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Nine months. This time last year I was not in a good place. I was in another car accident, which left me without a car AGAIN. I then lost my job (that’s one helluva long story) and spent my birthday looking for a new way to pay for my travels. Not what I call happiness. Fast forward to now and it has been another busy, fun expat month. The weather still isn’t improving (looking at YOU Vancouver), but that hasn’t stopped the mini-adventures.
February: The Highlights
We did a lot of eating this month. I need to catch up on our Around Vancouver in 80 Eats challenge as we’ve munched our way through a few more cafes, bars and restaurants in the city. We ventured to Robson Street for Japanese, Davie Street for diner grub, Hastings-Sunrise to visit our new favourite brunch spot Red Wagon and downtown for s’mores. #nomnomnom.
I also watched my first, and possibly only, Superbowl. I did have to Google the rules about 10 minutes in though because I was so confused as to what was happening on the TV. It turns out the NFL is very technical. And slow. Seriously that game went on FOREVER. But it was great to be involved in something so highly talked about and watched around the world. Oh, and YAY Seattle!
Speaking of sport I have never watched before, I went to a Vancouver Giants game this month too. I’m sorry NFL but ice hockey is way more fun to watch. Man, these guys have skill. To be able to skate and play hockey at the same time takes some talent. I also loved the biff. Yeah, I said it. I will definitely go back to see another game sometime.
I also got a little taste of home when the John Butler Trio stopped by Vancouver for a show or two. John Butler is a super talented Australian musician who I have seen once live back home and ever since then I have always wanted more. If you ever get the chance to see him, DO IT. He is a pure genius on the guitar.
On the blog front, I realised that February marks 100 blog posts for me! I have to say after looking back from number 1 to now, my header has changed and I’ve added a bit of fluff to the menu bars, but other than that my writing is still very much the same. Thanks to those who have come along on this journey with me. Say hi in the comments if you haven’t before.
Although I didn’t travel away this month, I did visit a travel expo in town on a very snowy day. I picked up some brochures on Central American tours, as this is something I am thinking of doing before I go home. It was funny as I visited with an Australian friend and all we could hear from the entrance to the exit was fellow Australian accents. Sorry Canada, we’re taking over.
As I mentioned at the beginning, it was my birthday this month. I made it to 25! And I was spoilt. I got my first beer growler from work (thanks Aussie Pie Guy!), was thrown a great party by my Starbucks friends and went clubbing in Vancouver for the first time. I’m getting old, okay? I am so glad I got to spend the night with my amazing new friends. Oh, and my mum just happened to send me an AWESOME gift pack of jewellery plus a little money for me to buy something else. More on that next month.
I feel like Vancouver is the first place, since I was a little girl, that I feel like I belong. When I look back at the me in primary and high school, I was a happy kid, but I also seemed to always hang with the people that weren’t right for me. I feel like I was constantly transforming myself into someone I’m not. Even when I left school, this inkling followed me. Feeling like I never left high school; never quite found my friendship niche in a way.
That was until I met my best friend Sonia, and now here in Vancouver. These beautiful beings accept me for me. The klutz, the uncoordinated girl who has her own #halesfails hashtag and seems to wear her food every time she dines out. Maybe it has to do with getting older, or moving away and starting afresh. All I know is it is nice to just be me. And be happy being me.
