The past 18 months haven’t been easy. Even if I didn’t work for a media company, it would be hard to avoid all the frightening, pandemic-related news out there and remain hopeful. My optimism has been eroded away by the daily onslaught of news and disinformation being circulated on the inter-webs. This has caused my anxiety to hit the roof, leaving me to feel as if I’m in a constant state of fight or flight.
With the lifting of some COVID restrictions, Sean and I went to check out the Imagine Van Gogh exhibit at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Had there been no pandemic, it would be hard to say if we would’ve gone, but after a year and a half of no travel or new cultural attractions, I was starved for art.
A Japanese futon slash sleeping bag slash cave for cats? Take my money!
When I came across this hella adorable cat futon on Etsy, I didn’t hesitate but to buy one on the spot. Never mind that I didn’t even know if any of my cats would like the futon or not. But I figured it was too cute to pass up and if only just one cat would enjoy it, then it was an investment worth making.
I love cherry blossoms, peonies, and bluebells. Luckily, I live in a neighbourhood where my favourite tree and flowers bloom every year.
Which is not to say that there aren’t other beautiful flowers that grow around here. From the simple daisy to the much more exotic, tropical looking flower that wouldn’t be out of place in Hawaii, I’m fortunate that there is so much beauty just outside my doors.
I love seeing my timeline fill up with friends posting that they got their first jab! Got mine today!
We’re incredibly lucky to live in a part of the world where vaccines are readily available. Let’s all do our parts to protect each other.
PS- It’s National Nursing Week, so if you’re getting your shot this week, make sure to give extra thanks to the nurses when they give you your shot.
There are two houses in our neighbourhood that are the absolute best when it comes to cherry blossom season. And they happen to be on the opposite side of the street from each other. One house has white/light pink cherry blossom type trees which blooms first, while the other one has the double pink cherry blossom tree that blooms later in the season.
And the owners of that house have come to know who we are because we come around so much. Lucky for us they don’t mind that we sit on their lawn which becomes carpeted with fallen blossoms. In fact, they encourage it and even offer to take our pictures. Bless.
Favourite things about spring: cherry blossom season + celebrating this fella.
And since COVID restrictions haven’t been lifted yet – stage one of BC’s restart plans don’t kick in until May 25 – that means no traveling, personal gatherings or dining indoors.
But there’s still take-out from our favourite restaurants and our daily walks around our neighbourhood. The double pink or kanzan cherry blossom trees are now in full bloom.
I look at the world through rose coloured glasses – metaphorically and literally.
I have always gotten coloured filters on my sunglasses. Because why not? Years ago, I bought a pair with yellow tinted lenses because it made it easier to see things when driving at night in the Vancouver rain. Plus, I’m sure wearing them made my disposition sunnier.
Things may not be quite as restrictive as last year when all of Vancouver was under quarantine, but it’s by no means back to normal. We are still very far from going back to normal.
But hey, vaccines will be available soon and that would mean that the possibility of travel and live events might be on the horizon. Fingers crossed that we could see a return to both both later this year.
Feelings came to a head this week – what with still taking the utmost of care during the pandemic, trying to be positive about the future now that vaccines are here + reeling from watching the constant attacks on Asians in the news.
I’m lucky to have found my person. Sean is not only my fella but he’s also my ally + my protector, something that pre-2020, I didn’t think I needed.
But then COVID hit and the rise in racist attitudes, harassment + hate crimes against Asians skyrocketed this past year. These attacks are sickening, disheartening + hits hard for so many of us. I struggle with it on the daily.