samsadventurelog

[samsadventurelog]

Adventuring... Virtually

Hey guys! So as you’re all still aware, we are still working from home! So yes....maybe I haven’t seen the sunlight in 3 damn days, but, I’ve travelled to far away islands and hung out with my friends!!...in Animal Crossing.. shekekekek. 

Here are some highlights of my adventures so far :P 

This photo represents my humble beginning. sleeping in a tent, on a cot, with my angler fish. 

Brad and I’s first (and only) photo together as AC peeps. 

One of my first visits from Tuong. He just had to remind me...that he loves Bagel Belts.... The trash of all fast food. 

Waiting for friends to come to my birthday party! 

That time i visited my sister and her friends. It was chaos.

Helping Kristian move. My sister booted her bf off her island. Bye Kristian, see ya in Kristland. 

Karley & I ... this pretty much sums up our visits.

A museum date with wifey.

Michelle let me into her happy zone

Katie updating me on her plans :P

My sister and I exploring Michetopia

Raiding Beccys clothing shop - this is me waiting for Jessie to buy out the store. 

And finally, B-rad living his best life  Welp friends. See all the adventuring I’ve been doing! hahah. But in all seriousness, if you’ve made it down this far in the post, I love and miss all of you. Stay safe out there, hopefully soon I won’t have to end blog posts with such words.

Now go listen to some K.K. Slider ! XO

[samsadventurelog]

Adventuring Hiatus

Thursday March 19, 2020

4:20pm

Well, I’m sure I don’t have to tell any of you reading this what kind of year this week has been. I am proud to say I DON’T have any adventuring updates.   Things really spiralled quickly didn’t they?  So I’m looking at all this Coronavirus stuff from Halifax. I saw it spreading in Ontario and saw the panic a few days before it hit here, but I wasn’t naive, I knew it was only a matter of time. Brad and I would pick up a few extra things from the grocery store on our walks home everyday before the panic came here. We figured we  could avoid the stores when it got crazy.  I think the madness at the grocery stores has died down. (Both here and in Ontario from what I’m hearing) Obviously the grocery store staff are working their butts off and killing it.   I did my last venture out for a few last things at the grocery store today and now I expect I won’t leave the house for a few days. There are 9 presumptive and 3 confirmed cases in Nova Scotia at the moment.  I still feel relatively safe but I have acted quick and been pushing everyone to STAY HOME!  I’m on day 2 of working from home, Brad will hopefully join me tomorrow. 

Looks like if I hadn’t come to Halifax my big Mario Kart Tournament wouldn’t be happening this year anyways! It will be a quiet birthday in a few days for me. But I am okay with this.  I have so many amazing people in my life - it sucks to not be with them, but knowing they are all taking measures to keep themselves safe is all the gift I need.  Now I’m getting a little emotional. 

Anyone wanting to share a coffee or beer with me this weekend feel free to skype / facetime / messenger - whatever it may be.  Also Animal Crossing comes out tomorrow so that’s just in time for all this isolation. 

You’re all doing so good and I’m so proud of everything I’m seeing out there.  It’s a scary time. I feel more connected with people than ever right now - which is interesting!  Through co-op music sharing, group chats, cat threads, everyone is out in full arms loving each other and having a good time despite it all. Keep those spirits up folks. I know it’s hard.  I feel the anxiety and stress of it all too.  But we’re stuck here for a while.  I’m here if you need me - pretty much 24/7 so holler at me. 

Stay strong friends! You’re all such an inspiration to me. I’ll keep on adventuring at home so the blog posts won’t stop.  <3 Sam 

[samsadventurelog]

Sunday March 15, 2020

7:03pm

Hey all! Haven’t written in a week, and the world has been getting pretty crazy. It’s only slowly starting to sink in here over in Nova Scotia.

This week was pretty good on the East Coast! Noor and Rieta were visiting JamFilled from Ottawa. We got to hang out with them this week! Had some good eats, some drawing sessions. Good times.

Yesterday I went to yoga and then Brad and I ran some errands. We finally wound up at Good Robot Brewing Co. - which everyone has been raving about. It lived up to the hype. Really neat brewery and really good beers! Three engineering pals opened the brewery and they do a lot of charity stuff and movie screenings upstairs. Super cool spot!

