Aaron and I planned to go to Vancouver earlier this Fall, when we were planning out the remainder of our weekends. I had just started a seasonal job at Paper Source and wanted to get as many hours as I could. He asked if he could have December 12th.  The weekend crept up on us, but we were very much looking forward to a day outside of Seattle despite 100% chance of rain. We left early and met with friends for breakfast in Bellingham, which helped break the drive up. Eighty minutes later (and some at the border), we were in Vancity.

Our first stop was Bloedel Floral Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park, which makes up most of the photos above. Aaron mentioned that he wanted to find one, and I unintentionally found it via Pinterest, ha! It was the perfect rainy day activity. Tickets were $6.50 each, but we both agreed it was well worth the money. It really felt like we were in another world (similar to what I would imagine Jurassic World would be like) with all the sounds and birds flying around. We spent a good hour there, admiring all the different types of birds and at God's creativity. I'm surprised I'd never heard of this place before, and would definitely come back.

I had been living in Rainier Valley for a little over a year. I had heard stories about several of my friends' cars being stolen...but it had never happened to me. I had this arrogant mentality, thinking that I was the exception to the rule, so I never locked my truck doors. Besides, who would want to take a 40 year-old truck? Especially one that is bright blue and can't go over 70 mph? 

It was in the middle of the week, and as I walked out to the driveway to leave for work in the morning, I stopped as I didn't see my truck. "Did I park it in the back last night?" I jogged to the back of my house, peeking around the corner of my fence looking for a hint of blue. Nope. Nothing. "What in the world? What did I do last night?" I definitely did nothing. I know I parked it in the driveway, which could only mean one thing...somebody took my ol' Datsun. A small feeling of panic rose in my throat as my heart beat faster. I called my boss first; I told him my truck was stolen, I don't think it could've gone far, and I would keep him updated as soon as it's found, but I probably would miss work that day. I called the police next, told them my truck was stolen and gave them all my details. I ran inside because I knew my roommate Kyle was still home, and I could probably borrow his car to drive around and look for it. No one knows that truck like I do. No one can drive it (well, if at all) except for me.