In all the ways we learn life lessons...

Another year gone by since I stopped to write....
And how life continues to breeze by so fast.
Im typing on my Iphone so bare with me and my spelling mistakes or run on sentences.
Today was a hard day that brought me out of the barn and threw me into reality.  Last night at 11 pm I drove down to Nanaimo to bring my beloved diva dog to the vet due to respitory issues.  Upon arrivial they thought we were dealing with heart/lung failure.  We took xrays and made a plan for the next day.
Upon arriving this morning to find out she's stable but her blood pressure had spiked double the high end of what it possibly should be was alarming to say the least.  I didnt realize blood pressure can climb so high that it can cause the blood vessels in your eyes to burst and cause blindness.  Down right frightening.  Time and life as I knew it stood still in those moments.  I called my mom, and cried for the first time. Those who know me know how driven I am and how busy I get.   That word buy that affects so many of our lives in this generation.  Today forced me to stop and slow down. Be present and be here with Diva.
Waiting and not knowing is the worst gut wrenching pain Ive ever experienced.  I dont have human children but Diva who I picked out at 2 days old, I consider to be the same.  And the 28 odd horses I also refer to as my fur babies.  They are in my blood and make up my world.
Anyway I want to extend my gratitude for today.  For living in a country where we have technologic advances and know how to be able to help our furry family members in an emergency.   I am greatful for my family who dropped everything to step up to the plate and managed the farm while I couldnt be there as well as my amazing family that allowed me to be an unexpected but welcome house guest in the middle of the night x 2.
Im beyond humbled and thankful for Kendall and Tat, my barn girls who go above and beyond for me every single day I need them to.  As well to each and everyone in our circles...boarders, students, parents, clients, friends and all family who reached out through insanely generous offers today, warm hugs and well wishes.  Every single one of you mean the world to me though it doesnt get said enough.
Im at a loss for words how greatful, thankful, humbled, filled with love and emotion I feel as I take this time to sit in the outpour of love.  Thank you from The bottom of my heart.
Among the many life lessons and "aha" moments that seems to channel
Through my existance today a few tiny words from a conditioner bottle jumped out at me while I was sinking into a bath to relax my mind and body.
It read " Philosophy: Believe in Miricles". Underneath it said "Celebrate Love" and on the side of the tiny bottle the words read "Celebrate the mother that makes you feel special, the father that makes you feel safe, the sister that loves you when you're least lovable, the brother who teaches you to not take life so seriously.  Celebrate those who fill your cup, make your heart happy, and love unconditonally"
Thank you for the signs when we need to see them and although under difficult circumstamces, thank you for the immediate wake up call to be present and come from
Love.  And so it shall be....

Diva is resting and after a few tests and still an uncertain diagnosis but a hopeful direction we plan to return home together in the morning.
Rest easy everyone.  Goodnight.

Blog on!

Wow 1 year and 7 months since I blogged last.
A lot has happened in that time, too much to begin filling you in on at this very moment.
Short version.....couldn't get a work visa, didn't move to Spain.  Bought a farm back in my home town and been busy building my dream equestrian center ever since!  Sounds simple enough hey haha.
However tonight I was drawn to write and blogging has always been an interest to me.
I'm not sure why....why blog when you can journal?  Perhaps I like the thought of writing to someone or having people relate.  A feeling of not being alone in this world.....

I am a go getter.  I try to do it all, have it all and be it all.  Only lately I'm kinda failing at IT all.
I'm working towards everything I want to be doing in my business but through the process I have forgotten myself as so many people do.
How do you be you as a person instead of just your job title?  Especially when you have 25 horses and their owners who rely on you 24/7 365 days a year.  Horses don't stop eating or pooing because its your Birthday or Christmas.
  This turns a girl into a hermit pretty fast, not that being a hermit on the farm is a bad thing....I think anyway.
I love the farm.  I love the people that come here and I love each and every horse that's here.  Minus a few points to the ones who kick my stall doors when I can't magically deliver their grain as soon as I appear in the barn in the morning.  25 horses shazaam!  Wish is was that easy haha.

Anyway I struggle with how to be 28, single, spontaneous and fun.  I think I forgot how to be fun.  And spontaneity....well....coming from a self proclaimed detail oriented control freak.....taking off at a moments notice is just not something I can do anymore.

