Goodbye: For Now

Since I have never been away from my family or friends, it was weird saying goodbye. But it's not goodbye forever, it's just goodbye for now! I am only a 95 minute ferry ride away from home, I will see everyone soon! 

Aside from the excitement of moving, it is also my birthday in just a few days. I had the pleasure of going out with some great friends before I left for my new adventure! 

I went for lunch and a drink with my grandma a week before I left. This starter bread was dangerously good, as was this incredibly fruity glass of sangria. It was adorably garnished with an orange slice, lemon slice, and lime. 

This is another dangerous good. My best friend gifted me with this supply of junk food! Reese's, Kit Kats, Oh Henry's, a tub of gummy candy and 1.5kg of Jujubes. If you know me at all, you know I love candy. I'm not the biggest on chocolate on my own initiative, but when it is given to me--it will get eaten.

Having a last dinner at one of my best friend's houses! I gave her an early baby shower gift, and she gave me a gorgeous seashell decor piece for my wall. 

I am very excited to report I have found a full time job, that I will be starting on Monday! Monday also happens to be my birthday, so this is the best present I could have gotten on my birthday in a new city all alone (okay, mostly alone). It lifts a lot of anxiety off of my shoulders to know that I have found a job. Even though I am logically aware that having anxiety in the first place was ridiculous. I have been living in this city for only five days, it's somewhat of a miracle I have managed to find a full time (Mon-Fri schedule, too!) within the first five days. I applied to this position only one day before I moved, and went through four interviews. I am very excited for my future, and can't wait to start work and being around new people!

The rainy weather has started to return to Vancouver...and if you're from BC's West Coast, you know once it begins---we are really in for it.

Have a good weekend,

Kelsey 

The Big Move

I finally did it! I moved across the pond, and am no longer living on Vancouver Island. It feels very surreal, I have never moved out of my home town, and never been away from my family before. It's a really crazy feeling, but I am still very excited about what is to come.

In the last two days, my roommate and I have made a lot of progress with our apartment, the piles of boxes have become less and less obnoxiously in our way. A very good friend of mine gave me a gorgeous white seashell that goes up on the wall, so while I will miss her a lot, I will have a little something that reminds me of her every day.

I've been "out of work" for 5 days now, and it feels like forever. This is the first time I have been unemployed since I was fourteen years old, and I don't particularly like the feeling. I am not intending to be this way for long, of course, as I have had three interviews in the last 48 hours. But even the feeling that currently I am not employed anywhere is a strange feeling as well. I guess a lot of things in the next little while will feel weird for me, because I am experiencing so many different things right now. And experiencing new things was the reason for me moving. 

I struggle with anxiety, and tonight-on my third night here, I feel a little bit of anxiety about what is to come. But logically, I know that I have only been here for 48 hours--so of course not everything will be settled and perfect right away. It is going to take a lot of hard work, and I am going to work relentlessly to find a full time job ASAP. 

Anyone else moved cities for the first time and have some anxiety?

Favourite Things About Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is such a beautiful place, it is hard to believe I only have a few weeks left before I am living on the mainland for the first time. 

I have a huge love of nature, and love being anywhere near a body of water. Hiking, going for a run near the ocean, long walks, camping, I love it all.

Some of my favourite places: 

This is Elk Lake in Victoria. It is located off of Highway 17 and Sayward. It is gorgeous, has some pretty beaches, a child's playground, and you can walk or run all the way around it. There is a 10km run you can do around Elk Lake which is also connected to Beaver Lake. It's very serene and is a gorgeous place to be on a hot day.

This is the trestle at Goldstream Park. It is 20 minutes or so outside of Victoria, you get there following Highway 1 toward Nanaimo. You can hike all around, see beautiful waterfalls, and if you hike up above the waterfall eventually you get here. The train does not run any more so there is no fear of getting stuck in a Stand By Me moment while crossing. If you are afraid of heights I would not recommend walking across because there is half a foot gaps between the wood slabs, and it is over a 150 foot drop to the bottom. It is complete with incredible views, and amazingly fresh air.

This amazing view is from Durrance Lake. It is located off of West Saanich Road, a few minutes away from the popular Red Barn Market. It is a rather small lake, with a dock, trails, and no real "beach" but there are separate areas that are suitable for setting up your stuff with friends. That feature I think is kind of nice because you don't have to worry about the beach getting packed with everyone and their 6 kids and dog. 

This amazing view is not from Victoria, but rather French Beach which is located just outside of Shirley, BC. It is approximately an hour and a bit outside of Victoria, and it is well worth the drive. I could sit here all day listening to the waves crashing into the thousands of rocks that create this gorgeous beach. The waves here are much larger and more aggressive than in Victoria, and it's a beautiful thing to watch. There are camping grounds, hiking trails, beaches, and a very large parking lot which makes for easy accommodation. 

These are some of my favourite places to visit with friends for some hiking, or by myself when I just need to sit, gather my thoughts, and reflect on life. 

What are some of your favourite places? 





Kelsey 


Note: All photos taken by me with an iPhone5S.

Moving Day: 21 Days

21 Days!

In a mere three weeks I will finally be doing something that I've waited a very long time for. Moving to Vancouver!

I know it is not very far away from my current city, Victoria, but I have had such a love of Vancouver since I was 13 and feel very strongly that I need a complete change of pace. I have lived in Victoria my whole life, and I think 22 years in one city is more than enough, I am ready to move on, and move out of this town. 

I have been feeling fairly unsatisfied this past year, and one of the reasons is that I feel very bored in Victoria. I have done everything three times, everyone I meet knows someone who knows someone who used to live with so-and-so, I've lived in enough areas of town, and I won't be going to school again for at least a few years--so why not do something about this unsatisfied feeling and do something I've always wanted to do?

I am overjoyed at the freedom I will have not being on an island, with a great love of driving my Jeep I am very excited to be able to easily drive to Whistler if I wanted, or Bellingham or Seattle. The job opportunities are plentiful it seems so far, and I can't wait to meet new people. 

The Island is still beautiful, and of course there are things I will miss. But I CANNOT contain my excitement to have completely new surroundings, people, job options, food options, and the concerts. OH THE CONCERTS I WILL GO TO.

Here's to the last three weeks in my hometown! Then on to something new. 

Goodnight,

Kelsey