Ready for Action!

It's interesting how one day your life can be at a total standstill, and the next it springs into action!

I have a tree planting season!!!

When I first heard this news I was excited, then nervous, then more excited than before!

This season will be different from last year due to COVID19. We are required to stay in little groups of six people for the first two weeks in case someone brings COVID19 to camp. We are all filling out health logs before camp and sanitary measures will be increased. We also won't be allowed to go to town at all this season.

I'm happy to go none the less. I like to have work, and to work hard so I'll be happy to get back at that! As much as I've appreciated living on my own the last little while, I will be happy to be with my tree planting family again. Most of the people on my crew last year are returning which I'm super stoked about!

I will miss Vancouver Island but I definitely plan to come back after the planting season. I really loved my job at the CVRT the therapeutic riding center, and I want to continue with it once I return. How long do I plan to live on Vancouver Island? I'm not sure, but for now, it feels like the right place for me to be.

On May 4th I'll be heading out in a rental vehicle with a crewmate. The final destination and first contract will be somewhere outside 100-Mile House in interior B.C. More updates to come! Stay safe and healthy everyone!

A Day in the Life!

Instead of a blog post today I made a youtube video for you all!

Taking you along on a typical day in my life during the COVID19 Crisis. Stay safe and healthy everyone!

https://youtu.be/OMxaOJ2hX80

Uncertainty

Surrounded by the calls of Eagles and Loons in the air, I am amazed how life brought me to a place I didn't expect nor plan to be in!

Uncertainty, I was asked the other day how I am coping with it. Life is uncertain right now for everyone! Many of us are unsure of when we will go back to work, to school, and for some of us when we will see our families again. 

The fact is though, whether you are in a global crisis or not, life is always uncertain. There is no guarantee when you step out the door in the morning that you will come back later in the day. Every goodbye I say I treat like the last, for there is no saying if I will see that person again or not. 

The future is uncertain. In my case, will I have a tree planting season? Where will I be living in the next couple of months? When will the church be open again? How long must I wait to see my family again?!

All I can do is live in this moment now, and appreciate what it is. I am taking advantage of this downtime to rejuvenate, to heal, to create, and to be grateful. The time I've been given now might be important to be ready and prepared for what is to come. 

Happy Easter everyone! Stay safe and healthy!   

Quarantine Routine

It's hard to believe but during a Global Pandemic, I'm feeling the best I have ever felt in years!
My work life and rest life is now pretty balanced out! 

Thankfully, I now have three days of work at the Greenhouse. Since a lot of my expenses have gone down, this is ample amount of income for me. I  have gone from six days of work a week to three, and now have four days off. What do I do with those four days off?

I know that time is one of the greatest gifts we have. I also know that if I don't have a plan on how to use it, I will waste this free time that I won't be getting back. I've given myself three goals for every day. A fitness goal, skill goal, and a spiritual goal. For example, 

Fitness Goals:

Improving strength and flexibility has been one of my goals!

I have also participated in online jiu Jitsu classes run by the gym I used to train at in Ontario. The classes are very well done and provide lots of solo drills for those of us who do not have training partners. I've ordered some gym mats so I'll be able to train outside where there is more room for me to move then in my tiny trailer space.

Skill Goals:

For skills, I've been working on horseback riding, nature walks, photography, and writing. 

Spiritual: 

Since Churches are closed during this time I've been watching my parish priest's youtube videos online. You can check them out at this link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYu5rVH0j1eXdrdbNuISoiQ?fbclid=IwAR2xQDaXwDubgP_7vosqCLIgsdvRyBqQwMvjUAc7xJfrZZy4N-1SIfBabdQ He has online masses as well as talks and discussions on the Japanese Martyrs. 

I also write out plans for my day on the whiteboard in my room. I highly recommend whiteboards as they are fun and easy to use!

I find that in order to be successful in achieving your goals you need to offer yourself rewards too! If I've successfully completed my goals for the day, I often reward myself with chocolate, a movie, or chilling on my bed watching youtubes at the end of the day!

How are you spending your free time? What goals do you set for yourself each day?! Stay safe and healthy everyone! 

My COVID19 Adventure-so Far!

Well, as most of you know we are going through a global pandemic right now!

My life basically did a real quick turn. I laugh over how this year was actually pretty planned out and now there is hardly a plan at all! To be honest, I like this freedom of not knowing where I'll be in the next couple of months. I had looked at my year and accepted how planned out it was, but now I feel free from all those plans to go wherever Life calls!

My COVID19 experience really started last Monday, March 16th, when my barn job called to say they were shutting down due to the virus and I was going to be laid off! Then that night, my roommate explained how there was a possibility of there being a mandatory quarantine in town. I had already sent in my notice saying I was going to leave my rental. This was because in April I was supposed to dog sit for two weeks and then spend a couple weeks at my Uncle's, then go tree planting!

That Tuesday I helped with shutting down the barn, packed all my belongings, and moved some of my stuff out to the farm that I go riding at. The owner said I could pitch my tent in her yard in exchange for helping with farm chores. I also did my last jiu-jitsu class that day.

