July 31 2011

Lost tire at the side of the road. If you need a new one you know where to look.

July 30 2011

Justin worn out from the long bike ride that I took him on. Two and half hours of biking did him in. It must have been all the hills…

July 29 2011

Off to Fairmont for the weekend. The Mendes’ cabin is one of my favourite places to spend a long weekend. Can’t get much better than this.

July 28 2011

July 27 2011

My new backpack, sleeping pad, and pillow have arrived! My Aunty Val, Aunty Gail, Uncle Mike, Brian, Grandad, Darren and Audrey helped me purchase my new goods. This makes me so excited for my trip to Croatia. All I know is that I’m flying into Zagreb and flying out of Dubrovnik, the other cities are just little details I have to work out.

July 26 2011

Getting up this morning to hop on my bike and ride to work in the pouring rain wasn’t my ideal situation. We’ve been spoiled with all the sunshine we’ve been getting in Calgary so when it starts to rain I feel like I have to drag myself around the whole day. You would think four years in Vancouver would have trained me well..

It’s takes a day like today to make me stop and remember where I’ve been the last few years. I miss Vancouver and all of its beauty.

July 25 2011

Most nights I spend my time tending to the garden. I planted these lilies when I was struggling the most a few years ago. I never thought that these lilies would actually make after being held hostage in my closet for so many months. Sure enough they come up every year stronger and more beautiful than the last.

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”

July 24 2011

My little friends in the garden keeping me company while I pull weeds. There is never a dull moment when hanging out in the yard as I always have a lot of bees stopping by and helping out my plants. I captured this one bee with pollen all over his face, although it was a little out of focus it made me laugh.

I had a really hard time photographing these bumble bees. It could have been the wrong lens or possibly just the wrong technique. I’m taking a photography class starting August 10 and will hopefully learn some tips and tricks to photographing my friendly little visitors.

July 23 2011

I decided to take a bike ride through the city, from the southeast to the northwest, just because I could. It was over 50 kms of beautiful parks and every second of the ride I felt spoiled to live in Calgary. We really are lucky to have so much green space and places for people to enjoy a walk along the river.

I only had my phone so I snapped a few pictures while I was riding along. Obviously this one caught my eye.

July 22 2011

My trip to Croatia has been booked for September 10 – September 27. I’m looking forward to seeing a new part of the world and experiencing some different art. Hopefully the picture of the day’s during that week will make you want to visit Croatia too!

July 21 2011

Landfill Larry (Right) and best friend John (left). They’ve been working at the landfill for years and are now happy teaching children ways to keep things from entering the landfill in the first place.

It’s not always a load of garbage…

July 20 2011

A day in the life of a landfill.

July 19 2011

Spent part of the day at the landfill today. Driving around the site made me feel like I was in a different world.

July 18 2011

New kicks purchased in Seattle. Makes me feel like a kid again wearing these!

July 17 2011

Back from Seattle and off to the Stampede for the final day.

Took a quick walk around the grounds to see the animals, the show home, and some of the tricks. Finished the night off with Justin at the Kenny Chesney concert. It was a pretty good ending to the Stampede and I’m already looking forward to the centennial next year.

July 16 2011

This bird has been training for 18 years. If you’ve been to the iconic Pike’s Place you’ve probably come across this bird.

Good entertainment and a great way to earn some money!

July 15 2011

Officially in Seattle for 48 hours. It’ll be a quick trip but I always enjoy my stay when I’m there.

The simple pleasures of spending time with friends. You can never be too busy to spend time with the people that matter the most in your life.

July 14 2011

Off to Seattle for a few days. Blog might not be updated in a timely manner.

July 13 2011

Next colour phase in the garden.

July 12 2011

Started the morning off with City TV doing an interview for the community garden at the Douglas Square community breakfast. Then proceeded to the Market Mall stampede breakfast for work.

Busy day stampeding.

July 11 2011

Stella, Karina, and Alvin have ventured back to Vancouver and have left a dog eating her feelings. She wasn’t happy about the departure this morning.

If you ever need a peanut butter jar cleaned out, you know who to call.

July 10 2011

Big adventure to Drumheller today.

We started with a trip to the Tyrell Museum, then proceeded to Horsethief Canyon, Wayne, and then to the Atlas Coal Mine.

If you are in the area you need to check out Wayne (population 27). The town has one main street consisting of the Last Chance Saloon, a hotel, and a souvenir shop. It leaves me wondering what the population count will be next time I make an appearance.

July 9 2011

Peters’ Drive In. Since 1962.

Alvin: Chocolate Banana. Stella: Chocolate/Vanilla/Banana. Karina: Vanilla Banana. Kayley: Vanilla. Awesome.

One of my favourite spots in Calgary for a great milkshake. I thought it was a necessary pit stop in Calgary.

Note: Do not order a large fry unless you have over 5 hungry people. It really could feed a small village (ie. Wayne Alberta)

July 8 2011

Stampede Parade 2011.

This was the first stampede parade that I’ve been to in over 10 years. I brought my friends from Vancouver to experience the parade and I’m pretty sure I enjoyed it more than them. It was nice to see 450, 000 people in downtown Calgary celebrating our heritage.

Calgary, you make me proud!

July 7 2011

Birthday Cake number 2

#31–Throw a Summer BBQ

For my birthday I decided to throw a summer BBQ to cross another item off my list. This was a small summer BBQ but it was the best birthday ever.

I had some of my Vancouver friends and some of my Calgary friends over to celebrate my 24th birthday. Menu: home made vegan burgers, beef burger, and salad.

Whenever I write about the people in my life I always say how lucky I am to have such amazing friends. Tonight is no different. These people mean the world to me and make every day that I spend with them so much better. How did I end up this lucky?!

Cheers to amazing food, amazing company, and a whole lot of laughs. I love you all and thank you for the best birthday yet.

July 6 2011

Celebrating the big 2-4. Couldn’t have asked for a better evening.

Loved every minute of it.

July 5 2011

Vancouver has arrived..

July 4 2011

July 3 2011

Newly bloomed.

July 2 2011

Tour de France circa 1987.

July 1 2011