Monday 3 December 2018
Things have changed
Why hello, it's been a while...
To bring you up to spread with what's happened the past few years I'll make some brief statements; any questions please ask. I may or may not reply - we'll have to see if I stick to writing again..
I'm 2 years older and a tiny bit wiser.
I've gained 10 tattoos, lost 10kgs and discovered I'm not only intolerant to bullsh*ters, but dairy and gluten as well.
My barista life had to end when my carpel tunnel became extreme; I ended up working with children and loved it, but got too emotionally invested in the job when I couldn't do anything to help.
I've found love, lost it, and found it again somewhere new.
I'm yet to buy a house, or pin down a career.
I've stopped playing music and drawing, which saddens me somewhat, yet I don't find the joy in it I once did.
I've left the city life behind; Christchurch will always be my hometown, but I need to be near the mountains for my mental health, so I've made the move to small to New Zealand.
I've embraced that I do need to take care of myself physically and mentally, and place boundaries so I can achieve this.
I've travelled across the globe only once these past 24 months, but it was to surprise my bestie for her birthday and was an absolutely marvellous whirlwind adventure.
My family has gone through upheaval.
My friends are almost all married and starting to have children, leaving me behind in the race of 'adult life accomplishments'.
All this, and I couldn't be happier.
I have some study ideas lined up for the new year, I have plans to travel more, and I have dreams of what 2020 might hold.. Hopefully I'll remember I have this blog, and will be more dutiful in keeping you updated in it all.
Saturday 16 April 2016
The Past Two Years: In Summary
Well, it's been quite some time since I wrote a post. Life hasn't really been all that interesting, but I'll give you a quick overview.
I didn't blog anything over my summer in Banff as I was flat out working, living and hanging out with my amazing Evelun's co-workers, Jordan, Haylee, Heather (my English and Canadian housemates), Sandra, Diego, Zoe, Jamie, Shania, Mikey, Robin and Sam. There were more people we hung out with, like others who'd stayed after the winter at Sunshine but this was my main squad.
I stayed at a hostel briefly before my Hawaii vacation, called HI-Banff Alpine Centre. It's the same one I stayed at when I first got to town in 2013, and when I stabbed my hand with that wine glass. It was a wee ways out of town up the hill but it was easy walking distance and with the distance there was more wildlife to see. Almost every day there were deer to see or squirrels, chipmunks and on the odd occasion, elk. Also the views of the valley and surrounding mountains were breathtaking.
I'd started working at Evelyn's about 10 days before I went to Maui, so seeing as I'd been in that room for a wee while (10 days in the same room of a hostel is practically forever) I requested it when I came back. I'd been getting to know the other long-term English residence, Amber, Tamina and Fraser during those 10 days, and it's so much nicer to return to familiar faces than all new ones. That being said, you make friends so easily when you're in hostels! (Exhibit A: Fraser came to New Zealand last year and stayed a few days with me, and Exhibit B: Amber came only a few months ago and stayed for a weeklong stopover between backpacking around the country and her flight to Australia. Tamina is yet to make it to NZ.)
It was absolutely insane how busy Banff got during summer. People had told me that Banff was the busiest during it's warm, 4 month period, but nothing prepared me for it. The sidewalk was choked with people, 6 abreast and all the way down the main street non-stop from 9:30am-10pm every day. there were alleyways designed for delivery vans to get to stores, but you started using them if you had to go anywhere as pressing through the throng as you go about daily life very soon gets tedious. Or you just wouldn't go out until late at night as most stores were open until 10 or 11 to cater to tourists bizarre shopping habits.
Evelyn's Coffee Bar, was no different. We'd be open from 7-10 everyday and during summer, there would consistently be a line for food and drinks from 8am-8pm. The line would range from just a few during our lulls to 20-30+ people for 5 hours straight on the busier days. Every cafe was the same. Some days were hellish, but if you had a good 5 member team it could be enjoyable.
Partway through summer I was moved from full time barista into the kitchen to help as they hadn't been able to keep anyone on down there: and if there's no food, there's nothing for the two cafes. At first I didn't like it as I was the only girl but after a little while it wasn't so bad once I got to know the boys. I still did shifts in the cafe when we were short staffed which kept my skills from getting rusty, and there was more than one time where the girls would call me to come fix something with either the coffee machine or grinder. I made so many panini's, cookies, various kinds of cake, soups, salads and slices daily, it was insane: during the peak summer we'd work 12+ hours down in the kitchen to keep up with the demand. As winter came back around we dropped from having 4 staff in the kitchen to sometimes only 1 person. When you're used to the long shifts and within a matter of weeks you're down to working 4 hours, you don't know what to do with yourself. I just ended up perfecting the art of mid afternoon naps.
My visa was up on October 19th 2014. I'd fallen in love with Banff, I'd never felt so close to God in creation and Canada felt like home from day one, so in August I talked to my bosses about the possibility of them sponsoring me to stay. They said yes, we started the paperwork, but a week before the deadline my boss went to Holland for a month to see her eldest son - without completing her papers. I sent mine in which gave me just over a month extra. I was so upset at having to leave, I cried for two weeks. And ended up at a house party 10 days before my flight out, where I got quite a concussion. Apparently I fell down some stairs and face planted a drywall, none of which I remember, that's just what I've been told. I was off work for a day but as I only had 3 shifts left and we were understaffed I continued to work. In hindsight that was the worse thing I could've done but you live and learn. I'm pretty sure I wasn't very helpful anyway as I couldn't walk without holding on to something to keep the room from spinning. But I did it and managed to pack up all I had acquired. I hadn't given up on returning to Banff so I left my snowboarding gear in my bag as I was sure I'd be able to return in April. I wouldn't be able to, so then had to ship my gear back to New Zealand which ended up being a huge struggle, but again, another life lesson.
I surprised my family when I came back, just in time for Christmas. I then moved to Christchurch and got a job in a cafe / winebar where I quickly became acting manger.
In April 2015 I went to Europe with Heather when it became clear unless Canadian Immigration change their visas with New Zealand, I was never moving back.
Europe was amazing. We met up in London and took the EuroStar under the Chanel to Brussels, and then Amsterdam. We stayed a few nights with our friend from Evelyn's, Diego in Hamburg, before going off to Berlin, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Munich, Zurich and Paris.
I didn't blog anything over my summer in Banff as I was flat out working, living and hanging out with my amazing Evelun's co-workers, Jordan, Haylee, Heather (my English and Canadian housemates), Sandra, Diego, Zoe, Jamie, Shania, Mikey, Robin and Sam. There were more people we hung out with, like others who'd stayed after the winter at Sunshine but this was my main squad.
I stayed at a hostel briefly before my Hawaii vacation, called HI-Banff Alpine Centre. It's the same one I stayed at when I first got to town in 2013, and when I stabbed my hand with that wine glass. It was a wee ways out of town up the hill but it was easy walking distance and with the distance there was more wildlife to see. Almost every day there were deer to see or squirrels, chipmunks and on the odd occasion, elk. Also the views of the valley and surrounding mountains were breathtaking.
I'd started working at Evelyn's about 10 days before I went to Maui, so seeing as I'd been in that room for a wee while (10 days in the same room of a hostel is practically forever) I requested it when I came back. I'd been getting to know the other long-term English residence, Amber, Tamina and Fraser during those 10 days, and it's so much nicer to return to familiar faces than all new ones. That being said, you make friends so easily when you're in hostels! (Exhibit A: Fraser came to New Zealand last year and stayed a few days with me, and Exhibit B: Amber came only a few months ago and stayed for a weeklong stopover between backpacking around the country and her flight to Australia. Tamina is yet to make it to NZ.)
It was absolutely insane how busy Banff got during summer. People had told me that Banff was the busiest during it's warm, 4 month period, but nothing prepared me for it. The sidewalk was choked with people, 6 abreast and all the way down the main street non-stop from 9:30am-10pm every day. there were alleyways designed for delivery vans to get to stores, but you started using them if you had to go anywhere as pressing through the throng as you go about daily life very soon gets tedious. Or you just wouldn't go out until late at night as most stores were open until 10 or 11 to cater to tourists bizarre shopping habits.
Evelyn's Coffee Bar, was no different. We'd be open from 7-10 everyday and during summer, there would consistently be a line for food and drinks from 8am-8pm. The line would range from just a few during our lulls to 20-30+ people for 5 hours straight on the busier days. Every cafe was the same. Some days were hellish, but if you had a good 5 member team it could be enjoyable.
Partway through summer I was moved from full time barista into the kitchen to help as they hadn't been able to keep anyone on down there: and if there's no food, there's nothing for the two cafes. At first I didn't like it as I was the only girl but after a little while it wasn't so bad once I got to know the boys. I still did shifts in the cafe when we were short staffed which kept my skills from getting rusty, and there was more than one time where the girls would call me to come fix something with either the coffee machine or grinder. I made so many panini's, cookies, various kinds of cake, soups, salads and slices daily, it was insane: during the peak summer we'd work 12+ hours down in the kitchen to keep up with the demand. As winter came back around we dropped from having 4 staff in the kitchen to sometimes only 1 person. When you're used to the long shifts and within a matter of weeks you're down to working 4 hours, you don't know what to do with yourself. I just ended up perfecting the art of mid afternoon naps.
