Thursday, July 29, 2010

I believe She's amazing

From a friend ...to another, goes the ripple.

Check out this video... I just can't get enough of it!






Feels good right!

It is a video created at the Toronto Eaton Center and http://www.ibelieveshesamazing.com is where you can find out more information about the cause.


Now go on and make someone feel just as good !



Supporting cancer research in small ways ...

R :-)

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Sun-kissed in Noosa !

Things have been a little chaotic ever since I got back from Fiji ...but it all has been a fun-but-not-sure-how-to-explain type of disorder. My family would describe this as the usual me: the tornado has touched down and is on the move, but I would like to think of it as: me living it up ...because I can lol!

Moving beyond the sour-times, I have decided to take a trip back to Noosa since last time it was just a click, sleep, then heading back at 6am!

I felt that I needed to truly give Noosa a second try and stay over night or 3. It is quite a hike to this place but it's worth every minute. From the 1.5h train ride that takes you through the glass house mountains to the bus ride through the breath-taking vegetation (beautiful greens, banana trees, and of course as mention before: sugarcane !!!), and an amazing 5km walk between Marcus beach and Sunshine beach only to realize that the sun sets "Not on the water????!" heheh

Side note: I finally saw some sugarcane being sold at the Saturday market in Brissie! I think I'm saved.

Back to the sunset! As I am doing my 5km hike (surprised that I'm walking? didn't think so, but I had to get a candid-shot of Marcus beach, and I bet my bro doesn't even know I did this for him lol), the sun begins to set so in response I pick up the pase and start walking faster. As I'm doing my speed-walk (perfect biomechanics) with Gregory on my back (that's right, my bag has a name ...and no this time it was not me who decide on the name, it's just happen to be the brand I choose because the colour goes with my skin tone) the sun seemed to pick up a race with me. I can see Noosa head so I'm thinking "no worries, I can make it before sun set", however, the faster I walk the faster it becomes dark. Just for kicks, I even ease my strides and slow down ....but nope, it's getting dark ....and fast !

As time goes on I realize that I'm panting. I am now almost in a slow jogging-mode trying hard to get off the sands before Noosa head disappears in front. I also notice that the water seems awfully dark. Almost aerie. I always remember sunsets making me feel warm and fuzzy inside but this time I feel like I should be running in the opposite direction to the waves. What is different here ? Sun to my left and water on my right. Sun left, water ...right? hmmm

Omg ! Sunset is away from the water! Never before I have seen the water with dark shadows within the waves, like caves, inviting you in. Serious. The tops of the wake, foamy white, just like whipped cream, but underneath that aerie dark fold of the wave. I hope I'm not scaring people away as I'm describing this but it is definitely something one has to see and experience in person. These shadows come just before complete sundown. Once it's complete darkness you cannot see anything really, only hear the waves crashing, which I find soothing. But going back to just before sun down, the waves are a tease.

Of course my camera cannot capture these waves but then again maybe it's for the best. I'll let it tease you and maybe you come and see it for yourself :-)

Funny that I didn't notice this at Surfers, because thinking about this now, sun there also sets away from the water. However, the tall buildings and the distractions on the Gold Coast take away from the effect, so I believe.

I finally arrive to Sunshine beach and end up at the surfing club. There I get directed to the nearest hostel, but of course by this time I cannot tell the streets apart. So I aimlessly walk around till a lady says to me: "You look lost. I think you need a hostel, so come with me". Not to be frightened here, she was walking her cute dog and being a nice lady offering to help me. As we walk, she asks where I'm from and get talking a bit, and as we arrive to the hostel "Dolphin backpackers", she tells me that there is a city called Toronto in NSW and that's also where she was born. "What a small world", I say and thank her very much for the guidance. As always, I thank fate for being kind to me and for sending me a lady who was born in Toronto but not in Canada.
I think it's cute !

And then I thank Karma (again) for taking me to a place where there is a Buddha statue greeting me :-) I have found Zen away from my zen (called home)

As I often do, I catch myself smiling and thinking to myself: of all the backpackers, I found the one that resembles (possibly) Indonesia. It's green, it's quiet and it's where I'm going to spend 3 nights (I got a deal if I stayed 3 nights lol).

