Wednesday, May 31, 2006

too hot to write....

Your 1920's Name is:

Celestine Gregoria

Monday, May 29, 2006

when ttc strikes

boo. what a crappy thing to hear on the radio as you wake up in the morning.

"the ttc is having an illegal strike."

seems like the logical thing to do on a 30 degree day, when there is already a smog warning. that's just freaking great. as if the extra hundreds of thousands of cars on the roads, the extra taxi's are going to help in reducing the pollution. and if you don't have a car, you get to be one of the lucky few who gets to inhale all of the extra emissions today as you bike or walk to where you have to be.

this is NOT the way to gain the public's support.

if the ttc doesn't start up by this afternoon, I have to decide whether or not to take a cab to teach- could take forever in traffic, and will also cost probably around $100 for the day, maybe more...... I could try to get my bike tuned up in the next couple hours- and inhale all the wonderful, tasty, smog fumes on the hour plus bike ride there, nevermind the hour plus ride back home in rush hour traffic. I could leave now and start walking and get burned to a crisp....... oh, oh, the options are so wonderful and exciting.

And it's the last lesson of the year for my Monday students- as they start exams later this week. And last week was a holiday. So I kinda have to be there........ somehow, someway.......

freakin wonderful.

stupid ttc union

Sunday, May 28, 2006

when lobsters strike......

Jeremy is SOOOOOOOOOOO lucky.
We are having a BBQ with our landlords and neighbours- and one of them had just brought back some fresh Lobsters from Nova Scotia.
Need I say more?
lucky guy......

Saturday, May 27, 2006

other people's junk

It is GORGEOUS outside.

We got up really early (for a Saturday) and met our friends to check out a big street sale that their neighbourhood was having. They didn't have too much luck, but Jeremy and I had a few finds- some records, a VHS of Amadeus, and some terracotta pots for our front stairs. I was planning on just going down to china town to get some cheap plastic pots instead, but you can't beat $3 for 6 pots!! ooh- also got an old italian glass decanter, which is currently housing, not wine (unfortunately!), but some beautiful orange tulips.

Since it was still early, we decided to go out for some brunch- and sat on a patio for a little while.

Jeremy and I shopped around for a bit after that, found some amazing ergonomic German Chairs for our kitchen..... (you can always dream!!), looked at a fish market, and almost bought some delicious looking tuna sashimi.....

and all before noon.

I taught a flute lesson this afternoon, and am now watching this crazy dude on tv, that can levitate, rip telephone books apart- I think his name is Chris Angel? I'm just waiting for my rice to cook, and then I'm making some sushi for lunch. then perhaps buying some flowers to plant in our new pots!

we might see x-men 3 tonight!!

Friday, May 26, 2006

Happy Birthday Mom!!

It is a very busy Friday!! I just got home from playing a 3 hour gig, had a bite to eat- and am getting ready to leave for another gig tonight. However, today is a very special day, so I had to take a few minutes to wish my Mom, Happy Birthday!!! I love you and miss you!! Have a great day!!!

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Feelin' The Same Way

It's a beautiful, fresh Spring morning here in Toronto. Fresh? Toronto? You'd better believe it. It's the first year that I've been here that we've actually had a Spring. Alas, by the end of the weekend, after 2 days of almost 30 degrees, that'll be then end of the freshness until a windy, rainy day- or fall. Until then though, it's a perfect day to play hooky. I only have my 2 students to teach, and a bit of running around to do...... so it sucks that since Jeremy is actually home from work for the day, he is fighting a cold, and is all sick and in bed. Not that that is such a bad place to be- especially with fresh flowers on the shelf to smell while you are wrapped up in a cool white cotton duvet.

