So I realise that technically this isn't the Very First Thanksgiving but it is OUR VERY FIRST. Thanksgiving isn't until tomorrow but being a long weekend in Whistler was very exciting. Lots of people come up from the city to spend time in the great outdoors and Whistler really put it on for them. It has been lovely. Today I even wore SHORTS!!
Whistler also puts on insane specials this weekend. Called the Turkey Sales all the outlets in town want to get rid of last season stock to make way for all the latest styles for Winter 2012. Good for us:) We now have everything we need to go play in the snow, except the snow. I want to buy some more gear but that can wait until I get a job. (Nothing yet but fingers still crossed.) I even got thermals. So fun.
Tomorrow someone else is going to move into our little shared house. And then in two weeks time two more people are moving in downstairs. We met them today and I was definitely relieved to find they were cool people and seemed to be on the same page. And they were Aussies which is always nice. So the owners of our place are still looking for four more people to move in upstairs with us but that should be early next month some time.
That's all will report back (with photos of Thanksgiving day.) Hope you are VERY well and I am definitely thankful for you.
With Thanks,
Karen and Josh xo
P.S. Was great to speak to family members yesterday. What on earth did people do without the internet:P
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Home Sweet Canada
Well we are in. We are no longer homeless but I must confess I am still living out of a suitcase. Simply been putting of the inevitable task of unpacking an organising. Joshua is being quite good though he has unpacked and has not even mentioned the fact that my clothes have taken over the room. (On a side note I am officially sick of wearing the same thing over and over again and when we do eventually get home I am never complaining about having nothing to wear EVER again... well at least not for six months.) After a week of searching we found a house.
In Whistler rent is very high and most people live in a share house. We ended up finding a place pretty much across the road from the village. About a ten minute walk (fifteen if I am being lazy) to most places. This was pretty important to both me and Joshua as I wanted to feel safe walking home after a late night at work (when I get work... update later.) The house we found is this cute little (actually it is not so little) wood house. It looks how I imagined Canadian houses should look like. It is adorable. We were the first ones to move in and are now waiting on out room mates to get here. The first should be arriving within the week. I know three other girls are moving in but other than that I have no further information. I have never lived in a share house before so fingers crossed everyone is friendly and we all get along well. Because with only one bathroom between at least six people things could get interesting if we don't. So we have been cleaning up a storm making the place nice and neat. Mothers be proud:)
Joshua is gearing up to go back to Laos in less than a week. I am a bit nervous about being here without him but he absolutely loved it there and how often do you get the opportunity to go somewhere you love with some of your best friends. So he flies out in a week but will be back for Halloween. I am super excited for Halloween. This weekend is a long weekend here and part of the activities for it include a pumpkin carving activity for THE KIDS. I was not even kidding that I wanted to join in when Josh offered to take me.
I have applied for a few jobs but nothing yet. I am trying not to get down hearted or worry too much. It is still technically between seasons here as the Winter doesn't start until November the 24th and the Summer season finishes on the 10th of October. So there are not a lot of jobs going at the moment. Still I am hoping persistence is the key and am just applying for every job I think that I can do and hopefully I find something soon. Joshua hasn't started applying for jobs as of yet. He is going to wait until he gets back from Laos.
Tomorrow there is a huge sale in town. The locals call it the Annual Turkey Sale (this weekend being thanksgiving... turkey... get it?) and essentially it is when all businesses in town slash the prices of all their last winter stock so they can make room for the new season stock. I am hoping to find all my gear at good prices. Because I CAN NOT WAIT to get up that mountain on a snowboard (or is that down?) I even look forward to lessons with toddlers who are already better than me.
More soon. We miss you all so so much and think of you often. And are very thankful for the internet so it doesn't feel like we are SO far away from our loved ones.
Love you all,
Karen and Joshua xo
In Whistler rent is very high and most people live in a share house. We ended up finding a place pretty much across the road from the village. About a ten minute walk (fifteen if I am being lazy) to most places. This was pretty important to both me and Joshua as I wanted to feel safe walking home after a late night at work (when I get work... update later.) The house we found is this cute little (actually it is not so little) wood house. It looks how I imagined Canadian houses should look like. It is adorable. We were the first ones to move in and are now waiting on out room mates to get here. The first should be arriving within the week. I know three other girls are moving in but other than that I have no further information. I have never lived in a share house before so fingers crossed everyone is friendly and we all get along well. Because with only one bathroom between at least six people things could get interesting if we don't. So we have been cleaning up a storm making the place nice and neat. Mothers be proud:)
Joshua is gearing up to go back to Laos in less than a week. I am a bit nervous about being here without him but he absolutely loved it there and how often do you get the opportunity to go somewhere you love with some of your best friends. So he flies out in a week but will be back for Halloween. I am super excited for Halloween. This weekend is a long weekend here and part of the activities for it include a pumpkin carving activity for THE KIDS. I was not even kidding that I wanted to join in when Josh offered to take me.
