Hello kind krafters!
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I hope you are all doing well and enjoying these last few days of 2017. I don’t know about you but 2017 has been a tough year for me. Juggling my class schedule trying to get it right in order to graduate this year, dealing with new challenges and people in a professional capacity, dealing with a lot hurt and heartbreak on a personal level, and getting very, very sick, have all been difficult, exhausting and painful. At the same time, 2017 has brought so many new and exciting things. I made new friends, and saw acquaintances develop into flourishing and fulfilling friendships. I began a professional partnership with AllTrails that let me spend my summer experiencing all of the nature my city has to offer. I camped alone for the first time, and further solidified by confidence and comfort in the outdoors, especially as a solo female adventurer. I read a lot of books, watched a lot of great movies, cried a lot of tears, and let loose a lot of loud belly laughs. 

​It has been a wild, crazy, happy and heartbroken, exciting, and fun filled year. And as we move into the end of this cycle around the sun, I am excited to see what the next year will bring. I’ve never been one for resolutions. I usually make a list of goals I hope to keep in mind and try and focus on in the year, but a list of resolutions never really work for me. I think it’s because I have always favoured trying to attempt to go with the flow and let the year take me where it will, while keeping certain values, hopes, and goals in mind, instead of setting out a list that I always end up straying from and then feeling bad about. But that’s just me, and I know resolutions can be a powerful tool for many people. It all depends on who you are, and what you know about yourself. So I encourage you to take some time to figure out which approach is better for you, and go from there!

​So what am I thinking for this new year to come? Well new projects, new experiences, new places, new people, and new doors opening. This year I will for the first time move away from my home and my city. In a week and a half I get on a plane and fly across the country to live in Haida Gwaii for 3.5 months. In the spring I graduate, finally finishing my undergraduate degree after 5 years of classes, essays, and studying. From there, I don’t really know, as I’ll be faced for the first time with the openness of no more classes, and the vastness of opportunities open to me. And, I am excited to announce this year will also offer the opportunity of a variety of new projects, the first of which will include expanding my AllTrails Internship project by adding in bus route information to each trail page, making these wild places more accessible to everyone. 

And so, with the end of this year, I move towards an end to a lot of pain, and a lot of excitement in the form of the events of the last year of my life. But so to, do I look towards an opening towards a new set of opportunities and a new chance to do what I can to be happy, and pursue what I love. I hope you all are ending this latest year around the sun on a positive note, regardless of what the past year as brought you, good or bad. And I hope you all can look happily into the coming year, and spend as much time as you can making space for what you love, who you love, and what makes you happy. It is not always easy, and neither is life, but I hope you all will join me in ringing in a new year of new projects, opportunities, experiences, and chances to make your soul sing.

Stay Kind and See You All Next Year!
<3 Niki ​

It is easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. Somehow the time gets away from us and our to do lists just keep getting longer. I tend to loose track of the things I need to do to keep myself at my best when my life gets hectic. It is important to recognize how hard we work, and to give ourselves credit when credit is due. Sometimes it is worth treating ourselves. At the end of my school term, I was feeling fatigued, stressed-out, and worn thin- definitely not my best self. I was lucky that my semester wrapped up early! Despite how awesome it was to be done early, the days leading up to the end were madness. So what did I do to treat myself for my hard work? I booked a trip.
 
When I heard that my exams would be finished by early December I couldn’t help but book a flight to Ontario to visit my boyfriend, family, and friends! I was excited to spend two weeks there before coming back to Nova Scotia for our first family Christmas in our new home.  This blog captures some highlights from this trip. Thank you to all those who made my trip to Ontario so special. Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your open arms! 

​Traveling with Friends!
 
My housemate, Jill and I were lucky enough to finish the semester on the same day and booked the same flight. Traveling with friends is always so much fun. If you haven’t had the opportunity to do so yet, I would highly recommend it. Traveling with Jill made the time fly by and made the start of the trip full of good times and laughter! Thanks Jill for kicking my trip off right!

The Best Reunion
 
The hardest part about moving across the country this year was saying goodbye to the boyfriend, friends, and family. I couldn’t wait to arrive in Toronto; Dan was patiently waiting to pick me up. We hadn’t seen each other in 4 months! After some exploration of the airport we found one another and I felt right back at home! Dan planned such an extravagant itinerary for my trip back and I couldn’t be happier with how it panned out. Thank you Dan for making my trip home so exceptional.

When You’re Stressed- Blow Off Some Steam
 
We kicked off my stay in Ontario with a bang! Dan introduced me to airsoft last year and I have been hooked ever since! For those of you who haven’t tried it I would highly recommend it. Airsoft is a sport that uses bb guns to simulate battle combat. For those of you who have played paintball, it is a similar concept- but Airsoft is gnarlier in my opinion! Anyways, I got to play twice throughout my stay and it was amazing. Having the opportunity to play twice in a short period of time allowed me to see my improvements and helped build up my confidence.
 
