Goodbye Bali - Hello Perth!! ❤

Seeing as I have one month before my DJing gig starts in Singapore, I've decided to shake things up and head South to Australia. I've got a few friends down there, and the potential to make some money, which as I have mentioned in past posts is very difficult in Bali, with work permits and such.

I fly out of Indonesia tomorrow, Friday June 1st, and arrive on the beautiful West Coast of Perth, Australia late tomorrow night. I am very excited, not just to explore and experience a part of the world I've never seen, but to chill with those super cool people also know as "Aussie's"!

My new blog is in the process of being set-up, so for the time being I will blog my Perth adventures on here. I've just contacted Perth Tourism, as well as Tourism Australia, to set-up some cool destinations and trips for the month. If you know anyone in Perth who I could meet up with, send them my way ( or send me their way ). I love meeting new people and finding out about their lives and backgrounds. So very excited for this new chapter in Australia!

When I was 19 years old, a packed up from Vancouver and left for the East coast of Australia. All I had was my plane ticket and a huge backpack and I bravely boarded the plane, not knowing where I was going or where I was going to stay. I ended up staying for 8 months, spending 3 months living in a tent in Byron Bay, picking fruit in Bundaberg, to nannying at a 5 star hotel on the beautiful and famous Hamilton Island in the Whitsunday Islands on The Great Barrier Reef. It was an adventure that changed me and shaped me, molding me into a stronger and somehow much wiser 19 year old.

A decade has passed and here I am again, spreading my wings and embracing the unknown. Buying tickets to destinations and not having any plans. But that is what truly makes life exciting and that is what makes life worth living. All you need is a plane ticket and to make sure you make it to your gate on time. That's where the magic happens. Through time, space, sunrises and sunsets, you are transported into a new part of the world. Air travel. Often taken for granted, yet truly one of the most incredible inventions of mankind.

I have my incredible parents to thank for giving me the wonderful gift of "travel" and instilling airport-confidence in me from a very young age. I'm pretty sure my parents sent me on my first flight when I was 7 years old, traveling as an "Unaccompanied Minor" or "Unaccompanied Monster", as my Mum used to say. Mum, please confirm how old I was ;)   She said, "Just connect the numbers and letters on the ticket with the screen and go! Ask anyone if you get lost." And it really is that easy!

Australia and Singapore will be a new adventure and I plan to share all of it with you, whoever you are and wherever you may live in this beautiful world. I am here to inspire and to create. There is SO much of the world to see, and I feel in my heart it is my passion in life to experience it and share it on this creative platform, known as an internet blog.

I still plan to buy land and build a house in Bali, but as far as 'career plans' go..... I've got some tricks up my sleeve, so don't plan on me retiring or settling down anytime soon! So many countries to see!!

On that note....... Take chances. Don't plan. Ok, plan a bit. Don't forget your passport. Go to the right gate. Sit back. Order a wine. Put on a song. Look out the window. Smile. And say "Thank you". Every day.

If you're unhappy, change it! Time is wasting, so instead of envying other people's lives, create your own incredible life. If you are not living a life you LOVE, the only person's time you are wasting is your OWN.

Focus on your dreams and move towards them, whatever or WHEREVER they may be ❤

And remember, in the words of Tony Robbins: "Never laugh at anyone's dreams. If you don't have any dreams, you have nothing. "

Love to all. Bye for now, Bali. Hello Australia!

XO Kate

Leap Year 2012 - Rainbows, Hiphop and SUCCESS

I remember the last leap year in 2008. I was living on 11th and Birch in Vancouver. It was a Friday evening around 7pm and I had my weekly DJing gig at Republic that night. Looking out the window, it was gray and rainy. Typical vancouver, right? Nope, things changed for the better within a few minutes. The sky cleared just as the sun was setting. With rain drops still in the air..... out came a rainbow. It was pure magic. I smiled and I remember it like it was yesterday.

