It means that I am moving to Texas come this December. El Paso, Texas, to be exact. To attend the University of Texas-El Paso.

I am both really excited, and nervous about this whole experience. I mean, the idea of moving all the way across the country, and into a different country is daunting by itself, but then to add in going to a new university as well, and it is intimidating.

To be honest, what I’m more worried about is how a tattooed, pierced, redheaded liberal atheist vegetarian girl is going to fit into the conservative, meat loving bible belt that is Texas. It will be quite the experience, and one that I look forward to. If nothing else, it will be a lesson in patience for me.

My soon to be mew home.

What this all means is that, come time, I will be doing a small series on what its like to be a Canadian girl living in conservative Texas, and the States. I’ll likely talk about the whole Visa process (which I haven’t even started) finding a place to live, going to the shooting range, and how a Canadian college stands up next to a American university-both academically and the social cohesiveness.  I’ll give a fair warning for everyone, in case they don’t want to read it, but I think it shall be interesting.

xox

Music-Epica

Watching-nothing

Reading-dirty boy on boy manga

Well, almost. I have 2 exams done, and one more to go before I am free for a very short summer break. Well, short depending on how you look at it. I have just about 3 weeks off to do whatever I want until the next semester, which is going to be a ballbuster, starts.

This means a few things

Firstly, I now will no longer have to feel guilty about reading manga when I am supposed to be studying. I know that the site that I had previously mentioned has been shut down, so here are a few others that should have their content up for a while, and have as much content as OneManga did. Manga Fox , Manga Reader , Manga Volume

This is a big thing too, since I have been reading a lot of manga lately. Read: Mammott! Lollopop!, Loveless, The world only God Knows, Awkward Silence, and a whole bunch of others that I can’t remember the titles of. I’m willing to take suggestions as well!

The summer break also means that I get to go back to playing some Warcraft. I caved this afternoon and logged in on a free trial, and, seriously, I think I now know how it feels when a junkie takes his first hit. it was intense.

Short lived, however. I have done every single starting zone of every single race of both factions that I get so mind-numbingly bored, I have to stop. This is what I am so excited that I managed to get my new priest over the hump of shitty quests (you know, to about level 40) and on to some different stuff. I’m not looking forward to Outlands, but I do want my priest to be 80.

That said, I’m not entirely sure how often I want to play my current 80′s. I’ve been hearing about a lot of negative shit that has been going on when trying to raid, or even just do some heroics. If this is true for my server, it just won’t be happening. I’m getting too old to deal with drama, or bullshit from a lot of the noobs, and the “elite” players. I might be a dying breed, but I’m in it for the game, not the bullshit.

Time off also means that I get to work on, and hopefully finish, the manga draft that I’m working on. Originally the idea that I had was going to be used for a short novel, but the more I fleshed out the plot, the more I feel that something visual is needed to do it justice. It is a damn shame that I can’t draw. Or, not well. Well, some certain things I can draw good, but people are totally out.

So, my summer vacation is almost here, while most people’s is about to end.

Summer tunes are always necessary, and this album (of which this is the title track) is totally rockin my socks.

My first impression was that it was super busy. In all reality, it’s just a small space. There were just under 30 people in the coffee house, but it felt a lot busier-and cramped-then that. Not that I really minded, but now I know that it isn’t a homework, or a reading sort of place. It’s a lively place, all the groups of tables laughing, and talking and having fun.

The furniture is all wooden-which seems to be just about standard for downtown Vancouver-with lovely benches covered in fabric, very comfortable. The lighting is nice, with spotlights and very pretty hanging lights, which isn’t too bright, but not dim, giving a casual sort of ambiance. What really makes this place great is the full wall of windows, giving a great view of Denman. This place seems perfect for people watching-especially come the summer months-especially with the small outdoor patio.

There is some coffee related art on the walls, although whether it is for sale or not is unknown. It depicts latte art-done by Delany’s staff- and, I must admit, it’s fairly impressive.

The one thing that bothers me immediately about Delany’s is that they don’t specify what kind of coffee they are serving. All the signs imply that they have their own brand of coffee-which is roasted in house-but, looking around at the space, this simply cannot be true.

