Man Candy

About the only drawback about my time here at the summer camp, has been the total and utter lack of man candy around this place.

My male colleagues are a nice enough bunch, but none that would warrant a double take; at least not for me. Besides, they're all way to young. Not inexperienced - if we are to believe all that is said during the various drinking games - but just too young for me. There are a few kids who are drop dead gorgeous. I've counted two lads, a Frenchie and one Italian. But they are all no more than 18 and really I feel a bit pervy even just mentioning them. That being said, I did ask the one if he had an older brother. Discretely of course. I managed to make it into an exercise in English: I have brothers and/or sisters. They are xxx old. Their names are....

Of course the one piece of awesome man meat that was to be found here left. The former Centre Administrator was one very (very) sweet specimen of manhood and I'm just gutted that my good luck at landing the promotion had to come at the price of his leaving. Knowing that you, dear Reader would want to judge for yourself I did manage to take a few shots at the football tournament last week.

Mmmmmm, yummy is my thought. What do you think?

Lyrics for Life

Its been a long past 8 months. A whole lot of downs and not a whole lot of ups to counter balance that. My normally upbeat outlook has taken the worst thumping ever. There were so many dark days. Days when I would wonder what I was waking up for in the first place. I let everyone and everything else define me, and worse, I questioned my own beliefs to such an extent that soon I wasn't able to recognise me anymore.

Of course, you dear readers knew that. You were there on my mega downwards spiral, as I ranted and raged against Beans, life, the universe and everything in it. Damn, that must have made for some really bad reading!

I think I've had enough. In fact, I know I have.

I'm sick of the negativity. If you've known me at all, you know that its just not me. I love life way too much, love laughter way too much. Heck, I love beer way too much... let's face it, beer without laughter just doesn't taste as good!

And so, I'd like to borrow from the amazing Stephen Schwartz who's magical lyrics and music have inspired me to get out of this funk and get a damn life. Enough with the misery. It's time I found a new way.

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes, and leap!

It's time to try
Defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
And you can't pull me down!

I'm through accepting limits
''cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know!
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost!

I'd sooner buy
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
And you can't pull me down

So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately:
"Ev'ryone deserves the chance to fly!"
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free

To those who'd ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity
I'm flying high
Defying gravity
And soon I'll match them in renown

And nobody in all of Oz
No Wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down!

**Disclaimer**
There will probably have more bad days ahead; I'm sure that it will take a while before I'm back to pre sucky status. But I do promise to try not to dwell on the bad things. I do promise to at least TRY and find the awesome in everyday. And dear reader, thank YOU for being the awesome that has been there for me this entire time. I *heart* you v much!

Twelve Days to Holiday Bliss

Do you hear what I hear? The sound of a fast approaching vacation! In just 12 days, I will be landing on the shores of my original hometown. I haven't lived there for ages, but every time I go back I seem to be able to slip right into the rhythm of things. And every time I have gone back, the city - and its people - have welcomed me back with open arms.

So much to see. People to visit. Old stomping gounds to discover all over again. In 12 days, my true love city I will see. And in that city, there will be:

Twelve bottles of home-made rice wine a-drinking
Eleven different kinds of Christmas sweeties
Ten ex-pat friends a-visiting
Nine ladies dancing (and some gentlemen too)
Eight (Christmas) choirs singing
Seven friend's babies a-wailing
Six pints at Toto's (gonna need that after those tots)
Five days laying on a beach! (in Goa)
Four calling birds
Three precious words
Two celebrations of love
And a Grandpa who I just can't wait to see!

The Explore City Chronicles - Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Making the most of the gorgeous Fall weather I took a mosey down to the Botanic Gardens. The only thing I do miss here in my new living quarters is the wee lack of green space around me. Back in Toronto, I had two parks within a 5 minute walk from the house and not to mention a big and beautiful backyard where I could get my nature fix. Here, the green is just a wee bit lacking in the immediate neighbourhood. Still, its nice to know that just down the road, over the hill and around the bend the beautiful expanse and tranquility of the Botanic Gardens await.

Glasgow had been basking in an unexpected warm and dry spell for a while. Very uncharacteristic, but it made for good exploring weather. Apparently, a lot of other Glaswegians had the same thought and every sunny patch of grass had been claimed by a pale Scots.
Mac on the other hand found another comfortable spot, even if it were a bit unusual! I was left wondering what the fine folks at the gardens were feeding their greenery. Hopefully, it wasn't the tourists!

As we rambled (isn't ramble such a lovely word? Reminds me of Enid Blyton books and the likes) along the meandering pathways though the gardens taking in the sights and sounds and delights of a beautiful afternoon.

