And a light bulb went off...

About two weeks ago I lost my very expensive iPhone4... much to my original dismay I have since realized that it was a blessing. Sure I had to spend $750 to replace it (luckily work helped me out with that one) and it was a nuisance not being able to instantly contact people when the mood hit me. But, for the first time in weeks I did whatever I wanted on the weekend. I paid more attention to the things surrounding me.

The light bulb moments:

- How often am I talking to someone and they pull out a mobile phone to contact someone else? How does that reflect on our conversation, is the person on the other end of the phone more important? Why don’t I value the face to face time that I get with people, in the scheme of things it really isn’t that much time.

- When do I need to know about things? Is it as they happen? Does that actually increase my happiness? I am better served taking a portion of my day to get updated on the on goings of the world and to participate and be present more throughout the day.

- Learn to say “no” more. If I don’t attend everything it is okay... if I decide that I want a night at home, that is okay too! If something is important enough, someone will tell me.

- Do it without a soundtrack.... this one is really hard! I love music, it makes me incredibly happy. It can change my mood, make my day, motivate me to push myself, or distract me from reality. But maybe more reality isn’t such a bad thing. When I don’t have my headphones in I talk to more people and step outside my bubble. I am probably more polite (even though I am a firm believer in talking out headphones when in enclosed environments and when dealing with customer service people).

So what am I going to change? I am not going to listen to my iPod at least one or two days a week when out and about in city. I am going to be more present when hanging out with people in person. I am going to set aside time to “catch up on news/events.” And I am going to lower people’s expectations of electronic communication.

Wish me luck.

Off to a good start...

It was a pretty perfect start to the new year... good friends, drinks, staying in a house looking out at the ocean... I had a glorious couple of days lounging on Bowen Island. I think it may be one of my favourite places in the world. There is a set of rocks at the bottom of my friend’s property that are out above the ocean and sitting there is one of the most calming feelings. I don’t think I could ever live away from the ocean.

I have no resolutions. I still have my list of 28 things to do in my 28th year... which I will post once the list has made it to 28.

I’m back at work... it feels like I was never on vacation. I start class next week for one of my social media courses, I am taking three in Jan-Feb. I have no excuse to pig out anymore... which is good and bad. It’s time to simmer down so I can continue to fit into my clothes.

It’s currently snowing in Vancouver... I kinda hope I see people using their umbrellas to deal with it... that cracks me up. I will take photos if I can.

Happy New Year!

New found love... snowboarding

It's been a good Christmas away from home... I think when the holidays come around you always wish you were home. But because that wasn't possible this year I had a great Vancouver Christmas. Many drinks were had, lots of different groups of friends and learning how to snowboard... pretty well rounded.

I don't know if I could pick out one highlight of the holidays so far. One of the options was an orphan Christmas day brunch at April and JWo's. Brunch, eggnog and rum, Newfies and Australians and cranium. Doesn't get much better than that!

Second up is Boxing day drinking at Library Square with nine random Vancouver friends. Watching world Jrs hockey and continuing on until 1am in the morning. It was a totally eclectic group of friends (always a good start) that were up for an adventure for the day. A little bar hopping, cider and dancing. I think it was the group that made it such an awesome day... Boxing day number two at Library Square was a success!

And finally I had my first snowboarding endeavor. It was a beautiful day, fresh snow (so it didn't hurt too much when I fell on my ass). I took a lesson, spent the day up at Cypress and overall had the best time! I can't wait to go again. Sadly it is a super expensive sport, so it will have to be in moderation, but I can see it being one of new my favorite hobbies.

Heading to Bowen Island tomorrow for a pretty low key New Years, but I'm looking forward to it. Post this celebration, it is time to take a break. I start a couple of social media courses in January so that should keep me pretty busy.

Happy New Years everyone!

When did I grow up?!?

I just signed the contract for my current job to be extended... permanently. Holy scary! All of my commitment issues are coming to the forefront... I freaked out when I bought a couch, this seems bigger. I say this but I know I want to be in Vancouver, I love marketing and I get lots of interesting projects. I just never thought I would be the type to have a permanent job for some reason. Maybe it is the gypsy in me. But I am perfectly happy in Vancouver; there is so much to do, great people, and good long-term job opportunities.

