#16 Own a motorcycle

This week is my very last post for the semester! By that, I mean the last blog entry that I will be marked on. I will, however, be continuing this blog until I have completed all the items from my bucketlist but I probably won’t be posting once a week!

In 2007 I made a wild decision… I decided to buy my very own motorcycle. My first dilemma was that I had never ridden a motorcycle before. The second issue was whether I was going to purchase a 2007 Suzuki GS500 or a 2007 Suzuki GSX-R. Now the obvious choice would be to get the sleeker, bad ass looking GSX-R.  However, Allstate had other plans for me, making this next to impossible. After being quoted an insurance rate more per year, than the cost of the bike itself, I decided to look elsewhere for insurance. To my relief, State Farm was quoting rates based on engine size and not the style of bike. After being quoted a reasonable price it was a no-brainer that I would own a 2007 Suzuki GSX-R. Although I still had one problem… I didn’t know how to ride yet! After completing my M1 written test, I enrolled in the “Gearing Up” learn to ride program at Humber College. This was an excellent program that is geared for someone who has never ridden a motorcycle before. The course took place over a very rainy weekend, which was probably the best time to learn safe maneuvering. At the end of the program, students can complete their M1 exit test, which is what I decided to do. At this point I now had my M2 and, of course, some motorcycle apparel. Next stop, CYCLE WORLD!

1st time sitting on MY bike at the dealership

1st day home!

After one of many bike washes

Colours are Black/Blue

1st Ride!

Vrrroooooooooooommmm!!!

Two of my friends got bikes around the same time =D

After a couple super fun summers with this toy, I decided to head back to school… and selling my motorcycle was unfortunately the smart financial strategy at that point in my life. Needless to say, I WILL have another motorcycle one day (Sorry Mom)!

One of my last rides =(

            #16 Own a motorcycle

# 3 White water rafting

White water rafting is something on my bucket list that I have had the opportunity of completing more than once (4 times to be exact). Each time was a very different experience and a lot of fun. The first year I did it was maybe the most memorable because it was the first time I was white water rafting and everything was a surprise (this also happened to be the same year that I went bungee jumping).

The following photos are group shots of each year that I went white water rafting. Except, however, for the 2^nd year, where we spent most of our time partying and almost getting evicted from the ranch house we rented. I assume they don’t like it when people try riding their donkeys and take their antique carriages out for a spin… needless to say, we never got around to taking group photos.

This was year 2
 A few hours later I woke up to him peeing on my buddies pillow!

 

Year 1

Year 2
This sign was hanging at the end of our gravel driveway leading to the barn.

Year 3

Year 4

The third year that I went we experienced, by far, the best white water I have ever rafted on. One of the rapids we hit was through the main channel of the river called “The Bus Eater”, and it was pretty insane! Here are some pictures of us hitting this wall of water head on. I am in the second row, on the right side.

White water rafting is something that I will definitely do again. However, I would love to do it somewhere that is a tad more risky and heart pounding. Zambezi river anyone?

For more information on white water rafting in Ottawa please visit Wilderness Tours or check out National Geographic’s top 10 white water rafting destinations.

#3 White water rafting

# 91 Grow a beard for a month

This week was a pretty cool father son event that involved shaving our sexy beards! Oops… Looks like I gave away # 91 Grow a beard for a month.

For years I have wondered what it would look like to grow some facial hair on this baby face of mine. I thought it would be interesting to attempt to let it grow for a little while and see what happened. My goal was a month…

Here are the results!

After Week 1

After Week 2

After Week 3

After Week 4

One Month!!!

 After a month of growing out this beast, it was now time to shave it! My dad decided he would join me and shave his beard that he has been growing for one whole week (makes me look pathetic).

Maybe I want this another month?

But then I wouldn't have anything to blog about!

Showing me up after only one week!

I'm darker though! Thank you Just For Men...

In order to learn French, I must look French...

Unfortunately it's Movember...

Grow a mo, save a bro

Even if your mo looks like that ^

# 91 Grow a beard for a month.

#23 Eat Something Really Weird

This week I attempted something that was very different… Although it was very funny at times, it also tested my gag reflex a ton. This week I can cross off #23 Eat Something Really Weird (although this dish could be considered popular cuisine around the world).

I decided I would grab 2lbs of chicken feet (that’s right, chicken feet) from my local Asian supermarket and look up a customary way of cooking them. I stumbled upon a bunch of spicy recipes traditionally done in the Philippines. The pictures looked like something I could handle and decided I would give it a try.

First I had to make sure I had the following ingredients…

- 2 lbs chicken feet

- 2 tbsp oyster sauce

- 2 tbsp soy sauce

- ¼ cup green onions, chopped finely

- 2 tbsp cornstarch (diluted in 1/2 cup water)

- 1 thumb ginger, cut into strips

- 1 tbsp brown sugar

- 2 tbsp Chinese black beans

- 1 tbsp garlic, minced

- Chili (or crushed red pepper)

- 3 cups water

- 1 cup cooking oil

            Next I had to clean the chicken feet and remove the claws.

Removing them from the package took some motivation

Boiled for 5 minutes

Then washed with cold water

Placed on the cutting board to be cleaned and declawed

Talk about a pedicure!

            After the feet were declawed and boiled for 5 minutes, it was time to sauté the minced garlic and chopped ginger in the pot. At the same time I was supposed to add 1 cup of cooking oil (I neglected to read the recipe correctly however, and only put in a little oil, as if I were frying an egg). After realizing the bonehead move, I removed half of the chicken (1lb) to try to redeem my mistake. Because I only cooked half of the recipe I should have also put that into consideration in the next steps… I didn’t though (Jack Astor’s should forever keep me out of the kitchen).

6 feet instead of 12 now...

            At this point it was time to mix the rest of the ingredients and eventually the sauce would thicken (once again… Not the case).

Yummy!

            Although I completely messed up the recipe, I figured I still had to give them a try. This is how it went…

Dad, am I really about to do this?

Why am I here right now?

hmmmm...

My dad convinced me to put the whole foot in my mouth.

Why did I do that?

Enough is enough!

In the garbage...

Rinsed my plate...

And in the dishwasher!

            I also left out the part where I found a video on how to cook this recipe in Spanish… Unfortunately me no speaky! If I decide to try this dish again, I will most definitely leave it up to someone who knows what they’re doing.

            #23 Eat Something Really Weird