... ... ... lol, I'm not really sure where to start on this one, I've been meaning to do an update for quite some time now, but somehow the time to do so just keeps slipping away - leaving me sitting here typing, of course, at 1am on a night where I might actually have had the opportunity to catch up on some sleep :P. Ah well, no time like the present :)
So as many of you have probably guessed or are aware, I am no longer in Asia and have not been for quite some time now (several months at least). The trip was amazingly lovely and I definitely recommend checking out the links posted below for more detailed updates on what I got up to while I was gone. Suffice it to say that I had an incredible host family (thank you so much!) and made tons of new friends from all around the globe. Also, the food was absolutely unforgettably delicious *grins* I could definitely go back just too eat. The cultural monuments and breathtaking scenery was nothing to scoff at either - but the food? Mmmmm. Just so good.
I managed to extend my trip into early September before I had to come home and begin sorting out plans for the future. Spent the rest of that month working at Indigo, catching up with friends in the city, continuing to enjoy my pool and returning to dance and circus classes - boy was that return a bit painful. As a note, I don't recommend picking the hardest class in the city as your first one after a month off, but then, I've never been known for my smarts ;).
Towards the end of the month I somehow managed to squeeze an entire 150hour TESOL course into a week and a half while continuing to work and catch up with friends. Good thing too, as shortly thereafter I wound up with not one or two, but three part time jobs! Needless to say, the next two months were spent largely running from one job to another with the odd dance or circus class thrown in as I was working nearly full time on a market research project, part time at the bookstore and tutoring students on the side. I can't really complain too much. I chose to keep all three jobs and, while working 84hrs over 7 days a week does get tiring, I thoroughly enjoyed working all three of them *smiles contentedly*.
Somehow I also managed to fit in Rosh Hashanah with Jess's family which was as delicious and festive as events with her family always are (thank you for inviting me!), the CNTower stair climb with the Brat, Tri, Robert and Zia Diana which was great, Opera Atelier's production of Don Giovanni with Devon and Jess - verdict? Hilariously awesome. The production was phenomenally done. The score itself beautiful - Mozart always is. I loved the way they fit the comedic lines into the music. The plot however... well... it was an opera, let's leave it at that, Cirque du Soleil's Totem (also with Jess) - soo good! The double trapeze act was unbelievable and I loved the clowns!!!. I also saw the National's production of Ratmansky's new Romeo and Juliet with Papa - it was absolutely fantastic! I may even prefer it to Cranko's version. Scratch that, I do! Loved it. Especially the end. We had Greta and Aleksander dancing and Papa couldn't believe that they were as old as they were. So beautifully done. I also managed to somehow graduate during that time (on November 11th too) and finally managed to get tickets for Ma, Papa, Nonna and Nonno which was great! There was also yummy food involved in that as my graduation gift from my Nonni included jewlery, half a coffee cake and a homemade Salami - I love being half Italian! Akk! And how could I have almost forgotten! That day was made extra special by the fact that I managed to get last minute tickets for Em H, Linna, Jen and myself to go see the Alberta Ballet's production of Love Lies Bleeding based on the music and life of Elton John. OMG, soo unbelievably good!!!!! Very very very unabashedly gay, and sooo sooo sooo good! The dancing, as always, was spectacular, and I just love Jean Grand-Maitre's choreography! It makes you just want to get up there on stage and dance with them, such great lines. The highlight though, was definitely Yukichi Hattori's portrayal of the Elton Fan *shakes head in disbelief* He is one incredible, incredible dancer.
Things started to wind down mid December when most of my market research work came to an end and I was able to return to the more relaxed pace of Indigo at Christmas-time, several dance and circus classes a week and some tutoring work ;). *Contented sigh* Aw, Christmas. Totally my favourite time of year. I don't know how anyone can dislike Christmas music and all the lights and decorations everywhere. It's just so happy. And the food! There's always food at Christmas. And baking! I love baking. I made so many pumpkin/squash muffins this fall - and ate most of them too! Same goes for the apple-cranberry muffins I debuted (several times) earlier this month. Thankfully I can't say the same about all of my x-mas cookies 'cause I'm pretty sure I'd be a giant beach ball if I could. Baking was a little quieter this year with only my mom and Em B helping out. That's okay though 'cause I'd already managed to catch up with most everyone else and Em had lots to share having just returned from her 'round the world trip (so jealous)! December also included a great visit to Toronto by Henry W and his girlfriend Erika, over from England to visit with her fam. Had a great two days catching up and wandering about the city. I miss all you guys! More of you need to visit!!!
Christmas itself was great. Finally got to see the cousins again - on both sides! Papa was in Mexico for the actual event, but we went to brunch just before so all is good. and I guess that brings us up to now. Future plans include a woburn gifty reunion dinner tomorrow (or, rather, later today now that it's 2am) and then off to Blue with the lot of them for some skiing (hopefully... not too sure about that part, what, with the lack of snow :P) over the new years weekend!
