Eyelash Extensions SUCK!

So, I always had decent eyelashes. Not uber long but still nice and full, and people tended to note this. Last year sometime, I opened my email and had an email from dealfinder or one of those sites for eyelash extensions. I had always wanted to try them (I watch too much Keeping up with the Kardashians) but never had the opportunity to try them. I was on a crazy coupon-buying spree and was buying anything they sent my way; why should this be different? Anyway, I ended up purchasing a lash extension coupon entitling me to individually applied, mink lashes. I        thought it would be WONDERFUL to have false lashes for a few months, one less thing to worry about…. NOT! URG.

I made an appointment to have the lashes put on, and since my lashes were already pretty full, we didn’t have to do much. It was a pleasant relaxing experience, until I had to wash my face. DUDE, it was so hard to wash my face, or shower without damaging them; they were always in my way. I hated the experience of wearing them. I left them on for 4 days, got frustrated and ripped them off (as gently as possible of course).

Anyway, this was not the end of my lash-drama. After all the work to get them -buying the certificate, going downtown (I’m a suburban woman), having them applied, wearing them for 4 day, ripping them out- these lashes still came back to haunt me. My real lashes were just got the same! They looked shorter and less full and just overall shitty compared to what they once were. I did some research and realized that I would have to wait until my lashes fell out naturally and a new cycle grew in. I waited and waited and waited for my lashes to come back, and they just took forever.

It has now been almost 6 months and finally I feel like they are normal again.

Moral of the story, if it aint broke, don’t fix it! 

The look I was going for ;)

European Discovery 2011

I promised to write about my European Adventure and yes, I realize this is VERY late, but better late than never. Here goes….

Europe was amazing! Granted I did an express tour of 8 countries (England, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, France) in 14 jam packed days; I still feel like I did everything I wanted to do in each respective place…except I didn’t get to shop as much as I would have liked…go figure.

Here are some of my highlights:

London, England:

• I saw: London Eye, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abby
• Partied it up with local friends (Abacus and Shaka Zulu)
• Shopped (WOO HOO to London Fashion, LOVE!)

Amsterdam, Netherlands:

• Went to a sex show… YEAH that’s right!
• Wondered through the red-light district (actually quite awkward)
• Visited the Anne Frank museum

Rhine Valley, Germany:

• Visited a 17^th century Wine Cellar for a wine tasting
• Saw many castles that the Rhine is known for
• Drove by Loreley Rock

17^th century Wine Cellar

V pretending she knows how to ride a bike

Munich, Germany:

• Bike tour of the city with Canadian Flavour (tour guides from Vancouver)
• Visited a Beer Garden and drank a Shandy (me naw like beer!)

Austrian Tyrol, Austia:

• Went zorbing (like a hamster in a ball)
• Played volleyball on the beach
• Visited Swarovski Crystal World

Venice, Italy:

• Did a walking tour of the floating city and shopped
• Had Champaign on a gondola ride
• Had a venetian FEAST for dinner

Carefully trying to pour

Rome, Italy:

• Did the Vatican tour
• Visited the Trevi fountain (made wishes)
• Went to the Colosseum and the Spanish Steps

Florence, Italy:

• Learn about Florence's leather craft with a demonstration
• Saw the statue of David, AMAZING!
• Visited the Santa Maria del Fiore before heading out to a delicious Tuscan Dinner
• Partied the night away at the Space Electronic Disco

Santa Maria del Fiore

Lucerne, Switzerland:

• Stayed at a Jailhouse Hotel (mad creepy yet fun)
• Walked across Wooden Chapel Bridge in Lucerne (before being scared shitless by locals)
• Tried to enjoy the “view”… or lack thereof of Lion Monument

Actual Picture we took of Wooden Chapel Bridge

Top of the Eiffel Tower

Paris, France:

• Went to the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa
• Went to the TOP of the Eiffel Tower
• Visited and purchased a perfume from a French perfumery
• Drove by the Arc de Triomphe and shopped on Champs Elysees
• Had a Parisian dinner with my lovely cousin who lives and works in Paris

While in Europe, I learned a lot about culture and history but I also learned a lot of ‘random’ interesting things while I was there. Here are some of the many ‘random’ interesting’ things I learned in no particular order.

