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!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
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!
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!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Biggest Event in the World comes to the “The Best Place on Earth”
“The Best Place on Earth” – British Columbia’s slogan… blog article on this to come…
With all of the madness known as the Olympics right around the corner it is hard to figure out what is new with me. I had a hilarious day with Heather and Matt putting together all of my IKEA furniture. I finally have the basics, a bed, dresser, night stand, chair, stool, side table and TV stand!! Woot! It’s nice to have some stuff around me, nothing is really fancy but it is all functional, simple and will eventually look really good once I have a couch and coffee table… really the only two main pieces that are missing. Decorating will probably take an entire year doing it bit by bit, but that’s okay. I think my favourite room may actually be the outside enclosed patio, nice to look out at the city lights.
So, OLYMPICS!!! Tomorrow the torch goes through UBC!! And Friday night is the opening ceremonies. I know a couple of people that have gone to dress rehearsals and the word on the street is that it is going to be pretty good. Unfortunately everyone is sworn to secrecy, but the buzz is all good. On Monday at Frisbee we got to see practice fireworks!
I am volunteering at one Olympic Hockey game, the semi-finals but I won’t know for a while who I will get to see play. There are also heaps of concerts around town. I will make a trip over to the Atlantic Canada house and see Chris Kirby and the Marquee and Wintersleep. I would also love to check out Two Hours Traffic. Wilco is playing at one of the outdoor fields and there is just too much going on to list. It is going to be a really exciting time. I know a couple of people from Newfoundland here for a visit so that will be fun. Other bands I would like to see… Said the Whale, Hey Rosetta! (clearly I have a thing with East coast music), Stars and Ron Sexmith… time to start planning out the next couple of weeks!!
Other random bits of information:
- I have been playing a fair amount of guitar the last couple of months; I’ll post a song or two that I wrote if I get a chance. Warning guitar skills are limited, however some of the songs came together pretty well.
- I am on a weight loss kick. Goal to get toned again, I feel like I have been lagging. Back to frisbee twice a week, spin, yoga and other random activity. I did a great 25k bike ride the other day!!
- I think Jerry Stamp is one of my favourite singers of all time.
With all of the madness known as the Olympics right around the corner it is hard to figure out what is new with me. I had a hilarious day with Heather and Matt putting together all of my IKEA furniture. I finally have the basics, a bed, dresser, night stand, chair, stool, side table and TV stand!! Woot! It’s nice to have some stuff around me, nothing is really fancy but it is all functional, simple and will eventually look really good once I have a couch and coffee table… really the only two main pieces that are missing. Decorating will probably take an entire year doing it bit by bit, but that’s okay. I think my favourite room may actually be the outside enclosed patio, nice to look out at the city lights.
So, OLYMPICS!!! Tomorrow the torch goes through UBC!! And Friday night is the opening ceremonies. I know a couple of people that have gone to dress rehearsals and the word on the street is that it is going to be pretty good. Unfortunately everyone is sworn to secrecy, but the buzz is all good. On Monday at Frisbee we got to see practice fireworks!
I am volunteering at one Olympic Hockey game, the semi-finals but I won’t know for a while who I will get to see play. There are also heaps of concerts around town. I will make a trip over to the Atlantic Canada house and see Chris Kirby and the Marquee and Wintersleep. I would also love to check out Two Hours Traffic. Wilco is playing at one of the outdoor fields and there is just too much going on to list. It is going to be a really exciting time. I know a couple of people from Newfoundland here for a visit so that will be fun. Other bands I would like to see… Said the Whale, Hey Rosetta! (clearly I have a thing with East coast music), Stars and Ron Sexmith… time to start planning out the next couple of weeks!!
Other random bits of information:
- I have been playing a fair amount of guitar the last couple of months; I’ll post a song or two that I wrote if I get a chance. Warning guitar skills are limited, however some of the songs came together pretty well.
- I am on a weight loss kick. Goal to get toned again, I feel like I have been lagging. Back to frisbee twice a week, spin, yoga and other random activity. I did a great 25k bike ride the other day!!
- I think Jerry Stamp is one of my favourite singers of all time.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Home sweet home
I have finally moved everything over and am slowly unpacking boxes, taking trips down memory lane (with all of the random things I received in my NL boxes) and wondering how I have collected so much stuff. I also currently don’t own any furniture so I am essentially taking things out of boxes and putting them in piles. It only seems to be getting messier in my apartment...
