Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes are happening! Don't really want to talk about that right this second though, so let's talk about NYC!
The drive is long. About 8 hours with little stops, because it's tough to bomb it right through. Saw "Westside Story" on Friday night - by myself, because no one else wanted to pay to see it - and it was fantastic. I love Broadway shows so much. They make me so happy and giddy! We also went to the MOMA that night and wandered through the dazzling lights of Times Square.
Saturday was a crazy in-your-face day. We did an NBC studio tour, wandered Central Park, saw the progress at Ground Zero, I bought a fake Tiffany's necklace and bracelet on Canal St in Chinatown, took the subway to SoHo and ate a cupcake from the delicious Magnolia Bakery. We also gulped down numerous teas and coffees in between, to try and keep our little hands and bodies warm from the insane cold! And mixed in was a little bit of shopping and drinks out that night!
Sunday was pretty much wake up, shop a little (hello Victoria's Secret!!), and get back in the car to drive back to Mtl! Lots of driving for one full day in NYC - but worth it!
I love NYC. I don't know how much clearer I can make it. That city is amazing. I never tire of it, no matter how many times I go, and I think I've now been about 6 times. This is a little something I wrote about how I feel about the city:
You just can't help but feel alive here. All the bustling people, all the shops, all the noise. All your senses are turned on full blast. And I love that sensory overload. I like the evasive glances from other solitary people on the street. Wonder what their story is, wondering what they're thinking. I love that you can be alone in this city and yet not feel alone or lonely at all.
Labels: photos, travel
I spent the weekend up in Mont-Tremblant, which is a ski hill a lot like Whistler, for all you BC-ers. We stayed in a cottage peering over a frozen lake in a winter wonderland, wondered Tremblant village in the afternoon, and came back for cozy hot chocolates and movies by the fire in the evening. It was snowy and charming and magical. (And freezing cold!) I even had a real Quebec winter experience and ate maple syrup on snow! Yum. Perfect weekend.
This is my favourite photo of myself from the weekend... I love feeling the sun warming my face in winter... and look at that breathtakingly gorgeous view.
Labels: travel
Sometimes I look at the "Missed Connections" section on Craigslist. I think I just like the idea of lives colliding. Of strangers thinking about each other. I like knowing that someone out there, at some point during their day, could be thinking about me. It could be a random stranger on the metro, or it could be someone I know. And perhaps all those random encounters you have with random people during the day maybe aren't so random. But just imagining and wondering about what other people are thinking is fascinating.
Last weekend I went home to BC for Thanksgiving. It was amazing. I felt so happy to see all my family and friends. And I realised a lot of things while I was there. Me with the girls:
I am really looking forward to this weekend. I have mostly nothing planned, which will be a nice change from the last two weekends when I've been out of town. On the agenda: edit photos and buy a winter coat. Yep, it's already cold here. Temperatures this week have been around zero, although it's been bright and sunny and beautiful and I haven't minded the cold at all.
Labels: photos, thoughts, travel
I am finally feeling alive again after a weekend of sleep deprivation, overnight bus rides, fighting a cold, and sightseeing. NYC was amazing, amazing, amazing, but I kind of felt like shit the entire time. OH WELL. It was a pretty intense weekend.
To recap: my bus got into the city around 6:30am on Saturday. I couldn't check into my hostel until 3pm, so I dumped my luggage and then it was 8am and I was up and raring to go! Except that nothing was open. So I downed a giant coffee and ate breakfast in Union Square (it was a muggy and warm, yet cloudy day) and waited for stores to open. Wandered around, browsed
Strand and its 18 miles of books, went shopping, took a tour of the NYC Public Library (so, so beautiful!), ate lunch, did more shopping, crashed for a nap at my hostel, met a cool roomie and other hostel people, went out with them for drinks, crashed into bed. WHEW.
On Sunday I met up with Jenn, we had breakfast, went to the Pickle Festival in Chinatown, ate Dim Sum with her aunt, wandered SoHo, then Jenn left to catch her train, and I went up and relaxed in Central Park until my bus left. I then had another overnight bus ride -- which, I'd like to say, are not easy to sleep on because the bus stops at various places and people get on and off, we stopped for a half hour in Albany, NY and
had to disembark, and we had to get off the bus at the border at 2AM and go through customs.
Needless to say, when I arrived back into Montreal at 3:30AM this morning, I was pretty dead. When my alarm went off at 7AM for work, there was no way in hell I could get up. I felt like I'd been run over by a truck. Thankfully it was okay that I stayed home, and I'm feeling sooo glad I did because I think I finally kicked my cold and I feel oh so much better!!
To sum up NYC, PICKLES:
Labels: travel
More bits and pieces
I just booked my flight home for Thanksgiving and I am so, so excited. I cannot wait to see everybody. I want to visit with everyone and go to my favourite places and I don't think there'll be time for sleeping! I also found out today that my mom was rushed to the hospital yesterday because her appendix burst. Very scary. She's in the hospital until Friday and will be off work for a month. I can't wait to see her and hug her.
