Prepping the layers with the mojito syrup:
And the masterpiece! It was yummy.
Bonus beginning of a rainbow cupcake:
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Baking!
At long last, the mojito cake! (Recipe may be found HERE)
Prepping the layers with the mojito syrup:
And the masterpiece! It was yummy.
Bonus beginning of a rainbow cupcake:
Prepping the layers with the mojito syrup:
And the masterpiece! It was yummy.
Bonus beginning of a rainbow cupcake:
Whoa!
The place where Mark and I met has burnt down!
(And yes, I am the classy type of gal who picks up boys at sketchy bars)
(And yes, I am the classy type of gal who picks up boys at sketchy bars)
Friday, May 08, 2009
Adventure day!
After lecture this morning, Mark and I headed into Hamilton, each of us on a mission. Mine was to trade $50 for an awesome, massive textbook that I've been humming and hawing over buying for a few months. I finally found it for about a third of what it goes for new, and now it is mine! HOORAY! Now I can learn about ALL THE DISEASES!
Mark's mission was to visit lots of schools and hand out resumes and hopefully make some contacts. He was also successful!
We took the scenic road back (after FINALLY eating at 2 pm for the first time that day, we are moody beasts when we are hungry), driving up along the escarpment. I can't believe its taken us 8 months to explore whats on top of the big hill we see so often. Turns out that whats on top are waterfalls! and wineries! And pretty houses taking advantage of all of the pretty views! I can't wait to go back. We stopped to hike a bit to see the waterfall (as usual, I was well prepared with my hiking fip-flops). We then stopped at a winery and had a couple of half-decent samples. And then Mark got to see downtown Beamsville (gripping!).
We got back in time for some exciting rehashing of my old MA thesis, it looks like it will be presented in the fall in Philly! WOOOOO! And then R came over, whisked me away to the gym. I followed up by whisking her away to THREE different grocery stores, to prep for our yummy night of baking SECRET THINGS!
To top off the wonderful day, I got to experience the joy of running through a spring downpour! I'm not being the least bit sarcastic - I absolutely love the feeling of getting drenched by warm spring rain. By misjudging the location of the car, I got to run for quite a while trying to find it, getting myself a good, happy soaking.
Exciting weekend ahoy! Pics and more posts after that :)
Mark's mission was to visit lots of schools and hand out resumes and hopefully make some contacts. He was also successful!
We took the scenic road back (after FINALLY eating at 2 pm for the first time that day, we are moody beasts when we are hungry), driving up along the escarpment. I can't believe its taken us 8 months to explore whats on top of the big hill we see so often. Turns out that whats on top are waterfalls! and wineries! And pretty houses taking advantage of all of the pretty views! I can't wait to go back. We stopped to hike a bit to see the waterfall (as usual, I was well prepared with my hiking fip-flops). We then stopped at a winery and had a couple of half-decent samples. And then Mark got to see downtown Beamsville (gripping!).
We got back in time for some exciting rehashing of my old MA thesis, it looks like it will be presented in the fall in Philly! WOOOOO! And then R came over, whisked me away to the gym. I followed up by whisking her away to THREE different grocery stores, to prep for our yummy night of baking SECRET THINGS!
To top off the wonderful day, I got to experience the joy of running through a spring downpour! I'm not being the least bit sarcastic - I absolutely love the feeling of getting drenched by warm spring rain. By misjudging the location of the car, I got to run for quite a while trying to find it, getting myself a good, happy soaking.
Exciting weekend ahoy! Pics and more posts after that :)
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Diggin' a hole (and fillin' it back up again).
Today WAS the day. I've been looking forward to having a REAL garden for years, and now that I'm finally in a place with a lawn, it's finally going to happen. But not today. After grabbing some supplies, and chatting with our property manager (who happens to be my upstairs neighbor), Mark, Missy and I staked out a sunny little patch of lawn, and started digging. And digging. And digging. And then Gina and Jesse came over and watched us dig, and has some coffee and delicious cake with us. Since we only had two shovels, they got to talk with one of us at all times!
We were just about finished digging the patch when out landlord showed up to check on something in the basement tenant's apartment. And was clearly pissed that we were digging a garden. Apparently, since the lawn is small (10x the size of the plot we dug), he wants it to remain entirely grass (and quite a few weeds), and not other growing stuff THAT IS ACTUALLY USEFUL. I mentioned but didn't belabor the point about how we had gotten permission from the FRIGGIN' PROPERTY MANAGER about digging a garden in that spot. ARGH. So after spending the morning digging out the patch, we commenced filling it back in. Tomorrow I'm going to throw down some grass seed, and start a grass garden. And I will then get some big planters, and plant me a smaller herb garden (bitter herbs, anyone?
But, lest a beautiful, sunshiney day be ruined, we finished our outside work, moved our little party inside for a yummy salad made by Mark. And then my parents showed up! And then we went to a winery and tasted a white wine that was so light and refreshing it could be described (by Missy) as rosewater! And then we went out for yummy dinner! So, all in all, good day, and I cannot wait until I have a house of my own. NO GRASS ALLOWED.
