Summertime fun!

Oh readers, I am sorry that my posts have dwindled a bit since summer started… but, I am sure you can understand.  Well, maybe not, depending on where you live in the world. ; )  See, I live in Calgary, Alberta, which is quite a nice city due to it’s proximity to the mountains but it also has the quality of having short summers and long winters.  Not everyone might agree with me, but really, the summers are only about 2 months long here and the temperatures do not get too hot (well, since I have moved here anyway – I’ve been told summers used to be hot, yeah right lol).  As a result of these short summers, and long working hours, I have been trying my best to spend my time outdoors and away from the computer.  It’s so nice to get away from the internet when you can, you almost feel revitalized and new!  My eyes feel better too!  So, here’s a sampling of some of the things I’ve been up to, hope you like these silly pictures and I hope you are getting a chance to experience some summer as well!  Happy summer readers!  ॐ

Impromtu yoga on the Grassi Lakes hike outside of Canmore, AB

Having a good time at the Calgary Stampede, Yahoo!

Learning to line dance at the Devry Calgary Stampede Lunch - so fun!

There really is a lake in Alberta, wow! Being silly at Sylvan Lake.

Love the weekend!

During the National Anthem - Stampeders game

Well readers, this past weekend was an interesting one as it would seem that most North Americans had a holiday (Canada Day July 1st, Independence Day July 4th) that allowed them the glory of a long weekend.  And what a great weekend it was!  Now, before you get all ruffled and say “I didn’t have a long weekend, so shut it”, well, neither did I technically – I worked on Saturday, but made the best of the days around it.

 

Friday (Canada Day) started off mostly lazy as I had planned, but then we ventured out to enjoy the sun and festivities around lunch time.  We wandered downtown, grabbed a delicious coffee, had lunch, and then checked out the holiday festivities in our city.  I can tell you, I am not much for crowds like that anymore but enjoyed the walking nonetheless.  The evening was spent having a blast at the home opener for the Calgary Stampeders, even though they lost.  I always love getting outside for a football game and a fun atmosphere, we had great fans around us for this game.  We ended the night with some family sitting around a firepit making s’mores – so bad for you, but so tasty (I hadn’t eaten them in at least 10 years!).

Paddle boating!

All in all, it was an awesome Canada Day and I was so glad for the nice weather we had for it.

Even though I worked on Saturday, we still managed to take advantage of the sun and do something fun after – mini-golf!  Played an awesome 18 hole real grass putting green course that was super fun and I didn’t completely suck – yay! 😉

Miraculously, Sunday was also very nice weather so we knew we had to get out and soak it in.  We did this by heading out to a great park in the city and rented a paddle boat, so much fun!  We paddled along a little river, enjoyed the trees, watched the ducks, and just took in all that was around us… that is, until a major wind storm blew in!  But, we didn’t fret and still managed to enjoy the ride and get back in before the wind was too crazy.  The weekend ended with an awesome BBQ with some relaxing out in the yard.  A very nice end to a lovely and fun weekend!

Awwww ducky!

Back to work on Monday here, but I know my American readers are celebrating the 4th of July.  I hope you managed to fill your weekend with fun things, whether big or small, that made you smile and enjoy what life has to offer.  ॐ

How did you spend your long (or not so long) weekend?

Not the Summer of Crystal, but trying my best…

Birthday in Banff

Immediately after reading this post by Fortune, I thought to myself ‘I should make a list like this!’  So, here were are a few weeks later (what happened to immediately haha) and I have compiled a list of things I would like to do this summer.  This is not the Summer of Crystal, as that was in 2007, but I am going to try my best to have a little bit of fun this year because last year was a bit of a bust.  I liked her list because it wasn’t all about having to do big things this summer, it’s a list of things she wants to do and enjoys.  It helped me to realize that finding fun in this summer doesn’t have to be in huge activities or major trips, we can also do the small things and enjoy every aspect of those.  Instead of not doing anything all summer just because I can’t afford Europe right now, do the small things and realize the fun that is in those too!

So, here’s the list… let’s hope I at least do some of them:

• Go to Canmore/Banff on my birthday (June 18) – went to Banff and had a great day in the mountains
• Go to at least 2 Calgary Stampeders games – got tickets for July 1st so far!
• Go on a couple of hikes this summer in the mountains, take lovely pictures
• Go to a Calgary Vipers game for the first time
• Go to Sylvan Lake for the first time (I miss the ocean, so I need a body of water!)
• Volunteer at a couple of events – helping with YYC4SlaveLake and Sun & Salsa Fest so far
• Possibly another 5K run (trying to figure out a good one right now)
• See a little more of Alberta, maybe some day trips
• Go to Kelowna, BC for a little bit of wine touring and beautiful scenery (another body of water!)
• Hopefully get a little closer to figuring out some career/life/direction decisions (yes, this is a big one, but a girl can hope for some clarity to come out sometime, right?)

It’s by no means a complete list, maybe some other fun adventures will pop up in there and I will just have to do them!  The point is to have fun and enjoy the small things that life brings, while trying not to have such high expectations.  If the expectations are really high, then we will miss the beauty in the small things and be unhappy as a result.  Strive for joy and let’s try to enjoy this summer, especially considering how short it is! 😉  ॐ

My second 5K race

Before the race

As my alarm went off at 6:30 this morning, I thought to myself “why on a Sunday, why?”.  It’s my one day off from work, why would I do this to myself?!

Well, back in February I signed up for a 10K race in today’s Calgary Marathon event when I was in some kind of crazy mood or under the influence.  Not totally sure why I did it.  Either way, I recently switched down to the 5K for some personal reasons and shortly after I had some realizations that lead to this post.

For those who don’t know me, my mornings are never without a little adventure.  I woke up extra early for the race knowing that travel time would take a bit longer due to many detours for the marathon.  Since I travel by my own two feet and transit, I wanted to be prepared for any slow downs I might encounter.  And without fail, I encountered a hiccup with transit detours that weren’t actually listed on their website – even the bus driver was told she could go down a certain street they had blocked off!  Oh well… improvise.  Run out into traffic, run to get train, switch to another train and then I’m back on track and on my way to the race!  Then… I end up arriving super early somehow.  Regardless, it was nice to get there and see the excitement going on and runners coming in even before my race started.

Many people were there with family, friends, and partners, but I was on my own.  Before the race, I chatted with two other gals who were there alone as well, nice to know I wasn’t the only one without a supporter today (but then it turns out after that a friend was waiting for me to finish – so nice of Diane!!).  It felt a little lonely at times not having anyone at the race to cheer me on as I started, but that’s ok, I just focused on having fun and enjoying the excitement.

I finished in 36.01, which I am ok with… but not ecstatic about.  I told myself I’d be happy if I did it in

After the race!

under 40 minutes while having fun, which is what happened.  Would have been nice to get 35 minutes… but I have to stop that chatter in my head!  I must focus on how I kept a good pace, didn’t cramp up, didn’t get cranky, and just enjoyed running with the other people.  Why must I let ego get into it?

In the end, it was a very fun morning and great to grab a delicious breakfast afterwards with my friend Diane (she did the 10K).  A nice reward after a race!  Later today, a friend asked me how I felt about running now, and well, I still hate it.  But, I find the events are super fun with a great crowd, so I think I will stick to 5K’s for now, no need to force myself into longer distances that I will just resent.  Because that’s what it’s all about right?  Fun!!  Congrats to all the runners and walkers today!  ॐ