'You're So Lucky!'... My Perspective

It's been about a month & a half since I boarded my plane to Dublin in the Toronto Pearson Airport. There are days where I wonder what life would be like if I stayed at home... If I had chose to finish my last year of school. If I was still working full-time to pay off my student debt. If I was spending my earnings on partying every weekend instead of paying off that debt. If I was still settling for guys who, deep down, I knew were not meant for me... & friends who led to more stress than well-being. I think of the what ifs, the could haves & maybe even the should haves & can genuinely say that while of course I miss maple syrup, hockey & snowboarding, this move to Ireland is possibly the best decision I've made in my entire life.

Maybe I'm being melodramatic with that statement, but in the month & a half I've been here I have been smiling for no reason, stopping dead in the street to admire my surroundings & have met others with the same passion for travel I have, who I am entirely grateful for. I worked ridiculously hard to make this dream happen, with more pitfalls than usual along the way. I honestly cannot say that luck played any part in this process. 

U ARE ALIVE*, Street Art, Portobello

The visa offices in Canada went on strike, delaying my visa. Due to this & my refusal to buy cancellation insurance (in fear that this meant there would be a possibility the trip wouldn't happen), I lost a flight. This meant delaying my move & working for another month in a job I honestly dreaded. This also meant finding another job in Ireland... I chose Dublin. Realistically I could have kept with my original plan & visa application for Belfast, but chose to start entirely over. Why? I can't say I'm sure. But I do not regret the decision whatsoever & instead am happier than ever that I put myself & my poor fam through the agony of overhauling my game plan. In the excitement, I also left my laptop with airport security. Needless to say, this is why luck did not play a part in my move abroad.

The seafront of my new home

To be completely honest, I'm not alone among many others who've stories I've read, in the fact that I tend to be peeved when the comment, 'You're so lucky!' is made. Going after your real passion, putting your all into making it come to life & giving up an easy, comfortable life & the potential for a well-paying career in order to do so, is not luck. I chose travel over what was expected of me & many other twenty somethings. I was expected to finish school, settle down with someone from high school, plan my career goals & begin investing into a home. What would've been missing in that life? Happiness.

I may not finish school until I'm 30... I may not find a guy who's willing to accept the fact that I don't want to settle down. Hell, I may never stop travelling. I may have broken my Mum's heart & I may miss my brother & Bourbon on a daily basis... Also, my friends. I may spend all of my money on experiences & not possessions. I may spend my Summers backpacking instead of renovating a new home. But, I will meet people with gorgeous souls. I will gain a pound in each country I visit discovering incredible food. I will be so exhausted from flying I will sleep on airport benches. I will learn how to say thank you in every language I'll need. I will take the bus home at 9am, not having slept, after a night out with new friends. Now that, is what I call lucky. Cheers!

& remember... 'If it is important to you, you'll find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse.'
xxx

The Expat 15

Okay, before I start this post can I just say, how in the f!@# do people blog every day of the week? I'm finding it hard enough to find time once a week! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love blogging so far, but anyway... I'm just going to go ahead & blame it on the fact that I'm working overtime to pay for a few setbacks to do with Ireland (more on that later). No worries I AM still on my way there in just under a month! Onto the post.

Pinot, just because

So as the move comes closer, I can't help but be the pessimist that I am & dread the one part of travelling I can't seem to escape - the weight gain. As a general disclaimer, I gained 15 pounds in Paris... & no I was never 'fat' (whatever that even means in today's ridiculous society), but it was a noticeable difference on my 5'2" frame. I was not leading a healthy lifestyle & did not feel good, looks aside. Of course, most of my weight gain came from drinking wine along the Seine, eating baguettes at the corner bakery on a daily basis with Juliette & making a ridiculous amount more of wonderful memories, which I would take over a few pounds anyday. Saying that, I feel as though I shouldn't even have to explain myself anyway, so disclaimer over.

