Obsession of the Week

Bye for now

2011-02-10T21:48:00.001-05:00

Hello Friends,

I'm thinking of taking a break from my blog for a little while to rejuvenate and do a bit of thinking about what I'd like to do this year (creatively and otherwise). I may check in occasionally with updates about what I'm up to or to share things that I think might be exciting (or helpful) for others but for the most part, I won't be blogging regularly.

If you'd like to get in touch, please feel free to send me messages via "the comments" section or through email at ima.ventriloquist@yahoo.com. I'd love to hear from you!

Until then, have a wonderful February and take care! xo

Mmmacarons

2011-01-23T21:27:00.007-05:00

And no, that's not a spelling mistake. Macaron, people. Macaron.

Hello weekend!

2011-01-21T22:03:00.000-05:00

Who took this?

2011-01-14T00:16:00.002-05:00

I found this picture when I was going through all my shots in iPhoto. J thinks that one of his best friends (SS) took it. I think it's awesome.

Putting his foot down

2011-01-13T23:37:00.005-05:00

Beehive

2011-01-12T19:55:00.001-05:00

I love looking up at the different nests and hives nestled in the trees. They really become more visible in the wintertime when the branches are bare and the sun is setting.

I actually have a friend who collects beehives and hornet's nests. (Isn't that neat?) Whenever I come across fallen nests or hives or see their silhouettes in the trees, I think of her (like right now).

Grab Bag Update

2011-01-12T19:20:00.003-05:00

My grab bag from Omiyage arrived in the mail today. I was excited when I saw the beautifully wrapped package and anticipated finding some extra-special goodies tucked inside. Supposedly, the grab bags were valued at a price higher than what was paid (for example, $25 package worth $40) but to be honest, it was quite disappointing. Ah well. (I still love the shop and the lovely things they have.)

Hope your day is (was?) filled with happy surprises. Talk soon. xo

Just run, dammit!

2011-01-11T23:07:00.002-05:00

I met up with a friend after work for a nice evening of munchies and a movie at the Revue. Compared to this weekend's double bill, Never Let Me Go was on the opposite end of the spectrum. Watching the movie reminded me of walking through a museum very slowly and taking in all the beauty but never really understanding it all. There were quite a few loopholes that I couldn't (or maybe didn't want to) reconcile and it was very slow-paced.

Still, I loved the cinematography - many of the stills were like beautiful photographs - and the set design was amazing. I imagined how thrilling it would have been to choose all of the different vintage props. I also loved the juxtaposition of futuristic "technology" against the old-fashioned and conservative backdrop. And Carey Mulligan was great in it.

In a nutshell, it's a tragic science fiction-love story-melodrama.

Snack time

2011-01-10T22:45:00.001-05:00

2011-01-10T14:00:00.000-05:00

Candy apples

2011-01-09T23:14:00.003-05:00

I'm always in the mood for popcorn, candy apples and corn dogs. Here are a couple of pictures from last summer when H & I went to the CNE. I think my favorite part of going was taking pictures and eating all of the carnival treats.

Flying saucers

2011-01-09T15:06:00.001-05:00

We just got home from taking H sledding. There's a nice big hill close to home. I always forget how exhilarating it is to coast down the side of a hill or watching people defy death on plastic saucers.

Now we're warming up with cups of hot chocolate, nibbling on popcorn and putting our tootsies by the fire.

Hope you're having a lovely Sunday afternoon. Talk soon. xo

Quick review before I take two aspirins

2011-01-08T22:59:00.003-05:00

Tonight J+I went to a double feature: Enter the Void and Black Swan. My nerves feel shot after seeing one after the other. To be honest, I didn't really like either film or perhaps, more appropriately, didn't make a connection to either. However, I will say that they were both visually quite amazing. I also appreciate Gaspar Noé's ballsy approach to style and the cinematography but there were times when I found it overly ambitious and immature (but really - what the hell do I know?!). Oh yeah, and too long.

Have you ever gorged at a beautiful smorgasbord but left feeling stuffed, uncomfortable and overloaded? This is exactly how it felt after seeing these movies together. It's left me wanting dry toast.

[Does this mean I should be watching the Golden Girls right now?]

Hanging with my snowmie

2011-01-08T13:59:00.002-05:00

January sky

2011-01-07T19:28:00.001-05:00

On the way home from work today. Nice.

Seeing stars

2011-01-06T19:50:00.000-05:00

It started snowing again this afternoon so my walk home from work was really lovely. When I got home, I lit a lantern and went outside to take pictures.

Tonight we're just chilling out by the fire and doing our own thing. I think I'm going to write some letters and start a project that I've been thinking about for days now using photographs from an album I picked up at a flea market.

Hope you're having a cozy evening and doing something you love. Talk soon. xo

Another day

2011-01-06T09:32:00.000-05:00

Omiyage

2011-01-04T22:51:00.004-05:00

I've been meaning to post about one of my new favorite online shops called Omiyage. Have you heard of it?

"Omiyage is the love child of Marisa Edghill and Elias de Souza. Having moved from Japan to Canada in 2007 (after a combined 12 years in the land of the rising sun), they found themselves missing Japanese stuff an awful lot! After a couple of years feeling sad every time they walked into a fabric store, or a craft store or, well, pretty much any store, they decided to do something about it!"

[How awesome are they?!]

The shop is really lovely with all of its special goodies (think: washi tapes, rubber stamps, stationery...) and the best part of all is that it's right here in Ontario! AND (as if it wasn't already amazing!) the flat shipping rate for Canada is a mere $5! (It's true!) You really must check it out, my friends.

P.S. For those of you who love surprises and grab bags, they're offering lucky bags (or Fukubukuro) until January 7th or you could enter to win one on the Lil Magoolie website! What a great way to start the New Year!

Powdered sugar

2011-01-04T22:20:00.000-05:00

What a pretty morning! The snow was falling gently like powdered sugar being sifted in the air. It reminded me of the backdrop for a Christmas story.

As I was walking home this evening, the snow began to fall again. I tried to capture it with my camera but this is what appeared:

[It looks more like a rainstorm of hot metal, non?]

Write more letters

2011-01-02T17:15:00.003-05:00

I'm not one for making New Year's Resolutions but I have been thinking about personal goals and things I'd like to do in the New Year. Here is my list so far:

Write more letters - I've really been slipping with this. It's such a shame because an empty mailbox is definitely a lonely one.

Take a class - I'm not sure what this class will be in yet but I know that it'll be something creative and not necessarily work-related. Some things that crossed my mind were jewelry-making and writing.

Tone up - I've been saying this for years now but I think this is the year I'll actually do something about it! My metabolism isn't what it used to be (that's for sure!).

Take more pictures - I used to carry my camera with me everywhere in the past but somewhere along the way, I found it too cumbersome. As a result, I've missed some really interesting shots. This year I plan to take more photos and improve my photography.

Journal regularly - As I mentioned in my previous post, I started a new journal and I hope to continue writing in it regularly. Along with my camera, I'll make sure to bring it with me wherever I go.

Create more - This kind of goes hand-in-hand with my thoughts of writing more and taking a class. I just feel like I've been amassing things like craft supplies and paper but haven't been doing anything with them. It's like I keep waiting for something to happen or for the perfect time. I just need to do it and not feel the pressure of having to create something perfect. Maybe I'll start with collages or a simple art journal. This is something I could even do with H on a regular basis.

Read more poetry - There are so many beautiful poems out there that can really capture special moments and touch the soul. I need to tap into this.

Continue to expand my boundaries - Taking the improv class last year and performing in front of a small audience was really thrilling! I find when I force myself to go out there and take risks, it really allows me to expand my boundaries and access the parts of my personality that need to be nurtured. Taking classes, going to Meetups and performing in front of people is a great way to challenge myself and I plan to do more of it!

Have fun and enjoy life (!) - I don't often have any trouble doing this but there are days that I feel down or uninspired. I need to always remember to make the most of things, appreciate my family and my life, and above all, just have fun! (Why so serious?)

I like this year

2011-01-01T23:50:00.003-05:00

We started the New Year off by sleeping in late and having a lazy day. By late afternoon, however, the three of us were completely restless so we did two things: purge some of my shoes and walk down to Starbucks for some tea and hot chocolate.

H brought along a book, J had his Alpha Smart to type on and I started a brand new journal. It felt good to get out my pens and write on the fresh, new paper (tabula rasa).

I wrote down a list of highlights of the year that just passed and there were so many wonderful things to reflect on. Here are some of the most memorable:

- Ringing in 2010 in London with D+L
- Taking the Eurostar through the English Channel to Paris and visiting the Eiffel Tower, the Marche aux Puces and the Catacombs
- Completing my program in Career & Work Counselling and having the opportunity to work for three really different and amazing programs
- Reading H's articles published in a magazine and admiring her work

And probably the most exciting:
- Celebrating J's dream of writing and directing his first feature film (!!!)

