Alberta Floods 2013 - My beautiful Calgary... under water.

If you haven't heard, our province was hit with devastating floods the past few days. I have lived in Calgary my entire life (almost 30 years) and have never seen anything of this magnitude before. The boyfriend and I are lucky enough to live way up high on a hill and a bit away from the river so we were not effected. 

The city of High River on Thursday afternoon. Via Twitter.

I did however have to go and rescue my sister on Thursday night who lives in an area close to the river and doesn't have a vehicle. I left my home immediately when they announced the evacuation of her area and was there within ten minutes. If I would have left even five minutes later I would have been driving though water to get her. It was creeping up just a few feet from my car and starting to flood homes as I was driving by. As we turned the corner around her house and passed over the bridge by Bowness Park... it was devastating to see an area that should be an ice rink in the winter and then park and picnic areas which are normally spread out and far from the river now completely submerged. Water so high that it was half way up the trees in the highest elevation areas. 

Old Man dam being opened on Thursday night. via Twitter. 

These photos below were taken very close to my home. This is normally the area I walk through to get home after work. Those trees should not be under water...

This video (found via twitter) was taken in this exact area.

Water flooding all areas near the river. 

Calgary is supposed to have the Stampede (the biggest outdoor show on earth) in less than two weeks. TWO WEEKS! But this is what the Stampede grounds look like right now.

It would be a complete miracle to pull it off this year. But crews (and all citizens) are determined. It may not be the Stampede we normally see but it will happen and I will be there full of pride.

These are photos I have taken myself (unless noted differently) and they don't even show the beginning of the damage and devastation all across the province. Thousands of people have completely lost their homes, many washed away in the river.

This truly has been devastating and as far as we know there have been three fatalities in the extremely hard hit areas outside of Calgary. The damage will be insurmountable when the water finally all recedes.

Although this has been completely unbelievable to live through, I have honestly never been more proud to be an Albertan. Approximately 75,000 people were evacuated from their homes and only about 1500 had to go to the evacuation center's. Everyone else was taken in by friends, family and some even by strangers who are in safe areas. That is remarkable.

The entire province (and actually all across the country) have extended a helping hand and are willing to help out anyway they can.

Food trucks offered their services and took post at the evacuation center's. Restaurants have opened their doors (and menu's) for anyone who had to leave their home.

Anyone and everyone has lent a helping hand and this is just the beginning. The clean up will be a long and daunting process and we will all be there for each other as a community.

The biggest thank you's have to go out to our Mayor Nahid Nenshi and the entire city counsel as well as all City of Calgary crews, Calgary Police, all fire crews, all military crews (including my boyfriend's brother) and all media for keeping the entire city well informed and most importantly, safe and dry. Your efforts and hard work is truly amazing and does not go unnoticed. We as a community cannot thank you enough.

My thoughts go out to everyone effected by the flooding.

Bloggers in Sin City Recap - The Final Episode

Life Lessons Learned in Las Vegas: 

The Las Vegas airport has two completely separate terminals. Which means folks you know arriving at the same time may not be at the same baggage claim as you. This was news to me even though I had been to Vegas four times perviously. 

Don’t drink the ever-clear. It will only lead to bad things. Especially when you choose to drink it in copious amounts.  

Chicken and waffles are a thing… a very BIG and delicious thing.

Tiff is the most amazing person at dividing bills for large parties. All servers should bow down to her. It wouldn't surprise me if they end up tipping her one day. 

Don't take the free sample of the “energy gum”. It tastes like pennies and won’t give you extra energy. Lies I tell you.  

Sharks... because Vegas! 

Watch out for hidden glass floors because SHARKS and Vegas!

When you hug someone for 8 seconds, you bond. It’s been proven. And when you hug someone for 45 seconds or longer you instantly become life long friends.

Food courts are the best place for bonding at 3:00 am. The best. 

Everyone has a story and you would be surprised at how similar others are to yours. We are never alone.

The "O" Cirque du Soleil show is the best of the cirque shows. 

 If you’re not tired at 2:00am… GET UP! It’s Vegas! Sleeping is for being at home.

Silicon and Silicone are two very different things. And silicone breast implants have nothing to do with "Silicon Valley".  The more you know. 

Solar panel breast implants need to become a thing. You know… so we can charge our phones in our cleavage.

 Nico apparently knows Vegas very well… you know… because he is Phillipino…?

 It IS actually possible to krump in a pool. And when you are Casey, it still looks as bad-ass as when you do it on dry land. 