Maybe this all stems from my lack of desire to grow up. Once you grow up you don’t get to go back. Someone out of my friends has to be the lagger, I have decided it will be me.

Tickets, tickets everywhere!

Tickets tickets everywhere,
tickets tickets by the pair,
tickets tickets on my bill,
tickets tickets get my fill.

Apparently delays in flights aren't good for my blog posting abilities.

This last month has been one of those times that I am super happy to live in Vancouver. A couple of weeks ago I got to go see Dan Mangan and Wintersleep in the same week. It's a hard life, but someone has to live it. I love them both. However Dan Mangan was the highlight of that week. It was my first time seeing him and I have seen Wintersleep several times but he really blew me out of the water. I had high expectations and he lived up to them and more. He would be in my top five concert tickets purchase recommendations.

This Friday I am going to see Jason Collett, someone that I have enjoyed for years. He brings me back to my first job post university traveling around Canada as a recruiter. That was when I first purchased one of his CD's. I love how a band/CD/song can bring you right back to a moment.

Another concert that I recently bought tickets to is Pete Yorn... I figure why not go see him again. However that concert isn't for a while.

And in exciting news the most recent band that announced a date in Vancouver is The Weakerthans. They are playing at my favorite venue, the Biltmore. It is the perfect size, small enough that you can see them from anywhere, red carpet, serves cider and amazing bands that should be playing in much bigger venues. Makes my heart smile.

Oh to have limitlessness money and time...

Kelowna bound again

It is a little embarrassing to say that while I am about to go to the Okanagan for the fourth or fifth time this year I have experienced very little of it. Maybe one of the 28 things I should do this year should be experience the Okanagan. Go to a winery, find the mini-horse ranch that I heard about from one of our photographers, do something on the lake...

However this trip is just another in and out all work based trip. It was also -20 a couple of days ago and is calling for -11ish while I am out there so I am going to be doing my finest to not lose any fingers.

Although, I have to say the weather in Vancouver has not been what I expected. There was a -8 day and snow. Not snow that went away once it hit the ground. Snow that stayed. Not what I signed up for! It is also calling for snow in Vancouver. Please see below:



I love that 5-10cm of snow warrants a storm watch!

That being said, it looks like it should break on Friday and next week we will be back into the positive numbers.

Happy Movember

I love this month, the month that guys that shouldn't grow mo give it a go and guys that can grow mo's look like creeps. I am deciding at the end of this week who I am donating my mo funds to. It's a hard call... but I think it will be divided for the person that most looks like they would start a bar fight and the person that is doing the worst job of growing one.

If I was a guy I would have a beard, I'm sure of this. I would also wear a lot of plaid.

I'll get there when I get there

I have been home for five days and have finally unpacked my bags and put away my luggage... it is like I never left...which is sad.

I miss NL already but know that I should be here for the time being. I am not sure I could ever see myself freezing my ass off back in NL but I do love it there. I am certain that it is mainly to do with all of the people that I love in NL. The people that know me the best and remember all of my stupid/hilarious moments are there.

It was a hectic to say the least. Fitting people into hour and a half time slots, trying to catch up with everyone and really only doing an adequate job. I did have a delightful time at the party that Ivany hosted... even though she had to babysit me at the end of the night, out at Moo's curled up on the couch in Terranceville and chilling with Turpin in Placentia in a house I am shocked she hasn't set fire to. Jill's wedding was also lovely... somehow it was 16 degrees and sunny in November! Never saw that coming, it was a perfect ceremony and totally them.

I love the Newfoundland accent, it is delightful. After a week home I sounded like I was from the bay (or so I think). It was excellent, sadly I have lost it already. I love that when walking into the liquor store I overheard a lady on the phone... the conversation went like this "Missus....misses... you called me, right?!? Wah...wah?" It made me delighted to be home.

In one drive on the highway it snowed, rained and was sunny enough to need my sun glasses.

I did feel like the kid of the group as all of my friends are starting to grow up and I am no further forward, still unable to claim where I will live long term. I am happy for them all but I feel like I am on another page. For now I think that is a good thing... I'll get there when I get there.

