Good company and great adventures

The hiking continues! We haven't been hiking as much, but we are still doing and we have added more people to the adventure! I have to say, my social life has taken quite a dramatic turn in the last few months and I really LOVE the time I am spending with the people in my life!

This picture is the beginning of a hike that we took outside of Peachland...mmm, well above Peachland! Before this photo was taken we had met an elderly man and asked his advice about parking. He was out walking his dog who happily jumped in the car and got Ashley dirty...something which we ALL laughed very hard about. The hike was great, and parts of it decently steep. I am certainly learning how far my body can go and I am greatfull that I have lost the weight I have before going on this hike, otherwise I think I would have been in trouble! There was a part of it that I refused to do and the others went ahead, while I re-walked the trail to keep up my momentum!

After the hike, we went for breakfast at IHOP. Because Kaz hasn't eaten at some of the franchises that are liberally spread throughout BC, we have been sampling different breakfast restaurants...this particular morning it was IHOP. Ashley ordered two breakfasts, of which she is still bugged about today! She's a trooper that girl and she makes me laugh! Towards the end Rob and Aaron happily snuggled into eachother. In fact I think they built quite a significant relationship in a short time...very touching indeed *wink*. No really, I think Rob and Aaron have the ability to get along with just about anyone, which makes them a perfect fit for being my friends!
I have been having a spectacular time lately...and meeting truly quality people, which is nice to meet so many of them in a short time frame. I think it has a lot to do with my new perspective on life, or more specifically my desire to be part of the living world. So in a sense I am bringing these people to me and I am also more tuned to finding them.
I also recently finished my interviews and now I am into the writing phase of my thesis, I am close to the end and it feels good and it feels scary! With the end I have also come to discover the desire to do my PhD! So much so that I have figured out where I am doing my PhD and who will be my supervisor! All of which is VERY exciting! I never thought I could go this far, or come this far and still have the momentum and will to go further. And the greatest part of this leg of my journey is that I am surrounded by warm and loving people who are as interested in my success as they are in theirs and I am in theirs! I would venture to call them "family" and often do think of them is those terms!

The first Dinner Club for Dorks

Well, it is official now. A small group of my friends have finally managed to make the dinner club happen. Rob initially came up with the idea in the summer to have a dinner club, much like a book club, but instead we share food and conversation! Brilliant idea and like every idea planning and implementing are necessary. Who knew those components would take so long?
The participants of the dinner club are all university based...it wasn't planned that way, since we all know people who are not academically linked in our worlds. However, for the purpose of numbers and ease everyone is from UBCO. In total the number is six, although the first one only had five. The number is relevant in terms of size of home of the person who is hosting and also number of items brought to the potluck meal. Turns out five courses is more than enough, in fact may be too much. Since all of us were full before the second entree was even served!
This dinner was hosted by Kaz and I and had a "spooky" theme...oh yah, all the dinners are themed. So everyone had to make items that are spooky...and let's keep in mind that imagination is a necessary part of the meal. Kaz decorated the place with hallowe'en paraphernalia, which ultimately rocked! And we also purchased pumpkins for everyone to carve...we didn't tell them they would be carving we just asked that they bring knives. The evening was full of laughter and great stories. Rob gave a speech filled with thankful and grateful sentiments.
Next dinner is next month and so far the theme is local food purchased and grown in BC. We also be investigating how we came to be eating the foods and develop questions to pose to the other participants of the dinner...a means of getting to know eachother and also become more aware of how we are involved in food production. So, when you think "Dinner Club for Dorks", it is because we are all interested in learning and expanding our knowledge on topics that may seem mundane to others.

Here is some pictures from the evening:



We are all ready to eat...Mark is busy getting the salad ready, we already ate the nachos.

Mark spookiness came in the form of a skull...we joked about whose skull that could have been! Former student perhaps? *wink*

Our dinner had rolls and wine and butter and voila pepper! It looked so European, with the exception of the Bostons glass.

Kaz is sharing with Mark a story about a bag of poo and a one night stand that ended with embarrassment.

And let the pumpkin carving games begin!







Ashley loved the core ball and attempted to be able to balance on it...she needed training wheels though.


I had shown Ashley an ab exercise with the core ball, which the boys than decided they wanted to be able to do. So Rob goes first and does fairly well...

Mark decides rather than work his abs he will just have a nice leisurely stretch...smart man!


