Seven Straight Days

After seven straight days of work I was exhausted. Moving to a new city, knowing close to no one, having almost no connections is... well some people tell me it's brave, others think it's its stupid, and myself? Well I think it is necessary, and that's the only way of looking at it. I was pretty down and out this week. Working all day, biking home, and eating dinner at 9:30. The bike ride to and from work is exercise for the body and soul. My headspace always changes for the better. I sometimes let out some frustration by speeding as much as I can, or my mind just goes off to nowhere. 

I think that's why I need exercise. I need to feel my heart pounding and my muscles working. I think it's one of the only ways for me to properly process my thoughts. It gives me time to simply think. And when you are gasping for breath your emotions often turn dim. I went for a jog today to Jericho beach. It's surprisingly empty most of the time. There were a handful of people at the beach, not including a film crew at the pier. 

This evening I looked for some volunteer opportunities. I think I've been so busy trying to figure things out, crossing things off a to-do list, and working that I forgot all about the idea of volunteering. It's kind of given me a bit of renewed hope. Volunteering with something I think is of actual value will not only be good for the soul, but probably helpful to meet like minded people. Living in a city this large has its perks. For now I enjoy it. But I know it's temporary. I know that I need to be more connected to nature, to my food, to my surroundings. I enjoy more quiet, more space. For needing those things though, Vancouver suits me pretty well. The fact that I can jog to the ocean shore still doesn't see normal. If I bike a bit further I can sit by the forest on the rocky shore looking at the open ocean alone, away from the view of the city --- I find that even more impressive.

I am back to work tomorrow, after a couple days off. Cutting meat and selling boots. That's what I do right now. Tomorrow will mark one month! I cannot believe that it's only been one month since moving here. I already have two reliable jobs. I have made one friend. I have seen some old friends. I'm sure things will only improve from here on.

And the other job....

Work perks

These boots were one hundred percent free! 

Sunrise and sunset

Sunrise and sunset. Today biking home the sun was setting and I could see it bright, just above the tree tops. I almost was home but couldn't resist the urge to keep on going right on to the ocean shore, past the busyness of the city streets. I saw a sunrise and sunset today. Was nice.

Bike ride to the beach, almond croissant and earl grey, home made banana bread, free new leather chair - and that's my day.

Good day today. Got a second job. Drank coffee. Found a hot sauce shop. Went on a lovely bike ride. Bought some ice cream.

16th Avenue

Someone at work told me that according to her theory it takes eight days for a place to feel like home. Well it's day four. I'm beginning to feel like my bedroom is mine. I'm starting to not open the wrong cupboards looking for a mug. I also know that if I bike directly down the street I'll end up at a cupcake store. I've finally found my bank (just today). I also found a terrible place to go for a jog. Parks are much busier in Vancouver than in Guelph, believe it or not. I'd rather not jog past tones of miniature rat-dogs and family picnics when sweat is rolling down my face.

The first day being here was a shock. I ended up not eating for fourteen hours and walking for three. I simply was not thinking. I take that back, I was over thinking everything. Since then I've found most of the things I've needed in the kitchen to cook a delicious meal. I've also purchased a bike, and a rack too! Which means no more three hour walks, just three hour bike rides. I have gotten lost all three times on way to work. Not lost in the sense that I showed up half an hour late, but in the sense that I always miss a bike trail, or make a left hand turn two blocks late, causing me to have to bike up an incredibly steep incline.

All in all, things are good. My house is lovely. It's even clean! My housemates are nice, really nice actually! Nicer than I remembered. It helps that the last tenant was somewhat of a disaster; they think I'm great! And get this, tomorrow night my chef housemate is making us ribs for dinner. So far, so good. Every so often I catch a beautiful view of the ocean and mountains and remember where exactly I am.

I find it really encouraging that I can actually pull a move like this off. I'm on my way to getting a second job. The two possibilities I'm hoping for are a health food store or a shoe store. It seems like a lot of places are hiring, so my timing is pretty good. The butcher shop has turned out (in this short amount of time) to be great. The boss is really excited about the store, and it's great to work for a store I really believe in. Can you believe that in between the cow being born and it ending up in a customers hands, there is a maximum of twenty people who've dealt with it!?! Honestly.

Well there's an update. Hope all is well back east. (I feel funny saying that)