Greetings everyone!
I’ve moved to a new home!
Its got a shiny new layout and everything!
Can’t wait to see you there!
All the best,
Bailey B.
Canadian Thanksgiving.
Hello everyone!
I swear I didn’t forget about this blog! Life just kind of happened again and I lost the mojo! But fear not, I’m trying really hard to get back into the swing of writing again! Breaking old habits are hard but do-able!
Canadian Thanksgiving is today and I have plenty to be thankful for. I’ll give you Four things I’m super thankful for and why.
First in the spotlight is my family and friends. Well you might say “Hey that’s two things!”. Well, some of my friends are like family and thus get to share the number One reason to be thankful this year. Although I might not have your typical white picket fence, fancy dresses and dinner party family. I have a great family that is around when I need them. I have friends all over the world. No matter where in the world I am, they are there. I’ve got some pretty spectacular people in my life and I’ve met so many wonderful people along the way. I’m excited to share life and its adventures with all of them.
Second in the spotlight is the Italian, the guy who puts up with my shenanigans and lets me be myself. All well living with me! He makes me laugh, brings me tea when I’m feeling like a potato and is my space heater in the winter time.
Third in the spotlight is Canada. I have traveled a little, and already have realized how amazing it is to live in a country like Canada. I don’t fear for my life to vote, I don’t have to worry about going to the doctor, I can express my opinion as a women and have it be heard. We have clean water, beautiful landscapes and a $50 bill that smells like maple syrup.
Forth in the spotlight is my job. I’m very grateful I have a job. It gives me a reason to get up in the morning, to live in a place with a roof and windows, it allows me to pay my bills, to indulge in fine things, and it allows me to travel. Without this job I wouldn’t know where I would be.
I have so many more reasons I am thankful for this Thanksgiving, these are just Four. I could sit here all day and write about them but I won’t. I may have to work today but that’s OK, I have a job, a great family in a fantastic country and brilliant friends to share it with.
As my dad says,
“Happy Turkey Day!”
All the best,
Bailey B.
A new couch.
Out with the old, in the with the new!
That’s how the saying goes right? What they don’t tell you is how hard it can be to let go and get rid of something that’s old and how stressful it is to get something new.
Especially if that thing you are trying to get rid of is a couch. Let me tell you of the last few weeks of my life and couches.
Here’s a little back story on how I managed to get this couch.Here’s a little back story on how I managed to get this couch. It was super squishy, I knew how to sit in it so it would eat the other person, It was a great place to sit when people where over for board games and best of all, it doubled as a bed when someone stayed over. I loved that couch.
With that said, I also hated that couch. It was old. The back cushions where more like sausages that only came out when I had more people over then the couch could fit. So they lived in the hallway. As a result, I had extra blankets draped over the couch a million pillows to make yourself comfortable.
It was a love hate relationship with that couch, but so many memories were made around and on that couch. This couch outlasted all of my romantic relationships and I made friends with brilliant people around that couch.
I have said for years, “It’s time! I’m getting a new couch!” I would go out, look at couches and have the realization that couches are very expensive and not then not actually buy a couch.
So when I finally did it, I figured I would just post it to Craigslist for free.
*The couch was given to me free, so I felt it should go free to a new home*
I also thought that the last week of August would be the best time to post it. New students where going to be coming into the city, so I would have hundreds of offers to take away my free couch.
Or so I thought!
Turns out people want you to deliver your free couch to them or find someone to take it from your house to theirs for them. It was on Craigslist for 5 days before 3 young college kids came and picked it up.
What I wasn’t ready for, was to actually let go of the couch. Watching some random strangers literally pick up my couch, load it up and drive off with it, was actually really hard to watch. But new couch meant making new memories and new friends. So I turned around and walked back into the house and said “Look at all this space for activities!”. My house echoed, it was weird.
At the end of August I went testing out couches with the Italian. That turned out to be an adventure of its own because he didn’t care, because after all “a couch is just a couch”. I did end up picking out a couch that I loved! However, the color I wanted wasn’t in stock so it would be 2-3 weeks before it arrived.
Begin the 2-3 weeks of stressing out because I didn’t measure the couch before I bought it!
When it finally arrived, the two movers had it in a box and I flat-out said “I hope it fits threw the door because I forgot to measure it”. I was completely 100% ready to take apart this couch, and reassemble it myself inside. However, It did fit! They assembled the legs, took away all the packaging and off they went. Turns out I stressed out for nothing.
