Three Moments of Gratitude

Something you feel grateful for in the moment
Something you did yesterday which was awesome
Do something great today

Thursday 19th March

My family is safe and we are together
See the completion of our new patio
Get a handle on the projects and feel in control

10th - 12th July 1998

Friday 10th July
Woke up very stiff and twinging slightly.  Not a very eventful day.  Slept, talked, read, slept, wrote ....apparently we're an hour and a half late.  So we won't be in Toronto until 11pm.
Scott waited for us and picked us up and drove me to the hostel.  It was right opposite hookers corner but it wasn't bad.  It was kind of strange having Claire leave after all this time but I coped.  I showered and read and then fell asleep.

Saturday 11th July
Changed my wake-up call twice and eventually got up at 9:15am.  My plan was to go shopping today and then catch the later train to Niagara but Novella was working so she said it would be better if I go the earlier train.  So then I had forty minutes to get to the station. I checked out and hailed a cab on the street.  I had 10 minutes to catch the train and I made it.
Two hours later I arrived in Niagara Falls.  I called Novella and she wasn't there so I hoped she was on here way to pick me up.  She arrived about 20minutes later and I was so happy to see her.  We went straight home and soon Novella had to go to work. It was a hard life with the tv - Spice Girls on tv all night, and the pool!  We got some videos - I watched "A Life Less Ordinary" and chatted with Novella for a while.

<these are extracts from my diaries written whilst travelling and working in Canada and the US in '97-'98>

6th - 9th July 1998

Monday 6th July
We had cooked breakfasts and spoke to our parents.  Then we went into the city to get ISIC's, train tickets and meet Jamie for lunch.  It was good to see him again.  We hung out at the waterfront centre and then went to find Mountain Equipment Co-op to buy new bags.  We bought the same ones - they were on sale for $20.  We then went home.  We had a really nice meal - roast beef and talked until we went to bed.

Tuesday 7th July
We had plans to go to Queen Elizabeth Park today but both Claire and I had a bad night's sleep and slept in.  We had another cooked breakfast and then showered and packed our stuff.  We followed Audrey's directions to the mall and took a slight detour.  We bought food for our journey - cookies, crackers, pot noodles.  We then went back and watched tv.  Claire finally got hold of Prentice and Toni but unfortunately they're not going to be in on Friday.  So our plans have to change.  Claire called Dave but he is going to be on a field trip.  She also called Scott - whose Mum knew exactly who she was and said she was more than welcome to stay.  I also called Novella who wasn't in but her Mum was lovely, she also offered us somewhere to stay.
Audrey cooked us a carbo loading dinner, spag bol and we left soon after.  We checked in our bags and joined the queue.
We found seats between a huge American tour group and a couple of families with kids!  And so we settled down to our journey.

Wednesday 8th July
Didn't sleep at all well.  Not enough room and too light.  I woke up when they announced some waterfalls - pyramid falls!
Haven't found any telephones as yet.
We saw Mount Robson - the highest point in the Canadian Rockies, and we stopped in Jasper.  Would you believe it the moment we stopped a thunderstorm appeared so we all got wet!
Claire's disappeared up to the observation dome so now it's more comfortable in our proper seats.  I'm afraid to say I slept through most of the amazing scenery in the Rockies - and now we're almost in the Prairies.
I've written to both Liz and Joe.   I'm missing the latter quite a bit - and I really hope he visits.  I just with we had a longer time together.
We stopped also in Edmonton - where Joe lived for a while.  While we were there Claire called Scott.  This time he was in and I think he's going to pick her up and let her stay for a while.

Thursday 9th July
Evil Aaron's birthday!
Slept in quite late.  Today was prairies and lots of them.  We stopped in Winnipeg around lunchtime and basically spent the whole time on the 'phone.
Claire called Scott again although he wasn't in.  I called Novella and Aaron and listened to my messages.  1 from Darren explaining that Rich had just left and he couldn't give me his telekey.  1 from Novella and me on the other one.  I had another one from Novella just before we left giving me the name of somewhere to stay in Toronto.
We explored the Forks market super-quick and would you know it met Chad & Mica!  They were just driving along by the via-rail station.  It's just crazy!
We stopped again at a tiny place called Sioux Lookout - I booked a room for Friday night.
By now we had changed seats to a 4 seater but now we had to share it with Alison, on her way to be a beautician in Toronto.
I couldn't get to sleep very well so I took 5 or so blankets and set up a bed between the seats.

