The Modular Home Community

My name is Blair and I live in a Modular Home Community*. There, I said it!

What is that? Well, to most people it’s a trailer park. Yes, that’s right, I live in a trailer park. When I first decided to move there and in with Shayne (who owns our home), I had an moral struggle. I didn’t want to tell people I lived in a trailer park. I was embarrassed. I was ashamed. Why? Well, what do you think of when you gear about someone living in a trailer park. It’s been about a year and a half and I love my home and I would like to tell you about life in the Modular Home Community:

Shayne and moi….NOT

• Our home has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 in the bedrooms with heated floors), a large living room, deck, hot tub, shed, garden, 2 cats, 2 humans and a whole lot of love.
• Our neighbors are all really friendly and we often socialize with them (well, not all of them but it’s like that in ANY neighbourhood).
• We have a spectacular view of Mt. Currie.
• We are a 3 minute bike ride to One Mile Lake.
• We are a 5 minute bike ride to a lot of our friends homes (in ANY direction).
• We are a 10 minute walk to “town”-pharmacy, grocery store, etc…
• We have a hot tub and go in it almost EVERY night and love having friend’s over.
• We have privacy (sort of) on our patio, so in the summer we can sunbath and relax.
• We use propane to heat our home (we also have a fireplace).
• In front of our home there is a field so we have space and privacy.
• We are the nicer of the 2 trailer parks in Pemberton.

If these are my neighbours, I have yet to meet them!

It took me some time to be able to openly love the trailer park. Maybe it’s because of the negative connotation that comes with it. We all have teeth. We are all human. It’s a great place to have a starter home. Sadly, we are nothing like Mrtyle Manor but I’m okay with that (I do wish we had a pool). We will outgrow the Modular Home Community as our family grows, but that’s many years away. So, if you see a modular home for rent or for sale, don’t over look it and if you are in Pemberton and want to see where I live, just let me know!

Jamaica Jamaica

The following is a summary of my trip to Negril, Jamaica. The first picture is Thea and myself enjoy a beer after a VERY LONG flight! 

This is the view from our room:

This is my favourite spot to sit:

This is basically a high school reunion with my 2 best friends (we look responsible):

Uncle Jeff and Kevin would sing to us on the beach, daily! I even bought a CD but it was made out “To Heater” which is my friend, Heather…..

We woke up early to chase the “sun” which wasn’t always out. It’s okay, we had 24 cheesecake and booze:

After drinking all day at Margaritaville we went to Ricks Cafe! Our friends even jumped off the cliff…..CRAZY PEOPLE! 

Lauren, the Bride, arranged for Manny to hang out with us for the week and take pictures. He is a very, very talents photographer! Here is me, looking like I can jump high. That was the first full day that everyone was there and it was SO MUCH FUN! 

Lauren and Brian had a beautiful wedding!!! I didn’t take many pictures because I was too busy crying and MCing. Yes, that is right, I was the Master of Ceremonies. Manny will have pictures up on his website (I think) and I’m sure a video of me rapping will surface. You heard right, I rapped. I may post Jamaica round 2, but for now, this is what you get! Have you ever been there?

 

Bravery: A Blair-ski Update

Blair Kaplan, she’s just like you. Being from Winnipeg she hadn’t experienced real mountains until her teens and only based had adventures around lakes and flat lands (canoeing, bilking, camping and fort building). She experienced some hills while learning to snowboard but there was nothing that could prepare her for what Whistler Blackcomb had to offer. In 2008 Blair settled on the West Coast and in 2012 followed her heart to Pemberton.  Dating an ex-sponsored skier it was time for her to conquer the mountain and learn to ride.

Everyone in Blair’s life had tips and advice from her but the two biggest things she remembers is when to PIZZA and when to FRENCH FRY. Also, you never want your ski tips to touch (and to think of it as kissing cousins). Being fearful and fearless do coexist and sometimes it takes the encouragement and leadership of someone you trust to fuel your fire.

Learning the mountain etiquette was important and frustrating when others aren’t following it.  Knowing when to stop and learning it’s okay to push yourself. The mountain can be your friend but it can also be your enemy, you must know the difference between the two. Respecting the mountain is a must.

After only two lessons Blair decided to brave the Olympic run solo and this was the true test.  Did she learn anything? Well, at first attempt she sped down the mountain, past a spot of yellow snow and into the tree well. Was this her first REAL lesson? Yes, it was.

You see, most of the learning on the hill is by trial and error and knowing how to move your body.  Although there are many really good skiers out there are many more “Blairs” out there: skiing for the first time and being as brave as they can.

When she arrives back in Pemberton after her trip to Jamaica she will be facing the mountain, taking on blue runs and pushing herself even further. Stay tuned to see what she can accomplish!

ps Did you know that one of her nicknames is Blairski? Weirrrrd

Lifestyle Resolutions: 2014 Edition

I’m going to be honest with you, I’m sick of people making new years resolutions that we all know they aren’t going to keep (and sharing them on Facebook). You know “the ones” I’m talking about. These people also like to recap their year (successes, failures, etc…). That is great that you have a resolution but don’t lie to everyone. Be truthful to yourself and to us Facebook stalkers and if you are going to do this, please be funny (and include pictures).

If these really are you goals, good luck and I hope you achieve them (really, I do). Your resolution shouldn’t be just for the new year, it should be a life resolution…. A LIFESTYLE. So, I will share with you my life resolutions/goals that I am always working on:

1. To go on an annual trip with Shayne. I’m not talking about a trip to Winnipeg or Vancouver but a trip to somewhere new and exotic where we can explore new cultures and make awesome memories. Hopefully, in the fall of 2014 we will make this happen again.
2. Feel good about my health. To me, this means being physically active a few times a week, getting Vitamin D and fitting into my pants. I hate tight pants so I quickly know when I’m starting to be “unhealthy.”
3. Laughing. It’s true, laughter is the best medicine and I truly believe that it does amazing and wonderful things for the soul. If you don’t have daily laughter you need to take a hard look at your like or watch this video:
4. To limit my cheese/milk product and gluten intake. As I’ve gotten older I’ve developed weird skin issues (I hide them well) and I’m asthmatic. I also have a cheese addiction…GO FIGURE. When I eliminate (or reduce) my intake of those items my skin and breathing are both drastically better. However, if I’m out and there is brie (or any cheese appie) YOU CAN’T STOP ME!
5. Speak my mind. I always have and I always will tell you what’s on my mind. I believe in honest and integral conversations and when  I need to say something, I say it or I will burst.
6. Keep on learning. Never stop learning. Always read, watch videos and ask questions. I feel that if I stop learning, I will be unable to contribute innovative solutions and ideas to my community.
7. Love with all my heart. ‘Nuff said.

So, what life resolutions are you currently practicing or putting into place? Cheers to a great 2014!