THE PERSONAL GEOGRAPHIC

I have MOVED!!

2015-05-24T16:00:00.004-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I know I haven't been posting in a long time but I'd like to announce that I have moved to my new website! Thanks to everyone who's been following me for the past few years. It's been amazing. Alas, I am continuing my journey and would love for you to join me!!

Thanks for some GREAT years and hope to see you at my new blog at

The Personal Geographic

Much love and sincerely,
Justina

Until Next Time

2014-08-10T17:55:00.001-07:00

Even though I didn't want to leave, saying goodbye was a lot easier this time around. I cried only a couple times; once because Alex's mom came to take me to the airport. When I walked out the building and saw his mom waiting, I couldn't stop myself from tearing up. I absolutely adore that woman and was glad I could see her once more before I left. From a conversation I had with an American girl I met here, we concluded that Spanish mum's are the sweetest; when they like you, they really, really like you.

I know I'm getting better at saying good bye but that bitter sweet aftertaste never truly goes away. Saying goodbye to Carlos in the morning was different than the last. The first time we ever had to say goodbye was in December in Florida, and I remember crying like I had just watched the Titanic. This time, he made me promise that I wouldn't cry, and I kept it. I realized that saying good bye is so much easier on the heart when you know that you will see each other again.

The past three months passed by like a dream. Every region and every city had it's uniqueness and charm, and it was difficult not to love every place for it's individuality. Not everyone has the privilege to travel, and I know exactly how fortunate I am for being able to do so. So, in an attempt to say this without any pretentiousness, it has been an incredible blessing to be able to experience this, and it wouldn't have been possible without the support of my family and some of the most amazing friends I know. I can't believe how lucky of a girl I am for having people that care so much about me.

I have some of the best friends in the world! Literally!

They told me I wouldn't want to leave. But I didn't realize the extent to which it would affect me. I wasn't ready to board; waiting for the final call was one of the worst feelings. It's like a really, really bad breakup. But no matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't stay. There is unfinished business in Vancouver. All I know is that as soon as I finish, the world will be fair game.

When I was asked if I would come back to this country, my honest answer was "I don't know." No doubt I want to come back, and to spend more time in Spain getting to know the different regions and it's people more, but it's just that this trip has been so fulfilling. It's like the feeling you get after enjoying an extremely delicious and satisfying meal. From the dazzling and theatrical nightlife in Ibiza to the mouth-watering pintxos and sandy beaches of San Sebastián, Spain has opened me up to the idea of endless possibilities for the future. I've learned so much about what I value as well as what my limits are; I've learned when to stick up for myself, and when to keep my chin up and walk away.

It's amazing when you notice how much you've grown. It's like you're a brick of clay when you're born, and experience is the chisel. Some experiences don't change you, because you're not meant to be shaped that way, but other experiences chisel you to reveal something more about yourself. Experiences refine you into who you really are.

Into the Spanish North

2014-08-05T18:12:00.001-07:00

When I booked my trip to Spain, I originally intended to spend all 3 months in Madrid. It seemed like a good idea to save money by staying put, so I decided that a trip up north would run that idea to the ground. I figured since I was here to learn Spanish, it didn't matter where I went so long as I remained in the country. That mindset remained and didn't budge until a friend told me that missing Barcelona would be a big mistake; it didn't take long for my FOMO (fear of missing out) syndrome to kick in.

Coincidently, my friend Paulina from uni (who I rendezvoused with in Ibiza,) had plans to go to Barcelona, San Sebastián, and Bilbao. After one conversation through skype, I decided to jump on board with her. Within a few days, we booked all the tickets for the hostels and buses to see the beautiful Catalonia and Basque Country regions, and it was absolutely the right decision.

I guess I'm just glad I caught the train before the last call!

Catalonia (Barcelona)

Barcelona was absolutely wonderful. It was a vibrant city with vibrant architecture. Even better, I got to explore the city with incredible people we met through the hostel! For those who plan to visit Barcelona in the future, I highly recommend Hostel One Sants! In all honesty, the idea of hostels used to scare me, but now I wouldn't have it any other way. Maybe I just got lucky with the hostels and the incredible people I've met through them, but so far my experiences have been 10/10.

The Sagrada Familia created by Catalan architect Antoni gaudí is hands down the most beautiful cathedral I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and quite frankly has one of the most impressive architecture I've seen in general.

Crazy enough, we almost didn't go inside because we didn't want to spend the extra time and money but THANK GAUDÍ we chose to see it! (Excuse the pun, I couldn't help myself!)

Basque Country (San Sebastián)

San Sebastián....oh my PINXOS...

I can't dive too much into detail without salivating a little, but pinxos are like tiny little gastronomical delights. Most of them consist of a little sampling of Spanish food on a slice of baguette, but you can get other things as well like calamari or bocadillos. I wish I could say that I had a lot of pinxos, but within my fourth day in Basque Country I got really, really sick. As in, leave-me-alone-I'm-about-to-die, kind of sick. But since I'm such a trooper, I managed to tough it out and get out of the house to explore the city.

In San Sebastián, we really lucked out on our hostel and got a flat right by the beach (even though it was by entirely by accident since we unknowingly paid extra to be there...) holla at your rookies! Thankfully we made that mistake; it made things a lot easier since initially the hostel we thought we were supposed to be at was a good 20 minute walk away, and crappy.

When we first arrived to Barcelona, I warned Paulina that I would not be able to read or speak Catalan, and that it was a completely different language. So naturally when we were on our way to San Sebastián, I was really excited to be able to read Spanish again....oh how wrong I was. Little did I know that we were in Basque Country where the people spoke Basque, AKA, a language even harder to understand then Catalan...on the bright side, and luckily for us, the people there spoke Castilian Spanish as well.