We played at two different locations and both times we played, we met great players. The Airsoft community is a great one to be a part of. Participants are diverse in age, skill, and experience. People are supportive of one another and the staging room is always full of laughter and highlight stories from the battles. The second time we played, we met a group of folks from Burlington, our home city. This group was awesome to play with. They ended up exchanging contact information with Dan and are now connected for future play. Airsoft is a great place to meet great people from all over.
 
Airsoft is one of my favourite ways to blow off steam. It is physically demanding, and requires mental focus. The adrenaline rush from Airsoft always distracts me from stress. Airsoft allows me to be present and be immersed in the game.  

​Since We Were in the Mood of Blowing Off Steam…
 
Okay, you all need to try this! After airsoft, Dan and I made a trip to Urban Tactical. At Urban Tactical, there is a shooting range where you can purchase different shooting packages and a range officer will teach you how to shoot different guns at targets. This is a cool experience, as you don’t need a license to shoot the different packages. Prior to this, my gun shooting experience consisted of a wide range of water guns, Nerf guns, paintball guns, and airsoft guns haha, but never a real gun. The idea of shooting a real gun was slightly intimidating at first, but that quickly changed when we started!
 
The Urban Tactical range officers are knowledgeable and make safety the top priority. It was fun to see some father and son bonding, some couples bonding, and some friends bonding over the experience. Our range officer was awesome. He was not only funny but also gave clear instructions and support. My first shot was a bull’s-eye and I was hooked! After you have shot your package worth of ammo, you get to take home your targets! These packages make for great gifts! 

After the Excitement it was Time to Relax and Did We Ever!
 
Dan surprised me with a trip to Blue Mountain as a Christmas present! During our stay, we were able to make a trip to the Scandinave Spa.  This spa was the best experience I have had to date with its off-the-grid feel. This spa is known for its outdoor baths and hydrotherapy. We were able to spend the full day exploring the outdoor baths, saunas, and steam rooms, as well as the massage services. I have never been more at peace. It was lightly snowing outside and it was beautiful. Upon arrival everyone is given a big, comfy, white robe. You get to explore the different baths at your leisure. After spending the day at the spa, I was the most relaxed I have ever been- all my stress was gone. I couldn’t believe how much the hydrotherapy worked for me. The spa has a ‘honour the silence rule’ which makes the experience that much more peaceful. I would go back to the Scandinave Spa in a heartbeat.
 
If you are battling stress please try hydrotherapy- it works wonders. It doesn’t have to be at a luxurious spa to work! Try running yourself a bath at home with some eucalyptus- this is my favourite stress buster! I don’t have a bath in my apartment so having a full day to do nothing but bath hop was a dream come true. We spent the rest of our time exploring the village, and city! Thank you Dan for the best surprise ever! 

Overall, this trip was jammed-packed and I wouldn’t change one thing about it. I had an amazing time visiting and everyone made it so welcoming and memorable. Anytime you are able to treat yourself to a trip I would recommend it. Traveling to see the people you love is always worth the trip! Thank you again to all of you who made my two week vacay an amazing trip to say the least.
 
Stay kind and unwind,
 
Annie

Hello kind krafters!

            I hope you’re all doing well and enjoying this busy time of year. For those of you who are students, hopefully you’re exams will soon be over and fun free time can set in soon! This week I want to talk about an important topic, one that our land conservation friends to the south have unfortunately been forced to face this week; protecting our wilderness and public nature spaces.
This week in the USA public lands were dramatically threatened, and in the case of Bears Ears National Monument, will potentially face an 85% reduction. The threat comes from political figures who have consistently failed to acknowledge the importance and value of the natural world, nor the importance of protecting and preserving it. And make no mistake, here in Canada we have similarly failed to protect sacred and valuable pockets of the natural world. About a month ago the Supreme Court of Canada ruled against the Ktunaxa Nation’s efforts to block the construction or an unnecessary and unneeded ski resort in Jumbo Valley BC, on land that is central to the spiritual belief and identity of the Ktunaxa people. Meaning not only is a valuable pocket of wild space being threatened, but also the identity and foundation of a entire culture. 

​Our public spaces and wild places have a value beyond that which is so often understood and communicated on the level of government decision. These places so often threatened and reduced to economic and development value are vital to our wellbeing as human beings, and our ability to sustainably thrive on this planet.
            Those of you who know me, either personally or from reading my posts on this blog over the last 8 months, know that all my free time is spent in the wild, and my passions and loves can be found in the wild places I frequent. The spaces I run to on the weekend, or after work, hold a special place in my heart and my life. A park where I first vowed to spend more time in nature, the backcountry trail where I found my confidence as a outdoorswoman, or the national park campsite where I experienced nature alone, in all of its frightening and beautiful glory, for the first time. I love these places for what they have given me, for what they can give to everyone, and for their inherent value just in existing and being open for me to explore. 

