Beautiful World

On my walk home tonight, I was eavesdropping on the two girls in front of me. Listening to them bitch about work and boys and some party they went to last night.

And then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, one of the girls said, "God, I can't wait until I leave this Shitty world!"

Seriously.

That's what she said.

It didn't sound like a suicidal threat, just a comment. But I was shocked... Sure, this world isn't perfect, but the good definitely outweighs the bad.

Just watch one sunset from English Bay and you won't need any more convincing.

photo by Duane Storey

I love this world and plan on staying as long as it will have me.

Pride Parade

With a crowd of over 500,000, in 2009, the city closed down its busiest shopping street and the Vancouver Pride Parade route was extended to accommodate the crowds. On Sunday August 1st, 2010, the Parade route will once again travel down Robson Street.

The parade begins at 12:00 noon, Sunday August 1st at Robson and Bute, heads West down the hill to Denman street, follows Denman to Pacific and Beach Avenue and finishes at the Sunset Beach Festival Site.

To accommodate the parade floats, exhibits and hundred of volunteers, Robson Street west of Burrard, and Thurlow Street between Robson and Nelson will be closed from 8am-3pm on Sunday, August 1st.

See www.vancouverpride.ca/parade-route for more information.

Life is Precious...

Last week, the most tragic of accidents happened; a friend and his wife, (a beautiful couple) lost their almost 2-year old baby boy and his Grandma in an incredibly unfortunate mishap.

I won’t go into the details, as much has already been written about the incident and the family, but my heart has been broken and I have cried many tears about this for the past week.

I just wanted to use my blog to pass on some information:

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday July 16 at Richmond Country Club beginning at 4pm. No formal service will be held but Eulogies will be at 6pm. All are welcome.

Also, anyone wishing to contribute to the memorial fund, call Pinnacle Bank in Tennessee 615-690-4002 speak to Michael Lindseth or go to PayPal to make a donation in memory of Jeannine and Logan Pereira.

One Hundred Years

July 12, 1910 – The day my Granny was born.

Wow!

Today would have been my Granny’s Hundredth Birthday. Unfortunately, she didn’t live to see it; we lost her just over 2 years ago… But I still remember thinking back then as she neared her 98th birthday, that she was going to make it to 100. I figured she’d get a letter from the Queen and the Governor General, and even get mentioned on the local news.

I can’t even begin to imagine to think of how the world has changed in the last 100 years… she lived through two World Wars, the invention of the TV, robots, computers, cell phones, Insulin, the Iron Lung, digital cameras, Penicillin, the helicopter, atomic bomb, microwave oven, Tupperware, Velcro, credit cards, artificial heart, bank machines, post-it notes, liposuction, iPods, the internet and Quantum physics to name just a few…

Think about it… none of these things existed before she was born. When she was growing up, she didn’t have a car or a telephone. Not sure about electricity, but it’s very possible she didn’t have it as a child either…

I would love to travel back in time for a day just to see what her life would have been back then... not easy, for sure, but simple. Quiet. Modest.
I can’t even imagine a day where I’m not checking my computer, iPhone, email facebook etc just to stay in contact with the rest of the world. My Granny had none of that growing up, and she survived just fine. I don’t think a lot of young people today, (I SOUND like my Granny!), could survive without their toys and gadgets… but it would be fun to watch them try!

Happy Birthday Granny!!!

WALKER, Norah Elizabeth July 12, 1910 May 22, 2008 With great sadness we say goodbye to our Mom, Norah, who passed away on May 22, 2008 at the age of 97. Norah was predeceased by her husband, John, and granddaughter Ceci, in 1999. She is survived by her loving family: Patrick Walker (Jackie), Janet Walt (Ken), Sheila Walker (Grant), and Connie Dymianiw (Randy); grandchildren Tim (Davina), Chris (Amy), Tomarra, Chenoa (Jason), Jesse, and Jon; and great-grandchildren Christopher, Parker, Alicia, Chloe, Gio, and Markus. Norah was born in Toronto, raised in Saskatoon, and worked for the CNR before her marriage to John in 1939. Mom and Dad lived throughout BC raising their family until they settled in Victoria in 1957. In their retirement they travelled extensively, enjoying RV life, numerous hobbies, and family gatherings. Mom was an avid weaver and spinner for many years, even when she lived in The Lodge at Broadmead. In her 8 years at The Lodge she received loving care and attention from the wonderful staff on A1, for which the family are very grateful. A special thanks to Dr. Christopher Morrow and emergency staff at VGH whose kindness and understanding helped mom in her last hours. Donations may be made to The Lodge at Broadmead or a charity of your choice. A family celebration of Norah's life will be held at a later date. You were the best Mom and we'll miss you so much... thanks for the wonderful memories!

