Recently a few friends have expressed to me that they have been following my blog. And not only that, but in following my blog, they have even been a little bit inspired! Inspired!? Talk about inspired!! Each time I hear that someone is enjoying reading my ramblings it genuinely makes my day so much better! It is wonderful to have created a platform for my many thoughts and rambles, but to know that someone actually enjoys what I have to say, well, that's the dream! Thank you to Kate, Melsa, Christine and Kelly for taking that extra moment to share  this news with me! It was very much appreciated!

Dream. That's an interesting word isn't it? Dream. All throughout our childhoods we are taught that we can do anything, and to always remember to dream. And dream big! So, why is it that as adults, suddenly our dreams become unattainable. Who makes them unattainable? Is it your boss? Your bank account? Society? Your debt and mortgage? Or is it just, you? 

And by you, I mean fear. Fear of failure. Perhaps fear of success? Fear of truly being happy and doing what you want to do, instead of what you need to? Fear that maybe you don't really know who you are, and what you want? Everyone is unique, and has their own fears. But what I don't understand is why it is so common to simply settle for what you're supposed to do, instead of seeking what you want to do, your dream!?

My theory in an attempt to combat these fears..."why not?" When presented with an opportunity, I ask myself, why not? All the "nots" that I come up with are usually fear-driven, so I take them out of the equation. And to be honest, the answer becomes pretty clear! 

If you want to try something.. why not set yourself up in a way that allows you to try it? Surround yourself with the things and the people that you would need to make your dream happen. I have reached out to my entire network, and beyond, asking for advice, tips and tricks on our upcoming travels to New Zealand. I have been met with fantastic responses. So many people are more than willing to lend a hand, an ear, an afternoon or an email address, in order to help out another. It's truly amazing. And I think it should utilized and celebrated more often.

And just trust yourself! Believe that you truly can make your dreams come true. Whatever those dreams may be! And even if those dreams are ever-changing, as I feel that mine will be, go with the flow. Trust that you are, or can become, adaptable enough to create the life that you want. Because really, who else is going to do it for you? 

Social media is a phenomenon. It is brilliant, scary, overwhelming, overpowering, and has become a way of life!  There are many people that stick to seeing the negative aspects. Social media does involve divulging a lot of personal and individual information to the entire globe, to any one with access to the internet. It causes many people to spend the majority of their time looking at their cellphones while standing in line, waiting for the bus, out for lunch with friends or even driving their car.

However, I have always known that there is an incredibly positive side to social media. I knew it was there, and had a vague idea of the possibilities it possessed, it just needed someone to bring forward the cause and action required. xxx has done this! 

If you have a few moments to witness how social media is attempting to change the world.. please watch this video below. 

Do you have all of these^in your life? On a daily basis? Readily available for you to pull on at any moment that you may need them?  If you do... wow! Good for you! If you don't, welcome to the other 98% of the world. (rough personal estimate of course) 

It would appear, in the news, in the way people flock to reality TV shows, in the amount of things that people buy that they really do not need, that people may be not be as happy as they could. But what could be the cause of that? 

Consider these thoughts for a moment:

I have recently been dealing with the constant and nagging feeling of anxiousness. I have emptied my home, finished up at my job, said most of my goodbyes and packed my bag. All there is left to do now is wait. and wait. and wait. and wait.

Seeing as I have adapted the "western world" work-ethic,meaning I find it hard to truly and completely find satisfaction in relaxation, I am constantly feeling anxious.

I had just accepted that this was now my way of life until we finally embarked on this trip in a few weeks. I accepted that I would have endless nights of restless sleep with constant thoughts racing through my head. I had actually begun having middle of the night mini workouts in an attempt to exhaust my body so much that I would simply pass out.
(a challenging thing to do when you don't have your own room in your own home). Sadly, these mini workouts, although they are keeping me semi-fit, had not been helping. So, each night I lie awake, thought after thought racing through my head, did I email that person back? what will I do with my cellphone? did I actually put the visa paper with my passport? oh crap.. where's my passport?

appealing  right??

Then, on my long trip back to Ottawa to visit my family, I randomly opted to pack my recently untouched book, "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. Originally I had bought this book sometime back when I was in a very low place. I was searching for something, anything, to pull me out of my misery. But I knew the answer wasn't a thing. It had to come from me. So, to the self-help section I went. And I have to say, sure there are some kooky, crazy self-help books out there, but once in awhile you find a goody! And this one is
just that. A powerful book! I had read about 50 pages and that was enough to pump me full of confidence in my ability to take care of myself, and be the one to make myself happy!