Of course, being healthy, happy and in love have also been constant themes throughout the year that I know will continue into the next (and hopefully into infinity). I'm really excited to see what 2011 will bring and have a feeling it's going to be just as exciting and full as the last year so I say, bring it! I'm ready.

Wishing you a wonderful year filled with adventures, happiness and lots of love. Take care, friends. Talk soon. xo

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T15:22:00.000-05:00

Welcome 2011! (Bring it on!)

Lovely holiday season

2011-01-01T15:11:00.001-05:00

My parents and sister flew in from Winnipeg on the 24th and we drove down to Kingston to celebrate with J's family (minus two key people). It was a really lovely time with lots of food, conversation and very little drama (except for the dreaded sliver incident...heh heh).

I feel really lucky to have such warm and welcoming in-laws. They made our stay very special and we had a really wonderful time with them! One of the highlights was seeing J's niece and all of the new things she had learned recently. (So sweet! ♥)

I'm also really grateful that my parents and sister took the time to fly down to be with us over the holidays. We really appreciate it, especially H. They always do so much for us in the little time that they're here. Thank you!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and a happy celebration! Talk soon. xo

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T19:54:00.000-05:00

Wishing lots of love to all those near and far...and in our hearts.

Merry Christmas! xo

Happy Winter Solstice!

2010-12-21T23:51:00.001-05:00

Wishing you all things happy this season!

A little taste of Japan

2010-12-20T22:03:00.000-05:00

Have you been to Sanko yet? As you know, it's one of my favorite places to pick up munchies and groceries in Toronto. They have the best selection of chocolates and sweets from Japan, not to mention sauces, noodles, tea, cold beverages, fresh produce, earthenware, biscuits, nori, specialty foods and seasonings (like furikake).

I love how colorful and cute the packaging can be! This is just a sneak peek of what you might see at a combini (Japanese convenience store) or grocery if (when?) you visit Japan:

The Mother of all craft events

2010-12-20T20:41:00.008-05:00

I love going to City of Craft. It's always really inspiring and I love meeting the artists. This year H and I bought some really lovely goodies including a cute pin of a monster named Janice by Denture Thief, a mini chalkboard necklace by Killside Krafts, really awesome ceramic pins of people's faces by Julie Moon (I loved her display which encouraged visitors to "find your doppleganger") and a beautiful card by Genevieve Jodouin. I was also excited to see Bunners Bake Shop there - a new vegan and gluten-free bakery - which had the most delicious creamies (similar to whoopie cakes but filled with luscious vanilla bean frosting). I swear each creamie weighed a good pound or two each so you can imagine how decadent and scrumptious each one was!

Another event that I went to recently was the Annual OCAD Book Arts Fair which showcases the work of book artists, printmakers, small publishing companies, zinesters, letterpress printers, cooperative print shops, paper and printmaking suppliers, and (of course) the students of OCAD. It's also very inspiring and filled with all kinds of beautiful works of art to purchase and behold.

One of my favorite artists on hand was Eunice Luk of Fantasy Camp. She was so sweet and cute - just like her art! - and she even gave me some sheets of her lovely handprinted papers for free! H and I bought some of her hot foil hand stamped pins and several packages of her stickers. We also picked up some really cool prints, a few fun zines and some copper stamped pendants.

I really enjoy attending events like these for inspiration but I especially love the opportunity to share them with H. It's great exposure for her to see the range of amazing artists and their work. It's also a way to show our support for the community and pick up some treasures along the way!

Hope you're feeling inspired this season! Talk soon. xo

What I was up to

2010-12-12T23:56:00.002-05:00

Just in case you were wondering what I was up to during those long silences this fall...

[I swear I did more than just eat.]

Ole Christmas Tea

2010-12-12T23:26:00.003-05:00

I went to a Christmas Tea at Toronto's First Post Office yesterday (put on by a tea group that I belong to). It was quite intimate with just two tables and very cozy as we nibbled our treats by the fire. The host of the tea had a nice spread set out of homemade scones with butter and strawberry jam, gingerbread cookies, butter tarts, shortbread and mini sandwiches. There was a lovely selection of loose teas including Coco Chai Rooibos, Organic Silk Dragon Jasmine and Margaret's Hope Darjeeling. I opted for the Coco Chai which was really delicious.

In addition to tea time, there was also an informal program in which the host led us through some Victorian Christmas traditions. Here are a couple of interesting tidbits:

Sir Henry Cole invented the Christmas card in 1843 by printing a thousand cards and selling them in his print shop in London at a cost of one shilling each.

The Christmas cracker was invented in 1848 by Tom Smith, a London candy maker.

[Ah, London...]

It was a really lovely little gathering and a nice experience. Tea at the post office...what a perfect combination!

Don't worry

2010-12-11T14:12:00.000-05:00

They sang this song at H's recent Christmas concert:

I really love the sentiment and the message behind this song. It's so simple and yet so powerful. I think they should sing this every morning instead of the National Anthem at school.

Millionaire

2010-12-05T08:06:00.001-05:00

I love this quote (though, secretly, I don't know why one couldn't have both):

"It is perhaps a more fortunate destiny to have a taste for collecting shells than to be born a millionaire."

(Robert Louis Stevenson)

Sketchy

2010-12-05T00:31:00.002-05:00

Last night I performed in my first sketch comedy show and I even did a little stand-up routine! The venue was at a teeny cafe in the neighborhood that has a makeshift stage in the back. We were joined by a group of young adults that my teacher recently instructed through a film and television acting program. One of our "troupe" members is a professional musician so there was also live music during the show and funny sound effects added to the acts.

I was nervous at first but the intimate and cozy crowd was very generous with their applause and laughter which was very encouraging. It felt good to be up in front of people telling silly stories and acting goofy, though I really do need to develop my characters a bit more next time. Still, it was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to the next show (yes, that's right...I'm planning to do another!) which will likely be in the New Year.

In the meantime, I've started another class - this time through a school - where I can learn more about the craft. There won't be a show when the course ends but it'll be fun just meeting new people and stretching my boundaries even more.

Lights! Camera! Action!

2010-12-01T09:31:00.001-05:00

Today J begins shooting the low-budget crime film that he wrote! (Isn't that exciting?!) I can't even imagine how amazing it must feel for him to be on set and in his element. I'm so very happy for him and of course (cheesy as it is to say, albeit true), proud! He truly deserves this! I've never met anyone so passionate and dedicated to his craft. His work ethic is really inspiring (as well as exhausting...heh heh).

I can't wait to hear all about his experience later this evening. Hope all is going well! :)

Going postal

2010-11-14T16:17:00.001-05:00

Lately, I've been operating in a world within about a four-mile radius. This wouldn't be much of a problem if the radius included even a block of downtown (e.g. the area near St. Lawrence Market or Queen & Spadina) but it doesn't. As a result, I've felt very restless these days and thought this would be my day to venture out into the "real world".

In hindsight, my plan was flawed from the beginning. Let's just say that having any sort of expectations that a stamp show would "deliver" the kind of excitement I was longing for was so very wrong...on many levels. For starters, this isn't exactly the venue that attracts really dynamic or energetic types (not to generalize but I call it as I see it). Furthermore, if you're hoping to see any sort of diversity that Toronto is famous for, you would have to do so by fingering through the stamp collections because the crowd certainly did not provide this.

I was excited to see the children's corner - it had some really fun activities and goodies - but I was told that it was reserved strictly for children. And no...showing i.d. to prove that I had a child would do no good here to obtain any of the materials. (Sigh)

The highlight of my adventure was looking through covers (used envelopes) - some of which had handwritten letters and old documents tucked inside. Oh yes, and picking up paraphernalia related to mail and stamps that I plan to share with my fellow swappers and penpals.

I left feeling even more lethargic and restless but happy that I might have more material to use during my sketch and improv class.

(Or not...)

2010-11-12T21:01:00.001-05:00

Like a support group

2010-10-12T23:22:00.000-04:00

Tonight I attended a drop-in session for improv and sketch comedy. It's something that I've always been secretly curious about but too shy to try so it seemed like the perfect chance to see what it was all about. Also, I've been feeling pretty restless lately and in need of something new that might expand my boundaries so I was excited to see what the session would bring.

It was a small gathering, a handful of people (a tiny hand), and I felt like a sore thumb sticking out. As I walked in, the teacher was in the middle of sharing an anecdote and I suddenly felt like someone who had just crashed an intimate party. As it turned out, the other participants had already been to several sessions with the same teacher so everyone knew each other.

The mood changed quickly, however, as the group welcomed me and personal stories were exchanged. We then jumped right in by doing two improv exercises which left me feeling absolutely exhilarated! Seriously, it was such a very liberating experience, not to mention so much fun! Finally, a forum to tap into all of my nonsensical thoughts and a place to share my insane scenarios and ideas! (Why on earth hadn't I tried this sooner?!) It almost felt like a support group - very therapeutic, I must say.

