The Six Foot Canasian

The motto of my life ... "EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON".

I can admit ... the Calgary Stampede is an unlikely place for a six foot tall CanAsian. I've lived in Alberta for a total of ten years (four of them in Calgary) and I feel as though I'm in my own version of "Where's Waldo?" when I visit ANYTHING country. There aren't many Asians intentionally wandering around Lammle's looking for a belt buckle or cowboy hat (let alone steer wrestling, bullriding or racing a chuckwagon) and I am typically one of very few at the bar singing along with Garth Brooks and/or attempting to line dance or two-step on the dance floor.

Thank goodness Mother Nature decided to behave for this year's Canada Day! Considering we had some of the scariest thunder and lightening the night before ... Canada Day 2015 was one for the books ... especially in Downtown Calgary's East Village!

I've lived in some of the most incredible cities in the world (i.e., Calgary, Toronto, New York, Chicago, Denver and all throughout Europe) and visited more countries that I can count ... and eating good food has always been top on my list of things to do wherever I go. In my travels I've had some of the most amazing culinary experiences, both in award-winning fine dining establishments and local eateries with amazing character and flair. charbar has very quickly moved to the top of my list!

I've been in the fitness industry for over twenty years and have either taught or participated in thousands of yoga classes of various styles (i.e., Hatha, Ashtanga, Bikram, Moksha, Core Power and the list goes on and on) but there is just something magical about practicing yoga without walls, windows or mirrors getting in the way! Think about how "zen" it would be to truly salute the sun as you reach upwards to the endless sky, standing in Mountain pose on a mountain top or balance in Tree pose in a forest of trees ... breathtaking. And ... that's exactly what you get to experience when you drop by the East Village Experience Centre Deck on Tuesday at noon for their FREE Yoga class (and it's open to ANYONE who wants to join in on the fun)!!

I am fortunate to have befriended some of the most amazing human beings on the planet. James Lawrence (aka., the "Iron Cowboy") may be THE MOST inspiring person that I know. Born and raised in Calgary (now living in Linden, Utah), this father of five is doing something that nobody in the world has ever attempted before ... 50 full distance Ironman triathlons, in 50 consecutive days, in 50 different states! Keep in mind a full distance Ironman triathlon consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run (a total of 7,030 miles that he will physically travel in 50 consecutive days). SERIOUSLY!!

If you didn't get enough of the good eats at the East Village Block Party or the Simmons Building grand opening ... you get three more days of foodie heaven!The YYCFoodTrucks Summer Frenzy drew people out of the secluded, air-conditioned homes (on a weekend with record-breaking highs) for some great sounds, culinary treats and shopping adventures!

I may not be an "official" resident, yet ... but you certainly don't have to tell me twice about a party! The staff at the East Village Experience Centre are so helpful in making sure that everyone that walks through their doors feels welcome and gets just as excited about the East Village as they are! They were the ones who informed me of the Block Party and reassured me that EVERYONE was invited to come and participate in the festivities!

Since the very first day I wandered into the East Village, the retail space being promoted on the main floors of both the First and Evolution buildings caught my eye! Now that I am finally back to Calgary for good (and had enough of jet-setting life) I have been seriously thinking about opening up another small specialty studio here in the city. This is something that I have done before (and also consulted other businesses on the process) but was inspired by what I've been learning about the East Village to seriously look into the opportunity and determine whether or not it would be the right time for me.

Hello. My name is Andrea Oh ... and it has been two ways since my last blog post (or "confession"). It's been eight days since I first set foot in the East Village and six days since my first meeting with Sandra Peters at the East Village Experience Centre and today we met again. After researching all the amazing projects planned for Downtown Calgary's East Village and spending time exploring the area and getting to know the people who live and frequent the community there was only one thing to do ... sign the paperwork and drop off the downpayment on a new Verve Condominium!!