Just got home from babysitting for a family that I've been with for yeeeears now. It's kind of fun, watching the kids grow up. The oldest is in Grade 8 now, and she's going on a date in Saturday! Clearly way ahead of me at that age. The two boys have grown up too; one's a little less out of control, and the youngest is turning out to be a very chill little guy...if I were make predictions, I'd say the older boy will be surrounded by girls who think they love him, while the youngest will be the one that girls really fall for. He's gonna be a heartbreaker, that one.
Babysitting, even at the ripe old age of 23, is nice every once in a while. A calm night, hanging out with the kids, watching TV and reading. It's like alone time, but you get paid.
It's snowing! Pretty hard, too. It's a little strange, considering that in 15 minutes it will be March. The snow has been a frequent visitor, this year (relative to other years here, as opposed to other cities. This is Vancouver. Snow's like fairy gold here). It's pretty though, and I got to walk the block home from babysitting alone, in the dark, in the snow. A nice way to end the night.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Quote of the...Nowabouts
“I used to feel so alone in the city. All those gazillions of people and then me, on the outside. Because how do you meet a new person? I was very stumped by this for many years. And then I realized, you just say, “Hi.” They may ignore you. Or you may marry them. And that possibility is worth that one word.”
- Augusten Burroughs
- Augusten Burroughs
Friday, February 16, 2007
Acquisitions
Last post I told you about five shirts I'd purchased, and I'm sad to say (well, I'm not, but my bank balance is) that the purchasing? Hath not ended. But once again, it's all been the amazing sales' faults. Once I've told you the story, I'm sure you'll all agree.
Yesterday I was finished at the lab an hour early, thereby giving me time to burn before my shift at work. Since work is downtown, I figured hey, why not burn my time doing a little browsing? So I went back into Off the Wall, home of three of the five shirts the last hunt procured, because who knows? I could have missed something the last time! And you know what? I did! This time I came across a Triple Five Soul zippy, which was over 50% off, and really cute. I've never owned anything by them before, mostly because (at full price) their itens are exorbitantly expensive. I've always coveted a few of their things, especially when I see how good they look on my friends, but I refuse to spend over $100 on a sweatshirt, if only for the principle of the thing (one hundred dollars? For a sweatshirt? Are you kidding me?). However, on sale, I can have the beautiful zippy, guilt-free (well, almost)!
After buying the zippy, I still had a good twenty minutes to burn, and decided I'd go to MAC, as I seem to have lost my eyeliner. On the way, I passed The Source: Circuit City which was advertising a 50% Everything! sale. I have to admit, I didn't entirely believe them; a sale that actually applies to the entire store, no exceptions, is hard to find. But, since I'd been wanting new headphones for quite some time, I decided to take a look.
And walked out with a new digital camera.
Now to be fair, I've been needing a camera for a while now. as many of you know, my Pretty (Nikon D50) was stolen on my trip, which is still a source of ill feelings. Luckily, I had another camera with me, my trusty old Canon A70. Here, "old" is the crucial word; it got me through my trip, but died on me a couple of weeks after I got home. So I went from having two cameras to having none. An unpleasant situation, to be sure, but not so unbearable that I was running out to drop hundreds of dollars on the first cameras I saw. Instead, I bided (bode? please advise) my time, waiting for the right moment to strike. And yesterday, it did. The Canon A510, for a mere $120.
"But wait!" You cry, "It's only got 3.2 megapixels! It's not waterproof! It doesn't fit in a cardholder!" Well, yes. But the A70 was also only 3.2 megapixels, and frankly, unless you're blowing things up bigger than 8X10, it doesn't matter. And from my "going out with the girls" camera, I never blow things up bigger than that. I also don't tend to take photos in swimming pools (no nerve-wracking bikini photos) or torrential downpours (the photos don't turn out well, and the lens always gets splashed), so the waterproof thing is not an issue for me. And I don't carry a cardholder. I carry a purse. That the A510 will fit into perfectly. And people. $120. For a perfectly usable camera.
I also got the headphones, by the way. $10. I love sales.
Yesterday I was finished at the lab an hour early, thereby giving me time to burn before my shift at work. Since work is downtown, I figured hey, why not burn my time doing a little browsing? So I went back into Off the Wall, home of three of the five shirts the last hunt procured, because who knows? I could have missed something the last time! And you know what? I did! This time I came across a Triple Five Soul zippy, which was over 50% off, and really cute. I've never owned anything by them before, mostly because (at full price) their itens are exorbitantly expensive. I've always coveted a few of their things, especially when I see how good they look on my friends, but I refuse to spend over $100 on a sweatshirt, if only for the principle of the thing (one hundred dollars? For a sweatshirt? Are you kidding me?). However, on sale, I can have the beautiful zippy, guilt-free (well, almost)!
After buying the zippy, I still had a good twenty minutes to burn, and decided I'd go to MAC, as I seem to have lost my eyeliner. On the way, I passed The Source: Circuit City which was advertising a 50% Everything! sale. I have to admit, I didn't entirely believe them; a sale that actually applies to the entire store, no exceptions, is hard to find. But, since I'd been wanting new headphones for quite some time, I decided to take a look.
And walked out with a new digital camera.
