Wonderful World of Leisure

I apologize for my lack of posts, however, I've been preoccupied with establishing myself in my new world... the wonderful world of leisure. What has the "Wonderful World of Leisure" entailed up to this point? Please see below...

New Crib: I moved into my apartment and absolutely love it. Including my "I add the 'ass' to class" roommate(s). Example: Our memo board... try to take a guess as to who is in the middle?



View from my balcony: I have to say, having a balcony with such an amazing view is quite the luxury. I am out there at least once a day, either talking on the phone, enjoying a drink or just standing there and absorbing my surroundings.



I live about 10 minutes from Kitslano Beach which is also known as the muscle-head/juice-monkey/fake breasts beach. In other words, it's a beach you go to flaunt what you have(or think you do) and hope everyone envies you. Regardless, it's a beach within walking distance and I love having it at my convenience. Nothing beats the views of the sunsetting behind the mountains and water as I'm either running/walking/biking by...

In addition, there is also a yacht club by the beach and it's amazing to see the many ships out in the water...



Beach Days: I believe I mentioned this before, but I will mention it again. If it is a weekday and the weather is beautiful, people are not heading to work but to the beach. This is a norm in Vancouver. Case in point: Fiona. I wake up to my phone ringing and Fi exclaiming that she called in sick and we're heading to the beach! Who am I to discourage her.... so Wreck Beach it was and boy was it ever packed for a weekday! Therefore, reinforcing my theory that Vancouverites do not work...

Wreck Beach is a clothing optional (i.e. nude) "private" beach. It takes 400 steep steps to get down to it (which is a biatch to climb up when the likelihood of you going back up drunk is extremely high), but is it ever worth it. Not only are the views spectacular, but it has the greatest vibe going. There are vendors that have stands selling everything from the usual towels/blankets, to the vendors that sell game (buffalo, venison, etc) burgers which are absolutely awesome! Then there are the regular vendors that walk around selling things like epanadas (which has the best chutney sauce ever!) to selling alcohol from hallowed out boom boxes... and no I am not lying about the last part. The atmosphere is quite hard to describe, since it is definitely one that you have to experience.

But one of the most notable that I noticed immediately is how everyone looks out for each other. Example: even though everyone does it, it's illegal to be drinking on the beach and there are police that show up at random times, however, once a cop is spotted all vendors will start shouting "last call" and all the beach goers will start warning those around them (including strangers). Which I have to admit was fortunate for both Fi and myself that day, as we were so busy with our game meat burgers, that we missed hearing the "last call" shouts. Luckily, our new friend Sunny warned us just in time. Whew. Being fined within my first few weeks of living in Vancouver would not be a good start...

No Tanlines: My only comment is "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" ...



Sunset @ Wreck Beach: I've been to Wreck before, but never until the sunset. It was absolutely beautiful and what made it even more special was that everyone was watching the sun as it slowly descended and as soon as it disappeared, everyone clapped and cheered. I can't exactly describe the feeling I had at that moment but it certainly reinforced my confidence in my decision to move out west.



Everyone packing up and leaving.



The calm after the rush: Until the next beach day...



Drinking, Socializing, and Drinking some more: What kind of Woman of Leisure would I be without the all important socializing and drinking??? Here are just a few of the events that I have pictures of or am willing to exhibit...

Girls' Night Out would not be complete without the signature Cosmopolitans!



Presents: Fi got me an Ugly Doll. Her name is Moxy and her favourite activity is bouncing off the walls and jumping in and out of mischief. Sound familiar??? Also, Jessica got me some Godiva chocolates... yummmm....



How do I explain this picture of Christina walking on her hands? Hmmm... Sorry, there just isn't any reasonable explanation to fully justify the sanity of her actions....



My closet: It's really sad how sparse it is (F.Do this is all your doing. You and your limitations on my wardrobe packing!). It actually brings a tear to my eyes at the thought of how lonely all my clothes must be in Toronto. Sniff...



Heather, Rose and myself: "My what a long tongue you have, Heather!"



3 Stooges: Lien, Fiona, and Rose



The Girls @ my place: Christina, Jessica, Fiona, Rose, Heather and Myself



The 1st of how many rounds????



Regardless of where I go, there is always some random stranger amongst my pictures. Never fails... I have many (to the point of embarrassing) pictures to prove it. Case in point, this random guy... WTF?? To make matters worse, he's not even cute...



Classic over the shoulder: "You gotta work, work it girl!!"



Me & Phil: Long lost siblings?



3 Stooges strike again...



Fire Thrower @ the Launch Party for Bacardi's new Cazadoras Tequila: All I have to say is Tequila is dangerous...



Free flowing Tequila: Asian + Free Tequila = Double Fisting




This picture cracks me up. I honestly don't know what kind of face Rose is doing, but it's pretty freakin' messed up!!!



Fi & Phil being highly offensive!!!



