A Love that Knows No Bounds

Written by Jackie

The saddest thing about new relationships is that they don’t last. Exciting and mysterious quickly turn to comfortable and predictable, and we’re left wondering what changed? How did we get here? All relationships fall victim to this drudgery, and all have their own reasons for it.

Our relationship is one of a kind.

Dreaming of Fish Poo Plants

Written by Jackie

Living through our 20’s are tough for most of us – it’s the time we make some of our biggest decisions. We have moments of clarity and joy, scattered with moments of inquisition and uncertainty. We question the time we spend on this planet earning money, and whether more money and stability is worth sacrificing happiness. Through our love of the environment, science, and community, Sean and I discovered aquaponics, and the possibility of a tiny business selling plants grown from fish poo. Sounds exciting right?!

No Play. No Fun. No Joy.

Written by Sean

Balance. I think that may be one of the hardest things to achieve in life – it certainly has been difficult for me. In those rare timespans when I was living a balanced life, time passed completely unnoticed. The days and weeks would drift by and I’d be consumed by unrelenting drive and focus, completely satisfied in both my work and my play. But it never lasts.

Are We Friends?

Written by Jackie

I’ve only had one friendship in my life that really mattered to me. Most have come and gone, and as I changed, became irrelevant to the person I became. If we kept in touch, it was merely for small talk and something to do. What defines a friend? Is it the hobbies we share? Similar sense of humor? Our life’s goals?

As I watched the people I knew get married, buy houses, and start families, I realized I had very little in common with them. Sure, maybe I’d like a baby one day, but not in that way. I think many people find it an easy alternative to the potentially countless years of never finding their true self. But at what cost?

I’m sick of seeing pictures of your baby on Facebook. Not because I’ve seen her tons already and she looks like every other baby, but because she’s become a symbol for how happy you’ll ever be.

Ever Changing Minds

Since writing our ten-year plan, our minds have been changing constantly. The main reason: working every day. Every single morning we are rudely awakened by the alarm clock, often well before the sun has risen, and we think, “are we really going to do this for another few years before quitting and trying something new?” Hell no?! Please, no? Then, we go to work and spend the day frustrated by the amount of energy we’re expending – energy going towards industries we oppose.

Our Boring-Ass Financial History

We thought it would be useful to disclose how we got to where we are today, strictly speaking about the money situation. We currently sit with two mortgages, both of which we acquired before meeting each other. As people in their very late 20’s, this isn’t a big surprise. Gotta buy property, right? So, here’s the skinny on what we have and how we got it…

The Jungle Permaculture Farm of Costa Rica

Written by Jackie

We all wonder about these hippie-commune style farms, and the interesting things these people have to teach us. Not only about different ways of living, but also insight into ourselves and our thoughts and beliefs. What kind of interesting people would I meet there? What kinds of challenges would I face? Will it change me forever? I set out to answer these questions with a stay on a permaculture farm, in the jungle of Costa Rica.

Don’t Waste My Time

Written by Sean

Sometimes, it’s just nice to rant out your thoughts. I think it’s a healthy activity that you can do in private, in order to really examine the legitimacy of the thoughts in your head. When you read things back to yourself later, it gives you a chance to test your ideals and come to a deeper understanding of the headspaces you find yourself in at times. The following is an example of that. I wrote this piece early last summer, and upon re-reading it, find it still holds true for me. It’s musician-specific, but can be applied to other areas of interdependent life:

Here’s a short list of things you should definitely not do if you’re trying to play in a band:

Unexpectedly Backpacking Solo in Central America

Written by Jackie

I never intended it to be a solo mission, mainly because I don’t speak a lick of Spanish. Also, it was more about meeting people and growing. If I know me, it takes time to break me open; an English speaking permaculture farm in the heart of the jungle for 5 months sounded more up my alley. But, after just 4 weeks, I decided to leave the finca (that’s farm in Spanish), and learnt more about myself while backpacking than I thought possible.

Making a Living Making Music (Just Another Job)

Written by Sean

I came home from two and a half years in New Zealand with only one goal in mind: finally make a living making music. I had been fantasizing about getting back into the studio, getting back on stage, and getting back to where I felt I belonged. My desire to resume this part of my life was so strong that it blinded me to almost everything else. I believed there was no other path for me; I’d make it in music or I’d die trying.