It's funny because (having no plans) a lot ends up happening in the next few days ...but all is great :-)

First night I'm there, I get rid of my things, and head to the front desk to ask about surfing. I learn that the board rental is free and I am told that there are 2 guys who work at the hostel and could possibly take me out in the morning ...I just have to go and ask them. One of the guys, as he's jamming on his guitar, talks to me and says that he has to work tomorrow, but we end up chatting for a while anyways. Then his friend comes for a visit, a girl who's from Montreal, and we end up making plans for the next day to go and catch some waves. And finally, one more guy joins us, to make it 4 and this sets off some amazing euchre games for the rest of the night! Good company, good chats, and of course since the ladies are winning, some great euchre playing !

It's 9am, and as promised, I am ready to head out with my board and meet up with this girl. I am pumped but do not have any expectations other than preparing for the cold water. It's sunny and I'm in the zone. I have visualized being on the board (and at times bailing in the waves just so it's not totally unexpected). I feel giddy inside and just wanting to run into the waves! As I meet up with my new friend she introduces me to her boarding buddies (who actually work at a surfing school and are about to start their first lessons for the day, jack pot!) They lend me a wet suite but it's actually so sunny that I'm sweating....for the first time since May!

I zip up, I grab my board (get a crash course on standing up) and off we go!

The next 3 hours just fly by. I am learning to balance on my own. Getting the feel for the board. Half-way through I switch my board with my friend b/c her's is wider and sure enough much easier to stand up on as a beginner. Up and down, and crash, and swim back, and paddle, and up and fall, and this goes on for about 3 hours. The sun is warm and the waves are just awesome. As times goes on my legs are tired, my arms are jelly, but I am soooooo close to standing up, so I keep going.

Finally, I call a break when the salt water makes my lips sting. Otherwise I would have kept on trying. My arms are heavy and my legs are on fire. Not my muscles but my skin. Oh ouch, I look down and just above my knees it's red and shinny where skin used to be. Honestly, I didn't even care b.c my adrenaline was still through the roof.

:-) <--- my sun-kissed face after surfing


I was so pumped and happy that another goal has been accomplished. But more happy that it felt as amazing as I have imagined it (even thought I said no expectations).

After the waves, we also checked out the National park, just a bit, near Tea Trees and it was breath taking. I'll have to go back to see the entire National park since I was told Koala's enjoy hanging out there in the wild.

At night, we all grabbed a few beers and hit the dance floor !


It's 6 am ! Oh god, I promised my new friend that I would make it to yoga. I must get up. A promise is a promise (hence why I never make promises so not sure what happened here).

I have the best yogi experience and start my morning off just amazing! But still feeling a little off from surfing the day before, I let my friend go surfing as I pass out and sleep on the sand. The best sleep I have had in a long time. The aerie waves are now sparkling in the sun this morning, and sunrise has never been so fabulous (but then again, I never make it to sunrise, and not sure if I will again lol). I feel like I'm at complete peace. My body still sore from surfing and now yoga, and I watch as about 30 people out on the water all trying to catch the best wave of the morning. My friend is also out there and if my arms didn't feel like they were rocks I would be out there with him. As he takes a break we chat, discuss life and its strange ways and continue to sleep on the warm sand.

As we see dolphins jumping and swimming around the surfers I think to my self: yup, this is for real. I'm having just the best morning ever (sore arms, back, and all)
:-)

The sun does end up fading today and so is my energy. I am pooped but still end up doing stuff during the day: lunch, shopping, etc..... chilling like it's my day job :-)
(who knows when I will have a chance to do nothing all day long)

On our last dinner with the gang, we end up cooking a feast and play one last awesome-female-dominated euchre :-)

My tan has faded but I have some marks left on my legs from surfing. I wish I could just pick up and head out to the water again but ....Monday is back to reality.

A winter break to remember: surf, sun, and sand :-)

Polish: Zycie jest piekne



R :-)
xo

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Canadian-invasion Fiji style :-)



After a fast and furious Fiji exploration what better way to spend one week than re-discovering Brissie and its near by exotic destinations with a friend from Fiji. A friendship created on sheer coincidence but the timing could not have been better !

From day 1 Fiji was an ultimate hit but the first round of troops were a little low on enthusiasm for travel. There was a little overcast but why should that stop us from having a ball. Well, whatever it was, the ball never happened. Until Day 2 when 2 Canadians meet me (another Canadian, and say what you want, I am one :-P ). Talk about right timing ! (it's not that Canucks are the only fun people, because as you might remember Day 1 started with 5 Germans, 2 Italians, and 2 from the Solomon islands and we had a ball !!!) But for some reason amongst the different nationalities us 3 were ready to try out just about everything.

