Jenny All Over The Place

2009-09-11T00:04:00.002-04:00

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http://jeninkorea.blogspot.com

for new posts.

Arrival

2009-09-02T08:39:00.002-04:00

I officially made it to Korea. The second part of the journey was much, much longer. I didn't read, I didn't listen to music. All I did was watch movies. Lots of them were bad. I saw:

1) My Life in Ruins
2) Duplicity
3) 17 Again
4) Star Trek
5) Sunshine Cleaning

Man, some of these were bad. Duplicity was the best, though Star Trek could have been if I didn't pass out half way through. I did some cross words to brush up on that language I'm going to be teaching for the next year.

I have already done something stupid. I've been waiting for this party that I have to attend to start (at 10:30) so I've been killing time by walking around, eating, window shopping. I've basically been doing everything I can to avoid being in my motel which looks like it could have been used to film pornography from the 70's. Anyways, I went to go eat some kimbap which looks a lot like a sushi roll (just for a visual reference). I ate, enjoyed and went to pay. It was then that I realized that I was in Korea and not Canada. I had no Korean money on me! I had to mime out that my money was in the hotel, pinky swore I would return and ran back. I felt super dumb. So many foreigners in this country act like pure idiots so I always feel extra embarassed when I accidentally do something not so smart.

Tomorrow I go for my health check (where they test me for H1n1, diseases and HIV - the later being against my rights to privacy, but whatevs). I need to get this check done in order to get my ARC (Alien Registration Card). I need this to stay in the country and to get other things like bank accounts, cell phones and internet service. All necessary things.

I'm off.

Miss and love you already!

Holy Moly.

2009-09-01T14:04:00.001-04:00

I am in Vancouver on my way to Seoul.

Holy Crap. Time has gone by faster than a fat kid goes through a dozen Krispy Kremes.

Cheers!

A Whirlwind of Goodbyes

2009-08-30T17:15:00.004-04:00

Me, Dad

This summer has gone by amazingly fast. I find that summers always pass quickly but add to it that I've a) been planning to leave the country and b) I've been all over the country the past couple of months, and I feel like summer never really happened!

I'm still in the middle of saying my goodbyes. Right now I'm at my mom's in Oshawa and I've been packing and visiting. Last weekend I said my byes to Nana, Papa, my great grandma, my aunt and uncle, Russ and Kocela. It was all over an emotional goodbye. I feel very lucky to have been able to go to Kincardine so many times this summer.

A couple of days ago I had my goodbye with Meg. Being my soulmate she knows neither of us can handle a drawn out emotional goodbye. We had breakfast where we talked about everything but me going away. She walked me to the subway where she essentially hugged me and ran away. Good girl.

After I left Meg I went and hung out with a friend who I haven't seen since before I went to Korea! We were really tight in high school and university, and though we haven't seen each other in years, he's one of those people who has remained near and dear to my heart. This was a different goodbye because I was more focused on, "Holy crap I'm hanging out with Greg!", instead of, "Man this sucks to leave Greg."

The most recent goodbye has been to Jonnie and Bronwen. They were amazing and had us over to their place for pizza and drinks and to spend the night. It was great fun as are Jon and Bron. I'll miss them lots but plans are in the works for them to come to Asia.

Dad is coming to the airport to see me off at 8:30 am on Tuesday. I'll say bye to Blake the night before and then to my parents at the airport. Let's not dwell on that right now, though. I'll be bidding adieu to Mike for a couple of weeks while he sorts his visa out, but he'll be joining me soon enough!
Nana, Me, Papa
Aunt Mary-Lou, Me, Uncle George

Montreal

2009-08-30T16:58:00.004-04:00

Meg and I took our first trip together to Montreal in August. I have to tell you, it was one hell of a time. Anyone who has spent any time with Meg and I probably know that we consider ourselves soulmates, and as soulmates, we have discovered that we are perfectly matched for travel as well. No surprise, there. We ate deliciousness, had good wine, went dancing, walked everywhere and enjoyed each others company.

More specifically, we:

1) Spent time in downtown Montreal. Pride was on, and the place we stayed at was smack dab in the middle of the village. This made for lots of fun, and the best people watching I've had in a long time.

2) Walked around Old Montreal. Beautiful. Also, this is where Meg and I had "melted brie on a baguette". Holy crap!

3) Went to the Botanical Gardens. This was lovely, but the highlight for me was the section dedicated to China. A lot of Korean architecture is largely influenced in design and style to China's so if I tried really hard I could pretend that Meg was in Korea with me.