Top 10 things I learned in Europe: 

1. Brown girls are stank all around the world (as per my previous blog post)

2. People from New Zealand are often referred to as “Kiwi’s” (Bird)

3. Contrary to popular belief, we as North American’s DO have accents. We sound like the people in Hollywood movies

4. Italian men have swagger, regardless of age

5. Not all British people have horrible teeth!

6. Roman men generally smell of B.O

7. Pizza served at “Pizza Pizza” is a disgrace to authentic Italian Pizza

8. Aussie’s pronounce the word aluminum- A-L-U-M-I-N-I-U-M. SO weird!

9. Regardless of where in the world I travel, I will encounter and Indian man trying to sell me shit on the streets (don’t believe them when they say they’re just giving you flowers bc they think you’re pretty :@)

10.  Summers in Europe aren’t always hot

Beer Garden

Overall, I really enjoyed my trip. I went with one of my best friends, and we’re still friends after spending all that time together- now that’s true love! I met amazing people from all over the world that I am still in touch with. I got to experience all the touristy things I wanted to, and will surely go back to many of the countries I visited.

I would COMPLETELY recommend Contiki if you’re considering it. It really takes the planning out of your trip if you want, but also allows you flexibility if you’re the type who wants to do your own thing. The bus driver and Tour Guides are very knowledgeable and helpful, and really just help make your trip easy and stress-free. Big shout outs to all my Contiki people. Especially A.W, G.F! Also to Nick Boyes for being the BEST tour Guide ever!!

Last thing, the song “Glad you came” by the Wanted was the Euro-Tune of summer 2011. Get with it Radio stations.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiEEJds8JFE>

European Discover August 2011

Life Lessons from pop- culture

As Yuppies’s, pop-culture influences our lives on many levels. Most of what we see, hear

and learn through pop-culture is not very insightful; however, sometimes you come across 

something that really hits close to home. 

 Mark Waters movie Mean Girls is one funny-assed movie. It was actually one of the first 

satirical movies that I really enjoyed (don’t judge me!). Anyway, it was on t.v the other 

day and one quote really stood out to me. It was close to the end of the movie when LiLo 

has a moment of realization and she says:

“Calling somebody else fat

won't make you any skinnier.

Calling someone stupid

doesn't make you any smarter.

And ruining Regina George's life

definitely didn't make me any happier.

All you can do in life is try to solve

the problem in front of you.”

I got a lot of positive feedback from my previous post and this quote just reminded me of 

it so I thought I would share it.

I believe that if we concentrate on the positives in life, and in people as a whole, our lives 

will be happier and our world a better place. This might sound corny, but its how I feel. I 

find that often people “hate” on others for no valid reason. Granted, not everyone likes 

everyone but I just do not like people that rarely have positive things to say about others.

By no means am I saying everyone has to be nice, this message is strictly for all the 

HATERS out there.

Lesson to be learned: Don’t hate without a valid reason. Solve the problem that is 

in front of you. ;)

Hmmm…Who woulda thought that Lilo could be so insightful? lol

xoxo 

YP

Brown Girl Rant

Okay, it has been too long since I last blogged. I know I said I was going to blog about my Euro-Trip and I will; it’s a work in progress. My European adventure was a blast, but there is one funny thing that Europe taught me, Brown Girls (Desi’s, Indians whatever you wanna call em) are gonna be haters ANYWHERE! I mean… come on women, relax! 

I realize she's not 'brown'- but you get the point!

To put this all into context, in London, V and I went to a club in Camden called ‘Shaka Zulu’. It is a South African inspired club and is simply beautiful (http://www.shaka-zulu.com). We were there with a group of friends and having a great time until we noticed all the looks and nasty stares from all the brown girls at the club. I am not talking about “Look at those skanks” stares or anything, bc we were both covered up and NOT at all acting like fools…. These were just mean, rude stare downs! NO SHAME stare downs, kinda like “Yeah, I am looking at you and WHAT?” There came a point where we were literally fed-up and uncomfortable so we asked them what the problem was. Did they have one, NO! They just continued with the looks and the rolling of the eyes.

