BJJ BBQ

YESTERDAY:

• head to drop off a bag to Mel
• picked up some shrimp skewers from a Canadian Superstore
  • it’s actually pretty massive
  • beef prices are super low compared to the US
• found out our afternoon plans had to change
  • originally was going on a hike with a friend
• dropped by to pick up some dance shoes
• head to West Van (not to be confused with Van West)
  • bbq!
  • apparently it’s the 18th anniversary of Jackie’s cousin’s husband’s BJJ studio
  • met an interesting guy from Colombia
  • also relearned how to throw a football with Alex’s son Liam
  • he’s so much bigger than when I first met him!
• delicious picanha!
• head to downtown Vancouver for a free social at Robson Square
  • mix of salsa and bachata
  • picked up some basic on-1 steps
  • had fun with a few folks
• head back to Richmond to enertain Melissa’s kids
  • took a nap in the car
• head to dinner with Jackie’s parents
  • picked up Jackie’s dad on the way
  • amazing crispy roast pork belly!
  • and it’s only 4 minute drive from Uncle James’s house!!
• head back to hang out
  • finished off three mangos for dessert

TODAY:

• wifi was out
  • apparently this is an issue across part of Vancouver?
  • had to hotspot for a few meetings
• lunch with Jackie’s old art teacher
  • quiet guy but good jokes
  • wife was more talkative with Jackie’s mom
  • restaurant had one of the best lo mai gai I’ve ever had
  • bit of wild rice gave some texture
  • dried scallop and tons of pork
  • ham sui gok (deep-fried glutinous rice with pork filling) was pretty amazing
  • that’s not even one of my favorite dishes but I can tell they made it almost perfectly
• head back to the family’s other house which had internet
• worked out of Jackie’s dad’s old office
  • got kinda hot in there
• finished around 5 pm
• head out with Jasmine
  • pick up Jackie’s dad
  • spent the car ride trying to find her favorite Pikachu song on Spotify
  • failed miserably
• head to Auntie Nelly’s house
  • took a 45 minute call with external team
  • met up with Jackie and the kids at a park
  • had some fun with the monkey bars
  • house has a beautiful entryway and lots of character
  • met a whole other side of the family
  • delicious mix of food from different ethnicities
• met a cousin that suffered from a back injury and likely has a slipped disc
  • shared my experience and contact info
• desserts were amazing
  • they even had a coconut-based vanilla ice cream!
• picked up a rental car from the airport
• head home
• 3 more mangos for second dessert
  • swear I’m gonna gain 5 lbs this trip

LEARNINGS:

• how annoying the game of operation is
• how to throw a spiral football!
• apparently they charge for spouses to drive in Canada but not in the US (Avis Preferred)