We met a girl from Windsor and ended up having drinks with her and chatting and making friends :) We were hoping to go see Aladdin at the bar next Sunday for my brewery but we’ll take it day by day...Might be in full on isolation mode by then. We’ll see. I mean its either gonna be Aladdin at the brewery - or animal crossing all day/night , so I’m good with both.

Today we finally did the trip to Peggy’s Cove! It was lovely. It was so nice to just sit and stare out at the ocean for a while. Laid on some rocks, sippin’ my coffee, listening to the waves crash. It was a nice reminder that even if you have to isolate there’s a world out there for you to go explore and enjoy, just as it always has been.

I foresee many more drives out to the coast and hikes in our foreseeable future here - on nice days that is.

Not much more to report here for now. Stay safe out there friends. Take care of yourselves - Spring’s upon us, go for a walk and enjoy that fresh air! <3

[samsadventurelog]

March 7, 2020 (pt2)

10:26am

Hi there, Sam again. One hour later. I just got a breakfast croissant in me and I have to share the story of my trip to the market immediately.

I said it was windy. I didn’t realize just how insane it was until I ventured out in it like a lunatic!... or just a Canadian. If there’s one thing I can say for us winter-adjusted Canadians it’s that we rarely let weather stop us from doing the things we enjoy. So I ventured out - was shocked at the amount of joggers out despite the wind!

I was out of breath just walking it was such a struggle... one might say I was winded! (In all seriousness though - is it called being winded because it feels like you were hit with a gust of wind? I mean obviously I guess)

I saw a man wipe out a few blocks ahead of me. I saw a woman holding on to a fence just to be able to walk and not get blown away. Five minutes in to my ten minute walk I thought I was a goner.

When I got to the market I wondered if it would be dead inside - people deterred from the wind. I walked through the doors and people of all ages were inside having a good time! I smiled to myself - I made it, we all did.

I found myself some delicious breakfast and sat down in the stands to reward myself with some live music and to my absolute delight - it is the kazoo player from the bar! He is not playing the kazoo today, he is instead playing with another gentleman rocking the cello.

Life is good.

Sam - 1 , Halifax winter - 0

[samsadventurelog]

March 7, 2020

9:02am-

Helloooo friends. I’m currently writing whilst all snuggled up in a blanket with a cup of coffee as the wind rages viciously outside. All night it’s been blowing around out there like crazy. Think eerie wind sounds from a spooky movie.

This week was pretty good. Monday night was a come home and make Kraft dinner kind of night. And binge a bunch more Avatar. The days kind of blend together this week if I’m being honest. OH! Tuesday we went to see Sonic! Thumbs up! Jim Carey being classic Jim Carey! It was fun and that is all I wanted.

Wednesday Brad and I hit up Pickford and Black for some happy hour drinks after work. Had some mussels, since I’m a seasoned pro mussel eater now. I think we just picked up a slice of za on the way home.

Thursday I got the studio to go to their first drink and draw at the bar attached to our building! The turnout was great! Much more than I expected! It was nice to get to sit and chat with a bunch of the team that I haven’t got to interact with yet! We took up two pretty big tables and everyone had a great time! After the drink and draw a few of us headed to the Scotiabank place (yes it’s called that here too) and saw a basketball game! I’ve never gone to a basketball game before but it was pretty fun :) After the game Dave, Brad and I went out for a last drink and some greasy food!

Yesterday was a pretty chill Friday. Went out for some drinks after work with peeps, then brad and I grabbed donair on the way home. Like true Halegonians. I got a veggie donair this time and it was pretty good. I think we both are still team Shawarma over team donair though. Garlic sauce > condensed milk type sauce.

I think I’m gonna head to the market soon to draw/read/caffeinate . Bye friends!

[samsadventurelog]

March 1, 2020

9:46am

It is finally March. This means Animal Crossing is upon us. 19 days away.