With all the green around and the warm sun beating down, it was easy enough to be lulled into a false sense of summer. But then we rounded the corner and saw the unmistakable sign of the changing of seasons. And for me, a reminder of home.

I Take Thee....

Saw two more apartments today, but I was distracted the entire time. I kept thinking of the Crow Road apartment I saw yesterday. The location was great - close to bus routes, the subway and the train station, the room the right size (not too big; I hate being lost in a room), the potential roommate seemed nice (chatty and fun, but not too much - you know what I mean). And the rent. Perfect!

Texted the guy to let him know I was interested in taking the room and for good measure sent along an email as well.

Now, I wait. And anxiously chew on my fingernails in the mean time.

Hand of God

As my wretched cold continued into today as well and forced me into house arrest for the second day in a row, I looked back on some of my travel pictures and found these I'd like to share. Taken on my second day on the Gold Coast, one of the most spectacular sunsets I've ever witnessed.

Wish Lists

I'll bet you guys were wondering what took me this long to come up with one of my famous lists. Actually, the lists were started in my head the day I decided to make the move, just didn't get around to putting them down on the blog. So, without further ado:

Places to visit in the UK on weekend road trips:

• Isle of Skye
• Fyvie Castle (one of my current clients grew up on the castle grounds - how cool!)
• Oban Distillery (I hear its one of the finest)
• Inverness (how can I not?)
• Aberdeen
• Eilean Donan Castle (where parts of Harry Potter, Highlander and the World is Not Enough was shot)
• Isle of Cumbrae
• Isle of Arran
• Stonehedge
• Old city of York
• City of Lancaster (on the hunt for a Beastie)
• Plymouth and Torbay, Cornwall
• Liverpool (because that's where Sigsy is from, and any place that produced a Sigsy is worth a visit)
• Barrow-in-Furness (just because it has an awesome name... and I'm sure they'll have beer there)
• Dover (to see those famous white cliffs for myself)
• South Harris (recommended by Beastie)
• The Orkney Islands (recommended by Jules)
  

Places to visit in Europe:

• Prague, Czech Republic
• Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Barcelona, Spain
• Paris, France (for my birthday)
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia
• Lisbon, Portugal
• And OF COURSE - Dublin, Galway and Cork (and more) in Ireland
  

Things to do/see/experience:

• Get Cineplex movie pass for unlimited movies in a year (isn't that a great deal?)
• Visit Kelvingrove museum in Glasgow to view some interesting exhibits
• Explore the Necropolis, Glasgow city
• Attend at least ONE function where I get to wear a hat (wedding, Ascot, tea with the Queen... I'm not picky)
• Sign up for a year long membership to the Scottish Heritage Trust to get me some discounts into castles, churches and the likes
• Check out the annual Highland games and all the related activities
• See a real live Puffin
• Check out the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
• Set off fireworks on Guy Fawkes day
• Attend at least one soccer, rugby and cricket game
• Find me an early edition copy of The Enchanted Woods and The Magic Faraway Tree, two of my all time favourite children's books
• Take a picture with a Shetland pony (aren't they just darling?)
• Go to the Edinburgh Tattoo (recommended by Jules. This is NOT a tattoo festival - contrary to what I first though!)
  

Any suggestion my dear readers? I'm all ears!

LBDF

Looking Busy Doing F*ckall is a term that I first heard used by my cousin Rebel some years ago. It generally means putting up a good appearance of diligent work at your desk/cubby, but all the while indulging in frivolous web activities like checking emails, Facebook, blogging and such. Used in a sentence: Pixy, I was LBDFing all day long and it felt awesome!

And that's pretty much what I've been doing these past 2 days ever since I got the email about my visa application being granted. I've tried, seriously tried concentrating on the VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT that I have due in two weeks time and the host of other emails, phone calls and general admin stuff that is piling up on my desk at an alarming rate.

It's just no use.

All I can think about is moving to Glasgow, being with Beans, travelling around Europe and a whole host of other de-lovely thoughts that have not the slightest connection in the least to work and work related activities.

And to help me with my "research" I recently discovered two blogs that I just added to the new section "Project: Destination Scotland" to the sidebar. Both are by young women in their 20s who moved to Scotland from the US to live/work/study there. Or my new favourite read - Three Dog Blog about Laurie, a journalist and travel enthusiast (the best combination I think!) from St. Paul, Minnesota and of course her 3 dogs Riley, Boscoe and Toby. Personally I think Beastie would get along great with her! Laurie has made several trips to the Emerald Isle and her vivid accounts of the country and its people have me longing to visit there myself. Hopefully, Beans can show me around his native land soon.