We were just about finished digging the patch when out landlord showed up to check on something in the basement tenant's apartment. And was clearly pissed that we were digging a garden. Apparently, since the lawn is small (10x the size of the plot we dug), he wants it to remain entirely grass (and quite a few weeds), and not other growing stuff THAT IS ACTUALLY USEFUL. I mentioned but didn't belabor the point about how we had gotten permission from the FRIGGIN' PROPERTY MANAGER about digging a garden in that spot. ARGH. So after spending the morning digging out the patch, we commenced filling it back in. Tomorrow I'm going to throw down some grass seed, and start a grass garden. And I will then get some big planters, and plant me a smaller herb garden (bitter herbs, anyone?
But, lest a beautiful, sunshiney day be ruined, we finished our outside work, moved our little party inside for a yummy salad made by Mark. And then my parents showed up! And then we went to a winery and tasted a white wine that was so light and refreshing it could be described (by Missy) as rosewater! And then we went out for yummy dinner! So, all in all, good day, and I cannot wait until I have a house of my own. NO GRASS ALLOWED.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Mark's outfit (top to bottom)
teal and fuschia bike helmet
orange polo shirt
beige hoodie
green jacket
various shades-of-green plaid shorts
black socks, pulled up to mid-shin
brown loafers
orange polo shirt
beige hoodie
green jacket
various shades-of-green plaid shorts
black socks, pulled up to mid-shin
brown loafers
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
What to discuss? I feel like I've been denying myself a life lately so that I can stay on top of schoolwork. Downtime for the past month has consisted mainly of going to the gym, watching tv on the internet, making trip to the market and baking with the bounty.
I guess one new thing for me is my first ever book club. Unfortunately, geographic distance between myself and everyone I've ever wanted to book club (now it's a verb) with before has kept said book clubbing from happening. Now my Niagara crew, who, like me have been getting pretty wrapped up in all things medical, has decided to schedule in some hours that will force us to escape from kidneys and fetuses (fetii? I'm pretty sure the answer to that one is NO.) and spend some time with good books.
Our first was "Through Black Spruce," and I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the book clubbing that went with it. Our initial discussion started off a bit forced - this was the first time for most of us - but then fell into interesting, easy talk. I'm already looking forward to the next book, "The God of Small Things."
Also, I'm looking forward to Easter and THREE DAYS OFF.
I guess one new thing for me is my first ever book club. Unfortunately, geographic distance between myself and everyone I've ever wanted to book club (now it's a verb) with before has kept said book clubbing from happening. Now my Niagara crew, who, like me have been getting pretty wrapped up in all things medical, has decided to schedule in some hours that will force us to escape from kidneys and fetuses (fetii? I'm pretty sure the answer to that one is NO.) and spend some time with good books.
Our first was "Through Black Spruce," and I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the book clubbing that went with it. Our initial discussion started off a bit forced - this was the first time for most of us - but then fell into interesting, easy talk. I'm already looking forward to the next book, "The God of Small Things."
Also, I'm looking forward to Easter and THREE DAYS OFF.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Surprise!
It's been a while since I've written about music, which doesn't mean that I've stopped caring about it. In fact, I've fallen back head-over-heels into it. I do admit that for a while, I fell out of touch with music, and all of the joy it brought to me and all of the time I spent exploring it. Since I started school again, I've fallen back in love, with old bands and new (mostly old bands, with their new material; this is how I can tell that I'M getting old). Since September, I've been listening to Appleseed Cast, Why?, The New Pornographers, Bon Iver, Animal Collective, Lykke Li, Of Montreal, Mount Eerie (with Julie Doiron), Basia Bulat, Velvet Underground... my iPod must be getting tired. But damn, it's been fun.
I heard that the video for "People got a lotta nerve," the first single from "Middle Cyclone," Neko Case's new (and excellent) album was being released tonight on MTV, I hopped over to YouTube to see if I could find it. Instead, I found a video of someone playing it on expert on Rock Band! IT IS ON ROCK BAND. I've just finished singing it about eight times. I sucked royally at first; Neko has an amazing voice and mine is a timid mouse voice in comparison. After a few tries (and a few shots at Jimmy Eat World nostalgia on guitar) later, I was able to really belt it out and WOW it is fun to try to sing like her.
Do yourself a favour and try it (I cordially invite you to come over and play nintendo with me), or at least get the album!!
I heard that the video for "People got a lotta nerve," the first single from "Middle Cyclone," Neko Case's new (and excellent) album was being released tonight on MTV, I hopped over to YouTube to see if I could find it. Instead, I found a video of someone playing it on expert on Rock Band! IT IS ON ROCK BAND. I've just finished singing it about eight times. I sucked royally at first; Neko has an amazing voice and mine is a timid mouse voice in comparison. After a few tries (and a few shots at Jimmy Eat World nostalgia on guitar) later, I was able to really belt it out and WOW it is fun to try to sing like her.
Do yourself a favour and try it (I cordially invite you to come over and play nintendo with me), or at least get the album!!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Things that I would write about if I didn't have to study:
- How much I love having blocks of 24 hours packed full of wonderful people that I don't get to see nearly often enough.
- Going to really good shows.
- How awesome that Basia Bulat gal is at being an awesome person and great singer.
- Clafouti.
- Mrk and his blg.
