NYE in NYC

Day 262

We took the subway to midtown Manhattan (we are staying on the Upper West Side) to check out the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center and a bit of Times Square. Times Square was crazy!! NYPD everywhere! We rang in the new year at a place called Brickyard Gastropub. They messef up my order so I got frer dessert and champagne :)

Giant REAL tree!

The ice skating rink at Central Park is bigger

New York Day 1

Day 261

Today was a busy day in Manhattan. We woke up early-ish to lace up our skates at the Trump Rink in Central Park. Bobby was smart and prebought entrance tickets... the regular line was lonnnnng. Anyway so we did a few rounds. It was zero degrees this morning but it didn't feel that cold because we were skating.

After the rink we explored Central Park. Bobby was touring me around to places he wanted to see... at the end of the tour was a ring and a promise to seal our lifetime together. I cried and them noticed that a guy was taking our picture. Turns out Bobby had hired our own stalk-a-razi to capture the entire day (from ice skating to the proposal and beyond - engagement photos) in pictures. The guy followed is around Central Park and he took 8000 photos. I can't wait to see them :)

I love my ring! But I love my Bobby more :)

Touch down in New York

Day 260

Currently waiting for our ride to Manhattan :)

I found this awesome make up vending machine in the airport! How convenient!

Disney World Day Three continued

Day 259 (part two)

Today was our last day at Disney World. I'm pretty sad that its over :( I had such a good time... I'm actually concerned that New York won't compare ;)

Bobby's parents took us out for a luau dinner and show. It was soooo awesome!  Great dancing and great food and great company :)

Disney World Day 3

Day 259

We went back to the Magic Kingdom today. I've been to Disneyland before and I think that the Magic Kingdom at Disney World is pretty much just Disneyland but bigger.

Hula dancers at the Its a Small World ride. We get to experience real hula dancers tonight because Bobby's parents are taking us out for dinner and a show at the Polynesian Resort.

Disney World Day 2

Day 258

We hit up Disney's Hollywood Studios today. It was much smaller than the Magic Kingdom. Today we saw a lot of shows. Beauty and the Beast, a Muppet Show and a super awesome stunt show! (We also did the Tower of Terrors and the Rock' n Rollercoaster)

Fast cars driving out of a window (totally normal)

Explosion!! 

Disney World Day 1

Day 257

I arrived in Orlando last night and we hit up Disney World today. We went to the Magic Kingdom and it was sooo fun :). Just got back to the hotel - we are relaxing until our medieval dinner later :)

On the magic carpet ride. Bobby got a Pirates of the Carribean hat

Dallas

Day 256 (part two)

Layover in Dallas/Fort Worth International Aiport. This airport is the most oddly fascinating/confusing airport ever: there are five separate terminals (A-E) all interconnected via a train. It's freakin' huuuuge. Anyway, I'm just sitting here enjoying free wifi and an outlet to charge my phone before my flight departs in an hour and a half.

The biggest perk of traveling to a warm place with a parka is that it doubles as a pillow :)

4:20 am

Day 256

So I'm off to Orlando (via Dallas). I made the mistake of watching Blackfish last night. I went to bed depressed haha... and angered on Tilikum's behalf (did you know that Tilikum was ripped away from his pod at two years old from aggressive whale catchers as his family watched helplessly? Did you know that he was brought to a TINY marina in Victoria, BC where he was starved when he underperformed and then forced to sleep in a 20x30 feet "tub" with three other killer whales before moving on to Seaworld, Orlando?) So anyway.... I couldn't sleep... when I finally did sleep, I had a very restless sleep because I was so paranoid that I wouldn't wake up in time to catch my flight. Ughhh... well I woke up in time, said goodbye to my hedgies and walked to Yaletown Roundhouse station. Thank you Vancouver for not raining today! The Canada Line to YVR is running in holidy hours but when I got to the station, a train was just arriving! Woo hoo! Thank goodness I didnt miss it because the next one was 12 minutes away (not that it mattered because I left three and a half hours early ;)). Anyway, so I'm at YVR now, all checked in and waiting for my flight departing in just under two hours.

