summer highlights.

I haven't blogged my summer at all, so here are some highlights from this summer! As told by my phone's camera roll - no photo, no memory of it! Jk. But I am a lazy photographer.

Got a new Magic Bullet at home, and my family loves it. Having a ball making our first smoothies together, hahaha.

Tried the new ramen place in Chinatown (Ginza) and it's really really yummy.

Click through for more photos!

family, a wedding and lots of excitement.

Last weekend my cousin Jolene got married!!! Since Jolene is the oldest of my cousins, this was the first wedding I had been to since I was about 6. I was a little excited.. just a bit. It didn't help that one of my favourite wedding photographers and bloggers Joee Wong was their wedding photographer..!! (I mentioned him in an earlier blog post, did you catch my excitement the first time around?)

It was nice to see so much of my family together again. Most of my cousins and aunts and uncles are in Vancouver, with my family and Jolene's families being the exceptions, so it was really neat to see everyone together in Ontario!

My aunts, uncles, cousins and immediate family.

The wedding was beautiful! Though it was windy and therefore quite chilly, it was beautiful to see Jolene and Wilton get married outside- the early evening light was amazing too. They were very lucky with the weather as it had been raining all weekend, but it really cleared up for them!

Uncle Bobby walking Jolene down the aisle.

A few months ago, Jolene asked me if I could help out with their tea ceremony. At the time, I had no idea what it was as I had never seen one before. I learned quickly that it's a ceremony where the bride and groom offer their elders tea as a sign of respect, and their elders offer them lucky red pocket money as a blessing for their marriage. My part in all of this was to bring the tea to the couple. One of Jolene's bridesmaids poured the tea and I went back and forth with the tea tray. After the tea ceremony, my arms got quite shaky from holding the tray for so long. Funny story: we got candy in cute little candy jars as wedding favours, and when I opened mine, my arms were so shaky that I spilled candy all over the place. Embarrassing.

Jolene and Wilton offering Uncle Bobby tea.

Jolene and Wilton are both such sweet and kind people. This summer, over a few trips to Toronto, it has been really great seeing the two of them together. They are so caring towards others and so easy to talk to! I can't wait to see them build a life together! (Cheesy, but true, I promise!) Also, as a plus, Wilton was the first person to understand what it is that I am studying, before I explained it. He studied something similar in university (except at Western, pfft).

They made their entrance to Gangnam Style.. haha! They sure know how to have fun!

I was super excited when I first spotted their photographer, Joee. I wanted to say hi, but I didn't know what to say! "Hi... I'm a huge fan... *awkward smile*" I waited until after the tea ceremony.. but still said just that. Though I felt super awkward, Joee was super nice and gave me a hug, and asked if I was from Ottawa.. he totally remembered me (Jolene had mentioned me to him, haha!)! We had a nice chat and he said he wanted to get a photo with me before the end of the night. (What I hope I sounded like: "Yeah, that'd be awesome!" What I probably sounded like: "OHMYGOSHREALLYOKAY!!!!")

I watched him work a little throughout the wedding, but it was amazing how he blended into the background so seamlessly. Even for someone like me who wanted to watch him work, I forgot he was even there lots of the time. I happened to be sitting next to the projector (seriously, how did that happen?) when he put up a surprise Same Day Edit slideshow for the newlyweds. It was a great sneak peak of his amazing photos. Anywho, by the end of the night, we took a photo together and I probably had the biggest, goofiest grin ever. I will definitely show you once I get a look at it.

Also, check this out:

My excitement level was through the roof!!!

And so, Jolene and Wilton are now married! Crazy, right? Also, I love this picture. They both look so goofily happy. How cute!

Congrats to the happy couple!

a birthday scavenger hunt.

I planned a scavenger hunt for my birthday event this year. I hesitate to say party. I just never have the time, or energy to plan a party at the end of the summer, not to mention most of my friends are always either off travelling or back to school already.. and often that would be me, not them. So more of a get-together. Anywho, I totally went off on a tangent there.

You could organize a scavenger hunt for just about anything, it doesn't have to be for a birthday!! Mine wasn't even birthday themed, I just used my birthday as an excuse to get my friends together, hah!

