Downtown Night Lights

I don't know about you but I prefer the rural laidback life over the fast-paced city living. However, the city lights that lit up every night always gets me thinking twice about my previous statement. I just love it! To me, it's probably the next best thing to a beach view... or not. I don't know. I am indecisive when it comes to spectacular scenes. 

Anyway, enough of the rural VS urban babble, summer day yesterday was spent with a couple of good friends from school. Andrew was nice enough to treat us out after receiving his first legit pay cheque as a health professional. How can Shannen and I pass on the opportunity of free and good-tasting Japanese BBQ and like I said, the view of the downtown night lights? Plus, Shannen is going to be traveling to Portland and Las Vegas (which I am super envious about) this August so this night out was both wanted and needed. 

We strolled inside Chapters as we waited for our dinner reservation.

Look at these dolls! Their hair-do's are perf!

How adorable is this mini bicycle? This American Girl corner in the store is too cute!
I automatically channeled my inner 5-year-old self in the store.

To all the book lovers like me, heyo for this piece of heaven for us! I am currently reading Paper Towns by John Green. What book are you binge reading right now?

Vancouver BC Downtown

It may come as a surprise but I love Vancouver downtown better than The Big Apple. Yes, I have been to Midtown Manhattan in New York City a couple of times. I might have some bias because Vancouver is my city but I really have to say V is a tad bit cleaner than NYC and a lot less crowded, which may be the reason for it having lesser trash everywhere. 

How cool is this street art of Mona Lisa just casually chilling there?

Finally, we arrived at Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant right by Nelson Street.

I like the cozy ambience and the fact that it is not wall-enclosed. I just wish all the other BBQ restaurants were open too.

Some sake cocktails to start off dinner. I had Kyoto Sunrise and I have to say I was not a fan but I don't hate it.

So the grilling began... we had different types of meat, some scallops and my personal favorites out of the bunch, bacon asparagus and duck breast. 

I am a big fan of anything grilled and I always find barbecuing enjoyable. Having said that, I'd give this BBQ place a 3.5-4 out of 5 (me being indecisive again). The meats were not overly seasoned and perfectly marinated especially the duck breast. The pork thick cuts were extremely soft and just melted in my mouth which completely sold me. Most importantly, the staff were really friendly. The speed was average (not fast but not too slow) which was understandable considering they were packed.

Here's our oh-so-satisfied faces! Big thanks to Andrew for the treat!

Here's a little OOTN.

We, then, went for a little walk along downtown streets and decided we wanted to see a movie. Unluckily, Guardians of the Galaxy isn't playing yet and I have already watched Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (which is absolutely amazing) so we had to make a detour to CAVO Bar + Kitchen to spontaneously enjoy the night, and chat over a couple more drinks. 

Enjoyed the cosmo as per usual, and the mojito mint + lime choice was definitely refreshing
and apt for the bbq after taste in my mouth. 

Here goes my weird fondness for street and hotel signs shown through these photos.

I just think they look really pretty.

We opted to walk towards Granville and enjoyed the busy streets and the cool summer night breeze to cap off a night well-spent with good company. Little things like that are truly life's simple pleasures.

To you, my wonderful reader in the western part of the world, how have you been spending your summer? However way you do, I hope you are enjoying every bit of it!

'Til the next,

Macy  

Daisies x Daisies

It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday! Lol. It's everyone's favorite day of the week! Not to mention, it's my brother's birthday today! For those reasons, I had the urge to slightly dress up and force my sister to document it through these photos...

Aaaaah, one of life's little pleasures --- flowers!

If it ain't obvious yet, YES, I do love daisies. They are my second favorite flowers next to tulips!

Hey, reader! If you happen to have an LB account, gimme love and click on the hype button, will you? ♥

Head to toe:
Sunglasses - ZARA
Top - URBAN BEHAVIOR
High-waisted Jeans - TARGET
Tennis Shoes - TARGET

Then we had supper out to celebrate my brother's 16th birthday! Where else to get one of the best pastas in Vancouver than at The Old Spaghetti Factory, right? L-R: Ella, Mickey

The parentals while waiting for the food...

What I devoured: Garden salad w blue cheese dressing

Chicken Parmigiana
The pasta was so-so to me but the chicken was the bomb dot com!!

