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Mmmk so it’s Monday and I just had a fun-filled weekend with Jane, Jared and Rachel. We ate tons of food, took in Stanley Park, visited Science World, stocked up at ikea, watched the Celebration of Light from Nick’s rooftop patio and did so much more. All the photos are posted on my Flickr site. It’s always hard saying goodbye, but I know I’ll see them again very soon!

Totally randomly, you have to see this video. A friend of mine made it. It’s pretty damn funny.

Enjoy, children!

You’re listening to: “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield.

For those of you that don’t live on the West Coast of B.C., we’re in the early stages of the most intense heatwave that Vancouver has seen since 1998. Temperatures are reaching the mid-late 30s, and some places in the interior may reach the early-40s. Needless to say, it’s swimming time. Ryan Lee came to visit me yesterday in the evening and we literally just stood in the pool up to our necks. No swimming, no jumping…just standing. Cooling off. I’m supposed to have brunch with Andy pretty soon and I’m pretty sure that the afternoon will comprise of swimming, slurpees and more swimming.

The nighttime isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Surprisingly I don’t normally have trouble sleeping in the heat, as long as I have a fan. Maybe I should grab one of my popcicles from the freezer. A sweet treat is the best way to beat the heat! However, the hottest part of summer is yet to come…

Think hot sun.

Think hot cops.

Think hot pastel clothing.

Think hot…

Colin Farrell.

Less than a week until “Miami Vice” hits theatres, and this is not your mom’s Miami Vice. I vaguely remember the show as a child, but I mostly remember the baby pink jogging suit I had with two mice dressed up as Crockett and Tubbs with the logo “Miami Mice” across the top. Sweet hey? Anyways, I’m not going to see the movie version to recapture memories. What memories? Is it weird and sick and twisted that I find Colin Farrell breath-takingly sexy even with a white suit, loafers and longer, slicked back hair? Tell me I must be crazy. I’m going to stop here though before I start making innappropriate comments. I’ll just keep them in my head…

You’re listening to: “Sunshowers” by M.I.A. from the album Arular

I don’t really know why I’m posting. I have nothing exciting to post about. Not entirely. I bought tickets yesterday to the Sheryl Crow and John Mayer concert in September. I heart John Mayer. I think we’d have beautiful babies together. But we all know that’s not going to happen.

I know…my camera licks.

On Friday night my friend Jaysen was doing a little drag show at Celebrities with Pussy Willow. Can you imagine the lady’s surprise when Jaysen tried to call Pussy, asked for Pussy when the phone was answered and it was the wrong number? He and his boyfriend Oli did a lil’ dance and lip sync to Christina Aguilera’s “Ain’t No Other Man.” It was hot.

Yesterday I had brunch with Andy after getting tickets and then wandered downtown. I had a nice little nap because the heat and sun made me tired like woah. Then I just watched a movie with a friend and relaxed for the evening.

Lastly, on a totally irrelevant note, Andy found this picture online last week and I found it incredibly sexy so I thought I’d share it with all of you. With all credit due to Andy, of course.

Can you guess who I’m going to be for Halloween this year? Frick it’s gonna be wicked.

You’re listening to: “Back To You” by John Mayer from the album Room For Squares

That view was my reward. After a teeny bit of prodding from Jane, here I am blogging again. I know it’s been a week, but what can I say? I’ve become addicted to e-smack. In other words, MySpace (so thanks, Pepper). Anyways, this past weekend my friend Darcy had a fantastic idea to go hiking up in Squamish for two reasons: 1) I desperately wanted to get out of the city and do something active; and 2) I’d never been north of Horseshoe Bay.

