This past week has been rather eventful but not necessarily because I've been on Maui. Last week we did our regular stuff, you know beach, wave riding & picnics in beautiful locales. I know, I know, you're tired of hearing about it. We did take the kids to a local playgroup which was fun for them and a good outing for me. On Wednesday night (at midnight), I took off to the airport to get on a plane to go back to Vancouver for Lynn and Jonathan's wedding. You know what's funny? Many people assume that because we're doing this, that we have somehow become independently wealthy. But the funny thing is that this has been a total exercise in restraint. We don't eat out, we drink in and everything we do is free (or very close to it). So, in trying to get to the airport, normally we wouldn't think twice about calling a $40 cab. But, at 10:30pm, we wake the kids, pack them in the car and head out for the hour travel that Neil will have to do to get me to the airport. (total savings = $37) I'm off just fine, but man it was a long flight in which I did NOT sleep, but also brought food with me, so I didn't have to buy any food on the plane (total savings = $10)
I arrived in Vancouver at 8:30am and Lynn picked me up at the airport to drive me to my old work (total savings = $15). I visited with my friends there. It was really great seeing them all again, however the office is a little gloomy (no, not because I'm not there), but because Nielsen has been going through some pretty major lay offs and it hasn't done much for morale or motivation around there. While no-one in the Vancouver office was affected, it has affected a lot of friends/colleagues from Toronto and it's pretty harsh to say the least. Some even surmised that me quitting likely saved a lay off in our little office. Not too sure about that - but I'll leave this whole subject by saying that I hate that often the control in people's lives are subject to the whims of corporate bullshit. Sooooo, anyway.... around noon I started to realize how much I needed food and sleep, so headed home for a little of both. And of course, took the bus home. (total savings = $30).
The next day I made my way into Richmond via bus (total savings = $25) and met up with Lara and her beautiful 3 month old son. We spent the afternoon chatting and doing the centrepieces and floral decor for Lynn's wedding. We then made our way over to Lynn & Jonathan's for an evening of out-of-town friends & family and a little too much wine. (total savings on not having to buy dinner, drinks or cab ride home thanks to Robyn? = $100).
The morning of the wedding saw me lounging in bed nursing a very tiny hangover. I packed up my things, and headed into Vancouver after patting Buddy good bye. (total savings by taking the bus = $50). I was meeting up with Robyn again to do some stuff for Lynn, like picking up the cake and making sure that Lynn's 98 year old, very remarkable cousin Bruce got to the wedding. I stopped at Chapters to grab a coffee and some lunch and while I was waiting for Robyn to pick me up, the most disturbing and horrifying thing happened. You know how you automatically assume that pigeons will move when they're on the road? Well, they don't. And one very unfortunate girl bird was most horribly squashed not 5 feet in front of me. It was terrifyingly sad, especially because her friend/partner fluttered away momentarily and came back to find her after it happened. A really harsh October moment, it must be the advent of Hallowe'en. But I have to say, that image and sound of (well, I won't describe it here) has stuck with me since then.But then, I was picked up and proceeded to have the MOST amazing time at a MOST amazing wedding of my MOST amazing friend. Lynn was gorgeous, Jonathan was handsome and everyone there was fun and super nice. We actually tried to go out after, and when we got to the karaoke place, only then did I realize that it was 2:30, not 11:30. Yes, Lynn, that tequila did a lot of us in...
Sunday morning saw me awake after only 3 hours of sleep at Lynn & Jonathan's and head out for 14 hours of travel back to Maui. (Total savings by staying at their place = $20). I'm home with my loves now, - I really did miss them - and have heard all about their adventures to the Harvest Festival, the beach and farmers markets, four days replete with the simple things that make life awesome.I'll be sure to get some pictures up as soon as I can. Unfortunately I had left my camera on Maui and must rely on friends of friends to send along pix of the wedding.
So, I'll leave you with some math:
I arrived in Vancouver at 8:30am and Lynn picked me up at the airport to drive me to my old work (total savings = $15). I visited with my friends there. It was really great seeing them all again, however the office is a little gloomy (no, not because I'm not there), but because Nielsen has been going through some pretty major lay offs and it hasn't done much for morale or motivation around there. While no-one in the Vancouver office was affected, it has affected a lot of friends/colleagues from Toronto and it's pretty harsh to say the least. Some even surmised that me quitting likely saved a lay off in our little office. Not too sure about that - but I'll leave this whole subject by saying that I hate that often the control in people's lives are subject to the whims of corporate bullshit. Sooooo, anyway.... around noon I started to realize how much I needed food and sleep, so headed home for a little of both. And of course, took the bus home. (total savings = $30).
The next day I made my way into Richmond via bus (total savings = $25) and met up with Lara and her beautiful 3 month old son. We spent the afternoon chatting and doing the centrepieces and floral decor for Lynn's wedding. We then made our way over to Lynn & Jonathan's for an evening of out-of-town friends & family and a little too much wine. (total savings on not having to buy dinner, drinks or cab ride home thanks to Robyn? = $100).
The morning of the wedding saw me lounging in bed nursing a very tiny hangover. I packed up my things, and headed into Vancouver after patting Buddy good bye. (total savings by taking the bus = $50). I was meeting up with Robyn again to do some stuff for Lynn, like picking up the cake and making sure that Lynn's 98 year old, very remarkable cousin Bruce got to the wedding. I stopped at Chapters to grab a coffee and some lunch and while I was waiting for Robyn to pick me up, the most disturbing and horrifying thing happened. You know how you automatically assume that pigeons will move when they're on the road? Well, they don't. And one very unfortunate girl bird was most horribly squashed not 5 feet in front of me. It was terrifyingly sad, especially because her friend/partner fluttered away momentarily and came back to find her after it happened. A really harsh October moment, it must be the advent of Hallowe'en. But I have to say, that image and sound of (well, I won't describe it here) has stuck with me since then.But then, I was picked up and proceeded to have the MOST amazing time at a MOST amazing wedding of my MOST amazing friend. Lynn was gorgeous, Jonathan was handsome and everyone there was fun and super nice. We actually tried to go out after, and when we got to the karaoke place, only then did I realize that it was 2:30, not 11:30. Yes, Lynn, that tequila did a lot of us in...
Sunday morning saw me awake after only 3 hours of sleep at Lynn & Jonathan's and head out for 14 hours of travel back to Maui. (Total savings by staying at their place = $20). I'm home with my loves now, - I really did miss them - and have heard all about their adventures to the Harvest Festival, the beach and farmers markets, four days replete with the simple things that make life awesome.I'll be sure to get some pictures up as soon as I can. Unfortunately I had left my camera on Maui and must rely on friends of friends to send along pix of the wedding.
So, I'll leave you with some math:
Total cost to get to Vancouver from Maui and back by booking on points = $140
Total savings by remembering how to live like a student = $262.
A long weekend watching the best friend a girl could ask for get married = priceless.
