Bad Blogger Etiquette

I'll admit, I am not longer on Galiano. We have returned home. In fact, we got home yesterday and--even then--I failed to update my blog.

But today it is snowing and I did not have to go to school. I could not, in good conscience, leave my blog post to another day.

There were many positive outcomes to the Galiano trip. James and I spent some much needed quality time together. I slept for 11 hours on Friday night, and had a nap on Saturday. I also wrote 2, 600 words for my Work In Progress (sometimes I play at being an author) and spending time with the ladies from our writers group was very fun. The cabins James and I stayed in were very cute. We ate good food at a few Galiano establishments and though the weather was only good on the first day, we enjoyed the scenery.

Though I loved much about the Driftwood Cottages, I did not love how their bath water was not hot. I enjoy turning the colour of a Canadian flag whilst I bathe. I did not have this experience at the Driftwood. Though, they did have a hot tub. If I had of had the foresight to bring a bathing suit I would have gone in. Our cabin had a wood stove, which was delightful and the bed had a very cozy duvet, so all was not lost.

I didn't attend any seminars provided by the Galiano Literary Festival, so hopefully James will guest blog and talk about that aspect of the trip. I did, however, attend the dinner where I met a nice man named Fraser who used to be a teacher. He now is an author and won the "So You Think You Can Write Contest" with the Times Colonist. Check that out here. He and his wife were delightful. I talked mostly with them. James talked to many people, as it was his job to network the night away.

Sunday was travel back day. It had been snowing on and off all weekend so we were worried about the ease of returning home. We all decided it was best to catch an earlier ferry. Unfortunately this meant that James, Carol and Kristine had to miss Raffi's seminar. Good thing they spoke to him enough over the weekend that they are all now all BFF's.

I very much missed my dog. It is interesting that in such a short period of time he has become so very important. He was well taken care of by our neighbours so at least I was able to relax knowing that he was safe and happy. Currently, Chewie is sleeping by my feet because he is tired due to running around in the snow.

Here are some pictures to please the eye:

He is thinking about his next novel.

 The ferry.

Before the snow.

This cat is really fat (the camera took off 10 pounds) and loves books. We are kindred spirits. The bookstore was pretty cool, though they did not have a large enough fantasy or sci fi section.

This cat wants the grocery store to open, too. But the owners are on island time, man.

That is it! My blogging duties for the weekend are complete. Now I shall go do something productive, maybe.

Upcoming Weekend

James and I are going to Galiano Island next weekend. There is a literary festival there that James wants to attend. Raffi will be there. Raffi, as in Baby Beluga Raffi. THE Raffi.

I haven't purchased a ticket for the festival, even though I am going to stay at Galiano for the weekend. I haven't quite decided yet if I want to get out of my pajamas. I mean, meeting Raffi sounds amazing, but so does sleeping all day.

We aren't bringing the puppy. It will be the first time I will be away from Chewie for more than a night. Should be interesting. I've grown quite attached to the fluff ball.

I will take many pictures. I will blog about it, using the free wifi provided for my convenience.

I look forward to relaxing. Moving into James' house, getting a puppy, writing course outlines and completing the second round of report cards have taken a lot of my time. I shall lay in a bath for a ridiculous amount of time and watch an obscene amount of television.

I won't do any work. Don't tell my school, but I don't want to work at all.

Vacation Nostalgia

It is funny, after any vacation--no matter what may happen on said vacation, or how much you missed home (and your bed) while away, you still wish you had another trip planned for just a couple of weeks after your return.
Or at least, that is how I feel.
I WANT TO GO BACK TO DISNEYLAND!
There were so many things I didn't get to see or do. Like go on my favourite ride, Peter Pan's Magical Flight. And! AND Right now, in the park... there is only like 1/10th the amount of people as there was when I was there. (I don't think that sentence is grammatically correct, but I'm going with it) That would mean less strollers, and shorter lines. I wouldn't have to wait an hour and a half to get on Space Mountain just to have it break down 20 seconds into the ride. After two trips to Disneyland I still haven't ridden Space Mountain. What if that is a sign?
All that aside, it was a fun trip. Even when I got some kind of stomach flu/food poisoning hybrid where it felt like I had some kind of Disney demon in my stomach that could only be exorcised through harfing multiple times. I threw up in Disneyland. Well, in California Adventure--but still. I bought James (whom is my boyfriend... I haven't mentioned him yet in the context of romance, other than posting his novel, but he is swell) a present and then proceeded to barf in the bag that his present came in. Don't worry, I removed his gift before I spewed.