- How I miss my other amazing friends that I also don't get to see nearly often enough, and all of the amazing things that they are doing and what strong, awesome women they are.
- All of the little seedlings I've planted recently, and how they are cute little sprouts now, and will be lunch soon.
- Going to really good shows.
- How awesome that Basia Bulat gal is at being an awesome person and great singer.
- Clafouti.
- Mrk and his blg.
- How I miss my other amazing friends that I also don't get to see nearly often enough, and all of the amazing things that they are doing and what strong, awesome women they are.
- All of the little seedlings I've planted recently, and how they are cute little sprouts now, and will be lunch soon.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Mmmmm....
With Mark gone home for the weekend, I decided to make the 'most' of my Saturday. I'd planned on getting up early - maybe I'd go to the gym, get some work done for school, pot a houseplant, etc etc etc. While I only managed to do one of those things (potting the aloe plant, which took me all of three minutes), I did succeed in not being lazy, a rare feat for me on a Saturday! Ok... I started off lazy, sleeping in till 11:30 and then reading the New York Times over an entire pot of coffee (earlier this week, Mark roasted the beans himself!)
An hour or so later, I decided to walk down to the Chinese grocery and get some ingredients for soup, so that I could finally use up the chicken in my fridge. It was an unsuccessful trip - aside from finding some great-looking chilies and eggplants, I wasn't able to get much for the soup. On my way home, however, I decided to stop in at the newish African food store and check it out. Mark had been there in the past, and told me that it was worth checking out, but I hadn't gotten around to going in until today. It was so exciting! Not only was it an African shop, it was mainly Ghanaian! And the first thing I noticed? Shito!!!
(and what is shito you ask? it is simply the most delicious dried-shrimp-based-spicy-condiment-with-a-vaguely-dirty-name that you will ever taste, my friends)
After convincing the owners that I could handle the shito, I reworked dinner plans. The five minute walk to the grocery because a 3 hour odyssey as I walked around town, gathering more ingredients (and a couple of movie rentals too, movie night tonight!). Chicken soup became chicken stiry fry with a heaping forkful of shito mixed in. I made soup too, a delicious, simple mushroom soup with some of those awesome chilies. I even had enough rice left over to make rice pudding (white chocolate coconut!). So, despite knowing nothing new about kidneys (the school stuff that I could have worked on), I managed to fill my belly with loads of delicious, cheap, healthy food, and have a fridge full of leftovers!
Ps: here is my soup!
An hour or so later, I decided to walk down to the Chinese grocery and get some ingredients for soup, so that I could finally use up the chicken in my fridge. It was an unsuccessful trip - aside from finding some great-looking chilies and eggplants, I wasn't able to get much for the soup. On my way home, however, I decided to stop in at the newish African food store and check it out. Mark had been there in the past, and told me that it was worth checking out, but I hadn't gotten around to going in until today. It was so exciting! Not only was it an African shop, it was mainly Ghanaian! And the first thing I noticed? Shito!!!
(and what is shito you ask? it is simply the most delicious dried-shrimp-based-spicy-condiment-with-a-vaguely-dirty-name that you will ever taste, my friends)
After convincing the owners that I could handle the shito, I reworked dinner plans. The five minute walk to the grocery because a 3 hour odyssey as I walked around town, gathering more ingredients (and a couple of movie rentals too, movie night tonight!). Chicken soup became chicken stiry fry with a heaping forkful of shito mixed in. I made soup too, a delicious, simple mushroom soup with some of those awesome chilies. I even had enough rice left over to make rice pudding (white chocolate coconut!). So, despite knowing nothing new about kidneys (the school stuff that I could have worked on), I managed to fill my belly with loads of delicious, cheap, healthy food, and have a fridge full of leftovers!
Ps: here is my soup!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Procrasti-city
Who would have thought that at 27, I'd still be procrastinating from school work? I have an impressive ability to wake up at a reasonable hour* (ok, this didn't happen today), and piss away the day until dinner without having done any actual work. Oh I find plenty of interesting stuff to read - the New York Times puts up new content fequently throughout the day and damn it makes me feel all smart n' stuff. I learn about new music, look at LOLcats (yes I sink that low, please don't judge), but when it comes to actual work,at times I have the attention span of a flea.
This isn't to say that I never get work done or that I never get some quality *on-topic* learning done, I just don't really have much control over when that happens. I also make up for days like today with days where I am up and at lecture/in tutorial/nose in a journal article from 8am to midnight. So maybe days like today are actually making up for those days?
Main point: thank you to my blogging friends, writers at the New York Times, and the LOLcats for helping me out.
* related to waking up at reasonable hours... yesterday I found what I thought would be the perfect 'wake-up-get-going-enjoy-yourself' song, one that would kick in hard immediately and not make me hit the snooze (FYI I'm talking about Contantines, something from Kensington Heights). EVEN THAT FAILED.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
<3
Wedding... where do I begin? It all happened so quickly, and so perfectly that it already feels like a dream. I remember various people warning me about how everyone hits the point where they just can't and don't want to smile anymore. I never got tired of smiling, I was so happy. I still am (even though I've been wrenched away from dream-land, landing back in school-land).