It has been an interesting few weeks. All of my friends, right across the country/continent, and even some of our family members have been experiencing the same thing. I have had numerous conversations, read a variety of blogs, and listened in to phone calls, all talking about the same thing. We all miss eachother. We miss friends, we miss family. We miss Grandparents and are wondering how to stay in contact better, and how to convey our thanks and appreciation for everything they've done..... (teaching the Provinces and Capitals driving to me while driving to Vancouver Island- thanks Grandpa!! I still remember that trip so clearly). Family misses other family members. We wonder who their friends are, what they do in their spare time. Our younger siblings are growing up- buying their third car before I've even thought about buying my first. Some are graduating from University. Others are going on European explorations. Even things as simple as Birthdays. (and there are many Birthday's this week!- Happy Birthday- you know who you are!!) You know we wish we could be there, for everything.

It's so hard starting your life away from your life.

The only thing we can do is try to keep in touch- via phone, e-mail, blogs, letters- any and every way we can. And to remember to cherish and truly appreciate all the moments, good and bad, that we get to spend together. We're all in this together. I love and miss you all.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

bye bye cinder blocks

So we didn't end up going to the Jays game after all. Instead we finished our apartment!!! With the exception of 4 matching kitchen chairs, and some picture frames and mats- and maybe a new print, we are DONE!!! It feels so weird, that after 4 years of thinking (and even longer for Jeremy), okay, we just need this and this- now we are finished. A new bookshelf/room divider, a book shelf, and a stylish new dresser- complete with jewellery drawer and mirror. Also got a shelf for above the bed, since my headboard is waiting in Calgary until we have real estate somewhere.

I'm going to try to take some pictures today- if you want to see the inside of our place, let me know if you'd like me to e-mail you some pics!!

dishes beckon......

Friday, May 19, 2006

boobytraps

Don't you hate it when spiders randomly set up boobytraps?? Today I was carrying about 30 lbs of groceries (flour is heavy!!) and while walking onto the front porch I narrowly avoided an encounter with a tangly, long spider web. thank goodness. I HATE it when you get spider web stuck on you. eeeew.

Good thing there was no spider to be seen. Especially one that looks like this crazy, bad boy from Calgary:

Apparently this big guy was on my parent's house the other day........ hahaha- and you all thought you were safe from huge, rain forest spiders!!!! This one must have hitched a ride with some bananas..........

Not too much going on here at the moment. I'm teaching a make-up lesson this evening, and then we are having bbq'd wild red snapper for dinner with brown jasmine rice and a still-to-be determined vegetable from the corner store. maybe some miso soup too.

Plans for the weekend??? none!! We are going to chill, chill, chill. And perhaps shop a bit....... Monday afternoon we're going to go to the Jays game!! Okay, so we do have plans. Which also include organic bacon.... (which is definitely NOT part of a macrobiotic diet....... gotta get some in while I still can!!)

Time to prep the lesson for my students this afternoon! New pieces, with cd accomp. made to sound like a rock band. how cool is that for an 8 year old boy?!!

Sunday, May 14, 2006

nori anyone?

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!

Had a gig with my friend Pam today, playing a Mother's Day concert in a retirement 'mansion'. I have to say that even though there really isn't any rep for flute and violin duo, the concert and program was okay. nice and light, cheery, perfect for mother's day. not very challenging rep...... I guess playing duo's that I also use with my students would explain that one!!

It has been around a week now since I started changing food things...... and I feel GREAT!!! I can't believe how much happier and positive I've become. I want to sit up straight, and go to sleep early. I've lost around 5 pounds I think (we don't have a scale, I'm of the mind it's how you look and feel, not what a number on the scale dictates) I feel full and light and happy after a meal, and I hardly need to snack. I also feel more alert. I NEVER thought, especially being from Alberta, that I would think about eating less meat.

Speaking of eating........... I went to the allergist on Friday morning to be re-tested for my shellfish allergy. I wanted to determine exactly which shellfish I was allergic to. Plus, I am sick of carrying an epi-pen, worrying about cross contamination while eating out........ and, I REALLY MISS SHELLFISH!!! I tested positive for a shrimp allergy about 13 years ago, and to my dismay haven't had a bite since.

