Long Ago and Nature and Agility and Lots of Pictures

I graduated highschool a month ago. I didn't write about the adventures of grad week. That was a long week. And a long time ago. Almost seems silly that for my whole life, it was all leading up to that moment, and it took me about 7 seconds to walk across the stage and have my diploma handed to me. I'm not saying it's not a big deal, I'm just saying it's a little silly sometimes.

I did get a big cheer, though. :)

Here are some pictures of me and my friends.

All done.

Oh. And prom.

I went on a three day camping/hiking trip last week. Just my friend, our dogs and I and Mother Nature. I've always said that I could live in the woods, but after this weekend, I can back that statement up. I could seriously live in the woods for the rest of my life. I'm not even kidding.

We hiked 8 trails over the three days. The dogs went swimming three times and ran around in a field a couple of times. Mach was tired. I wish I had that in my backyard. We met some different wildlife. Andrea kept feeding the squirrels peanut butter pancakes, so one invited all of his friends. It was slightly terrifying. They are bold little creatures. Also, our campsite was attacked by something one night. Pizza. Most likely a raccoon. Everyone loves pizza.

Here are some more pictures.

It was quite refreshing to get away and smell the nature. The trees. The dirt. Waking up with the sun. Dancing around the fire. Climbing trees. Breathing in the ocean air. I wrote in my journal. My brain was very quiet while we walked. It was nice. But at night everything came flooding in. So I wrote by the fire. Peaceful, it was.

So I've been to three trials this month. {Two one-day trials} and one full trial. {Mach} and {Toffee} were so good, as always. I checked my books yesterday, and Toffee already has 50 Q's and Mach 25 Q's! So much awesome! Mach is getting smoother and more consistant in his runs...just those pesky bars that keep us from qualifying. Not that Q's really matter. He had some beautiful runs this past weekend, with just one bar. I couldn't be more proud! He's come such a long way in just one year. And Toffee...well, sigh, Toffee. :)

A week from now we're off to the West Coast island for nationals! I can hardly contain my excitment! It doesn't feel like it should be here, or that July should be over.

It's almost Great Big Adventure Time!!!

Weee!



Speed Bumps and Summer Vibes

I've been dealing with some personal speed bumps lately. Of which keep me up with the stars and the moon to turn them over in my mind. I keep going back to them, perhaps hoping for a different face when I turn the coin over. But it's always the same, just a bit dirtier from all the handling, yet somehow a little clearer. Sometimes the speed bumps that we meet on our road are simply there to tell us to slow down. Slow way down. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way. Even though they warn you to slow down, you just want to know what it feels like going full speed ahead and not looking back in regret. But when the damage is done, all you can say to yourself is to not do it again. Experience. Right?

Speed bumps are imporant. They allow you to regroup, reflect, rethink. They allow for growth. They require strength, but give you more in return. When you finally make it over that bump, you're homefree. You can run with wild, reckless abandon. You will be free. And isn't freedom what we're all looking for? Just one more push and you'll be free.

Sometimes what I desire most is to be free from my own mind. It gets pretty loud up there sometimes; so many thoughts coursing through the river. I feel as though sometimes it might flood the entire valley. There's been a lot of war going on inside my head lately; trying to figure our how to get over this bump in the road. But, the little engine that could, eh?

Speed bumps just give you a launching pad and air beneath your wings. They let you fly...let you soar. My brain is ready to soar, but my heart is keeping its feet on the ground for a little while longer.

In other news, I've really been soaking up all the Summer Vibes that I can. My mom, a friend and I went on a day trip to St Andrews on the weekend. Shopped around the cute little town and then hit the beach for the afternoon. A friend and I are taking Mach and her dog Zedd camping tomorrow for three days. A total back-to-nature kind of trip, with little to no electronics (minus a camera, of course!), good tunes, lots of hiking and relaxation in the wilderness.

This weekend is our last trial before we leave for nationals! Can't wait! 14 days! Woop woop!!

California dreaming

I don't think I've mentioned that I am dog/house sitting for most of the summer. I have three jack russle terriers that I'm looking after while their mama is away for work in Switzerland. It's been fun living on my own but I have been coming home lots anyway so it's chaotic having my stuff in two places... Because something always gets left behind. Sigh.

I walked to my friends house on the other side of the river, such a beautiful walk, great exercise, but I got a blood blister on my toe. Ouch.

Today I registered for my classes for university. Met up with a friend I haven't seen in a long while. It was nice chatting and it turns out that we have a few classes together next year too! Yay!

It's beautiful out today so we lazed around the pool for a bit. Mach Is now playing a new game with his sticks where he throws the stick in the pol and waits for someone to throw it. But it's much more comical than it sounds. Silly boy.

Tomorrow we're headed to Sussex for a trial! Can't wait :) then I'm teaching for two days then I'm going camping in Fundy with a good friend and Mach and her dog Zedd get to come along too! I'm super stoked about that! Then it's only a couple of weeks, with a trial thrown in one weekend and then nationals !!!!!!! This month is going to fly by!

Now, excuse me while my dad and I walk our BBQ back home. Yes, you heard me.

Canada Day trial!

There was a one day trial today, in Salisbury! Although there was 6 runs, I only entered 4...needed to get home for the festivities with my friends, of course! It would have been nice to do those two jumpers, but I'm going to have a great time tonight, I'm sure of it. All worth the while.

We ran in one standard and three steeplechase. Toffee girl was a superstar, as per usual. She ran four for four. The judge even commented on our standard run, saying it was beautiful and "that's how it's done!" hehe :) It was a toughy for sure. Her steeplechases were beautiful ... Everything about that dog's spirit is beautiful. Gah, I love her. She was among very few who qualified in all the SC's, but her times were the best out of them in the specials/vets, so she got Top Steeplechase Dog!

Mach didn't like the standard as much but still had good moments! He Q'd in all three steeplechase, making him the only open dog to do so, which made him Top Steeplechase Dog, too! Yay! Althoughhh, he had a bar in every run... Thank goodness for running contacts, I suppose.

It was great weather...a little on the warm side, but the river was at the ready to cool us off. I'm getting really excited for nationals, but I definitely need to train more between now and then... Which is only a month away, seeing how we leave on the 31st! Fast approaching!

If nothing else, it's for the experience with Mach, I'm just so ecstatic about how he's running... Eeek! So excited!