Beginning the Next Adventure...

Today is the day I step into Vancouver Airport once more, and head off into the unknown!
I'm nervous, excited, and...nervous! As per usual.
I never feel very brave when it comes time to actually leave my country (and comfort zone). I haven't slept well for the past week, worrying about things I'm forgetting, thinking about just how long 6 months is, and wondering how all the logistics will come together. I always get like this. I get the stomach willies when I start counting down the days, or hours.
Sometimes, when I start thinking about how I don't know anyone, I don't speak the language, and I don't know the culture, and I'm going to have to do all this learning and adjusting, and its going to be so exhausting, its hard for me to remember that I actually enjoy this!

This old North Face Terra 30 pack has gone with me everywhere...
though technically it is 30L, like Hermione Granger's bag it has magical properties
that allow it a certain "wiggle room". I can't believe how much fits in there. 

Much like my struggle to exercise regularly, getting out the door is the hardest part, and it will feel great once I get out there! I know that I will have a great time, be challenged, meet new friends, and go outside my comfort zone again, and again. I know that I will be glad I did this, and it will be a great adventure!

Bangkok, here I come!

Packing Up

The last few posts were written all at the same time, late at night when I needed a break from studying, and then staggered over the following weeks. If not for that, there would have been complete and utter silence on this blog because it has been so hectic since the end of March!

First came the end-of-semester projects which are such a delight.
Then, the last week of classes, followed by a short busy weekend, and then four exams in four days!
Right after exams were over, the family cruised down to Langley to spend Easter with a crowd of cousins, aunts, and uncles, which was a lot of fun!
Since Monday I have been frantically trying to organize my brain and my life in preparation for my departure tomorrow...

Karissa and I are packing up and heading for good ol' PG in the morning, signalling the beginning of our second season as camp cooks for the treeplanters! I'm excited, but also feeling very busy. I haven't been able to accomplish all the prep I had hoped to be able to complete before arrival, but I will have some time before we actually head out into the bush on May 2, in between the training courses, grocery ordering, and meetings.

I'm mentally preparing to face the reality of early mornings for an entire three months, but the trauma is lessened by the fact that I will have a much more comfortable bed this year. More on that later!

I hope to be able to post a bit more during the season this year, now that I will (hopefully) be able to manage my work time more efficiently with all the experience from last year under my belt. So keep your eyes open for some updates!

For now, I need to get back to packing and prepping!

Pre-Season Freak Out

I interrupt the regular (ha!) programming to bring you this message:

I am freaking out about the next 4 months.

1. So much needs to get done in the next 30 days! I need to study for, and write my exams, complete Foodsafe Level 2 online (apparently its not as simple as the afternoon-long Level 1 class), write up my menu plans for my job which will start the day after I attend my friend's wedding at the end of April (an 8 hour drive away from Prince George), attempt to help plan bachelorette party and buy presents for said friend, tie up loose ends before I leave (hello ICBC, remember me?), renew my passport -because apparently I will be running 5K for Color Me Rad (Seattle) in August...ha!- plan my return to civilization at the end of July when I will be driving those 8 hours down to another wedding and then going straight from there to a family reunion camping trip!

AHHHH!!!

2. When I actually arrive in PG at the end of April I will be thrust directly into my role...briefing and signing away my summer literally as soon as I arrive, and then setting up and getting ready to cook for 60 planters for the next day! (That means a big shopping trip)

I received a bunch of information from the previous cook, as well as some general info from the company, so that helps give me an idea of what is required. It is also making me feel a little overwhelmed. Ok, a lot overwhelmed.

I am currently compiling a list of the lists and charts I need to make.

Alright, I'll be honest. The real issue is this: sleep is very precious to me, and I'm starting to realize I am going to be getting very little of it this summer. Just the thought of being sleep-deprived makes me tired.

BRB

Dear Readers, I profusely apologize for my long absence! It has been a crazy couple of weeks due to moving all my wordly possessions (who knew I had so many??) to the new condo, starting work again, painting nearly every room in my new home, and having to do my own grocery shopping and cooking (not for the first time in my life, but for the first time in a long time!). I also did not have any internet until about an hour ago....but I promise to post some new pictures for you soon!