Here's what I put on my invite:

It's a scavenger hunt, plus cake!

At 7 o'clock, on Saturday August 25th, you will find me "occupying" a spot between the arts and the brains of the city (un hôtel, of sorts). You will find me at a fountain across the street from a Starbucks.

I was really really excited for cake. I live for cake, pretty much.

Because my group was so small (I'm telling ya, nobody is around at the end of August, ever!), we just did a one-group scavenger hunt. Which means I just tagged along and once they solved a clue, I handed them the next one.

Here are all the clues. Can you solve them?

Let’s go shopping!

1. Take a photo of something that has the name of one of your group members on it.
2. How many different Robert Munsch books are currently being sold at Chapters (i.e. different titles)?
3. What are the two cheapest kinds of beavertails, and how much do they cost?

Sizzle sizzle sizzle. Who lit this Ottawa icon, which sits on a hill?

Find the phone number of a payphone booth. What is the last digit? If you number is even, add 1.
If I stood under a spider and looked south, what would I see? (Hint: I am green) How many vowels are there?
Subtract the smaller number from the larger number, and find this number of pennies.

This one’s easy.
☐ Take a group photo on a long set of stairs.
☐ Take a photo, imitating a statue.
☐ Take an artsy photo (get creative!).
..and I will give you your next clue.

This restaurant is your final stop. It is a place where I like to reminisce. Let’s all head there to enjoy a slice of cake, or two! I hear their pies are also divine! Still don’t know where you’re going? Singing this song might help..

All alone in the moonlight
I can smile at the old days
I was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was

Answers and pictures, after the break.

two weeks of music, two weeks of fun - at bluesfest.

Whew! I am so so so exhausted. That is a good sign, right? Means I've been using my time well, and having fun!!

RBC Ottawa Bluesfest ran from July 4 to 15, and I was there almost every night (of the 12 nights, I was there every night but three). I love love love Bluesfest, and I feel like I have been there almost every year for the past 6 years in some capacity or another.

This year I volunteered as a cashier and ID'er. It wasn't my first time volunteering at Bluesfest, but it was my first time in that area.. and I had so so much fun! As a volunteer you get lots of cool perks too. Free meal with each shift, free access to the entire festival and uhh well.. mostly just the free access. It's awesome, haha.

I loved working as a cashier at the beer, pop and clubhouse tents. You sometimes forget how great it is to interact with the public - you get to meet some of the craziest and coolest people. I had so much hanging out, dancing, singing, serving and enjoying the festival with lovely people of all ages. Music can bring so many different people together!

But of course, the highlight of the festival was the music.. duh? Haha! I saw lots of great acts, lots of interesting acts, and lots of meh acts.

THE GOOD: Dragonette, Arkells, Downhere, Walk Off The Earth, Metric
All were such good shows. I could rant and rave about them, but especially Walk Off The Earth. They are most well known for their cover of Gotye's Somebody That I Used to Know (if you haven't seen it yet, it's their 5 people, 1 guitar video), which of course they did perform. Their entire show was very high energy: when they switched instruments they threw them across the stage (heart attack worthy), lots of dancing and energy (Sarah Blackwood reminds me of Emily Haines in her movement) and Sarah Blackwood even climbed up the stage at one point. Fun, catchy music performed in a high energy and summery way. Loved it!

THE FUN: LMFAO, Carly Rae Jepsen, Newworldson, Chromeo
LMFAO was party rockin', to put it simply. The crowd was huge, and it was wild. It was just a whole lot of FUN. I didn't actually watch much of Chromeo, but it looked like fun, and it was definitely good (though brief for me) dancing times.

THE ENJOYABLE: Tiesto, Awolnation, Freelance Whales, City Harmonic, Seal, Wintersleep
Can't help but enjoy yourself with these performers, but I didn't really feel any different than I would if I were to sit at home and listen to their music on my own time.

THE OKAY: K'naan
Ehn. Did not dislike it, but it wasn't particulary fun.

THE AWFUL: Zoo Legacy
I wouldn't normally even mention the shows that I didn't enjoy... but I was volunteering right in front of this stage, and honestly his crowd was so piddly. And he kept asking them to interact with him. "When I say who, you say zoo. Who-" "*cricket* ...zoo". It was not a fun time. I was grateful when he finished.

