Saturday, May 31, 2008

On the move...

Or will be once I've become an RMT. Over the past few years I've believed that Vancouver is where I am going to spend the rest of my life (other then travel of course). It's a beautiful city, I love it here... well things in my life are changing and my want for staying local is changing too.
Lately I've found Vancouver to be too big, too noisy and just rather stifling. I think I want to move... somewhere where there are more like minded people... somewhere greener... somewhere smaller. So where will that somewhere be? Well I am not too sure. Quite a few people seem to be moving around Prince George. I've never been there. It could be on my to do list of places to go this summer. Check it out, see what it's like... see if there's a market for RMT's and maybe move up there. Who knows.
It seems all a bit strange and quite far out of my comfort zone. I've stayed local all my life. Heck I've lived in the same home. I really don't know what it's like to move around, to be in a different community or city. So it's quite a big step for me to feel like I want to move away from the comforts of Vancouver...
Now don't get me wrong. Vancouver is beautiful. But it's expensive and it's big. And that just doesn't seem appealing to me right now.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Got a certain someone on my mind...

When you travel, you meet some really interesting people. People who are in a head space of travel and adventure which is a refreshing change from the people that you meet back home who are so busy with the daily rat race. A couple of days before I left, I met this guy, Philippe, on the beach in Paia. He hung out with the hosteler crowd and had been around a couple of times before the beach. While waiting for the bus, we started chatting about the effects of sun and cancer and all of these dorky health things. But hey, as we already know that nerdy talk turns me on... either that or a man with a brain. Anyways we both had plans for the night and went our separate ways. The following day was the day of the hike and I told him he should come with us. Nothing better then a great hike and great conversation.
The following day, my last day on Maui, we had the most spectacular day! Mark (a guy from Scotland) and Philippe joined Brandon and I for a day of adventure. Our hike turned out into renting a car, drinking and driving around the island (tsk tsk, I know but it was so much fun!!). Nothing happened, just great company and really good times. I was quite taken by Philippes' spirit and enthusiasm for life. A real traveller!
Having Brandon there I didn't think it would be appropriate to make any moves or start anything romantic with anyone. Just respecting his feelings... maybe a little too much.
Anyways he was supposed to come by the hostel the next day, before we left to go back to Oahu, however we left early and didn't get to see him. So we didn't exchange info...
I'm surprised how taken I am. I think I was just impressed by his love for life and bright spirit... something that through my whole serial dating (yes, I admit it) thing I've been looking for but have failed to find. Anyways the guy has been on my mind and I'm finding it kinda silly.

Update: Found him. Smitten for nothing :)

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Photos are up!


Finally!!! the pictures of the tip are up and running on my smugmug account. Check them out!
What a fantastic trip :) I keep looking over my photos and am so happy with the time I spent in Hawaii! I'm so lucky.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Home sweet home!

Well vacation time is over and it's good to be home. The plane ride home was uneventful... I fell asleep/passed out before the plane even started taxing off for departure. I was wedged between two festively plump people that were taking up the arm rest on both sides of me therefore couldn't do much other then sleep. The train ride was unexpectedly beautiful! I think everyone should take that trip at least once! I tried to stay awake for most of it bust snoozed every once in a while. Anyways it's good to be home :) Minette even left me multiple presents to welcome me home.
Photos will soon be uploaded on my smugmug account. I was sorting through them as the trip progressed but still ended up with over 800 photos by the end of it all. After a final sort, I managed to get it down to about 500 photos. Now they're uploading and have been since 10am... it's taking a long time but it's worth it :) Got some really good ones this trip, I am quite stoked!
Really, I couldn't have imagined my trip to be better then it was. We did so much it was fantastic! Oahu with Frank was great, Maui was outstanding! The first day we were there there was a toga party, the next day we did a 12 mile hike in the Haleakala volcano crater, the day after that we went to little beach (the noodie beach) and stayed for the sunset and the drum circle and fire dancers, the following evening we went to Sprecklsville beach to have a big bond fire with other hostelers under a full moon (we stayed for sunrise, it was stunning!), the day after we went to Paia for some more chilling on the beach, when Maja left, Brandon and I did a hike/rock scramble in the Iao Valley... we went off the trail and walked along this river bed, the day after we hit the beach again and for our last day on Maui, we were supposed to do two 4 1/2 mile hikes, however instead we rented a car with Mark (a guy from Scotland) and Philippe (a guy from Russia) and drove around the entire island... it was stunning and so freeing. We ended the vacation with a bang by staying at the Hilton Waikiki, drinking way too much and partying it up.
No words can describe how great the entire trip was so I am hoping that photos can do it justice.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Bye bye Hawaii

