Some Bits I Missed

In my last entry I neglected to mention two key events that took place. One was the sprint triathlon that I completed in June with my mom. If you need a reason to stay in shape this winter, sign up for a triathlon next summer. If you are signed up for a triathlon, you are highly motivated to exercise knowing that in the near future you must cross a finish line in front of a bunch of people. I pushed myself in ways I didn't think possible. I actually became a runner, using a great running program called Couch to 5k. Before I couldn't run for more than two minutes, and now I can run for 30. I implemented my own interval training program for swimming; when I started I couldn't swim more than four lengths without dying, and now I can swim 20. I bought a new fancy bike which I love, and have tried to put it to use commuting and running errands instead of taking my car. The race itself was a blast - it's HARD and there were times when I questioned why I had ever thought this would be a good idea, but overall, I really enjoyed it. It's exhilarating to race against the clock, and no feeling compares to crossing the finish line after you've pushed yourself in ways you didn't think possible before. Everyone within the sound of my voice, I strongly encourage you to try a sprint triathlon! You won't have regrets!
No photographic evidence from this one!

The second event I neglected to mention was the visit of my dear friend Laura, hailing all the way from Hong Kong. I was so happy she came, because a second trip to Hong Kong wasn't in the cards this summer! Our outings mainly involved eating at various locations including Leva Cafe for pizza, Da Capo for gelato, Lagano Skies for Ethiopian cuisine, Original Joes because it was the only place open on a holiday, and the Duchess Bake Shop for delicious desserts. We basically experienced the best of everything this city has to offer gastronomically in less than two weeks. The worst part about friends visiting is that they leave. Miss you Laura!

No fear, blog followers. I have returned.

Yes, all three of you. There has been a hiatus of blogging because this turned into more of a trip blog, and quite frankly, I haven't been anywhere since last summer. Well, I guess there was that two day stint in NYC...but when I came home I got the smack down from grad school and blogging was not a priority. For old time's sake, here's a photo.

I love that city. My friend Kristi Champion wins stuff on the radio. All the time. She took me on this trip to NYC which she won on the radio to see Pink in concert at Madison Square Garden. We had a great time walking, shopping, dining and laughing, and then I came back to fail my stats midterm and kiss any chance of being on the dean's list good bye.

Summer 2009 is still probably the best summer ever, but Summer 2010 did not disappoint either. For most of March and April I was isolated in the nether reaches of the Education building, reading and writing and reading and writing and writing and writing and writing. It got to the point where the thought of making plans on a Friday night was unnerving. I felt more comfortable with the idea of writing in isolation until 11 p.m. than spending time with people. What DO people do anyways on the weekend? So, needless to say I embraced my time off at the end of term with open arms and kick started it with a road trip to Victoria.

Alone. A few friends were going to come (and you know who you are) but they checked out at the last minute, and you know what, a solitary road trip isn't that bad; it's a different kind of freedom that I hadn't experienced before. Driving from Calgary to the west coast offers amazing vistas and I had the chance to visit an old friend, Naomi Bullock, on the way there and back. By old I mean we've been friends for a long time, not that she's old in years. Unless you think 27 qualifies as old. And get this - she was 9 months pregnant on the way there, and I got to see her new babe Katelyn on the way home! It couldn't have been more perfect.


It's a bit of a blur now but I spent my time visiting family and friends, going for walks on the beach, trail running, eating at great little restaurants, admiring tulips at Butchart Gardens and discovering downtown Victoria. I highly recommend the restaurant Mo:Le for brunch. Creative, delicious, and the portions are huge!

Butchart Gardens

My Opa and me going for a spin in his convertible.


My cousin Jonathan and a little friend on my shoulder.


After this road trip I spent until mid-August working at two contracts for two local colleges, teaching ESL. The details of this have been suspended for another blog entry, but all you need to know is that for 7 weeks I worked more than 65 hours a week (which hopefully will never happen again) and was in desperate need of R & R by the end. What could be more relaxing than a trip to an all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen with your mom? Nothing, I'm pretty sure. Our 7 days away was full of sun and sand and Spanish. Or Italian or French, take your pick! As English speakers we were the minority at our resort, which makes sense, since the Canucks normally holiday in the winter. We spent most of our time reading on the beach, with intermittent breaks to get club soda with lime or reapply sunscreen. We also spent a day touring Mayan ruins with our own personal tour guide, Helaman, who took us to Koba and Tulum. Koba was my favorite, as it was spread out over several square kilometers and required touring on bicycles. We broke up our ruin tours with a visit to a cenote (sen-oh-tay), a cold, freshwater underground river. Bliss!



Remember last summer when I cut my foot on a rock? And I said I always get hurt in the summer? Well, Summer 2010 did not disappoint in that regard either. I was boogie boarding in the waves on day two, trying to avoid the rocks. I thought, "Last year you cut your foot on rocks in the ocean in Hong Kong, so don't do it again." So I step off a rock, and what do ya know, I feel a sharp pain in the bottom of my foot and think, Janice, you're an idiot. Second summer in a row. So we get to shore and yes, the bottom of my foot is bleeding, so we decide to call it a day and walk back to the resort. However, my foot started to really hurt, and get puffy, and my leg started to hurt, and as it turns out I stepped on the spines of an unidentified poisonous fish. While I was waiting for the doctor, the very attractive man from the scuba shop asked me if he could get me a tequila. Me: "Oh, the pain!!" Scuba man: "Can I get you a tequila?" Me: "I don't drink!" Scuba man: "Maybe now is a good time to start!!" The Mexican doctor came to me at the resort and after a shot and some very serious probably-illegal-in-Canada pills, the pain had subsided and my biggest problem was staying awake through dinner.