On the eve of 30

(or "the 1st anniversary of my 29th birthday...!")

I turn 30 years old tomorrow. I can't quite believe it. Where the hell did my 20s go? It's like the most massive change for me, and I won't lie - the number has been the biggest stress. 30 is a turning point. It is a transition from my carefree, 'whatever happens - happens' 20s. I have spent the last decade avoiding settling, doing what I wanted, and generally living a somewhat selfish life. It is easy to think about the things I wish I had done. Believe me, there are many. But hitting the big 3-0 has also made me think about what I have achieved. It is bizarre to think about me, this time 10 years ago. I really didn't have any idea back then, and god, what I have done since, I am thankful for.

- I nailed an BA and MA degree, which ironically I look back on now and can't believe I had the commitment to finish. (Side note - I have to meet Atom Egoyan...the guy shaped a part of my life, without knowing it, which makes me a stalker...yeah, forget this line).
- I emigrated to Canada. Granted, I was supposed to be here for 3 months back in 2004, but I survived the HIDEOUS immigration process that took 2.5 years and a berjillion $. I also became a Canadian citizen. OK, so I am not a fan of swearing allegiance to another flag when my own is perfectly adequate, but actually finishing the whole process, actually becoming a dual citizen after years of working towards settlement was quite the experience.
- I love Toronto. But - I moved to Vancouver for a year. I wasn't a fan and I didn't enjoy it. Looking back - hell I am proud it did it.
- I've traveled and seen so many new things and met so many new people. I'll never tire of it and it is fascinating to see what it has taught me about the big wide world.
- I've forged a career in Canadian television for myself. I've worked as a reporter for the Toronto International Film Festival, I've written for the Biography Channel, I've co-hosted The Lab with Leo, I've hosted/AP'ed Oasis HD, I've traveled across Canada shooting for NCC...I've been lucky, and I've also worked my arse off.
- I've met some lovely, beautiful people. I heart my friends.
- Distance is crazy difficult, but family ties are stronger than anything.
- But most importantly...my 20s brought me to H. He's the best thing ever. It may sound full-on, but jeez..thank god for everything that brought me to him. He's awesome. He's fun. He's the best roommate ever. He's my travel partner. He's the best person to go grocery shopping with. His humour is as 'hilarious' as mine. He's perfect to waste the weekends with. He thinks Jamie Oliver is great. He'll wear an England jersey with pride. He'll consume my retarded vegetable and water diet and pretend he likes it. He comes home to Cambridge with me without question. He weirdly finds Jonathan Ross and Ricky Gervais more amusing than his own culture. He just fecking gets it. He's bloody, bloody lovely, and worth every moment of heartache of being continually homesick.

Kate at 30 is bloody different from Kate at 20. When I wake up tomorrow morning (and head to Chicago for a long weekend, which is a whole other post), things will feel different. But despite hating the concept of 30, jeez, I am DAMN proud of how I got here.

The big, looming 3-0

I turn 30 years old on Friday. That's right, I will officially be out of my 20s, at that point in my life where I am told I will a) be more focused, b) feel sexier than I ever have, c) be able to reap the career rewards of the last 8 years, d) know more about what I want and e) decisively know where I am going. Now, this may all be well and good, but right now, I don't feel I am in control of any of the above. If anything, I am realizing that turning 30 is a landmark for a whole other bunch of reasons:

a) My secret inner fat girl wants out...BIG TIME. Now she knows we are getting closer to the big 3-0, she is itching for a spoon and an evening sat in front of the fridge. Weight stays on my frame now, for longer and it take less calorific intake to see the flab. I am currently running 4 times a week, full-tilt like a deranged mo-fo for 40 mins each time. I thought I would see the results of a slender, toned goddess...yeah, still waiting to see her.
b) Gray hairs live in clusters, therefore making certain hairstyles and/or ponytails redundant. I now have to pay $150 every 6 weeks for professional colour treatment. In my 20s, I would have said eff it and headed for the $10 box colour, just to change up my look.
c) Late nights and excessive boozy evenings kill me. Literally, for days. I can't stay up past 2am or I will implode. Give me a Jack and diet, and my head will pound out of my ears until the middle of the following week.
d) Gone are the days of eating hideous fried food by the greasy bucketload. If I even sample pizza, a chicken wing or HEAVEN FORBID - a french fry, I am out for the count. In my early 20s, I would pound this crap back. Now, I need an elasticated waist to even think about it.
e) Oil of Olay doesn't cut it any more. I need to proper shit, the stuff that fills in the wannabe wrinkles.
SIDE NOTE: I don't know anything about music anymore...and what I do know, I feel grossly old about. Miley Cyrus is too young to wear plunging necklines. Nuff said.

