May 17, 2012
by Amber
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Sup?


Hi, I’m Amber. You may remember me as the girl who used to passionately tell the tales of her life here and then randonly decided she had better things to do. Or something like that.

I always found it really easy to fall into slumps. I cant tell you how many times I’ve stayed in a situation that secretly made me miserable just to be in someone’s company, to avoid financial or just plain emotional hardship. Its easy to be comfortable but no kind of greatness has ever been achieved sitting in the shadows of simple comfort. Too bad when the time inevitably comes, my escape plan is never really a plan, and it never seems to go smoothly. None the less, I’ll save you the vaguities and leave you with a simple, lamen terms sentence of “shits been cray”.

Everyday I come into work to a stack of local papers on a corner table. The news in general depresses me, but I cant help but turn to the back and glance at my horoscope. Maybe its all in fun, or maybe part of me believe I’m going to find some profound thought or inspiration to take me confidently through the day, whatever my reasoning I often stumble upon something satisfying.

May 17, 2012
by Amber
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I can often be found here.

Its no secret I spend the vast majority of my spare time outside… mainly exploring whatever trails will have me in every and any forest area I can find. So when I really need to sit and think one out, its only natural I go to the very top and let it go.

April 10, 2012
by Amber
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I’m breaking up with Tim Horton.

My name is Amber, and I’m a Timaholic.

My biggest Canadian embracing stereotype is my ridiculous obsession with Tim Hortons. Working in an office with a Tim Hortons only a 30 second walk away does not help. Most mornings before work I saunter on over in my sleep deprived zombie state to retreive my large double double (2 cream, 2 sugar – for my non Canadian readers) and if I was too lazy to make my own breakfast (most days…) a 12 grain bagel with light cream cheese; herd and garlic if I’m feeling adventurous.

Just looking at that glorious cup filled with delicious coffee, or maybe a french vanilla late, and imagining what kind of bagely goodness could be inside that carry away bag makes my mouth water. While $1.75 a day for a cup of my favourite joe and another dollar and a bit for my tastey bagel, its cheap enough.

THINGS ADD UP: 
Every morning I get just a coffee is $1.73
Every morning I get a coffee & bagel is $3.85

Looking at it month by month:
1 Coffee every weekday: $1.73 X 5(days a week) X 4(weeks a month)
= $34.60
Coffee/Bagel combo every weekday: $3.85 x 5(days a week) x 4(weeks a month)
= $77

Looking at it yearly:
1 Coffee a day: $1.73 x 5(days a week) x 52(weeks a year)
= $449.80
Coffee/Bagel a day: $3.85 x 5(days a week) x 52(weeks a year)
= $1001 

I’m adjusting to my newest chapter. While I was lucky enough to get most things paid off before I took posession of my apartment last week, expenses wont be as forgiving. Adding a couple extra hundred bucks to my rent, covering most expenses by my lonesome, etc… I could really use that extra FIVE HUNDRED – THOUSAND DOLLARS a year. There’s no arguement to say otherwise.

This week I’ve begun weening myself off of Tim Hortons. This weekend while I was grocery shopping I picked up a jar of instant coffee for under $5. Assuming that jar lasts the claimed 30 cups, that coffee should last me an entire month. With those numbers, Tim Horton, its hard for you to compete. I see you $1000 dollars a year and raise you a tastey breakfast smoothie (thank you Magic Bullet you are god like) with a $5/month coffee.

I’m on day 2. I cant say as I’ve gone cold turkey, though. My manager bought us all coffee this morning – that happens a lot around here. Someone’s always doing a coffee run. So as an amendment to my “Im not going to Timmies” claim, I wont go myself, but if its bought or its my turn to go on the run (with someone elses cash!) I’ll have one for old time’s sake.

April 10, 2012
by Amber
2 Comments

Now is the time.

Not too long ago I came to a fork in the road. I stood there for a bit and really scratched my head. Not a lot of people agree with the decision I made, theres a lot of comments, opinions, speculation, etc. In the end what matters is I finally got the balls to do something I had been wanting to do for a very, very long time. That is: be on my own. Being able to face my fear of leaving something just because it was familiar, not necessarily comfortable or happy for me was extremely empowering. I never thought I’d be able to do what I did, its unfortunate it all happened the way that it did, but I dont regret it. In the past few weeks I have felt happier, lighter, and more free than I’ve felt in a very long time. I’m smiling and it feels great.

Now, its time to do everything I’ve always wanted to do… and then some.

April 9, 2012
by Amber
2 Comments

What do you do when it all falls apart?

So, my life as I knew it fell apart. Whats important now is that I’m here, I’m alive and for whatever reason (probably that annoying, seemingly misplaced optimism) I’m doing quite well.

Sup, apartment 106? I’ve been referring to you as my impenetrable fortress the past couple days. Basically, now that I’ve finally unpacked and started to feel at home, all I’ve been doing is laying on the couch or in my comfy cozy bed and hanging out with my good friend Netflix. I have gotten out to enjoy myself a few times, but with all the stress of moving and life limbo, I havent had time to do most of the things I love… blogging of course is included.