On a practical level, this session offered me both professional and personal applications. There were ideas discussed that could be helpful for clients I work with, for example those preparing for interviews who struggle with answering questions or presenting their personal stories or narratives in ways that are both relevant and entertaining to prospective audiences or in this case, employers. For me, it was all about getting a glimpse at being able to manage the spontaneity of conversation and formulate responses to either sustain or engage dialogue. (Imagine?!) I loved it all and was sad when the session ended.

I can't wait to go again next week and see what we'll do next! (I'm actually giddy thinking about it! Heh heh.)

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-10-11T11:19:00.000-04:00

No trouble

2010-09-25T14:47:00.000-04:00

There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea.

~Bernard-Paul Heroux

Must be

2010-09-24T14:35:00.000-04:00

This must be what it feels like getting punched in the stomach...

This is what we like to do

2010-09-24T10:54:00.001-04:00

Eat lil' chocolate chip cookies, munch on popcorn, sip tea, watch a scary movie and squeeze onto a couch together... ♥

It was only time

2010-09-23T15:05:00.000-04:00

The "tea" shirt is amazing, isn't it? I'm not sure how the whole tea cup thing works or how I feel about it yet. Still, I had to share it with you.

[Still on the radar...]

Just in case you were wondering, I've had two cups of Cinnamon Heart (my favorite morning tea right now!) and a White Malibu iced tea latte today, so far. (I ♥ tea!) xo

The power to evoke...

2010-09-23T08:54:00.007-04:00

"Photographs get at the essence of things. They have the power to evoke, inform, and inspire. Photography is a democratic medium- global, inexpensive, and accessible. We like the immediacy and clarity of photography: we read photographs quickly, if not instantly, and know straight away whether we like or dislike them. Photographs are seductive, they feed our imagination about what we want to look like and how we want to live. They fire our aspirations. Photographers bear witness to events for us; they inform and educate us through their eyes. The camera preserves things that are now past, allowing us to see things that would otherwise be unseeable".

- Susan Sontag

First day of Autumn

2010-09-22T21:50:00.006-04:00

The weather today was so strange - it was a mixed bag of humidity, overcast skies, refreshing breezes and sun. It was kind of like Summer trying to hang on as Autumn was trying to move in.

I'm sure I've mentioned this before but this is really my favorite time of year. To me, it feels like more of a new beginning now than in January. It just doesn't feel right to start something new when people are hibernating indoors all bundled up, waiting for the snow to melt (or maybe that's just me?). Anyway, this season feels like the start of something new and exciting. I hope yours is, too. xo

Beef Bourguignon

2010-09-21T22:04:00.006-04:00

As many of you know, I am very fortunate to have a husband who not only enjoys cooking but is also very good at it. Lately, however, J has been busy working on a number of different film projects and no longer has the time. Normally, the thought of being in charge of feeding the family would be quite scary but thanks to a number of inspiring blogs (especially this one), I have been really intrigued and excited about the whole idea.

I've been fixated on the idea of making a pot roast - the kind I used to make many moons ago. So, I began scanning the web for new variations of the recipe when I came across a very fool-proof method that I just had to try only it wasn't for pot roast but for Beef Bourguignon (did I spell it right?).

I ran around buying the ingredients - cuts of beef, a bottle of red wine, broth, pearl onions - and also made pit-stops along the way. I went to David's Tea (sadly, their Pumpkin Spice blend was sold out), Cobs (they have a delicious sesame bread that J loves), Max's Deli (their homemade salsa is amazing and they also have Cape Vessey cheese) and a health food store to buy nutritional yeast flakes and veggie sausages for J. It was so nice to be out and about today with the sun shining. It was also quite warm (26 degrees).

The recipe, while quite easy in its execution, took 2 1/2 hours to cook. The kitchen smelled amazing but the dish was even more spectacular. Here is the recipe I used (courtesy of cooks.com):

1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced
1/4 c. butter
5 slices bacon, diced
2 lbs. beef (boneless), cut into 2-inch cubes
2 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. thyme
1 bay leaf
1 peppercorn
3/4 c. beef stock
1 1/2 c. red cooking wine
1/2 lb. whole sm. white onions

In a large pot, saute mushrooms in butter. Remove mushrooms and liquid, and set aside. Fry bacon until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside. Add beef to bacon drippings. Brown it well. Blend in flour. Then add sugar, salt, thyme, bay leaf and peppercorn. Add beef stock and wine. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add onions, mushrooms and bacon. Simmer 1 1/2 hours longer. Add more cooking wine if liquid evaporates.

Serve over rice. Serves 4.

I was getting quite impatient at about the 2 hour mark but honestly, if you're able to wait an extra 30 minutes (or even longer) then you will end up with beef that is more tender and dare I say, more dang delicious. Trust me - wait. (The beef was tender enough to slice with a butter knife!)

So that was my little adventure today. I thought it was a good way to celebrate the coming of Autumn. I have a little feast planned for Thursday which will be all vegan so the three of us can enjoy it together.

Hope you're having a good month. And in case I don't talk to you, Happy Autumn Solstice to you! xo

First day of school

2010-09-07T19:35:00.006-04:00

I still can't believe it's already the first day of school! I'm really going to miss spending time with H during the day. We've been having lots of fun watching movies, baking, playing Boggle, laughing together, having lazy days and just being in each other's company. I hope we'll always be this close. ♥

Corndogs and other surprises

2010-09-07T00:15:00.007-04:00

To celebrate the last day of summer holidays, I took H on a mystery outing. I gave her a few hints about where we were going which included 1) there would be a little bit of everything that she liked there, 2) we would probably eat, at some point and 3) she wouldn't be disappointed. She then asked, "Does it have anything to do with cheese?"

We took the subway and then a streetcar which I was sure would give away the final destination but luckily didn't. H mentioned during the ride that this streetcar passed by Ontario Place and the CNE but I guess didn't think I would actually take her to either of these places. When it was getting pretty obvious that we weren't getting off until the last stop, I tried to make up some excuse saying that I had missed the right stop. I even went so far as to start back-tracking by walking away from the CNE but finally let out the surprise. H was so happy and excited and she squeezed my arm several times as she thanked me.

We didn't actually go on any rides but just wandered around the grounds and to Exhibition Hall. We ate corn dogs and fries, bought cotton candy and the "ice-cream of the future" (Dip'n'Dots, I think they're called). We spent the most time at the games trying to win prizes. I was both annoyed and intrigued by the carnies as they tried to manipulate us to spend more money and make us forget that we required change back through their obvious distractions. They're a skilled breed and I was mesmerized by their fast talking.

One of the highlights of the excursion was finding wooden spoons. I'm not talking about those huge spoons that come in salad sets but the size of teaspoons and tiny dessert spoons or the kind used for eating chestnuts. I first saw them on the site of one of my favorite bloggers and have become obsessed with them since. It was a very happy day for both H and I. :)

J missed out on all the fun since he had to work but was nice enough to pick us up to go to H's next surprise - dinner at The Real Jerk. H told J all about our day and then gave one of her prizes to him (a stuffie of one of the South Park kids) which was very sweet and touching.

-------

So this is camping...

2010-09-06T22:52:00.014-04:00

J and I are totally not the camping type. For us, the idea of staying at a hotel and climbing into fresh, cool linens beats the thought of sleeping outdoors in a tent any day. Of course, this might have to do with the fact that I can't imagine even assembling a tent, let alone sleeping in one (I fear that I'll be ripped to shreds by raccoons or bears as I'm fast asleep). However, J thought that it would be a good idea to take H to a campsite and "rough it" because he vaguely remembered camping as a child and thought it would be a good experience for her. As a compromise, we rented a teeny-tiny cabin at a nice little campsite. H brought a friend along on the adventure.

Here were some of the highlights:

Drive-in Theatre
I'm still not convinced that this was a coincidence but J claims that it was. Whatever the case is, we all loved going even if the movie wasn't the greatest (The Sorcerer's Apprentice). We brought all kinds of snacks and drinks with us and cozied up in the car. We put the seats down in the back so the girls could spread out while J and I sat in the front. During intermission, J asked if the girls could have a look at the projector which the projectionist graciously agreed to. I wonder how many times he's been asked this. I'm sure it hasn't been many as we had a very lengthy and descriptive review of the projector including its history and that of the films and reels used (even J thought it went on a bit too long).

Cruising
J took the girls to rent bikes and then booted around the camp. (He's such a fun Dad!)

Swimming
We were so lucky to have the last three hottest days of summer! The girls were thrilled they could go swimming every day and listen to their favorite tunes blaring in the background.

Barbequing
Or rather, learning how to start a barbeque. :) Now that I'm back on meat, I must say that I was thoroughly enjoying the hamburgers and hotdogs on the open grill. We also had some big, fat juicy veggie sausages and barbequed corn. Mmm.