I have applied for a few jobs but nothing yet. I am trying not to get down hearted or worry too much. It is still technically between seasons here as the Winter doesn't start until November the 24th and the Summer season finishes on the 10th of October. So there are not a lot of jobs going at the moment. Still I am hoping persistence is the key and am just applying for every job I think that I can do and hopefully I find something soon. Joshua hasn't started applying for jobs as of yet. He is going to wait until he gets back from Laos.
Tomorrow there is a huge sale in town. The locals call it the Annual Turkey Sale (this weekend being thanksgiving... turkey... get it?) and essentially it is when all businesses in town slash the prices of all their last winter stock so they can make room for the new season stock. I am hoping to find all my gear at good prices. Because I CAN NOT WAIT to get up that mountain on a snowboard (or is that down?) I even look forward to lessons with toddlers who are already better than me.
More soon. We miss you all so so much and think of you often. And are very thankful for the internet so it doesn't feel like we are SO far away from our loved ones.
Love you all,
Karen and Joshua xo
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Welcome to Whistler: Update Number One
This is the first time we have posted anything in a long time. And it is very hard to think of where to begin to even attempt to get you caught up on everything that has happened in the last six weeks. So I am taking this in segments. With the hope that by breaking it into parts it will make the catching up a little less daunting. So here we go...
We are currently in Whistler. If you have ever been you will totally understand my affection for the place and if you haven't been there put it on your to do list. Scratch that put it on the top of your to do list. It is a small community at the bottom of the mountain and it insanely beautiful. The centre of the town is called the Village and it has beautiful cobblestones and driving is strictly not allowed. It is even illegal to ride a bike or skateboard (not even kidding you can get a $2000 fine for doing either in the village.) The houses are like those out of story tales. You know the beautiful cabin-esque buildings.
We just finished our Contiki tour which amongst other things did a tour of the Canadian Rockies. Including two nights in Whistler. Now in general I think love at first sight should be reserved for fairy tales and movies but our affection for Whistler began immediately. I don't think there is one particular thing about the town that drew us in but rather the overall. Everyone seems to know everyone and yet this is still an opportunity to regularly meet new people.
I have applied for jobs (which I haven't heard back from as of yet) and we are looking for places to live. We are actually going to have a look at a place later on this evening so fingers crossed that this place is suitable and we like it.
So that's it for update one. We miss you all so much and think of you often.
Lots of Love,
Karen and Josh xo
P.S. Yesterday while we were having lunch there was a bear (a real life black bear.) It was across the road until someone startled it and it ran towards us and up into the area where we were sitting!! Totally crazy:) Welcome to Whistler Karen and Josh:) :)
We are currently in Whistler. If you have ever been you will totally understand my affection for the place and if you haven't been there put it on your to do list. Scratch that put it on the top of your to do list. It is a small community at the bottom of the mountain and it insanely beautiful. The centre of the town is called the Village and it has beautiful cobblestones and driving is strictly not allowed. It is even illegal to ride a bike or skateboard (not even kidding you can get a $2000 fine for doing either in the village.) The houses are like those out of story tales. You know the beautiful cabin-esque buildings.
We just finished our Contiki tour which amongst other things did a tour of the Canadian Rockies. Including two nights in Whistler. Now in general I think love at first sight should be reserved for fairy tales and movies but our affection for Whistler began immediately. I don't think there is one particular thing about the town that drew us in but rather the overall. Everyone seems to know everyone and yet this is still an opportunity to regularly meet new people.
I have applied for jobs (which I haven't heard back from as of yet) and we are looking for places to live. We are actually going to have a look at a place later on this evening so fingers crossed that this place is suitable and we like it.
So that's it for update one. We miss you all so much and think of you often.
