After a week of
chaos, I was looking forward to claiming this weekend for myself. I left all of my marking and prepping
for school at school! This is a
rare occurrence for me. But it was
time to find some balance. It was
time to do something that brings a “smile” to my face.
After an early
night to bed on Friday, it was up early on Saturday. I was to spend the morning with a friend snowshoeing. I was uncertain as I left the house and
drove through the dense fog to pick her up. The fog was so thick that I could barely see more than a
car’s length ahead of me. As I
drove up the hill the fog began to break.
And it became clear that it was going to be a gorgeous day with
beautiful scenery on the mountain.
Less than 30
minutes later we were parked and making the long trek up the hill (road) to the
trailhead. You have to understand
the mountain was so busy that the actual parking lots were full, and we had to
park approximately 1 km down the hill from the trailhead. I was going to be about done, before we
even started.
Once my feet
hit the snow and the snowshoes were put on, I was in a whole other world. I was in a place of pure happiness and
relaxation. It’s this that brought
the “smile” to my face. It was
time to take back my time and claim it to myself.
After some
trekking, and a little break to find a geocache, something else I haven’t had
the opportunity to do in a while, we reached the summit. Amazing views of the mountains and
views of endless fog blanketing the city surrounded us.
Aperture Priority; ISO 250; Shutter 1/4000;
Aperture f13; Focal Length 35mm; ev -3.0; WB - Daylight
Aperture Priority; ISO 250; Shutter 1/1600; Aperture f13; Focal Length 55mm; ev -2.0; WB - Daylight
Aperture Priority; ISO 250; Shutter 1/320; Aperture f13; Focal Length 35mm; ev -2.0; WB - Daylight
I couldn’t have
smiled more that day. A day
claimed to doing something I love, a day spent with a friend catching up, and a
day outdoors in the gorgeous sunshine.
Nothing but smiles!
As I write my brother, Houston, and his fiancée, Johnny, are
flying high in the skies! They’re
embarking on a trip of a lifetime.
Leaving their home in Vancouver, BC they will land in Singapore, open up
the boxes containing their bicycles, assemble their bicycles, and start
peddling. So long as their money
last, they will not be returning home for another eleven months! Houston and Johnny will spend the next
eleven months cycling throughout SouthEast Asia. “On [their] loaded touring bikes [they’ll] be cycling throughout Asia
past cities, beaches, jungles, deserts, and the highest mountain in the world..”(www.hojobiking.com) Their journey will begin in Singapore and finish in
India. If they hold true to their
plans the two of them will each put over 15, 000 kilometers on their bikes
travelling through nine countries.
I don’t know about you; but to me that is a concept I cannot comprehend.
It’s important for you to know, that when I say eleven
months and that they will finish in India, that’s simply the current plan. On Houston’s first cycling tour he had
only intended on being gone half a year.
This was when he was cycling from the Southern-most tip in South America
to the Northern-most point in South America. Once reaching his initial “final destination” he had come to
the conclusion that this ending would just be anti-climatic. Instead he flew to the “0km” marker in
Eastern Canada in St. John’s, Newfoundland to ride his way past home to the
“0km” marker in Western Canada in Victoria, BC. His finial “final destination” was now going to be Victoria,
BC adding on another few months to the initial half a year. So, you can see that with Houston plans
do change.
This trip will be a hard trip for me to sit through. My brother is four years younger than I
am, but over the past couple of decades we’ve come quite close. Even though we don’t always agree or
see eye-to-eye, we both respect each other and the lives we lead. After I graduated from highschool, I was
the one that would pick Houston up every day (or as often as I could) so he
wouldn’t have to walk the long route home. For a period of time, again when Houston was still in
highschool, he and I would go out to dinner just the two of us once a
week. Houston is the one that
first got me on a snowboard and taught me how to board. Now with Johnny all the active things
we used to do are done with the three of us. We go snowshoeing, snowboarding, geocaching and every once
and a while we just hang out. Not to
mention I’m still a chauffeur.
