MY RUNNING THUCKS...

3 words that sums it up.


Today in Pitt Meadows, thermometer liquids surged quickly to match the sweltering heat that engulfed its surroundings. I peered at it only to see its reading of 32 degrees celsius.


I figured: oh well, it can't be that bad, I see people wandering around in their yards and on the street. Hence, I wildly slathered generous amounts of SPF 45 sunscreen everywhere which was liable to the sun, donned my athletic gear and laced up my shoes.


I thought I would be clever if I left some bottles of water at the doorstep, run up and down the street and stop for some quick hydration whenever I felt parched, but god was I wrong....


After running for what seems like eternity, 16 minutes and 26 seconds, only completing 1.9 miles, I unwillingly surrendered to the sun. It's ardent scorching rays slowly but surely withering it's subordinates. My lungs gave out and my aching hamstring muscles locked, I was defeated. I came through the door, gulping more water, brushing off beads of perspiration, feeling abashed. I've never given up half way through a run. I always complete it. Its a tad bit shameful, seeing that I hail from a tropical country so close to the equator.


It's truly admirable how Kenyans have made a name for themselves in the running arena, winning a great number of races around the world. I wonder, is it in their genetics that set them apart from the world? For many generations most of their population has depended on their feet as their main form of transportation and accordingly ran to quickly arrive at their destinations. Training in the severe heat also gives them a superior advantage of toughing out less intense versions in places such as Arizona.


Only thing I can do is get out there in the heat more often.


Ah well.

9 days

Sincere apologies for my absence in the past 9 days.


Endless midterms, one after another, has seized control of my life. This ceaseless cycle continues to interrupt my otherwise ho hom routine, injecting sporadic shots of adrenaline to my system. Sometimes I wonder: Perhaps worklife alone is not as stressful as the life of a student.


Just today, to combat my natural instincts of hitting the sack, I drank coffee.
Awful idea to drink something and not go to the bathroom before an exam. It left me wrought in nervousness 30 minutes to the end of the exam and madly punching numbers into my calculator. Quite a sight I must say, to see a girl frantically hand in a paper and thump (what she makes of as 'run') her way out of a hushed lecture hall.

Dogxercise

That's Cookie, me bichon frise poooooch. Active boy he is.



So we were all down in Dan's basement, dogs and all, with nothing to do.
We stoop so low just for mere laughs and entertainment. Hear my thick and creepy laugh!



I promise longer posts in the future.

Tank Theory

A cult following exists for t-shirts with cool designs and patterns that has mainly been kept underground.


I used to poke fun at how geeks, emo-kids and rejects from society were so hyped out about them because it was pure inconceivable to me how anyone who was in a stable state of mind could be so willing to part with substantial amounts of money for ownership. T-shirts, other than tawdry ones I wear to sleep, were not staples to my wardrobe. After all, they boast not of fine material nor of figure-flattering cuts. I failed to understand.


Until, I saw these. Armed and New Beginnings. How fickle I can be... in addition, I parted with more cash. It's difficult to explain the unreasonable extent and inconsistency of women. We are crazy like that. *ponders* Grrrooooovy. But I owe it to Jen for showing me these shirts. To give credit where credit is due: THANKS JEN!

Dark Lord

The fascinating thing about Vancouver is that although it is quite the commercial city, it still manages to retain an in depth sense of charm and quaintness that one can only realize through exploring it.


Lately, I've noticed that the city has been focusing much attention on artwork and public displays specifically in the core of downtown. I'll take more pictures of the many displays soon for your enjoyment. I was strolling along the shopping district and chanced upon this. It is actually of a bear and there are many variations representing different themes planted all over the city which I usually don't care much for due to their corniness. But this one, all dressed up, just makes me laugh! Awesome!

Photo Blog - Seattle

The Floating Bridge, transporting us from Bellevue to Seattle Washington. This time, I drove!


Some pit-stop washroom on the way to Tulalip. Dan has to pee often (like some kinda Grandpa *chuckle*), so I was left responsible for his camera. Undoubtedly, I take pictures of the most pointless things, in this case a tree.


The perfect picture of us that I favour the most.


We got to Tulalip and shopped at the Premium Outlet Stores. The Nike store there is fantastic! If I knew Frees were going to be that cheap there I would have waited. After spending 2 hours at the outlet stores, we headed down to Bellevue and shopped (even more, ugh, only to my regret now) at Bellevue Square. Why take uninteresting photos of shopping itself and the items bought? I'm not going to bore you with those.


I have come to a realization that shopping is tiresome. Fatigued, we head down to Seattle and check in at the hotel. Our hotel room and myself on my cell. Once again made the grave mistake of spending too much on myself shopping and too little on accomodation.


So my best buddy calls me and I tell him that I'm in Seattle. Although he is perfectly aware that its a long-distance call, he prods me to tell him all the things I bought and we start talking about the everyday events of our lives. The best thing about friendships. Cheers to my BFF ;o) !



Night-view from our balcony.


At about 7pm, we started to feel the pangs of hunger. So we head down to this exquisite restaurant across the bridge of downtown Seattle. Cuisine: Morrocan! I love eating with my hands!


The next morning, we check out and head down to Experience Music Project.


The ever so popular Frank Gehry designed EMP and although it is not as mesmerizing as the Gugenheim, it most definitely emobodies an appealing charm that beckons your second glance.


Monkey stares in awe.



Another side of EMP.



Interior of EMP. EMP is a musuem that pays homage to modern and contemporary music of the Americas, guiding one chronologically through the history of music. Jimmy Hendrix was a prodigy, he not only had talent for music but portrayed it as well in art. They also showcase donated costumes. Quite surprised that Biggie was quite large.



Multi-faceted



Seashell



Dan and myself. Why I sometimes look like a man, I don't know.



The fuschia is quite blinding after awhile.



The thing about EMP is that you get to learn how to be in a rock band, what it feels like to be a rock star and what it feels like to be in a rock concert. The most awesome thing you can do there is learn to play instruments. Instruments such as bass and electric guitars and drums are connected digitally to computer softwares that teach you how to play. Amazing! I played the bass guitar and learned the bass to 'Wild Things'.



Next stop: Seattle's Public Market.






Array of fresh fruit and vegetables.




Abundant clams.





Delightful fresh-smelling tulips.




A skillful performance of fish throwing/receiving.




Humongous lobsters. *Note- crustaceans are the most sucessful species in the history of evolution, not having to evolve too much from its predecessors, having many adaptations in different categories and one of the most populous in numbers. I know... I'm some kind a geek.



Mmm... Crabcakes




We had some tasty ham and cheddar rolls from the store called Piroushsky(pardon me for the mis-spelling). I still think about them till this day.




Finally, one of the main reasons to go to the Public Market. To visit the pioneering flagship coffee-shop that brought such upscale (although we take it for granted) things as 'cappuccino' to the mass. They made coffee hip.




Coffee addicts from all around the world pay a visit. This Starbucks endearingly smells wonderful, the scent of spices rush to your nostrils. Nothing of the plastic, tacky, homogenous interiors of the ones we have.




This concludes the trip to weekend trip to Seattle, celebrating our anniversary. My nostrils might be flaring but check out how thin and sexy my butt looks in the mirror reflection! Makes my day.






Thanks Dan, for all your incredible pictures, what would this blog be without you. Where would I be without you.