So on Thursday Brad and I went out with my old pal Warren. Bar hopped a bit. Experienced our first crazy Halifax rain. We weren’t really prepared. Some people walked around the streets in what look like full hazmat suits. I knew Halegonians don’t use umbrellas but this was a whole new level of rain preparation. We asked Warren if he was ready for the rain - but I guess he forgot to look at the weather that morning - which he was beating himself up for. He did have a protective bag handy to put over his backpack.

We ventured out in the rain. The first two spots we hit were Stillwell’s and Lot Six. Both places completely empty due to the weather. At Lot six some jazz musicians started playing right as we were about to leave! I could have stayed there all night. The place looked like a fancy wedding venue in the atrium sitting area. Twinkly lights, plants, fancy cocktails, and a guy on sax. Sign me up.

After the first two stops we did something momentous. Brad and I tried our first Donair! After a month the moment was finally right! And you know what - I didn’t hate it! I wasn’t sold on this whole weird mystery meat and sweet sauce. I went in hesitant but open minded. And it was quite good! I will try another. This post is going to be full of new food experiences - but I won’t get too ahead of myself. Last thing I will say about the donair is by the last bite it did feel like I was eating condensed milk on a pita.

We finished our night at an Ale house, also empty. Warren laughed that all these places we were going to we weren’t getting the right vibes because it was so dead everywhere. Warren’s girlfriend met up with us right before the last bar and she confessed that she hasn’t even had a donair yet! To each their own. Warren gave us a big list of recommended places so we have added those to the never ending pile.

Friday I continued training the new animators. I’m really enjoying it. Most of them are experienced, but coming from Flash, so they’ve been getting to learn the new software and they’re doing quite well! I’m primarily helping them learn program and learn our style of animation so it’s a lot for them to take in but they’re very eager and I think everyone is having fun!

Friday night brad and I just decided to go have a drink and dinner after work - casually- and then we ended up staying at Gahan quite late! We each had an oyster - which I knew I liked because I’d tried them in South Africa. Then we ordered mussels which I was hesitant to do only because I’ve yet to have some that I really liked. But I keep trying, and you know what, this time I loved them! They were in a white wine type sauce, and they were sooooo good! So I’m on way on this whole sea food adventure! We then finishished with some haddoc tacos. Which I knew I would like.

Yesterday I was feeling pretty hungover from our Friday night excursion. I woke up pretty early and watched cartoons for several hours. I checked out the new 101 dalmatians show on Disney +. Really cute. I like the designs. I could see it being something I’d watch as a kid. I used to wake up super early on Saturday mornings to catch Disney’s “one Saturday morning” line up which also started with a 101 Dalmatians show that I really liked. Then I watched some Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Again a show from my childhood I was big into. Gotta say this one tickles my eyes and I really like watching it too. Just some pure fun cartoons.

I finished season 2 of Avatar yesterday too! Oh boy what a journey. It’s really ramping up! All the appa stuff in season 2 killed me. And Uncle Iroh just pulls at my heartstrings basically every episode. Full steam ahead into season 3! Can’t wait to finish so I can start looking up memes and fan art without fear of spoilers !

We headed out to the market yesterday again, didn’t get anything but sometime I like to just go and appreciate all the vendors and look at fresh food. Does that make me a weirdo? Maybe. We then went to Yeah Yeah’s for lunch and got a slice of pizza. That place is so cool! Lots of art on pizza plates all over the wall. Cool vibes - will definitely be going back!

We then were heading home and walking by this restaurant - Niche - we’ve been to before so we decided to pop in for a beer and peroigies to tide us over for dinner. After two drinks we were on our way. Then we were walking by this bar I haven’t been to before but I peeked in the windows and saw live music so I NEEDED to stop there as well. We had a few drinks there and listened to this band called the Kokonut Kings. And they sounded like a band straight out of the bikini bottom! Hawaiian/sponge bob vibes, and some killer kazoo solos. I had the biggest smile on my face. Nothing makes me happier than live music and it’s been a while so that really recharged me! This place was called “Bearly’s house of blues and ribs” and it’s got kind of a run down vibe but they were playing old black and white movies on the big tv and always have live music soooo I’ll definitely be going there to hang out more. It’s walking distance from our house as well - as pretty much everything is.

