a good month i like to call february

Apparently I like February. I tend to enjoy it as a month. In a few words, my Feb. 09. could be described as Delicious Chaotic Fun. AND Musically Pleasing. Oh so satisfying...

February was SUCH a good month reflecting back. Life right now...is good. With Danny, finding community, living in Vancouver, my job is great. All is well. I had a weird week of random "depression" in there, (for lack of a better word)... and no it wasn't the weather. Just some things adding up to make me not my normal self.

But I am back to normal now though. Even though my normal is probably not normal at all. ha. Anyways, FEBRUARY. Let's get this show started. Well the month started out with chaos... snowboarding with friends, delicious dinners, games night, 3 girls staying in our spare bedroom (sister Darla and 2 friends for 2 weeks), baby showers-galore, and concerts...one of them in Seattle. Once again a short trip to Seattle was had. (Less than 14 hours long.) But this wasn't just any trip, or concert.


This was Greg Laswell. Currently my favorite artist of all time - I can't tell you what an unreal time it was to see him. He's amazing.


But since it was such a short trip and on a Wednesday night I checked if my work could hook us up with a hotel...and they did! On the stipulation that I will write a travel blog review on my stay. Since when am I a hotel reviewer? Ya you know I still ask myself how I am the primary writer for our website. I can't write. But I do. I fake it. My hotel review went live our website on Friday too. Ugh, there is no turning back. We stayed at Seattle's only waterfront hotel-where the BEATLES stayed on their tour in the 60's - Super cool. (Dont want to write the hotel name on here incase the hotel searches-ha)



Anyways, the hotel was great. The GM wanted to treat us to dinner...so of course we accepted! There were so many courses to this meal, I've currently lost track. The most amazing lobster mac and cheese I have EVER EVER had. And I don't even eat lobster. But just to give you a glimpse of how 'un-fine dining' my personality is... I had a bit of an embarrassing blip....

we picked a bottle of white wine
server comes and opens it at the table and pours some in my glass
i am just chatting chatting chatting. to her, to danny. chat chat chat.
she stays standing at our table for what feels like 5 minutes, thinking back.
danny: "uh hailey, i think she wants you to taste the wine"
hailey: "oh right"
'slurp' (all eyes on me)
hailey: "tastes great" (nervous laugh)

hmmm, turns out they want you to tell them if its good or not. i knew this. but you see the thing is... even if it wasn't "great" i wouldn't know. unless of course it tastes like poison. then i would say something. but i mean. i just dont drink enough to know these things.

So continuing on with the meal...We had all these foodie things brought out for us because the server thought "you might like this", then... "thought you might like this as well","oh and this too..." The GM even brought out a another 'special wine' for us that he thought went 'best' with both our meal choices...and then he brought the chef out to meet me as well. Oh man. This was a lot to take in. I'm just Hailey...you really don't know how unimportant I am. So after that...we were full. Full with food, and very impressed with the very very kind staff. Then we took a cab to the concert (due to the wine)...and YES- the concert was AMAZZZZING. A good way to start off the month.

(When we arrived at our hotel, the sun was setting and it was so cool to be right on the water. You could literally hear the water lapping on the property.)




The next morning I was sleepy. Still in awe of such a great night at the show. But it was time to take on the day...

On our way home we stopped at Top Pot- a delicious coffee and doughnut joint...With a cool bookshelf. Love it. (I would LOVE to have one of these in our future home.) I had to be back at work for noon so I needed coffee. After a late night and a drive ahead of us. It was needed.


This shot below is my "you just won a million dollars!" face. (We try to keep ourselves entertained as we drive) I'm holding back a little you may notice though, because well...to be honest, I'm not sure I'd really want to win a million dollars. I feel like it would turn me into a monster.


This is Danny trying to eat a car. I took probably 40 pictures of him doing this. I was laughing so hard I couldn't really get any good ones.


Our friend Chris is the captain of the UBC bball team so we have been going to MANY of his games this year. I have been loving every minute of it. I love watching goooood basketball, live. Such fun. And Chris, man he's like a champion. Definitely the best player on the team, and you would never guess it by how he talks about it. I thought he was just "some player"...until I saw him play...and found out he was the captain. They are in Ottawa right now playing at nationals. HOLLA. Go UBC!


After the game we went to this cute pub near 4th Ave that had a live band that played Jack Johnson and Bedouin Soundclash and other chill tunes. I love hearing live music. It always makes things better.


And next was...Valentine's Day.