I'd love to hear from my fellow equestrians.....just how do you balance it all and continue being you as a person instead of you as a trainer, coach, rider, fill in the blank.

I've always prided myself on the title of being "professional"  But does being professional mean you can't fall?  Does it mean you shouldn't have a voice or write about your thoughts, fears, concerns in a blog?
I've always cared too much about what other people think or the judgements they'll make but now I say screw em!
How can I be an example to my students to be strong and individual if I don't live it myself.
Here's to maintaining "professional" but putting Shawna as a person, back into the picture.
Blog on!


 

So I'll see you soon then

Day 2 in Conil the weather god weren't so friendly and I woke up to west coast rain!  I layer about in bed most of the morning after staying up way too late just because I could.
By the time I got showered and ready I figured it was time to go find something to eat.  Eating here has been a little sporadic as there are only about 3 restaurants I've found and some don open til 12 and then they close for a few hours mis day for siesta so I'd often be SOL and end up only eating one meal a day and grabbing a few snacks.
Even in the rain I figured it was worth it to go take a walk around after all this is the last beach of my trip.
The rain started getting a littler harder as a approached the beach but figured I'm from Port Alberni and I won't rust.  After just enough time to get a lot farther from the roads the skies opened up, turned black and the rain came down in sheets!  Within seconds I was soaked and knew my adventures outside for the day were over.  I was about a 15 minute walk from my hostel and all the local huddling inside looked at me like I was bonkers to be out in the wet stuff.
I arrived to my room dripping wet but smiling with how refreshing it all was.  Time to dry off, shower again and do what you do best on holidays.....relax!

I planned my route today to catch the bus to Cadiz and then the train back to Seville.  It all went according to plan and arriving in Seville I once again was greeted by the warm 22 degree sun mmmm.
Getting lazy in my last few days I opted to pay for only my third taxi of my entire trip and get a ride to my hostel since it was only about 8€ away but would take me close to half hour to walk with my bags.
The Feet up Samay hostel had the best atmosphere and immediatly I felt welcomed and love the rooftop terrace that looked over the city.
I stayed in a 4 bed female down with an ensuite and got aquatinted with my fellow bunk mates.
They even had laundry service so figured this was perfect timing to do my last attempt to be clean and smelling fresh for my travels.
With everything in order as it should be, directions ready for tomorrow I was off to sleep a little after midnight....good for me.

This morning I woke up ridiculously early for some reason so made myself lay in bed until at least 9 before wandering down for breakfast.  Retrieved my clean clothes and packed in all back in order into my backpack.
Checked out at 11 and walked to the airport bus.  I love when it's only 10 minutes away....10 mins with my bag feels like nothing now but once your over 20 it starts to feel the 42 or so pounds it is plus my other small bag on my front.
Checked in, got some snacks, attempted to use up the last of my Euro change as later today I land in London and will back to using pounds as their currency.
Oh Ryan air...how I both love and hate you.  Everyone flys with them because they offer such super cheap prices but it's pretty much a free for all.  After having my boarding pass and passport checked numouous times and waiting in line after line we were finally at the boarding gate.  The flight attendants proceed to drag the metal thing that measures your carry on bag down the line and made everyone put theirs in. There's always squabbles as they only allow one bag per person....that included laptops, purses ect....only ONE so they found a few people that had to pay more to check them.
Once that fiasco is over you run for the plane as theirs no assigned seating and to me I think it takes WAY longer to operate it this way.  Oh well....at least they are cheap to fly with!
I'm about an hour away from landing now and all caught up on my blog entires.
I have 2 nights, tonight and tomorrow night in London.  I've opted to stay way out by London Gatwick airport (about 40 mins by train from the city) because on Thursday I'll need to check in by 4:30 am or something gross.   I'm undecided if I'll be adventurous and head back into London city for the day or if I'll just explore the outskirts and the small towns.  As neat as London was to see I don't really feel compelled to do it again.  It was loud and busy and hectic mostly and after my southern Spain beach adventures I'm at the perfect point of travel bliss so I might just end on that note.
So I'll see you soon then!

Not ready to give up just yet

I've been stalling to write my last few "travel" blog entires and there isn't one bone in my body that wants to be done.
I'm looking forward to see my friends and family but after a week or so even that excitement will wear off and again I'll be wishing I were someplace else in the world.