My visa was up on October 19th 2014. I'd fallen in love with Banff, I'd never felt so close to God in creation and Canada felt like home from day one, so in August I talked to my bosses about the possibility of them sponsoring me to stay. They said yes, we started the paperwork, but a week before the deadline my boss went to Holland for a month to see her eldest son - without completing her papers. I sent mine in which gave me just over a month extra. I was so upset at having to leave, I cried for two weeks. And ended up at a house party 10 days before my flight out, where I got quite a concussion. Apparently I fell down some stairs and face planted a drywall, none of which I remember, that's just what I've been told. I was off work for a day but as I only had 3 shifts left and we were understaffed I continued to work. In hindsight that was the worse thing I could've done but you live and learn. I'm pretty sure I wasn't very helpful anyway as I couldn't walk without holding on to something to keep the room from spinning. But I did it and managed to pack up all I had acquired. I hadn't given up on returning to Banff so I left my snowboarding gear in my bag as I was sure I'd be able to return in April. I wouldn't be able to, so then had to ship my gear back to New Zealand which ended up being a huge struggle, but again, another life lesson.
I surprised my family when I came back, just in time for Christmas. I then moved to Christchurch and got a job in a cafe / winebar where I quickly became acting manger.
In April 2015 I went to Europe with Heather when it became clear unless Canadian Immigration change their visas with New Zealand, I was never moving back.
Europe was amazing. We met up in London and took the EuroStar under the Chanel to Brussels, and then Amsterdam. We stayed a few nights with our friend from Evelyn's, Diego in Hamburg, before going off to Berlin, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Munich, Zurich and Paris.
Thursday 12 June 2014
Summer Vacation in Maui, Hawai'i
Aloha! This entry is written more diary style as that's how I wrote it; every or every second day documenting what had happened. I'm having issues with some of the photos I took so I'll either add them to this post later or I'll add them in a separate post. Either way I will let you know when they are up.
Well, it's 21:03 on June 4th. What a time we've had and we've only been here a day and a bit.
I traveled from Banff at 9:30 to Vancouver on the 2nd via bus which was long, but seeing as it didn't get dark until I arrived in Vancouver at 10pm it didn't seem too drastically long, more like a normal day really but one spent sitting down the whole time. I was picked up by Adam, Becky, Maria, Elly and Axel, then we went to a car park and walked to a tavern for a drink before heading to the Airport to park the car. We weren't allowed to enter the parking lot until after 1am so that was a little disappointing having to stay up so late before we could try get some sleep but that's life. There was a shuttle bus that we caught from the parking lot to the Airport and once in the Airport we found some seats and tried to catch some shuteye. I got maybe an hour if that and as I hardly slept the night before and got probably the same amount of sleep on the bus I was wrecked before we even started flying. The first flight was to San Francisco, departing at 6:15am and about two and a half hours long. There was almost no one on the flight so we got to stretch out and have a three seater row to ourselves and get a little more sleep. The flight to Maui was a little longer, departing at 9:45am five hours and completely packed. We were down the end and surrounded by children. Needless to say no sleep was achieved.But once we gained Hawai'i, it was all worth it. The warm breeze, the ocean (which I haven't seen in seven months, was a very welcome sight-and having the salty smell in the air was heavenly), the laid back atmosphere, the beautiful resort we're staying in, the sun..everything is amazing. We went for a wander and found some food and then decided a swim was called for. Sunset is around eight here so that's a bit different from home in Banff where it sets at ten-thirtyish. I swear before my head hit the pillow last night I was asleep.Today we went out for groceries and to book a surfing lesson. I got fruit for smoothies as I've been craving a real homemade one for months; by the way it was amazing. Our lesson was at half twelve with a (as Elly put it) gorgeous brown-as-a-nut-with-green-eyes-and-dreadlocks guy called Justin. It was girls first and Becky didn't want to so I had to be the first one. But I got up my first time! He used to date a Maori girl he told us and he likes Weet-Bix and TimTams, but has never tried Marmite as his ex was part Australian so she feed him on Vegemite. Honestly, the amount of people who think New Zealand is just about the food.. One time I paddled out to him to catch a wave he asked me what 'padu' meant, but he said it 'paddoo' so I was confused until he mentioned watching the 'nek minit' videos. (If you haven't seen the videos it's a grown white guy who talks about his push scooter being stollen from outside the dairy. It's really bad as it makes us look like we're a retarded nation. Maybe we are, seeing as we can't seem to pronounce our words right and all. So save yourself the horror and don't bother watching.) (And padu (I don't think I spelt it right) if you didn't know is a word that's used to describe something dirty, or yucky; if someone calls you that it's not nice.) After the lesson we got a free hat and a certificate that 'surftifies' that we've completed a beginners surfing course. That part was a little lame but oh my it was so much fun! We went and got food and after that came back to the hotel and blobbed. Becky and Adam went out for dinner as it is his 31st birthday and then we went out for a drink before coming back to bed.
June 5
I got up at six thirty this morning as that's when I woke up. I went for a walk and a quiet sit but the ocean for an hour and then came back and watched telly while having breakfast. We then went to the pool and then the beach where we sunbathed and swum for most of the day. After getting geleto and realising I was burnt I decided to come home where I am now, listening to YouTube 2014 songs and attending to emails that I have been long avoiding. We are having a BBQ dinner tonight which I'm looking forward to. You're not a true Kiwi if you don't enjoy a good BBQ. (I had shrimp for the first time-they're quite nice.)
June 6
Today we went for a wander up the beach to Baby Beach. I was quite burnt from the day before so I placed my towel under one of the trees. I didn't like Baby Beach so much as there were screaming children and people close by; I much rather prefer 'our' beach where we went surfing.We walked back to town to have lunch and Elly, Marie and I chose to have it at the Hard Rock cafe while Becky, Adam and Axel decided to have it somewhere that did sea food. I had a massive pile of nachos and then decided I wasn't up to going back to the beach so went back to the hotel. I went to bed early as I was feeling gross so I missed out on going out to dinner with everyone else. They all got dressed up for it too so I was a little disappointed but I seriously couldn't make myself feel up for it.
June 7
We went snorkelling today! We spent the whole day on a boat; at the start when we were looking at booking the trip we were a little apprehensive about spending 7 hours on this trip but it flew and felt like only one, if that. Elly lent me one of her t-shirts to cover my burn which was lovely of her. We caught the bus from out the back of the cinema and arrived just in time to check in and then head to the boat. Adam forgot the boarding passes but remembered he'd left them on the counter when we got to the dock so he ran back for them and it was our turn to board (we waited so we'd be last) just as he came back, good timing. We headed to our first snorkel site and muched on some pineapple, orange, banana and coffee bread. I thought it was going to be a big island but it was really little; I'd say less then half a kilometre long. We used the built-in slide to enter the water and were the only group to do so because we're oh so brave. There were other boats mored there so we had to stick within a parameter but we saw a small white tipped reef shark, Bubbles, the Captain and the psycho kid fish off Nemo and a ton of other beautiful tropical fish. Maria even saw Nemo but we weren't that lucky. The hour seemed to drag just a little as there wasn't a lot of space to wander but the corral was beautiful and there were sea urchins to see; it was gorgeous. Lunch was served heading to our next site which was a privately owned island with one or two small settlements on it. The site we were going to go to was too rough so we headed around the island 20 minutes more to another site; Shark Fin Cove, named so because of a rock there that looks like a sharks fin. The ocean was so, so blue heading there, and at this site we were in 55 or so feet, whereas the last one we had mored at 40. We used the slide again; the water was quite blue and the same kinds of fish were there as well, but as the water was deeper we didn't get so close. There was another reef shark, just sitting on the bottom on the ocean for a bit so that was exciting, and then just as we were about to leave we turned around and there was a sea turtle just cruising along. They haven't been seen there for over a year, and it was magical. It moved so effortlessly. We also say a flat fish the blended in really well with the sea floor, some goat fish and a few other colourful fish that hadn't been at the other site. The corral wasn't as beautiful but it had a more rugged feel. It was still amazing though.On the way back to dock we hit some roughish waters and a few people were sick, including Elly, Axel and Becky; half our group. But we made it back and got a free poster each; mines of a sea turtle which I'm pleased with. We did a little souvenir shopping and I got a surf board keyring for either me or Mr P and a shark keyring for Matthew. I wished he'd been there to share the experience with me as he would've loved it even more then I did.We missed the first bus back to Lahaina so we sat around at the general store for an hour until the next one came along and used the wifi. I learnt that Wellington is the windiest port whereas the one we were in in Hawai'i is the second. Also, our first site was used for bomb practice after the bombing of Pearl Harbour, and when we headed to our second site we passed an island that was used for practice as well, but all the bombs haven't been removed so all vessels have to stay 2 nautical miles away from it. (During lunch we had a little history lesson so that was cool; I love history.)We headed out to a new place for dinner, a pizza place. It was quite nice but we were worn out from our day so headed home to bed soon after finishing.