By the time we were done at Bearly’s it was past 7, where on earth did the day go! I had no drive to cook at this point. So we decided to head home and order pizza from the place across the street. It was ok.

Brad and I have started to go to the gym in the mornings too. It’s been nice getting back into it. Hopefully I can keep it up this time!

That’s all for now friends. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

[samsadventurelog]

February 26, 2020

8:07pm

Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do! I obviously needed a minute to breathe.

So - The Friday night we checked in on Milo we went to dinner on the Dartmouth side of town. We went to a gastropub called Battery Park and honestly we were surprised by how amazing it was! One of our best meals yet! Cute spot too!

After picking up our precious baby angel from the vet on Saturday we hung around the house most of the day to just hang out with him. Monitor him. Though he seemed to bounce back to normal surprisingly fast - if not immediately.

Saturday night we decided to go check out another gastropub type placed called Stubborn Goat. On our way there we discovered two whole streets of dope bars we have somehow missed thus far! We were just wandering with no real plan so we grabbed some happy hour drinks at a place called Auction house first. (Auction something I forget) After a few drinks there we made our way to Stubborn Goat and our waitress was uh-mazing. Aka - she got us quite drunk. She was so quick and so pleasant - I think I can safely say both of us were anamoured. After feeding us one too many drinks she wrote us out a list of her recommendations of places. One last note - she rocked her bright red lipstick so hard.

Sunday we finally did the whole Citadel hill thing! We walked around a lot that day! We went to the gym, then refuelled with a smoothie, then headed up the hill. It was way more cool than I thought. I didn’t realize there was such a fortress inside the hill like that. I’m very much an in the moment person. Sometimes if you don’t sit me down and explain something to me (and even then) I have trouble imagining the scale of things. Even coming to Halifax. I kind of just sign up for things and then realize how cool and big they are after! I’m constantly surprised by stuff, and you know what, I like surprises so this all works for me.

This week has been back to work of course. Some new animators started and it’s so cute how keen and star struck they are. A girl that sits by me was super excited to find out Brad worked on Final Space. The energies here are amazing. We all went out for dinner on Taco Tuesday to a place called Antojo Tacos + Tequila. Cool spot!

Oh yes! And Monday the app development studio next to us at work invited us over for nachos! So cute! So we all put on name tags and the 25 or so of us headed over to make friends! My favourite! One of my good pals Warren works there and I finally got to see him too! (He was on vacation the first few weeks we were here) So I’m sure we’ll see much more of him moving forward. He tried to get me to go on a run with him and his coworker the next day but...come on man. (Though I did agree to go next week so we’ll see how that goes)

I just went to a yoga class at GoodLife and now I’m at a brewpub called “Rockbottom” with Bradley. I came here to do some art but after finishing all this typing we’ll see how much I really accomplish.

Cheers friends!

[samsadventurelog]

I’m happy to announce that the vet just called and Milo is just fine! He’s ready to come home! I’m bawling I’m so relieved. What a scare. Better go pick up my baby! 💖💖💖 thanks for the love and support everyone!

[samsadventurelog]

February 22, 2020

9:01

It has been a terrible past few days. Trying to keep our hopes up and spirits steady over here, but Milo currently isn’t at home.

Thursday morning he threw up and it was a lot more than usual. We wouldn’t have thought much of it, but Brad noticed the Valentines bouquet out on the table - every other night I’d been putting it up high and out of reach. It had some new blooms on it that we hadn’t really paid much attention to. They were lilies. For all those who don’t know - LILIES ARE TOXIC TO CATS. I cannot stress this enough. Luckily, I did know this, so I immediately called the vets and was losing my calm.

We rushed Milo to the emergency animal clinic in Dartmouth. It’s hard to stay hopeful when every vet’s reaction to “my cat ate some lily” is super bleak. We did catch it within the first 18 hours and he had already puked up so much of it (he only ate half a petal - but that can be enough to cause kidney failure) Time was on our side but still very up in the air. They were keeping Milo at the vet for 2 days to monitor and flush it out with IV treatment.

