Here are a couple pics from my new apartment! I love it to pieces! Its so cute and tiny :)

There is an in-suite laundry, so I don't have to worry about hauling my stinky clothes to the laundro-mat! I love being in the middle of things here. There are so many great places to eat and shop in the area I live.... I am open for visitors!!! Love you all! Thanks for lookin'!

The cute guy and the trash...

My Mom and I came back from grocery shopping yesterday and met my neighbor in #804. I was setting the bags down to unlock the door when I heard him unlock his door. He came around the corner and Mom said hi. I looked up from what I was doing and "Hello" in a cheery voice. He said "Hello" too. I noticed right away that he is a total stud.... and on his way to take the trash out. :) He's over 6 feet tall, dirty blond hair, nice complexion and a thick build... he's not fat, but he's definitely NOT skinny either.

I felt like Renee Zellweiger in Jerry McGuire.... "You had me at 'Hello'..." Oh my goodness.

I hope I will actually get to talk to him soon... and find out if he's married. That's kinda important.

Anyways... That's all I wanted to post today :)

I'm off to Singles ward...

Settling in...

I just got to yell at a couple of noisy neighbors, like two seconds ago... that was fun. They have been kinda loud and annoying since I got here, but tonight I'd had enough. I could tell they were standing in the hallway so, I leaned out of my apartment and got their attention... I said, "Oy! Keep it down, I don't want to hear you anymore!" One of the guys said, "Oh, S-s-sorry..."

I probably scared the ba-gee-bees out of him... LOL probably didn't help that I have NO make-up on and I'm in my Paul Frank monkey jammies... hahahahahhahahaha fun times.

Noisy people have now left the building.... :)

Well, besides all that craziness.... I really like it here!!!

We were able to meet up with a couple that my Dad knew while he was serving his mission in Canada. When he knew them they lived in Regina and were very new members of the church. Now they have migrated west and are living in Surrey (its a suburb about 45 mins from the city). They met us outside my apartment building and then we walked to a great little restaurant down about a block from my place. Its called White Spot... its very yummy!!! After dinner, they wanted to see my apartment, so we went up and had a nice visit. They are such great people! They promised my Mom that I would be well looked after :) Sally got my number so that "she could check on me and make sure I was okay"... They are going to make the stay here so much more enjoyable!

Mom and I went to the Wal Mart Super center and stocked up in a few household items I will need, like potty tissue, paper towels, cleaning stuff, tupper ware, etc. Plus I bought new silverware and a slip cover for the gnarly couch in the living room... its okay for sitting, it just doesn't look like much. AND I want to make this place feel as much as my home as possible. I know it will be easier once I am in a routine, but I am gearing up for the homesick phase that will hit when mom goes back to California.

I am looking forward to just walking and exploring new places. Like the Cross street for my apartment is equivalent to Oxford street in London. There are great places to eat, and shop. All the big designer names are on Robson... Sally said if I ever just wanted to walk the street and shop, to call her up and she'd be there! I hope my weekends will be filled with YSA activities and great people to be with.

I am very excited to start going to my new ward. I'll post more on that later ;)

Thats it for now... nighty night

Its finally here!!! I am moving to Canada!

SO... I am finally moving up to Vancouver! Its finally happening! It still feels a little surreal.

My Mom and I are driving up on November 1st. We are making a few stops along the way to break up the 22 hour drive. I think we are stopping just outside of Sacramento, Portland and somewhere in Washington, close to the Canadian border. We plan to be in Vancouver in the early afternoon on the 4th.

I am excited to show my Mom my apartment and the school. AND I am soooo excited to start going to the singles ward. There is a very cute First Nations (What would be their Indians) guy in the Vancouver ward that I'd like to meet up with...

The singles ward reminds me a lot of the Britannia ward in London. Its very diverse. There are people from all walks of life. I think there are even a couple of other Vancouver Film School students there!

On that note, I CAN'T WAIT TO START SCHOOL!!!!!! I have been a regular on the VFS website, (for anyone that is interested its, www.vancouverfilmschool.com ... go to the Make-up for film and television link) I keep checking out the great new things I get to learn, and the old skills I'll get to perfect. I am most excited for the prosthetics and animatronics part of the course.

There is a special award given to the Make-up student that has the best portfolio and has the best grades throughout the year. I am going to try for that award. The prize includes a full make-up kit, a signed letter of recommendation from the Make-Up Head of Department and a one year subscription to Make-Up Artist Magazine. So cool!

I guess that's it for now... I'll try at keeping everyone posted!

Wish me luck!

So...

Here's where I am at right now.

I am more than a little stressed out. But, most of that stress is my own fault. I have no one to blame but myself.

I am trying to get my house ready for my new renters. They need to be in before the week of the 17th. SO... that means I am trying to get my garage sale done this Saturday (Oct 3). Also I am still lagging behind in the packing of my bedroom. Most everything is done... but there is still clothing and crap that needs to find a new home.