Walking in nature
The girls took us on a tour of places they discovered around the site. It reminded me of when I used to live in Vancouver and go hiking every weekend. (And yes, I really did that when I lived there.)

The Fire Pit
What's camping without a fire?! Of course, we roasted marshmallows and made smores. (Who would've ever thought to roast marshmallows? Genius!) We also took turns adding kindle to the fire and poking it. Good times.

Fishing
H had been asking us to take her fishing during the year so we were excited to learn that we could rent a boat and some rods. J picked up some juicy and feisty nightcrawlers which I placed onto the girls' hooks while J rowed out to the middle of the lake. It was so peaceful as we were the only ones out. It was also really beautiful. The girls didn't end up catching anything but they did get some nibbles on their lines which was just as good for them. H was so happy to go and absolutely loved it. My only regret was not taking any pictures. We were sure the camera would get wet. (Sigh) Next time... :)

Mad Men
We agreed to let H and her friend watch a movie on my computer in the cabin while J and I cozied up in the car to watch Mad Men and Hung on his computer. (Oh, did I mention there was also Wi-Fi at this camp? Heh heh. We really didn't log onto it much but the fact that it was there was quite comforting.)

J, H and I agreed that we would come back again to the little cabin again next year since we all had such fun. And this time, we'll know not to bring so much food and I won't be scared about not having a bathroom in the cabin. :)

8mm films

2010-08-24T19:54:00.009-04:00

This afternoon the three of us (J, H + I) watched old 8mm films that belonged to J's grandpa in a dark room in the bowels of a local furniture store. It was such a nostalgic experience listening to the clicking of the projector as the film looped around the reels and seeing the grainy texture that only genuine film movies could provide.

Special thanks to E for making it happen!

I never met J's grandpa but I could tell that he was a really cool and amazing person through his films, the many vintage photos he took and J's stories. And the fact that J still calls him one of his best friends. ♥

It really was a dark room! You should see how spooky it is down there with the lights turned out! BOO!

Happy Day ♥

2010-08-20T01:00:00.004-04:00

I always knew it would happen. This is just the beginning...

We're so happy for you! Congratulations!

Love always. xo

Grilled peaches

2010-08-12T18:53:00.009-04:00

I've been feeling a bit reclusive and have been somewhat of a homebody lately but decided to venture out when a friend invited me to an intimate little barbeque in her backyard with another friend.

The menu was amazing:

homemade pizza with fresh basil pesto, figs, mushrooms and potatoes with kale-slaw

lamb marinated with garlic, lemon and basil plus pork ribs slathered with a tangy barbeque sauce

and grilled peaches and apricots for dessert.

(We also had some greek style chips that tasted like feta.)

There were also cute little carrots that joined us (straight from the garden, no less).

Aside from all the eating and grilling going on, we also had a lot of good laughs and as usual, great conversation. I always feel so comfortable and inspired when I meet up with these two. I was glad I went and am looking forward to our next get-together. (We talked about having a grilled fruits barbeque including fruits de mer.)

Thanks so much for the wonderful time, J + A. It's just what I needed. xo

Anniversary Love ♥

2010-08-07T03:12:00.022-04:00

As I mentioned in a recent post, J and I celebrated our anniversary and he planned the most imaginative and amazing surprise ever in the form of a scavenger hunt around the city. It began with him showing up unexpectedly at work to pick me up and me entering the car to the following:

I'm a huge fan for these kind of adventures and was excited to see the envelope when I sat down. We decided to wait until H was with us to start the actual scavenger hunt so we quickly picked her up at daycare and I resisted tearing into the envelope. (Okay, so maybe I peeked...)

Once H was with us, we began the real adventure with the first clue:

I found myself here:

I needed a closer look:

And upon further inspection...I found it!

Another clue:

I needed some hints for this one but finally figured out the next location and ended up here:

If you've never been to Honest Ed's - it's a crazy maze of cheap goods and tacky (yet delightful) pictures and decorations:

We weaved through the different bins of bargain bras and cheap slippers, passed by racks of various bottles of spices and garden tools, and breezed by shelves of glass decanters and electronics until we finally found the next clue tucked away in some of the merchandise:

And it looked something like this:

A key! Oh, how I love keys and secret hiding places! If you can believe, I immediately guessed the next locale - the ol' bus depot. Look at what I found there:

J told H that this day was a "family anniversary" and not just between the two of us because it was the "day we started being a family". He wanted to be sure to include her in the scavenger hunt, as well as the whole celebration and chose a place that she had never been to and was excited to share with her. (I know, he's really the kindest and sweetest man ever.) Hence, the last clue.

When we got to the final destination there was a huge lineup and by this time, we were all starving so we decided to change things up a bit and try a different place. (We also had no desire to wait for an hour in the rain.) We ended up here:

Bodega was perfect as it was a little more intimate, a new adventure (in and of itself) and also very delicious. Here are some of the highlights:

Thank you so much to J for putting so much effort, thought and love into this event. It's very much the same way he approaches life with us on a daily basis. I feel so fortunate and grateful to have such a wonderful partner and lovely family. Sometimes (often) I wonder how I got so lucky.

So, Happy Family Anniversary to my two favorite people:

Love always and forever. ♥

Happy. Happy. ♥

2010-07-31T09:41:00.004-04:00

Wishing love and happiness always to J. Happy Birthday to you. xo

Hello friends!

2010-07-31T09:35:00.009-04:00

Hello out there in blogland! Just wanted to write a quick note to say "hello". It seems like I haven't written anything in ages. We have a guest staying with us until Monday so we'll be busy doing the tourist thing this weekend. (We've already initiated her into one of our Friday night favorites - dinner at Korean Grill House and dessert from Sweet Tooth on the Danforth!)

I've been having a wonderful summer and eating lots of good food. I also celebrated a wedding anniversary (or as J calls it, "a family anniversary") a few days ago which I'd like to dedicate a whole post to. J orchestrated the most special and elaborate surprise ever! It involved a little scavenger hunt around the city and ended with a really special dinner. (Love. ♥)

(I have lots of pictures to share!)

Hope you're having a lovely summer and treating yourself well. Talk soon and take care. xo

Hump Day

2010-07-14T07:06:00.001-04:00

Is it really only Wednesday?! I feel like I'm in slow motion right now. Grrr...

Breakfast for dinner

2010-07-13T19:36:00.011-04:00

I've been thinking a lot about breakfast lately. (Is that weird?)

I love how creative and fun breakfasts can be from fancy cheese omelets with hot sauce and shredded purple cabbage to fluffy, fruity pancakes with maple syrup and whipped cream; crepes filled with hazelnut sauce and bananas or spicy sausages with black beans and avocados wrapped tightly in a soft tortilla shell. The combinations are endless and the dishes as individual as those sitting down to their morning feast.

Of course, breakfasts needn't be complicated. In fact, they can also be the simplest of meals. Why, there's that comforting bowl of oatmeal with a teaspoon of brown sugar and warm milk that greets you on a cold winter morning or that perfect slice of toast with the raspberry jam from that cute little shop off the highway or even easier still, the black cup of coffee and donut that you hesitantly admit to devouring yet that filled you up just enough to get through that boring meeting first thing in the morning.

(No, breakfast needn't be too complicated...unless, of course, you want it to be.)

I think what I especially love about breakfast is that you don't have to be a master chef to prepare something special and hell, you don't even have to have it first thing in the morning (like today's dinner). And it can be shared with others or enjoyed in silence all alone.

Yes, breakfast really is the perfect meal. ♥

Breezy afternoon walk

2010-07-10T19:23:00.007-04:00

The weather is really lovely today - a bit breezy and not as muggy as it's been this past week. It was the perfect day for an afternoon walk.

I've been craving some Cinnamon Heart tea from David's, so we dropped by the shop. I'm sure I've raved about David's Tea in previous posts but it really is one of my favorite places to visit. Their selection of teas is amazing and their customer service rivals that of Japanese merchants. I especially love that they offer you a shot of tea upon entering and that every customer is acknowledged and greeted when they visit the store.

We decided to try an iced latte while we were there. J had a Fruity & Green latte which was a rooibos blend with mango and papaya while I had a white tea blend called Malibu Beach which was infused with coconut and absolutely delicious. Once the tea was steeped, ice was added to it then topped with frothy warm soy milk (much tastier than it sounds) and sweetened with agave. Mmmm.

We thought it would be a nice treat to drop by Max's Market and each pick out some goodies for dinner and dessert. There was so much to choose from! These are some of the items that made it to our basket: three different salads (I chose seaweed, J choose rice salad and H choose tuna), a bean enchilada for H, three different kinds of barbequed squash with a brown sugar glaze, a mushroom and risotto patty for J and a beef bourguignon tarte for me. For dessert, H chose a really rich piece of chocolate cheesecake, I chose a lemon tart and J chose a bag of plump and juicy Washington cherries which he purchased at another market. When we got home, we set up an impromptu picnic on our living room floor and I prepared a container of sangria with some of the cherries we bought and slices of lemon. Ahhh.