I am sure there will be an upside to 30. I mean, there has to be, right?!!

Sampling Nova Scotia

5 Provinces in 4 weeks...I've covered a lot of ground recently! It's been an amazing experience, and as an immigrant, I've seen places and met people that the citizenship test just doesn't tell you about. My last trip was out east to Port Joli, a small harbour town on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. It was a beautiful place, although the weather could have been kinder to me!

I flew into Halifax, although I didn't get a chance to spend much time there, as I stayed in a hotel out in the burbs. It's definitely somewhere I would love to go back to, with its wooden-paneled bars, fresh seafood and beers served in tankers! New Scotland definitely has a homely feel for us Brits, and when I am not on the work clock, I think I might just need to sample the local hospitality at a slightly slower pace!!

Shooting in Saskatchewan...The Hills Have Eyes

Having found myself sat in a lot of airports recently, I'm enjoying my 1st Sunday at home in a month. I spent 3 days last week in Saskatchewan, shooting more stories for my project with Oasis HD and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. It was my 1st time in the province, and the Prairies have such a different feel to the rest of the country. Aside from the immense expanse of flatlands (it is crazy how the horizon just extends for miles and miles, and when you are landing in Regina, it is literally a small city dotted in the middle of nowhere), Saskatchewan has a distinct identity that I haven't experienced before. Despite Regina being the capital, it feels like a small town, blanketed in grey cloud...

I shot 2 stories, 1 in the Qu'Appelle Valley (to the east of Regina) and 1 in Cypress Hills (4 hours south west). Both shoots were exactly what I wanted, with strong interviews and decent weather. I think there is such a thing as a 'pinch-me moment', and 1 highlight was being met by a herd of bison grazing on the grasslands, which made for amazing b-roll for the story.

Our shoot in the Cypress Hills area literally took us into the edge of the Prairies. We were out of cell phone coverage, away from gas stations and driving through a landscape dotted with rusting farm equipment and oil pumps. After the shoot, we were booked into a guest ranch recommended by the locals, which was about an hour and a half from nowhere - making it more hidden than Area 51. I will introduce this guest ranch by saying - upon checking-in, I thought I would be surprised to see the morning.

The house was hidden deep in the hillside, at the bottom of a gravel track. It appeared out of nowhere, peeking out of the landscape with a church spire (which it turns out the owner had transplanted there for $5K from another town...to host theatre nights and non denominational weddings...) I'll be honest - I was ready to leave when I was met by these lovely greeters:

As it turns out - the owners were a kind and friendly gay couple whose herd of cows had names (rather than numerical identities) and hosted the guest ranch for love more than money. My initial fears of the House of Wax meeting the Manson ranch were more than dumbfounded, but it has been a while since my own English history has freaked me out so much. I slept with 1 eye open, as Vic watched over me...

But alas, we survived. I think I have just watched far too many horror movies and in true b-rate style, called H to bid him a fond farewell. I don't think he rested until I returned. But all-in-all, Saskatchewan gave me 2 lovely stories of the preservation of nature. And it also taught me the lovely lesson of not judging a book by it's cover. Afterall, the guest ranch (despite being bloody scary) was one of the most tentative and hospitable places I have stayed in. Would I stay again though...erm, I'll leave that one to your imagination...!

Shooting in BC and Alberta

After a week on the road, I am finally relaxing at home. I headed out west to shoot a series of testimonial profiles for my work, and it was simply the most amazing experience. Granted, I am knackered and I think I averaged 4-5 hours sleep a night, but I have met some of the most fascinating people and seen the most beautiful places. This vast country is stunningly diverse and the often hidden natural beauty is just breathtaking.