50 Things...

ME!

As this is my 50th Post (already??), I thought I would honour it by posting 50 random things about me. It’s an updated list that I posted on Facebook about a year and a half ago.

1. I can touch my tongue to my nose.
2. I wanted to be an Astronaut when I was younger. The idea of exploring space was beyond exciting for me.
3. People that bite their forks drive me absolutely crazy.
4. U2 is my favourite band. Ever.
5. I lived on a commune for the early part of my childhood. No electricity and no running water.
6. I thought I was Japanese during these early years, and was rather distraught when I found out I wasn’t.
7. Moving to Toronto was the second best thing I’ve ever done. I met many wonderful people there.
8. Moving home to Vancouver was the best thing I’ve ever done.
9. I have had my heart broken and I have broken hearts. Both are equally painful.
10. I have never known a love as strong as when I saw my twin nephews for the first time. I was heartbroken that I couldn’t hold them because they were in incubators.
11. My family is the most important thing to me. Even extended… all have a huge place in my heart. Blood truly is thicker than water.
12. I talk to myself all the time. Everyday.
13. I can’t listen to a Wham! song and not sing out loud.
14. I over-analyze Everything.
15. My first concert ever was Bryan Adams. September 3, 1985.
16. I am the worst speller ever, but am not too bad at grammar.
17. Photography is my new favourite hobby… I’m getting better at it everyday!
18. I didn’t eat my first hamburger until I was in my 20’s.
19. I could tweeze grey hairs all day long. I’ve had them since I was 12.
20. Cheese is the best food ever. Ever. Chocolate is a close second.
21. I am scared to death of moths and black holes. Oh, and public speaking and being on TV.
22. My favorite movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life” I can recite every line.
23. I work alone, so I get pretty lonely. I’m so happy on days when I have meetings and get to interact with other people.
24. I cry at the On-Star radio commercial where the lady that just had an accident is pregnant.
25. I’m a lurker... I love reading blogs and chat-walls, but I rarely ever comment on them.
26. The book “The Devil Wears Prada” was loosely based on my life in Toronto. Not really, but it could have been.
27. I love stories about time travel.
28. I’m a bit of a nerd.
29. My hair is ridiculously thick and has super-human powers. You can actually floss your teeth with it. Gross. I know.
30. My great-grandmother was the first school teacher in Kelowna. There’s a school named after her there.
31. I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was 27! I have only driven a handful of times since then.
32. I get crushes on gay guys. Figures.
33. I have won 2 trips from radio contests. Same station, different name. South Beach and New York.
34. I am always proud to say I was born in Vancouver.
35. Two of my best friends are both named Melissa. They are more like sisters though.
36. When I was a kid, I thought others judged me because I didn’t go to Church.
37. I broke my two front teeth on a curb when I was 14. There is nothing more traumatizing than having to go to high school for 2 weeks with no front teeth.
38. I can stare at a beautiful woman for hours examining her face. Angelina?
39. I’m not afraid of getting older, but I don’t want to look older.
40. I haven’t seen the kids I grew up with on the Commune for years, but no matter what, we’re always family.
41. I once saw Mary-Kate or Ashley naked. I’m not sure which one though.
42. When I was in Grade 6 I got to play Zeus in a play.
43. I can play dumb really well… I’m not though.
44. I still cry when I think about the day my dog, Max died… over 13 years ago.
45. I am so proud of my sister for carrying my nephews and being stuck in the hospital for 40 days.
46. I was a latch-key kid when I was 7. It wasn’t a big deal back then; I used to come home and watch Spiderman. I would never let a 7 year old do that now though.
47. Trevor Linden is my favorite Hockey player of all times. When I moved to Toronto, my work gave me a Linden jersey as a going-away gift. Best present ever.
48. Although I love my roommates past and present, (except 1), living alone was amazing, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat if I could afford to.
49. I am the worst singer, which really sucks because I love to sing.
50. When I was 17, Robson Street was my second home. 20 years later, I've come full circle.

Canada Day on Robson Street

As most of you know, I work for the Robson Street Business Association; Below is some information that went on their website today about their upcoming Canada Day event.

