You can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl...

...and by that statement I mean the following:

I love the buzz of a city; I like the hustle and bustle, the city lights, the sounds, the entertainment and the excitement.  But I grew up in a small town where camping, fishing and just being in the outdoors was the best past time.  It is impossible to ignore that yearning for serenity and beauty that Mother Nature offers.  For me, being in the great outdoors is in my blood and an adventurous weekend was just what the doctor ordered.

Before my weekend adventure began, I had an awesome visit from a friend, Gareth, who I met through the wonderful world of travelling.  It was a day like we had that makes me love city life and everything Melbourne has to offer. After enjoying a Melbournian day complete with cafes, yoga, street art, relaxing in the park and parma (Chicken Parmesan with fries), I was excited to explore areas outside of the main city.

Melbourne street art at it's finest.  This is at Hosier Lane.

So what do you get when you have two Canadian (correction, British Columbian) girls itching for adventure?  Just that!  My friend, Nina, and I decided to have a weekend away and planned our journey the night before (typical...).  We wanted something epic but were not sure if anything would compare to the mountainous ranges in B.C.  After considering our options we decided on the Cathedral Ranges for an overnight camping trip.

First things first, we have to get there.  It's time to face the fear of driving on the right side..well the left side..wait, how does that work?   Anyway, opposite of Canada!  And I must say, I think I did a pretty stellar job but props definitely go out to Navigator Nina.  It took awhile for my eyes to stop drifting to the left and hugging the curb. Thanks to Neens for politely correcting me :)   Eventually, I got the hang of it and by day two it felt quite natural.

The road into Cathedral Range State Park.  This is Bernadette (Bernie), our rental for the weekend.

After two hours of driving through the beautiful Yarra Valley (this is wine country!), we reached Cathedral Range State Park.  Using a hand-drawn map and memory, we parked Bernadette at Ned's Gully car park, hoped we wouldn't get ticketed, threw our 35-pound packs on our backs, and off we ventured into the unknown range.

Up the hill we began and I soon realized that I haven't hiked a mountain for approximately eight months and forgot what a completely different form of exercise it is.  Must work on cardio - noted.  We had a short little break to enjoy the scenery (aka my heart was beating out of my chest and my lungs were shouting, "Amateur!").  As we munched on granola bars, both Neens and I spotted something in the bush.  I felt my heart rate increase (which I didn't think was possible at this point) and I felt that pit in your stomach feeling.  Basically, I was scared!  It was very hard to make out what creature was lurking but resourceful Nina was able to identify it as a Lyrebird.  Very cool!

After about another hour of hiking we then reached the peak.  My expectations were non-existent as to dismiss any potential disappointment but I can tell you, it was seriously breathtaking!  Sure, it's cliche, but I really felt at home.

So here I think that the hard part is over but the real hiking hadn't even began.  The next two hours consisted of some serious scrambling which I totally love but perhaps was ill-prepared for considering I was carrying a stupid amount of weight on my back.  About an hour in, my legs had started getting a bit shaky with trying to balance myself through the never-ending ridge. 



Ascent complete!  And this is why hiking is so awesome.  The rewards of breathtaking views are always worth it.

**Warning**  Mom, don't read this next paragraph.

I seriously almost fell over...and I don't mean scrape your knees fall on a rock, I mean tip over the ridge down the rocky cliff.  And not once but twice.  At the same spot.  Where it felt like I was tight rope walking.  On a cliff.  I lost my balance and my pack felt like it was pulling me to the right and for a brief moment, I felt my stomach leap into my mouth.  I steadied then literally four seconds afterwards, I almost lost it again.  I managed to recover before tumbling down the embankment and good news: I'm alive!  And honestly, I am stoked to go back (maybe not so much on my back next time though!).

We finally made it to the site and set up camp for the night.  Dinner consisted of salami, cheese and spinach bunwiches, Shapes, carrots and of coures goon (meaning cheap boxed wine).  After making some friends who had a (illegal) campfire, we were both knackered and decided to head back to the tent.  Did I mention it was 7:30pm?

The night did not end there though.  So yes, I am in Australia but yes, it does get freakin' cold!  I woke up in the middle of the night and had a memory of a camping trip a couple years ago on May long weekend that saw us waking up to snow in the morning.  It felt that cold here.  I then hear a shivering, desperate voice say, "Trrr-rr-acy? C-c-c-an we spoon??"  I shiver back, "Y-yy-yesssss." 

After a bloody cold night, morning arrived.  We packed up camp and started our trek back.  We took an alternate route; to be honest, I didn't feel like experiencing near-death again.  As we walked down the road back to Bernie, the sun was shining, the trees were lush and green, the birds were singing a tune and I had a "How amazing is this?" moment.  Sometimes I forget.  I am in Australia.  I live in Australia.  And there we were.  Just two friends on some beautiful and unknown road in Oz.  Literal.  And metaphorical.

Why hello Australia...you kind of feel like Canada!

Cathedral Peak!  Kind of looks like Pride Rock from Lion King.

Nina tackling the Ridge like a pro!

Much deserved vino.  And yes, we brought wine glasses...there is some class in us.

The night sky.  This is just one reason why getting out of the city is needed every once and awhile.

The descent.  A gorgeous Victoria day.

Couldn't be happier!

"Not all those who wander are lost."

Home Away From Home

They say there's no place like home...well as much as I love my family, my friends and British Columbia, I have found somewhere that feels like home as well: Melbourne.