I flew into Vancouver last Sunday...which was an odd experience. I haven't been back since I moved away 18 months ago - and to my surprise, the weather was beautiful! I shot a story on Monday about Swishwash Island, which is a nature reserve in the middle of Vancouver Airport's flight path. It is a great story for the series, and I even managed to kayak for the first time. I hate water and I hate boats...so if I ever had to conquer my demons, it was then.

After wrapping this story, I flew to Kamloops (and lost my luggage - eff you Air Canada) to shoot a ranching legacy story. The Lac du Bois Provincial Park provided the most gorgeous backdrop:

From Kamloops, I flew to Calgary to start the Alberta leg of the shoot. After about 2 hours sleep, I drove 3 hours south to Waterton National Park to shoot a couple of stories profiling ranchers adapting to the changing economic environment. The funny thing is I thought I was going to meet 'Joe Average', who would talk about the industry on a mass scale. Amazingly, I was met by Blaine Marr, who was the most authentic and passionate cowboy with a 100+ year generational history. I couldn't have asked for a better interview.

After this shoot, I went with the Marr family for lunch at the local Mexican restaurant (granted, it is a little random to find a themed restaurant in the middle of the Rockies) where I watched a drunk local kid ride a motorbike around the yard with a parrot on his shoulder...yep, a parrot. As I was totally knackered, I didn't think this was weird at the time...

The Marrs ranch is located on the outskirts of Waterton National Park, which despite strong winds, is stunning. I watched elk swim in the lake and tame deer wander the village streets. It was like being stuck in a timewarp, surrounded by 1950s chalets in the middle of wild grasslands and rivers.

From here, I traveled back north towards the foothills of the Rockies to meet a ranching couple who have been married for 53 years. Hilton and Alta Pharis were the most elegant and dignified people, both of whom had fascinating stories dating back generations. They raised their 5 children on the ranch, and aside from a little scary off-roading, the story was exactly what I was looking for.

After this stop, we headed for lunch in a saloon in a township called Longview. It is only about 45 mins south of Calgary, but wow, it was a culture shock. The place was full of cowboys and bikers, all eating burgers, ribs or wings. Ziplock bags of water were hanging from the walls, which apparently keep the flies away from the food. Needless to say, flies circled the entire room, probably numbering into triple figures. This was one of the framed posters displayed proudly above the bar, which actually explains a lot...

I rounded off the shoot with a trip into the Red Deer Valley, before flying back into Toronto last night. I can't put into words the appeal of my own bed right now. Alas, I am back to the airport on Monday to fly to Regina, Saskatchewan, to shoot 2 more stories - 1 in the Qu'Appelle Valley and the other 5 hours drive into the Prairies. I'm back late into Wednesday night, so watch this space for a travel update from the middle of nowhere...

All-in-all...this job is turning out to be one hell of an amazing experience.

Heading West

I am really lucky to have an awesome job. I really am. I am super excited to be heading out West on Sunday to shoot 8 stories for the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Oasis HD. I am working on some amazing profile stories in Vancouver, Kamloops, Calgary, Waterton Park, Red Deer, Regina and a cattle ranch in the middle of the Saskatchewan grassland prairies, all before the start of October. This is a hell of an opportunity for the English Girl in Canada to add a few more pins to the map! More details to follow - as I am flying solo for most of the time and therefore will be spending a lot of time with my trusty laptop! My body clock is going to be screwed though, as I am just over the jetlag from GMT...bring on PST!

I heart home

After a 10 day whistle stop tour of home, I am back in the office, feeling like I haven't ever been away. My time at home was gorgeous and as always, it went too quickly. But, I will be back for Xmas, so it is just a case of keeping my head down now and working like a mo-fo until the snow falls.

We had a total blast with my family and friends. The weather was great, and the company was even better. And hell, I even got to see an England win at Wembley! A girl can't say fairer than that...actually, she can. What about World Cup qualification as well. Nice one boys.

Photos here.

Heading home

This is a quick post, as I am on my way out of the door...heading to the airport.

After 9 months, I am going home. FINALLY.

