weekend recap | Sackville adventure

Want to come with me to get a tattoo tomorrow? Not usually the first thing a friend says to you when you arrive to stay the weekend. 

Last weekend, I went to stay with my good friend L in Sackville, New Brunswick, our former university town. In a moment of bravery, or maybe impulsivity, she booked a tattoo appointment for Saturday morning. After hitting up the Sackville market for some Indian comfort food, we headed to Moncton.

She decided on a simple black anchor on her wrist. And before she could change her mind, we found ourselves in a small room at the back of the shop.

The tattoo took all of 3 minutes to complete and before we knew it we were back on the road. We did a little store-hopping to find some storage baskets for her new place. By the time we finally made it back to town, we were starving and had to just sit for a bit. An episode of Orange is the New Black and stir-fried noodles is the perfect wind-down activity. Oh, and cheesecake.

Do you like our creative laptop stand?

On my last day we decided to head down to the waterfowl park. On our way there we spotted a really pretty courtyard with old doors by the mealhall. There are big round metal tables with fixed chairs and lots of greenery.

The least awkward of all the photos. Trust me.

It wouldn't be Sackville without the wind. Oh, the wind. Don't be deceived. My hair is not in a ponytail in the photo below.

The waterfowl park is such a peaceful place. It's set back from the university and the main roads, so most days it's calm and quiet. 

We walked along the boardwalk through the marsh and sat on a small bench and watched the ducks dive. We played a little sketching game and talked about the different definitions people hold of a successful work life. We talked about getting our shit together and about what that really means. We talked about settling down and how comforting it can be to have a homebase from which to explore the world on mini-vacations and trips.

L has a great perspective on building adventure into everyday. Travel is non-negotiable for her and I love that. 

All in all, we both had a soul filling weekend.

I hope all of you have a great day.
xx Janelle

the travel bug: pack me in your suitcase!

I get the travel bug a lot. Ever since I was a kid, my parents would take us camping for 2-3 weeks every summer and down to our Nanny & Grandad's once a year. And, I'm a Sagittarius. I'm not one for believing horoscopes but when it comes to signs, mine is scarily accurate. Here's a bio, if I've made you curious. Basically,  adventurous, hard-time settling down and likes variety. Yes, yes and yes.

The whole point of me telling you this, is that I live for the excitement of traveling. I like exploring and I LOVE airports. It's the energy: people coming and going, adventures starting and ending. My coworker went home to Tanzania a couple of weeks ago and I begged her to take me with her. How amazing would that have been? You know, minus no one being left in the office...

So, travel right now (at least the kind of travel I'm itching for) is not feasible. Instead of actually traveling, I figured I would share two special trips that I've experienced.

Bayahibe beach in the Dominican Republic (2007)

My entire extended family (minus 1 cousin + 1 uncle) went to Casa Del Mar all-inclusive resort (which is now Dreams). What a wild time this was. All of my relatives were so relaxed. It was such a great experience to be surrounded by family in such a beautiful place.

Months before the trip we solicited donations from local businesses. Thanks to their generosity, we were able to donate a dozen laptops, suitcases full of school supplies, sporting equipment, clothes and toys.We visited a school one morning to drop off the items. That day was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

And later on, I tried windsurfing...

We went on a guided day-trip to the capital for some shopping and sightseeing. I bought a ring here  in the nations stone, Larimar, which is only found in the DR. I never take it off.

There were always games and activities put on by the staff.

And I was in a pageant. How hilarious is that? I ended up in second place. The first place prize was a trip back to the resort for 4 people. My prize? A lobster dinner. 

Global Brigades MTA, Honduras (2009)

In my 3rd year at Mount A I joined the university's first Global Medical Brigades group. I was excited by the possibility of visiting a Spanish-speaking country and practicing my newly developed language skills. What I actually experienced was way beyond what I expected. This trip was truly transformative.

The mission of the brigade was to visit remote areas in Honduras in order to provide medical services to people who did not have the means to access permanent clinics. Our brigade also participated in 2 days of public health brigades where we worked on building 2 outhouses, 2 chimney cooking stoves, laying concrete floor and building a water reservoir.

Geared up and ready to board.

Our mobile clinics served about 500 people per day. People would line up hours in advance to be seen by the doctors, dentists & nurses who were part of the brigade. For both days I served as a translator. Using my trusty Spanish-English dictionary as a guide, I communicated symptoms, outstanding health issues, questions and instructions from patient to doctor to patient.

What was once a new program at MTA has continued to expand. This years brigade is heading down to Honduras today! Good luck & safe travels.

I hope this doesn't come across as "Look what i've done! I'm so humanitarian!" because I really don't mean it in that way. I was simply fortunate enough to have been given these opportunities which have turned out to be amazing experiences. I'll always remember and cherish what I've learned from these trips.

Have you had any memorable trips? Will you be taking any soon? Leave me some stories in the comments!

