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I guess I now know who to complain to when the maintenance of the DIRT road isn't up to snuff!
Still not sure what number to call though . . . . .
I guess I now know who to complain to when the maintenance of the DIRT road isn't up to snuff!
Still not sure what number to call though . . . . .
(Brief) Sunday Photo Post!
Nov. 27th, 2011 11:13It is another rainy day here - when by all rights it should be a snowy one. So I leave you with this picture, which I think fits the ridiculousness of weather in the 50s in late November. I took it a couple of weeks ago in the park near my apartment:
(Brief) Sunday Photo Post!
Nov. 5th, 2011 16:17You will notice there are no red leafs here - not even the ones falling from the trees.
The first photo is the newest addition to my desk - a tigger figurine! It was give to me by a friend on random act of kindness day (who knew that existed?). Nothing like a Tigger to move your mood in a positive direction
The next photo actually has relevance to the last post - It is the sunrise through my office window from the perspective of my desk - obviously prettier in person then on film - sorry!
The last photo is of a Lego Advent Calender. If you don't know what that is, you are missing out! Everyday you get a few more pieces to assemble and in the end you have a whole set/scene. There is a different theme each year. This one is clearly "City." It is difficult to find these in the states (I've tried!) and here it was in bike-able distance! However, it cost $40 which I frankly can't afford to spend on something with only emotional value at this point. So I did not buy it. :( On the plus side it is another indicator that christmas is on it's way!
The first photo is the newest addition to my desk - a tigger figurine! It was give to me by a friend on random act of kindness day (who knew that existed?). Nothing like a Tigger to move your mood in a positive direction
The next photo actually has relevance to the last post - It is the sunrise through my office window from the perspective of my desk - obviously prettier in person then on film - sorry!
The last photo is of a Lego Advent Calender. If you don't know what that is, you are missing out! Everyday you get a few more pieces to assemble and in the end you have a whole set/scene. There is a different theme each year. This one is clearly "City." It is difficult to find these in the states (I've tried!) and here it was in bike-able distance! However, it cost $40 which I frankly can't afford to spend on something with only emotional value at this point. So I did not buy it. :( On the plus side it is another indicator that christmas is on it's way!
Red Leaf photo post!
Sep. 26th, 2011 14:30Hey all, I went on a fantastic hike yesterday and took no photos! Today I am hitting the books (or really "the computer" these days) so don't have time for a big post. Instead I leave you with this:
Biking Adventure!
Sep. 21st, 2011 18:14So last week I tried to post about my most recent biking adventure - but then Blue tooth wasn't sending all the photos to my computer to upload, and then dreamwidth lost the draft of the post. So I let it go a week, but now i'm trying again.
The trip actually started as a plan to bike to victoria park in Kitchener - which on the map looks much like the park next to my apartment in form and function. I was just going to head south on roads parallel to the main drag following the bike lanes until I spied this to the right of the road:
This of course reminded me of a certain venue in Noho - so I had to follow it. I briefly looked at the map seeing it glanced Victoria Park and went on my way . . . . not realizing this would be the last map I would see.
The bike trail itself is quite wooded and closely follows a concrete lined stream for part of the way (which of course reminded me of LA - this trip was pretty much a flood of memories):
The trail is also lined with all sorts of relics from the railroad and industrial past of the area (even as it went through the new industrial area at the end) which made it feel like you are in some children's fantasy novel, or maybe a weird steampunk disney world. I unfortunately only took one picture of these things:
I also saw some cool houses - maybe one day I will capture more of the most interesting buildings around here (though some should be in a post soon). Here's one:
I was so wrapped up in memories and sight seeing I utterly missed the turn off and made it all the way to the end of the trail! I turned back and was able to find it (not easy though - lots of branching of the trail and no labels/signs much like upper Rock Creek). It turned out to be much more intensively landscaped then the park by my place - prettier, but flatter.
This pond had an island in the middle! It also was COVERED in ducks and geese and everything that goes with:
Interesting sealed canoe sculpture:
absolutely gorgeous fall flowers:
One day I will have to take a picture of me and my bike so you know I am actually biking to these locations!
