Back to Bangs
H&M MOTORCYCLE JACKET, SANDRO SHIRT, PAIGE JEANS, CLUB MONACO BELT, ALEXANDER WANG CLUTCH, MICHAEL KORS WATCH
The title is self-explanatory. Went to see my friend and hairstylist, Calvyn, for a much needed cut last week. I really am growing my hair out.
The best thing to ever come out of starting this blog is all of the wonderful people I've had the privilege of meeting, both online and in real life. I was thrilled to recently have the chance to meet Matina of Angela Matina as she was a tremendous help in getting me prepared for my trip to Nepal. Having lived there for 10 years, Matina kindly offered to answer any questions I had via email. I instantly connected with her in a way I couldn't with anyone else.
In regards to my last few posts, I was asked an interesting question by Santina of Style by Santina, who had also spent time in Nepal: "Is it strange to step right back into a life that is so far from the one you were living in Nepal?" The answer is yes. When traveling abroad, one naturally worries about culture shock, but nobody warns you of reverse culture shock. The moment I stepped off the plane at YVR, the environment was simultaneously so familiar yet so foreign that it threw me completely. Even now, when I wander the downtown sidewalks, I feel both at home and displaced. I want to be somewhere completely new again, where nobody knows me and yesterday and tomorrow doesn't matter.
Maybe it's true what they say about how you can't ever go home again, or maybe you can and that's the problem—nothing ever changes. Everything carried on just the way it did before I left. This all seemed so wildly different and difficult to me because it was I who had transformed. My time in Nepal has definitely given me a new outlook on my life and how I want to live it. I'm still struggling to make sense of it all, but I know that I'm not back in Vancouver permanently. For more highlights of my journey, you can read my interview with United Planet here.
PHOTOS BY MATINA OF ANGELA MATINA
XOXO,
The best thing to ever come out of starting this blog is all of the wonderful people I've had the privilege of meeting, both online and in real life. I was thrilled to recently have the chance to meet Matina of Angela Matina as she was a tremendous help in getting me prepared for my trip to Nepal. Having lived there for 10 years, Matina kindly offered to answer any questions I had via email. I instantly connected with her in a way I couldn't with anyone else.
In regards to my last few posts, I was asked an interesting question by Santina of Style by Santina, who had also spent time in Nepal: "Is it strange to step right back into a life that is so far from the one you were living in Nepal?" The answer is yes. When traveling abroad, one naturally worries about culture shock, but nobody warns you of reverse culture shock. The moment I stepped off the plane at YVR, the environment was simultaneously so familiar yet so foreign that it threw me completely. Even now, when I wander the downtown sidewalks, I feel both at home and displaced. I want to be somewhere completely new again, where nobody knows me and yesterday and tomorrow doesn't matter.
Maybe it's true what they say about how you can't ever go home again, or maybe you can and that's the problem—nothing ever changes. Everything carried on just the way it did before I left. This all seemed so wildly different and difficult to me because it was I who had transformed. My time in Nepal has definitely given me a new outlook on my life and how I want to live it. I'm still struggling to make sense of it all, but I know that I'm not back in Vancouver permanently. For more highlights of my journey, you can read my interview with United Planet here.
PHOTOS BY MATINA OF ANGELA MATINA
XOXO,
Brighter Than the Sun
H&M SWEATER, SHIRT & PANTS, YSL SHOES, WILFRED HAT, GUCCI BAG, RAY-BAN SUNGLASSES
Tessa and I went to Liberty Bakery on Main Street to indulge our sweet desires and talk about our latest adventures. To me, fall is the most beautiful time of the year. I actually don't think I can communicate in coherent sentences how I feel about the season. It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling in the pit of my stomach just thinking of the crisp air, the sound of leaves crunching beneath my feet, the cozy sweaters, the whip cream melting into a mug of hot chocolate and pumpkin flavored everything.
Now that I'm back in Vancouver, I've been looking into local volunteer opportunities. No matter the bullshit that I'm facing, someone out there could always use my help. Remember: Stay humble and give back. You never know when you're changing someone's life, or saving it.
PHOTOS BY TESSA OF A MILE IN HER HEELS
XOXO,
Now that I'm back in Vancouver, I've been looking into local volunteer opportunities. No matter the bullshit that I'm facing, someone out there could always use my help. Remember: Stay humble and give back. You never know when you're changing someone's life, or saving it.
PHOTOS BY TESSA OF A MILE IN HER HEELS
XOXO,
Nepal Quest Part 2
1. PRAYER FLAGS | 2. BOUDHANATH STUPA | 3. PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE | 4. MOTHER & DAUGHTER IN THIMI | 5. KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE | 6. GARDEN OF DREAMS | 7. RAJESHWORI | 8. SHOE SHOPPING L-R: SONIA, MADHU, ANITA, NINA | 9. LAST DAY L-R: SNEHA (MY HOST SISTER), SONY, CHAKRAS, HIMAL, RAJAN, RAM, LAXMAN, RAJESHWORI, ME
When I decided to partake in this journey I wasn't under the false illusion that I would change the world in 4 weeks—I'm too much of a realist. What I did hope for was to leave a lasting impression on the children. Little did I realize that I needed them more than they needed me.