<these are extracts from my diaries written whilst travelling and working in Canada and the US in '97-'98>

3rd - 5th July 1998

Friday 3rd July
Claire got up for 7 to go fishing with J and Chris.  I got up at 11am to meet her at the pod.  We then went and did final business.  Cashed our cheques, bought presents and I finally got to do the Big Tree Trail.  Now I'm at work for my last working shift in Canada.  Kind of sad really!
Work was ok - I think.  I don't really remember now. Kevin said when I'm married and have kids I should come back and visit.  It was quite sad saying goodbye.  We had a couple of options for tonight and we decided on Joe's.  Tara had invited me out for a drink after work - so I went over to drop off my stuff.  Claire was in her pjs and I figured it was kind of rude to appear and then go straight out again. So I stayed and we went to bed.

Saturday 4th July
We slept in late and decided to go out for brunch to the Alleyway.  We met Ian an English guy who we chatted to on Wednesday.  After lunch we went to see if we could get on any whale watches.  On the way, by the co-op carpark there was a whole heap of people.  A juvenile eagle had hit the power lines and fallen on the pavement.  It was obviously stunned and freaked out if anyone got close.  We stood and watched for a while until Wilfred arrived to sort it out.  By this time we were late for most whale-watches, but the whale centre had one at 2pm.  So to kill and hour we went to the coffee pod - and who should be sitting at the computer but Rich!  He'd arrived with his friend Piers from Alaska - leaving Jon homeless and destitute with a criminal record!  He'd been arrested for stealing cheese!  We sat with them for a while and as a result had to run to catch our boat.  The whales put on a good show - lots of tails.
We arrived back at the coffee pod, running to the toilet.  Ilan was there already and we formulated plans for the evening.
We decided to go get out stuff from the B&W and drop it off at Liz's.  Luckily we arrived at Sim City just as Jay did.  He, apparently, didn't realise that Liz was coming back and we were staying.  We decided that we should call her and surprise, surprise she was working!  So she couldn't come to Tofino but she said she'd drive up after work.  We told her that it didn't matter and we'd make other arrangements but she insisted.
So we drank our cider and organised our packs.  Deidre said we could stay there anyway as she wasn't going to be there tonight.  That was a great relief as we didn't really want to spend our last night in Tofino, sleeping on the beach.
Our night out was good.  I chatted to Christy quite a bit.  Claire pulled a German whilst being inebriated by Brendan.  Everyone wanted to go to the beach but there was no way we could get home so we walked back with Stacey - and passed out.

Sunday 5th July
Liz didn't show.  So we had turned down 2 lifts - German guy, and Brendan, and we needed them.  If I was going to get any time with Joe we had to leave early.
After a hilarious display of "balance with a backpack" the taxi driver took us a bit out of town to the Wick.  It was here we stood for 45 minutes with no-one wanting to pick us up.  Then we started praying for Brendan.  He was supposed to be leaving Tofino at 9:30am and it would be perfect for him to get us a list as we wouldn't have to chat.  Our prayers were answered!  We called Liz from the junction and she said she'd meet as at the 7-11.  No show!  We cruised around and found Joe's apartment - no answer.  I called Liz again - this time she arrived.  Claire spent an hour or so with Brendan and Liz took me to Joes.  We banged and banged and finally he was in - bed!  I felt a bit bad as Liz had picked me up and dropped me but I just wanted to spend some time with Joe alone.  I agreed to meet Claire in Tim Horton's at 1:30pm so it was a rushed final visit.
We hung out at Tim Horton's for a while and I came to terms with saying goodbye to Joe.  Then we hitched out.  I really hope he visits me soon.  I have a good feeling about him.
Our first lift was to the outskirts and then we rode to Nanaimo in the back of a pickup.  They took us right to the ferry drop off.
Our backpacks feel kind of comforting but very heavy.  We had to take three buses once on the mainland, getting in everyone's way.  We found Audrey's house quite well, just getting off the bus a bit early.
Audrey cooked us baked banes and we showered and had a great night's sleep.

