Kootenay Christmas 16'

Just take a washroom break right over here XD

I had initially written a wonderful blog post that I was really pleased with and then when i returned I don't know what happened to it. I knew I should have doubled checked the save process but such as life when you are using a digital platform. The old man in me would say that analog is much more reliable. This is only true when your internet doesn't cut out.

So after finals, the winter solstice, getting my wisdom teeth extracted it was time head onto BC. With an eggs benny from Barb and Ernie's we were really off. It was a great ride through, Red Deer, Calgary to end up in Cranbrook for the evening. I had never really extensively traveled through the kootenays until this Christmas. We had made lovely Christmas gift bags and were playing the part of Santa in our own way.

Don't forget to hit up the hot springs along the way, nice pit stop in Radium. Next stop was Castlegar to hang out with some family, kids and do the whole watch a movie and try to get into the Christmas groove.

I was able to do a bit of drawing, play guitar and have a nice ugly sweater party. Learning about family love has been something really special over the holidays. Halcyon hot springs was a wonderful time with some needed friend time too.

I was able to get everyone to watch the Doctor Who special, watched Moonrise Kingdom and worked on a lovely large old puzzle. I had the largest snowball fight and even got lost on an epic walk around the block to only hitch a ride back to the eyeball on the back of Krista from Calgary snowmobile.

You know that it is a good holiday when you get to do some painting, read your book and just hang out in a hot tub. New Years this year was  tame one, nothing over the top but just perfect for my pace. I hope that this 2017 is everything everyone wants it to be.

Week 5 of Swing Summer: Revelstoke

Sometimes I think to myself how do I end up in these places? I haven't been here before minus the one time I stopped through to say goodbye and drive on home from Summer Kamp. That was way back in the day after Canada long weekend as some of you may have remembered. I had secretly hoped that there would be some higher power that would lead me back here.

You know it was just one of those moments that had planted a seed in your mind as a prelude to a supernatural story where everyone in the story is just blown away from the miraculous events that had to take place for this tale to have any value. A true story worth telling but who doesn't like telling people a really good story when you are a part of it as well.

To be entirely honest I have fallen so far behind with my writing, we are officially into the new year. I used to be so good about keeping up with them, but when you are living at home you forget even the smaller journeys within your home country are still good ones. (I will be keeping up with the blog since I have lots to catch up on and lovely photos to share. In addition to my usual end of year reflection so let's play catch up together)

The journey out to Revelstoke wasn't very long, now I that I try to think back to it all I can remember is a Greyhound and a hard pressed run around to get onto that damn bus. Heather, Adam and I at least got a in a nice French dinner; I had the duck. Funny what you remember of your trip when you are trying to do your best to think waaay back.

Short story: I was having a smoke break while we switched buses in the midst of some transfer point and a guy in a white truck approached me asking for weed. I politely declined and this guy decided that he wanted to have a superficial conversation early in that morning. I mentioned that I was from Edmonton and he quickly offered to drive me there because low-n-behold he is going there too. -.-Giving me the option of not riding the bus, wait wait wait a min... Do I want to get into a truck with a stranger and abandon my paid ticket to hang out with this dude for 10 hours and end up who knows where.....UGH...NO THANKS....does that work? Girls out there stay smart!

The summer continued on wards in Revelstoke and surrounding areas that I have never been to. The weather was beautiful and life was running smoothly, I was powered by the 4 weeks of Vancouver West Coast Life. My first day included Begie Waterfalls and bumbling around on the beach :) Followed by some Native art, jam sessions and walking in the rain. Ideal no?

Don't forget suspension bridges, hot pools, a random game of darts and electric unicorn beers. The last day was some quick family jams, beach parks and hang gliding cliffs. <3

I got on a bus after a 6 days venture off course but I love them oh so much. They are the more rewarding just because past Jenny couldn't predict it happening. Which is exactly the way I like it. Thanks for reading if you made it this far. I think I will write another blog very very very soon.

Week 4 of Swing Summer

I already feel super blessed with all the wonderful events I have had the chance of attending and being a part of this summer. I have been really feeling the energy and even when I come back home and get a little discourage from post vacation effects. (It was to be expected)

BUT... this vacation is far from over. 

The Stormcrow, what a neat place. A location where I can meet a cool cyber man. 

I wandered around Asian town and some shops around Vancouver to only end up at a bubble tea electric darts joint. My final days in Vancouver were really lovely and I couldn't have asked for a better summer. This really makes going back to school worth it, I am super glad that I didn't need to work the whole time I was away. I have my friends to thank for putting me up and keeping me entertained the whole time I was just swinging through my summer.

In Sync Minds...

Okay, I got a little overly excited about the squirrel.

