Blurrrr-smooshing Dec and Jan together

Blur... Dec and January have come and gone and left me asking "HOW"? How is life so incredibly fast some months and slow in others? I blink and the month is done. Well we have at least been enjoying ourselves. Dec was a whirlwind of Christmas parties and a visit home to Edmonton. Snowfalls and rain. And food. food. and more food.

Our "small" group at Westside can't seem to stay small.. Its currently 23 people small. We can't split either cause there is nobody else to lead so we pack out our living room every week, and it has been a fun time of chillen and chatting. And in this case... eating. We moved out some furniture and ate a Christmas feast in our living room. Tables and desks covered in tablecloths. Did the full deal - 2 turkeys, mashed potatoes, berry crumble. You name it. We ate it.


For my birthday Danny and I got hooked up through my work at the Four Seasons Whistler Resort. It was a glorious time of royal treatment - we were upgraded to some ginormous suite that could sleep a large family. Which was nice...but a bit too much. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but we just aren't the "rich" type. So when we are in a ritzy place with fur coats, a mystery butler who always knew when to turn on our fireplace, and how to fold our clothes, and Louis Vuitton luggage we can't help but think "whats the point of all this?" BUT we enjoyed ourselves with snowboarding and hot tubbing nonetheless.

Going home was INSANE- (as per usual) Christmas Party after party after party, living room dances with the youth, family times (movies, chats, meals), shopping (a little TOO much-our credit cards hurt us), playing survivor - the real version - in -34 degree weather (celsius!), getting sick-perfect time for the flu-NOT, and COFFEE DATES with friends. One of my fave things was a girly brunch I had with my good friends Erin, Jenna, Lisa, Danielle, and Jessica. I've known Lisa since grade 7 and the rest since grade 10 or 11. Good to still be in touch with these lovely ladies and be a part of their lives. It interesting that any friends I am making now are really having to "learn me" and me them. There is something about having history with someone that can bring depth that doesn't just come naturally.


New Years was rad in Seattle. So short, but so fun. We counted down with our good friends from Vancouver Chad and Lynda. We walked and walked and walked everywhere. Fireworks shot out of the Space Needle and it was awesome. People drinking champagne, yelling, and kissing. Good times.


It has been SNOWING a lot here. We are not used to this for Vancouver, as the city doesn't know how to co-exist with snow, so it has been an adventure in winter wonderland lately. Digging the car out, shoveling, wearing a WINTER JACKET, etc. etc. etc.

My BEST Christmas gift was tickets to the Off-Broadway of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Given to me as a surprise from my lovely husband Danny. I was soooooo excited as this was one of my top 5 favorite Disney movies I loved when I was a kid. It was an AMAZING show nearly identical to the movie, just acted by real people. I LOVED listening to the kids in the audience gurgle with laughter when something funny happened. There were tons of little "princesses" all dressed up for the show. Too cute.

Yes, an umbrella to keep us from getting snowed on. Only in Vancouver. ONLY in Vancouver.

Other than that Danny and I have been keeping SO BUSY with work, church, the gym, and spending time with friends. I had a lovely morning the other day starting out with my favorite movie... Breakfast at Tiffany's...


Topped off with my favorite cereal... LUCKY CHARMS.

And some of my most favorite people...Bonnie and Jon! We had a lovely coffee with these 2 parents-to-be in Burnaby. SO EXCITED for them. :)


It is now FEBRUARY. Can you believe it!!!!? FEBRUARY. I really want to live in the moment this year. Not let time take over. Do things I want. Spend my time how I feel I should. January was a good month. Life is good. But I have to force myself to be intentional with how I spend my time. I am trying to read one book a month this year. SO far my goal is a success! I read 'A Weekend in Paris' in January (fiction novel) and now I'm reading 'Paris to the Moon'. Let's just say I am on a bit of a Paris kick, and can't let go. My whole being just wants to be there learning French and walking their beautiful streets. But... living through my books will just have to do for now! Au revoir...

Lately I'm Craving...

New York.

It's 7:00 pm on a Wednesday, and I'm sitting here at the end of a long day at work, listening to Putumayo French Cafe - just resting. Thinking. For whatever reason I can't stop thinking about New York. It's been 3 days now, and its like a craving I can't seem to kick. Its my drug. It feels like a need, not a want. Doesn't help that I work in the travel industry either. I'm content with Vancouver, and my life here. But I have officially been bit with the travel bug, and badly.

What's so great about New York? Really.
You know... there is almost too much that is great.

For one, the shopping is crazy. Even if you don't buy anything its still fun to peek in little boutiques in Soho - you can be in almost any store and you will probably find something worth looking at. The fashion is of course to die for as well, but at the same time will no doubt make your outfit seem inadequate.

The cafes are darling. We didn't get to try out many of them while we were there, but after seeing this book, I now have a New York mission whenever my next visit occurs. If you ever come across it, its a cool book - lots of good places we're all missing out on. MMM Latte Art.

Two Words. Central Park.

Magnolia Bakery. Life changing Cupcakes. Literally. One bite and its like the cupcake fairy has come and blessed your mouth. I STILL remember what the icing tasted like. Name one other cupcake shop that has a bouncer. I'm telling you, these cupcakes make people go crazy.


Times Square. Does it ever get old? I don't think so. This is literally a place to lose yourself, and lose track of time. Dudes everywhere selling these delicious fresh honey roasted nuts, everywhere you look you see taxis and I heart NY shirts, people galore, BROADWAYS, restaurants, shopping, bright lights and giant advertisements.


I could go on forever, but I wont. I've been trying to lose myself in books to keep my sanity lately. My nicorette, but for travel addictions. I'm in Borneo right now, at an orangutan sanctuary. Adventure Divas. Good book so far about women making a difference in the world. Not stuffy either.

Collecting Kiwi

Seeing as you all haven't really been properly updated on my new job, I figure that I should fill ya'll in.

My passion is travel. The world. Anything to do with culture, I am usually interested. My main passion for my career life is to mix travel and humanitarian aid. I love helping people. I want to make a difference. I think everybody does. But this isn't as easy to find in the travel industry, nor does it pay well. So, to gain experience and to pay off my hideous student loan, I have taken a job at a company that deals with pretty much the opposite of what my passion is - luxury travel. More specifically luxury hotel rooms. I am Content Manager for the website, so that when a new property signs a contract with us I get info on the hotel and write about it. This means I could be writing about a little Inn on the South Island of New Zealand, or a gorgeous chateau in the South of France, or even a large-and-in-charge hotel in downtown New York City. Anything goes. As long as its luxury. This job unfortunately doesn't involve any traveling, but the job isn't without other perks.

I still haven't lost my passion, and I still desire a career in humanitarian aid... but for now this is good. This pays the bills, and is a pretty positive work environment, so I can't complain! However, 40 hours a week is proving to be a lot! So that is my job in a nutshell! And for the record, at this point I can't really get any hotel deals for anybody, but I will sure to post if the day comes when I can!!!  If you want the name of our website, let me know. :)