Hanging in New Brunswick

I am currently sat in a hotel near Saint John in New Brunswick. It is raining outside, and I have the afternoon to kill before I can fly back to Toronto tonight. I flew here a few days ago to shoot a couple of stories for a project I am working on for Oasis HD. It's a beautiful province, and I have met some lovely people on these travels. It is also super quiet here, like the air is clearer because the lack of traffic, and the people are friendlier, which seems to be just the way they are.

I spent some time in a beautiful area called Shamper's Bluff yesterday, with an amazing nature photographer who gets to wake up to this view every morning:

Kind of beats the Gardner Expressway, doesn't it! I also shot a story at the Musquash Estuary, which is the last natural estuary on the Bay of Fundy. It's a stunningly huge area, and it is gradually being preserved for future generations.

In keeping with the title of this blog - here is a dedication to the 'east' of Canada. I am gradually getting to see this beautiful country from coast to coast.

Thunderstorm bullets

I can't believe that August is nearly over. This summer has flown by. This might be due to my retarded work schedule, or it may just be due to our crappy Toronto weather (which has included far too many thunderstorms, alongside flooding and last nights tornado). The new view from our 34th floor apartment is just wild. Anyhow, in true longleggedkate style - here are my bullets of the week:

Vroom vroom - our (potentially) new little motor passed its safety checks last weekend. Once the lien is cleared on the car within the next week, I think it is ours. H and I may actually own a mo-mo! For us, it is like a diamond engagement ring, with 4 beautiful wheels...

Red Sox - so my man is a sports fan. I think that is a well-known fact by now. So I thought I would be a nice girlfriend and take him to a Toronto Blue Jays vs. Red Sox game this week. I work with a guy who has some awesome season tickets, so we finally saw a game from seats that don't induce a nosebleed! It was a ton of fun, although I would have liked to have been close to (my-soon-to-be-husband-although-he-just-doesn't-know-it-yet) Jason Varitek. Unfortunately he wasn't playing, so this is as close as I got:

(He's the guy with the bag...and I love him so...)

Nature Diaries - I completed my online edit of the 1st episode of 'Nature Diaries' today. I am so freaking pleased with it. It looks amazing and I know that it is a super addition to the fall schedule. 'Nature on the Shores' will air on Oasis HD on September 14th at 8pm EDT. Check it out if you can...and please let me know your thoughts.

New Brunswick bound - I'm currently working on a project with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, so I will be heading to Saint John, New Brunswick on Monday for a shoot. For this project, I will be interviewing some truly amazing people in some of the most beautiful parts of Canada. I can't wait to see some of the East Coast! That Canadian passport will be put to good use over the next few months. Check back here for updates from NB next week!

Taking the long way home - and finally, I will be flying home to Cambridge on September 3rd. After 9 busy months, (with the next 2 weeks adding to the equation) I cannot wait to get home. Roll on Gatwick, Costa Coffee, my family, the Daily Mail in print, Burghley Horse Trials, Wembley footie, the Bridge pub and watching the BBC live. Ahhh, my happy place is so close.

Twitter - and don't forget to follow @kateabraham for updates that are slightly more regular than this blog!!

Dodging Lemons, one lovely wedding and Twitter

When it comes to used car shopping, lemons are everywhere. H and I are in the process of buying a little motor to get me to work, and it has been a steep learning curve. We found ourselves up in North York a few weeks ago (for locals - Jane and Finch...don't ask) - and I am surprised we walked away with money in our pockets and functioning knee joints. There are so many dodgy dealers out there. Everyone seems to claim that everyone else is trying to fuck us over. The used dealer shouts the safety inspection by the licensed dealer in BS, and the licensed dealer laughs at the "car" being sold by the used dealer. So, who do you believe??

Well, we have decided to give the benefit of the doubt to the private salesman. Craigslist may harbour lemons, but at least I feel like I am going in with my eyes open. So, we have found a little Chevy Aveo that may just be what we are looking for. Fingers crossed, our new small motor might just fit into this space:


And also - many congrats to Mike and Perin. They got married last night in the most stunning ceremony. Here's to many, many years of happiness.

Finally - I have been avoiding Twitter, I've had @kateabraham for a while, but haven't used it. Well, now I am...I felt that I couldn't avoid it any longer. So - please feel free to follow me. I have some super exciting projects on the go...!!!