 According to the conversations we had about this topic (multiple times), Canadians apparently say “mmm hmm” differently that Americans. Canadians say mm-hmmmmmmm…. And drag out the hmmm in a calming agreement. Yet Americans add a question mark at the end. “mmm hmmmm? As in ‘Do I agree with you?’”. 

 Biscuits and Sausage gravy at breakfast. This invention is delicious. Who knew? Yet this must remain in the U.S. or I would just eat them at all the breakfasts!

The party is wherever you want it to be. Even in an H&M fitting room.

All the feelings come out when folks wear wigs to brunch.

Don’t even bother packing heels. You are wasting precious suitcase space.

True friends can be found anywhere in the world You just have to open your heart and mind and not be afraid to take a chance.

Biscuits equals family. 

How Very Un-Canadian of me.

I have a confession... I don't like snow.

I know... I know... "But Mich, you live in CANADA??" 

The temperature here today is -15C (feels like -20C) which would be -4F for all my American followers. That's cold. And sadly not near as cold as it will get over the winter. 

On these days I hibernate at home. If i didn't NEED to get groceries today I wouldn't leave my home at all. 

I should clarify... I think fresh snow fall is one of the most beautiful sights. Evidence below. 

Emerald Lake - about 2 hours from where I live

The entrance to Banff National Park - about an hour from where I live

But I hate going out in the snow. I don't like driving in it. Or walking in it. Or shoveling it. And don't even get me started on winter sports.

For many Canadian's (especially those who live around me), fresh snowfall means "fresh powder in the mountains" for skiing or snowboarding. I am NOT one of those Canadians.

This love-hate relationship I have with snow probably stems from 2 events in my life. One would have been 2 years ago when I fell on the ice and broke my leg. You can see that story here.

The other happened when I was in 6th grade. The entire class was signed up for beginner ski lessons at Calgary Olympic Park (the local ski hill where many Olympic events were held here at the '88 Winter Olympics).

On the first day of lessons, we had a half hour at the end of the lesson to practice what we had just learned. The instructor told us to take the ski lift half way up the hill and then get off and practice our new techniques. Well... my best friend Amanda and I got on the ski lift together. The half way point came and we were too scared to get off the chair lift. When you are 10 years old those things are terrifying! So we ended up taking the lift ALL THE WAY to the top of the hill, we had no choice but to get off there... and I tumbled the entire way down the hill.

My ski's went flying, my goggles flew off one way and poles another. It was horrible.

The next day I stayed in and drank hot chocolate instead of going to the lesson. Amanda sprained her ankle that day.

I never went back.

And after my fall on the ice a couple years ago, i've realized the snow/ice is not my friend. Sorry Canada.

Tis the season!

Now that American Thanksgiving is over and its only a few days away from December, I can put up my Christmas decorating with out feeling like I'm jumping the gun. 

I looked up some photos for a little inspiration... 

This is a little excessive... yet I still love it. 

I totally already made one of these a few weeks ago... 

Yum! Definitely making these! 

A cozy candle cozy.

I'm not made of money ya know...

Let's vent a little shall we...

So I'm going to a bachelorette party this weekend. Yay! I love bachelorette parties. BUT what I don't like is when whoever is planning said party thinks everyone invited is made of money and/or has a sugar daddy.

If I were to participate in all of the bachelorette weekend festivities they would include:

Drive from Calgary to Banff (and return after) - lets say $40 in gas
Pay the Banff National Park fee for parking there over the weekend - $20??
Hotel for 2 nights (shared with other girls) - $150
Spa day - probably like $300
Dinner at a very expensive restaurant on Saturday night - $60
Booze for pre-drinking at the hotel room - $30
Night out at the bar - I'm gonna guess about $80
Small gift for the bride - $20
Meals for the rest of the weekend too - $50?

That estimate totals up to $750..... SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS!!!!!!! 

Holy Shit!

Sure I adore the bride and would get a girls weekend out of it but damn... I could go to Vegas for that cost. Shoot I could find a deal and go to Mexico for a week for that cost.

Not happening.

Myself and another invitee are going to drive to Banff (share the cost of gas) on Saturday afternoon and meet up with everyone just before dinner time and then stay with them until after the bar and then drive back together. (I wont be drinking in case you were wondering).

I swear... whenever I get married I will make sure my bridesmaids think of those who are on a budget.

Rant over.

Gross.

Wish me luck. If you don't hear from me for a while... send men with shovels.

Snowfall Warning

Issued at 4:15 PM MST Thursday 8 November 2012

SUMMARY

Up to 25 centimetres of snow expected by Saturday morning.

