Ahhhhhhhh-lympics

The Olympics were everything I expected them to be an so much more!

Really. I mean that.

We decided (as suggested by the Olympic website) to park and take the train into Vancouver.

Let me just say I am so glad that I got to go to the Olympics in Canada. All of the volunteers were incredibly nice, friendly and helpful even if you didn't ask a question. We were walking around Vancouver and I said something along the lines of "We're going to this street, it's three or four blocks ahead." And a nice volunteer in a bright blue jacket that was waiting next to us at the red light to cross the street said, "Yes! You're right!"

I wasn't lost, nor was I even asking a question. But it was nice that he was there to reassure me that I was correct in my journey. Sometimes when you're traveling in a not too familiar place it's comforting to know you're doing it right.

Anyway, back to the Olympics. We rode the train for free. Originally we were worried that since we had our tickets through Will Call that we'd be asked by a conductor or something to see them while we were on the train since public transportation was supposed to be free for any ticket-holders.

As far as we could tell the entire public transportation system seemed to be on the honors system. It was crazy! Only in Canada, right? Anyone could ride for free since no one was checking for tickets but there were still people purchasing them at the station when we got there. Crazy Canadians, that would never work in NYC.

An RCMP at the station told us that the arena was a few blocks from the other train station and we could walk it or take a shuttle. It was starting to rain so we opted for the shuttle.

Let me just go on the record for saying that I love the whole design aesthetic and color choice for the Vancouver games. Really. The blues and greens were beautifully combined in multiple murals and enclosures as we arrived at the venue.

We got through security and immediately had some Molsons. They had added extra bathroom facilities to the arena so when we decided to make a pit stop we walked into the bathroom and were met with a tent. It was so interesting. The bathroom door was really a door to the outside of the arena and you entered this semi-permanent tent they had attached to the building full of port-o-potties. And these were classy port-o-potties, you could actually fit in them. I was impressed.

Cutest little Zamboni ever!

Then we got to our seats and watched the venue fill up slowly. The officials were selecting the rocks and the maintenance crew was watering and smoothing the ice. It was wildly entertaining to watch the little Zamboni go up and down the ice.

Then the event began and the crowd was intense. There were probably about 30 Swedish fans in the entire arena. All the rest were Canadians with a sprinkling of random countries like the US.

We were surrounded by Canadian curling fans. And let me tell you, the know their curling. The lady sitting behind Dan and Julianne spent a little time narrating what was going on so they got it. And the two gentlemen sitting behind Jason and I were discussing the entire match's strategy. They were all super nice.

I got cold, so I used the flag as a blanket.

Medal ceremony.

All in all. GREATEST TRIP EVER. Really. I had so much fun. The Canadians were so nice and accommodating and really just the perfect Olympic Hosts.

Plus I got to ring my cowbell like nobody's business!!!

DPF: MLP

Ummm...this quite possibly is the most amazing thing I've ever seen.

I know it's not technically a Dance Party Friday but I dare you not to laugh.



My favorite parts:

1. MLP1 goes nuts and starts breaking down the set.
2. MLP-Alpheba hops up on the little tiny incline for the last part of the song.
   
3. MLP-Glinda comes out of nowhere for her last line.

Today we're seeing Curling!!!! More posts to come when I get home :)

Vancouver, eh?

Got an early start and packed the car. Including Dan's American flag that flew over the Capitol so we could (as Dan put it) represent our country. Before we left Dan demanded that everyone take out their passports and wave them around so he could see them.

We had a little bit of a drama about the passports. Back in August when I visited Jason in VA and we booked our flights for this trip I told him that he needed to get a passport since it's mandatory for travel into Canada now.

I didn't really think anything of it until a month ago when Dan randomly reminded me that we need passports for our trip. So I called Jason and asked him if he had ever applied for one and of course since he's a Koala he hadn't. Basically he had to pay the extra money to get it in 2-4 weeks instead of 4-6 weeks and he had to run around and miss part of a day of work to do it. He's special, but I love him.

Anyway, I asked Dan to wave around his passport too, since he was demanding we did. Is nice, no?

It took us a little over an hour to get up to the border and we went straight through, making sure to switch the car's computer to kilometers so we weren't speeding through Canada.

