Late post weekend blog. But whatevs. Also, for convenience sake, most of the pictures are going to be from my cellphone camera. I will probably edit this post and add other pictures from my camera in a non-chronological order when I feel up for it. 

 

Friday April 27, 2012 

I wasn't quite sure whether to look forward to this day or not. On one hand, this trip has long been planned and anticipated; it was also the only highlight of my two week school break. On the other hand, it was also the last weekend before school resumes again.  

 

First stop; food. Annndd let the roadtrip begin. Or not.  

Just as we were hitting the road, LB's dad found an excuse to have us do a 180 for inspection. It was amusing and daunting at the same time, he seemed all business like as he pulled the car in front  of our parked van so that there was no way out. At first, I actually thought it was a joke that we had to open the door so that he could have a peak at each passenger's faces. Boy, was I wrong.

Fast forwarding after the ferry ride, drive and check in to our hotel room, we met up with ED, a friend who lives in Victoria and was gracious enough to offer himself as our host for the entire weekend. I honestly have no idea what he was thinking offering his company to 7 girls. In return, I thought it'd just be fair to offer up DP to him as payment . 

The parliament; the steps where it was decided that we were going to not so subtly try to pair up  DP and EJ  by laying on thick the teasing and building up awkward tension between the two. Goood timess.

Mt. Tolmie aka make out /hot boxing spot. This picture does this place no justice. At all. 

Dinner finally. Crappiest service I've ever did see. But with good company nonetheless. 

Then back to our hotel room at around midnight to indulge in the various types of wines we each purchase. Surprisingly, we had no hard liquor, aside from the Jagger that no one, but Baby J (JB) drank.  

 

Saturday April 28, 2012 

So DP and I actually didn't sleep until the wee hours of the night. We chatted about nothing in particular while I was sipping on my Pinot (which I purchase specifically for the bottle), halfway through, I decided I was going to give it a rest because I was starting to feel the acidity of my stomach rise.  This plus the lack of sleep combined with no breakfast seriously made me feel ill, a couple of hours later upon waking. So ill in fact, that I was reduced into fetal position as everyone else was getting ready for the day. I had anticipated the feeling; it was very reminiscent to the stomach pains sensation that frequented me at a young age. 

I hate it. I cannot, absolutely, CANNOT stand any sort of stomach pain. I would rather get beat up, or be feverish, anything but  stomach pains. 

With that said, I ended up skipping out the late morning and afternoon session of touring around the island. It wasn't fair for me to hold everyone up just because I couldn't go. Though, what peeved me was the insistent nagging of everyone while I was practically on my death bead (obvious exaggeration). So yes, it was best for them to have left while I rested.  

In the late afternoon, when they've come back, I was finally starting to come around from a whole day of fretful slumber. The irony was, as I got ready, everyone else passed out. Though, not long after, we were once again off into the night!

The ever so infamous Empress Hotel where royalty stays. 

Pub/ lounge #1 The Sticky Wicket. 

Pub #2 Bard and Banker, where gorgeous unff worthy servers, serves in kilts.

 

I honestly don't know what ED meant when he said that it's boring here, maybe because he actually takes residence in the island, but man oh man! ,  The atmosphere, the architecture, and just the general ambiance and air of the place. I fell in love. It's more than a satisfactory substitute for a full on vacation outside the country.  The island is small, albeit buzzing city, capable of holding it's own. It's busy enough to be exciting, yet small enough to not be overwhelming! I look forward to living there in the  near future! 

I regress.
Not going to lie, it was actually very intimidating to step into  the many pubs and restaurant the place had to offer. It was just so...posh. And we stuck out like a sore thumb, being a non Caucasian group of 7 girls and 1 guy. I have never in my life feel so physically small, young and insignificant than I did once we stepped into the Sticky Wicket. It's okay though, it was soon mended by a couple glasses of alcoholic drinks. Don't get me wrong, once again, the atmosphere was great, it was so laid back, and just by looking around you can tell that it's definitely a place where people stay and have a chat for prolong periods of time. 

