Swell

It's actually been over a month since I last posted?? Time has been moving a bit too quickly for my taste. We're already May and spring has yet to be quite fully felt despite summer having made a surprise pop-up appearance mid-end March. I can't say I'm entirely looking forward to the heat waves and blaring sun that are to come in the next 2-3 months, but I am ready to leave this cold and uncomfortable weather behind.

And in light of the weather transitioning, the visual landscape has been temporarily graced with pink blossoms. Every year I miss the chance at shooting these lovely flower bushes because of their awkward placing in the middle of a boulevard in between bus stops from where I am to where I'm going near where I live. And so I would often forget and then be reminded as the bus drives pass them and then inevitably forget again until I'm reminded yet again, it's a terrible cycle. This year however I made a point to get off the bus a couple stops early and risked looking silly to drivers going to and fro. It was so worth it, despite the cold wind that froze my trigger-happy fingers!

Precious moments

Taking the time to appreciate the collective of small things that make me happy. Whether it be a lone cannoli, some spicy pickled eggplant, a new hair elastic, my favourite quick lunch or an adorable sticker stationery set. I am alive and deserving and so are you!

Carpe Diem people!

~ ♥ ~

Le Restaurant Misto

So this is a bit late! In the beginning of March, a good friend who recently moved to a nearby province to pursue her aspirations of working as a flight attendant (she totally achieved this goal btw), came back into town for a few days and of course she had to meet up with the Fantastic Plastic 4!

As usual, we all met up at a restaurant we've never been to before, well 3 out 4 anyhow. It's become sort of a tradition and I don't mind! In fact, I love it! When I am lucky enough to have the means to eat a nice restaurant, it is one of those small things that's actually a huge thing for me and makes me quite happy. 

We initially had organized to go to l'Avenue, which was a really trendy looking restaurant with menus that were designed after vinyl album covers and quirky memorabilia decorating the walls. Unfortunately the music was too loud for conversation, you could barely hear someone sitting across from you! I asked one of the waitresses if the volume will be going down a bit later to which she replied "It's going to get louder as the night goes on! Sorry, but it's that kind of place."

With that, we decided to find another more suitable restaurant. We had no idea which way to go until another friend said she had been to Misto Restaurant before and that she really enjoyed it. Luckily for us, it was across the street from l'Avenue!

It was a true delight, very nice ambiance and good service. The menu is Italian inspired with all sorts of pasta dishes (we were getting a bit mixed up with all the pasta names, not knowing which was which!). For starters, we ordered a plate of bruschetta, which we shared between the 4 of us. It wasn't your typical kind, it had sour cream, pickled red peppers and some Italian parsley on top. Also, the bread resembled more of a greek-style pita (but a bit firmer). It was sweet and savoury and delicious!

As for my plate, I ordered a vegetable calzone (no Parks and Recreation jokes! haha!). It was served open with the contents pouring out. Enough to make your mouth water. In it was artichoke, zucchini, carrot, cheese, everything!  As for the price, it was low on cost and high on taste and quality. My bill was under $25 (including tip + a cocktail!).

For dessert, we went to Rockaberry's, no photo evidence of that, their pies are so delicious  we attacked them!

Here's to good company and more restaurant trips! 

Hanson at the Corona Theatre

inside the corona theatre.

opening act: Carly Rae Jepsen

front row! yes!!

<3

By far the best Hanson show I've ever been to! And not only because I finally FINALLY got be in the front row and touch/shake hands with the people who make/play/sing the songs that I've loved for more than half my life, but really because the set list was fantastic and they're energy and talent is astounding. It's hard to believe that some of the songs are as old as 15 and others are from just a year ago, it shows the quality of their sound and their longevity. I will admit I acted a bit like a teeny-bopper, which is so embarrassing for my age but if there ever was a time and a place, it was then and there.

mili

"Let Them Eat Cake!" Fridays?