DETAILS

A storm system located over the central American Rockies has spread an area of snow into Southern Alberta this afternoon. Snow will become heavy tonight as the storm system intensifies. At this time the axis of the heaviest snow is expected to be situated over the Okotoks, Crowsnest Pass, Cardston, Brooks, and Lethbridge regions where up to 40 centimetres is possible. Other warned regions can expect between 15 to 25 centimeters of snow before the storm system pulls away on Saturday. Areas of local blowing snow in combination with falling snow will produce poor visibilities at times so motorists should be prepared for very poor driving conditions across much of Southern Alberta tonight through to Saturday morning. 

Probably the One and Only Time I Will Ever Blog About Politics.

(Please remember that this is my own personal opinion, you may disagree and you may have harsh comments for me, but I am entitled to my own opinion and this is my blog, the place where I am allowed to voice it)

So today is the BIG Election Day in the U.S. Normally I don’t say anything about politics ever, not even in person, because to be honest, it’s not my favorite subject. I slept through social studies classes in high school and almost didn’t graduate because of my grades in that class. Seriously. It’s not because I’m not smart or that I don’t understand, it’s that I think most of it is so ridiculous I just lose interest and I really don’t care.

This US election has been different for some reason. I actually know who both candidates are and what they stand for. That’s odd for me. Not only because normally I couldn’t care less but because I AM CANADIAN!!

Which brings me to the main point of this post and the part where I admit to something I am not sure if I am proud of or not... I have never voted, ever. Not in a local election, or a provincial one or a National one where we elect our Prime Minister. Why? Because I have never felt that I needed to. Nor have I EVER known who the candidates were. Like ever. No, I don’t live under a rock but I don’t (and won’t) go out of my way to research that information for our elections. I have always told everyone who asks me about voting, or lack there of, that the government/candidates need to send out one flyer or booklet laying out who the candidates are and what they stand for. Boom. One piece of paper that is delivered to my door to tell me my options. Maybe then I would vote. Maybe.

I mean seriously, what do I have to complain about living in Canada besides the weather which we all know government can’t change? I have FREE HEALTH CARE, I have a government that has supported me whenever I have needed it, and our country ISN’T AT WAR and doesn’t plan on ever starting wars with anyone. Our government doesn’t ever have major life altering changes. If Canadian candidates had such drastic differences like Romney and Obama and it was so-in-your-face-all-day-every-day about their opinions and shit than maybe it would be shoved down my throat to vote too.

In closing, since I actually do know about the candidates running for U.S. President this time, I really hope that America gets it right. I know if I lived there (and if I voted…) I would vote for Obama with out a doubt.

The one with the Dog Sled

Earlier this year, in April to be exact, the boyfriend turned the big 30. We thought it would be a good excuse to get away for the weekend in Banff.  

(Never heard of it? It’s a gorgeous mountain town just over an hour away from where I live. It’s great for romantic getaways in the summer or winter, weddings, bachelorette parties and all other kind of shenanigans. Definitely check it out if you are in this part of the country - I'll have another post regarding that town later!). 

The man and I stayed at an amazing lodge (seriously, I wanted to live there) called Hidden Ridge Resort. We had a loft style room with a perfect view towards the town, giant Jacuzzi right in the room and the hot tubs right outside our door. One morning we even woke up and there was an elk right outside our balcony.

Hot tubs with the most amazing view. 

Complimentary Smore's kit! 

Since it was his birthday I wanted to plan a surprise for him so I made some arrangements before we left but didn’t tell him anything, all I told him is that we had something to do on the Saturday afternoon and that he had to bring certain items (appropriate shoes, some winter wear, gloves).

Saturday came and we had a shuttle pick us up at our hotel and take us to the next town. On the ride over I had him guess what we were doing, his guess was a ride on a horse and sleigh, and he didn’t seem too excited about that. LOL I told him we were going on a ride but we were going to be pulled by something smaller… “like ponies??”.

When he finally clued in he was so excited and knew it would be much cooler than a ride on a horse and sleigh.

These views... just part of why I love Canada! 

The dog team on our sled were all named after
Ninja Turtles, including April and Splinter. Cowabunga! 

You can tell my the expression on my face that I was scared
every time we had to turn a sharp corner. 

Favorite! 

When we were crossing the lake, the guide had to tip us over
to help another sled. Did I mention we were in the middle
of a LAKE!!

See... lake. 

I highly suggest this excursion and dog sledding company to anyone from the area or visiting! We did the Powder Hound Express Tour but I would definitely go for the longer ride if I can go again.