A few other relevant quick mentions..

GOSPEL DAY: I didn't know Bluesfest did an annual Gospel Day. I think I have been living under a rock. It was so much fun!! I'm so going to way more Christian concerts in life. Great music, great people, great fun. I really found some of the music to be very encouraging and really challenged me to take a good look at my faith.

TORNADO POTATO: There's a picture up there in that collage, somewhere. It's essentially a potato (or was it two?) and it is curled and fried. It's like a giant stack of really greasy chips, with a delicious spicy mayo-ish sauce on it.

This picture from much more is way better than my picture.

After seeing about a million people walk by with this, how can you not get one yourself?! Wilson and I split one (it's $8, kinda pricey for a snack - though $4 is still a bit much just to *try* something, but worth it) and it was just as delicious and greasy and amazing as it looked. Omnomnomnom, who wants to share with me next year?

And on the last day, I GOT MY SUNGLASSES SIGNED BY METRIC!!! I was so happy. Metric is probably the only band that I actually really know (other than Avril Lavigne from my middle school days, oh yeah). Their autograph line was looking rather short near the end of their autograph period, so Karen and I lined up just for kicks. The only thing I had on me that was signable were my neon yellow sunglasses, so why not? It was awesome.

Overall, I think the lineup was better at Bluesfest last year, but I had a lot of fun this year simply because I was there so often and gave so many new things a chance.

Did you notice how many times I said fun or awesome in this post?! Seriously, I had such a blast. Already excited for next year!

canada day weekend, part 3.

If you haven't already read part 1 or 2 of this Canada Day Weekend series, you can find part 1 here and part 2 here.

Monday, which thankfully was a holiday, we had a laidback goodbye brunch at Jocelyn's. As a group, we made crepes and also had pizza, noodles, yogurt popsicles, leftover cake, and breakfast sausages. Although I can claim no part in this brunch as I dropped things off and then had to run some errands as everyone else cooked. By the time I was back most of the food was ready!

After brunch Jocelyn and Galvin showed the rest of us how to use the bow and arrow that Jocelyn got for Galvin. It was quite exciting and we have some real Robin Hoods and Katniss Everdeens in our group!

But really, it was time to say goodbye, take some group photos and thus ends an amazing group Canada Day weekend.

I love planning events and parties, but I haven't really had a chance to since starting university. This was so so so much fun, but way busier than I'd have thought. The whole weekend was a collision of university, high school and family friends. I do quite like it when my different worlds collide.

All in all, a successful weekend, I'd say.

part 1 | part 2 | part 3

canada day weekend, part 2.

If you haven't already read part 1 of this Canada Day Weekend series, you can find it here.

On Sunday, which was CANADA DAY (!!!), I drove to Chinatown for church and just left my car there all day. It was the first time I didn't bus downtown for Canada Day! I'm not sure if my day felt authentic or not! Haha, I'm kidding. Bussing is an adventure in itself as you see some of the most excited people on the bus, but having a car made the day more relaxed. It would be hard to take the bus with a large group and not lose people.

After church, we headed downtown and walked along the canal, showing our guests some of the sights along the way including City Hall, the convention centre, Rideau Centre, the NAC, and stopping to watch some buskers. First we went to the National Art Gallery where we only made it through the Canadian exhibit (you could spend all day at the art gallery).

Afterwards, we headed to Major's Hill Park where there were lots of people relaxing and lots of vendors.. including PC who gave out free ice cream! Noms. Perfect for a hot day!

At this point we had a group of over 20 people, so we split up for dinner which would have otherwise been impossible. My group had shawarma before heading to Parliament Hill to catch Simple Plan (and other acts). Phone service in the downtown core started to go very in and out at about this point, probably because it was such a busy crazy weekend. Once you split up, there was very little chance of meeting back up again.

