Motorcycle Through The Country

I wish I had taken a camera. Although it proves quite difficult to hold when you are on the back of a motorcycle.

Geoff had commented on one of my posts once that even though it is wonderful to love travel and explore new things, it is equally as important to love your own country and go out and explore your home town. Nothing rang more true when I went on a 3.5 hour motorcycle ride through the beautiful back country roads here in my beloved country, Canada.

I had never been on a motorcycle prior to this ride, and to be honest – I was a bit scared at first. You can really feel every bump and every turn. My hands were red from holding on so tight. I didn’t dare turn my head or move in case that threw me off balance and I was thrown from the bike. However, when you’re surrounded by such gorgeous scenery and breathtaking views, you can’t help but want to turn your head and stare for just one second longer. So little by little, I started to let go. First one hand grabbed the back of the bike instead of the tight grip around the driver. Slowly, the other hand followed. Second, I started leaning back so I can truly see everything around me. By, the end no hands were needed and I could bask in the vast beauty that is Canada. My friend started sensing my becoming more comfortable and the turns became tighter, the bike drove faster and we were flying.

Much like this motorcycle ride, the move to London is going to seem scary and overwhelming at first, but slowly and surely I can see myself letting go one finger at a time.

I see a Vespa in my future.

Don’t Get Fired!

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”

in·spired
–adjective
1. aroused, animated, or imbued with the spirit to do something, by or as if by supernatural or divine influence
2. something of which I am not

Not by my current situation at least.

I have always been more of an “out the box” thinker. A “to-do” list always seemed to start well and fail, as I would never look at the page again after writing it. Class lecture notes inevitably had more scribbles and doodles on them than actual notes. My mind was always racing, always thinking. How could I escape “to-do” lists and not have to rely on anyones notes but my own? The answer was right there. Quit your job.

So I did.

Senioritis is apparently developed by showcasing a lack of motivation toward studies displayed by students who are nearing the end of their high school careers. Or in my case – my full-time career. Although I have already put in my notice of resignation it does not mean I am immune from being fired on the spot, without notice, without my 2 weeks, without being able to say my goodbyes. This is something I am trying to avoid, but as the days count down it is getting increasingly difficult. Today’s schedule consisted of the following: stroll in late, get a coffee, run into VP who knows you are currently playing hooky from a mandatory meeting, surf other travel blogs, send out a few work emails, conduct phone interview with my movie store manager (see: The Beginning of the End July 2008), answer another million questions about my decision to move abroad and try to prove to everyone around me that I am not experiencing a temporary episode of insanity. Whew. All in a days work.

There was once a time in which I wanted nothing more but to prove myself in the working world. Being a woman in business in tough. Don’t let anyone try to fool you by saying that equal opportunities are awarded now. Lies. Women still must work harder to earn respect. Maybe, that’s where my priorities changed. I was tired of trying to prove myself. Why can’t I just be satisfied in knowing that I AM good enough? At the end of the day I don’t want to wake up and think, “I made Company XYZ $1M!….now what?”

Instead, I want nothing more than to wake up in the morning, cuddle with my big stuffed red elephant (conveniently named Red Elephant), and not have to think anymore about that job that just doesn’t seem to want to end.

Q: Have you ever thought about switching career paths? What has stopped you?

P.S. I will be leaving questions related to my blog at the end of each posting. Feel free to post comments and discuss. I promise I’m not snobby and will read and try to respond to all of you.