This is what Vancouver looks like, though it is not Vancouver. I almost forget what it’s like to see things sharply. Every edge is rounded; shaded out of borders. A hand becomes a wand. A car becomes a roaming buffalo….earlier I cursed the cold, but I’ve decided the mist can stay one more day.

Thank you cards are coming. I like sitting at the kitchen table with Ash, writing each one and then reading it to him out loud. He looks at me like I am oh so clever. Like no one else could have thought to say thank you in such a clever way. I am relishing the practice of it. So, as I said, the thank you cards are coming.

My birthday is also coming soon. 28 on the 28th. I’ve heard that makes it my champagne birthday, which seems divinely fitting since I plan to drink champagne on my birthday (Wednesday or not).

But nothing is coming sooner than bed. That comes now. Night.

PS: All the pretty photos from Lobster and Swan. A nice place to go, because let’s face it: not many people can pull off interior fairy lights, but she really seems too. And I can appreciate that.

Meet my parents. I love them. Today is their birthday. Yes, both of them.  9 year’s apart, but born on the same day. That is a sign, if I’ve ever heard one. I like to imagine when they found out (was it the second date? the third?), there was no other choice in the world but to get married and have children.  

Three things I love about my mom:

• She’s excitable. It’s not unusual to see her peeking out the livingroom window when we’re all coming over for dinner. I’m not sure she knows it, but she’s the life of the party.  
• She is, at any moment in time, ready to adopt children. Also, she makes a really exaggerated sound when you touch the back of her neck, as if she’s channeling all the pleasure in the world.   Not to mention, she signs all her emails like this: LOVE, MOM XOXOOXOXOOXOXO) 
• She’s really pretty, which makes it likely I will also hold my good looks (bonus!)

Three things I love about my dad:

• He’s not only funny, but he also thinks he’s really funny, which makes him funnier. 
• Digging through all his old records when I was young. Knowing there is music and lyrics in his veins (Case in point, him rattling off a whole BoxCar Willy song the other night after Thanksgiving dinner).
• He calls my mom boo-boo and he’s going to walk me down an aisle. Plus, he’s nice and comfy to lean against on the couch. 

Happy birthday, Mom and Dad! I love you.

Jen

PS: In Paris, Ash and I thought this statue looked like the two of you…

XOXOXOXOXO

Having always wanted to be a gypsy myself, I gave one to my fiance for his 30th birthday.

Given that all Greek restaurants have the same exact menu, it’s hard to imagine that one place could be so above the others in terms of food quality. But if you’re a Vancouver-based reader, please believe me, Pasparos in North Vancouver really is the best. The whole scene is just so Santorini-esque. Not to mention the tray of ouzo that greeted us when we arrived (special ordered by moi). What, you’ve never heard of welcome shots?

There was some argument whether or not its appropriate to offer five dollar bills to a belly-dancer while she’s dancing. I always thought that’s what they wanted. How else are you supposed to tip them? In the end, we sent a side plate around to thank her for her masterful entrancement of Ashleah. He was charmed like a snake. And squirmed like one too.

Anyhow, as we said all night long…

Opa!

And there you have Greek Fest 2008.

I won’t say who, but look what I’ve created. Think less fraternal Greek and more flaming ouzo, garlic breath and hopefully, a lot of fun.  Etsy (my favourite party resource) was rather weak on the Greek front. If you are an Etsy artist, you should really consider this vastly untapped market. Since I’ve been to Greece (thanks to my 30-year old!), I know there’s far more to that lovely land than the iconic blue and white pictured above. My favourite memories of Greece include: the crouching groups of Japanese painting tours with their little square canvasses, the time I was dragged out of my seat to solo-dance in the middle of a taverna while Ash was in the washroom, the massive bricks of feta that adorned every Greek Salad, our long walk to Paradise beach, which we found deserted and after a near-death experience by wild horse.

PS: I made the invite on Polyvore. Its free and fun, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Here’s a little Greece for the road:

Twenty-nine reasons why…

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Love, Jen

Photos from here in the Tumblr section.