June 8
Today we didn't go to the beach for the first time. We chilled by the pool most of the day and I decided to take myself for a walk. I found the cafe that Justin the hot surf teacher works at, but it was closed. On my way back to the hotel I found some outlet stores and inside Calvin Klein I found a strapless bra; the one thing that I have been looking for since arriving in Canada. Life just simply isn't complete without a strapless bra. There was 25% off that already and they were on the last day of a 30% off your sale price deal. Panties were 3 for $25 too so I decided to walk back to the hotel and get money for them. I also decided to get the maxi I'd seen in Honolulu Surf Co., and to complete my shopping mission I went into the souvenir store for Bubba Gump and found a keyring that I'm going to give to Dad. There was nothing there that said the line he quotes most though: "Me and Jenny go together like peas and carrots" which was a little disappointing. But that's life. When I got back finally I took a dip in the pool with the others and adopted a black tube crop top that had been sitting around on one of the walls all day-score! We all got our own dinners and just blobbed.
June 9
Today while Adam and Axel went scootering around the island and Maria sat by the pool, Becky, Elly and myself took the bus up the island to Black Rock. It's by a resort so we got to see the more glamorous side of Hawai'i; I still prefer our beach that's a little run down and full of character. We didn't leap off the rock until after lunch (we had panini's; I mention this because Becky had been hungering after one since and then it was only Becky and myself as Elly didn't feel like doing it. She instead stayed on the beach and captured the moment we took the leap and when we saw the..but wait. I'm getting ahead of myself.We took the bus at 11am to the next bean up, Ka'almapai or something like that. It was spread in front a massive building complex compromising of high apartment blocks, shopping centre, restaurants and rental shacks. We had a nosey around the craft fair that was set up in the courtyard of one of the hotel buildings and there, if you haven't realised already, confirmed something that I became aware of just the other day; Maui is named after the same dude in the Māori legend that fished up the North Island of New Zealand and whose canoe is the South Island. I thought that was really cool as it made Hawai'i feel like it had a tie to home. Speaking of ties, there was a Shaw Street two blocks over from where we were staying. I'm not saying it's a sign but… Also at the fair was a stand that sold wood sunglasses. They are honestly the most comfortable thing I have ever worn and they were super comfy too. The price we didn't even enquire about as we knew they'd be out of our league but if I was rich I most certainly would have bought a pair.We finally made it to the beach and it was beautiful. Light sands and blue sea lined by palm trees; it was everything the postcards show you. There was no surf break like at our beach but where the waves crashed on the beach it was quite strong and once you were in there was a steep drop off after about only two metres. It was quite fun bobbing in the water and having your head higher then the lowest point of the beach. I'm not sure if I'm describing this beach very well but I hope the photos I took will explain it better.After lunch as Becky and I were waist deep in the surf just about to swim out to Black Rock I saw an object right by us. What at first glance through the water looked like a rock turned out to be a grown sea turtle. It poked it's head out and blew water at us and the others that were around it. Thankfully no one crowded it as I thought it looked a little stressed as it surfaced and puffed water a few times more before it found a way out to deeper water. Seeing a second turtle so close was really cool, but it kind of unsettled us a bit as we didn't really fancy swimming above turtles and not being able to see them to avoid them, but we headed out anyway. Just as we got to the rock I had this weird sense that there was something in the water next to me, and the first thought was: reef shark. But I told myself I was being stupid and just because we'd seen the white tipped reef sharks while snorkelling didn't mean they were here at this busy beach so I calmed the rising panic and clambered up the rock. As we got to the top two guys who'd been sitting there as we approached turned to us and asked: "Did you know you almost touched a turtle as you swum up?" That kind of freaked me out seeing as I'd somehow known there was something near me, and didn't really make me super eager to leap into the sea again. But we did leap, twice in fact and the adrenaline was pretty cool. There's a horrid-yet-thrilling moment after you jump when you feel like you're not getting any closer to the surface of the ocean but yet you still have that loosing-your-stomach feeling that accompanies a fall.. So all in all it was a great girls day. We headed back to the hotel at six a little burnt and rather tired, it's great how fresh air and adventures make you sleep soundly. Again we all got our own dinners, it's nice not going out every night.
June 10/11
Boo-hoo, last day! My, how time has flown. After packing everything up we headed to the beach for a few hours then trooped back to the hotel where we had some BBQ shrimp before heading out for a late lunch-I think every time I have shrimp from now on I'll think of Hawai'i. Captain Jack's has been our 'local' since day one and we had the same waitress as our first day there; she practically knew our order. One last dip in the pool after Jack's and then we were picked up by the Airport shuttle and carted off. We got to watch the sunset on the drive and someone mooned us out their pickup window while we were on the highway..Hawai'i can be so glamorous at times.Going through security was quick and easy this time. I forgot to tell you but while we were going through Vancouver's Airport security we had a few bags that got pulled aside. One was for too large a containers of shampoo and conditioner (Maria), another for not taking the laptop out of it's sleeve (Elly) and mine was pulled aside because I'd forgotten that there was water in my bottle still. I was also told off before going through the metal detector as I had my beanie in my back pocket and needed to remove it. What criminals we are, trying to destroy the safety and wellbeing of everyone on board!! Jokes, I know that there are rules for a reason, but it was certainly an interesting way to start our trip. Oh, there was a little hiccup going through in Hawai'i, one of my bracelets set the detector off so I had to do the walk twice, but that was it. Seasoned travellers are we now.Our flights went like this; departing Maui at 9:05pm for San Fran-5 hours. Departing San Fran at 6:37am for Denver-2 and 1/2 hours. Departing at 11:20am Denver to Vancouver was meant to be just under 3 hours but the co-pilots seat for some reason was broken so we were delayed for around an hour while a new one was found and attached to our plane. That flight seemed the longest out of all; I think because we were so tired by that stage and sitting in the plane waiting for the seat to be fitted seemed to take forever. Also jumping through all those time-zones does something to you, but we made it to Vancouver and once we got to the car we headed to Granville Island for some much needed lunch as we were all famished. Our delay got us in at half past three in the afternoon and we hadn't eaten since breakfast in San Fran. Those samosas were pure heaven.The girls went shopping for a MacBook for Maria (she has three more flights tomorrow as she's heading back home to England) so the boys dropped me off at the bus station. They're planning on heading back through Banff at some point in their travels of Canada so it wasn't goodbye just yet. Which is good; I despise goodbyes. I'm on the bus now typing this up and we're just about left the greater Vancouver area. Facing 12 hours in this seat isn't terribly appealing but it's been totally worth it.
Mahalo for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoyed it. I view it as your supporting me even if you're just reading it to be nosey and see what I'm up too. ;)
Well, it's 21:03 on June 4th. What a time we've had and we've only been here a day and a bit.
I traveled from Banff at 9:30 to Vancouver on the 2nd via bus which was long, but seeing as it didn't get dark until I arrived in Vancouver at 10pm it didn't seem too drastically long, more like a normal day really but one spent sitting down the whole time. I was picked up by Adam, Becky, Maria, Elly and Axel, then we went to a car park and walked to a tavern for a drink before heading to the Airport to park the car. We weren't allowed to enter the parking lot until after 1am so that was a little disappointing having to stay up so late before we could try get some sleep but that's life. There was a shuttle bus that we caught from the parking lot to the Airport and once in the Airport we found some seats and tried to catch some shuteye. I got maybe an hour if that and as I hardly slept the night before and got probably the same amount of sleep on the bus I was wrecked before we even started flying. The first flight was to San Francisco, departing at 6:15am and about two and a half hours long. There was almost no one on the flight so we got to stretch out and have a three seater row to ourselves and get a little more sleep. The flight to Maui was a little longer, departing at 9:45am five hours and completely packed. We were down the end and surrounded by children. Needless to say no sleep was achieved.But once we gained Hawai'i, it was all worth it. The warm breeze, the ocean (which I haven't seen in seven months, was a very welcome sight-and having the salty smell in the air was heavenly), the laid back atmosphere, the beautiful resort we're staying in, the sun..everything is amazing. We went for a wander and found some food and then decided a swim was called for. Sunset is around eight here so that's a bit different from home in Banff where it sets at ten-thirtyish. I swear before my head hit the pillow last night I was asleep.Today we went out for groceries and to book a surfing lesson. I got fruit for smoothies as I've been craving a real homemade one for months; by the way it was amazing. Our lesson was at half twelve with a (as Elly put it) gorgeous brown-as-a-nut-with-green-eyes-and-dreadlocks guy called Justin. It was girls first and Becky didn't want to so I had to be the first one. But I got up my first time! He used to date a Maori girl he told us and he likes Weet-Bix and TimTams, but has never tried Marmite as his ex was part Australian so she feed him on Vegemite. Honestly, the amount of people who think New Zealand is just about the food.. One time I paddled out to him to catch a wave he asked me what 'padu' meant, but he said it 'paddoo' so I was confused until he mentioned watching the 'nek minit' videos. (If you haven't seen the videos it's a grown white guy who talks about his push scooter being stollen from outside the dairy. It's really bad as it makes us look like we're a retarded nation. Maybe we are, seeing as we can't seem to pronounce our words right and all. So save yourself the horror and don't bother watching.) (And padu (I don't think I spelt it right) if you didn't know is a word that's used to describe something dirty, or yucky; if someone calls you that it's not nice.) After the lesson we got a free hat and a certificate that 'surftifies' that we've completed a beginners surfing course. That part was a little lame but oh my it was so much fun! We went and got food and after that came back to the hotel and blobbed. Becky and Adam went out for dinner as it is his 31st birthday and then we went out for a drink before coming back to bed.
