The SeaWheeze, Part Three: Is That What You're Wearing?

It cracks me up when people say that. They may as well just say, "I don't think the clothes you have on are appropriate for where we're going or what we're doing." Needless to say, Andrew uttered those words last Sunday afternoon.

After we attended the 10 a.m. Sacrament Meeting of his Young Single Adult Ward, we decided to head up to Whistler, a darling mountain town a few hours away from Vancouver. It was a warm, warm day and so when I walked out of Andrew's room after changing out of my church clothes in jeans and a black shirt, he was all, "Is that what you're wearing?"

Turns out, it was.

After church, we also walked around the temple, which is actually in Langley, B.C.

A half hour after the loaded question, we were on the gorgeous, windy road that lead up to the town that played host to many of the events of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Two hours and countless amazing views of the coastline and mountains later, we arrived and our adventure began.

Since I WAS in jeans and a black shirt, we decided to escape the heat and take a gondola (not like the boat in Italy, more like a ski lift) up Whistler Peak and have some fun on the top of the world. It took us like, 20 minutes in this thing to get up to the peak, which should tell you how tall the mountain was!

On top of Whistler Peak--love the Canadian flag 

Also as a part of this mountain excursion, we decided to experience Peak to Peak, which is basically ANOTHER gondola that takes travelers from the top of Whistler Peak to the top of Blackcomb Peak. 

Fun fact: the gondolas/cables that are a part of the peak to peak route are the longest unsupported cables in the world. Good times.

Andrew even suggested I make a short video for my loyal readers. View from the top:

Once we arrived at the tip top of Blackcomb, we discovered some fellow SeaWheezers! Noticing them by their neon green wristbands sporting the phrase, "i runcouver," we immediately began chatting them up and discovered they were fellow California dwellers! 

Delightful native rock structure--something about a Canuck?

After hiking, rock climbing, trekking and a bit of light sledding, we headed down the mountain to the village, where the weather had cooled down and we were in more of a position to glam about. We pounded the pavement of this quaint little mountain town--think Jackson Hole, Wy meets old-timey Swiss village--popping into shops, enjoying a nice dinner and chatting it up. 

Finally, we headed back home to catch the final moments of the closing ceremonies of the beloved Summer Olympic Games.

As I (sadly) packed my bags to head back to San Francisco, I couldn't help but think about what a fantastic weekend it had been. 

Some things never change

Vacations with friends can teach you a lot about yourself, and about one another. Luckily, Andrew and I learned that we vacation similarly and relax well together--neither of us HAD to have a set plan (aside from the race of course) the entire time; we basically played the whole thing by ear and did whatever we wanted according to how we felt at the time. 

I mean, isn't that how life is suppose to be? 

I couldn't end this series of posts without a HUGE shout out and thank you to the most wonderful, patient, hilarious, kind, understanding and surprisingly low-key Canadian I know. It was a perfect weekend. 

xoxo

The SeaWheeze, Part Two: So Are You Guys Uh, Done Doin' It?

Contrary to popular belief, my trip to Canada was not all sprinting jogging across sea walls and bridges.

There was a whole lot of fun stuff in between.

I arrived in the pacific northwest on the evening of August 9th. After retrieving me from the airport, Andrew and I spent the evening parading around one of my all time favorite cities--the birthplace of Starbucks, the hometown of Grey's Anatomy and one of the greenest places I've ever been, Seattle.

Space Needle!

We, of course, promptly ate at this amazing Mexican restaurant downtown and were assigned what we originally deemed to be a mediocre waiter. Little did we know, we had a comedian on our hands. After going for such gold on the amazing chips and salsa, as well as thoroughly enjoying our enchiladas and carne asada, the aforementioned waiter arrived and promptly inquired, "so, are you guys uh, done doin' it?"

Andrew's amazing Carne Asada 

You can't just say that to someone.  Clearly he was wondering if we had finished our dining experience, but the way we saw it, we were at a total crossroads. Do we just laugh? Do we make a "that's what she said!" joke? Do we pretend we didn't hear him (most unlikely option). Instead, we deemed it the theme of the weekend. Typical. I'm still laughing a little bit.

Pike Place Market

Friday, August 10th dawned sunny and HOT. I guess I've just been spoiled by living in a climate that rarely gets above 70 degrees, but the whole time I was in Vancouver I was like ANDREW IT'S SO HOT HERE. I'm sure he thought I was seriously delusional. Anyway, we headed into the city from the suburbs to pick up our race packets, timing chips and play for the day. 

First and foremost, I need to note that Lulu Lemon really knows how to throw a party. The Vancouver Convention Center was an absolute buzz with Lulu Lemoners--the energy was palpable. As noted below, 7,500 yogis turned runners (or vice versa) were packed into one of the most gorgeous convention centers in the world, checking in, chatting and feeling absolutely fantastic. 