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! I'll try to check in to keep up with the blog but I don't know how available Wi-Fi is at Disney World.

In all of my years of existence, i have never woken up this early on Christmas Day! Not even to open presents as a young child!

Home alone

Day 255

Today is my last FULL day in Vancouver in 2014. By this time tomorrow, I will be on a plane headed for Orlando (via Dallas).

Anyway, so I've been home alone since Sunday... I've run into a couple of household problems (Bobby's in charge of "maintenance"... so I've had to be creative in my solutions)

The first problem was leaving Kiwi and Chaos with enough food. A friend was supposed to check in on them but those plans fell apart.. but not a problem! They have a GIANT water bottle which should be more than enough, but I wanted to leave them their smaller water bottle too (just in case!). The problem is that I couldn't find the spring/hook thingy that attaches the bottle to their cage... Enter heavy duty elastic bands and paper clips!

It's actually holding up pretty nicely!

So... perhaps I should consider a career in engineering?!

Anyway, the second problem, is that Bobby ALWAYS screws lids on too tight (pasta jars, water bottles... and the bialetti) which means I can't clean them! The bialetti has been sitting in the sink for three days! I'm going to attempt to open it one last time tonight!

Super awesome voucher!

Day 254

Today's advent surprise:

Awesome voucher

"...Free-flip-Kiwi-on-her-back-&-tickle..." 

"To be redeemed immediately"

YES! To be honest, I do this on a daily basis (much to Kiwi's dismay!) :)

Hey there, baby fatty!

Kiwi hates to be tickled by the way (in case her facial expression didn't give that away)

So tomorrow is my last day of work for the year! Then I am on VACATION!! Woo hoo :) Can't wait to meet up with Bobby and his familia :)

A Christmas Miracle

Day 253 (part three)

So apparently Canada Post doesn't completely suck! After complaining online and on the phone, my package miraculously got delivered today! Woohoo!!

Unfortunately, these jeans are too big :(

I've never bought or even tried Joe's Jeans before (I've been extremely loyal to J Brand) so I bought these 'skinny' jeans and they are wayyy too loose :(

All that work and I now have to take them back! Ugh

Super awesome present from Bobby!

Day 253 (part two)

Even though Bobby is off to Tampa, the advent calendar continues... which means I get more daily chocolate (and hopefully, notes!).

Today's was soooo adorable!! Feeling the love, Bobby!

I got a super crazy love voucher!!

"By this time, I will be on my way to Tampa. Use this as a reminder of my neverending love 4u. This voucher is good for 1 twirly-kiss-running-towards-each..."

"...other-with-one-leg-bent-up-while-madly-loving-each-other:

Awwww :)

Up and at 'em

Day 253

Since I opted not to go back to sleep after returning from YVR, I decided to be proactive and head to Coquitlam Centre before the mad rush of crazy suburban shoppers!

I've hit up Target and London Drugs (the only two stores open) and am now awaiting for 10am to arrive (the time when the rest of the stores open).

(More later)

Empty parking lot means excellent parking spot :)

Update:

So I'm home from my quick sojourn to suburbia. I bought runners yesterday and I honestly couldn't decide what colour I wanted (ughhh.. decisions, decisions!!). I wanted pink ones, but I bought grey ones instead (since grey is more practical right? and since they had no sizes in pink) after hitting up three different stores. Well today, I kind of wished I bought the pink ones instead (ughhhh) but the Coquitlam Centre SportChek didn't have pink in my size either so now I am 100% happy with my new grey runners ;)

Hedgie mani pedi

Day 252 (part two and a day late)

So I got back about half an hour ago from dropping Bobby off at the airport... and I can't sleep/don't want to sleep (a decision I know will kick me in the ass later!)... so here is a couple of pics from last night:

Chaos getting her nails clipped

Chaos post bath... chilling on my blanket/in her hut

Kiwi is like the rest of us!

Day 252

She stuffs herself then walks around with crumbs on her face :)

Merry Christmas to me!

Day 251 

Sooo... I got another note in my advent calendar today! I got a coupon for a romantic dinner! Oooh la la ;)

 

Unfortunately, this coupon expired earlier this year... What the hell, Bobby!!