Hope you're having a lovely Saturday and enjoying some nice treats. Talk soon. xo

Friday night, I've missed you!

2010-07-09T18:53:00.004-04:00

I've never been so happy that it's Friday night! It's been a really full week. Where I work it's extremely busy and there's always something happening. By the time Friday rolls around, I feel like I've really earned it. And I'm so happy that it's here! (My glass of sangria never tasted so good!)

Hello dear Friday night! I've missed you terribly! xo

I'm looking forward to having a nice evening with my two favorite people; eating pizza, having munchies, catching up on our favorite show and possibly watching a movie into the wee hours.

Hope you're enjoying the start of the weekend! Talk soon. xo

Delicious

2010-07-07T20:20:00.004-04:00

I'm spoiled. (I really am.)

My husband cooks all of our dinners (save Fridays which is "treat night" and the odd "experimentation" on my part). He's very creative and adventurous so our meals are usually interesting, often visually appealing, as well as incredibly tasty. He's not professionally trained and is quite modest when complimented - "I just follow the directions" is what he'll usually say - but trust me. The guy's got mad skills.

Tonight he plated up some avocado and tofu gyozas (for the second night, no less) alongside a bed of white rice sprinkled with furikake. The recipe was courtesy of our friend D in London...the same friend who introduced us to butternut squash pasta and who's also got mad skills in the kitchen (he's practically a gourmet cook!).

Hot in the city

2010-07-05T22:44:00.005-04:00

It's almost 11:00 pm and it's still 29 degrees out! Thank goodness for air conditioning and sangrias.

This weather reminds me of a lovely little snapshot I took a few years ago on a Swiss beach.

(And no, this is not my husband slathering up but just some oily sunbather in a banana hammock.)

Toronto Island

2010-07-03T23:31:00.008-04:00

The weather has been really gorgeous lately - sunny and in the high twenties. Next week it's getting even hotter and will be in the thirties! (I love it!)

To make the most of this beautiful weather, we decided to spend the day at Toronto Island. On our way, we made a pit stop at St. Lawrence Market to pick up some goodies - three different cheeses (Comte for me, smoked Gouda for J and Swiss Havarti for H), two baguettes (one crusty French stick and the other olive), sundried tomato hummus and spicy hot Genoa. For dessert, we picked up teeny tiny peanut butter cups and one vanilla caramel (which H graciously shared with us...well, sort of).

There was a huge lineup to get onto the ferry going across to the island but luckily, we were able to squeeze onto the first one going out. It was a really lovely way to spend the afternoon. J + H kicked the soccer ball around while I laid on the blanket. We also walked around and explored the little amusement park, beach and gardens. Here are some pictures I took of the afternoon.

Ahhh...Friday!

2010-07-02T18:27:00.004-04:00

It felt really strange going to work this morning after having two days off. My mind and body were totally in weekend mode. In fact, I think I was operating in that mode all day long but I was certainly in good company. ;)

Now it's Friday night and I'm sipping a glass of sangria while I wait for my blueberry-peach tarts to come out of the oven. (I can't wait to have them for dessert with some vanilla ice cream!) For dinner, J made butternut squash pasta - one of our favorite dishes. Thanks to our friend, D for sharing this meal and recipe with us! We love it!

Bon appetit!

Four years ago

2010-07-02T00:41:00.012-04:00

Today is our four year anniversary of moving to Toronto! (Wow, has it really been that long?!)

I feel so fortunate to be here with J + H welcoming each day and each new experience. It's been really wonderful creating a life here with the two of them and I can't wait to see how the years ahead unfold.

Thank you, My Loves. ♥

(This is one of my favorite shots taken when we first moved here.)

New faces and opportunities

2010-06-22T23:37:00.007-04:00

Yesterday there were four new students who began their work placements at the centre. They're from the same program that I completed and I'll be the Practicum Supervisor for one of them which I'm very excited about. The student I'll be working with seems really nice and is very enthusiastic about being at the centre. She's already jumping right in by assisting clients and staff in the ERC (Employment Resource Centre) and by asking lots of questions.

This Friday, we'll be meeting to discuss her learning contract and objectives in detail. I have a few project ideas that I've already proposed to her that she seemed quite open to. We've also discussed opportunities such as observing workshops, counselling sessions and resume/cover letter critiques which are things that I found most helpful while I was doing my own placement.

Coincidentally, I'll be having lunch on Thursday with the woman who was my supervisor while I was doing my practicum (and who is now my mentor) so I can ask her some questions, if necessary.

I can't say how grateful I am to be working at this new location. I feel so fortunate to be there and to be able to partake in all of the opportunities presented to me. The days are full and go by quickly but I feel like I'm accomplishing a lot in the time that I'm there. I'm also learning and laughing and chatting a lot. :)

Happy Summer Solstice!

2010-06-21T19:59:00.004-04:00

The weather today couldn't have been more perfect to ring in the summer solstice - it was sunny and hot and there were big fluffy clouds floating in the sky.

Happy Father's Day ♥

2010-06-20T18:15:00.002-04:00

Thank you for being such a wonderful role model and loving parent to H. We'd be lost without you. Love always. ♥

[And a Happy Father's Day to all of the other Pops and Papas out there (including my own Dad!). Have a great day! xo]

Speechless

2010-06-14T23:25:00.001-04:00

Can't. Speak. Still. In. Shock. Breaking. Bad. AMAZING.

[I ♥ Vince Gilligan]

Breaking Bad ♥

2010-06-14T22:09:00.004-04:00

We're catching up on the last two episodes of Breaking Bad tonight. OMG. I love this show! At the end of the second last episode, J gasped so loud that it woke up our neighbour's baby downstairs!

If you've never seen the show before, you must! (You must, you must, you must increase your...oops!) Seriously, it is an AMAZING show. Please watch it.

Mixed Pickles

2010-06-14T18:57:00.013-04:00

[“Mixed Pickles” by Victoria Alexandrina Anderson-Pelham, Countess of Yarborough (English 1840–?) & Eva Macdonald (English 1846/50–?) from the Westmorland Album, 1864/70 Collage, watercolor & albumen prints]

H & I had another busy day yesterday that began at the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) and ended with a celebration at Nathan Phillips Square with two friends and a crowd of my peeps.

The last time I went to the AGO was during the week it re-opened after the massive renovations. I remember waiting under newspapers in the pouring rain with a friend to check out what all the buzz was about. The lineups were long as you can imagine they would be when no admission is charged (a nice way to kick off the event!). I felt like I was in a different country that night as we entered the gorgeous new space. I experienced the same kind of thrill when I took H yesterday as we explored all of the beautiful rooms and halls which housed the amazing collections and exhibits. (Works included the likes of Degas, Chagall and Picasso.)

I have to admit, however, as a collector of ephemera and a lover of illustration, my favorite exhibit was the one titled, Playing with Pictures, which featured Victorian collage from more than 40 of the best albums selected. The pages displayed the witty sense of humour of the artists who juxtaposed photographs and illustrations that poked fun at the social classes and conventions of that time.

We stopped for pizza slices and ice cream before meeting up with friends at Dundas Square. A band was playing when we arrived, singing some very saucy lyrics which kept H giggling. We decided to head over to Nathan Phillips Square where a celebration was taking place honouring the independence of "my people".

I was amazed to see so many Titas, Titos, Lolos and Lolas in one place in downtown Toronto. There were all kinds of stalls set up selling treats such as ube cake, Adobo Cracker Nuts, pancit, skewers of sweet barbequed pork, Siopoa (complete with its distinctive pink dot), plastic cups filled with sago gulaman and cutchinta. There were also stands selling t-shirts emblazoned with declarations of patriotism but the best (read: wonderfully cheesiest) part of the whole event was the singing contest taking place on stage.

Winning-hopefuls belted out tunes from traditional Philippine ballads to rocking Elvis hits (complete with groin-thrusting...a bit disconcerting coming from a very agile 70 year-old Lolo). Always a crowd pleaser, Journey's Faithfully was met with loud applause and our little group began swaying from side-to-side. (I only wished that I had a lighter with me at the time.) We left as they were announcing the winners so we'll never know how "P-Elvis" fared.

Oh, I forgot to mention that we were also celebrating another special event at Nathan Phillips Square and that was V's birthday. I think the highlight for her was not the sampling of deep fried jackfruit or listening to the performances of eight year-olds who resemble fifty year-old jazz singers (weird) but rather, getting shat on by a pigeon. (J & I told her that this was good luck if it happened on your birthday. I think she believed us because it wasn't hard to coax her into buying a couple of lottery tickets...just in case.)

