Baseball Injury

Some time after taking this picture I was becoming a little bored with the game as we were doing so badly. I was there on a first date with a guy I met on plenty of fish. He had first row seats and I was happy about that!

I was happy until I saw the ball heading right for me. I covered my face and moved to the side figuring I was out of the balls way, but a man a few seats over stuck out his hand to catch it and deflected it towards me. OUCH it hit the side of my hand, and it really hurt. Then I had to go through all kinds of stuff just to get a bag of ice. They sent paramedics to ask me what meds I was taking and if I had any allergies. Then I was told to sign a paper. When I asked what I was signing, she said it was to show I had refused medical help. I told her that I hadn't refused help and perhaps next time she should mention that before telling people to sign!

Anyway I went home after and put ice on it for most of the night. Next morning it was still tender, but no swelling or bruising. The bruises showed up today though!!

As for the date, not sure I want to hang out with this guy again!!!!

My Tandem Hang Gliding Experience

Puns Galore

• A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France , resulting in Linoleum Blownapart.
• I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.
  
• Police were called to a daycare where a 3-year-old was resisting a rest.
  
• Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.
  
• The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.
  
• To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
  
• When fish are in schools they sometimes take debate.
  
• The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
  
• A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.
  
• The thief fell and broke his leg in wet cement. He became a hardened criminal.
  
• Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with stalking.
  
• We'll never run out of math teachers because they always multiply.
  
• The math professor went crazy with the blackboard. He did a number on it.
  
• The dead batteries were given out free of charge.
  
• If you take a laptop computer for a run you could jog your memory.
  
• A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.
  
• What's the definition of a will? (It's a dead giveaway)
  
• Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
  
• A backward poet writes inverse.
  
• A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.
  
• If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.
  
• With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.
  
• Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft and I'll show you A-flat miner.
  
• When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.
  
• The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.
  
• He broke into song because he couldn't find the key.
  
• A lot of money is tainted: 'Taint yours, and 'taint mine.
  
• A boiled egg is hard to beat.
  
• He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
  
• A plateau is a high form of flattery.
  
• Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
  
• When you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall.
  
• When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.
  
• Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.

Picnic by the Lake

I was invited by Sharon to her backyard for a picnic with other friends on Sunday afternoon. I made 2 pasta salad dishes as my contribution, then sat on the streetcar for the long and peaceful ride to Etobicoke.

I was first to arrive and met friends as the came in. We sat and talked and drank and later got into the food. There was potato salad, a shrimp and orzo salad, boiled eggs, olives, cold cuts, egg salad sandwiches, lettuce, carrots, and chicken fingers. For dessert there were strawberries and cherries along with a chocolate dip.

I went down to the beach just below Sharon's back yard and took a few photos. The geese were very friendly and came righ up to me for their pictures to be taken. I did get a little worried when the swans came up, but I was ready to run at a moments notice.

I found a park and took some great cityscape pictures of Toronto.

Later, Sharon told us of an amazing garden in the neighourhood, so we followed her to check it out. It was further than we knew, and when we got there, I was a little disappointed!

There was however, a public swimming pool nearby and I was distracted by the kids in the cool water. I discovered an area just off the pool that had a misting station. Of course I had to try it out. Thinking I would just get a little misting I walked through, but came out the other side totally drenched! I did it a second time for a photo opportunity! Only then did I remember that I had on white pants! It was so hot however, that I dried off pretty quickly. We returned back to Sharon's place, and I said my goodbyes and headed home.

Niagara Falls

I went to Niagara Falls on Thursday with my friend Beatriz. We have been together once before with Safeway Tours here in Toronto. The first time you go you pay $30 on the bus, and when you get to the casino they give you a $10 certificate. You have to get yourself a casino card and then you can cash in the certificate. So actually my first trip only cost $20.

For each following visit to Niagara Falls with Safeway Tours you pay $15 and get the $10 back. So it works out to $5 to go to Niagara Falls. How cheap is that?

It's great to get out of the city and it's actually cheaper that a subway trip anywhere in Toronto and back.

We arrived and ate lunch at Tim Horton's in the casino mall. Following that we went down to the falls and decided that we'd go on the Maid of the Mist. I've always been a little afraid to try it, but this time I had no trepidation. We were given blue rain ponchos to protect us from the spray. When we got closer, I put my hood on, only to discover that the thing had ripped and the hole was as big as my head. Hence, no head covering. I tried to take pictures, but it is hard when there is so much spray. Later I realized that I had a couple of drops of water on my lens so the pictures are a bit blurred.