So I sit here in the Honolulu airport drunk off champagne, trying to keep myself entertained before my flight boards... sadly my trip has come to and end and what an end it was! After Maja left, Brandon and I did a 6 hour hike up the Iao valley, going off trail and hiking up a river bed in the rain forest. It was breathtaking! We stopped for a while to listen to the sounds of nature and it was so peaceful that we could hear the rocks shifting as the water ran over them. Not a word of a lie... the next day we spent the day in Paia, soaking up the sun rays with a couple of hostelers. The day after that we were supposed to do two 4 mile hikes in North West Maui however, at the last minute, we rented a car, drove around the island and drank beer & sangria. It was fucking awesome! Just me and three guys, Brandon, Mark (from Scotland, but he's workin in Whistler so he'll be visiting us in Van) and Philippe (from Russia who's a fucking awesome dude if I've ever met one). Many adventures were had there and I'll write about those, but later.
Yesterday after taking the ferry back to Oahu, Mark, Brandon and I decided to get a room at the Hilton Waikiki... Being it was quite the fancy place we decided to celebrate with some champagne... Here we are, the following morning with 7 bottles of champagne downed and one bottle of rum... Oh lord the fun that was had! I gotta say this is the longest I've ever been drunk and it's also the first time I am going to fly drunk... I feel so responsible! Haha!! Anywho I should most likely book my train ticket back to Vancouver... I don't particularly feel like being stuck in Seattle... especially on my own.

Friday, May 23, 2008

A night of R&R

Tonight is the first night that I have to myself in Hawaii and I am really enjoying it! Yesterday night a bunch of us went out to a club... and well... it was alight but I am not much into clubs. After a short night on the couch, it was time to wave Maja good bye. Her time here has already come to an end! I can't believe it! I am also very glad that I extended my stay.
This afternoon, Brandon and I hiked the Iao Valley. We walked there from our hostel (about 3 miles) and then instead of staying on the path, we walked on the river rocks up to a water fall... well we were told that there would be a water fall, however we didn't come across any big ones (just little ones... still very pretty though). It was stunning! The weather was quite warm even though we were in the valley so walking through parts of the river was very welcome. Once we realized that we weren't going to make it to any big water falls, we decided to take it easy on the rocks.
Tonight Brandon is going out with his friend again and I decided to take it easy at the hostel. I've had an awesome dinner of leftovers, had a shower, looked over some pictures and am now ready for a good nights sleep. Tomorrow quite a few of us from the hostel are going to Paia. Brandon will be there cuz I imagine he'll spend the night there. I've decided that if I were to move to Hawaii, I would live in Paia cuz it's the most awesome place on the island. I'm currently toying with the idea of cancelling or changing my flight back to Van and just living in Hawaii until term starts in October... that would be totally killer. However I don't quite think I can get up and leave everything... or maybe I can. I'll go sleep on it :) Rest up for an other day at the beach!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Sunshine, chirping birds, crashing waves and great company

Just about sums up my day... add gelato, beer and pizza to the mix and that's exactly what my day was like... It's been totally fantastic! Today we've spent the day in Paia. We met up with Sarah, Deb and Geoff's daughter and then spent the day lounging on the beach. Poor Brandon is burnt to a crisp so he hid in the shade.
I don't think I've blogged about who this Brandon character is yet... and well he's a guy I met in Vancouver... we met off plenty of fish and during our first meeting I half kidded that he should come with us to Maui. He said he'd sleep on it and while he did so, I asked Maja if she'd mind. She said the more the merrier and Brandon decided to come so here he is :) travelling with us now. We've all gotten along great (despite not really knowing each other) and we're still having a great time. Now it's time for a quick shower before we head into town for dinner...