Now to be fair, I've been needing a camera for a while now. as many of you know, my Pretty (Nikon D50) was stolen on my trip, which is still a source of ill feelings. Luckily, I had another camera with me, my trusty old Canon A70. Here, "old" is the crucial word; it got me through my trip, but died on me a couple of weeks after I got home. So I went from having two cameras to having none. An unpleasant situation, to be sure, but not so unbearable that I was running out to drop hundreds of dollars on the first cameras I saw. Instead, I bided (bode? please advise) my time, waiting for the right moment to strike. And yesterday, it did. The Canon A510, for a mere $120.
"But wait!" You cry, "It's only got 3.2 megapixels! It's not waterproof! It doesn't fit in a cardholder!" Well, yes. But the A70 was also only 3.2 megapixels, and frankly, unless you're blowing things up bigger than 8X10, it doesn't matter. And from my "going out with the girls" camera, I never blow things up bigger than that. I also don't tend to take photos in swimming pools (no nerve-wracking bikini photos) or torrential downpours (the photos don't turn out well, and the lens always gets splashed), so the waterproof thing is not an issue for me. And I don't carry a cardholder. I carry a purse. That the A510 will fit into perfectly. And people. $120. For a perfectly usable camera.
I also got the headphones, by the way. $10. I love sales.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Concerts and TV Shows and Shopping, Oh My!
Well, the title pretty much sums up what I've been up to. But hey, let's add some detail, shall we?
It was Evi's birthday last week, and she and I, after eating large amounts of sushi (mmmm), we went to the Barenaked Ladies concert (my second concert! Hurrah!). It was a great concert, fun, energetic, and interspersed with random little improvised ditties ("Bald Parade" sung to the tune of "Barbara Anne") and dialogue. It was a pretty full house too, and other than one section of weirdly rowdy fans (who I suspect may have accidentally come to the concert at GM Place, rather than the MonsterTruck Rally at BC Place) everyone seemed to be having a great time (to be fair, the rowdies were having a great time too; they were just bugging the crap out of everyone near them as they did it). Anyhow, it was a great concert, and a great time.
Early this week a TV pilot was being filmed at the cafe. A coworker and I stayed on-site throughout the process, so I got to see at least some of what goes into shooting a TV show, and I have to say, it's not that riveting. It's slow, repetitive, and so detail-oriented it made me want to scream. Each scene was shot so many times that my coworker and I could re-enact them at will, and a couple of the people on the set may have leaned a little too far toward the obsessive-compulsive side of the scale for comfort. But it was kind of interesting to see how it all works, and all the shooting gave me some time to get some studying in.
Yesterday T and I went shopping, and made out like bandits! I got 5 really cute shirts, and would have paid over $140 if they'd been full price, but instead spent less than $65 (hurrah sales!). T got two pairs of earrings from Blue Ruby, expanding her collection of "the most beautiful earrings ever". I also spied a necklace and a pair of shoes that I covet, but am waiting for them to go on sale, because they are pricey, and the Jan, she is broke. Sigh. But new shirts! Hurrah!
It was Evi's birthday last week, and she and I, after eating large amounts of sushi (mmmm), we went to the Barenaked Ladies concert (my second concert! Hurrah!). It was a great concert, fun, energetic, and interspersed with random little improvised ditties ("Bald Parade" sung to the tune of "Barbara Anne") and dialogue. It was a pretty full house too, and other than one section of weirdly rowdy fans (who I suspect may have accidentally come to the concert at GM Place, rather than the MonsterTruck Rally at BC Place) everyone seemed to be having a great time (to be fair, the rowdies were having a great time too; they were just bugging the crap out of everyone near them as they did it). Anyhow, it was a great concert, and a great time.
Early this week a TV pilot was being filmed at the cafe. A coworker and I stayed on-site throughout the process, so I got to see at least some of what goes into shooting a TV show, and I have to say, it's not that riveting. It's slow, repetitive, and so detail-oriented it made me want to scream. Each scene was shot so many times that my coworker and I could re-enact them at will, and a couple of the people on the set may have leaned a little too far toward the obsessive-compulsive side of the scale for comfort. But it was kind of interesting to see how it all works, and all the shooting gave me some time to get some studying in.
Yesterday T and I went shopping, and made out like bandits! I got 5 really cute shirts, and would have paid over $140 if they'd been full price, but instead spent less than $65 (hurrah sales!). T got two pairs of earrings from Blue Ruby, expanding her collection of "the most beautiful earrings ever". I also spied a necklace and a pair of shoes that I covet, but am waiting for them to go on sale, because they are pricey, and the Jan, she is broke. Sigh. But new shirts! Hurrah!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Restaurant Review: Bridges
Tonight a friend of mine and I partook of the annual event Dine Out Vancouver. For all y'all that don't know, Dine Out is an event in which different restaurants offer three course meals for a discounted rate. It's done every January, and I presume it's a (clever) marketing ploy, to up numbers in a traditionally slow month, restaurant-wise. Anyhow, it has been a rousing success, on the whole, and I've been happy to enjoy the benefits.
Bridges is on Granville Island, with (according to the website) several different dining areas, most of which seem to be open only during the summer (example: the patio). Their Dine Out menu was mainly westcoast-style cuisine, with a good variety of dishes on offer. Our server was hysterical; he seemed to be under the impression that we were two children playing dress-up in adults clothing, and talked to us as if we were ten years old. Each time he came by, I found myself struggling to keep a straight face.
I had A Bosc Pear with Rocquefort Salad to start, which was quite nicely done; fresh, interesting greens, all of a similar texture, a nice dressing, and the rocquefort had that spicy kick to it I like in a Bleu. My friend had the Sauteed Tiger Prawns, which were also quite nice, however I remember less about them. The presentation of both were lovely, it should noted.
