Where does the time go?

So, this time next week it will be my 34th Birthday. Yes. 34. Me.
Where did the time go? I can't believe I've had 33 years already on this earth. That is pretty amazing.
I'm not gonna do the whole 'it seems just like yesterday I was...' because we all have a whole bunch of yesterdays, and the yesterdays are what have shaped us into what we are today. Pretty rad, huh?

But, it is crazy when I stop and think about all the things that have happened in the last 33 years.

I was born (happy days), I can't say I remember much of my childhood, but I know it involved a whole bunch of planes, flying and random holidays to see little mermaids, which really are tiny, and getting Ice cream at 2am when you're like 4..

Then the parental divorce and puberty. Gees, I'm such a different gal to who I was when my Dad left. (I have to say I'm happy that I've finally made my peace with that), and from when I went to Uni and did that Media degree that I've never used (ha ha), It was a great experience, and I met some rad people, who I thought might of been lifelong friends, but I guess sometimes you just drift apart when life happens. Its not a bad thing at all, because, again, they helped shape me.

Rocking the X files tee at around 14 there...

Uni prom type affair

Then working in the Photoshop and seeing so many images that are now forever etched on my brain (and not in a good way), drinking wine from Kodak mugs and making friends with Missy Jo Jo, and of course working with Lucy and listening to the beach boys when we were hungover to get us through the day...

Plus hanging out with my bestie Helly in spoons for some wine and jalapeno peppers....

To Ryde Theatre,which was such an easy ride. Who doesn't want a 10-4 job that's up the road? We used to have such a laugh there, with Nolies and Steph and various acts chatting after the shows. And the confetti. Jesus I hate confetti now.

From there I thought it would be a massively good idea to move 170 miles to live with my long distance love. Not such a good idea, but what a learning curve that was. I wouldn't change it. It made me love and hate the Island more. We really take for granted our amazing views and that basically everything is on our doorstep... So I came home. I worked in Holland & Barrett for minimum wage, it made me dislike corporations that push you for every pence. But that's life.

Now, I've been at The Needles for 4 seasons now, and its a pretty rad job to have when you stop and look at it. The view on a good day is what makes it all worth while. No 2 days are ever the same. You will always learn something different, whether it be good or bad, but its all part of life's wonderful learning curve.

Where was I? Oh yes, this year has probably given me the greatest experiences of all, finally meeting my bestie Sunshine in Canada. What an epic journey that was. And Angela, what a neat person she is too. It was everything and more I wanted it to be.

What is my point? This is my life, this is what has shaped me into who I am. I've read a whole bunch of self help books, and some really awesome websites which have changed my thinking, but most of all, its the people in my life who have helped me along the way to get to be who I am. My mom, who I live with, she has been wonderful to me, my sister has always tried to help me in her own way, even if it doesn't always seem like it ;), my best friends, Helly and Sunshine, who are always at the end of a phone if I need them. I feel like I'm giving a speech... my point is that everyone who's come into my life has changed me or helped me in some way. I know so many incredible strong women, who don't take any shit, and are so creative. I am blessed to have you all in my life, and you all know who you are.
And my Rockabilly family, you guys, and the number is always growing, you have all been so welcoming to me. I love you all for trying to teach me to dance (Andy), for being my idols (Dawn & Max), for sharing chalets with me (Dee Dee, Sarah Jane, Pamela and now Bagsey) and for generally being awesome (Cassie) you are all incredible people.

So, yeah, that's me. I'm looking forward to being 34. Why? Because I know the awesome is just gonna keep on coming my way! :D

Thank you all. You are all rad. I am blessed to know you all, and I have to say, I'm pretty damn happy to be me.

Just in case you're curious, Yes, this is me as a little gal. My, haven't I changed ;)

Home

So. It's been a week since I left Canada.

The Journey home was fairly epic. I got up at 8:30 and caught the bus to Whyte Avenue so I could get my Airport Shuttle which was even earlier than they said it would be. Good thing I'm always early. Sunshine waited with me and hugged me goodbye. She gave me a card with Pandas on, and it made me well up in the Shuttle. To be honest I was holding it together all morning. I had such fun with her. It really was an honour to meet such a wonderful lady. And there was no awkwardness all week. True friends. I will defo be visiting her again sometime.

Where was I? Ah yes, Edmonton Airport. Damn those Canadians are so nice at Delta. I had to fill out another form as I was going via America, and they were so helpful. Thankfully, by some miracle my luggage came in under limitation! Plus they let me through the American customs- ever country does it differently it would seem.