Lessons learned from buying a new couch:
– Getting rid of old things doesn’t mean you are getting rid of the memories and friends that you made along the way.
– Make multiple ads on Craigslist if you need to get rid of something.
– Measure, measure, measure! But keep in mind the feet do usually come off!
All the best,
Bailey B.
The Skytrain part 2.
As many of you know, my method of transportation around Vancouver is our lovely public transportation! So with that in mind, I think its time for another blog post about my adventures with it!
My route to work includes a bus, a skytrain and another skytrain. I’ve got my travel time to and from work down to about 20-30 minutes. Compared to what it was 3 years ago, I’d say its pretty great. With that said, I still see a crazy amount of things.
I took the Skytrain home after closing at work. Everything was pretty normal, I didn’t meet anyone on my way to the Skytrain from work. Their was a fair check going on at the top so Vancouver Police where present for Fare evaders. However, on this particular evening they were doing construction on the tracks, so the platform was only open on one side. Essentially this means you have to wait a little longer to get on a train in the direction you need to go. It usually goes, 2 eastbound, then 2 westbound trains. I have learned to wait for the second eastbound train because its much less crowded.
Cue first train going Eastbound.
Cue everyone trying to get on & off at the same time because people think they wont get to where they need to go.
With that said, there always seems to be that one person who forgets they need to get off and tries to get off before the doors close.
Cue drunk guy who has just realized this ^. Now add to the fact, people are already ready for the doors to close. Then add the fact Drunk guy also has a stroller with a baby in it. Now everyone is trying to get out of his way in an orderly but hurried fashion, including a guy who is in the process of moving his backpack off the ground and stepping out of this train to let the guy off.
Then it happened.
Drunk guy has started using his stroller as a battering ram to get people out of his way. He ends up hitting backpack guy with his stroller and getting wheels caught on that tiny gap between the train and platform. *In this moment I thought to myself “Mind the Gap!”*. He mistakes this as the backpack guy trying to prohibit him from getting off the train. Drunk guy than smashes his stroller him one more time and the stroller goes falling over and on to the platform.
And then the fight started.
Remember that stroller had a baby in it! So enter Drunk guys girlfriend screaming MY BABY MY BABY!”. Well Drunk guy and backpack guy where throwing punches. Once Drunk guy realized the VPD where on the platform, he grabbed his kid from his girl and started yelling at VPD that Backpack guy threw his stroller and baby to the ground, so he had to defend his kid.
Well, everyone else on that train and platform saw and said otherwise. They held the train to get statements from people and or pull them off for questioning, then let that train go.
All of this happened in less than 5 mins. It was crazy to watch and completely bizarre. This was actually the first time I’ve seen a fight break out in front me. It was also the first time I’ve seen someone use their stroller, equipped with baby, as a battering ram to move people.
Now arrived the second eastbound skytrain, and lo and behold, it was much less crowed then the first one. Of course I got on that one and begun the rest of my ride home.
Taking Transit in Vancouver is an adventure of its own and this is just one of the reason I find I feel that way,These are the Other Reasons.
Do you have any exciting stories about transit in Vancouver? Or am I the only one! Let me know in the comments below!
All the best,
Bailey B.
Italy.
Let me start off by telling you I that Italy was never on my bucket list. I had originally bought it as a surprise gift for my boyfriend, The Italian*. About a year ago, we had a conversation about what were on our bucket list. I remember asking him what was on his and getting the reply “I would like to go to Italy”.
So with much planning and the lovely help from the team at Contiki, I was set to surprise the Italian with the greatest Christmas present ever!
However, he said
No.
Who says no to a free trip to Italy?
I have learned from my past travels with Contiki is that life is about no regrets! I wasn’t going to let buying a trip for someone to someplace that wasn’t on my bucket list be one of mine.
So, I went to Italy all by myself!
I actually enjoy traveling by myself. I get to move at my pace, I’m not rushed to get from point A, to point B. I get to see what I would like to see. Although, getting to Italy was its own adventure, but that’s for another blog post.
The people I met on this tour where amazing. The places I saw where breathtaking. The food I ate was plenty and delicious. The memories I made because of these I’ll remember Italy forever.
Sometimes it’s simply not where you’re going that makes the destination, but the rather the people you had met along the way the destination a memory to last a lifetime.
These are just a couple of people I met along the way. Each person I met on this trip was absolutely fantastic and helped create awesome memories of Italy with me.