Halifax

2009-08-14T15:26:00.002-04:00

Halifax will be a short entry since it was a short trip. We just had a couple nights there, but we did get to see a fair bit. None of that overly touristy stuff, though. More pubs and shops than anything. And I got a special tour. The "This is what Mike Caswell's Life was Like in Halifax Tour". It consisted of meeting his fellow nerds from the comic book store, seeing where he used to sit sometimes, oh, and where he used to catch the ferry to work. You can't pay to get anything like that so I felt very honoured.

After that a quick shuttle ride to PEI to end our trip.

P.E.I. In the Summer

2009-08-14T15:03:00.006-04:00

Well, I made it back to the island to experience it without extreme snow and windchill. I'd like to say that I really, really, enjoyed my time on the snowy island but that the sunny island has some different stuff to offer. This trip was much shorter than the last, but we squeezed in considerably more.

The one thing I was totally bummed about missing out on last time was not getting to see the Westpoint Light House. We finally took the drive, and is so pretty!

We also went to the bottle houses. Sort of a tourist trap (as are lots of things on PEI) but they were alright. It's what you'd think. Houses made of bottles.

Other highlights of the trip included:

- a family "crazy hat" party. I did not win, but I really tried to!
- lots of lighthouses and scenery.
- easy access to Trivia almost every night, and Mike and I holding our own as a team of 2 against teams of 6-8!
- lobster for dinner.
- potatoes in every way imaginable.
- Anne of Green Gables (up to the point where Matthew dies)

I'm sure there's more and I am not doing the trip justice. But just trust me, I had a nice time with some nice people.

North Bay

2009-08-14T12:12:00.006-04:00

I am a little behind on blogging about my trips. I suppose it's better to be out doing things than writing about things.

Awhile back Mike and I went to meet his family up in North Bay. I haven't been in North Bay since I was a kid, and I must say, it was much more enjoyable this time around. His family has a cottage on their own island. That's right, their own island. It's a small island, but it's all theirs. It was a big weekend of Canadian celebrations.

Highlights included: Seeing a HUGE muskie, laying on the dock tanning and drinking Corona, delicious food and playing in the trees with the kids.

Operation Beautiful

2009-07-08T11:33:00.003-04:00

I basically think this is one of the best things ever. I like when intangible mediums reach people in an appreciable, positive way. The basic idea is for women to post positive affirmations in random places in the world for other women to see, and basically to make us smile. In a world where we're basically taught as women to criticize ourselves internally as well as every woman who crosses our path, it's nice to have a visual cue that, hey, that's wrong.

Good idea, interweb, good idea.

Operation Beautiful

Return to Wild Cat

2009-07-07T14:21:00.006-04:00

I went back to that Wild Cat place in Oshawa that Mike and I went to in the winter. It was a little better because we weren't trudging through snow drifts, but this time the big cats were less active in the heat.
One awesome thing was that the goats and alpacas were roaming around. This adorable little guy was best friends with the alpaca! A lot of restraint was used not to steal this guy away.

This deer was the friendliest and least skittish I've ever seen. He licked my face! My face! I could have easily just turned my face and ate him! Luckily for him I don't eat deer.

More Kincardine Time

2009-07-03T17:27:00.002-04:00

I went to Kincardine this week for 3 days. It had been a really long time since Blake and I had been back there together and it was awesome! Busy, but awesome. Lots of tennis was played, a little mini-golf, and I got to visit with most of my family on that side.

One of the main reasons I went was for the fire works. Due to the strike in Toronto they were canceled here. Nothing says Canada day like a sky full of smelly garbage fumes. In Kincardine, they started while I was playing tennis by the beach, and we stopped to watch from what was the best view in town. I was so happy!

Today I went and jumped through some visa hoops and in about 5 minutes we're leaving for North Bay where we're visiting with some of Mike's family. Here's hoping the rain holds off!

10 Things to do for Free in Toronto

2009-06-21T14:33:00.001-04:00

1. The Beaches
The Beaches area is fun for walking along the board walk, cycling and sunbathing near the waters of Lake Ontario. The nearby commercial area is home to interesting shops for window shopping as well as cafes and restaurants.


2. Allan Gardens (Done!)
The lovely Victorian style greenhouses of this conservatory house a unique botanical garden, free to the public. The conservatory provides a warm and beautiful reprieve from the winter cold or a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city at any time of year.


3. Harbourfront Centre (Done!)
During the summer in Toronto, the Harbourfront area is alive with activity. Stroll around the area and experience live music, myriad festivals and educational camps, many of which have free admission. The walk along the waterfront is peaceful and relaxing if you would prefer to escape the commotion and enjoy the view of Lake Ontario.