All and all it was a great trip. Makes my heart hurt that I am missing out on big events and babies growing up but I am where I should be, at least for now.

On my way to the Rock

In three hours I will board my flight back to the Rock, couldn't possibly be more excited. I home all of the excitement wears off by the time I get on the plane, otherwise I am going to be pretty exhausted tomorrow. My arrival in NL is going to be hectic at best... the weekend schedule is action packed.

Here is a run down:
Friday
Arrive -11:15 am
Lunch with Dad
Nap!
Party at the Ivesters for my return - get dolled up in Halloween costume... possibly freeze to death

Saturday
Day - decorate for Jill's party
Dinner - cook a three course meal for Mom and Sherry (It's almost Sherry's b-day)
Evening - Party at Jill's

Sunday
11-1 - Frisbee with NL women's team
2-4 Nan's 80th B-day at Dads
Evening - see Shelley and Julie... hopefully if all plans pan out

Monday
Pass out!

10 Days really doesn't seem like enough time, but I am sure that I will fit it in along with a little 'around da' bay' time.

I am not sure if I am going to entirely miss NL or if it will be great to go home but happy to be back in Vancouver too... it's a hard call. I guess I will know in 10 days. Really the main thing is that I miss the people incredibly... if only I could transplant them all... but I do love a lot of things about Sin City too...

Three hours!!

What's my password?

I forgot the password to my blog.... what a smack in the face! Clearly I need to update more frequently. The other day Davena sent me a piece of mail mentioning that she read my blog... I forgot I have readers. So... I will do better!

This is the brief update:
•I am working on a list of 28 things to do in my 28th year... the list grows daily. I think it will be hard to do it all but I am going to try. One task is 100 blog posts... so I didn’t forget about you
•I completed this project with work... I’m pretty proud of it http://connectionsforlife.ubc.ca/#okanaganlive
•I just got back from an international recruitment trip in Seattle, loved it! I forgot how much I love recruiting
•I gained 5 lbs on my trip and now the dress that I am wearing at Jill’s wedding (Nov 6th) is kinda tight... I probably shouldn’t think it is so funny, but it kinda is. I love how I look after myself the bulk of the year and a week and a half of laziness and it shows, oops
•I go home to NL in 2 days!! I am so ridiculously excited!
•I am on a big local produce kick... I think it will be a forever thing... but I am currently taking pre and post pictures. I will post a couple! I only get geekier with age
•My nickname on this coast is Foxy...

That is the general idea of my state of life. Things are good. It has turned rainy in Van and I am more than a little sad about it... however I plan on learning to knit so maybe that will keep me occupied.

Coles notes of the summer

Dear Blog,

Sorry I have forgotten about you. It isn’t that you don’t matter; there was just so much going on that it was hard to get around to posting. I’ll make effort to be better in the future. I blame it on the arrival of sun in Vancouver. I see how everyone forgives the city for all of the rain once it is sunny. With all of the beach volleyball, ultimate, swimming at kits pool, hanging out at the beach and in general being outside it really affects my blog time.

After a couple of months it is hard to evaluate if anything interesting has actually happened in my life. I have attended several frisbee tournaments including, Potlatch (the highlight), Big Thirst, and Babes’N’Hats. Two out of three of my frisbee teams won their divisions. Beach volleyball is just one of the most fun sports ever!
I also headed to Calgary to visit bro and Maggie came from NL, it was such an awesome five days! I was like a kid in a candy store seeing Mags and Gav. It was pretty action packed between shopping, Banff, Lake Louise, zip lining and eating steak. While I had a blast, not so sure that I could ever live in Calgary, I think I would miss the ocean too much. I much prefer Vancouver.

I think I could solidly say I will be here for a year or two more at the least. However, might all come down to what job I get next... time to start looking. I am lucky and got to do some really cool projects with UBC. I just hope my next job is a bit more long term, I don’t need a permanent job but it would be nice to have someone that I could really get into long term. Time will tell...

I still have a couple of items on my to do list to tick off before I am officially willing to let go of summer, including hiking the chief and going to the PNE. It is hard to think that I am about to head into consistent daily downpours... but I guess I will get used to it.