The ride home from the clinic was a dark time. Every light in my soul went out. I couldn’t sip my coffee. I couldn’t talk. I wondered how long it would take to learn to operate in the dark.

We got home and Brad and I both took time to deal with our emotions. We eventually managed to muster up some energy to eat.

That night we went back to visit Milo. He was obviously super freaked out but generally seemed himself. The vets were saying he wasn’t eating - which didn’t surprise me, he wont eat when he’s stressed. We eventually got him to eat a bunch of kibbles and he started getting comfy with us - no where near ready to purr or slow his breathing down that much. But he cuddled on our arms and was trying to close his eyes.

Yesterday morning the vet on duty called me to update me. She said his kidneys looked beautiful and she suspects a low chance that this will be permanent. She also said its still early in the process sometimes it takes 2 days to show damage so she didn’t want to get my hopes too high up. But it sounded pretty good. I was much more at ease yesterday.

Last night we visited Milo again. He was a little less freaked out seaming. We got him to eat maybe ten kibbles...but not as much as the night before. He ate 3 treats too. It concerns me more today that he hasn’t been eating. That’s never a good sign. And at the end of the visit we were all getting comfy on the couch together and then he peed on me. Which I wrote off as him again being stressed / comfortable I don’t know. I didn’t think a ton of it at the time. But when I got home I made the mistake of googling things and over thinking and now I’m pretty much back to feeling gutted and anxious.

In an hour he gets blood work done and the vet said results would be back 30 mins after that. We’re hoping to be able to go get him by 11.

I wish I could update more on some happy Halifax things but my brain can’t get there. I don’t know what else we’ve done this week. Work and eat.

I’m really hoping today goes well. I don’t even know how to finish this post. I guess I just leave it here.

[samsadventurelog]

February 19, 2020

8:17am

I experienced my first major Halifax rainfall last night. It was great. It would have been much more relaxing if Milo wasn’t whipping around the house like a maniac. I was having trouble sleeping so I laid in bed for quite some time just listening to the rain. I miss rain during the winter. (Proper rain, not the kind that is half snow and just freezes everything) I know a Vancouverite would tell me I’m wrong. Maybe after 30 days I would tire of it, but the rain never bothered me anyway ;)

At one point the rain was coming down so hard It almost sounded like the droplets were morphing together to make mega drops. I swear I heard the faint sound of thunder as well. Before going to bed we noticed the cars covered in snow. During the evening I guess we got a ton. It is definitely all gone this morning already. Gotta say I’m a fan of all these weather patterns. This being said I was cozy in my bed listening to a coastal rain, as opposed to out in the streets living in it. I’ve been told umbrellas are futile because the rain will just come at you sideways due to the winds.

I remember as kids Krystle and I used to watch heavy rainstorms from her parents garage. We would sit in the car seats that had been taken out of the van and just sit there and watch the rain. What a simpler time. To be young and just so enamoured by nature and the world. No devices. The rain was our entertainment and treat. It was part of a natural order and its hard to fully get back to that place when looking at extreme weather today. But I’ll try.

So the rest of my long weekend was great. As Brad put it, we had a weekend of just “living life in Halifax.” Did our laundry, did some groceries, cooked an amazing risotto. Saturday we went out to the pizza place for our Valentines dinner. Sunday we went to the market, but I guess Saturday is their busy day so we weren’t there very long. We watched Marriage Story - which was a fantastic film. A+ team.

Monday we went on a walk around the harbour, which we hadn’t done yet. It was lovely. I can see why everyone says it would be better in the summer. A lot of businesses are “closed down for the season” We ended up having some drinks at one of the places on the water, happy hour snuck up on us.

Now it’s back to work. We checked out the gym in the building for the first time yesterday. It’s tiny but it has everything you need. Once there’s more than four people in there I’d say it feels a bit tight.

That’s all for now.

[samsadventurelog]

February 15, 2020

1:33pm

Catch up time! I’m writing from the Daily Grind cafe/bar and it is super cute and my aesthetic. I’m stealing all of this for my home decoration inspiration. Just had a green smoothie bowl and it was the first healthy thing I’ve had since getting here! Brad and I are heading to the gym after too...much needed... but when in Rome am I right.