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Aloha!

Wow has time ever flown by! Things have been relaxing yet busy but we've all been having a fantastic time. Right now the crew (Maja and Brandon) are still sleeping. Last night we celebrated Leslie and Charlotte's birthdays by going to Sprackle (?) beach, lighting a bond fire and hanging out in by the light of the full moon. It's was amazing. We stayed until sunrise and it was absolutely stunning! Today we'll be headed to Lahaina for some more R&R and to meet up with Deb, Geoff and Sarah.
We've done so much that it's really kinda crazy! We did a 12 mile hike into the crater of Haleakala (a big ass volcano) which was absolutely stunning. All you could hear were your foot steps and the wind blowing past your ears. It was an awesome hike... it really tested my mental state though. After 8 miles of hiking, the last 4 miles were all switch backs going up about 1000 feet. We were rewarded by watching the sunset at 10 000 feet (and well above the clouds). We've had perfect weather. It only rained once and that was last night for about 10 minutes.
There's been a toga party where we all ventured out in the town to get tacos late at night and there has been drum circles and fire dancing at little beach. We're absolutely loving it here however I think tonight we'll be sending the night in Lahaina and once Maja leaves we'll be leaving the Bungalow to move to a little place in Paia (which is closer to shops, beaches and Brandon's friends).
Anyways time to go make breakfast and maybe take a shower... I am still COVERED in sand... I guess that's what happens when you sleep on the beach :)

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Waking up in paradise

... well if paradise was in a city that is. But I guess paradise is what you make of it. This morning I woke up at 4am and just lay in bed, enjoying the smell of the Hawaiian air and the calming woosh of the highway that's not too far away from Franks place. By 5 something AM the birds started to chirp. I drifted in and out of sleep, soothed by their song and calmed by the wind that gently blew though the room. This is what I love about vacationing. Not a care in the world. Waking up at 4am isn't a big deal because I know that eventually today we'll be laying on the beach and I'll be able to catch a nap in the sunshine.
Yesterdays flight was uneventful and relaxing. Frank met us at the airport and we dropped off our stuff. After a quick bite to eat, we went to the Zoo in Waikiki. The only thing I wanted to do while I was here was to visit Waikiki. It holds a special place in my heart because it's the first place that I travelled to on my own. My first hostel was in Waikiki and so was my first encounter with cockroaches. I was able to visit the International Marketplace... An outdoor market that... well really isn't that interesting. I actually was quite disappointed. What I had found thoroughly fascinating 4 years ago was just mediocre at best. Maja and I caught a show at some pink hotel and that was kinda cool. There were hula dancers (both male and female) and fire dancers. Quite the show but again, very touristy. I think we're done with the whole touristy thing now and today Frank will show us around the more local spots.
Looking forward to today, not too sure what it's going to bring but it should be good. Now I am off to have a cup of water (while Maja and Frank have a cup of coffee) on the balcony and enjoy this beautiful morning.

hellllooooooo everyone who reads this.... this is MAJA!!! heeellooo! im going to go have some coffeee, yes!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

On my way!

Maja and I are in Seattle right now and we're staying with Deb and Geoff. It was great because we got a ride down this morning and then spent the day sightseeing. It was chilly... definitely not flip flop weather (which was what I was wearing) but it was so much fun! I think we're going to be treated to a lovely dinner and then we're going to get an early nights sleep. Maja and I are both exhausted and the caffeinated beverages of the day have worn off. Last night we were too excited to sleep. Tonight we're too exhausted to stay up. 5am rise and shine will find us at the airport in time then it's take off time!! I can't wait!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

5 down 3 to go!

