A Moment to Reflect

The Sunshine Coast – Sechelt, BC

A moment to reflect… life is full of decisions.  I often wonder what motivates each of us to venture forwards into a direction that composes our lived experiences and ourselves.  We are all on a journey trying to navigate through the complexities of life.  I remember the first time I came to the Sunshine Coast.  It was 1994.  I just finished my Bachelor of Education from UBC and I was in the midst of finding employment.  At the time, I managed to get an interview with a school district on Vancouver Island (I came in 2nd), I was hired to be a teacher-on-call in Coquitlam (a metro school district), and I got another interview with School District No.46 (Sunshine Coast).  When I applied for the position, I asked my brother if the Sunshine Coast was in the Lower Mainland.  He said, “yes.”  I applied but had no idea I had to catch a 45 minute ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale and drive 30 minutes to get to my interview in Sechelt.  The interview process took all day.  It was a rainy day.  That day, I met with the school principal, a senior science teacher, and the assistant superintendent.  I recall being between meetings and headed to downtown to grab a lunch and latte.  I remember wanting the job so bad that I stood at the waterfront looking out into the Georgia Straight begging for things to go my way.  Well, I got the job.  I feel fortunate to have worked full-time as a high school mathematics and science teacher in SD46 for 15 years with one-year on maternity leave.  My family and I continue to live on the Sunshine Coast because we love it here.  I am no longer teaching and I remain involved in education as a school trustee, educational consultant, and graduate student.  Once my thesis is complete, I will be faced another decision… job opportunities vs. desirable place to live.  In Davis Bay en route home from the ferry, I would predictably say, “We live here.”  My husband mocks me sometimes, but it’s true.  I take great pride in living on the Sunshine Coast, as you can see with the picture above.  I think about that day standing in front of Pebbles Restaurant begging to win the external job posting.  What would life like had I pursued my teaching career in Coquitlam?  The moons were aligned that day.  With good times (and bad), I was meant to be here on the Coast.