My Life In Gifs: Hello Canada

Trying To Deal With The Overly Nice Canadians 

People's Reactions When You Tell Them You Don't Celebrate Halloween

My Thoughts on Whole Foods

 

Trying to Fit in with Vancouver Culture

Trying Some More

How I Feel Every Time I Have a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Trying To Say Fall Instead of Autumn

How I'm Dealing With My Finances 

What It's Like With Canadian Boys on Tinder In The Beginning

When They Get A Little Bold

When They Just Come Out and Ask For Nudes

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My Canadian Bucket List: Pumpkin Spice Lattes

I think unless you're living under a rock where pop culture and white girl culture are non-existent, that is the only way you won't know about Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes.

They are the epitome of fall over here and in the US, they have their own Twitter account, they take over Instagram feeds and they're so popular and although seasonal, they keep coming out earlier and earlier to appease the masses.

They've always been something I wanted to try and finally I got the chance. Not gonna lie I was also apprehensive. It's pumpkin spice in a coffee. How does that work? I have recently started to add nutmeg to my pumpkin and butternet savoury dishes...this was gonna be a whole other world.

But 100 million white girls can't be wrong. So I ordered one and got super excited, took a pic, uploaded it to my social media accounts and then finally took a sip. And then I fell in love.

The first thing I loved about it? The smell, it reminds me of baked goods. The second was the cream; cream is a bad word to me. Not because I don't like it but because I love it and I'd like to add it to everything. But because I have a teeny bit of will power, I hardly ever allow myself to have it. Until now.

The latte is amazing. I don't care if that makes me mainstream. It's delicious and it gives you warm fuzzies. The only problem I had is that it's very sweet. Something I learnt can be rectified by my white girl friends. You just ask for it half sweet and voila! No diabetes!

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Image from here.

My Canadian Bucket List: Tim Hortons

Is there any other way for me to start a to-do list than with food? I suppose I wouldn't be myself if I didn't.

So as briefly mentioned, Tim Hortons is a chain here. They started in 1964 and I see them everywhere. I see a lot of people carrying their coffees so I assumed it would be delicious. I also know they're the main coffee brand in the rest of Canada, but here in Vancouver, most people prefer Starbucks.

So one morning after doing some room-viewing, I found myself in a Tim Hortons. Their menu is good. Their food is good; especially the breakfast stuff and the Timbits which are little bits of heaven. Their coffee? I was not in a happy place.

First I thought it was the type of coffee I ordered; a drip/filter one. So then I ordered a latte. I was so pleasantly surprised by the amazing price I almost ignored how bad it tasted. To me it was really bad. Not un-drinkable but definitely not my first choice.

Since then, I have had their frozen coffee which is pretty good. I'm not sure what they're doing to their other version. I've also had their frozen lemonades which are amazing. And I've pretty much worked my way through their food menu. So technically's Canada Favourite is okay.'

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Some Observations about Vancouver and Canada

*The people are incredibly friendly. At times I'm so caught off guard, I look around waiting for the cameras to be revealed and the big announcement I'm on a reality TV show. I get asked a lot for directions for some reason and whenever I apologise that I don't know and I'm new, the first response is always "Welcome to Canada" and all the places they are meant to be are forgotten.

*The people are extremely patriotic. There is nothing more they love than their country. Which I really like. They're not pompous and arrogant about their country, they just love it. They also tend to think everything outside of their country is bad. Not in a mean way but whenever I say I'm not used to something or this is different, the reply is "You're in Canada now." The same way you'd say to someone running away from an ax murderer, "You're in a safe place now."

*The coffee culture is massive here. I have seen every demographic, race, age and income bracket carrying a takeaway coffee cup. Even their homeless people are rocking their daily Starbucks. And I cannot blame them, there is literally a coffee shop everywhere you turn. There are even drive-thru coffee shops. Because you know how taxing it is to actually park your car and walk into the shop. That comment was meant to be tongue-in-cheek but actually writing made me realise how great this would on the morning drive to work.

*The job market is very different here. It's the norm for Canadian employers to take a little longer to get back to you. And I thought Cape Town was laid-back. Vancouver makes us look like Joburg. I've signed up with a few recruitment agencies but even before you get a job, you have to do these admin tests. They test your proficiency in Word, Excel, Powerpoint and email. Whatever skills you thought you had, fly out the window and you wonder "How the fuck do I type?" which was my thought constantly. They also do not always let you know your results. So you have no idea how (badly) you did.

*So. Many. Asian. Babies.

*The place is filled with beautiful people. More importantly skinny people. And I do not know how they do it. Apart from the coffee shops, there are fast food and other eateries everywhere. And they're always full. And the fast food is cheap and can fill you up for the day. As I found out on more than one occasion. I don't even need my usual order of fries on the side. But no one here looks like they are struggling with weight. I secretly hate them for it.