Life is a delicate balance of good and bad. Light and dark. as people..... we experience a rainbow of emotions and feelings. Everything comes in seasons and cycles. The universe is a receptive, working machine. The sun rises and the sun sets. After darkness, comes light. The planets aline and we get 366 days this year. It's a special year. Embrace it. Use it. Don't waste another moment and live the life you want to live. Live it for yourself and no one else. Everything else is just chatter. Only you stop yourself from achieving your dreams and following your bliss. So stop it and start acting towards the life you want to create for yourself :)

After the rains and the gray, comes the sunshine. And if you're lucky, you get to see the beauty of both, when mother nature decides to show you how beautiful life is in the form of a rainbow ❤

4 years later, and wow how my life has changed. And it's only really changed drastically in 3 months. Losing that office job and that dude who was so wrong for me was such a blessing! I am so incredibly happy now. It's been difficult starting a life somewhere else, when I have grown up somewhere and stayed there all my life ( traveling a LOT, since a young age though ), it's been a bit of a challenge, but I am slowly making friends.

Piece by piece it is coming together. The apartment..... the scooter.... my new homies. I went out with them last night and saw some live music. The best. Classic and reggae covers at the local Napi Orti in Ubud. Super cool place. A mix of locals, expats and people on a vacation. Really cool.

I know the life I want to create for myself. I'm not done yet. I want to build a house here. I want a pool. I want to create this success and money myself, and I will. I have a LOT of work to do. I've been listening to SUCCESS mp3's at the gym...... really giving me the paradigm shift that I need to really engage all parts of my life, and make shit happen. I've forgiven the past and am living for right now. I'm grateful and appreciative for everything in my life. I am proud of myself and take time to love myself everyday.

Hope everyone has a fantastic last day of February. Bring it on, March! Embrace NOW. Live your dreams.

Peace + Light
Love, Kate


p.s. I've been on a hiphop kick in the mornings. Best way to start the day. This is what's on repeat right now..... So good. Below, the vid.... my new Balinese homies, Edy and Abu! :)

❤

Happy Valentines Day to Me ❤

I started a song-a-day post...... and I've missed the last two days..... so will be starting that tomorrow. Fail on my part, but hey, I'm winning in other ways. Such as seriously loving myself.

I've been feeling a bit lonely this week.... not for friends.... but for some love. With Valentines Day right around the corner ( barf ), us single people can't help but feel, well.... single. Instead of thinking of this as a bad thing, which it is so very not, I am embracing my awesomeness and treating myself like gold. A reminder that we should be doing this in small ways, every day.

Well today I dedicated to myself, as it is International Happy Day and also Kuningan ( the 10th day of the Balinese Gulangan holiday ), what better way to celebrate the number one person in my life. Me!

I filled up the motorbike with gas which was $2 and headed north to explore the outskirts of beautiful Ubud. Rolling hills, epic green rice fields and thousands of palm trees as far as the eye can see.

Afterwards, I treated myself for lunch at Dayu Warung which is on Jalan Sugriwa, which is a new little restaurant in Ubud. Totally organic and totally delicious. I had the Coconut Gamasio Salad which was filled with veggies and slices of avocado and shredded coconut with a tangy sesame dressing. Absolutely amazing. This was 25,000 rupiah. Less than 3 dollars.

Also on the menu: Pumpkin Soup.. pumpkin, garlic, ginger, lemongrass and pumpkin seeds. Dayu Warung also does catering, takeout and delivery. This place will be popular. Check it out if you come to Ubud :)

Afterwards.... an hour long full body Balinese massage with frangipani oil at Ayu Spa off Jalan Hanoman. Absolutely one of the best massages I have had in a while. I need to make this a weekly thing! There is no excuse when it costs only 60,000 rupiah = around $6.

The price for loving myself and treating myself like the goddess I am on one of the most beautiful and magical islands in the world?

Absolutely priceless :)


Dayu Warung - Sugriwa Street 28X, Ubud, Bali
                       - 081 936 203 001

The Winds Of Change ❤

Hello Everyone!