The 2010 Canada Day festivities will take place on Thursday, July 1st from 12 noon to 6pm. This year we will feature live music performances at the 800 block of Bute between Robson and the lane-way just south of Robson Street.


Soulstream, a local 10-piece, soul, funk and jazz band will headline the event from 4pm to 6pm and Kutapira, Vancouver’s unique, 5-piece marimba and percussion ensemble will be on stage from noon to 2pm.
We will also feature numerous street performers and other activities, like face-painting, on Robson Street between Burrard and Jervis Street. Volunteers will hand out balloons and Canadian flags, pins & tattoos.

Also, Virgin Radio will be broadcasting live from the street from noon to 4pm, so be sure to look for them and keep your radios tuned to 95.3FM throughout the day.

This Canada Day, we will also include our biggest prize draw to date: a 64GB iPad! As well, this year we will be giving away RSBA merchants’ gift certificates live on air, but you have to be on the street to win. So tell everyone you know to come down to Robson Street on Canada Day to revive that unforgettable Canadian spirit that we all saw during the Winter Olympics!

We look forward to celebrating Canada Day with you!

Traffic Notice: On Canada Day, Bute Street, (south of Robson), will be closed to all traffic from 7am to 8pm.

Thanks Dad...

Me with my Mom and Dad

On Mother's Day, I wrote that my Mom was on Facebook, (and seemingly enjoying it very much).

For Father's Day, the first thing I will say about my Dad is that he's definitely Not on Facebook. And I don't expect him to be on it anytime soon... it's not that he's computer illiterate; quite the contrary, I'm actually very proud of how well he manages on the computer and internet. Facebook just isn't his thing... he's much more private than Mom.

So... instead of mentioning who he has, (or hasn't actually), reconnected with on Facebook, I thought I would send out a Thank You to my Dad:

Thanks Dad, for carrying me on your shoulders, making me feel like a giant. Even though I was afraid of the moon that seemed to be following us as we walked home late one night, I felt that as long as I was sitting high upon your shoulders, we would always be safe.

Thanks Dad, for letting us walk on your back when we were little. I know you said it was to make it feel better, but to us, it was always just a fun thing to do.

Thanks Dad, for taking me to Overwaitea on my 6th birthday and telling me to pick out whatever I wanted for dinner. And Thanks even more when you still said yes, when I told you it would be Kraft Dinner.

Thanks Dad, for teaching me how to ride a bike, build a fire or show me that nothing broken ever had to be thrown away... it could always be fixed with a little Duct Tape.

Thanks Dad, for spending quality TV time with me. I can't watch Hogan's Hero's or Barney Miller or an old Spaghetti Western without thinking of you.

Thanks Dad, for driving for hours, sometimes well into the night, just to get us to the best camping spots.

Thanks Dad, for spending hours working on the car with just a manual and your tools just so you could save money so we could go to gymnastics/dance/acting classes.

Thanks Dad, for coming home early one night when I was having a party and kicking all of my friends out of the house and threatening to go and get your biker friends after them... actually maybe at the time I didn't want to thank you.. that was really embarrassing... especially at school on Monday, but I understand now why you did it; Thank you.

Thanks Dad, for taking me driving after I got my learners... even if you would only do it on a rental car, and Che was only allowed to drive in the parking lot because she didn't have a permit, and even if it took me another 10 years after that to actually get my licence.

Thanks Dad, for teaching me that boys should never honk when they pick you up, and that a real gentleman should come to the door.

Thanks Dad, for the best saying ever... "Get with the Program!" I still use it all the time.

Thanks Dad, for signing a blank cheque for me to take with me as I signed up for my college courses. Even though your exact words were, “This goes against everything I was ever taught", you still trusted me and did it anyway.

Thanks Dad, for helping me move out for the first time and then helping me move back home less than a year later when I realized I couldn't afford the $300/month rent.

Thanks Dad, for asking if I was ok, after my first major break-up, but not pushing it when I said I was.

Thanks Dad, for not questioning or trying to stop me and realizing that I had to learn things on my own, even when I moved hundreds of miles away.

Thanks Dad, for always asking technical questions and always being willing to learn new information.

Thanks Dad, for being the best Grandpa ever to the two cutest little boys in the world!

Thanks Dad, for making me feel like I'm still your little girl.

Thanks Dad, for being you... I wouldn't trade you for the world... even when you are all grumpy.

Happy Father's Day.