So - first off - Birds of Prey. I went in knowing I wanted to have a good time, and I DID! It was great! Margot Robbie and all the other women were fantastic. It was a pretty general story but I didn’t mind - it felt like an episode of a cartoon. The whole movie felt like a cartoon - I would have loved if they went even more cartoony with it. Anyways it was girl power without ramming it down my throat in a forced way and the soundtrack was dope. I do recommend it as a fun thing to throw on. Haters gonna hate. I really wish it did better in the box office.

Wednesday night all the Halifax Jam Filled studio went out for a big Chinese dinner together. It was nice to get us all together in once place and share a meal :) Super delicious. A bunch of the others went for drinks after but I had a cold so we went home :( Good news - my cold only really lasted for 2 days, when does that ever happen?

Thursday was low key. Again it was day 2 of my sickness. Brad came home and made us grilled cheeses and we watched “Date Night” on Netflix. Honestly another super fun romp! I don’t know why I hadn’t really gave it any serious thought before but it was really fun.

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day and we planned on keeping it low key and light since tonight we’re going out for dinner. We went to the Board Game lounge and played a bunch of games. It was a cute little nerdy evening. Then on our walk home we remembered that the 3rd floor of a bar we went to the other night was open. “The Drawing Room” is only open Friday and Saturday nights and it’s a prohibition style cocktail lounge. So we figured we’d go check it out for “a” drink on our way home. That turned into shutting the place down because it was so good. The drinks were delicious and they were playing old school piano medleys and Louis Armstrong music so I just couldn’t leave. <3

We slept in quite a bit this morning due to last nights festivities and now here we are. Sitting in an adorable cafe. I’m still really loving it here. There’s still so much I want to try but we’ve got plenty of time! Not being rushed really makes this all the better. Milo is settled in pretty well now too. This week he was getting really bad zoomies all night and driving us crazy but that’s getting better. I do wish our kitchen was stocked with better supplies because both Brad and I really have no desire to cook (which is sad and bankrupting us). WHEN IN ROME - amirite.

Miss ya’ll. XO

[samsadventurelog]

February 11, 2020

5:39pm

Weekend update!

On Saturday we did make our way to the Farmers Market and it was a treat. We immediately bought a sack of potatoes and a bunch of leeks to make soup. There is a bunch of cool local art there too that we will probably snatch up before we head home.

Oh! And how could I forget. On our way to the market we stopped in a Rare books store and it was MAGIC. I instantly found A Tale of Two Cities and it’s a beautiful binding with gold trimmed pages. I also bought a book of poetry and Brad picked up Aesops fables and A Christmas carol. All with equally gorgeous bindings. We’ll have to keep popping in there on the weekend to build up our library. (The Anne of Green Gables they have is first edition and upwards of 600 dollars :( )

After the market we stopped in at Garrison Brewing which was right next door. As luck would have it there was a doggie photo shoot going on that afternoon! People were bringing in their dogs to put flower crowns on them and take fancy photos by the barrels. It was adorable. So we drank beer and watched dogs.

We took a growler home with us and played a few rounds of Villainous - a Disney strategy board game that we have become quite into. For dinner we went out to Piatto’s Pizza. It. Was.unreal. Pretty sure Brad’s been talking about it every day ever since. We made valentines reservations for there again this weekend!

On Sunday we went out for brunch in the North End. It was our first day venturing in that direction. Brad discovered he doesn’t like fish cakes and I had a delicious green eggs and ham! The place we had brunch at was called Field Guide and it was super cute. We then explored a bit and wound up at 2 Crows brewing. Had a pint there and brought some home to play more Villanous. We made our potato leek soup that evening - marking the first time we’ve used the kitchen here. It is... ok. We miss our pans and knives and space.

Yesterday was back to work and this week we have some familiar faces in the studio! Jennilee, Craig and Tom are in from Ottawa! We all met up for drinks last night at the Henry House. The pub in the basement is sooooo cute and cozy. Big fan. Would be a great place for drink and draws.

This evening we are heading to cheap night at the movies. Going to see Birds of Prey! Oh yes, speaking of Margot Robbie, we also watched the Oscars on Sunday night. Pretty standard stuff - except for that surprise Eminem performance! I appreciate a good act of randomness.

