Coursework

 

Reykjavik: Latitude 64°08′ North: Sometime after midnight

The bar pulses with the heat of bodies pressed close. Club goers revel in the warmth of each other’s company; and spirits mixed by a statuesque bartender whose cheekbones could be cut from the glaciers lining Iceland’s famous fjords. Ordering a cold one from a long list of lagers, it’s hard to believe beer was banned in Iceland until 1989!

You can now find over one hundred bars and clubs in Reykjavik. Most, crowded in and around trendy Laugavegur Street. Earlier in the evening, as rays from the setting sun lit up the northern sky in a moody twilight, we watched restaurants flip their establishments over to bars. Soon, a hot crush of locals and tourists from across the globe would descend upon them from the shadows.

Take note. Icelander’s like to go out late!

The heat of the club clings close as we step out in the midnight blue of the early morning. It’s cold, but not arctic cold. Iceland has a sub-polar, oceanic climate. Temperatures even in winter rarely dip below -15 degrees Celsius. Winding our way back down Laugavegur we join the crowds emptying into the street. Even at this late hour the streets of Reykjavik feel safe. This urban capital is among the cleanest and safest in the world.

After a long night of revelry, a hot attraction awaits. Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon. Any excess of the previous night will soon be forgotten after a soak in these ethereal, geothermal pools. You will leave ready for another night on the town.

 

 

 

 

Pressed up against the demands of work, family, and fitness goals — all while striving for balance and mindfulness. It’s no wonder we can feel like we’re in over our heads. Grab a paddle and get ready to surface.

  

“My Favourite Things”

Slicing the paddle through the water, I count strokes to the rhythm of the waves breaking beneath the board. A warm burn spreads outward from my core muscles, down my thighs and up into my arms and shoulders. Soon the burn will intensify and the endorphin rush will kick in. Focusing only on the next stroke, the demands of the day have fallen away.

Standup paddleboarding (or SUP) is an excellent all around exercise. It activates all the major muscle groups and improves core strength and balance. The calming affect of being on the water is a known stress reducer, whether you choose a high intensity workout or a casual paddle with friends.

Counting off a few more strokes, I take a deep breath of the salt-tinged, air before stopping and looking back towards the city. Everything from here looks different. My perspective has shifted.

Whether you are a seasoned athlete or beginner; paddleboarding is relatively easy to learn. Vancouver, like many water cities, has several accessible and affordable rental locations. So— stand up, grab a board, and paddle a path to fitness and mindfulness.

 

One would assume, a woman striding across the finish line of her third decade, having successfully cleared the hurdles of a meaningful career (an actuary by profession) and a good marriage; would have it together.

One would not imagine, that said woman’s happiness could hinge on the result of a quiz taken in the waiting room of a dentist’s office. One also could not imagine the irony that said woman’s happiness in life would come down to numbers. One number to be exact, the answer to question four.

Neither could I.

Yet, here it was… “How many new things have you tried in the past year?”

Happy people, it appeared, scored overwhelmingly high on openness to try new things. I couldn’t think of one. My answer didn’t even rate on the scale.

*

Sitting at the table with my husband that evening my dissatisfaction grew. It had been my turn to make our Tuesday dinner, spaghetti bolognese. As I watched him try to twirl his pasta into manageable mouthfuls I was overcome with the most unexpected feeling of anger. I couldn’t stand it for another moment. I slammed my fork down on the plate.

“Carl, I want to try something new!”

He looked up in surprise. A loose noodle was dangling from the end of his fork. I wanted to grab the noodle and fling it across the room.

“Is there something you had in mind?” he finally asked.

“I want to go to Wreck Beach.”

“The one where people take off their clothes?”

“Yes, Carl. The nude beach.”

“Do you want us to take our clothes off as well?”

“Yes.”

The room was silent except for the ticking of the kitchen clock. Counting each tick, I realized the second hand of a rooster clock was counting down the fate of our marriage.

“Well,” he looked at me. “I was thinking of a running club or a new restaurant. I wasn’t expecting you to say that you wanted us to take our clothes off in front of strangers.”

I felt a moment of vindication. I’d been right.

“But…if this is what you want. Let’s try it.”

I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry in relief.