We're Going On A (Real Live) Bear Hunt (Watch)!

Um...we have a baby...will it be safe?!

Everyone thought we were crazy, travelling with a 5 month old baby. And not just travelling, but we were heading to the other side of the world....CANADA! 'Poor little thing getting dragged by her parents all the way over there, just to fulfil some selfish plans of theirs, how inconsiderate of them to want to take such a big trip with a baby!!! She will never remember any of it!' Pft! There were a handful of supporters, saying encouraging things like 'Oh, if you are going to do a trip like that, this is the perfect time for it. Before she can walk, crawl or roll, while she is free to fly! It will be much harder to go when she is older.'

Two of our best friends are living in Canada and were halfway through their 4 year stay. We were desperately missing them and had vowed before they left that we would visit them sometime during that 4 years. Yet all of a sudden we were having a baby. When Greg suggested we go anyway once the baby was born I was initially skeptical, then committed to the idea! As long as the baby was settled enough, we would go. So we waited to see what the luck of the draw would bring us and were delighted when we met Lucy May Granger - a sweet little placid girl who could be fixed by either changing, feeding or sleeping. Hooray! After consultation with our friends regarding dates and if indeed their invitation to stay could also include the baby, we bought our tickets without much more thought. And to the great surprise of many we planned a five week trip to Canada, travelling the Rockies, and visiting Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver Island and Whistler.

Now, if any of you know my husband, he loves his outdoors and even more so his wildlife. So he was extremely keen to check out any Canadian animals we could find, moose, elk, whitetailed deer, squirrels, etc etc etc. And me? Well, of course I was looking forward to seeing deer...but I was more excited/anxious to see a BEAR! Now, our friend's parents had been to Canada only a few months earlier and had seen about 5 or 6 bears just by driving around the rockies, so we were expecting big things as far as bear sightings were concerned. And we looked for them everywhere we went. In fact, we actually went driving around the small towns we stayed in at dusk trying to seek them out! 'Wildlife watch'.

And I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Because what if we actually did come across a bear? A real, huge, scary big bear!? What if it was by the side of the road? Would we stop at a respectful distance, or would we drive straight past it, hoping to God that it wouldn't jump out in front of our car (they are like Kangaroos over there, except they cause much worse damage!).

On our Wildlife Watch drives we indeed spotted so many magnificant beasts, elk were coming out our ears. We really wanted to see a moose and a bear, but we just kept spotting massive elk bucks. We could get so close to them too - Greg took the below photo from maybe only 10m away! And they can be dangerous too - as can Kangeroos. See those antlers? They have a good use for idiot tourists annoying them too much! Let me show you a pic of how gorgeous they are, and you can rightfully judge us for our lack of respect by the end of the first week! 'Oh great! Another elk buck. Where are the moose? Where are the bears!?'

 Boring!

So as we neared the end of our rockies tour (which was at the beginning of our trip), we heard from a tour guide that he lived in Canada for 4 years before he first sighted a bear and our disappointment was heavy. We forgot about seeing the bears. Well, when I say we forgot, perhaps I mean we gave up on actually seeing a bear. They were always in my mind though, I didn't forget them for one second. Anytime we stepped out of the car, I was at the ready to protect the bite-sized Lucy at all costs. And there were constant and very real warnings everywhere about the bears too. We saw a sign that stated 'to go beyond this point you MUST have 4 or more people in a group'! My mind was full of bear related questions. If the bears den got covered over by an avalanche while the bear was hybernating, would the bear be able to breathe? And do bears mate for life and carry on as a family or do they just find a new partner each year? Do they hybernate together? Were bears like snakes in Australia (meaning that snakes are common, but rarely are actually seen). Much to Gregs amusement, then frustration, I voiced all these questions (and many many more!) out loud, to which I got very little answers! 

And then it happened! It was our 3rd last day in Canada. The end of a very long trip during which we had not even spotted a bear from a distance. And we spoke to man who told us very matter of factly that if we wanted to see bears, just go to this place at an inlet from the ocean and they would be there, filling up on the salmon swimming upstream in preparation for their winter hybernation! As if it were that easy!!! And we almost didn't take that 45 minute drive to the location mentioned...but thankfully we took a risk and did so. And we saw our very first Black Bear as we drove down to the hatchery alongside this inlet. I was beside myself. Greg was amazed! We were so happy! We had been reassured by the hatchery staff that because there would be so much food to keep the bears attention that they wouldn't be bothered by us at all, that we could actually get quite close to them and view them from just the other side of the river. And that it was safe with Lucy too. 

Now, it did run through our minds that perhaps we would be in the news the following day...those dickhead arrogant Austalian tourists (AND stupid first time parents!) who thought they could get close to one of the most dangerous wild animals in the world and live to tell the tale. Those poor people who got mauled and their baby taken too! So Greg thought he'd check it out. You should have seen the looks on our faces. We were excited and also terrified, elated and nervous all at once. I told him I loved him....just in case. And then some locals arrived, climbed out of their car nonchallantly and walked close to where the bears would be. So Greg followed and then signalled for me to come too - I left Lucy in the car initially, then took her out once we established that the bears didn't really care that we were within attacking distance! 

