ZenJulie

Back to the Ottawa Groove

2006-09-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

And now, after a beautiful 3 months in BC, I'm slowly adjusting to Ottawa life again. I've been back 3 weeks and it seems life west coast life was just a dream.
I'm at work, but not as passionate about what I am doing. New team, new responsibilities, so I know I will be challenged this fall.

And what beautiful people I will remember in BC. We spent our last few days in Tofino, on Vancouver Island. Beautiful little town, foggy mornings, sunny afternoons, surfer village. And I was able to see my friend Iain again, as his half-brother had a wedding on the beach over the long weekend.

So how to keep what I have cultivated this summer? More time for self-reflection, slow down my days, just be.

I'm ready to teach, and excited to start. Classes at work in the winter and hopefully some workshops over the fall with friends and colleagues. It's not about the money, but the teaching experience (and covering basic costs of course!)

Alaskan Voyage

2006-08-31T17:58:00.000-07:00

We've been at sea for 5 days. Today we are in Juneau. We had a 4 hour whale-watching and wildlife cruise - winds and a bit of hail made for few sightings of humpback whales and sea lions.

We feel pretty glamorous aboard the Celebrity Infinity. We've had one formal night so far and the meals here are amazing!!

Some nights are very rocky on board and I'm glad that we picked up Gravol.

Very different to go from the Gulf islands (hippie lifestyle, granola, etc) to the 5 course meals and luxury of the cruise ship.

I'm glad that I'll be finishing up my west coast adventure with some down time in Tofino, back to island mentality and a more mellow way of life.

Setting sail for Alaska

2006-08-27T14:10:00.000-07:00

So my sister arrived on Wednesday and we have had a very busy 4 days so far. We explored Kits area, did some thrift store shopping, visited Granville Island, etc.
We also had a whirlwind trip to Salt Spring, getting in Friday night and visiting the Saturday Market for a few hours. I ran into about 4 people that I knew from my training program, such a small world!
We leave today for our fabulous Alaskan cruise, returning on the 3rd of September. We'll then ferry to Nanaimo, rent a car and drive to the surfer town of Tofino for our last few days of holidays.
I hope we aren't too cold on the cruise ship!

I'm officially a yoga teacher!

2006-08-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

And with a framed certificate to prove it! It's been quite an experience, from start to finish and I'm excited to see what life will be like when I am back in Ottawa, trying to integrate my hippie island girl yoga ways into daily life!
I'm relaxing in North Vancouver right now with my friend Iain and my sister arrives on Wednesday. We've got an Alaskan cruise to look forward to and a few days in Tofino, where we're going to take surfing lessons!
It's hard to return to the city - traffic, so much stimulus, so many people!
Today I lounged at Kits beach, people-watched and had a perfect Sunday.

Island Girl

2006-08-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

I've been riding a bike all over the island, discovering all sorts of things. Yesterday, I sampled wines at the island winery and then checked out a little gallery before biking into town. I ran into a friend of mine from Salt Spring Island at the little market, so we spent the afternoon on the beach together.
I love the main square in town - after my short 7k bikeride, I treat myself to ice cream or a coffe from the bakery.
Big art and garage sale today, bought a little hippie top and a few books. I might have a piece of art mailed back home too.
There is a bathing suit optional beach on the island, much quieter than the main beach. I keep my suit on and enjoy the calmness of this beach, vs the circus-like atmosphere of the main stream beach.
So I'll continue to explore again tomorrow and Monday, on my little bike with no foot petals, a chain that likes to fall off every now and again, little skirt blowing in the wind, soaking up the sun, breathing in this lovely island life - simple, fresh, healthy and miles away from routine city living.
Next stop: Victoria for a day before heading back to Salt Spring Island for yoga bootcamp part 2.

Beautiful Hornby Island

2006-08-02T14:16:00.000-07:00

I've been on Hornby Island for 2 days. It is a very funky island. It's warm during the day with chilly nights. It's an amazing community here.
The island is busy preparing for the annual summer festival, which starts tomorrow night. Robin (the gardener where I am staying) and I are going to make a funky lantern for the opening ceremonies tomorrow night. Tonight, I'm checking out free, live music at the Cardboard House Bakery and Pizzaria.
I'm staying in this cute bunker-style caravan, with loft, little kitchen, etc. I'm equipped with all sorts of food for breakfast and lunch, and we have a communal dinner.

Before I left Galiano, I went into Sidney by the Sea for a day, to run some errands with Jen. Sidney has the most thrift shops per capita, I swear! So needless to say, my backpack keeps getting heavier with all the things that I am picking up along the way! Thank goodness I packed what I consider "disposable" clothing!

The garden is beautiful here-vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers. Today I picked plums and did some watering and weeding. We also made flower arrangements to sell at the roadside. Everything is grown organically here, so I am eating very well and living off the land.