At this point in the late evening, non of us actually had a proper dinner, and non of us will ever have a proper dinner that night since either restaurants were close, or the pubs that were still open had finished serving food hours ago. So, we said screw it! and hit the next open pub at almost 1AM. You see, this is as close to "pub hopping" as I've ever gotten. 

So in we go the the Bard & Banker. We actually passed by this pub earlier on in our stroll, it was just so lively and packed that it was intimidating. Shame, because by the time we had entered, the revelry of people dancing to Scottish jigs had long ended. 

Our night didn't end there, we set out around town, on foot and by car, in search for some essentials we would need the next day (which we never got). Again, it astounded me to witness the streets filled with -relatively- young intoxicated people celebrating life. Absolutely everyone in the street was inebriated on some level, yet in possession of their own being. Maybe, I'm just a very suburbs girl, admittedly I have only been in our own nearby downtown in the wee hours of the night only a handful of times. Though for some reason, I don't think a Saturday evening in downtown Victoria, is quite the same as a Saturday evening in downtown Vancouver.  

 

Sunday April 29, 2012

Surprisingly, I was cooperative enough in the morning, manage to wake up and get ready with the early risers (AQ, MF, Baby J) 

Brunch at Denny's. It took a hell of a long time to get seated and get our food because there was a marathon that took place. That, or maybe it also has to do with it being a Sunday and there aren't very many breakfast place about. 

 

[Insert pictures of petting zoo here] 

Barb's fish and chips!

Seawall

I have never in my life strongly desired to be rich in a single moment than I have upon seeing this castle and walking around it's 2M + price tagged neighbourhood. 

Welcome to my crib! 

Chocolate from the ferry for the ride home. And back to reality it is.

 

Monday April 30, 2012

 Decided to skip the first day of school; I only have one class and it would only be an intro.  Spent the day sleeping. I lucked out seeing as it was actually cancelled. 

 

Tuesday May 1, 2012

First day back. Clinic right away. Super frantic, yet still unmotivated. 

LETS DO THIS! 

Saw Safe 2012  in the evening with the mother dear + bubble tea afterwards. Had unintentionally snubbed a male friend because 1) I actually hadn't seen him right away 2) when I had it was too late for me to say hi because I had missed my chance so I just kept on with my facade which made it more awkward 3) I was with my mother and I didn't want her interrogating me. 

 

-Elle Are Emm

Still trying to get back into the habit of blogging on the regular, hence the very fragmented and scattered entry dates. Although, it is fair for one to assume that on days that I do not/ cannot recall a specific event, was a day probably spent on mundane activities.

 

Friday, April 20

Have you ever felt so sleep deprived that you're back up energy turns on? Well, just as I was about to hit the bed at 8 AM, mother decided to have me drive around to run errands for her. I couldn't really say no, because I did have an appointment in the afternoon, and I'd really rather just drive than transit.

Although for a brief spell of time, my sense of direction and parking abilities did improve. And I do put the stress on brief  because as soon as fatigue set in, I was even crappier than ever.

 

Day's incident included waiting in the bank line up for 15mins, feeling self conscious for not looking presentable for the day, only to have the teller tell me I was in the wrong bank.  This would happen to me.

By the time I got home, I was only alloted half an hour of sleep before I had to get ready and set out again. 

Lunch. I was feeling very nostalgic and decided to hit up the Wendy's where I used to work at 4-5 years ago. Time flies.

Awkward money from co-worker

Comes August/September, I will officially finish school and not be eligible under my parents' insurance. Hence, between now and then,  I am on a mission to take advantage of my parents' health benefits. With that said, it doesn't really sound too crazy when I say, that I was a bit disappointed that I do not have any cavities to be filled. I mean, it's not that I want to have cavities! it's just that it's better to have them now than later when I have to pay for them myself! Right? 

