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Arrival

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.

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!!!