Cheesy photo opps

2006-07-25T17:19:00.000-07:00

Doing yoga with Woody, resident dog and meditating at the beach near Spotligh Cove.

Fire on the Island

2006-07-24T14:13:00.000-07:00

Since Saturday, there has been a fire in the south part of Galiano Island. The island does not have a very big fire department - like many small communities, it relies on volunteers from the island.
More details at:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2006/07/24/fire-galiano.html

There are very strong winds that are making things even more of a challenge for the volunteer fire fighters. Let's hope for a little rain soon.

Hazy dazy summer

2006-07-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

We're in the midst of a heat wave on the islands, hot and dry, 30-35C. I love it, different than humid Ottawa days. I've been checking out different beaches on the island with Jen, one of the owners of the B&B. Some pebble beaches, some sandy beaches. Yesterday, we found a little slice of paradise, off the south end of the island, sitting on rocks at high tide, water up to our thighs, drinking beer and taking in Galiano at its finest. The sun sets pretty late here, usually around 9:30 or 10:00, so days are long and beautiful. I'm starting to brown up a little and lose the winter white skin.

Today, it's just me at the lodge. I've picked some blackberries (soon apples and pears will be ready; I'll miss fig season by a few weeks). When it cools down, maybe I'll make some berry muffins. It really is heaven here - amazing landscapes, wonderful people, amazing food (and laundry and internet!). My hosts are amazing too.

I'm really loving the time on my own. I have plenty of time to do my morning breathing and yoga practices and then a few hours of work before beach time.

There are mice in my room downstairs, they love to dance around at night. I felt bad setting traps last night, but they have been keeping me up all week!

I do feel a little isolated at times. Some call it the island bubble; the mentality that all that is life is right here, or a 25 minute drive into "town". But it's good for a short time.

Galiano Island - where the living is mellow

2006-07-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

I think one of my biggest challenges in life is learning to have some down-time, on my own. It's almost too mellow here these days!
Yesteday, I raked sheep poop off the trail - it's used for fertilizer. Can't say I want to do that again ;o)
And today, I helped out with a wedding - set the place settings for 40 guests, did some cleaning and had an astral energy scan by Karen, who is also staying here. We'll stay at the neighbour's place tonight, just in case the wedding is noisy and goes late.
Now, 3:00pm and I'm trying to decide what to do with myself. Maybe a walk to the beach to do some reading and tanning. It's been cold in the evenings, not used to this coastal weather.

Yoga Boot camp part 1 completed, I survived!!

2006-07-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

So I haven't been so good with my blogspot. But I purposely avoided the internet for the 2 weeks of my course - didn't want to break the routine, be connected, etc.
But I'm back on-line today from Galiano Island.

Thoughts on the yoga experience:
Oh my god, so intense! From 5:30 am to 9:30 pm, going, going, going.
I have learned so many things, met amazing people and have definitely gone through an amazing and powerful transformation. I cried a few times, but it was a really positive experience, letting myself be a little vulnerable in front of people, dealing with some difficult/sad things that I have been housing for a while - a cleansing experience.

Speaking of cleansing, part of the program was Shat Karma, external cleansings. Things I would have never done before, but have accomplished here:
Cleaning my nasal passages with a watering can
Scraping my tongue with the blunt edge of a knife
(passed on the water vomit exercise...)

I am so glad that there is a break in between: time to catch up on my sleep (am so sleep deprived), spend time outside, absorb all this amazing information and prepare to teach a breathing/meditation practicum and yoga class to other students in August, what a challenge!

So now, ready to have some down-time on Galiano Island, helping out at a B&B for 2 weeks, http://www.bodegaridge.com/, that's where the little photo is from. It's about 20 minutes by car to town, a bit isolated, but very funky, mellow and beautiful: a couple of cats, some dogs, rock sculptures, lots of trees and deer roaming around. There will be a wedding here on Saturday, so that will be an interesting experience to help out with that.
Amazing places to hike here, to think, to study and just have fun.
Hope all is well in Ottawa, I love having your comments.
xoxo
PS Trisha, no lilacs at this time of year, maybe in late July.

Salt Spring Island Yoga Centre

2006-06-20T13:33:00.000-07:00

This is where I'll be for 2 weeks in July and 2 weeks in August.
http://www.saltspringcentre.com/enter.htm

This is my daily schedule, pretty crazy!

5:30am Wake up
6-7 Shat Karma
7-9 Pranayama/meditation
9:10-11 Asana practice
11-12pm Brunch
12-1 Break
1-2:30 Yoga theory/Study time
2:30-3 Break
3-6 Asana clinic & student teaching exercises
6-7 Dinner
7:15-8:45 Yoga theory/Free time

I'm going to have trouble with the 5:30 am wake-up call! At least flying over to BC will give me the extra 3 hrs!

Getting ready for BC

2006-06-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

So I'm new to this blog spot thing. But I thought I'd set one up to share some of the crazy adventures that await me in BC this summer.

Enjoy!