Started this post with Rebel, and so should end with her as well. Just found out that she and her husband are expecting their first baby around mid September, hurrah and congrats to them both.

Oh look. It's almost time for lunch. That was a lovely morning of LBDFing!

Guinness Book - take heed!!

My good friend Shutterbug is getting married (again) in Israel on August 9. I say again because she and her husband had a civil wedding here in the T Dot this past January. On the exact same day as another friend The Blonde One tied the knot which resulted in me doing a mad dash from Shutterbug's ceremony at City Hall at noon, to her apartment for a quick brunch and then back downtown for The Blonde One's ceremony and reception at the Arts & Letters Club.

My dedication to being a wedding attendee is well documented based "wedding journeys" to Bombay (3 weddings!!), Denver, Sydney and Scotland and it is no chance that I've been bestowed with the title of "Official Out-of-Town Wedding Attendee." But here is my most ambitious project yet!

The details are still fuzzy but I plan to travel to London, England this August for a college friend's wedding on August 7th. Beans (who will meet me there) and I will then fly out to Israel the next day and that way we can both be there for Shutterbug's religious ceremonies on August 9th.

Doable? Probably.
Tight? Definitely.
Crazy? Most Certainly!!!
Fun? Absolutely!!!


Should have also mentioned that before Beans and I had our conversation about going to Israel, the Beer Baron and I had "pinkie swore" to make a road trip to the Maritimes as a "last hurrah". IF those plans work out, looks like I'd be on a road trip in early July, leave for Glasgow mid July, go down to London first week of August and then fly out to Israel for approximately 10 days. Now that's travel packed!!!

For Better or For Worse.....

..... the deed has been done!

Earlier this afternoon, I went along to the UK visa application site here in the T Dot and submitted my paperwork and supporting documentation for a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

If I get this visa, I will be able to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. And of course, I will be closer - much closer - to Beans.

I had actually been thinking about going to live/work in the UK for a while now. My initial choice was London, primarily because of a uni friend who lives there and assured me of (rent free) accommodation for as long as I wanted it and also because at the time it seemed a natural choice as I'd been to the city before and enjoyed it and wanted to know more about it. My primary focus was of course the proximity to half a dozen (and more) European destinations that I was just dying to explore.

Enter Beans, and suddenly living and working in the UK isn't a nice day dream anymore, it is a reality that springs from the need to find a viable way to build on and sustain our relationship. In between all the touring and sightseeing (and the oodles of making out) that we did when he was here, we also did a lot of talking.
About what we both wanted - short and long term.
About how we viewed this relationship.
About our personal and life goals.

One thing was clear. We both wanted to have a REAL shot at "us". And we both knew that it wasn't going to really work unless we were together. And I knew that the person who would have to move - for now at least - would have to be me. Beans works in a highly specialized field and moving here would mean him having to give up a very lucrative post. On the other hand, I LOVE my job. I love the people I work with, the industry and the opportunities that I get every day to MAKE A BLOODY DIFFERENCE in a number of areas that I feel strongly about.

BUT I also love Beans. Very Very Much. And it didn't take me long to decide that in a tug-of-war between a great job and a great man, the man would win. Hands down.

And so, for second time since meeting Beans I followed an impulse and went ahead with the online application last week. Had to wait until I got some supporting documents from my bank and just as soon as they came though, I made an appointment with the visa centre for today.

And now I wait.

Which is the most agonizing part of this entire process as those of you who know me will attest that patience is at the very bottom of the list of my (many) virtues. But, wait I must; 5-15 business days.

And then, it will either be the dizzying happiness of endless possibility when the visa arrives, or the bitter heart crushing disappointment of failure and the reality of an endless time away from my love.

Wishing and Hoping

We are a mere 3 weeks away from my birthday and this is what I hope the Birthday Fairy will be bringing me.

Natural Spin Lady's Dance Shoes - Size 9 (US), Model no. 160801
I am supremely confident I'll be able to just nail all those Tango turns and Foxtrot sashays with these babies on!

Holiday Plans

**Updated: New Zealand and detailed Sydney itinerary added in***

With exactly 3 weeks to go until my "Down Under" holiday commences, thought I'd share some of my intended travel plans.
Nov 29
Depart T Dot 09:35 am for LAX. Yey for friend's buddy pass!
Transfer to Quantas flight to Wellington departing 20:30 PT.

Nov 30
Loose it somewhere over the Pacific!

