English Bay Sunset

Today was a busy day!

First thing in the morning, I had to go get AirCare test done on my car. On the way back to work, I get stuck on the wrong side of the train tracks when the crossing train decides to stop halfway and delayed getting to the office even though I was just about 2 minutes away.

When I got to the office, I had to plug away at my to-do list for the day as I had a chiropractic appointment at noon. I headed back to work for another hour, then had to leave early for a doctor's appointment in the afternoon.

Sean was off today to I swung by home to pick him up and he came with me to the doctor's office. The doctor confirmed that Maddi's still head down and everything looks good.

After the appointment, we stopped by our friends Sonia & Jeff's place for a little bit. Sonia wanted to give me Maddi's shower present as she likely won't be able to make it to my shower this Saturday.

On the way to drop Sean off at the beach, I decided to stay and hang out instead of heading home. I'm glad I did. I just chilled by the courtside, watched our friends play volleyball, grabbed dinner, and ate it with this sunset view in front of me. These are times worth soaking in...

Exploring Clayburn

Last night, Cathy served us a wonderful dinner of avocado & tomato salad and gnocchi with LOTS of cheese. This morning, she made fresh orange scones and we got freshly picked blackberries for breakfast. Then, we got ready for our private tour of Clayburn Village - complete with meeting some of her neighbours. Such a neat place... I love how cute and quaint everything was. We got the full country hospitality!

I've said it many times - she lives such a romantic life... and this is the perfect place for her.

Channeling Light

Today, our class took a field trip to downtown Victoria. Our first stop was Chinatown, where Scott took us through the very narrow Fan Tan Alley. It had some gorgeous channeled light; here's my shot from it.

Playing With Light

Despite how tired I was last night, I had a hard time sleeping. However, I still had an early start today with breakfast at 7.30am and the first class starting at 8.30am... and another late night tonight with the class ending at 9.30pm. It must've been adrenaline that carried me through the day.

I have taken a one day workshop with our instructor Scott Robert Lim last Fall, so a lot of the lecture material covered in class today was a review for me. The afternoon however, was the chance to put into practice everything we learned in class and the opportunity to capture some amazing images in the school's chapel. Above is a photograph of one of our models, Kendra, to give you a taste of what we've been playing with!

As much fun as it has been, it's also been a long day. It's time to turn the lights out and get some good rest for another amazing day tomorrow!

Exploration

Today, hubby, father-in-law and Colleen came with me to Shawnigan Lake School to drop me off at a week long photography workshop with Image Explorations. I've been looking forward to this week for a long time; I was part excited but part nervous.

I am taking Scott Robert Lim's class for the next 4 days... and learning from him to become a master of light. His images are amazing, and I want to learn how to create images like that. However, more than just learning the technical aspect of photography... I am here to gain confidence as a photographer, to find more fuel for my passion, and inspiration to encourage me to take my photography more seriously and go further with it. I've already met my roommate and our neighbour from the next dorm room who we will be sharing the bathroom with. I've already made a handful of new friends on the first day, I can't wait to play and meet more people throughout the week.

I've heard this workshop has been life changing for people, I am looking forward to not only exploring images, but also myself as a photographer.

My New Favourite Spot

 

A year and a half after we moved in, we've finally been able to furnish our patio about 95% of how we would like it. This would easily be my favourite area of our home - if only it were nice out and I can enjoy it more! We now have a BBQ, so are equipped for summer cooking; an outdoor dining table for six where yummy goods fresh off the grill can be enjoyed; and a lounge area for after dinner drinks and conversation.

Mr. Sun, seriously... please come out and stay a while so we can enjoy this space more and I don't have to keep rescuing my plants from drowning to death; some of them look a little grim lately!

I sure hope Summer next year would be nice and long... I would love to spend much of my time out here with baby McMillen during my mat leave!

Doll Houses

Hubby an I walked to the West End to visit our friends Anne & Henry, as well as to hunt for my photo of the day on the way. We decided to walk by these houses which I just love. Aren't they dreamy? They look like doll houses! The green one, second from the left, is my favourite!

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

Today was definitely a day for umbrellas and wellies. On the drive home, I started singing Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head in the car - yes, I had to hum most of the song since I really only know that one line.

Since it's so wet out, I don't know if I'll want to go for a walk in the rain later tonight. So, I decided to stop in the West End on my way home from work. I wanted to make sure I have a photo for today.

Isn't this such a typical Vancouver scenery? Wet, but beautiful! Most of us don't like the rain, but we know it is what makes this the beautiful place that it is. What if we learn ways to enjoy and play in the rain? I would love to go puddle jumping one day! Who's coming with me?

Dancing In The Moonlight

 

Hubby and I went for a walk tonight... in the rain. This was my favourite part of the walk... so pretty. 

And now, just as I'm writing this post, hubby is playing some really old tunes. Earth Angel came on, and I just had the image in my head of a couple slow dancing under moonlight in the middle of this courtyard.

It would be so romantic, wouldn't it?

Warmer Days

First of May and it was a nice, sunny day! However, hubby was pretty sick and I was starting to feel under the weather as well. Finally, at around 2pm, we decided to leave the house for some fresh air. We ended up walking a long way from our place to the Pan Pacific Hotel at Canada Place for an errand at Spa Utopia, then to Denman St. in the West End for a late lunch and then onto the beach at English Bay to watch some friends play volleyball - a sight I haven't seen for what seemed like forever! I hope it's a promise of warmer days ahead...

