Anne-Marie has defected from Green to Blue

...no, it's not what you think. More details to follow.

It's my new life goal to be an Earl's girl.

Coffee Culture

I've noticed that Victorians are snobs when it comes to coffee. I have to admit I am snob about a lot of things, but I am certainly not snobby about my coffee. More numerous are Starbucks than Tim Horton's in this city, on this island...that's for damn sure. Don't get me wrong, once to twice a week in Ontario was my average for driving out of my way and getting out of my car to go into a Starbucks and treat myself to my regular grande one pump skinny vanilla. I am certainly a coffee girl, and I can think of maybe one occasion ever, since I have been working, when I have not arrived at the office with a large double double from Tim's in my hand. Scoff at me if you will, but I love Tim Horton's coffee, and I am sure I always will. It was my routine every day in Ontario go go to Tim's once in the morning on the way to work, and I mean, I passed about ten (in one city) DIRECTLY on my way to work, and once during my lunch hour. If I was having a bad day, on my way home as well. I have to say I have a bit of a beef with the lack of Tim Horton's locations that I know of in the city of Victoria that have a drive thru. One. And it is VERY out of my way. I guess this Tim Horton's drive thru loving Ontario girl will have to change her ways, and stretch her pocketbook if she wants her daily caffeine fix!

Love of the coffee + this is why I don't want to go to Starbucks everyday!

Can I please see your portfolio?

The winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award has had the distinction and the $20,000 prize reneged. The photo depicts a wolf jumping over a fence. Please see photo and comments here. The photographer is accused of using a model wolf for the shot. How much was the wolf paid? Did the wolf have to complete a go-see before being hired? Who did the hair and make-up?

Want

I curse Kaitlyn for exposing me to All Saints. I want this dress and want to wear it all the time with my black over the knee boots. Yes please.

Planning a weekend escape to Seattle in my head...

who's with me?

Sunday in January

I still can't quite get over the West Coast climate. I can go outside wearing a light sweater and not feel cold. Golf courses are open and being taken full advantage of. There are sail boats in the water. The sun is shining and there is no hint of cold weather or snow in sight. Never in Ontario. Sorry friends, not trying to make you jealous, but it is fairly spectacular. I wonder if I will adjust or forever be amazed by how fantastic this is?

Expectations vs. Reality

Since moving to Victoria, my life has played out a lot like the expectations vs. reality scene in 500 Days of Summer. I do, to a certain extent, feel as though my first impressions of living in this city have not been the most positive because they have differed so greatly from how I expected it to be when I arrived.

I've learned in the past that it's not a wise idea to have expectations in most situations. Rarely do they play out the way one wants them to. I wish I could have arrived in Victoria with nothing but the excitement and optimism I felt both times I had been here in the past.

Nonetheless, I am letting go of my expectations and appreciating this city for everything that it has to offer, and everything that I have been looking forward to since I was here last May and began to think about a move. A very wise Paish told me that expectations are silly because everything I want is within my control. I think she's right.

NYE 2009

Better late than never. New year, new city. I had a great time.

A to Z

I'll hop on the bandwagon.

A - Age: 24
B - Bed size: Queen. For the first time. This pleases me.
C - Chore you hate: Washing cutlery. Ugh.
D - Dog’s name: No thank you.
E - Essential start your day item: Snooze button followed shortly by coffee.
F - Favorite colors: Black (debatable, I know) but I wear the most of it.
G - Gold or Silver: Both, I go through phases, and it depends on my outfit.
H - Height: 5'7 without heels.
I - Instruments you play: I can play one tune on a piano. That is all.
J - Job title: Financial Services Representative.
K – Kids: No thank you.
L - Living Arrangements: Fabulous thanks.
M - Mother’s name: Lynda Adair.
N - Nicknames: Annie. Annabelle (aww, I miss that).
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: I had Scarlet Fever when I was six and stayed for a week.
P - Pet Peeve: Bad grammer and people who don't know how to drive.
Q - Quote from a movie: "Just how obscene an amount of cash are we talking here? Profane or really offensive?" - Pretty Women when Edward takes Vivian shopping on Rodeo Drive. Mostly I just want to steal Kaitlyn's quotes from Thomas Crown, because they are the best.
R - Right or left handed: Right.
S - Siblings: None.
T - Time you wake up: Usually 6:30. Since I've been on vacation, about 10:30.
U - Underwear: Yes please.
V - Vegetable you dislike: Asparagus.
W - Workout style: Non existent with a New Years Resolution to change that.
X - X-rays you’ve had: Teeth, foot.
Y - Yesterday’s best moment: Have to go with Vero's and say waking up. Seriously.
Z - Zoo favorite: Giraffes. 

I'm here!

I am being threatened with mild violence (from a distance) if I don't post more now that I've moved, so here it goes.

I am very happy to be in Victoria. My first week here has been lots of fun, emotional, and super stressful all at the same time. I have felt VERY WELCOMED by my Victoria friends, and it's made me feel a lot more comfortable and at home (even though I just arrived). So Victoria friends, and you know who you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Tonight I drove to Duncan to see my new branch. I start on Monday. It seems like a beautiful drive, though I am sure I did not appreciate it fully because it was dark. I am no longer intimidated by the Malahat (which is a mountain between Victoria and Duncan).

Here is my list of things I am loving about Victoria so far:
1. Breakfast. There are AMAZING breakfast places here. I have been to 4 or 5 already and I'm sure there are lots more. Can't wait for more breakfast tomorrow. I'm learning that bennies are huge here. Guess I should try hollandaise for the first time!
2. Downtown. It's SO easy to around, and there is a lot to do and see. Everything I need is right there.
3. Walking. I have walked much more this week than I have in a long time. I also can't say this is necessarily because I have been without a car. I anticipate I would have walked just as much if my car were here. My number one New Years resolution is to use my car only to go to work and get groceries, once it gets here, that is.
4. The bus system. While not always time reliable, it's great that I can hop on a bus right in front of my building and be downtown in less than 5 minutes.
5. People who work in the service industry. Wow. I can't believe how happy and helpful everyone is. When I was hungover at breakfast yesterday the servers were so cheerful it was almost painful (I'm not complaining, trust me). Today, I was walking around Home Depot (likely looking confused), attempting to purchase a garbage bin, and a representative walked over to me while I was browsing through the store and voluntarily offered their assistance. This doesn't happen in Ontario. These are only two examples of many.
6. Kaitlyn, Jon, Veronica, Mike, and Stephan.