And although it sounds like the most dangerous thing in the world, it was actually okay. And the most amazing experience of our entire Canadian trip. To see those bears, so huge and magestic, swatting massive salmon right out of the water onto the banks just like a John West commercial was the most awe inspiring moment. Like we were now privy to a secret world that no zoo could ever show you. There were no fences. Nothing between them and us. It was completely exhillerating...and honestly the most scared I have ever been in my life. Our hearts were beating so fast, our eyes darting around to make sure those giants didn't have us surrounded at any point in time. And we were blessed to see a mother and her cub, that would have been born around Lucy's birthday too...like we were living parralel existences. 

Mumma and cub

We were so glad we listened to that man and took a chance by getting out of our car, although without the locals who turned up and acted as our protectors and tour guides, there is no way we would have got Lucy out of the car. We saw seven bears including the mumma and cub, some large daddy bears, other smaller bears. All bigger than us though. And you couldn't wipe the grins off our faces for days to come.

Big Papa!

Occasionally, I have nightmares that this bear turns towards us and attacks. I suppose we didn't walk away from that encounter completely unscarred. But who else can say they have witnessed such amazing scenes in nature? 

And as if Canada was laughing at our disbelief of the bears, the following day at Whistler we saw another bear trundle across the slopes of Whistler mountain, within veiwing distance from our room balcony. We would have been so excited just to see that! Yet because of the day before, we were now the nonchallant. Meh! Another bear. We almost touched the ones on Vancouver Island. This Whistler bear has nothing on them! 

Ciao for now, 

LG, Life's Good!

 

Everyone is a little OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

It just has to be THIS way!

I used to fancy myself completely flexible, interchangeable and certainly non-committal. I was the one who didn't need things to be done in any certain order, nor did I require specific processes or methods to be followed when completing tasks. I marvelled at those pedantic folk who had their own little reasons for needing things 'just so'. It was beyond me how anyone could possibly be that organised to do it the same way each time. I was incredulous to realise that others went one step more to be so observant that they would notice if someone did that task (whatever the task was) in the non-preferred method. And then I was absolutely baffled when they cared enough to point out that the other person could be doing it a little better by doing it their way.

Why so surprised? Because I can't be arsed! I couldn't care how Greg hangs the washing, I am simply grateful that he does. And I don't really care which way we go to get to a location, because as long as we get there, I couldn't give a rats! And I wouldn't bother to explain how I would prefer it, even if I did have a preference because its too hard to explain my logic. Basically, I'm a lazy doer, lazy observer and lazy conversationalist.

But those who care, man am I impressed by them! They really care about the stuff that just doesn't actually make a difference in the world. Does it really make a difference the order in which you get dressed everyday, as long as you end up in all your clothes? And does it really calm you down to know you have switched the light on, then off again, and then on again before sitting down? Now I know there are those out there who actually struggle with this as a real mental illness. Please forgive me for making light of your situation in such a blaze fashion...I am more aiming my commentary at those who are at the lower end of the scale, and I hope it by pondering this phenomenon I am not offending you.

Because I come across those who have their preferences, I am in awe of their attention to detail and their commitment to the cause, whatever it may be. And I have discovered some very funny little traits of my dear friends and family over the years. Some are as simple as pressing the car remote lock several times as they walk off just to ensure they have definitely locked their vehicle. Then there are the normal household ones, like how someone prefers their veggies to be cooked, which timer to use (microwave or stove) or what channel the TV should be left on before they go to bed so they don't have to change it in the morning. And then there are the very amusing ones....like making sure the lip of your disposable cup lid is directly opposite the seam of the paper cup...EVERY TIME! And completely nuding up to do number twos, EVERY TIME! You know who you are, and I want you to know this is my favourite OCD tendency of all.

They say everyone is on the OCD scale somewhere, we all have a little something we do.  But I didn't think I had anything - until this afternoon! I have finally discovered my thing! And it isn't anything big or complicated. It is as simple as making sure when I put the cutlery into the dishwasher basket, that each little section has a knife, fork and spoon in it, until I run out of cutlery. Because once, two spoons tucked together (they were spooning!) and the inside of their spooning cuddle didn't come out clean. So now, no spoon can be with another. And as a result the forks and knives much suffer in silence and solitude too! So there you have it - I do have something that has to be done just this way.

And I actually feel a little saddened that I too fit into the norm. I had hoped to be in the outside of the scale, that perhaps I was that one person who didn't have OCD in me at all. I mean, there is a lot to be said for finding the most efficient way to do something. But I just usually forget how I did it last time, so no process or particular activity prevails. But here I am on the boring end of the spectrum with my dishwasher particulars. I kind of wished I had a few more interesting little things. I'm sure I will discover more and more over time, and I'll keep you updated.

