Oh my, it's been a while. I had the most amazing summer and fall full of adventures. After the kayak trip I had a whole 11 days in Victoria. I think is was my record to stay put this summer. But then on Aug 5th, my friend Lisa and I headed up island to hike Cape Scott. It was one of my bucket list hikes and it didn't disappoint. We had great weather but I couldn't believe how many people were there. I thought we were going somewhere that not many people bothered to go. Tell that to the owners of the 75+ cars in the parking lot. Still, it was incredibly special. One evening we watched a black bear forage on the beach, whales feeding in the bay and a wolf on the beach! Who needs National Geographic TV!!
I was home for a few days and then off to Toronto to celebrate my sister's 50th birthday. It was great fun to have the whole family together. I wonder how it must feel for our parents to see their children reach milestone birthdays like this. I know that it is only when I see how old my friends' children are that I realize that wow, I must be getting old as well. I think that's the benefit of not having my own children - I don't have to grow up!!!
Once back in Victoria I had another week of playing before I settled down to take a course to get my certificate to teach ESL (English as a Second Language). What a shock to my system to have a schedule - Monday to Friday 9:00 to 3:30 of classroom sessions and at least 2 hours of homework each evening. It didn't take long for me to get into it though and I really enjoyed the course. I have one more practicum to teach tomorrow and then I will be a certified ESL teacher . I am loving teaching. Even though I had to drag myself in to teach the last couple of times (my head has already moved on to the next project), I leave totally charged!
In between school, thanks to Donna, I got to have a couple of really great weekends. One was a kayak trip over to Piers Island with friends. The weekend was wonderful, good food, good friends, yoga and paddling!! The other was a super fun Thanksgiving on Pender Island. I might have to fly back for Thanksgiving next year!!!
And now, I am tidying up loose ends in preparation to leave for a year in France. My time spent here in Victoria was very special. Between selling the boat and leaving for France, I have had a wonderful opportunity to ground myself, to recharge my batteries, to experience what it's like to have roots. Sometimes I wonder why I am leaving but there is a pull that I cannot ignore. So on October 29th, I fly to Winnipeg to visit Mom & Gerry, on November 2nd I am off to Toronto for a few days with Cheryl, Jeff and Dad and then on November 5th look out France here I come!!!!!
I was home for a few days and then off to Toronto to celebrate my sister's 50th birthday. It was great fun to have the whole family together. I wonder how it must feel for our parents to see their children reach milestone birthdays like this. I know that it is only when I see how old my friends' children are that I realize that wow, I must be getting old as well. I think that's the benefit of not having my own children - I don't have to grow up!!!
Once back in Victoria I had another week of playing before I settled down to take a course to get my certificate to teach ESL (English as a Second Language). What a shock to my system to have a schedule - Monday to Friday 9:00 to 3:30 of classroom sessions and at least 2 hours of homework each evening. It didn't take long for me to get into it though and I really enjoyed the course. I have one more practicum to teach tomorrow and then I will be a certified ESL teacher . I am loving teaching. Even though I had to drag myself in to teach the last couple of times (my head has already moved on to the next project), I leave totally charged!
In between school, thanks to Donna, I got to have a couple of really great weekends. One was a kayak trip over to Piers Island with friends. The weekend was wonderful, good food, good friends, yoga and paddling!! The other was a super fun Thanksgiving on Pender Island. I might have to fly back for Thanksgiving next year!!!
And now, I am tidying up loose ends in preparation to leave for a year in France. My time spent here in Victoria was very special. Between selling the boat and leaving for France, I have had a wonderful opportunity to ground myself, to recharge my batteries, to experience what it's like to have roots. Sometimes I wonder why I am leaving but there is a pull that I cannot ignore. So on October 29th, I fly to Winnipeg to visit Mom & Gerry, on November 2nd I am off to Toronto for a few days with Cheryl, Jeff and Dad and then on November 5th look out France here I come!!!!!