I've been slacking on the posts this week, but I put up a soul-baring video of myself the other day, so hopefully you can forgive me.

It's Saturday morning and change is in the air. The winds of change have been literally blowing all week actually. It was the Chinese New Year and also the Lunar New Year. I feel it and am taking action in my own life.

Today I move into my new little apartment. I've been packing and un-packing my suitcase for 8 weeks now, bouncing from place to place every few weeks. Today, I unpack and will set up in a actual "home". From the moment I walked into the new room, it felt perfect. The energy and feng shui was warm, positive and inviting. I am very excited to set up my cherished belongings on the dresser in my new room: pictures, cards, shells, jewelry and presents from my dear friends. My little "Bali Shrine of Love."

I've even got half a coconut husk to add to the mix. My first Bali coconut. I woke just before 7am yesterday morning, threw on a dress and my sunglasses and headed out the door. My Mum had told me about a beautiful walk through the rice fields, and what better time to do it than in the quiet hours of the morning.

A perfect path winding through palm trees, with rice fields on either side, lay before me. So absolutely beautiful. I can't wait until I am settled with the puppy and can take her up there in the mornings.

Along my walk, I passed a man who was standing by a small hut, filled with coconuts. He offered me one. 10,000 rupiah. A dollar. Yes! I was thirsty. The man grinned from ear to ear as he took his machete to a young green coconut. Toothless, I might add. Placing a straw in it, he passed it to me. I drank. Pure, sweet, organic, blissful goodness. I sat with my giant coconut and watched the sunrise over the rice fields.

It was a moment of pure happiness. This is why I left Vancouver. This is why I never felt right in my 9-5 office job downtown. This is why I went out the back of the building and smoked and looked up at the concrete and metal and thought to myself "I don't belong here. I belong somewhere else". This is why I ditched the guy back in June. We were so incompatible. What was I thinking?

This is why I bought a plane ticket and boarded a plane on November 30th. This is freedom. This is adventure. This is living my truth and living my choices. I am truly living my life for me and no one else. I am living my dream. I am excited for the future and what and who it will bring. Life is mysterious and beautiful and these precious moments are unfolding just as they should.

After I drank the juice, my coconut man offered to carve some of the meat out, so I ate some of that too. So amazing. He pointed to the lemongrass and citronella, growing at my feet. God, I love this island.

My other experience this week was going to an absolutely beautiful and luxurious wedding. I will post pictures in a bit. The Balinese bride looked like a princess. The music was great. The offerings to the gods were plentiful. Fruit, cakes, meat, flowers. Stunning. I tried Betelnut ( of the cava family ) and it turned my mouth red. I also ate a porcupine satay. Porcupine? Yes. Like kobe beef. Wonderful, tender, flavorful.....

I have to go finish packing now. It's sunny and beautiful today. The Balinese calendar even says the 28th is a good day to make a home :)

A huge thank you to everyone who is reading. Thank you for your support, love and words of encouragement. I appreciate every single person who is reading. Thank you ❤ And to my close friends, you know who you are....... You are in my thoughts and heart always, wherever I go. Love you guys so much.

Peace, Love, Foundation, Family.

Lots of Love, Kate

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Thoughts for Mike Grefner

This post isn't about Bali, but on a man who has gone missing in Whistler, BC, Canada. Mike Grefner has been missing now for almost 72 hours and with over 1200 people on his Facebook Page, many efforts both online and on the streets are being carried out now across Canada. Thanks to everyone who is sharing, searching, postering.

I don't know you that well, but over the years and in our encounters through the club scene, I have seen in your eyes and know in your soul, you are one of a kind and see the things most people miss. You are a deeply spiritual man, yet in the eye of the public. How one balances both is a delicate task. I know because I do it myself. Mike, we've been chatting in the past 8 weeks. You told me how you wanted to get out of Whistler and maybe come to Bali.