On our third day, we hiked up a small mountain to see the statue of Jesus. It was a beautiful (if not short) hike to the top, but it rewarded us with a gorgeous view of the city. If this hike counts, it was my first and last hike of this entire trip. That says a lot about my physical activity these past 3 months, coming from someone who used to do a lot more outdoor activities in Canada...but let's not delve into the nitty gritty...

It's true what they say about not knowing what you have until it's gone. Spending most of my days in Madrid has had me realize how much living next to the ocean means to me, and having that again in Barcelona and later in San Sebastián makes me want that all the more. I've said this to my friends before, but if Madrid were next to a body of water, it truly would be one of the best cities for me.

Basque Country (Bilbao)

Although Madrid has an incredibly special place in my heart, and probably takes up most of it when it comes to Spain, Bilbao is the little city that I love. Maybe it's because I grew up in a small town, but something about the place makes me want to spend a lot more time there. Although Bilbao didn't have a beach, it had so much character that really, it compensated for it.

If I could only use thing to describe Bilbao, it would be this:

Public Art

I knew going into Bilbao that the city had a lot of public art, but they really take it on a whole new level. In fact, it's almost as if the art has run amok....in a good way.

Upon arriving to Bilbao, we were so tired that we "splurged" on the taxi (5 euros) to get to our hostel. When we drove passed a large crane, I pointed it out to Paulina and shouted, "Look! Public art!" as a joke. Silly Justina, turns out it was a piece of public art. Well, what do you know...

I'll admit, I haven't been a prepared traveler here. Most (if not all) of the little trips within Spain had either been planned by friends or suggested by others. At one point, my friends were even apalled that I didn't do more research regarding what I wanted to see in Spain. I don't regret doing it the way I did it, but I'm also glad I made those last minute plans to see more. Bilbao was a place that if it weren't for Paulina and her determination to go, I would have completely missed. But I guess that's another pro for having an awesome traveling partner...afterall:

Sometimes, we just need a nudge in the right direction!

The Setting Sun in Ibiza

2014-07-28T15:20:00.001-07:00

Ibiza truly is a magical island. Even though it's been a few weeks since I've been there, I still remember it all vividly in my memories. Unfortunately, traveling lends little time to sit down and blog, but the stories are still waiting to be told. On our second day in Ibiza, we decided to rent a boat and explore the island by sea. We got a great deal for it and is one of the best things I've had the pleasure of experiencing.

I have to say, for the longest time I've considered myself a mountain girl but after speeding through the waters on the boat and living on the island, I could completely see myself as an island girl as well! One thing's for certain, I definitely want to purchase a boat if I get the chance.

After living in Madrid for almost 3 months, and after terrace-hopping while drinking wine and tinto de verano's (red wine & lime soda), it's fair to say that Madrid definitely has a vibrant terrace culture; and while Ibiza has terraces as well (and most certainly is world-renowned for it's nightlife scene,) the one thing that pleasantly surprised me was the sunset culture. In fact, it completely blew me away.

I'll be honest, when my friend first told me about watching the sunset every night, I was not as enthused, and I had my reasons. Firstly, we have gorgeous beaches in Vancouver so I've seen my fair share of sunsets. Secondly, I didn't understand how sitting down and watching the sun set could possibly be any fun. But boy oh boy, when I experienced the Ibiza sunset at the cafe, I had to take it all back.

For one, an Ibiza sunset is not at all like a Vancouver sunset.

Let me explain.

The view was amazing, but what was truly incredible was that once the sun hit a certain degree in the sky, the cafe changed their music to chill out "sunset" music, and every single person turned to watch. The music combined with the ambience was just...perfect. You don't just see the sun, you feel it and you hear it. It was an attraction on it's own. And when the sun finally set, everyone broke out into applause. After that, I had a renewed appreciation for sunsets. I mean how could you not?

I am fortunate to have a great friend who lives in Ibiza during the summer so he showed us around the magic island. For the 8 days I was there, the itinerary was simple, beach by day and club by night. The beaches were absolutely stunning and my pale skin (thanks to the Canadian climate,) was getting quite tanned. In those moments, the beach waves washed away all my worries; and in those moments, you know that you just have to stop thinking and start living.

What happens in Brussels, STAYS in Brussels!

2014-06-14T03:04:00.001-07:00

(Photo credit: Nomadic Pursuits)

That's what we told ourselves last night while Solene (my frenchie) and I shared drinks and laughs at the famous bar Little Delirium.

Yesterday was like a wild goose chase between me and Solene. She arrived by train and I arrive by plane and we were to meet at Little Delirium, but couldn't find each other. Neither of us had a working phone so it was near impossible. Turns out there were 3 Little Deliriums and we were just at different ones. Good thing we agreed to meet at 3pm at the hostel if we couldn't find each other.

Last night however, was a top notch night, and we knew it from the moment we were invited to a home-cooked meal. I mean, how often can you enjoy a dinner cooked in the kitchen of a hostel, with a Malaysian, Singaporean, British, and Australian? (Don't say 'often'.)

By night, we went to the club with some cool French guys we met on the street. And after some dancing we ended up chatting with one of the guys who is a young father to two little girls. He ended up sharing his thoughts about becoming strong women, and giving us insight, and it was absolutely phenomenal, not because of what was said, but because he did. And aside from burning myself with a cigerette butt, it was a a crazy, awesome night!

C'est MAGNIFIQUE.