I also thought that going to Squamish was a fabulous idea, so I was stoked to go on a little nature hike. Stawamus Chief is not a nature hike. Stawamus Chief is a freakin’ mountain, and getting to the top of the “trail” is a non-stop uphill climb over boulders and roots. There were several times I was sure that I wasn’t going to make it to the top, but once I was there, I was pretty stoked that I kept on pushing. And now, two days later, I’m in an immense amound of body pain and soreness. Plus I’m pretty sure I tweaked my hip real good. This is the route we took:

We started at the trailhead and went straight for the Third Peak, working our way back to the Second and then First Peaks. Needless to say, Darcy wasn’t 100% thrilled that he had to lug our pack up to the top…

However, the point is, we had a great time. By the time we reached the top, it was clear that we both needed some well-deserved beer. Aaaaand, since I’d never been to Whistler before, Darcy made the extra half-hour trip so I could see it and we could grab burgers and beers at Longhorn’s. And my-oh-my there are some luscious males in Whistler. And FYI, next time you’re out visiting just me for a weekend, Ashley, we are so renting a car and hitting Whistler for a day (or a night if I use my corporate Fairmont Hotel rate!)

You’re listening to: “Fighter” by Christina Augilera.

It’s been a little over a week since my last post, so it’s definitely long overdue. And a little forewarning…it will be a bigger post with a lot of rambling. The first thing I need to touch on is something that has been on my mind in a big way over the last week or so. Last weekend I took the time to read an amazing little book called “Tuesdays With Morrie.” I’m sure many of you have heard of it and some of you may not have but it most definitely had a huge impact on me. This was based on a true story of an old man who lived a vivacious life, full of curiosity, love and a thirst for something deeper. He is a life-long professor and reconnects with a younger man who is a former student. In the last weeks of Morrie’s life, he shares with the student the most important life lessons he has gained and held on to over his life.

To sit here and type out all of the ideas that touched me and caused me to pause and think would take all night. If I were to do that, I might as well type out the entire book for you to read off of my blog. However, the following were some of the biggest lessons that struck me:

- Love each other or perish. (It’s a simple concept that anyone can understand.)
- Dying is one thing to be sad over, but living unhappily is something else entirely.
- The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. You have to be strong enough to say that if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it.
- Love is the only rational act.
- “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to something that gives you purpose and meaning.”

I hope that you all get a chance to experience this story and learn of these lessons.

It goes without saying that this book caused me to take a long hard look at myself. This book was passed on to me from a friend because she recognized that it’s been a year of huge change for me thus far…mostly in the last couple of months really. And in a lot of ways, the concepts examined in the book solidified what I’d been thinking. I’ve begun to realize what I really value in life and realize what’s truly important to me. I want to stay connected to my roots, connected to my family and connected to my true friends. Connected to who I really am. I’ve felt the need to be a kinder person; a more tolerant person.

An idea I’ve been entertainining over the last couple of months is moving to Victoria next year once I have more legal experience under my belt, so to speak. I was born and raised on the Island and that’s where my heart is. And to me it only makes sense to put myself in a place that’s surrounded by the things I value. Designer goods and trips to New York seem so incredibly unimportant to me now. I’ve dreamed of New York ever since I was a little girl and as much as it scares me to oddly admit this, I couldn’t really care less if I ever go or not. The reality is, it’s not important. I desire a settled life on the Island, hopefully a house and big, cuddly and playful dog (preferrably a Tibetan mastiff - they’re completely me). Family is huge for me and though I’m not really ready to start my own, when I am, I want to start one with someone who values the same things that I do and wants the same kind of life that I do. I have no idea what this next year and a bit holds for me, let alone the rest of my life, but I am thrilled and excited at the direction it seems to be heading. But most importantly, I feel peace inside about it all.

Speaking of friends and family, I just spent an amazing weekend with my Aunt here in Vancouver. It was her first time in Vancouver in a very, very, very long time, so we did the whole “tourist thing.” For two days we rode around in sightseeing buses, learning new things about Vancouver, basking in the warm sunshine, we visited the Vancouver Aquarium and took a little stroll through Stanley Park, spent some time getting lost in Gastown and had an amazing dinner at the Water Street Cafe, watched a few movies, had a fun-filled afternoon on Granville Island, discovered a native art gallery that completely overwhelmed me in so many ways, cooked up a delicious meal (of maui ribs, crisp salad and fresh-baked bread), and so much more. Mostly it was just good to spend time with someone who means a lot to me. It’s important to treasure family.

And on that note, I definitely can’t wait to get back home in August…

P.S. Brock, I hear UVIC has a really great Masters program for dental.

You’re lisetning to: “Hands” by Jewel.