Wednesday 30 April 2014

Vancouver

Well I'm in Canada, it's really beautiful-and surprising how confusing it is too. It's so similar to aus.......except when it isn't and then I get completely confused lol And don't even get me started on tipping. We're off to jasper next........I can't comment on the rest of Canada but Vancouver is like the city of cute guys, they're every where! It's kind of depressing.....
Be interesting to see if they are as good looking all over......and as polite :)
Yes people so far the stereotypes are all true ;)
Vanessa

Thursday 24 April 2014

Lest we forget

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them." 


Lest we forget.

Friday 18 April 2014

It really doesn't matter.....

I've read a few articles and have seen advice given to lot's of people in my situation 'it really doesn't matter! It'll happen when you're ready/least expect it/stop thinking about it! Besides you can be happy single!', okay I get that they are just trying to make people feel better (trust me 100% I get that) but discounting those people who don't want a relationship (that's their choice, all the power to them!), I feel this is a bit dismissive. I think it does matter that we are missing out, after all about 95% of the population over 25 are coupled up/have children/or both-I feel that we are missing a pretty huge chunk of the human experience. Of life. Sure these relationships may not last, but still the experience is had. I also understand where people are coming from with the whole 'virginity is no big deal' thing, it's not like we have a dot on our forehead that changes colour after we loose it and it really doesn't affect our life in a physical way-but it does matter. Why? Well I think having a first relationship becomes even harder when you are a virgin as well. Not only are you nervous about a whole host of usual normal things you also have the v-card hanging over your head. Do you admit to it? How do you explain? Will they be able to tell? So as much as virginity in and of itself isn't important it's important in the context of trying to form a relationship. Well that's my take anyway.

Vanessa

Saturday 12 April 2014

Really? Sometimes I wonder...

Things have bee pretty crazy here this last week, mostly involving the care and maintenance of the critters, we've been rushing about basically non-stop. We only have a couple of big things left and then it's just some fine tuning before we leave. I think I should split this into sections:
Oh, Canada-the epic trip edition:
Flights? Check. Accommodation? Check. Trains? Check. Buses? F'd if I know, maybe? Hopefully? Activities? Um don't even talk to me about it. Phone? Yeah, no. Food? I have 2 definites: ches's fish and chips in Newfoundland and smokes poutine...which is everywhere pretty much. For 5 weeks that's a pretty poor effort.....I really need to get onto this. I'm thinking we'll try asian in Vancouver and there's apparently a really good Ethiopian restaurant in Winnipeg which I'd like to try, on a food related note I also want to visit Granville island (Vancouver) and the markets in Montreal. Oh and the smoked meat sandwiches in Montreal. Wait...don't they have bagels too? You can probably tell I'm fairly food orientated. I won't lie to you: I am. But I'm also a terribly fussy eater who drives everyone nuts. Sorry about that. It frustrates me too as I genuinely try things before I pass judgement and it's always disappointing to add yet another thing to my 'don't like it' list. As for packing that's a whole nuther thing my friends. I'm trying to go carry on only so I'm a bit limited in what I can take...it's not a bad thing but it makes the all important decision of wether to take a jacket or not a bit hard. Anyway I'll figure it out. Heres a list of where we'll be visiting, any suggestions for food or things to do welcome:
Vancouver (thinking of doing a chinatown walking tour, visiting the suspension bridge, Granville island, richmond night markets, Stanley park, maybe Grouse mountain and apparently we're meant to find a neon green jacket my niece wants)
Victoria (gardens, apart from that no idea)
Jasper (Glacier walk, some hiking trails, tramway-that's about all we've got so far)
Edmonton (no idea. Take the bus to Banff and lake Louise hopefully)
Calgary (only a day here, no idea what we'll do)
Winnipeg (there's a national park I'd like to visit but they have no transport :( )
Toronto (again not sure what we'll be doing here)
Niagara falls (seeing the falls. Duh :) )
Ottawa (tulip festival, other than that ?)
Quebec (no idea)
Montreal (market, no idea)
Halifax (get out to peggy's cove, have a look at Dalhousie)
PEI (see Anne of green gables)
St John (no idea)
So there it is, the epic Canadian trip. Hopefully I'll love it and want to go back, we're also missing a couple of places I want to see and have a short time on others.....plenty of exploring left to do! :) I'll post a more detailed packing list once I've got it under control.
Life, general:
Not much to report, I finally found a leather jacket I like after 3 years of looking. Unfortunately I now I can't decide if I want to take it with me or not. I also got one of these: http://sprigs.com/banjees/classic-banjees/multi-brightpaisley/, not from this website cause they don't ship here, as I'm really over carrying a handbag. They suck. Hopefully this will be a suitable solution.
Life, love:
I've met someone. Problem is we both want very different things, you see all he wants is milk and to be scratched behind the ears. He has no interest in travelling either. Also he's a lamb. These things are never simple....... ;)
Life, goals/future:
I'm currently working pretty hard on this with my brain doctor. It's pretty scary and some things (most things?) still feel impossible. But I'm trying, I'm going to give it my best shot-and I'm terrified.
Life, list/bucket list:
I haven't ticked anything off of it yet but I've got a few to add:
* Try caving
* Try diving
* Visit an internet friend
* Travel solo
* Visit Tofino, Canada
* Visit Petra, Jordan
* Visit Jerusalem, Israel
* Visit Egypt
* Visit Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia
* Visit Spain
* Visit England
* Go to a pub
* Join a club/group
* Get a university degree
* Conquer social anxiety
* Have a bob haircut
* Learn to braid (half complete.  Can do other people but not myself...)
* See Lana Del Rey concert
Things I've done that I probably shouldn't have:
Bought 2 Lana Del Rey tickets for Toronto that I found......could all go horribly wrong....cross your fingers for me. Luckily I didn't pay a huge amount and they are okay seats, not great, but okay.

That's it for now :)
Vanessa