What Did You Say?!

2014-06-03T16:57:00.001-07:00

The first day I arrived at Pedro's house, I met a few of his friends. When they asked me about what food we had in Canada, I was a little stumped. I mean, how the heck do you say maple syrup and poutine in Spanish? When they asked what we ate for breakfast, I confidently said eggs. Actually, it was the only thing I said. They didn't hear about the glorious pancakes with maple syrup, french toast, fresh fruit, oatmeal, and hash browns since I didn't know those words either. But hey, at least they knew we ate something right?

But then they asked me what we ate for lunch....and at that point I had ran out of words, so again I said eggs.....Pedro, looking either confused or concerned, replied with "more eggs?"

Yes Pedro...more eggs...eggs for days!

They must have caught on though because they didn't ask about dinner. Needless to say, having a language barrier can get a little frustrating, but more often than not it just cracks me up. I was texting a friend the other night, telling her I'd be ready to meet her after a shower. But instead of saying "I am going to shower", I ended up saying "I am going to fight." Because contrary to popular belief, there is a difference between "duchar" and "luchar"....which honestly sounds identical to me when spoken, am I right?!

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A few days ago, we had an especially long night. At 11pm we bussed to Madrid to meet with some friends at a marketplace (turned bar/hangout place by night.) After a couple of drinks and some catching up, we headed to the club...at 2am! Dancing until 6am definitely was a new experience for me. They warned me earlier that Spanish partiers could dance till 7am, and I would say that at 7am I would be eating breakfast (pancakes with maple syrup, holla!). Well, apparently I can have my cake and eat it too because that morning, after leaving the club at 6 am, we went and grabbed breakfast. Do I feel bad for clubbing all night? No, 'cause God knows I need that workout to burn off all that bread and beer.

{Photo taken by Luis Garcia on November 21st, 2006.}

On the bus ride home, Pedro and Sergio took full advantage of the 40 minute ride to get some shut eye. I, on the other hand, was wide awake. Tired, but not tired enough to miss the passing landscape. Chalk it up to my child-like curiousity, as everything from the city structures to the country terrain mesmerized me. The sun rose up as we rode on, and I witnessed a part of Spain enveloped by a sky painted a pastel blue, pink, and orange. There was just something incredibly peaceful about the entire the ride home. It was tranquil but powerful; like breathing was more than just a natural process but an absolute gift, and in it that moment it really was. Maybe my rose-tinted glasses come from the fact that I'm on vacation, or from my characteristic of feeling wonder in every new experience, but either way I'm going to take it all in. Afterall, all that's left afterwards will be the memories, and they're something I want to keep for the rest of my life.

Infatuated

2014-05-22T02:03:00.001-07:00

One day baby we'll be old, oh baby we'll be old, think of all the stories that we could have told. - Asaf Avidan

It has been a week now since being in Madrid and I am completely infatuated with the city. Every little thing is so fascinating to me; the people, the language, the cobblestone, the cafeterías, the restaurantes, the architecture, the tapas.....all of it. I've had the opportunity to experience fiestas both at home and at the club and it's been a blast!

¡Viva España!

Learning the language was not as easy as I thought. It's mentally exhausting constantly having to use your brain to try to hold a conversation, and when you miss a beat, you miss it all. Simply being able to communicate through broken Spanish is not satisfying enough for me. So now as a habit, I've started to carry around a notebook, writing down everything I learn, and refering back to it when necessary. I know it's only been a week, but I'm extremely concerned about my progress. Anyone can live in a country with an unfamilar language and survive through basic words, but to actually become fluent takes so much more work. In that sense, it's incredible to me how people learn English. It's the reason why I've always admired my friends here in Spain, and other friends abroad for doing so with such excellency.

The past few nights here have given me a lot of time to think. For the sleepless nights where I lay wide awake, I would stare out the window and try to remember everything. Try to remember how the cool breeze felt against my skin, the sounds throughout the night, even the smell of cigerettes that seem to be the standard here. I am falling intensely in love with this country and its people. Not only am I incredibly fortunate to be here, but more so for being able to experience such a passionate feeling for a place. A drive through Madrid one night, while breathing the brisk air, had me wondering how amazing it is that I have the opportunity to be here. Without the support of my family and friends, it would not have been so rich.
And I guess here's the thing I've realized about opportunities since being here: they don't always come to you, and they're almost aways not obvious. Not all of them serve you, teach you, or help you grow, so being an opportunist is a matter of practice; A practice of finding them and even creating them.
Until next time! Hasta Luego! :)

Can't close my eyes, they're wide awake. Every hair on my body, has got a thing for this place. Oh empty my heart, I've got to make room for this feeling, so much bigger than me. -Imogen Heap

Insatiable

2014-05-15T07:09:00.001-07:00

The day had finally arrived! I was officially two plane rides away from sunny España. Several weeks of preparation and anticipation had lead up to two precious moments; the moment of saying good bye to family and friends, and the moment of stepping foot onto my third continent.

Waiting to board was a peaceful process; I have never felt more ready to go. It's a funny thing when you realize that your heart doesn't feel at home, at home. That's when you know it's time to get off the couch and just go.

At the Vancouver International Airport

Getting on the plane was smooth sailing.

As I waited for the take off, I looked out the window and was admittedly taken aback by the beautiful blue-tinted mountains off in the distance. The mountains stood so tall and majestic as they towered over our cities. How grand Vancouver really is!