In the evening, I somehow got dragged into a night of debauchery at DP's house. See I hadn't exactly planned on drinking, but I ended up drunk. So drunk in fact that I may or may not have woken up covered in my own vomit. Classy

I honestly only have half recollections of these pictures. Fine.  Only the picture of me with the dog is the last semi sober picture I could make sense of. 

 

Saturday April 21, 2012 

No pictures because I forgot my phone. 

Despite having a hangover, I somehow managed to clean up and set out for a calmer afternoon of early dinner at Aldo's Italian Restaurant and a walk by the pier side where I made a new pigeon friend. I hadn't exactly planned on going out, but an hour after I was dropped off, CB and LG showed up at my bedroom door. I hadn't realized they were serious when they said that they'll be back within an hour, and that hour was only allotted for clean up. But hey! I am on my break, might as well. 

After the dinner and the walk, we (LB, KB, MD, CB, and later CL) headed to KB for dessert, because really, that's basically what her house is! a free dessert place. Seriously, her house is stacked with all sorts of cakes it's ridiculous! That I've only started to become friends with her now is probably one of the biggest regret of my life thus far. 

The night ended with watching Cabin in the Woods, which is more than decent of a movie, as well as a late night dinner at Bubble World. 

Sunday April 22, 2012

Wings dinner with  CB, LG and JB. I haven't been in a while, and now I'm not sure why we go. And only on Sundays too, when they have their deal. To be honest, their wings aren't even good. 

Tuesday April 24, 2012

CRAVINGS FULFILLED! Thai/Malaysian late lunch date plus cupcakes and macaroons with JB. Hnnnngggg. Sunny, windy, rainy whatever the weather maybe, I really adore relaxed days like these where you can just have a chat with a friend over good food 

 

 

-Elle Are Emm

Was supposed to be an hour long video blog update. But that just seems too much. 

So here you go, a brief albeit concise list of what the past two months have been like, with accompanying pictures where applicable and bonus random clips. 

 

February 

Practicum.. practicum...practicuum

-02/10 Kwantlen concert with MF and AQ  and late night dinners + DP, CB, LG

-02/17-18 accidental sleep overs after dinner at Bubble World and break fast at Ihop

-02/19 Last Sunday before the Kuya leaves for 5 weeks; Korean bbq dinner and getting judged for drinking a whole bottle of ordering soju

-02/21 First of many car/van related mishaps. Van stalled in Walmart at 10-11PM. MF  to the rescue! 

-02/23 Indian food with Santos; good company, good talks

-02/25 hot pot and gelato last din before kuya left

-02/28 Awkward incident in which I had no idea how to react to the donair guy's mock-flirtation. Had promised the younger brother free food in exchange for my number,

but brother gave Babsie's instead 

March

More practicum

-03/01 Feat of the month: driving to practicum with Kuya's car; arriving safe and not getting lost + reward haircut that mother didn't notice until two days later

-03/03 mother's 47th empty without the dad and the other brother

-03/04 start baby sitting god sister; from Sunday to Thursday, afternoon/evening through the morning

-03/07 walking home from the gym in the evening in the cold; worst. idea. ever

-03/11 Car mishap #2; stalling in the middle of the intersection on the way to the library + father's sweet, comforting words; "I pulled over to pick up the phone,
because you're important to me"

-03/15 witnessed man skid off his bike due to slippery roads; he walked away fine
-03/17 drink ouzo alone to commemorate St Patrick's day, due to my lent fast of a) no frivolous texting and b) no going out 

-03/23 Most blessed day in the history of EVER. Sunshine, cupcakes, and father passed his long, much desired, Red Seal exam

-03/24 errands with mother, very painful acne treatment and one patronizing Subway lady who sought to teach me how to count change properly 

-03/29 Successfully made myself look like an inconsiderate jerk by going to a practicum sick and being sent home subsequently 40 mins later
-study sesh and all nighters

-miraculous and undeserving passing of exams

April
-04/01 Spotted Peter Chao at Timmy's!
-04/04 Creating bonds with a few classmates! Compulsive shopped + late lunch/early dinner
- 04/05 Unknowingly ended lent fast too early; Babsie picked me up from practicum and I invited her to a farewell dinner (foreshadowed kuya and babsie's breakup)

-04/06 daddy comes home after three months
-04/07 Dog sat Twinkle (The Santos' dog) plus picnic

-04/09 Long day of driving around and handing in log sheets and an embarrassing incident in the evening involving me half dress, messy bedroom with underwear 
strewn all over and a male visitor
-04/10 kuya comes home and I get a crap ton of accessories from the aunt. 