I split up with yet another group and we went out for drinks (I was so feeling a beer all day, which is funny because I'm not generally a beer drinker.. but realized at this point that maybe it wasn't a good idea because I was driving home) and we ended up catching the fireworks on the street near the American Embassy. Totally fine for me since I do see the fireworks every year. (Personally, I think the best places to see the fireworks are any place near the art gallery- Major's Hill, up on the hill beside the gallery etc etc)

At about 10:30pm, I got about 8 texts that were clearly sent at some point earlier in the day (some saying "just finished dinner, where are you?" and "what time are the fireworks?" etc) but luckily this also meant that it wasn't hard to meet back up with the rest of our group and drive home.

All in all, an exhausting but patriotic day! A happy happy Canada Day!!

part 1 | part 2 | part 3

canada day weekend, part 1.

Oh the excitement, oh the spirit, oh the fun.. Oh Canada!

This past weekend was so so so much fun! Angie, Claire, Daniel, Galvin and Tim all came to Ottawa from Toronto and Kingston to visit for Canada Day and the rest of the long weekend. Being the great Ottawa hostesses we are, Jocelyn, Jessica, Neva and I had many great Ottawan activities planned for them (including visiting the largest IKEA in Canada, of course!)

I'm going to split this weekend into 3 posts, starting with part 1 today!

On Friday, when I went to pick up Angie, Claire and Daniel from Bayshore, Claire told us that she didn't have a red shirt for Canada Day.. scandal!! So we shopped around until she found a suitable top. Gotta have the right attire for Canada Day in Ottawa!

After picking up Jocelyn and meeting up with Jessica, we all went out for dinner at Pho Thu Do in Chinatown. It is well known for its pho and spring rolls, and is hands down the best pho place I have ever been to. I bring people here all the time, and have been doing so for the past 5 years (and will always continue to!).

We had a pretty chill evening, just biking around Jocelyn's neighbourhood, going to the park and playing board games.

On Saturday, we had quite the adventure and went to IKEA for lunch! I hadn't been yet since it opened, so it was quite the treat for all of us! Of course, most of us got the swedish meatballs combo for lunch (classic IKEA food!) and you cannot visit IKEA without perusing the showrooms..! Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures on this part of the trip.. is that even allowed? Is that weird? I've always wondered. The most interesting thing we noticed was the microwaves that open like traditional ovens.. is this a new trend?

Then we all went to Coyote Rock Gym for a good afternoon of rock climbing. I don't think I have ever been there on a summer day.. it was very HOT! We all did about 2 or 3 climbs, and a bit of bouldering and were sweating buckets.. so exhausted! Except for Jocelyn who kept on going with all the energy in the world. I think it's because she just got back from Bolivia and can really take the heat. That must be it!

Afterwards we headed to the RCMP Stables for the last night of the Sunset Ceremony Musical Ride show, where the RCMP show off their horses and their tricks and choreography. I had never been before, and did not realize how popular it was! There was a huge crowd out, and I can see how it would make for an excellent family outing. We brought along a picnic that we had prepared earlier in the day to eat while we watched the show.

We also decided it would be a little weird to decorate and eat our cake at the show, so we brought it back to my place and celebrated Canada's birthday with a patriotic red velvet Canada Day cake!

All in all, a great day.

part 1 | part 2 | part 3

a weekend of firsts.

This past weekend, I made a trip to Kingston with my friend Jess to move into my new place!

It was the first time I had gone on a road trip in the driver's seat..! I was both so excited and quite nervous! But it was a very pleasant ride down since the weather was beautiful, there wasn't much traffic, and I had a very talkative travel buddy. Surprisingly, the 2 hour drive down didn't phase me at all. Everyone warned me that I might get tired and to make sure I stop and pull over if I ever did. But it felt just as comfortable as driving in the city. I am super thankful for an easy ride down.

Once we got to Kingston, we checked out my new house, and boy is it dusty! Haha! What can you expect from a house that isn't lived in, though? After we unloaded the car and got the heavy labour out of the way, Jess and I headed downtown to grab some food to eat. At the reasonable hour of 3pm, we had "linner" (lunch+dinner) at Pan Chancho. It was perfect. I had never been, but have heard rave reviews. The food lived up to its reputation. It was amazing! Just light enough, but filling enough. The food and environment were both amazing!

