Miss Mandie

It was a big week last week. Never mind Europe coming to a grinding halt (news that even reached me here in my usual oblivious seclusion), the big event last week in my world was the final of “So, You Think You Can Dance” in Australia. Now, you wouldn’t consider me a tv junkie in any shape or form – you know I don’t own one. But a ritual that spontaneously erupted in my life the past couple of months was a trek down to the bottom of the valley to one my forest neighbour’s place on a Wednesday night to get our weekly fix of these dancing superstar wannabes. We laughed, we cried, we sat in awe, we disagreed with the judges, we sided with our favourites, we clapped. It was a rich experience for me, made even the more delectable by dinner being cooked for me each week (thanks Janine and Lisa!).

2000 books in the next 100 days

With over 1 million viewers tuning in regularly each week (how do they work out that btw!?), I’ve been thinking about what made this show so spine tingling enticing for me and for others? My guess is that something magical occurs for us when we have the opportunity to be involved in the journey of people pursuing their dreams. People unafraid to give something their all, to bare their ambitions to all and sundry and channel their energy and focus into making their mark in the world, in whatever way makes their heart sing. This show gave us front row seats to witnessing these soul inspiring individuals on that journey. Along with tapping into an essential part of human nature; despite what we might be lead to believe by the nightly news, humans love supporting other humans. Let’s face it, we get a buzz from cheering one another along in life. A spark occurs from the depths of our being that recognises we’re all in this together.

Which brings me to what all this has to do with Stephanie Dale’s, My Pilgrim’s Heart. Well…Stephanie was the wonderful CouchSurfer who invited me into her home over a year ago. A home that became my home, despite her departure soon after my arrival. Yes, she was the synchronistic link to me making The Forest my home. Thanks for that Steph! Not only is she a kindred spirit to me on this life journey, but she is also one very talented writer. Her book captured my imagination as I journeyed with her on each page through her walk from Rome to Albania, and the inner journey she travelled about men and relationships. She has now embarked on the journey of baring her ambitions to the world, and as a self-publisher, she is channelling her energy into getting this book into the hands of people who will love such an honest account of what it means to walk thousands of kilometres, while trying to work out what a marriage means.

What I love most about Steph is how she has approached this “one step at the time”. She has said on numerous occasions its about the journey and not the outcome for her, but that has not stopped her giving this her all and setting her sights high. With the first print run of 1000 books moved in the first month, she has now set the intention of selling 2000 books in the next 100 days. You can join this book’s journey on Facebook. She is even offering free postage up until Mother’s Day if you buy online. So here I am, cheering from the side lines, in awe and clapping Steph. I’ll support you and do what I can to help you pursue this passion of yours. Go for it! Oh, and for those wanting a great Mother’s Day gift, or a birthday present for your ma or wife, or you want to just support someone I care about – go buy it!

I have to admit that being back on the road again has eased my itchy feet. What is fascinating to me is how much I am enjoying being on the road in my own country. It seems wanderlust can be satisfied on home soil, who would have thought!

It feels like a lifetime has passed in just over a week. I have enjoyed CouchSurfing in the rural paradise of Mullumbimby and at a backpackers retreat in the certified hippy town of Nimbin, woken to sunrises over the ocean, started reading two books, met with a Reiki teacher, stood in awe as pods of dolphins glided through the sea, been surprised by the comfort of the back of a station wagon, attended a local Byron Bay artist’s showing, relived childhood memories at Green Patch Beach, and travelled much further south than I had first planned to visit my friend’s Deon’s parents, who just moved to Australia from England.

Life has also changed course in this past week, as I said a resoundingly loud YES to the opportunity to rent a detached studio room on a property outside of Mullumbimby. Serendipity appeared through a seemingly standard CouchSurfing request with Steph. When I arrived at her property, which sits on a ridge overlooking the valley down to the ocean, I immediately wanted to stay longer than the planned three days. After a few days of absorbing the peace and beauty of this idyllic location, and countless connected conversations with Steph, I was asked if I wanted to stay. It took less than a day to decide that I did! I move there in April

So now my latest travel adventure sees me doing the last minute trips I want to do before I “settle down” for a bit. Rather than the usual gasps of air as my chest constricts when I think of staying put in one spot longer than a few months, I am filled with excited anticipation for what lies ahead in this next chapter of my life.

Here’s a snapshot of what one morning this week looked like for me in my home on wheels:

If the video above does not load, check it out at here.

It’s part of the traveller’s life…having to say goodbye to those that you connect with, not sure exactly when you will see them next. Today I had to say goodbye to Charish, my travel companion of the past couple of months, partner in crime in so many episodes this year that span from Thailand to Alaska and soul sister in life.

However, at the end of this full day of travel I have to mark how many wonderful things filled my day, to help me remember just how beautiful life really is:

- A morning coffee stop in Phoenix, Arizona to see Kayla, a volunteer I met at the Romanian orphanage last year and catching up on all the antics of that crazy Romanian village we both love so much. Kayla was also sweet enough to bring along a whole heap of photos from her last trip there over the summer, so I could see how much the kids had all grown up in the past year.

- Being pulled over by THE nicest police man…apparently a rule I was unaware of was the “move over” rule when a police car has its lights on next to the highway (you are supposed to move out of the lane closest to the car), so he pulled us over, was very polite, kindly informed me of the rule, gave me a brochure on it, did not give me a ticket and did not write any tickets for Jackie not having updated insurance or her registration papers in the car.

- Honest and heartfelt conversations with Jackie, my current travelling companion, on the journey about life, the universe, and so much more.

- Making it to the Grand Canyon for a second visit in as many weeks, in time to watch the sunset and enjoying laying on the pavement after dark looking at the sky filled with stars.

- Being able to access wireless internet easily from a hotel in Flagstaff…we were wondering how we were going to check for responses from the CouchSurfing requests that Jackie sent out and to our surprise and delight, the second hotel we parked next to had free internet – too easy!

- A phone call from the Arizona CouchSurfing Ambassador who saw our post in the Flagstaff group (as we had originally thought we would try and stay there the night) and wanted to know if there was anything he could help with, which included hostel/hotel recommendations and the best place to get pie in Williams!

- Getting the last available room in a hotel just after we crossed over to the California border, which means we can get a great night’s sleep before the remaining 9 hours drive tomorrow.

So despite the current ache in my heart of missing one of my dearest friends, I am so grateful for all of the things that appeared in my day to make me smile!

Photo Album – Venturing to Vegas!

I know I am getting slack on keeping this site updated. I know this because I have been back from my trip to Las Vegas for over a week now. But I am feeling energised and enthused about being a better communicator/friend/blogger. Anyway, to the point of this entry – a week filled to the brim of fun, laughter, friendship, excitement, desert, casinos, fulfilling life-long dreams and free drinks at penny slots. So where to begin on trying to encapsulate this week without writing a novel…hmmm, let’s give it a shot (click on the following link)….

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