So, Canada, eh?
Today, I am at home and bored, but yesterday I was in Canada not very not bored! I was very not bored for almost a week, but, oooh, I wish it could have been longer. Blast life for dictating that I must be where I can be all responsible and hard working and such. I would rather have stayed at the hostel and chilled with all the super-chill people there.
Seriously, the hostel was rockin' awesome! It had a lounge and cafe downstairs in addition to the kitchen area, and people came to play live music (both formal and informal) like every night. Internet cost $, but at least they had it readily accessible (though when I go back, I'm heading to the library for free e-mailing). Best of all, of course, was the people! As always at a hostel, tons of awesome people to hang with. And, when I decided to stay an extra day (and accidentally miss a work meeting I lost the notice for- whoops!), I got to try the work for stay program, which is totally nifty. Three hours of housecleaning= one night's rent. I was assigned laundry duty, which is totally easy and smells very fresh and clean, and the boss lady literally shewed me out the door in the middle of the shift because I hadn't had time to make it to the chocolate place before working, and she wanted me to be able to get my chocolate. I got pretty much all of the laundry done (it was a slow day) so the graveyard crew probably had an awesome, work-free night as well.
Let's see- more Canadian stuff. Why was I there? Skate Canada International all event tickets, baby! Hurrah for watching world class figure skaters and meeting some seriously famous people. Pictures to come. And meeting Johnny Weir, who is totally nice and soft-spoken and explained all about the nifty music he has for this year's long program (it was composed specifically for him)! And when I wasn't watching the awesome skaters, I got to head off to various local rinks and do some of my own not-so-amazing skating, but at least I finally got the change of foot spin to work (complete with crossed feet on the back spin) and a toe loop- toe loop combination (I love toe jumps, much easier than edge jumps).
Then there was my favorite part of the trip. The hanging out with new people part. I got to talk with people from all around the world (all parts of Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand, France, Germany, Ireland, Great Brittain, Japan, ect....) In fact, I may have been the only American in the hostel lounge much of the time, but also more local (Victoria is like way close to Seattle, claro) then anyone else there. Last night, I went with a whole crew of people to an open mike night and listened to some seriously good musicians. Then there was Francoise... I miss him already. He had better darn well e-mail, or I'm going to have to go back up there and kidnap him home with me! (Not really, but he'd better e-mail!)
All I can say about that situation is yay! for rebound dates with a charming young frenchman! Greg who? I think I'm finally moving on after our non-breakup. I'm glad- now I can stop wondering if Greg and I really should get back together or not and move on with my life.
Random thoughts about Canada~
1. It's always strange (to me) to find that the marijauna party is holding a rally across the street from your hostel the first night you get there.
2. I can't stop saying "eh" and "aboot". Gak! I've been Canadian-ified.
3. Victoria is beautiful at night. Especially when seen with a charming young Frenchman.
4. Never park your truck in downtown Victoria- it will take me a while to pay to replace the smashed in window. And I was parking in a gated lot!
5. The bread truck that advertised it's products as BC-baked struck me as hilariously ironic.
6. I need to go to Salt Spring Island and be a hippy for a few days. I should drag Francoise with me.
7. I hope all of the people who said they'd like to come and wander around Seattle and surrounding area with me do so! It would be awesome to have random Canadian visitors- especially Francoise on a motorcycle!
8. I miss Canada already.
9. I think I need to do some of my Christmas shopping in Victoria. And maybe spend New Year's Eve there- and some of New Year's Day, and a few days after that.
10. I am eating some of my gourmet chocolates (from Roger's Chocolate Shop in Victoria, which is Oh-Em-Gee awesome!) tonight, and I must pair it with a good red wine! Off to the grocery store I go... hmmm.... maybe a Syrah?
Seriously, the hostel was rockin' awesome! It had a lounge and cafe downstairs in addition to the kitchen area, and people came to play live music (both formal and informal) like every night. Internet cost $, but at least they had it readily accessible (though when I go back, I'm heading to the library for free e-mailing). Best of all, of course, was the people! As always at a hostel, tons of awesome people to hang with. And, when I decided to stay an extra day (and accidentally miss a work meeting I lost the notice for- whoops!), I got to try the work for stay program, which is totally nifty. Three hours of housecleaning= one night's rent. I was assigned laundry duty, which is totally easy and smells very fresh and clean, and the boss lady literally shewed me out the door in the middle of the shift because I hadn't had time to make it to the chocolate place before working, and she wanted me to be able to get my chocolate. I got pretty much all of the laundry done (it was a slow day) so the graveyard crew probably had an awesome, work-free night as well.
Let's see- more Canadian stuff. Why was I there? Skate Canada International all event tickets, baby! Hurrah for watching world class figure skaters and meeting some seriously famous people. Pictures to come. And meeting Johnny Weir, who is totally nice and soft-spoken and explained all about the nifty music he has for this year's long program (it was composed specifically for him)! And when I wasn't watching the awesome skaters, I got to head off to various local rinks and do some of my own not-so-amazing skating, but at least I finally got the change of foot spin to work (complete with crossed feet on the back spin) and a toe loop- toe loop combination (I love toe jumps, much easier than edge jumps).
Then there was my favorite part of the trip. The hanging out with new people part. I got to talk with people from all around the world (all parts of Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand, France, Germany, Ireland, Great Brittain, Japan, ect....) In fact, I may have been the only American in the hostel lounge much of the time, but also more local (Victoria is like way close to Seattle, claro) then anyone else there. Last night, I went with a whole crew of people to an open mike night and listened to some seriously good musicians. Then there was Francoise... I miss him already. He had better darn well e-mail, or I'm going to have to go back up there and kidnap him home with me! (Not really, but he'd better e-mail!)
All I can say about that situation is yay! for rebound dates with a charming young frenchman! Greg who? I think I'm finally moving on after our non-breakup. I'm glad- now I can stop wondering if Greg and I really should get back together or not and move on with my life.
Random thoughts about Canada~
1. It's always strange (to me) to find that the marijauna party is holding a rally across the street from your hostel the first night you get there.
2. I can't stop saying "eh" and "aboot". Gak! I've been Canadian-ified.
3. Victoria is beautiful at night. Especially when seen with a charming young Frenchman.
4. Never park your truck in downtown Victoria- it will take me a while to pay to replace the smashed in window. And I was parking in a gated lot!
5. The bread truck that advertised it's products as BC-baked struck me as hilariously ironic.
6. I need to go to Salt Spring Island and be a hippy for a few days. I should drag Francoise with me.
7. I hope all of the people who said they'd like to come and wander around Seattle and surrounding area with me do so! It would be awesome to have random Canadian visitors- especially Francoise on a motorcycle!
8. I miss Canada already.
9. I think I need to do some of my Christmas shopping in Victoria. And maybe spend New Year's Eve there- and some of New Year's Day, and a few days after that.
10. I am eating some of my gourmet chocolates (from Roger's Chocolate Shop in Victoria, which is Oh-Em-Gee awesome!) tonight, and I must pair it with a good red wine! Off to the grocery store I go... hmmm.... maybe a Syrah?