end of year.

Started watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy last night, my first time really sitting down to watch them since purchasing the extended edition DVD's many years ago.  I'd forgotten how much I love these movies, along with some things they represent.  This post I came across - Life Lessons Learned from Lord of the Rings & the Hobbit - touched on a few things that I try to keep in mind in my life, and want to continue into the new year. 

It's so easy to focus on relatively small negatives and be distracted from a world full of amazing and supportive positives.  I feel so blessed to have the family, friends & opportunities that I do, and want to try to always remember how much love there is in my life. 

2012 was a challenging year, full of many changes.  I wanted it to be a year of growth, and I think it has been, though unexpected in some respects.  2013 is shaping up to be another busy year, and I hope that I can be strong, and make the most of everything.

eggs.

Went out to Bitter Tasting Room last night & enjoyed eggs three ways - scotch, deviled, & pickled.  Not bad, but the scotch egg was definitely better at Pourhouse.  Enjoyed the evening of chatting about our holidays while snacking on tasters & drinking a delicious coffee porter.

A wrap-up at Jeanne's pool/hottub/sauna, followed by 90's music at the sketchy pub with $2.50 highballs, was the perfect closing to the night.

merry christmas.

Warmest wishes to all my friends & family this Christmas season <3

bel cafe.

Took advantage of another weekday, for brunch at Bel Cafe.  Wonderful company, lovely pastries & finished off the meal with a delicious PB&J macaron.  Simple things.

honest.

Sometimes, too true.

snow.

First snowfall of the season...

different.

narnia.

Went to watch The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe at Pacific Theatre last night.  Was curious how they would do a stage production of this, and didn't realize until we arrived that it was a 2-man show!  It was an adaptation of the book, where Peter & Lucy reminisce to tell the story.  It was so amazing to see the actors use props & transition from role to role - you could really get into the story.

Taking advantage of the Christmas season!  Been a busy week full of my favourites - food, friends, & family :)

st. augustine's.

Had a wonderful catch-up with Karen at St. Augustine's last night, celebrating her return from 6 weeks away in Bali. 

It's a bit weird to think that she'll be around Vancouver for the near future, after years of just short visits.  She is one of my oldest friends, and I'm so happy that we'll get to spend more time together in the coming year :)

As I am fortunate to experience so often - a night of great food, great drink, & great company.

christmas market.

Took advantage of a weekday and went to the Vancouver Christmas Market last week.  Had a wonderful afternoon chatting, eating, drinking & shopping.  Highlights included a mug of apple-mulled wine, waffles on a stick, a ridiculous meatloaf sandwich, and the acquisition of a pickle ornament :)

I'm ready to be Christmas-y this year.

burgoo & mead.

Went to Burgoo last night with some of my good classmates to celebrate the survival of first term.  Finally got to try a glass of mead (warmed Middle Mountain Alpenglow) and it was absolutely lovely.  With beefy cheese grillers, a side of seafood potage, and some excellent conversation, it was a wonderful night off.

Some highlights from the term:
- free candy bowl
- writing an academic paper about my feelings
- dealing with sensitive cataloguing issues
- playing with lego
- not light beer, but beer-flavoured water
- incorporating Harry Potter into my final IT project
 
I swear this is grad school.

cray/crawfish.

Went to try Cray Kitchen & Bar on Main last week.  There aren't many places in Vancouver that serve southern food, so it was interesting to try - I always love seafood.  A nice night out.

Though I'm still not sure if I should call it crayfish or crawfish...

strength & patience.

Please, help me have strength and patience... in oh, so many ways.

lindsey stirling.

Went to see Lindsey Stirling at the Rio last night. 

I hadn't heard of her before my sister asked if I wanted to see her show, but I watched her videos and I'm so glad I went.  Her violin playing, her arrangements & compositions, how she mixes with non-classical music - so amazing and beautiful.

trying...

I thought I was doing so much better, but I can't believe how much my feelings are hurt.  I feel so bad about myself, so utterly rejected.  Some moments I can't believe I can still hurt so badly, still be so sad.  What is wrong with me?

I know I should try keep faith that there is a plan for me.  But I feel like every time I just try to move forward, have hope, wait for things to get better, and that they're going to be okay, I get smacked down.  And it's really hard.  Every. single. time. 

I'm trying to be patient, and trying to remember that everything happens for a reason, but I really need things to get better soon.  I'm really, really, exhausted.

homies.

Hah - very true.  This made me think of a few people in my life.  Sometimes I wonder how I'm so fortunate to have such great homies, and really hope that I am one when they need it too.

mid-term

Just past half-way through my first semester at grad school.  I feel like I'm tired all the time!  It's definitely pushing me and it's a lot of work, but I'm really enjoying what I'm learning, and my colleagues are some great people.

A perk was getting to play with Lego this week, while learning about faceted classification.  Higher education ftw :)

phil's-osophy.

If you love something, set it free. Unless it’s a tiger.