Love,

 

*If you want to know more about Global Brigades Honduras, click here.

real mail (from Japan!)

*Computer is functional now thanks to my aunt Louise! I'm going to try to keep up the post volume to make up for lost time....

I know I'm not the only one who loves getting real mail. A letter, a postcard anything aside from polite yet impersonal letters demanding all your money... Ahem. Student Loans. Ahem. In an age of 2-second texting & emails, it's nice to know that a friend took the time to put together some treats & made a trip to the post office just to send them. It makes me feel warm & fuzzy inside. Plus, often times it even costs more to send the package than it does to buy/make the gifts. Anyone who sends a parcel like that must really think you're special!

So imagine my delight when I arrived home from Christmas vacation to see a parcel from my former university roommate from Japan sitting on my bed. Upon opening the box I may or may not have squealed like an 8 year old.

But look at how adorable everything is:

She sent me headphones (heart-shaped), some decorative tape things that roll on like whiteout (pies, hearts, flowers and snowflakes) & some pretty notecards with hearts (my favorite!). Just in case you couldn't tell... her favorite colour is pink!

All of this stuff reminds me of her and really makes me want to visit Japan. Lack of funds have me grounded at the moment. But as soon as I'm able to, I'll be on a jet plane to Osaka. We got along so, SO well as roommates but we find it hard to keep in touch with the time difference. Someday we'll see each other again, but for now our little email/parcel exchanges will keep us connected. I've got her Valentine's package almost all ready to go. Nanase, keep your eye out for a package in February!

 

FACT: everything is cuter in Japan. Even the salad dressings have cutesy mascots.

home for the holidays.

Tomorrow, I get to see my family.

Christmas 2009

And a bunch of my 'old' friends from high school are getting together too. Should be fun!

 

I'm heading up to where there is snow on the ground and lows of -20C. That's a 10 degree difference by driving 5 hours North. Ah, the joys of New Brunswick! I still have some packing to do but I believe that all of my gifts are good to go. Nevermind the fact that my suitcase is empty. I've still got time tomorrow anyhow...

I'm so thankful that I get to spend a whole 6 nights at home whereas last year I only was able to spend 3. Double the family time. How lucky am I? I've really been looking forward to the holidays. Christmas time is very special for us because it's the one time a year when nearly everyone on my Dad's side gets together for some fun traditions and (of course) family suppers.  

 

I think that I'm a little too excited/sleepy to write a proper post so I should end it here. I wish you all a Merry Christmas! I look forward to sharing some of our traditions with you after the weekend. I promise some juicy food photos, cat photos & a gratuitous Christmas Eve outfit post. Wishing you lots of delicious meals, family time, laughs and cuddles with your pets.

Love & hugs,
Janelle

Weekend Recap: the one with all the first times

weekend shopping list.

 

I'm back from my 4-day whirlwind tour of Toronto that I mentioned here and it was a blast! It was my second time in Toronto, but it was my first time meeting a drag queen, getting a manicure and eating at PickleBarrel (not picklebottom, as I kept saying). I won't bore you with all the details (that's what my mom, nanny & D are for), but I'll give you the abbreviated version. Gather 'round!

*Come back tomorrow for some juicy food photos of where and what we ate, if you`re interested.

Friday

Arrived in TO around 12:30 and made my way via shuttle & subway to the hotel. It definitely looks nicer in the photos but it was huge, clean and bedbug free. What more can you ask for? Val shows up not long after I arrive and we decide to walk around the Eaton centre for a bit before hitting up Golden Thai for supper. Best. Meal. Ever. We were laughing so hard. I think the waiter thought we were lushes after only 2 drinks, but our 'charm' scored us a free dessert. Awww yeah.

Val really liked that statue in the back. Especially his loincloth.

Later on that night we got an invite to meet some of Val's friends at a bar on Church, so off we went. Turns out it was a drag bar. Awesome! Val's friends were sweet and we even got to dance for a bit. Most of the drag ladies were pretty funny and one had nicer lingerie than I did, so the next day I bought 2 bras. Not joking.

Saturday

We met up with our friend L at the market, but only got to spend a couple hours together before she had to head out. We also picked up Sarah from the bus station! We spent the day drinking Starbucks, shopping and eating. 2 out of 3 of us cried accidentally while sitting on a mall couch. It happens.

When we finally got back to the hotel it was already 10pm. If we wanted to get in to the club for free we had to motor. So we got all dressed up, put some music on and had a couple drinks. I plopped down on the bed just to have a little rest and that was it. My lazy butt was in for the night. So we snuggled and chatted, all dressed up in our party outfits. In my defense, we had been walking around for 12 hours....

We are like 80 yr olds, without the wrinkles. For realz.

Sunday

Brunch! With 5 girls from Mount Allison. It was so nice to see some familiar faces and find out what everyone is up to now. We said bye to Sarah, shopped some more & then Val and I broke off to go get a manicure (my first one!). I'm really happy with how it turned out. 