5. Kensington Market (Done! Many, many times)
With its colorful corner fruit stands, many thrift stores and pubs, Kensington Market is a meeting place for some of Toronto’s most interesting people. Each month the neighborhood blocks off the narrow streets for a Sunday afternoon festival celebrating the diversity of the area with drums, dances and music.


6. Riverdale Farm (Done!)
Located in the midst of Toronto’s Cabbagetown in the downtown area, this 7.5 acre farm has wooded paths, flowered vegetable gardens and a number of animals, including cows, horses, donkey, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and rabbits, which you can view for free in the barns or outdoor paddocks.


7. Don Valley
The ten kilometers of biking trails along the Don Valley are great for experts and beginners alike. The stretch of ravine between the Don Valley Brickworks up to Thornhill Park boasts some challenging trails, with exciting descents and climbs as well as some North Shore elements built in.


8. Wednesday nights at the Art Gallery of Ontario (Done!)
Housing over 36,000 works of art in its collection, the AGO is an excellent gallery worth visiting. You can do so for free every Wednesday evening between six and nine o’clock pm, when the museum drops its admission fee for the night.


9. St. Lawrence Market and Market Gallery (Done!)
Now a bustling marketplace filled with vendors of delectable foods, the Victorian building that hosts the St. Lawrence Market was once home to Toronto’s City Hall. It is a great place to wander and visit, or just sit and watch people interact. The gallery on the second floor, in what once was the council chamber. Now that space hosts periodically changing exhibits of paintings, artifacts and furnishings that display the history and culture of the area. Admission to the market and the gallery are free.


10. Toronto Islands
The trails, picnic areas and beaches of the Toronto Islands make them an ideal place to spend an afternoon. You may want to investigate the mysterious and perhaps macabre history of the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, or enjoy the sun on the clothing-optional beach on the west side of Hanlan’s Point. There are a number of baseball diamonds, volleyball courts and wading pools to enjoy as well.

More walking around

2009-06-21T14:12:00.004-04:00

So on Friday we went for quite the stroll. We went through Cabbagetown, to see Allan Gardens, and to Riverdale Farm. We took an interesting walk through a cemetery as well. Lots of walking that day. Then we met up with Rohit and others for a free live show at Yonge/Dundas Square. Good thing about being on a budget in Toronto is that there is lots to see and do for free.

Kincardine June 2009

2009-06-21T13:57:00.006-04:00

Above: Nana and Papa!
Above: Chrissy and Harry!

Above and Below: Sunsets in Kincardine below Tiny Tot Park.

So we went to Kincardine a couple of weekends ago to visit family and to go to Chrissy's wedding. The wedding was very casual and very nice. We stayed with my Aunt MaryLou and Uncle George. It's nice visiting with people for more than 5 minutes, which is what I've been used to for the past few years. Anyways, the wedding was on the beach and the reception in an awesomely decorated barn.

Not much else to say other than Kincardine was very pretty and I'm looking forward to going back again, soon!

Walking Tours

2009-06-21T13:39:00.005-04:00

Awhile back we decided to go and check out the St. Lawrence Market. It was right before we were going to Kincardine. The market was pretty good and I was expecting high prices but they were much lower than I'm used to in the neighbourhoods I live in.

After having lunch we found a brochure for a walking tour of the area, and though we had already been to a few of the places we decided to still give it a go. It wasn't very far and I love me a good walk!

Below are some pictures of places that we went to. We also picked up a pretty kick ass pie for Aunt MaryLou and George.

Below: Mike posing under a statue in the Distillery District.

Below: Described as a castle, but I didn't understand the fuss.

Below: Toronto's version of the Flat Iron Building.

Storms!

2009-06-21T13:34:00.002-04:00

I have a lot of blog catching up to do it seems. I'm in the grand Reference Library just north of Bloor on Yonge and it's ridiculously cold in here. I guess Toronto has decided that summer has arrived (and indeed it is one of the nicer days this week) so they're battling it full force with air conditioners.

Awhile back there was this pretty huge thunder/lightning storm in Toronto. I've never lived up so high, and being so high, it makes these storms way less scary to me and more cool. Right after the storm a beautiful, (actually later 2 beautiful) rainbow(s) appeared. Pretty! And pretty appropriate for our neighbourhood, don't you think?

Check

2009-06-11T09:26:00.002-04:00

I'm not playing the waiting game. I've ordered everything I need for my application, but am now waiting for them to get back to me, so I can do what I need to do with them, and then send them to where they need to go.