Anyway, so it snowed last night/today in Vancouver. I'm actually not a fan of snow in the city because it's such a pain in the ass to get around in.... Also, the pretty white snow turns into disgusting slush after 5 minutes :(

PS: Here's Kiwi-Keys looking drunk ;)

Dear Canada Post (Part two)

Day 250

WTF?! This item should have been delivered on MONDAY. However, because Canada Post is so lame during the holidays (and you know, 80% of the year if we are being honest), my package hasn't even left the sorting facility in Richmond yet.. which means it isn't anywhere near being delivered likely... Ughhh... I bought some new jeans for New York but it looks like I might not even get to bring them with me :(

For Dear Canada Post, WTF Part 1, click here: http://missmiigo.blogspot.ca/2013/09/dear-canada-post.html

Ho ho ho!

Day 249

First present received at work today: a Chapters gift card! Woo hoo!! I was actually at Chapters last night and I wanted to buy a hedgehog Christmas ornament (even though we have one already) but I didn't buy it..... guess who is going back to Chapters soon-ish to get it now ;)

Lacing up the skates

Day 248 (part two)


Bobby and I hit up the outdoor skating rink at Robson Square today and it was so busy! I bought a groupon deal and because Bobby and I are also going ice skating at Central Park in New York City, we really needed to brush up on our ice skating skills since we haven't gone ice skating in a couple of years (at least!).

Anyway, because it is Tuesday night, I didn't expect the rink to be so busy! The line up for rentals was quite long and they were running out of sizes fast! When we finally got on the rink, it was SOOO packed with people and the rink was pretty scuffed up. I think I did two really slow laps before we all got kicked off so the zamboni could clean the rink. When we got back on the ice post cleaning it was so slippery... but with practice, I got my groove back :) I am ready for Central Park now ;)

Some health care humour for you

Day 248

:):):)

The picture that started this blog...

Day 247

Back in early 2013, when Luca was still teeny tiny, him, Bobby and I all wore our red plaid outfits for a picture. I've already blogged about this event so you can read more about it here: http://missmiigo.blogspot.ca/2013/04/awkward-family-photo-potential.html.

For Christmas, Brad and Ja gave us this picture:

J and B: making babies cry since 2013 ;)

Poor Luca was so upset because his onesie was already too small at this point. We kinda forced him to wear it for the plaid pic. Thank you for being a trooper, Luca! We love you!

The Hangover

Day 246

Soooo I felt like crap today :( Its like, the older you get, the longer hangover recovery time takes! Every 9 hour party now takes 24+ hours to recover or something!

Anyway, so we went to my parents' house for a late family Christmas lunch. I was smart and told my mom to have a late lunch (2pm) because, let's face it, I knew we would be so trashed from last night ;)

Chilling out earlier today

So we headed to suburbia around 12:30. We made a pit stop at Caffe Artigiano for some coffee. We got to my mom's house around 1:30 and then it was non stop eating. I was seriously so stuffed after! Then we just chilled out and opened presents:

I got a super awesome onesie pajamas from my cousin and his family and cash and gift cards from the parentals. My niece is turning 5 after Christmas so we spoiled her. I bought her lego for Christmas and two Barbies for her birthday! I think she loved her presents. I was secretly jealous and wished that I got lego and Barbies too ;)

Chelsea and her new Barbies!

We headed home around 6. Now we are putting the apartment back in order and playing with the hedgies!

My and my Kiwi-Keys

Christmas party

Day 245 (a day late)

Sooo tired this morning. The party was sooooo awesome! My friends are awesome :)

We ate, drank, played drunk jenga, danced etc...

The party was from 5pm to 2am....I have my family Christmas lunch today since Bobby and I are leaving soon. So tired. Dunno how I will look/be functional!

Here's a picture of our bird cooking(it was the one pic I took yesterday)

Hacked

Day 244

At VHS (Vancouver Hack Space)

So before we went to VHS, we went to Nando's for dinner and Bobby bought a bottle of sauce... which he left there... Ugh... turns out its still on the table we sat at. Guess who is now on her way back to Nando's?