Turquoise & Caicos OR Mint Candy Apple by Essie.

That night Val & I did a little of this:

And then we watched Taken on tele and wandered around to find food. Nice little night.

Monday

Val & I woke up early-ish, checked out, grabbed breakfast & commuted to her apartment. She had class so I just hung out in the student centre reading a book. I got to meet some of her friends and then flew out an hour late. I finally landed in Halifax at 11:20 and arrived home a bit before midnight. 

Today at work I was pretty exhausted but it was definitely worth it. It's nice to escape to the big city every once in a while. And, since I took a vacation day yesterday... today is another short week!

Also, I know it sounds like all we did is shop and trust me we did a lot. But, I only bought a few things. A handmade beret from the market, some earrings on sale, 2 bras and an unmentionable. See? I was good.

miss you, you crazy!

Anyway, time to cuddle up with D & Abby to watch the new Dexter. Thanks for reading about my adventure!

Did you have any adventures lately?

42B & friends

Want to meet 2 of the sweetest, most genuine, and downright 'funnest' girls I know?

No? Scroll down a couple posts for some juicy meatball photos.
Yes? Look below for a shot of me & my bff at 18. 5 years ago.

This is Val.

val & i, 2007 (!!)

Val & I were initially matched as roommates for freshman year. However, I had already agreed to room with a girl from my high school whom I know call Sono. Val had called my house to get to know me a bit, so I had to return her call and break the news. I awkwardly mumbled something about forms being mixed up and that was that. Fast forward a few months to Fall semester... Val & I met and were pretty much instant friends. We lived next to each other in residence the following year and together in 'the brothel' (aka. 42B King St.) for 2 years after that. We have a very similar sense of humour & love a lot of the same things. We laugh, dance, eat and vent together. Basically, we're besties.

And this is Sarah.

sarah & I, 2008

Sarah was one of our RAs in first year. I remember her as being the Queen of sweat pants and the cool RA who everyone respected. But I didn't know a lot about her. When we were moving off campus in 3rd year (junior yr), Sarah was looking to move off-campus as well. We needed an extra roommate to get the place we wanted and she seemed relaxed and fun. Done. It turns out that this lady is legit. She keeps a running list of all the books she reads. She makes terribly inappropriate jokes. She's also smart, self-less, smokin' hot AND she's been through some hard shit and came out on top. Basically, she's awesome.

Are you following?

So, we all moved in together in 2008: Sarah, Val, Me & Sono and a boy named Nolan. It was one of the craziest, busiest, most hilariously unpredictable years of my life. I just can't help but think that if we all moved back in together, it would be the exact same.

We would have study                     break dance parties.

We'd keep a large quote board and take it down when parents came to visit. 

There would always be something delicious in the kitchen. And fruitflies.

We would steal and subsequently light a pumpkin on fire.

We'd watch ANTM for 3 hours on Cosmo.
We'd sit on the freezer and have chats.
etc. etc. etc.

please don't kill me for this photo val.

S, SE, me, N

This coming weekend I get to see these two ladies! I'm flying to Toronto, staying with Val for the weekend and Sarah is coming up on Saturday. I'm not really excited yet because I do still have 4 days of work ahead of me, but I am seriously looking forward to seeing them again. I haven't seen Val since August and Sarah since she graduated in 2009 and moved to Australia (whaaa?). This visit is so long overdue. It's going to be a weekend full of shopping, laughs, dancing & a little bit of booze. I'm ready and maybe a little excited...

I dream of Bora Bora

Warning: This post is photo-heavy.

Do you have a specific place that you would visit in a heartbeat if it weren't for the job, money (or lack thereof), other commitments or kids? Yes, you know the place I'm talking about. The one your mind flashes to when someone says the word paradise. That place. Well here's mine:

The St. Regis in Bora Bora--which is in the French Polenisian Islands if you didn't know. (I looked it up.) If you've seen Couples' Retreat, it's the hotel they stay at. They have balconies right above the ocean and tubs that you can see the ocean through the clear bottom. And... cue my squeal of excitement.

These are the rooms:

See the website for rates & more eye candy. Clearly these bungalows are way, and I mean wayyy, out of reach for me now and probably in this lifetime, which is why I'm hoping to someday visit these cabanas in Tulum, Mexico.

The swinging daybed outside

The tub is built right into the patio!

How perfect is this tub? You already know I love natural wood.

Amaretto sours anyone?

They're like the next best thing.... with less silk pillows and the addition of mosquito nets. They're not luxurious but give more of a cottage experience. They're simple, comfortable, rustic but still romantic. Not to mention, the views are breath-taking and you're right, right on the beach. Literally a step away... And for a beach-obsessed girl like me, this place looks perfect.

Tell me what your idea of paradise looks like. I wanna know!

xo Janelle