In your message on December 11th... you wrote to me: "I hope you are still there in 6 months plus, because that's about how long it may take me to gather funds and proper papers... I think we could mesh on a meta-level and up our games massively, not relying on one another, but inspiring one another... a thought that is growing... could be the booze."

The question on everyones mind.... Are you OK? When I read that you were wasted and drunk-dialing at 5am after your gig, a wave of sadness came over me. I've met you in previous times, where you were on a sobriety high, free from alcohol and seeing so clearly. God knows that I have been that drunk chick, sitting on a street somewhere, drunk dialing my loved ones in the early morning hours, thinking to myself I am seeing clearly and ok. I was not. I was deeply unhappy. I have suffered depression, quit drinking for a year, only to start again..... I am back to not drinking. Have you been depressed? Have you been unhappy?

I wish everyone... your friends, your family, now strangers could just find you. I know every effort possible is being made. I had a friend go missing two months ago....... I was part of that search, so I feel those who are out on the streets, putting up the posters and tracking his last moves. Trying to find new tips... new information.... a missed call... a bank withdrawal.... anything that can lead to your safe return.

Halfway around the globe and a day ahead of you guys back in Canada..... but with my ginger tea and clove cigarette.... I sit and listen to the wind rustle the leaves of the bamboo and I am praying.

Maybe you ran away. Maybe it became too much and you didn't know how to say goodbye or how to let go. Everyone wants to run away sometimes, so if that is the case, no one is going to be mad.

Time will tell. I so hope you can make it here to Bali one day. You're a spiritual anomoly, brother. Believing in you wherever you are and sending you strength from here ❤

Thunder Storms, Ginger Tea and 3 Strokes of Good Luck ❤

I spent the good part of the day in bed, drifting in and out of sleep and basking in uncomfortable cold sweats. Lovely. Most likely food poisoning. The rains came this afternoon and the lightning crackled and the thunder boomed. I nursed myself back to health with some comforting ginger tea.

My luck took a change for the better when I checked my email at 5pm and received a very positive email from a lovely friend. I then had the energy to take a walk up to the rice fields. Heading home, I stopped at a restaurant where my parents and I have eaten a few times, owned by a delightful couple. The husband had told me his friend had a room for rent, so right then and there he took me to his nephews house to show me the apartment. It is absolutely perfect.

The room is on the second level with a view of palms and the main part of Ubud. A huge bed with beautiful white Balinese fabric hung from the ceiling. A fancy way to say "mosquito netting". The bathroom is brand new and has a BATH! There is a TON of closet space, a fan and even a beautiful terrace out the front with a table and two chairs overlooking the gardens below. I am taking it. So happy.

My third bit of "luck". I have been given a puppy! I spotted her wandering aimlessly in the busy road and scooped her up into my arms. A whole family came out to greet me. A man, two women both with babies on their hips, and three little girls. One of the women looked at me and the little black puppy licking my face..... "You like her?" I nodded. "You have! Free gift!", she said with a beaming smile. I said thank you and that I would have to sleep on it. But really, how can I say no?! At least we can give each other love for the next few months, and she will be safe with me and not running around on the street!

Off to have a beer with my Ubudian friend "Bop". I ❤ Ubud.

The Woman Who Walks Alone ❤

First month in Bali - 3 parts Zen, 1 part Party

I have been in Bali now for a little over a month. I'm accustomed to the time difference, the heat, the bottled water and showering a minimum of 3 times a day. I've felt happy, blissful, confused, lonely, sad, and utterly proud.... that I have come here and am truly living this dream. I'm creating a life for myself here and it is brand new and challenging on a daily basis, yet wonderfully satisfying and truly blissful.

Times are tough and I am still looking for steady work. I don't really want to DJ. Kuta life is pretty nuts, so I know I have to keep focused and find somewhere peaceful and green to live. Hop on the yoga bandwagon. Wake up in the early morning to have my coffee under a frangipani tree. The party lifestyle can suck you in here..... it can in any place. Partying like a rockstar is fun and exciting, yet a swirling and soul-less vortex of days missed and shitty hangovers. If this becomes your life..... days, weeks, months and years pass. You don't really get anything accomplished. You can't think clearly. You lose yourself.