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Today's exam went better then anticipated. Anyways I feel like I did a very good job. After blogging, I went to school because I figured if I stayed at home I'd just freak out and be useless. At school, I studied a bit with Pam, goofed around with Jen and Kristine and then went over special tests with Rosie. Those girls are live savers! Before the final, Rosie and I were in a bit of a panic but I think it was a healthy panic because we laughed a lot. So it was quite good :)
After the final, I found out that I passed systemic treatment with 82% which I am happy with. I kinda maybe wish I did a little bit better but it really doesn't matter. I passed!
I celebrated my achievements by: writing out my "to bring list" for Hawaii, making freshly squeezed raspberry, blueberry, strawberry and blackberry juice, dancing to 60s tunes while making a big salad with lots of avocado. I may have gotten a bit carried away with the dancing cuz I almost choked on my salad... :) Oops! I was home alone so it was kinda nice. I was however looking forward to hanging out with Dad for a bit but he must be out getting something for mothers day. I don't know. I also got a letter from Grand Maman and Grand Papa Fontaine with was totally awesome! I love it that I still get letters from them! They also included an article that they thought might interest me :) What thoughtful lovely Grandparents!
Anyways it's just about 7, so I am going to study for systemic pathology for about two hours, take a nice bath then go to bed early so I can be up early to study! Just one exam tomorrow, it's a written so that's good. I also get to go for a PAP test... Gotta get everything done before Hawaii time! Less then 4 days to go!

It has been a mess from the start...

And now it's a mess all the way to the finish line. Spinal treatment oral practical is in 4 hours from now and I am about to cry or throw up... I can't decide which one. I might do both. I remember earlier saying that it's not a big deal if I fail... I will just have to do it over again. Thing is... I don't want to do it over again. The class sucked! Fucked if I want to do it over again! Once was bad enough.
I do realize that it's entirely my fault, therefore I will not try to blame anyone. Even though the teachers organizational skills were lacking (either that or I didn't understand how he tried to organize the course) it was still my responsibility to take the textbooks and figure it out on my own. Apparently trying to figure out 4 months worth of class in the span of a week... doesn't quite work.
So what am I going to do? Well blogging helped :) I realized that if I do have to do the class again, as much as it would suck, I am taking the summer off, therefore I can do it again and will have all the patience and time in the world to figure this shit out. I am also going to keep studying because I want to do everything to help me pass. Sure I might also throw up but I think this is unrelated to the exams and more related to me eating an entire container of taziki out of nervousness (and they don't make lactose free taziki, therefore my body is rebelling).

4 done 4 to go!

YAY!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

I have the cutest cat EVER!

Yep I do! Minette came by at about 1 (which is usually when I break for lunch when I am studying, but now I have to leave at 2 to go review quickly with Pam before our exam, which starts at 3:50) to tell me it was lunch time (hers and mine). This time I stayed put, so she jumped up on my lap and sat there, quietly purring while I continued to type out the special tests for the ankle. Eventually she got bored and lay her paws and head on my arm.
My heart almost exploded with love for my furry friend. She made me smile and kinda cry because I am happy that she is feeling good (and not dead). I feel terrible for abandoning her while in Hawaii, however she will be very well taken care of thanks to Maggie and Joey who will take turns cat sitting.
Ok 34 more minutes until I have to leave and only 3 special tests to go... Oh and I have to get ready. I am sure that the examiner won't be happy if I show up in my PJ's.

Ready... get set... INSPIRE!

... or not. Sunday was an awesome day of studying! 10 hours of productivity! That's what I call good work! I was hoping yesterday would yield the same results. Instead, after treating a client, I walked down commercial drive, stopping into shops to see if they had the specific type of pant that I was looking for (I call them Jesus pants, really, they're just light cotton pants or capris... kinda like these...). No such luck. But it was fun to walk along the drive non the less. It's so awesome there! I'd definitely like to live on or around the drive when I move out. It was such a beautiful day too. It was the first time I was out in a t-shirt and I didn't get cold. It was almost even... warm?
Once I got home, I didn't feel like I could study so I had a nap hoping that would help things. It didn't. It was so sunny and warm outside that there was no way that I could stay inside and study. Come on! It was the first day of warmth and sunshine in Vancouver! I had to get out! So I did :) I went for a walk around the seawall with Teako and a guy. The company was great and I didn't feel guilty for enjoying the sunshine. This morning, inspiration hasn't come but I am going to have to study anyways. Final 3 out of 10 is this afternoon and I gotta be ready to kick it's behind!
Ok enough procrastinating! I am going to study!