Fast forward, my brother's reaction said it all. Upon coming home, 'Woah, you've gained weight!' were his literal first words to me, after not seeing his baby sister for six months. Feelin' the love Jessy. In that moment I probably could've strangled him, being traumatized & at the sensitive age of 19... But looking back on it now I find it quite hilarious, how I'm not sure.

My exact thoughts at that moment...

So enough with that probably unnecessarily long intro & onto my kind of semi-plan as to what I'll be doing during the next few years of travelling in order to stay healthy. Hopefully some of you will find this helpful or interesting, as I'm sure I'm not the only one with a love of foreign beer & ham & cheese crepes at 3am. Also, I'd of course love to hear any of your stories regarding the 'Expat 15'... Including advice, actions plans, etc. so please do share!

Taken just left I left for Paris

Food
Since returning from Paris about two years ago now, I've actually taken up gluten-free & dairy-free eating. To be frank, it was absolute & utter hell in the beginning. I was moody, hungry & basically miserable. But the benefits have far outweighed the beginning. I have clearer skin, am lighter, more energized & am experiencing less migraines as a whole. Of course I am not going to picket this lifestyle to anyone; it is work... A lot of work. I'm also not going to lecture anyone on the benefits, as well, it would probably bore the hell out of you (if I haven't already) & if you're curious, there's always Google! But I will be keeping this up as best as I can during my travels! One piece of advice, read the book Skinny Bitch. It's written in a witty way to help get your ass in gear.

So what do I eat? A lot of spinach. Haha... But in all honesty mostly leafy greens, fresh fruit & veggies, fish & plenty of nuts, seeds, quinoa, black beans & tofu! It's not actually as disgusting & bland as it sounds. Also if anyone would like any detox or recipe recommendations I have plenty!

Side note: I am not perfect & I do enjoy the occasional cappuccino... & plenty of steak. Also, I will never, ever give up bacon. Sorry, not sorry.

Fitness
I'm just going to be real & start off with saying I hate the gym, no despise it. I do not advocate it. But of course if it is your thing, by all means kudos to you! I just can think of a million other things I'd rather be doing than sweating my ass off indoors while wearing spandex, next to girls on the elliptical that can easily last an hour (how?!)... Especially when travelling. Most of my cardio is from sightseeing & taking public transit, chasing foreign men, etc. etc. (ha, not funny?) as well as plenty of late night dancing... & though I don't believe in the gym, I do believe in: Walking my dog, yoga, blogilates & just general living!

I wish I had a better photo illustrating the weight gain, but thanks to clothing choices & staying away from bikinis, this was the best photo I could find! I find you can see the difference in my face especially.

Drinking
Not going to lie regarding this topic, I generally do drink quite a bit more when abroad because well, what better way to experience a country & meet locals?! But since coming home from wine country, I've taken quite the liking to the red stuff. I'm pretty sure a glass (or bottle) of Shiraz or a Cab-Merlot is the way to heart. Anyway where I'm trying to get with this is that since I've switched from Guinness to red wine I've both lost weight & experienced less severe hangovers. I actually have my hangover cure down pat, if anyone is even the slightest bit interested!

I do drink quite a bit less as well (maybe once or twice a month now, as opposed to 2-3X a week) which of course helps. During my last trip to Ireland I found it incredibly easy to order a Guinness or Bulmer's with literally every meal I ate & will NOT be doing this while living there, as I'm almost positive I'd end up a good 50 pounds heavier by the end of my two year visa.

I s'pose that's all I have for now! Not really sure I want to take my blog the lifestyle route, but I definitely can write more on these topics if anyone would like. I find that although talked about a small amount in the travel blogging community, it's definitely not a huge topic. Myself, I love reading posts like these, so let me know what you think! Constructive criticism greatly appreciated & I'll leave you with this beauty of a photo. Talk soon!
xxx

My love of 1L bottles of tequila beer lives on