We left the boat and went for a walk to get ice cream. The Queen Victoria Park along the lake is quite beautiful and we strolled along enjoying the quiet and serenity. Last time we were there, there was a motorcycle event of some sort. Hundreds of bike rode by for at least 15 minutes. We couldn't get across the road! Today was quiet and calm. I saw a little squirrel and got him to come close enough to get his picture.
The sun was too hot, and we took refuge in the cool air conditioned casino where I lost my $10 immediately! Beatriz however kept winning. She put in $5 and walked away with $15. The she play this big wheel thing, putting $2 down and walked away with $7. Imagine if she had bet big bucks!

The rain began to fall heavily as we sat having a tea before getting back on the bus. The journey home was about 2 hours due to some traffic, but a good day with a great friend was had.

Spain

I just got back from my trip to England and Spain. It was a welcomed break and spending 5 days in Spain was fabulous. Here is a fruit market in Barcelona. My sister bought some cherries here, while I ate a falafel. She later got some chicken from KFC of all places!! We spent our days sitting on the beach, our evenings walking around Salou discovering all the little shops and sites, and we spent one day in Barcelona. Our hotel was clean and the service was okay. The staff were friendly, although the guy on reception was a tiny bit sarcastic! But our bar tenders Shawn and Said made up for any shortfalls!! The chef needs a few lessons on taste though. The food was aweful, but I guess when you get a cheap holiday, something has to suffer! The beaches were sandy and clean, the water clear and cool. The weather was hot, hot, hot! I came upon this red umbrella that save my skin from further damage. The men still wear Speedo's in Salou, and the women ALL wear bikinis, even the morbidly obese ones! Can you believe that Prince William was holidaying at our hotel too? No? Well just look at this picture!! His brother Prince Harry was there too, but I wasn't able to capture him on film, but ask my sister, she'll tell you!!

Only 6 months left to complete these goals

I was just checking to see how many things of my 101 things I have completed. The 1001 days end about December 5th this year, and I have only completed about half of them.

I was told to add things that seemed very unlikely and many of those things have still to be attempted. Of course the visits to South Africa, New Zealand and Australia on still on the list, but those will be there until I can afford to go. I still haven't made it to a film festival, or taken a vacation in the sun. I am hoping that this summer I can get to spain to spend a few days there.

I did get the facial and pedicure, and that was such a treat. I wish I could be doing that more often. I am hoping to complete one task that is very important. My great friend Katrina has been there for me when I am in England and even kept in touch with my dad after mum died. I need to take this woman out for dinner to show my appreciation. I didn't get back home last year, so that is a goal for July this year. As for the driving lessons, I don't really have a need to drive, as I live downtown and either take the local transportation, ride my bike or simply walk. It would be nice to have a license, so that I could rent a car and get away somewhere by myself or with a friend.

I still have 6 months to accomplish a few more things, but this has been an interesting process, since this list is in my brain and I am aware of how little I seem to get done.

So I will simply carry on.

Being 25

When I was 25 I figured I knew it all.

• I had left home and chose to live in a different country



• I had fallen in love many times



• I had experienced many types of work



• I had been given some fantastic opportunities



• I had traveled to some beautiful places



• I had been wild



• I had been responsible



• I had lost a baby through miscarriage



• I had lived with a man I thought I loved



• I had shared my life with good friends



• I had found the ideal job



• I had the respect of my parents and family

I found myself pregnant again when I was 25. I was very happy, and even when the father of the child I carried did not want to have the baby, I remained happy and planned my life as a single mother. I thought that by the time I delivered this child I would be mature enough and would have had enough life experience to be a wonderful, loving mother.

Things didn't quite go that way! I was terrified when he arrived. Scared that I would do all the wrong things, motherhood does not come with the delivery. I really thought I would be fine since I wasn't a teen or a very young mum. I kept my fears to myself and did the only thing that I could... my very best. Of course, I screwed up on a number of occasions, but the experience made me a better mum.

Even up until he was 16 I was worried that I was doing the wrong things. When he made mistakes I figured it was because of something I had done wrong. But eventually I had to let him take responsibility for his actions, and when I did, it was a huge load off my shoulders. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't a bad kid, I had just taken on ALL the responsibility ALL the time.

So here we are now, with him turning 25. He has experienced a lot too.

• 4 years of university



• living in another city by himself



• living in another country by himself



• teaching in a country whose first language is not English



• facing a judge for a error in his own judgment



• losing a loved one



• watching his friends losing a loved one



• long and solid friendships



• girlfriends



• many types of work



• vacations in many parts of the world

However, having taken similar roads, we are different people. I was ready to take on a family, and be the mother and the person who would mould this child's life. He is still looking for fulfillment in his life.

