SEA + YVR

Since I've landed in the Pacific Northwest I've spent the night at a different persons house everyday! Well, technically I spent two nights at my dads but it only added up to 24 hours of visiting time! After arriving on Saturday we headed straight for cocktails. Because clearly, that's the best thing to do when you haven't seen people in quite awhile!

Sunday was church...cause you know...my Dad's a minister.

As soon as church wrapped up I drove to Redmond to watch Cousin Rhiannon cross the finish line at The Ride To Conquer Cancer. (I have lots of photos and will most likely give them their own post....when I'm not blogging from my iPad in a coffee shop...). Bubbly chilled in a Pyrex pretty much makes my heart feel warm and fuzzy. Congratulations on a successful ride Rhi!

When I was hustling out the door to go to the airport leaving Houston I pulled my passport out of my purse and threw it on the table. Then as I was doing the mad dash out the door I picked it up and put it in my purse thinking, 'this way if I get called back to work early I'll have it'. Ummm...what?! How about I'll need it to cross the border?! Monday morning you could have found me making the drive from Seattle to Vancouver...with my passport in hand thank goodness...

First stop in Canada? Cousin G's house for a little Stanley Park action. Golly, I love Stanley Park! Check out this heart that can be spotted at low tide with the city in the background. A little treat for a lucky!

Tuesday found me grilling vegetables and salmon for a family dinner. To be fair I had help withy the salmon and burnt the zucchini but seriously, beggars can't be choosers! I spent Tuesday night at my Canadiaunt's house. This means one thing. Lots of tea drinking. Listen, I have had many cups of tea in my life but tea at Canadiaunt's house actually tastes better.

Wednesday meant a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle marathon at Cousin C's house. I had no idea the turtles were back. It pleases me enormously that another generation understand Turtle Power! Is that strange? Unfortunately I have zero photos to illustrate the awesomeness I witnessed.

Which leads me to Thursday. I took a self guided tour of Stanley Park. Hello photo safari. Apparently, four hours flying solo was much needed. Beach combing happened. I heart sea glass so hard!

Here I am. Curled up in a chair in a coffee shop blogging on the trusty iPad. Snuggled up with my Pavo Ash & Anchor scarf...Vancouver is rainy and cold, yo! Cold fingers? Not any more - my London Fog warmed me right up!

The RIDE!

 

Nautie Friends,

Do you know that my cousin Rhiannon has participated (as in rode a bike) in The Ride To Conquer Cancer three times and is gearing up for her fourth ride?!  Two years ago I wrote about my cousin Rhiannon riding.  The fact that she's gearing up for her fourth ride leaves me awe struck.

Cancer means something in almost everyone's lives.  We all know someone who has been affected by cancer.  In my family it means the loss of a Grandmother, Aunt, and Uncle.  It means that my Dad is a survivor of Bad Ass proportions.  For me, it means that sunscreen is no joke.

This year is extra special because I'm flying to Seattle and will be watching her cross the finish line this weekend!  Yippee!  It's not lost on me that this year she'll be crossing the finish line for her Dad on Fathers Day.  (oh golly, I just teared up...)  I'm just feel so honored to be there cheering her on!

I'm proud to announce that Rhiannon has reached 100% of her fundraising goal!  That being said, I'm here to ask you to consider donating to such a noble cause.  The cliche is true:  Every Dollar Does Count.

By visiting her personal page you'll be able to donate online.

Thank you in advance!

Best,

Megan the Nautie Mermate

Flirty.Thirty.

I had plans for what Thirty would look like on this blog. There would be some sort of this much i know is true post - maybe there would be a photo montage - maybe a letter to myself...that I could read later in life...

None of that seemed like enough.

I.was.really.excited.about.turning.thirty.

I mean, really, really excited.

I think there are quite a few people who worried that I wasn't excited so much as flipped out but, I'm here to set the story straight.

I was ready to not be in my twenties.  Majorly.  Buh-bye.

I remember years ago my Cousin K up in Canada said, 'being in your thirties is awesome...it's like you can finally just be yourself...'.  Amen Sister.

What I knew about turning Thirty was that I was not going to let it slip by unnoticed.  I was going to do something, damnit!

At first I started planning a trip abroad.  It's been awhile since I went abroad as a tourist....who could leisurely sip her coffee at a sidewalk cafe.

Then I decided I was going to Napa.  I had never been.  I like wine.  Like, a lot.