Happy Birthday to you, V. Wishing you a year full of love, happiness and adventures. xo

Saturdays ♥

2010-06-13T11:21:00.006-04:00

I love Saturdays, especially the one I had yesterday. It was jam-packed with all kinds of fun activities and finds including visiting garage sales, watching the new Karate Kid movie, purchasing colorful sundresses for $14.99 at H&M, picking up felt Japanese toilet seat covers, eating banchan and Korean bbq, drinking delicious lychee bubble tea, replacing my conked out Spectra Polaroid camera with a "new" one (found on Craigslist) and ended with seeing the Friends with You gang at Magic Pony. Oh yeah, we also saw a really cool ark in Trinity Bellwoods (part of Luminato).

Today, H & I are going downtown to spend the day at some gallery or museum and maybe, meet up with a friend.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend. Talk soon. xo

Mmmatcha

2010-06-09T20:10:00.003-04:00

I wish I had one (or more) of the treats pictured above. Don't they look delicious?! I bet they would taste good with a cup of Hojicha and an episode of Wipeout. If I had a choice, I would pick the one on the left filled with cream in the middle. Mmmatcha. :)

Rainy day

2010-06-09T18:33:00.008-04:00

This picture has nothing to do with my post but I find it quite intriguing. As some of you know, I'm afraid of most (if not, all) members of the rodentia family yet like to look at photos and images of them (especially chinchillas and capybaras).

Anyway, it was a rainy day here in Toronto. The perfect kind of day for watching movies and writing letters. Still, I was glad to be at work meeting new clients and chatting with staff. Starting next week, the Employment Counsellors will dedicate one day strictly for drop-in appointments. This isn't to say that there won't be drop-ins any other day but for one day a week, we'll keep our schedules completely open to accommodate them.

Right now, I try to schedule three appointments a day. Of course, this can always change on a dime as people don't show up or they show up late or still, others wander in and squeeze their names next to your free time slots. It's very dynamic and I really love it. Part of my work also includes helping out with the ERC (Employment Resource Centre) which is manned primarily by the Employment Consultants but sometimes it gets so crazy busy that we all just pitch in when needed. I love it! The days go by so fast and you really feel like you've earned your pay, not to mention, did something meaningful that day.

It's such a privilege to hear the clients' stories and some of them are downright heartbreaking that you just want so desperately to find something that will help the person move forward and get closer to their goals. I love the challenge but still have so much to learn. I'm just happy to be part of the process and meet so many interesting people.

Hellloooo there!

2010-06-08T22:18:00.007-04:00

Hello out there in Blogland! Remember me? I can't believe it's been so long since I've written a blog entry and touched base. How are you? Enjoying the weather? What have you been up to? Wherever you are and whatever you're up to - I hope you're doing well and having a bit of fun!

At the beginning of last month, I wrote about the closing of the women's program I was working at and some of the changes that were taking place in my field (and in my life). Since then, some exciting (and not so exciting) things have happened. Here's an update:

I'll start with the not-so exciting things...mainly, the fact that I've had this annoying and persistent cough for a few weeks now. It began while I was in Winnipeg with J+H visiting my family and friends. It was particularly annoying because I had all of these wonderful things planned while I was visiting such as shopping at my favorite vintage stores, catching up with friends over wine and attending family parties. Unfortunately, much of that was thwarted by the full-blown head cold which then turned into an ear infection and now is just a nasty cough that won't seem to go away. I've gone through a dose of antibiotics and even begged for more this past weekend (the doctor refused...hmph!). I can't wait 'til it runs its course and I'm feeling 100% again!

Moving on...the exciting things! Shortly after the women's program ended, I received a call from one of the Directors at the agency I was working for. "Would I be interested in a contract position beginning on Monday?" (She contacted me late Thursday evening just days before starting.) "Of course!" I replied and have been working with an amazing program ever since.

It's funny how you think that you'll only ever love one program or population to work with. It's not that I actually believed this entirely but when the program I was working for ended, I kind of romanticized it and was ultra sensitive to J's attempts at optimism when he said there might be other programs and populations that were just as fulfilling and interesting as the one I just experienced...and he was right.

I'm currently working as an interim Employment Counsellor at a centre which serves youth (ages 15-30) but are slowly transitioning into a new model which includes all ages. I am absolutely loving it!

There are two things that have made this experience incredibly enriching and rewarding: 1) I've never worked with youth before and 2) I didn't know much about the community the centre is situated in.

I've always been curious about what it would be like working with youth and if it was something I would enjoy. It's been such an eye-opener and I feel so lucky that I'm having this opportunity to see what it's like. I love the energy at the centre - it's busy, loud and full of activity! And I really like meeting all of the youth, listening to their stories and helping them with their job search or training needs. I love finding out what they're interested in and what they're hoping to do. I especially love sharing resources and information, as well as making recommendations that might be useful. It's been such a treat working with them!

As for the community the centre is located in - it's referred to as a "priority neighborhood" which I won't go into the logistics of nor will I attempt to give an accurate definition of. In very simplistic terms it's an under-served area which has been identified based on various factors (I know, vague) and which involves having priority for infrastructure investment (again, vague). If you want to know more about it, please feel free to google. In any case, it's in one of those areas that people (usually those that have never been there - maybe from deep in the suburbs) often have very strong and often negative opinions about to the point of fearing it. Let's just say there are a lot of incredibly ignorant views floating around, some of which are the result of fear-mongering. In any case, having the opportunity to work in this neighborhood and see how vibrant, diverse and community-minded it is has been amazing.

The experience has been really wonderful and I've been learning so much on so many levels. I feel energized when I'm there and like I get to use different parts of my personality that often get neglected when I'm in quieter surroundings. And I haven't even mentioned the staff - they're really great! People chip in whenever help is needed and there's so much interaction and sharing going on. People seem really happy to be there and there's a lot of banter and laughing going on. The director is also really fantastic and the staff obviously love her. It's a really nice place to be.

So, all this to say that I'm feeling good, despite this annoying cough. I'm just happy to have this experience, albeit short-lived. Who knows what's next for me? More exciting things I hope. If not, I've got a list of things that I can catch up on during the down time but more about that in a later post.

Take care and talk soon. It feels good to be back. xo

Special day ♥

2010-05-20T01:16:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday to all of the special people celebrating today. Love always and forever. xo

[Party time!]

Happy Mother's Day ♥

2010-05-09T22:45:00.001-04:00

This is dedicated to my Mom and all of the special Mothers today (those near, dear, in our hearts and soon-to-be). Wishing you love and happiness always. xo

Remember me?

2010-05-07T12:51:00.011-04:00

Hello out there in blogland! Remember me? I was once a semi-devoted blogger who liked to share my internal dialogues and meanderings. How are you? Hope you're well and have been enjoying spring. I've missed you.

I can't believe that a month has passed since I last wrote! It seems like Easter was such a long time ago now. (So much has happened since we last spoke!)

The theme for the last four weeks has definitely been 'Endings' - from the closing of the women's employment program I was working at to saying goodbye to people and finally, the completion of my studies at school. It's been very bittersweet, hence, the silence. I wasn't in the mood to document what was going on, especially at work. It's not even that it was so depressing or anything because, to be honest, the last few weeks at work were the most fun I've experienced there. I just didn't feel like it. But let me tell you, we were 'haunted' as my co-workers would say (translation: bored and restless) - a state in which imaginations go into overdrive (quite a creative time, really).

Just to give you some background on the situation - Employment Ontario is undergoing a huge transformation to improve their services. Their hope is to provide more accessibility to service delivery which encourages training, industry and government to work together (an integrated service delivery model) providing service within hubs around Ontario. What this means is that some of the smaller centres that offer services to a particular clientele that can be serviced under the new model are being closed, like the one I was working at. (Please note that there are still specialized services available to certain populations such as those with learning disabilities or requiring mental health services, for example).

The "wind-down" phase at work was very strange and surreal. I teetered between feeling sad about the closing and disappointment that I wouldn't be able to work at such a wonderful place. On a superficial level, I was upset that I wouldn't be able to look out onto one of the busiest corners of Toronto from the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows or walk up the steps of the subway station right in front of the building. The location was amazing - a constant reminder of what drew me to Toronto in the first place, the energy, diversity and excitement. I knew I would definitely miss being part of that.

Of course, on a grander scale, there were so many other things that I was going to miss like my lunch-hour walking partner, having fun with my co-workers, the wonderful women I met as clients (some of which, left as friends) and of course, the program itself - what it meant to me (as both a student and an employee).

I think I would be doing the program disrespect if I didn't pay homage to what my time there really meant. I felt like I had grown and learned so much by being there - personally and professionally. I gained confidence as a professional by uncovering my strengths, humbled as I discovered areas for growth, reinforced my passion for helping others, became aware of my own personal boundaries and found my voice as an Employment Counsellor. It was really quite a validating experience which was incredibly rewarding and rich. I'm just grateful that I was fortunate enough to be a part of such a special program.