Dec 1 Arrive into Wellington, NZ - local time 0930 hrs.Chill out at friend's place, get over jet lag!!

Dec 2Wander around Wellington city

Dec 3Tongariro Trek - hopefully can be done as a day trip. (More deets needed)

Dec 4Catch ferry to south island (Picton); Transfer onto train to Kaikoura. Spend evening/night/morning exploring Kaikoura

Dec 5
Catch train to Christchurch. (3:30pm) Arrive Christchurch at 6:45.

Dec 6Christchurch

Dec 7
TranzAlpine Train to Greymouth on the west coast. I've heard that this is one of the top 5 most beautiful train journeys in the world, and having recently seen snippits of the same on a tv special, I'd have to agree! Arrive Greymouth 12:45pm.

Dec 7/8
Greymouth and surrounding areas.

Back to Wellington either late Dec 8 or early Dec 9.
Flight to Sydney Dec 9 at 3pm. Have to figure out best/quickest way back. Hoping I can fly back to save time.

Dec 9Dep Wellington 3pm. Fly to Sydney, NSW. Arrive local time 1650
Staying with cousin and hubby next 2 nights.

Dec 10-12
General Sydney sightseeing/exploring that could include all/some of the following:
- Walk in The Rocks
- Sydney Harbour boat cruise
- Climb the Harbour Bridge (if I have the gumption)
- Bondi to Coogee Walk (recommended by Sydney cousin) - start on Bondi Beach and then walk along the coast/beach line of about 5 beaches. Apparently the best views of ocean and (v imp) surfer boys?!! Cap off walk with meat pie and chips at the other end.
- Meet the Ant (friend from TO) and do some catching up.
- Find out about cheap/discounted tickets to see "Priscilla, the Musical" (apparently, very Sydney thing to do!)
- Find time to rehearse solo for friend Bitch's wedding. Ack!

Dec 12Move to good friend Bitch's place. Bitch is getting married to childhood friend/sweetheart and am tres happy to be part of it. Bitch's 2 bridesmaids also spending pre wedding night at her place. Huuum, can anyone say PJ party???

Dec 13Bitch's wedding! Yey!! (Dammit, need to find nice dress to wear. Bridesmaid dress too big and cumbersome to carry)

Dec 14Post wedding brunch with close family et friends followed by cruise in Sydney harbour.

Dec 15/16More general touring around Sydney organized by Bitch for out-of-town guests

Dec 17Fly to Alice Springs.

Dec 18Poke around Alice Springs

Dec 19Day trip to Ayers Rock

Dec 20-22Camping in the East MacDonnell Ranges. **Still have to figure out if I can join a group here. Don't fancy doing this on my own! Any ideas/suggestions??***

Dec 23Fly to Melbourne. From Melbourne, head out to Mansfield - approx 2 hrs north east. Cousin and wife and kids have a ranch outside of town. The entire clan is meeting up for Christmas.

Dec 24-26Mansfield with dad's family

Dec 27-31In/around Melbourne. Spending some time with various bits of mum's family
**again, accepting suggestions of sites to see, things to do, places to eat at***

Jan 1Fly to Gold Coast with cousin. (Did not feel like spending 2 days in a car with Aunt, Uncle and 3 of their grand kids)

Jan 2-6Gold Coast - wide open (Looking at you Jules!)

Jan 7Fly back home. Brisbane to LAX, then on to the T Dot.

Jan 8Back to work (and reality) Euck!

Plans!

Just finished confirming details for my upcoming trip to NYC this weekend. Here's what I have planned:

Sunday, June 29:
- Arrive into EWR via Porter Airlines (cheepie cheepie seats, yey). ETA 10:30 am
- Proceed to Penn Station and rendezvous with friend - NJ Daddy and his 8 month old son, NJ baby.
- Head over to Shea Stadium to catch the 1:07 game - Mets vs. Yankees
- Back to NJ Family's place where hopefully NJ Mummy will be done with work and we can all spend a nice evening catching up.

Monday, June 30:
Head back into NYC.
The Exploration of Central Park will include; ride on carousel, row boat in lake (try not to fall in), tea (or pint) at the boathouse, check out Alice in Wonderland exhibit, listen as the Delacorte Music Clock chimes out the hour, at some point promenade along the Mall and tip my hat to that master storyteller Hans Christian Anderson, pause for thought at Strawberry Fields before going on to relive my childhood at the Victorian Gardens.

Make my way to Grand Central Station to meet old school friend and her husband and then the 3 of us will head up to the Bronx to "The House that Babe Built" to watch the Yankees play the Texas Rangers.