I've also booked my trip to NYC for this weekend to see Jenn. I'll be going it alone in the big city on Saturday and seeing her Sunday. Which means Saturday I'm going to cram full of some combination of: shopping, Central Park, NY Library, Guggenheim museum, Broadway show... which I don't think is that unrealistic given that my bus arrives into the city around 6AM! I <3 NY.
I shot a wedding on Sunday, and even though I prayed for days to the rain gods, it still rained the whole day. The ceremony was supposed to take place on a rooftop patio but instead 50 guests were crammed indoors into a living room. Thankfully the rain stopped for a few hours while we did photos outside in Mt Royal Park by the lake - which turned out beautifully! And then I stayed and photographed the reception afterward as well. It was really my first real wedding - I was there for about 8 hours! There are sooooo many photos to edit it's ridiculous!!!
I went to go see the Opera on Saturday night, and it was really amazing. Probably the best opera I've seen. It was a double showing of "Pagliacci" and "Gianni Schicchi." And it was also a good excuse to dress up. :)
So I've entered the hockey pool at work, and I pretty much have no idea what I'm doing. Okay I kind of do now because my dad's been helping me out... All I know is that I want to represent the Canucks amongst all these die-hard Habs fans. Which means I will definitely lose. Haha.
I can't believe September is almost over. Life is crazy these days.
Labels: fall, montreal, photography, travel
So I've almost survived my first week at my new job. And it's been great. I think it's going to be a perfect fit for me there. I really like my co-workers and I really like that I do a variety of different things so that the day passes by quickly. I will seriously be happy at 6PM tomorrow though and I will be even happier on Saturday when I can sleep past 7AM...
I bought the wickedest
shoes this week and I am in love with them.
I am going to NYC in 2 weeks to collide trips with Jenn who will be on her way back to Africa, and I am so excited to see the city in autumn. It's going to be absolutely beautiful. This trip I'm going to make a point of visiting the NY Public Library, as I've never been and always mean to go when I'm in the city. But seeing
this photo of a fashion show set there during Fashion Week makes me neeeeed to go. How amazingly stunning and gorgeous is that. Seriously.
And in 3 weeks I'm going to go HOME for Thanksgiving! I am soooooo beyond excited and I can't even believe it's only 3 weeks away. Okay granted I haven't booked my flight yet or asked for an extra day off work yet (which I am crossing my fingers for!) but I will definitely be coming no matter what. Turkey with family is something I can't pass up!
Belatedly, the wedding I shot last Friday went amazingly smoothly. It was a beautiful day, beautiful location, beautiful couple. I haven't finished editing all the photos, but when I do I shall post some! I also did a photo shoot last Sunday afternoon, but maybe I'll just include some of those shots in a giant photo post too... Be on the look out!
Labels: travel, work
Fallling in love again with Montreal
I must say, there's some things about the French that I absolutely adore. I've just re-realized this after coming back to Montreal from Jamaica. It's their passion for good food, good wine, classy yet trendy restaurants, well-made clothes... It's taking hours at dinner, and enjoying it with a bottle of wine. It's buying a baguette and fresh flowers at the market. I'll sum it up by saying
sophistication. Do I sound like I'm spouting cliches? Well, cliches are usually true. And right now I'm feeling very french as I write this on my terrasse, drinking a glass of rosé wine and munching on a baguette with hummous. Yes, I'm enjoying this life centered on pleasure.
And Jamaica? Fabulous. Definitely a needed getaway. It was scorching hot afternoons and floating in the ocean, it was bottles of wine at dinner (and sometimes two), it was champagne on the beach, it was catamaran adventure tours and waterfalls, it was renting a car and seeing the real Jamaica. It was late nights and lazy mornings. And lots and lots of pineapple. ;)
Labels: montreal, travel
I have never been one to turn down a travel opportunity. In fact, if there's even so much as a glimmer of hope, I'm on it so fast you can't believe it. All I want to do in life is travel.
SO. This is why I'm going to Jamaica tomorrow! I am so super excited! I definitely need a vacation from my vacation. Haha. I'll be there for a week, doing the all-inclusive thing, at a 4.5 star resort... lounging on the beach with a drink in my hand... Hell YES.
I'm just on my way out the door to another photo shoot, which should be verrrry fun. I'm doing it down in the Old Port, so there'll be lots of funky alleys and stairs and walls and things... And then it's my last Photoshop class tonight!
See you in a week, chickadees :)
Labels: photography, travel
Okay. Quebec City is the cutest ever. If I had to use one word to sum up this city it would be undeniably adorable. Oh, is that more than one word? ;) This city is definitely the type of place you come with your lover - it is very romantic with lots of street cafes, cobblestone roads, little shops, street performers playing guitars and pianos and violins. And the fact that there was 3 weddings today at the Hotel Frontenac will attest to that!
It was a beautiful day yesterday, super sunny and warm, and my mom and I made sure to wander all of the streets and see the sights and take in a few drinks on a couple nice terrasses. We also saw a free Cirque du Soleil show! Craziness. Today it's been raining off and on and we've taken in some history and done a few guided tours. And - I'm trying to speak as much French as possible!! Yes!! I can almost get by at a restaurant now and not speak any English. Feeling good.
All in all, Quebec City has definitely captured my heart.