We did not know these girls; we didn’t say anything to them (until much later into the night when we asked them if there was a problem); but they didn’t like us. I know this is a really extreme example, and this obviously does not happen all the time, but I feel like most girls can relate to this. I just don’t understand why when most brown girls meet others, they tend to not like them before they like them. Non-Indian people are really good in this case. For the most part when you meet or see one another, you’re typically nice and cordial and will only be rude or show attitude if something calls for it. I wish brown girls would extend the same kindness to one another. I just don’t see why we can’t?! I mean why do brown girls have to look at one another in such a judgmental fashion right from the get-go? Why are we greeted with stank looks and eye rolling before a simple “Hi” or a smile?

Dramatization of the Classic Screw-Face

Growing up, I was always told that I have a very stern, mean… ‘bi*ch’, if you will, look- it’s natural I cannot help it (but I am trying)! When people don’t know me they often tend to think I am rude or even bi*chy… however, as soon as I make eye contact with someone, or meet someone, they come to realize that this look of mine is just that, a look… and in fact I am a nice, fun, loving person. I give most girls the same benefit of the doubt that I hope people give me. I don’t expect people to be super friendly and smile at strangers and be fake, but I do ask that if  you are one of those brown girls who has this perma ‘stank look’ work on it, as I am, because it can come across very rude and I am sure that’s not always what you want.

I do not want to be friends with everyone I meet, but I do not see the harm is being NICE to people… I mean why not? What do you have to lose? By no means am I saying ALL brown girls are this way, but I think many of us can relate to these types of situations and I do not think I am the only one who feels this way. The point I am trying to make here is: Let’s try to be nicer to each other! If you see someone and think she's pretty, tell her that instead of giving her a rude stare-down. If you meet someone new, smile before you roll your eyes. If we all do these little things, maybe we won't hate on each other so much. Just some food for thought.

YP.

AmsterDAM!

Hey all,
In Amsterdam, it's very 'interesting' to say the least!Everything is kinda as I expected it to be but at the same time quite 'dirty'.....literally. Everything just seems grimey n gross; which I guess adds to it's rustic charm.

Last night V n I hung with our tour group. Everyone seems pretty chill. Lots of ppl travelling with partners and families(cuzins, bros, sis' etc). It's pretty cool. Most ppl on our tour r in their mid-late 20's which is awesome :).

It looks like we all didn't pack to well for the trip; it's been freezing so far!! At least we're heading south from here on put so I hope it gets warmer!

Sad to be missing the Drake concert with my ladies tonight; especially bc I know u will have special access. Take loads of pics n think of me. I'll be sipping on wine in the Rhine Valley
Tonight and listening to Drake on my iPod. ;)

London

Hey guys, finally in London! It was an adventure to get to the hotel- lots of hauling our luggage up and down stairs, getting stuck in a round about etc. Finally made it to the hotel to find our room is not ready. Oh what fun, lol. We're troopers tho, so we left our stuff at the hotel and headed out to explore and eat (of course)! We're at 'pitcher and piano' just ordered our food; can't wait to try it!

YP

Euro-Trip Begins!

Hello Friends,

I am currently at the Plaza Premium Lounge in Toronto, sipping on a rum n' coke and loving life!

I don't know if I will be able to blog while I am away, but I will try.

The trip is off to a great start! Our luggage was a little bit over but the attendant was nice enough to let it slide. Our backpacks are a lot heavier than we had earlier anticipated- our poor backs!

So V and I want to set some groud rules to the trip, very basic but essential when traveling with a loved one. I mean, we still want to be friends when we get back. Here they are:

Rule number one: Try to be understanding of each other and refrain from pulling out one anothers hair. We plan NOT to fight!

Rule number Two: Don't judge each other based on our actions on this trip. ;) lol. (We're really not that wild, but its a good rule to have just in case one of use gets too CRAZY (V! lol)).

Rule number Three: If you wouldn't do it in Toronto, HELL YEAH you gotta try it in Europe.

So we're off to enjoy the lounge until boarding time. Stay tuned for our adventures!

xoxo
Y.P