So now, post-Fiji, I have unpacked, trying to get things done at home before it's time to get back on the road to Malaysia and Indonesia. Got my courses selected and paid for, all I have to do is enjoy my time at home and off we go !

Not so fast! A ring from a friend and I have the whole week planned for trips around Brissie. My friend from Fiji is coming for a week to visit and she's eager to discover. Not a problem.

Week's plan:
- no plan, do as much as we can and see as much as we want to

Dunzooo !

The results please:
- Mt Cootha
- Koala sanctuary
- Modern art gallery
- Botanical garden in the city
- Fortitude valley and everything it has to offer on a Sat night lol
- South bank in the city
- Surfers
- Byron (2 days)
- Noosa - Main beach only

I now have exactly 5 days to pack and figure out my trip that's coming up real soon :-)

What a week of adventures !!!

I have also realized how much I actually run and walk on a regular day. We had several 'running' jokes going where it was about me walking somewhere too far or running for the bus. Well, how else are you going to get anywhere if you don't run for the bus ???????? Other wise you waste your time waiting and wishing ... hahah little JJ in there :-)

So, back to me running. On one of our regular fast moving-day of adventures (probably on foot) we are to catch the last bus home and I tell my friend this: I won't ever make you run if you make this bus ! So we run from Roma St to stop 40 on Adelaide and catch the last bus. We were proud and she was to never run again no matter where we go. Until the next day, we are walking somewhere, and I catch my self sprinting away from my friend and then I stop, turn back around and walk with her the rest of the way to our destination.

HAHAH


It is so funny. Of course the first movie comes into my head as we are laughing at me is the one with Jim Carry called - Yes man. In this movie, his new girlfriend holds a running club in the early mornings where they also take photography. This is called a running photography club. Well that's all we needed to talk about, hahah we couldn't stop laughing at the though.


After making all these hilarious jokes about me one of our trips does become the exact photography club we have been laughing about. We are heading up to Noosa and we have no idea how long it actually takes. We haven't planned any of our road trips so why start now on our second last day. We take a long train ride then an even longer bus ride (On this bus ride I notice the beautiful vegetation of North QLD and ........ OMG it's sugar cane !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought I parted with sugar canes in Fiji but thanks to the northern climate of QLD I have been saved. I must go back) !

We get to Noosa at about 5 pm and sun sets at about hmmm 5:30 .....Main beach is 45 min walk from where we got dropped off in the village..... "let's start walking people" !!!!

HAHAHAH

We are walking through neighborhoods, trying to figure out how we are going to get back to Brissie for 10 am on Saturday morning since I have coaching to do !!! Ahhh ....the more we walk to more we realize that we are staying the night and that we have to figure out away to Brissie in the next few hours while the sun is still up. BUT WE STILL DON'T HAVE A SUNSET PICTURE......


so we walk ....starts raining ....... but we walk through it all, through a rainbow (I thought it was amazing) and walked all the way to the Main beach ..... there we took a picture of the sun-set and the beach... we started laughing ....turned around to walk back and figure out where we are going to sleep for the night ....and how we are going to get home in the AM !

Omg, too funny ! Looking back now that is. We ended up finding a backpackers waaaay back where we came from b/c the ones on Main beach were full. That was the least of our concern. The first bus is at 6 am ...leaving from Main beach...!!!

OMG, WE ARE WALKING AT 4 AM BACK TO THE BUS stop .... ahhhh ! hahahahha
(I offer to cab it ...but we both say ...what's the difference now, we have walked all week haha)




We make it back to Brissie on time! Saturday night when we go out with a few of my friends, everyone is laughing at me AGAIN ! Glad I can be so amusing for everyone hahahah omg too funny

What a true sport this girl! I officially feel terrible for being the worst tour guide of the week. But then again, when we both look back .... it was like Fiji all over again. HHAHA go-go-go every day ....we had good training.

All I can say is this: We had a fabulous week and for sure got all the pictures to prove it!

Great week lady and hope school goes well for you !!!!
If not get a transfer and move in lol


For everyone else readying this: if you are looking for the best tour experience- Brissie and 2 coasts in 7 days, with variety of exercises, call me :-)



Jokes, total jokes! hahaha

Where was I ....oh yes, OMG get packing, KL and Bali in T-5 !!!


