There's LIGHT even in the darkest places

New VOW

I vow to write frequently... So you are about to hear rambling.. I can ramble alot... welcome to my world !

The past few days, Banff has treated me to some harsh weather... -30 something... I have a theory where I believe anything below -16 feels the same and it feels bloody cold ! The only problem with these particularly cold (colder than normal) days is that it is absolutely breathtaking scenery.

The sky is clear and a bright bold blue, the mountains shine and the sun hits your face (if you can remove your scarf so you don't look like a ninja for a brief second). It also means your hand freeze as soon as you take them out or your pockets to snap a quick picture - that never does the area justice... its almost painful to look at images that you remember so vividly stunning ! Ah the irony of it all.. something were meant to be seen through the eyes of those experiencing it...

Come in.. I live here

I was in a coffee shop today and looked up to a map of the world on the wall ! I looked to the upper left of the map and said "Canada.... I live here" and looked to the bottom far right and pointed at "Home" ! Time has flown by since my transition to the cold that I need to stop and pinch myself (or look at a world map) to realise that this was not my normal existence or life before a month and a half ago ! It fascinates me ! I feel as though i successfully co-exist in two different locations !

Come In.. this is Canada.. I live here !

My new world is vastly different to my old one... polar opposite in all the obvious ways... but how quickly you adapt. -2 is now considered warm after a week of -25. I would never even consider walking outside without shoes on, or in less than 2 layers of clothing, powder is a frequent word in my vocabulary and I find myself constantly trying to remember whether i count 5 hours backward of forward then switch to convert Canadian time to Aussie time.

I have not been home sick since i arrived, I only wish that sometimes certain people were with me to experience the moment. I frequently walk into shops that are playing songs that remind me of moments.. and I smile... and I love that maybe people in Canada also had experiences or moments to these songs and maybe they are in Australia thinking the same thing ! I sure hope so.. it's Grand ! And people still ride pushy's here.. nothing like a pushy to make you think of Aus !

Some photos attached to keep it real ! I vow to post more photos soon there are so many... and will document my activities... i have purchased a snowboard... its amazing.. me on the snowboard.. not so much !

Vermillion Lakes... it still amazes me that giant bodies of water can freeze

Ah snow angel !

This was a particularly cold day... I thought my fingers were NEVER going to regain feeling

Banff town.. when i first arrived... still probably partially Brown

Fancy a ride ...

well hello CANADA

It is about 2 am in the (cold) city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I just had a strange enough dream of a guy with a bomb - it was quite startling as i can't remember the last time i had a scary dream, well scary enough to wake me. I guess that is also because I don't every day 'blow my life as I know it' to pieces and move to the other side of the world ! So that is my rationale and it seems pretty valid so I am going to stick with it.

After 28 hours of being in international transit, visiting 4 different airports in 3 different countries, I made it to Calgary to a bone shaking 0 (zero) degree temperature ! I'm not sure I have ever experienced these sort of temperatures. You 'breath smoke' 90% of the time - something I use to only be able to achieve on those early early mornings waiting for the school bus back in the early 2000's, the only part of your body left uncovered is your face and the cool air brushing against your cheeks makes you smile at its fierce intention. I need to still learn a few things - so far I have done pretty well with the layering - may have actually been a little to warm today - but my poor ears need a little more protection if I do say so myself.

Calgary is a charming city. At night when i was en-route by bus to my hotel it looked eerie and dark. The trees in the mid of winter were bare from leaves making it quite the horror setting. By day it is moderately lively. I ventured a little out of the city by foot and saw where they hold the Calgary Stampede in Summer a great western event (Mum would love it), I also saw a squirrel. I always vow to not take meaningless pictures of animals but it was to cute and in the wild - so 2 slipped in. I caught a LRT (train) to go to a great shopping mall in search of winter gear and even saw some cable snow boarding in Steven's Avenue. It is Halloween holiday weekend here - I gained some "candy" from the Bank of Montreal as i was setting up a bank accounts this morning - charming. The fun of this weekend turns full grown adults into characters of their youth and boy do they enjoy it. I managed to hunt out an Elvis, some characters from The Incredibles, Star trek characters, and Wonder Woman - riding a bike !

Everything is traveling a little to smooth, where you are almost holding your breath waiting for it all to fall apart ! Together is good, I like together ! I head to Banff tomorrow - The Rocky wonderland. I look forward to being immersed in stunning scenery. You can see the beginning of the magical rockies from Calgary city (as it is so flat up until there). Snow is forecast in the coming weeks - what a treat !

Tea for two...

and two for tea... A perfect afternoon with the prettiest pink tulips in a teapot.

Betty Crocker came out of the pantry and i even surprised myself at my ability to follow a recipe and make the most perfect marshmallow, chocolate tarts, mars bar slice, cheese cake oh and the list continues... DELIGHTFUL

Time has flown

Oh how time has flown... i have neglected my blog... just like when i start reading a book and three months later must pick up from where i left off... and re-hash along the way.

The bird quote we have in our house today says... live in the moment; discover delight in the simple things. My moments have been epic and manic and some what irrational and at the same time amazing and liberating and enlightening. I have had some great moments in the last few months... gah... amazing times..

80's are alive and kicking !!!

Op shopping... L.O.V.E... found this amazing black dress at an op shop just around the corner ! My flat mate organised a tea party for this weekend, so we were searching for old school "my Nana would have had one" teapots... we did fine one.. but i found 2 dresses !

One of them you will find below the other i plan to wear the the tea party on the weekend and promise to document the day that will be filled with LOTS of delightfully bad food and great friends :-) The paper garlands will be making a presence at this party and we have a long way to go with icing Red Velvet cupcakes and putting the coconut on Caramel Coconut slice !