​I believe nature should be open and accessible to everyone because I understand the magnitude of what it can and will do for people who are able to experience it. I also know from my own experience what this can do for a person and I wish for everyone to be able to have the same opportunities I have had in the outdoors. But I also believe nature should be open and accessible because I want people to fall in love with it, and in turn have the same deep seated fight and desire I have to protect it. When you love something, when I has given you a piece of itself or has changed you and made you better or more whole, you will everything you can to keep it safe and protect it. When people are outdoors, engaging with their public wild spaces and exploring and enjoying nature, they are more likely to take action to ensure those spaces remain accessible, unaltered, and protected.       

Conservation and protection of our wild spaces is a big game and a big task. Community is central to the success of this undertaking, because a community of people who care about a place are the soldiers who will stand and fight to keep it safe. When a place is threatened people are needed to protect it. Outrage needs to happen, action needs to be taken and in response space needs to conserved. I’m proud of the people who have fought to keep our wild places and space safe, of our neighbours in the south who have protested, shouted, spread the word and demanded action in response to this past week’s reductions to their wild spaces. Of the people all over my own country, and the world who do the same every day. Nature and the wild takes care of us as people, it improves our wellbeing, makes our air breathable, keeps us alive. In turn we have a responsibility to ensure it is protected and conserved.


How You Can Get Involved:
 

• Get outside! Experience the wild, explore nature and see and experience what it is that needs our love and protection
• Write to your local governmental representative in support of conservation and most importantly against proposed threats to wild spaces in your backyard
• Educate your friends, family, neighbours, and community about the value of our wild spaces
• Take them outside and spread the wild love and the desire conservation
• Pass it along to the next generation- take your kids, nieces, nephews etc. outside and teach them young to love, respect, and protect the wild
• Respect the wild places you love; pick up your trash, trash you see, be kind and leave a little a trace as possible
  
  

 
As always stay kind and get outside (and share it your experiences with me!)
Niki

​It’s getting to be that time of year again- when people are in the spirit of giving. But imagine if that spirit was year round. Sometimes I feel like it is easy to get sucked into the materialism of the holidays. But how do we separate ourselves from this advertised holiday season and recognize that all these gifts that ‘we need’ are in fact just access things that we want? How do we recognize our greed and instead replace it with appreciation for the things we have? How can we allow ourselves to be happy with what we have?
            I think that the holidays are about putting in the extra effort to show our gratitude. Part of being able to show gratitude is recognizing our privilege. This holiday season I am grateful for the people who surround me. Beyond the people that I am surrounded by, I am thankful that I have the opportunity to attend school; to never fear when my next meal will come, and that I have a steady source of income. Although these are some of the things I am fortunate enough to have, I recognize that not everyone has the same opportunities. Our friends in the North have been dealing with unbelievably high food and other good prices compared to their counterparts in the south. 

“According to photos that were posted a case of water was being sold for $106, a roast of beef $217, a jug of orange juice $19, and a 4L jug of milk for more than $12.”- Helping Our Northern Neighbours
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So how do we help our brothers and sisters up North who are responsible for paying for these costs that are not absorbed by the government? Helping Our Northern Neighbours was a cause that was born in 2014. My mum, Kary Shannon introduced me to the cause. Helping Our Northern Neighbours was started to give a helping hand, support, and encouragement to the development of local initiatives in the Northwest Territories. Members of this group, work collectively to bring awareness to these conditions. This group recognizes that they are not the answer to the problem, but they are a step in the direction to change. 

So why does my mum participate? 
Kary believes that in a place like Canada we have to have a sense of community. Kary recognizes that for some, life can be anything but easy- especially like those up North without access to food security or clean drinking water. Poor health circumstances are a result of the challenging living conditions and how we have treated the environment- making some parts of the North a toxic environment to live in. My mum sends packages through this organization to families in the North with things such as birthday supplies, non-perishable food items, and toys and gifts for the holidays.  These packaged offer a small ray of hope for our brother and sisters up north and help them cope with some of the life challenges they face daily. My mum encourages others to participate in the cause.

“Learning is how you can impact change. And sometimes you can’t change the system but you can help one person instead. So we help Rita. “ –Kary Shannon

Try it out!
This holiday season I helped my mum wrap the gifts we were sending up North to Rita and her family. I love doing this with my mum. Participating in the cause helps me to gain perspective during the holidays months and helps me to resist giving in to the materialistic holiday season. Seeing the price differences between items here versus up North are disgusting. I am so happy there are organizations out there where people have identified this discrepancy, and try to make some change. These packages help families survive. Whether you want to get involved with Helping Our Northern Neighbours, or another non-for-profit organization, I encourage you to this holiday season. Ask for postage equipment on your holiday wish list so you can send your items! It is important to recognize that prosperity is in our own backyards and that we need to do whatever we can to stand in solidarity and support our community. This box is a flat rate box for $20 up to 5kgs! Available at the post office- an affordable way to send goods, anywhere in Canada!

You may not be able to change the systems on your own, but if we all do a little work, we can make an impact. I encourage you to find a cause you are passionate about and get involved! If you are currently involved in a great cause and want to tell us about it share it on the comments below or reach out via social media!

Stay kind and Merry!
Annie