more Gail and Eric

Cleaning out the drawer the other day and found these three beauties from Gail and Eric's wedding last July!




photo credit: Raymond and Jessie Leung Photography

on the mend

(photo credit: bluewinx15(Away)'s)

For those that follow me on Twitter, Facebook or read the blog, you know that I haven't been well lately. I am generally a healthy person and do not get the flu / cold very often. This Fall though? BAM! I don't know what's going on. Rob came home with the flu mid September which he passed on to me. I was down for the count and had a cough that just wouldn't go away for a week or two after the sickness had left.

and then....

BAM! The cough hadn't even completely left yet and then I was hit with the flu somewhere between Cambridge and Belgium. First it was this horrible dry cough, then the fever, more cough and then nausea. I thought I was going to die. I do not like doctor offices and do not visit them unless I am at death's door step. Since I was in Belgium, I really didn't know where to go, so I did the next best thing... hit the internet! I looked up remedies - medicated and herbal, H1N1 symptoms vs flu symptoms and everything in between. Of course, being stuck in a hotel room together, also meant that Rob caught the same flu shortly afterwards. I'm still coughing * cough * * cough *

of course, if that wasn't enough...

Some kind of weird 24hr stomach bug hit me. If I thought I was going to die during the last round of flu, I knew I was dying on this take. I was almost begging to go to the doctor's, but to be honest, didn't even think I had enough energy to go there. Rob said that there was nothing that the doctor could do for this and suggested for me to just stay home and rest. I couldn't sit up. I couldn't eat. I would read twitter / facebook and be nauseous at any words that mentioned food in them and no, I'm not pregnant. Trust me.

I'm definitely on the road to recovery... hopefully... finally... Heading to the Doctor tomorrow for sure just to make sure. Sucking a lozange right now for the cough that is more irritating than anything. I'm feeling thin... tired... lackluster. Sick + jet lag = really messed up sleep schedule. I've been up since 3:30am this morning! In the last 3 days, I have consumed orange juice, one smoothie, bagel w/ cream cheese, english muffin with egg and slice of ham and 2 potato latkes. Trust me, this is progress. I'm feeling much better than before.

Send me healing thoughts!

london vs. vancouver

(last snapshots of London - Natural History Museum - not a huge fan of taxidermy, but one of the most gorgeous buildings)

As some of you may know, there were 3 reasons why we came to London.

1) my birthday
2) we haven't been here in 5 years
3) we are playing around with the idea of moving here


(natural history museum inside)

Yup. My mom doesn't even know this (hi mom!). We are booked to work the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and are thinking of moving to London for the 2012 Olympics. Do we have jobs here? No, but we do have access to an unrestricted Visa which would allow us to work whereever we wished in the United Kingdom as well as own our own business if we choose to. So here we are, trying to decide if we can see ourselves living here.


(natural history museum inside)

I have been through a range of emotions with this City. When I got off the plane, it felt so good. I really felt like this could be home. As we got into the second week, the amount of people started getting to me. Holy! People everywhere! It got to be a little too much. Then when I got sick, all I wanted to do was crawl into bed with my cat and go home. I really contemplated about moving my flight up and just flying home, but then, who wants to fly when you are that sick. Of course, to make it even more confusing, when we returned to London for our last week, it felt so good to be back again. The shower was just right... the bed was perfect ... not the same as home, but it was so nice.


(Mimi - E&M's cat from Cambridge enjoying a snack)

So, what to do? What to do?

My biggest concern is what would I do here? Call me crazy, but half of me wants to work at a hotel. As a coordinator in the events industry, I have always worked closely with venues and hotels, but never seen it operate from the other side. That would be fun and interesting right? Plus, you get 3 weeks holiday to start off and if I work at a hotel, that means discounts on holiday! I have heard of some not so nice things from hotels i.e. long hours, chefs yelling(?) and I have noticed an odd working tier system where everybody seems quite departmentalized. It would be so different to go to work, do your stuff, go home and that's it. Oh, and if you are wondering, I would be looking into a Catering / Banquets position where I would assist people with their weddings and events - i.e. booking venue / planning their event. More or less what I do now, except in one venue.


(Christmas display on Regent Street and Oxford Circus - watch this video to see the event behind the lights)

Downside to this, is that I have not worked in an office or specific hours in over 5 years. Being tied to a desk and having to have permission to go on holiday does not appeal to me. I would probably also have to wear a suit and gah, heels? Ew.

Here's the other plan ....