Back to a few days ago....after saying goodbye to Abbey she dropped me off in Conil de la Frontera, a town about 20 mins or so from San Ambrosio where she lives.
I was told there wasn't much there this time of year as its a beachside town which quadruples in the summer time....perfect.
Nearing the end of this amazing trip I've taken time to slow down, enjoy my surroundings and really get a feel for the places I'm in.  Looking back I'm glad I did it the way I did, getting to see 11 countries and put my feet in 3 different new oceans in total however it was all pretty fast.  At least now I know the places I want to go back to and spend more time....mostly Ireland, Italy and Spain, my favorite 3!

Conil de la Frontera is a nice little town, painted entirely white matching the massively long stretches of white sand beaches being greeted by the great blue Atlantic Ocean.  The day I arrived it was about 22 degrees so of course after settling in it was time to hit the beach!  I found a great little hostel but was more like a small hotel, cost me 25€ a night but I had a private room with excellent wifi so I was in heaven.
I found a place to grab lunch, guessing at what I just ordered as none of it was in English so tried to pick the words I knew.
The restaurant was right on the bean and had a nice breeze coming in off the water.  After eating I wandered down to walk along the sand and couldn't help myself to take off my shoes, squish my toes into the sand and sit down to stay awhile.  There were a group of surfers exercising as a group before they hit the water, there were para surfers and the other para things with motors and people flying around attached to their seats.
It was glorious....and this is January in their lives!  I've said it before but why would anyone live in the cold, wet, rain when this is a possibility hmmmm.

I've been in a slightly deflated mood after I heard back from my potential employers that a work visa would be next to impossible to get therefore the offer would need to be cancelled :( I requested a little more time, at least until I'm back in Canada and can make some more phone calls.  Meanwhile I've been emailing every Spanish Consulate in Canada I can find and looking at every option to work in Spain.....wish me luck as I'm not quite ready to give up on the dream just yet!

All the kings horses and all the kings men....

One week today  til ill be back on Canadian soil.  I cant believe how fast 3 months flew by and what an adventure ive had.  So much more happened and I saw so many places I had never planned  I'd see. What started out as a once in a lifetime turned into a first of many in a lifetime as I am so far from being done traveling the world. As one of my good friend said, who would have thought one plane ticket could have changed the direction on this year, and my life so much. I am beyond thrilled to start this new chapter in my life in Spain, providing everything goes smoothly with being allowed to move and work in the country. I'm feeling slightly deflated now as I've looked into the process as it doesn't look promising....but I'm not giving up! Still lots of research to be done.

Today I made myself get up early and caught the train to Jerez.  After months of talking about it the day is finally here to go meet Abbey!  Her parents are here visiting her and she's taking them to Jerez to watch a horse show at the Royal school of Andalusion Art and then go from a sherry tasting and asked if I wanted to join.  Of course!  So here I am sitting on the train en route.  What a great day I have planned :)
Upon arriving at the station in Jerez with directions in my hand I was off....and as soon as I hit the first roundabout I was lost haha. Spain is notorious for having BADLY marked street signs, sometimes they are way up on the side of a utilizing or sometimes they aren't there at all. In this case I didn't see one for blocks so walked in a few circles, attempted what little Spainish I know to ask people for directions, got stuck in the middle of a very loud protest that was surrounded by cops so although I had no idea what all the fuss was about I felt safe enough to be there. Turns out they were actually heading in the very direction I needed to go. After confirming with one of the very cute, uniformed Spanish police men I was back on track.....and LATE! The show starts at 12 and I was to meet Abbey at 11:30 and it was now 11:45 and I was worried. Thankfully it was slightly cooler today as I was roasting and fed faced by the time I finally got there and found hew. Whew what a relief!
The show was beautiful, an hour and a half long program of mostly Andalusion stallions showing off their skills in Dressage, mostly Vaquero dressage. They make it look so easy!
After the show Abbey offered to drive me back to Cadiz so we headed in that direction and found a place to eat lunch by the ocean front. By then it had warmed up and again was a bright warm day!
They dropped me off closer to my hostel and said farewell until tomorrow when I'm going to meet with them again but this time down in Abbeys village by Barbate.
I got back and was very much ready for my siesta time! I just LOVE siesta....the Spanish so have it down right!

