Leggings & Life...

Well I have just found a perfect spot for myself! The harbour, of course, as close to the water as I can get without getting wet feet.

I get to watch the tide come in but also (and more importantly) I get to people watch! Yeah, creepy I know, but its been a little hobby of mine for a while now whenever I'm in a public place. I enjoy watching people- I might judge a bit yes. Ex. Girls who wear leggings with nothing covering their bums... its not cute ladies, its gross. Nobody wants to see your butt jiggling with every move you make...

The mall is the best place for people watching- its amazing, and funny to see all these people (typically girls) who get dressed up to go to Wal Mart. See the following link: PeopleOfWalMart. Fur and high heels included- Oh and not forgetting wayyy overdone hair and makeup. Most of those who do this are under the age of 18, have nothing else to dress up for, and its probably the highlight of their week. The same goes for new or young mothers who feel worn and used who have a goal of the afternoon to spin a few husbands heads around 180 degrees.

So they get to have their few hours of prancing around from store to store, and entertain me at the same time. I enjoy watching these characters, see how they interact with store employees, who they are with and guess the relationships between them (is that her dad or her husband?). Its even funner watching the men who watch said girls/women. They oogle and stare and then turn around just to see me with a look of disgust while I watched this male oogle a 15 year old girl. They get reaaly flustered and its veery funny! See link #2: RandomCreepyGuy.com. HOWEVER, I digress... I was trying to talk about pretty scenery and life changing experiences here! Seriously, though, next time your at a mall just sit in one of the squishy chairs for five minutes and observe the people around you...

So I'm sitting here with this beautiful scene around me. Everyone walking down the pier in their summery clothes with their dogs, holding hands with their sweeties. There is a dock for the puddle jumper to land nearby (Goes from Vancouver to here) and they have just recently built a dock for cruise ships to come in and we had our first boat from Sweden come in a month or so ago, so soon I will get to people watch foreigners too!

Its a busy little port, people coming and going constantly, and I am so grateful to call this place my home. I think I've mentioned that a couple hundred times already, but still feels new to me, especially now that we get to experience a full summer and get to watch the tourists and wayward travellers trickle in.

Now here is where it gets deep...

Lately I've been finding myself thinking often about where I was at this time last year. It was a bit different to say the least! I didn't know what I was going to do with my life at a time when everything was so uncertain. I have been so blessed to have someone by my side through all my consistent challenges and changes. We also managed to have fun getting to know each other and going on adventures in the along the way.

Even when I would worry on a daily basis about where I was going to be living next, or what job I might try my hand at, Cam would support me and encourage me to overcome each step as it came. It was wonderful to have that constant support and be given the extra push I needed, when I needed it.

Now as I look out onto the water I think back on how far we've come and how we are now considered to be one of those happy couples holding hands with our dog dragging us behind him. And we are, although we are not perfect we are about as happy as a couple and a pup could be. We have our health, our jobs, our home, and even though we know there will be rough patches coming our way sooner or later, I know I have him, and I hope he knows he has me- to give him the love and care he will be needing when that time comes.

To an amazing boyfriend...

This is the part where I brag about my boyfriend and get all mushy. Its his birthday today and if you don't want to read it, dont!

So we first started dating on Febrary 14th, 2010.  At the time I was living with my best friend Ryan, and Cam and I lived quite a ways apart. He also was without a cell at the time which leads me into one of my first favorite memories. Cam would call me from his house before he would head down for mine. It would always take about half an hour so I would let the dog know around the time that Cam was expected that 'Cam is coming over'
I have a picture somewhere of this, but after I said it, Gus would stand on my bed with his paws on the window sill, his head barely peeking out the window, watching, and waiting for Cam to get there.
I always knew when his car would drive up, whether I was on my computer or watching tv, that he was here because I would just see Gus' tail start wiggling and he only did it for Cam.

 
Cam loves this dog like no other. He takes him to the puppy park daily, and they both give me the puppy eyes when I say no to giving Gus people food. He is always making sure the dogs needs are met and that he is happy (which includes Gus sleeping in the middle of us on occasion, as well as letting Gus have his half of the bed and us sharing the other half.) He teaches this dog new tricks and if we are doing something quiet like reading or laying in bed he will say very quietly 'Jen. JEN! to get me to look over and see whatever cute thing the dog is doing. They are an adorable couple and I do fear if he ever decides to leave me, that the dog would choose his father in a custody case.

A picture Cam insisted I take.