Since they don’t own a car, I’m the one that drives them out to our
mom’s for family dinners.
Johnny, Houston, and I on New Years day this year. Snowshoeing around Lost Lake in Whistler, BC.
I’m jealous and envious of them and their abilities to quit
their jobs and simply travel.
Jealous of the fact that they both have jobs that they can quit and
return to with very little difficulty.
Being a teacher, that’s not the case for me. I’m envious of the destinations that they will be able to
experience. Many of the countries
they will tour through are ones that I would like to make my way to in the
upcoming years. I’ve only been to
a couple of them, Thailand and Vietnam, and that was over 12 years ago! I’m envious of they way they live their
lives in such a care free way.
Don’t get me wrong I don’t live a strict regimented live myself. And I LOVE everything in my life! But, I’m at a different point in my
life with my career going in the direction I want it to. And my family couldn’t be any better; I
love my life with Jeremy (my boyfriend, partner, other-half, common-law
husband, husband, what ever you want to call it) and our two boyz (cats), Sam
and Gimli. There’s not one thing
I’d change about our life. We get
to travel every year 3-4 weeks at a time.
It’s just that it’s human nature to want what you don’t
have.
I was so excited for their trip that I decided that Houston
and Johnny needed a special gift.
I had customized t-shirts and hats made for both of them. Hoping that they wear them throughout
their trip, of course not when they’re peddling away, since it’s not technical
gear. I also thought that it migh
be a way for them to spread the word about their blog.
Johnny and Houston sporting their new threads.
Johnny showing off his new HoJoBiking hat with Houston looking on.
The excitement grows, as I know Houston and Johnny only have
another 60 minutes in the air before they land at 5:30 am in Singapore. Over the next eleven months I will be
following their adventures and watching their love for one and other grow as I
read their blog, HoJo Biking: Bicycle Touring SouthEast Asia,
and follow their tweets @HoustonMarsh and @hojobiking.
If you, yourselves, have any interest in living vicariously
through two adventurous people I suggest you follow along too. And if you’re interested in the cycling
tours, check out Houston’s blog from his trip across South America and Canada
at Vagabonding around South America & Canada. Houston will also be posting their
current trip there.
Houston & Johnny, I wish you both all the best! And can’t wait to hear about all of
your adventures. Johnny you better
make sure that you both email us on a regular basis back home. Love you both!!
There is always something worth celebrating in life. It’s important not just to simply the
“special” moments when we have planned or scheduled celebrations; but to
remember to celebrate the “ordinary” and the everyday occasions as well.
As part of my Take52 Challenge I selected a photograph I
took while snowshoeing around Lost Lake in Whistler, BC with my brother and his
fiancé Johnny. This year for
Christmas I put only a few items to purchase on my Wishlist, the main component
of my wishlist was activities to do with the “giver” to create memories. Why have someone buy me something I can
easily go to the store to get myself.
I’d much rather be able to spend time creating memories with those I
love.
One activity I placed on my Wishlist was a day
snowshoeing. My brother, Houston,
and Johnny had planned a day for us to drive to Whistler, snowshoe around Lost
Lake on some of the most beautiful trails, and warm-up while sitting in the
Village sipping on our coffees. It
was a gorgeous, bluebird day; I was almost disappointed I wasn’t boarding
instead. But due to their upcoming
yearlong cycling trip throughout Asia, they didn’t want to risk any
injuries. I don’t blame them at
all.
I found myself carrying the camera ready to shoot everything I
encountered. The white contrasting
with the blue sky and the green of the firs peaking through was stunning.
I’ve whittled the hundreds of photographs I took that day to
two.
The following photography is of an ornament hanging from a
Christmas tree along one of the trails.
From this Christmas tree you can look over to the runs on Blackcomb
Mountain. Although I didn’t want
to focus on the runs themselves, I wanted all focus to be on the ornament in
celebrating the Christmas season.
