Month: June 2019

Vancouver: Seattle’s Canadian Cousin

A whirlwind 40-hour trip to Vancouver, British Columbia is just what a girl needs sometimes. Granted, Vancouver is like Seattle’s Canadian cousin in every possible way. Every once in a while, there’s a desire to get lost.

Getting around, where to stay

I arrived to Vancouver via Bolt Bus. This trip was so last minute that most of the hostels were booked, except for St. Clair Hotel-Hostel. I was willing to spend a little extra this time, since the location was right in the city center.

When it comes to getting around the city, using a Compass card can make it easier. It’s a pass that gives you access to the public transit system, such as buses and the SkyTrain. As of today, it’s $10.25 CAD for a day pass.

The first night in Vancouver

Vegan food or bust!

Raw salad wrap with salad

One of my favorite things to do is eating my way through a new city. The first thing I did was go to Indigo Age Cafe and tried their delicious salad wrap with mixed greens. It gave me lots of energy for the rest of the night, as I walked through the city. The restaurant also offers vegan high tea, but it needs to be reserved in advance.

For dessert, I went to Vegan Pudding & Co right next door, where you can find coconut- and soy-based puddings. There are classic flavors such as chocolate and vanilla, and then there are Japanese-inspired flavors such as matcha and sesame. They provide complimentary whipped cream if you want to eat it immediately. It’s smooth and silky, as pudding should be.

The second day

I woke up early and had breakfast before running to Stanley Park, a lap around it, and back to the hostel. The 400-hectare public park features beaches, lush gardens and attractions throughout, as well as historic landmarks and a restaurant. I just stayed on the main walking path that morning, which is 10 km.

I went to the Vancouver Art Gallery, where there are multiple rotating exhibitions. My favorite current show there is Moving Still: Performative Photography in India, where photography is used to explore themes of gender, cultural identity, and migration.

Currently, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival is also happening in Downtown, right in front of the art gallery.

Vancouver Vegan

Grandma Pie

For lunch, I went to Virtuous Pie, a vegan pizzeria that seems to be a favorite for both vegans and omnivores alike. The cheesiest pizza on the menu is called Grandma Pie, and it was such melty goodness. With pizza that good, it’s easy to see why people flock there.

When in Canada, eat poutine.
A hip diner for vegans and omnivores

Later for dinner, I stopped by Wallflower to eat vegan poutine smothered in vegetable-based gravy and cheese sauce. When in another country, you might as well try the dish it’s best known for. It hit the spot.

Meow, meow, meow

Let’s be friends!

Of course, the Vancouver visit wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Catfé. This cafe had 15 cats when I went in, and they were all so overwhelmingly cute. It’s recommended to reserve for a spot in advance, because those can fill up fast.

These were not vegan, but they’re still cute.

Catfé also sells coffee and pastries, such as these Hello Kitty-shaped macarons. They aren’t vegan, but they sure are adorable. I got a slice of vegan peppermint chocolate cake instead. We could take our food in, but we’d have to make sure the cats wouldn’t get to it.

Street art in Vancouver

I mostly walked around Commercial Drive and Mt. Pleasant, known to be two artsy areas in the city. Both have incredible street art that liven up the neighborhoods. Vancouver also has its own mural festival, which is one big street art party spanning over a week in August. The results are beautiful.

Pride weekend

Vancouver was also having a little Pride celebration in one of the parks along Commercial Drive. There were so many colorful people and I felt right at home! Then again, the city is just like Seattle.

Winding down with the city

I was on my way back to the hostel from Mt. Pleasant when I stopped by Aperture Coffee Bar, a trendy cafe with rustic touches. Sometimes you just need a pick-me-up after running and walking all day. They have a library, and it’s a little cozy, but the vibe is chill and friendly.

Places in Vancouver generally close a little early, say around 6:00 to 8:00. Some places might be open later. I’m not really the type of person who stays out late often anyway. It was such an amazing full day, and the health app on my iPhone said that I walked and ran a total of 19 miles!

One last walk around

The next morning, I walked through Gastown as the city was waking up. Gastown is a historic district dating from the 19th century, and it was known as Vancouver’s downtown. Today, the remnant Victorian buildings now feature art galleries, souvenir shops, restaurants, and chic cocktail lounges. It’s akin to Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood.

For breakfast, I had a vegan Earl Grey doughnut from Cartems Donuts. They have several vegan flavors, such as chocolate, vanilla, and maple walnut.

I went back to Seattle later that morning. Even though I did the exact same things as I would in Seattle, sometimes there’s a desire to wander around in an unfamiliar city without knowing a soul. Getting lost and finding one’s way back again is what someone might need occasionally, if only to come back bright-eyed with pleasant experiences. I can’t wait to come back.

Portraits That Look Like Paintings

My friend, Chris of Elden Images

I have a very talented and intelligent friend named Chris. Several years ago, Chris wanted to add a new passion to his life, and he experimented with several different options before finding his new pursuit in photography.

We had a conversation about how to find a particular style that people would recognize as his own. I suggested to keep playing around with what he’s doing. When an artist keeps exploring techniques and subjects, a distinct style will eventually come around and stick. Now Chris does thematic portrait photography that look like dark classical paintings.