-Phil Dunphy (Modern Family, "Schooled")

 

Phil is so warm & dorky - I love it.  If they ever actually print this book of "Phil's-osophy", I will definitely purchase it and read it whenever I need a smile :)

coffee & donuts.

Finally got to try 49th Parallel on Main today.  Delicious coffee in very pretty ceramics, and with Lucky's Donuts located within, I couldn't resist the temptation to try that too.

After a very stressful week, it was nice to get together off-campus and relax a little, while still being productive.  Very nice space to get work done, and not crazy busy on weekdays - this is the part of student life I missed.

when.

... and maybe that's why it's so hard. 

back of the closet...

Packed up things today...

It sucks to have the things that used to bring me feelings of comfort, happiness, warmth, and love, now bring sadness.

I miss my best friend.

scotch egg.

Ate a Scotch Egg at Pourhouse last night.  Don't know how I hadn't yet discovered it... it was delicious and I will now be eating it anytime I see it :)

A hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried - Yumm.

still...

... need to be sad for a little while longer, even though I know it is what's necessary, at least right now. 

Indifference is nothing better.

communion.

Struggling, but trying to keep on moving forward.  Just wish I was a bit stronger.

the chief.

Went away to Squamish for a night, and spent a whole day hiking all 3 peaks of The Chief with some of my favourite people.  Although I've been born & raised in B.C., sometimes it's beauty never fails to amaze me.

Exercise is great treatment - physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

sometimes...

... I just need to be able to be sad.

the long way...

Here we go... nervous and excited for the next 2 years!

i believe.

books & tea.

A cup of tea & a good book are a perfect match.  C.S. Lewis was a very wise man.

summer evenings.

A summer evening, an intriguing story, and some good music.  Soothing.

testimony.

I hope it's a step forward.  Trying to keep on looking forward.

naturally.

Although I know I am who I am for a reason, sometimes... I wish I just fit a bit more naturally.

the piano guys.

Love the videos by The Piano Guys - creative, talented, & absolutely beautiful.

I miss music, especially music like this.

rossland.

Returned from an extra-long weekend to Rossland.  Mixed emotions, as it had been 9 years since we had last visited as a family, and the first time without my father.  My aunt & uncle were wonderful hosts, and it was a very enjoyable weekend. 

At the same time, it brings up emotions that I'd rather not deal with, but that's all the more reason to face forward.

reflection.

Can be both painful & healing.

foray 2012.

People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have the things about us.

-Iris Murdoch

rainbows.

Important to keep in mind.

day at a time.

Shrimp sandwich @ Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co. Yumm.

Been an emotionally draining last few days/weeks/months.  Trying to just take a day at a time.  We are complicated beings & sometimes life is hard to navigate.  We can get through things, remember who we are supposed to be - together.

A good friend & a good sandwich is something precious - I feel very thankful <3.

canada day.

Spent Canada Day at my sister's with my Mum.  Sorted through travel photos, chatted, & made lots of food.  Artichoke dip, deviled eggs (my first time!), and then garlic bread, mushrooms, bell peppers, corn, & bacon-wrapped filets on the BBQ.  Most while drinking mojitos using the mint we bought at the garden centre a few months back.

Nice relaxing day, with a lot of great quality time & food.  Yummm :)

cuba.

Already missing mojitos & sun & sand & ocean & good company <3

vacation.

So true.  Looking forward to a great trip south with a few of my favourite girls <3

okay.

Sometimes we need to see "...that the hurts and pains [we] endure are producing a new level of healing in [our] life".

He does not abandon us.

memories.

June is always just a bit more rough.

avengers.

Finally watched The Avengers last night.  Very entertaining movie - good action, crazy effects, witty banter.  Many things I enjoy in a superhero movie.  I was worried the star power & reviews would over-hype it but it was well balanced.  Glad to have watched it!

Also great to start the night with breakfast for dinner :)

guelph.

Dundas Valley Conservation Area

Had a great long weekend visiting Karen out in Guelph.  I am so grateful to my Mum for allowing me use her Air Miles to make this trip affordable!  A much needed break from the city, it was wonderful to spend time just relaxing, walking, hiking, and just catching up.

Long overdue and much needed.

ups and downs.

"There is a universal truth we all have to face, whether we want to or not, everything eventually ends ... Last day of summer, the final chapter of a great book, parting ways with a close friend. But endings are inevitable, Leaves fall, you close the book. You say goodbye ... But just because we're leaving, and that hurts, there's some people who are so much a part of us, they'll be with us no matter what. They are our solid ground. Our North Star. And the small clear voices in our hearts that will be with us … always."

- Alexis Castle (Castle, Season 4 finale, "Always")

Some days are a lot easier than others.

vandusen.

Used my Tourism Vancouver Passport to go to VanDusen Botanical Garden today with Marina.  I'd only ever been to the garden during the lights at Christmas, so it was nice to see it in daylight and for free haha.  Still a bit early for most things to be in bloom, but it was really nice to just take our time walking around, taking pictures, chatting, and just enjoying the time.

I've been missing nature.  Looking forward to my long weekend away to Guelph.

soul.