I approached this whole wedding business with a "float on" attitude - don't worry, because everything will eventually fall into place. While this may have puzzled some, and stressed out others, it was exactly what happened - thanks to everyone helping out in big and small ways. I mentioned this several times at the wedding, but the whole thing really was built on the love and talents of our friends and family. I feel like so many people made the most beautiful contributions, and the result was a night that many have described to Mark and I as an amazing event (some going as far as to call it the Best Wedding Ever!).
A few photos have started to trickle in, and I get so excited seeing every batch. I can't wait to show all the amazing little details... Matt's cake-topper, Gary's speech, Missy's cake box, other Matt's posters, Basia's songs, John's awesome MC-ing, Roche's photos (I am dying for those but am going to try my very hardest to be patient!) and my best friends' book, created for me, and so many other things! Between these and all the hard work going on behind the scenes by my mom, dad, Sharon, Paula, Megan, Seema and Maggie, it turned out to be an amazing party and the perfect wedding for Mark and I.
My main feeling right now is one of supreme luck. I'm always afraid to jinx this incredible luck that seems to stick with me, but I have to express it here. I'm SO lucky to have such a wonderful family, beautiful friends, and most of all, the most loving, thoughtful husband that I ever could have imagined.
Hopefully being incredibly thankful will counteract any jinxing. Here are few thanks, out of many!
Thank you to my parents who have welcomed Mark with open arms, and given me all the love and support a daughter could ever hope for.
Thank you to my new family - Maria, Ed, and Matt, along with all of the family in Poland. You've given me so much love already, and produced such a great dude.
To Paula: thank you for being beautiful, kind and graceful. You knew what needed to be done, and did it! You helped keep me on track, and were there for me when I was feeling stressed. You've ALWAYS been there for me, no matter what is going on in your life, and I am lucky to have you in my life.
To Sharon: thank you for being a wonderful role model. You make family life look so appealing! I love that despite all of the difficulties you face, you remain so loyal, funny, warm, and determined.
To Seema: What unbelievable grace and love. Everyone who meets you senses how loving and caring you are, and I'm so lucky to have you in my life.
To Maggie: Thank you for beeing so deep and so lighthearted. You are always willing to celebrate, and always willing to comfort. Most of all, thanks for coming to the wedding even though it meant missing the Chargers game!
To Megan: DUDE. Thank you for traveling across an ocean to be part of this. Thank you for making me laugh, and for helping me chill out when I got nervous and stressed about all the little last-minute details.
And Mark... wow. I am so, so lucky to have married that man. He worked so hard on making the wedding something that we would love, and it happened. I can't believe how amazing it feels to be able to call him my husband.
So thank all of you, including the many people I have yet to thank explicitly, for your love and congratulations. I'm so grateful for this life.
I approached this whole wedding business with a "float on" attitude - don't worry, because everything will eventually fall into place. While this may have puzzled some, and stressed out others, it was exactly what happened - thanks to everyone helping out in big and small ways. I mentioned this several times at the wedding, but the whole thing really was built on the love and talents of our friends and family. I feel like so many people made the most beautiful contributions, and the result was a night that many have described to Mark and I as an amazing event (some going as far as to call it the Best Wedding Ever!).
A few photos have started to trickle in, and I get so excited seeing every batch. I can't wait to show all the amazing little details... Matt's cake-topper, Gary's speech, Missy's cake box, other Matt's posters, Basia's songs, John's awesome MC-ing, Roche's photos (I am dying for those but am going to try my very hardest to be patient!) and my best friends' book, created for me, and so many other things! Between these and all the hard work going on behind the scenes by my mom, dad, Sharon, Paula, Megan, Seema and Maggie, it turned out to be an amazing party and the perfect wedding for Mark and I.
My main feeling right now is one of supreme luck. I'm always afraid to jinx this incredible luck that seems to stick with me, but I have to express it here. I'm SO lucky to have such a wonderful family, beautiful friends, and most of all, the most loving, thoughtful husband that I ever could have imagined.
Hopefully being incredibly thankful will counteract any jinxing. Here are few thanks, out of many!
Thank you to my parents who have welcomed Mark with open arms, and given me all the love and support a daughter could ever hope for.
Thank you to my new family - Maria, Ed, and Matt, along with all of the family in Poland. You've given me so much love already, and produced such a great dude.
To Paula: thank you for being beautiful, kind and graceful. You knew what needed to be done, and did it! You helped keep me on track, and were there for me when I was feeling stressed. You've ALWAYS been there for me, no matter what is going on in your life, and I am lucky to have you in my life.
To Sharon: thank you for being a wonderful role model. You make family life look so appealing! I love that despite all of the difficulties you face, you remain so loyal, funny, warm, and determined.
To Seema: What unbelievable grace and love. Everyone who meets you senses how loving and caring you are, and I'm so lucky to have you in my life.
To Maggie: Thank you for beeing so deep and so lighthearted. You are always willing to celebrate, and always willing to comfort. Most of all, thanks for coming to the wedding even though it meant missing the Chargers game!
To Megan: DUDE. Thank you for traveling across an ocean to be part of this. Thank you for making me laugh, and for helping me chill out when I got nervous and stressed about all the little last-minute details.