June 5
I got up at six thirty this morning as that's when I woke up. I went for a walk and a quiet sit but the ocean for an hour and then came back and watched telly while having breakfast. We then went to the pool and then the beach where we sunbathed and swum for most of the day. After getting geleto and realising I was burnt I decided to come home where I am now, listening to YouTube 2014 songs and attending to emails that I have been long avoiding. We are having a BBQ dinner tonight which I'm looking forward to. You're not a true Kiwi if you don't enjoy a good BBQ. (I had shrimp for the first time-they're quite nice.)
June 6
Today we went for a wander up the beach to Baby Beach. I was quite burnt from the day before so I placed my towel under one of the trees. I didn't like Baby Beach so much as there were screaming children and people close by; I much rather prefer 'our' beach where we went surfing.We walked back to town to have lunch and Elly, Marie and I chose to have it at the Hard Rock cafe while Becky, Adam and Axel decided to have it somewhere that did sea food. I had a massive pile of nachos and then decided I wasn't up to going back to the beach so went back to the hotel. I went to bed early as I was feeling gross so I missed out on going out to dinner with everyone else. They all got dressed up for it too so I was a little disappointed but I seriously couldn't make myself feel up for it.
June 7
We went snorkelling today! We spent the whole day on a boat; at the start when we were looking at booking the trip we were a little apprehensive about spending 7 hours on this trip but it flew and felt like only one, if that. Elly lent me one of her t-shirts to cover my burn which was lovely of her. We caught the bus from out the back of the cinema and arrived just in time to check in and then head to the boat. Adam forgot the boarding passes but remembered he'd left them on the counter when we got to the dock so he ran back for them and it was our turn to board (we waited so we'd be last) just as he came back, good timing. We headed to our first snorkel site and muched on some pineapple, orange, banana and coffee bread. I thought it was going to be a big island but it was really little; I'd say less then half a kilometre long. We used the built-in slide to enter the water and were the only group to do so because we're oh so brave. There were other boats mored there so we had to stick within a parameter but we saw a small white tipped reef shark, Bubbles, the Captain and the psycho kid fish off Nemo and a ton of other beautiful tropical fish. Maria even saw Nemo but we weren't that lucky. The hour seemed to drag just a little as there wasn't a lot of space to wander but the corral was beautiful and there were sea urchins to see; it was gorgeous. Lunch was served heading to our next site which was a privately owned island with one or two small settlements on it. The site we were going to go to was too rough so we headed around the island 20 minutes more to another site; Shark Fin Cove, named so because of a rock there that looks like a sharks fin. The ocean was so, so blue heading there, and at this site we were in 55 or so feet, whereas the last one we had mored at 40. We used the slide again; the water was quite blue and the same kinds of fish were there as well, but as the water was deeper we didn't get so close. There was another reef shark, just sitting on the bottom on the ocean for a bit so that was exciting, and then just as we were about to leave we turned around and there was a sea turtle just cruising along. They haven't been seen there for over a year, and it was magical. It moved so effortlessly. We also say a flat fish the blended in really well with the sea floor, some goat fish and a few other colourful fish that hadn't been at the other site. The corral wasn't as beautiful but it had a more rugged feel. It was still amazing though.On the way back to dock we hit some roughish waters and a few people were sick, including Elly, Axel and Becky; half our group. But we made it back and got a free poster each; mines of a sea turtle which I'm pleased with. We did a little souvenir shopping and I got a surf board keyring for either me or Mr P and a shark keyring for Matthew. I wished he'd been there to share the experience with me as he would've loved it even more then I did.We missed the first bus back to Lahaina so we sat around at the general store for an hour until the next one came along and used the wifi. I learnt that Wellington is the windiest port whereas the one we were in in Hawai'i is the second. Also, our first site was used for bomb practice after the bombing of Pearl Harbour, and when we headed to our second site we passed an island that was used for practice as well, but all the bombs haven't been removed so all vessels have to stay 2 nautical miles away from it. (During lunch we had a little history lesson so that was cool; I love history.)We headed out to a new place for dinner, a pizza place. It was quite nice but we were worn out from our day so headed home to bed soon after finishing.
June 8
Today we didn't go to the beach for the first time. We chilled by the pool most of the day and I decided to take myself for a walk. I found the cafe that Justin the hot surf teacher works at, but it was closed. On my way back to the hotel I found some outlet stores and inside Calvin Klein I found a strapless bra; the one thing that I have been looking for since arriving in Canada. Life just simply isn't complete without a strapless bra. There was 25% off that already and they were on the last day of a 30% off your sale price deal. Panties were 3 for $25 too so I decided to walk back to the hotel and get money for them. I also decided to get the maxi I'd seen in Honolulu Surf Co., and to complete my shopping mission I went into the souvenir store for Bubba Gump and found a keyring that I'm going to give to Dad. There was nothing there that said the line he quotes most though: "Me and Jenny go together like peas and carrots" which was a little disappointing. But that's life. When I got back finally I took a dip in the pool with the others and adopted a black tube crop top that had been sitting around on one of the walls all day-score! We all got our own dinners and just blobbed.
June 9
Today while Adam and Axel went scootering around the island and Maria sat by the pool, Becky, Elly and myself took the bus up the island to Black Rock. It's by a resort so we got to see the more glamorous side of Hawai'i; I still prefer our beach that's a little run down and full of character. We didn't leap off the rock until after lunch (we had panini's; I mention this because Becky had been hungering after one since and then it was only Becky and myself as Elly didn't feel like doing it. She instead stayed on the beach and captured the moment we took the leap and when we saw the..but wait. I'm getting ahead of myself.We took the bus at 11am to the next bean up, Ka'almapai or something like that. It was spread in front a massive building complex compromising of high apartment blocks, shopping centre, restaurants and rental shacks. We had a nosey around the craft fair that was set up in the courtyard of one of the hotel buildings and there, if you haven't realised already, confirmed something that I became aware of just the other day; Maui is named after the same dude in the Māori legend that fished up the North Island of New Zealand and whose canoe is the South Island. I thought that was really cool as it made Hawai'i feel like it had a tie to home. Speaking of ties, there was a Shaw Street two blocks over from where we were staying. I'm not saying it's a sign but… Also at the fair was a stand that sold wood sunglasses. They are honestly the most comfortable thing I have ever worn and they were super comfy too. The price we didn't even enquire about as we knew they'd be out of our league but if I was rich I most certainly would have bought a pair.We finally made it to the beach and it was beautiful. Light sands and blue sea lined by palm trees; it was everything the postcards show you. There was no surf break like at our beach but where the waves crashed on the beach it was quite strong and once you were in there was a steep drop off after about only two metres. It was quite fun bobbing in the water and having your head higher then the lowest point of the beach. I'm not sure if I'm describing this beach very well but I hope the photos I took will explain it better.After lunch as Becky and I were waist deep in the surf just about to swim out to Black Rock I saw an object right by us. What at first glance through the water looked like a rock turned out to be a grown sea turtle. It poked it's head out and blew water at us and the others that were around it. Thankfully no one crowded it as I thought it looked a little stressed as it surfaced and puffed water a few times more before it found a way out to deeper water. Seeing a second turtle so close was really cool, but it kind of unsettled us a bit as we didn't really fancy swimming above turtles and not being able to see them to avoid them, but we headed out anyway. Just as we got to the rock I had this weird sense that there was something in the water next to me, and the first thought was: reef shark. But I told myself I was being stupid and just because we'd seen the white tipped reef sharks while snorkelling didn't mean they were here at this busy beach so I calmed the rising panic and clambered up the rock. As we got to the top two guys who'd been sitting there as we approached turned to us and asked: "Did you know you almost touched a turtle as you swum up?" That kind of freaked me out seeing as I'd somehow known there was something near me, and didn't really make me super eager to leap into the sea again. But we did leap, twice in fact and the adrenaline was pretty cool. There's a horrid-yet-thrilling moment after you jump when you feel like you're not getting any closer to the surface of the ocean but yet you still have that loosing-your-stomach feeling that accompanies a fall.. So all in all it was a great girls day. We headed back to the hotel at six a little burnt and rather tired, it's great how fresh air and adventures make you sleep soundly. Again we all got our own dinners, it's nice not going out every night.