*You walk a lot. There are buses and trains and seabuses but still getting to them takes a bit of walking. I don't miss my car as much as I thought I would but having to plan my day takes longer. I always misjudge the distance. On the plus side, all this walking has made me a lot fitter than I have been in months. And the best bit at the end of the day, I am so tired I don't need to snack on bad food. Which is also readily available.

*This is Vancouver's public library. It has five floors. Self-checkout. A coffee shop. A gift shop. And it's free. First World Bitch!

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Dear Future Boyfriend Part Thirteen

There are some things I’m not willing to compromise on. These things include lying, cheating, murdering, listening to Simply Red and stealing. I wish this was where my dealbreakers end. Sadly we all know I have some issues so it’s a long list. These are separated into various categories. Some I will deny their very existence (like sport shirts on any day other than match day) while others will lead me to try and not lose my cool but slowly make me resent you and the life we lead together. Sexy isn’t it. But I suppose if you are the one and all that nonsense I will live with these quirks as long as you don’t do any of the serious ones above and also can deal with me side-eying you for all eternity. Love ya!

In no particular order these are things/qualities/attributes I would rather you not possess. Do your best and play along:

Be mean to wait staff

Pick your nose in public (I wish I could say ever but baby steps)

Throw a cigarette butt out the window

Be a vegan (Vegetarian I can handle, vegans are so smug)

Not like sports

Make fun of my singing (I know I am tone deaf, I know I cannot hold a tune, I know I sound terrible but I love it)

Take off your shoes in a public place (by public I mean shopping centres, movie theatres, restaurants. Beaches, parks and most outdoors places are okay)

Sign off your mails with “Ciao”. Even worse spell it “Chow”

Try and pronounce quesadillas in a Mexican accent

Preferring the American version of The Office over the British version

  

Give away TV, book and movie spoilers

Need to hold my hand all the time

Not have a favourite Beatles song

Have no kissing skills

Do not celebrate Christmas

Not eat bacon

Say you don’t cook/clean because that’s woman’s work

Be a coffee snob

Not be prepared to do a karaoke duet of A Whole New World

Keep correcting me when I pronounce quinoa as “keenwa”. I know what I’m saying mofo

Understand if Henry Cavil ever comes a-knocking it’s gonna happen. And by it I mean lots of adult stuff

Not drink (you *will* judge me)

Be weird around gay guys (trust me they’re not into you)

Not give me shit about not liking avocados (they are weird and have no taste)

Don’t watch series and/or movies about superheroes or medieval times as you prefer “real stories”. Bitch please

Doesn’t read this blog ;)

Now come on and date me!

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Bean There

Here’s the honest truth: I want to be a good girl but I’m too lazy. Let me explain.

I want to help people and make a difference even if it’s a small one. But I don’t like to work too hard. This is my same philosophy when it comes to the gym and losing weight. Which explains a lot about my current waist circumference. So I do want to do things but the actual “doing them” is the problem like the time I volunteered for a soup kitchen and hated every minute of it. I’d much prefer to give money and buy The Big Issue which is what I do these days.

  

 

So in keeping with that attitude I thought our next Coffee Club visit should be at Bean There. If you don’t know what they do, they are a Fairtrade company and coffee shop. All the sourced coffee beans are certified Fairtrade which means all the actual peeps involved with the planting, growing and producing of the beans are paid what they rightly deserve. So you feel like doing a mini-airpunch when you get your latte and shouting “We are the 99%” nonsense.

Back to the coffee shop, the interior is bright and lovely. There are several places to sit from the cosy couches, corner nooks and proper tables and chairs. There is one of giant coffee grinder machines and you can see which beans are being used. As a coffee addict I wanted to dive in to those beans. They looks so good. On the other side of the shop is a massive wall full of coffee products and merchandise you can buy.

 

Now we use Bean There’s coffee at work for our machines so I’ve always known it was tasty and delicious. Having a latte there is a whole other experience. It had just the right amount of foam, was smooth and tasty and I think I finished it in one gulp. It was that good. I think it was my second best latte of my life. The first spot being held by that one time at Yours Truly. The staff were also very friendly and nice and have some super coffee art skills. Apparently there are some snacks like muffins and cupcakes available but we didn’t get a chance to try them.

 If you’re looking for a little spot to just take a break and relax – while doing something good – this is the place for you.

Bean There

58 Wale Street

Cape Town

07h30 – 16h00

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Current Loves, Wants and Needs

*This navy drape dress from local online shopping site Diligo which I’m dying to order but they don’t have my size.


*My new grey boots from Bronx Ladies. Loving grey this winter and surprisingly ankle boots turned out to be friend.

*Tina Fey’s new book which I have ordered and waiting for delivery. I have a major girl crush on Ms Fey so cannot wait to read it!