Labels: travel
Reaching for my dreams
For 3 years I have wanted to move away and live in a bigger, more vibrant city. I have started the process a few times, and stopped for various reasons, mostly because the timing wasn't quite right (and life, really, is all about timing) and because it's scary - I have grown up here and lived here my whole life, I have all my good friends and family here and it's terrifying to leave that nest.
But, I know that this is something that I need to experience, and I need to do it by myself, to fling myself into the unknown. I know that living elsewhere will help me grow, bring me a confidence and independence that I can't obtain here in my bubbled life. Just like deciding to get an apartment by myself has helped me to grow. That was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself.
And so, at the end of this month, I am going to be packing up all my things and hopping on a plane to go live in Montreal for the summer. I'll be subletting a cute bachelor apartment, one block away from Mount Royal park, I'll be taking some photography and possibly web design classes at Concordia University, and hopefully getting a job, even though my French is a little (read: lot) rusty. My time in Montreal will also be like an extended vacation - I plan to see all the sights and travel around to other cities, including NYC. And I hope to have lots of visitors! I will have a fabulous air mattress, so if anyone wants to come see Montreal in the summer, you can crash with me! :)
Why Montreal, you ask? Good question. Montreal seemed to have all my requirements: big city, far away, culturally diverse, trendy, with charm, and it's very inexpensive to live there!! That was the clincher. I couldn't get over the apartment prices! Currently I pay $825 +hydro +internet/TV for my 1 bedroom apartment. In Montreal I could easily have this place for $700 all inclusive. For my furnished bachelor, I will be paying $550, all inclusive - so I'll actually be
saving money by living there. Crazy.
I'm feeling mixed emotions about leaving. I am excited and looking forward to new change and challenges, but it's bittersweet because I leave behind my amazing friends and family as well as someone who I love so much. Even though it's hard, I know I need to do this for myself. After all, 4 months isn't
that long, but long enough to make a change, to make a fresh start, to see life clearly. Come what may, I'm making this decision for me, I'm living my dream, and the rest will fall into place as it should.
Labels: montreal, moving, travel
Shopaholic!!
I just want to say that right now I am sitting in a big winged leather armchair, beside a gas fireplace, and looking out at the sun setting on the calm waters of Birch Bay, WA. This is awesome. Plus, there's free WiFi, even more awesome.
I am shopped out. We started the shopping extravaganza on Sunday afternoon with a trip to the small outlet mall (where we were excited for the Lululemon outlet, but were very sadly disappointed). Yesterday, though, was the biggie. We left the condo at 8:30 and arrived at Seattle Premium Outlets just before 10:00 when they opened. With coffee to start our shopping buzz, we stayed there until 2:30. My favourite purchase from there is my new coat from the Guess outlet, which is the cutest thing ever - black and white houndstooth wool. We then drove a half hour to the giant Alderwood Mall and stayed there until closing at 9:00!!! Oh my god, my feet and legs were SO sore. By the time 7:00 rolled around, Laurel and I had to take a sit-down break every half hour because our arms were so sore from holding all our bags and our feet were so sore from all the walking! Craziness!! We didn't get home until 11:30 last night, and then I had a hot shower and fell into bed.
Today was a small day, we slept in (thank god) and then hit up Bellis Fair. We'd been in most of the stores already though, plus our money stashes were almost depleted, so we didn't buy a whole lot and only stayed until 2:00. Now we are back at the condo relaxing, and I'm supposed to be doing my homework... shhhhhh. ;)
What an intense shopping trip! I have bought a coat, shirts, 2 skirts, a pair of skinny jeans (the horror), 3 pairs of shoes, and perfume!! I'm pretty sure that now I won't be allowed to spend ANY money for a long time. It's a good thing we're going home tomorrow! :)
Labels: shopping, travel
I <3 Seattle
Seattle was
so great. I seriously love it there and could live there in an instant. This trip to Seattle was even better than past trips there because we were hanging out with a couple friends who live there and got away from downtown and into the local neighbourhoods of Capitol Hill (a very trendy, young neighbourhood with fantastically old brick buildings) and Fremont (an arty neighbourhood). We all spent Friday night drinking local beer at a couple bars in Capitol Hill and walked around and at 1AM, we drove to a park in Fremont that overlooks the entire city at night... it was damn great.
Seeing that side of Seattle has just cemented more in my head that I need to leave here and live in a big metropolitan city. Soon. I crave that kind of diversity and vibrancy. I felt this way when I came back from New York city last summer too. Living here may be a good place to settle down, but right now I want to
experience and
do things and I itch to get away.
Anyway! The real reason this journey to Seattle took place was to see the MSTRKRFT concert, which was also awesome. We were listening to their music on the whole drive down to Seattle so I was well primed! That was the second MSTRKFRT concert I'd been to and it was waaaay better than the first. Yep yep, it was great.
And now: homework and laundry. :(
Labels: concerts, travel
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes are happening! Don't really want to talk about that right this second though, so let's talk about NYC!
Sunday was pretty much wake up, shop a little (hello Victoria's Secret!!), and get back in the car to drive back to Mtl! Lots of driving for one full day in NYC - but worth it!
