Is this a sabbatical?

On a curvy little side road, onto a stretch of modest old houses situated behind the popular hiking destinations, the Chiefs, I found the address to the place I were to stay in for the next two weeks while I embark on some extra Emergency Medicine training here in Squamish.

Greeting me was an early-40-something Asian women with various tattoos and crocked teeth, but with a certain native American appeal crossed with the new-age organic-food-eating microwave-hating lifestyle. She works as a mountain-biking and white-water kayaking instructor, and has recently rebuild her own home from the foundation upwards and is the in midst of picking up a new B&B career by herself. Her room was beautifully cozy on the inside, but needs a lot of work on the outside (she has the only unpaved driveway on the street). Inside, she has a brand new gormet kitchen with stainless steel appliances but no microwave. The living room has stacks and stacks of DVDs but no cable. She used to live in the city, including growing up in Kerrisdale and then spending time in Kits followed by Commerical area. But eventually she found it too appealing to live the simple outdoor life here in Squamish and hasn't been back for years.

I tucked back out to hit the town for some necessities. Then moved my stuff in, took a nice shower in her new bathroom, and settled at the table with my macbook and some warm comfort food that my Mom has prepared earlier today (reheating it was tricky). I look around, I guess this is what I need. After months of studying for exams and then working lots and then fuzzing over the rennovations of the new house, it's good to be tucked into a quiet place somewhere and just focus on less things. Here, I need to learn some new skills in Emergency Medicine to allow me to practice confidently in the rural. I can practice a little guitar and go bike riding. I can reconnect with some friends whom I've been neglecting with all the life distractions. I can pick up a book and try to read again.

It'll be nice. Of course I'm only here for 2 weeks this time, plus I plan to go back this weekend. So all this simplicity wouldn't last very long.