For the entree, I had a Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni (very nice, although the presentation was a bit too edgy for me...cannelloni will never appear geometric, nor should it try), while my friend had the Pan Seared Monkfish, which was also a success. It came on a bed of rice with some vegeteables, and as a whole was great; the flavours blended fantastically.
My dessert was a Citrus Creme Brulee, and I think this was the weakest link in my meal; there was no discernible "citrus", and the creme was far too sweet. It was however "brule'd" very nicely; a crust that snapped when you tapped it, but still paper thin and crucially, never burned. My friend had the Dark Chocolate Semi Freddo, which I didn't try, but she enjoyed it. The entire meal was accompanied with the Sandhill Pinot Gris, which was surprisingly pleasant. The dinner was great, and very improved by the great conversations we had over it. Good food and good company are indeed all you can ask for.
Bridges is on Granville Island, with (according to the website) several different dining areas, most of which seem to be open only during the summer (example: the patio). Their Dine Out menu was mainly westcoast-style cuisine, with a good variety of dishes on offer. Our server was hysterical; he seemed to be under the impression that we were two children playing dress-up in adults clothing, and talked to us as if we were ten years old. Each time he came by, I found myself struggling to keep a straight face.
I had A Bosc Pear with Rocquefort Salad to start, which was quite nicely done; fresh, interesting greens, all of a similar texture, a nice dressing, and the rocquefort had that spicy kick to it I like in a Bleu. My friend had the Sauteed Tiger Prawns, which were also quite nice, however I remember less about them. The presentation of both were lovely, it should noted.
For the entree, I had a Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni (very nice, although the presentation was a bit too edgy for me...cannelloni will never appear geometric, nor should it try), while my friend had the Pan Seared Monkfish, which was also a success. It came on a bed of rice with some vegeteables, and as a whole was great; the flavours blended fantastically.
My dessert was a Citrus Creme Brulee, and I think this was the weakest link in my meal; there was no discernible "citrus", and the creme was far too sweet. It was however "brule'd" very nicely; a crust that snapped when you tapped it, but still paper thin and crucially, never burned. My friend had the Dark Chocolate Semi Freddo, which I didn't try, but she enjoyed it. The entire meal was accompanied with the Sandhill Pinot Gris, which was surprisingly pleasant. The dinner was great, and very improved by the great conversations we had over it. Good food and good company are indeed all you can ask for.
Friday, January 26, 2007
To Whistler!
We're all going to Whistler for the weekend, to celebrate J's birthday. I'll catch y'all on the flip side, with a longer post, I promise!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Wine & Oyster Night
Last night I went to the 13th Annual B.C. Wine and Oyster Festival, a charity event put on by Liberty Wines for the Children's Hospital. It was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in the ballroom, and was basically a (large) room with different wineries offering tastings around the perimeter, and different restaurants offering oyster bars in the middle. I'd never tasted raw oysters before, and I have to say, I quite enjoyed them. I, forgoing the cocktail sauces, the tabascos and worcestires, liked them best with a little (okay, quite a lot) of lemon juice squeezed directly into the shell. L, who I was with, gamely tried them twice, but wasn't a huge fan, saying it was "like having a mouthful of ocean". As if this was a bad thing!
As for wines, we tasted quite a lot, but here were my highlights (note that these are basically all whites. By the time we got to reds, I was too drunken to take notes)
Garry Oaks Pinot Gris 2005 - smells like pineapple and passionfruit (mmm), and is really smooth, not at all harsh.
Arrowleaf Bacchus - light, fruity, cheerful
Gray Monk Ehrenfelser - very sweet but bereft of tartness, I liked it a lot but it was too much for L, almost caramel-y with a lingering taste.
Mt. Boucherie Semillon - easy to drink, not at all sharp.
(This is about when the wine started getting to me. The notes get a lot shorter, and on my program are no longer even trying to be in straight lines.)
Wild Goose Vineyards Gewurztraminer - sweet but still quite crisp, not at all cloying.
Tantalus Old Vine Riesling - Amazing, tart, one of my favourites.
Elephant Island Framboise/Apricot - Fruit dessert wines, my overall favourites, especially the Apricot.
That's about all I can make out from my notes; there are a couple where I just put "+" or crossed them out, and a couple where I was clearly unimpressed (one I described as "onion-y"! Mmmm!), but all in all, a good night. Til next year!
As for wines, we tasted quite a lot, but here were my highlights (note that these are basically all whites. By the time we got to reds, I was too drunken to take notes)
Garry Oaks Pinot Gris 2005 - smells like pineapple and passionfruit (mmm), and is really smooth, not at all harsh.
Arrowleaf Bacchus - light, fruity, cheerful
Gray Monk Ehrenfelser - very sweet but bereft of tartness, I liked it a lot but it was too much for L, almost caramel-y with a lingering taste.
Mt. Boucherie Semillon - easy to drink, not at all sharp.
(This is about when the wine started getting to me. The notes get a lot shorter, and on my program are no longer even trying to be in straight lines.)
Wild Goose Vineyards Gewurztraminer - sweet but still quite crisp, not at all cloying.
Tantalus Old Vine Riesling - Amazing, tart, one of my favourites.
Elephant Island Framboise/Apricot - Fruit dessert wines, my overall favourites, especially the Apricot.
That's about all I can make out from my notes; there are a couple where I just put "+" or crossed them out, and a couple where I was clearly unimpressed (one I described as "onion-y"! Mmmm!), but all in all, a good night. Til next year!
