The Other Side of Vacations

I grew up in Calgary. A cold, brown, noisy city. I know many people who love Calgary. That is just fine. But for me, I counted the days when I could leave it behind and move to what I considered the "promised land," AKA British Columbia.

My love for BC came to me honestly. Since the time I was 1 year old, my parents had swept me away from the doldrums and summer snow storms of Calgary to the hot, sunny bliss of BC. Lakes, mountains, green everywhere. Sun, sun, and more sun. Each summer our family spent 2 carefree weeks on the shores of Shuswap Lake. I was so enthralled with the beauty of BC that I actually saved a jar of Shuswap water in my basement all fall, winter, and spring in anticipation of my summer vacation!

That was many years ago... a lifetime ago it seems. And now I have been a BC resident for 17 years. And even better than that, I have been living in the very place I used to vacation all those years ago: Salmon Arm. A dream come true! I must say, living in paradise has its perks: no more water in a jar because I have the whole lake a 5 minute drive from my house, mountains out my kitchen window, the smell of cedar and pine all year round, and the heat of that Okanagan sun from May to October.

However, living in paradise has one major drawback: It is still the vacation destination for all Albertans, Lower Mainlanders, and a large portion of Saskatchewan dwellers. My small, tranquil town morphs into a monster just before the May long weekend and rears its ugly head until Labour Day. It's an invasion of the grandest proportions. And the visitors are completely oblivious to the chaos they have created. I used to be one of those vacationers, so I know what it's like to be on that side of the coin. Like I said earlier, it's pure bliss.

So, from the viewpoint of a resident of heaven on earth, here are just some simple, yet highly important tips for my vacationing friends to consider before entering paradise:
1. Salmon Arm is a year round city. It actually exists before you come, and also after you leave. I know, it's a strange thought. But don't listen to the folklore out there telling you that vanishes in a poof of smoke on Labour Day only to return in mid May.
2. Some of the other drivers on the road are not on vacation, but simply trying to get to work on time. Yes, this is a hard one to grasp. Driving down Lakeshore can be so distracting with the panoramic mountain views and breathtaking lake views. And I can see why going 30 km/hr would be reasonable to you so you can see the beauty of creation and drive all at the same time. But remember that the person behind you would actually like to go the posted speed limit of 50 km/hr so she doesn't miss her dentist appointment or her JOB!!
3. Even here in Salmon Arm, the traffic laws are the same as where you live. For instance, when pulling a gynormous trailer or boat behind you, it can be difficult to judge how enormous your total vehicle length is. However, it is NOT OK to block the intersection just because you are visiting.
4. The roads are full of hills and bends. Very different than the prairies. Prepare in advance for this. Practice in parking lots after hours if need be. The more you practice the more you will realize that corners and hills don't need to be taken at a speed just slightly higher than a full and complete stop!
5. Feel free to use our grocery stores at your convenience. They stock more food in the summer to accommodate you. However, please remember that not all of us want to see you in your string bikini while waiting for your turn at the check-out. Frankly, this is just sick.

I hope these few points help you out as you navigate through our beautiful city. You co-operation is greatly appreciated and will allow all of us Salmon Arm residents to crawl out of the holes we are hiding in and carry on with our summer!

Back from Sabbatical!

First things first... I AM SORRY! I noticed the date of my last posting and realize that it was 2 years ago! Oops, my bad. My, my, how time flies!

Second, I had no clue my blog was providing weekly or monthly entertainment for so many of you. Honestly, I started this blog to keep my far away family and friends up to date on our lives. I had no clue that my random ramblings and rants were being read and enjoyed by so many of you!

Since I took a blogging sabbatical I have had frequent (and very polite) requests to blog again. Oh the pressure! I don't know if I can perform up to your standards! Just kidding! Those of you who know me, know that I don't live (or blog) for others' approval. BUT... if my blogging happens to bring a smile or a new thought, then I feel truly inspired!

Third, I actually have a partially good excuse for not blogging. I have been re-inventing myself a bit. The re-inventing process was a little messy and chaotic at times so blogging fell to the wayside. It's sad, but true.

Although I know the process of finding a new me is not yet complete (nor should it ever be or else life would be so stinkin boring), the part of the process that felt like an unorganized disaster is now over. The rest of the process will be wonderfully documented on this pretty orange page!

Now for a quick summary:

- I started a cleaning business in 2008. Don't know if I mentioned that before. It took off quickly and has been awesome
- Cleaning is really hard work. My hips and back have been yelling at me for the past 2 years. I realized that if I kept on cleaning, I would be in a wheelchair by the age of 50
- I had to find a way to make a bit of extra money, do something that I am good at, and still fulfill my calling... which is, of course, to devote myself to raising amazing kids.
- I am good at administration. I need to be available for my kids when they are not at school. How do I mesh these two things together?
- Solution: work an office job in a place where the hours are either flexible or the same as the school... ah yes, work in a school office!
- Oh wait... to work in a school office I am required to have a college certificate in office administration. WHAT? Ok, glitch in the plan
- Off to school I go! Online college courses, that is. I started taking courses in October of 2010. I finished in June 2011. Don't ask me how I ran my business, ran my household, and finished this program all at the same time. It's a blur and I there are blank spots in my brain because of it!
- Here I sit. Waiting for my certificate in the mail so I can apply for jobs.

I am so curious to see what my future looks like now that I can think straight enough to think about my future! Where will I be working in a year from now? Where will I be living (that is a story for another post)? What new adventures lie ahead?

We should all ask ourselves that question from time to time. Life gets so boring without a little change, a risk or two, or a challenge. My life tends to have an overload of these things! I have a love/hate relationship with this fact. But mostly, I love it. Change makes me better. It keeps me from getting stuck in a rut. It challenges my character. It makes me stronger.

We all need different amounts of risk and change in our lives. But we all need some of it. I happen to have a lot. How much do you have?

Is it time for you to challenge yourself, to risk a little, or make a change? Go for it!