2010 Reflection

It seems like just yesterday we were all worried that the world would come to an end, thank goodness we handled Y2K with class. Now eleven years later we have had the iPod revolution, the PVR, HD TV, Facebook (Twitter, MySpace etc. etc.), YouTube, Nintendo Wii, and the blackberry vs. iPhone era. A world when CD’s were cutting edge and every young female who had choreographed a dance to the Spice Girls, The Backstreet Boys, or even New Kids on the Block were pleasantly surprised with tour dates and welcomed childhood memories.

This is a new decade. A new year. All with new questions. Will life as we know it end by 2012? Who will be our next hockey hero? Will Canada win the next gold in Olympic hockey? Will we start doing what’s right for the planet and learn from our mistakes or will we continue down a destructive path? Will we become more conscious about the decisions we make about our health or will we continue to blame over eating and greediness on our culture? What will be game changers of the next decade?

This year has been one of the best years of my life, that’s a lot to live up to 2011! There have been so many amazing memories and adventures that I was fortunate to experience. I learnt a lot of lessons about forgiving, forgetting, letting people in, and letting people go. Some people have entered my life and have taught me more in a few months then I’ve learnt in 23 years. Others have left my life, and although they have left this earth or are no longer involved in my life, I am thankful that they have helped me grow and have taught me something along the way.

I started this blog to help turn my life around and to focus on more positive things. Although I sometimes struggle and find myself drowning in this thing we call life, I always have something to look forward to and I know that someone in my life will be willing to help pick me up; even if it’s working on a list item.

So although this list is very selfish, these are my top 10 memories of the year. These are in no particular order, just when they popped into my head.

1. The Olympic Experience

2. Every night that I spent with my friends – olympics, camping, hiking, hot tubbing, crafts, cooking, hockey, training, swapping stories, and the list goes on . I’m thankful for such amazing people in my life.

3. Camping trip with the buds from Van

4. Getting my new bike

5. Competing in my first triathlon and first half marathon

6. Dance parties (my place, friends places, MJ dance parties, clubs, 90’s dance parties; you get the point right? I love dance parties)

7. Learning new things about photography from my friends, family, the club, books, and trial and error.

8. Experiencing Vancouver

9. Starting a community garden

10. Olympic gold in hockey, Sutter stepping down, great hockey games with good luck jerseys with great company (in the dome!). So really a lot of hockey.

10.1. Learning how resilient people can be even in the toughest of times. It amazes and inspires me every day.

I welcome 2011 and am going to try hard not to compare this year with 2010. This year will be full of life changes and it scares me and excites me all at the same time. All I can say is 2011 - bring it on!

A pic a day (practice trial)

I’m making adjustments every single day trying to figure out how I would like to present my photos. Be patient with me as I continue to develop this portion; it’s a learning curve on how to use html. We will start the real thing on jan 1st!

Dec 30 2010

Kiersti, Kaitlyn, Rilla, and I went skating today. Drive 20 minutes, put on skates, start skating around and last about 15 minutes (max!) before we were all too cold to continue. I suppose ice skating outdoors isn’t the best idea when it’s -20 outside.

Dec 29, 2010

Kiersti and I have been working hard at the list item of designing and making a dress. With many hours of thinking, learning, and frustrations we are well on our way of successfully creating something beautiful. Hopefully it will be finished before grad!

Dec 28, 2010

I was so excited that I got a new pair of hiking boots, book, gift card, and jacket for the West Coast Trail that I decided to take a picture of the goods. Again this is a work in progress and I’m keen to learn from my mistakes. These boots have officially started the breaking in period in hopes that I don’t suffer from major blisters on the hike.

Dec 27, 2010

My Mom and I took a trip out to Canmore to try out ice walking. For anyone who hasn’t heard about it you put on crampons and start walking on a river that has been frozen over. I took my dog but she struggled and slipped on the ice. It was stunning out there and would try it again.

Dec 26, 2010

This is one of my first pictures that I shot with the new camera. I always find shooting ornaments on the tree quite difficult but figured I should give it a shot (pun intended!). Low light, tripod, and a long exposure. It’s a start but I know I have a long way to go!

#89 – Go Snowshoeing

I’ve lived in Alberta my entire life and I’m ashamed that I haven’t been snowshoeing at least once. Since I created the list I have found some of the greatest pleasures in really simple things – this list item especially. Although it was one of the simpler items I found it incredible.

Kiersti and I started the morning off at The Outdoor Club at the University of Calgary where we rented boots and snowshoes for the day. We didn’t have much of a plan simply because Kiersti and I don’t really plan too far in advance (but it always seems to work out!). We hit the road and headed to Canmore. A quick stop at the nordic centre we were advised to continue on our journey to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Kiersti knew where we were going and I was going along for the joy ride!

Something you have to know about Kiersti and I is that we usually don’t get directions from people and the entire time we are questioning where we are going. Luckily it works out for the two of us because as long as we eventually get there we are two happy campers. We get to the snowshoeing hike and I’m amazed (already). I couldn’t believe we actually lived this close to something so amazing.