The trip actually started as a plan to bike to victoria park in Kitchener - which on the map looks much like the park next to my apartment in form and function. I was just going to head south on roads parallel to the main drag following the bike lanes until I spied this to the right of the road:
This of course reminded me of a certain venue in Noho - so I had to follow it. I briefly looked at the map seeing it glanced Victoria Park and went on my way . . . . not realizing this would be the last map I would see.
The bike trail itself is quite wooded and closely follows a concrete lined stream for part of the way (which of course reminded me of LA - this trip was pretty much a flood of memories):
The trail is also lined with all sorts of relics from the railroad and industrial past of the area (even as it went through the new industrial area at the end) which made it feel like you are in some children's fantasy novel, or maybe a weird steampunk disney world. I unfortunately only took one picture of these things:
I also saw some cool houses - maybe one day I will capture more of the most interesting buildings around here (though some should be in a post soon). Here's one:
I was so wrapped up in memories and sight seeing I utterly missed the turn off and made it all the way to the end of the trail! I turned back and was able to find it (not easy though - lots of branching of the trail and no labels/signs much like upper Rock Creek). It turned out to be much more intensively landscaped then the park by my place - prettier, but flatter.
This pond had an island in the middle! It also was COVERED in ducks and geese and everything that goes with:
Interesting sealed canoe sculpture:
absolutely gorgeous fall flowers:
One day I will have to take a picture of me and my bike so you know I am actually biking to these locations!
Photo Post!
Sep. 21st, 2011 15:02It is pouring outside now . . . .but this morning it looked like this as I walked to the library:
Comfortingly foggy. I made it to the library and back before the rain started and spent a quiet day reading (granted it is still the middle of the day . . . but I plan to continue to read).
On a brighter note I leave you with this red leaf photo from my favorite money sink store here:
Comfortingly foggy. I made it to the library and back before the rain started and spent a quiet day reading (granted it is still the middle of the day . . . but I plan to continue to read).
On a brighter note I leave you with this red leaf photo from my favorite money sink store here:
Red Leaf photo post!
Sep. 11th, 2011 13:21So, I have noticed here that single red leaves are liberally sprinkled on everything to emphasize their Canadian-ness. This is probably the first of a non regularly scheduled series of photos - i'll post them as I capture them, or if I don't feel like writing out a whole post. Enjoy!
Throughout international orientation we have been encouraged to talk about ourselves and our experiences previous to coming to Canada. While that is all fine and good - i've learned some interesting things about life in other countries and of course it helps to make connections with the other people here - I have been generally hesitant to engage in this practice. I partially want to focus on Canada (new! exciting!) and I also don't want to talk about life in the US because everyone already has stereotypes and Opinions they want to confirm/share with me. But the powers that be (international office) have encouraged this for a very good reason that became clear to me yesterday on our field trip.
Niagara Falls, yes i've been there before, but it was fun anyway. (Pictures and fun stuff commentary below) It is also coincidentally right across the river from the American border. Several of the group expressed interest in popping across the border - and were thankfully discouraged from doing so. As is the nature of the orientation of the site, since I was on the Canadian side, I pretty much spent the day looking at the American side (you have to see it to see the falls). If I had brought my passport I could have easily (compared to most there) gone there. Yes, i've already had moments of longing for my no longer existent life in the US and all that it entails (cheaper cereal for one, ability to text most of the people I know for another!). But yesterday, I watched the little blue line of people in ponchos trudge around near the base of the falls, the mob of color looking from the higher vantage points, the steady line of cars in both directions on the bridge, the clearly American tourists all around me, and the American flags blowing in the breeze across the river . . . . and I didn't care.
This past week of focusing on the life I have left behind to come here as reminded me of all the reasons I chose to do this. I don't want to go back to the US and all that it symbolizes right now (yes, that means you family and friends - sorry!), and now that i'm sure and settled it is becoming easier to see myself here and the path ahead of me (and all THAT symbolizes).
Bring it on Orientation Week 2!
Enough serious stuff, enjoy my touristy pictures:
When was the last time you rode a big yellow school bus? For me - yesterday
You can't see here, but there was a big smiley face over the door and the lights on the inside and smileys on them too - the driver was in a horrible mood the whole time though, so they were negated.