Let me know if you have any OCD traits - however embarrassing or boring they might be.

Ciao for now,
LG, Life's Good!

Hobby Audition #1 - ZUMBA!

It will be the fastest 45 minutes of exercise you ever do........!

I think I have been a quitter for much of my life. As a kid/teenager I took piano lessons, jazz ballet (off and on), clarinet lessons, joined a marching band, did singing lessons, swimming club and started up several other hobbies I thought I'd like but didn't. Like going to the gym. But that's for another day. Anyway, I gave up a lot of these activities because I didn't want to put the hours of practise in that was required of me. I'd rather play with the kids in my street, read a book, watch TV, anything but do my practise. I also had this approach to homework. Although, whenever I completed something that I put some effort into, I felt a great sense of reward and often achieved pretty good results.

My quitting habit has carried through into my grown up life, and can be seen in many different lights. I can't tell you how many appointments, coffee dates, dinner plans and/or social events I have quit (cancelled, not turned up to, couldn't find the energy to get to) over the years. And please, for those reading this who I may have cancelled on once or 500 times during our friendship, take note: it is not you, it's me. I simply can't get out of the house some days. I don't know whether its because I mentally don't have the strength, or if physically I am fatigued, but sometimes it is all too hard.

And don't even get me started on all the crash diets, exercise programs, gym memberships etc etc etc.

So, immediately after I posted my blog last week, I regretted telling you all that I was planning to try Zumba! After I posted that blog, I thought to myself "well, now you can't get out of it!". Because honestly, the old me would have made any excuse in the book to not go. I couldn't go because of Lucy. I couldn't go because Greg needed to work late. Because I was tired and hadn't slept a wink in the past week. Because I didn't have appropriate clothes. And so on.

But the new me was honest. I told you what I wanted to do. And I was actually looking forward to it! This is one of the more obvious results of my hypnosis for a healthy lifestyle. The peace in my head once I decide to do something is bliss. The excuses don't run thick and fast anymore. And I actually look forward to my new choice, rather than shy away from it.

So all day yesterday I was busting with anticipation... what would it be like? Now, as I mentioned previously, my sister in law KJ is the instructor, so I couldn't slack off! It wasn't just some random class where I knew nobody. I had to do my best! In my excitement, I turned up too early and had to sit in my car for 25 minutes waiting for everyone else to arrive! Oops!

And you know what? For someone who always just assumed they had lost more grace and coordination with each kilogram gained, I owned it! I couldn't believe how quickly and easily I could take up the steps. In fact I was delighted that as I moved, my love of dance came flooding back. And I just listened to the music and got my groove on. I felt hell sexy, shaking my hips and stepping it out with shimmys and grapevines! And the best part of the whole thing!? There were no mirrors to show me what I really looked like, so in my mind I was the perfect reflection of coordination and skill that KJ displayed. I WILL be going every week, it is so enjoyable to just forget everything else, focus on the body and getting it moving in ways it hasn't for ages.

And I am just so proud of myself. Since KJ started up her Zumba classes early last year I have always said I'd like to go but haven't. And I had quite valid reasons (being pregnant, not being able to walk etc). But since I had Lucy and got my strength back, I have never been quite brave enough to just go. So I want to thank my blog readers. It isn't that anyone actually suggested Zumba. But I feel that by writing about my challenge in finding something for me to enjoy, I have been able to really remember what I enjoy doing and how I could use that today. It wasn't until writing this blog that I remembered I used to enjoy dancing. I had forgotten all about my ability to move, the rhythm in my bones, the beat of the music that makes me groove. And the fact that you guys are still reading along just encourages me further to be more and more honest with you about my struggles and my achievements.

So if there is something that you want to give a go, but haven't had the balls to do so yet JUST DO IT! I hope you can understand that overcoming your fears provides so much satisfaction, so much joy and pride that it is well worth it. Even if you don't enjoy the very thing you want to try, just giving it a go will do you the world of good.

Yesterday on some daytime TV show I heard a man talking about self-esteem. He said that people become smaller or bigger in their own eyes depending on how they live life. And if you do a few things each day that you would want your 'better-self' to do, you will grow in your own eyes to become more and more the man/woman you want to be. If you wished you were a cleaner person, doing the vacuuming will help you to respect yourself more. It is a small task, yet you will like what you have done, and you will be a cleaner person that day. (I need to vacuum today!) If you want to be fitter, going for a walk will increase your image of yourself becoming a healthy person. And if you want to be brave, trying the very thing you have been putting off will allow you to believe in yourself and know that you have given something new (and scary) a go. You will probably end up happy, inspired and excited to go again!

So tell me what it is you have in the back of your mind, be brave enough to name it publicly. Then go and do it. Use the public admission as inspiration, and come back to report what you have achieved! You can do it!!! 

Ciao for now,
LG, Life's Good!