Transcripts from University: Check!
Renewed CDN Passport with extra pages (feeling ambitious!): Check!
Criminal Record Check: Still pending.

Mike and I are also going to Kincardine this weekend. There is a wedding, and we're renting a car to avoid that terrible bus ride.

Continuing

2009-05-30T10:08:00.008-04:00

We are still going ahead with our plans. Yes despite things in North Korea, and yes despite all the N1H1 quarantines. Also, it seems like a lot of my friends who have left Korea are planning on going back. I can't believe that people want to be around me that bad! Ha.

I actually forgot about how much running around you have to do to go to Korea. And they've added a few steps since I was last there. Guess it's good that I have a lot of free time!

Mike and I have moved into our lovenest #2. So far things are going better than #1. I love this place, the neighbourhood, and my roommate ain't that bad either! Check him out sleepin' on the bus to Kincardine! You're welcome, Mike!

Also, here is a pic of Dad opening his presents on his birthday. It was nice being able to be with him for it for the first time in a few years.

And, here are some shots of the view from our 26th floor apartment.

It's very high and I like it!

More Plans

2009-05-26T17:06:00.003-04:00

Well we've officially decided to go back to South Korea. Yes, despite all that North Korea hoopla, and the foreigners in quarantine for the oink. I accepted an offer from my previous school because they were good to me, and because I'm not going to find a better deal at this point, I don't think.

In other news, I feel like people are trying to screw me over from all sides. Today was the bank freezing my account because I guess someone tried to steal all of my money and I discovered this when I was denied my doritos and chocolate at the store downstairs from Megs. As if that wasn't annoying enough I now have to memorize a new PIN. It took me 10 years to memorize that one. The world is a jerk sometimes, but kudos to CIBC for getting on that so fast!

Plans for the Future

2009-05-21T21:23:00.002-04:00

So some of you may or may not be surprised but Mike and I are planning on going back to Asia. On paper, I did fairly well in Canada. I found a place, found a well paying job in my field rather quickly, and I do have some great friends and family, here. But...

I was regretting coming home even before I arrived. I was haunted with this feeling of, "I'm just not done, yet." When I came back, I accounted this continuing feeling with reverse culture shock, which I'm sure a lot of it was/is. The job did not live up to my expectations, and for the first time in many years, I found myself envious of other people's lives. I think it partially had to do with the fact that due to having this job fall in my lap, I was unable to do all the things I had planned to do in Canada.

I struggled with these feelings for awhile, and eventually decided to go back. Not immediately, but hopefully at the end of the summer. The plan is to go to Korea for another year, this will be good for Mike and my pockets, plus I just love it there. We are going to do a CELTA course afterwards which will allow us to live in Thailand for a few weeks. We will then be more qualified to teach in some other countries as well as at home eventually. The one thing that I DID like about my job was when I got to be in the classroom with the kids (as rare as that was) so, I'm going to focus on this for awhile.

Until all of this happens, I will be in Canada, spending as much time with you as possible, with the goal to be for you to get sick of me, so that you're happy when I go!

*I do not intend for this to come off anti-Canada in any way, shape or form. I'm definitely not anti-Canadians either, I love you all!

Niagara Falls: Celebration of my brother's quarter century.

2009-04-18T08:41:00.005-04:00

At the end of March Blake turned 25 so to celebrate that (and I think the fact that we could indeed, celebrate together for the first time in years) Mom took the 6 of us to Niagara Falls for some fancy fun. It was pretty great, amazing food, amazing hotel rooms and fun amazing company. It was also Mike's first trip to the Falls so that was great, too!

This is the restaurant where Mike still says he had the best steak of his life. "Cuts just like butter!"

Mom and Blake at the butterfly observatory. Awwww, see how much they love each other?

It's a really big chair!
And the Falls, of course.

It was a great trip. Thanks Mom!!!

Ottawa

2009-03-18T13:36:00.000-04:00

When my bestest friend Meg said she needed someone to drive her to Ottawa, me, never having gone there before said, "I'm in!". Mike hitched along as he has family there he hasn't seen in years as well as a good friend. (see Above)

It was a short trip and my camera batteries died only allowing me two pictures but it was good overall. The hotel had a hot tub, we saw some parliament buildings, went to the market and walked around a lot. I also got to see a friend, Tara, that I hadn't seen in years who I met in South Korea. That was AWESOME. It was also awesome getting to road trip and hang out with Meg.

I also got to meet Mike's sister, her husband, their two girls and some of their friends. They continuing the trend of Mike having an awesome family, were great. A Hawaiian themed party was attended and some pictionary was played. Who knew Mike was a totally talented player?! I was not the only one in awe. Quoted in reference to his 5 point pictures on man at the party, "Man. I get it. It's just.. so.. clear!"