Craft my little heart out. Take my crafting seriously and do more shows, contact stores, set up the Etsy store, etc. On the side, I would do DMC (Destination Management Company) work on a part time basis leading up to the Olympics. DMC work would familiarize me with the City, provide me with experience on new venues and set up, good pay, flexible hours.. it could be a good thing. Not to keen on the whole uniform thing though. Maybe hold Got Craft in another country?


(Display at Hamleys)

In Rob's words, what we have learned in 5 years can be done over there in a shorter time as we are now more experienced. Everything that we have always done, has been us jumping into it with both feet and sometimes, jumping a bit naively. No regrets. Learned / learning so much... met so many wonderful people ...


(Harrod's Christmas lights. 11,500 white bulbs changed into green ones for the Wizard of Oz anniversary)

This trip hasn't pushed me one or the other, but to be honest, I am leaning towards Vancouver right now. This may be partly due to the fact that I have not 100% recovered. I love what I do here, but I have to make sure that it's not fear / idea of not knowing that is holding me back. We have no family and only an acquaintance or two in London. Change is scary... but.. ohhh, exciting too!


(not sure what this is called.. a little bakery in a shopping arcade across from Fortnum and Mason... tiny little place, but the whole thing looks like a gold cave a la Snow White and the 7 dwarves... filled with macarones of all flavours)

Looking at the pictures, this is what I miss / love about London most. Museums... markets... exploring... M&S... cheap trips all over Europe...

I'll even take the fact that sometimes people don't understand my Canadian accent and I don't understand their British accent or when they advertise "insert TV show here" back to back episodes that they play the same episode.. the fact that corn and shrimp is an acceptable topping for a jacket potato, but not sour cream ... decisions, decisions ...

PS. Excuse the babbling... this post was started shortly before 4:00am! Jet-lagged plus sick in bed = crazy sleep schedule!
PPS. Don't worry. lotus events will still continue in Vancouver! :D

more Barb and Paul

Just popping in to show you some more pictures from Barb and Paul's wedding from last August. Everything about this day was absolutely perfect! You couldn't have asked for a better setting!







photo credit: Kim Christie Photography

London - Day 21

We are homeward bound this afternoon. Leaving London around 2pm Wednesday and arriving in Seattle around 4pm Wednesday. Wierd huh? Jet lag is usually easier going home, so fingers crossed.



There hasn't been much blogging since we returned from Belgium. Mostly due to us still recovering, but mainly due to us just taking it easy the last few days.



If you are wondering what these pictures are, they are upholstery shots from the tube.

Belgium - Day 12-16

The last time I was in Belgium was almost 20 years ago as part of my whirlwind family European adventure. It was one of those 20 places in 21 days kind of tour where we went from England -> Belgium -> Netherlands -> Germany -> France -> Italy -> Austria -> Monaco -> Switzerland -> Luxembourg -> Liechtenstein and back.


(cheese shop!)

Arc de Triomphe

I was so excited to go back to Belgium! It was going to be a trip filled with visits to the Grand Place (my favourite), croissants, fresh bread, waffles, mussels and frites! Oh yes, a romantic holiday for two. In reality, we both came down with the flu and were sick beyond belief... high fever, body aches, headache, tiredness, dry cough and unmentional visits to the loo. To weak to spend more than half a day exploring the city. Too sick to eat any of the tasty delights above. Sadly, we also missed our day trip to Bruges and Ghent. We just couldn't do it.



The famous Manneken Pis at one of the many chocolate shops in Brussels.


Check out how the trees in the park walkway are trained to grow across!

These are all the images I mustered to take. We will return one day! Not to worry!


The Atomium.


Outside of the royal residences. Somebody had just left in a police escorted motorcade.


Grand Place ...




Every two years in August, the Grand Place is covered in a flower (begonia) carpet that covers 19,000 sq ft.




I was finally healthy enough to enjoy some frites on our last night in Belgium. With mayo of course!

London - Day 11

So, I fell off the blogging wagon for a bit. Somewhere between Cambridge and Belgium, I caught the flu. No, not swine. I checked. Yes, I was THAT sick. Of course, Rob caught it too and we were down for the past 4 / 5 days and still have not had a proper meal. I'm feeling so much better now, but still have a stubborn cough (that is killing me I may add). Being so sick in a country that speaks another language was quite frustrating. Good thing for high school french! Medication in Belgium are listed in 3 different languages plus Braille, but not english! Anyways, will tell you all about it in the Belgium post.