Aperture Priority; ISO 400; Shutter1/1250; Aperture f22; Focal
Length 35mm; ev -4.0; WB Flash*
The second photography is of Houston and Johnny posing along
the trail. I was more interested
in telling the story about our day snowshoeing; that’s why I focused on the
trail sign instead of the two of them in the background. However, it was important for me to
include them in the photograph, otherwise the whole story wouldn’t have been
told. You may not be able to
recognize their features but to me the scream.
Aperture Priority; ISO 400; Shutter 1/400 ; Aperture f5.6;
Focal Length 35mm; ev 0; WB Flash*
I love the fact that I’m able to celebrate the beginning of
the New Year with Houston and Johnny.
Over the past couple of years I’ve tried more and more to make an effort
to spend quality time with my close friends, those that I consider family, and
family. As a bonus was able to
start off the New Year in fine form doing something active and outdoors.
This New Year’s Day I was celebrating family, new
beginnings, healthy/active lives, and the beauty of nature.
*I must have accidently chosen a White Balance of
Flash. Most of the day I spent
with my White Balance in Daylight, Shade, or Cloudy.
With this weekend being Canadian Thanksgiving, many people are sharing their thoughts of thankfulness.I believe that our thanks should be expressed or in our forethoughts more than one weekend a year.However, since it is Thanksgiving I will share my gratitude and my thanks.
I am grateful for all that I have in my life...I would be lying if I were to say there isn’t anything (possessions) that I still want to own.But I strongly believe that I have all that I need.
I am grateful for my wonderful family, immediate, in-laws (well basically they’re my in-laws), and friends (my chosen family).Without all of these people supporting me in my endeavors, my schooling, my education, my trials-and-errors, I would not be the person I am today.I am grateful for their support when I need it, and when I don’t.There is nothing better than knowing that others have your back, and are willing to lend an ear.Or share a glass of wine.
I am extremely grateful for Jeremy, my boyfriend, my life-partner, my husband, whatever you want to call him.It’s been over 11 years with him at my side, and I consider myself very lucky to have him in my life.He, more than he knows, has allowed me to be who I am, and who I want to be.He has supported me emotionally (and financially) while I went to school to finish off my two degrees.And he continues to support me, allowing me to “pretend” to teach while I wait to get that ever so distant permanent contract.I’m sure it can’t be easy on him either, not knowing how much money I’ll be bringing to the table each pay period.
I am grateful for having two wonderful boyz whom I love as if they were actually my sons.Sam & Gimli bring a sense of comfort to our home; yet at the same time, they bring playfulness.Even with their less than agile bellies.
I am grateful for the kids (M&K and Issy, among many others) that are in my life.They allow me the opportunity to be silly and have fun, instead of being a ‘boring’ adult.They give me the break I need from the stress of everyday living.
I am grateful for those that have made an everlasting impression on my life, even if they are no longer with us physically in the world.I believe strongly that they continue to provide me with love and support from a world beyond ours.
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful and to reflect on our lives.Although you may be thankful that you have many possessions in your life, it is not the possessions that give you true happiness.True happiness comes from the people you surround yourself with daily.It is these people that you should be grateful for, thankful for having the opportunity to have them in your lives, even if only for a few short years.To all those in my life, you know who you are, I thank you for being there, for being loving, for being supportive, for being you, and most importantly for allowing me to be me.I love you all.Happy Thanksgiving.
It’s early Sunday morning and the alarm is going off. Too early, especially since I’m not heading off to work. I roll out of bed at 6:30am, take a quick look out the window, almost looking to see if the sun was up yet. Skies were blue with the sun shining. It’s going to be a good day, in more ways than one.
Dressed and ready for the day ahead out to the car I go. First stop, as any other morning, Starbucks. Not too sure how long my upcoming event will take, I decide better safe than sorry, so, I decide to get a sausage breakfast sandwich to go along with my grande non-fat no-whip mocha. Coffee in hand, I drive towards my destination for this morning’s early alarm. Surrey, not in the nice part of Surrey either. Off to an older run-down (currently – some neighbours seem to be taking care of their yards, others not) neighbourhood of Whalley.