And Mark... wow. I am so, so lucky to have married that man. He worked so hard on making the wedding something that we would love, and it happened. I can't believe how amazing it feels to be able to call him my husband.
So thank all of you, including the many people I have yet to thank explicitly, for your love and congratulations. I'm so grateful for this life.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Ack! We are kinda almost adults now!
Wow... less than one month until the wedding! There is still so much left to do (and hopefully most of it will be done this weekend), but one month from now, all of this craziness will be over.
In other "Jen'n'Mark are no longer big kids just playing house" news, we own a car. I guess technically, Mark is the one with the name on the ownership papers, but we both paid for it. We managed to hold out for one that suits us as much as possible (no, it is not just a bike with really awesome gears) - a 2004 Toyota Echo. Super fuel efficient, TINY, and... manual transmission. Neither of us drive stick. BUT with R's endless patience, and dad's regular patience, we are learning! We managed to take it around a few blocks near our house today, stalling it not too often, and only pissing off a handful of other drivers around us. R suggested getting some sort of sign for the back window asking people to please be patient because we are learning stick, and also to PLEASE NOT STOP TOO CLOSE TO OUR BUMPER.
Here is a picture of a car just like ours!
Soon, we will be able to drive it everywhere, and not just 1-5 blocks from our house :)
WOOOOO
In other "Jen'n'Mark are no longer big kids just playing house" news, we own a car. I guess technically, Mark is the one with the name on the ownership papers, but we both paid for it. We managed to hold out for one that suits us as much as possible (no, it is not just a bike with really awesome gears) - a 2004 Toyota Echo. Super fuel efficient, TINY, and... manual transmission. Neither of us drive stick. BUT with R's endless patience, and dad's regular patience, we are learning! We managed to take it around a few blocks near our house today, stalling it not too often, and only pissing off a handful of other drivers around us. R suggested getting some sort of sign for the back window asking people to please be patient because we are learning stick, and also to PLEASE NOT STOP TOO CLOSE TO OUR BUMPER.
Here is a picture of a car just like ours!
Soon, we will be able to drive it everywhere, and not just 1-5 blocks from our house :)
WOOOOO
Monday, November 24, 2008
Young Lions
I'm sorry. It is silly of me to not post for a month and then do a non-post, but this meme is fun and i haven't written about music in a while. Fill it out yourself if you feel like doing a mad-lib with no worries about saying an adjective when you mean to say a verb.
1.Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing the meme as well as the person you got the meme from.
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY
Girl (built to spill)
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Pure Evil (P:ano - haha this one is great)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A BOY/GIRL?
SSleep (azure ray)
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Windsurfing nation (broken social scene)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Hold Hands and Fight (The Rosebuds) - wow this thing is good!
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Sleeping diagonally (Iron and wine)
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Empty Shell (Cat Power - wow dudes that is HARSH!)
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Redford (Sufjan Stevens - this is NOT TRUE)
WHAT IS 2+2?
Jigsaw Falling into Place (Radiohead)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
When we go, how we go. (Rock Plaza Central)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Listen to the Math (Tokyo Police Club; and he is writing a book about math!)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
All I have to Do is Dream (The Dandy Warhols, stubbs the zombie soundtrack)
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Pressed in a Book (The Shins)
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Lanterns (Microphones)
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Jackie, dressed in Cobras (New pornos)
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
A Visit from Drum
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Asleep. (The Smiths)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Fine Young Cannibals (Wolf Parade)
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
They are night zombies! (Sufjan Stevens - haha good call itunes)
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Les Os (Unicorns; does that mean BEARS?!?!?! AHHH! Never mind, it just means bones)
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Hart Crane (the anniversary)
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Sun Spots (No Age)
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Nude (Radiohead)
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
These are the Fables (New Pornos)
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Think (James Brown)
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Recording a Tunnel (Bell Orchestre)
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Reconstruction Site (The Weakerthans)
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Steps and Numbers (appleseed cast)
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Young Lions (Constantines)
1.Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing the meme as well as the person you got the meme from.
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY
Girl (built to spill)
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Pure Evil (P:ano - haha this one is great)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A BOY/GIRL?
SSleep (azure ray)
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Windsurfing nation (broken social scene)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Hold Hands and Fight (The Rosebuds) - wow this thing is good!
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Sleeping diagonally (Iron and wine)
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Empty Shell (Cat Power - wow dudes that is HARSH!)
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Redford (Sufjan Stevens - this is NOT TRUE)
WHAT IS 2+2?
