(no subject)
So, here is the promised picture of me without my grillz.
Thursday, May 17th, the Nelson music department embarked on their journey to British Columbia, were they would compete in MusicFest Nationals. It was the best 6 (5.5 to be exact) days I have had in a very long time, and I really enjoyed the trip a lot.
It started out by meeting at the airport for 6:00pm, to check into the flight and then wait to be called for boarding. We had some fun on the moving sidewalks, watched a couple movies while waiting, and then was called to board around 8:30.
Jeremy, Rob, and Joel. At Pearson, waiting to board the plane
Tracy and I, before take off
Jeremy and I. Sleepy and wanting to get off the plane!
The flight itself felt like forever. At first, the seating was in alphabetical order, so I was forced to sit beside my sister, UGH. But then, Jeremy switched and came to sit with me. We watched a little bit of Grey’s Anatomy, and then some Surreal Life, we were there. We arrived in Vancouver at 11:00 (there time) and about 2:00am our time. After some confusion with lost luggage, opened instruments and what not, we were on our way on the 15-minute drive to the Hilton Airport Hotel, in downtown Richmond.
Roomies!
Friday, May 18th 2007
The next morning, wake up call was 5:30, after very little sleep, we went to Whitespot for breakfast. After waiting for an hour for toast, we decided we would not return there.
Kelly, sleepy and waiting for toast!
Andrea, waiting to order
Then we traveled by foot to the Executive Plaza Hotel to compete. Solos were missed, timings were off, but Concert band managed to come out with a silver medal.
Rehersals are always more fun when there are two kellys!
We then traveled to the mall to eat lunch, I had some nice A&W and explored a little bit.
Then, it was the choir’s time to sing, they came away with a bronze. We got pretty bored and had a photo shoot, which was fun. Both SA and Charisma came away with bronze medals
Sound Attitiude, giving attitude.
Charisma
Kelly and I, and my baby (video camera)
The Gang
For dinner we went across the street to a restaurant called Cronos, which ended up being my fave. They had really good, cheap and quick food, which was exactly what we needed. Amanda, Kelly, Andrea and I all got chicken burgers which were delish.
Afterwards, we went to UBC to see a performance by the Yahama National Concert Band. Although it was really interesting and a good performance, after little to no sleep, it was hard keeping my eyes open!
The Chan(g) Center
Buds. Tyler, Deicont and Kelly
We all returned to the hotel to settle in our rooms and pass out for the night. Kelly and I had a king size bed! The whole night I barely even knew I was sharing a bed. Unfortunately I had a sleep screaming fit and slept walked, it was rather embarrassing! Luckily Kelly only heard the screaming, and didn’t see me sleepwalking, I think that might have scared her haha.
Saturday, May 19th 2007
The next morning, we woke up to go the Jazzworks Comp. After watching them perform and receive there silver medal, we decided to go exploring around the hotel. We went and had breakfast at the hotel restaurant, which turned out to be really good, and then a group of us set out to find the roof. We finally found it, and it was really cool. Some of us got kinda bored, and decided to find the rood of the building.
Afterwards we had a whole afternoon to ourselves to shop in the Richmond Center. After a quick lunch, Richard, Kelly, Jeremy, Deicont and I shopped around. Like usual I spent too much money, I bought another pair of converse, they are low-cut and Forrest green, and I love them. I couldn’t pick on a colour of a shirt I really liked, so I took the advice of my lovely ginger friend that will stick with me the rest of my life, he said "if you can’t decide, and purple is an option. The answers always purple". So good thing he was there.
Hazard and I, after finding our way by that weirdo in the beige hat in the background!
Jeremy and I
That night we went to UBC again, but this time we had a little more time to explore and goof off. After some photo shoots, it was time to see the Yahama National JazzBand. They were phenomenal, wow, I am still in shock over it.
pixely, but cute nonetheless.
Afterwards, we drove back to Richmond to settle into bed.
Sunday, May 20th 2007
The next day, we woke up early to catch a ferry to Vancouver Island, where we would visit the Royal London Wax Museum in the morning. The ferry there was an older ferry, so it was very rocky and jerky, so I got some lovely sea-sickness. But I managed to sneak to the bathroom without anyone seeing or noticing, which was nice, because I would have been pretty embarrassed if someone saw me sick. Ew!
Family Portrait.
Early morning messy hair
Me, seasick on the ferry.
