On Top of the World

I started this year off at 20,000 feet and 40 below – the coldest and most exhausted I’ve ever been – at the base camp of Mt Everest, one of the most breathtaking places on Earth.  I want to get to every continent and 30 countries before I turn 30 – a goal that’s shared with a few friends.  When I get an idea in my head there’s no turning back - so after climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in 2004 and trekking in the Andes (Peru) in 2006, I decided my next feat would be Everest (to clarify base camp is 20,000 ft – only two thirds of the way to the top of the tallest summit in the world – big difference!!!).  I decided Christmas was the best time to go – it was the easiest time to take an entire month off - and something about starting 2009 from the top of the world really appealed to me.  This trip turned out to be the catalyst of me changing my entire life. 

After a few flight debacles between Pearson, LAX and Singapore -I arrived safely in Kathmandu on Christmas morning – two days behind schedule.  I had arranged to have a guide and sherpa for a 19 day trek we were to do in 14 – and now I was left with only 12 – one day less and my guide wouldn’t even let us try.  The pace was tough, longer days than what would have been ideal with the increasing altitude – and the extreme winter cold was less than comfortable.  I’d say I was warm for about two hours a day – likely somewhere between the hours of 10am and 2pm when the sun was at it strongest… the rest of the time I had a consistent chill and shiver – or even worse was when I stopped shivering... I’ll spare you of the glamorous details of my two showers in 10 days – and the bout of food poisoning that left me dry-heaving in my room for six hours one night (even better was when my guide suggested he join me in my room the next night to make sure I was ok... he meant well, but I politely said, ‘No thanks").   

So while hiking about 6-8 hours each day I had a lot of time to think.. and more while sitting next to the fire after sundown, as well as during the long nights when there wasn't enough oxygen or warmth for sleep - I realized as incredible as my life is – there was something missing - I was bored.  After two years in my current job, I wasn’t passionate about what I was doing anymore.. and my on and off 28 year love affair with Toronto was slowly fading.  It was time for a change – several changes – major changes.   It wasn’t until I got to Australia and spent time with a high school friend that through completely chilling out (something I need more of) - I realized what I wanted and needed to do..  quit my job and chase my dream of launching my own celebrity fashion website – in LA!  This idea wasn’t new to everyone in my life, it’s something I’ve talked about since living in San Francisco in 2005/2006 – and it had become more of a “when” than “if”.   Even my boss wasn’t surprised when I told him – he said he always knew I wouldn’t stay long... but there’s something very different about saying you’re going to run your own business next and actually doing it – right now that something is the reality of nothing coming in and A LOT going out – but ideally that’s not forever.   And like anything in life, it comes back to risk & reward.  There were a lot of risks in my Everest trek - as there have been in most of my incredible travels to date – but I can say without hesitation, they are the most rewarding and exhilarating experiences of my life to date.  I wouldn’t change a thing. 

k

Any day that starts with this...

- is a day I want to live.

After weeks of stressing about where I’ll stay upon my June arrival in LA (despite a very generous offer to stay with my best friend – even the closest of friends must admit a one to three month visitor is an imposition) – I have my place.  It’s mine for the next 12 months starting tomorrow, and although I haven’t seen it myself… (again, thanks to my best friend!) I think I’m in love.   What’s not to love if the picture above is my new view?  And I’d better love it, I won’t have my furniture or most of my belongings for about two months while I wait for my visa.. so I plan to invest in some great patio furniture (care of Target) and eat every meal on my new balcony.  I won’t bore you with the eight other photos I have (ok, in fairness I’ve already forwarded them to almost everyone I know) – but I just can’t stop looking at my new home.. and of course mapping out where I’m going to put everything I own.  My friend said the kitchen’s small – she also said it has the biggest walk-in closet she’s ever seen.  It had me at hello.  

So after my first week of working from my home office here in Toronto – it looks like operation “change everything in your life and move to LA” is finally coming together.  Now I have 39 days to get my website ready for it's July launch, pack up my Toronto life, say goodbye to friends and family.. and get settled into the city where dreams come true.  

I can’t think of anything I’d rather do!

k

The first day of the rest of my life

For the past 6 years, I’ve been a loyal participant in Corporate Canada – consistently working 40-60 hour weeks – and largely identifying who I am with what I was doing between the hours of 8-6pm (7:30-8pm, 8-11pm..).  Although it wasn’t all work all the time, I was fortunate enough to use all of my four weeks vacation and also take extended leaves – allowing myself to enjoy three weeks in Africa, three weeks in South America, and a recent month in Singapore, Nepal and Australia.  I’d try to get out of Toronto at least once a month to break things up - taking weekend getaways to Boston, LA, New York – living for cottage weekends in the spring and summer  – and creating long weekends whenever I could.  I wouldn’t say I live to work, but despite my travel and extracurricular interests it's likely more accurate than merely saying I work to live...

So after recently quitting my job and deciding to completely go it on my own – today is the first day I woke up, had breakfast, read the paper.. and then sat down to get started on my work day in my home office.   No commute, no Monday morning meetings (no suit!!) – only total control of my day and my schedule - total control of myself. 

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. 

k

Following your dream

Some people would say quitting your job, uprooting your life and moving across the continent, saying goodbye to the corporate world and launching your own business in the worst recession since 1945.. is uh.. crazy? 

I've had various reactions - from confusion, to inspiration, envy and FULL-ON support (thank you!) - none of which seem to phase me as my answer to the most common question "are you scared?" remains "I'm more scared not to.."   It's another group of things on my to-do list.  Like my amazing and incredibly accomplished friends, I thrive in chaos, facing several challenges - and with countless balls in the air all at once – it’s what we know, and what we do best.

I'm 28 and after growing up in North Toronto, I've lived here most my life - with the exception of summers spent in our Canadian heaven (Muskoka.. if you know, you love it), my university years at Queen's - a winter/ spring/ summer abroad overseas in London and Western Europe.. a stint in San Francisco and extensive travels to 28 countries, six continents - and still counting!  Being in Toronto forever was never my plan.. and for a long time now I've felt the most at home in California - I've even been known to admiringly refer to it as my happy place.   These days my preference is LA.. with the sunshine, active lifestyle, and celebrity buzz - there's never a dull moment.  Even on your worst day, if you can walk outside and have the sun hit your face it can only get better..

So as I change pretty much everything about my life - or at least a fair bit of it - I'm going to share my stories, experiences and ridiculousness.. with my friends, family and anyone interested in a little dose of my life - in 300 words or less!

To quote Flashdance... "Find your passion and make it happen."

Let's see how that goes!

k