I Love You.

My Dad when he was a little boy, with my Grandpa and Auntie Janet

Sole Spa for your Soul

SOLE Spa Reflexology and Foot Massage Lounge
3086 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC
604.876.6808

REVIEW:

When I visited China last fall, I had an incredible trip. I saw some amazing sights and had some fantastic experiences.

My travel partner, Robin and I couldn’t always agree on which attractions to see everyday, but the one thing we always wanted to do was go for a traditional foot massage. In Hong Kong we fell in love with a place called Happy Foot; for about $20 we got the most relaxing hour-long foot and leg massages. After walking around sight-seeing all day long, we welcomed our foot rubs and we would talk about how much we wished there was a traditional Chinese foot massage place in Vancouver.

Well… the wait is over! Earlier this week, SOLE Spa opened on Cambie Street. SOLE Spa is exactly what I’d been looking for: a Traditional Chinese Acupressure Massage location.

As soon as you walk in, you’ll realize that this isn’t a tacky “massage parlor”. The décor is gorgeous… A mix of modern and traditional with a dash of Zen thrown in. The lights are dim and the music is mellow. It’s relaxation at its best.

I went yesterday with my sister, and we were lucky enough to have the private room. The room has two seats and a TV if you want to watch. If not, you can just sit back and listen to calming music and meditate or even read. We chose the TV, and caught up on some celebrity gossip.

The massage starts off with a foot soak, and then progresses into a deep, (and I mean Deep), tissue massage. This is not a light skin patting, this is reflexology and acupressure. My feet and legs were pushed and twisted and pounded and kneaded. It was painful, but in a good way. If the pressure was ever too hard, it wasn’t a problem to ask to have it lightened up. There were a couple of times that I thought about asking them to reduce the pressure, but I knew it only lasted for a few seconds and I wanted to work through it. Plus, as the owner, David said when we spoke to him after, “No Pain, no Gain”. He also mentioned that the more often you go, the less it hurts. We were in our comfy chairs in the private room for an hour, and after the massage finished, we didn’t want to leave. We just sat there for a few minutes and basked in the relaxation.

Now… the bottom line: Obviously in this overly-expensive city, you’re not going to find an hour, (OK, it’s 50 minutes… close enough), massage for $20, but at $40 it is still a super deal. In fact, try to find something similar in Vancouver for less than double that price… pretty difficult.
They also have certified therapists to do full body massages; only $50 for 50 minutes! (That will be my next appointment)

Women torture their feet every day by wearing high heels, and this is the perfect way to sooth your sole and your soul.

Also, not only does reflexology feel incredible, but the techniques used can reduce stress and heal disease. Click here for some more info.

Afterward, David poured us a cup of tea and we told him how much we enjoyed the treatment. He told us that they just opened last Tuesday, and business is picking up, and they are just trying to spread the word. Trust me, once the word is spread, this place is going to be busy!

FYI: This is not a salon. Do not go here expecting a mani/pedi or to get your hair done; go here expecting to feel amazing after you leave.

My Grade:
Service: A+
Value: A
Return Value: 100%

SOLE Spa has been kind enough to offer a special for all of my Blog Readers. If you go in before June 30th, 2010 and mention this blog post, Sole Spa will give you $10 off of your treatment. That’s right… a 50 minute amazing foot massage for $30!

Day Out with Thomas

When you have kids, (or nephews in my case), you become subject to a whole new genre: Kid’s TV.
From Toopy & Binoo, and The Big Comfy Couch to the Wiggles and Yo Gabba Gabba there’s always a new song to sing or character to learn.

One of the shows my nephews like to watch is Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. Thomas and his friend live on the Island of Sodor and ride around the island all day taking people to and from their destinations. There’s always a challenge they have to overcome, like a new whistle they don’t like, being behind schedule or a tree falling on the train tracks.

On Saturday, we drove up to Squamish for a Day Out with Thomas.
Originally I was going to review it, but since the event is finished for the season, and you won’t be able to go again this year, it seems a little pointless.

I will say that it was a lot of fun, the scenery was amazing, (it is Squamish after all), the weather was great, and it was really cool seeing the boys have a good time. Thomas looked fantastic and even Sir Topham Hatt, ( a name that means nothing without kids), was there!

To be honest, at 20 months old, Nolan & Beckett may have been a little young. They had a lot of fun and seemed excited to see a real “live” Thomas, but I think if we take them again next year, they will be that much more excited and may even be saying his name. I still recommend it for those under 2 years... I just wouldn’t go any younger than 19 or 20 months.

