My friends are cooler than yours!

2 years ago I made the decision to move to the big city, I was SO nervous. I was starting fresh, leaving behind the comforts of Guelph, leaving behind my solid group of friends, a city and University I knew so well. Toronto was the big city, the traffic, the culture, the vibe, the people all unnerved me.

2 years later it terrifies me to leave it all behind. Thankfully I know this isn’t goodbye, simply see you later. But still it is going to be incredibly tough.

Thankfully I have a PHENOMENAL group of friends to send me off, shoot me full of encouragement and love so I will be riding a high wave when I depart in a few short days.

The last couple days have been so amazing, here are a couple of my favourite moments and favourite people.

A fantastic evening followed up by a day of rollercoasters, childlike fun, funnel cakes and plenty of laughs at WONDERLAND!

My friends are WAY cooler than yours!

Endlessly changing horizon

"...The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun." -Christopher McCandless, Into the Wild

I imagine one day I will have it all figured out, I will know the correct course, I will have a "plan”. But for the time being I find comfort this this quote- there is value in a endlessly changing horizon.

My horizon is about to change in a very literal way, my longest trip away from “home”. This past weekend I had the chance to head back to the “homeland” and say goodbye to my family and a couple of good friends.

I HATE goodbyes! They were brutal, squeezing my little brothers 'wanting them to never let go but knowing they don’t understand how LONG 5 months will be. Hugging my parents trying to remember the feeling so I can relish it on those rough days when I am oceans away. Laughing with friends- hoping the connection doesn't fade. Snuggling my puppies and giving them so much love so they don't hold a grudge for my extended absence.

“ Every goodbye makes the next hello closer” right?

When I start to freak out about the time away I have to remind myself that “the joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences”… so here’s to new experiences, new challenges and a joyful life journey!

I am off in a few short days! Looking forward to some quality time with quality people before boarding that plane!

Stay Tuned!

“Play” is a universal language

I had the opportunity to hang out with this lovely group of kids this morning from a local school here in Udaipur …..

Indian education is very “proper” the students sit quietly, stand when answering a question, use “ma’am” and “sir”, ask before entering a classroom, and speak only when spoken to. So when I was asked to run a leadership workshop I was a little worried that it wasn't going to be the energetic session I am used to.

But boy was I wrong….

With a little coaxing they were ready to blindfold their peers, run around in circles and scream at the top of their lungs.

 

AND while having fun we also created an action plan that they are going to complete to raise awareness about poverty in their own country!

Although their English was spotty and their learning style is different…

PLAY is a universal language.

A Humble Abode

Moving to Udaipur I have made some sacrifices.

It will be hot, I will sweat.

It is far, I will miss my favorite people.

It is different, I wont have the same liberties.

But I will have a place to call home and it will be comfortable. A personal non negotiable.

And I was presented with a couple anxiety- raising options but I am so blessed to have found a very comfortable apartment just a walk away from the office and a short distance from “the old city” my favorite part.

WELCOME….

The front entrance with the beautiful view of the old city and the Aravali mountains!

The front room with the makeshift couches!

One of 2 full bathrooms

On the top right the entrance to my kitchen, the top left the entrance to the 2nd bathroom and to the bottom right the entrance to my balcony and bottom left the entrance to my bedroom!

My kitchen

Out to my balcony

The picture doesn’t do it justice but I can see the City Palace, the Pichola Lake, the old city and the mountains!

My bedroom without any decorations yet!

Now come visit…I have lots of room!!!