Jill

Packed Up

Well, the summer has just about come to a close.

On Wednesday the entire Woodsman camp was packed up and shipped out. Homewood only has the lease on the provincial park for July and August, so basically everything has to go.

This is all that is left of the Cook Tent

It was a sad day...I really enjoyed my summer on the lake and I wasn't quite ready to leave my little Woodsman home, though I am quite worn out from all the work...

Everything is packed up.

This week is the final Family Camp back at the main Harbour camp, and I am just working on crew...doing dishes and such.

Boating everything out. 

Heading home soon. Where did the time go??

Summer Has Officially Begun

Happy Canada Day everyone!
For those readers in this wonderful country, congrats on living in the best country on earth!
For those readers living in BC, congrats on choosing the best province in the best country on earth!
For those elsewhere, I'm sure where you live is pretty cool too. Can I come visit?

My Canada Day plans consist of having brunch with my favorite people in the world (the family!), and packing my bags, and loading my car with those packed bags. And tonight I will go to bed early. Because I have the nightlife of a 90-year-old woman. And I have to get up at 5am tomorrow. And drive all day...

Yes, its true! I got home on Tuesday evening, and I leave again on Saturday morning. (Originally I was going to leave Thursday morning...! But the jetlag and lack of organization changed my plans for me)

I am heading to one of the very best places in Canada (and therefore the world)...a little island called Quadra, which is 15 minutes from Campbell River, BC, which is on Vancouver Island. Its a full day trip, and includes 2 ferry rides. Yay ferries!

I got a summer "job" (I use the term loosely...first of all, its really on a volunteer basis, secondly...well, I'm spending the summer on a beautiful lake...that doesn't sound too bad to me) cooking at Camp Homewood's "Woodsman" camp. Basically, I''m in charge of making sure the kids & staff get fed 3 times a day, and I'll be working with a propane stove, and water from a spring...no electricity or any of that fancy schmancy stuff!
I'm so stoked!

The downside to this, is that I will not have my computer with me because,
a. the battery life lasts approx. a half hour.
b. there is no internet out there.

Fear not, Regis Readers. I have made provisions for you during this time of blogging drought! I forced my weary eyelids to stay open late last night so that I could write up a few posts for you. Unfortunately, its a very time-consuming hobby so I only got a few done, but I have scheduled them to come up every Saturday for the next month or so. I might be able to write up a few more on my days off as well, but I make no promises. August might be barren.

I did make sure to pump the next few posts absolutely FULL of pictures though. So you can look forward to that. And its not necessarily in chronological order. AND...I still expect comments ;)

The Great Backpacking Adventure of June 2011

It is almost here.
Tomorrow I head down to Vancouver, and Thursday I will fly out...
I've packed my 30L backpack with (hopefully) everything I will need for the next 28 days...

It weighs about 25 lbs, and has a little extra space for souvenirs...

As for the destination, I hope you can read mirror image...

Backpacking

I confess: I am a terrible at packing, and I suffer from COPS. Chronic Over-Packing Syndrome, that is.

There are a few people out there that still mock me for one trip in particular, in the days before I owned a backpack. It may or may not have involved a large "wheelie" suitcase being lugged up a steep hillside covered in a foot or two of snow (I eventually had to hand it off to a kind gentleman *Thanks Dave* who took pity on me). In my defense, I had been told it would be fine to bring said suitcase. I had no idea we would be "off-roading".

About two years ago my adventurer brother, Mike, was working at an outdoor sports store and bought me an awesome 30L North Face backpack with his sweet discount. He even picked it out in my favorite shade of orange! What a guy.

However, due to my condition (COPS), 30L has never quite seemed to cut it. Somehow, things just seemed to fill too quickly. Perhaps this is partly due to my love of the bulky hoodie, or my penchant for bringing large books on long trips.
Or the fact that I am a super-klutz and always manage to spill food on myself, so I need that extra shirt, to clean myself up when the inevitable happens.
Or maybe because I always think I might need that 3rd pair of shoes, because the other 2 don't coordinate with that other pair of pants I'm bringing.
What if it gets really cold? I'm going to need another hoodie. What if its really hot? Maybe I should bring a skirt.
And I need to have a nice handbag, as well as my homemade shoulder bag, because what if I go out to a nice dinner while I'm away?