Milo is currently glaring at me from across the room with his ears back all angry like. Dude, calm down.

[samsadventurelog]

February 8, 2020

11:05am - Recap Time!

It has been a great first week here in Halifax! The new Jam Filled studio is beautiful and all the people are really great! The animation team went out for drinks last night after work to a place called Stillwell’s. It was great to get to sit down and really get to know each other. Things are really shaping up well here and I can feel the Jam Fam growing!

This week has been filled with tons of exploring! Trying new places for dinner every night. I signed up for a trial week at a yoga studio so I’ve done a few classes there in the the evenings too. Having everything within walking distance honestly makes life so much more enjoyable. I met up with my friend Curtis from Waterloo the other night. He’s been here for 2 years. And we agree there is something to be said about being able to walk to work in the morning. It’s such a great way to start the day. The mild winter weather here makes its very easy as well. (I say mild but what do I know I’ve been here a week)

The last few days were slightly rainy/snowy but I will still take it over the harsh cold temperatures of Ottawa and it’s build up of snow. The rain never bothered me anyway.

So Tuesday, after yoga, Brad and I went to Nami Royal sushi for dinner. I got the green dragon roll and it was amazing! The rolls were huge and I feel like I ate a whole avacado. The portions were great.

Wednesday evening we met with Curtis and had drinks at a place called Niche. Great place to grab a few pints after work! Took advantage of happy hour and then grabbed giant slices of pizza on the way home!

Thursday night we met up at a tiny local restaurant called Darrel’s. It is very close to us and I had kind of written it off as a dive when I saw it online. Looks like your basic diner. Curtis told us it’s really great and so we checked it out and boy oh boy was I wrong. It was delicious. Very small, apparently it used to also be a laundromat - with a bar upstairs. Brad had their famous “peanut butter burger” .

Now. Tangent. Curtis told us about this big phenomenon here in March. “Burger week”. Apparently the whole town gets super into it! Every year for a week all the restaurants in town come up with their own special creation burger - and places get real creative with it. The proceeds go to charity and I guess you can get a passport or bingo card type deal to track all the burgers in town you’ve tried! I. Am. Here for it. So Darrel’s “peanut butter burger” was one of their specials a few years ago but it grew so popular that it’s on the menu now! I am quite looking forward to burger week.

Yesterday for lunch Brad and I went to Stillwells (yes the same bar we’d be drinking at a few hours later) and we shared the “Mac fries” which is basically a Big Mac meets a pile of fries? It was insane. And delicious.

This afternoon I have some things on my bucket list to check off. I’m going to hit up the rare book store, and used book store, and the farmers market that’s over on the waterfront! Pinch me?

That’s my weekly update for you! Also if you are worried about Milo he is doing a tad better it seems. He still chooses to sleep under the bed which is weird. And he yells at me in the morning much more than I’m used to. And speak of the devil he’s climbing all over me and getting in the way right now so I best be off!

[samsadventurelog]

February 3, 2020

10:16pm

We started at the new Jam Filled studio today! It is so beautiful and the building it is in is super cool! It’s 14 floors I believe! There is a gym, and cafeteria, and little coffee stand in the common areas of the building. It turns out my buddy from Waterloo works in the office beside us as well!

Everyone was very welcoming and we got settled in just fine. At lunch we tried the pub that is attached to the building and it was great. They have plenty of live music there so I’ll have to check that out some time soon.

After work we came home to a very upset cat. Hiding under the bed. Unimpressed at his first day alone. I don’t know why he didn’t make himself more comfortable on one of the many blankets we brought for him. He could have slept ON the bed!

After some Shitt’s Creek and kitty snuggles we went out to The Bicycle Theif for dinner. So many people recommended that place and they were right. It was delicious. It was much fancier than we realized and so we felt a litttttttle under dressed going in but that’s ok! Our waitress was lovely and she wrote down a ton of places for us to check out!

That’s all for today! Night folks!

