Miles away...

This past summer I had a chance to backpack the eastern coast of Australia with my life-long best friend. We saved up the money we needed to buy our plane tickets and waited patiently for news of a seat sale... Our patience was short lived, and as soon as our passports arrived in the mail, we were seated with my travel agent. The three of us sat for over an hour looking for anything that even resembled a seat sale, but found nothing. We had months before we really needed to book, but in our child-like excitement we booked "whatever" and paid in full.

For the next few months we worked long hours to save for the rest of our adventure. Summer came and I'd been working night shifts full time for over a month. I felt like a zombie/vampire version of myself, and it was not pretty. I was drained, and for the first time ever, convinced that I was depressed in the middle of summer. Now, just to clarify, I am a long-time sufferer of winter depression. Summer is my salvation. So when I found myself dreading leaving the house, going out with the girls, enjoying the things that I usually enjoy, I knew something was seriously wrong. I became snarly and short-tempered. I also became an emotional mess. I would let all of my emotional stuff build up and then spew it out like a drunk college kid. It was messy.

It was meant to be the trip of a lifetime. The ultimate girl's month out. But I was everything short of pleasant to be around.

Day one of our Australian Adventure consisted of 24 hours of travelling, some bickering and a lot of jaded excitement. I spent the whole 14 hour plane ride across the Pacific Ocean trying to make myself "FEEL" more excited, but I felt really numb. Upon arrival, we were so tired that our only focus was on getting to the hostel. After resting for a bit, we went out to explore our new surroundings. Neither of us talked much, and I found myself questioning how much of that was my fault. I was trying so hard to understand why I was feeling so unbalanced still.

To make a month long story short, there were ups and downs the whole way. There were days that I felt like I was pulling out of it, and others that were really tough to face. I remember one night while we were in the Queensland rain forest, a girl asked us whether or not we thought that we would remain friends after our trip. This was my best friend, my confidante, the person whose influence has shaped me more than anyone else's in my life. The thought of our friendship ending made me feel sick. There was no way that I was going to let this slump ruin my life. I just couldn't understand how working nights for a month could effect me as much as it had.

By the last week of our trip I was ready to head home. I wanted so badly to sleep in my own bed again and get my life back on track. I knew that things would be different between us once we got back. The whole trip was a life-changing experience.

Since our return in August, we've remained close, and I am so thankful for her unconditional support. When people asked about our trip, all of the petty stuff seemed so unimportant. We told them about all of the amazing things that we got to do. We laughed about the silly arguments we had and the crazy people we met. We decided that it really was the most amazing trip, and that we had both changed for the better. It also made me realize the true importance of her friendship.

Let's hold hands!

"Not to wax nostalgic about the 1970’s, but back then people got upset when they saw injustice. They got tired of seeing our air, land and water polluted. They were shocked when the Cuyahoga River in Ohio was polluted so badly it caught fire. And on one great day 20 million Americans marched all across this land. Politicians had no choice but to take notice." - Senator John Kerry

This quote caught my attention today, for more than a few reasons. Number one being that it perfectly encapsulates how I feel about our generation. I have always wanted to be an advocate for change. I would have made a kick-ass hippy back in the day! I also believe that there are every day life changes that we can make to do our part to change.

Matt and I had decided before we got home that we would make some changes in the way we live. They may seem major, or really minor to some, but they make us feel great about the way we're living. First, we decided that we would support local producers by buying only local foods. So, on our first trip to the grocery store, we managed to buy only foods produced in Canada (Except bananas, but that was far-fetched!). We spent over $200 supporting Canadian producers! We also bought recycled/recyclable grocery bags. We've since stopped accepting plastic bags anywhere we go! In Nova Scotia there is already a law that you have to compost and recycle or you'll be fined, so that was well under way. The best part of eating locally is that it also forces us to eat produce that is currently in season. We are trying to figure out how to narrow down our local eating to producers within our province.

Anyways, the real reason that the quote got me thinking is that back in the 70's people were so passionate about change. They lived and died for the causes they believed in. And they got the recognition they deserved for what they did. These days there is not enough recognition for the amazing people that fight for change. Sometimes they are even looked down upon for being too radical! In a society that needs so much change, can we not all do some small part to make a difference? Although we all recognize that we need to change, many people don't know where to begin. If we were to encourage people to make one small change at a time, we may be able to work together. Imagine 20 million people marching together towards change?

Still little old me!

I've been feeling really disconnected from my blog for the past few weeks. Starting when I didn't have daily access to a computer, then sadly, continuing once I did. I started asking myself if it was possible that I have "Typer's Block". So I reverted back to the old faithful, pen and paper. What happened next really surprised me. I started reading through some stuff that I'd written last year, and I found out that, I haven't changed at all! My surroundings have.

I'd made a list of things that I found peace and contentment in. The list went as follows: Wintersleep and Bob Dylan CD's, My camera's ability to capture raw insanity and beauty, nature in all of her unpredictability, and last but not least, Matt's daily messages, postcards (he was travelling Europe at that time, and we were living over 5500kms apart) and existence. Ah, simplicity at its best.

So, here I am, a new year, home, job, friends, province, life, and through it all, I am still me. I find a delirious sense of pride in this. I think that everyone expects that with change, we ourselves change. I'm afraid that I am as easily amused as ever.

Here's hoping that whatever is holding me back from writing will soon let go.

A REALLY new year!

So here it is, another new year. But for me, this year brings with it an entirely different start. Not only did I spend the past two weeks driving across Canada, I also moved all of my belongings with me. I now live precisely 5500 kms away from my family, friends and home for the past 25 years.

Now I know that this sounds crazy, but love makes us do crazy things... And believe me, I am happier than I have ever been! I now live 10 minutes from the ocean. What more could I ask for really? I have a lead on a good job, the town that we live in is quaint, and quiet, a breath of fresh air from living in a big city. On my first night in my new house I decided to stay up late and unpack. When I woke up the next day, I felt like I'd been living out here my entire life. Also, until I find a job, I have endless hours to read, write, photograph and organize my new home.

This has truly been the most refreshing start to a new year.

Just stopped by to say hello!

I am currently in Montreal on the last leg of our cross-Canada drive! In two days I will be arriving home, and can start writing again!
Thank you to everyone that's stopped by in the past few weeks! I'm sorry for not responding to any of my comments!

Happy New Year! Talk to you all soon!