I can already tell this is going to be one of my biggest lessons and opportunities to shift my energy about when to let go and when to hold on.

Let me tell you, this is a very vulnerable moment for me: realizing and accepting, slowly embracing the inner turmoil of holding on, trying to control uncontrollable events, circumstances and just simply letting go.

Traveling brings is right out of me, EVERYTIME! 

So, I decided to sit with this inner need. Trust me, it took some convincing my inner bully to keep sitting with it! Even here the need to control was evident. The constant chatter about not being good enough and therefore having to take care of everything and everyone.

Ha, I made it through a painful and to me valuable realization.

Control means safety, which in turn means that I’m in charge when I get hurt. I get to swallow the pain, to walk away, to pretend I’m totally fine. I also get to hold everything in place so it works for me, not having enough space to realize that that might not work for everyone. 

Well well, deciding to travel with my family is most probably the best catalyst to my healing. 

It triggers the shit out of me. Living out of a suitcase, not sure where and what will happen next….. are my kiddos going to be ok with all of this?!

When I dove a bit deeper into sitting and listening, I discovered that this is also about feeling the need to be all that and more to the world. The need to be PERFECT! Whatever that means anyways. Weird eh? 

I mean for everyone that word has such a different meaning.

I started doing a lot of inner child healing work and really enjoyed the book Reconciliation with the Inner Child by Thich Nhat Hanh. 

A lot of the uncertainty and the unsafe environment I grew up in made it’s way into the inner core of my being and reassured me over and over again that it’s simply not safe to trust the world. 

So, my soldiers kept me safe by hardening my outer shell to the world, by perfecting myself, always looking after everyone else but me. I was living the full wounded healer package.

Before I get into the drama and victimhood of all of this, I know deeply that every single day I get to make the decision to start with a blank canvas and release the toxins of the past.

I get to choose between staying in the moment or re-living the past. We all do!

My daily mantra includes: I AM ENOUGH! 

It shifts the need to control almost immediately! 

The reason I bring this all up is because I feel that I’m not the only one who deals with this inner bully BS.

Let’s stay present! Let’s be awake and aware and let’s love and respect our needs.

Namaste 🙏🏼

#vulnerability #innerchildwork #thatspirituallife #lovelife #embracethecontrast #zenteachings #buddha #shinethelight #presence #sitting #meditate #bestillenoughtoheartheanswers #listen 

Wow, what an adventure the last couple of days have been. Jam packed with exploration and adventures at Disney.  Little did we know what would expect us at Disney Sea.  

The constructions alone…wow just wow! Venice, New York, Cape Cod, Arabian Coast coupled with Mermaid Cove, Lost River Delta (think Indiana Jones tombs and temples) Mysterious Island and Port Discovery.

It reminded us of an extremely well executed Universal Studios and Disneyland. Combined.

Disneyland was very similar to Cali and Orlando and had all the trimmings of an awesome super kid oriented theme park.

Here Pooh’s Honey Hunt was our absolute favorite.

The parade at 2pm was super cool and a major hit with our little ones.

From a logistical point, it’s a good idea to purchase the tickets at your hotel, 7Eleven or other outlets. The lineups and prices are too much at the entrance.
The food is simply amazing. The quality and extraordinary presentation are one of a kind.

Popcorn in 6 flavors (we liked honey and milk chocolate the best), Mickey shaped egg yolks for your ramen or curry dishes, alien shaped mochi cakes, the list goes on.

On a personal note I felt quite a sensory overload visiting. The combo of sleep deprivation, heat and constant walking did it I think. 

I think it’s also worth mentioning that Tokyo Disney is not owed by Disney, but just licensed by Disney. Some of the merchandise, food and beverage and so different and are really catering to the Japanese market. I loved it. Quirky, fun, cool!

I so enjoyed people watching. It’s quite common for friends and partners to really go all out and get twinning into Disney themed outfits or full on Harakuja gear.

It’s a big deal, that Disney visit.

Having said all that I’m really looking forward to some upcoming downtime and relaxing. Yoga, time to meditate, balanced food and sleeping in past 4:30am…cringe.

As awesome as this is for the kiddos, they also need some chilling out. We have seen the first hand impact of overstimulation, the faces of confusion and tiredness. Having super sensitive kids comes with the responsibility to call it quits when it’s time. 

Pool day coming right up…

From the endless opportunities of people watching (think cool Harajuku wear wherever you look) to getting on the train with literally no directions in English (yes we made it), the so so politeness and helpfulness of the people to the almost unreal world of neon lights mixed with old town Geisha charme….yes Tokyo is pretty rad.

