Too long

My finer minutes of the day are those that I spend in writing... my thoughts my feelings sometimes I wonder if what I think is wrong, if the way I see life is just the absolute wrong way to look at it. This is what I have learned being confident in who you are is attractive, rainy days with starbucks, train, oatmeal cookies, a venice beach hoodie and a journal are good for the soul. Babies make me happy. The thought of the Grove makes my heart smile. Sometimes life take us in many directions, without having any idea of what the destination may be. Sometimes life takes us places we may have never dreamed of going and then back to where we started. Sometimes we find different things we like and then realize the things we first had were actually what stole the love from our hearts. Life is about laughter, smiles, and sometimes tears. It is about grasping the good, embracing the bad and loving like hell.

Late nights+early mornings

I often ask myself why do I get myself into these situations of working nights, and not being able to sleep during the days...this is what I have figured out I LOVE TO NOT MISS THINGS I love to help others and any excuse to drink quad shot espressos from SBUX... Random but important thought

Summer Time

The sun is shining and I am inside at work. Isn't that how it always goes? We thrive for the days in which we can spend outside and then those days come and they storm. I suppose there is some sort of lesson to learn behind this series of disappointing rainy days off. Summer is exciting. This one is anyways. The day after tomorrow I will be packed up in the SUV heading on a road trip to one of my greatest friends wedding, after of course a day of working, visiting, and a date in which I have no idea how will go. This is what happens when your mother gets involved in you "love" life. HMMMMMMM... it will be a great day. Back to the wedding- I can not wait to be in California. First stop Sunburst, the Salt Lake, followed by Vegas, and then Temecula. How fun?!?! Life is great. Smile lots. Hugs lots. And be happy :)

this is so true to me

pictas to go along with VAN CITY POST

here we are... the three of us. SOV.NATE.KIKI. (no one who is a close friend of mine actually gets called their first name- its to boring, and I don't do boring).

friends. fires. starbucks mugs.

Summer is here. The yard work is close to finished. And we treated ourselves to a nice evening fire. Today I have learned that there are a few close friends in which I know will do anything and help me with anything when needed. Today is was breaking up ground with a shovel, leveling and laying down 20, 100lbs sidewalk blocks to make a patio. It also involved two broken blocks as well as a cut down tree, some blisters and some burns. THERE IS NO WHERE ELSE I WOULD HAVE RATHER BEEN TODAY. I love these people.Squish,Ri,Colbster. They are amazing. In life there are very few people you can trust your life with and know that they will always be there, and the three of these individuals are those people in my life. We ended the night having cleaned yards, hot dogs and smores and the company with one more important person, our dear friend Yesh. Here is to a wonderful summer full of nights like tonight. Cheers

wishing I was somewhere else

I often daydream which I think is productive while many people would argue this, but I am always up for a little debate for they are invigorating. Today as I sit in this desolate, cold, little office, I think of returning to the places in which I have left a piece of my heart. Now perhaps this is due to just coming home from a trip, but everytime I go somewhere, it makes me dream about the next adventure I will go on. California was amazing. It was beautiful. It was warm. Full of laughs. Smiles. Java. and making memories. You see there is nothing more important to me than those that I love. So what do I do about it? Get on planes, trains or in cars and go visit. Whilst in Los Angeles, there were many things to be experienced. Santee Alley Shopping. Yogurtland. The Grove. Malibu Beach. Griffith Park. HOLLYWOOD. Santa Monica Peir. 3rd St Promanade. Hairless Cats. Fancy Breakfast. Sunburns and Coronas. Life is great. I live the most blessed life. I have the best family. The best friends. The best memories. Not all good but non the less my life has been shaped by then. To me planes are exciting because it means you get to go somewhere different. Not always new but just different. With flights booked on the wrong days, parking garage issues, a lack of sunscreen, there are always the better things. The more memorable things. Some of which are much to innapropriate to ever be written on here for fear of one day my children- in which I do not have- will stumble accross. Heres my plight for the day Love and travel. Day dream about the things that make your heart jump. Think about those people who hurt you but in the way that you used to think about them before they did. Remember that coloring outside the lines is sometimes fun, and eat real ice cream. Yes. this is the key to a good life. LOVE LOVE LOVE

Welcome to CALI

Tomorrow at this time I will be in Venice, Cali hanging out with my BFF Squish and it will be oh-so-wonderful. We started a tradtion a few years ago where we decided that we would go on a trip... like a real, get on an airplane, have a great time trip. Soooooooooo tomorrow at 7am mountain time we will board a large plane and peace out for 6 days. I am thrilled beyond measure. I get to see my dear friends in LA which to me is the most exciting part. There lives in the big city will be shared with me for the first time. Heres my thought about life, if people mean something to you, you need to do whatever it takes to keep that friendship alive. Sincerely SOOOOOOO EXCITED

Little Rascals

its a great day when some of the people who have shaped your life and mean so much to you grace with their pressence...

