Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Monday, September 26, 2016

Reflecting on Losing my Mom and Leaving for Europe

Happy Monday!!
Today my boyfriend Andy and I are off to Europe. First stop is Germany for Oktoberfest in Munich, then we take the train to Salzburg in Austria, then Venice, Florence and Rome (with day trips in between.) I am excited but I have also been through so much this last month that life right now is extremely overwhelming. I'm gonna get a little personal here just to warn you. I feel it is important for me to talk about what I am going through.

I lost my mom suddenly on August 31st this year, she died of a brain aneurysm at 61 years old. Though I have put on a brave face this has been the hardest thing I have ever experienced. I feel broken. My mom and I had been through so much together, sometimes are relationship was good and sometimes it wasn't as good but when she died we were in a really good place. We were friends.
We talked on the phone almost everyday, she was my biggest facebook stalker and my blogs #1 fan. Not being able to call her or see her cat posts or positive affirmations on facebook breaks my heart. There are no words to describe the pain I feel. Everyone says you don't understand it until it happens to you and they couldn't be more right.

I took only five days off from work after my mom passed to help my dad out and make funeral arrangements. I then immediately went back to work. This was not forced on me but I thought it would be a good distraction.
Looking back now I know this was not the best thing for me to do. Work is really tough when you haven't taken a moment to truly grieve. I feel like all my senses have been heightened and dealing with day to day tasks and problems have been really difficult. I didn't know how much anxiety I would have and how sensitive I would become.

I know now the importance of taking time to mentally adjust to losing a loved one. As painful as it is I think it is really important to be alone with your thoughts and feelings for a little while. Yes you cry a lot and yes it hurts more then anything has ever hurt before but feeling that way is important in beginning to heal yourself.

Andy has been my rock. He has been by my side ever since I found out. I honestly don't know how I would handle life without him right now. I've never been more in love with him then I am now. I am so grateful for his care and understanding through all of this.
I am so grateful for my friends too. I don't have a lot of friends but the ones I do have are pretty unbelievable. I'm checked in on constantly and being fed more then ever before. r

As I am now someone who has experienced the loss of my mom and the pain that goes along with it I feel like I have a lot more compassion for people. For those who have yet to experience this I really hope you try to sympathize rather then expect someone to just move on. I am not at my best right now. This whole grieving process isn't easy. For the most part the people in my life have been really understanding but I also know it's not easy to see someone you know become someone different. I feel like I am trying to figure out who I am again, how I now react to things and see and experience life. Some of it is good and some of it needs work. I ask you to please bear with me.

If you have just lost someone close to you I found it really helps to talk to people who have also suffered a loss. Their understanding is very therapeutic and helps you to feel less alone. It is a very different conversation talking about what you are going through with someone who has been there then someone who has not. It's a deeper connection and you need that right now.

I think now is the perfect time for me to get away. All I have done this year is worked and saved my money for this trip. I need to stop and experience life. Travel is a big priority in my life and I am so grateful I get to do it. During this trip more then any other I really want to experience it all, to take it all in and just live it. Life is way too short.

Thanks for listening to my ramble. I feel like grief can be a very private experience but it's a subject I think is important for people to talk about because it really is so hard.

My mom and I
Rest in peace mom.
I love you and miss you.r

I won't be blogging much if at all for the three weeks I am away. I think it is important for me to unplug for a little while. I will however be posting photos on Instagram if you want to follow me.
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See you later!!
Xoxo- Michelle

Friday, January 1, 2016

2015: My Year in Review

Happy New Year!!
Holy moly 2015 was a jam packed year for me. I didn't even realize how much I had done until making this blog post. I am so grateful for the places I got to explore and for the amazing people in my life.
Dublin, Ireland
This year I went to visit my good friend Kate in Dublin, Ireland. I stayed with her in her adorable home, hiked along the cliffs, explored Wicklow and downtown Dublin and met her amazing family.
Kates Adorable Home


Alfie, my little cuddle monkey
Ha'penny Bridge
(Original Post)
Howth Cliffs

Wicklow

St. Eulalia Ibiza
After a week in Dublin, Kate, James (Kates Fiance) Anna (Kates Sister) and Gary (Kates Cousin) went to relax and explore Ibiza for a week.