With kiddos it’s good to take your time to explore. We are staying at The Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay in Urayasu http://www.sheratongrandetokyobay.com which is an awesome place with in 5 minute distance to the Tokyo Disneyland Resort. The monorail literally leaves outside the door. Having said that it requires a day to get to and back from attractions in Tokyo. The subway system is readily available, but you still need to change 3-4 times depending where you go….

Well, it’s well worth it staying on this end of the bay with such easy access to Disneyland if that’s what you’re after.

Personally we like to mix it up and combine kid friendly days and activities with more grown up versions of sightseeing. I personally really loved visiting the Asakusa Market and Sensō-ji Buddhist Temple. I’m a sucker for temples, shrines, churches and anything that screams history, spirituality, sacred place of pure energy, so this one didn’t disappoint.

​The kiddos learned about the world of Geishas in Japan today and historically speaking as we watched a performance of real live Geishas who entertained with dance, song, humor, reciting poetry and playing instruments. How cool that was!

Here are some interesting facts about Japan:

1. Raw horse meat is a popular food in Japan, I wish I wouldn’t have known that 

2. Sometimes the trains are so crowded railway staff are employed to cram passengers inside.

3. Many couples in Japan celebrate Christmas like Valentine’s Day. It is definitely more of a “lovers” holiday in Japan.
4. Poorly written English can be found everywhere, including T-shirts and other fashion items.
5. More than 70% of Japan consists of mountains, including more than 200 volcanoes.
6. Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, is an active volcano (although scientists have not reached a consensus on that)

7.  There are four different writing systems in Japan; Romaji, Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji.

8.  Coffee is very popular and Japan imports approximately 85% of Jamaica’s annual coffee production.
9.  Japan’s literacy rate is almost 100%.
10.  Sumo is Japan’s national sport, although baseball is also very popular.
11.  Most toilets in Japan have a built-in bidet system for spraying your backside. These are known as washlets and are now the norm in homes and nicer restrooms. However, in some train stations and other public restrooms you may still find the traditional Japanese “floor toilet”.
12.  When you use the restroom in someone’s home you may need to put on designated bathroom slippers so as not to contaminate the rest of the home.
13.  Noodles, especially soba (buckwheat), are slurped somewhat loudly when eaten. It has been said slurping indicates the food is delicious. The slurping also serves to cool down the hot broth. Definite slurping action everywhere, our kids had no problems getting used to that.

14. Vending machines in Japan sell beer, hot and cold canned coffee, cigarettes, and other items. Riding the subway we came across vending machines that sell toys, food, drinks, donuts shaped like Hello Kitty among other interesting items.

15. When moving into an apartment it is often required to give the landlord “gift” money, usually equal to two months’ rent.
16. On average there are around 1,500 earthquakes every year in Japan.
17. In Japan it is not uncommon to eat rice at every meal, including breakfast. We have clearly experienced that at our daily breakfast buffets.

18.  Average life expectancy in Japan is one of the highest in the world. Japanese people live an average of 4 years longer than Americans.

19. Tsukiji market in Tokyo is the world’s largest fish market. I wish we had time to experience that, after all it’s only the. Eat sushi in the world.

20.  The term karaoke means “empty orchestra” in Japanese 

21. Raised floors help indicate when to take off shoes or slippers. At the entrance to a home in Japan, the floor will usually be raised about 6 inches indicating you should take off your shoes and put on slippers. If the house has a tatami mat room its floor may be rasied 1-2 inches indicating you should to take off your slippers.

22. Geisha means “person of the arts” and the first geisha were actually men. Wat can I say, I did not know that.

I’m in awe of the capacity and space that comes with traveling and taking it all in. All the new impressions, challenges, lessons, rites and worries.
In the end it’s oh so worth it. All the Jetlag, the organization, the pains. It’s really about letting go and letting life flow freely, especially in unpredictable situations . A good idea requires our detachment from outcomes and releasing control and fear about details big and small. I know I know easier said than done, but seriously just try it.

#worldtravellers #worldschooling #travelwithkids #explore #getoutside #letgo #release 

This is it! We are officially packed and ready to go. 

Cleaners are on their way and all we need to do is to close our suitcases and head off into the sunset…. wait not so fast! It’s a bittersweet goodbye. 

Yes, we are super thrilled and excited to step out of our comfort zone and into adventure, but we’ll also miss this place, we’ll miss our family, friends and of course rainy but stunning Vancouver.

After all it’s one of the most beautiful cities on this planet. 

Ahhhh…embracing it all. The inner turmoil. The conversations. The buts and ifs. 

#suitcasespacked #herewecome #worldtravel #travelingfamily #worldtravel #schoolonthego #expand #riseup #readysetgo #letsdothis#consciousparenting