One of my favorite moments was the last day of our trip where it POURED buckets and buckets of rain in Rome. I refused to buy and umbrella or poncho from the many venders selling them. I was soaked. I didn’t care. What did I do? I handed off all my electronics to Pooja, and started jumping in puddles all over Rome. BEST TIME EVER! Again, Eleri, I’m so sorry I got you wet! I honestly didn’t think the puddle was that big!
Put your feet in the Mediterranean sea?
A wine vinyard in Italy
A street in Venice!
The Roman Colosseum!
I got to put my feet in the Mediterranean Sea. I did a wine tasting in a beautiful vineyard. I rode a gondola threw Venice. I got to see the roman Colosseum. I saw the statue of David. I visited Juliet’s balcony in Verona. I visited the Cinque Terre and saw some amazing buildings.
The buildings in Italy are a sight of their own. The amount of craftsmanship that went into them just blew my mind. The churches I visited where fantastic, but I don’t have many pictures of the insides because a lot of them ask you not to. I’m OK with that. You will have to visit Italy to find out why everything here is so spectacular.
Margarita Pizza!
Gelato in Venice!
Fruit tends to grow a little bigger in Italy.
Cannoli in Milan!
Wine tasting spread!
Lunch in the Cinque Terre
The best potatoes I’ve ever had hands down.
Cappicino at the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.
Latte
Dinner at the last night in Rome!
Pesto Lasagna!
One of THE best cappuccinos I’ve ever had in my life.
Would I go back to Italy? Yes but not by myself. I feel like I need an adventure buddy to visit Italy again.
Would I buy a trip for someone else and surprise them with it again? I probably will, but not for a while.
As much as I love to travel by myself, my next adventure will have to be with a travel buddy!
All the best,
Bailey B.
*I call him The Italian because he is Italian, his family came from Italy and he was the 1st Italian I had ever met.
Unforgettable
Some people who pass through your life are unforgettable and even when you wish them to be forgotten. However, due to events, they will forever hold a moment in your life. Whether you like it or not.
Let me tell you about this relationship I had with Donald*.
I met Donald off a popular dating website about 3 years ago? I remember going “Wow, he’s easy on the eyes!” So the attraction was instant. We went for coffee and got to know each other. Things clicked right away, he was kind, he loved being active and going on adventures, my kind of guy!
Donald and I began that weird dance of dating. You know, that dance you do after so many dates, where neither of you have actually said you are exclusive with the other, but you assume you are? Yeah, that dance.
Donald was a great guy, I could see myself going somewhere with him. He made me laugh, we had adventures, conversations were had. But most importantly, I was happy and having fun with someone. Although with that said, he had his own things he needed to work out. How did I find out about all of this? Well let me tell you.
We had been “dating” for a few months, and he had stayed over at my place a few times previous to this night.
This is important question. Have you ever asked someone a question or said something that triggered that person to have a panic attack due to anxiety? Well apparently, I did this particular evening. However, Donald never said anything to me all evening, even when we went to bed together. I remember cuddling and then falling asleep next to him at about 11pm.
I also remember waking up in bed the next morning at 6am, a little cold. I rolled over realizing I was very much
Alone.
I assumed he had fallen asleep on the couch because I sometimes like to starfish and take up all the bed. But never bothered to check the couch. So I went ahead and had a shower. Once I got out of the shower, I figured I would wake Donald up and see if he wanted to go out for breakfast.
I walked down the hallway and saw my front a jar. The couch was empty and Donald was nowhere to be found.
No note. No text message. Nothing!
And to top it off, my front door was open! (Turns out for about 4 hours)
I do not wish what I felt that morning on anyone. I still remember the feeling of rejection, the lack of respect and the immense amount of fury all at once. It’s an awful feeling when someone you care about leaves you in the middle of the night.
Turns out my question to Donald triggered a panic attack and he couldn’t sleep. He thought the best course of action was to leave and sleep in his own bed at 2am.
Every redhead has a temper, this is a fact. I will admit, mines not the greatest and even I don’t like it. With that said, in that moment, I decided to not give him another moment of my time. I didn’t text him, I would wait for him to make his move. I would give him the time he needed to process what was going with him, and I would simmer.
He did eventually text me apologizing. He asked me to coffee to explain.
