10/11/21: Day 4 on the farm! First time making apple cider today using the apple press. Pretty cool contraption and fun to be part of the process of making something from scratch. Still haven’t slept well since I’ve arrived here though. Definitely taking a toll on me…

10/12/21: Another night of little sleep. Getting harder and harder to stay in a positive mindset when I’m sleep deprived. Grateful that I had calls today with my coaching and mastermind communities to help me reframe my perspective. Did some weeding with Richard today and talked about how he started this operation, some of the experience and privileges that made that possible, and the barriers to entry others might face… I asked him, if he could give advice to those wanting to start something similar what would he say? Realizing that’s quite a complicated question…

10/13/21: Had my last call today with a business program I’ve been involved with for 2 years. It was a mixed bag of experiences and instead of regretting anything I’m working on reminding myself… Be grateful for everything you experienced. Even if it didn’t turn out exactly as you hoped, what you got out of it was perfect. Celebrate yourself and this community for all the learning and transformations you had. Focus on what you gained - like all the amazing relationships and connections that are still in your life and the support, training and community that served you through your first two years as an entrepreneur. Everything you received is just what you needed!

10/14/21: Had a conversation with Richard about expectations today as he shared he didn’t think we were on the same page. I listened, apologized and focused on getting how he felt. Even though I spent the rest of the day with my heart in my stomach, I worked on not making myself wrong and just reflecting on what I could learn from this experience. We talked about things a little more at dinner and hoping we smoothed things out.

10/15/21: Got up early to see what I could help with, found Richard pressing apples and jumped in. In the afternoon got to use another fun contraption to cut pears into rings to put them in the dehydrator. Some of these processes are a lot easier than I might have imagined and have me thinking about what I might want to use in my home some day. Looking forward to another Ted Lasso marathon tonight. My brain is feeling pretty fried lately and it feels good to have something to laugh at.

10/16/21: Spent the morning shucking walnuts while Richard was at the Saturday farmer’s market. Interesting to see more of where food actually comes from and pretty crazy to think about how far removed most people are from understanding how things are grown. Met up with Richard after and we went out for beer and shepherd’s pie for my last night here. Nice to sit outside and just chill. All in all this was an eye opening experience in many ways… grateful for the opportunity.

10/17/21

Arrived in Ashland, OR today, such a cute town! Got here, grabbed a burrito and headed over to the park to walk through the fall leaves and hang out with the ducks by the lake. Was craving a place to rest…have a tea. I looked up a few things on YELP and finally just thought - Gina, go wander. So I did. Came across Elder Apothecary - a tea shop that was just HEAVEN. Giselle met up with me a little later and we headed home to cook dinner and relax. At night she prepared the most magical bath for me, complete with all the oils and candles. Feeling so damn grateful for this day. THANK YOU GOD. This was just what I needed.

10/18/21: Headed towards California today and pulled over at a ridiculously beautiful beach just as the sun was setting. Ran from my car laughing and crying like HOLY SHIT that water is powerful. Danced. Ran through the waves. Sang to the Ocean. Took a million pictures. Probably looked like a crazy person. Thought that if the whole trip was for this moment, it’d be worth it. Got in my car and drove the rest of the way to my destination in the dark. Started thinking - AHHH… I must be missing so many more beautiful views! And then I told myself… remember what you said a minute ago at the beach.

10/19/21: Redwoods Day! Spent the day driving through and exploring Avenue of the Giants, and GIANT they were! Set intention in the morning to really lean into my core values of INNER HARMONY and REFLECTION. To check in throughout the day and ask myself what I needed. To be present with the incredible nature around me and not just take pictures of it. Didn’t try to “see it all” or feel the need to go to every spot that was recommended. As soon as I felt complete, it started raining and I headed to my next AirBNB. Sleeping in a treehouse tonight! Feels pretty fitting after a day with the Redwoods!!

10/20/21: Took time this morning to pull some oracle cards, journal, read, take my time before heading out. Felt really nourishing. Got back on the road after 11am and headed towards Sacramento. Janice gave me such a warm welcome when I arrived! As soon as I walked in my room I saw a huge MOTH on the wall - my animal spirit theme for the year!! Definitely feels like I’m just where I’m supposed to be. Got to play taiko tonight with Sacramento Taiko Dojo!! Felt super welcome and happy I was able to jump right in. Feels so good to play music with a group.

10/21/21: Was on a call today and felt like it actually wasn’t what my energy needed at the moment so signed off, sat on the patio and stared at the rain. Went to lunch with Janice and Marci later and had some delicious paella. Conversation and connected just flowed. Feeling blessed to have landed here. After lunch, went out wandering on my own and asked myself what I needed… Man it’d be nice to get my eyebrows waxed… found a salon down the street and ended up connecting with another amazing woman for an eyebrow wax and DELICIOUS facial. Talked coaching and collaborating. Wow, feel like everything just continues to align…

10/22/21: Going with the flow today. Janice interviewed me for her YouTube channel. Nice to be on the other side having someone ask me questions. Always helps me process and integrate. The rest of the day I resisted the urge to “be working”, let myself relax and had interesting conversations with Louis. We talked all about his real estate ventures - sparked all kinds of new ideas and possibilities…

10/23/21: FUN DAY! Spent the morning at the farmers market - tasted the most delicious lemon yogurt I’ve ever had. Then headed back to the store to exchange the pair of jeans I bought. Found this dress that I feel good in that actually makes me feel like an adult. Feel like it would make the perfect date outfit… send him over Universe, I’m ready! Another home cooked dinner at night followed by my first time playing Settlers of Catan.

10/24/21: Slept in this morning, packed up and got ready to head out. Janice cooked breakfast and I got into a convo with Louis about racism, the climate we live in, critical race theory… going back and forth about what’s the solution? what’s the impact? what’s the truth? Feel like the opinions / experience that really matters here is of those that are impacted by this every day. Grateful to be in this conversation though… to illuminate the area where I can learn more. Eventually jumped in my car and headed to Auburn, letting the sound of the rain help clear my mind, opening me up to what’s next.