-Calling quits on school way too early. No point with regrets; moving on with life
-04/13 FRIDAY THE FUCKING THIRTEEN! Unluckiest night of my life!

a) scruffing Ryan's Lincon Navigator
b)getting forever lost on drive from and to home
c)running a red light
d) hitting a road cone/drum

-04/17 Spontaneous cupcake trip to White Rock with DP and JB

-04/19 Accompanied JW to my first ever trip to Ikea; bought an mini ironing board to commemorate event! I like ironing 

-Elle Are Emm

 

That persistent feeling that you can't rely on anyone. Not even yourself. 

Times like these convinces me that I need help. 

Officially finished school for the winter/spring 2012. Expect a long vlog soon. 

 

-Elle Are Emm

Long time no blog. I haven't been able to bring myself to recount my failures. 

And I'm not about to. Not yet.

Though, I really just need to get something off my chest before I implode in smithereens. Here goes:

 

I am beyond furious and frustrated with myself, because for all the maturity I like to think I possess, I am nothing but a child. It literally takes my breath away to admit that. I feel sick to my stomach and there is this bitter taste that persistently lingers in my mouth.  

I am not an adult, I am no where near being one.  Because adults don’t give up or just sit around twiddling their thumbs; they plow through hardships. 

But here’s my resolution; I plan to continue on with all that I’ve got until the end.  Hopefully by the end, I can gain enough self respect to look in the mirror again.  

 

 

 

-Elleareemm

The following is an e-mail from the past, composed 2 years, 1 month and 30 days ago, on November 24, 2009. It is being delivered from the past through FutureMe.org

And I hate that it makes me a big hypocrite to say that

Monday 02/06

School, where a heart-attack inducing incidence happened with regards to my end of the program project.

Then...

Gym. So far so good. I think what keeps me going is that there is no pressure on me. I don't intend to loose any weight, attain a body of a model etc. I just go. It doesn't feel like such a task or obligation. I don't feel any restriction.

Although, I don't mean to be a snob or judgemental- and I say this purely out of objective observation- but I honestly think people need basic anatomy training, or a trainer to work with during work outs. The handful of times I've gone to the gym, I've lost count on how many potentially injury inducing work out faux pas I've witnessed; from improper use of equipments, to poor biomechanics etc.

I cringe every single time just picturing the highly probably pain and injury that could ensue. Though, it is likely that I am just paranoid from all that I've learned from going through my program. 

 

Tuesday 02/07

Piano lessons, which is starting to be a lot more work that I've started getting a minor headaches after every session. Then, spontaneous movies with ate DP.  Woman in Black  with the former Harry Potter. Approve. 

I may also have been in a more socializing mood than usual, cause I actually greeted all the familiar faces I bumped into. And I think karma wise, it paid off as half way through the movie, there was a false fire alarm in the theatre, and to compensate for suspending the show for a few minutes, each viewer received free tickets  

 

Wednesday 02/08

Last minute gym time with le mother. (full on procrastination mode ACTIVATE!) I might have over done it on Monday because my calves and inner thigh hurts from then to now that I basically shuffle when I walk. Good times.

Need this for my obnoxious mug collection!

Did some grocery shopping afterwards. We got lucky because minutes after we left the store, and were in the parking lot loading our purchase into the van, the lights shut off and there was power outage around the area, which I later found was due to an unfortunate fire nearby.