The line to pick up our race packets and timing chips

 Much needed after-race flip flops

We were obsessed with these amazing popsicles they gave us while were were waiting in line. They had lime (Andrew's fave) and watermelon (my fave). 

After we picked up all our gear and did some shopping at the special SeaWheeze boutique, we spent the rest of the day walking and shopping around Vancouver, seeing the city and enjoying being on vacation. I was so lucky to be there with a Canadian because I could just kind of trot along with my own personal tour guide telling me random useful and informative facts about B.C. 

I may or may not have insisted we go to afternoon tea. Andrew was such a good sport. He totally enjoyed it!

We capped an absolutely amazing day off with a little jaunt to Granville Island. I'm going to put my cards on the table here and note that I don't really get what it is. It's not a actual island and it's like, not really part of Vancouver? Whatever. 

The view from Granville Island. Totally ran across this bridge less than 12 hours later. 

Could not have asked for a more perfect day. Stay tuned for part three--our side trip to Whistler and adventures in gondolas. 

xoxo

The SeaWheeze, Part One: My Life in Kilometers

I've always been more of a miles girl, myself.

But last Saturday, it was all about the kilometers. 21.1 kilometers, to be exact.

August 11, 2012, I ran 21.1 kilometers around the gorgeous city of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Let me give you a quick synopsis of how this came about. In January, I was purchasing something at a Lulu Lemon store in Palo Alto, when I saw a sign for  their first annual half marathon, taking place in the company's flagship city, Vancouver. I happen to have a dear friend from school who lives in Vancouver and I was due for a visit to the great white north. The end.

Now, back to last Saturday. Let's start at the beginning.

5:45 am dawned bright and early, with mine and Andrew's (aforementioned dear friend) alarms going off at the exact same time. As per usual, I pulled the covers over my head and was like, "ugh, really?" It wasn't until Andrew bounced in from the living room and was like, "today's the ddaaayyyyyyyy," that I accepted the fact that I was going to have to get out of bed and run 21.1 kilometers.

Aye yi yi.

After showering, I quickly made our delicious breakfast of greek yogurt, berries and granola while Andrew got ready and we packed our stuff up to head out. I was not in the best of moods (see the previous post re: how I am in the morning) plus I was nervous about the run. On top of that, we were running a little bit late.

Race Breakfast--Yum!

Forty minutes later, we arrived at the Vancouver Convention Center to check our bags. A long line greeted us --which naturally led to more anxiety--but we moved through pretty quickly, stretched out a bit and made our way to the starting line to find our corral.

As we walked to our corral, the energy was incredible. We were surrounded by 7,500 Lulu Lemon fanatics with toe tapping hits like Carly Rae Jepson's "Call Me Maybe" blasting and the residents of downtown Vancouver peeking out of their high-rise apartments in their pajamas to see what all the commotion was.

At approximately 7:57 am we crossed the starting line and began pounding the pavement. The first turn was small hill (of course) but that got the blood flowing as we began to wind through the streets and settle into our run.

The course

By about kilometer 2, I was ready for some water. I've noticed that when I run, the first few miles are always the hardest. I usually am like, "I'M GOING TO DIE," but know that if I just push through I eventually stop feeling so death-like. We soon approached the first water/aid station (around 3.5 km or so) and I downed some water, 1/2 a banana and some disgusting run "gu," which made me gag due to its gritty texture, but did the trick to help me gain some strength.

I wish I could say, "the rest of the race just flew by!" but that would quite possibly cause Andrew to double over from laughter, as he basically dragged me along the whole way. He was an amazing cheerleader and helped me through every kilometer.

Around the 9 km mark, there was this BRUTAL hill (that coming from an SF-ite is saying something!) that I was convinced would finish me off. Luckily, however, at the top, there were TONS of cheerleaders holding signs with the following phrases:

"You've got the eye of the tiger (and the legs of Gisele)"

"Cramps: Ruining your life since your 13th birthday"

"Is someone baking? Because I smell a stud muffin"

...and my personal favorite: "Getting up early to make this sign wasn't easy either."

Great example of the amazing people cheering us on. Also: note the hilarious signs

In all seriousness, the rest of race was amazing. Once we hit the turn around point, we headed down to the sea wall, which was a gorgeous course along the ocean that was breathtaking, and not just because it was kilometers 10-19.

I will say the last 3 km were the hardest. We wound through a beautiful and picturesque park until we found our way to the pavement where we started at the Vancouver Convention Center. We crossed under a giant inflatable watermelon that signaled the finish line with a final time of 2:44.04.