I did not get dessert at TOSF because I was preparing my tummy for cookies 'n cream ice cream cake!
This bomb from DQ was worth the wait!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY ANNOYING BROTHER!

My family and I bonded over Texas Poker as soon as we got home and of course, I won the pot money once again! It's 2:32 am while I type this & I am more than exhausted. Time to hit the hay after a great day with the fambam!

To you who's reading this, I hope you had an awesome Friday and will have a fanta-bulous weekend!

'Til the next,

Mace

We Made It to the Top (Again)

Yes, you are right! We did two mountains in less than a week - Grouse Grind and now, Stawamus Chief Mountain in Squamish. How's that for someone who barely exercises and whose last workout was pilates at home over a year ago? It was tough but it was extremely worth it! Here's how last Tuesday went!

This stolen photo sums up my excitement to take on the Chief.

Gotta stretch, people! L-R: Rikki, Thomas, I

Then we reached the fake peak! Mehehe

Hikers taking a break on the fake peak! And Tom thinking I was an ice cream of some sort. Lol

We did have photos going up but they weren't attractive 

so let me spare your vision from hideous climbing and out-of-breath photos! Lol

After  1 hour and 20 minutes, we made it to the top! The view was exquisite! A must-see!!!

"But first, let me take a selfie" moment

YES! WE MADE IT!

The happiness was real.

Aeeeyoooo! Who's bunch is awesome?
THIS BUNCH! L-R: Andrew, Thomas, Macy, Rikki

I was obviously in bliss! If you still did not get my drift at that moment.

Those shoes were totally not made for hiking but whatever, I made it work!
I slid a couple of times but I survived so all is well!

Hello, world! I am on top of you! :) I am pretty sure Rikki was happy too. She just had to seriously contemplate on the beauty of Chief's view.

Hello, co-hikers! 

We had to take a #groupie before going back down, 'ya know.

I don't know about you guys but my first week of summer will be unforgettable! The past week of hiking two mountains in a row will be the start of getting back to fitness! Not just working out, but being active in different aspects of life; going out more, exploring British Columbia, spending time with great company instead of being a couch potato with my boyfriend AKA Netflix, and staying true to the saying "the best things in life are free". 

To whoever is reading this, I hope my first two posts inspired you to just get out there and enjoy the sun! Frolic under the heat of summer while it lasts, wonderful people!

'Til the next,

Mace

The Grouse Grind Challenge

At exactly 1:00 noon, July 10th, the day right after graduation is officially the start of summer for me!!! What better way to celebrate more than three months of hard work than go Grouse Grind with an awesome bunch of co-grads aka Thomas, Andrew, Maria, Rikki & Gabe?

We shall let the photos do the talking, shall we?

If it isn't too obvious yet, I was having an affair with neon workout clothes that day. Not to mention, I hopped on the Nike Roshe Run bandwagon for Grouse hiking! I know it's not best for hiking but homegurl needs to be on trend 'ya know! 

Here's Tom and I for green team! We purposely wore bright colored shirts for emergency reasons, 'cause we thought Grouse Grind was going to be the end of us! LOL

.... and the rest of the gang!

Not that I counted, but I basically had to take 34928984 breaks to get to the top. (photo credit: Wikipedia) 

I was catching my breath every step of the way and even had to snack on my granola bar halfway through but voila! Here I am with a massive smile after 1.8 miles of steep trails!
I think I did pretty good despite having weak lungs and finishing in, more or less, two hours!
Aaaaah, the feeling was one for the books! Everyone should try it at some point!

And here's the rest, all smiles despite a gallon of sweat, blood and tears.
Nah, not really, we just got sweat... and awesomeness, of course!

Check out this download lift which we could not hold our horses for because we were all excited to swing down and devour All-You-Can-Eat Sushi! Yes, we were counter productive because we ate a bunch of sushi cones, sashimi, tempura, etc. before heading home! (photo credit: Wikipedia)

Overall, awesome is an understatement of my first hiking experience in Vancouver. I had so much fun with a great bunch of lovely humans! Right now, all I know is I am excited for what the rest of summer has in store for me! 

To whoever is reading this, I hope you had a great summer starter as well or whatever season you have at the moment!
'Til the next, 

Mace