I also need to get into the POD that is in my driveway to get out the things I absolutely have to have in Vancouver... Such as my special FX make-up :) However, I have lost the keys to the lock on the POD... so now I have to get bolt cutters to get the lock off and buy a new lock to secure it after I am done rummaging. Phew! I'm not looking forward to the next several days.

On the brighter side... I have asked a few people about the location I will be living in Vancouver, and all my sources say it is one of the best parts of town. It is centrally located and close to my school. I am excited to get up there and get reacquainted with the city.

That's it for now... I will post again soon!

Tannis

New Start

My Dad and I flew into Vancouver on Wednesday, July 8.   I was so excited to start looking for places to live while I'm going to school. I had a few ideas of what I was looking for and where I wanted to be.  

Thursday proved a little disappointing.  I made a few calls and sent a couple of emails Wednesday afternoon, and didn't hear from any of the contacts by the afternoon on Thursday.  

We walked all over downtown Vancouver and found several great places to go shopping.  The best being Water Street.  Its gorgeous!!!  Its all lined with trees and quaint little shops and cafes right out on the side walks.  It reminds me a lot of Soho in London. 

Friday was a little better.  We went to the Canadian Immigration office to ask if I should apply for a student visa here or in the US.  They said it would be better to apply in the US at the Canadian Consulate in LA.  Then, we went to the Freesia Suites on Seymour street.  The girl working at the front desk in the lobby said that there were a few one bedroom suites available and took my information and said that someone would contact me.  No one contacted me. 

So... when we got back to the hotel I found a listing for 822 Seymour Street and Robson.  I emailed the contact and she emailed Saturday morning. 

Saturday we met the landlord for the apartment.  She took us up to view the apartment.  There are other tenants living there until the end of July, so their belonging were in the apartment. 

After we viewed the apartment Dad and I went back to the hotel.  I decided I really liked it and called her to let her know.  She asked if we could meet her again to sign the lease agreement. 

So... By Saturday afternoon I had an apartment!

I am SO excited!!!  I can't wait to get up here and start getting into the swing of things.  

Tomorrow we are going to go to check out the singles ward.  I am looking forward to meeting new people. 

After church we are going to visit a family my Dad knew when he was a missionary here.  Sally and Keith Haysum.  Should be great! 

Until next time.... Tannis

Disappointment

So... I wasn't able to go through with selling my house. Because of the current market, I couldn't come up with the full amount needed from my end at closing. *** I don't know anyone who could come up with that much*** Anyways... I feel like a total jerk. The people that were going to be buying my house will now have to go find another house.

I am disappointed to say the least. Now it looks like I will have to rent out my house. I wanted to sever all ties to that house. But now I find myself stuck to it like a fly to sticky paper. Bleh

I hope all can work out for the best. I have a family in mind to rent my house. I will be talking with them soon. I will keep everyone updated.

Wish me luck!

Moving....

I have found that packing up my life is stressful and more than a little depressing.  I have to go through everything I own and decide what is going with me on my new adventures, what gets to stay in storage and wait for the next adventure; and what is going to be sold to live with a new family.  Its been hard trying to pick through the last 24 years worth of stuff.  

My favorite room in my whole house was the Entertainment room, with all the cool movie posters and photos of my favorite actors.  I enjoyed that room so much, and now all the posters are off the walls, the shelves have been taken down, the furniture will be moved out soon... its all left me with a sense of loss.  

This house has been a home to me and so many of my friends and family.  It feels like I have sold a friend.  I know the new family will enjoy this home and cherish the memories they make here, but I sincerely hope that they come to love and appreciate this house as much I have. 

Tannis

So... I think I've kinda figured out this blogging thing...  any tips would be lovely ;)

Here's an update on my adventures so far.

I am moving!  heehee some of you might have already known that...  

I sold my house and I am going to be moving back in with my parents for a month or so until I can get an apartment in Vancouver.  I am going up to Vancouver to search for an apartment in July.  I have a few in mind... all of which are relatively close to VFS (Vancouver Film School).  

But I guess that is all happening next month, though.  Here's what's happening now:

I'm packing

I have to get everything moved out and clean by June 22

I am still working at the Scrapbook store (extremely part time!)

I'm stressed... as a result I have gnarly acne right now :(

I refuse to get sick

I'm reading "The Diplomacy of Wolves" by Holly Lisle

I have to get my car fixed and tuned up before I drive it up to Vancouver

I have to fill out forms and apply for a Student and a Working Visa for Canada

I'm harboring a crush on Chris Pine, Sam Worthington, and Jensen Ackles... all of which are completely unobtainable! 

AND! lastly... I am fighting the constant urge to cry... who knew moving could be so emotional?

Phew!  I'm tired....

That's it for now... Love to all!

Tannis

This ones for you, Kath! I have finally crossed over to blogging... its what happens when you are bored at work and have instant access to the Internet.

I will hopefully keep everyone updated on the Grand Adventures of my life. Especially as my life is about to get very crazy and wonderful.

Thanks in advance to all those who care enough... *ahem* or are nosey enough to read my blog.