When I was young, I remember taking this city for granted. I thought that other places had more to offer; that they had the culture and history we lacked. I guess you could blame it on the movies I've watched, or the books I've read, or the wonderful travel stories I kept hearing from friends, but more likely it was a combination of all three. Eventually, after a couple of trips abroad, I learned that Vancouver didn't have less to offer, just different things to offer. And what this vibrant town along the beautiful Pacific coast has is nature...incredible, wild nature.

Even though I see that now, the deeply rooted passion in me that craves exploration, seems to be anything but insatiable. There's a feeling that I need to just go, and it's not so much wanting to travel as it is needing it; a feeling so deep in your bones, that the only way to answer it is simply by going.
At London Heathrow

The last flight from Heathrow to Barajas was brief. But having to sit and wait for time to pass when I was so close, made me impatient. I was so, so excited to finally see my friends again. I remember how my mom used to joke (or not...) that when we were little, between my sister and I, I was the annoying one on road trips, asking "are we there yet?" every 10 minutes. I guess not too much has changed since.

When the flight descended and I could finally see Madrid, I felt chills down my spine. Spain has for a long time been on my Day Zero Project, and it is a reality at last. Wow. I'm here.
This is it.

This is what I live for.

This is La Buena Vida.

'Then one day you'll go away, but I will too. But until then, oh my darling friend, well I will hold, yes I will hold on to you.'

-Ingrid Michaelson

30 Days to Launch

2014-04-14T17:09:00.000-07:00

Thirty. Days.

until the launch to the gorgeous city of Madrid, Spain.

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What this really means is....

30 days to crush my finals.

30 days to make last minute purchases.

30 days to pack.

30 days to finish my TESOL certification.

30 days to earn as much $$$ as I can.

30 days to convert those $'s to €'s.

30 days to brush up on my Spanish.

30 days to get climbing strong.

30 days to plan activities....ha ha just kidding, I still don't know what I'm doing.

Okay sure, thirty days is probably enough time to get all these things done, but for some reason, countdowns always seem to pick up their pace with every passing day. Does this happen to anyone else? On the plus sde, knowing that I have to get these things done within the next month is a really strong motivator.

Over the past couple of months, some of my friends have been asking me what I plan to do once I am there. In all honesty, I have no idea. But the more I'm asked about it, the more I wonder if I should make a plan...then again half the fun is being flexible, and I don't think I could be that if I had an itinerary to follow. I think the difference is that I'm not in it alone. Having 30 friends there means that I'll have something to do, one way or another :) As of now, the plan is to have no plans.

Just the thought of being immersed in a totally different culture in a matter of weeks is intimidating to say the least. But I don't think I'm going to be any more ready than I already am.

As soon as this list is fully checked off, I'll be ready for the launch.

In the meantime, I'm just going to watch this a few more times to get pumped...

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There's a FIRST for everything!

2014-04-04T22:09:00.000-07:00

Tuesday happened to be one of the rare sunny days we get in Vancouver, so needless to say it was spent outdoors CLIMBING.

The absolute basics

Driving to Squamish was breathtaking as usual. The Sea-to-Sky highway is my favourite highway because it's just so scenic! The water, the trees, the mountains, the skies....it's like a feast for your eyes! Okay maybe I'm being a little dramatic....but it definitely makes for a great drive, and an even better road trip for all you weekend warriors!

This glorious piece of rock above is called The Stawamus Chief. It's possible to both hike and climb it, and is actually one of the most popular local hikes. The face of this granite dome is insanely hard to climb, but I hope to climb it before the year end. Cheers to being ambitious!

Free advertising, you're welcome Starbucks!

This day of climbing I had two FIRST time experiences.

My first climb was a free solo, which meant I climbed it without rope or any other protective gear. I know it may sound ballsy (or stupid, I know you're thinking one or the other...probably the other) but it really was just a 5.6, (meaning it was ridiculously easy.) But still it felt GREAT! Maybe I'll try something a little harder next time? "Maybe" being the key word here.

It was great having Al, a locally infamous free soloist help talk me up. It was nice knowing that I wasn't doing it completely alone, and having some mental support the whole time was reassuring.

Here's a FIRST I'll never forget.

My second FIRST was trad climbing, which means putting the gear in the rock itself. According to wiki, "It is important that the leader be proficient at placing trad gear because his/her safety depends upon the soundness of each individual gear placement"......well sh*t.

In other words, if you place it in wrong and you fall on it, there's a chance it could just pop right off.....but I try not to think about it....

Here I am climbing "kangaroo corner," extremely sketched out!

Blue skies and great climbs....what more could a girl ask for?

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Tripception // Brussels, Belgium

2014-03-30T20:18:00.001-07:00

What is Tripception?

Well...according to no source whatsoever, Tripception is a trip within a trip...(and no, I'm not talking about drugs.)

My oh-so-crucial pre-flight-booking cup'a chai latte

I suspect I'm starting to go a little trigger happy with this whole "trip purchasing" thing because this morning, I bought a plane ticket from Madrid to Brussels....although in my defense, the ticket was only 55€ (roughly $84 CAD.) S-CORE.

What do I know about Belgium?
Only the important things like their beer, waffles and chocolate.

{Source}

Why did I choose Belgium?
Well, Brussels came up because it was supposed to be an intermediate meet-up point between me and my friend (currently studying in the Netherlands.)

The original thought was to meet up in Brussels, then fly back to Madrid together. Problem is, she isn't able to leave town early enough. So we decided to just meet in Madrid, but by that time I already had my heart somewhat set on visiting. So I booked it for two other perfectly valid reasons:

The tickets were cheap and;
I'll finally have the opportunity see my Parisian friend again!