On America's Next Top Model, they would describe our pose as "fierce" It's all in the eyes...




Gift Bags: Shot Glasses... swweeettt!



Lesson of the month: Never pass out and leave your camera where your roommates can have access and decide to take random pics such as the following...

Bobby shunning the papparazzi:



Chad's abs:



Chad's crotch:



It's now been a little over a month since I've made the move to Vancouver and it's been pretty awesome. However, I am now off to San Francisco for almost 3 weeks. Shall my adventures continue there...

Being a Woman of Leisure in Vancouver

Mon. Aug. 20 - Sun. Aug. 26, 2007

2 crazians down, and 2 crazians left... to Jay's dismay.

After the girls went back to Toronto, I stayed with Jay and Fi for another week before moving into my new place. I have to say, Jay and Fi were the most gracious hosts. In addition to all the great meals they made, I was also given a week's education in "what boys like." In other words, I was exposed to the world of violent movies and tv shows. I don't think I've watched more CSI episodes (more than 10 in the week), violent romance movie (who knew a romantic movie could be so violent) and to top it off, I watched 2 Chinese (english subtitled of course) mobster movies! In addition, while at the Richmond Night Market (this market was a mini version of those in Hong Kong with many food and nik nak stands) we looked at all the samurai swords. Honestly, why would someone want a cane that just happens to have a pull out sword??? Anyhow, Jay reasoned the week of violence as conditioning me for my new west coast boyfriend...

Jay's Salmon & Broccoli dish with Sangria.



Fi's famous omlette.



I was really fortunate to have a week of absolutely beautiful weather. I took advantage of it and spent most of my day outdoors.

On my bikeride around the seaside, I passed Science World (White Sphere in the background) and came upon all these Inukshuk. I couldn't decide if they were all built at one time or people keep adding to the collection...



There is a lot of construction occuring in Vancouver right now in preparation for the 2010 Olympics. Therefore, there are many detours anywhere you go. On my bike ride around the Seawall, I had to take a detour that took me through a forested area (to tell you the truth, I was a tad bit worried for my safety) and at the opening, I fell upon this stunning pond. I can't remember the last time I've seen lily pads...



Another detour took me up quite the steep incline (so steep at times, I had to hop off my bike and walk up) and I ended up at the point where Sequoia Grill Restaurant is located. I've never been up at this point during the day before and I have to say it's just as beauitful during the day as it is at night.



View of the city and my bike.



Me laying on the bench and enjoying the view.



The SeaWall: I have to say, this is one of my favourite parts of the city. It's approx. 10km trail around the water/city. It's just a great feeling when you're either walking/running/biking/rollerblading around it. I love it!





One of the many beaches in the city. It maybe English Bay, but honestly there are so many small beaches around the city that I have yet to learn them all. Anyhow, a good indictor that the weather is beautiful out is how busy the beach is. It seems to be accepted that if there is great weather predicted for that day, everyone calls into work sick and heads to the beach! E.g. conversation overheard at Kits Beach. Situation: girl on the phone with her friend. Girl: "What do you mean you're at work? Why didn't you call in sick???" yes, this is true... prime example of laid back west coasters!




This is a beach area that I discovered when I was running one morning. It not only has stunning views (though I would be surprised to find an area in the city that doesn't have a great view), but it is also an off-leash area which means dogs can run loose on the beach. It is just sooo cute to see dogs doggy-paddling in the water to fetch sticks. I actually worry sometimes because there are times when the owners throw the sticks so far into the water, I'm unsure the dog would even make it! Anyhow, I can sit for hours here just watching the dogs...







On Saturday, Fi and Jay went to a wedding while I went to watch the UFC fight at Rose & the Horny Brothers house. It was awesome. Joe made an amazing meal of ribs, mashed potatoes, fried eggplant and corn. Talk about good lovin' food. Anyhow, initially I was basically there for the food not the fight. However, that quickly changed when the fight started. I have 2 new obsessions... George St. Pierre and Randy Couture

Anyhow, when I arrived home that night I found my Mur tied with balloons. Fi had hoped he would start to float, but I think his bean filled body kept him grounded. It still cracks me up when I see this pic...



On the Sunday, we spent the day in Richmond. It's just outside of the city where there are nice homes and lots of Asians. Anyhow, we were really there to visit Fi's aunt and uncle (who I stayed with last year when I was in vancouver) and their dog Gyoza. I swear I have never encountered such a hyperactive dog in my life. People think I'm exaggerating when I'm talking about her but this dog jumps up to my waist! She honestly has some sort of bounce in her hind paws!

In addition to the visiting, we also snuck in some shopping and some Wii playing time. Rose, Fi nor myself have ever played Wii and we were hooked. Though both Rose and Fi had Wii related injuries the next day. ha ha haaa.

Here we are at a Taiwanese restaurant. We were all quite impressed with the food and Rose wanted to take a pic of the food to make the boys jealous. ha ha ahaaa...