Well, well, well...... turns out that I might be one of the VERY few percentage of people who out grow a shellfish allergy. I tested negative for it all. EVERYTHING. As much as I wanted to run out of the dr's office in a fit of hysterical giggles and cheers, and bust a move to the all you can eat buffet at Red Lobster, I can't get too excited yet...... we have to wait for a blood test, and then I have to do a fresh food test....... where I get to eat shrimp, lobster and crab at the allergists to determine if there is still an allergy. 6-7 weeks until I know. I can't freakin wait.

Time to go kick Jeremy's ass at dr. mario.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

rainy, blustery and totally fresh outside.

I finished reading the macrobiotics book and, for better or for worse, it has made me really think about what we are putting in our bodies. Some of the things the author says really make a lot of sense. So we'll see. I am going to go on a search for a new book, which actually includes more information, and I think more of a detailed menu plan.

I do have to say that after only a few days of eating more grains, (rice, sushi rice, brown rice, and oats so far), way more veggies, and a lot less meat, I feel better. but really, should that be surprising???

Had a great meal last night with our friend Pam. We made tempura veggies (mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli, carrots and zucchini) and veggie sushi rolls. yum. a few other friends came over after for a couple games of poker, and beer. good times.

I was supposed to start pilates today, but my instructor had to cancel. Now I have a ton of free time before I teach. I'd love to crawl back into bed, but instead I have to practice and make up a concert program and write program notes for a mother's day concert I am playing with Pam on Sunday. I'm hoping there will be some time for a nap later on.........

Sunday, May 07, 2006

sunny sunday evening

what a weekend it's been. yesterday I had the concert with Scarborough Phil, which actually went pretty well. I really had a great time playing- especially Brahms 2. awesome flute part. Although there were a few interesting moments within the orchestra, I was really happy with my playing, although exhausted by the end. needless to say, the beer at home after the concert tasted really good. (ahh Trad.) Apparently the flute position there is opening up, so we'll see what happens.

Had a good time doing a bunch of nothing today. Did some laundry, and ironed the sheets (yes, ironed the sheets....... i know........ but it really does make a difference!!!) organized the bathroom drawers and cupboards. and now i'm just waiting to eat the chicken that is roasting on the BBQ. It's the first time we've done a whole one at once, so hopefully it turns out!!!

well, that's all for now. we're waiting to hear from a couple of friends so we can maybe get a poker game together this evening. time to veg.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

chew, chew, chew

Yesterday I decided to take the time to chew my food. really chew it. at least 50 times each bite if possible. A few things I noticed after:
I ate less
I was fuller longer
Interesting...... and all from just chewing my food longer than normal.
Today it's time to start with whole grains.... mmmm brown rice??

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

a post with my coffee

Things here have been crazy busy for the past couple weeks. Lots of rehearsals and things, teaching, and various appt's. One little bit of exciting news...... at Monday's rehearsal for Scarborough Phil (we were rehearsing with the soloist- Bartok Piano Concerto #3) there's a pretty exposed flute bit. Anyways, after the break while I was warming up, a guy who was watching the rehearsal came up to me (actually tapped me on the shoulder while I was warming up) and told me that he thought I sounded really great!! So, here I was thinking- wow, that was so nice!! a random compliment- cool!!

Later, while we were driving home, I asked my carmates if they knew who the guy was............... turns out he's the personnel manager for the TSO!!!! hehe :) guess all my hard work is paying off!!!


In other news, I sense a pretty big change around here. I am trying to revamp a few things in my life, and poor Jeremy, I think he's going to come along for the ride (what a great guy!!!). It's nothing too crazy. Just going to really take a look at what we are eating- I was told at a recent Dr's appt. that I should look into macrobiotics. So I bought the book, and am looking forward to reading it. Also was recommended to start doing Qigong- and am probably going to register for that class within the next couple of days (again, Jeremy is going to come too if we can work out the scheduling!!) A random bit of info..... Did you know that you should chew each bite around 50 times??? I'll see, but to be honest, all I could think was "holy crap, can you say TMJ???"

I am really curious to see the benefits of everything. I'll definitely keep you posted throughout the next few months. And for anyone who was curious to see the cherry trees in bloom, there's a few pictures following. I wasn't able to get to the park for some early morning pictures, but was able to get a couple of pictures last week just before sunset.