And now...what's next? I'll let you know. For now, take care and talk soon. xo

Hoppy Holidays

2010-04-04T10:54:00.003-04:00

Chocolate-covered potato chips

2010-03-29T19:08:00.002-04:00

Yes, they're that good.

[I'm eating them as I type.]

I'm so glad

2010-03-26T18:16:00.004-04:00

...it's Friday.

Wine and cheese

2010-03-24T22:50:00.007-04:00

After work I went to Bistro 990 with a friend. What was supposed to be a quick drink turned into a few hours of chatting. Glasses of wine on an empty stomach are never a good idea but to be honest, it was such a nice way to end the day as I really enjoyed the lively and candid conversation. After we made a pit stop at the grocery store for Finn Crisps and cheese, we parted ways and I headed to the subway.

For anyone who's ever accused Torontonians of being unfriendly busy-bodies, I wish they had witnessed all of the friendly and lively interactions going on between complete strangers in the subway car tonight. Okay, maybe it was the buzz I was experiencing or perhaps there's a full moon out but seriously, there seemed to be so much good energy circulating about in the car tonight. I couldn't help smiling to myself as I observed.

I watched a youngster give his seat up for an elderly woman who then began chatting with his mother for the length of the subway ride, smiles being exchanged between strangers (and not in a lecherous or violating way), people making space for others to squeeze into the busy subway car and a visually-impaired man carrying on with a young woman who had shared her seat with him (actually, so it was a tad bit creepy upon closer inspection but still). I felt really happy to be part of the city and was basking in all of the love tonight.

[I blame the wine for this corny missive.]

As the effects of my buzz wane and fatigue sets in, I find myself reflecting on the bigger picture. I feel like I'm in a good place right now and I'm meeting all of these wonderful people. And even though I'm on the verge of possibly being laid off (more details to follow) and there's so much uncertainty up ahead, I still feel so hopeful that I'm heading in the right direction...wherever that takes me. Of course, this isn't to say that I'll wander about aimlessly without regard or some sort of contingency plan but I'm keeping myself open to what lies ahead because ultimately, I know it'll all work out in the end. It always does. This I know for sure.

Feels like the first time

2010-03-23T21:05:00.008-04:00

Last night I went out with a couple of new friends for the first time. It really felt like an initiation of sorts as I introduced them to one of my el cheapo favorites - Ginger on Yonge - while they revealed interesting and intimate tidbits about themselves. Afterwards, we watched one of the worst movies I've seen this year, Cooking with Stella (which I've aptly renamed Cooking with Hella).

Thanks for the wonderful evening! Can't wait to hang out again! xo

Reunited...and it feels so good

2010-03-14T12:38:00.004-04:00

I've been doing some experimentation lately - the kind that involves copious amounts of raw milk which has been aged and fermented into delicious rounds of goodness. Despite a recent blog post, I am happy (in fact, elated) to report that I have been reunited with one of my true loves - beautiful and glorious cheese!

[Standing ovation]

My experimentation involved "research" at St. Lawrence Market where I was tantalized and seduced by the many varieties of raw milk cheese. My favorite so far has been Comté for its complex, nutty and caramelized flavor. (Of course, there are many more to choose from and experience!) I was happy to find that there were even varieties closer to home at our local organic market such as a simple white cheddar with a savoury aftertaste. Heaven, I say...heaven.

Toasty

2010-03-12T18:23:00.007-05:00

Hello friends! How are you? Hope you've been doing well and enjoying the last days of winter! I've missed you.

It's been awhile since I last posted and it's time to start catching up on regular blogging. Lots going on with work which has been keeping me busy and on my toes. I've also been trying to squeeze in time with my little family and friends. The other night I got together with a former classmate that I haven't seen in ages. She's such a sweetheart and so much fun. We caught up over wine and laughed for hours. She filled me in on all of the interesting things she's been up to and all of her exciting plans. She's in the midst of starting her own arts-based company that incorporates some of the assessment and counselling aspects of the program we were taking together. One of her upcoming projects involves an art installation based on a tool that she'll be administering. Very exciting, indeed! It was inspiring to hear about it and she shared some great resources with me.

I've also been connecting with a few new friends that I'm excited to get to know and spend more time with. It's been a wonderful surprise.

As for J + H, we've been watching a lot of movies and having people over lately. Today we decided to cozy up over movies, munchies and our favorite treats. It was a perfect day for it, too since it was so wet and miserable out. I love these kind of rainy days and lazy Saturdays.

Hope your Saturday's been cozy and that you're toasty. Take care and talk soon. xo

Magic Hour

2010-03-01T22:11:00.003-05:00

I walked home from the subway station during Magic Hour today and enjoyed the smell of barbequed steak cooking in the neighborhood.

New people

2010-03-01T21:29:00.006-05:00

This weekend was all about spending time with new people. On Saturday evening, a couple of J's friends came over for dinner - both of whom I've never really had a chance to sit and chat with. It was a nice evening of dinner, coversation and random YouTube videos.

Friday evening was spent in the company of two very interesting and lovely women which began with a delicious dinner prepared by T. The rest of the evening was spent drinking wine, grazing on treats, nibbling on chunky peach bits, sniffing Diablo and chatting or laughing. I even consumed dairy and felt perfectly fine. (I think the key might be to simultaneously drink red wine and eat cheese made only from raw milk.) It was a fun evening and I hope we get to do it again some time in the future.

Weenie roasts + picnics

2010-02-23T23:00:00.004-05:00

It was such a dreary day today and the sidewalks were all slushy with snow.

I can't wait until it's summer again for weenie roasts and picnics.

Birthday wishes

2010-02-21T13:10:00.002-05:00

Lastnight J, H & I went to a cozy little birthday party for a dear friend. "A" is one of those really special friends that I spoke about yesterday - where everything comes so easily and it feels good to be around each other. She's always a breath of fresh air and makes me laugh uncontrollably. We first met at her studio where I worked for her briefly. It was one of those instant connections and we've been friends ever since. While we don't often see each other in person, we like to send very candid emails to each other sharing our thoughts and crazy notions, and can always pick up where we left off.

It was so good to see her as I was feeling a bit blue about missing my friends back home. She's such a lovely person - inside and out - and I'm glad that we were there to celebrate her special day!

Hope you had a happy birthday, my friend! It was so nice to see you & T! Wishing you peace, love and happiness this year...and always. xo

Missing

2010-02-20T16:14:00.014-05:00

While I don't regret moving from Winnipeg for one second, I do often think about and miss the people that live there or those that I knew while I was living there. Lately I've been thinking a lot about my old friends back home. Sometimes I wish they were here with me, to pick up the phone and arrange plans with, to go for coffee or tea and something sweet, for drives around the city in search of vintage treasures or the perfect cupcake, for dinner and drinks or sushi, for little road trips and big laughs or just to be near. I miss having that familiarity and comfort that can only be gained through years of experience and that knowing...when someone instinctively knows what you need whether it be silence or a good bitch session.

As I get older, I realize how important these friendships are and how few and far between they can be. It's not that easy to find that connection anymore. In fact, I often liken it to dating. That whole exhausting process where you first court someone and have all of these intense feelings and expectations, then as you get to know them you begin to see them in a different light and things start to change. Sometimes, it can just fizzle unexpectedly, often times without explanation. You wonder what changed and sometimes you try to fix it but it's very real and you move on. I don't think there's anything wrong with this because it's definitely worth the try as something wonderful might transpire from it. And if it doesn't turn out the way that you imagined, that's okay, too as you wouldn't want to continue on with something that no longer brought you joy.

I'm often reminded of that horribly cheesy chain email that people love to send:

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The question you sent out has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

My long-standing friendships are the ones that are effortless and natural; where I can just be myself and it's easy being around the other person...you want to see them. Their idiosyncrasies are what make them charming and interesting (not annoying) and there is a real sense of joy when time is spent together. There's just something, some connection, that sustains any separation or moody phase where you could just pick up where you left off like it was yesterday.

To my dear friends: I'm thinking of you today and missing you. Hope to see you soon. ♥

Revisiting old ideas

2010-02-20T14:28:00.006-05:00

On Thursday the agency I work for hosted a presentation by image consultant Nyla Hasan. It was a full house - a lively and interactive seminar that touched on the science of style and ways to transform an individual from the outside in to effect lasting results. Her idea was not merely to change a person's outer appearance in order to effect change but rather to find little ways that a person can build confidence working with what they currently have to enhance themselves. She talked about goal setting, reframing thoughts and operating from a place that was more positive which in turn allowed the person to attract more positive experiences. Many of the concepts were familiar but the way that Nyla offered them up were very insightful and relevant for those attending - predominantly unemployed individuals going through transitions in their lives.

Nyla was a wonderful presenter and shared tips on how to exude confidence even in its absence (such as the proper way to breathe and stand - again, not necessarily novel ideas but certainly things that we tend to forget on a daily basis). She disclosed her own journey from her life in Pakistan to her days as a single mother with three children at a food bank to her current situation. What she was saying seemed to resonate with those attending. I'm optimistic that it even inspired some to take time to reflect and think of ways to move forward by being good to themselves and starting off by taking baby steps.