[samsadventurelog]

February 2, 2020 (or 02022020 - the palindrome day, if you will)

8:49pm

The day started early. Milo was crying in the hotel room for over an hour, starting at 6am. He was not fond of that place and continued to seek refuge under the bed. Once we got him in the car, he then slept the entire road trip. I am extremely proud of him.

I am not proud of my passenger side window wiper. It peaced out on us today during the drive. Bye bye. Luckily I’m resourceful and my car is a beast so I just took the back wiper off and we put it on the front. It is bigger than its partner but that’s okay.

Brad killed it on the drive and I again was left to my own devices in the back. Staring at trees predominantly. They are just so beautiful. The leg of the drive from entering Nova Scotia to Halifax was absolutely stunning. I saw not one but TWO bald eagles. One flying above me and one perched in a tree. I also saw a deer.

Side tangent about bald eagles - I just really like birds. I associate eagles with BC, I used to see a lot by my grandparents house. My grandma and I once did a road trip to Whistler and I remember seeing an eagle flying above the car that trip and thinking it was the most magical thing I’d ever seen. Today - noticing a big I bird in the sky, and then seeing the eagle above me, brought me back to that day. My grandma always told me if she was reincarnated she would be a bird. Flying around me. My grandpa was also an avid bird watcher. So this was all very exciting and elicited an emotional response from me. I know, I know, that’s not hard to do.

I felt a sense of coming back to myself during this drive. I can’t quite put my finger on it but I was regaining a piece of me I think I lost somewhere along the way. A piece I quite like.

Mamma Mia played as we entered the city and it just felt perfect. We also drove by a canoe frozen in a lake with a sign in it and flags on the side. The sign read “just forgive” and I thought that was hauntingly beautiful.

The houses are all so cute in Nova Scotia! So many colours and wrap around porches! We saw a house in the city that was all pink with white trimmings and it had white twinkly lights all around it for decoration. I will be walking around to try and find that house again as I must get a picture. Words don’t quite do it justice.

We got here and I must say our accommodations are just perfect for the 3 of us. Milo seems to be adapting to this place much better than he was in to the hotel. The ceilings are very high and the windows quite large. All these homes feel very Victorian.

We settled in and then Brad and I walked down the street for dinner. It probably wasn’t a place the locals would recommend but we just needed a beer and some grub. The super bowl started and now we have come home to try and watch the rest. Well he’s trying to watch the rest. I’m here to see some JLo and Shakira and then I’ll probably hit the hay. First day at the new Jam Filled studio tomorrow so I need some rest!

I know many of you have given me recommendations of places to go in Halifax but I may need reminders so please keep pestering me!

Goodnight Folks!

[samsadventurelog]

February 1, 2020

11:17pm Atlantic time - Edmundston

We made it to Edmundston! Stop one of our journey! Welcome everyone to my adventure log. I will be updating frequently but by no means spamming my other social media accounts with links - so check in on me if you want - or don’t!

So our trip started with a bit of a speed bump if you will. I was running errands the day before departure when all of a sudden my car - our road trip vessel - just...stopped working. CAA rescued me from the middle of a busy intersection where I was making few friends.

My mechanic worked hard and fast for me but alas, by the time I got my car the next day, it was too late to hit the road. Also, when I pulled onto my street after visiting the mechanic, my car died again. Isn’t that fun. SO away it went - again. Though this time nothing seemed to be the matter anymore. Just my luck.

We finally left Ottawa this afternoon - a day behind schedule but not that end of the world. Milo was my main road trip concern and he did really good! He cried and panted for the first hour but then slept for 7 hours straight! 

We have just reached the hotel and he is now hiding under the bed like a big weiner. Hopefully he will sleep as well tomorrow but I’m going to prepare myself for the worst.

This whole ride I had a lot of time to sit and contemplate this adventure I’m embarking on. I am extremely excited. I think I needed this more than I thought. I love Ottawa but I think I have become too comfortable there lately. My ENFP soul needs adventure and change. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried that I will fall in love with Halifax. For now that love is just a romanticized idea - we shall see what the next four months bring.

I will leave you here for the night with a quote from my girl Anne Shirley.

“It’s strange to love a place like you would a person, but I do!”