I am happy my friend is home from Los Angeles... It is wonderful.

less than 60 hours..

I believe that people are only a plane ride away and if they are worth it to you, you make the effort for them

In this case one of my besties, Nate G. needed someone to move him home from the big VAN CITY, and when he asked me to, there was no hesitation. He means that much to me. Sooooo... my friend Sauve and I packed as little as we could and headed out on Friday night at 5 in Florence (yes.. my car has a name).. Drove through the night and arrived at 5:30 am Vancouver time. We are troopers, I was impressed.

You see Nate has been a part of my life for almost 5 years. He has never wavered, and I have learned that time and distance only changes things if you allow it to. Soooooooo... hold on to those who mean something to you...send postcards.. have skype dates... get on a flippin plane and quit using excuses. Life is short, live it up.
He lived on the Downtown Eastside in which I have been too, many a time, but every time I go there is something gripping about it, there is a part of my heart that will always be there and to be frank, I will miss spending time down there when I know go to Van. There are so many stories, so many beautiful faces that need to be loved, and all I want to do is help them.

After getting a few hours of sleep we traipsed around the city trying to find bungee cords. You see, I have an SUV, which is a slight step up from the sunfire I once had, but even still Nate has accumulated lots of treasures since embarking on this big city adventure a year and a half ago, Needless to say, Flo's roof became prime packing area. 46 bungee cords and three tarp straps, and a tarp later, she was ready to go.

We spent the afternoon on Granville Island having fish and chips, and JJ Bean, perusing through the market, getting lost in time. From there we went back to Jackson and Cordova and watched the timeless classic MY GIRL, whilst relaxing. After spending some much needed time chilling, we went on to a restaurant called FOUNDATION. Now for me, a red-meat eating country girl from Alberta, going to a vegetarian restaurant concerned me. IT WAS SOME OF THE BEST FOOD I HAVE EVER HAD!!!!!! Not to mention it was earth hour, so our dinner soon turned into a candlelit affair with our dear friend from Leduc who is out in Van perusing her dreams.

Our night ended with visiting some of Nate's friends who live in the Balmoral. The concept of their lives is rad. They are bible college students who live where they are reaching out. Gutsy, I know. That was my first impression. They are amazing. They share their rooms with cockroaches, and have the kindest hearts. It felt like I had known them for years, when indeed it was about a half hour. After shedding some tears and leaving that place behind we went back to 248 Jackson Ave to spend what will probably be our last night ever there.

We had every intention of getting up at 5 am to leave the city that has stolen my heart, but that soon turned into 7:30. I guess we needed some sleep, I can’t imagine why. Then we started off on our long adventure back to Alberta, sunny, warm Alberta. There were some minor pit stops due to tarp straps and bungee cords flying about but after leaving Chilliwack we had it under control. We arrived home around 11:30 pm and unpacked.

MY BESTIE IS HOME!!!! Not for long I’m sure though, but this is what I have realized, it takes work and effort to keep close with those who go out on adventures, but it is so worth it, things change if you allow them to.

I love that boy NATE G for he is one of the best friends I have ever had

nothing more to be said

the last month

Sometimes in life we get so caught up in the mess of it all and forget what it is actually about. I think the reality is sometimes too hard to face so we make this up this facade of what it should be. I know I am not the only one who thinks this. No I am a firm believer in trusting people until given a reason not to, and with enough hard work, those people could indeed gain your trust back. Now most of you reading this probably think I recently got burnt, but I did not.

I missed one of my best friends who hurt me bad. So I did something about it. I decided to put everything behind us because life is too short. This is not to say that this friend didn't do anything to gain me back because they did, and it feels great to have this friendship back. The one where you can actually look them in the eye whilst talking to them. Then one where you can go somewhere and when you hear they will be there your heart doesn't sink and you actually are happy you will get to see them. The one where you can hug a person who used to be a huge part of your life and feel so safe. It is a good place to be at.

If I have learned anything this month, it is this:

-Love with all you have
-Forgive with an honest heart
-Say you’re sorry
-Write letters
-Let those who are important to you know that they are important
-Take ten minutes and $5 (or however much it costs) to call those in Van, Vic or skype to Los Angeles
-Your friends are your friends and sometimes you need to fight damn hard for them and stand in the gap when they feel like their lives are going down the drain
-Say I love you
-Be the friend that you hope to have
-Live earnestly

This is not to say that I didn't know some of these things before, I have just been reminded of them this month.


To all my friends...


"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

the continuum of travelling fever

I have come to realize over the last 23.5 years of my life that I love to travel. Thinking about boarding a plane, or getting into a vehicle for an epic roadtrip gets the blood pumping in my veins... I know, it may seems silly but it is almost as if travelling is fuel for my soul. To say that I believe a person does not truly know who they are until they travel is true to me. I do not think that you can truly understand yourself until you have been exposed to a lifestyle that is so different from yours that it be unrecognizable.