Danny...what did you get me? OH MY GOSH. You know, this pic below, I kind of look dazed a bit. And that is because my man...Well he did well this year. I am not trying to brag I assure you, but I have to give my boy props. There is only one thing that can come in a creamy turquoise box. TIFFANY'S! (I actually started to cry.) Most people don't know this about me... because I am not the most fancy materialistic person you'll ever meet...but I ADORE Tiffany's. I am on the website all the time, just looking at everything - the glorious jewels, over and over. I just love it all. And I NEVER in a million years thought Danny would actually buy me something from there. But he did. A beautiful bracelet.

My day started off with Danny making me breakfast, which if you know Danny, this is a big deal for him to be cooking. Then we headed off to a planned day by him. A walk at the beach, Confessions of a Shopaholic Movie (yes he suffered through that for me), indulging in a delicious Nutella Crepe, and then a delightful meal at a cute candle-lit bistro.




The day after Valentine's was even more fun! We went with the crew (Darla, Jodi, and Kyla) to Wreck Beach-the nude beach of Vancouver...although you would think in Feb, there would be no nudies out. We go to see the ocean, and the views. Not to be nude. And honestly, its Feb. What could we possibly see? Oh no. We were wrong. Right at the bottom of the mini hike to get to the beach there is an old man. Just naked. You learn to quickly look away before you've seen more than you actually want to. The color of skin suddenly screams "look away, look away!"



We then decided to bike the seawall tandem style. Oh yeah. Danny rode solo (and took photos) as Kyla and I attempted to coordinate our legs on the bike. The day was absolutely stunning. Sunny and beautiful. Who said helmets aren't cool?





My month ended off with a concert I have been looking forward to for the whole month. A friend introduced me to this band a while ago, and I have recently come to appreciate their genius new album. They are called The Annuals - and yeah...they really are rad. The show was so small...there were probably only 30 of us, but that made it even more cool because we got to enjoy what felt like a private show. My hero is the only female artist in the band, Anna, who is amazing on the piano, and has an unreal voice. Seriously. She is cool.



Stay tuned for March. We bought a new camera! SO I am hoping for some more good shots!!! HOLLA!

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. :)

Blogger Problems: Here is November - my sincere apologies

Oh Blogger issues. How many times have you cursed my blog? Bonnie - be honest. haha I know the blogging police are royally frustrated with me. But my blog will not let me post!!! Even a simple post like this has taken over an hour. And my uploading of photos is getting to be ridiculous. It takes us to 3 minutes a photo. I am thinking of leaving blogspot. I really did start this blog over a month ago. But yes...here it is... only a year late. Well let's quit wasting time and get started. :)

Sister visits. Natalie that is - Kyla lives above us. So she is always visiting. ;) We spent our time with fondue at Chocoatl. shopping on 4th. mainstreet. robson. mary poppins watching. going for dinners. sight seeing. All good fun, and it was a good visit although poor Danny was the only guy... and our professional photographer.

After Nat left I headed to Calgary solo where I got to witness and share in Erin's joy at her wedding. We couldn't afford for Danny to come so Danielle was my unofficial date - although I have no pics on my computer of the two of us!! I got to hang with Ruth from Capernwray too which was so fun!!!  So nice to hang with good friends and see Erin and Dustin so in love.

 

Wish I could have stole Jessica away for a nice long chat but she was in the wedding party so she was busy with her duties!!!

November was lovely. A good month. Adjusting to my new job so I was very tired. Sleepy Hailey comes to town! It was fun to prep for Dec. though. I LOVE CHRISTMAS and decorating, and its a winter wonderland here. We decorated on the last day in Nov. and the festivities began. I will update you on Dec. soon. If my blog cooperates that is.

A group of us friends got together for an early Christmas dinner party because it was the only time that worked for everyone. Christmas dinner number 1. Number 1 of  5 I think? Lets just say I have probably eaten an entire turkey on my own in the month of Dec. BUT: Yummy food = Good times.

We enjoyed our party poppers with Chad and Lynda and the crew - Danny scored a sweet necklace in his. I am so glad he doesn't wear it on an everyday basis. EW!

SO that is our Nov. in a nutshell. Food. Family. Friends. A great month. A HAPPY LATE CHRISTMAS to you all! And a DELICIOUS AND WONDERFUL 2009!  Hope you all enjoyed celebrating our blessed Savior's birth. I am forever grateful we have HIS birthday to celebrate. Thank you Jesus - for all that you were to us in 2008...