Monday, January 15, 2007
Do's and Don't's for Housesitters
Written on behalf of a friend:
Do
Feel free to cook meals, watch TV, surf the net
Use the bathroom facilities
Sleep in the bed (see how I put in new sheets, just for you?)
Use what's in the fridge
Don't
Break my dishes. One or two I understand - accidents happen. More than that and I just wonder if I've somehow made you angry. Learn from your mistakes!
Not clean up after yourself. This is not a hotel.
Wear my clothes and not wash them. At least try to hide that you wore my clothes.
Bring someone into my bed. You want to have friends over, fine. But have someone over for the night? Not so much. Especially when you...
Leave a condom in my garbage can, fom which you have so kindly removed the liner. Really? Actually? Come on, now. Now I'm wondering who you did what with, whether or not it was localized to my bed, and if you were wearing my clothes when you started. All of which I wish ever so much I didn't have to wonder. Now excuse me as I throw out my damaged property, wash everything with hydrogen peroxide, and burn the (unwashed) bed sheets.
Do
Feel free to cook meals, watch TV, surf the net
Use the bathroom facilities
Sleep in the bed (see how I put in new sheets, just for you?)
Use what's in the fridge
Don't
Break my dishes. One or two I understand - accidents happen. More than that and I just wonder if I've somehow made you angry. Learn from your mistakes!
Not clean up after yourself. This is not a hotel.
Wear my clothes and not wash them. At least try to hide that you wore my clothes.
Bring someone into my bed. You want to have friends over, fine. But have someone over for the night? Not so much. Especially when you...
Leave a condom in my garbage can, fom which you have so kindly removed the liner. Really? Actually? Come on, now. Now I'm wondering who you did what with, whether or not it was localized to my bed, and if you were wearing my clothes when you started. All of which I wish ever so much I didn't have to wonder. Now excuse me as I throw out my damaged property, wash everything with hydrogen peroxide, and burn the (unwashed) bed sheets.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Bbbbrrrrrr!
It is coooold here. I mean in comparison to our usual climate, and not in comparison, with, oh, let's say...Winnipeg. Where my friend D lives. Where, he's informed me, it was -43 last night. Celsius. Godspeed, D.
But it is cold. Cold enough that my closet full of coats and jackets is seeming slightly inadequate, and I'm left wishing I had a pair of mittens. Also cold enough that when I walk into a store after being outside for a while, my glasses fog up. Which I'm sure is quite funny for the people in the store at first, but I'd imagine that it becomes less charming after I've bumped into and upset your neatly stacked pile of magazines.
The good news is, I'm home, our furnace works, and even though my digestive tract seems to have declared war on my nervous system (or vice versa - these disputes are hard to understand), I'm going to retire to my warm bed and read a good book before falling asleep.
But it is cold. Cold enough that my closet full of coats and jackets is seeming slightly inadequate, and I'm left wishing I had a pair of mittens. Also cold enough that when I walk into a store after being outside for a while, my glasses fog up. Which I'm sure is quite funny for the people in the store at first, but I'd imagine that it becomes less charming after I've bumped into and upset your neatly stacked pile of magazines.
The good news is, I'm home, our furnace works, and even though my digestive tract seems to have declared war on my nervous system (or vice versa - these disputes are hard to understand), I'm going to retire to my warm bed and read a good book before falling asleep.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Whoops
So, I've been gone a while. Sorry! I got distracted by...life. Happy New Year! I hope you rang it in in a less car-accidenty manner than I did. No injuries though! Just a weaker bank balance. I don't have any big thins to say, but here are some disconnected thoughts:
When you can't download music (argh), YouTube is a godsend. Just "watch" the music video of the song you want with the window minimized. Genius!
The weather here is bizarre. First, huge windstorm (again), involving spats of rain, sleet, snow and hail. Then yesterday we get snow blanketing the city. Then today? Blinding sunshine. Weather's mission? To boggle.
Christmas was great, because everyone came home to visit meeeee (and alright, I suppose there were other reasons as well, if you insist upon being that way), but now they are all gone again, and it is sad.
I need to start getting on the GRE horse. Blast.
When you can't download music (argh), YouTube is a godsend. Just "watch" the music video of the song you want with the window minimized. Genius!
The weather here is bizarre. First, huge windstorm (again), involving spats of rain, sleet, snow and hail. Then yesterday we get snow blanketing the city. Then today? Blinding sunshine. Weather's mission? To boggle.
Christmas was great, because everyone came home to visit meeeee (and alright, I suppose there were other reasons as well, if you insist upon being that way), but now they are all gone again, and it is sad.
I need to start getting on the GRE horse. Blast.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Med-errific!
Hey, thanks for the comments everyone! I loooove comments. And I looove you! I also may be on painkillers right now. It happens! And also, makes J-Bird a very, very happy girl (wooo no pain!).
I feel like I should explain. For the past...hmm, week, say, I've had increasing discomfort because of something that has not officially been diagnosed. I'm pretty sure I know what it is, but I haven't been to a doctor yet (I know, that is ridiculous, but seriously people, do you have any IDEA how hard it is to get a doctor over the Christmas/New Year week? Do you? I promise I will go to one soon. Also, what I have does not look to be horribly evil. Excuse me, I must knock on some wood.). During this time, I have also come down with a cold/flu/pain in the ass, all of which have combined into demonic choir that sings "Jan gets tired after two hours of light activity and, irony of ironies, Jan cannot sleep properly! Oh no, sleep will not be thine! Ha! Suffer, suffer!" To which I respond by metaphorically cowering in a corner and whimpering.