Post work out munchies/ dinner: Salad in the dark 

-Elle Are Emm

 

 

 

Wednesday 02/01

What can I say? time flies

Met up with ate NA in the evening at the library. For all intents and purposes, I came to study, but all I did was eat and chat.

She had shared with me her bitter-sweet story of a long ago lost love. And let me tell you, it was the bitterest and sweetest as it gets. *major jealousy 

 

Thursday 02/02

Celebrated Father's 46th in his place since he's in a far away land working. Ran various errands for le Mother. Also, this is how I would have looked like had my hair been straight still.

 

So LONG! I miss it! I miss my straight, undamaged hair  

Aso as Daddy. 

 

Friday 02/03

Day 3 of gym. LEHGO!

On my way to the gym, I realized that I didn't have my membership card. Funny, because my lock was also missing. When I'd signed up, we had this big discussion of how important it is to have your card with you. I figured that I'd just misplaced it at home and that this is the story I was sticking with once I entered the facility. As I was walking in, the manager/trainer/daldal tita beat me to it and told me that someone had found my lock and membership in the parking 2 days ago.

 

Oppsstthhhh 

That piece of paper will cost $30 to be replaced.

It's still technically winter but these past few days we have been blessed by sunshine and relative warmth.

If I were to move out and decide to stay around the area where I live, I would really like to take residence in this condo. The view in the evening would probably be breath taking.

Finally got around to grooming my eyebrows in the late afternoon. It's a mess I tell you. 

"Fuck you coffee". The best tasting coffee I've had in a while.

Back story: I know she -along with everyone- meant well, but I really don't see how it is everyone's business what the condition of my skin looks like. You see, as I was getting my eyebrows done, the aesthetician had felt the need to educate me about my skin. It doesn't bother/offend me anymore as it did during my younger teenage years, but everytime someone tries to tell me how to "cure" my face, it sounds as if they think I wake up everymorning, look in the mirror and think "Hmmn, I don't think I have enough pimples today, why don't I fix that I slather this grease, oil and grime in my face?" 

So when she told me to avoid certain things --caffeine included- I visited the nearest Starbucks in the mall after.

I hadn't actually planned to go to the mall, but seeing as I was with le brother and le gf, and they were meeting people in the mall, I tagged along. 

Since we were around the children's area, I figures, might as well kill time by colouring.

 

Bitches be jealous cause I can colour within the lines.  I may or may not have looked slightly handicapped when I was left alone for a moment, furiously attacking this drawing with crayons.

We eventually got kicked out by the costumer service since we weren't "children". I may or may not be considering hiring a child just so I can colour in the mall some more.

 

Saturday 02/04

Donair and milkshake. My mother obviously loves me

 

 

-Elle Are Emm

Sunday 01/22

Good company for a stressful evening. 

Procrastinated and crammed for two big exams I had the next day...

 

Monday 01/23

Was cranky from the lack of sleep but not regretful as at this point in my life procrastination seems to be a part of it. I passed both exam but barely.

Since it was exam day, I got off early. Crashed ate DP's house after meeting up at the mall to have something to eat, since I hadn't had any.  Since I had no energy whatsoever to commute home, I opted to stay until 11PM when mother dear gets off work so I can get a ride. 

Hence I randomly tagged along for some sushi that evening with her siblings and friends

Souvenirs

 

Tuesday 01/24

Do not have any pictures from this day, except for these:

 

I've been having coffee on the regular and I think my teeth are starting to stain. As for the open-mouthed picture...I think I just wanted to see what my uvula and tonsils looks like.

Though since it was a Tuesday, I probably just had piano lessons in the evening.

 

Wednesday 01/25 - Thursday 01/26

Another two days of complete and partial blank memories. But looking in my calendar, my schedule on Thursday basically says that it was my last rotation at the women's hospital. I actually thoroughly enjoyed that. It was laid back and easy going. 

 

Friday 01/27

According to my calendar, another exam apparently.

