I had a great weekend in Tofino. I worked for the first time alone on Friday night and although I was a bit nervous it was mostly smooth sailing. Maja was able to help me out a little and on Saturday I had no problems.

On Saturday night a big crew of people headed to the Legion for a show! A latin/reggae/dub band from Texas played for about two hours and it was really fun. Maja and I danced right up at the front and the place was packed! The cool thing about Tofino is that when a band or artist comes to town - the whole town seems to go out to support them.

Sunday night I went to the beach alone during the day and then watched the Oscars with a bunch of people at the hostel. Then my friend Jeff and I went to the bar to meet a few other people and play some pool and Tetris! Good times for all.

Last night was another adventure at the Mackinna Pub aka "The Dirty Mac" aka "Devil Bar". I had my two favourite Tofino ladies with me and a few gents and we had an excellent time. I must introduce you to a new friend in Tofino named Sam, who is truly awesome. She's one of those special people who just walk into a room and immediately fill it with positive energy. She is a big ray of sunshine and she makes everyone smile. She's a masseuse, and moved here last week. Maja knew her because she stayed at the hostel for a week in January.

So last night we went out and we danced the night away and stayed at the bar until close. Maja made sure to take tons of pictures and I realized for the first time that she is hilarious when she's a little bit drunk! I know I had a good time because when I showed Andy the photos today he said "How is it that you were dead sober and yet you look the drunkest out of everyone?". Enough said.

First Pic: Maja, Sam, Me
Second Pic: Andy, Me
Third Pic: Pat (one second after accidentally spilling a drink down my back), Me
Fourth Pic: Maja, Me

It's been a sad week in Tofino with the loss of seven year old William. He was visiting Tofino with his parents and younger brother from Bellingham, WA. It was his little brother's birthday and for whatever reason William was left alone for what I have heard may have been nearly twenty minutes on a trail near the ocean and forest and when his father returned, he was gone.

I felt physically ill the first couple of days thinking about it. I couldn't not think about it. The helicopters flew over and around the hostel, you could see the Search and Rescue boats going out every morning and coming back in every evening. Posters were everywhere and it was all anyone in town could really talk about. I saw familiar faces being interviewed on the news and reporters were walking up and down Campbell Street. I made a few photocopies for the Search and Rescue team and watched them search the bushes around the hostel.

It really upset me when the posters came out and when the story was being reported on the news that there was such focus on the fact that William had Attention Defecit Disorder. It seemed as though they were suggesting that due to his relatively common and treatable mental illness, he was likely to jump off a cliff into the water or run away into the forest. Furthermore, a seven year old boy is a seven year old boy whether he has been labelled "ADD" or not and a seven year old boy should NEVER be left alone for three minutes or for thirty.

It's such a tragic situation that could have easily been avoided, but I am not a parent and I do not think I have a right to say whether a parent made a fatal error in this situation. All I can hope for now is that William's body can be returned to his family and that they can find strength during this awful time. May William rest in peace.

It's been a busy week at the hostel. I have been working a lot and my training is almost complete. We've also had a lot of sunshine and warm weather, so I haven't been sitting in my room on my computer all day!

I'm getting to know Tofino quite well and even made a trip out to Ukee to visit my co-worker Andy who lives there and to do some grocery shopping. It's about a thirty minute drive but it was nice to just listen to music in the car and be alone for a while.

I'm still doing yoga and the other day I went to Tonquin Park to practice yoga while the sun set. It was unbelievably beautiful. The photos do not do it justice. I took some great shots of Steve walking into the sunset and just before it was too dark he snapped a few of me finishing up my yoga.

A Saturday afternoon in Tofino....

On Wednesday evening I went to the bar here for the first time. It's known as the "Devil" bar and it's definately an interesting place. It has a few booths, a dance floor, a teeny tiny bar, and a pool table. You can pick the tourists out from a mile away - and everyone who works at a hotel hangs out with their hotel group. So the girls who work at Middle Beach all cluster in a booth and the guys who work at wherever all stand in that corner. It's a bit funny.

My night was interesting. I met a few new people who all seem really chill, but I felt like a complete misfit because of the non-drinking issue. Maybe I just don't know how to socialize properly or perhaps my non-drinking makes other people feel uncomfortable. I think I come across much more serious than I really am. It's true that I am a very serious person but I like to have fun too. Whatever. Oh well.

Maybe I'll give this bar another chance next week because it wasn't too bad and I definately can't wait to go there with my girls from back home. The highlight of the night had to be when a girl was trying to get by me and said "Excuse me please" and I looked up and she looked at me and we both simultaneously yelled "Heather?" "Emily?"!!! Emily Robb is living in Tofino. I grew up with her and she has known me longer than almost anyone else. She's working at Shelter Restaurant and I promised her I'd stop by. Can't wait! It was amazing to see a familiar face.

On Wednesday I went surfing with two friends.

It was a beautiful day - warm and sunny - but the waves were not so good. Really choppy, messy, and coming in quickly one after the other. If you could get past the break you'd be fine but I tried and tried and couldn't get out there. It's probably a good thing since near the end of our time in the water we were looking at 12-15 foot waves. Maybe in the summer I could attempt that but most definately not now. My buddy Jeff was out there surfing the big ones and he had a wipe out and the wave broke his leash!!! Luckily his board washed up on shore and we found it but YIKES.

It was great to get out there though - and I bought a summer wetsuit! It's Roxy and it fits me like a glove. It's used and was only $70 bucks compared to $300-400. I can start using it in May and by then I'll hopefully have my own board. All I need is a leash, some gloves and boots and I'm golden.