Lots of Love,
Karen and Josh xo
P.S. Yesterday while we were having lunch there was a bear (a real life black bear.) It was across the road until someone startled it and it ran towards us and up into the area where we were sitting!! Totally crazy:) Welcome to Whistler Karen and Josh:) :)
Sunday, August 28, 2011
... Just Hanging in Vegas
This is just a quick post to let you all know that Joshua and I are alive and well. I will do a proper update later but wanted to quickly post before Joshua and I go out to dinner. We have spent the last few nights in Vegas and it is truly insane and HOT! Even when you get off the plane you are met with this insane dry heat that just wants to melt your eyeballs. In the shade it is not too bad just stay out of the sun.
The first night we arrived I was wrecked. After the emotional aspect of saying goodbye to my loved ones and then the insane amount of flying time it takes to get here all I wanted to do was crash. Not to mention I had lost my ankles to flying and were now met with these beautiful replacement cankles that made me want to cut my skin to relieve the pressure.
After a quick nap we got dressed up and headed out to dinner. Now I don't want to carry on about the food too much but just lets say there is NO NEED TO ORDER STARTERS!!! Serving sizes are huge but it is so yum. Then we headed over to Planet Hollywood where we watched Peep Show staring Holly Madison. For those who don't know Peep Show is a Burlesque show which essentially is a musical with dancing and nudity. Now I know that is not everyone's thing but I loved it was AHMAZING. Not to mention the insane front row seats that Joshua got me for my birthday (Loved them so much!) After we met Holly Madison. She was nice but note to self don't get your photo taken next to a 5 foot nothing teeny tiny girl because it will not be forgiving.
Speaking of which I am coming to terms with the fact that I am a giant. I always knew I was tall but when you are surrounded by people the same height you forget. I am at least a foot tall than the average girl so when I do see tall ones I am tempted to go stand next to them:)
Anyway after that I went home and crashed while Joshua went out. He saw Steve Aoki and he blew him away. He crowd surfed and everything!!
The next morning we went to the MGM Wet Republic Pool Party. Joshua had organised a day bed and there is honestly no other way to do it... Our waitress made sure our drinks were always full and that we had everything we needed. Joshua actually managed to drink a whole bottle (as in one litre) of Captain Morgans which was quite the achievement. After we went back home the lack of sleep FINALLY caught up with Joshua and he crashed. I got dressed up to go out for dinner. But once I was walking around I couldn't figure out what I wanted so I did a little bit of shopping... in heels!! I am very impressed with my effort considering I am so tall I normally only wear heels when going out and since working at the pub I haven't worn heels much at all. So I was very impressed that I could shop in heels. I didn't really buy much just a few bits and pieces.
This morning we were both very keen to chill out so we hit Hooters up for lunch. It was fun and I would definately recommend the wings. Then some more shopping this afternoon while we visited the sugar factory, Caesars Palace amongst others.
So far things have been great. It is exciting to be somewhere so different even if we are both pretty tired. We miss all our family.
Love to you all
Karen and Joshua xoxo
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Who Are You?
Joshua is still away at work (for his last swing for a while) so here are my answers and I will add his and repost them when he gets home:)
On a side note it is only 8 days till we fly out!!
1. What time did you get up this morning? K: 5.45 am
2. How do you like your steak? K: Medium Rare
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema: K: I can not remember but I am sure it was wtih Joshua
4. What is your favourite TV show? K: One Tree Hill
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? K: At the moment... CANADA:) But I am not to worried about the location as long as I am with people I love and who love me.
6. What did you have for breakfast? K: A coffee and raisin toast
7. What is your favorite food? K: STEAK
8. Foods you dislike? K: Apricot Chicken
9. Favorite place to eat? K: At restaurants. I love getting dressed up and going out to dinner. Even better because I don't have to cook.
10. Favorite dressing? K: Does Gravy count as a dressing? If not probably Mayo
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? K: A Ford Falcon Ute... which I have just sold:( :( :(
12. What are your favorite clothes? K: Bathers
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? K: Paris
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? K: 1/2 Empty
16. Favorite time of day? K: Lunchtime
17. Where were you born? K: In a little town called Narrogin in West Australia
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? K: Water Polo
19. What is your favorite fragrance? K: Other than favourite perfumes... I love the smell of bleach, the ocean and roast cooking... although not in thats particular order.
20. What is your favorite face cream? K: Haha Sunscreen
21. Favorite fruit/vegetable? K: Fruit would be oranges. Vegetable its a toss up between sweet potato and corn.
22. People watcher? K: Yes
23. Are you a morning or night person? K: Probably a night person but thats because I am used to working at night.
24. Do you have any pets? K: No. But I claim my sisters dogs Indah and Ronan Dex as mine as well.
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? K: Its not new but exciting wise it is only a few days until we fly out to the old US of A.