Once we arrived in Victoria, we set off to the Royal London Wax Museum, which was pretty interesting, and probably the most enjoyable part of the day as it was indoors.
Afterwards we headed to the mall in Victoria, I can’t remember the name of this mall but it is a lot like The Eaton Center. Kelly and I had some lovely Caesar mega wraps. And they were very good.
Us, being silly in front of MARLIN TRAVEL
Then the dreaded came, it was time for whale watching. It really didn’t work out too well for me, as I got very seasick. It was negative degree weather, and we were out on the ocean in an open catamaran. Although, I do not believe it was a terrible experience, it was just terrible weather. We saw a whale that had been born that day, which was pretty neat!
Before Hand, we had no clue what horror was about to come. Me, Hazard, Deicont, Kelly, Jeremy.
Group, in our gear!
Afterwards, we headed back to the ferry to get back to Vancouver. On the way back, we were on a brand new ferry, so it was a lot smoother and I felt no sickness whatsoever, and I even got to eat on the ferry!! Which was amazing and a huge accomplishment for me!
We got bored, and took a lot of pictures
WE TOUCHED OUR BUBBLES TOGETHER :O OMFGOMFGOMFGOMFG
After some TV watching with Jeremy and Ben, I passed out and fell asleep.
Monday, May 21 2007
We woke up at 8:30, to grab some breakfast and head en route to our most exciting point of the trip, Whistler.
On the way up, we took a stop at Shannon Falls, which was a huge, gorgeous waterfall. We spent about an hour there for a photo op, and a group photo, which was nice.
Shannon Falls
This is everyone!
Then, we boarded the bus again to take a 2 hour drive up to Whistler. Once we got there we had about 2.5 hours for shopping. After downing some delicious, organic pizza from Avalanche Pizza, we were re-charged and ready to shop. I got a new backpack and a few other things.
Then I got to face another great fear of mine head on, heights. We took a gondola up blackcomb mountain, which was terrifying. I had my best buds there to keep me calm which was great. I don’t think I could ask for better friends.
I was worried, so Deicont put a bandana on to calm me down.
I love this picture, I dont care if my glasses are falling off, my hairs everywhere. It symbolizes an accomplishment i made, concuring my fear of height, and true happiness. I love everything about this picture
Kelly and I on the way down the gondola
Once we got up there, it was like I had concured my fear. I was no longer scared to face challenges that have, in my mind, some sort of danger to them.
Afterwards, we took a short drive to Boston Pizza. Where we had dinner. I sat at a table with Kelly, Tyler and Deicont, which those 3, I found myself spending a lot of time together. Which was nice, because they know how to have a good time, without loosing their minds. After some halirous speeches done by Miss King, Mrs Moore, Mr and Mrs Pring, Mr Meldrum, and Mr D, it was just to be a exciting drive home. A lot of us felt nauseous on the windy drive down the mountain, but I curred that with a nap.
We got back to the hotel, and realized, its our last night, on our last tour ever. Who cares what we do? So We snuck out to starbucks around 10:00pm, then around 2:00am, everyone snuck out to get chinese food, it was amazing.
this is a picture of me, out and about late at night in BC.
Tuesday, May 22 2007
On our final day, it was our day to finally visit Vancouver. We started out the journey by taking a stop at Stanely Park, to drive around, and get out for some photo-ops.
Me and a Mountie.
Then we were on our way to downtown Vancouver. We had 4 hours to ourselves to roam the streets of Vancouver. Again, I brought a ginger with me to help me pick out some converse, but alas they were much to expensive so I did not get any. But, we managed to find an Urban Outfitters, where I got two tee-shirts which are really cute and I like a lot.
Then, it was time to say good-bye to lovely British Columbia. It was the most beautiful place I have seen with my own two eyes, so far. I intend to see more of it soon, as I just draws me back to it.
Mike Hazard was bought cigars in the airport. When asked for ID, he gave the man his student card and told him it was liscense from Ontario. And it worked.
Baby Jeremy fell asleep.
We met the guys who created the Flick Off Campaign.
It was an amazing 6 days and I loved every single moment of it, and I would do it all again in a second, even the whale watching.
This post was dedicated to Amanda and Katie. Two girls i wished they could have been there with us, and my aunt Kimberly, as this is much more detailed then a phone call :D Also, to my Nanny, and Neil and Kathy!!