Regardless. My partner got a regular drip coffee, which he enjoyed. I tasted it, and, it was a bit stronger then I usually like. One thing that is fun and unique is that they have a ‘of the hour’ special coffee, so it guarantees that the coffee is relatively fresh. I got myself a regular latte, which, while strong, is fantastic. Just the sort of pick me up that I needed.

I have just finished my latte, and, I must admit-I’m wired. Now, I am not wimp when it comes to caffeine intake, this stuff is just loaded with the stuff. So, if you are sensitive to caffeine I would suggest going with one of the teas, or a fruit smoothie.

The prices are on par with the chain coffee houses, which is sort of disappointing, and yet not surprising. They do charge for soy milk, but have all sorts of beverage toppings available. They sell their own travel mugs ($29.00), and offer a discount for drinks when you use one, or whenever you get a refill.

The food menu seems pretty sparse: A few wraps, and pastries, and chocolate covered almonds in one of those gumball machines. Some of it seems a little over priced-all the wraps coming in at 7$, with no side, and most of it is completely un-priced, which is a little daunting. They do have gluten free pastry options, as well as a gluten free vegan option.

We got a Mexican breakfast wrap (vegetarian), and a cinnamon rolls. The wrap was warmed up, and was very yummy. It had eggs, salsa, onions and peppers, wrapped in a white tortilla. The cinnamon roll was also great, with just enough cinnamon and frosting, with lots of sticky brown sugar. Not something you would want to eat on a first date, but totally delicious for hanging out with friends. Biggest plus? No raisins!

Overall, I like it, it’s fun, it’s lively and has a great atmosphere. Not really a place to go cheap, or to read a book, but fantastic for friends, or people watching.

1105 Denman St

Vancouver, BC, V6G 2M7

604-662-3344

Monday-Friday 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Saturday/Sunday 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM

Finally got to see the Last Airbender. Before I say much about the actual movie, the first thing I should mention is that if you are expecting the whole series, you will be sorely disappointed. From what IMDB is telling me, if you expect Books 2 and 3 to be made, you will also be sorely disappointed.

There a lot of things wrong with the movie, and not enough good things. In all honesty, you are better off watching the original cartoon than bothering with this film.

I can’t say that it was terrible, because it wasn’t, but it certainly wasn’t good. The kid who plays Sokka brings the trainwreck that is Twilight into this movie, with his bad acting, terrible character portrayal and inability to mesh into a film.  The boy who plays Aang isn’t bad. Actually, besides the actor of Uncle, he might be the best this movie has to offer, acting wise. They got all the races of all the nations totally crosses, which, if you watched the show is unsettling and disorienting.

The scenery and setting was actually surprisingly well done, with the cinematography the brightest shining light of the movie. Unfortunately, some of it was ruined with the 3D treatment, which I didn’t like at all. It didn’t need to be 3D, and shouldn’t have been. The only nice part of the 3D is that there isn’t a lot of it, and it is very subtly done.

All of the story changes just pissed me off-especially when I realized (quickly) that this was only Book 1 of the series. I mean, once that was realized, a lot more of the plot and it’s smaller points could have been developed and given a proper amount of screen time, which left me feeling both rushed and bored. Some things did not need to be in the film, and a lot of things needed expansion.

I think it’s still worth a watch, but one that is in 2D and, if you can swing it, downloaded. It isn’t worth the money to see it in theaters.

The sand was excruciatingly hot, and burned my feet, but it was totally worth it.

We got to wade into the water, but it was cold and full of tiny little fish, and that’s one of those things that has always creeped me out. The seaweed wasn’t too cool either.

There are an absolute tonne of vollyball courts that are available to play at, as well as a giant area for off the leash dogs too. A few concession stands are scattered throughout the park, which is great when its too damn hot and a popsicle is required.

It’s a little hard to get to, if you don’t drive and even if you do drive, the parking is ususally full. There’s only one bus that really goes near the beach, and its on a fairly steep downhill.