Prepping for Saturday

Day 243

Every year (for the past three years), Bobby and I host a Christmas dinner/Secret Santa for our friends. This year, we have to have it earlier since Bobby is leaving on the 22nd.

We hit up Costco and Save On to buy snacks, etc. Bobby will be making a turkey on Saturday. I bought sides from Whole Foods which I will pick up on Saturday as well :)

Black Friday Haul Part 2

Day 242

After initially only buying face wash and toner during Origins' awesome Black Friday sale, I decided to buy exfoliator as well. It arrived today at work and thankfully, this one wasn't frozen ;) I think the exfoliator was 25$ (minus 10$ and free shipping). Woo hoo... I'm all set for squeaky clean pores for 2014 ;)

In advent calendar news, I got another Bailey's irish cream and another note.. I'm starting to prefer these notes over the chocolate :)

Day 10 of the advent calendar...

Day 241 (part two)

... was another baileys original irish cream... and a note!

Tentative NYC itinerary

Day 241

I couldnt find a calendar I liked online so I decided to make one because I am nerdy.like that (and also because I am procrastinating and I don't want to wash dishes....)

Hedgie toy bath

Day 240 (a day late!)

Bobby cleaned the hedgehog cage on Sunday and I found all Chaos and Kiwi's toys in the sink yesterday morning.

Their toy collection consists of: numerous faux grass pieces, various rocks Bobby collected for them while on vacation, Fake Bowser the dryer ball (more info about Fake Bowser here: http://missmiigo.blogspot.ca/2013/04/fake-bowser-dryer-ball.html), and a nurf gun ammo Kiwi found while roaming the apartment (more here: http://missmiigo.blogspot.ca/2013/06/kiwi-hoarder.html)

Christmas crafts

Day 239 (part two)

I bought these super cute gingerbread people at Michael's. I first attempted to put it together last week, and I was slightly annoyed that it required glue (I bought a similar owl ornaments for Halloween, but the felt in that kit was attached to sticky tape, which made putting that together much easier). Anyway, today, I fired up Bobby's glue gun to put these two together:

Earlier today, I took Chaos out of her cage and I put her in a box so she could "explore". Only Chaos could look adorable chilling out in a box ;)

Laser tag

Day 239

Bobby got a laser game yesterday so we played today... here's how Kiwi feels about the game:

Kiwi sticks her tongue out at this game :)

Sebastian's birthday surprise

Day 238 (part two and a day late!)

So yesterday, Bobby and I met with our realtor to check out places in North Coquitlam and Port Moody. Brad, Ja and Luca met up with us at Port Moody after our apartment tours for a quick coffee... and then we parted ways... only to meet up again at the Wallflower for Sebastian's birthday.

The food was okay. Bobby and I got to sit at a Ms. Pacman table (a non table that was actually a functioning Ms. Pacman arcade game). It was fun to play... we kinda scared Luca though when Bobby died playing pacman and we were all like "NOOOOOO".... we made Luca cry cause we scared him :(

After dinner, Sebastian had a "surprise" for us. He told us to dress warmly and to bring thermoses because it was an outdoor surprise and it was minus 7 last night. Aleks gave us a ride to Queen Elizabeth Park (where the surprise was) after two detours to the coffee shop (the first stop was to buy coffees and hot chocolate, the second stop was to pick up the gloves Aleks left behind).

Anyway, it turns out that the surprise was that Seb's friend had this huuuuge telescope and because it was cloudless sky, he set it up so that we could see the moon AND jupiter! Super cool surprise :)

The best part was that because we were all standing around outdoors in minus 7 degree weather, it was sort of a practice run for NYC for Bobby and me. My parka is DEFINITELY warm, but I need to make sure to wear warmer socks because my feet/toes were completely frozen after 30-45 minutes outdoors!

Here we all are freezing our asses off ;)

One crushed ferrero

Day 238

Todays chocolate was a crushed ferrero. Guess the boxes are too small ;)

Bobby was nice though. He gave me a new, uncrushed one :)