Whaddya at b'ys?!

Hellooooo from St. John's! I've been here for just over a week now and I'm loving it :) it's so great to be back working in a creative capacity, especially with my roomie from college, Yvonne, to show me the ropes. We lived together in Toronto for two years in the "Birmingham Basement". This summer I'm staying with her and her boyfriend Noel in their house in Paradise, NL. Not even a joke, it is called Paradise, and it really is - I can see the ocean from my bedroom window! Also joined by their fur children Pete, a 140lb Greater Swiss Mountain dog, and two kitties Henry and Jack :)

I'm working with another CABA as my partner, Cristina. We sit in our little corner with our heat lamp and eat all day, send snapchats back and forth, and laugh at each other. Needless to say, we get along very well hehe ;)

I'm still getting used to a regular 9-5 Monday to Friday work schedule. Mad props to all normal functioning adults who do this... Holy jeeze I'm tired by the end of the day haha coffee is my best friend! 

I haven't done too much touristy stuff as of yet, just a wicked hike up Signal Hill on the weekend, and a nice long walk on the track by the beach with Yvonne, Pete and our friend Ashley and her Great Dane named Ajax! Lots on the list though, I'm going have some busy weekends!

It's been pretty cold so far, I always wear a wool sweater but I'm slowly adjusting. Its been pretty sunny on the weekends so that's all I need!

Been looking into doing some diving here and wow, people are just so nice! I posted on a dive Facebook group and within one day I had about five people offer to take me out on their boats! My mainlander "don't trust strangers" red flags were going off, but you just have to get used to the fact that people are very nice here haha!

Other than that, not too much else to report. Loving it so far, but not an official Newfoundlander because I haven't been screeched in yet! Maybe this weekend ;)

Think warm thoughts for us!

Love from the Rock xx 

Home again, home again

Well, I've been home for about 3.5 weeks now and I have to say it's pretty nice. But my feet are getting itchy again already! Ideally, I'd be headed off to some tropical location (perhaps Palau if money was no issue) to further my scuba diving levels and basically dive all day, everyday. Since I'm not in that dream world, I will have to happily settle for a new adventure in moving back to Toronto. Since I've been home, I have had two interviews for internships at ad agencies which is very exciting. If I am a successful candidate, I'll be couchsurfing my way down to Toronto by mid May while looking for a room to sublet for the summer. 

Other than work-wise, I have been visiting with lots of friends that I have missed over the past two months which is lovely! Before I left, I made sure to put some money aside for when I came back, because when I got home from Australia I was in the red and didn't even have money to put gas in my car to go job hunting. It was seriously depressing and I was convinced that I would be unemployed and living at home for my whole life! Luckily, I came across the job posting for Alice's, and it all worked itself out as I knew it would. I definitely recommend this to anyone going on an extended trip, leave some money at home that you cannot access while travelling for when you get back, you will be happy you did :)

I've also been doing loads of creative outlets such as painting, needlepoint, as well as experimenting with jewellery making with the shells I brought home from Central America. All of these things are turning out quite well, and I plan on selling my jewellery when I have a collection built up, along with doing hair wraps! I've also been back into eating much much better than I was while traveling and am feeling great! I sure missed my morning smoothies :) 

As much as my feet, heart and soul are longing to be back on the road, I know that now is the time for me to buckle down and start my career. Hopefully with time and experience, I will be able to not only travel for work, but maybe relocate somewhere altogether! Who knows what the future holds? For now, all signs are pointing to Toronto, the bright lights and big world of advertising. Wish me luck! I'm ready to jump in.

Until the next adventure,

Soph

My favourite welcoming committee <3

Guess which one is mine? #mermaidlife