I have purchased a ridiculous quantity of things, none of them exciting. It gets a little old when everything you purchase is because you have to and not because you are excited about it. I spent $300 at Canadian Tire the other day on pots and pans, a toaster, a kettle, cleaning supplies... please tell me how anyone could get excited about this?!?
I was however, excited about finally having some furniture. As delightful as my air mattress is, it will be nice to have a real bed that is mine! Sadly the trip to IKEA was in vain, because they can only ship within three days of a purchase, and I need to confirm the elevator key with the building manager in order to move... so I have to return to IKEA (super out of the way as all IKEA’s are) and purchase my things on Thursday or Friday so they can deliver on Saturday.
I am just getting basics from there, bedroom furniture, end tables and a TV stand/bookshelf. I don’t want the room to be too IKEA. The plan for the living room is red/black/gray. I attached the original storyboard for colours; however the brown shelving unit is out. It’ll be a work in progress over the next couple of months. I think the most challenging part will be finding a couch that I am happy with and within my price range. I am willing to sit on pillows until I find something I’m happy with. I also attached a couple of photos of the new place so you can see the before. It’s small but I’m excited about it!
I have purchased a ridiculous quantity of things, none of them exciting. It gets a little old when everything you purchase is because you have to and not because you are excited about it. I spent $300 at Canadian Tire the other day on pots and pans, a toaster, a kettle, cleaning supplies... please tell me how anyone could get excited about this?!?
I was however, excited about finally having some furniture. As delightful as my air mattress is, it will be nice to have a real bed that is mine! Sadly the trip to IKEA was in vain, because they can only ship within three days of a purchase, and I need to confirm the elevator key with the building manager in order to move... so I have to return to IKEA (super out of the way as all IKEA’s are) and purchase my things on Thursday or Friday so they can deliver on Saturday.
I am just getting basics from there, bedroom furniture, end tables and a TV stand/bookshelf. I don’t want the room to be too IKEA. The plan for the living room is red/black/gray. I attached the original storyboard for colours; however the brown shelving unit is out. It’ll be a work in progress over the next couple of months. I think the most challenging part will be finding a couch that I am happy with and within my price range. I am willing to sit on pillows until I find something I’m happy with. I also attached a couple of photos of the new place so you can see the before. It’s small but I’m excited about it!
Christmas in January
Just returned from a weekend in Toronto with the fam. It was really cool that we got to have a fake Christmas half way across the country for all of us. Since it wasn’t in Newfoundland there were less distractions and more quality time. I did still end up going out for pints with a couple of my friends form university. My aunt even made us a turkey! Yeah turkey!
I feel like I had a surprisingly cultural weekend in Toronto... normally my trips there are a bit more pints and shopping focused. We went to the King Tut exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario and saw Jersey Boys the musical. Not overly cultural, but what do you expect for four days.
My parents and I did the most in-depth IKEA visit ever, much to the annoyance of my brothers. However I now have an exceptionally detailed list of the items I would like to purchase. I have things categorized into basics and eventually purchases. I am getting pretty excited, in my very geeky way.
Tonight I move into the new place... fortunately I have Krista to help me move things over. I think it will only take a car load or so...but I have collected a ridiculous quantity of things for only two and a half months. Might be time to purge my belongings again...
(forgot to post this last week)
I feel like I had a surprisingly cultural weekend in Toronto... normally my trips there are a bit more pints and shopping focused. We went to the King Tut exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario and saw Jersey Boys the musical. Not overly cultural, but what do you expect for four days.
My parents and I did the most in-depth IKEA visit ever, much to the annoyance of my brothers. However I now have an exceptionally detailed list of the items I would like to purchase. I have things categorized into basics and eventually purchases. I am getting pretty excited, in my very geeky way.
Tonight I move into the new place... fortunately I have Krista to help me move things over. I think it will only take a car load or so...but I have collected a ridiculous quantity of things for only two and a half months. Might be time to purge my belongings again...
(forgot to post this last week)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Found a place!
Heritage just means old at least from what I have experienced. I have huge issues with getting beyond all of the junk people collect and seeing myself living somewhere. It doesnt help when the place is a dump to begin with. I love heritage, classic architecture, but that totally isnt what I viewed. Ideally I would want to live in kits, for the cute cafe culture, beach and overall feel. But I dont really want to live in an older place and I wanted to have a place by the 15th so I decided on the West End. I am also just across the bridge from Kits so its a livable compromise.
