Spring flowers and a spring in my step!

Yesterday felt like summer! The sun was shining at full blast, cherry blossoms were still out, their petals flying around and covering the ground like snow, and I went to a salad buffet for brunch and ate three plates of rainbow coloured fruits and veggies. I can't remember the last time I wanted to eat salad so much - in the winter all I want is hot soup and other heavier comfort foods. Spring is so much more fun!

After eating, I waddled out of the restaurant and continued on with my two companions. We walked around Kyoungbuk University campus, admiring all the bright flowers and beautiful trees. There were so many families out as well - parents with huge smiles on the faces as they watched their little ones walk and climb and ride a bicycle and try to eat dirty things from the ground. Many of them were taking photos or filming - making memories! It was really sweet. There were also many fashionable couples as well as groups of people picnicking. It didn't feel like a university campus at all - more of a park for everyone. 

Being out in the spring sunshine makes me deliriously happy. I couldn't stop smiling yesterday. I think I could have walked around all day but eventually I headed home and hula hooped inside while watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Weekends are the best.

Here's to another beautiful spring day! :-)

Sunday Outdoors

What a wonderful Sunday day :) It actually feels very good to be home, despite the cooler temperatures. Seeing evergreens, sprawling snow-capped mountains, so much GREEN everywhere...it's pretty spectacular! And I still got to play tennis outside in the sun, so there's no reason to miss that yet.

One of my favourite destinations for a good walk that feels like a journey through the woods (sort of) is Campbell Valley Park. It's wonderfully serene, green, and always filled with birdsong and super fresh air. Going there today brought a great feeling of groundedness...I felt like I was reconnecting with the earth again somehow. I also got to feed some beautiful chickadees. I always bring crushed nuts, which they seem to really enjoy. Having a tiny little bird land gently and gracefully on your hand is quite lovely :)

Being in the woods always makes me think of why we are so strongly drawn to some places. Where and what are we looking for exactly? Peace? Communion with nature? Roots? Or are different people searching for very different things in very different places? Although I think we are all drawn to nature, even if we don't always know it.

Where do you look to for peace and a feeling of reconnection?

Cheerio!

Ode to the Ocean :)

I love walking down the pier at White Rock Beach - with every step it feels as though you are immersing yourself deeper and deeper into the vastness of the ocean. It is one of my favourite walks of all time, and it never gets repetitive. Being surrounded by such beauty, complexity, ever changing colour and texture, passionate waves or gentle, reflective stillness...no matter what the mood of the ocean may be, it is always overwhelming and dazzling in its power and gorgeousness. 

I also love how people are drawn to this place. It's like an irresistible magnet that makes us feel more alive and fills us with the pure breath of life. Visiting the ocean is incredibly refreshing and energizing, especially on a lovely Spring day like this. I find it fascinating how we flock to watery places - rivers, lakes, oceans, ponds...swimming pools - it is a timeless connection that is very enjoyable to maintain. Especially when there is a delicious gelato shop five steps away :) 

"Even the upper end of the river believes in the ocean"

~William Stafford

Sunday morning on the beach...

One of the loveliest sights at this time of year has to be the gradual, almost shy blooming of the flowers. In the midst of still wintry grayness and barrenness, catching a flash of gorgeous colour in the twinkling sunlight is absolutely delightful and invigorating! This particular daffodil is located not too far from the ocean, which was quite the sight itself this morning. Whenever I go for a Sunday walk, I'm pleasantly surprised by how many people are already flocking there. Many are out for exercise - it's never too early or too late to run - and most others are out for a more leisurely, relaxing stroll. I like seeing the different kinds of people that come out - the families, quiet cozy couples, close-knit girlfriends, solitary artists, young kids, old kids...all enjoying the fresh air and engulfing natural beauty. Being outdoors on a morning like this is more rejuvenating than eating a stack of pancakes with maple syrup :) 

An early morning walk is probably my most favourite way to start the day, maybe if we could all do this on a regular basis there would be more love and relaxation in the world :) Actually, I don't think that's even questionable. So that's the goal - more strolling around (preferably barefoot in the sand, but let's not get picky here) without watching the clock or thinking of what needs to be done at home/back at the office. What we really need is to open up some windows, swing the door as wide as it will go, and welcome the world with open arms. Open yourself, and everything will flood joyfully inside! 

"Nature abhors a vacuum, and if I can only walk with sufficient

carelessness, I am sure to be filled"

~Henry David Thoreau