Tuesday, July 1:
Happy Canada Day! And the reason I'm on this mini break to begin with!
- Explore Greenwich Village and Soho stopping at the Guggenheim Museum Soho to check out Andy Warhol's version of The Last Supper. You know, just to compare it to old Leo's that I saw when I was in Rome!
- Indulge in a little bit of shopping perhaps? Used books? Vintage clothing stores? Sidewalk steals?
- Head back to Penn Station to catch the bus back to the T Dot. Make sure to purchase ear plugs in case the guy in the seat besides me is trying out for a place in the tuba section of the local band!


So, those are my tentative plans. Of course there's always the scores of museums and art galleries to go explore in case the weather is shite - and lately, its been all that. If you, gentle reader have any comments, suggestions or stories to share about NYC, please do - I'm all ears!

Summerlicious

For me, summer is all about..............

Delicious cherries from the neighbour's tree

AND

Fresh, tasty salads that are filled with all sorts of things-that-are-good-for-you,

AND

Ice cold blended fruit drinks (with a splash of rum)

AND

Angel food cakes (light and fluffy) topped with whipped cream (light) and garden berries.

First Memory

When I think back, the very farthest back that I can remember is of a time when I'm sitting at the table in my grandparent's house and my grandmother is feeding me. And as she spoons the food into my mouth she's crooning something in Konkani.
Probably saying "Lord, this child is a fussy eater!"

Anyway, that's my first memory - what's yours??

Decision Made!

Sweet Baby Moses!

It's bloody tough trying to find a destination that
a) you can get to within your budget
b) you can see a lot/all of in a week
c) has friends/family to crash with
d) is not more than a 24 hr journey away!

Anyway, after much tremulcous decision making, I settled on San Fransisco for the week of Nov 24 to Dec 2.

It's actually one of the places on my (very long) MUST VISIT list, so I'll feel a sense of accomplishment when I go there. Also, my cousin-in-law is currently there on a 3 month work assignment and I thought it would be nice to see him again. The last time we met it involved lots of laughs and copious amounts of beer - and I'm really hoping for a repeat!

So now, if any of my gentle readers have been to 'Frisco before, do share your tips on the city, things to do, places to go and good bars/pub to check out - and be checked out at.*



*appaling grammar I know - but sometimes one just HAS to break a few rules to truly express how one is feeling!

Decisions... Decisions.....

So, I just found out today that I have 8.5 vacation days to be used up by the end of this year. We're not allowed to "roll over" days - so I must take them, or I loose out.

OF COURSE I want to take time off..... but WHERE shall I go?

Suggestions most welcome!

************************************************

ok, so everyone has ideas - I should specify!

1. Somewhere that I can get to (and back) within $700 (taxes incl.)

2. Someplace I have NOT been to before (NYC out - sorry PP, but lovely suggestion!)

3. Someplace where I can see something new, do something new or meet new people (like fellow bloggers). I have plenty of time to relax when I'm dead. As for reading - I do that anyway... all the time. (;p CG)

4. It doesn't have to be a "sunny" location - I recognize that half the world is currently moving into Winter!

5. It has to be 1 week at the most - so pref not places on the far side of the globe!

Dressed for Success

I begin every work day with the same routine. Repeatedly hit the clanging alarm, drag myself out of bed, stumble to the washroom, have a shower, stumble back to my room and then stand before my closet waiting for inspiration or divine intervention to hit me. Every morning I stand there with the knowledge that I have exactly 34.5 seconds to decide on what to wear and figure out if my choice of clothing is (a) washed (b) Out of the dryer (c) moderately unwrinkled (d) still fits me before I will start to fall behind on my schedule and inevitably be – late and running for the train.

When (note, no “ifs”) I’m terribly rich and moderately famous, I shall have a personal shopper and personal dresser. I shall then look as wonderfully turned out as some of the uber glamour chicks I see each day on the subway. At 7 am, when even the sun is still struggling to shine, these freaks of nature are well dressed, perfectly matched, prudently manicured, carefully coiffed and primed and pruned so that they look like they’ve just stepped out of a runway catalogue and onto the platform. They never run for trains (primarily coz they’d break their leg running in 4 inch overpriced shoes) and they never smudge their lip gloss as they serenely sip coffee and flip the pages of their newspaper. I also suspect that there’s actually no coffee in their overpriced flask – it just happened to match with the day’s ensemble.

Regardless, one day I will look just like them – in larger size clothing of course. And then even though I don’t need to take the subway to work anymore I will get onto a 7 am train looking just as coiffed and well groomed as they do, ‘cept I’ll be sipping on actual coffee of course!