 

I've also managed to finally visit the gym that a friend has referred me too. I thought the whole thing was only going to take a couple of minutes but the Tita  was super daldal that it took 1.5 hours.  She was fun to talk to, and though I didn't really need that much convincing since I had planned to sign up, she was still basically on a sales pitch mode.

 

Seeing as it was CB's birthday weekend, she had the date reserved for a simple celebration of movies and late dinner. However ate DP and I couldn't wait for a late dinner so we ate at this delightful Greek Restaurant nearby. 

I actually had lamb. ME, who is super picky when it comes to lamb and beef actually, willingly  ordered lamb. And I'm glad I did because I thoroughly enjoyed it  

 

Adorable pillow stacked deco. How Asian!

So then we met at the theatres to see the much anticipated Underworld: Awakening . It had ended late but CB wanted to go to this Taiwanese restaurant for some drinks and late night snackage. It was called The One  and though their drinks were good and fancy, the service S.U.C.K.E.D.  

 

Saturday 01/28

Partial memory skip.  All I remember is trying to sleep but my brother was having company over and their incessant screaming kept me awake and agitated. 

 

Sunday 01/29

I was basically up since 5AM and for some reason so was ate NA. We got to texting about bacon and pancakes so as soon as I felt inclined to leave my room, I drove to MCDonalds and bought us breakfast. Mother had also wanted me to run some errands for her so being very dishevelled and looking like a cat lady, I did. 

In the late afternoon it was EDC surprise bday party. I was hesitant to go at first seeing as this guy and I have a slightly rough  relationship in the past. Admittedly it was all in my part. I was very...verbally abusive towards him because he had made it so easy, but I hadn't meant for him to take it as seriously as he did. We had somehow reconciled in the past year, but I still very much think of him as I did back then; very naive, intelligent but no street smart and like an annoying smaller brother. Though I have grown up and just accepted that is just the way he is. 

Look at us, all grown up :') 

It was also nice to see a few faces that I haven't seen in a while. 

 

I also very much craved for an icy drink in this chilly, rainy weather. I think between this and walking around in the mist/rain was what did me in, because after this night I was sick with cold/cough for a few days.

Monday 01/30

First day back at the gym.

As soon as I came in, the trainer/tita took my initial measurements. She had also asked for my goals in terms of weight etc. I had replied with indifference. Usually, I would say that I did so because I was just too embarrass to say anything but you know what? I actually meant it. I don't really care for loosing weight, I just want to have my old injury resolved, I also want to just be able to run the 5 steps to catch the bus and not be ridiculously out of breath, if I lose weight in the process, then that's just a bonus. 

Much deserved donair with Babsie after.

 

 

-Elle Are Emm

 

Friday 01/20 cont.

Headed to school in the afternoon. This day must have been the single most productive day I've had this semester. Though its a Friday, I actually opted to stay in school to study until 9PM.

This is mighty dissapointing considering its 3 weeks in the semester. 

UGH! I really just can't be motivated.

 

I witnessed a pre-celebratory Chinese New Year Dragon Dance across my school on my way there! This year I had planned to attend the celebration in China Town which will be next weekend. By with the way things are going with school....

BUT I REALLY HAVE BEEN WANTING TO FOR THE LONGEST TIME! 

Saturday 01/21

Slight accomplishment in that I didn't spend the whole day asleep...in the evening however

/Frustrating 

Errands, errands. 

 My chocolate fountain toy from Babsie finally arrived and I picked it up in the afternoon.

I'm not even ashamed

Then I picked up what I thought was a very meagre pay check from work. I'd only work three hours a couple of weekends ago, so I expected next to nothing. To my surprise I got way more than I should have due to "stat holiday" I'm pretty sure they just felt bad at how pathetic my check was. 

 

Pity par or not,  I'll take it.  Beggars can't be choosers! 

It's a party now!

In the evening this cootie patoots came over with her daddy. AND THEY CAME BEARING A GIFT! 

Jealous? 

I get to see her again tomorrow for a play date! 

 

-Elle Are Emm