It's been a month since the last post and some has happened. August seemed to go by quite quickly. I've been posted to a new shift at work which is both good and bad. It's monday to friday so I can continue to be a weekend warrior, which makes me happy. Although I am now working afternoon evenings which is taking some time to get used to. I'm a morning person and I find myself up too late most nights as I just can't get home at midnight and go straight to sleep. This does make communication with my west coast friends a little easier, and I seem to also be able to chat with my friends in Australia during their work day which is great! I find myself sleeping in too much and then sitting about the house in my pjs attached to the computer waiting to go to work.
On days where I'm actually up at a reasonable hour it is lovely to have the morning spent in solitude and contemplation. I love taking my first cup of coffee and sitting in my back yard, alternating between reading my book, staring up at the sky and trees, and watching the local squirrels and birds run around.
I'm also getting out and exploring my neighbourhood more, walking here and there- taking some interesting photos.
Earlier in the month I went out for breakfast with my friend J, we went to the Montreal Deli- or something similar- on Bathurst where I was able to have a Benny! Finally, it has been MONTHS, far too long really. I only received mild looks when I asked for no eggs and it was served with large slices of montreal smoked meat and a side of fruit and some tasty hash browns. It was a warm day so we sat on the patio. I miss breakfast out. Heading down and grabbing some ultra cheapies at Bond's on Broadway. Goood times when in Van, and I have yet to find a Benny that will surpass the chicken sausage with asparagus at John's Place in Vic.
Later in the month the Women's International America's cricket tournament was on so I made the journey up to see former teammates and friends play a game. And what a journey... it was up in King City which is quite north of the city. In the 12 000 block of Yonge St and no that is not a typo. A friend of mine from school and I once drove to Nobleton which is about 40 minutes north of North Etobicoke where the school is. We thought that was hell and gone, but King City is even farther north!
Once I got there, the weather was uncooperative, windy, gray and rainy. But the cricket was great. Everyone looked wonderful out on the field and they have come such a long way as a team and in their abilities. That was the only game I was able to watch, but I did find out Canada won the GOLD this year!
The day after that I headed out to Ottawa to spend a week with my good friend Florie and her daughter Serena. Rob was away in Quebec City for the week so I headed out to lend a hand, see their home and relax.
Although the weather wasn't so hot (ok it was hot and humid) but not sunny and poolly as I had hoped, we had a wonderful time. Florie is an amazing person and she is raising such a beautiful happy little girl. Serena is teething so at times she was a bit grumpy but on the whole so much fun and so smiley and laughs a lot. I was happy I was able to make her laugh a few times. Once she fell asleep on my shoulder, for anyone with insomnia you should try this, once she fell asleep I felt like I had swallowed about 4 bottles of nyquil, it was nap time all round in that house.
Babies radiate such a wonderful energy and it must be so fascinating to be a parent and see the changes that ha
ppen. The last time I saw Serena was at the end of May and she seems much more aware of her environment now, looking about with her large blue eyes taking it all in.It was a wonderful week's visit and just what I needed to recharge my batteries and head back into the city with a spring in my step. Although sad to leave Florie, Serena, and a bed on the "second" floor!, I was happy to be heading back into the city. I'm definitely not a suburbs kind of person. I love the city, the smells, the sights, the anonymity. Just seeing the sign saying welcome to toronto population 2.5 million made me pretty excited.
So that was August! I hope the good weather continues for a while longer! I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to summer.
Highlights this month are the TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival), I'm hoping to catch a few films in the mornings if I can get out of bed! Plus only a mere month until BrandyShaw comes to visit. I am beyond giddy, about three light years beyond and we are going to have so much fun!