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Ha ha ha...

One of these things is not like the other, one of these things doesn't belong here...

Find the image that doesn't fit....

Google makes me laugh :) Even when looking for pictures of hemiplegia/stoke on the interwebs :)

How to drink more water?

This is a question that has been on my mind for quite some time now. My naturopaths are always telling me to drink more water. Water tastes so plain and most of the time, I am really not that thirsty. I also have the worlds teenies bladder so drinking lots of water makes me pee lots.... which is a terrible inconvenience!
Well I think I've found a solution to this water drinking dilemma! Just add a tablespoon of rose water to my regular water and it tastes yummy :) cucumbers in water are also delicious! Both of these things don't contain sugar or other things that can rot your teeth (or gut) so that's definitely a plus. Apparently rose water is good for "women's things". Exactly how and what it's good for, I don't know. I will look it up after I am finished studying for finals.
So far I've spent all of today studying for my two neurotreatment finals. I am impressed with how much I already know so it's made studying a little easier. It's also comforting to know that I got over 80% in all of my other quizes/midquarters/midterms in that class.
Tomorrow I study spinal treatment which is en entirely different story! I hope I'll have gained some knowledge though ignoring it for such a long period of time but somehow I don't think that'll be the case. Fark!
Anyways enough procrastination. Multiple sclerosis doesn't study itself!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Sometimes people are assholes

Especially when you confide in them and then they use their power to make you feel little and cry so hard that you hyperventilate and feels so light headed that you have to sit down on the floor so you don't pass out and if you do you don't have far to go. I've never hyperventilated before and I don't envy those who do.
I am trying hard to keep it together and those who want to challenge my togetherness can go fuck themselves or wait until I've regained my strength.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Brother... Engaged

Two words I didn't think I'd see together for a LONG time... but this afternoon I was proved wrong. I came home from school and was going to take a nap when I heard my Mom say "Wow, you're engaged.". I thought... how nice someones getting married! Then she turns to me and says "Stephane's engaged!!!" I am sure I stood there with a stupefied look on my face. It took what seemed like forever for me to sort through my thoughts and emotions but relatively quickly a smile spread over my face. That means he's happy :) that's all that matters.
Things like "he's 19... they've been dating since January... he'll be the first cousin on the Fiola side to get engaged... Shit I thought I'd be first to get engaged... Woah that means he's that much closer to babies... NO babies!...." were running through my mind. Really none of that matters, as long as he's happy... though I did give him a hard time about the babies thing. Engagements, weddings... whatever... just no babies!
It was great cuz I got to talk to him too :) He seems quite happy. They're having a great time. They actually got engaged on Febuary 14th but decided to think about it for a while before making it public. While visiting Dasha's family in Ukraine, they decided to make it public by telling her family there first. I thought that was terribly wonderful because her family will most likely not be able to make it out to the wedding. Woah! Brother and wedding!
I had my nap after lunch and after the initial shock wore off. When I woke up, I thought it was all a dream but nope. It's still hard to wrap my head around THE FACT THAT MY YOUNGER BROTHER IS ENGAGED!!! Hot damn! Awe I just wanna celebrate with him and Dasha but the celebrations will have to wait an other three and a half months.
In the meantime I am gonna go hang with my Grand Maman who arrived from Winnipeg yesterday. Still... Woah. Oh and the ring... it was tinfoil to start with... hand crafted by my romantic little brother. Apparently he's picked one up for her in Ukraine. Talk about an awesome souvenir (though the tinfoil one is less likely to get stolen while backpacking... but maybe I am being too practical).

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Guys are so easy to please...