<these are extracts from my diaries written whilst travelling and working in Canada and the US in '97-'98>

29th June - 2nd July 1998

Monday 29th June
Yesterday I discovered I lost my paycheck so today I had to go to the bank and stop it - it cost me $8.25 - I guess I shouldn't be so careless!  Mum called me at work so that was nice.  We're playing softball tonight and then going to Bella Pacifica.  Claire's supposed to be going to the treehouse tonight with Al, and then tomorrow we have to move out.
I went to softball and they decided to fold one of the teams so there was too many girls - and I had to clean the van so I left.  Liz was late for work as well so I got an extra hour and half.  I went back to the Beer & Wine and cleaned out Calvin and then entertained Liz's sister and her friend.  Once Liz had finished work we went back to her place and then decided to have a girl's night in the van.  So four of us piled in and squeezed on the bed.

Tuesday 30th June
After a fitful night's sleep, we got up, showered at Liz's, stopped at the coffee pod and then went to pick up Claire in Ukee.  We picked her up and made our way back to Sim City to unpack Calvin.  Then we had to go and meet Ilan at the Coffee Pod.  Meanwhile Liz had a phone call - Joe had arrived at the Beer & Wine - he'd hitched to see me/us!  So Liz went and picked him up and I had enough time to say Hi and then I had to leave.  We were going to dinner at the Wick as Ilan gets if for half price.  So Ben, Jana, Claire, me and him went.  The food was amazing and as a result quite cheap!  Blair, Chantal's husband, kept me updated with the football score.  We had to finish eating as we had to meet Danielle at 2:30 to sell Calvin.  We were going along find and then he lost power.  We figured it was just gas.  We were about 100 metres from the insurance shop and Ben, Jana and Ilan went to get some gas from the co-op.  And Calvin started fine.  Claire dropped me off to meet Danielle while she drove the guys back to town.  The insurance place was closed until 3pm so we hung out and showed Danielle the little things in Calvin.  We had to go and get plates off Danielle's car and then take off outs. And then we left Calvin!  It was pretty sad.  Not only are we homeless but also transportless!  We commiserated at the coffee pod and then met up with Liz and Joe.  We went back to her apartment and changed - as we were dressed up to Ilan's dinner.  We then went to the Comedian.  Claire went and sat with Al, Joe and I sat alone.  We had a good chat and then once Liz finished work we went down onto the dock.  Liz wanted to go to a party - it was full of kids and I wasn't really interested.  Jay gave us his key so we walked there and bedded down.

Wednesday 1st July
Liz's sisters didn't get it until 6am and we all stayed in bed until about 1pm.  Then we all got up and showered and picked up Claire from work.  Then I went to work - which was mad!  SO busy but I got $30 tips so that can't be bad.  Joe sat with me for a bit.  The girls are went whalewatching with Scott.  I was supposed to go to the keg party but work was so bad and Claire and Joe didn't really feel like it either so we went back and watched "Wag the Dog".  Liz came in at 3:30 talking very loudly about how she pulled and then Ben and Jana came in, and then Jen and Ashley arrived.

Thursday 2nd July
Claire got up to work at 5:30am and the rest of us rolled out of bed at about midday.  We decided to meet Claire at the coffee pod and have breakfast there.  We then helped Liz pack.  Claire went fishing with J and I said goodbye to Joe.  It was very odd.  I know I've only known him a week but it was very upsetting seeing him leave.  But he did with promises to see me on Sunday.  He even made me give him my sunglasses so I would have to go see him.
Work was boring as I was training so I didn't have to do anything.  Matt heard me tell Tara that he was full of shit - so then he was mad.  I also had a message from Aaron saying he'll be out of town all weekend and won't be able to say goodbye.  This really upset me so I called his machine and said goodbye.  So goodbyes to Joe, Aaron and tension with Matt all in one evening!  We ended up sleeping in Al's van as Joe and Chantal's places both fell through.