As you can see, it escalates quickly.

I asked my brother if I could borrow his 60L pack. I know myself too well.

On Sunday I looked up packing lists for the backpacking traveler.
Over and over again, the authors rammed into my head, "Necessities only! Pack light! Take half of what you think you need!"

I know that my upcoming trip would not allow packing frivolities. I'm going to have to be really strict with myself. Necessities only.  (Who am I kidding?? I've already put in a colorful scarf, and 2 headbands...they don't take up much space, right?) One site I found particularly informative and helpful was www.travelindependent.info. He wrote with the firm tone I needed to keep myself in line. Furthermore, he convinced me to take my own 30L pack. A scary thought.

Anyway, I did a packing test-run today. I don't have exactly everything I will be bringing, but it gave me a good idea. I actually succeeded in getting everything in there (with the exclusion of my tiny daypack/carry-on)! I was pretty impressed with myself. This is quite a triumph. I only cheated on a few items (including the headbands & scarf). It weighed approx. 25 lbs. I am a weakling, and that is heavy enough for me. I think I would crumple under the possibilities of the 60L pack!

One thing I have learned through this experience is quality over quantity!
I tend to buy lots of clothes, each for a different "need"...I think in the future I will have to just buy fewer, better quality items, that are more versatile. Its a process, I guess.

What about you? Have you learned the secrets of the light packer, or do you have COPS like me?

The Great Shoe Hunt

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have had a bit of trouble obtaining a new pair of hiking/travel shoes. The dilapidated Merrells I wore to the Bearcat caves were great shoes in their day....but that day is long since past. They've climbed to the top of Croagh Patrick, waded through a flooded road in Fermoy (they are not waterproof!), strolled the streets of Edinburgh, and served me well for many years. But the trials and trails have taken their toll, and the Merrells have become warped and worn.

I've been on the hunt for a replacement pair for a couple years now, but it hasn't been very urgent, and it always seemed like there was something else I needed more, to buy first. It was a pain (literally) when an adventure would come up and I didn't have the proper footwear, but I made do.

Now that my new travel adventure is looming in the near future, I knew that I had to invest in some decent shoes, and I needed to get them soon to break them in! I had only 3 criteria.

1. Waterproof (Gore-tex...its needs to breathe!)
2. Lightweight (I'm going to be doing a LOT of walking in them!)
3. Affordable (under $140, after tax)

I was down in Vancouver about 2 months ago, and managed to sneak in a quick visit to MEC. I figured they would have the best (and cheapest!) selection. I nabbed a pair of Timberlands for a good price, and was quite pleased with myself.

That is until I put their claim of "waterproof-ness" to the test, and they didn't stand up to the challenge.
I sent 'em packing, becoming a little ticked off at the $11 shipping/handling fee to get them back to Vancouver. Serves me right for buying from out of town I guess.

Round 2, I hit up Sport Chek and thought I had lucked out when I found a pair of North Face trail running shoes for $99 on sale. Perhaps feeling a bit over-eager, I purchased them, only to discover after a day of walking in them that they were a 1/2 size too small! I thought this would be easily remedied, but alas, the girl at the front desk told me they didn't have any more in the size I needed!

Despair reached an all-time high when I checked out the only 2 other stores in my lovely hometown that sell outdoor shoes and found none that met all 3 of my criteria. I went home empty-handed, in a fairly dark mood.

Today, feeling significantly less than optimistic, I decided to see if Sport Chek had anything new in that I could afford. I felt the store was mocking me when I spotted the North Face shoes on the wall, still going for the unreal price of $99.

On a whim, I turned to the salesperson and asked if they happened to have any of that shoe in the size I needed. She said she would check in the back...

And would you believe it, they DID have one pair! I was so excited!

Judging from the state of the box they came in, and the way the laces were all uneven, I think it must have been a return, but I don't even care. They are extremely comfortable, lightweight, waterproof, AND affordable! :D