The past couple of months (holy, time flies!) have been really fantastic.  As soon as we returned from Bali, I started working at Melbourne's Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.  Yes, that's right - the Ride is here!  It's the first year in Melbourne and second year in Australia and it's having a great response.  I was working as a Ride Guide "recruiting" riders and aiding registered riders with their fundraising and training.  I say "recruiting" because what the job really entails is telephone sales to interested people.  Anyone who knows me, knows that this would just not fly in the long run....eight hours a day on the phone.  Where is the challenge?  Where is the creativity?  As much as I enjoyed speaking with riders (being a past rider myself!), my motivation decreased with the ongoing pressure of meeting quotas.  Ohh, the ongoing debate of quality vs. quantity.   

Melbourne's Ride Guides!  Niamh, Tracy and myself.

I explored further opportunities within the company including a Volunteer Coordinator but sadly, the nasty politics of the (virtual) office took over.  I know what makes me happy and this was not it. 

The people I worked with directly in the Melbourne office are all amazing.  Niamh (pronounced Neve), Tracy and Nathan (my manager) - much love!  I have much respect for the Ride and what it stands for.  The fundraising model they have created is brilliant and I really did learn a lot about how an event of this magnitude is put together.  Also, now I get to ride in October (see my personal page here)!  One more bonus: the friendships cultivated.

I said that Melbourne has felt like home and a big reason for that is the people I have met.  It seems that the friendship network keeps growing.  It started with Dev and Christian and meeting their friends, then meeting the friends of their friends, and so on.  Everyone is so open, friendly, and welcoming.  In fact, Dev's friend, Pants, was moving here from the UK so being two people new to the city and needing somewhere to live, we decided to find a flat together.  We are living in a highrise just outside of the City Centre (ten-minute walk) in the Southbank suburb.  It's very convenient to all the necessities and my favourite stop(s) of the week - the market.

View from our flat.  Melbourne sunsets make each evening wonderful!

My first cricket experience at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) - probably my last too!  It's no hockey!

A night out in Melbourne.  Myself, Damian, Pants and Jason crossing the Yarra River.

So while I look for the next opportunity, I am also exploring Melbourne, hanging with friends, and mind-mapping some aspirations (and working to make those happen).  I have made some awesome connections and great friends in the past three months and life in Melbourne continues to be exciting.  I know there are great things to come - the crow in India was absolutely right :) 

Melbourne: My home away from home.

Tracy taking me on my first mountain bike lesson.  Now I get why Sheila and Stacey have 3+ bikes! Bikes are so fun.   

My first spill. Brush yourself off and try again!  I had a blast and can't wait to get back on the mountain!

So you're quitting your "good job" and becoming a yoga teacher?? Yesss, what's your point?

I am not lost.  In fact, I have never been more found. Allow me to share an excerpt from The Sivananda Companion to Yoga:

"To understand what yoga is all about you need to experience it for yourself.  At first glance it seems to be a little more than a series of strange physical postures, which keep the body lean and flexible.  But in time, anyone who continues with regular practice becomes aware of a subtle change in their approach to life - for, through perisistently toning and relaxing the body and stilling the mind, you begin to glimpse a state of inner peace which is your true nature.  It is this that constitutes the essence of yoga - this self-realization that we are all seeking, consciously or unconcsiously, and towards which we are all gradually evolving.  If you can bring your mind and thoughts under control, there is literally no limit to what you can do - since it is only our illusions and preconceptions that hold us back and prevent us from fulfilling ourselves."

Here I am thirteen days away from stepping onto a plane that is going to take me to the other side of the world.  For how long, really, I don't know.  People have said to me, "You must be excited?!"  My response is always, "Yes, so excited!"  Truth be told, I have looked back on these past four weeks and the emotions I have experienced are all along the spectrum.

I looked at my countdown at work and I couldn't believe how fast time was flying by; to me, time couldn't move fast enough.  The anticipation of adventures and experiences were in the forefront of my mind and I found myself uncontrollably giddy.  As the countdown decreased at a rapid pace, I began to worry about finding work in Australia and the possibility of this giant leap finding me flat on my face.  I know this wouldn't happen though; the opportunities are endless.  Excitement settled back in but reality was hitting and I realized that I needed to get some ducks in a row.  Banking, phones, packing, moving - there's not much time left, Trace!  Reluctantly but mindfully, I put on that dusty "J" hat (that usually falls to the wayside in the corner) to wrap of some final details.  Haha, however, as I write this and glance over, that list is still sitting on my bedside table and my room is an absolute disaster...ah well, it was a valiant effort!  I still have three full days before I move some things back to Merritt...tons of time :)

Now as I am about to embark on my new adventure in just two weeks, the reality has set in 100%.  I find myself on the brink of tears when I see someone.  Not necessarily tears of sadness but tears that tell me this person has touched my life and I will truly miss him or her.  However, in the past couple of days, I have made some connections with people who are going to the teacher training and my mind focuses back to the new, amazing people I am going to meet and those friends in Australia that I am going to see again.  So while I am leaving some incredible people, more will be coming into my life.  There is definitely something to be said for having friendships around the world.     

Ok now, let's get back to yoga - it really did change my life.  It answered questions in my mind that I didn't even know I had.  Non-profit, fundraising, giving back, and volunteering are all important aspects in my life so what was I doing in a public, corporate world?  I could only do so much to share my energy with 22,000 other people but it wasn't enough.  And I know not all corporations are like this but for me at this time, a bureaucratic environment is not what I want or need.

So why do I want to teach?  The answer is very easy.  I am a person of peace, kindness, compassion, courage, and passion.  I am always seeking ways to make a difference and the biggest difference I can make is aiding people to get to the point of self-realization.  I want others to experience what I have experienced.  Find their true nature.  Get a glimpse of inner peace.  Inner peace means outer peace.  John Lennon said it best: Imagine.

Imagine/Lennon Wall in Prague, Czech Republic.  May 2009

 
For some further reading about the relationship between inner and outer peace, check out Life as a Human online magazine. Click here!