Welllllllllll…………..
Today is my last Wednesday in Ontario, and in 3 more sleeps (which probably won’t be my best in terms of quality), I’ll be leaving for Vancouver. #HolyFreakingSmokes. Words can’t even begin to express how excited I am that this is finally happening. However, I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that stomach has been in a constant state of flip flop since last week. We’re talking backflips and cartwheels for dayyyyyys.
Guys, cross-country moves are stressful! Those of you who have moved a bajillion times – especially those of you with kids – are probably thinking “girl, you have noooooo idea.” My last really big move was from my hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, over to the Middle East. I definitely didn’t appreciate it at the time, but looking back, I can only imagine how super stressed out my parents must have been in the process. Not only were we moving a whole family, but we were off to a foreign country with very different customs, laws, and a whole bunch of unknowns that we discovered as we went. My move out to Vancouver seems so minor in comparison, but in my own little brain, it’s been a lot to handle.
Over the course of the past 7 days, I’ve packed and re-packed the same suitcases at least 3 times. List after list after list has been made to remind myself of all the remaining to-dos. Bags of clothes and stuff I just can’t take with me have been donated to friends and to charities. My car has been packed up with plastic tubs of my stuff, unloaded into my mum’s car, and taken back to her house for storage (because my mum is awesome like that.) I’ve been Kijiji and Craigslist-ing furniture like crazy and lightening up my life in in all sorts of material ways, but my head is rammed with thoughts like…
“What am I forgetting?”
“Will I really use this when I’m out west or would it be cheaper to just buy a new one?”
“How can I pack this bag so that more fits inside?”
“Is all of this going to fit into the back of my car, under the cargo cover, and will it be less than the shipper’s weight allowance of 150lbs?”
“Have I printed off all of my flight info and do I have my passport?”
“Is the condo clean for the prospective new tenants that are coming to take a look this afternoon?”
“Have I remembered to send my change of address to everyone who sends me mail?”
“Are you SURE this bag isn’t going to be over 50lbs?”
“Did you remember to pack the Vitamix?”
“Who do I still need to say goodbye to/try to see before Saturday?”
“What can I make for dinner to use up x, y and z pantry items?”
“How the heck did I accumulate SO MUCH STUFF?!”
Are you tired yet? Because I am.
With all of the gears in my head turning at high speed, there’s no doubt that this is one of the most stressful times in my life so far. In fact, I can’t really remember a single thing I heard on the radio while driving to work for the past week because the noise in my head has been too loud. They say that making big life decisions can be scary and stressful, and that if you feel those things, then you’re doing it right. That’s how you know you’re growing.
The funny thing is that I’m not scared at all about the whole being in Vancouver bit. In fact, I can’t wait to board the plane on Saturday. It’s just the process leading up to it – the getting my stuff out there and tying up loose ends here in Ontario – that has my cortisol levels soaring through the roof.
It’s a wonder that I haven’t (knock on wood) been sick, been hit with a migraine, or experienced any other misfortunes as a result of having my mind in a million different places at once. But I think what’s keeping me going is the prospect of what it’s all going to be. Where my head will be at this time next week. What I’ll be thinking months and years from now when I look back on March 2015 and see it as the transition into a new season of life – a life I’ve been planning out so vividly in my head for the last 3 years.
There are SO many things I’m looking forward to doing, people I can’t wait to see, and adventures I can’t wait to have once I arrive. Meeting up with friends that I normally only get to talk to via FaceTime and email, spending more time outside, running along the sea wall, spending weekends at the beach, walking to work, getting settled into my new career, and exploring everything else BC has to offer. And the food. Oh the food.
This week’s featured recipe stars one of the tastiest things I’m looking forward to most, and that’s the unbelievably delicious, melt-in-your-mouth, super fresh seafood – specifically, shrimp. The weather is warming up, winter jackets are going away, and with that, it’s time for a new wave of salad inspiration. I’m starting now with this Chipotle Shrimp Salad, and if you’re a shrimp fan, I hope it brings just you just as many foodgasms as it has for me. 🙂
Chipotle Shrimp Salad
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 3 mins
Ingredients (1 serving)
- 8 large shrimp, raw, defrosted
- 2 tsp chipotle seasoning, divided (Mrs Dash salt-free is what I used)
- juice of 1 lime, divided
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 3/4 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 8 cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
- 1 spring onion, diced
- 1/4 avocado, diced
Instructions
Pull the tails off the shrimp and put them in a frying pan with half of the chipotle seasoning and half of the lime juice. Stir fry until opaque – about 3 minutes once pan is hot.
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining chipotle seasoning, lime juice and 1 tsp olive oil. Set aside.
Chop all remaining ingredients as directed, combine them in a larger bowl, and drizzle dressing over top. Toss to coat.
Put the greens in the bottom of a serving bowl. Add the cooked shrimp to the veggie mixture and toss one more time before pouring it on the greens.
Serve with extra lime wedges on the side if desired.
