Saturday, May 21, 2011

Take Me Home Country Roads

"Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong"
                  - Take Me Home Country Roads by John Denver

I am coming home in 3 days!

Just for a short visit, but still, I am super excited!

In addition to spending time with my wonderful friends and family there is one thing that I am dying to do when I get back - drive my dad's truck down the dirt roads, in my bare feet, with the windows down, blaring country music, taking in the beautiful scenery and fresh air of Wolfe Island.

"The radio reminds me of my home far away
And drivin down the road I get a feelin
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday"

It sounds a bit silly, I know, but driving down those country roads is something that I can't get enough of. When I am away from home and listen to country music I picture myself behind the wheel and cruising alongside fields and farmhouses. When I am home and able to bring that dream back to life I can't ignore the fact that it gives me this indescribable euphoric feeling. I just belt out that Faith Hill song with a big smile on my face like nothing could ever go wrong. (Well, unless some sort of wildlife decides to jump out of the bush.)

So, I am coming home! Can't wait for all that is in store! Babies! Bonfires! Friends! Family! The Farm! The Fields! The Food I miss! Like chocolate milk! Man, I could go for some good chocolate milk right now.

I'm just so excited for the comfortable feeling that being home gives me.

"Life is old there
Older than the trees
Younger than the mountains
Growin like a breeze"

It's this same kind of feeling of being old but new at the same time. The Wolfe Island lifestyle feels old because it's a small, tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone's business and no one is too busy to lend a helping hand. But it also brings me a feeling of youth because when I am home I am the farmer's daughter, just another kid from that large, farming, Dutch family up the road. I love the idea that on those country roads I have a clear sense of who I am as who everyone knows me to be. It's easy to lose that sense of self when you're off living in a new place surrounded by new people.

So, I am going home! I'm ready for a good dosage of all the good things that home has to offer. I am ready to feel completely comfortable in my surroundings. I am ready to have fun! And I am ready to leave again to come back to Scotland with a renewed self-awareness and confidence.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Somebody's Hero

"The voice that brings Snow White to life
Bedtime stories every night
And that smile lets her know
She's somebody's hero
                          - Somebody's Hero by Jamie O'Neal

In light of this weekend's celebrated Mother's Day I have decided to write a blog post about my loving and beautiful mother!

My Beautiful Mother
My mom is my hero. For my reasoning behind this, I know I wouldn't have to go any further than saying that she has given birth to and raised eleven children. But, I will, because beyond that unbelievable feat she has conquered so many of life's challenges and has still managed to hold on to her graceful demeanour, let alone her sanity!

"She's never pulled anyone from a burning building
She's never rocked Central Park to a half a million fans, screaming out her name
She's never hit a shot to win the game
She's never left her footprints on the moon
She's never made a solo hot air balloon ride, around the world"

The main message of this song is that motherhood is on par with - if not more admirable than - all of the courageous, fulfilling, victorious, ground-breaking, dedicated lifestyles that exist in this world. Not only do I stand behind the fact that my mom holds true to this statement, but I also know that she whole-heartedly believes in this too. That's what makes her such a devout and caring mother.

Just as it says in these lyrics, my mom hasn't done any of these single life-altering acts. Rather, ever since she became pregnant with her first child 38 years ago, she has and will always continue to live her life filled with these types acts and choices that influence so many lives around her, especially her children.

"She didn't get a check every week like a nine-to fiver
But she's been a waiter, and a cook and a taxi driver

Living the life of a stay-at-home mom was no doubt a difficult job as a mother of so many children. But my mom did it and I could not be more grateful, amazed, and inspired! When I think about all of the things and people she had to tend to at any given time on any given day it blows my mind.