For me, travelling has always been a vital part of life. Before I was even born, it was destined that I would grow up in a family that loves nothing better than to be with friends, family and travel. My mom (Canadian) met my dad (Danish) in Australia. Its as if the stars aligned and well, here we are, a mere, oh I don;t know, 32 years later.

Because of this fortunate over seas love, (to me it just sounds so romantic- if you know them, you probably have the story I have- which to be honest, they never really give the real one) (random tangent) I have been able to joyfully live of this high. I mean some say I am spoiled, but I just say my parents wanted my sister and I to know our family, and to see the world.

The adventures started when I was 6 months old. Whether it be on a plane, boat, train, or in a car, I have been blessed to see what most people will not in a lifetime. I have been to Europe 8 times, Mexico 2, Florida, Bahamas, Dallas, Los Angeles, on epic road trips (with friends whom I adore) to Seattle, Van City, Montana, Victoria, Okanogan Valley, and everywhere between. Most recently Hawaii. The list is extensive but I am just a young one.

2012 has started off lovely to say the least. I was blessed to go on a trip with one of the most wonderful families I have ever met as their nanny. (Please do yourself a favour and visit Ali's blog- The Petite Parisian- for she is much to blame for my love of blogging, Pinterest, sparkles, sequins, Paris and the list goes on). We went to Los Cabos in Mexico for a week in January which I will forever be thankful for because weather reports told us it was -50 at home. Chilly? One might say so.

Ben and Ali are amazing people, amazing parents, and amazing friends. I could not have asked for a better time than I had with them and their two daughters and I would do it again in a heartbeat without leaving the confinements of Red Deer. This family is honorable, admirable, sweet and kind, not too mention fun and funny. You never know what a vacation might be like with people you have never travelled with, but this one was more than splendid.

February came quick and I was on a plane to Maui to meet up with one of my bestie's family. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT... even down to the little scrap with Cand. This family is funny. Let me tell you Kiss and Cakes are a blast, they know how to have a good time and I appreciate this. Then there is the little family inside the big fam; Steves, Nini and Peanut and I think Steves is the funniesy human being I have ever met. If you know me at all you know that I appreciate some good humor. Then there is Candy. My little hippie. She and I are quite the pair. She is one of the greatest people who has ever graced my life, and I am thankful for her. She is a friend like no other. I enjoyed our beach days, floating in the ocean talking about age old things, boys, life, what we want to be when we grow up- because we are a long ways from that-, and the wrinkles coming in around our eyes. It was amazing and Nini has invited me on the adventures of the OsterSchwartz fam vacation next year. Hopefully it will be a go.

Next on the plate is a trip to LA and VEGAS. Should be great.

You see some people love expensive cars, clothes, gadgets, but I looooovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeee to travel. It is important to me. I have decided that every year at least once I will go on a plane because to me it is an irriplaceable love.


I am sure in the future there will be another post on this...

random thought

the world would be so much better if people just said what they mean, and mean what they say

the breezy ocean air

What an amazing week this has been. I work for one of the best families I have ever met and not just because they treat me well but because they live honorable lives. I have had the opportunity to spend a week with them in Los Cabos as a nanny, and it has been more than wonderful. They are amazing parents, and cute little girls. Mom is full of wisdom and grace, Dad is full of wisdom and compassion, an example to live up to really.

While I have been down in this amazing place I have had some time to think- about where I want my life to be in a year, the things I want to do, the people I need to share my heart with and so on. Some of this is a little bit scary but I have come to realize life is full of surprises, more than we ever deserve and being honest gets you further in life. There is one person in particular that I need to share my heart with and thinking of that makes my knees feel weak.

As I listen to the sweet sounds of a jazz band, the giggles of two blonde hair blue eyed beauts, and smell the salty ocean air, I know that life is good. The excitement that is held in the unknown is impeccable.

Heres to a year of adventure,surprises, and honesty...

Look to this day
For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today, well lived,
Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.
-Sanskrit Proverb

Ive got this friend

I have this friend. And she is more than amazing. And I do not tell her enough and I realize that I should try more. Sometimes I dont think that she understands how incredible she is, and without her here, where we live, life would be a different story. There is something sweet about her words, there is something soothing about her hugs. She is one of the only friends that I have ever had that can make me smile by virtually doing nothing. She is Godly, and gracious, and merciful. Shes patient and loves everyone. She is beautiful and kind and more things than words could ever explain. I am thankful for her, and the person she is in my life. She is encouraging, and willing to give you a kick to the butt if needed. She is tiny and petite. And I cant wait to see what this year has in store.

you know who you are..


Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. ~Author Unknown

somebody to love

The possibilities are endless for the new love of my life. She is capable of doing anything, being anything, and changing the world. This is so exciting. Her name is Anthym. She is so beautiful. I can not wait to see who this little girl becomes.