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.

Week 1 of Swing Summer in Vancouver

I got my own bathroom! 

Even got new kicks.

It has been a long while since I was in Vancouver, I think it was back in 2011 when I was passing through to music festivals and visiting Niagara Falls. Either way, it felt great to be back and most of all the reunions. [if you know me already, then you know how much I FREAKEN LOVE REUNIONS!] I kind of live for them.

A long haul of a ride from Calgary to Vancouver even though it was the express bus via Greyhound it still took about 12 hours. I was picked up at the station by Heather. Lots of hugs and loves, I even got homemade cookies which were quickly inhaled. I tried my best to get Heather to make more but was unsuccessful. Next time. -.- We did however hit the gym everyday for a week since I got a free 'friend' pass. :P

Our second day we did a session of rage yoga in a brewery and got to let out some serious F' Yeahs. 

Don't forget you still have to relax and play board games! 

Day 4: We lucked out and got to enjoy a sunny day and a Korean Festival. 

Day 5: We hit up the hot tub, sauna and pool since only Sundays are co-ed days at the gym. 

Day 6: Was the most epic walk I think I walked like 24kms in the city. 

First week of Swing Summer!

I guess I should add that drinking on a Tuesday in a graveyard isn't always a 'smart' decision. It sounds worse than it actually was. I swear. If you really want to know, feel free to ask me about it. lol

Let's begin Swing Summer!

I haven't written anything in so long and I keep talking about writing all sorts of things, from songs, to short stories. I figured that the best way to start going with the whole writing thing is to begin at the beginning.

I was finally nearing the end of the semester and I can't even quite say it like that since the whole term was only 10 grueling weeks of ultra condensed courses. Hiding at home studying and not really doing a whole lot of anything. I went to KAMP and that was all she wrote.

A while back I decided that this summer had to be something worthwhile to work towards. I had been working two jobs and taking three full-time classes and felt like I was losing myself to the weight of responsibility.

SO this is where Swing Summer comes in, swing has been seeping in but a good friend of mind really turned me onto it this season. This is where the story begins.

As soon as finals were finished I wrapped up the final days of work and was almost ready to take off, I had already hit vacation mode.

Either way like clockwork the 1st came! It was finally time to take off...when I say take off I mean a bus off to Calgary. Small baby steps back into the great big world. lol

Nicky and Ava, on our way out to the outdoor pool! Sunny Sunny! I love summer.

A very short stay in Calgary (Thank you Nicole! You are my hero, let's try to meet up soon) but it was just the first bridge to many, then it was time to board another bus and be Vancouver bound!

Oh mountains!