After striding across the line, we were bequeathed with medals boasting the Lulu Lemon mantra, "Sweat Once a Day," and proceeded to the runner's brunch area--where we promptly devoured waffles, fruit and the best mini-quiches I've ever had.

WE DID IT!

xoxo

Ode to Terminal 2: A Photo Tribute to SFO's Classiest Terminal

Newsflash: I went to Vancouver, British Columbia this weekend and it was seriously amazing--more in come in my next post. First and foremost though, I'd like to dedicate a (fairly) wordless post to San Francisco International Airport's Virgin America terminal. I could practically live here.

...enough said.

xoxo

Ode to Chobani

I've never been a morning person.

Like, ever. No matter how much I love the stage of life I'm in--waking up has always been hard to do.

When I was still in the single digits, my mom used to come into my room to wake me up for elementary school, promptly wrap me in a blanket and whisk me into our family room where she would rock me on her lap for a while. We would talk quietly about the dreams I had that night, or what the plan for my day at school was, until she softly asked if I was ready to face the day.

In high school, I had early morning seminary class (basically church in the morning), so my mom would pop into my room, gently wake up my teenage tush and beg me to get in the shower so I could arrive on time. She would then head into our kitchen and whip up a delightful egg sandwich, with Canadian bacon, a bit of cheddar cheese and poached egg, all on an English muffin.

Let me tell you--those were the days.

Unfortunately, there's no adult equivalent to my sweet, sweet mother gently waking me up easing me into the day. I no longer have a personal chef that loves and cares about me.

These days, the alarm on my iPhone goes off at 6:30 am, I hit snooze 2-3 times, and then proceed to wander up the stairs to the bathroom to groggily turn on my less-than-powerful shower head and mentally run through my to-do lists and deadlines.

The thoughts of a real-life grown up!

One thing, however, that makes the morning a bit more bearable, is a delightful cup of ever-so-trendy Chobani yogurt. Everyone knows the cool kids don't eat regular yogurt anymore. "It has like, no protein," they exclaim. Yoplait Light is out and Chobani is in, my friends.

Trust me on this.

My favorite flavor is by far the pomegranate, which is fairly odd. I mean, pomegranate in general is a weird fruit since you eat only the seeds--I mean, isn't the point of most fruits to avoid the seeds? And beyond that, I don't really eat "pomegranates." I use quotes because if the aforementioned lack of actually fruit flesh that's consumed.

Anyway, pomegranate is my fave. During my mile walk to the 24th and Mission BART station, I think about sitting my chair at work, scanning the news and enjoying my pomegranate Chobani. Especially as I walk past the hundreds of Mexican bakeries--plus La Boulange and Happy Donut--two irresistible options!

So here's to you, pomegranate Chobani, for giving this girl a reason to pull the covers off and face the day.

Although, I do still miss my mom.

xoxo

Apartment #104

 I have known Emily Summers for a long time.

No, she's not like a friend from kindergarten or anything-- I don't have many of those left. She's a friend from my first days in Rexburg, Idaho.

It's true. For those of you who met me a bit later (21+), you may not know that I spent the first two years of college in an itsy, bitsy rural town in the Snake River Valley, aka southeast Idaho.

I met Emily when I was sharing a room with a unique sister (who loved the smell of lavender) in an apartment complex called Colonial House, which had a generous parking lot and sea-blue carpet. She was best friends with a girl I met at orientation, one Ms. Stephanie Pearce, and we were casual acquaintances for a few semesters.

Then one day, my best friend and roommate, one Ms. Ali Smith (now Larson) and I saw a flyer at the gym for a program called Talent Board. This illustrious organization coordinated and organized various shows on campus for the student body, showcasing the talents of classmates and peers. Ali and I, looking for a way to meet people, immediately signed up for the informational meeting and were both chosen to participate in the program.

On the day of our first meeting as a board of directors, Emily was there! We said hello and chatted, soon realizing we were basically soul sisters. The rest is history--full of hilarious late nights, Diet Cokes from Horkleys and the affectionate nickname, "The Wind Sisters," due to our love for wind farms and all things recyclable.

Em and I went through semester after semester of ridiculous roommates, bad haircuts, crazy wards and skipped classes. We were always there to make each other (and those around us) laugh. We generally lived life with debauchery in the forefront of our minds and the honor code as a last resort (though we never got kicked out--just sent to the dean.)

There is a small caveat to the story. We lived together a few times, which, I'll be real, wasn't the best plan. We ended up having a few "lost" years, but were recently reunited when our mutual friend Andrew came to visit us in California. That was a huge blessing because it brought us together again!

Also, apartment #104 (this title of this post) is the apartment at Legacy Ridge where we lived together my last summer at BYUI. 

That was then...

...and this is now.

Let the hilarity continue! 

xoxo