 

I had a sweet potato hash, off the breakfast menu. It included roasted vegetables, with toast and poached eggs. Delectable! I am a big lover of breakfast foods! Actually the whole weekend, I only ate breakfast. I love all-day breakfast menus! Perfect for me.

Afterwards, we met up with Matt and Silas near City Hall and went for a walk out by the water. I was so not properly dressed for this! We climbed the rocks all the way out to the lighthouse, which was so much fun, but I seriously slipped and slid all over my sandals. But whatever, it made it that much more adventurous.

After playing frisbee and soccer in the park, we were ready for some ice cream so headed to Marble Slab Creamery. I got chai ice cream, with skor, almonds and cookie dough mixed in. Next time I will definitely get less mix-ins. I loved the ice cream but felt like I didn't have enough of it! Too much of everything else.

The next day we headed to Wolfe Island after church with Matt, Silas and Joel. I was very excited for this trip since I had never been before! We rented bikes for $15 each, and biked west until we got close to the windmills where we went to explore a bit. We frolicked through some wheat fields and got to see some windmills up close. It was so pretty, and flat!

After getting bored of the same farm road after a while we turned around and went back east where we found some marked bike paths that lead through more picturesque farm lands. We made a pit stop at some hay bales, and climbed them just for kicks. I don't know which was harder, biking in a skirt or climbing a haystack in a skirt!!

A little sunburnt and sweaty exercised-out, Jess and I headed back to Ottawa with Timmy's Ice Capps in hand, dazed from the sun and with thoughts of summer drifting in our heads.

Check, check, check. Truly a weekend of firsts. First time driving on a road trip, first time climbing out to the lighthouse, first time to Wolfe Island, first time climbing a haystack, and the first time running through wheat fields.

vancouver, part 1: the adventures

I recently made a trip out to Vancouver to visit a bunch of people, including Rosemarie, Chelsea and family. It was a very mixed trip, as I travelled with my mom but stayed with Rose. Tiff was also visiting Vancouver during the same time, so we got to hang out a bunch while on the West Coast too.

One of the more exiting things we did is go outdoor rock climbing!! Rose and Rob, her boyfriend, took us to Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver to climb. Us referring to myself, Tiff, and her friend Warren. I had never been outdoor climbing before, so I was grateful for our group. It was a good mix of seasoned climbers and newbies like me. I never did see the lighthouse, but that is okay by me. I had much more fun climbing right by the water, beautiful!

At Lighthouse Park

Rocking Rose's sushi helmet, designed by her sister, Kat

Outdoor rock climbing!! So awesome!!

The next two days I did some pretty touristy things with Tiff. We went to Granville Island, and saw some pretty neat artists at work. But the best part, of course was the food at the public market. But I'll talk about the food later.

Hanging out in some hammocks in a hammock store on Granville Island

She convinced reluctant me to spend $4.50 on a ferry across False Creek. I wanted to walk and save the money but by the end of the day my feet were so sore that I did not regret paying for the short boat ride.

We also went to Yaletown and Gastown, as per recommendations. Though they were nice neighbourhoods, and some cute places and nice restaurants, there wasn't actually much to do there. There were lots of nice restaurants in Yaletown, but we had just eaten on Granville Island. So instead I played tour guide and brought Tiff to the Vancouver Public Library, and the Olympic flame. We also saw BC place and Science World but only from afar and didn't walk any closer. Poor poor feet, so sore. There are lots of exciting looking buildings in Vancouver, that's for sure!

Vancouver Public Library

Tiff and I at the Olympic Flame

At the steam clock in Gastown

The next day with only one thing on our itinerary, we had a rather lazy day and only got up after lunch. Unfortunately, after bussing for nearly an hour we discovered that most of the shops in Punjabi Market are closed on Tuesdays. But we got Indian food, which was mega tasty!

On Wednesday and Thursday I went on a roadtrip with my mom to Seattle! It was lots of fun, and we definitely want to do it again. Shopping without the boys is so much less stressful!! We bought a lot of stuff, 'twas awesome. I got a Coach wristlet, work clothes, new sports bra, new shoes, and more.. We stayed the night with one of my mom's old friends from her university days. She hadn't seen him in about 16 years, and his wife even dug up an old photo from the last time we saw each other! I was such a cutie! Hehehe!