<these are extracts from my diaries written whilst travelling and working in Canada and the US in '97-'98>

26th - 28th June 1998

Friday 26th June
Got to sleep at about 7:30am with a man's arms around me!  Woke up around 10 and had to leave because we still had to go horseback riding and I had to work at 5pm.  So we got back to Liz's and she cooked us breakfast.  Then she faffed while we watched the beginning of the England v Columbia match.  Then we went and saddled up.  My horse was Kipper, Al was on flower and Claire on Owen.  We went quite far.  Flower ate the whole way.  Owen was quite feisty but Kip was OK.  Liz and Jen led us the whole way.  When we got back I was quite gutted to find out that England won and with a Beckham goal - but I had a good horseback ride anyway.  We then had to rush showers and McDonalds so we could get to work for 5pm.  We left and encountered Liz's driving - scarily unobservant!  I had to call from the junction to say I was on the way.  I ended up being half and hour later.  So I was working without sleep and not looking very hot.  nut I got $18 in tips and was certainly ready for bed.

Saturday 27th June
Woke up extremely late and lay in.  Then I went to the Coffee Pod and thought about packing my stuff.  When Claire finished work we went down to Remote Passages and booked on a kayak tour.  We decided not to go to the Big Tree Trail and just kayaked around.  Claire and I were in a double and we eventually paddled 10km!  I was glad to because my arms were aching and a normal paddle is only 4km so I didn't feel like a wimp.  Afterwards I really fancied fish and chips, so with Ben and Stacey who we met on the way we went to the Cannery.  Unfortunately it shuts at 7pm.  So we decided to go to the Blue Heron as it was a really nice evening.  Ben and I had fish and chips although the portion was pretty small.  Aaron turned up and had a drink, he was waiting for Jamie.  We stayed there a while and then decided to go and play drinking games - but alas no dice! So we just drank in Calvin.  We lined up for the bar (!) to use the toilet.  Aaron and Jamie were there but they were with lots of women and I didn't feel like talking to them.  Rob from Bella Pacifica came over and said Hello, he spoke some more about Matt. He said that Matt had told him that he dumped Christie for me (!) and then I'm dumped him, but it didn't matter because he was only with me to get to Claire!!! Like that plan would work.  I just felt like throwing up at this point and left soon after.  I mean, I was holding on to the fact that he did at least like me but now it seems it was Claire he liked - just as always happens.

Sunday 28th June
Today was time to pack.  I went to the laundromat and then attempted to get all my stuff iin my backpack.  After a while everyone turned up at the Pod.  Doug, Oleta, Al, Ben, Matt, Brad, Sean, Chantal, Charlie etc.  Claire had also finished work so we hung out there for a while.  Then everyone went off to the beach.  Ben and I hung around town and Pablo asked me to work at 3:30pm so I thought I would.  Work was great - I made $25 tips and most people were really nice.  It was movie night in the bar - Toy Story - and Roxanne brought me in some popcorn.  I went in after work for a pint with Ilan, Stacey and eventually Ben.  I then had to look for a home (Main Street).

<these are extracts from my diaries written whilst travelling and working in Canada and the US in '97-'98>

22nd - 25th June 1998

Monday 22nd June
Claire went to work after only 3 hours sleep.  I slept as the coffee pod for another 5 hours.  At midday the England match was on so I went to the bar and watched that.  We lost 2 - 1 to Romania - but I had the whole range of emotions from pure joy plus goose pimples to a slight bit of anger when Romania scored and some guys cheered.
After Claire finished work she went whale-watching and I went to Aaron's for a shower. He wasn't there but I know I could find him at the laundromat.
I went to work a bit early and changed in the bars washroom.