R :-)

2 phone calls, one good juicy life -lesson

Phone call #1

July 14 @ 10 am and my phone rings. It's my travel buddy and she's telling me that the trip is off. Our flight leaves at 8 am on the 16th. Shit Renata, now figure this one out in the next 24 hours.

I hang up the phone, and head to the kitchen where my German friend is having breakfast. We met in Fiji and he is backpacking Oz. When he needed a place to stay, it was natural that I would offer a bed to stay a few nights. But I did not think that he will have to put up with my dilemma this morning. I am in the 'lost' zone: that's a place in my head where I smile and act normal but my head is processing all information 100x the speed of light. I am now googling in my brain: money, places to stay in Bali, my family, decisions, meeting friends at 12:30 for lunch as promised, getting my German friend to the bus station, my sheer existence and purpose in this world, etc. It's almost like a tsunami in my own head where everything I know and information I keep in there spills over my brain mass. The only difference is that I do not get a cooling effect from this experience. The opposite happens in fact. I produce heat (which is a nice feeling and something new when you live at Hawken Dr.) lol

10:30 am
Red in the face, I say morning to my friend. I tell him the news about my trip and he says: "aw that's bull-shit" in the best German accent. hahah I smile and said no worries, I will still go.


2:30 pm
Lunch with friends. Hours later we are all excited b/c Renata is going to KL and Bali alone!!! She can handle anything. My head is still flooded by the tsunami from the AM ....but the excitement and the encouraging words of friends make me think: "Comon Renata, you are old enough to travel alone. You got this. How hard can it be to travel in a high-security, annual terrorist attack-type of place, where westerners are hated dearly. A white-Caucasian female should have a blast, right?"

Wrong!

This thing called my gut, others call it instinct, and in nursing we calling ...hmmm I believe we called it nursing-instinct (it's something other than scientific evidence but gives you the appropriate and positive outcome) was turning and the shakes were coming on. This physiological response occurs to me when my body is trying to get my head to catch up and work together. My head tends to be a tad behind schedule at times. Not always, I mean, I have made it to the ripped year of 25 but at times I do get burned b/c the brain is lagging.

Something doesn't feel right here.

Each time something big happens (using a trip as an example) I start off thinking: ok this time I won't get my parents involved because they will get worried for me. And every time I thought this, it worked (this however occurs at a time when I am fully prepared, know everything about my trip, and my parents have only a few minutes to say bye, give me kisses and I'm gone with the wind). Another reason would be because my back-up plans did not involve anyone but myself and my own 'plan B's. However, in this case, my parents and some friends were going to be my back-up in case of disaster (now that my friend is out I did not have time to find info on anything, so if I was stuck they were it). If ANYTHING were to go wrong I don't think I could forgive myself (Ok, so remember, I know nothing about KL and Bali b/c I did not research anything about these places. Why? B/c my travel buddy said she's got it under control, and well, I believed her). I have a strong belief in making decisions and choices based on my own resources: money, time, energy, back-up plans, etc. I never go into something if I cannot fully commit to it ALONE (getting myself into and out of trouble). Since I have been providing for myself, my travels, my hobbies or anything I pay for for that matter is outside of what other people can afford to help me out with. Therefore, how could I ever expect someone else to help me out with my luxurious get-aways when something goes wrong. Unrealistic really.
(plus, it comes with being independent and getting used to enjoying luxurious get-aways before lol)


Overall, at 5pm I am still thinking that I am going. I have already made arrangements with another friend to get me to the airport and now I sit and wait for the parentals to call.

10 PM
I finally talk to mother and she's not happy. If you would know my childhood you would understand my mothers concerns. I do not look fro trouble, but trouble has had some close calls with me. So I listen like a good daughter should, and for the first time I felt the same scare my mother was feeling for me. Strange, is this something that comes with age?

I said one thing and one thing only. Call my brother please. Never in my 25 years have ever called on my brother for anything. We think very different. His answer was no, please do not go. I listened. Not because of him but because of what went through my head at that time: I knew that if I went to Bali it would require the whole family to worry. It would consume everyone even family in Romania. It would worry some friends but not much, however if I needed help it would put pressure on great friendships. My brother's no made me realize how much people actually care about me. Everyone who has been there for me, encouraged me to travel have wanted me to just sit this one out. I want to sit this one out for the sheer reason of me and my decision as well. I have to be happy with my choice and can't blame it on anyone else.

