As I enter the third week of my new life in Vancouver I can't help but feel like I've been here a lot longer! I've been working full time at an amazing spa downtown with the best co workers and my social life here couldn't be better. The thing about vancouver is there is always something to do. Free or not, there is something for everyone! 

Me and my new friends have been taking advantage of the free outdoor movies at Canada Place and Second Beach every week and I have had a few crazy nights out since I've been here too! Since moving to American Backpackers, I have a new addition to the group, Fran from Germany! She makes me laugh because she is a pastry chef at the convention centre here in the city and whenever she finishes a shift, she takes home treats for me. Knowing how much I love eggs, I regularly return home to find boiled eggs sat on my bed, bags of fresh baked goodies and even fresh berry panacotta. My life is complete... Although I may not be able to fit my clothes for much longer.

Through couchsurfing groups and mutual friends, I have met so many cool people and recently met a Romanian guy (Christian) who grew up 10 minutes away from me back in Ireland and is living only a few minutes walk away from me here in west end! 

My love for Vancouver grows stronger everyday and my zest for life has expanded since meeting these inspiring souls from Canada and all over the world! Just this weekend we went to watch the celebration of lights down by the beach followed by drinks at my new local 'Score on Davie', further followed by a blurry evening at Numbers club! The evening was such a success that when returning to Score the next day for some Sunday Caesars (Canadian version of a Bloody Mary and also a very acquired taste), the bouncers and staff shouted 'Jadeeeeee', to which everyone laughed! No doubt I'll be at this place more often since I'll be moving only a few streets away from it!

On that note, it's only a couple of weeks until I move into my new place and only one working week until I get a paid week off! Todd and I drove out of town to Squamish on Sunday for a nature walk and some craft beer. It was my first time out of town since I arrived and it was awesome! The scenery never ceases to amaze me here! 

Life in Van is going very smoothly and I've even got my first pay cheque- that makes everything real right :) Summer days keep on rolling by and I feel complete. Peace out x

Arriving in Vancouver was pretty crazy considering all the stuff I had with me. I was moving here after all so it didn't compare with any of my other trips. I had a couch surfing host lined up called Daniel who I was stoked to meet and I had directions to his place from he airport. When I arrived I took the skytrain and even a free ticket from a guy who accidentally bought two, and then took the bus to Dans street. I waited in McDs until he was back home from an outdoor movie and then I met him and two girls staying at his place too, Celia and Ali.

The apartment was in an amazing location right in Westend and looking over the beach. I couldn't have been in a better place to begin my life in Vancouver. I appreciated being invited to stay here by Dan, who was incredibly helpful and very funny the entire time! (Now We'r neighbours! On my second day I had landed an interview at a top spa downtown, known city wide for their philosophies on wellness, eco friendly products, 5* unique spa treatments and wholey organic products. Both Toby and Victoria were instantly likeable and we had the exact same outlook on life and same theories. I knew form the beginning this was the place for me. I was lucky enough to get a second interview (practical interview for spa therapists) which in turn landed me the full time job right in the heart of downtown. Dan joked that every time I came home I would have more and more progress on my new life here which seemed to be happening very smoothly for me.

During the time couchsurfing I had gone out to Facebook group events such as the outdoor movie downtown and net heaps of new people, had been house hunting on a budget and training for my new job as well as exploring the city by foot every day. I had also taken up running and regular exercise in the parks. I now had time and places to do yoga and meditation outdoor and be in nature even within a city. Within a week I had met up with some friends I had made on Facebook groups ie Todd and Erin, such as IEC meet ups, Couchsurfing Vancouver and Vancouver meet ups. And Dominic, Emerson, Luke, Hugo etc at the outdoor movie screening of 'Despicable Me'! It was easy peesy to meet people. I had also landed myself a cheap room in the heart of Westend (rare) complete with swimming pool and sauna in the building. My room was furnished with a massive balcony and the rent included all bills. My new flat mates seemed really cool but I would have to stay in a hostel until I could move in Aug 15th. The flat was in an amazing area eighth downtown but in a lush tree lined street which seemed so quaint and neighbourhood like even being so close to the happenin areas! That was the thing about Westend, You have Davie and Robson filled with bars and shops etc and either side you have streets that seem so country like they make you forget toure actually in the heart of a city. It was ideal! As if things could have gone smoother, I found a hostel (American Backpackers) which was around the corner from work downtown and was only $60 a week in comparison to $45 a night at some of the main hostels.

I had also met some lovely people at Dans place who were couchsurfing too, a lovely Aussie couple Mindy and Tom, Christelle from France and Zoran from Croatia. We all headed out together to an awesome bar on Davie for some drinks for our last night together.

There are so many areas in Vancouver and I had instantly loved Westend because of its proximity to downtown, the beaches and Stanley Park but never thought I could afford to live here. I had been to Kitsilano area for their street festival with Erin which was awesome and Was indeed a very 'yuppie' neighbourhood as I had heard from locals. North Van, East Van and Mt Pleasant sounded nice too but even though I hadn't sussed them out I didn't want to be too far from work as I planned to bike there even during the winter. (Biking in the rain long distance didn't sound too appealing). Finding my place on Barclay and Broughton only a few streets from awesome Robson st and Davie st on the other side, I couldn't have been in a better location. Aug 15th couldn't come quick enough. I had so many plans for moving in and decorating my new place and balcony complete with plants, hammock and herb pots. I am now a westender

Vancouver has so many events and so much to do even on a budget. Since arriving I have been to two outdoor movies (Canada Place and Stanley Park both screen), Khatsalano street festival in Kitsilano, various bars in Gastown/Westend and in and around the beaches and Stanley Park. I am yet to get out further from downtown to the beaches ie Wreck beach (nudist),Spanish beach and Jericho beach. I am due to live here for at least two years so it was inevitable that I will get to these places sooner or later. Vancouver to me, felt instantly like home and I couldn't believe I could live somewhere so much and feel so settled so soon! They say whatever is meant for you won't pass you and everything happens for a reason both of which I strongly believe. As a write this, sat in the sun on the beach overlooking the shimmering water dotted with boats and lined with trees, I couldn't ask for a better life right now.