Loving Spanish life

My first full day in Cadiz and I woke up to glorious sunshine and 20 degrees!  I set out to venture the little city and knew I wanted to head to the water first.  No matter what direction you head in Cadiz you'll hit the ocean on all 3 sides, both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean I believe.
The was a nice breeze blowing which was wonderful as I'm certainly not used to the warm weather at the moment.  Apparently it's also always windy in Cadiz since the whole city is built on a thin peninsula.  
It's was fairly straight forward to navigate, I headed straight until I hit the water and then walked around the entire "island" part of it on all 3 sides.
There were people of all ages out walking about.  There are beautifully manicured gardens and fountains everywhere along the way in little squares.  How nice it is to sit on a park bench and take in the sights with such beautiful scenery and weather.....and in January!  It defiantly made me think why anyone chooses to live in cold, rainy, dreary parts of the world when you can live in paradise all the time?
I was anxiously siting the email from my hopefully future employees so I thought walking would take my mind of it for awhile.  I went down to the beach and sat on a rock for awhile just to breathe in the fresh salt water air.  There was one other man playing with his dog but o,ther then that I was alone on the sand and it was so peaceful.  I thought about my travels thus far and everything I've learned.  I thought about how much I love Spain and that with some temperature adjusting I'm pretty sure I could make this my new home for awhile.
I was starting to get hungry as I hadn't found a place to eat breakfast along the way so opted to wait until I was ready for lunch food.  I grabbed a quick bite and headed back to the hostel. Hopefully by now, a good 4 hours later my news would be sitting in my email inbox.
I opened up my email and there it was,the letter that could possibly change the directions of my life this year entirely.
I read those words as fast as I could to get the answer and like that.....I'd been offered the job!  Excitement doesn't even come close to what I was feeling in that moment.  I was beyond excited!!!
After squealing about it for a few minutes I thought of a few other questions I had and replied to the email accepting the offer.
But now the hard part begins!  Will I be able to get a working visa for Spain!
Im told the process is almost completely unworth it if your not planning to stay for a long time.  Spain has a very high unemployment rate so even though they normally only accept Spanish employees they have now opened up the field to include all the EU.  So in order to get a. Ida the employer has to prove the job has been advertised locally and that I have special qualifications for the job.
So fingers crossed I can get all my documents in order, as it can also take months!
I arrive back in Canada n January 19th and they were wanting me back in Spain January 31st!  I'm not sure if that's still the case once I brought up the paper work dilemma.  So I was told to contact the Spanish embassy and figure out what I can get started on my end and go from there.
So.....wish me luck!!!

Travel days....yawn

There took me a little bit as I wasn't in wifi range so bear with me. Lots of new posts to read! I was writing them just couldn't post them all til now :)

My alarm was set for  6:45 and those were numbers I wasn't ready to see after only making it to bed around 2:30.  However I was so excited for what today would bring.  I was flying to Seville today so at least my time has Ben booked up with traveling otherwise I MIT have just drove myself crazy with clicking refresh on my email page waiting for that letter.
I walked 15 minutes or so to Plaza Espania and found my bus to the airport, checked myself in and boarded my flight.  As usual I was pretty much out after I take off.  I made myself stay awake and see the scenery.  It was a glorious sunny morning with the clouds just rising on the horizon, the palm trees had a slit breeze to dance to and I couldn't have been happier.  What a great place to live.   To top it all off I'm pretty sure that was the best take off ever.  It was so clear I could see into the distance and heading up to the sky we did a full 360 turn and I got to look back on all the neat little towns of Mallorca island.  We flew right back over the center of Palma and got to see how much beach front and blue water surrounded the  city.  Did I mention I love Spain!!!!
I woke up as we started our decent and as the pressure changed I thought my sinuses were going to explode out from behind my eyes and eyebrows.  I have NEVER felt a pain like that it was almost unbearable but luckily only lasted a few minutes.  I made sure to pop my ears as much as possible until we hi the normal pressure of land.
I arrived safely in Seville and caught the bus to the main Santa Justa train station.  I have a 2 hour train ride to get to my hostel in Cadiz for the next 3 nights.  And once there you bet the first thing I'll be diving into is my trusty wifi connection to find out the news on my potential new position at Finca Es Fangar!