The Peace Arch

We drove straight up to Vancouver and decided to park and wander around after we picked up the tickets. There were people everywhere. We wandered over to the mall because the Olympic Superstore was there and we wanted to do some shopping. After searching around a bit we finally found it but you had to go out of the mall to enter the area. They literally had the store blocked off with traffic barriers.

Dan: You know, this isn't the Berlin wall. We can just jump over it, it's not like they have machine guns or anything.
Canadian guy behind us: *laughs at Dan's choice words*
Me: Shut up Dan, we're representing our country. No international incidents, remember?

Our father's one rule for our trip was not to cause any international incidents that might bring shame to our family or our country.

After giving up on the line that was two blocks long just to get into the Superstore, we wandered up to Stanley Park. Dan missed the first turn into the parking lot for the totem poles and I'm kind of glad he did because we pulled off into another parking lot near the Olympic Rings.

It was pretty. And we made it over to the totem park a few minutes later. I knew from the last trip I'd taken to Vancouver with my parents that there was a little gift shop next to the totem poles and I was hoping they'd have some of the Olympic merchandise we were looking for without the lines we saw downtown.

There was absolutely no line, and spent a good hour picking out Olympic paraphernalia and gifts to bring home to people. The ladies there are super nice and incredibly helpful. I recommend doing any Vancouver-related shopping there. They have a beautiful collection of aboriginal art, I brought a print home for my parents to add to their collection.

Those red mittens were everywhere!

After our shopping spree we drove a little further north up to Capilano. I really wanted Jason to see the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Julibean hadn't been there yet either. We had a lot of fun wandering through the trees. And I think we all enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Enjoying the view from the bridge.

Classic.

The closest we got to a Mountie.

We spent the night in a hotel in Chilliwack which was about an hour east of Vancouver. It was the cheapest thing we could find for the night that didn't seem really sketchy. It was pretty nice.

Tomorrow:

• Gold Medalist Women's Curling!!!
  

More West Coast Shenanigans

Today was quite the full day. Jason and I went over to Bob's to look at a few couches and dining room sets. We liked one of the couches but they didn't have anything in the country kitchen kind of genre I want for a dining room set. (More on this later).

Then the three of us hopped on our JetBlue flight out to Seattle and we were greeted at the airport by Dan. I haven't seen Dan since Jaclyn's wedding since he couldn't come home for Christmas this year. I've missed Dan.

We killed some time at Ikea and Jason and I fought over tables. He's super picky...even more picky than I am about really odd things. (Again, more on this later).

Met Dan's friend Christina for Pho. We love Pho, if you haven't had it, what the hell are you waiting for? Just make sure you save me some bean sprouts!

Jason had a little spill at the condiment counter.

We hung out around the house and packed our bags for Canada. And now we're just enjoying catching up a little bit with Dan.

Tomorrow's agenda:

1. Drive to Vancouver to pick up tickets from Will Call Office.
2. Stanley Park!
3. Capilano Suspension Bridges.
   

Today's the Day!

Today we get on our flight out of JFK and head for Seattle. I'm super excited.

I get to see my brudder.

I get to ring my cowbell.

I get to go to the huge-ass Ikea.

AND I get to eat Pho.

Where can you go wrong with a day like that?

Kittie Cafe

Just had to share this with all of you.

Mostly Ashley, but seriously, it's hilarious anyway.

I especially love the Cat Menu.

Manjoyment Monday: Light of my Life

Twelve years ago I fell for someone.

I'm not quite sure what it was, but there was just that X-factor. Was it his huge smile? His quiet concentration? The damn soul patch on his chin? I'm not sure I'll ever know the answer.



I'm almost positive it has something to do with the fact he is an Olympian seeing as although I was excited he got to spend some time in the limelight away from speed skating when he was on Dancing with the Stars I just couldn't get into that as much as my face is glued to the television when he's skating. There's something ethereal about the way he moves. (Yeah I went there.)

He tied Bonnie Blair for the most Olympic Speed Skating Medals. He's secured his name in the record books and deep in the cockles of my heart.

Many have joined the bandwagon in loving this man but I among the silly Rock posters, clippings of that blue alien dude from the Walkman has landed ads, and photos torn out of Sports Illustrated of Mike Piazza, I had one sole photo on my wall of Apolo ages ago.

Ours is a long enduring love.

(I know, I'm a sick sad person.)