Friday=Divorce. He has a really annoying laugh and was planning on going east, so she calls it off and heads west. Or vice versa of course.

This is the dichotomy of relationships on the road. Friendship or romance, it all breaks down to a quickie.

And then there are the friendships back home. I am currently at a friends cabin on Gun Lake, north of Pemberton for a girls weekend. I met this friend in grade eight cooking class trying to create more trouble than a perfect pastry. We shared a stage in life that began molding us in to who we are today, and that can never be forgotten. I may have been away from home for many years, but it’s the connections with these people that’s the everlasting significance of life. I do not share the same tales of waterskiing on local lakes or drinking in the outhouse but these friends know me and respect me for who I am, whatever I’ve done or wherever I’ve been. It’s the best feeling in the world, to not have to explain where you are from and exactly how you got to be the person you are…they just know, ‘cuz they knew you in the beginning.

There were other girls at the weekend of hikes, hoolahooping and skinny dipping in the lake, that I had never met before. Sometimes meeting new people can be daunting, even for outgoing personalities. But because I shared similar likes and backgrounds, it was easy. The gals rocked, and I now consider them all dear friends.

Then there are the friendships developed through work. Sharing daily tasks can bond one another, often depending on the joys or hates of the job at hand. Recently, I showed a ex colleague from England around Vancouver. We don’t have a life altering connection, but we laughed and appreciated our time together, which is of course, the basis for any friendship.

I am currently working at a travel bookstore, and as a result of sharing a passion for global adventures, my co-workers and I have developed very meaningful friendships. I am able to be my true self and still be respected. Putting yourself in a work environment that you actually enjoy, certainly gives back in the value of relationships developed. It becomes a domino effect, good leads to better, better leads to great etc. etc. Just keep surrounding yourself in your own joys and the connections will come. Why don’t people slaving themselves in jobs they hate, get this simple fact? Frustrations and hatred in one area breed frustrations and hate in other areas.

And lastly for this entry, their are the friendships developed through family. I never thought in a million years, that I would find best friends in my parents, siblings or cousins. Of course, they annoy me and frustrate me and make me want to pull my own hair out at times, but at the end of the day, they all have such strength in different areas of their lives. I value these characteristics and feel such pride in my connection to them. Family is key, and coming home has certainly reminded me of that.

So I think it’s finally time to ‘call it an entry’. I guess getting back into blog writing isn’t that hard after all. Next entry will be even better though…I”M OFF TO AFRICA!!!

Thank you to my friends from everywhere, always and forever, you know who you are.

Fiona

This is the first of many posting I hope! I have been back in Vancouver for an entire 5 months, and I am overwhelmed by life in my hometown. I’ve tried to ease into permanent residency with a snail like attitude…BUT THERE IS TOO MUCH TO DO!!

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I’ve been settled in Vancouver for a couple of months now so I suppose it’s time to inform everybody what I’m up to. However, it may be easier to tell you what I’m NOT doing!!

I am hosting another ‘Around the World’ talk as the ‘Babe with a Backpack’ on THURSDAY JANUARY 18TH & again on THURSDAY JANUARY 25TH. The tips and tales have been revamped and all of the photos have been re-edited for a jazzier event. And the sponsorhips are pretty big this time around as some of the door prizes include a Thailand trip, travel gear and travel books to set all of you globe trotters on your way. And the self promoting reel has been pretty busy too; for those of you in Vancouver, here is what is yet to come.

• radio interview at 10am, Friday January 12th CFUN(1410)
• interview with Jack Christie on ‘The Express’, Shaw channel 4, 6pm, Friday January 12th
• write up in the Georgia Straight travel section by Caroline Ali. Volume 41; January 11-18
• guest spot on ‘Urban Rush’ Shaw channel 4, 7pm Thursday 18th.
• North Shore News; I think it will be in print this weekend

So what’s left to do? Weeelllllllll, I’m back into the coffee making world as well as the travel gear selling world. I’ve joined a writers’ studio as an added incentive to getting my book completed, and I’m just enjoying life in Vancouver!! The weather here has been crazy as ever, but it’s still not an excuse to hold back. So I’m ‘comin at’chya!

NOW ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS BUY YOUR TICKETS!! 50% have been purchased already, so to ensure a seat I suggest heading down to GAP Adventures on West 4th and Cypress. Tickets are $12 ($10 conc). If you have a phobia about planning a week or two ahead, ticket sales as the door will be based on a first come first serve basis, so arrive early!!

See you there!!

Fiona