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Our Great Backyard! Capilano Suspension Bridge

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There are SOO many things to do in this great city of ours. Whether it be in the spring, summer, fall or even winter. Often times, we take this for granted. I think there is this mindset that since we live in this beautiful city, we've become immune to the beauty that it is and the abundance of things to do it provides. Besides all the hiking that can be done (see my other posts), which it in itself can take you all summer! There are plenty of other things to do, whether it be free or at a cost. Today I would like to share one of the most common touristy thing you can do in our great city! Which is none other than the Capilano Suspension Bridge!



Yes this choice is severely overrated, but since I recently went, it has to be said. I will also make another post about the great FREE alternative, Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge another day. Before coming here this summer, I hadn't come for over 5 years and since then, a lot has changed. Besides the treetop adventures, there is the additional cliff walk which is a walk path off the side of a cliff that allows you to see into the canyon below. You can also learn a lot about the forest and trees that grow here as there are signage every so often that teaches you about what you see. You also have the opportunity to come close to a few predatory birds such as a hawk and eagle. 


The admission price for this can be quite steep as it is indeed a tourist trap, but the upside for locals is you get a free annual membership with the purchase that allows you to go back as many times as you want within a year, although to be honest why would you. The only time I can see myself coming back may be for the Canyon Lights that happen between November 27 and January 3rd

If you're interested, check it out!

Crazy weekend of adventures

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What a weekend it has been. It really feels like it ended before it even began. So what did I do? On Friday night niu's friend held a birthday party for another friend who turned 19 the previous week. We went over to drink and play games. I had to run back and forth between the party and church because my dad wanted to practice basketball for a tournament the following day. We played different Asian drink games that were simple but fun.

Saturday morning was particularly hard for me as I am really not a morning person. I don't like to wake up so early on my day off. But the tournament started at 9 am so we had to get there by then. I was very nervous for the day because I hadn't really played in years. The last time I played in a game was back in Waterloo with my friends. Our team was called "The Legends" and with good reason too because the age range for my team was the highest. We probably averaged around 40 years old. My first game was hardest as my body became accustomed to the intense stress I was putting it under. It was also because I tried my hardest. We were up against my ex. It gave me that much more motivation to try my hardest and beat them. I managed to score twice playing four on four (3 guys and 1 girl). My second shot was a nifty spin-around that I didn't even know I was capable of doing. I can still remember the crowd ohhing at my move. The rest of the tournament was lots of fun. We only lost two of the seven games we played, although we never really played to win. Just to have fun. It was really intense though because the games would come down to within a point or so of each other. The best part was getting to play with my dad who is 62 this year! I'm so proud of him, playing against people over half his age.



After the tournament ended, we went out to eat as a celebration at New lakeview Restaurant. After dinner, we went over to another friend's place to play board games and hang out. We ended up watching Suits, which I am now hooked onto and played Takenoko.

On Sunday, I went to church as usual, early in the morning for my nursery duties. I swear the kids get cuter as they grow up but just as rebellious. There was one girl who just refuses to do as she's told. After nursery, Sol picked me up and we headed for the GAME! I received tickets from work to attend the Sunday Canucks game against the Wilds. The seats were the best I've ever sat in. We were in the ninth row right behind the opponent's goalie, which meant we saw the Canucks attack twice! The goals made by the Canucks were a direct line from where I was sitting. It was such an amazing experience. The only thing that really clouded the whole game was my phone had disappeared miraculously in between, while I was at my seat. But it was eventually found by security in a completely different place. I'm not complaining, but even now I still find it weird. We lost the game 4-2 due to horrible reffing and an empty netter.







That night, to celebrate Aaron's 22nd birthday, we went out to Red Robin to eat as a family. It isn't very often we do this anymore so it was nice to just spend some quality time with them. And just like that the weekend was over.

What did you do this weekend?

Paintnite

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A couple of weeks ago, my close friend had a birthday celebration. Instead of the usual dine out or party at home, she wanted to do something unique. In the end, she decided that she wanted to go to a Paint Nite. Paint Nite is an event where you go with friends to paint, order drinks and have a good time. The portrait for the night she selected was a whale tale amidst a sea of water with the sun setting in the background. 



I don't think I've EVER painted before, or at the very least not a full portrait anyways. By the time we arrived, there weren't many spots left. Our huge group got separated. We were all given a blank canvas, a cup of water, and a tray of paint with blue, yellow, red, white and black paint. For all the other colors, we had to mix paint. 


We started off with the ocean, painting it blue (obviously) and then mixing in some black for depth and white for waves. Next came the sky. This was a bit tricky as you had to work your way down. From Blue to green to yellow to red. It took a lot of blending, which was surprisingly difficult for me. I wasn't born to paint. In the midst of all the painting, I even accidental took a sip from the water cup by accident. At least I realized before I swallowed. Although I don't think the paint would have been poisonous, It was definitely embarrassing.


We took a break for the paint to dry. I took a stroll around the room and glanced at all the other paintings. There were definitely some artistic people in the room. And some with a wild imagination. 

After the break, we worked on the whale's tail. which was a lot simpler, followed by the clouds and the setting sun. After breaking everything down, painting the picture really wasn't that hard. It did help that there was a teacher going through every step of it for you too. 


All in all I had a good time, although my bf said he would never actually pay again to do it. He would prefer to do it at home for a lot cheaper :P What do you think of this drawing? Would you go to a paint nite?