It was a pretty lovely Airport, it has to be said, although with the annoucements they did about their new route to Forth Worth, I kinda felt like I was in Josie & The Pussycats. I did have a weird urge for Mcdonalds. Ha ha.

Onto the plane and I had 2 seats to myself :) So I made the most of it and watched 2 episode of Veronica Mars.  We landed in Minneapolis which was an hour ahead of Edmonton. My flight wasn't until 9;55pm so I indulged in some taco bell.

The Quesedias were pretty rad, with my mountain dew fresh (it was green, what can I say, I'm a sucker for silly colours). I messed around on the iPads, which were free to use everywhere and wasted some time looking around the shops. It was a lot bigger than the other American airports I'd been to.

Eventually the time came to board the plane. Alas, again the long haul flight was full so I had to share with a little old lady. Don't be fooled, she still crammed the armrest down on my thigh given any opportunity. It was of course a night-flight, so they bought us some dinner and I watched The Book Thief. I'd wanted to see it for ages, so was glad to get to watch it as I welled up on the plane. I managed to get a bit of sleep in the smallest space. The guy with the extra legroom in front of me still reclined his seat. Dick. 

Daylight was arriving outside, which made it around 5am-6am-ish. We had a very mediocre breakfast and I watched some Brooklyn 911 before we landed. It was midday UK time and 6am body clock time. That's another 3 time zones in 24 hours. Ugh.

After a long wait to get off the plane- the tunnel thing wouldn't connect and we had to wait for actual stairs, which then involved lots of Americans complaining about the amount of stairs. (I truly was back in Britain) I was back in good ole Blighty, rain and all! Customs was a piece of piss, and my luggage was there too! woo hoo. So I headed to the underground to make my way home. More Veronica Mars on the Train :)

Ferry to the Isle and my Mom met me at the top of the pier on the train, bless her. I looked exhausted! Truth be told, a week later, I still am. Jet lag is a bitch. But damn she was worth it!

Everyone has been so lovely since I've got back asking how my holiday was and telling me that they've all been reading my blog! What can I say? I'm massively touched that so many of you have read my ramblings. I hadn't realised how many good pals I had out there, so Thank you, Thank you, Thank you all so much. You guys and gals rock!

I think I might do a best bits of Canada blog with some more pictures, what do you think?

Until then, Thank you for reading! 

Days 14 & 15 making, drinking & dates

So. I'm in Minneapolis airport waiting for my flight to London.  I'm pretty tired from an awesome 2 weeks & I'm looking forward to getting home to my own bed, my kitties, my mom & my pals.

Where was I? Oh yes, Friday. After the mall excitement we stayed home & I learnt some fascinator tricks from Sunshine. I made a rad one to go with my new Hell Bunny Vixen dress. :) she gave me quite a few bits so I'll be making some new ones when I'm home!
Friday night Sunshine had planned on getting her friends together to go out. In the end it was me,sunshine & Brianne. We still had massive fun. We started out at a place called The Pint which involved getting a massive pitcher type affair of beer. I believe there was also a shot of jager. We walked to a gay bar meeting some random people on the way who loved the fact I was British (finally). It all gets kinda hazy after that.

Dear lord did I pay for it the next day. I'd arranged a date with a guy called Patrick. So I still went. Massively hungover. On a date with a recovering alcoholic. Did I mention I was hungover?!
I also threw up in the bathroom of the coffee place. Classy. Well it was still rad meeting Patrick. He had a nice beard :)

Homeward bound and I then began cramming things in my suitcase. Thankfully it all fitted, can't say I'm looking forward to dragging it across London with me...

So. Yes. Those were my last days in Canada. I've had so much fun & will defo be back someday.

I'll blog more when I get home.until then kids, thanks for reading!!

Day 13 west ed mall

Thursday saw a trip to West Edmonton Mall. Sunshine was working so I got the bus to meet her at the university. However I got off at the wrong stop & had to get the LTR back 3 stops. Oops. But I made it. Yay! Mostly confusing!!

The mall is huge. It has a water park & theme park in it. We walked around the theme park but my body wasn't feeling brave enough for any rides. Vertigo is not my friend lately.
We had an awesome hotdog from the food court & wandered around. We found a rad photo booth so had our photos taken :)
I got a neat Captain America tee from Old Navy. Lots of socks & hair flowers from a Rad shop where everything was crazy cheap.
Coffee then urban outfitters. I took a few snaps of some entertaining hipster items. Obviously.
Homeward & just a neat evening hanging out.

I can't believe I only have 2 days left :( These 2 weeks have gone so fast & although I'm looking forward to getting home I'm gonna miss Canada.
Some awesome experiences have been had, and I've met my best pals so its been worth it.