Next it the first view I had of the falls:
Most of our bus rushed off to get on the Maid of the Mist boats, but my group got food at a delicious pizza place (we lucked out!) first then made our way back down to the falls.
American Bridge as mentioned above - I hadn't remembered there being one so close - but I do remember what I drank when I last came to Niagara . . . do any of you remember those drinks called "Orbitz"?
Then we went "Behind the Falls" Though the cool part was actually next to the falls:
Not sure what is wrong with this - looks upright in my online album - you can just tilt your head for full affect :)
And we got to see the mist boats where our fellow IOers probably were:
Then on the way back to shop we saw a rainbow - coincidentally by Rainbow Bridge ;) :
Also check out the (unintentional) green roof below.
After shopping, we dropped in this really pretty pocket park to await the buses home:
That's it! today and tomorrow are my days off (nothing is open for Labour day here - then Orientation picks up again - this time Graduate/TA/ and my specific Department.
Niagara Falls, yes i've been there before, but it was fun anyway. (Pictures and fun stuff commentary below) It is also coincidentally right across the river from the American border. Several of the group expressed interest in popping across the border - and were thankfully discouraged from doing so. As is the nature of the orientation of the site, since I was on the Canadian side, I pretty much spent the day looking at the American side (you have to see it to see the falls). If I had brought my passport I could have easily (compared to most there) gone there. Yes, i've already had moments of longing for my no longer existent life in the US and all that it entails (cheaper cereal for one, ability to text most of the people I know for another!). But yesterday, I watched the little blue line of people in ponchos trudge around near the base of the falls, the mob of color looking from the higher vantage points, the steady line of cars in both directions on the bridge, the clearly American tourists all around me, and the American flags blowing in the breeze across the river . . . . and I didn't care.
This past week of focusing on the life I have left behind to come here as reminded me of all the reasons I chose to do this. I don't want to go back to the US and all that it symbolizes right now (yes, that means you family and friends - sorry!), and now that i'm sure and settled it is becoming easier to see myself here and the path ahead of me (and all THAT symbolizes).
Bring it on Orientation Week 2!
Enough serious stuff, enjoy my touristy pictures:
When was the last time you rode a big yellow school bus? For me - yesterday
You can't see here, but there was a big smiley face over the door and the lights on the inside and smileys on them too - the driver was in a horrible mood the whole time though, so they were negated.
Next it the first view I had of the falls:
Most of our bus rushed off to get on the Maid of the Mist boats, but my group got food at a delicious pizza place (we lucked out!) first then made our way back down to the falls.
American Bridge as mentioned above - I hadn't remembered there being one so close - but I do remember what I drank when I last came to Niagara . . . do any of you remember those drinks called "Orbitz"?
Then we went "Behind the Falls" Though the cool part was actually next to the falls:
Not sure what is wrong with this - looks upright in my online album - you can just tilt your head for full affect :)
And we got to see the mist boats where our fellow IOers probably were:
Then on the way back to shop we saw a rainbow - coincidentally by Rainbow Bridge ;) :
Also check out the (unintentional) green roof below.
After shopping, we dropped in this really pretty pocket park to await the buses home:
That's it! today and tomorrow are my days off (nothing is open for Labour day here - then Orientation picks up again - this time Graduate/TA/ and my specific Department.
Photos from Buskers!
Sep. 2nd, 2011 21:20Last weekend there was a Busker's fest downtown. I didn't take a lot of pictures but it was pretty awesome - acrobats, carnival rides, etc right on the main street in town!
Some of the Rides
This is a guy, talking to the crowd, while standing on someone else's shoulders, in front of an American Apparel.
I'd like to tell you he was just hovering upside down, but that would be a lie.
This guy is still going up at this point. Seriously.
I unfortunately didn't get a good picture of the flaming hoop trick - but all of this is better then Orientation Day 5: Utter Boredom Sets In
Some of the Rides
This is a guy, talking to the crowd, while standing on someone else's shoulders, in front of an American Apparel.
I'd like to tell you he was just hovering upside down, but that would be a lie.
This guy is still going up at this point. Seriously.
I unfortunately didn't get a good picture of the flaming hoop trick - but all of this is better then Orientation Day 5: Utter Boredom Sets In