*Being able to drink lattes again. After that awful diet and only black coffee, nothing seemed more wonderful than having a coffee with milk. I realize my latte intake may be a bit too much so am limiting it. But there is nothing more fabulous.



*I’m in the market for a new bed. And as I claim to be all grown up and sophisticated, it’s only right that my bed be the same. I’m currently lusting after a baroque-style headboard but have yet to find one. If you can help, I can pay you back in hugs!



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How Do You Measure A Year

This past weekend we watched the movie version of the musical Rent. I don't like to mention names - Blue Eyes - but not everyone enjoyed it. I on the other loved it. While it's not happy like Hairspray or Mamma Mia! or romantic like The Phantom of the Opera, it's still a great musical. I suppose the subject material of AIDS, violence and drugs does not help matters.

While it is about those things, it also poses a very important question: How do You Measure a Year?

I'm paraphrasing from the song here but basically are you the type of person that measures your life in:

- minutes (525 600 to be exact)
- daylights
- sunsets
- midnights
- cups of coffee
- inches
- miles
- laughter
- strife
- truths learned
- times cried
- bridges burned

In the end, they offer up love as a measurement of a year. The song is called Seasons of Love after all.

While I'd love to measure a year in love, I'm afraid it won't be a very long calculation. I have to wait for Bradley Cooper to wake up and realise that he loves me first :)

But from now on, I think the measurement of a year shouldn't be how many hours you spent a job you didn't like, or how many times you looked at your phone wishing he'd call or even all those moments spent cursing in traffic.

From now on, I'm measuring a year in how many good coffee dates I've had with Blue Eyes, the nights I danced with my gays to Glee, the laughs I've had with my brothers and sisters, and the times when I realised how lucky I am.

How do you measure a year?

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Ps. If you wanna hear the song, click here.

Image from here.

Things That I ♥

Coffee

In the past couple of weeks, my love for coffee has turned into a full-on addiction. I have to make daily trips to Vida to get my latte fix. And that’s right I’m buying fancy coffee. My addiction is not only expensive it is also proud. No instant for me. After my second take away today I decided to put a spending ban on my wallet. Except me to look like one of the zombies from Shaun of the Dead without my caffeine fix.

The Beatles Songs

I’ve been playing Across the Universe soundtrack on repeat. I absolutely love the movie and anytime I hear the Beatles I smile. I’ve also discovered Rufus Wainwright’s version of the song Across the Universe and I have fallen in love with it.

The Easter Season

Finally a reason to enjoy chocolate without the guilt. My dietician is surprisingly not such a big fan. But I drown her out with some more chocolate.

Four Day Weeks

This is our second of three four day working weeks in SA. It’s bliss. Nothing gets you out of bed quicker than the thought that tomorrow is the last day before a four day weekend. I cannot wait!

Receiving Packages

I love getting mail. I hate when said mail is bills or junk though. I’m happy when it’s Pushplay with our new dvds and I’m even happier when it’s a package! Last week I received my dress from Africhic.com and today I received a fabulous Essie nail polish from the Bronx Ladies Footwear team. It’s a beautiful purple colour and it’s called Footloose. Considering I’m a huge fan of the movie and the song, I was over the moon. Will definitely be doing a mani this weekend.

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Weekend Highlights

The weekend started off on a fabulous note on Friday. It was one of our very special friend’s birthday and we joined her at Tiki Bar at Eden on the Bay for some cocktails.
Had some amazing cosmopolitans at that place. Nice casual vibe and right on the beach. Definitely would recommend. The lighting and light rain also gave it a nice touch!

On Saturday, I decided it was time to finally try out TRUTH in Green Point. I have heard so many fabulous things about the place and decided had to see what all the hype was about. TRUTH is located in the Prestwich Memorial off Somerset Road in Green Point. It’s not too big but has all the essentials for an awesome coffee shop. I had some great service, an excellent latte and a new spot to take friends too.


Afterwards I made a quick stop at the Friends with Jenny Open Day. I bought a great brown waist belt and a fab winter shrug. I cannot even tell you about it the shrug, it is so beautiful and versatile. Will definitely have to take pics and show you what it looks like and how it can be worn. Also don’t forget to check out FWJ’s new website. It’s great!

I’m not sure what came over me but on Sunday I offered to make lunch for my (large) family. I blame it on Julie & Julia. It made me think I could bring out my inner Nigella and cook. The main problem is my mom. She used to be a caterer, she can cook backwards and usually she prepares those amazing meals for Sunday lunch. My speciality is potato bake and those convenience meals from Woolworths.


In the end I opted for some chicken – ‘cause no one can mess up chicken – and then some pasta (a sweet potato and butternut lasagna). The pasta turned out really good, or my family are really nice at not hurting my feelings. Dessert was supplied by my mom because there was only so much I could accomplish. She made some great cupcakes and it’s even greater that she left the rest with me!

So, how was your weekend?

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