Right so, time to get some of that sleep! A Happy New Year to all and to all a good night!
xo
PS. Did I mention that I'm moving to Korea to teach in February? Well, I am. Also. I need to finish (read start and complete) a Bio course with Athabasca before then... ah well, that's what the new year's for ;)
So as many of you have probably guessed or are aware, I am no longer in Asia and have not been for quite some time now (several months at least). The trip was amazingly lovely and I definitely recommend checking out the links posted below for more detailed updates on what I got up to while I was gone. Suffice it to say that I had an incredible host family (thank you so much!) and made tons of new friends from all around the globe. Also, the food was absolutely unforgettably delicious *grins* I could definitely go back just too eat. The cultural monuments and breathtaking scenery was nothing to scoff at either - but the food? Mmmmm. Just so good.
I managed to extend my trip into early September before I had to come home and begin sorting out plans for the future. Spent the rest of that month working at Indigo, catching up with friends in the city, continuing to enjoy my pool and returning to dance and circus classes - boy was that return a bit painful. As a note, I don't recommend picking the hardest class in the city as your first one after a month off, but then, I've never been known for my smarts ;).
Towards the end of the month I somehow managed to squeeze an entire 150hour TESOL course into a week and a half while continuing to work and catch up with friends. Good thing too, as shortly thereafter I wound up with not one or two, but three part time jobs! Needless to say, the next two months were spent largely running from one job to another with the odd dance or circus class thrown in as I was working nearly full time on a market research project, part time at the bookstore and tutoring students on the side. I can't really complain too much. I chose to keep all three jobs and, while working 84hrs over 7 days a week does get tiring, I thoroughly enjoyed working all three of them *smiles contentedly*.
Somehow I also managed to fit in Rosh Hashanah with Jess's family which was as delicious and festive as events with her family always are (thank you for inviting me!), the CNTower stair climb with the Brat, Tri, Robert and Zia Diana which was great, Opera Atelier's production of Don Giovanni with Devon and Jess - verdict? Hilariously awesome. The production was phenomenally done. The score itself beautiful - Mozart always is. I loved the way they fit the comedic lines into the music. The plot however... well... it was an opera, let's leave it at that, Cirque du Soleil's Totem (also with Jess) - soo good! The double trapeze act was unbelievable and I loved the clowns!!!. I also saw the National's production of Ratmansky's new Romeo and Juliet with Papa - it was absolutely fantastic! I may even prefer it to Cranko's version. Scratch that, I do! Loved it. Especially the end. We had Greta and Aleksander dancing and Papa couldn't believe that they were as old as they were. So beautifully done. I also managed to somehow graduate during that time (on November 11th too) and finally managed to get tickets for Ma, Papa, Nonna and Nonno which was great! There was also yummy food involved in that as my graduation gift from my Nonni included jewlery, half a coffee cake and a homemade Salami - I love being half Italian! Akk! And how could I have almost forgotten! That day was made extra special by the fact that I managed to get last minute tickets for Em H, Linna, Jen and myself to go see the Alberta Ballet's production of Love Lies Bleeding based on the music and life of Elton John. OMG, soo unbelievably good!!!!! Very very very unabashedly gay, and sooo sooo sooo good! The dancing, as always, was spectacular, and I just love Jean Grand-Maitre's choreography! It makes you just want to get up there on stage and dance with them, such great lines. The highlight though, was definitely Yukichi Hattori's portrayal of the Elton Fan *shakes head in disbelief* He is one incredible, incredible dancer.
Things started to wind down mid December when most of my market research work came to an end and I was able to return to the more relaxed pace of Indigo at Christmas-time, several dance and circus classes a week and some tutoring work ;). *Contented sigh* Aw, Christmas. Totally my favourite time of year. I don't know how anyone can dislike Christmas music and all the lights and decorations everywhere. It's just so happy. And the food! There's always food at Christmas. And baking! I love baking. I made so many pumpkin/squash muffins this fall - and ate most of them too! Same goes for the apple-cranberry muffins I debuted (several times) earlier this month. Thankfully I can't say the same about all of my x-mas cookies 'cause I'm pretty sure I'd be a giant beach ball if I could. Baking was a little quieter this year with only my mom and Em B helping out. That's okay though 'cause I'd already managed to catch up with most everyone else and Em had lots to share having just returned from her 'round the world trip (so jealous)! December also included a great visit to Toronto by Henry W and his girlfriend Erika, over from England to visit with her fam. Had a great two days catching up and wandering about the city. I miss all you guys! More of you need to visit!!!
Christmas itself was great. Finally got to see the cousins again - on both sides! Papa was in Mexico for the actual event, but we went to brunch just before so all is good. and I guess that brings us up to now. Future plans include a woburn gifty reunion dinner tomorrow (or, rather, later today now that it's 2am) and then off to Blue with the lot of them for some skiing (hopefully... not too sure about that part, what, with the lack of snow :P) over the new years weekend!
Right so, time to get some of that sleep! A Happy New Year to all and to all a good night!
xo
PS. Did I mention that I'm moving to Korea to teach in February? Well, I am. Also. I need to finish (read start and complete) a Bio course with Athabasca before then... ah well, that's what the new year's for ;)