Here are a few pictures from the day:

Josh's Volunteer Story

Josh (in yellow) with his Clean-team

Yoshitaka “Josh” Nakao came to Vancouver from Osaka Japan in October 2009 to study English.

While he was still in Japan, Josh saw a TV show about Vancouver’s ecology movement, nature and the City in general. His first thought after seeing the show was, “Wow! How beautiful a city Vancouver is! If I go to Vancouver, I’d like to be involved with the ecology movement.”
As Josh states, “A month later, I came here. My first word was “awesome”. Then I was fascinated with Vancouver’s nature and personality and when I stood on the ground, saw the blue sky and breathed the beautiful air in Canada, I was accepted in Canada. Vancouver was just as I imagined.”

However, after a while he realized that there was litter on the downtown streets and he wasn’t happy about it; “Vancouver is a beautiful city and comfortable to live in, but there is litter on the street. It’s not good for its appearance so I’d like Vancouver to be more beautiful. That’s why I started to volunteer to clean up Vancouver by myself on the weekdays last November.”

Josh came to Vancouver to improve his English skills so while he was volunteering, he started to practice conversations in English: “First I tried to talk to people around me, but most people ignored me. Maybe they mistook me for a homeless person. But I’ve never given up and I’m good at organizing, so I made a volunteer t-shirt. I wrote I am Volunteer Staff, Let’s make Vancouver more beautiful. Finally people didn’t ignore me and they were interested in my work.”

From November to the end of 2009 he worked alone, but he realized that making Vancouver more beautiful was not a one-person job. On Christmas day, he recruited two friends to help him clean up the litter on Robson Street and by the first week in January he had organized a volunteer team through his school, Pacific Gateway.

They volunteer on the first and second Friday afternoons of each month from 1-3pm. While volunteering the rule is to only speak English to help them practice their language skills.

“During the Olympics, many people visited Vancouver and there was so much trash and stuff on the street. My volunteer work was so busy, but I could meet a lot of new friends who came from different countries and I had a special opportunity to talk to people. And then I wanted guys to know, I’m Japanese, but I really love Vancouver. Then I remodeled my volunteer tools. I used to clean up while holding the garbage bag but it wasn’t convenient. Afterward, I made a garbage box to shoulder on my back and I sewed Japanese and Canadian flags on the side of my t-shirt to advertise my motto. While I was wearing my costume, I was also cleaning up and cheering for Japan and Canada. The Olympics were a good experience.”

After the Olympics, Josh met members of the City of Vancouver’s Clean Street Program was invited to an Appreciation Party for volunteers on May 26th. At the event, Josh will be presented with the “Golden Dust Pan Award”; for individuals/groups who do outstanding work as part of the Clean Streets Program. A letter to Josh from the City states, “We appreciate your efforts in making the downtown area a cleaner place and the fact that you are a student from another country who has volunteered your time to do this makes it even more impressive.”

Unfortunately, Josh has to leave Vancouver for Japan in September, but he hopes to find someone to take over for him and that his Volunteer Cleaner legacy will continue.

If you see Josh and his team on the street, please say hello to him, and maybe even offer to help him clean… after all, if we all picked up just one piece of litter each day, imagine how clean the street could be.

Josh (center) with his Clean-team

Tomato Tomoto

I love where I live, not so much for the location, (which is fantastic), but rather for what my place has… Its own private roof-top deck!

I’ve lived here for four years now, and from the second I first saw the deck, I fell in love with it.

I really only get to use it 6 months of the year since it’s kind of gross when it’s raining or slushing out. Every year, I add new plants and try to keep on top of the weeds and flowers. This year I decide to try something a little different. I try to do my part for our earth: I recycle, I turn off lights, I walk to work… but I have never grown my own food.

I didn’t go crazy and plant a whole garden and I don’t expect my three little tomato plants to make me self-sufficient, but I am very excited about being able to eat something I grew by myself. (I also planted a couple of strawberry plants and some basil for good measure)

I thought I might be able to save a little bit of money by doing this… the joke’s on me: the plants, soil, fertilizer, and planters came to over $85! I have never eaten an $85 tomato in my life… they’d better taste amazing!

I will keep you posted on their progress, but here are a few pictures of their humble beginnings:

Oh... and here's a few of some of my flowers... just because they're pretty!