I've got this one friend who has the occasional "perverted moment". Tonight he had one of those moments and I happened to be his victim of choice (I don't know why, he knows he's not getting anything from me)...
chris says: (10:51:59 PM)
talk dirty to me!
RainyDaySunshine - Go slow: Life in progress. says: (10:52:42 PM)
mud, dust, worms, manure, sand, rocks...
chris says: (10:53:28 PM)
thats what im talking about!
RainyDaySunshine - Go slow: Life in progress. says: (10:54:15 PM)
muddled water, pollution, smog, poop, mould, spores...
chris says: (10:54:26 PM)
:)
Ah guys are so easy to please :P
In other news... Joanna liked the pics I took on Saturday and wants to put them on the Women in the Round myspace :) That makes me smile :P And yes the show rocked! It's such a treat to see Joanna Chapman-Smith, Kate Reid and Sarah MacDougall play :)

The Angels Riot

I can feel it in my heart and in my mind, there's a certain feeling of uneasiness. Things aren't settled, though I know this could be much worse. Yesterday I kept distracted. Today I did the same. I came to the conclusion that this must be part of something deeper. My 2nd thing on my do to list while in Hawaii... think of what kind of emotional problem I may be holding onto which could be causing this illness. This could be part of the picture...
I saw the naturopath today, he explained to me what was going on. Sure I could have opened the letter that the doctor sent me but I didn't have the courage. My cells were mildly atypical, they're now moderate this could be due to two things: the results may have been muddled because I'd started my period that day or some atypical cells grow and become worse. So keeping positive, I am going to go for an other PAP test before I go to Hawaii... keep the ball rolling that way. If that one comes back with moderately atypical cells then we go for the whole colposcopy shin dig. If not then it was just my silly little blood cells that decided to scare me.
Now here's what may be causing all of this... the pill. Stupid pill. Though it doesn't fuck with most people's bodies I am one of those exceptions to the rule. I got a whole package of fun side effects like high blood pressure, anxiety attacks, hypoglycemia, yeast infections (weekly... woo hoo!) and the newest addition to the list... these little atypical cells. There have been studies that show that women who are on the pill (especially strong ones like I was on. Diane 35) have a higher chance of getting atypical cells showing up on PAP test, which in turn creates a possibly higher chance of getting cervical cancer. Of course there was a plus side to the pill... no acne, bigger breasts and no babies. Fortunately most of the negative side effects have subsided. I've been off the pill for 11 months now. The only thing that lingers is the occasional yeast infection and these little atypical cells. Though this seems like a likely cause for my little friends, there's also the possibility that something happened around the time of grade 12 which may have affected me emotionally and I am still holding onto that event. I'm one that believes in energy and if we hold on to negative energy, it manifests itself into disease.
Yet more proof to myself: Yesterday night I started to feel stick. The negative emotions of he day made my insides negative which made me sick (in this case two negatives don't equal a positive). Once home, I though about the whole situation, dealt with as much as I could bear and then went to sleep. This morning I woke feeling much better (yet still uneasy).
Emotional or not I am going to deal and conquer this. Along with the combination of immune support therapy that I've been given by my naturopath, I've picked up aromatherapy to support my immune system and one for my emotional well being. My hormones might still be wonky so I have picked up some aromatherapy for that too. I also stopped by Chapters and bought the following books:
The Code: 10 intentions for a better world
Holistic detox: for body, mind and spirit
Eat, Pray, Love (may people have read this and enjoyed it... it'll probably be good to read on the beach between playing in the waves)
Gorgeously Green: 8 simple steps to an earth-friendly life. "I love to shop, I love to cook, I love to feel that I have done one thing a day to educate myself and my children in making the world a better, stronger place to live in."
Damn I am such a hippy/tree hugger! A year ago you'd talk to me about energy, aromatherapy, holistic this that and the other and I would have listened intently but I'd be skeptical... though I am still slightly skeptical I think quite a lot of this stuff has some merit. Heck I even found myself looking for books on Buddhism. I stood there for a while in the religion section and wondered why I was there. My whole life I believed that there was no God, that I was in charge of my own destiny... maybe there was the universe but the universe isn't a God (well not in the traditional sense anyways). But now with all of this, I find myself searching for something stable, something I can go to. I decided to sleep on it, after all, I will always have myself and the earth to ground me, that should be enough.
Ok enough hippy talk, I am off to run in a field of daises and sing kumbaya.

Ittsy Bittsy Spider...


Crawled into my Brita water filter. It didn't drown... I didn't drown it either. I scooped him out and put him in my plant pot. In other news I am quite stoked cuz my plumeria plant is growing new leaves! It survived winter!