What do we plan on doing there?
To be honest, I have no idea. I think the fact that we booked it on a whim makes this whole trip a bit of a spontaneous adventure. Though I'm willing to bet the architecture and culture alone would fascinate me enough to keep me entertained for the entire week. Remain flexible and it'll be a good times with good friends. :)

{Source}

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Wanderlust

2014-03-24T10:45:00.001-07:00

Once in a while, I get to do a fun photoshoot with a great team!!

Photographer: Raymond Chou
Makeup Artist: Pauline King
Model: Justina F.

Neat and Cool // Climbing Trip

2014-03-02T15:13:00.002-08:00

Yesterday we went on a day trip to Squamish, BC for some good ol' climbing. It's been a long time since I've climbed outdoors and it felt amazing!

I'm not a very strong rock climber, and I know it, but I'm trying hard to change that. The climb that I'm on is called "Neat and Cool" and is graded at 10a. Unfortunately I couldn't finish it, but I hope that the next time I'll send it! Climbing is such a humbling sport, and it's one of the reasons why I love going back.

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Teaching English Abroad?...nifty.

2014-02-21T13:58:00.002-08:00

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So this is what I signed up for. TESOL.
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.

Mmm...sounds nifty.

I've always wanted to teach English in a foreign country, (specifically India,) so getting TESOL certified was the natural progression of things.Thankfully, I'm not a complete freshie. I mean, my previous experience teaching English in China proooobably wont save my butt in Spain, but I'm hoping that some skills will carry over.

It was the summer of 2012 when I taught English to the employees of a 5-star hotel in China. The woman who normally taught English had the perfect fool-proof plan to get them to learn...she told me to pretend that I didn't know Chinese, and to just keep speaking English to the staff as if it's the only thing I spoke. If you've ever had people talk about you and assume you don't understand what they're saying, then you know how funny it can be. And it was working! I managed to look as clueless as possible when they would speak Chinese (stifling my chuckles whenever I had the chance.) And all was going according to plan, until....something happened.

The teacher put one employee on the spot, saying how his efforts needed to be improved...and in defense I accidentally blurted out "No, I think he's doing excellent!"...in Chinese......and then the whole room burst into a bunch of gasps and "I knew it" 's. I sunk into my chair in embarrassment. Oops.

Blew. My. Cover.

After that, I continued to teach, but would only translate words to Chinese when necessary. Honestly, I found the most challenging part to be the pronunciation of words, not the grammar. And I have to admit, even though they got the idea, the fact that they couldn't grasp the accent bothered me. I ended up trying so hard to teach them how to mimic and recreate the accents but to no avail. It wasn't until later that I realized how caught up I was, for something that wasn't important. My friends always told me that while learning Spanish, I worry too much about my accent. It took a while before I finally came to terms with the fact that I'll always sound non-native. And I'll have to learn how to apply the same idea when teaching.

I hope that if and when I get a chance to teach in Spain, I'll be able to do a better job.

So....the moral of the story, if you're going to go undercover as a secret agent (okay exaggerating a little,) don't blow your cover! And have fun :)

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Summer in Spain

2014-02-05T13:38:00.000-08:00

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It took a while but tiger mama finally let go. This tigress is leaving her home in the cold climate of Canada this summer and will be traveling to sunny Spain! For some seasoned travelers this is probably a walk in the park, but (aside from some school trips abroad,) I've never traveled without my family. Because of that, I am extremely grateful to my Spanish friends for welcoming me into their homes with open arms; I cannot be more blessed. So much talk about southern hospitality in America, this must be Spanish hospitality.

Spain at the moment still feels like a dream. Only a week ago, I was sitting in front of my laptop and plugging in travel dates into Priceline.com. Up until then, I was still comparing flight prices and would only get increasingly nervous each time I signed on, knowing that once I made the purchase there would be no turning back...

When I finally decided that I was ready to make the jump...I couldn't do it.
For 20 minutes I sat there with my sister by my side, as I kept ~~triple~~ quadruple-checking all of the details.

"Are the dates really okay?"
"Is this airline reliable?"
"Did I put down the right airports?" (because that would suck)

*rinse and repeat*

It was frightening because I didn't want to make a mistake that could cost me a grand. And even though I knew all the information was right, I still couldn't bring myself to make the purchase because everything would become concrete...eventually even my sister got impatient and shouted, "If you don't buy it, I'm going to do it for you!!"

And so, with shaking hands (and some good ol' peer pressure,) I finally pressed the oh-so-scary "buy my tickets now" button. Then...reality hit. I am going to Spain.

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In all honesty, I am still really nervous. I know that my friends will keep an eye out for me, but between all the siestas and fiestas, I really don't know where I'll stand. All I can say is that this is the kind of nervous that I live for; the discomfort, the unfamiliar sights and smells, the unknown...but I know I'll be okay. After all, the adventure is just beginning. :)

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Overcoming Consumerism as a Traveler

2014-01-29T07:37:00.002-08:00

Today, I dug up an old blog post titled "Overcoming Consumerism." And on this same fine day, I realized that I was beginning to live it...

{source}

Ever since I was a little girl, my dream job was to be a traveler. It wasn't until I was told that "traveling is not a job!" that I put that dream on the back burner. And for many years it stayed that way. I wanted the best of both worlds; stability in a job but without giving up my true passion. So as I grew up, I tried paving a road to a career that could somehow incorporate seeing new places and experiencing other cultures. I thought I found the answer in archaeology, (female Indiana Jones, holler!) but I quickly discovered it was not what I wanted...while I do love learning about history, geography, and geology, I found that I had no interest in spending 90% of my life in a lab.