But today, today I decided I would take pills. I am not normally a fan of pills, I generally figure my body should be able to take the pain, since I am young and in good health (generally). But today, I was wise enough to throw that crap to the side, and swallow me some meds. And can I just tell you, meds are fantastic. I would almost marry them. I really almost would. I looove meds. And they love me. Well, pain meds. Not malaria meds. Malaria meds make me have awful, scary dreams, where everything is crazy and I am doomed. Doomed! So the malaria meds are bad.
Any good/bad medicine stories from you guys? Tell us!
I feel like I should explain. For the past...hmm, week, say, I've had increasing discomfort because of something that has not officially been diagnosed. I'm pretty sure I know what it is, but I haven't been to a doctor yet (I know, that is ridiculous, but seriously people, do you have any IDEA how hard it is to get a doctor over the Christmas/New Year week? Do you? I promise I will go to one soon. Also, what I have does not look to be horribly evil. Excuse me, I must knock on some wood.). During this time, I have also come down with a cold/flu/pain in the ass, all of which have combined into demonic choir that sings "Jan gets tired after two hours of light activity and, irony of ironies, Jan cannot sleep properly! Oh no, sleep will not be thine! Ha! Suffer, suffer!" To which I respond by metaphorically cowering in a corner and whimpering.
But today, today I decided I would take pills. I am not normally a fan of pills, I generally figure my body should be able to take the pain, since I am young and in good health (generally). But today, I was wise enough to throw that crap to the side, and swallow me some meds. And can I just tell you, meds are fantastic. I would almost marry them. I really almost would. I looove meds. And they love me. Well, pain meds. Not malaria meds. Malaria meds make me have awful, scary dreams, where everything is crazy and I am doomed. Doomed! So the malaria meds are bad.
Any good/bad medicine stories from you guys? Tell us!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
2006 In Review
Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah, y'all! Hope you had good ones. I stole this year-in-review quiz from...somewhere, I forget, but here goes:
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before? I went to India, Malaysia and Singapore. I graduated from University. I asked for a guy's number and called him.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't really do New Year's Resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? A coworker did, to a tiny adorable girl!
4. Did anyone close to you die? No, and I'm very thankful for that.
5. What places did you visit? Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and if you count airports, LA.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? A happy healthy relationship. If it doesn't happen though, I won't cry over it.
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 24th - Walked across the stage of the Chan Centre for Graduation Ceremony.
June 28th - left for my trip
July 10th- 14th - Anna and Dieter's Wedding
September 2nd - landed in Vancouver
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? God, I graduated, travelled Asia, and developed a backbone, and you want me to pick one? You choose!
9. What was your biggest failure? Um...not hanging on to my camera? And also not growing a backbone earlier. I mean, hell, took me long enough.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I chipped a tooth and lost a toenail because of stupid basketball. Oh, and I wasn't all that mobile after climbing Kinabalu either. No serious illnesses though, thank goodness.
11. What was the best thing you bought? ...My plane ticket.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Lots of people! Anyone who made a decision they knew was a long time coming, including me.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? They know who they are.
14. Where did most of your money go? To Taiwan, India, Singapore and Malaysia.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My trip!
16. What song will always remind you of 2006? Ugh, I hate having to pick just one. Sadly, probably "Promiscuous". It was everywhere.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier (whooo!)
b) thinner or fatter? maybe a little fatter? Not sure.
c) richer or poorer? poorer (boooo)
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Saving money
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Spending money, stressing over stupid things.
20. How did you spend Christmas last year? Christmas Eve at Girly's, Christmas Day with the fam.
21. Did you fall in love in 2006? Nope, sadly.
22. How many one-night stands? None. Not my thing.
23. What was your favorite TV program? Why do I have to pick one?! Scrubs.
24. What did you do for your birthday in 2006? Hahaha, me and T had a pole-dancing class with the girls!
25. What was the best book you read? Hmmm...nothing's sticking out.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? That the Scrubs website publishes an episodic songlist
27. What did you want and get? For Christmas? Well the shirt Girly made me was pretty sweet, even if I didn't know I wanted it.
28. What did you want and not get? A winning lottery ticket.
29. What was your favorite film of this year? Um...favourite as in "best" or "most enjoyed"? Cause...most enjoyed = She's the Man. My head hangs in shame.
30. Did you make some new friends this year? If so, who? Yep! They know who they are.
31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I had a pretty satisfying year so I'm gonna go with nothing.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Same as the year before...relatively simple, nothing too flashy. And since my trip, more pashminas are involved.
33. What kept you sane? Good friends, good books, and YouTube
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Fancy like have a crush on? Jim Halpert, from The Office (US)
35. What political issue stirred you the most? Oh god, so many. In Canada, Gay Marriage and Environmental Conservation
36. Who did you miss? Everyone who left me: J, Girly, Shakey, L.
37. Who was the best new person you met? Ask me again in a month
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
That not doing something because you're scared you won't get the ideal outcome is stupid. Simple, I know. I'm working on it.
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before? I went to India, Malaysia and Singapore. I graduated from University. I asked for a guy's number and called him.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't really do New Year's Resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? A coworker did, to a tiny adorable girl!
4. Did anyone close to you die? No, and I'm very thankful for that.
5. What places did you visit? Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and if you count airports, LA.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? A happy healthy relationship. If it doesn't happen though, I won't cry over it.