June 10/11
Boo-hoo, last day! My, how time has flown. After packing everything up we headed to the beach for a few hours then trooped back to the hotel where we had some BBQ shrimp before heading out for a late lunch-I think every time I have shrimp from now on I'll think of Hawai'i. Captain Jack's has been our 'local' since day one and we had the same waitress as our first day there; she practically knew our order. One last dip in the pool after Jack's and then we were picked up by the Airport shuttle and carted off. We got to watch the sunset on the drive and someone mooned us out their pickup window while we were on the highway..Hawai'i can be so glamorous at times.Going through security was quick and easy this time. I forgot to tell you but while we were going through Vancouver's Airport security we had a few bags that got pulled aside. One was for too large a containers of shampoo and conditioner (Maria), another for not taking the laptop out of it's sleeve (Elly) and mine was pulled aside because I'd forgotten that there was water in my bottle still. I was also told off before going through the metal detector as I had my beanie in my back pocket and needed to remove it. What criminals we are, trying to destroy the safety and wellbeing of everyone on board!! Jokes, I know that there are rules for a reason, but it was certainly an interesting way to start our trip. Oh, there was a little hiccup going through in Hawai'i, one of my bracelets set the detector off so I had to do the walk twice, but that was it. Seasoned travellers are we now.Our flights went like this; departing Maui at 9:05pm for San Fran-5 hours. Departing San Fran at 6:37am for Denver-2 and 1/2 hours. Departing at 11:20am Denver to Vancouver was meant to be just under 3 hours but the co-pilots seat for some reason was broken so we were delayed for around an hour while a new one was found and attached to our plane. That flight seemed the longest out of all; I think because we were so tired by that stage and sitting in the plane waiting for the seat to be fitted seemed to take forever. Also jumping through all those time-zones does something to you, but we made it to Vancouver and once we got to the car we headed to Granville Island for some much needed lunch as we were all famished. Our delay got us in at half past three in the afternoon and we hadn't eaten since breakfast in San Fran. Those samosas were pure heaven.The girls went shopping for a MacBook for Maria (she has three more flights tomorrow as she's heading back home to England) so the boys dropped me off at the bus station. They're planning on heading back through Banff at some point in their travels of Canada so it wasn't goodbye just yet. Which is good; I despise goodbyes. I'm on the bus now typing this up and we're just about left the greater Vancouver area. Facing 12 hours in this seat isn't terribly appealing but it's been totally worth it.
Mahalo for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoyed it. I view it as your supporting me even if you're just reading it to be nosey and see what I'm up too. ;)
Monday 26 May 2014
201 Days of Sunshine
Not literally of course. There were days of cloud and lovely days of snow but I was living at Sunshine for 201 days. When written down it seems like a very, very long time but when you live it, it truly does fly. I still can't believe it's over. I've just removed all the photos and videos I've taken on my phone off it and deposited them onto my Mac; there were 793 of them. That may not sound like a lot for how long I've been here and all the things I've done; road tripping from Vancouver to Banff, winning Trappers bar pool competition (still one of the highlights of my season), dog sledding, learning to ride the park, Calgary hockey game, paint balling, staff parties, boarding trips to Panorama, Big White, Norquay, Lake Louise, Castle, Revelstoke, Fernie-not to mention that I've spent a whole seven months with Sunshine's slopes right outside my door. But it's a lot for me as I am the worst at remembering to take photos of anything. Looking back through them all brought back so many memories, some good and others not so thrilling. It's been such an epic journey and I've learnt so much about myself; my weaknesses and flaws, my strengths and my passions. It's something that I will never be able to experience again, the people that I have met will never all be in the same place again. The lessons I've learnt I hope I don't have to learn again (like how one does not clean a wine glass). One of my dear friends, work mates and neighbour described it beautifully: It's been like a dream. We can't make it keep lasting forever but we will always have the memories. It will stick with us forever, in our hearts and our personalities as we have grown to become (hopefully) better, stronger people. Those weren't Lilo's exact words but that's the gist of what he told me three days before we all had to leave; when I was having a little panic attack (and a long held of cry) at the thought of having to pack and leave the place and people I have come to love dearly. I am eternally grateful that I was given this opportunity and I am looking forward to seeing what adventures the next four/five months will bring in the town of Banff.
Speaking of that, I have just started a new job. It's at Evelyn's Coffee Bar, a well established coffee house in Banff. I had an interview with them before I had finished up at Sunshine and had two trial shifts the weekend I moved off hill. Yesterday was the last of them and I start my proper training shifts in two days. There is the opportunity for staff accommodation but I'm still waiting to hear back about that. It was such a blessing having this job lined up coming down from Sunshine as I felt really unsettled about finishing my contract and having to possibly face the very real nightmare of being unemployed for a long while and running out of funds. I'm so thankful that a job was provided for me to move into right away; it's been a massive relief. I'm currently living in the HI hostel in Banff, at a discounted rate as they still give those who were employed by Sunshine cheaper accommodation until the first of June, so that is another blessing.
On June 2nd I bus to Vancouver to catch an early morning flight with some Sunshine friends to Hawaii. I get back to Banff on the 12th and have no other epic travel plans until September-ish when I hope to have saved enough to leave Banff and travel Canada for about three weeks and see the sights before returning to New Zealand.
Anyway, I'll fill you in on what happened the last 23 days we had at Sunshine now.
On the 1st it was Renée's 21'st, and it just so happened that there was a staff Karaoke event organised at Trappers that night so we were able to celebrate her birthday with most of the on hill staff. We dedicate most of our songs to her, much to her embarrassment. But as far as 21st go it wasn't too embarrassing so she got off lightly.
A few evenings later on the 7th after chilling out in Trappers, some of the staff members decided to hike up a slope of Wawa and have a little bonfire. Someone brought their guitar along and we sat out under the sky plucking random chords until far too the morning. My friend Azarlia somehow managed to slide off the little ridge we were sitting on and into a drift, narrowly missing a tree stump. That girl is the most accident prone individual I have ever met! I was the first to leave, at 4am (even though I started work at 9am) and as I was walking back to my building, Arnica, I noticed the snow underfoot seemed to be moving. I looked up and it was the reflection of the Northern lights. They weren't brilliantly bright but they were still beautiful, and made staying up that late/early definitely worth it.
We had been promised a terrain park lesson on the evening of the 9th which I had been looking forward too, but it got cancelled because the weather wasn't good enough-even though it had been a lovely day and was a clear evening. That was a little disappointing but seeing as the date had kept being pushed back we had guessed that it wouldn't eventuate.
The 12th was another free BBQ dinner for the staff and a volley ball net and a soccer field were set up for some casual games. It was a splendidly sunny summery evening and it was great to all hang out and have good food and play some sports.
The last Trappers party was a pyjama party. There had been votes going on about what we wanted it to be; the top voted one was pyjama, but only because lingerie wasn't deemed an appropriate theme.. The pool table was broken that night so free pool made the evening even better in mine and Azarlia's opinion. (We may have been the ones who accidentally broke it but we're not quite sure how exactly we did it..) Everyone thought that it would be a big final party but it was actually a medium sized crowd which was nice as there was space to breathe and move and you knew everyone so it was more an intimate farewell then a crushed goodbye. Which was lovely.
The last time I went out (on the 17th) was terribly sad. I really, really love snowboarding and I wish I could chase winter all year round! I do need a new board though..I took a chip out of the nose of my board a few months ago and as I finished my last run I noticed that I'd taken an even bigger chip out of the back of my board..I think because I crashed into a tree. Oh well, at least I broke my board on the last day of my season then half way through it, right?
Monday 19th was Slush Cup, and the last day Sunshine was open to guests. We housekeepers only worked 10-1:30 as all we had to do was strip the rooms as no guests were staying on hill. By the time we finished though a crowd was already gathering around the jump and pit so we gathered in Azarlia's room and watched the live feed on tv and listened to the crowds reaction out the window. Some of the other housekeepers went to the hotel rooms with balconies to watch it so I pinched a photo from Becca to show you what it looked like:
The blue tarpaulin you can see is the pit and the strip of clear snow leading up to it is the slope the skiers and boarders used to gain momentum. Sadly Trappers is in the way of you seeing the full thing.
For those of you who don't know what Slush Cup is I'll explain. A pit is dug, about 6 foot deep and 120 feet long-that is the measurement from the end of the jump to the end of the pit-and this year it was the longest pit in Sunshine Village history so they claim. It's filled with water and slushy snow to keep it chilly, and the aim of the game is to get enough momentum to ski or board over the water without wiping out, in all manner of crazy costumes. Only three or four skiers were able to do so. It was the 86th annual running of the event this year so nutters have been doing this for quite a while.