The last few days have been very busy. I'm finally starting to understand the computer system we use and I'm no longer afraid to take reservations or check people in. Plus I plan on using the "I'm new" card for at least two more weeks.

I have been feeling a bit down lately, maybe it's the rain, Valentine's Day, missing my friends, missing Ozzy, missing family, missing the city - but things are not too shabby. I think it's mostly that I am extremely impatient and I don't really enjoy the "getting settled" process that comes with a new move. On top of that - it's easy to feel lonely in Tofino. There isn't much to do at night and it gets dark at 6pm. So from 6pm until you sleep you just wish you had someone to share that time with. I'm sure I won't be lonely in the summer when there's people everywhere - but right now it's lonely. I don't like lonely.

I have been getting out and about though. And have met plenty of new people - I suppose I just miss my old ones....

I had another great day in Tofino yesterday, and went to my first Yoga class here. It's held at Tofino Botanical Gardens every day except Sundays. It's a very different style of Yoga than what I'm used to but I thoroughly enjoyed the class. There were six of us and a teacher and very dim lighting with candles and light spiritual kind of music playing in the background. A year ago I would have laughed at this style of Yoga because it seems very "Hippie" but I loved it! It was soothing and challenging at the same time and really revolves around meditiation. The teacher says things like this:

"Push your left leg down in the ground, pushing your roots deep into the earth. Bring your right leg up and tuck it into your left thigh, making your tree strong and stable. Now open your fingers and bring your branches above your head and let them sway there in the wind then bring your branches to cover your heart, the soul of your tree, and be one with the earth and one with your body."

It sounds funny but it was the most relaxing thing I've ever done. The teacher was so sweet, when I thanked her after class she gave me a big hug and welcomed me to the community. I love this town. NAMASTE.

I worked again yesterday until 2pm and then went on some trails with new friends Steve and Pat. It was sunny and beautiful out with a nice breeze. We went on the Rainforest Trail in Tofino first. It was a short trail but absolutely stunning - unfortunately for Steve the highlight was when he completely bailed and slid down the mud. I had my camera but the batteries needed to be changed. I wish I could have snapped a picture! I'm still laughing about it to his displeasure...

Next we went to the Wild Pacific Trail in Ukee (home of coworker Andy). It was a perfect day to do this trail. It was so bright and sunny and again I'm smacking myself for not changing the batteries in my camera before leaving. We must have sat at one lookout for over 20 minutes staring at massive waves breaking against the rocks. It was gorgeous and otherworldly watching the sunset.

Afterwards, Steve dropped me off at Dan and Tarni's house for dinner. I had the most delicious dinner and dessert! Shea was awake and happy when I arrived. He's changing so much and is making new sounds and facial expressions - too cute for words. We watched the Canucks game and then Dan gave me a ride back to my new home. I'm so lucky to have such wonderful family here.

It was a perfect day!

At the end of January I made a trip to Tofino with my Dad and Milena to visit Dan, Tarni, and Shea (Milena's eldest son and his family). The weather was unbelievable - as in sunny one day and a snowstorm the next. I stayed with Dan and Tarni and had such an amazing time. We ate great food, went surfing, hiked the Wild Pacific Trail, and had a great visit. Shea is such a great baby. He's very smart, aware, and happy and calm. Here are some pictures from that trip.

Greetings from Tofino!

I moved here yesterday after getting a job at "Whaler's on the Point Hostel and Guesthouse" on Tuesday. Whaler's is now my new home. The journey here was quite pleasant, with sunshine, and very few cars on the road. I spent the day getting settled, doing a bit of grocery shopping, and hanging out with my roommate Maja (pronounced Maya). She is 20 years old and from Cologne, Germany. She is the nicest girl and I think we'll have tons of fun together. Everyone who works here is great - my coworker Steve cooked me dinner tonight! The guests are also very amusing. Today I met people from France, Netherlands, Germany, England, and Australia. Accents everywhere - and I brushed up on my french with a fellow from Paris.

I worked today from 7:30am-2pm and was busy learning the ropes. I don't think I will have any problems with the computer systems or with the tasks. It's a lot of fun! I do have to do a bit of housekeeping but it's nothing gross so I don't mind :)

I made this little video so you can see where I now live and work. Sorry that it's a bit shaky, I was making it in a rush before dinner. Expect more on the way! I am so happy to be here. I love living on Tofino Time.

My oh my, time has gone by.

As we all know I did make it back to Vancouver from PG, but apparently this blog didn't! I've had a busy, intense, exciting, and trying year but I am doing just fine. Not that it's possible for me to recap an entire year in one post, but I am going to try to do my best.

HIGHLIGHTS:

- going to the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California (April '07)
- helping Brett start his first business in Steveston (April-June '07)

- going to V-Fest at Thunderbird Stadium (May '07)

- going to Florida with my Dad (June '07)
- going to Shambhala Music Festival in Nelson (August '07)

- being on the "Jeff O'Neil Morning Show" on 99.3 The Fox for three weeks for Wear the Fox Hat 2 (October '07)

- being on Rock 101 hosting "What's in the Van Man?"(November '07)

- seeing too many bands to name but highlights include Rage Against The Machine, Roger Waters, Neil Young, The Police, Amy Winehouse...

- becoming a Yogi and learning to better care for myself

LOWLIGHTS:

- breaking up with Brett for good after over 4 years together (July '07)

- being in Richmond Hospital (December '07)

Although I will say that I have had a rough couple of months, it's obvious that I also have had many wonderful experiences. I am putting my health first and am dedicated to gaining mental, physical, and emotional strength from 2008 until the day I die!