We had so much fun while our relationship was still new, went to tons of movies, ate out constantly (which led to us both putting on weight!) went to public events, and my favorite of all, he introduced me to my new love- back country hiking.
The first time we went, I can't say it was my favorite. It was a short hike, only 9K to our destination, and even though he was taking it easy on me by taking most of the weight, I had never done something like that with so much weight on my back. I had no clue what I was supposed to do, how to start a fire, or make a tree hang to keep the animals out of our food, but he helped me and showed me how to manage in the wild, and keep clean at the same time! It was Gus' first time in the wilderness as well and it was very funny watching him learn to adapt to his new environment.
I remember the first or second night we were there, it started raining and the three of us sat under a tarp with a fire to protect us. Gus was terrified. He couldn't see as much as he would like to and his head was constantly moving, trying to see what vicious things may be in the looming darkness. It had been a long day and the poor dog was exhausted but refused to lay down on the dirt or come to me under the tarp because the smoke from the fire hurt his eyes and nose. So he just sat there, at the edge of the tarp, where he could breathe the fresh air- and be exposed to the rain. Never in my life have a seen such a miserable animal and needless to say, despite the poor dogs misery, it was quite funny to watch.
He kept me safe from bears, and boiled me warm water to wash my face with, and overall, he took care of us. But that was nothing out of the ordinary.
We were blessed to share part of spring, summer, and part of fall off work together which made us further able to dedicate our time to slowing down the pace of life, and enjoy each day, while exploring new avenues and taking our lives in a new, exciting direction...
That included us moving out to Vancouver island.
The first time Cam introduced me to the idea was when we first moved in together. One day, while walking down the street he first said to me 'lets put our stuff in storage and go hiking for the summer.' The way he presented me with the idea though, made it sound like we would be homeless, and essentially we would be! Leaving all of my 'stuff' in storage and just taking off for the summer, without any plans of the future or where we would end up was a horrifying thing to me at the time.
We were already planning on coming out to attend his nieces' memorial, and had decided to spend some holiday time while we were here- and on the way, with hikes and enjoying the land. However, the unexpected still managed to find us and deliver us the debilitating blow of learning his beautiful mother would be diagnosed with cancer, and the official announcement was made on the same day as the memorial.

Alishas memorial

 

That sealed our fate. We would be making the move to the island. I spent many nights that summer in tears over the fact that I would be leaving my family and friends for a new life that I knew nothing about. Cam was always the strong one, able to reassure me and help me look on the bright side of life, and he is still very much that way.

We spent almost two months, including some of that time in the mountains with just us, the dog and nature (and a UFO encounter!) in a tent. Blessed with two wonderful friends here on the island who allowed us to borrow a little plot back in the trees behind their house for our 'bedroom', we slept under the stars (and many times to the sound of rain) and waking with the morning light... and that damn rooster!
Gus fell in love with the ocean, as did I. Cam and I fell further in love with eachother and our new life.

The lawn Gus spent his summer on.

Our days usually consisted of a breakfast on the balcony while watching Gus chase his bunny around on the massive front lawn, followed by a walk to the beach just down the road. (the area we were staying in was very secluded and mostly quiet.) Sometimes I would spend the day with Gus on the beach, sometimes I would go into town with Cam and spend the day with his momma and step dad. We would spend the majority of our time outdoors, swimming, or exploring new beaches and our new home. 

We were essentially spending 24/7 together and through that time I learned more about myself than I ever had before. I learned to take risks and that things do eventually work themselves out. That life is too short to ever take advantage of and to enjoy the moments and laughter with the ones you love. All of this thanks to my true love.

After a month of R&R, I decided to start looking for work. Not a week after I started applying did I get a job. It all happened very fast and before we knew it, I was working for a wonderful, established company and we were moving into our new house. Cam also got a job which I am jealous of, working for the health region, and our new life is only getting better as the summer gets near.
I wouldn't be where I am today if it hadn't been for him. He pushed me, and continues to push when I need it, to embrace change and the unexpected and to just go with it. Because if we fight against reality and change, it will be that much harder for us to look forward to the future.

The future still scares me sometimes, but I have this man in my life who stands by my side and supports me- despite my many flaws, and can look towards the future with me and smile.
I love you baby more than anything, I'm thrilled you are a part of my life, and am truly and completely blessed that you chose me to be in yours.
Looking forward to many more birthdays (especially mine this year, since I'm getting you your dream pair of night-vision goggles!)
Happy birthday, Cam!
Love Jen.