Tuesday 23rd June
Matt said he can't fork out enough cash for the van so we're not selling it to him.  Danielle is giving us $1900 for Calvin and she seems like she'll look after him.
Went to the bar after work for Chaf and Mica's leaving do.  Dom was all over Claire and Graeme was talking to me again.  The football highlights were on so I watched them and fell asleep.

Wednesday 24th June
I was at the Coffee Pod most of the morning and just as Claire was finished Liz turned up and wandered if anyone fancied a trip to Ukee.  So I went with him - it was quite good fun.
Claire felt really ill so she went to bed after work.  I went to Liz's and showered.  Then Doug and Al showed up to whisk us off to Nanaimo. Of course they'd already been to the Liquor Store.  24 of Corona, 15 of Bud.  We all piled in  - Claire, me, Doug, Al and some other guy and of course Sister.  We even went and picked up Brad.  So we made it Nanaimo - drinking the whole way.  We went to a bar called the Combie - a pretty scary looking place.  We had whiskey with whiskey.  Claire and I had a few beers.  I had to fight off  Doug's advances yet again.  Claire was still feeling ill so we went back to the van.  About an hour or so later Doug arrived and plonked himself between us.  Then Brad contorted himself around the front seats and gear stick.  Then Al arrived and slotted in nicely next to Claire, until he rolled over and then we didn't have much room at all.  I got up and fashioned myself a bed on the floor - using the beer as a pillow.  I eventually got to sleep.

Thursday 25th June
I woke up to Sister sitting on my head and Doug tickling my feet.  He hauled me onto the bed where I thought I could doze a bit more. But we all had to get up because charges started at 8am.  So we made our way to Burger King for breakfast not until Al had had a Corona of course.  He made a fool of himself in BK and I had had enough.  I was looking forward to leaving him in Port.  We picked up Oleta and Talon and made our way back to Port.  We stopped at Englishman River Falls and Butterfly World on the way - which was cool as we hadn't been there yet.  Then Al kept saying he was invited to Liz's and he said he was coming.  I was not at all happy with this.  First of all because I did not want to spend another night with the drunken bum and secondly I didn't want him showing us up in front of Liz's family.
I had Liz's number on me all day until it came time to call her and then of course I lost it.  So we called directory enquiries and called the number that they gave me - there was no one there.  We went to the travel agent and asked about our options to get to Toronto - Plane, Train or Automobile?  We lounged for a bit and called Liz again.  She came and picked us up in a rush as she had to get back to work.  So we went home with her and she immediately went out to work.  Al went with her sister and friend as "licenced driver".  Claire and I watched a lot of tv.  Al and Jenny came back after trashing Liz's car on back roads and getting air! Liz wasn't long at work and she came home with her friend Joe who was very curious about mine and Claire's travels and situation.  We eventually went out to "Buck a Beer" but there was a bug line-up so we went to the Arly instead.  Definitely a small town bar!  We had a good time just chatting especially to Joe.  We left and went to take Joe home.  When we got to his apartment there were some of Liz's friends there so we got out and chatted to them.  I got out in the end and spoke some of my lovely accent to their friends.  Then we went up to Joe's apartment to go to the loo.  I went - then Liz and Joe had put the tv on so we started watching it.  Claire and Al were asleep in the car.  Liz went down to turn the radio and engine off.  Al and Claire looked cosy enough so she left them.  Darryl turned up - but no one knows about him so I had to keep my mouth shut.  Al appeared and we told him where we were and he and Claire were welcome up.  Al left and we didn't see him again.  Joe and I got closed and closer with much encouragement from Liz!  Claire poked her head around the door very upset and angry.  She was freezing cold, tired and ill  Joe was great.  He gave them his bed and calmed them down and they went to sleep.  Liz and Darryl were on the floor and I snuggled up on the couch with Joe.  He may be young but he's very sweet and exactly what I needed, although I'm quite cynical now about compliments as Matt said enough of them and look at how many lies he told!  Joe said he's come and visit Tofino and now he wants to come to England - scary eh!?

<these are extracts from my diaries written whilst travelling and working in Canada and the US in '97-'98>