We Housekeepers in Staff Caf at the Housekeeping Send Off For Sandra Breakfast, the morning of Slush Cup (L-R around the tables: Becca, Karolina, Simone, Miriam, Sven, Azarlia, Toni, me, Sandra, Olivia, Elly, Becky and Mareika.)
Once it was over we casually wandered over to catch the gondola down to base as we had a staff dinner party to get to. It was a low-key event, and almost everyone went into town afterwards for a final party in the clubs. I had my interview at Evelyn's the next afternoon so I didn't catch the 10am bus back up the hill with everyone else, instead I slept in a puddle of sunshine in the park until it was time. Thankfully I was able to catch a ride with Becky in her truck to Sunshine in time for last gondola-I didn't fancy staying another night in town. It was my last ride on the gondola though I didn't know it at the time. We had been told that on Friday when we all had to vacate the hill that the gondola would be running but on Thursday they changed their minds and decided that they were closing it that evening and we would have to catch a snowcat and then a bus to get off. That made moving more difficult but I had wanted to ride in a cat since day one so it was cool to actually be able to tick that off as achieved.
Speaking of that, I have just started a new job. It's at Evelyn's Coffee Bar, a well established coffee house in Banff. I had an interview with them before I had finished up at Sunshine and had two trial shifts the weekend I moved off hill. Yesterday was the last of them and I start my proper training shifts in two days. There is the opportunity for staff accommodation but I'm still waiting to hear back about that. It was such a blessing having this job lined up coming down from Sunshine as I felt really unsettled about finishing my contract and having to possibly face the very real nightmare of being unemployed for a long while and running out of funds. I'm so thankful that a job was provided for me to move into right away; it's been a massive relief. I'm currently living in the HI hostel in Banff, at a discounted rate as they still give those who were employed by Sunshine cheaper accommodation until the first of June, so that is another blessing.
On June 2nd I bus to Vancouver to catch an early morning flight with some Sunshine friends to Hawaii. I get back to Banff on the 12th and have no other epic travel plans until September-ish when I hope to have saved enough to leave Banff and travel Canada for about three weeks and see the sights before returning to New Zealand.
Anyway, I'll fill you in on what happened the last 23 days we had at Sunshine now.
On the 1st it was Renée's 21'st, and it just so happened that there was a staff Karaoke event organised at Trappers that night so we were able to celebrate her birthday with most of the on hill staff. We dedicate most of our songs to her, much to her embarrassment. But as far as 21st go it wasn't too embarrassing so she got off lightly.
We Housekeepers getting our groove on..now that was an embarrassing moment! (L-R: Becca, Sandra, me, Miriam, Becky, Azralia and Simone)
A few evenings later on the 7th after chilling out in Trappers, some of the staff members decided to hike up a slope of Wawa and have a little bonfire. Someone brought their guitar along and we sat out under the sky plucking random chords until far too the morning. My friend Azarlia somehow managed to slide off the little ridge we were sitting on and into a drift, narrowly missing a tree stump. That girl is the most accident prone individual I have ever met! I was the first to leave, at 4am (even though I started work at 9am) and as I was walking back to my building, Arnica, I noticed the snow underfoot seemed to be moving. I looked up and it was the reflection of the Northern lights. They weren't brilliantly bright but they were still beautiful, and made staying up that late/early definitely worth it.
We had been promised a terrain park lesson on the evening of the 9th which I had been looking forward too, but it got cancelled because the weather wasn't good enough-even though it had been a lovely day and was a clear evening. That was a little disappointing but seeing as the date had kept being pushed back we had guessed that it wouldn't eventuate.
The 12th was another free BBQ dinner for the staff and a volley ball net and a soccer field were set up for some casual games. It was a splendidly sunny summery evening and it was great to all hang out and have good food and play some sports.
The last Trappers party was a pyjama party. There had been votes going on about what we wanted it to be; the top voted one was pyjama, but only because lingerie wasn't deemed an appropriate theme.. The pool table was broken that night so free pool made the evening even better in mine and Azarlia's opinion. (We may have been the ones who accidentally broke it but we're not quite sure how exactly we did it..) Everyone thought that it would be a big final party but it was actually a medium sized crowd which was nice as there was space to breathe and move and you knew everyone so it was more an intimate farewell then a crushed goodbye. Which was lovely.
Myself and Rob (a Kiwi/Aussie) at the pyjama party
A photo of Trapper Jerry (whom Trappers the bar is named after) which hangs in Trappers..the bar.
Not so lovely was the news we woke to the next morning. Some of our staff members had been fooling around after drinking on the back of a moving snowcat, had fallen off and been run over. We were told that he had broken his back, crushed his legs and would be lucky to ever walk again. This shocked us all and made the mood a bit somber as you can imagine for a few days. But it's come out that he only cracked a few ribs and maybe broke the tip off one of his vertebrae. He's one an extremely lucky guy.
The last time I went out (on the 17th) was terribly sad. I really, really love snowboarding and I wish I could chase winter all year round! I do need a new board though..I took a chip out of the nose of my board a few months ago and as I finished my last run I noticed that I'd taken an even bigger chip out of the back of my board..I think because I crashed into a tree. Oh well, at least I broke my board on the last day of my season then half way through it, right?
Myself, Elly, Maria and Becky on our last shred
For those of you who don't know what Slush Cup is I'll explain. A pit is dug, about 6 foot deep and 120 feet long-that is the measurement from the end of the jump to the end of the pit-and this year it was the longest pit in Sunshine Village history so they claim. It's filled with water and slushy snow to keep it chilly, and the aim of the game is to get enough momentum to ski or board over the water without wiping out, in all manner of crazy costumes. Only three or four skiers were able to do so. It was the 86th annual running of the event this year so nutters have been doing this for quite a while.
We Housekeepers in Staff Caf at the Housekeeping Send Off For Sandra Breakfast, the morning of Slush Cup (L-R around the tables: Becca, Karolina, Simone, Miriam, Sven, Azarlia, Toni, me, Sandra, Olivia, Elly, Becky and Mareika.)
Once it was over we casually wandered over to catch the gondola down to base as we had a staff dinner party to get to. It was a low-key event, and almost everyone went into town afterwards for a final party in the clubs. I had my interview at Evelyn's the next afternoon so I didn't catch the 10am bus back up the hill with everyone else, instead I slept in a puddle of sunshine in the park until it was time. Thankfully I was able to catch a ride with Becky in her truck to Sunshine in time for last gondola-I didn't fancy staying another night in town. It was my last ride on the gondola though I didn't know it at the time. We had been told that on Friday when we all had to vacate the hill that the gondola would be running but on Thursday they changed their minds and decided that they were closing it that evening and we would have to catch a snowcat and then a bus to get off. That made moving more difficult but I had wanted to ride in a cat since day one so it was cool to actually be able to tick that off as achieved.
Luggage was loaded onto crates at the front and..
passengers sat in a box on the back of the cat.
On our final day of work (Thursday) we had a chip and drink party as a little send off. We also played pool in the hotel games room on the really nice pool table (we're used to playing on Trappers' table which is notorious for it's curves) which was a treat. Becky and Mareika decorated our laundry room with streamers and wrote this thank you for us. Was a nice surprise to come in to.
Literally all that we had to do on Thursday was vacuum the rooms. We had cleaned the washrooms the day before so seeing as we had time on our hands, Toni, Azarlia and I dressed up in the shower curtains that had been removed from the rooms. Don't we look dashing? (Photo credit to Toni.)
Oh. It's been the best time and I'm sad this is the last Sunshine dedicated issue of my blog. I say dedicated because the hill is open in the summer for hiking and I'm hoping to make it up there one sung day to see the slopes without snow on them and take a little walk down memory lane..even though I won't have been gone that long at all.
Goodness, it's nearly 20:30. Time flies when you're reminiscing.
Until my next entry (which after I've talked about Hawaii will probably just be about coffees so don't look forward to it too much)..
Sunday 27 April 2014
April Events
The end of next month marks the end of season. Waa!! I'm going to be so sad when we all leave and winter is over but I'm getting excited about summer here and the new adventures waiting to be adventured.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Winter (well technically spring snowboarding) is still happening and there have still been staff events happening. Let me tell you about those.
Firstly we had a bonfire one Monday evening. It was a bit weird as there's light until almost nine now so having a bonfire at six in what seems like broad daylight but nevertheless it was good fun. Free hot chocolate and marshmallows didn't dull the mood either. After the bonfire some of us went to Chimney Corner (the hotel restaurant) for a farewell dinner for Ben, our favourite Australian security guard. Drinks at Trappers followed and poor Ben got lifted up (he's the same height as me, so not the tallest lad around) and duct taped to one of the support poles in Trappers.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Winter (well technically spring snowboarding) is still happening and there have still been staff events happening. Let me tell you about those.
