Vacationing part 2

continued....

The next four days were spent helping a dear friend move. I ended up having to cancel my visit up in Hastings, but it was time well spent. I do believe I lost a few pounds along with getting a huge blister on my toe and loosing the skin off my knuckle. I was glad to have the free time in order to help a friend, and very thankful that I actually had the energy to lift heavy things. I never know when the MonSter will show up.

After that I got to go camping with My friend dear friend Pauline and my fishing buddy, Sensei and dear friend Vic. It was his birthday and his daughter and new grand daughter paid us a visit at the camp site. The evening was spent by the fire and I brought out my guitar. After all what is a camp fire with friends with out some tunes right?

In the morning Vic and I got out our rods and to my amusement Vic snarfed back the rest of his birthday cake for breakfast. Ah camping is there anything better? WLe didn't catch anything and I drove him on home, thankful that he had spent his 75^th birthday with me.

Later on in the evening we stopped by my parents house for the canoe after I had given the wrong directions to my buddy Pauline and we avoided being hit by a train. Campfire again and weenies roasted over an open flame for dinner! I could get used to that!

The next day we decided to take the canoe out on the lake for a paddle and do some fishing. My friend informed me that it's called fishing and not catching for a reason. It seems logical. We got the boat to the water and much to my chagrin it was full of spiders. I mean full. The 8 legged little creeps. If I haven't mentioned it before I am completely terrified of spiders. Half inch spider killed with a bazooka seems reasonable. We swept out the canoe and I killed a bunch of them with the paddle. When I was confident that the canoe was reasonably safe my friend got in the front. She was a little nervous of the tippiness of the canoe.

I reassured her that it was a very wide and stable canoe and I was sure she would like it. I swore to keep my eyes up front because I was worried I might accidentally dive out of the canoe if a big spider was crawling on me. I managed quite well, only pausing once to scoop one up with my paddle and send it to a watery grave. I paddled around the bay for a while (about 3 hours) mystified that my back (Which I had pinched moving my friend) was not screaming in agony. We decided to stop for a break because I desperately needed to pee. We found a little path to pull the canoe up to shore. While I was doing my business trying not to pee on my shoes or shorts (I don't pee in the woods so well) I spied a skull and crossbones thing which looked a lot like voodoo. Pauline noticed another one and took some pictures. We decided to beat a hasty retreat.

I paddled us into the middle of the bay and I got my first real bite. It snaked it's way under my boat that the lure was bit off. I think it was a pike. Oh well catching right? It was just about then that I noticed that there was a bit of water in the back and we headed in. There was a little crack at the bottom of the canoe, but it was just fine we made it to shore with out incident. I was proud of the way my friend backed the trailer in.

I noticed someone sitting in our camp site. It was my friend Mandy. We spent the rest of the night chatting by the fire and making roasted marsh-mellows and weenies.

The next day we chilled on the beach while Pauline and Mandy read and I played my guitar. I manged to find 20 buck on my adventures which bought a can opener at the tuck shop that I had neglected to pack. I was happy to be camping, but happy to go home because my kiddo was going to be there when shortly.

When I got home I was greeted by my brother who had driven down from Barrie with his buddy to do some fishing. I was glad he was there because I missed him a lot and hadn't seen him in about 5 years. I was also glad he had strong arms and could carry my camping gear in the house. was exhausted. I did manage to do a little bit of fishing that evening with him and was called home to greet my kiddo! I was happy to see her. Although I had a lot of fun on my vacation I missed her a lot. She's not only my child she is my buddy and it felt strange doing all the fun things with out her. Though she did have a good time in Newfoundland.

The next morning we got up really early and went fishing, I was prepared and tucked my pants into my socks. The red ants were terrible. We didn't catch anything. When we rested for the afternoon my brother made me a steak for dinner. It had been a long time since someone had prepared a meal for me!Brian and my brother Matt went out fishing in the late afternoon, I opted to stay home and do some house work and spend some much needed time with my kiddo. Brian came home with a big Salmon and Matt gutted it right there in the kitchen. I think his wife must have him trained well because he didn't make a mess and what ever there was he cleaned it up.

The next morning we brought My friend Vic with us and I got eaten some more by the red ants. I really didn't care, it was nice to be fishing with my brother and my friends. Matt had one on his line, but as luck would have it the line snapped. 16 fish managed to escape him, but I'm sure he'll be back next year to give it another go!

I felt very loved in the last couple of weeks. My vacation ended will with my family and I couldn't have been happier.

Vacationing on my own Friday Night Fun!

After what can be considered a hellish kind of a year I had the opportunity to have a vacation. My daughter was with my ex girlfriend in Newfoundland, and I, in the first time in my adult life, was free to do what ever I wished. It was an odd feeling. I was with my ex husband since I was 16 and the only vacation we had gone on was our honeymoon to PEI where we drove to the east coast and back in 5 days. Most of the time he spent driving or drinking. It wasn't a whole lot of fun. My ex girlfriend and I had gone on vacation together, but we were always responsible for my child. So I hadn't had the opportunity to do much of anything by myself. This was a real first in my adult life.

Originally I had organized a karate camping seminar which went by the wayside. I had decided that I was going camping regardless of what happened and I would have people there who wanted to be there. Camping was my only solid plan, that and going to visit my friends in Hastings.

I felt like I did the first day that she was in school when she left on her vacation. I was alone, but this time I had no other arms to comfort me. I decided to go visit a buddy of mine in Toronto.  

It felt like a real vacation. Her condo by the Toronto harbour had a picturesque view and we toured around a few parts of the city. We chatted like school girls, it's amazing how time can transport you through the decades.
 

The view from her condo was stunning and we walked along the waterfront for hours. We then took an uber cab to the village to see the sites there. After a harrowing drive we had dinner and wandered aimlessly chatting. 