Me in paradise...



(Original Post)
Sunset bongo drum session..

Old Town Ibiza
I fell in love with this place. The cobblestone walkways and architecture nearly made me cry. It felt like I was on a movie set, I couldn't believe this was a real place.

This restaurant in the heart of Old Town was so romantic


Cowichen Bay
In the summer Andy and I went to visit my friends Curtis and Ken in Cowichen Bay. They were renting an adorable cabin and we stayed in this boho-chic yurt for a weekend.

The Cabin


The Swimming Hole

Punta De Mita, Mexico
To end off our year with some relaxation, Andy and I went to Punta De Mita, Mexico to lay by the pool, lay by the beach and get massages...




New Addition
I finally took the plunge and bought myself a new car!! It's been  few years of transiting everywhere, it was time!!
This year was the first year Andy and I got a christmas tree
I can't forget...
I enjoyed spending the year with my boyfriend and best friend Andy..
And I can't forget Robyn..
And my little man Jesse..
Of course the whole year wasn't a crazy adventure. There were highs and lows as there always are but overall it was a pretty good time. I can't wait to see what 2016 brings, so far nothing planned but turning 30, eek!!

Thank you so much for reading. I may not post five days a week this coming year. It may be more like three times but I'm just going to play it by ear.
I wish you all the best in 2016!!
Xoxo- Michelle

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

An Irish Send Off

My final day in Dublin Ireland was relaxing and heart warming. We didn't get in from Ibiza until 2am so I slept at Anna's house. (James had been staying at his dads house and I was sharing Kates bed.) I slept about a million hours which felt great!!
Alfie
Alfie is Kate and James dog. He is a total sweetheart and little cuddle muffin. When I first arrived in Dublin he greeted me crying he was so happy to see me. Kate said he was acting as if he missed me even though he had never met me. It's amazing to me how animals can sense a relationship between people and if they know their owners like you, they immediately like you.
 Ibiza Send off Dinner
Kate and Anna's mom made a traditional roast dinner with mushy peas, roasties, mashed potatoes and gravy. It was delicious!!


 Pepper
My little best friend!! Pepper is Kate and Anna's moms dog and she is the most adorable, affectionate dog!! Her and Alfie are good friends but they also compete for attention, especially Pepper. One morning Kate had got up before me to go teach a yoga class and when she opened the bedroom door Alfie came in and spooned right into me. Pepper was behind him though and had to get closer to me then Alfie was so she lay down on my head!!
Ireland Send off Dinner
Kate and Anna's aunt Carol made an amazing lamb feast for Sunday dinner before I left for home, Vancouver Canada. Lamb, veggies, mushy peas and roasties. What a treat!! She is an amazing cook. (Pepper was also present for this dinner, I had to say goodbye.)

The morning I was flying home, James woke up at 5am to make me a proper breakfast (sausage, bacon, egg, tomato, toast) and the taxi driver dropping me off at the airport gave me a bar of chocolate!! Canadians have nothing on the Irish when it comes to making people feel welcome!!
Well that's it for my trip to Dublin Ireland to visit my friend Kate and James and meet Anna and the rest of the family. What a warm group of people. I really do want to move to Dublin. Everyone is so friendly and easy going and its quick and cheap to travel almost anywhere in Europe!! Who knows...
Xoxo- Michelle

Monday, June 8, 2015

BenirrĂ¡s Beach Ibiza North

Happy Monday!!
I have a million more photos from my trip to Dublin Ireland and Ibiza Spain but I won't bore you too much longer with them. One beach I do have to mention though is Benirras Beach. 
BenirrĂ¡s Beach
This beach, located on the islands northwest coast, just past San Miguel, was my favourite of the trip!! The atmosphere was so relaxed and the scenery was breathtaking!! 


I daydreamed about living in this house..


Anna insisted we rent a paddle boat with a slide.
At Sunset
This beach attracts a large hippy community and every Sunday at Sunset the hippy bongo drummers bid the sun farewell. It was a great vibe!!







Have an amazing week!!
Xoxo- Michelle