Being early and nervous about my morning’s adventures, I drive around the house to scope out the area and assess the situation. I find a large business parking lot to stop in and enjoy my coffee while I collect and process my thoughts.
It’s time...now or never. If I don’t drive to the house now, I’ll miss it. I won’t be able to support him. Facing the uneasiness I had about this new environment, I got out of my car, walked around to the back of the house. There it was, the converted garage, where I’ll visit my first N.A. meeting. The yard is filled with faces I don’t know. I walk past them towards the door of the garage. There is a friendly warm welcoming smile that meets me. A nice big hug from the man, the friend, I am there to support. I’m at ease. Next two other faces I know, relief sets in. I know I’m doing the right thing by being here to support my friend, to help him celebrate his accomplishments in the past year.
The meeting is called to start and everyone files into the converted garage to find a seat. I sit beside my friend, really – where else would I be? It’s hard for him to settle. I look around; it’s hard for everyone to settle. Each addict is experiencing ticks, shaking, fidgeting in some way. Some maybe because they’ve just used, ‘need’ to use. Others because the thought of using is at the forefront of their mind. Subconsciously I start to mimic them, I start to fidget with my coffee cup.
I sit and listen to the Twelve-Traditions and Twelve-Steps of Narcotics Anonymous. Eyes straight ahead, trying my best not to look at those around me for fear of judging them. But why should I judge them? I don’t know their individual stories that lead them to use. They must be good people, they’re here trying to get help. Just like my friend. With the formalities over, they invite those with milestones to come and collect their key-rings. Then it’s time...he’s upset, anxious, that they went from 9 months to 18 months. Have they forgotten about him and all his hard work? They hadn’t. They wanted to save the largest milestone for last. 12 months clean and sober!! It’s his special day, and he got to choose the speakers and the topics of discussion for the day. Gratitude, Power of Prayer, and Life on Life’s Terms.
Hearing these topics I being announced I started thinking about them as they applied to my life. What I would talk about when it was my turn? My friend had asked me before the meeting if I would be willing to talk to show my support for him. Many thoughts and ideas raced through my mind. Nothing coherent. Thankfully then man running the meeting did not call on me to talk like he was supposed to. Relief, served with a side of guilt. I was thankful that I did not have to speak, I didn’t want it to appear as if the non-addict was preaching to everyone else. Yet, there was a great deal of guilt that came with not fully supporting my friend like he wanted.
Once the chosen speakers had finished, it was time for the celebration. My friend had two other members each speak to him and his recovery. The first was there along side of him, throughout the whole 12 months, and many months before that using with him. The first member that stood to speak after all was said and hugs were had, presented him with his One Year Sober Coin. The second member that stood said some kind words about my friend’s recovery, and then presented him with the celebratory One Year Cake. It was Black Forest Cake. I was disappointed, since I don’t like this flavour.
To wrap up the meeting everybody, addict, recovering addict, and supporters alike, formed a circle to say a prayer. Now I do not necessarily believe in Him, but I do believe there are higher powers at work. And it’s those higher powers that help give us the strength to carry on in our lives.
And to my dear friend I say…
Be grateful for the opportunities that you are given. Although we often believe, things aren’t the best, we often forget that we are lucky enough to have great lives surrounded by people we love and care for. And there are some that do not have love, the simplest gift we can be given.
You do not need to pray to Him, but look above to find the ones that have left us. They are there to give us the strength and power that we need to succeed in our lives.
And to live life on life’s terms. We do not have control of everything in our lives. Take a confident step forward and realize that everything in front of us is there for us. To embrace, to learn from, and to build on.
Be confident in who you are, who you are becoming, and who you want to be. It’s it only you that can make the steps necessary.
I love you as a brother, and have cherished all the time we have spent together. You are a man with a great soul and heart. I am proud of your successes in this last year. Here’s to you!
