10 Things That Make Me Terribly Happy About Summer

September 1, 2016Leave a comment

Canadian edition, as my seasons this year have been all over the place. But, nevertheless..

Learning how beautiful lakes are, particularly glacier fed ones.
Riding bikes, all day erry day. Anywhere and everywhere!
Every weekend brings a new event to Whistler, from Crankworx to Wanderlust to the free outdoor concert series
Smoothies and overnight oats for breakfast
Grabbing the most delicious and healthy pad thai from the Farmers Markets
The sun staying up until late, giving us long days to fill with activities
Temperatures never reaching above 32 degrees
Cider and beer on our front porch
Menchies frozen yoghurt (I found a Tutti Frutti replacement, hallelujah!)
Denim shorts and a singlet is considered appropriate attire almost everywhere in town

Thanks for an awesome summer Whistler, looking forward to next year already.
Hanbel
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Let’s Catch Up

August 23, 2016August 23, 2016Leave a comment

Everyday this place is feeling more like home. We live simpler, cheaper and easier, and I have to admit that I’m loving it!

The last couple of weeks have been busy, any time we’re not at work we’re trying to find something else fun to do. There’s a certain guilt that surrounds free time around here; there’s always a hike to be done, more riding to squeeze in, a new lake to hang out at… and therefore not much time for relaxing.

I think we’re managing a good balance between activities and binge watching Scandal though 😉

Here’s a little peek into our summer…

Lake hangs with Blake and Tash, just after the birthday girl celebrated 24!

Breathing in the summer evening air, watching Jose Gonzalez at a free concert; a bunch of mates and a flask full of whiskey included.

“You take chairlift selfies with your clients all the time, it’s my turn!”

Taking the kids to see the Train Wreck hike, and checking out the new suspension bridge for myself. We have big plans to hike Joffre Lake with these two, as soon as they return from their New York adventure!

Helping Chloe ring in her 19th birthday with incredible sushi and continuous sake shots.

And finally spending a day on Alta Lake with Crina and the generous Keith, who drove and brought kayaks for us all to use. Frolicking around the lake, jumping in for a swim, sun-baking on a pontoon, eating sliced watermelon and giggling with these two created the perfect summer afternoon! We finished up the day meeting Andrew for Crankworx action and even more sushi. If any of you come to Whistler and head to Sushi Village, you have to order the Nicole Roll. It’s not listed on the menu, but it will be the best thing you’ve eaten for a long time.

Life is sweet you guys.
Hanbel.
x

I Choo Choo Choose You

June 20, 20161 Comment

Hellooooo friends and family! Still alive over here, kicking life goals and generally enjoying every moment. #sorrynotsorry

I’ve been working for a couple of weeks now, and absolutely loving it. There’s tonnes to learn and so many different processes that I’m not used to (not to mention that Whistler is still unfamiliar to me), but it feels so good to get the brain working again. It’s a great team to work with, our boss is one of the kindest and funniest people I’ve met and I’ve also had the pleasure of training with two other girls around my age.

On on of our days off, one of my co-worker gals, Crina, and I decided to make use of the beautiful weather and head off on a little hike.

We made our way down to Function Junction in search of the train wreck. Following the trails through intense greenery and beautiful trees, we found our way to the train line.

Where we played around, because why not?

Nailed it.

The trail was super easy, and only around 5km long – a nice introduction for us both.

Time for a little back story about the wreck… In 1956 a train came off it’s tracks trying to make up time and speeding along an area in repair. The nearby families and community decided to leave the boxcars there and subsequently set it up as an authorised graffiti zone.

Every boxcar is covered inside and out with artwork, with many incredible faces staring back at you.

You’re also in the middle of a forrest, clamouring over roots and around trees to take it all in. It was pretty spectacular and such a unique set up.

Forgoing the train tracks, we took the trail back to discover Cheakamus River and it’s gorgeous waterfall. Seriously, this place does not get any better!

This is life for me these days; working with some cool cats, finally making money instead of spending it all, and getting out biking or hiking in my spare time.

Andrew updates:
He has started coaching in the park, and can’t wipe the smile off his face. He has started to discover the fun side to tipping, and even got tipped in beer yesterday. I’m super proud of the effort he’s been putting in over the last couple of weeks.

Whistler is the kind of town that doesn’t open until 10am, doesn’t get going until the afternoon and parties late into the night. It’s also the kind of place where nothing happens unless you make it happen. Andrew has been down at the base of the mountain most mornings, organising lessons for other coaches, shadowing their classes and now getting his own gigs. He’s consistent and reliable and I think the senior staff are starting to notice and reward him for it.

Happy happy days over here! Much love,
Hanbel.
x

The Pedal to the Metal, The Pedal to Whatever

March 17, 2016March 17, 2016Leave a comment

Do you ever get in a funk? Like this little cloud is just chilling above your head, giving you all kinds of stormy moods and cloudy thoughts.

This has been happening to me lately, particularly with riding. No matter what I was trying, I hadn’t had a good run for so long. Even when we went road tripping down south and got to check out some beautiful new tracks, I just couldn’t get in the right head space. To be honest, with the impending Canada move at the back of my mind, I was getting a little stressed out.

I can’t handle being bad at something. If I’m not nailing it, I usually give up and move onto something within my reach… Until Andrew and mountain biking came along. His persistant encouragement and gentle coaching have pushed me out of my comfort zone and into this crazy, adrenalin fuelled sport.

Margaret River, such a beauty

I learn at my own pace, and will never move onto the next step unless I am confident and have learned every aspect. It must be so frustrating to watch, and even worse to ride after me, but Andrew does it all without complaining. Actually, I lie, he complains when I don’t have a good time and am too hard on myself. What a guy, right?

Even with this support behind me, I’d just not enjoyed it lately. I’ve been getting scared and frustrated with my thoughts taking over. It’s been super dry in Perth lately, which definitely doesn’t help. So I decided to take a week off and get back to me.

My handsome coach

Today, I woke up itching to ride. I wanted to get back out there and give it another go. My head was in the right place and I was feeling pretty relaxed. Which was a godsend, my ride was so much fun! The uphills weren’t killing me, the downhills didn’t shake me too much and I managed to get some PBs knocked out. More importantly though, I was smiling.

Riding in Pemberton, probably before a hill because I’m still smiling!

I don’t know if every ride will be like this, or if I’ll ever make it past this stage of riding. But, I think I’m okay with that. As long as I get some really good days in, I’m prepared to try and overcome the bad ones.

Life’s a little better today, endorphins do not suck at all. Little victories make me pretty happy too, so I’ll keep at it.

Kalamunda, on this glorious Perth day

Happy Thursday,
Hanbel.
x

P.S. If anyone was interested, this is where we ride: 8818cbe921b37d0d76d089a0aa03cc9d

Mercury Street is my comfort zone, but lately I’m trying Goldilocks, Judderbars and Alchemy.

10 Things That Make Me Terribly Happy About Spring

October 29, 2015October 29, 2015Leave a comment

Our roses have shot up, seemingly out of nowhere
Not being freezing all the time, especially getting out of the shower
The change in fruit and veggie season, goodbye potatoes, parsnips, leeks and all things heavy
Rosé
Being able to drink Number 4 outside (preferably in a beer garden, with some hilarious friends)
Swapping to lighter sheets
Everyone smiling in the sunshine
Packing the stockings away
Not being too cold for ice cream/frozen yoghurt
It marks the beginning of the holiday season!

Hanbel.
x

The World of Hanbel

Working on Living that Dream

Tag: sunshine