I apologize for the lack of updates lately! My life is in boxes and so was my computer!

The move went well on Saturday. We managed to pack up the entire apartment in 24 hours. The movers came Saturday afternoon and it only took them 3 hours to do the entire move. Wow! Super fast. Allan and I were helping the entire time so that’s probably a big factor for why it went so fast. My forearms and quads are still tired! But at least it was a good workout

Despite the crazy move on Saturday night, we still managed to get out for a friend’s birthday and play… of all things… bingo. It was entertaining to say the least. And then a late night Wendy’s snack.

Sunday was spent unpacking, mounting the TV (took a couple hours), cleaning the place, getting cable hooked up, and installing some curtains. We didn’t get much of a chance to really unpack any personal belongings.

Monday I started my new job in Gastown! I’ve got a beautiful view that I can see from my desk of Canada Place and the water. It makes a huge difference on my mood when I can see the water and the mountains in the background. Keeps me invigorated. Everyone at the company is SO SO nice. Ridiculously nice, really. I’m having a little trouble adjusting to all the new systems I am learning, but each day I am feeling more and more comfortable. I hope I can make a big difference.

I have tomorrow and Friday off for moving chores and because of the Nexon Big White trip. Even though the studio is now closed, we all paid for the trip already so we’re going to have a great time snowboarding and skiing together. I’m really excited. Looks like the conditions up at Big White won’t be too bad!

I have two of my really close university guy friends (and roommate!) coming up from San Francisco to visit me and also to go on the trip. They’re arriving Thursday and Friday, so somehow I have to get the entire room that is full of boxes and sports stuff somewhat cleared. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to do it in one day by myself. Scary.

Either way it looks like it should be a great time at Big White and so far the move is going alright! I can’t wait to show you guys some of the pictures from the place now that it’s starting to get somewhat organized

Well I’ve been waiting a long time to talk about the big news… so here I go!

On Sunday I received a full-time job offer from the company in Gastown I’ve been interviewing with… and I accepted it. I’ve turned down some really good opportunities in Kelowna and LA to work there… but I know I made the right decision. I start on Monday although my technical start date is March 3rd (so much moving craziness to sort out that I don’t want to interfere with my job). I am so excited. I am happy to have not settled on any level. I’ve worked and traveled with some of the people there before and they are all great. Smart, fun, professional people. I will be a Product Marketing Manager there. I can’t wait to make a big difference.

The other big news… is that I will no longer be living in an old apartment building! That’s right… Allan and I signed a lease on Wednesday for a new 2 bedroom in South Granville/Fairview. It’s only a couple blocks away from where we were living before, and steps from our friends. It’s also close to Granville Island and the Capers Organic Whole Foods Market we go to. We really wanted to stay in the area… it’s so central and close to downtown without having to live in the coldness, crowdedness, and big box apathetic feel that I don’t like about downtown living.

Old Place, Bedroom (Half packed up)

Old Place, Living Room

Old Place, Kitchen

We managed to check off every single piece of criteria we had for an apartment:

- In the South Granville/Fairview area. Close to downtown but not downtown. Check.
- Ground level. (Try dealing with a 9’6″ surfboard in an elevator) Check.
- Brand new. Check.
- Large patio. Check.
- Nicely appointed kitchen with new appliances, especially a dishwasher. Check.
- Big enough bedroom for a king size bed. Check.
- Spacious living room. Check.
- Carpeted. Check.
- 2 bedroom. (2nd bedroom will be the sports room) Check.
- 2 bathrooms. Check.
- En-suite laundry. Check.
- Walk-in closet. Check. (Not as nice as Lindsay‘s though!)
- Included parking and storage locker. Check.
- Gets afternoon sun instead of morning sun.
- Quiet neighbourhood NOT on a busy street with good neighbours. Check.

Best of all… we are moving on Saturday! Yes, it is really soon and so we are spending all day today packing. Craziness. I prefer a swift transition though than dragging it out and waiting. Plus I want to get this all settled and sorted out before I start my new job.

I’ll try and get some better pictures of the new place. These were snapped quickly right after we signed the lease.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can decorate it and what sort of furnishings we can use to complete it. I’m thinking it’s going to be west coast style (of course) with themes of our activities and passions. Allan has been living in his apartment for over 3 years and I’ve been living here for about a year and a half. It’s pretty much like a storage locker, there’s so much stuff accumulated over the years. I’m hoping this move will give us a chance to have “our” place together, rather than either mine or his. I’m hoping the interior design will reflect that eventually.

New Place, Kitchen

New Place, Living Room & Patio

New Place, Master Bathroom

New Place, Walk-in Closet

I’ll be posting pictures over time to show how the place evolves. It’s going to be pretty bare bones as we both get adjusted to it and furnish it over time.

So that’s the big news! I’m so excited about moving forward into the next stage of my life. It feels like nothing but sunshine in my life right now

Okay… back to packing!