They have a very large house with super cool things like a custom grand piano from Japan that plays itself, a fancy projector home theatre and lots and lots of other instruments. All three kids are music whizzes.

The next day we went downtown Seattle to see some of the major tourist spots in as quick a time period as possible. We went to the Pike Place Market, saw the gum wall at the Market Theatre, went inside the first ever Starbucks (it still uses the original logo!) and drove past the Seattle Library. Rob told me that it was built inside out, so it makes a lot of sense on the inside of the library, but the outside looks like a mess.. Or an architectural masterpiece, depending on how you view it.

Seattle Public Library

Colourful gum on the gum wall

We then proceeded to shop some more. YEAHH!

My last day in Vancouver turned out to have great weather. It started out rainy, but cleared up and got sunny real quick! I met up with Chelsea downtown, and got to see her in her home turf! Awesome! (Funny story: I got lost, which is embarrassing cause I generally have a good sense of direction. Also, to make it even worse, I was in the right spot all along, but walked somewhere else because I thought I was at the wrong place, and then had to go all the way back.) We walked to English Bay and just chilled around there and Yaletown, before heading back downtown again. I met her friend Jess too. We ate, walked, talked, shopped, and just generally had a very relaxed and nice day.

Stanley Park

Chelsea wanted to stand in a fountain.. so she did.

In the evening, I met up with Rose and we saw an SFU grad dance show. It was... interesting. It was actually really cool to see, as it was more movement than dance. Which I definitely find very fascinating. It was more of a mix of dance and theatre (uhh my two faves!). Afterwards, we went to Rogue for drinks and dessert. It was a hot, hot date.

More about the food in my next post! I figured this post was long enough as it is, haha.

a happy weekend.

Oh, I love weekends! The joys of a Monday to Friday job.. I can actually enjoy my weekends as weekends. Throughout the school year I just sort of forget when weekends are. I seem to be working, studying, and whatever else 7 days of the week. It is so easy to get lost in the rhythm of constant work.

This past weekend was very relaxed, and enjoyable. On Saturday, I slept in and went to dim sum with my family. Then I played tennis with Jessica... which was kind of embarrassing. I don't think either one of us has played in a very long time. But it was fun! The courts were right next to our old elementary and middle schools, so we got a chance to reminisce on the play structure, and peer into the hallways. Have you ever gone back to an old school and realized how small and short everything is?! Then we joined Emily and her fellowship in the evening. It was nice to see some familiar faces, and to meet some new ones.

And yesterday, Sunday, was Mother's Day, so I spent the entire day with my mom. I'm still looking for a church in Ottawa where I feel comfortable. A church where I can learn, grow and serve. So together, we checked out the Met. It is a huuge church! But so far, I like the teaching there. My mom and I also went biking along the Ottawa river, and stopped for a frappuccino on the last day of Starbucks' Frap Happy Hour.

All in all, a very nice weekend.

phone upgrade!

I got my mom's 3 (almost 4!) year old iPhone 3, and I have a love/hate relationship with it.

I like that it is an iPhone, that it is a smartphone, that I can do so much on it.. I dislike that it is really old, is not compatible with the new iOS, is really slow at loading anything, has a bad quality camera etc..

It certainly is a step up from my Samsung Hype though. I can now check my email, facebook and twitter while I'm waiting around on campus. I love having WiFi all over campus.. I'm not sure how I will survive this summer and for the rest of my life when this isn't so! Luckily things are changing, and the world is becoming increasingly wireless.. Huzzah!

The biggest change in my life so far is that I have definitely become addicted to Instagram. I am absolutely certain that you have heard of it. You snap pictures, apply some kind of filter and your pictures instantly look really hip. "Look at me, I'm so cool cause I can take cool pictures with my phone!" Yep.

“I just want to use #instagram like all the other cool kids, but I keep eating my food before taking the picture :(”

I have turned into one of those people who stop and take a picture of everything! My food, my coffee, my procrastination methods... Yadda yadda yadda.

“Elaborate examtime evening entree with the housemate!”

"Dance break!"

“Why is it that sushi is always arranged so nicely?”

Hate me yet?