I will be home (NL) in less than two months and I am so very excited. Pumped about Jill’s wedding and I can’t wait to get my dress in. Looking forward to catching up with everyone I just hope that it isn’t too cold now that I am a super weenie.
I think that is the bulk of the news to report...

Xo
Me

Lil' bit delayed

On the flight returning from a great week in Florida with my Mom and Sherry. I have to say one of the more mellow vacations I have taken, but that’s not a bad thing. Sometimes I think I need someone to tell me to stop before I ever do. I am more a go go go type that eventually burns out, sleeps a day away and then goes again.

The week was beach, beach and more beach. Toss in shopping (maybe too much, my budgets hurting a little) and a trip to Busch Gardens and that pretty much wraps it up. I have never heard Sherry scream like she did on one of the roller coasters, she claims that I have reduced her lifespan by 5 years… that’s just how I vacation. Always have to put a little something in there. It’s better than when than when the white water raft flipped… that was the time I thought I took them too far on vacation.

I think my idea vacation would be a vacation that I need a vacation from after. I love my activity, trying something new, playing a sport, meeting new people or just getting into trouble. However with the insanity of work lately, this was pretty much perfect.

In other news, I’m just about to head into firsbee tournament season. I have Flowerbowl with the Women’s team June 5-6th, possibly Eugene Oregon a couple of weeks later, a somewhat mellow July, Babe’N’Hats beginning of August and Kamloops at the end of August. With playing four days a week and all of the tournaments should be a pretty steady summer. Also a trip to Calgary in July/Aug and a couple of concerts, seems like a pretty solid summer ahead.

Sunday I go see Mumford and Sons! I couldn’t be more excited. I missed the ticket sales and had to buy it off of eBay but totally worth it. Sadly I will have to miss half of the last week of beach volleyball but totally worth it. With all my summer plans sadly I couldn’t sign up for the summer league but will still probably sub on occasion. It’s been a lot of fun and I think I will want to play all summer next year, mellow out on the Frisbee (I say that now, not sure if I will follow through on that one).

So life is good. I’m one lucky chick.

It's all about me!

I like myself... a fair amount, no idea why I don’t spend more time with myself, well I guess I spend all my time with me, but I mean just me. No frisbee, sports, co-workers, friends, attending concerts or any of the random activities I get involved with. Australia made me learn how much I need ‘me time’ in order to feel well balanced. I think I have been getting pretty far away from that lately, with all my activity. This weekend with my work photo shoot getting cancelled at the last minute and because I had to drop out of the frisbee tournament I got a weekend (bulk of Sat/Sun) to myself... so delightful!

I slept in for the first time in months (I think I made it to just after 10am), went to Granville Island to do my shopping, had a coffee by the water, went home watched hockey (I have somehow started to follow the Canucks...I think it’s contagious), had a glass of wine while I baked a ricotta and feta spinach dish and then watched a movie. For the amount of rent I pay you would think I would spend more time actually in my apartment. It was such a nice weekend. I love all of the activity I do but this is the first time I felt like I actually rested on the weekend. Perfect timing as the firsbee summer league starts this week... go go go!

This is a week late...oops

Whenever I think I have thought things through... I clearly haven’t! Saturday mornings endeavour was to pilates class... decided because I currently am the owner of a cankle (fat ankle). In the idea of being good before being bad (exercise pre brunch) we headed into pilates where we proceeded to be encouraged to stand on foam blocks for over half of the class. Apparently our instructor comes from a bit of a martial arts background and learning to balance on a foam block while holding onto a foam roller is an excellent idea. I don’t even know that my balance is that wonderful without a cankle, forget adding in standing on one foot on a foam block. In an impressive act of self preservation and wanting to not get removed from the facility I managed to pull through, not take any of my neighbours out and almost feel like I accomplished something.