So while I am pursuing a different career path (albeit one that still involves travel,) I have also learned that traveling is not restricted to those who choose to make a career out of it. (Whaddya know ma?! Turns out you can travel for a living!) But in all seriousness, I am blessed to have parents who support me in my passion; parents who not only support my dream, but teach me how to make it a reality.

"Overcoming consumerism" seems to be the reoccurring theme in backpack traveling. As I start to kick things into high gear, I've realized that budgeting for the trip seems to be the biggest challenge so far. Sure, traveling doesn't have to be expensive, but it all comes down to where you travel to. A month in Thailand probably costs a fraction of say, a month in France. Either way, the last thing I want is to find out during the middle of my trip that I've used up all my money, and be forced to head home early. I mean, I am all for spontaneity and living it up adventurously, it's just that I'd also like to plan ahead so that I'm prepared for the worst (God forbid,) if it were to come.

{source}

So, I've asked a couple of seasoned traveling friends for their advice on how save up for a trip and both have said something along the same lines, that I'd have to make a lot of sacrifices. Basically no more dining out, shopping, or anything else that costs money. (Farewell social life, it was nice knowing you!) Every dollar counts, and if I had known it would cost so much to travel, I would have changed my spending habits long ago!

I hope everyone else has some travel plans this year, because while I'm still a globe trotting apprentice, I can promise that you won't regret it! (Unless you run out of money and you're stuck in the country...but that's a different story for a different time.)

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What are you waiting for? 2014: The Year of Surprises

2014-01-12T12:16:00.001-08:00

After spending six months with strangers that have become like family, and after going through some trials and tribulations (that honestly at one point seemed like a round-trip ticket to hell,) I can solemnly say that this year will be a good one. It is thanks to this internship that my perspective in life has become more rich and vibrant.

Blizzard Bash -Disney College Program

Traveling truly is an educational experience comparable to none. You learn about people, cultures, and languages through first-hand encounters; you learn about the kindness and cruelty that humankind is capable of, either through observation or participation; and you learn about your own courage that perhaps you didn't know even existed. As a result, this type of learning is much more rewarding, but it is also much less forgiving. If you miss something while traveling, you will learn very quickly that second chances do not always come knocking.

During this time, I did not "find" myself. If anything, I "found" that I really didn't know myself at all. Yet that realization in itself became an enlightenment, and from there I began to relearn who I was. It was as if parts of me were being erased, and I was given the power to rewrite them.

The 10 second countdown on new years eve did nothing to prepare me for the coming of the new year. 2013 had suddenly vanished and all that remained had become a memory. But when 2014 snaked its way in, I greeted it with open arms. Another year of flash-by opportunities. I am expecting nothing less of this year than for it to be a year of surprises, yet just the same I am not anticipating it to be an easy one.

These are my resolutions for the year...you know, to make life a little bit more interesting ;) I've kept it short and sweet because all others are simply on the to-do list

Resolutions 2014 Edition

Become fluent in Spanish by May
Become a v6 climber
Climb 5.10s on lead outdoors

6 Things I've learned from 6 Months at Disney >> December

2014-01-01T22:56:00.000-08:00

6 Things I've learned from 6 Months at Disney

december

See you later, my friends

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This is the final post of this series.

If I had to use one word to describe December, it would be "bittersweet." December was indeed, very bittersweet.

At first, it was only sweet. I had the privilege of traveling to the Bahamas with some of the best people I know, and I was also more than ready to go home. But as soon as December 13th came rolling along, it suddenly dawned on me that in 2 weeks time I would be gone, forever. I know it sounds a little melodramatic, but after spending 6 months with friends that have become like family, it is not easy to say good bye. Ironically, the final countdown was an uphill battle. Suddenly, it was very bitter...

The last two days, December 26th and 27th, were the days that I had to say good bye to all my friends, and it was one of the hardest things I have had to do. Christmas day was my last day at work. Being away from home and having to work on Christmas day from 10:15-23:00 was brutal...and saying good bye to the best coworkers I've ever had made it worse...I was such a mess that day. I have no idea what the future brings, but those coworkers have set the bar high, and in that sense I have been spoiled. :)

On the 27th, I was invited to a Christmas dinner with my friends from Spain. My first Spanish meal. One of them brought three kinds of cured meat (jamón, lomo, and fuet) from Spain. His family brought it over while they were visiting a month ago and he saved it for this day, respect. We also had Spanish tortillas, empanada, ensalada, a hot turkey to name a few. For dessert we had arroz con leche. The meal was delicious and so authentic, and I felt so blessed that they invited me to share it with them. Their hospitality and kindness moved me and made me incredibly emotional. After having to say good bye, I went to watch the Christmas edition of the Wishes fireworks at Magic Kingdom for the last time with my fellow Canadians. If only I had a way to preserve those moments...How am I so blessed?

I remember one evening, I was on the bus with my Spanish friend, and he told me that it was not a good bye, but a "see you later." So on my last month I've learned one of the most important lessons of all. People come into our lives to brighten our lives, some to teach us lessons, and other to show us who we are. Sometimes, we get to decide who stay in our lives. For those that we can't hold onto, they teach us that "c'est la vie," we still have to move on. Those two nights, I said good bye to some, but a see you later to others. Because I know that if I really wanted to, (and I do,) I will find a way to see them again. But life is all about closing doors and opening new ones. So here's to new doors. Here's to 2014. I know that for myself, it will be a year of surprises.

