The Thing About Regrets

Stream - Jasper, AB, Canada

I once heard someone say: Don't have any regrets. At the time, every decision you made was yours, it was made by choice and you decided on what was best for you back then.

It was probably not those exact words that I heard, but I remember the meaning, the message.

I thought it was such a nice, and true, thing to say...

But then I realised: What about the decisions we were so unsure about? What about the times we acted on something, already wondering if we'd regret it?

First Impressions

What is it that makes us love (or hate) a city, a town...?

Harvard - Boston, MA, USA

Waterside - Boston, MA, USA

The first impression usually comes from the people, the weather and the architecture. Smiling people make you wanna smile back, sunny weather makes you want to go explore and the architecture sometimes even makes you want to live there! 

I arrived in Boston on a sunny late afternoon. The air felt warmer than back home, the sun was more than welcoming. I found a city full of happy, lively people. It made me want to  get some trainers and go running along with Harvard students, by the waterside, where rowers smoothly conquered the river. As for architecture, I must have fallen in love with a dozen different appartments and houses within the first few minutes...

Go explore!

"I hope this old train breaks down" - Jack Johnson

Pebble Beach - Nice, France

In search for the unexpected.

Sometimes, the best things in life are unplanned. 

Often, they're the uncalled adventure.

It's about turning something that seems negative into a surprisingly positive experience.

One of my favorite games

It starts by asking yourself: Where was I this time last year? (My answer: Sydney, Australia)

Rainbow Beach - QLD, Australia

And then think of all the things that you managed to do from that day on, up until today... 

My answer: Got a new position at work, visited the East coast of Australia, quit my job, went to Fiji, met my sister and then a friend in Hawaii, when to California for the first time, ended a long term relationship, started a new job... all the while making new friends from around the world!

And if I added the things I learned: Diving, driving stick, how to listen to my intuition, learned about different cultures, the list could go on and on.

It makes me realise that a year goes by really quick. But I can still make the most of it, I can still do a lot of pretty amazing things!

My Canadian cliché

Canadian Rockies - BC, Canada

I asked what comes to your mind when you think about Canadians:

1 Maple Syrup

3 Ice Hockey

1 Eh!

2 The Rockies

I can't say I'm surprised with the winner here. But my own favorite is definitely Maple Syrup. I could eat it at anytime and with anything! Yes, I say Eh, I learned how to snowboard in the Rockies and I have dated a hockey player, but for me, nothing speaks Canadian the way Maple Syrup does. When I'm away from home, I crave Maple Syrup, not a hockey game... You can give me maple butter or put it in a recipe, but I'll be offended if you try and give me maple-flavoured syrup!

I don't mean to brag but Canada produces most of the world's supplies (Quebec being the largest producer!!) so next time you're around this time of the year, make a stop at the Sugar Shack and understand the true meaning of the Canadian flag!

Materialism? Or Therapy?

A hole in the world.
A hole in the mind, in the heart.
A hole in my pocket.

 California, USA

I bought a pair of shoes because I needed it.
But while I was at it I thought I might as well spoil myself and get the One pair of Red Shoes.
It felt so nice and I was excited at the thought of wearing them.
Wore them for a whole day...and I needed more.

My #1 value

Why do people lie?

This is one thing I probably will never understand... Isn't it so much easier to simply tell the truth? Instead of spending energy trying to make up a plausible lie? 

If you do or say something, you need to be able to face the consequences and this includes facing the fact that other people should and will know the truth.

Innocent butterfly - Costa Rica

It's one thing to lie to a stranger about things that are just none of their business, but why lie to the people you love and care about? I have enough respect for my friends and family to let them know the truth.