Highlights of the trip:
-Having dinner at the House of Blues with the gang, even though it is one of the suspects in the case of the disney food poisoning. Also, we had dinner at the Blue Bayou, which I wish I could have tasted and enjoyed but I was all sick. It was still pleasant though.
-The Matterhorn Bobsleds, because I didn't get to ride it the last time I was there and the views are amazing.
-Fantasmic! Thank goodness I got to see that show. I didn't get to see the World of Color show because of the whole barfing thing, which is another thing I have to see next time. Anywho, the Fantasmic show was SO cool. We had glow with the show mouse ears so they lit up as Mickey saved our imaginations from the forces of evil.
-Being with my friends
-Having my own bed

There is more but, I am distracted by hunger. It is dinnertime and my stomach demands attention.

I Splurged...

And bought 24 hours worth of wifi.

So, today is a beautiful Californian day. The sun is shining to the point where I don't even need a sweater. But I'm still wearing one because I bought an awesome Disney villains themed sweatshirt and it is delightful. It has Captain Hook on it and everything.

I'm currently avoiding looking at my bank balance. I will. Soon. After this. I hope I estimate high and am relieved at the outcome.

The food here tastes delicious but apparently my stomach isn't what it used to be as it doesn't like theme park cuisine. I'm pretending its okay to eat unhealthy because we walk a lot every day. I'm sure it evens the playing field out somewhat.

I am getting sleepy now so I'm going to take a nap. I must gather my energy because the next two days I'm going to attempt to stay in the park all day. Today and yesterday were relaxing days spent in downtown Disney and the hotel. But tomorrow, tomorrow we Disney all day.

Free airport wifi

What I really should have called this blog is "all the places you can find free wifi in the modern world". We have made our way through customs. I am currently sitting on the ever so comfortable seats that are provided for us, wondering why the nice air Canada people have the door to the outside open. That crisp air is doing a fine job at waking me up.

Last night sleep was a difficult task. Five really excited, former theatre students in one room did not bode well for slumbering.

Starting in California I'm going to try to start eating healthier. So far I've only consumed food with zero nutritional value. Not on purpose, but that almond croissant looked so yummy. It wasn't. Airport food has this magical quality where it looks edible but tastes like cardboard. Much like hospital food.

Tonight, We Ride.

I'm not sure how it happened, but my "Disneyland Countdown" went from being like 55 days to WE ARE LEAVING TODAY! We actually fly out tomorrow morning, but we are staying in a hotel tonight so it is basically today.

Yesterday was Christmas, in case you all were wondering. I had a wonderful time. It even snowed! I've had very few white Christmases, so it was special. Santa spoiled me. I must have been well behaved this year or something.

Packing has not been going as quickly or as efficiently as I would have hoped. This is evident by the fact that I am sitting in my living room writing a blog entry instead of finishing up. I'm close though. Definitely close to being done the whole packing thing. I have clean underwear. Which is most important. WAIT, NO! NEED TO GRAB MY PASSPORT!

And books. I have no idea what books I should bring. I have about 50 that I want to read... That is too many, right? I could always buy a book there if I read the ones I bring. Or read on my phone, as I have books downloaded onto that as well. AHHHHH.

I need my chargers. Yes, charging my electronics is very important. WHAT ELSE? OH GOD. I better go. Okay. Packing. Finishing of the packing. Doing it. Going. Making it happen. Leaving my computer. Now. RIGHT NOW.

Happiest Place On Earth

Disneyland is officially a go. Last night we finalized our booking. Needless to say, December this year is going to be overwhelming. I may have suffer a happiness induced brain aneurysm. Not only do I love Christmas, I am graduating. Not only am I graduating but I am going to Disneyland. It is a big month.
Since last night I've downloaded a Disneyland app as well as a vacation countdown app. Just to prepare. I may download a trip advisor app or packing list app. Gotta keep with the times, you know.
I wonder if there is an app for stalking Disney characters. If so, captain hook I'm coming for you.