Summer officially started for me last week after I wrote my last final. I thought I’d make this more of a personal post and share my summer plans for the next 8 weeks before school starts back up in Septembe.
Since school starts back right after Labor Day, I don’t have a very long summer. I kind of wish I could have split up the summer semester classes and taken them in the fall and winter. Then I would have had four months off for the summer and I would have been better able to find full time work. Unfortunately that’s not how it ended up (since I’m in such a small program the classes are only offered once per year), but I came up with what I think is still a pretty great plan.
I’ll be working part time. I’ll be at the same job that I’ve been at for years working with native plants. How can I go wrong with being outside with such pretty flowers all day? I make it sound like fun, but it’s also a lot of hard physical work. I wouldn’t trade it for anything though. I’m so grateful this job fell in my lap eight years ago. My boss and coworker are both amazing people who have now become more like friends.
In addition to working I’ll also be working on getting two fitness certifications. The first one I’ve been working on is AFLCA Group Exercise. (You can check out my thoughts on the Exercise Theory and Group Exercise courses) While I’ve taken the courses, I still have to take an exam for each course along with a practical assessment. I’ve signed up the take the exams in August, so I’m preparing by studying and making sure that I know both textbooks forwards and backwards. I need to get a minimum of 80% on both exams, so I want to make sure I really know my stuff.
The second certification I’ll be doing is the NASM Certified Personal Trainer. By the time I graduate school I’ll be a CSEP Certified Personal Trainer, but I figured since I’ll have the time this summer I might as well get another certification done. In addition, a lot of what I’ll need to know for the AFLCA Exercise Theory exam will also be covered by the NASM CPT exam, so if I have to know the content, I might as well be tested on it at the same time.
The whole summer won’t be all work and studying though. In a few weeks I leave for Vancouver to see Adele. I’ll be there for five nights/six days. So far I’ve planned a day trip to Victoria (I’ve never been, plus they have an amazing garden) as well as a walking tour of Gastown (one of the oldest neighborhoods in Vancouver). The rest of my time in Vancouver I’ll be on the beaches, at Stanley Park, and checking out some delicious restaurants.
Now that you know what I’ll be up to this summer, leave a comment with something fun you’ll be doing.
I am staying in YYC as I’m expecting a baby in a few weeks- not much adventure for us this year! I am from Victoria and I wish I could go back to visit though- I miss it so much!
Congrats on your baby!
Do you have any suggestions on lunch spots or things I have to see in downtown Victoria?
Beacon Hill is right beside downtown and has some beautiful gardens and ponds. There is a neat little petting zoo there and the Beacon Drive-Inn is beside it and has good soft serve ice cream. On the other side is Dallas road and it’s great to walk or run along there. There is also the break water near there. On the other side is the Cook St Village which has some nice cafes and stores.
The inner harbour is full of buskers and artists in the evenings especially on the weekend and Government street is nice to walk along as well as is checking out Chinatown and Bastion Square. The Harbour Ferry is a neat ride to go on if you like being on the water. There are also kayak rentals near the inner harbour. They used to do a boat water ballet once a week too… check their website to see if they still do it. Tony’s Old Time Portrait Studio is neat and there is a also a bug museum and miniature world downtown.
Out near Butchart Gardens there is Butterfly World which is neat.
John’s Place is popular for their breakfasts/brunches. If you are there on the weekend plan to wait in line to go in for a bit. Barb’s Fish & Chips is a popular place (I like Haultain Fish & Chips but they are outside of the downtown and have limited hours). Pagliacci’s is a popular restaurant and there is a Milestones right on the inner harbour with nice views. Vista 18 is located on the18th floor and has some great views.
Hope that helps!
Thank you so much Christina. Your suggestions are awesome and have given me so many options for when I’m in Victoria. I really appreciate it!