I hadn't touched this book since that time. Which makes for some interesting thoughts floating through my head as I opened it and read through the many underlined phrases in the first 50 pages. If you haven't read it, and are able to open your perspective to a new concept, than I suggest you give it a try!

I have intrepreted the teachings of this book to associate well with my current theme of this trip: Gratitude!

As I wander about like a little squirrel, gathering all of my belongings, shoving them into this container or that, ensuring each little piece is put away somewhere or other, I can't help but notice that I'm not very sad. I'm not sad to put my things away for an extended, undetermined about of time. I'm not sad to sit in my almost naked room and see minimal amounts of my own things. Over the years and through many many moves, I've learned and trained myself to treat things just as that, things. There are the few that have sentimental value, and those you treat well, but even those, are still just things. I feel that you can gain the sentimental good feelings from a thing, keep them within your heart, and then release the attachment to the thing. Therefore, if there were ever a fire and everything you owned burned to a crisp, of course you'd be upset, but not nearly as deeply to the core as if you truly believed that you need to have each thing in your hand to truly understand the value of it. 

Mental Preparation... for what? For continuous stress? For overwhelmingly uncomfortable places? For crowds and crowds of people you've never met. For accents, and different foods, and weird weather? For the most amazing experience you may ever have outside of your comfort zone? How does one mentally prepare themselves for the unknown?

As I sit, sipping my morning coffee, contemplating this trip that is about to begin, I can't help but dive into the thoughts of, are Luke and I 'traveler' material? I have done some traveling in my day. I am no-where near a self-proclaimed 'traveler'; however, I have lived out of a backpack for some time, and I have roughed-it in a few foreign countries. Luke has not. 

Curiosity #1 - I have a general understanding of what to expect.. and how to expect the unexpected.. and I believe that Luke does too.. but how much can one truly know and anticipate the unexpected without actually having experienced something similar in the past?

Guess how we plan to find out... by doing. Luke and I have both spent many many years of our lives working towards something, whether it be post-secondary, our careers, saving money, etc. For the first time in our so far short but full lives, we are both consciously choosing to step back, take a break, relax, and allow ourselves to PLAY!! This decision is one that I am most proud of. It takes a lot of work to:

a. prove to yourself that you can make it in the real world enough so that you are comfortable taking a break from the real world. 

b. remove yourself from the real world with enough confidence in yourself and your plans that you are truly having an adventure.. just.. for.. you! It's about self exploration. About self  realization. About fun! 

If there was ever a moment not to back out of travel plans because you're scared.. I'd say after dropping a couple G's on your credit card for flights and travel insurance is that time! Lucky for me.. there is zero hesitation inside of me. Literally.. I feel completely happy and satisfied and content with our decision to move to New Zealand. There's nothing holding me back. I'm filled with anticipation and an itching to get going.

In two weeks I will finish up at my job, move out of my house (all the big stuff is going into storage - if you need storage in Victoria...check out U-Pak Mobile Mini Storage) travel to Ottawa to spend a week visiting my family, say goodbye to friends in Victoria, say goodbye to friends in Vancouver, and then... zoom zoom zoom!!

Can't Wait! :)






.:: i booked my flights through Flight Centre and they were fantastic. I've been told you are more likely to get the best deal if you actually work with an agent, instead of solo flight searching online.. so give them a call! ::.

As I allow myself to dive further and further into planning every little detail about my trip, I can't help but spend most of my time still thinking of what to bring.  After pretty much months of contemplation.. I opted to purchase my very first pair of Lululemon pants! 

i'm pretty tight with my money.. so near $100 on a pair of pants is a big deal for me!! :D
So, yesterday I set out in the rain for downtown Victoria, gumboots on, money in hand, ready to complete a first! Go me!

I decided on a pair of crop pants, basically a set of really nice, thick tights. My goal with these pants is to get my full monies worth and genuinely wear them nearly every single day on this trip! They are very versatile. If paired with boots and a long sweater.. boom.. dressy. If paired with running shoes and a big shirt.. boom.. exercise gear.. if paired with socks and a cozy sweatshirt.. boom.. lounge-wear.  


They are incredibly comfortable and so far my consumer satisfaction is phenomenal!  Come on travel date! I'm ready!