Jul
3rd

Last weekend, we went camping with a large group for a fundraiser but I wouldn’t really call it “roughing it” because we had gas-powered generators, rice cookers, water dispensers, lights, lots of “home-cooked” Vietnamese food, eating with real cutlery… it was more like tent city. It wasn’t until it rained and got soaked that we really felt like we were roughing it because our tent was further out (but Boyfriend’s dad saved us by putting up a huge tarp). If we didn’t go camping with the older folks, I’m sure we would’ve all died and went home early because it POURED on Saturday night until morning— only to see the sun come out as we were leaving. I love you, Vancouver [weather].

Here are my camping essentials:

• AIR MATTRESS. I don’t think I’m THAT prissy, but I am prissy. If I had to sleep on the ground, I’m sure I would hate camping. We bring pillows and wool blankets too… it’s just like sleeping at home and super warm. Yep, that’s how we rough it.
• A good tent. I don’t camp too often so as long as mine has good ventilation and is easy to set up, I’m happy. The tent I have now just opens and snaps/locks into place.
• Tarps. And lots of them, especially if you camp a lot around Vancouver because you will never know when it will rain.
• String/rope. How are you going to hang up your tarp?
• Flashlight/lantern. Good luck going to the washroom in the pitch dark.
• Toilet paper. Trust.
• Deodorant. If you can’t shower, at least try and eliminate some of the B.O.
• Hot dogs & alcohol. What is camping without hot dogs and alcohol?!

If I had all that, I’d rough it out anywhere, anytime. Well maybe if I also had more food, my allergy meds, lip balm, sunnies, music, a book, lots of dry socks, my fold-up chair with a foot rest, lemon-grass chicken wings and more alcohol, THEN I’d rough it anywhere.

Oh wait, I forgot the most important thing to bring when camping: GUYS. So they can do all the work; pitching the tents, cooking the food, starting the fire, cleaning up. Harharhar.

Anyway, I LOVE camping despite not being able to shower the days, wearing the same thing over and over and eating bugs while I sleep. Last weekend was a lot of fun and the highlight was in the afternoon, when some of us decided to go fishing after polishing off a couple cases of beer. You had to jump floating logs to get to the edge of the water and of course,  two of them fell in, one couldn’t swim and her priority was still to save the beer. Good times. Another camping essential: good company.

Feb
14th

Amber was talking about her travel plans and it got me excited about mine! I’m not planning on taking any vacations this year because I can’t see myself taking much time off from work and school, although super short trips to Whistler, Mexico or a girls’ weekend in Vegas are still up in the air. I don’t like taking short vacations anyway— I would rather save up my vacation time and take 1.5-2 months off in a year and travel worry-free. Having that much time off and nothing to worry about is worth the wait! Here are my plans for the next 3 years:

EUROPE 2012 – Going to be backpacking with Boyfriend and perhaps a couple friends. I’m actually not too interested in travelling through Europe right now and want to go back to Asia next year but we just went last year so I feel like it’s kind of a waste and Boyfriend promised to visit his cousins in Europe. If we go, I can’t wait to visit old castles and frolick in the English countryside. Hyukhyuk.

ASIA 2013 – Hopefully when my girlfriends finishes their programs, we’re going to all the places we didn’t have time to hit last year: Vietnam, Taiwan, Bali, Korea, and SNOWBOARDING BOARDING IN JAPAN!! We have to make a stop in HK though… it’s my favorite city!

BRAZIL 2014 – World Cup!! Our goal is to watch a Brazil game in Brazil but probability? 0.0001%. The first 2 trips aren’t confirmed but this one is definitely going to happen. I hope to be there for the beginning and the end of the games and travel around South America in between.

Aug
2nd

Whistler, B.C. – British Columbia-style weekends a.k.a. relaxation + being surrounded by GORGEOUS scenery. I’m so happy I live in the best place on earth.

These pictures can’t capture the BOOTIFULGORGEOUSAMAZINGNESS of the view and the sparkling, clear, green-blue water.

“BEFORE” [we get all sweaty and gross] picture.

Garabaldi hike crew. Our plan was to go up to Black Tusk but we didn’t start the hike until 3pm-ish since there was a national BBQ championship going on. Who can resist a good BBQ?!

COUGAR NIGHT [what!!]. All clubbed-out with Nicole.

Jul
13th

What you shouldn't do in Korea: pick up your bowl while eating!!

• Don’t take the black cabs in Seoul a.k.a. the Luxury Cabs!! We jumped into one after getting off the airport bus because it was right there and we saw the meter; 4500won…. soooo cheap!! The next day, we were informed that if we took a gray cab, it would’ve been half the price. Damnit.
• Korea is not as cheap as they say it is… well definitely not as cheap as HK anyway. But then I probably needed a local to really take advantage of the “cheaper” districts in Seoul.
• I shopped more in the past 5 weeks than I did in the last year. But in the end we were totally shopped out— we had 500,000won left over and tried so hard to spend it but couldn’t.
  

  Buys from 1st day in Seoul. The knock-off Chanel is for my puppy okay.

• I used my iPod Touch for 5 weeks straight and I still can’t get use to typing with the touch screen. I don’t know how you guys do it but I think my fingers are too fat and stupid. I’m so glad to be reunited with my Blackberry.
• I have officially mastered “hovering” [over toilets].

Korean Seafood Pancakes: my favorite!!

Potato Swirls & Potato Fries... better than any you can get here.

Yummy mini hot dog things from a stand across the street from our hotel.

Jul
8th

I can’t wait to feel the Vancouver rain after all this heat.

I can’t wait to hit the gym.

I miss oatmeal and can’t wait to eat it everyday for breakfast again.

…And egg whites with green onion and soy sauce.

I can’t wait to go hiking.

I can’t wait to get rid of this 20in layer of fat that has accumulated the past month
(although with no regrets). I’m gross and squishy all over but looking forward to the challenge.

I can’t wait to regain my strength.

I can’t wait to be able to do a 600 rep workout effortlessly again.

I can’t wait to eat a Monty Mushroom burger from White Spot.

I can’t wait to go camping.

I can’t wait to have dim sum with po-po.

I miss our super comfy king-sized bed.

I miss my HDMI cable.

I miss all my books I left at home that I wanted to read but couldn’t bring with me.

I can’t wait see see MOCHI (whom I missed the most)!!

I can’t wait to have girls’ nights.

I can’t wait to go home!!!

Asia was fun but there’s life to get back to. The only thing I’m not looking forward to is getting up and going to work (getting up early to go shopping is an entirely different thing) and paying Vancouver prices for food and drinks (and clothes and shoes and make up and bags…). Anyway, I shall be home on Saturday afternoon!