Jigsaw Falling into Place (Radiohead)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
When we go, how we go. (Rock Plaza Central)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Listen to the Math (Tokyo Police Club; and he is writing a book about math!)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
All I have to Do is Dream (The Dandy Warhols, stubbs the zombie soundtrack)
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Pressed in a Book (The Shins)
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Lanterns (Microphones)
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Jackie, dressed in Cobras (New pornos)
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
A Visit from Drum
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Asleep. (The Smiths)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Fine Young Cannibals (Wolf Parade)
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
They are night zombies! (Sufjan Stevens - haha good call itunes)
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Les Os (Unicorns; does that mean BEARS?!?!?! AHHH! Never mind, it just means bones)
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Hart Crane (the anniversary)
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Sun Spots (No Age)
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Nude (Radiohead)
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
These are the Fables (New Pornos)
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Think (James Brown)
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Recording a Tunnel (Bell Orchestre)
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Reconstruction Site (The Weakerthans)
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Steps and Numbers (appleseed cast)
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Young Lions (Constantines)
Monday, October 27, 2008
Coffee Culture
Those who know me tend to think I am somewhat of a coffee snob - although in my head I usually disagree. I think that I know far less about good coffee than an actual 'snob' would - I just happen to like it a lot. Yesterday, however, I truly felt like a snob. Mark and I decided to go check out the new coffee shop in St. Catharines, Coffee culture, because it is in a beautiful building, the premise sounded good, and I needed a place for caffeinated studying (my living room doesn't cut it sometimes).
WOW does that place ever suck. I was so impressed walking in (it is a beautiful looking place) - and then had to wait 10 minutes for my turn to order, not because they were busy, but because the two employees had to both ring in the orders, make the food/drinks, bring them out to tables rather than have one person on cash and the other making the food. Perhaps I am too used to other coffee shops? The set up was just really, really illogical. And yes, I know that sometimes in life you have to wait, especially for deliciousness - so I was hoping that my eventual coffee would be delicious!
... And it wasn't! After seeing an automatic espresso machine (=push a button, get a latte), Mark and I both decided to just get the organic, fair trade drip coffee. This turned out to be a pretty bad idea. Does anyone remember when fair trade coffee first entered the market? It was terrible. People who felt too guilty to drink regular coffee were the only ones drinking it, because if taste buds entered the equation at all, there was no way a coffee drinker would touch that stuff. Since then, fair trade coffees have come a long way and are as good, and usually better than most coffees, thanks to a big fancy coffee/know your farmer movement. I think coffee culture has managed to find the last remaining bags of the old, hideous stuff. Our coffees tasted like they had been sitting out in a dirty pot for about 6 hours.
If someone in St. Catharines starts up a good coffee shop, I swear that I will keep it afloat.
PS - my living room is looking better - Mark just made me a brownie latte!
WOW does that place ever suck. I was so impressed walking in (it is a beautiful looking place) - and then had to wait 10 minutes for my turn to order, not because they were busy, but because the two employees had to both ring in the orders, make the food/drinks, bring them out to tables rather than have one person on cash and the other making the food. Perhaps I am too used to other coffee shops? The set up was just really, really illogical. And yes, I know that sometimes in life you have to wait, especially for deliciousness - so I was hoping that my eventual coffee would be delicious!
... And it wasn't! After seeing an automatic espresso machine (=push a button, get a latte), Mark and I both decided to just get the organic, fair trade drip coffee. This turned out to be a pretty bad idea. Does anyone remember when fair trade coffee first entered the market? It was terrible. People who felt too guilty to drink regular coffee were the only ones drinking it, because if taste buds entered the equation at all, there was no way a coffee drinker would touch that stuff. Since then, fair trade coffees have come a long way and are as good, and usually better than most coffees, thanks to a big fancy coffee/know your farmer movement. I think coffee culture has managed to find the last remaining bags of the old, hideous stuff. Our coffees tasted like they had been sitting out in a dirty pot for about 6 hours.
If someone in St. Catharines starts up a good coffee shop, I swear that I will keep it afloat.
PS - my living room is looking better - Mark just made me a brownie latte!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Hi
Cars:
I. HATE. CARS. I was stuck in traffic for two hours yesterday, on what should have been a 35 minute trip. I basically missed my tutorial as a result. That sucks! Also, last week I got a flat! It was really scary because it sounded like it was my engine (I obviously know nothing about cars), but after waiting nearly two hours on the side of the highway, I was helped by some of the world's nicest tow truck people, and super-awesome people at the Wal-Mart mechanic shop. YEP I actually like Wal-Mart (well, the employees at least) for something.
Life:
I am getting lazy. I have not exercised more than walking for quite a while. This is not good. Hopefully when school stuff gets switched to St. Catharines, I'll be able to use at least some of the current 10 commuting hours/week to keep my body healthy.
Friends:
-Nothing! I didn't even get to talk to P on her birthday, although messages were left :) I have not seen friends in a really long time! Well, except for school friends, and Gina who happened to be in town last weekend! Next weekend might contain a Jaime!
Wedding(!):
-My dress is in! And it fits! It may need some minor, minor alterations but it seems like all is well on that front!
-Basia is confirmed! This is beyond exciting and I'm so happy that she will be at the wedding. Mark and I are so lucky to have such talented friends. It is helping turn what could be a pretty stereotypical wedding into something very true to us.
-We have a few more big items on our list (like catering/invites/cake/dj) but hopefully, they will have nice little check marks next to them by this time next week. OK - that is a lie. There is no actual physical list, because Mark and I are not organized people. There is a cloud of stuff that gets remembered every once in a while by my head, so that cloud will have more little lines through it?
I. HATE. CARS. I was stuck in traffic for two hours yesterday, on what should have been a 35 minute trip. I basically missed my tutorial as a result. That sucks! Also, last week I got a flat! It was really scary because it sounded like it was my engine (I obviously know nothing about cars), but after waiting nearly two hours on the side of the highway, I was helped by some of the world's nicest tow truck people, and super-awesome people at the Wal-Mart mechanic shop. YEP I actually like Wal-Mart (well, the employees at least) for something.