Firstly we had a bonfire one Monday evening. It was a bit weird as there's light until almost nine now so having a bonfire at six in what seems like broad daylight but nevertheless it was good fun. Free hot chocolate and marshmallows didn't dull the mood either. After the bonfire some of us went to Chimney Corner (the hotel restaurant) for a farewell dinner for Ben, our favourite Australian security guard. Drinks at Trappers followed and poor Ben got lifted up (he's the same height as me, so not the tallest lad around) and duct taped to one of the support poles in Trappers.
That was on the 7th. On Friday 11th Adam, Becky, Elly and I went to Calgary to watch the Calgary Flames take on the Winnipeg Jets. Wednesday 9th there had been a staff trip to the hockey organised but their seats weren't as good and it turns out that Friday was also fan appreciation night so we got a free scarf each and at intervals during the game different sections of the stadium got free stuff thrown at them; shirts, gift cards etc. Our section didn't get anything chucked at it but we weren't crying about that. The Flames lost but the atmosphere was so awesome and it was a bucket list item ticked off.
Mwah, Elly, Becky and Adam
The ice getting prepped
Monday 14th there was a staff six a side soccer tournament with a free BBQ dinner for spectators and players. We housekeepers (plus Axel, my neighbour who works at Trappers during the day in the kitchen) got together a team. We were the only team of mostly all girls; in fact we were the only team with girls. The boys all joked about going soft on us but we won quite convincingly our first game and won the respect and fear of the rest of our opponents. Our next game (which would have seen us through to the final had we won) was decided on penalty shots and we didn't win sadly. The team that won said they were glad they didn't have to play us so that was a nice pat on the back.
The following Monday evening a volley ball net was erected in front of Trappers and a few of us turned up for a fun game. We ended up playing for over two hours until we lost light and the wind chill got us. It's been fun playing sports as we've done nothing sporty at all these past six months.
Wednesday 23rd was the 80's party at Trappers. It coincided with our security supervisors 30th birthday too so double celebration! It was so much fun and everyone really got into the dress up and looked incredible.
Renée and Matt
Azarlia
80's Housekeepers (clockwise from back): me, Azarlia, Becky, Eva and Elly
Some of the awesome staff in their getups
Azarlia and Miriam
Friday 25th was paint balling!! So much fun and I even got some bruises..sadly it was only but a few. We left base at ten and got to the field at noon. It took an age to get us all sorted but then we were let loose and played various games on the different fields they had. There were heaps of different ones decorated with burnt out cars and buses and tires in strategic piles and wooden walls and branch stacks..it was epic. Sadly I was having too much fun shooting and getting shot to take any pictures.
Today I went down to base on the skidoo with George. So much fun! We zipped down the ski out to base where he had to unload the garbage from the day out of metal crates into the truck. Poor fellow, none of the crates went smoothly and I now have a new found appreciation for what it is the warehouse guys have to do. Heading back up the ski out was more exciting then going down as the snow had firmed up a bit more so we were able to go faster and take turns tighter. Dad, I still plan on getting a dirt bike when I get home. ;D
Unloading the crates
George working hard
In other news, I have conjunctivitis in both eyes. I had to take the day off today (Sunday) to go to the doctors as I was sent home early yesterday because I couldn't focus and they were really painful. Seeing as it was Sunday and I haven't had a Sunday off all season I took the opportunity to go to church. I Googled Banff churches and Banff Park Church on Cougar Street sounded like the Bible Chapel so that's where I went. It was really weird being in a church again but Canadian churches sing the same songs as Marton churches so I wasn't standing there dumbly like a complete heathen. All in all it seemed pretty legit so I might go there again once season is over. After church I went to the doctors and was told what I already thought; that I have conjunctivitis. There is nothing I can do except let it run it's seven-to-twelve day course-I'm really hoping it's seven days!! I've also a sniffly nose and sore throat which is part of the virus so this week hasn't and won't be the best one I'm guessing. Never mind though!
On that delightful note I shall leave you. We are meant to be having a Karaoke/Bingo night at Trappers on Wednesday (rumour has it) so that should be…interesting. Might let you know how that goes in the next update which might not be until the end of season..can't believe I've nearly been here seven months. Time flies I tell you.
Kia kaha everyone.
Monday 31 March 2014
March in a Nutshell
I'd better start off with what I missed from February.
On the 11th Becky and I did a First Aid course, which was super fun and easy. You'll be glad to know we passed so I can (try to) save a choking you with this new found knowledge.
Below are some photos of Becky's birthday at Norquay.
That was February.
March.
Nothing interesting happened until Wednesday 13th when we had our pre-St. Patrick's day party at everybody's favourite bar, Trappers. The bar keeps swapped their normal grey uniforms for green, there was green decorations up and best of all-the beer was green. I'd never seen that before (probably because I'd never celebrated St. Patties day before) but I was assured that it's quite common, and there is even a river that gets dyed every year for that one day. I don't want to know what they put in it to make it so. Well actually I do. Even better then green beer was the igloos that we built earlier that evening. Ed, the front desk supervisor and our housekeeping supervisor Mareika decided that we should have a team building exercise so got a guy in to show us how igloos are built. My team consisted of Adam from concierge, Azarlia, Sandra and Eva who work with me. We were the only team to finish our 'inhabitable' igloo-something we are quite proud of. In case you don't know how to build an igloo, you saw blocks of snow, starting smallish and working bigger, slanting them so they lean on each other. They naturally curve in and wind up to become an igloo. Sounds simple but it took us like two or more hours to complete. But such an awesome experience.
Friday 15th we staff had a little movie night in one of the meet rooms of the hotel. It was something to do and quite fun to do something as a group.
Tuesday 18th to Friday 21st I went on a little roadie with Becky, Adam, Matt and Elly. We left Banff after work on the 18th and headed in our red rental to Fernie Ski Resort. Wednesday we boarded all day and Fernie was a really cool resort but unfortunately it had been rained on a week or so prior so even though there was powder on the top under was all rough and bumpy, so that kind of ruined it. We headed to our accommodation in Pincher Creek for the night. Thursday was boarding again, but this time at Castle Ski Resort. The powder there was amazing-easily the nicest pow I've seen in my life. It was a smaller resort and tucked away-the best kept secret ae. We stayed the night again in Pincher and took our sweet time heading back to Banff. It was nice having that whole day to head home as it meant we arrived back at work feeling like we'd had time off, and not like we needed a days rest.
Wednesday 26th I went dog sledding! It was so much fun. Becky, Adam, Elly, myself and a bunch of others from our resort went (it was a trip Employee Services organised for us). Elly and I were in the same sled and we got to drive it. We got a run down of the breeds of the sled dogs before we headed off and interestingly enough Husky's aren't used normally as all the 'work' has been bred out of them in search of their pretty looks. We had a guide with us so had a team of eight. Our leads were called Ofire and Lady. Behind them were Tsunami and her partner whose name I can't remember, then Trixie and Cracken, and finally Cyclone and Baloo. Kraken was my favourite as soon as I saw him so I was really happy when I found out he was on our sled. It was so nice to be near a dog again!
Today we were meant to have a bonfire night with hot chocolate and marshmallows but it's been moved to tomorrow as today we had an avalanche on the Dive and all the trail crew members were there, and not setting up the fire-totally understandable. So next time I'll tell you all about that.
We housekeepers went on a group board break one day and chucked some bras we had unclaimed in Lost and Found.
Me, Becky, Olivia and Elly
On the 11th Becky and I did a First Aid course, which was super fun and easy. You'll be glad to know we passed so I can (try to) save a choking you with this new found knowledge.
Below are some photos of Becky's birthday at Norquay.
Norquay Shredding Crew. Rob, Elena, Alan, Rachel, Becky, Alex, Elly, me, Ally, Olivia and Matt.
Myself, Olivia, Elly and Becky
Tubing
That was February.
March.
Nothing interesting happened until Wednesday 13th when we had our pre-St. Patrick's day party at everybody's favourite bar, Trappers. The bar keeps swapped their normal grey uniforms for green, there was green decorations up and best of all-the beer was green. I'd never seen that before (probably because I'd never celebrated St. Patties day before) but I was assured that it's quite common, and there is even a river that gets dyed every year for that one day. I don't want to know what they put in it to make it so. Well actually I do. Even better then green beer was the igloos that we built earlier that evening. Ed, the front desk supervisor and our housekeeping supervisor Mareika decided that we should have a team building exercise so got a guy in to show us how igloos are built. My team consisted of Adam from concierge, Azarlia, Sandra and Eva who work with me. We were the only team to finish our 'inhabitable' igloo-something we are quite proud of. In case you don't know how to build an igloo, you saw blocks of snow, starting smallish and working bigger, slanting them so they lean on each other. They naturally curve in and wind up to become an igloo. Sounds simple but it took us like two or more hours to complete. But such an awesome experience.
Floor planning with Eva and Azarlia
Helping Adam
Eva, myself, Azarlia, Igloo, Adam and Sandra
This was taken just as I broke the doorway..you can see the crack..