Til next time ;)

Days 11&12 Tattoos, Hair & pain

My memory sucks and I really should do this everyday.
So day 11 involved going to the tattooist to get our slot & picture drawn up for Wednesday.
We headed downtown to Edmonton Art Gallery which was pretty random.  They had some near stuff and some what the fuck stuff... But it was fun.
We had lunch at this lovely vegan organic place which makes the best chai with almond milk.
Had a wander through the mall and I don't think we did much else. I know Edmonton has some killer stairs though!!
Day 12.
We got up earlyish & headed to get our hair cut. My cut was good, but then they styled it. It was pretty funny but easily amended in the washroom of the Mexican we went for lunch in. The food was good but pretty generic & I've never seen quasadillas that look like burritos. Anyhoo we headed for our tattoo appointment!! We now have cute matching panda stamp tattoos. Everyone in the parlour said ours were adorable & the best they'd seen all week :) it was a bit ouchy but rad!
Homeward via the liquor barn I bought some 47.5% dark rum...
We were going out to see The Creepshow so I thought I'd wear my new creepers.
Rookie mistake there. My left ankle is now kinda raw. I ended up walking to the drug store in my socks to get blister plasters.
The Creepshow was pretty disappointing. They have a new female lead and she's just not Sarah. Also the support bands were shite :(
I was sad because I really wanted Sunshine to enjoy it as I made her go, but it just sucked :( I got a neat hoodie though! Ha!

Today we are going to the gigantic mall. Eek!!!

Days 9&10 ska, shopping & sweet potato fries

Day 9: Sunshine's birthday.
We started off by going to Walmart and me being in awe of how massive everything was!
Homeward for bagels a bit of TV then I briefly met Sunshine's Dad who was a pretty rad dad. The Sunshine & I went for Starbucks & a wander around winners (like TKmaxx) then home for Turkey dinner before a ska show at a place called The pawn shop.

Like every alternative venue ever the place had no windows & was painted black. We saw 4 ska bands. Man, those Edmontontonians love their ska! I have never been to ska show where the skankin' was so intense that the floor was moving so much! Crazy fun!
I also discovered a poster for the Creepshow on Wednesday so we're going!!

Day 10: Shopping.
We needed to get me a hoodie as the coat I bought with me was epically lame. So we ventured out & started off in a huge thift store, then to the comic book store, which was incredible. Amazing outfits, awesome toys & transformer underpants. Ha! I, of course bought the only bits of Elvis paraphernalia in the store.

We went to some rad stores & I bought a pair of demonia creepers with a hidey hole in the shoe. Only $24. amazing.
We went to Rowena as well. I got a lovely Hell Bunny Vixen dress, some cute socks & a poodle scarf.
We went to Dad*eo 's for lunch. Damn. Food is so good here. I had a pulled pork new Orleans sandwich with the best sweet potato fries I've ever eaten!!! Yum!
A bit more wandering and the purchase of a hoodie & Cardigan for me. Hurrah!
Then frozen yogurt. So big. So yummy. So full.

A good day was had :)

Day 7&8 Science, Sushi & Slowest trains in the world.

Friday began with me having a minor breakdown over my luggage & how I couldn't see any checked luggage on one of my flights...
Called Expedia & sorted it out before I went & sat on the suitcase...
John picked me up, then we got Ange & Atticus from the hospital & headed for breakfast at Save on Meats. It was pretty rad and a whole bunch of meat. From there we headed to Telus World of Science to look at the Lego exhibition and watched Rescue in the OMNIMAX theatre which was awesome but messed with my vertigo a bit. The Lego was fun. I saw some science stuff too, but you know me, I'm not a science fan.
We went to an ice cream parlour which had 218 flavours of ice cream. I had an awesome chocolate raspberry sorbetto. From there we went to Commercial drive to the Licquorice parlour which also had hula hoops. We had coffee at bump & grind then headed to have Sushi. There was a massive queue but we waited & I even had sushi rolls with Eel in. It was quite tasty.
Then to the station and Goodbye to Ange & Atticus :(
I bordered the train after walking what seemed liked a million miles. The train was pretty big, incredibly slow & not the most comfortable I'd ever been on. I was on the train for 28 hours as it actually arrived 2 hours late. We stopped briefly at Jasper which was also really picturesque. There were epic views everywhere & it was awesome but I've seen the train up the pier go faster. Plus we had to keep on stopping for freight trains which was such a joke!!!
Canada fails on transportation.
Anyway I eventually got to Edmonton at 1am!!! Thankfully Sushine & Cory were waiting for me :)
I'm a happy gal!