Life:
I am getting lazy. I have not exercised more than walking for quite a while. This is not good. Hopefully when school stuff gets switched to St. Catharines, I'll be able to use at least some of the current 10 commuting hours/week to keep my body healthy.
Friends:
-Nothing! I didn't even get to talk to P on her birthday, although messages were left :) I have not seen friends in a really long time! Well, except for school friends, and Gina who happened to be in town last weekend! Next weekend might contain a Jaime!
Wedding(!):
-My dress is in! And it fits! It may need some minor, minor alterations but it seems like all is well on that front!
-Basia is confirmed! This is beyond exciting and I'm so happy that she will be at the wedding. Mark and I are so lucky to have such talented friends. It is helping turn what could be a pretty stereotypical wedding into something very true to us.
-We have a few more big items on our list (like catering/invites/cake/dj) but hopefully, they will have nice little check marks next to them by this time next week. OK - that is a lie. There is no actual physical list, because Mark and I are not organized people. There is a cloud of stuff that gets remembered every once in a while by my head, so that cloud will have more little lines through it?
Friday, September 26, 2008
Harvest time
I wish that my camera was working so that I could show all of the beautiful produce Mark brought home. One of the surprising upsides of the terrible market for teachers in St. Catharines has been his job at an organic farm just outside of town. He's been working insane hours this week - >12 hours on market days - but he's been liking it. Yesterday, he went with his boss to the Dufferin Grove Farmers market. This was the market just up the street from us when we lived in Toronto, and it was full of amazing produce and organic products (and the most delicious bread I've ever had in my life) year round. The summer season is just wrapping up at the market, and Mark's farm will only be going there for one more week (so stop by next Thursday and say hi to Mark!). Too bad, because look what he brought home last night: peaches, plums, grapes (green and red), onions, garlic, a squash (possibly a small melon?), potatoes, peppers and MY BREAD. MMMMM. I just had a sandwich with it, complemented by TWO lattes, and I'm in heaven.
I shouldn't complain too much, this is what we have now, lining the streets in easy biking distance:
Sadness: Mmmmmegs flew off to France last night. Canada is now Megsless. That is a very sad thought, but I am happy for the French. Have fun and come home soon, lady!
I shouldn't complain too much, this is what we have now, lining the streets in easy biking distance:
Sadness: Mmmmmegs flew off to France last night. Canada is now Megsless. That is a very sad thought, but I am happy for the French. Have fun and come home soon, lady!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Summer!
Wow, I'm getting bad at this. It's been a full month, and so much has happened. I quit BOTH of my jobs (although SB managed to give me an extra two weeks of perks, hooray), Mark and I took a pseudo-honeymoon, since we won't have one when we're actually married, and I've officially moved out of Toronto. Major events: Seema had her baby Maya, who is so beautiful. Sharon is about a week away from having a new Wyatt and two weeks away from going back to law school to finish her degree (if it isn't done in a completely crazy way, it's not worth doing - Sharon, you'd better write a book about your life some day!!). Paula has defended her thesis (complaining that it was too easy, my friends are brilliant), and is moving back to London to start a PhD. Megan has written her novel (it can now be named!), defended it, and is moving to France(!!!) to teach/be inspired. Maggie has written her thesis, and will be starting her PhD in the Fall with one of Canada's biggest scholarships. Not sure if I've mentioned it here before, but I've certainly thought it many times - had I not gotten back into school, I'd be the least accomplished of my friends - as it is, we all have to keep going on and getting more accomplishments to keep up with one another.
The last month has been pretty great - I've been able to be a little bit lazy, I've gotten a lot of things done, and Mark and finally traveled a big summer music festival. He planned a big trip out of it, with a stop in Montreal, a farm party in Vermont, camping in Cape Cod, and finally, All Points West festival and NYC. The vacation was great - just what I needed after working so much for the past 7 months (although, after the trip, I don't have much in the bank to show for those months!). Here are some photos:
We're now living in St. Catharines, so be sure to look us up durng trips to wine country. Mark and I biked to the Lake yesterday, and a river, and very near to some excellent wineries. We went swimming! And all of this is so close to our new home, which is much bigger and cheaper than our place in Toronto (guest room!) yet still manages to be pretty cute.
Also, Orientation week is next week. More on that (and med school) will be found HERE.
The last month has been pretty great - I've been able to be a little bit lazy, I've gotten a lot of things done, and Mark and finally traveled a big summer music festival. He planned a big trip out of it, with a stop in Montreal, a farm party in Vermont, camping in Cape Cod, and finally, All Points West festival and NYC. The vacation was great - just what I needed after working so much for the past 7 months (although, after the trip, I don't have much in the bank to show for those months!). Here are some photos:
We're now living in St. Catharines, so be sure to look us up durng trips to wine country. Mark and I biked to the Lake yesterday, and a river, and very near to some excellent wineries. We went swimming! And all of this is so close to our new home, which is much bigger and cheaper than our place in Toronto (guest room!) yet still manages to be pretty cute.