I feel very lucky to have such wonderful people in my life who care so much about me. Going to a silly 9-day trip with a possibility of something happening (even if nothing would have, just the sheer thought that something could) was not worth for putting these relationships on the line. In the long run, I want to build my relationship with my family and to this point I have put enough strain on these people. I am filled with adventure and ideas but never once considered others who worry for me. It feels amazing once you turn back and notice. And I think this was the right time to turn back.

I finally talk to my travel friend and we had a little tiff about what exactly happened. All day I was in the 'zone' but by this time I was furious. It has finally hit me (what is going on) and I now have the courage to explain my concerns. Life is difficult for her and I completely understand that. But just because my life is one dimensional (compared to her's) it does not mean that I can drop a few hundred dollars b/c her life is a mess right now. This sauga is still in the works and not sure what exactly will be resolved ...but IT WILL be resolved today.

I might lose a friend on this one ...but have gained a special lesson about relationships and listening to my instincts. When traveling, alone or with someone, there are people who worry for me. I don't think I will ever travel the same from now on. I now understand the responsibilities I have and owe to these people (who care for me) to make mature decisions about where I go and what I do. If I do not feel prepared for an adventure I will not attempt it because if anything were to happen the results effect everyone of these loving individuals.
(It took me 7 years of traveling to finally learn this lesson and I am very happy that I get away with only a few scrapes in Fiji hahah)



Phone call #2

July 15, and I feel like crap. I don't want to socialize with my German friend but I have to try and be nice. We chat in the morning while we have breakfast and then he's off on his adventures again. He's going to Byron and I wish I could go with him but I have the urge of going to campus and figuring out my life in the last week of holidays (school starts in full force the 26th).

As I'm walking to school my phone rings. Don't recognize the number but I'll answer just to see what is up. At first I think it's the phone company and I'm ready to hang up. Then the gentleman on the other end of the phone says something about Synchro ! OMG, it's the club president. We end up talking about stuff which have been bothering me and I have been worried about. There is the usual synchro politics and to be honest, after just 2 days of coaching I was ready to quit. I am just too fed up with BS and at this point I need zen in my life, over qualified or not. He called to explain his concerns with the out-going coach and that he wants me to take over the club. He has given me the ok from the exec and that everyone is behind me 100%

"everyone behind Renata 100%"

Is there a theme here :-)
I am back on cloud 9 and loving life !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am given full charge of the club and the teams. I am going to be coaching both Wed and Sat. And because I am not going on this trip anymore I will be around to get involved much more and get the ball rolling for the Oct 1st competition. Talk about a phone call from out-a space :-)

I have said this oh 100 times if not more and could keep repeating myself over and over: but I am one lucky girl! I don't know how but I have no control over my life yet it is the BEST life for me :-) I don't organize much but something always happens for my benefit.

"everything coming-up Renata" - is also my favourite quote I learned from someone, and I think it's the most appropriate at this time.

2 phone calls and one life-lesson later, I am back on track and loving how busy I am :-)
(now I just need a little karma in my career and can't ask for more)

I think that's all I can explain for now...

Chee with Suay Nqam (life is beautiful) - this is in Thai thanks to my lovely friend who brought this to me from her trip in Thailand !!!

xoxox
R :-)

home away from home

Trying something new.

A friend asked me to house sit for a few days and feed their cute pus-pus while they are away. I said sure thing! I have been needing a pet-fix (miss my little tom-cat Sergio) and what better way then to take care of someone's cat for a little while. He will give me just enough attention I need right now :-)

The cozy heated little home was a zen. I was watching TV as my new little furry friend purred and massaged his claws as his sitting on me. Peaceful and warm. This cat reminded me of Sergio so much. He rolled around in your lap when petting his belly, he liked to massage your tummy before curling into your lap for a snooze. Oh, now I miss my little guy ! This little fella however was only half the size of Sergio. Much easier to pick up and hold in your lap. Sergio has outgrown his owners lol..... Mom, let's put him back on your amazing diet. ha !

It was fun to have a place to myself however, I wouldn't change having a roommate for now :-)
We have some pretty good jamming sessions on the piano now and then. (Even though a little puppy for a few months 'would' be fun to have around lol)


Joking landlords !

xo