Another one of those surrender to the universe moments, I didn't know that I would be extending my trip for any amount of time. Of course knowing myself I didn't plan anything ahead just in case, I have never been mislead by the higher power of travel. I believe in her based on everything I have learned in the past. Don't force it because it won't feel right and you'll have to go home earlier and we can't have that happening, can we?

Gibsons - Sunshine Coast

I got on the ferry from Vancouver to Gibsons "Sunshine Coast" I never knew why they called it that, well I had an inkling but the longest coast in the world has some even more pristine spots. I think I might have been lucky enough to found a couple of them tucked away.

 As sad as the goodbyes were, I was super excited to visit with my friend Asia. It has been far too long since the last we hugged. Our reunion was amazing and I couldn't have imagined it to be anything short of ecstatic feels. I couldn't believe how long it has been since we last saw each other, even though it has been over a year we picked up where we left off. (Some of you might remember her from my Japan blogs :3 )

 Davis Bay, Gospel Rock and sushi for dinner. What a way to spend the day!

 Man, I don't know if you have ever heard of the bean bomb, it is a silly thing with Jelly Belly's making obscene flavors and it is just a pick of the draw. I hope you don't get canned dog food. We made videos of this en devour but I have yet to get permission to post this experiment.

 We watched Japanese TV shows, some anime, made natto, and even hit up the Friday Market here. It is filled with lovely people and a Japanese man that sells Melon Pan. Tabetai!

Being out here was kind of like being lost in time, I know why people wish to live on the coast. The peacefulness can really keep a person here and into a simple way of life. I can really appreciate that.

The sunsets here are just breath taking and I could imagine myself playing guitar to the arrival of dusk without a care in the world.

I was lucky enough to be able to head off with Asia into Vancouver, another ferry ride and into the city for some more fun and games.

Black Metal Sundays & The Infamous Chicken and Waffles Tour

As soon as we came back from Seattle we were all spent, the EMP museum really had given me a spin me right round.

So what is next?

Off to Wreck Beach to start the weekend off, what better way to ride the rays of sunshine through summer. Also, it can be pretty damn sexy on that beach sometimes.

BLACK METAL SUNDAYS

I kind of always felt like this could have been our Album Cover.
Adam: Drums  Jenny: Guitar Heather: Vocals

30 second groupie shot. 

Looking Snazzy in matching waste-cats. ^^ I mean waistcoats. 

I couldn't have done it better....well done team!

PART 2: CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

I had been informed of this chicken and waffles tour previous to the date but I couldn't fathom why it was happening other than it was a birthday celebration. Within that plan there was an impromptu Vampire Mystery that needed to be solved and escape to safely.  With 11 Minutes to spare we were able to leap through the bounds of time just long enough to enter the darkness of the SHAMEFUL TIKI. Where bowls of booze accompanied by lengthy straws dipped into our overly saturated flaming bowl of 'shame'. I am sure there was a stop for more food and drinks before entering the final bliss of a well deserved rest.

Seattle - Road Trip

Did you know that from Vancouver to Seattle it is only about a 3 hour drive + boarder crossing? If you know how big Canada is and how much driving can be done in a straight line you would be royally impressed by this short amount of time. It is hard to fathom when you are from a small country or are touched by many nearby boarders to other fab locations.

First stop is Popeyes I didn't realize it was such a thing...so much fried chicken. Apparently there is just a lot going on here in the fried chicken world that I was unaware of. Either way, it was good! 

So this picture has a story, did you know that marijuana is legal in Seattle? - Well because it is legalized it just sounds a lot scarier than it really was. We hyped it up a lot and I was fine :P

Heather was all down about the breweries and trying a variety of drinks. She knows her stuff. 

We went to a bar later in the day I don't recall the name but there were tonnes of bills on the walls. They asked if we wanted to draw and donate a dollar. This is what we came up with, too bad I can't remember the name of the place.

Day 15: Pike Market, 2 breweries, jello shots, a liquor store and a long wander home.

The following day was the real surprise. Heather was ranting and raving about this EMP museum [music + sci-fi+ pop culture] and then I went. This guitar/musical instrument sculpture just blew my mind. I don't want to spoil it with lots of photos so I'll just let you go there yourself. It is worth a day :)

Week 2 of Swing Summer

Heather and I finally met up for our nice vegan lunch place called MEET. 

We went to Wreck beach the next day, I really like the freedom that I feel when I am not wearing much. I didn't really do it until I went to Shambhala way back in what 2007? I have really grown to love my own skin and I am more than okay letting the sun kiss it from time to time.

 We had some serious sushi, they let me order and I went wild because I was hungry! 

After all of this I totally got to play on an electric guitar and it was just amazing even learned some metal! Cool Right?

Man, Vancouver, after Rap Battles, unexpected reunions and lots of walking and funz I got a nice photo of Vancouver that I really love.