I’ve been sick in bed the past couple of days. The boyfriend had a sickness at the beginning of the long weekend (yay Easter!) so naturally, I got it for the end. I spent most of yesterday on the couch, gave today a whirl at work, lasted all of 3 hours, said screw this and ran home to my couch. Oh well, its not THAT bad, I just want it gone, so I’m forcing rest upon it.

Anyways. I’ll see you soon. If you believe me this time you get a veggie stick.

February 14, 2012
by Amber
2 Comments

Valentine’s Adventures

The boyfriend and I went snow shoeing this weekend at Cypress Mountain. As a Valentine’s inspired adventure, he adorably kept it a secret from me for a couple of weeks, only telling me to keep the weekend open and dress warm. He was bang on with the choice, he really does know me. What could make snow lover and avid hiker happier than a day in the mountains with snow shoes?!

The entire day was amazing, the trails were beautiful, the weather was great and we didn’t run into too many people in and around the trails. I have to say, though, one of my favourite parts of the adventure is when he turned around to take my picture and said “Smile. This ones for your blog.” Even if he was just being a smart ass, it meant a lot to me.

I only just showed him amapeli a few nights before. He knows about my internet endeavors, blog, message boards, twitter, tumblr and the businesses I’m working on, but he’d never seen any of it. I’m fairly secretive about this place in regards to IRL people. Its my own habitual little chunk of the web. We’ve been dating since October, I figured it was time.

I in turn spent a night last week baking him heart shaped vegan cookies. I never was much in the kitchen, but lately I seem to have been hit with domestication.

February 13, 2012
by Amber
0 comments

I’ve been thinking.


I was presented with a suggestion; an opportunity today. I spent a good part of my day thinking about it. I even made a physical list of pros and cons. Laying here in my bed with Misfits open on the left of my screen and weheartit on the right, I came across this. I read it to myself a few things. It lengthened my list of pros.

So, I suppose…

February 6, 2012
by Amber
0 comments

Adventure to Jug Island

The snow has come and gone, but I made sure to get another (semi) white blanketed adventure in before the rain washed it away. I took a trek to Jug Island, which is a little island inside of the Burrard Inlet, not too far from home.

I like this trail because its not too long, but its mostly uphill terrain is a killer for my poor legs, especially my calves. Shrug. I started out by hoofing it straight up a windy hill. These are the times its nice to remind yourself how great your rear end will look after. If thats not enough of a convincer, then try looking around at the scenery. The worse the terrain, the better the view.
Speaking of views, I always stop to admire a good one. No matter how many snow capped mountains, inlets, rivers, lakes, tress, whatever I see, the next pretty one always seems to get me the same as the last.

The trail comes out on a beach facing Jug Island – a giant rock face covered in trees with a beautiful scene of mountains around the water. Thats ocean, by the way, not a lake like most of my hikes. In the summer, boats ancor around here a lot.


I took some time out to relax with my ipod and my thoughts before turning around and hiking back. I’ll admit, there is something I don’t like about this trail. Theres no circle or alternate route. You have to take the exact same way out that you took in. Ah well, its still one of my favourite hikes.

February 1, 2012
by Amber
1 Comment

January Highlights

2012 is off to a good start for me. Its hard to believe we’re already this far into the year. So much has happened in the past month. Here’s a breakdown of memorable events.
I rang in the new year in a none fancy, highly alcoholic manner. A friend of the boyfriend was nice enough to open his house up to a rowdy bunch of us. Not a huge gathering, but definitely a group of some of my nearest, dearest and oldest friends. Highlights include: a friend home from the navy able to celebrate with us, boys lighting many things on fire, intoxicatedly sprinting down the street in time to catch the trains going by, and a lot of great heart to hearts.

I redesigned and reinvented amapeli.org. This is probably the simplest layout I’ve ever had up, and I absolutely love it. My goal was to make myself want to blog. I figure if I have more specific categories, and establish myself an over all style, it will all just come together. Its happening. Slowly. Speaking of website design. I’ve been working hard on Urban Warehouse, an up and coming business belonging to a very good friend of mine. With that on the go, I went and purchased my design site last week. I now own a domain for Ampt Solutions, which will eventually be my child. It’ll be a while before you get to see.
As a regular browser of places like weheartit, tumblr and pintrest, I’ve seen a whole heard of bedrooms with decorative led lights. I’ve wanted them for ages. I picked myself up a string of them for $5 on final after Christmas clearance. Win.
There were plenty of pub nights for watching Canucks games and unwinding after a long day. Pho is another hot topic in my friends group.Speaking of my friend group, we really can be a fantastic pile of mess when we want to be. A couple weekends ago we went out for a friend’s birthday. I found these blury, squinty eyed gems from the train ride home on my phone the next morning.As always, I made plenty of time for the trail. With the recent snow falls, the scenery was even more beautiful than usual.