Tuesday 18th to Friday 21st I went on a little roadie with Becky, Adam, Matt and Elly. We left Banff after work on the 18th and headed in our red rental to Fernie Ski Resort. Wednesday we boarded all day and Fernie was a really cool resort but unfortunately it had been rained on a week or so prior so even though there was powder on the top under was all rough and bumpy, so that kind of ruined it. We headed to our accommodation in Pincher Creek for the night. Thursday was boarding again, but this time at Castle Ski Resort. The powder there was amazing-easily the nicest pow I've seen in my life. It was a smaller resort and tucked away-the best kept secret ae. We stayed the night again in Pincher and took our sweet time heading back to Banff. It was nice having that whole day to head home as it meant we arrived back at work feeling like we'd had time off, and not like we needed a days rest.
Elly and Becky excited for the 'weekend' boarding
Becky at Fernie
Elly at Fernie
Adam and Matt at Fernie
Becky and Matt at Castle
Elly hugging powder at Castle
A snow storm blew up on our way back to Pincher Creek
Scenery on the way back to Banff
Wednesday 26th I went dog sledding! It was so much fun. Becky, Adam, Elly, myself and a bunch of others from our resort went (it was a trip Employee Services organised for us). Elly and I were in the same sled and we got to drive it. We got a run down of the breeds of the sled dogs before we headed off and interestingly enough Husky's aren't used normally as all the 'work' has been bred out of them in search of their pretty looks. We had a guide with us so had a team of eight. Our leads were called Ofire and Lady. Behind them were Tsunami and her partner whose name I can't remember, then Trixie and Cracken, and finally Cyclone and Baloo. Kraken was my favourite as soon as I saw him so I was really happy when I found out he was on our sled. It was so nice to be near a dog again!
Kraken and I
Dog sledding group
Today we were meant to have a bonfire night with hot chocolate and marshmallows but it's been moved to tomorrow as today we had an avalanche on the Dive and all the trail crew members were there, and not setting up the fire-totally understandable. So next time I'll tell you all about that.
Friday 21 February 2014
"Magical Blog"
This post is dedicated to George, Olivia and Elly.
Tonight after work Olivia and George and myself sat down to watch a film. We decided on "Easy A" and if you haven't watched it it's formatted in like a video blog. For some reason George asked me if I had a blog; I learned from Olive Pendergast's mistake and confessed that yes I do have one. Before I knew it "Easy A" was forgotten and they were reading my blog-start to finish. George was jealous that he hadn't made it yet so implored me to write this so he could read about himself. So this is really for George Mann, the slurring* English man who lives down my hall.
Before we started the film Olivia (who has just moved into our section coz we're all awesome and is Elly's new roomie) was locked out. We thought at first she was confusing her keys, then that she wasn't holding the door handle just right (her door it turns out is quite temperamental) but we couldn't open it no matter how many different angels the handle was held-or how hard George ran into the door. We took shelter in George's room listening to Ben Howard until Security Ben came down the hall and saved the day letting us in with his master key. (There you go Olivia, you just need to get a master key and all your problems will be solved.)
They now want me to write about our awesome day yesterday. Sadly, George doesn't make this entry as he was too cool to hang with us. But anyway, after work Olivia, Elly and I went to Becky's for a movie night; it was Iron Man, and the recording cut out just as Jedediah was about to attack Pepper-talk about a cliff-hanger. Once we were all tucked up in bed someone checked aurorawatch which is the website every looks at to see the likelihood of the Northern Lights appearing that night. Yeah. (George's input right there.) It was 91% so we all leap up, chucked jackets and boots on and went out to have a looksie. We could just see the faint green glow from them and got so excited that we started to hike up Wawa. We don't know exactly how tall it is but it's steep and we (numpdies we are) decided to go up the black run. It was quite icy underfoot and thankfully we didn't slide all the way back down. It took probably half an hour to reach the top and by that time the clouds had blown over and we couldn't see the lights anymore. So we sat on the chair that was conveniently perched at the lift and ate chocolate somewhere in the degree of minus teens. Going back down was quicker but scarier as the moon was covered and it felt like your feet were going to slip out from under you and you'd barrel down to the bottom. So Becky, Axel and Olivia got out plastic bags that Axel randomly had in his pockets and slid down on them. Elly and I walked down like goobers.
In the morning we girls jumped on the gondola and caught the bus into Banff. After breakfast at Toulooloo's we traversed the 10km out of Banff to Norquay in yet another bus. There was quite a crew from work there; Security Matt, Rob, Alan, Alex, Ally, Elly, Olivia, Rachel, Becky, Elena and I. We shredded for a while and then headed to tubing where the guys throwing us down the tracks guessed we were work. When we asked why they said it was because we were a large group-it was like being a homeschooler all over again.
Once we left Norquay and reached Banff we checked into our hotel and blobbed until eight. Dinner at Chili's, more hotel blobbing and then clubbing summed up the night. Getting to bed at half two with a half six wake up with a full days work ahead wasn't so exciting but we managed.
And that brings you to Olivia being locked out.
Thanks goes to George's Toronto's Maple Leafs hat which I wore while writing this; and his broad music genre playlist.
*I caught up with George one morning last week while out boarding on Wolverine park and as we were conversing on the way up the lift the subject of accents came up. He joined the club of people who think we say our I's and E's funny and I retaliated by saying his accent sounds slow and mumbling. He laughed and agreed, saying he's been told that he talks really slowly and people fall asleep before he finishes his sentences. (Ohk, I added that last part-but it's a good description!) It's safe to say George will never be a rapper.
George is buggin me to finish so he can read this so I'll stop typing now. Hope this was everything you thought it would be George.
Tonight after work Olivia and George and myself sat down to watch a film. We decided on "Easy A" and if you haven't watched it it's formatted in like a video blog. For some reason George asked me if I had a blog; I learned from Olive Pendergast's mistake and confessed that yes I do have one. Before I knew it "Easy A" was forgotten and they were reading my blog-start to finish. George was jealous that he hadn't made it yet so implored me to write this so he could read about himself. So this is really for George Mann, the slurring* English man who lives down my hall.
Before we started the film Olivia (who has just moved into our section coz we're all awesome and is Elly's new roomie) was locked out. We thought at first she was confusing her keys, then that she wasn't holding the door handle just right (her door it turns out is quite temperamental) but we couldn't open it no matter how many different angels the handle was held-or how hard George ran into the door. We took shelter in George's room listening to Ben Howard until Security Ben came down the hall and saved the day letting us in with his master key. (There you go Olivia, you just need to get a master key and all your problems will be solved.)
They now want me to write about our awesome day yesterday. Sadly, George doesn't make this entry as he was too cool to hang with us. But anyway, after work Olivia, Elly and I went to Becky's for a movie night; it was Iron Man, and the recording cut out just as Jedediah was about to attack Pepper-talk about a cliff-hanger. Once we were all tucked up in bed someone checked aurorawatch which is the website every looks at to see the likelihood of the Northern Lights appearing that night. Yeah. (George's input right there.) It was 91% so we all leap up, chucked jackets and boots on and went out to have a looksie. We could just see the faint green glow from them and got so excited that we started to hike up Wawa. We don't know exactly how tall it is but it's steep and we (numpdies we are) decided to go up the black run. It was quite icy underfoot and thankfully we didn't slide all the way back down. It took probably half an hour to reach the top and by that time the clouds had blown over and we couldn't see the lights anymore. So we sat on the chair that was conveniently perched at the lift and ate chocolate somewhere in the degree of minus teens. Going back down was quicker but scarier as the moon was covered and it felt like your feet were going to slip out from under you and you'd barrel down to the bottom. So Becky, Axel and Olivia got out plastic bags that Axel randomly had in his pockets and slid down on them. Elly and I walked down like goobers.
In the morning we girls jumped on the gondola and caught the bus into Banff. After breakfast at Toulooloo's we traversed the 10km out of Banff to Norquay in yet another bus. There was quite a crew from work there; Security Matt, Rob, Alan, Alex, Ally, Elly, Olivia, Rachel, Becky, Elena and I. We shredded for a while and then headed to tubing where the guys throwing us down the tracks guessed we were work. When we asked why they said it was because we were a large group-it was like being a homeschooler all over again.
Once we left Norquay and reached Banff we checked into our hotel and blobbed until eight. Dinner at Chili's, more hotel blobbing and then clubbing summed up the night. Getting to bed at half two with a half six wake up with a full days work ahead wasn't so exciting but we managed.
And that brings you to Olivia being locked out.
Thanks goes to George's Toronto's Maple Leafs hat which I wore while writing this; and his broad music genre playlist.
*I caught up with George one morning last week while out boarding on Wolverine park and as we were conversing on the way up the lift the subject of accents came up. He joined the club of people who think we say our I's and E's funny and I retaliated by saying his accent sounds slow and mumbling. He laughed and agreed, saying he's been told that he talks really slowly and people fall asleep before he finishes his sentences. (Ohk, I added that last part-but it's a good description!) It's safe to say George will never be a rapper.
George is buggin me to finish so he can read this so I'll stop typing now. Hope this was everything you thought it would be George.
This is The Hat.
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