We decided to walk back to her condo. After all it was only 3.5 kilometres and the best thing to do in Toronto is walk! Along the way we passed some interesting sites and then decided to go out to the harbour front again. The harbour front was hosting an Iranian festival and we got to listen to all kinds of music and I learned about a new instrument called a “Ney” It's very similar to a simple fipple flute in it's design, but it's played between the gum and the lips. I had never seen such an instrument before. My dear friend was incredibly patient with me as I stopped and stared for a long time, a

mazed that such sounds could come out of such an awkward mouth piece. We then travelled to the art gallery and saw artwork from the Iranian population that reminded them of “home”. I was beautiful to behold. I had started to relax and was thoroughly enjoying my time with Stacy! We wandered to the steam whistle brewery and saw the neat trains and wandered up to the CN tower which always is kind of amazing. It always seems to make me dizzy when I'm standing on the foot to stare up and try and find the top of it!

There was so much to do and see I was almost overwhelmed, but I was deliriously happy. Stacy had promised me a vacation and she treated me like a queen. The air mattress in the living room was exceedingly comfy. Once the patio doors were closed the sounds of Toronto faded away and a went to sleep.

In the morning I woke up to a brilliant sunrise over Lake Ontario. I helped myself to a coffee and went out on her patio and watched the boats come and go. I was amazed how busy it was for 6:30 am, the streets were empty which was another amazing site!

I hoped I hadn't made to much noise rattling the cupboards and my friend slumbered peacefully until about 7:30 am. She then took me out for breakfast (I was starting to feel like a pampered princess at this point and was loving it!)

We walked along the harbour front again checking out the sites. I was amazed how much had changed in the few hours between sleeping and waking. My only regret is that we didn't ride a street car. I'm unsure if I've ever been on one. I think I have, but it's one of those experiences that I'd like to repeat to make sure!

I had an amazing time with my friend Stacy, and am ever grateful for a first amazing day of my vacation!

The things I learned today,

I this morning I opened my eyes and saw the sun light streaming through my window and thought what a beautiful day. There were very few clouds in the sky, but enough to give it a picturesque view. I thought to myself what a gorgeous day and then I bawled my eyes out, which I had already done until 4 am the prior night.

I got up made my coffee and cried some more. Then suddenly my life changed. It's amazing how some people can change your life in the blink of an eye. Today a lot of people did that. Today I learned that I have real friends who stand up for me and who love me greatly, more than I ever dreamed of. I was truly humbled by the outpouring of love and support I have received in the last 24 hours and greatly uplifted.  I'm not going to say that my child and I haven't spilled a lot of tears but a lot of mine have been of joy today.  Okay maybe 50 50

Today I learned how loved I am. How important I am to people. Tonight I have no more tears I have been held by arms that love me, uplifted by prayers from people that love me and been given encouragement by people that love me.

So as I start my new chapter in this life I am happy and I have my head held up. Thank you to all of my friends who have shown me how greatly I am loved.

Doors that shut..

I wouldn't lie and say that I didn't spend hours crying, or that I thought my heart was going to fall out of my chest. I won't say that I didn't go over the words in my head like a broken record or hear them like a clanging gong every time I breathed in.  I won't pretend like I didn't have to wipe away the tears from my child's eyes.  I asked myself over and over what I did to deserve this?

Then I thought about the code of the Samurai:

Righteousness

Courage

Benevolence

Respect

Sincerity

Honour

Loyalty

Self-Control


These virtues I never just gave lip service to. I always remember that a martial artist is an artist for and of life. These are not simply just something that I think happens in the dojo, but it is the way I live my life. Every single second of every single day.


Even in the bible it says Philippians 4:8New International Version (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.


So I will think of such things and I will continue to live my life according to the Bushido code. It doesn't matter if anyone else does, only that I do. That is the true warrior spirit. I will go where I am wanted. I have left your dojo a better place. When you look at your crest remember fondly the conversation of a lost friend who came up with the name because your Sensei's had failed you. When your students wear it remember how you caused a good friend, and a loyal student to become a Ronin.
I will never give up.

Feeling Dizi and grateful.

No it's not a typo it's actually a musical instrument! To listen how it's pronounced here you go http://dictionary.hantrainerpro.com/chinese-english/translation-dizi_bambooflut.htm I don't speak mandarin, but the closest sounding English word would be deeds.

Musical instruments make me deliriously happy. Just like the smell of a new book or that feeling when you crack the spine on a brand new book that no one ever has read before, getting a brand new instrument is a kindred experience. Getting an old instrument is like when you opened a loved book and you wonder just where it has been before almost as if it has it's own story, receiving or buying used instruments is a joy as well.

My Dizi came in the mail a couple weeks behind my fife. I carefully unwrapped it and took a look at it. I'm not really familiar with wind instruments save for my penny whistle that I've been hacking at for a while. But I'm starting to amass them. Currently I have a new Dizi in the key of D, fife in the key of C, 2 tin whistles in the key of D (I'd like a Low D tin whistle and an Irish keyless flute) and a recorder which may or may not be in the key of F.

I've been really ill of late even though I've made a brave face to go out in public I haven't been well at all. The Dizi lifted my spirits and I've been pretty pleased of late with my deals from amazon. (Single mom saves money where she can). I'm also really grateful for a friend who spotted me some cranberry pills to expedite my recovery. I learned my lesson about reading labels painfully well.

I've been banging on my guitar a lot and of late I have gotten the paparazzi treatment. A couple friends snapped pictures and one of my friends shot a video of me. (I thought she was illuminating the words as it was dark in my yard) I'm not coming out with my Dizi or my fife for a long while. I do not want my squeaks and funny noises recorded for posterity.

Although I haven't been well at least I've got some new instruments and I'm content :D