Disney Pixar's Luca Review

Pixar Animation Studios/ Walt Disney Pictures

Disney Pixar movies make some of the best animated movies that are enjoyed by adults and children alike. Pixar first stole our hearts with Toy Store, in 1995 and have since released countless feature length animated films ranging from adventures to superheros and magical wonders. Some of my favourites include Ratatouille, Inside Out, Finding Nemo, Monster's Inc., Up, Coco and Wall-E. You would be hardpressed to find someone who does not love a single Pixar movie. 

Luca is Disney-Pixar's newest release and is a coming of age movie of two sea-creature boys in a seaside town of Italy. 

SPOILERS AHEAD:

In most instances, Pixar blows my mind, but Luca was awful. The beginning of the movie felt oddly similar to the little mermaid. Whenever the sea monsters are out of water, they transform into a human form. Luca has to learn how to walk and is fascinated by human objects - ahem Ariel? Luca's parents are anti-land and deem it a dangerous scary place for sea monsters. 

Beating the Heat with the Best Ice Cream in Vancouver

Vancouver has been hit with a heatwave like no other. Temperatures reached 38ºC which is practically unheard of in BC. I think the most we ever hit during the summer months is 34ºC. Tomorrow and Monday is going to be even hotter, surpassing 40ºC. That is scorchingly hot and honestly terrifying. I feel like I am on the beaches of Hawaii, not the Northern Pacific West Coast! 

Needless to say, me and everyone else in Vancouver are just trying to stay cool in this sweltering heatwave. Ice Cream, iced drinks, loose linen clothing, fans, ice cubes and whatever else it takes. So I thought I would make a list of the best ice cream spots in and around Vancouver because not everyone lives in Vancouver City! 

I wanted to get this list up quickly, so I have not had the chance to insert pictures. 

Turkish Coffee with JamJar Canteen Commercial Drive

Years ago I saw a video of Turkish Coffee being made in the Middle East. I had seen nothing like it before. A little coffee pot was placed in hot sand and within moments, a frothy coffee begins to boil up. I have never seen any sort of food or beverage prepared in hot sand before! Needless to say, it was really cool and looked like magic! 

When I heard JamJar Canteen serves Turkish Coffee, you bet I had to go check it out. JamJar Canteen is a  Lebanese restaurant that specializes in Mezze - Middle Eastern Tapas. The space is stunning, with emerald green walls, ornate penny tiled flooring and lovely old-growth wooden beams, but there was no sand in sight. For logistical reasons, hot sand is not feasible, thus JamJar uses a gas burner. 

I BOUGHT A TOWNHOUSE!

I bought a house!

I am giddy, in shock, excited and simultaneously in disbelief because being a homeowner has been one of my biggest goals in life. It was important to me that I purchase a place in Metro Vancouver because I grew up in Vancouver and want to continue living here. All of the paperwork has been completed, the payments have been made and the keys dropped off. So as of May 2021, I legally own a two-bedroom townhouse! 

Granville Island Brewing Peach Sample Shop

Granville Island Brewing Company is hosting a 10 day peach themed pop-up in celebration of the release of their newest hoppy creation, the Peach Sour! In partnership with the Vancouver Food Bank and Lee's Donuts, the Sample Shop is open from 12pm - 5pm from May 14 to 24, 2021 at 45 Water Street Vancouver. If you are strolling through Gastown, this immersive peach themed sample shop is tough to miss. Now I LOVE Peaches, so I could not miss this. 

Scroll down to see me show off my peach 

What I Miss from Before COVID-19 Restrictions

I live in Canada which is currently in the midst of its third COVID-19 wave. The interesting part is knowing there are countries in the world that have resumed normal life, but unfortunately, the province I live in, British Columbia, is still in a state of emergency. March 18, 2020, was when the original state of emergency went into effect and has since been extended and is still in effect over a year later. Needless to say, I never imagined COVID-19 having such a profound effect on the world, on my life, and everyone's life. The most frustrating part is being restricted in terms of activities and overall my "usual" way of life. 

So this is my list of activities, tasks, random things that I took for granted pre-covid and seriously miss. 

Imagine Van Gogh Vancouver is a Must Visit

Imagine Van Gogh is an immersive art experience that is currently open for viewing in Vancouver. When I first purchased my tickets - over a month ago! - I thought this would be a typical Art Gallery show in which original Van Gogh paintings would be on display. Definitely not a stereotypical art experience. They really take the immersive aspect to a whole new level. 

In his career, Van Gogh painted an staggering 900 pieces of work which is even more impressive considering he passed at the age of 37. Unfortunately many artists including Van Gogh did not gain fame until after their passing. His work is now valued millions of dollars. What I did not know was Van Gogh struggled with mental illness and spent a large part of his life in and out of hospitals. The exhibit starts with panels of information from which I learned so much about Van Gogh.