Why does it require so much searching, and why does it seem so hard to find?

And then once I think I've found it, it seems to need searching again?

seasons.

Yep.

just try.

"You’ll never know until you try."

I don't know how Disney keeps doing this to me...

garden centres.

Super cute hedgehog to put in my future garden.

Went to a few garden centres with Marina yesterday.  She wants to put some containers on her balcony, so asked for my "expertise" haha.  Even with the rainy Saturday afternoon, it was really fun.  Browsing all the plants available (& tasting herbs), looking at pots, figuring out what could go together.  Hope we can do it again as Spring approaches!

Originally we were just looking for her... but I ended up buying a "Lucky Bean Plant", and since we had a coupon for GardenWorks I decided to attempt my kitchen mini-herb garden.  Excited to put it together next week at Mummi's :)

hunger games.

Watched The Hunger Games today with E.  I read this trilogy while we were on vacation, and the first was definitely my favourite, so I went into the movie slightly wary, trying to not make my expectations too high. 

A movie adaptation is always challenging, especially with such a complex book.  It was an interesting spin on the story and I think it did a pretty good job with what it could do in 2.5 hours or so.  Glad I watched it, and am definitely looking forward to the next one.

Peetaaaa <3.  Hahaha.

conferences.

Yummy green onion & beef roll at Peaceful Restaurant.  

Been a conference-heavy week or so.  Starting with the Apologetics Conference last weekend, followed by the Rare Plant Biodiversity Conference in Seattle during the week.

Very glad I went to both, for various reasons - lots for my brain to process.

goals.

‎"If you don't put the work in, how's it going to work out?"

Saw a variation of this quote on an acquaintance's page the other day.  This might be a new motto to add to my life.

direction.

"Knowing where you’re going can be confusing. Trust your instincts."

Disney is so wise.

chill winston.

Hit up Chill Winston on Friday night with a few of my favourite girls.  Been there a few years ago for brunch, so was interested in trying their dinner menu.  Got a nice tall imperial chocolate stout with dungeness crab mac & cheese - wonderful.

I love them - they make me feel so loved, even when I doubt myself.

loneliness.

Some days are really difficult.

Why does it need to be so hard?  Why can't we just be happy?

the hobbit.

Finally finished reading The Hobbit last night.  It was on my list of books I "should" read at some point - it was definitely much easier to get into than the Lord of the Rings series, but was still a difficult read.  A lot of the time I didn't fully understand what people were saying and had to do a lot of re-reading.  And the story was fun, but I didn't get sucked in as I'd heard many had.

Ah well, check.

pavlova.

When we were on vacation in New Zealand, we tried their classic dessert - pavlova.  It's basically meringue with fresh fruit and whipped cream... and it is delicious.  Definitely my favourite dessert there.  In New Zealand & Australia, there is a debate as to which country was actually the true inventor (one of many rivalries).

Last week, Elysia and I decided to try a pub called Moose's Down Under before we went to the hockey game, and saw this written on the dessert board!  It was equally as yummy.

Nice surprise :)

these things take time.

Introduced to this band, and particularly this song, by my sister - she sometimes knows exactly what I need.

generations.

This is beautiful.

I may have choked up just a tiny bit.  Nostalgia always gets me.

afternoon tea.

Went for afternoon tea at the Fairmont last weekend with my sister.  It's usually pretty expensive so it was really nice to have a Dealfind coupon to treat ourselves.  Was relaxing to be served well, drink good tea, and eat many tasty foods.  Didn't look like much at first, and we purposely didn't eat anything beforehand just in case... but we still had to concede and bring a few treats back home.  At one point it took us 25 minutes to get up the willpower to take a bite of lemon tart haha.

It's important to me to spend time with people that are precious in my life, and really get to enjoy quality moments like these.

story of my life.

A new favourite web comic.

tale as old as time.

Another great classic Disney movie watched in theatres over the weekend.  I think it is less about the effect of 3D, and more about the nostalgia for me.  Although the ballroom scene was definitely beautiful.

Love.

red wagon.

I love Red Wagon.  Went for the second time today, and the Croque Madame may have topped the Pulled Pork Eggs Benny I got there last time.

Soo yummy.  I will be eating a late dinner.

carved books.

These carved hard-bound books are amazing, on more than just the visual level.  Having just thought a lot about the future of information technology and libraries, I find the debates as to fate of the library & physical book especially of interest.

Why does there need to be so much black & white?

submit.

Why do they make that button so damn scary?!

It's in, so nothing I can do but wait... and make sure all my supporting documentation and references are received before the deadline.  *Then* nothing I can do but wait...

Ahh.

new year.

The koru (Māori for "loop") is a spiral shape based on the shape of a new unfurling silver fern frond, symbolizing new life, growth, strength and peace.

2011 was yet another year full of highs and lows.  It's crazy how a year can feel like it's gone by so quickly.  But when I reflect on what has happened during that time, it's strange how some moments seem so long ago.  

I hope 2012 is a year of growth for me - personally, professionally, and maybe even spiritually.