I took a year of sobriety last year.....  365 days of not a single drink. I have to say accomplishing this was one of the things I am most proud of. It was hard, yet easy, because I felt so damn amazing and healthy. I was so spiritually happy, my mind and thoughts were so clear. Like a smooth lake, reflecting like a mirror. Absolute serenity.

I've had a few big nights out since I "came off the wagon" in June. I've found balance, for the most part, with alcohol. The clubs here are nuts. Truly. Nightly fireshows and pretty damn good music. The air is hot. The bodies are tanned and sweaty. The drinks are cheap. The mushrooms are awesome and filthy cheap. You can buy them everywhere and they blend them up with orange Fanta and you sip them from a plastic cup. It's ridiculous how beautiful here as it is in Bali, and with or without some mushies in your system, words really don't do it this magical paradise justice. I know my mother is going to tell me to remove this from my blog, but I speak truth to my readers, so you must know all of it!

I can see how people would get sucked into this. I know myself, and I know my weaknesses, so I just need to keep reminding myself of my goals, where I want to be, how I envision my life and being conscious of the steps I need to make to get there.

My 2 year goal is to buy a villa in Bali. Or perhaps a plot of land, and build it myself. Well, have it built obviously....... totally eco-friendly and green. Property is cheap here, so I just have to be strategic with my work, saving, investments and planning. I've already had a few boys saying they will buy a villa here.... and I can live in it. A truly thoughtful gesture....... but I would lose all independence! This is not the destiny for The Bali Chick.

Staying focused and inspired and finding happiness every single day ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Anyways, that's all for today. I will be doing my first video blog this weekend. For realzy. So wait for it. Peace out xx

Love, The Bali Chick

NYE 2012 at Betelnut in Ubud

It rained on Saturday, December 31st. I called my "driver", Wayan, from my previous trip to Ubud and he agreed to pick me up from the villa in Seminyak at 2pm. Around noon, I slipped out to drop off the laundry, mostly towels, and grab some lunch. After a delicous chicken burger and a Bali "Kofe" ( coffee ), I bought two dresses. Both frilly and of the same cut, one lavender and one dark blue. Wayan texted me, he was just getting into Seminyak. I rushed back, had a quick shower, packed all my stuff for the night ( this time with a toothbrush and deoderant which I had forgot last time! ) and met Wayan.

On the drive out to Ubud, Wayan helped me with my Indonesian ( terrible ) and I helped him with his English ( much, much better ). We laughed lots, got confused a bunch and really didn't understand each other much at all....... but is was tons of fun! I was dropped of at Betelnut, where I was DJing that night, just before 3pm. I was early! I am never, EVER early for anything. Ask any of my friends. I have no concept of time and am habitually late, always. After arriving 9 hours early to the venue, I have found it is so much more relaxing to arrive somewhere early, with enough time to settle into the moment. I plan to make this my new habit for the year, absolutely. In most cases, anyways.

I was greeted by Odeck who was fine-tuning all the equipment for the night with the sound technician. The restaurant looked absolutely beautiful. I made myself comfortable on one of the lounge couches with my laptop and ordered a lime / lemongrass soda. I stayed on the couch until about 7pm, chatting with my Mum online and organizing my music for the gig. Betelnut looks down onto a waterfall / jungle, with palms and villas in the distance. The rain came and went all afternoon. The fireworks started very early. I am told there is a "fireworks phenomenon" going on right now in Indonesia. You can buy them for cheap cheap cheap from China, and there are no age restrictions, hence the 4 year olds lighting them off in my first blog post.

7pm. Sat down with lovely Odeck and the sound man for dinner at the main long table in the restaurant. A beautiful spread was laid before us. Rice, noodles, chicken and seafood satays, and the most delicious salad I have ever had. Mint leaves, with lime, coconut, coriander and chicken. My mouth is watering as I type this.