What inspired me most was how she facilitated her seminar. Her energy was palpable and she easily established a rapport with the audience. She supplemented her speaking with visuals, role plays and open questions which really engaged everyone. She didn't just speak in a loud voice and agree with what people said. She modulated her voice and really responded to the needs of the members in the audience. She also managed the group effectively, especially when irrelevant questions and comments surfaced, which is no easy feat. As for the content of her talk, hearing other perspectives on goal setting, reframing thoughts, self-esteem and confidence were particularly helpful as these are concepts that are touched upon during the three week group workshop I co-facilitate as an Employment Counsellor. Of course, her ideas also serve as wonderful tools for use in my own life so I'm grateful that I was able to be there.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T18:21:00.001-05:00

Wishing you love...today and always. xo

Hello Friends

2010-02-13T12:29:00.006-05:00

Hello Friends! It's been a while since I last posted and we're already 13 days into February! (How did that happen?) Since we last spoke - I turned one year older, found amazing treasures at my favorite junk store, spent time in Kingston visiting a very special little lady (well, two of them, really!), discovered where to buy Yorkshire Tea close to home, tried PG Tips, purchased a Zutter (♥) and felt heartbroken over the news of my cousin.

The last two weeks have been really busy with school, work and of course, family time. I've been co-facilitating a workshop with a fellow employee helping women who are going through transitions in employment. It's a three week workshop which touches on topics such as self-esteem, communication in the workplace, time and stress management and learning styles. There are various self-assessments done by the clients, as well as ample opportunity to interact with other group members through role plays, group activities and discussions. It can be a really powerful experience for some as they're doing a lot of self-reflection and working on issues that they may not have confronted until now.

I'm really enjoying group facilitation especially watching the process unfold and seeing the participants open up. I used to feel nervous at the thought of facilitating workshops and didn't think it was possible as an introvert to do a good job or be really effective but I don't think I'm the true introvert that I thought I once was. I'm excited to meet with the group and I'm finding myself feeling energized after the sessions. I think my fears came down to lack of practice so I'm really grateful for the experiences I've been gaining through work. On the flipside, I'm still really enjoying the individual counselling I've been doing with clients. Each person has a different story to share and I love learning about their career path(s) or their desire to carve a new one. The most meaningful experience of all has been helping clients find work or direction and being part of the process. The gratitude from the clients has been incredibly special and will continue to motivate me in the work that I do.

After a long and busy week, I'm going to treat myself to some craft-time with H this afternoon. We're going to put the Zutter to the test and make some little journals and gifts. In the evening, J + I are going to a birthday slash engagement party at a vegetarian restaurant we've never been to. Afterwards, we're going to a house party close to home. H is going to another sleepover tonight so all three of us will be having some fun with friends and staying up 'til the wee hours.

Hope you've been well and having a lovely February. Have a happy Saturday. Talk soon. xo

Lovely day

2010-01-31T23:05:00.006-05:00

I'm really beginning to love Sundays. H went to a sleepover so J + I took our time getting out of bed and chatted endlessly. We had a late brunch of J's delicious scrambled tofu and our favorite tea. When H came home, the three of us pored over old photos of trips and days gone by and marveled at how much H had grown over the past three years. In the evening I filled a jar with my homemade salsa and prepared beets and purple cabbage for tomorrow's lunch. Before we put H to bed, she + I had a nice time chatting and watching part of a movie over candlelight. Lovely day, indeed. ♥

Hope your Sunday was lovely, too. Take care and talk soon. xo

Tea Tasting

2010-01-31T18:21:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I attended a tea tasting at Tao Tea Leaf hosted by the owner and Tea Master, Tao. It was such a comprehensive workshop as Tao delved into the many facets of green and white tea including their history, health benefits, location of crops in China, methods of harvesting and processing, how the teas are graded and about the tea culture in China. Throughout the afternoon, Tao shared pictures and stories relating to the teas, as well as introduced ways of steeping tea and the traditional equipment used. In addition to this, we tried some very special varieties of each including Tao's fresh and high grade teas sold at the tea house. I also saw my first tea cake (Pu Er variety) from Tao's own private collection and found out about this intriguing type of tea.

I learned so much from Tao - his passion and knowledge made it a very interesting session. I'm looking forward to his next tea tasting!

'Til we meet again...

2010-01-28T23:14:00.007-05:00

While I was on vacation, I ate meat and consumed dairy (and lots of it). It was damn good and I couldn't get enough of it. I blame it on Paris and its beautiful, tantalizing pastries that called out to me behind the glass counters, the plates of charcuterie on restaurant menus that boasted of handcrafted meats in various forms and the cheese...OH, the cheese! I couldn't escape it and for goodness sakes - why on earth would I? It would be like depriving one's self of a true taste of Paris (literally). I was in heaven.

When the vacation ended and I returned home, I decided to stop eating meat again (the haunting images came back in full force) but I thought I could re-introduce dairy into my life again since it seemed like my body had outgrown lactose intolerance (and honestly, I couldn't imagine going back to just Sheeze and soy cheddar). The thought of eating chevre with olives and a fresh baguette on a regular basis made me smile. And the prospect of exploring different and exotic new cheeses was exciting. Oh, the joy it would bring! I even obsessed about making homemade chevre and looked at videos and blogs telling me how. I imagined spreading the word of cheese to others and introducing the idea of cheesemaking to those who would listen.

Sadly, I was brought back to reality with the stabbing pains of lactose intolerance last night after eating a dairy-based dish. I tried again this evening - thinking (and hoping) that chevre would be a kinder and gentler friend...but not so. I don't know why my stomach didn't bother me on my travels. It's a mystery but I'm happy that I was able to indulge while I was there.

So, it's back to no meat or dairy for me. (Sheeze...sigh)

I feel restless

2010-01-28T23:07:00.000-05:00

Perfect Sunday

2010-01-24T20:46:00.004-05:00

Today was my idea of a perfect Sunday. I spent a large part of the morning under the covers with my computer on my lap reading blogs and sorting through photos. For breakfast, I enjoyed a big pot of Yorkshire tea and a bowl of oatmeal with craisins and brown sugar and proceeded to nibble on chevre and savoury treats throughout the day. There was no agenda but I managed to watch a movie with H, read my favorite blogs, update my own blog, drink several cups of tea (including caramel honeybush Rooibos with soy milk and sugar) and bake cinnamon oatmeal scones. For dinner, J made some delicious sweet potato soup complemented by garlic toast and after H falls asleep, J & I will cozy up to watch a horror movie.

I hope wherever you are and whatever you're doing, you're enjoying yourself. Take care and talk soon. xo

It's Monday again tomorrow. (Sigh)

London

2010-01-24T14:29:00.006-05:00

There's so much to say about London and yet it's difficult for me to articulate. It's an amazing place filled with such richness, diversity, history, energy and beauty that is as expansive as its city limits. It's incredibly cool but also has a really home-spun charm to its metropolitan persona. There's so much to see and do and marvel at. I feel like I've only had a little taste of what it's really about but I know we'll be back again.

Camden Market

2010-01-24T14:14:00.004-05:00

We love our markets and Camden Market (aka Camden Lock) was another favorite. It's located in Camden Town near the Hampstead Road Lock of the Regent's Canal and is a maze of adjoining markets and shops selling vintage clothing, novelties, crafts and bric-a-brac. The covered arcades run along cobble stone streets and there are many wonderful shops and places to eat. Our tastiest vegan meal was at inSpiral Lounge where we had a great view of the canal and the most delicious food.

Portobello Market

2010-01-24T13:52:00.004-05:00

I LOVED Portobello Market. It's one of the world's largest outdoor antique markets nestled between city blocks of mid- to late-Victorian terrace houses and shops. It was jam-packed when we went and full of energy. I could have spent the whole weekend scouring through the shops and stalls as there were so many wonderful treasures to sift through. There were also several stalls with tasty treats like cupcakes and deep-fried goodness from the sea. It was a great opportunity for people watching and taking photos, too.

The white cliffs of Dover

2010-01-24T13:37:00.007-05:00

D+L took us to Dover Castle one afternoon and we walked around the grounds and interior. There were a lot of twists and turns and nooks and crannies to explore. We even went on a guided tour of the secret wartime tunnels. I really enjoyed that part because there was lots of vintage ephemera and interesting antiques on display.

Whitstable

2010-01-24T11:23:00.013-05:00

Whitstable is a sweet little seaside town located in the district of Kent (and a short drive from Canterbury). We spent a few hours there - walking along the shore, visiting the different shops and boutiques, and stopping in at a pub. I found a cute red rain slicker with little white polka dots and a faux fur neck warmer at one of the lovely thrift shops, as well as some great postcards with sixties advertising.