Happy 125th Bday Vancouver!

Today, the best city in the world celebrates its 125th birthday. I have been tired after work to do much lately; but today, I was excited to join in on the festivities at Jack Poole Plaza. So, after dinner, with my camera in tow... Sean and I made the trek on foot from Yaletown to the waterfront - it is quite a walk. We left around 7.15 and didn't get home till 10pm... on our feet the entire time!

There were bands playing, crazy soccer exhibitions, food carts of all flavours - a pizza cart, a dimsum cart, an Indian cart, a Mexican cart, and Mr. Tube Steak... if only I had known, we would've had dinner down there! There was even a giant birthday cake made with over 800 eggs by the culinary students at Vancouver Community College that was being served to everyone for dessert! Unfortunately, the line-up was too long, so we didn't get to try it.

On our way home, we walked by this street art, all in chalk... pretty amazing that it looks 3D in my picture! Thank you... whoever you are, for sharing your talent!

Apparently, there will be mini celebrations all year long! I'm looking forward to seeing Vancouverites having more fun out on the streets! Let's revive the open happiness that started during the Olympics!

Urban Oasis

I've walked by this park numerous times... and every time, it catches me a little bit by surprise. It's just not something you expect in the middle of downtown. But, this is Vancouver... where you would find a jewel of a place to enjoy "slowing down" in the middle of the hustle & bustle. This urban oasis is just another reason why I love this city!

Plain and Simply, Beautiful!

 

Sitting in my doctor's office and this was the view I had to enjoy... sure made the waiting a lot more tolerable =)

Attraversiamo

After work, I phoned my friend Nuala for an impromptu hang out because I wanted to go hunt for my photo of the day. I was so glad she could come. She took me to this park just across the street from her place, tucked away carefully like most precious spaces are. There was a creek, higglety pigglety steps everywhere, benches, lots of trees, then I came across...

A bridge. Sometimes, it is a welcomed opportunity to be able to explore a new world. Other times, it has felt like I am dragged across it kicking and screaming... stressing over the unknown. I think the bridges are all the same, it's me that is different whenever I come across one... which makes the difference on whether I welcome it or feel an aversion to it.

What if we welcomed every bridge with child-like, bright-eyed curiosity and love for adventure?

On The Rocks

On my way home today, I decided to take a detour into Stanley Park so I can take my photo for the day outside. It was a bit chilly, and I wasn't dressed warm enough. Otherwise, I would've gotten a cup of hot cocoa, sat on the rocks and enjoyed this view for a little longer.

For years now, Sean's grandma has given me this advice - take some time to stop and smell the roses once in a while... it's good advice, I really should listen to her wise words.

Nostalgia

Today, Sean and I had a visit with his grandma. We took her to Steveston Village, had lunch and walked around a little. We were walking along the boardwalk as grandma was telling us stories from when she lived on Vancouver Island for a while in a village of houseboats... and how one of the guys would take the ladies in his boat to go shopping on the mainland every once in a while.

Like any curious artist's mind would, my mind started to wander... imagining what it would've been like to live that life (with the help of the view I had, of course). When it came time to post the picture of the day, I decided to play in Photoshop to make the photo match the mood of my imagination.

By the way, Steveston Village is my new favourite place!

Charming

Forgetting to bring half of my lunch today resulted in an opportunity for me to get out of the office. On my way back from picking up my lunch, I went into a no-through road to turn around when I spotted this charming cottage that looked like it belonged in a fairy tale book. I'm curious as to what it looks like inside...

p.s. the name of the street it's on - Hope =)

ALONE TIME

It's been a bit of a challenge keeping up with my photo blog the past few days. It's been too cold, I mostly hesitate to go out; we've been too busy at work, we haven't been out on our usual walks lately; and I've been too tired, it can really be a challenge trying to find something "good, happy or beautiful" when all I want to do is curl up under the covers on my bed. However, I know I made this commitment to myself, so I had to do whatever it takes to keep up with what I've promised. So, despite being tired and despite that it's cold outside... I took a short walk to do some banking at the nearby TD Bank, then walked along the seawall on my way home.

As I was taking photos of the bridge, I spotted this rower. Such an inspiration - out by him/herself in the cold, paddling. I was reminded of how important alone time is. Every once in a while, we need to pay attention to our self, and meet our own needs.

It's An Eight Tanker Day!

 

I went to bed last night stressed and upset; woke up this morning right into feeling stressed and upset. By 2pm, I had to meet with my lab partner to work on our third Econ lab. As much as working on our lab isn't on my list of favourite things to do, it was far better than thinking about what's been stressing me out and upsetting me. It was a much needed distraction, a productive time that will take away future stress when it gets closer to the lab's due date... and it can't be that bad when this is the view we have as we work.

If Sean was there, he would say, "Babe, guess what?! It's an eight tanker day today!"

Your Royal Highness

When I walked out of the office at the end of another work day... I was greeted with a heart-stopping view of the surrounding trees, basking in an amazing glow from the setting sun. As I was about to drive away, I spotted an eagle sitting majestically on a branch, high up on one of the trees. As much as I was in a hurry to get to an appointment, I had to get out of the car and take this shot.

Keep your eyes open, so you will notice the beauty that may be right in front of you.