As I walked through the gate that led into the OCCED/Nepal children's home on my first day, I imagined that the 28 children inside would be sitting quietly on the floor, feeling sad because they were orphans—many of them were left on the doorstep by family, while others were found wandering the streets and brought to the orphanage by the police—but instead, I was immediately tackled by a gang of excited children. Some were shy and hesitated to approach me; however, after only a couple of hours they wouldn't let go of me, holding my hand, touching my forearm tattoo, sitting on my lap and fighting for my attention.
I had brought gifts for them. Donations from family, friends and readers, some of whom had generously given a cash donation, which proved to be an invaluable gift. I honestly can't thank those of you who contributed enough. The money donated provided six months worth of food, as well as healthcare for the children and educational materials. This will last approximately one year. Other gifts such as pencils, crayons, coloring books and miscellaneous toys were treasures to the children. To see their faces light up at the sight of something that many take for granted was heartfelt.
I worked at the orphanage Sunday to Friday 10am-4pm. I helped the children with their homework, but mostly just spent time playing with them. I also assisted the didis (big sisters) in their general work. Volunteering requires so little in the way of prerequisite. You don't need any formal qualifications or training; only that you make the decision to show up, to open your mind and heart to the people you are trying to help, and that you do as you are asked once you arrive.
Despite the poverty and corruption in Nepal, I was amazed at the warmth and positivity of the people I met. Even though at times it was difficult, it was the most fulfilling and enriching experience of my life. The truly hardest part of the trip was saying goodbye to the children and staff of OCCED/Nepal, to my host family and to Social Tours, who was the best support group I could ever ask for. Dhanybhad.
XOXO,
As I walked through the gate that led into the OCCED/Nepal children's home on my first day, I imagined that the 28 children inside would be sitting quietly on the floor, feeling sad because they were orphans—many of them were left on the doorstep by family, while others were found wandering the streets and brought to the orphanage by the police—but instead, I was immediately tackled by a gang of excited children. Some were shy and hesitated to approach me; however, after only a couple of hours they wouldn't let go of me, holding my hand, touching my forearm tattoo, sitting on my lap and fighting for my attention.
I had brought gifts for them. Donations from family, friends and readers, some of whom had generously given a cash donation, which proved to be an invaluable gift. I honestly can't thank those of you who contributed enough. The money donated provided six months worth of food, as well as healthcare for the children and educational materials. This will last approximately one year. Other gifts such as pencils, crayons, coloring books and miscellaneous toys were treasures to the children. To see their faces light up at the sight of something that many take for granted was heartfelt.
I worked at the orphanage Sunday to Friday 10am-4pm. I helped the children with their homework, but mostly just spent time playing with them. I also assisted the didis (big sisters) in their general work. Volunteering requires so little in the way of prerequisite. You don't need any formal qualifications or training; only that you make the decision to show up, to open your mind and heart to the people you are trying to help, and that you do as you are asked once you arrive.
Despite the poverty and corruption in Nepal, I was amazed at the warmth and positivity of the people I met. Even though at times it was difficult, it was the most fulfilling and enriching experience of my life. The truly hardest part of the trip was saying goodbye to the children and staff of OCCED/Nepal, to my host family and to Social Tours, who was the best support group I could ever ask for. Dhanybhad.
XOXO,
Nepal Quest Part 1
We all need a break, even from voluntary work. During Dashain, the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, I had the chance to be rid of the crowds, noise and pollution of Kathmandu and leave for higher ground for a couple of days. Located 200 km west of Kathmandu, Pokhara is the third largest city in Nepal. Surrounded by beautiful peaks of the Himalayas, luscious green forests and the magnificent Phewa Tal lake, Pokhara is a remarkable place of natural beauty and for some R&R.
As a volunteer, I was immersed in Nepal's culture differently than most tourists. I didn't have the western comforts I was used to or the luxury of staying in a nice hotel. That's not to say my living situation in Kathmandu was terrible by any means. Though occasionally there was no hot water (sometimes no water at all) and power cuts (euphemistically referred to as "load shedding"), I couldn't have been happier with my host family. They were very welcoming and always made sure I was comfortable and had plenty to eat.
Spending time with the children of OCCED/Nepal brought me the greatest joy of all. Initially I was reluctant, unsure whether I had the proper skills or enough passion to get involved. Then I was challenged and rewarded in a way I never imagined. More on that, and photos, in my next post.
XOXO,
As a volunteer, I was immersed in Nepal's culture differently than most tourists. I didn't have the western comforts I was used to or the luxury of staying in a nice hotel. That's not to say my living situation in Kathmandu was terrible by any means. Though occasionally there was no hot water (sometimes no water at all) and power cuts (euphemistically referred to as "load shedding"), I couldn't have been happier with my host family. They were very welcoming and always made sure I was comfortable and had plenty to eat.
Spending time with the children of OCCED/Nepal brought me the greatest joy of all. Initially I was reluctant, unsure whether I had the proper skills or enough passion to get involved. Then I was challenged and rewarded in a way I never imagined. More on that, and photos, in my next post.
XOXO,
A Check Off the Bucket List
Video footage of me doing a 160 meter canyon swing and bungee jump for the first time into the Bhote Kosi river at The Last Resort; a 4-hour drive from Kathmandu and just 12 km from the Tibetan border. Every time I watch this I can't help but laugh.
Stay tuned for further updates on my Nepal trip.
XOXO,
Stay tuned for further updates on my Nepal trip.
XOXO,
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