At this point, I feel like I am in the clear... really what could be worse? I am now lying on the ground doing abs exercise, the potential of getting myself in a ridiculous predicament significantly reduced. Little do I know that the foam roller isn’t done with us yet. Picture this - a foam roller about the length of my hip to head. We are encouraged to lie on the foam roller, put your legs up into the air and slowly work your way up to only having your elbows on the ground... as you can imagine the sound throughout the room is thud... thud... thud...giggles... thud... my stress levels are high as I wonder if I will crash to the ground possibly kneeing one of petite women to either sides of me. I am not even sure if I was breathing during this endeavour... through some act of God I managed to pull it off without injuring myself or anyone else... a lot more stress than expected when I signed up for pilates class.

It’s only when I feel like I have made a super smart and rational choice does my life turn silly... maybe I should wait until post events before patting myself on the back.

My denial in argyle

The title has nothing to do with this post... just a great lyric I heard recently. Life has been pretty good on this end, finally feeling like life is coming together here in Vancouver. Been playing heaps of frisbee, meeting more people, went on a tournament and I have exciting things coming up.

Recently I made my first trip to the island... Nanaimo to be exact. It was a last minute decision to attend Udderbowl a frisbee tournament. Such a fun tournament, I played on a totally thrown together team that played amazing well considering we never played together before. Only totally random team to make the A pool out of 18 teams! Unfortunately there was a re-tweek of the cankle... so I have been making an active effort to rest it and let the swelling go down.

For the summer, playing on a women’s team, 3 league teams (part time for one) and beach volleyball... going to be a lot of exercise happening but that’s what makes me happy so sounds excellent to me.

Last weekend had a slightly random but really fun weekend. Friday I had a couple of ladies I know over for wine and a really nice meal, Saturday I went to a lobster boil held by a bunch of East Coasters, then onto a rugby ‘fight night’ (basically watching rugby player box eachother bloody), Sunday followed up with brunch, shopping and beach volleyball. Lots to do and lots of people to hang out with, just how I like it!

In recent news, purchased a ticket to Calgary! Maggie is going to meet me there, will hang out with Tiona and the brother. I’m pretty excited. Was a sweet deal that I couldn’t turn down, especially since I’ve never been. I’m pretty sure it will just be a big Newfie party, but I could definitely use some of that in my life. A little home away from home is definitely in order.

March Madness ruled my life!

It is sad how every March I fall off of the social radar... and then don’t understand how it happens. It is probably one of my few addictions, well NCAA March Madness (American College Basketball) and Frisbee. Coming right off the Olympics I have watched more TV in the last two months than I did the entire year before (no March Madness in Australia). As much as I love the games, the last minute points, getting my butt kicked in my bracket, the trash talk and the allegiances with schools that I have nothing to do with... I am really looking forward to reclaiming my social life.

The weather is starting to clear up, frisbee season is around the corner and I start beach volleyball in a couple of weeks. I’m getting excited. Surprisingly I didn’t even have to look for summer teams for frisbee, I have had 5 requests... deciding if I want to play 3 or 4 times a week. Most teams don’t practice here so it would be pretty similar to the amount I played at home. I’m excited about getting back out into the world for other reasons than to exercise. This coming weekend there are a couple of parties and book club, gonna hit the ground running.

In another month and a couple of weeks I’m heading to Florida with my mom and aunt. Super excited, I can’t wait to see them and for the beach! I know I live near beach now but it is too mild to enjoy it here yet.

When did I become do dependant?!?

I recall a time when 80% of my friends had cell phones and I was making a decision to stay “off the grid” for as long as I could. I also made a similar stand on facebook, joining far after my peers. I now am a member of pretty much all of these social media outlets (although I claim some of it is for work, you can’t be in marketing and not know about social media), would be lost without my cell phone, need to check my email if I have been away from a computer for more than a couple of hours and don’t go anywhere without my iPod. How did this happen?

I am debating a bit of a hiatus from a couple of electronic “necessities” for a while... more to see if I can do it. I did it in Australia, more because I was travelling too much to stay on top of it and once my laptop was stolen it was pretty inconvenient to keep up my apparent addiction. The longest I have gone without checking my email would probably be a couple of years ago when I was on a cruise... Why am I so addicted? Do I feel like I will be out of the loop? Worried I won’t know important information? Do I have too much time on my hands? The thing is the longer I am away from home or the people I have met in my travels the more I depend on facebook... it’s an uncomfortable cycle.