Just got a new rash guard too! Bummer

Wednesday my jiu-jitsu club officially shut down due to the pandemic. A busy day of shutting down the barn. Moved all my non-essentials to my Uncle's house.

Saddles all covered so they don't collect dust while we are gone

Thursday was my last day working at CVRTS. Cried my eyes out as it was truly a wonderful place to work. I will miss everyone and the horses terribly.

Friday assembled and moved the rest of my stuff into my tent. I spent the night at my Grandma's since my Grandpa was having heart surgery! Thankfully his surgery went really well!

Saturday left town for good! House sat for a friend in Merville.

Monday this week, I went to the greenhouse where I work. I asked to be laid off but they wouldn't lay me off and haven't given me more than one day of work a week so I'm in a little financial pickle. Also, I had to make a hard decision about whether to stay on the Island or move back home. In the end, I decided to stay on the Island because it is closer to where I will start tree planting and I save money by being here. Plus  I do have a lot of family and friends who are super supportive on the Island!

Wednesday made the daring trip into town to buy groceries, checked in on my grandparents.

Thursday I packed up my tent and moved into a friend's trailer in Merville. They offered it as a place for me to stay for now. As much as I enjoyed my tent, I am happy to have a dry and warm place to stay as the weather is beginning to get rainy again. Also, it sounds like I'll be out tree planting for a while once the season starts up so its best to save my tent for then.

In conclusion, I'm kind of sad to lose the two most grounding things in my life, jiu-jitsu, and church. I'm nervous about whether my tree planting season will happen, or not, and when I'll get to see my family again,

However, I am grateful to be living isolated in the country on a beautiful Island with decent weather and temperatures for this time of year. I still have horses and this break from my busy life is probably something that I really need!

Goals for this isolating time are to work really hard at polishing up my novels, keep fit through online jiu-jitsu and fitness classes, and work on future project plans. I am praying you are all doing well during this tough time, and I'll sure be doing more blog posts because, lol, I have a lot more time!

Celebrating my Sisters!

Happy International Women's Day!

This day means a lot to me in so many ways. I am thankful to the women who came before me and fought for the rights I have now. I am thankful for all the women in my life that have mentored, inspired, and supported me over the years. Last, but not least, I am so thankful to all the women my age I have met that are so inspirational and supportive.

Some of the incredible ladies I reunited with at the Passion to Purpose Bootcamp this weekend (More on the experience to come) 

This International Women's Day I have chosen to celebrate my sisters. They are the reason that I give one hundred percent in everything I do, and why I strive to be a good example. They all have so much potential, I am proud of each and every one of them, and I am so excited about the things they are capable of doing in the future!

Nancy Secker

My beautiful sister Nancy is nineteen and has a truly unique energy to her. She has a fierce spirit and nothing can get in her way if she puts her mind to it. She currently studies psychology at Carleton University, is our family photographer (Thanks for the pics Nancy), and a barista at Starbucks! What I love the most about Nancy is her empathy, genuine care for other people, and her desire to make a difference. 


Hannah Secker: 

Hannah is seventeen and in grade eleven. We have this unique bound having worked together with horses several times. Hannah is an academic, excelling in Math and Science. However, she has a greater passion for theater, the arts, and plans to pursue them in the future. Her ability to adapt to her surroundings, socialize with others, and learn new skills has me positive that she will go far. I hope to personally recruit her for some of my projects when she is done school because I can trust her and she follows my directions well. She has so much character and it makes her a joy to be around. 

Emma Secker

Emma is fourteen years old and in grade nine. As a small child, I used to call Emma my "Sweet Angel" and that nickname still applies. Emma has an infectious personality, a drive to push herself, and some incredible talents. She is musical, incredible with children, and hard working. Her future plans include music and she would love to travel to London England someday. If she continues to work hard, I know she will go far! 

Lucy Secker

Lucy is ten years old and has the sweetest soul. Every time I come home she gives me the biggest hug ever and is always eager to hear my stories. Lucy loves to dance and she puts her whole soul into it. She is crafty, witty, and smart. I'm looking forward to seeing how her talents progress in the coming years. 

Julianna Secker

Julianna is seven years old and the cutest little button (And she wants you to know that her favorite color is purple)! She always makes me laugh! Julianna has a love for art, often seen sketching images of horses and unicorns (a girl after my own heart)! She also wants to go with me to Africa someday. Clearly has an adventurous spirit! I've sadly missed out on a lot of Julianna's childhood since she was born pretty late in my life but thankfully with technology, I still get to watch her grow and progress.

A big shout out to my Mother and Grandmother who I believe have inspired all my sisters and I to push hard and be our best selves. These two women have taken on incredible challenges and rose above them. We are so blessed to have them in our lives. 

I'll be honest, Frozen 2 kind of inspired this post as it made me think of my sisters very much and what they mean to me! I am so blessed to have them all in my life! Who are you thinking of this International Women's Day? What women in your life inspire you?