We had coffee, he explained that he has anxiety and that can result in panic attacks. He said he was sorry and he wished he could go back and re-do that morning. I remember telling him
I don’t accept your apology because you have hurt me more than you can imagine, you broke my trust. How can I jump to back to how we were, when you have broken my trust? I don’t know if you will be there for me when I wake up.
Donald created baggage for me that particular morning. It was a while before I could share my bed with someone I cared about. Trust is a big thing for me because without trust, what kind of relationship do you have?
Sometimes you meet people in your life and you will remember them forever, sometimes you meet people you wish you could forget. But this is how life goes, people come in and out of it and you grow from it.
All the best,
Bailey B.
*Name has been changed.
Fireworks.
It’s no surprise that I’ve been on a countless number of dates. Mostly bad ones, but I’ll be honest with you, I would go on those bad dates again. Going on bad dates has taught me what I liked, what I didn’t and most importantly, what I was looking for in a partner in crime.
It’s also no surprise that I’m in an age where internet dating is a thing. But have you ever go on an awful date and you know instantly it isn’t going to go anywhere? However, you don’t want to come off as a bitch because you realized this in the first 5 mins?
I’ve been there MANY a times.
I had a Facebook friend post this and it showed up on my feed. I instantly replied.
Ugh. Awful date. His pictures made him seem so much more attractive. Now I have to let him down somehow.
I totally get that a picture doesn’t do a person justice, or they only post they only post one type of photo. I also understand that if you aren’t attracted to them, then why waste your time and their time? I feel you need sparks to make some fireworks.This was my response
“I’ll be honest with you, I feel like we aren’t going to work. I don’t feel a spark and I don’t want to waste your time and lead you on. Okay, thanks Bye”.
This was my go to -holy-crap-need-to-run-away-now-but-don’t-want-to-hurt-your-feelings- exit speech.
Yes I had an exit speech. I went on a few dates with guys where it should have ended after the first date, but they seem to be enjoying themselves and I didn’t want to be mean or rude. But by doing that I was leading them on in hopes that these dates would become something. I also was wasting their time, not to mention mine.
On a date where you know it’s not going to go anywhere for you? Be honest with them. I’ll be cliché here, Honesty is the best policy. If they feel like you are being a rude, mean or a bitch because of it, well then great. You dodged a bullet there.
For me dating was awesome (bad dates and all) because I got to understand what I wanted, needed and deserved: Respect.
If you aren’t enjoying yourself on a date, then how can you enjoy a relationship with them? This is a great question, dates are supposed to be fun and you are supposed to enjoy yourself. If by the end of the date you realize this person isn’t for you, let them know. You might not want to do it right away, because it can be scary. But let them know eventually.
DON’T just block & ignore them or use a rouse you saw on t.v.
DO respect them as a human and be upfront & honest with them.
In the end someone might be hurt but they can’t fault you for being honest and true to yourself.
All the best,
Bailey B.
Time Flies.
Holy wow, when you are busy, time flies!
In the last two weeks I’ve been so busy with work and getting ready for Mel and Erics wedding that I just didn’t have a crazy amount of creative energy for a few blog posts!
5 days ago I got to watch one of my best friends marry her super awesome other half. It was a beautiful wedding full of adventure, love and Kleenex. No trips to the ER!
I promise you new blog posts are coming! Including more awful dates, transit stories and now wedding adventures!
All the best,
Bailey B.
Bad Dates part 2.
As I previously wrote about some of the bad dates I’ve been on, which can be found here. I’ve been reminded of so many more awful dates that I just couldn’t hold back and needed to share.
Have you ever been told you don’t eat enough well on a date? Well I have. Have you ever been to Anton’s pasta bar? Well if you haven’t ever been, you get a plate of pasta which is about the size of a small baby. I had been once before with an old boyfriend, so I was prepared for the sheer size of the plates.
At our scheduled time for my date to pick me up, I got a text which stated “Hey, sorry I’m running late”. When he finally arrived, turns out he lost track of time getting ready. We finally left for Anton’s, and somehow managed to get in before it got too busy*. We get seated, served water and menus. I got the Gnocchi Cardinale and he ended up with Linguine Alla Siciliana. Is it bad that I remember what we ordered but for the life of me, can’t remember his name? Anyway, once the meals where served, we began to enjoy our food and some more small conversation. After about 20 mins, I have eaten so much food, but I’ve only made a small dent in the corner. This is where my date tells me “You know for a girl, you don’t eat enough. You should at least try and enjoy yourself when you are out with me.” Food aside, the conversation wasn’t awful, but it wasn’t like he was actually trying to get to know me. I simply told him “Well, just because the food is in front of me, doesn’t mean I need to eat all of it. I’m getting full and rather than over indulge and feel gross after, I would rather enjoy my food then stuff my face with it.” He had no words for that and we carried on to other topics.