This train of thought started from reading an article on University professors assigning for students to give up social networking sites and electronics that didn’t exist in 1984 (not sure why this year was selected). Needless to say... I would fail ...

Ready for some down time

I am extremely overdue for an update… I think I am still in shock that the Olympics are over… it went by ridiculously quick and felt like there was always something happening. I have spent very little time at home, even last week (had a friend visiting from NL) and still feel like I am in recovery. The entire city is dying of colds because of the increased physical contact due to high-fiving everyone on the street post hockey winning. I was out for the count one day last week and still feel it lingering… maybe a night or two staying in will help.

I went to see Chris Kirby and the Marquee play at Atlantic Canada House and got to catch up with the guys, that was pretty cool. The band has come so far since I saw them last, it’s really great to see. The band after was Wintersleep, which was pretty darn awesome, I love that band. They totally lived up to my expectations. Later in the week I went to see Matt Mayes at Live city which was pretty cool and the week was filled with hockey, hockey and more hockey. Maybe toss a little curling watching in there as well.

On a whole I was really impressed with how the Vancouverites came out of their shells and really participated in everything… they tend to not be known as one of the most fun places… I wonder how much of it will linger in the city. Where people were normally a bit standoffish they were super chatty, nothing like the Vancouver I have experienced in the lead up months. It was a fun difference, more East Coastish.
I think the only letdown of the whole Olympics in my mind was the despicable display of Canadian “talent” that was displayed during the Closing Ceremony. I think I am going to be recovering from that one for a while. Really VANOC, Nickelback? Avril? Sum 41? Headly? I think they were just sick of tourist and trying to get everyone out of the country… great way to do it. Could they not have found anyone better? Most of the free shows were better!! Were Metric not available? Arcade Fire? Feist? Poor Neil Yong… must be the worst line up he has ever played with. But I digress.

Looking forward to the Paralympics, hopefully will get to see a sledge hockey game. I love that they have picks on their sticks, are very near the blades they skate on and still check! Pretty full on if you ask me!

Go Canada Go!

It’s incredible to live in the city right now. It’s hard to tell what will be around ever corner, except you are pretty much guaranteed to see hundreds of people. There are fireworks, free concerts, excessive numbers of Canadian flags that would make anyone feel patriotic and an excitement that is unexplainable. I love being here right now.

This week I have checked out Atlantic Canada house a couple of times, got to see Ashley MacIsaac with one of the girls from home that was here for the Olympics. Went to see Two Hours Traffic with a couple of friends from here (sadly was let down by their stage performance and the overall seemed pretty unhappy to be playing here… could be the jet lag… but they pretty much didn’t talk during the entire show or smile. The music was good though…) Met up with a friend that his here from Australia for the Olympics, hung out at Robson Square… watched lots of random games… a lot has been going on.

At work there are the Office Olympics that are really fun. I have participated in a street hockey shootout competition, while I didn’t do very good in the actually competition I showed some hope in the warm up, scoring the first two points I went for. Bobsleigh Wii and Air Hockey have also been very entertaining. However, the best event would have to be Office Chair Curling… they have created a huge house for the chairs to get thrown into. It’s just such an awesome thing to do during the Olympics. Loads of people in the building are getting to meet each other and I think in the long run will make a big difference working in the building.

Today I’m headed back out into the madness… we’ll see what I get myself into next . Happy Olympics!

Olympic Day!!!

Today is the big day!! The helicopters are out, people are pumped, everyone is wearing red, Vancouver is totally the place to be! I am exceptionally excited, the nearer the Olympics get the more my total buy-in to the madness surprises me. In seven hours the opening ceremonies will commence. Speaking of which, I got a last minute ticket to the openings dress rehearsal, pretty cool. Got to see the performers and take it all in. Unfortunately I can’t make any comment on what I saw but I am really looking forward to seeing it on TV with all of the athletes.

Tonight I’m heading to one of the outdoor venues to take it all in. I’m meeting up with one of my friends from Newfoundland that is here for a couple of days. The excitement in the city is palpable, such a cool place to be!