Halifax and Back Again!

 I’m backkk! In case you need to catch up, I went home to Halifax for the weekend for my friend’s wedding! Congratulations Angela and Kyle! Not only did I fly across the entire country and back for the wedding… but I was in the wedding! I was honoured when Angela asked me to be a bridesmaid and knew moving out to Vancouver a mere three months ago – I would be back to Halifax either way. The wedding was absolutely wonderful and Angela looked gorgeous in her wedding gown (I’m working on getting pictures!).

Upon arriving at the airport we got a sight of the Canuck pride from YVR and I had to share! (I cannot wait for the game tomorrow night!) The flight to Halifax was surprisingly short because I met a new friend (Hi Taylor!) and we chatted the entire way! I love meeting new people (in case you haven’t picked up on that one yet) and hearing their passions and goals in life while getting the background history of how they’ve reached this moment in their lives. I watched the sun rise as we were flying over the Maritimes and once I got into Halifax it was time to get at it!
 

The first thing I noticed when I stepped outside of the airport was how humid and dense the air is here! I felt almost as if I couldn’t breathe as well in Nova Scotia because of the thick the air is. It is very weird that there is such a huge difference – that being said I’ve gained an even better appreciation for Vancouver. I rushed home to get rid of my bags and headed to my favourite spot in the world: Two if by Sea Cafe! A TIBS latte was one of the top 5 reasons for coming back to Halifax!
 

(Notice the 49^th parallel mug? Coincidence? I think not!)

I visited some of my very best friends and headed off to the wedding rehearsal and then off to see my Jack’s family for the night! I have to just mention that the people at Jack Astor’s are like family to me. Even though I only worked there for a year (it seems like SO much longer than that), I had the pleasure of meeting and connecting with some pretty amazing people. If I could pick up the restaurant with all of you in it and move it to Vancouver – it would be a dream come true! Although it was tough leaving them all when I decided to move 3 months ago… it’s like nothing even changed when I walked in to visit. That’s how you know you have a truly wonderful group of people to call your friends.

Saturday was the wedding and what a magical day it was… pictures to come!

That being said, I have to admit that I completely messed up my last week of Insanity. Last Wednesday I got off track because I literally worked from 7am-12am with a slight transition in between. I’m not complaining or trying to make excuses… but I messed up and was too exhausted to work out – which then affected Thursday… which also resulted in no Insanity. As I was coming home Thursday evening I rushed to get work done and pack… thus resulting in no Insanity. Friday… was nutso… and then Saturday – the day of the wedding I squeezed in Insanity in the morning because I felt awful that I had let myself slack for 3 days straight! I’m so glad I did because I felt SO much better and less nervous because I had made sure to get my workout in. After this mini vacation (and workout slacking fest…) I have to not let myself be disappointed because what’s done is done! Sometimes your body could use the rest and as long as you stay focused and get right back on track – you don’t have to worry about falling completely off track because it’s all about balance!

Now it’s time to get back to it! I fully plan on getting right back on track tomorrow! I will start with Max Interval Circuit and power though the last 5 days!

So what after Insanity you might ask? I’ve been struggling to figure out what my next goal will be (I never stay with one form of fitness for very long haha) – and I truly feel a combination of running and yoga is in my near future.

I’ve had this lululemon water bottle since Christmas (a good friend of mine gave it to me as a gift!) but have yet to set concrete goals on it. Coming back to Vancouver after this past weekend to many exciting things – I felt the time to write on it is now. I’ve achieved many goals to reach the point right now – and it’s time to assess, alter and set some new ones! So here are my BAHG’s (big, audacious, hairy goals):
  

To sum up my weekend I have decided to compile the Top 5 things I miss about Halifax:

1. My car. Poor Indy has been sitting un-driven for THREE months! I thought it would be weird to get behind the wheel again but realized immediately that you never forget how to drive a car – especially your car. I have to admit that I miss driving… but I’m doing just fine without it in Vancouver! The transit system is amazing and the climate and location allows for most people to get around on foot/bike/scooter really easily!
2. My bed. Ughhhh I miss my wonderfully huge, ultra comfy, causes happiness upon sleeping on, bed. I’m one of those people who can literally sleep an-y-where… but ugh it’s sitting there not being slept in :(
3. My friends. This goes without saying – but I just wanted to point out that I’m so grateful for every single one of you and the support you constantly give to help me through this new chapter in my life. Even though it’s hard to leave people behind – I have to live my life the way I want to live it. You learn who your true friends are in these types of situations.
4. Familiarity and knowing. Don’t get me wrong – I feed off of change… but it’s also comforting to know your way around a city and be familiar with every single aspect of it.
5. My cat. I miss my cat Charlie :(

 

Until we meet again Nova Scotia!

What do you love the most about your home city?

Halifax Bound!

I’m heading to Halifax in T minus 4 hours! It’s weird going home so soon after just getting here (almost) 3 months ago – but I’m SO EXCITED! Not only am I going to a very good friend’s wedding – but I am so excited to see all of my wonderful friends (you are most likely one of them if you are reading this)!

I’ve had a busy and great week (exciting details to come…) – but most importantly I LOVE VANCOUVER! I was fortunate enough to be downtown watching the Canucks game 5 when they won – sending them into the Stanley Cup playoffs! The feeling and atmosphere of the downtown core was INSANE/AMAZING! I have no words to describe the feeling of pride and unity amongst the crowd.. I’ve never seen so many happy people (20,000) together randomly in my entire life.

Looking onto Granville St. from Smithe St.

Forecasting for the real thing?

Random music being played and danced to in the middle of the street!

I took a video so you could get an appreciation of the atmosphere on the down town streets! (The quality isn’t the greatest but it gives you an idea!)

I love being in a city that has hockey pride. It’s nuts when you walk down the street on a game day and you see business men and women wearing Canucks jersey’s under their suit coats…! It allows for an amazing sense of unity for the citizens of Vancouver (and all of BC!) – I’m so glad to be apart of it… especially because they are winning! The night they won people from all over flowed out of their homes and bars into the streets to celebrate with one another. Random people were hugging and high-fiving strangers and every single person had a smile on their face – A guy even drove by me while I was waiting for the bus on a motorcycle and high-fived me!

 If only happiness came this easily on a daily basis… imagine what the world we live in could look like.

 Other than that I’ve been busy working, working, working out and more working! I had the pleasure of meeting with my friend Alex for sushi this week – and it was in-cred-ible (Did I mention how much I love Vancouver sushi?).

Sushi Pizza anyone? SO YUMMY!

Mmm… avocado, spicy tuna and chopped scallop rolls to share!

I’m into my last week of Insanity… and have missed a few days here and there but am so proud of myself to have gotten this far through it! I plan to (hopefully) keep up with it everyday while I’m home… but will be easy on myself for all the hard work I’ve put in so far. I believe in staying completely focused on your goals… but not to be too hard on yourself. Everyone needs to relax and have fun – just make sure to get right back at it! It’s all about living a balanced lifestyle!

What do you do to stay balanced?

Off to pack and jump on a plane I go – see you soon Halifax!