His girlfriend, Ryan, is the hair and make-up artist. Her role in the photoshoots cannot be underestimated, since she brings out the best features of every subject in Chris’s photography. Ryan is quite meticulous when it comes to her craft. (She also colored my hair purple a few months ago.) Together, Chris and Ryan make a good team for these photoshoots.

I brought whatever fancy dark clothes I had, and we mixed and matched pieces. In some of the shots, my hair was swept back, exposing my face more and accentuating the cheekbones. Here are five more photos that Chris has put finishing touches on.

To see more of Chris’s portrait photography, please follow @elden_images on Instagram. Ryan’s hair artistry can be found via @ryan_alexis_d.

Marathon #4: the long, hard road to euphoria


Being a goth marathon runner is A-OK

When I was a teenager, I used to secretly make fun of marathon runners (and always felt guilty about it afterwards). It should go without saying to never make fun of an entire group of people because first, it’s not nice; and second, you never know if you might become one. And here I am, just having completed my fourth marathon.

The 2019 course map

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series always puts on fun races, and this was my third race with them. It usually starts and ends at the Seattle Center. The course changes every year, and there are bands playing every few miles or so. There are aid stations every couple of miles and tons of support from spectators along the way.

What’s it like running a marathon?

Folks have asked what is it like to do one of these marathons. While each race is different, it always feels the same from Mile 16 through the finish line. Usually I’m feeling great until then, but this year’s course was a tough one. (If this was your first marathon, I am sorry!) As we can see at Mile 11, that was quite a challenge.

  • Starting line: Everyone is gathered at the starting line, happy to take on a 26.2 miler! (Or if they’re running a half-marathon, a 13.1-mile race.)
  • Miles 1–10: This first part of the race is smooth sailing. If you’re not feeling fresh by the 10th mile, then you are in trouble. Mile 10 is also where the course goes up Queen Anne via 3rd Ave W, a hill that lasts for nearly 2 miles.
  • Mile 11: The long, slow climb up the hill that never ends. It slows my pace down considerably, and I wonder if a new PR is even possible. My hamstrings feel slightly knotted as I huff up the hill without stopping, questioning my own sanity of why I do these races.
  • Mile 12: The big reward for running up that long hill was the breathtaking (literally and figuratively!) panoramic city view at Kerry Park, where many iconic Seattle skyline photos are taken.
  • Mile 13: This is where the course splits. Half-marathoners veer to the right towards the finish line. The marathoners go to the left to finish the rest of the course.
  • Miles 14–15: The hill from Mile 11 is slowly starting to become a distant memory as I continue to focus on the rest of the course. The sun is out, and I’m soaring.
  • Miles 16–19: This is where my mood descends, one mile at a time. We run around Green Lake, which is a beautiful area, but it’s at these miles where many folks lose steam.
  • Mile 20: The second wave of hills begin, and while they are shorter, they’re steeper. My friends have come out to cheer me on, and it means a lot. I descend too fast down a steep hill, and my quads (the front thigh muscles) seize up with painful charlie horses that halt me dead in my tracks. I stop at a medical station, begging for ibuprofen. They don’t have it, because it’s bad for the kidneys. They give Bengay instead.
  • Mile 21: There’s something about running past 20 miles that makes you retreat to the darkest corners of your psyche. Never mind the pain you’re pushing through. At this point, it’s hard to focus on much else outside the body. Everything hurts. My legs are very angry. They keep painfully spasming, and I actually have to stop for a couple of minutes to massage and stretch them out. I have never stopped during a race before. All of these hills must have slowed down my time by at least 10 minutes.
  • Miles 22-25: Physically, I’m on auto-pilot. Emotionally, I feel very raw. I begin hallucinating shifting pastel colors while feeling every emotion there is. Every time at this point, I wonder why these races seemed like a good idea.
  • Mile 26: My quads seize up again when I’m so close to the finish line. I resolve to be kind to myself and calmly massage my legs until they feel better. I sprint like a race horse and finish strong.
  • Finish line: My mind sputters as the endorphin highs soar like a kite. A kind volunteer puts a finisher’s medal over my head.
  • Post-race: Pictures are taken, and people enjoy a Pearl Jam tribute band called “Washed in Black” playing on the main stage. I slowly walk the mile back to my best friend’s house. I take a shower to clean up, and then we go to lunch to celebrate. He drops me off at home, where I soak in a bath with a Lush bath bomb dunked in, and then take an epic 5-hour nap. Later on, another friend treats me to a victory banana split from Cookie Counter. I’ve never had a banana split before, and it’s such a decadent treat to have after today’s race.
It tastes even better when it’s earned.

My finishing time is 4:18:54, my best time yet! This was a difficult course, so I’m surprised that I beat my old personal record even with all of those steep hills. I’m so, so happy with the result.

Euphoria is the biggest prize

This is also the first race where I did all of the workouts in the training program, and the first where I never got a single injury.

Running a marathon isn’t just a physical endeavor. It’s also a psychological one. You can be afraid all you want. You might encounter both internal and external resistance. Do it anyway. Something wonderful and interesting is waiting for you on the other side.

Another marathon is less than two months away. Right now, I’m appreciating a race well done.