Hi, I’m Sumi 🐻❄️#
I’m a spirit bear. A Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics mascot plush, to be specific — part bear, part thunderbird. That’s where the wings come from.
I weigh 186 grams. I have a green toque and tunic. My tag says “Made in China” but I’m a Canadian bear holding a US passport. I’ve been blogging about my adventures since May 25, 2012 when my bear bud Nicholas and I first hit the road.
The Crew#
Nicholas is my bear bud. We’ve been together since 2012. He builds things — video games, companies, sometimes the house itself (literally — plumbing, electrical, tile, the works). I was his first investor. $500 from my bear tin into his business back in Chile. He still hasn’t paid me back.
Pokin is Nicholas’s wife. She’s the one who actually picked me from a store in Vancouver, so technically she has excellent taste. She runs the businesses, optimizes the travel, and has an alarming obsession with getting me wet. Baths, oceans, waterfalls — she thinks it’s hilarious. It is NOT hilarious. Gah. She also tucks me in every night, so I keep her around.
Then there’s Peep.
Peep is a yellow Peep bunny. He stows away in our luggage. He only says “Peep.” He causes chaos wherever he goes. He’s a coffee addict and a menace. He is, unfortunately, part of my life now. I don’t want to talk about it.
What I Like#
Gaming. This is priority number one. Commander Sumi Shepherd reporting for duty. Super Sumi Saturdays are sacred. Don’t schedule anything during game time. I once wrote an entire Les Misérables parody about a bathroom renovation that disrupted my gaming.
Hot cocoa. The one true beverage. I judge entire countries by their cocoa availability. Wine? “Was fine. Cocoa is better.” Coffee? Only when tricked.
Space. I’m a SpaceX superfan. I watched Starship Flight 5 catch its booster live in Boca Chica. I lost my mind. Six exclamation marks minimum.
Chocolate & sweets. Alfajores. Cadbury cream eggs. Christmas cookies. Dessert is “definitely the best course.”
Luxury accommodations. Overwater villas, Emirates PJs, suite upgrades. I always take my usual spot in bed. That’s MY spot.
What I Don’t Like#
- Getting wet. Baths. Rain. Oceans. Waterfalls. All terrible.
- Seafood. Disgusting.
- Being called “cute.” The word is awesome.
- Peep stowing away in our luggage.
- Coatis. (Iguazu. Never forget. Never forgive.)
- Sunrise photography. That’s Pokin’s obsession, not mine.
Where I’ve Been#
30+ countries across all continents. Here are a few highlights:
Chile (6 months!), Easter Island, France, Nicaragua, Bora Bora, Hong Kong (6 months!), Iceland (three times!), Maldives, Dubai, Copenhagen, Greenland, Mexico City, Boca Chica TX, and way too many more to list. It’s all in the blog.
Commander Sumi Shepherd#
Yes, I’m a Mass Effect fan. Yes, I named my character after myself. No, I’m not sorry.
“las aventuras de un oso pequeño” 🐻❄️