26. What did you want to be when you were little? K: Happy
27. What is your favorite memory? K: Do I have to pick just one? First time I wakeboarded would have to be up there.
28. Are you a cat or dog person? K: A dog person... cats are too stuck up
29. Are you married? K: No
30. Always wear your seat belt? K: Yes the parents taught me well
31. Been in a car accident? K: No thank goodness
32. Any pet peeves? K: Light switchs that turn off/on at more than one spot
33. Favorite pizza toppings? K: Meat of any discription.
34. Favorite flower? K: Roses
35. Favorite ice cream? K: Banana
36. Favorite fast food restaurant? K: Hungry Jacks
37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? K: I didn't got it first time:)
38. From whom did you get your last email? K: Facebook lol
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? K: In the travel agents. Where to next, Jess? :)
40. Do anything spontaneous lately? K: Me and the Sister went to Kalbarri on SUnday for the day. Just because we could. It was lovely.
41. Like your job? K: Well I am unemployed but I do enjoy being a bartender.
42. Broccoli? K: If I have to. I am rather indifferent
43. What was your favorite vacation? K: I loved Bangkok
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? K: Joshua and his Family
45. What are you listening to right now? K: The radio
46. What is your favorite color? K: Green
47. How many tattoos do you have? K: Two
48. coffee drinker? K: OHHHHH YEAHHHHH:)
Love Karen (and Josh from afar) xoxox
On a side note it is only 8 days till we fly out!!
1. What time did you get up this morning? K: 5.45 am
2. How do you like your steak? K: Medium Rare
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema: K: I can not remember but I am sure it was wtih Joshua
4. What is your favourite TV show? K: One Tree Hill
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? K: At the moment... CANADA:) But I am not to worried about the location as long as I am with people I love and who love me.
6. What did you have for breakfast? K: A coffee and raisin toast
7. What is your favorite food? K: STEAK
8. Foods you dislike? K: Apricot Chicken
9. Favorite place to eat? K: At restaurants. I love getting dressed up and going out to dinner. Even better because I don't have to cook.
10. Favorite dressing? K: Does Gravy count as a dressing? If not probably Mayo
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? K: A Ford Falcon Ute... which I have just sold:( :( :(
12. What are your favorite clothes? K: Bathers
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? K: Paris
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? K: 1/2 Empty
16. Favorite time of day? K: Lunchtime
17. Where were you born? K: In a little town called Narrogin in West Australia
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? K: Water Polo
19. What is your favorite fragrance? K: Other than favourite perfumes... I love the smell of bleach, the ocean and roast cooking... although not in thats particular order.
20. What is your favorite face cream? K: Haha Sunscreen
21. Favorite fruit/vegetable? K: Fruit would be oranges. Vegetable its a toss up between sweet potato and corn.
22. People watcher? K: Yes
23. Are you a morning or night person? K: Probably a night person but thats because I am used to working at night.
24. Do you have any pets? K: No. But I claim my sisters dogs Indah and Ronan Dex as mine as well.
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? K: Its not new but exciting wise it is only a few days until we fly out to the old US of A.
26. What did you want to be when you were little? K: Happy
27. What is your favorite memory? K: Do I have to pick just one? First time I wakeboarded would have to be up there.
28. Are you a cat or dog person? K: A dog person... cats are too stuck up
29. Are you married? K: No
30. Always wear your seat belt? K: Yes the parents taught me well
31. Been in a car accident? K: No thank goodness
32. Any pet peeves? K: Light switchs that turn off/on at more than one spot
33. Favorite pizza toppings? K: Meat of any discription.
34. Favorite flower? K: Roses
35. Favorite ice cream? K: Banana
36. Favorite fast food restaurant? K: Hungry Jacks
37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? K: I didn't got it first time:)
38. From whom did you get your last email? K: Facebook lol
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? K: In the travel agents. Where to next, Jess? :)
40. Do anything spontaneous lately? K: Me and the Sister went to Kalbarri on SUnday for the day. Just because we could. It was lovely.
41. Like your job? K: Well I am unemployed but I do enjoy being a bartender.
42. Broccoli? K: If I have to. I am rather indifferent
43. What was your favorite vacation? K: I loved Bangkok
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? K: Joshua and his Family
45. What are you listening to right now? K: The radio
46. What is your favorite color? K: Green
47. How many tattoos do you have? K: Two
48. coffee drinker? K: OHHHHH YEAHHHHH:)
Love Karen (and Josh from afar) xoxox
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