My lovely yogi tea of choice for today, which I realized also had some sage advice for me:

Probably one of my most favourite activities, or at least the one that makes me happy no matter what, is drinking aromatic tea or bitter coffee along with a sweet pastry of some sort. It just puts me in the right. place. It's a perfect treat and honestly nothing else matters to me in that moment, everything is wonderful. I enjoy it by myself, to contemplate existential and non-existential questions or I enjoy it with others to chat about light or deep thoughts/issues. The tea acts as a natural hourglass where we can play with time, make it stop or go really...slowly.

However once that last drop of tea is gone, I'm forced back into reality.. Which is alright. I've learnt recently that I should do what makes me happy right now and not what I think "might" make me happier in the long run. I'm no good and of no use to myself or others if I'm in a bad mood or stuck in negative thoughts.

Perhaps this could become a weekly theme for me? To share the teas and pastries I'm eating/making? We'll see. For tonight's tea, I used my newest teacup (gathering a bit of a collection.. not even embarrassed about it) which I do adore, how could I not have a field day drinking from it? There's a BIRD on it! Aesthetics aside, it's actually quite ergonomic and comfortable to hold. As for the cake, it is a vanilla and chocolate chip bundt cake from a local chain of Italian bakeries called Bruno et Frères, where they have all sorts of delicious Italian breads and cakes to devour. I saw some pretty amazing canolis that I need to get my hands on by next week for sure.

And with that, I bid you fare thee well.. tomorrow is an exciting day for me as I get to see one of my favourite bands play live! Time for some beauty sleep.

mili

Looking back at London

I can't believe it's been over a year since my 5 day trip to London in November of 2010. Everything was arranged so quickly and decided at the last minute. This was the first time I financed my own trip from A to Z and flew completely solo. Although I kept wishing I could share the experience with someone else (seeing Big Ben for the first time by myself I had to act normal when all I wanted to do was yell out OMG I'M IN F*CKING LONDON!! while standing on the bridge that has been in so many Monty Python sketches, and double decker buses driving passed me like it's any other day), knowing that the experience is mine alone makes it that much more precious. I can't even begin to describe how good London was to me, even the bad was good. My eyes well up a bit when I have a flashback of a particular moment I experienced and I get butterflies in my chest thinking about all of those memories.

My British Airways food and dessert, surprisingly delicious!

Even tough I could see the trajectory and destination on my little personal tv, I still couldn't believe it.  Riding the "tube" for the first time was really exciting. 

There were so many moments where I realized I was not home anymore. Cars driving down the wrong side of the road had me confused when crossing the street and seeing completely different skylines had me thinking I was in some far away land.

Old and new. Traditional and contemporary. My two favourites. And this mish-mash describes London well.

For example, not far from this road (Bethnal Green Road), was the Brick Lane market and you would see Victorian doors and chairs for sale and a few steps further hear reggae music blasting and then a bit further down, a man dressed in an aluminium space suit with a sign above him that read "The Sonic Manipulator".

Known and unknown street art. (Seeing a space invader in real life was so surreal!)

Abbey Road was so near and surprisingly easy to find. I think I'm still in shock/denial that I was actually there. I did grab a yellow submarine pin at the Beatles coffee shop (smallest coffee shop I've ever been to!) and another small souvenir for the biggest Beatles fan I know.

Me in situ on my way back from the Metropolitan University where our plates were being exhibited (my reason for being in London in the first place). And finally, taking a photo of the plane that was to take me home after a 24h wait at the airport...(long story). 

Nevertheless, it was an unforgettable trip that I will cherish forever ❤

Travel journal

Just finished this latest custom travel journal and now peeling the glue off of my palms :) I was told it will be flying to Africa, which is so SO very exciting. I travel vicariously through these journals since I haven't had the incredible privilege in so long. Travelling is an indescribably rich experience and changes you forever. Flying however scares the crap out of me, but being in another country, another set of everything makes it all worthwhile.