Canada, our neighbor to the north

 Wanderlust   

Friday was a day trip to Canada, specifically, Victoria, the provincial capital of British Columbia.

We took the 8.15am ferry out of Port Angeles. The water was really rough that morning and I was seriously not feeling well. So to keep my mind off of hurling, I told Andrew and Anneka all of my really good hurling stories. And I didn’t realize how many I had until I started telling them. Like a couple of years ago when Richard and I went to California adventture and got forgotten on the Ferris Wheel and then went to California Screaming right after. Oh yeah. I made it to the girl’s room to hurl, but the lady next to me was so worried she actually knocked on the stall door to see if I was okay. And the only thing that made me feel better was a big margarita. Teehee.

Seattle details

 Wanderlust   

It’s weird to know that it’s Sunday and I’m not at BSC. But that’s okay. I just finished watching “School of Rock” and am all ready to fill in some details.

I knew that we only had a few hours in Seattle, so we had a short list of what we were going to do. First priority was food. Ivar’s has an outdoor seating area and a more upscale dining area...we chose the upscale area as I was not about to share my lunch with a bunch of seagulls. Lunch was fab and I wish I remember what beer I had while I was there. I think Ryan may have told me about the brewing company and that’s why I picked it.

Pike’s Place Market was a tourist trap. The trippiest thing that happened there was while we were at the famous Pike’s Place Fish market...the inspiration for the Fish philosophy books. Now, Norma and I work together and the Fish book is all the rage in our office. So we had to check it out. And we got there and there was a guy in his orange overalls that looked like Travis’ evil twin. Red head, same build, practically the same facial hair. I should have taken a picture with him, but it was freaking me out too much.

Seaside - a little bit of the Oregon coast

 Wanderlust   

Last night, we had a 3 hour power outage. Luckily it was pretty late...12.30am. But it was trippy to go out on the balcony and see the darkness all around. The moon was really full and bright, otherwise it would have been pitch black for miles. A little about the place we are staying out. We are staying at one of the resorts in my timeshare’s system. We are right on the beach, on the third floor out of eight. Our balcony is right outside my room and the living room. It’s really nice to sit out there are just watch the water.

Today, we drove out of Seaside and headed south down the coast. First stop was Ecola State Park at Cannon Beach. Gorgeous. The coast here is so different from So-Cal. Really rocky and rugged. After enjoying nature, we rolled down to Tillamook, home of the Cheese Factory. That was really cool. I felt like I was living an episode of “Unwrapped” on the Food Network. And they had the best ice cream. (I was good, I had a sugar free butter pecan in a kid’s cone.) Driving back was uneventful and then I had a nap. Then we went to dinner. All the seafood here is so fresh - my grilled halibut was divine.

Staying in again tonight...and tomorrow we are all about hanging out and not driving anywhere. I am looking forward to reading and just being lazy since it’s been 4 days into my vacation and the relaxing bit has not happened yet.

And maybe I’ll have time to finally fill in the details of Seattle and Victoria. That would be nice.

Checking in…short version

 Wanderlust   

Dude. I have wanted to blog for two days, but the first resort I was staying at only had internet access until 10pm. Yeah, that wasn’t gonna happen.

So, to catch you up, on Wednesday, I weighed in (down 1.2 lbs), then went to the gym to work out and get measured (down 3.5 inches and 2% body fat) and then met Travis at Dave and Buster’s for happy hour (appletinis for me, TNTeas for Travis, and a round of red headed sluts, of course.) After that, I finished packing and went to bed early.

Thursday - I left for the airport at 5am and was off to Seattle via San Jose. Norma, Bob, Andrew, and Anneka picked me up. We spent the day in Seattle - went to Ivar’s for clam chowder, went to Pike’s Place Market (and the first Starbuck’s) and then to the Space Needle and EMP. Dinner at Denny’s (mark off another state where I have been to a Denny’s.) Then we drove to Port Townsend.

Friday - we took the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, Canada. Went to Butchart Gardens and walked around Victoria. Then back on the ferry to Port Angeles. Dinner there and then back to Port Townsend.

Saturday - drove down the 101 through Washington to Oregon. Stopped at a lavendar farm in Sequim and in Aberdeen to get coffee at Starbucks. Then over to Astoria before arriving in Seaside.

So it’s been busy and I have a bunch more to say about all I have done, but it is hot in here and I want another beer. So more later....

Hope everyone is having fun!!!!

49 things to answer

 Memes - stuff about me   

I found this at Pesky Apostrophe.

1. Your name spelled backwards.
Nyl
2. Where were your parents born?
Both of them were born in the Philippines. Mom in Cavite. Dad in Pangasinan
3. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?
A live recording of Keane from BBC 6
4. What is your favorite restaurant?
Mission Hills Café
5. Last time you swam in a pool?
I can’t swim. Kinda embarrassed about that. Someday I’ll learn. 
6. Have you ever been in a school play?
Nope.
7. How many kids do you want?
None of my own. Maybe I would adopt a Chinese girl later in life.
8. Type of music you dislike most?
Classical music bores me to tears.
9. Are you registered to vote?
I registered as soon as I turned 18 and have never missed an election. 
10. Do you have cable?
Yes – digital with HBO, Skinemax, and Starz. 
11. Have you ever ridden on a moped?
Yep. I think I’ll buy one next spring. 
12. Ever prank call anybody?
Nah. 
13. Ever get a parking ticket?
Yep. Expired meter, parking on the street during a no parking timeframe.
14. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?
I have been bungee jumping, maybe I would sky dive.
15. Farthest place you ever traveled.
I don’t know. Is Hawaii farther from San Diego than New York is?

Listen to this, too

 Rawking   

I picked up the Keane CD yesterday while I was out and about. I had heard the song “Bend and Break” on Indie 103.1 and really liked it. I also had a discussion about them with Adam, one of the promotion guys at FM 94/9, so when I saw it on sale for $6.99, I had to get it.

The best way I can describe them is Coldplay meets Bends era Radiohead. Mellow but not melancholy. Forget it, go take a listen. BBC 6 has a bunch of stuff to stream.

Things to do - the morning after

 Rambling   

I did pretty good on the list:

1. Laundry
2. Buy film and In Style
3. Weight Watchers Weigh In
4. Measurements and workout at the gym
5. Get a travel pass at the gym
6. Call Travis so we can go to Happy Hour before I leave (D&B today around 5)
7. Pay bills
8. Pack...and not at the last minute. I want to be packed by 3pm tomorrow. (All I need to pack is the last minute stuff.)
9. Leave instructions and keys for my sister about getting my car worked on while I am gone.
10. Go to the bank to get $$

And I even baked cookies for my staff for our meeting today. I am such a cool boss.

I’m sure I’ll be back a couple more times before I leave. And you’re not rid of me while I am gone - I will have net access so I’ll be checking in with travel adventures.