MMM, Rob made a chocolate mousse pie from scratch...to accompany he made wildberry icecream and raspberry coulee and whip cream...YUMMMEEEEE...love a man who can make a decadent dessert *wink*

Off to the observatory!

I guess it's early? Hhehee it is nine in the morning and time for us to make off to Penticton for an open house at the observatory there! I know this picture conveys the excitement we feel about the coming day (sarcasm). Really, Rob just wasn't ready for me...sorry Rob!

Rob is trying to tell Kaz about a drive he took that was scenic.

This is Gerry, the car. There is a story about how the car was named and if you are interested I am happy to share.

We have now arrived at the observatory where we were greated with the vision of several large satellites.


The observatory requires cars to park 60 metres away. The walk isn't ardous AT ALL, but they provided a narrow paved space for both pedestrians and cars to share...not something that goes over well for impatient drivers.

Ashley, Rob, Kaz and I all tried to get pictures of all four, however, all of our cameras could get three people and the fourth....obviously they have the other pictures that match this one.

Ashely was concerned about her closed eyes in our "group" photo and stated she didn't want her photo taken, which gave me the idea to take her photo!








Rob is incredibly patient and willing to be subjected to whatever a friend asks! I asked to stamp his face and he let me stamp both of his cheeks. He walked around the observatory like that the whole time...I was impressed with his self-confidence to not be bothered about doing something fun!

Another activity that is good for my health

I have been fairly busy lately. My ethics proposal has been approved and I am working with my community partner to get my interviews started. I am also busily procrastinating on a directed readings course (I plan on tomorrow catching up! ...no really I will!). There has been major changes in my household not only furniture, but people as well! And I have to say I am liking it so far!
Lately I have begun to feel like I belong, like I have family, like I have home. So part of that feeling has encouraged me to take in more of the community I live in, so with my volunteer work I have added on local hiking with my friend Rob! We take off for five hours or so and find a trail and hike...it's great!
So here are some pictures!

We began with a hike to Paul's Tomb, and this is the view of the bridge (old and new) as well as some wood in the water *hehehe*



I am always impressed with how resilient the natural environment is! This tree is deciduous and growing out of a cliff face! LOVE IT!



Of course Rob and I have to mug it up for the camera!



and I gotta mug it up too!! I am having LOTS of fun with the new camera (new to me!) and I am feeling artistic! In fact I have gotten some pictures that I may have blown up and mounted! MORE ART FOR ME!



Another hike (more of a walk) was in Mission Creek Greenway...so happens that the salmon are beginning to spawn. We intend on going back quickly to see them before our next hike. Right now there is only a few of them. Spawn fish, spawn! *smile*



Of course we have to mug it up again! Woot for beautiful mugs like ours!



And here is my artistic attempt that I think I may have blown up and hung on one of my walls! I like overhanging trees and curving paths! Seems metaphorical to me! Hmm, too many drugs in my younger days? Nah!

It has been awhile, I continue to remain

I have been working really hard lately. Getting my head on straight, gathering up my life and finding out what is important to me. I have found my strengthes and the places where I need to become stronger. I also have returned to my friends and to my heart.

I have been on a great ride. I feel that turning 30 is the best life progression ever! I will give into the reality that turning 30 and being incredibly happy about it couldn't have been done if I didn't take charge of my life. I know that some could argue that I have been in charge of my life since conception, how otherwise could I have made it this far? However, I haven't been. I have been waiting on others, waiting for approval, following footsteps that weren't carved by me and as much as I abhor guilt, I allowed it to rule me, even in my twenties! I have had been privileged to learn some incredibly valuable lessons in my life and more recently I have learned how important I am...something I didn't quite understand until now.
So what have I done with all of this? I have mended me, and one of the ways of mending is getting healthy. I have been eating differently (vastly differently). I have chosen meals that I know I can maintain for the rest of my life and even enhance as more choices open up! I am lucky that there is a great farmers market in Kelowna and that Quality Greens has great variety in fresh produce!
I have also added regular exercise to my daily routine, with the goal to make long distance bike rides in the valley...a goal I have reached and I may be able to maintain!
So where has this gotten me? I have lost a total of 31 pounds and plan to lose approximately another 20. I feel that will bring my overall health to a place where I will be comfortable and also affirmed that finally acknowledging that I am putting myself and my health first!
With that said, here are some pictures from my most recent biking adventure. There are more, but these are the ones that I found to be the most 'eye-appeasing'. Great memories and great goals to inspire myself with!