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 24th - Walked across the stage of the Chan Centre for Graduation Ceremony.
June 28th - left for my trip
July 10th- 14th - Anna and Dieter's Wedding
September 2nd - landed in Vancouver
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? God, I graduated, travelled Asia, and developed a backbone, and you want me to pick one? You choose!
9. What was your biggest failure? Um...not hanging on to my camera? And also not growing a backbone earlier. I mean, hell, took me long enough.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I chipped a tooth and lost a toenail because of stupid basketball. Oh, and I wasn't all that mobile after climbing Kinabalu either. No serious illnesses though, thank goodness.
11. What was the best thing you bought? ...My plane ticket.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Lots of people! Anyone who made a decision they knew was a long time coming, including me.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? They know who they are.
14. Where did most of your money go? To Taiwan, India, Singapore and Malaysia.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My trip!
16. What song will always remind you of 2006? Ugh, I hate having to pick just one. Sadly, probably "Promiscuous". It was everywhere.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier (whooo!)
b) thinner or fatter? maybe a little fatter? Not sure.
c) richer or poorer? poorer (boooo)
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Saving money
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Spending money, stressing over stupid things.
20. How did you spend Christmas last year? Christmas Eve at Girly's, Christmas Day with the fam.
21. Did you fall in love in 2006? Nope, sadly.
22. How many one-night stands? None. Not my thing.
23. What was your favorite TV program? Why do I have to pick one?! Scrubs.
24. What did you do for your birthday in 2006? Hahaha, me and T had a pole-dancing class with the girls!
25. What was the best book you read? Hmmm...nothing's sticking out.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? That the Scrubs website publishes an episodic songlist
27. What did you want and get? For Christmas? Well the shirt Girly made me was pretty sweet, even if I didn't know I wanted it.
28. What did you want and not get? A winning lottery ticket.
29. What was your favorite film of this year? Um...favourite as in "best" or "most enjoyed"? Cause...most enjoyed = She's the Man. My head hangs in shame.
30. Did you make some new friends this year? If so, who? Yep! They know who they are.
31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I had a pretty satisfying year so I'm gonna go with nothing.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Same as the year before...relatively simple, nothing too flashy. And since my trip, more pashminas are involved.
33. What kept you sane? Good friends, good books, and YouTube
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Fancy like have a crush on? Jim Halpert, from The Office (US)
35. What political issue stirred you the most? Oh god, so many. In Canada, Gay Marriage and Environmental Conservation
36. Who did you miss? Everyone who left me: J, Girly, Shakey, L.
37. Who was the best new person you met? Ask me again in a month
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
That not doing something because you're scared you won't get the ideal outcome is stupid. Simple, I know. I'm working on it.
Friday, December 22, 2006
One More Push
There's something about hanging out with new people, or people you don't get to see often enough. It's fun listening to new perspectives and new personalities, watching the dynamics in different groups. And different groups have different bonds, different ways of being supportive. I could not ask for a more perfect core group of friends; they're supportive and understanding and loyal; everything friends should be. I feel safe with them, and I know that I can tell them anything ask them anything, without worrying about what they think of me.
Christmas time, though, is when everyone comes home, everyone sees each other again. It's when you get to reconnect with friends you haven't seen in months, maybe haven't even talked to in so long. And you catch up on each other's lives, make up for lost time.
I don't know if it's because I've forgotten what this is like, it having been so long, or if there's just been something about the past few months, but I have loved this lately. The commiserating, the agreeing, disagreeing, advising from "new" sources, I come away from each brunch, party, and dinner energized. I think it's because these people push me in different directions than the people I see on a more regular basis. They have different priorities, and that bleeds into their personalities, and into me. They force me to look at parts of my life and myself I've been neglecting, push me to get over the fear and just. do. it. I'm terrified of jumping over a cliff, and they're all "look, it's not a cliff. It's like a curb. A tiny one. I do it all the time! It's easy! Just do it, you'll see! Seriously."
Somehow it doesn't seem so scary anymore. I think I will.
Christmas time, though, is when everyone comes home, everyone sees each other again. It's when you get to reconnect with friends you haven't seen in months, maybe haven't even talked to in so long. And you catch up on each other's lives, make up for lost time.
I don't know if it's because I've forgotten what this is like, it having been so long, or if there's just been something about the past few months, but I have loved this lately. The commiserating, the agreeing, disagreeing, advising from "new" sources, I come away from each brunch, party, and dinner energized. I think it's because these people push me in different directions than the people I see on a more regular basis. They have different priorities, and that bleeds into their personalities, and into me. They force me to look at parts of my life and myself I've been neglecting, push me to get over the fear and just. do. it. I'm terrified of jumping over a cliff, and they're all "look, it's not a cliff. It's like a curb. A tiny one. I do it all the time! It's easy! Just do it, you'll see! Seriously."
Somehow it doesn't seem so scary anymore. I think I will.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Recap: Serious Philosophical Discussion
So, as I mentioned, last night was L's welcome back party. We started out at the Cambie, the site of many historically significant conversations, and P and I had one of our own. It went something like:
P: So you look like the type that would get in fights a lot. Have you gotten in a lot of fights? (I should add that P is a hilarious guy, with a cute Aussie accent, and we are both joking. JOKING. We don't condone violence, or me getting into fights. Hi mom!)
J-Bird: All the time! It's like I'm a conflict magnet!
P: Really?