I don't worry about him anymore, because he is a man and is capable of taking care of himself.

The best advice for anyone who has children is to think back to when you were their age and remember how you felt about your life. At 15 things were complicated, at 21 life was exciting, but was your family that important to you? Friends tend to take place of family for a few years, but then in the end, (usually about the time you have children of your own) your family plays an important role in your life.

St. Lawrence Market Customer Appreciation Night

This was another event I posted at MEETin Toronto. 30 members signed up, although only about 25 showed up.

The food was as always plenitul.

Salads, fruits, sushi, pizza, crepes, fish, meat, cheese, pastries, apple fritters, custard tarts, juices, and chocolate covered strawberries were just some of the foods we found.

The wine and beer was only $2,

but we had to pay with Toronto Dollars.

For entertainment there was singing, dancing,

drumming and I even saw magic.

We stayed for about 90 minutes and then went home with our tummies full.

Easter Brunch

Saturday was the preparation day. I went to the market and to the grocery store and bought the last minute items necessary for the meal. I also got to the clean up of the apartment and some food preparation. I made the croissants, put together the ingredients for the oven omlettes and prepared all the fruits and vegetables.

Sunday morning I put the omlettes in the oven and started to put the veggie and fruit platters together. At 11:15 the first guest arrived. In the end Thomas cooked the hash browns, bacon and sausages, while I got the rest of the food ready and greeted my guests.

There were 17 of us in all and we had a wonderful time eating and drinking and eating some more. We shared stories and information about ourselves, and generally had a fun time.

The menu had some additions that guests kindly brought along and I think by the end everyone was satisfied by the food.

We had:
· Ham, green pepper and cheese omlette
· Roasted red pepper and cheese omlette
· Asparagus and cheese omlette
· Hash browns
· Sausages
· Bacon
· Bagels
· Cream cheese
· Hot cross buns
· Croissants
· Preserves
· Dolmades
· Babaganosh
· Hummus
· Salad
· Veggie platter
· Fruit platter
· Muffins
· Cookies
· Candies
· Fruit juices
· Tea and coffee

My guests included:
· Howard
· Sharon
· Al
· Devashish
· John
· Nick
· Charles and his friend John
· Lynn
· Lynn
· Niki
· Mark
· Alex
· Beatriz
· Ildiko
· Thomas

Each guest was given a little treat left by the Easter Bunny.

Around 4 pm the guest stared to leave, and then Beatriz and I washed and dried the dishes. After she left I sat down with a cup of tea, feeling happy that it all turned out so well.

End of March

It has been a very long time since I put anything here, in fact a long time since I did much of anything.

I haven't been out socialising either, not sure why, but probably just because the weather had been cold and I'm a lover of warmer temperatures!

Anyway its the end of March already and I wanted to add a few words.

I finally made a new purchase last week and got myself a flat panel moniter for my computer. It is great, and I wonder why I didn't get one sooner. Money probably! Anyway it was a belated birthday present to myself.

It was a PD day at school yesterday so that the teachers could interview parents. I wasn't needed for any interviews, so I did photocopying and lamenating, and I also helped to set up the library for our upcoming Book Fair next week. I left school shortly after 1pm.

Next Friday will be the Easter Break so I get Friday off and also the following Monday, so that is 3 short weeks in a row. And March break was just a few weeks ago too. So it has been quite pleasant knowing that we have these occasionl breaks.

I dropped by the Canon Theatre yesterday to pick up a couple of tickets for We Will Rock You. I thought I'd take Beatriz for her birthday. I cheaped out though and I hope she doesn't mind. I bought the stools that were just $20 each. I will make up for it by buying dinner afterwards!

I also picked up 24 invitations for the St. Lawrence Market Customer Appreciation Night. They open after hours and have loads of samples of food for people. I organised an event last year with MeetIn Toronto, so I am doing it again this year. It's on April 12th.

Also I am hosting an Easter Brunch for the group. So far about 4 people have signed up. I will serve *easy* foods, like oven omlettes and hash browns with bagels and cream cheese.

And finally later on in April is Thomas' birthday. He'll be 25. Amazing when you think of it, I was 25 when I got pregnant with him! He hasn't given me his wish list of gifts yet. I was thinking of giving him some money towards his driving lessons.

So that is it for now, I need to get back to "Spring Cleaning"

Check back again soon.