up we go

i climbed a mountain today. we are talking, legit, hiked/climbed up the side of a mountain. i did not walk up the road you can drive to the top, i hiked a non path all the way to the up. 1.8 kilometers up, to be exact. if you know me well, you know that's pretty impressive, and you also know that I would have had to be at least partially coerced into doing such a thing. i won't lie. i did it for a boy.

Classy and fabulous

Girls on Broad.

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!

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?

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.