J-Bird: No. Actually, I've never been in a fight. Except you know, with my brother, but that doesn't count.
P: You haven't lived if you haven't been in a fight! You know, if you were to get in a fight tonight, I'd have your back. Just let me know who it is we're fighting.
J-Bird: Oh, yeah, well we wouldn't want you to accidentally hurt an innocent bystander.
P: Exactly. So, as it's your first fight, you want to make sure it's someone you feel confident you could beat.
J-Bird: Good point...let's scout for candidates.
Here are the stipulations we came to:
Not L (I felt it would be rude to beat up the guest of honour)
No couples (the other person might step in...always bad news)
No old guys. On the one hand, they have a lot of life experience. Some of it may be in ass-kicking. Also, if I should actually beat one up, they could need a hip replacement or something! Those are not cheap.
However, fitting candidates include:
People who wear berets unironically (and are not mimes or Green Berets)
Guys who wear disconcertingly fitted, looooow-cut vneck shirts (ew).
That dude that kept bumping into me on the dance floor. What, can you not see me standing right next to you???
I didn't actually get in a fight last night, we started dancing to awesome 50's and 60's music at Shine. But next time, my friends. Next time. After all, I haven't lived yet.
P: So you look like the type that would get in fights a lot. Have you gotten in a lot of fights? (I should add that P is a hilarious guy, with a cute Aussie accent, and we are both joking. JOKING. We don't condone violence, or me getting into fights. Hi mom!)
J-Bird: All the time! It's like I'm a conflict magnet!
P: Really?
J-Bird: No. Actually, I've never been in a fight. Except you know, with my brother, but that doesn't count.
P: You haven't lived if you haven't been in a fight! You know, if you were to get in a fight tonight, I'd have your back. Just let me know who it is we're fighting.
J-Bird: Oh, yeah, well we wouldn't want you to accidentally hurt an innocent bystander.
P: Exactly. So, as it's your first fight, you want to make sure it's someone you feel confident you could beat.
J-Bird: Good point...let's scout for candidates.
Here are the stipulations we came to:
Not L (I felt it would be rude to beat up the guest of honour)
No couples (the other person might step in...always bad news)
No old guys. On the one hand, they have a lot of life experience. Some of it may be in ass-kicking. Also, if I should actually beat one up, they could need a hip replacement or something! Those are not cheap.
However, fitting candidates include:
People who wear berets unironically (and are not mimes or Green Berets)
Guys who wear disconcertingly fitted, looooow-cut vneck shirts (ew).
That dude that kept bumping into me on the dance floor. What, can you not see me standing right next to you???
I didn't actually get in a fight last night, we started dancing to awesome 50's and 60's music at Shine. But next time, my friends. Next time. After all, I haven't lived yet.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Time Management
Oh god, who ever thought Christmas was a "break" was clearly insane. I'm definitely busier now than I was in November. For example, this is a fairly accurate (but not exhaustive) view of my next week:
Monday: Go out for L's welcome back party
Tuesday: Hang out with one or more of Girly, C and Kaisha
Wednesday: Christmas party
Thursday: dim sum w/ L, and then family Christmas dinner
Friday: lunch and shopping w/ Shakey, and then hang out with Jojo
Saturday: pick up Tessa at airport, hang out, and drop her off at ferry terminal
Sunday: work. I know, it's Christmas Eve, and a Sunday. I'm about as impressed as you are.
Now I just need to figure out how to find the time to buy 2 more presents, sleep and shower, and I'll be all set! Yeesh. Stupid Christmas.
Monday: Go out for L's welcome back party
Tuesday: Hang out with one or more of Girly, C and Kaisha
Wednesday: Christmas party
Thursday: dim sum w/ L, and then family Christmas dinner
Friday: lunch and shopping w/ Shakey, and then hang out with Jojo
Saturday: pick up Tessa at airport, hang out, and drop her off at ferry terminal
Sunday: work. I know, it's Christmas Eve, and a Sunday. I'm about as impressed as you are.
Now I just need to figure out how to find the time to buy 2 more presents, sleep and shower, and I'll be all set! Yeesh. Stupid Christmas.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Note: All Christmas Shopping Will Be Done on Weekdays
I haven't actually tried to do any of my shopping on weekends yet; what with my "I work all weekend, every weekend" schedule, I haven't really gotten the chance. However, having tried to bus home from work over the weekend, I now know that shopping is out of the question. Buses are packed, with cranky, been-pushed-around-all-day shoppers lugging 12 bags apiece, all foaming at the mouth to get home. Bus drivers seem to be bearing it relatively well, although I think that's because they traded "packed with students on weekdays" for "packed with shoppers on weekends", so mathematically they've won.
Holiday Shopfest 2006 has affected the cafe though; for one thing, people tend to come in later, which results in me having to stay in longer. More annoyingly, people tend to be more stressed, which means shorter fuses and more complaints about nothing (seriously. Had one lady ask us why our tables were never clean. To which I - rather diplomatically, I thought - did not ask why she insisted upon sitting at the one table that hadn't been cleared, the previous occupants having left 30 seconds ago). On a brighter note, we had three of the happiest babies come in today; they were literally all smiles, and adorable. I love a happy baby.
There's another storm warning for tonight; hurrah inclement weather! Not. Time for me to finish up some wrapping. Catch y'all later!