We couldn’t have asked for a better day to experience our first time snowshoeing. The weather and the company couldn’t have been better.

The entire time I couldn’t believe we were actually here. It almost felt like we were in a 3D IMAX  flying through the mountains in the winter; it was literally a winter wonderland.

If you haven’t tried snowshoeing before, love the outdoors, and don’t mind getting a little cold/wet then get out there and give it a try! It was a fantastic  experience and although it’s crossed off the list it won’t be the last time that I enjoy the knee deep snow in our paradise that I can proudly call ‘home’. Thank you Canada for amazing me more and more every day.

Quote of the experience: It is wonderful to feel the grandness of Canada in the raw – Emily Carr

#57– make a Christmas card together

So Kara and I decided to set out and make our own Christmas card this year. This is not the typical card sitting beside the fire place but a Christmas card that has a artistic spin on it.

Kara came over to my place in celebration of her birthday and we decided to start on our Christmas cards. We ventured out to find red and green cellophane in Kitsilano. It turns out that this is nearly impossible in this part of Vancouver so if any of you were hoping to make a Christmas gift basket and live in the area I would suggest planning ahead if you need it!

Four stores later and no cellophane we decided to start our project without it and just used our two flashlights. Finally we set up the tripod around 10:30 at night and started snappin’ away with a long exposure. One hundred takes later and we finally wrote some words and drew some pictures that actually made sense. Unfortunately, Kara and I weren’t able to write the entire word ‘Christmas’ but managed to write ‘Xmas’ during the short exposure time that we had.

A few hours later, one major blister (partially from Kara’s journey that night), and some cold hands, toes, and feet we were finished! 

Being a beginner photoshop user I had to learn a few things before I could make the card. For your viewing pleasure here is the Christmas card! Photo credits are given to Kara for this beauty.

The best part of Christmas is spending the quality time with the people that matter the most. If they are around the block or a phone call away (or skype with all this new technology!)  you always find out who matters most to you during this time.

May you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The West Coast Trail

So over the Christmas break it was  my job (because I clearly don’t have one) was to check out the details of the west coast trail so I can knock it off my list summer 2011.

Over the past few months I’ve been reading blogs, watching videos, and researching things about the WCT and I’m extremely excited to actually get out there and just do it. I realize that my lack of experience backpacking might not be the best to set foot on one of the hardest hikes in the North America, but there is quite a bit of time until we venture into the rainforest. If I can train for a tri and a half marathon in one summer I can train for this! Suggestions are welcome on how to accomplish this. 

If you are reading this and are thinking maybe you would like to join (yes, we are looking for people to come with us!) then here is some information that I wrangled up. 

So here is the information on reservations for the west coast trail: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/activ/activ6a/v.aspx. It doesn’t look like they give you much of a buffer so once we decide on a month we have to be pretty open.

The fees for backpacking in the park are here:

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/visit/tarifs_fees_e.asp?park=21  ($152.00)

Here is the price of transportation to the trail head and I’m not really sure if there is an alternative unless someone is willing to risk their lives driving on the logging road!

 http://www.trailbus.com/Fares_wct.html ($145 for return)

Since I’ve just begun researching I’m not sure what trail head to start at though so if you have any ideas, have experienced the trail, etc. etc. throw them my way! Here is the info on the trail heads and then some other info on transportation, also a neat resource just for the 411 on the WCT:

 http://www.westcoasttrailbc.com/trail_guidebook_map.htm#plan

Ferry to the island ($13.75,  $27.50 return) if we wanted to bring a car over (91.50 return) plus there is a ferry as part of the WCT that is mandatory ($25.00)

Total without the cost of travel to Vancouver, food, and equipment:

Park Fees	$152.00
Transportation to and from trail heads	$145.00
Ferry transportation	$52.50
optional car ( would be divided among passengers)	$91.50
Sum without car	$349.50
Sum with car	$367.80

I’m looking into taking a few backpacking trips prior to the big 7 day one so I’m prepared and not a complete disaster (also might include a wilderness first aid course too!). We will all be prepared to embark on (yet another) experience of a lifetime!

Graduation

So today I received an email from school asking me to apply to graduate. I opened it up and I got so excited, I’ve been waiting six years (school years that is) for this moment and finally I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I officially picked what name my diploma will read when I receive it in May and it made it all seem that much more real.

One mandatory class left and then I’m in the home free! Being a student for so many years has made me wonder what my life will be like when I’m out in the real world and no longer sheltered and safe attending classes. I realize that everything about my life will change in the next four months and I’m ready for the challenge. What exciting things will I accomplish? Where will I live? What will I be doing? Will I go on any great trips? Although all of these questions have caused some anxiety over the last few months I feel like I will be able to tackle them one by one like I have in the past.

I’m that much closer to crossing #35 off my own list!