She told me a story once about when I was one year old and I wasn't eating as much as she knew to be healthy. She brought me to the doctor who ordered her to write down every food and drink that I was offered and did or did not consume. She was to bring this to a pediatrician in something like a week or two's time. As you can imagine, with me being the eighth child to tend to, this was a rather inconvenient and painstaking task. But, being the fabulously dedicated mother that she is, she took note of everything and reported to the pediatrician with a detailed list in hand. Unfortunately, in spite of her concerns and enduring efforts, the pediatrician quickly came to the conclusion that I was simply not interested in food at this point in time, and that I'll gradually grow out of it.
Me and Mom havin' a ball!
I love this story because it shows how much my mom was dedicated to the well being of her children and it just adds to my amazement that she is still such a kind, easy-going lady after having had to deal with countless frustrating scenarios such as this one.

"Giving all her love to her was her life's ambition"

This line couldn't be more true when talking about my mom. Mom's greatest attribute, as well as ambition, was giving all of her love to all of the ones she cared about. Writing this post reminds me of the one I wrote not too long ago about my sister. Alicia obviously learned a lot from my mom and the path that she chose to follow surely was influenced and inspired by the life of my mother's. Both my mom and Alicia have dedicated their lives to love. Giving love and teaching love. Both choosing a life that is fulfilling beyond any other and carrying out the dream that they have always dreamed of.

As much as I aspire to live this dream life at some point in the future as well, I'd like to think that I am a living reflection of another side of my mom. There is a part of my mom that gets so excited for me when I decide to venture off on my travels and, I don't know, maybe wishes a little that she was tagging along too. When I see that part of her come out I resist the feeling of guilt and replace it with pride. I don't believe that I should feel bad that I am doing these things and she isn't. I am proud that I can bring to life that dream that she didn't have the means to bring to life herself. I know that, just like Alicia, my mom is a hundred percent happy with the life decisions she has made and God knows she has made for a great role model in so many lives. So maybe it's a bit audacious of me to assume that I am a daughter carrying out her mother's dream - but it kinda makes it seem a little more worth it, you know. It makes me feel that much more excited to tell her about my experiences, and that much more eager to add more and more to the list. 

But, with all that aside, I can say with out a doubt that my mom is the number one woman who will not only always inspire and amaze me but will also drop anything to lend me a helping hand. Whether it be providing me with advice on how to get stains out or advice on how to deal with various relationship problems; or whether it be providing me with a vehicle to help me move or a joke to help me laugh, that lady is one outstanding mother!
I Love You, Mom!

"She's somebody's hero
A hero to her baby with a skinned up knee
A little kiss is all she needs"

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Sun Giant

"What a life I lead in the summer
What a life I lead in the spring
What a life I lead when the wind, it breathes
What a life I lead in the spring"
                           - Sun Giant by Fleet Foxes

I have recently fallen in love with this band, Fleet Foxes. I am going to see them play in Edinburgh on June 29th! So excited!

This particular song is very short and to the point, dedicated to the undeniable fact of how great life is. I wanted to use this one for my post today because I am very pleased with my life right now.

This thought came to me a few days ago, as my friend Natalie drove me to a train station in the south of France (I'll get to that trip in a minute). She said, "We lead such crazy lives! Next time we see each other we will be in Germany!" (I'll get to that later too.)

As you may have noticed, I haven't been keeping up on my blogging. I apologize for not providing you readers with the riveting tales of my life but the truth is, the past couple of months haven't really been all too exciting. I didn't want to write posts just for the sake of writing when I really didn't have anything of value to talk about. That's why I am glad I had those people dedication posts to write, it kept the focus off the fact that I had nothing to talk about in my present life.

But, things are a-changin'!

Firstly, let me tell you about my traveling plans!

"What a life I lead when the sun breaks free
As a giant torn from the clouds"

Eiffel Tower and Sunset!
Natalia and I at the base of the Eiffel Tower
So last week I went to France. I left Edinburgh at around 2:00pm on Wednesday and arrived in Paris at around 6:00pm. I then had all of that night and the majority of the day on Thursday to see as much of Paris as I could.  I was there to see my lovely friend Natalia who is doing an exchange in Paris and also meet up with my friend Steph who was finishing a three-week backpacking trip on the night I arrived. It was kind of fun being on such a tight schedule - running around the city, snapping photographs and taking in as much of the Parisian lifestyle as possible (ie: eating crepes for every meal haha).
At around 7:00pm on Thursday I got on a train headed south to the city of Montpelier. There, I met up with my friend Natalie who is currently an Au pair for a little French family. I had a full day on Friday to hang out on a white sandy beach and catch up with Natalie (after not seeing her since Christmas in London). But before I knew it, I was back at the airport headed back to Scotland.