I offered to pay for my part of the bill, he insisted to pay all of it. I wasn’t going to argue, and we left. We ended up going for a walk as it was super nice out and then he drove me home. We reached my house, we have stopped for no more than a few seconds. I was getting ready to leave the car and the conversation went as follows
“What, after all that you aren’t going to invite me in? Where is my goodnight kiss?”
Note, we are still in the car, I’m holding my leftovers from dinner. I stopped what I was doing and said
“Excuse me?!” Date replied with “Yeah, I paid for dinner, we went for a walk and you aren’t even going to let me inside or kiss me good night!”
Cue angry redhead,
“Well –dates name I don’t remember- If you were a nice guy, you would have walked me to the door instead of trying to kiss me like a 16year old who just got the keys to his car. Secondly, I offered to pay my part, you said no. That doesn’t grant you a free ticket inside, a goodnight kiss maybe, but no entry into my bedroom. Thirdly, for future dates you go on, never comment on how much or how little a women eats at dinner.”
This guy, now realizing the date is over, leans in for a kiss anyway. My reaction was to dump the contents of my dinner in his lap and left the car.
There was also a date I went on when I was newly single in Vancouver, where I agreed to meet a date named Don, at a Starbucks. If I’m meeting someone I don’t know, it’s always in a coffee shop. I knew instantly who he was when I walked in. Don was dressed nicely, but he was also seated with 3 drinks. A coffee, a latte and a tea. He wanted to see which one I would choose and the reason behind it. When I told him I would get my own drink because I’m particular about my drink at Starbucks*. He said got defensive and said “Well it’s not like I drugged any of them or something! I wanted to try a experiment on you!
I stood up, left and didn’t look back.
*Antons gets crazy busy, go early if you want to beat the line
*Grand white mocha with two pumps of raspberry. Very sweet but delicious.
What is your worst or awkward date?
All the best,
Bailey B.
Life Lessons.
I believe that every person who enters our life teaches us a life lesson. Some lessons are more important than others. Some will be learned over and over again. However, some lessons will be learned the hard way.
Let’s roll back to 2006 and my first official relationship. For privacy reasons we will call him Lowie.
Lowie taught me about Love, self-respect and most importantly: Cheaters never prosper.
I took an interest in my art and always had my nose in a book, so dating wasn’t an interest to me until very late into high school. So I didn’t get my first boyfriend until I was 17 and the last year of High school. This was also the time that Lowie entered my life. At the time I found him to be charming, sweet, he could hold a real conversation, and he was a looker. Curly blond hair, Blue eyes, athletic. The total length of our relationship lasted 2 years. Although, looking back it should have ended around our 1 year.
The reason for this is after about a year, Lowie cheated on me. He had gone on a date with a girl and sealed it with a kiss. Finding out Lowie took the time to get to know this girl over a date, driving her home and kissing her good night. First boyfriend and heartbreak. However, I was going to stand my ground. It’s been almost some years since that breakup. I can still remember being on the phone with him asking who this girl was and he didn’t lie to me; he told me he was sorry, it was a mistake. I remember telling him that he didn’t really love me; he didn’t respect me as his girlfriend. How could I continue dating someone who could so easily betray me? My heart was broken by not just some guy, but someone I considered at the time to be a true friend. I was done, relationship over.
Cue getting roses and love notes every day for a week. It was especially romantic because he was away working at a summer camp. So of course, I took him back. I was being wooed! What kind of 18 year old wouldn’t love this?
We dated another year before we broke up, for good. Why did we break up after another year? Well, he cheated on me again. This time I would let him go, I deserved better.
This relationship taught me many things. One was one of the most important life lessons to date.
Cheaters never prosper and aren’t worth it to keep them.
I find it funny how lessons you learned in your past can help you in your present. Over the years I’ve had other boyfriends who’ve cheated, but unlike the first, they don’t get to come back. I refuse to allow myself to be with someone who can’t make the effort to stand beside me on this crazy ride called life.
It’s like the saying goes, When Life gives you lemons, and you make lemonade. You have to put in the work to get the reward.
All the best,
Bailey B.
Roaming for Adventure 