Thank you Mickey Mouse, thank you Mr. Walt Disney, thank you Mickey's of Hollywood, thank you Sunset Ranch, thank you Canada, thank you Spain, thank you France, thank you Macau, thank you Mexico, thank you Puerto Rico, thank you America, thank you Italy, thank you Britain, and thank you Colombia. I'll never forget what we shared.

I love you all and...see you later :)

Tropical the Island Breeze, Bahamas

2013-12-21T19:48:00.001-08:00

A week ago, I went to the Bahamas...

Never would I have imagined that an opportunity to go would come up, but when it did, I simply couldn't turn it down.

It all began when one of our friends from Spain asked if anyone else wanted to go...and before we knew it, a huge group of us signed up. 47 of us to be exact. And we all represented different countries from Canada, Spain, France, UK, Colombia, to Peru. An international affair and a memory to last a lifetime.

We cruised with Royal Carribbean and it was a phenomenal experience. It was an all inclusive trip for a great rate. We cruised the first day and on the second day we docked in Coco Cay, and it was the cutest little islamd ever!! Hammocks everywhere...barbeque for lunch...a cute little marketplace...it was a truly amazing place.

We sailed all night and by the third morning we landed in Nassau. That day we did a city tour...enjoyed the beach...went banana boating....and hit up Sr. Frogs at night! It was a trip I'll never forget, from dancing on stage with the girls to national anthem contests at the pool....hands down, easily one of the best trips I've been on!

In order to (better) preserve these memories, I decided to document the whole trip by film. And this is the video that was born, one that I call my masterpiece. I'm no professional but this is one of my passions. This video is one of my best and it was a lot of fun to create but most importantly, it serves as piece of nostalgia for the weeks, months, or even years to come.

I named it "One Last Time" because it was our last big UCR family get together before we all have to return to our own countries...I hope you enjoy it. :)

One Last Time

Second place!! First Comp in the good ol' USA

2013-12-03T10:20:00.001-08:00

On November 23rd, I competed in the local American Bouldering Series (ABS) comp in Orlando and placed 2nd in the women's intermediate division. They named 4th...and when I heard the name of the woman in 3rd place, I thought to myself "I'm not going to place," so when they called my name for 2nd place, my hand went straight over my open mouth. I know I'm a competitive person to begin with but the atmosphere was not competitive at all, in fact we all helped each other out. There was such positive energy in the gym and I'm proud to have been a part of it. And even though I didn't get first place, I am more than happy with second. I gave it my best, and that is what matters most. My first competition was in the USA, and certainly not my last. Cant wait to head back out to the West Coast!! See you soon Vancouver.
T-24. Let's finish this off, "real gooood."

Climb on!!

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6 Things from 6 Months at Disney >> OCTOBER // NOVEMBER

2013-11-25T21:06:00.001-08:00

6 Things I've learned from 6 Months at Disney

october // november

Thankful on Thanksgiving

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Unfortunately I've had to mash two months worth of experiences into one post, but since October is the month of thanksgiving in Canada and November is the month of thanksgiving in the USA, what better way to share it all than to dedicate this post to being thankful?

Thanksgiving dinner with the Spanish at Chatham Square, Lake Buena Vista, FL. (November 2013)

These past two months I have learned so much, especially being around people of all personalities. The saying that there are all kinds of people out there is very true. Meeting these people has made me realize the importance of integrity; that you always have the choice to disassociate yourself from others who simply have none and that it is not healthy to be around people that have no credibility.

However, I have learned that each and every encounter with another person lies an opportunity for growth. Even the encounters that hurt, hide a valuable lesson. I know now that I won't grow if I keep a bad taste in my mouth from previous experiences. I have surprised myself with my ability to stand firm in what I believe in, and will continue to do so after this chapter comes to an end.

After all, a great lady that I've met here once looked me in the eye and said to me (with her beautiful smile,) that there will be better nights to come! (Keyma! I'll never forget you. You showed me so much that night.)

Next month will fly by fast with the cruise to the Bahamas being only 2 weeks away. As I am nearing the end of my 6 month internship in the USA, I have developed conflicted feelings about leaving. While I am incredibly saddened at the thought of leaving the life that I share with new-found friends, I am overwhelmed with the sensation that I'll soon be returning to Vancouver, where there are so many people, experiences and opportunities waiting for me. But through it all, I am thankful that I can say that I have no regrets, and that I look forward to what awaits for me back home.

Let's sail away.

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6 Things from 6 Months at Disney >> SEPTEMBER

2013-10-20T23:21:00.000-07:00

6 Things I've learned from 6 Months at Disney

september

Balance // Equilibrar

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I know I keep disappearing for a month at a time and I apologize! This is a late post but still incredibly important.

Moving to a new country, into a new home, and settling into a new job sounds crazy, but in reality it isn't all that bad. The real challenge is learning how to balance work, school, and a social life altogether (and more often than not, the social life takes the biggest hit). For example, this week has been a 40 hour work week, which leaves little time on the side to do much else. And while school assignments have been easy, they require time to complete, a precious commodity we do not have much of.

As of late, I have also set a personal goal to enter a rock climbing competition (woo hoo!). But that adds another level of responsibility to my list, including making time to workout and creating a healthy and clean diet plan. Thankfully I get two days off...(that is if I don't spend one whole afternoon at Walmart getting groceries, which really isn't exaggerating.) With all those put together, it may seem impossible to have your cake and eat it too, but with a little creativity and time management, it's completely possible

So here is what I have learned works best if you also have a balancing act to maintain >>

Time Management

Anything that is due or urgent, keep it on high priority and allot time over the week to get it done. If it is a bigger assignment, get started earlier so you don't have to stress out about it later
Anything that is medium priority, make sure you dedicate an afternoon to finish
Low priorities can be done last, and usually can go after social events
Time management isn't only for classes and work. Making time for yourself to just do something you enjoy is key to maintaining that balance. As a good friend once told me, "don't burn the candle on both ends!"