Natalie and I in Grande-Motte, France
It was a very short trip but I am really glad I did it. After living a relatively uneventful life for the past couple months, I needed something to look forward to as well as a reminder of what I am doing here. It has taken me quite a while but I am finally starting to focus more on the positive results of this whole life decision. Although March and April were a tad bit boring - basically just going from work to home and back again, I haven't been as unsure of everything as

I had been a while back. I am always trying to keep myself occupied with going for walks around this beautiful city, going for runs, and one time I went on a little adventure to a small coastal town and wandered around in a castle. Sometimes I wish I would just be more happy to sleep in on my day off and not be so keen on getting out and doing things. But alas, I demand myself to enjoy my time in Scotland because even though sometimes the present Becca is content in staying under the covers, I know the future Becca is going to be kicking herself for not living more while I am in such a beautiful country.
Me in Dirleton Castle

"What a life I lead when the wind, it breathes"

It's funny how much I have realized about myself since having moved here and finding myself on my own a lot. Recently, I have recognized this constant need for variety in life, and quite frankly I am sort of annoyed with myself about it. I have always believed that I am not one for living a structured lifestyle - you know, with a 9-5 job. I've had this vision of being a bit more nomadic and free of routine. So when I do find myself in anything resembling structured I try to find a way to hold on to this vision. If I don't have something to look forward to, or I am not in the middle of a project I am passionate about, or I am not completely satisfied with what's going on in my everyday life, I need change immediately. I think the reason why I have never really taken notice of this trait is because, prior to this year, I have always been in school. Living the structured lifestyle of a student doesn't really accommodate to a strong desire to change; and I guess I always had graduation to look forward to. But now, I have so much freedom I feel the need to use it in any and every way that I want to. So, I have come to conclusion that I am too obsessed with being happy in the present that it distracts me from actually doing so... if that makes any sense at all. This realization has also made me come to the conclusion that I can indulge in this constant need for variety while simultaneously living a structured lifestyle. As long as I have little things like projects or organizing trips or gatherings I can live in a routine with work and other everyday things. For now anyways (I still think my career is going to tend to my free-bird and nomadic needs).

Okay, so I just went on a bit of tangent there, that was supposed to be a kind of side note acting as a segue into my exciting news about my future...

"What a life I lead in the spring"

So, I'm moving!! I am super excited for this move because it's getting me out of this not so aesthetically pleasing flat with a tad-bit dysfunctional flat-share system, some disrespectful flatmates, and a crummy landlord to a beautiful, homey flat with one very cool young woman. I am so so so excited to get settled into my new flat! It's going to make a world of difference in my whole Scottish experience. So that is something I am very much looking forward to. Another great thing happening in the near future is my friend Chance's visit! After having her stay with me for a few days I will have reunited with all of my closest university friends on this side of the Atlantic! How exciting! AND I am going home to Canada for a short visit at the end of this month too! So incredibly thrilled to see my family and friends soon!

"What a life I lead in the summer"

In June, my friends Gillian and Courtney are also planning visits to see me. So I am super pumped for the great times we will share! NYE in NYC 2008 does Scotland 2011!
I am also looking forward to my trip in July. As I briefly mentioned before, me and Natalie are meeting up to do some backpacking throughout all of Germany and the Netherlands. I am not quite sure how long this trip will be yet but some of the planning has already been set in motion and it's going to be awesome!

Then it's the famous Fringe Festival in August here in Edinburgh which I am also so intrigued about after hearing so much about it.

Then sometime in September I am moving back to Canada!

So, as I said, things are a-changin' and I couldn't be happier!