITED. I cannot wait to see my family and celebrate my cousin's special day. They are both such amazing people in my life. I have decided to make the travel to the airport a mini-vacation in itself. I'm getting to Vancouver the night before my flight and staying in a hostel downtown! That way I can meet people and have a bit of a social night and have until 2:30 the next day to explore the city until my flight. It also helps to break up the journey. To get out of Tofino, the end of the road literally, I take a bus, ferry, bus, plane. As ridiculous as this may be, I'm hoping to visit the cupcake girls store... yes from the food channel. I think there hilarious and would love to meet them! haha

Something that has surprised me with my adventure in Tofino so far has been the sad amount of surfing I have been able to get out and do. Between work and school and crochet... can you say addicted? I've found it tough to get out there. But it is still a major love of my life and I refuse to let it continue another week. I will not take where I am for- granted. I am hoping after a test on Tuesday I'll be able to hit the water quite a bit and enjoy my surroundings!

It's amazing where life will take you if you only learn to let. Things seem to look after themselves in a way far superior of our own capabilities. 

"live a life of truth

come from a place of integrity

and you will never falter"