Holiday Shopfest 2006 has affected the cafe though; for one thing, people tend to come in later, which results in me having to stay in longer. More annoyingly, people tend to be more stressed, which means shorter fuses and more complaints about nothing (seriously. Had one lady ask us why our tables were never clean. To which I - rather diplomatically, I thought - did not ask why she insisted upon sitting at the one table that hadn't been cleared, the previous occupants having left 30 seconds ago). On a brighter note, we had three of the happiest babies come in today; they were literally all smiles, and adorable. I love a happy baby.
There's another storm warning for tonight; hurrah inclement weather! Not. Time for me to finish up some wrapping. Catch y'all later!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Holiday Hodgepodge
Yesterday L and I went to Ikea, to pick up some Christmas-y things. L was trying to find a tiny Christmas tree, and while there weren't any to be found at Ikea (other than a Christmas tree-shaped plant that wasn't even a conifer), across the street at Home Depot, we found a little Norfolk Island Pine (my favourite tree, no less!) that would do the trick. We also found tiny little lights, which along with the tiny Christmas balls that we found at Ikea would go a long way into making the tree festive.
On the way home, we decided to make a project of it, and after picking up L's friend M and some popcorn, we headed back to L's where we made some hot chocolate and proceeded to get crafty. We made snowflakes and popcorn-garlands, and a tiny paper chain. By the end, the tree had a distinctly Christmas-like feel to it, which was exactly what we were aiming for! L dropped M and I off at home, after making plans to go snowshoeing today.
So at 10 am, we drove up to Cypress Mountain and went snowshoeing, which was really fun. Everything was white and winter wonderland-esque. The saplings that were bowed down with the weight of the snow looked like horses or dolphins or anything you wanted them to, and we even had music, thanks to L's phone. As long as we kept moving we were toasty warm, which just goes to show that Columbia snowjackets are efficient at conserving heat, since we were never going faster than a walk. But it was nice to be outside doing something active, and feel kind of like the outdoors is our friend again, as opposed to this thing that just makes us cold and wet. Hurrah for nature!
On the way home, we decided to make a project of it, and after picking up L's friend M and some popcorn, we headed back to L's where we made some hot chocolate and proceeded to get crafty. We made snowflakes and popcorn-garlands, and a tiny paper chain. By the end, the tree had a distinctly Christmas-like feel to it, which was exactly what we were aiming for! L dropped M and I off at home, after making plans to go snowshoeing today.
So at 10 am, we drove up to Cypress Mountain and went snowshoeing, which was really fun. Everything was white and winter wonderland-esque. The saplings that were bowed down with the weight of the snow looked like horses or dolphins or anything you wanted them to, and we even had music, thanks to L's phone. As long as we kept moving we were toasty warm, which just goes to show that Columbia snowjackets are efficient at conserving heat, since we were never going faster than a walk. But it was nice to be outside doing something active, and feel kind of like the outdoors is our friend again, as opposed to this thing that just makes us cold and wet. Hurrah for nature!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Wintertime!
It snowed. A lot. This being Vancouver, the entire city is somewhat incapacitated; buses were running on altered routes so as to avoid hills, cars were getting marooned in roads, and trees were splitting or just coming down wholesale because of the weight (yes, even our trees are ill-suited to snow).
The good news is: snow! Pretty!
I have to admit, the snow has made things more difficult for me; it made getting to the Stones concert difficult, getting to work (and home again) difficult, and getting to Laura's to make cookies (lemon-poppyseed, so tasty) difficult. But I still love it. The world is white, and clean, and so long as our furnace keeps working, I'm warm and toasty inside, looking at it all. Plus, it just feels like winter. I've gotten out my old Christmas CDs, and am listening to Mariah, Britney (I like it) and Bing Crosby Christmas songs. Once I find the Charlie Brown CD, I'll be listening to that. Christmas! Snow! Weee!
The good news is: snow! Pretty!
I have to admit, the snow has made things more difficult for me; it made getting to the Stones concert difficult, getting to work (and home again) difficult, and getting to Laura's to make cookies (lemon-poppyseed, so tasty) difficult. But I still love it. The world is white, and clean, and so long as our furnace keeps working, I'm warm and toasty inside, looking at it all. Plus, it just feels like winter. I've gotten out my old Christmas CDs, and am listening to Mariah, Britney (I like it) and Bing Crosby Christmas songs. Once I find the Charlie Brown CD, I'll be listening to that. Christmas! Snow! Weee!
Monday, November 27, 2006
Incredible
I went to the Stones concert on Saturday night, and it was spectacular. More later, when my brain works. Just know that I had no idea, and that I may now love Mick Jagger, even though he's really really really old.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Banking Relief
Yesterday I got a crash course in RRSPs and investing (thank you Tom of TD), and feel slightly more grown up, knowing how things work. I've also started saving up money, although it's not going into an RRSP, which after my concentrated learning session, now makes perfect sense.
I love going to the bank and actually getting something constructive out of it (and also not getting yelled at for being in debt. Ah, solvency!). Numbers are so straightforward, there're no surprises so long as you understand the terms. It's so...organized. When I walk out I feel like a part of my life has just been uncluttered, and I can just leave it to take care of itself (within reason, obviously). It's a great feeling. Now I just need to get more money so I can feel it more...
I love going to the bank and actually getting something constructive out of it (and also not getting yelled at for being in debt. Ah, solvency!). Numbers are so straightforward, there're no surprises so long as you understand the terms. It's so...organized. When I walk out I feel like a part of my life has just been uncluttered, and I can just leave it to take care of itself (within reason, obviously). It's a great feeling. Now I just need to get more money so I can feel it more...
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