Ottawa is another place that I want to spend some more time in. There were a couple of people I didn't get a chance to catch up with. Overall, good trip.

N.Y.C.

2009-03-18T13:11:00.000-04:00

Russ told me that he could get us bus tickets to New York for a quarter each. Me, having no plans and always wanting to go there jumped on it quick! It was a good ride there and a long ride back but the trip was great!

We made sure to fit in as much stuff as we could and my feet were killing me each day.

Here are some pics!

To the left: I got my geek on at the Museum of Natural History. I wanted to see about a billion museums but this is the only one that worked out. I would definitely go back there just to correct that.

Below: Radio City Music Hall and 30 Rock. We walked by here at least a couple of time a day!

Right: A brief stop at the UN.

Right: The view from 30 Rock.

Left: This was on the wall when we were walking from Little Italy.

Right: We took a stroll on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Left: What was left after 9/11

Right: Times Square! Loved it!

Russ and I on top of Empire.

Left: Russ at Grand Central.

Right: Russ at the NY Public Library.

The Shwa

2009-03-18T13:05:00.000-04:00

This is my home base, where mom begrudgingly stores my books and allows me to set down my suitcases every now and again. She even waits at the airport while my plane is delayed for days at a time!

After being away from your family for years at a time, you can't put a price on being able to just hang out. It was nice not being rushed (as in the past) and to be there for the normal everyday stuff that goes on after the Jenny is Home Parade has passed.

Anyways, the coolest place to see in Oshawa, Mike and I decided was the Jungle Cat Zoo where you can see lots of tigers, some lions, a jaguar, lynx as well as some creepy wolves who will howl at dusk. There's even a monkey in the bathroom!!

P.E.I.

2009-03-18T12:38:00.000-04:00

I made my first trip to the East Coast shortly after leaving Kincardine. Mike grew up in Charlottetown, P.E.I. and I understand why he and I get along so well. We're both small town kids. Actually, there were a few similarities between Charlottetown and Kincardine that I really appreciated. The weather was actually fairly similar, both are water towns and the people are friendly. Lighthouses were also on the forefront, and I tried to see as many as the weather would allow.
Even with the weather being snowy, I was keen to get out and do things, and Mike obliged most of the time! We did a fair bit including going to a National Park Area where I got some good views.
It was pretty windy!
I think one of the reasons Mike was happy to leave the East Coast was that he would finally stop hearing my potato jokes! But seriously, there's a reason. All jokes aside, the Potato Burger with the side of sweet potato fries were scrumptious! As was the chicken curry that was poured over french fries :)

Unfortunately because just like Kincardine, Charlottetown is a summer place and a lot of the things I wanted to do were closed for the season. You better believe I'm going back to visit the Potato Museum, enjoy of Anne of Green Gables and to see the Bottle Houses.

His family was incredibly nice. I stayed with his mom the whole time I was there and she has a beautiful home that I felt very comfortable in. I also got to meet his Nanny, dad and his dad's wife. They all won me over with amazing food! This was exciting for me because one of my favourite things about traveling is the food.

All in all, it was nice to get to see a part of Canada I haven't.

Kincardine

2009-03-18T12:16:00.000-04:00

Shortly after returning to Canada I went to Kincardine to visit some family and spend some time experiencing a Bruce County winter in probably four years. It was pretty, but darn it was cold! The plan was to stay there for just a few days but all in all it turned out to be a couple of weeks mainly due to my Nana's cooking, and the terrible weather!

It was nice being there. Kincardine has turned into a mini-metropolis with big named restaurants and pharmacies moving into town. That's ok, I guess so long as it doesn't lose the charm that makes it so great. I'm looking forward to going back hopefully soon, so that I can see it when the weather is nicer, and also to show Mike where I grew up.

There are tons of pictures like these, basically portraying Kincardine like the Northern Tundra. I made Nana stop the car by the lake one day as we were driving by because the light was so perfect, and it had finally stopped snowing.

For some of the days it looked more like this:

Settled for Now

2009-03-18T12:12:00.000-04:00

Well, it didn't seem appropriate to continue blogging on my previous blog: http://jeninkorea.blogspot.com as I'm no longer in Korea but I wanted to continue blogging and posting pictures.

Mike and I have finally moved into our temporary apartment. We're here in Toronto for 2 months and we love our place and neighbourhood. It's the first time in months that we've both been settled down in the same place for any length of time, so that's a nice change.

I'll post about some of my travels since leaving Seoul soon.

Cheers.