In the meantime, back to Cambridge for day 11! A fourty-five minute train ride outside London, Cambridge is absolutely beautiful and a lot less people!


Can you imagine going to school in these beautiful buildings and surroundings?


Feel like punting? You can either rent your own boat or sit back and take a ride with a guide.


Cambridge town map


Walking towards King's College Cathedral....



Loving the door within the door! (Although the small door looks tiny in relation, it would have fit a regular person, so you can see how large the big door actually is).


Side view of the chapel




Back in town ...


Weekend market ...


I can't remember the details of this church (sorry), but love the shot with the spider web.


Zoom in. Does the fake man on top of the pie shop remind you of anybody?


Trinity College was founded in 1546 and is the largest college in the University.


Today, the College consists of a Master; about 160 fellows, most of whom are teachers; about 320 postgraduate and 650 undergraduates.


It was closed during our visit, but they have the most amazing looking dining hall (pictured on the website). Apparently, the one from Harry Potter was based on this.


After our tour, we walked along the Cam river bank


Tons of boats along the canal - both recreational and homes.



... and what was at the end of the walk?! Our first pub food of course! Unfortunately, they ran out of Sunday roast lunch as we didn't arrive until almost 4pm. So fish & chips and steak & frites for us! nom nom nom ....

London - Day 10

Everytime I come to London, I get sick. New place. New bugs. So it shouldn't surprise me that I feel like I am coming down with something. Feeling a bit run down today and have a nasty cough. Blech.

London day 10 and day 11 was spent in Cambridge, about an hour by train from London. Thanks to E & M for hosting us this evening. We had a great time including our first pub, scone and Indian food experience! Yes, it was quite a weekend.



At Kings Cross waiting for the train... still can't believe the amount of people in London!



Looking out the train window...



E & M picked us up from the Waterbeach station and we headed to the small town of Ely for lunch and a quick walk through.

The cathedral ...


The downtown market that takes place every weekend ...


While we were in town, our friends had to pick up a few things at the local Tesco.


An american cheeseburger anyone?


For some reason, produce here always has so much packaging. Really? Is it necessary?

London - Day 9

We hopped onto the Victoria line and made our way to Highbury and Islington where the Make Lounge was located. It is a fantastic new area that we discovered and definitely off the tourist path.

We stopped and had lunch at a fantastic bakery called Euphorium in Islington. Delicious sandwiches and hot mochas!



Had a brief, but fantastic meet and greet with Jennifer from the Make Lounge! Her workshop space includes three studios over two floors and the retail shop (opening soon) is over two rooms.


Thanks to Deidre for a copy of Uppercase Magazine that we passed to the Make Lounge.


Fantastic store sign made to look like grosgrain ribbon.


Highland and Islington is near Camden Town, so we made the mandatory stop. I come here each visit and it just doesn't seem the same anymore. We were there on a Friday instead of the weekend, but it just seemed to be packed with young tourists and transients. A lot of the vintage and furniture shops seem to be gone and replaced with new fashion and food stalls.

I was told to get off at Mornington Crescent and walk down to Camden Town, but I believe that station is only opened on the weekend. I usually get off at Camden Town and walk down to Chalk Farm (row of houses in Chalk Farm).


Custom designed scooters at a food stall for customers to sit and enjoy their food.

London - Day 8

(image heavy)

I already posted about my birthday, but here are my snapshots of day 8 in London.

The Borough Market is London's oldest food market and has been at it's current site (under London Bridge) for 250 years.

The market is open only on Thursday's from 11:00am to 5:00pm, Friday from Noon to 6:00pm and Saturday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

This is my first visit to the market. I'm not sure where I first found it, but it's amazing and a definite must go!



We went the wrong way to the market, but did get a beautiful view of the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.



Beautiful church right next to the market





The market is like the public market at Granville Island, but there are a lot more food vendors ...



such as fresh paella ...




savoury pies since 1853 ...



sausages ...





If you love coffee and cake, Monmouth Coffee Company and Konditor and Cook by London Bridge are a must!




Coffee here is filtered and you can get black coffee or white coffee (aka with milk).



Right next door is Konditor and Cook with some of the most amazing cake ever!




The whole market had vendors selling huge meringues!



To top off the birthday extravagenza, we went to see Wicked at the Apollo Theatre by Victoria station. I have wanted to see this musical for so long, but kept missing the shows in Seattle and Portland. It was worth the wait, but definitely don't miss reading the book.