Then I invited my Cousin (she doesn't have a code name but, I love her thiiiis much!!!!!), and the trip just came together.  Girl Cousin's birthday was on the 4th the day after my own so it was a birthday extravaganza.

(I should say, the trip just came together with a little help from my friends....Ari, you get an A+.)

The day before yesterday I wrote about how epic Napa was.  What I should have said was:

Turning Thirty Was Epic.

It was such a lovely day.  Such.

I woke up at The Waterfront Hotel at Jack London Square in Oakland.  It's all kinds of nautical goodness...if you're a Lady Sailor this is a fun place to pass some time.

I woke up really early - I'm sure it had something to do with jet lag - and decided that an early morning photo safari was a must on the first day of my thirtieth year.

Then it was off to breakfast at The Cock-A-Doodle Cafe.  There were crepes and graham cracker french toast.  Delish.

A stroll through a farmers market?  Flowers?  Yes please.

Of course no city tour is complete without admiring some local architecture.  Pictures looking up at buildings....check.

You can't cruise the Bay Area and not check out the Golden Gate Bridge.  amiright or amiright?

I got to visit with a long lost Auntie.  It was amazing.  Silly me hadn't been to her house since I was a kid.  Apparently, I was geographically challenged as a youth because I didn't know she lived in the Bay Area.  I totally thought she lived in SoCal.  I know, right?  Who doesn't know where their Aunties live?!

Said Auntie had a pack of Chihuahuas.  It was awesome.  Can you see George?

After a full afternoon of visiting we got in the car and took off for Napa.  Aaaah.  Deep sigh.  This meant we needed a coffee to go.  Clearly.

First stop Napa?  The Andaz Hotel.  Oooh La La!

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Birthday Dinner.  One Word.  Bottega.  It came highly recommended.  It didn't disappoint.  There was a personalized Birthday Greeting....and beet raviolis with fennel.  Just Sayin'.

Want to know how I ended the evening?  Food Porn.  Panna Cotta with winter citrus, micro basil, mint syrup and a wheat cigar stuffed with sweet lemon ricotta.

Happy Flirty Thirty To Me!

Nautie Galentines!

I read a post today over at It's like I'm....mmmagic! in which Brandy pays tribute to all her favorite ladies.  On a day rife with chocolates and roses I think this is a grreaat idea!  So of course, I'm going to copy her and pay tribute to my favorite ladies too! I've known for years that I'm extraordinarily blessed to have so many lovely ladies in my life.  In fact, I think it's abnormal to have such amazing family, friends, and mentors!  I don't stay in the best contact with all of them - and you know what?  It's okay!  Why?  Because when we do see eachother we can pick up exactly where we left off.  If you ask me that's how you know people are special!

I have a family full of amazing women.  Seriously kick ass chicks that have faith in me, have pushed me, and have supported me when I'm down.  I have a group of Aunties who have gone so far above and beyond the required Aunt-like duties that it is ridiculous.  Grateful doesn't begin to cover it - honored, flattered and blessed.  Truly blessed.  I also have amazing cousins.  Crazy cool chicas.

My friends - where to begin?  My friends aren't only smart, kind, funny, and amazingly adventurous - they're gorgeous!  When I was in High School I actually got into an 'almost fight' because this girl overhead me say in Science class that I thought my friends were the prettiest girls in school.....but, it was true!  My friends are freakin' gorgeous!  If I'm absolutely honest I think having such gorgeous friends probably gave me a complex about my own looks.  My point is this:  I'm lucky to have so many friends.  I'm also lucky that they know I'm a turd ball who doesn't keep in touch and love me anyways. 

I also have a church full of the cutest little Japanese ladies.  While I tower above them at a mighty 5'2" these ladies are nonetheless forces to be reckoned with and, they raised me up.  Do you know why I always take a gift when I go to someones house?  Because they taught me the importance of omiyage.  Do you know why my old plastic shopping bags are neatly stowed in a drawer?  Because they taught me how to fold them into perfect triangles.  Do you know why I can make kick ass floral arrangements?  Because I've been watching them make ikebana my whole life.   

While this blog is supposed to be 'mostly anonymous' I feel compelled to send a few shout outs to the Nautie Gals in my life.  Here goes....

