I took a small break from blogging as I've been putting a lot of time and focus into finding a job. Lately, I've been finding myself missing my West Coast life...I actually have dreams about Victoria quite a bit! I am noticing that I am impatient and missing all the familiarities that I had in my life in Victoria. The main thing, I think, is the stability and productivity of a job...and I am once again on the job hunt roller-coaster and, so far, it is going positively. I had built my own, independent life in Victoria and upon returning home, I feel a bit like I am starting over...rebuilding...though Edmonton is my home-home.
I've decided I need to stay upbeat in order to keep things in perspective. So, I feel now is a good time to list my 10 favourite things about being back in the land of trucks, oil, and snirt...
10. Timmy's lovers. Here, they are abundant (Tim Horton's and their lovers). I appreciate the fact that I can waltz into a grocery store, or wherever, with a cup-o-Timmy Ho's and go about my business without having to engage in a moral debate with someone about my coffee choice. Is it fair trade, organically grown, and environmentally friendly? No. No. Ummm no. Is purchasing a Tim's coffee helping the small, local coffee man down the street? No, I'm sorry. Does it come in a (GASP!) paper cup? Mayyyybbbe...if you go through the drive-thru! Are the proceeds from every coffee sold going to help save fuzzy pandas in China? Dang, no. Is the coffee and the other delicious treats vegan AND celiac friendly? No. Another big, black X. All joking aside, though the issues listed above are important, sometimes I just want a delicious, steamy, creamy cup of coffee from Timmy Ho's! Ok?
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| Yay! March! |
9. People here drive with a purpose (polite way of saying aggressive). The typical Edmontonian way: if the light turns yellow, five vehicles will burn rubber through the intersection. DO NOT LET THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS SLOW YOU DOWN, ESPECIALLY THE RED KIND! It is imperative you get to Costco before all the food samples run out! Well, I've just noticed that there aren't too many Sunday afternoon snails around these parts and it's nice, I have to admit. No 50's in a 70 zone!
8. Whyte Avenue/Old Strathcona - one of Edmonton's most vibrant, eclectic and, artsy areas! Old Strathcona is a provincially recognized heritage district and is a mix of boutique and thrift shopping, unique cafes, eateries and bars, and beautiful parks and green spaces. I am fond of this area as I spent quite a bit of my time around 82nd Ave throughout my diving years and while attending the University of Alberta. I hope to live around this area in the near future.
7. The river valley stairs. You know which ones I mean! You know, the ones by the Royal Glenora Club that go up to the High Level Bridge? The-stairs-of-death, to be more specific. These stairs will give you the best work out in the city! Well over 200 stairs at a pretty decent incline. HeLLLLooo hamstrings, calves, and quads! Plus, at the top, the reward is well worth the pain...the southern view overlooking the North Saskatchewan River is spectacular...especially on a warm, hazy, summer evening.
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| Can't you feel the burn just looking at em? |
6. The Rockies are only 300km from the city limits! And, if you drive with a purpose, this equates to a mere 2.5 hour drive. The array of outdoor enjoyment in a magnificent landscape is endless...skiing, hiking, and camping. Just within Alberta, there is Marmot Basin, Panorama, Nakiska, Lake Louise, Norquay, and Sunshine for all the ski bums. I love going to the mountains, and skiing and camping have been a huge part of my life...I have many fond childhood memories of family camping trips with our 1970s Starcraft tent-trailer and crazy ski adventures!
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| One of my fave places in the Rockies: Mt. Robson |
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| Ashley & I...Lake Louise December 2009 |
5. My bed. I have a great queen size bed at my parent's home that was purchased right before I moved out to Victoria...and it is wonderful! Heaven. Before that, I was sleeping on a single bed that I had had since I was 3 years old. While in Victoria, I was sleeping on the shittiest mattress possible....but hey, I got it for free from a friend! My mattress is basically brand new since I didn't live at home for the last few years, and now I enjoy the most comfortable sleeps ever! It actually feels like I am sleeping on a bubble now because my previous mattress sagged so much.
4. Fresh, white, powdery snow. Many of you might be wondering why the H snow is on my top 10 list...? If you know me at all, you can probably remember a time where I bitched excessively about being cold or how much I dislike winter in Edmonton. Don't even get me started about last Tuesday being -35 and how the heat in my car stopped working (yes, I have a car now...another blog post to come!)!! I have to be honest, it's not that I dislike winter, I just much MUCH prefer summer. Ok? Winter is pretty nice when there are heaps of white, sparkly snow everywhere...everything looks clean, crisp, and it's how I remember winter being as a kid. I always think back to when my brother and I were in elementary school, and every morning as soon as we woke up, starting November 1st (because it just doesn't seem like winter before Halloween when you're a kid), we would look out our front window to see if the heaps of snow had fallen yet. The morning would finally come when there would be snow on the ground and winter had officially begun! YAYYYY!! Pull out the snow pants! As an adult, I like hearing the snow squeak under my shoes and seeing lots of steam come out of my coffee mug.
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| North Saskatchewan River and the Edmonton River Valley |
3. The arts and cultural scene in Edmonton. Edmonton really has a healthy and vibrant arts and culture environment. The list of events and festivals that take place year round, but really go full throttle in the summer months, is endless. Some of my favourites are: Edmonton Fringe Festival, Symphony Under the Sky at Hawrelak Park, Heritage Days (there is so much amazing food to try)...and I know the Folk Fest is an Edmontonian favourite, though I have never been myself.
2. The Oilers!! I am biased, but they are the greatest team going and have the best fans in the league. It is great to be back in Oiler territory and I didn't realize how much I missed hockey until I came back. It is hard not to become obsessed with the goings on of the Oilers. I also never realized how much hockey is engrained into the day-to-day lives of many Edmontonians, including my family. Not a day goes by where someone I know doesn't mention the lastest news going on with our beloved hockey team. I was also pretty stoked this season because Ryan Smyth came back to where he belongs and he has ALWAYS been my FAVOURITE player. Like smooth, delicious icing on the cake! No matter how terrible them boys play or if they end up in fricken last place...again...though it's disappointing, no true Oiler fan will boo them or stop the love flowing! Oiler fans will love their team to the bitter, bitter end...
1. Number one, of course, is my family and friends. It has been pretty nice to spend time with a lot of the people I haven't seen very much in the last 4 years. I love my family, and like most, we have our moments of tension...but overall, it feels good to be able to see them on a regular basis now, rather than just a couple times a year.
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