The Grouse Grind is a local's favorite hike in Vancouver. On any summer weekend, its paths are always packed. But on this particular morning, an over-stuffed me was not enjoying the scenic route. Although the Grind is only 3kms in length, don't underestimate its difficulty with a 800m elevation. Even if it only takes1 hour to reach the summit, it's as if you are on the stair master with the resistance turned all the way up for the entire hour.

Lucky for me, I had some great hiking companions. Alex even brought a compass and binoculars for the hike. Although I was not allowed to challenge him on why he thought we would ever need directions on a well-marked trail.

One of my favorite pass times in Vancouver is to enjoy the city's numerous trails. I started off easy with a 2 hour hike to Quarry Rock lookout in Deep Cove. This North Vancouver trail is roughly 3.8km long and only 100 meters in elevation. It also provides a scenic view of the Deep Cove. I sat there for a long time just watching the boats go by.

I've been home in Vancouver for 1 week now and every day, I wake up to the natural beauty of the west coast in the glorious summer sun and can't imagine being anywhere else. I'm surrounded by nature and old friends; I couldn't be happier.

I never had the chance to go skiing when I was little since neither my parents nor close friends were skiers. Once my elementary school organized a ski trip but that was my entire encounter with any type of alpine sports. Despite growing up 2 hrs outside of Whistler and being local to another handful beautiful mountains, I never learned how to ski.

This season, I decided to take up a lesson at Mount Seymour, followed by a ski trip with friends to Grouse Mountain, when I was in Vancouver. My initial excitement quickly sizzled into anxiety on the day before my ski lesson. I recalled stories of family friends and co-workers who had broken wrists and legs while skiing or snowboarding, and I almost let myself listen to my snow-fearing parents try to talk me out of going all together. I thought I would definitely break something. I was brooding with fear.

When I did get to my lesson, I immediately realized that the experience would be nothing like the near-death experience I had created in my mind. I actually really enjoyed being in the snow and riding the powder. In fact, I was kind of good at skiing, well, at least pizza-ing and falling. Yeah, I was very good at falling. Given how much fun I had, I don’t know why I waited so long before learning how to ski. It’s silly how we let ourselves believe what we want at the hint of fear. The next time I’m afraid of the unknown, I’ll let my ski experience be a reminder to stop dreaming up fictional excuses.

Also, I want to provide a shameless (and unsolicited) plug for my ski instructor. If you are looking for a ski lesson on Mount Seymour, I recommend Jordan - young guy who recently moved to Vancouver from the UK. He was all smiles and gave me the confidence I needed to really enjoy my first ski experience.

Happy New Year & let 2013 be the year you overcome your fear!

It came and went. Before I could even tell my friends and family about it, I was home.

I'm lucky that my work sometimes takes me home , or at least close to it. Last month, I got to spend a short week in Vancouver on a business trip. Long time readers know that I live and breathe the city. Although I'm not sure that my work life will ever allow me to relocate back there, it will always be home.

On a mild Sunday, I took a quick trip to one of my favorite island markets with some old friends. Granville Island is a perfect getaway when Vancouverites cannot get away from the city itself. Attached to the mainland, and accessible by pubic transportation from land and sea, Granville Island has all the ingredients for an afternoon getaway:  markets, street performers, food, sun, and the water. Sadly, I did not appreciated Granville Island enough when I was living in Vancouver. Now I can only make up time with every possible visit.

And I do so happily.