Procrastion = Bad

If you need to get something done, sit down, make yourself a cup of tea, turn off your music and other distractions, and just get it done
Every hour, go and take a 10 minute break, be it jumping jacks or watching a quick Youtube video; but once the 10 minutes is over, get back to the work and keep pushing until your done or until another hour has passed
The key to overcoming procrastination for myself is to set a reward. If I finish...then I get to...
Resting is not procrastination, it can be productive, but make sure that you dont spend all day "resting" when you don't necessarily need to

Social Life

Having a social life for extroverts like myself is a necessity, although I need my solitary time as well, nothing beats a night out with good company.
Try to see your friends outside of work at least once a week. If you have a whole day to spare, then try to spend a day with them. You'll be surprised at how much fun it is and how rejuvenating it is, especially with the right people
If you don't have much time to spare or only want to see your friends for a few hours, then invite them over for tea or go to the pool together for a few hours!
I personally like to light two flames with one candle, so if I can, I would go grocery shopping with a friend or two because you can get something productive done while being with friends

Work

Unless you work at home, most of us follow schedules, so here I would just suggest arriving to work on time and making the most out of work
Working here at Disney, we really don't have the best pay in the world (and that's an understatement,) so attitude is everything. While at work, its in your best interest to keep everything light-hearted yet uphold a strong positive attitude. Of course it's impossible to do this every day but if you can do that at work, and maintain a habit of doing so, then you'll realize how much happier you are when you're outside of work

That's me at a typical party with rock climbers...balancing act on a whole new level

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Star Dust over Pixie Dust

2013-09-23T06:49:00.001-07:00

Okay...so after a while, Disney gets a little overwhelming. So I finally had my fix of the "outside/real" world last week after going climbing at the gym.

Star Dust is now my new favourite dig!

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6 Things from 6 Months at Disney >> AUGUST

2013-09-09T21:22:00.003-07:00

6 Things I've learned from 6 Months at Disney

august

Accepting Change // Becoming Stronger

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Two months have gone by and while I've had my moments, I have also experienced lows like never before, and more frequently than ever. Because of these lows, I have been overcome by homesickness; overwhelmed and desperate for the comfort of "normalcy" in Vancouver, whatever that may mean. On those darker days, the only reason why I had still been around was because of the amazing people who I have gotten to know and love.

It was here that I ended up closing a chapter of my life which sent me spiraling uncontrollably. And now my emotions have become an utter mess. I have never been so confused about myself before. Not being in control of your emotions is one of the scariest things I've ever had to endure, and when it gets to the point where you drive yourself to nausea, you know it's time to end the suffering.

Tonight, after an exhausting wrestle with my chaotic mind, I finally let go all of my inhibitions over Skype to my family....and boy did I get hysterical! But the conversation allowed me a more sound mind and gave me access to more grounded thoughts. I was reminded of my purpose here at Disney and was reminded of my own value. At the end, my mom left me with these important words,

"No one can take away your knowledge and education, it belongs to you forever, but your lover can take away your love. You are the only one who can control your soul, your spirit, you can choose what is right and wrong. The choice is yours."

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To my coworkers, the ones who cared and opened up to me, sharing me their own stories when you didn't have to; you all have been so kind and I am so thankful to have met you all. I have been extremely vulnerable and when I sought for help, you all were there. Just to be there, to hug me and to tell me that everything was okay even though there was no solution, was something that I needed.

To my mom, grandmother, sister, aunt, and my two best friends, who are truly some of the strongest women I have been fortunate enough to know; thank you for being my fundamental support system. You all didn't hesitate to tell me the brutal truth, and I appreciate it infinitely. It was harsh but it was necessary. I learned tonight that the truth (like life) is never really good nor bad; it does not have any intents on it's own, it is simply the truth. After this whole ordeal, I have only realized more how strong women are, and it makes me proud to be one and to know the six of you so dearly.

And finally, to my dad; the one man who I know for certain I will have an unwavering, and undying love for. You have given me so much and have taught me so much about being a strong independent woman. You inspire me to chase my passions but with a sensible mind. You inspire me to walk alone when I need to and you have taught me so much through your hardships.

I think I have finally regained some balance.

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6 Things from 6 Months at Disney >> JULY

2013-08-03T10:30:00.000-07:00

6 Things I've learned from 6 Months at Disney

July

No Matter How Difficult // No Importa La Dificultad

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It has been a month since moving to Orlando, FL, and the first month here was arguably the most challenging. Despite coming here with many friends, the loneliness in my heart had been relentless. I let it overcome all my other emotions, and I let it break me down. But I knew that I was doing it to myself. In an eerie sense, I was watching myself as I inflicted self-torture.

Living alone, cooking for myself, and being independent was something I've never really had the opportunity to do. So being here and having to take care of myself is exciting, but it's still a new routine. It's simply too easy for one to amplify the little problems and create a monster where one never existed. But it's also easy to control such imaginations...and that is what I have learned to do.

“If you are depressed you are living in the past.
If you are anxious you are living in the future.
If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

― Lao Tzu

Learning to deal with those problems was difficult but it has taught me to pave my own road. And with each challenge, my skin grows thicker. All I know for certain is that I need to continue on through my path and overcome those fears.

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THE PERSONAL GEOGRAPHIC

I have MOVED!!