Alright, over to you! I’d love for you to tell me…
- What’s the most stressful move or other life change you’ve made? What or who helped you persevere?
- What’s your favourite way to enjoy shrimp?
There’s not an ingredient in this recipe that doesn’t look fresh & super delicious! Thanks for sharing your twist on the shrimp salad. I’m a fan!
You’re most welcome, Jessie. Enjoy!
My family knows me as the professional packer/mover. I have moved a lot growing up and in my adult life. If my husband where to come home and say his job is transferred, I can have my family packed up in a long weekend. Not happening though, we would like to get our kids through school first. Then game on!!! I always find moving to a new place a fresh start!! Sounds like you are very organized too. I just found out my BFF is moving back to Seattle when she retires from the Air Force this summer. I am hoping to make a trip to the Pacific NW at some point. At only 20 years old I moved from Texas to Alaska. I drove by myself too. The stressful part was I had a broken radiator and I had to have it replaced in Seattle. From then on smooth sailing. Very excited for you.
Being able to pack up a family is a great skill to have, Desiree! It sounds like you’re a total pro, and I’m sure you’ve learned a lot about what things really need to stay and what can go every time. You’re so right when you say it feels like a fresh start. It’s something I’ve been anticipating for the past couple of weeks and am beyond ready for at this point. That’s so cool that your friend is moving west and that you might get to make a trip to visit. Vancouver’s not that far from Seattle! 😉
Congrats on the new job and the new place to call home!! One thing that may help to put your mind at ease with regards to having remembered to change your address with everyone, would be to do a mail forwarding through Canada Post. You may have already thought of that, but in case you didn’t, there you go 🙂 I look forward to seeing the west coast through your eyes/blog! I’ve only been as far as Alberta, but even that was amazing and beautiful. Good luck and enjoy the journey!
Thank you Yvette! Thank you so much for the Canada Post recommendation. I’ve actually used it for previous moves and it’s been wonderful. I’ve decided that for this time around, the amount of mail I get is pretty minimal so I’m going to just aim to cover all the ones I can think of and leave a forwarding address for the new tenants of our place in the event that I’ve missed one. I’ll definitely post plenty about my Vancouver adventures so watch this space! 🙂
I’m so excited for you!!!!! Looking forward to the awesome is a great way to keep the stress levels down. Every time you talk about Vancouver I think “gosh I’ve gotta check this place out”.
The logistics of a big move seem daunting but I always think “Other people do it, so it is possible!”
The most stressful thing I’ve done was planning our wedding. It shouldn’t have been that stressful but it was. At then end of the day all that mattered was that we both showed up and said “I do”.
Thank you so much Lauren!! And yes, I think Vancouver should totally be on your bucket list of places to see. If you’re ever there, let me know and I will most definitely be happy to be your tour guide! I can only imagine how stressful planning a wedding must be. As you said though, there’s only one thing that really matters at the end of the day. 🙂
GIRL. You are rocking life. Hang in there – the best is yet to come. 🙂
As are you, my friend. We’re almost there!! 🙂
I still can’t believe this is all happening!! You might be super stressed now but just wait until you’re there and settled. It’s going to be freaking amazing. I am super excited for you and SO glad I got to see you on the weekend. I guess the next time will be in August!! The countdown begins…
Yes, only 5 months!! I have a feeling this might just be the most epic SeaWheeze yet… ALL the Heirloom, ALL the Lulu, ALL the fun!! 🙂
Did you announce who you’re working for yet? It’s going to be an amazing change of life – all about the outdoors! And it one of the greatest cities!
I hope you’re able to enjoy your last three days in Ontario and your flight and move to VanCity are as smooth as can be this weekend.
What a big and exciting change 🙂
And that salad looks amazing!!
Thanks Ange! And remind me… will I see you at Seawheeze this summer?
Good luck w/ the move! My boyfriend & I bought a house together last year. This was the 1st time I’d moved & had to sell my house, too, which was stressful. I’d been in my house for 15 yrs & so had he so there was a LOT of stuff to get rid of before we combined households. We also completely renovated the new house (I’m talking gutted!) before moving in. We spent every waking moment of every wknd for 6-7 weeks painting, cleaning, changing out light fixtures, doorknobs, window treatments, cabinet hardware, etc. all while 3 different contractors were replacing ALL the flooring, finishing the basement, extending a closet, adding walls, & knocking down walls! It.was.crazy!!! I can’t even begin to figure out how many hours we spent at the local hardware store! Surprisingly, we look back at it fondly (not that we’d wanna do it again any time soon, tho!) b/c it was also an exciting time as we were getting ready to start our life together. <3 May you experience the same joy in your new home as we have in ours.
Sending lots of peace, luck and excited thoughts your way! It seems like absolutely insanity now (and is), but pretty soon after you arrive it will all seem like a distant memory. 🙂
can i come visit you in vancouver? will you feed me this if I bring sizzlefish? haha