Nature Diaries

I am really pleased this week is out of the way. It has been crazy, and if I ever have to ship a teleprompter across the border again, I think I might shoot myself in the head! I spent a day attempting to get the bloody thing released by customs, and it was a big pain in the arse. But the shoot went well. All 6 episodes of 'Nature Diaries' have been shot and are now in the process of being edited into 30 minute shows. I am really pleased with the results, and I think the episodes are going to be good. Episode 1 is 'Nature on the Shores', and it will be airing on September 14th at 8pm Eastern on Oasis HD.

Busiest summer EVER

I wanted to sit my arse down sooner in front of a computer to update this blog, but things have been insane recently. I know I always seem to say/write this line, but this last few weeks have left me with grey hairs and insomnia. Moving house + car shopping + mental job = Kate with no time to herself. I apologize.

Moving house (AGAIN - 10 moves in 5 years)
H and I moved up a floor 2 weeks ago. You'd think that a move within the same building would be easy, but no. The move was a nightmare, just because we presumed that it wouldn't be that much work. In fact, a sectional couch and a queen-sized bed up a narrow stairwell takes a HELL of a lot of work. Especially if you are the 'base-carrier', meaning you are the person at the bottom of the stairs, pushing up. Yep, that seemed to be my gig, while H 'directed' is Ross-style 'pivot'. I love him so much, but could have killed him for his eye-rolls at 1am on a Saturday morning, while I was supporting the weight of a bed, having played the best wife ever at his work's do earlier the same evening!! :) But, the new place is simply fabulous and this will 100% be our last move before we head home to England for longer than 2 weeks a year. I love it so much - the lay-out, the view and the overall vibe. God - we should have done this a year ago. Photos to follow this weekend, I promise. And that parking space....hubba hubba.

Car shopping
But, along with the space, also brings the trauma of buying a motor. H and I are so lost right now. Dealership verses private?? God knows. We keep looking at AutoTrader.ca, and we will find something...but hell, the process is damn stressful! Our aim is to have a car 2 weeks from now, but wow - there are some potential lemons out there.

Mental job
I think I always mention that my job is crazy, but it really is this summer. I am producing, writing and directing a 6 part series called 'Nature Diaries', airing on this fall on Oasis HD. Episode 1 airs on Monday September 14th at 8pm, and each new episode premiers each week after. It has been the busiest (and most independent) project I have ever worked on, but honestly, I think it is going to be kick-arse (UK)/ass (Canada). We are shooting on Wednesday and Thursday of next week, and I am soooooo bloody excited. It means that this summer is mental for me, with no time off, but it also means my vacation home in September will be worth every moment.

Home
Our vacay home to Cambridge is 6 weeks away, and I can't bloody wait to get home. Can't. Bloody. Wait. Burghley, footie, family, Landbeach...September 3rd cannot be here quick enough. God, if a vacation was ever earned, it would be this one. Plus, I am so homesick, I desperately need to get my bum back to British soil.

England tickets
As a complete segway - H managed to nail tickets for the England football World Cup qualifier at Wembley on September 9th, while we are home. We are taking my lovely parentskis...and I can't friggin' wait to show H my people in sporting unity. Damn, it is going to be great. Stuff your hockey, welcome to the world game my love!!!

So, I am finally sitting here on a Friday night after one hell of a busy work week, sipping a JD and diet, listening to Jason Mraz, while H is out at a stag do for a lovely friend of ours. And finally, with some time to myself in the new place, looking out over one hell of a view, I'm realizing that my downtime is quite possibly the best moment of a really harsh week.

Oh, and I am dragging H to a Katy Perry concert on Sunday...that has to be worth checking back in for next week's post, surely???!!!

K xx

Photo Update

With our impending move, this is my life right now:

So, this post is a photo update, hopefully piecing the last week or so together.

H and I had fun times at the Offspring concert, although I did realize that I can't party on a schoolnight like a used to:



We visited our lovely friends G&L and met their new little man this past weekend:

And H fell in love...

On a side note: every office should have a puppy...especially a red boston terrier:

We will be completely moved into the new place by Sunday, and here is the view from our new balcony:

If I survive this move without going insane - then more photos will follow next week. I will also attempt to string a few sentences together, rather than expecting you to make sense of these random images!