The party started at 9pm. It was a very classy event being a combination of a book launch, traditional Balinese performance and dance, a world-music DJ and then myself, to play just after midnight. The crowd was both kids and older people, so the party didn't go until late. I played house beats until about 130am, then left Thievery Corporation to play as I sat with Odeck and Tara and had more champagne with pom juice. As the staff cleaned up the restaurant, we just chilled out. Again, Odeck and Tara are the owners of Betelnut and they are so so cool.

I was to sleep at their place that night. Yes, the absolutely stunning place I spoke of in my last Ubud post. We arrived back at their house just after 3am, and Tara showed me to my own private bungalow with private bathroom. I thanked her and made myself comfortable. The dogs joined me on the porch as I sat and smoked a clove cigarette and watched fireflys dance in the ferns at the bottom of a giant palm. The stars were shining. The air was fresh. The crickets and frogs were singing. I crawled into bed, dimmed the lights and fell asleep just after 4am with a smile on my face. I was told in the morning that Jet, the big 4 year old black lab, stayed outside the bungalow all night. Something he has never done.

New Years Day. A perfect first day to the year. I slept in until 11am. Well done, Kate. I left the bungalow and made my way down to the main house. The day was overcast and the grass was dewy on my feet. Odeck was sitting at the table reading the paper. He offered me a seat and a coffee. Tara joined us and we spent the next 3 hours at the table having an absolutely fabulous New Years Day brunch. Bowls of watermelon and papaya smoothie to start. Tara ordered from one of their favorite places. Blueberry whole wheat pancakes with caramelized bananas and warm maple syrup. Spinach and smoked marlon omelette. Lots and lots of Bali kofe. Amazing. The 4 dogs slept under the table and the rain fell as we chilled. So relaxing and wonderful.

We sat and played with our chosen devices. Odeck on his Blackberry, downloading apps. Tara and I on our Macbooks. Sometime after 2pm, we cleaned up the table and Odeck headed off for a nap. I grabbed my camera and began to explore the property. Words just do not do it justice. It resembles a palace. There are actually 3 houses, with a large temple-like structure that looks down onto a perfect turquoise pool. Palm and banana trees gracefully dot the property. At one point, I climbed the stairs to one of the bungalows that looks down onto the pool and the main house. I stretched my arms to the air.... stretched... breathed.... heaven. At this point, 2 of the dogs ran up the stairs and joined me, and a brief canine photo shoot commenced.

After my walk, a wonderful first shower of the year. In this "open shower", I washed my hair with coconut-lime conditioner and looked out onto rice paddies and palms trees. The sound of rain on the plastic roof above. Simple luxury.

Wayan picked me up just after 4pm. I thanked Tara and told her to hug Odeck for me. What a truly perfect day. On the drive home, Wayan and I stopped for 2 plates of Nasi Goreng at a food stall at the side of the road. Spicy fried rice with vegetables and prawns. Huge servings. Absolutely delicious. That plus 2 orange drinks = 22 Rupiah. That's around 2 dollars. Man, I love Bali.

I'm off to a friends villa today to meet new people and most likely float in a pool, look up to palm trees and think about how lucky I am and how much I love this life I am creating for myself. I feel blessed, fortunate and absolutely grateful. My parents come to Bali in 10 days. I am so happy and excited to travel with them around this magic island and make some wonderful new memories.

Hope everyone has an incredible 2012. May all your dreams come true!! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Love, Kate

January 1st 2012

Hope everyone had a fantastic New Years. I had a lovely evening and a truly perfect first day of the year. Longer post to come with details tomorrow. For now: Champagne, private bungalow, coffee,  blueberry whole wheat pancakes with caramelized bananas and warm maple syrup for breakfast. Photo-taking. Yoga. Exploring. Tropical rain. Dogs. Dog slobber. An outdoor shower with coconut lime conditioner...... looking onto rice paddies and palm trees..... hearing the rain. This year is going to be amazing ❤ May all your dreams come true ❤