I am exceptionally happy with the apartment I did get. It is on the 12th floor, view into the city, two blocks from the beach, giant hot tub and sauna in the building, bike storage and a new fridge and stove. The place is really clean and I could possibly see myself there for a while, so it has all of the things I am looking for! Woot! I move in on the 18th/19th when I get home from Toronto weird I think that is the first time I called Vancouver home.
Having a place that is going to be mine makes me think a little differently about stuff. I feel a little more settled, even though the next couple of weeks are going to be total madness. My mind is running crazy with ways I could decoratewhen really I should focus on basic need. Going to be a fun couple of months.
It also looks like all things are a go for volunteering at the Olympic hockey games I will know in a week or so what my schedule is like and how many games Ill get to work.
I am exceptionally happy with the apartment I did get. It is on the 12th floor, view into the city, two blocks from the beach, giant hot tub and sauna in the building, bike storage and a new fridge and stove. The place is really clean and I could possibly see myself there for a while, so it has all of the things I am looking for! Woot! I move in on the 18th/19th when I get home from Toronto weird I think that is the first time I called Vancouver home.
Having a place that is going to be mine makes me think a little differently about stuff. I feel a little more settled, even though the next couple of weeks are going to be total madness. My mind is running crazy with ways I could decoratewhen really I should focus on basic need. Going to be a fun couple of months.
It also looks like all things are a go for volunteering at the Olympic hockey games I will know in a week or so what my schedule is like and how many games Ill get to work.
Friday, January 8, 2010
The hunt begins...
I am anxiously entering the apartment hunt... nervous because it means that I settle down and start to own things again, worried because I have no idea what half of these places will look like, overwhelmed by the ridiculous cost of things and excited because I will actually have a place of my own!
I have narrowed down that I am interested in living in Kits (Kitsalano) or West End (downtown). I want a place that has a good amount of light, somewhere to store a bike, near public transportation and has one bedroom. It might be a lot to ask. However, from what I hear, Vancouver is a renters market. With a fairly high vacancy rate it is a good place to be in search of a place. Ideally I would like to find a place that I would consider staying in for a couple of years.
Tonight I am viewing my first place; it is a heritage apartment building... my expectations are not that high. I like the idea of heritage buildings, they are a bit more cozy (hopefully not freezing) and if done right tend to have a homey/eclectic feeling to them. I also like modern/clean looks. The place I get will dictate what furniture, colors and look I go for. It’s an exciting and expensive time!
The couple I am subletting from gets back on the 22nd, so ideally I would find somewhere before then. Most likely I will find somewhere that starts Feb 1st. It means a week of sleeping on a pull out, but I am sure that won’t be so bad, however not ideal. The race is on!! This weekend will be dedicated to the hunt... I’ll keep you posted.
In totally unrelated, but super exciting news, I am going to stand for Jill and Colin’s wedding in November at home. I am super excited for both of them and love that they are doing as sustainable a wedding as Newfoundland will allow. I feel like my trips home over the next couple of years will revolve around weddings, what an exciting reason to go home!
I have narrowed down that I am interested in living in Kits (Kitsalano) or West End (downtown). I want a place that has a good amount of light, somewhere to store a bike, near public transportation and has one bedroom. It might be a lot to ask. However, from what I hear, Vancouver is a renters market. With a fairly high vacancy rate it is a good place to be in search of a place. Ideally I would like to find a place that I would consider staying in for a couple of years.
Tonight I am viewing my first place; it is a heritage apartment building... my expectations are not that high. I like the idea of heritage buildings, they are a bit more cozy (hopefully not freezing) and if done right tend to have a homey/eclectic feeling to them. I also like modern/clean looks. The place I get will dictate what furniture, colors and look I go for. It’s an exciting and expensive time!
The couple I am subletting from gets back on the 22nd, so ideally I would find somewhere before then. Most likely I will find somewhere that starts Feb 1st. It means a week of sleeping on a pull out, but I am sure that won’t be so bad, however not ideal. The race is on!! This weekend will be dedicated to the hunt... I’ll keep you posted.
In totally unrelated, but super exciting news, I am going to stand for Jill and Colin’s wedding in November at home. I am super excited for both of them and love that they are doing as sustainable a wedding as Newfoundland will allow. I feel like my trips home over the next couple of years will revolve around weddings, what an exciting reason to go home!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