• Mom- IMUA!  No seriously.  IMUA!!!!
• E.C.- A me ke aloha pumehana.
• Aunties- You freakin' rock.  All of you - real ones and hanai ones.
• Rhiannon- Can I please tell you how happy I am that we're in touch?  It's so RAD.  Who cares that it should have happened years ago - it's happening now!
• Pastor L- Love that you read the blog! 
• Jen-Jen- Thanks for being so there.  Love you.
• Bais- Find me some cowboy boots.  If I'm not there (which we will discuss no further - no need to put that out to the universe!) I'll wear them on your day anyways.
• Little Miss Sunshine- There is no one - and I mean no one - I'd rather send a drunken email or text to!
• Kels- I'm listening to Home by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zero's.  I owe it all to you.
• Mamacholla- Miss you sis!  Big hugs for you - and little snuffleupagus snuffles for you know who!
• Hilo Ladies aka 'The Sunkissed Sistahs'- Wine and cheese?  On the beach?  Pretty Please?
• Lauren- You made Nautie Mermate sooo purty.  Mahalo nui loa.

 

Nautie Gals - Happy Galentines!  I love you ladies!

My Uncle Bob.

Here's a shout out to my Uncle Bob.  I'm pretty sure today is his birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE BOB! I think my Uncle Bob is pretty cool.  I think most people do.  He's my Mom's oldest brother.  My Mom calls him 'Big Brother Bob'...never just plain old Bob....she'll say, 'I need to phone my big brother Bob'....as an only child this always kind of cracked me up however; I never just call him Bob or even Uncle Bob.....I always say, 'My Uncle Bob'.

My Uncle Bob has a good wife.  He also has three boys - they're all older than me.  I pretty much spent every summer at their house when I was growing up.  My Mom sent me to Canada every summer - which was probably a really good thing - and I'd go and stay at their house.  I thought it was the greatest thing ever.  I'd go to Hockey games, and lacrosse games....I'd shuffle around with my Auntie....I'd visit other Cousins and Grandparents....sometimes I'd go visit Uncle Bob at work.

My Uncle Bob is building a Chubby in his garage.  I had no idea what a Chubby was....and I guess I still don't know how a Chubby is different than any other kind of car you'd build in your garage.

My Uncle Bob is a welder.  He's actually much more than a welder and I just have no way of articulating it all....there are boilers involved and sometimes ships or large plants.  When I was growing up he was the Dean of a Vocational College where he taught as well....and he also does a lot of private jobs. 

My Uncle Bob makes things and fixes things.  My Uncle Bob works hard...really hard. 

Most importantly, My Uncle Bob deserves a very large thanks from me.  When I was growing up I used to listen to my Grandpa, Mother, and Uncles sit around and debate the merits of education.  While my family are all staunch supporters of a formal education (thanks in large part to my Grandmother) my Uncle Bob maintained that you were wasting your time if you didn't have a skill.  A trade. 

My Uncle Bob was adament that the necessity of a trade did not just apply to men - it applied to women as well. 

Growing up in a family of hard workers I knew that I'd have to get my hands dirty to get ahead in life.  A standard had been set by all.

I have a trade - so do my cousins - thanks almost exclusively to My Uncle Bob.

Happy Birthday Uncle Bob!

p.s. Uncle Bob, I think you should take the day off work today and:

• have some tea and disgestives on the couch with the wifey or 
• take a drive - I know you drive a lot these days but, a good 'ole drive for a bite of food might do you wonders or
• putz around on your Chubby or
• visit some Grandbabies

In Memory Of

I decided years ago that when I die it will probably be because I have cancer.  I realize that this seems extraordinarily pessimistic.  Unfortunately, I can't avoid the fact that my Grandmother and all of her sisters died of cancer (as well as my Grandmothers parents).  Did you guys know that my Dad has survived cancer not once but twice?!  Two years ago I personally had my own brush with cancer.....small potatoes....and a story for a different time. While I have resigned myself to my fate - others have chosen to work hard and take a stand to promote positive change.  My cousin is biking in The Ride to Conquer Cancer - in memory of her Father (my Uncle John) and her Uncle.  I'm so incredibly proud of her.  I wrote about Rhiannon and her Father while reflecting on the year 2010 - please feel free to catch up here.

Rhiannon's hard work has made me realize that maybe I need to change my attitude.  That maybe if enough people change their attitude and work towards a common goal we (I) won't have to 'resign myself to my fate'.

Please visit Rhiannon's personal page to read a bit more about her and her goals.  You can also read about the team she'll be riding with.  If you're feeling up to it - throw a few bucks their way!  Like my Mom always says....you can't receive anything if you've got your fist clenched tight!