Everyone come visit me :)

It was obvious that I was going to revisit Carberry someday considering I'd spent most of my last Canada trip there with Lucy! It had been 4 years since I left and in that time so much had changed it was so crazy. I planned to stay with Jenna in her new country home with her fiancé Dave and little Jordanna who I was dying to meet. I was so excited to see them and everyone else I had known there.

Jenna, Brittany and Jordie kindly drove to Winnipeg to pick me up which I was so grateful for. After a long awaited catch up we headed for supper and then wedding dress shopping. Can you guess the theme of my trip to Manitoba lol? Jenna was due to get married and I was so excited to help her chose the dress, which we successfully found! We headed on the long drive back to Carberry!

During the time there I met her lovely fiancé Dave, hung out with her mum Karen, her dead Jean, her brother Taylor and her grandparents. It was awesome to see everyone again and catch up after so long. We went on long walks in the countryside, went to the fireworks display, Jenna's dads huge backyard bonfire, The Carberry fair and I got to catch up Erin some friends.

I met up with my old buddy Gregg and we had some beers as we off roaded through the woods and headed to the new casino. We had some drinks, food and cocktails at the casino before heading back home. It was so awesome to catch up with him again and even though I only had 5 days there I managed to do a lot. We even set up Jordies 3rd birthday in the garage and had a huge gathering with a lot of familiar faces including Camrean and her new baby and my late friend Dales mom Loreta and his brother Dallas. It was a great evening of catch ups. The day before I left I got to hang out at my old home- Kim and Evans place, with Kim, Abbie and all grown up Hayden! It was amazing to see him so grown up having known him since he was born. They gave me the nicest card and pressy (a canada drinking flask) before I left too. We had down wine (not the kiddies obviously just me and Kim lol) and played with the newborn kittens while watching the kids on the trampoline. We talked about me coming back for harvest and I thought never say never. I had such a great time in 2010 so who knows. My time back in Carberry was short but certainly sweet and I couldn't thank Jenna enough for having no me to stay, showing me a great time, taking me to the airport and being one of my greatest friends no matter the distance.

Can't wait to see them all again. Thanks everybody for being awesome xx

It seemed like everything happened in sync when my plan to come back to canada was decided. My work visa came through around the same time I knew one of my best friends was engaged to be married. Soon, the wedding date was set and my flight was booked. I aimed to work/live in Canada once again for two years this time and It made sense to stop in Winnipeg, Manitoba first.

I flew from Dublin to St John's and then a brief stop in Ottawa before arriving in Winnipeg where Billie-Jean was there waiting for me. Every time we saw each other it was like time stood still and it was hard to believe It had been 4 years since I left Canada and saw her last. I was excited for the wedding preparations! During the first fee days I also managed to sort out my Social Insurance Number and open my bank account which I was relieved about.

That whole week leading up to the wedding had been great. I had instantly been invited to dinner at Stephs (BJs fiancé) parents house who I had met last time I was here. During the week I had met BJs parents and brother once again and had helped with arranging centrepieces, running errands and preparing wedding favours in the form of handmade boxed chocolates. It had been so much fun doing the bridesmaid thing and I had never been part of wedding preparations before. I even got to go to the wedding venue and the rehearsal dinner which was super cool! I had reunited with old friends and had finally met Kara, BJs sister who flew from Vancouver. It seemed lots of people had flown in for the wedding and everyone was so sweet.

The wedding was held on a Saturday and that day was spent getting hair/make up done and pictures taken by the photographer Brittany. Me and the other 6 bridesmaids sipped on prosecco as we admired each other's purple dresses which we had been given the freedom to chose ourselves. I had made new friends - Suzie, Emily, Nicole, Kara, Mylene and reunited with old friends- Leslie. It was a great team of bridesmaids.

The wedding was amazing and I got to meet some of my old friends there who i hadn't seen in a long time. After the wedding I planned to visit Carberry where I would stay with Jenna and her family before my flight to Vancouver. I got to hang out with Emily one evening around a campfire and go on a wicked bike ride which was so much fun out in the countryside. had a few days left in Winnipeg while BJ and Steph went on their honeymoon and one if those days was Canada Day. It was my second Canada Day in Winnipeg and I had planned my day. I walked into the historic area known as 'The Forks' where I spent most of the afternoon exploring the 7 floors of the newly built Human Rights Museum. It was one of my favourite things to do no matter where I go and after I had finished, I felt like I'd learned so much more about Canada's history that I didn't know before.

After the museum, I was starving so I grabbed a veggie samosa and headed into the forks market to say hello to Suzie who was at work. I then headed out to grab a delicious veggie dog and watch the live music on stage. The time passed so quickly that I decided to set off on my walk back home to relax for the evening. I had such a cool Canada Day and it was lovely to be by myself and do my own thing which I was so used to and missed. It seemed that for weeks and weeks I was scheduled to do certain things and today was the day I could do what I wanted. Tomorrow I would say goodbye or rather see you soon to Winnipeg and await the arrival of Jenna, Brittany and Jordanna who would come to pick me up. Thank you Winnipeg and everybody involved in the celebrations for a special time here. See you soon x