Also, Orientation week is next week. More on that (and med school) will be found HERE.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
In less than a month, I'll be leaving Toronto and moving to St. Catharines. I've noticed myself entering that 'pre-nostalgic' phase where I start missing something before it is over... Toronto has been very, very good to me - especially my last 9 months in little Portugal, easily my favourite neighborhood that I've EVER lived in. It's hard to think that I'll be trading in my street, with its cute little shops, interesting people, organic farmers market for a city that is much smaller and will be lacking in so much that I've come to take for granted. That said, I'm so unbelievably excited (and nervous!).
Everything seems a LITTLE bit more real with every item crossed off of my to-do list. This weekend was CPR/First Aid, very very interesting - but it made me realize that I'm going to have to do something about my vivid imagination. Every cartoon picture, description, even thought of an injury made my stomach flip. I really should get over that as soon as possible. As we were learning how to do baby CPR, I noticed that the babies were of the brand "911 INFANTry" - amazing. I'm hoping that the heads of real babies don't pop off as easily as these babies' heads did (but just to be safe, I should probably avoid holding Maya and Wyatt until their necks fuse).
OK, time for the random pic dump:
Imminent backslap:
Mark is really good at frisbee, but only when I'm not watching. I think he worries too much about impressing me.
I can't even think of a caption. I just love this picture.
And this guy.
I mean, who wouldn't?
We have some serious love. Look at our serious faces!
Everything seems a LITTLE bit more real with every item crossed off of my to-do list. This weekend was CPR/First Aid, very very interesting - but it made me realize that I'm going to have to do something about my vivid imagination. Every cartoon picture, description, even thought of an injury made my stomach flip. I really should get over that as soon as possible. As we were learning how to do baby CPR, I noticed that the babies were of the brand "911 INFANTry" - amazing. I'm hoping that the heads of real babies don't pop off as easily as these babies' heads did (but just to be safe, I should probably avoid holding Maya and Wyatt until their necks fuse).
OK, time for the random pic dump:
Imminent backslap:
Mark is really good at frisbee, but only when I'm not watching. I think he worries too much about impressing me.
I can't even think of a caption. I just love this picture.
And this guy.
I mean, who wouldn't?
We have some serious love. Look at our serious faces!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
A Strong Offence
Mark and I lucked into a pretty awesome frisbee team this year - we've got a great mix of experience and personalities on our team. I've played two games with them so far and both of them were a lot of fun - not like the crazy hardcore team we started the season with ("You have to run HARDER!" - ok, I guess that may sound reasonable, but not in the context in which it was used). I feel like I'll probably get a lot better over the season, develop skillz and such.
One thing I am 100% sure of: no game will ever top yesterday's. We played down at Marilyn Bell Park, where the edge of the field is no more than 5 metres from the lake (and yes, this resulted in the frisbee going swimming, courtesy of Mark). It was soooo pretty. There was a light sunshower at the start of the game, so we even got a rainbow (looking like it started at the CN Tower and arcing over to mid-lake). For added fun, I convinced Melissa to come be a sub for our team, so she got to show off her super awesomeness during her first game ever! Look what else she is awesome at:
The game itself was good - we were playing a really young (=fast & stamina) team, so we were doing pretty badly during the first half. After a mildly depressing halftime, we started coming together really well and came back from 8-1 to ending the game at 16-11. Not too shabby. Ok but what's so great about that Well, during the last point, we had two (well, FOUR) bonus players. I have no pictures to prove it but please believe me - two mounted police AND THEIR HORSES joined the game. The one in the darker uniform with the darker horse joined our team (black jerseys) and the other team bot the other pair. It was incredible, they were right into it, passing and chasing the game down the field. At one point, a girl on the other team got the disc and our horseman covered her by racing around her in the tightest loop I've ever seen a horse make. This went on for about 5-10 minutes, and then they left us to finish the game. We lost, but hey (hay?), who really cared?
One thing I am 100% sure of: no game will ever top yesterday's. We played down at Marilyn Bell Park, where the edge of the field is no more than 5 metres from the lake (and yes, this resulted in the frisbee going swimming, courtesy of Mark). It was soooo pretty. There was a light sunshower at the start of the game, so we even got a rainbow (looking like it started at the CN Tower and arcing over to mid-lake). For added fun, I convinced Melissa to come be a sub for our team, so she got to show off her super awesomeness during her first game ever! Look what else she is awesome at:
The game itself was good - we were playing a really young (=fast & stamina) team, so we were doing pretty badly during the first half. After a mildly depressing halftime, we started coming together really well and came back from 8-1 to ending the game at 16-11. Not too shabby. Ok but what's so great about that Well, during the last point, we had two (well, FOUR) bonus players. I have no pictures to prove it but please believe me - two mounted police AND THEIR HORSES joined the game. The one in the darker uniform with the darker horse joined our team (black jerseys) and the other team bot the other pair. It was incredible, they were right into it, passing and chasing the game down the field. At one point, a girl on the other team got the disc and our horseman covered her by racing around her in the tightest loop I've ever seen a horse make. This went on for about 5-10 minutes, and then they left us to finish the game. We lost, but hey (hay?), who really cared?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
