Mosaic of me

I found this idea on another blog, and thought I'd give it a try. Turned out pretty cool I think.

1. patent mary janes and white anklets, 2. ready for the party......???, 3. Lovers, 4. freedom, 5. 536.png, 6. SOUTHERN COMFORT, 7. Stand Still, 8. Merangue, 9. don't worry be happy new year, 10. The Earth is God's Canvas., 11. Hobbit Road?, 12. Little Wishing

You can try this yourself.

Answer each of the questions below. Surf over to Flickr and type your answers into the search bar. From the choice of pictures shown only on the front page, click on the one that moves you. Once the page with your picture opens, copy the URL. Surf over to the Mosaic Maker, set up your mosaic, and paste your URLs. Click Create. Voila!

The Questions:

What is your first name?
What is your favorite food?
What high school did you attend?
What is your favorite color?
Who is your celebrity crush?
What is your favorite drink?
Where would you go on your dream vacation?
What is your favorite dessert?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
What do you love most in life?
What is the one word that describes you?
What is your Flickr name?

Things about me

Five Snacks I Enjoy

1. Veggies and dip
2. Cheese on toast
3. Mixed raw nuts
4. Fruit
5. Yogurt and granola

Five Things on My To-Do List Today

1. Wash the dishes
2. Grocery shopping
3. Wax my underarms
4. Work on page kits
5. Host a mixer at Peridot at 8 pm

Five Jobs I've Had

1. Receptionist at a brewery (I got free beer!)
2. Quality control lab in a canning factory
3. Dish washer on a cruise boat on the Rhine in Germany
4. Travel agent
5. Medical Records filing clerk in a hospital

Five of My Bad Habits

1. Interrupting people when they are talking, (because I think I'll forget what I was about to say!)
2. Raising my voice when I think people aren't listening
3. Spending too much time on the computer
4. Leaving the dishes in the sink until the morning, (I just prefer to wash them in the morning!)
5. Dropping the 'g' when using words ending in 'ing'

Five Places I Have Lived

1. Colchester, England
2. Reading, England
3. Ottawa, Canada
4. Toronto, Canada
5. New York, USA (only for 2 weeks then decided to leave my boyfriend!)

Five Random Things

1. I was born on February 29 and just celebrated my 13th birthday this year!
2. I miss being in a relationship. My partner died 11 years ago and I haven't been in another relationship since.
3. I lost my 2 front teeth in high school while playing rounders. Rounders is a game similar to baseball.
4. I am, and have always been a vegetarian. I do eat dairy and eggs, however I am in the process of finding out if I have a dairy allergy.
5. I am passionate about my job working with children who have a variety of special needs.

February 29, Leap Year

I am really quite a lucky person as life goes. What are the odds of being born on February 29? Pretty rare, no doubt.

I seldom watch t.v. in the morning, but last week I decided to turn on Breakfast Television, and then went to check my email. Within 5 minutes of turning the t.v. on I heard them say that if your were born on February 29 they wanted you as an audience member as they are hosting a big birthday party. So I sent an email to them.

Lo and behold I received a response the next day and called my friend Beatriz to ask her to join me.

We arrived just before 6 a.m. and sat in the front row. There was one other person there who was "13" as well. The woman sitting next to me was "22" and the youngest "leaper" there was "2."



We had pancakes and sausage from Golden Griddle, coffee from Maxwell House,



a huge birthday cake from Longos that we all signed our names to, and lots of balloons.

There was an illusionist who levitated one of the younger leapers, and an astrologer who told Beatriz she'd get what she wanted and a cooking segment from Today's Parent magazine. There was also a deejay playing birthday music for us!



I was chosen to play a game "pin the crown on the frog prince" and although I didn't win the game I got a great consolation prize from Reebok. The other 13 year old won a laptop computer for choosing the shortest ribbon on the balloon.

It definitely was a party to remember, thanks BT .



I went from the studio to work where the kids seemed very excited about the fact I was on television, one even referring to me as "famous!" After work I went to my friend Andrew's house and prepared for the upcoming pyjama party. He was making food for the guests and left nothing for me to do. On the menu was beet soup, Caesar salad, vegetarian curry, rice, and a black bean and mushroom dish.

There were 2 cakes a black forest one from Andrew and a chocolate one from Richard and Sharon. Mmmmmm!

I got some beautiful flowers and gifts from my friends and returned home tired and happy.

Thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate, and a very special thanks to Andrew.

You Tube

I am a subscriber to some great You Tube video makers, but this is the cutest video ever.

New Year: New Attitude

So 2007 passed and I am looking forward to a year of adventure and accomplishments.

Having just hosted my 3rd Board Games night in my apartment I have decided that this will be a monthly activity that I will host. The first Friday of each month invite people from MEETin as well as friends from other areas of my life to come and join me in playing an assortment of board games.

Last night's event was the biggest one so far with an attendance of 23 in my new 1 bedroom apartment. It was quite squished and often loud at times. This was solved with a group playing Trivial Pursuit going into the bedroom and playing on my bed.

The rest of us played Outburst, with 2 teams, followed by Apples to Apples, and then the new WOW Cranium.

There was a huge assortment of snacks and drinks, the chips kept on coming! But we did have some healthy choices of veggies and cheese and crackers too.

As the evening rolled on players left, until there were 5 of us left. We sat and talked about mushrooms, Columbus's Egg, the influence of today's media, and much more. Finally at 4:15 am I decided it was time to wrap it up!

Next games night is February 1st.

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.

Hallowe'en Party

It was a wonderful evening with about 17 people showing up to celebrate.

My guests were:
A belly dancer


A cowboy


A beatnik


A rock star


Jackie Kennedy


The grim reaper


Cruella DeVille


Dr. Ben Dover, Proctologist


A boy scout


A Hawaiin hula girl


Dracula


An executioner


Two 80's girls


A Playboy bunny


A spider web covered girl


And of course myself. I was supposed to be a Black Widow Spider, but I looked more like a witch, with my long black dress.

I made some munchies too. There was meatballs, chicken nuggets, vegetable rolls, samosas, saudage rolls, cheese and onion puffs, mini quiche, veggies and dip, hummous and pita bread. Of course not forgetting the chips, pretzels and candy.

For dessert there were some lovely chinese mooncakes, and dough balls, banana bread and carrot cake.

I had put caution tape on the storage room door and put a cd player in there with monster noises coming from it. I made a giant spider and sat it in the sunroom with more caution tape on its doors too.

I made a mural a couple of nights before that I pinned to the wall, wishing everyone a Happy Halloween.

We played the mummy game: teams of 2 wrapping and unwrapping their partner. The winner of that was the cowboy and the hula girl.

Then we voted for our favourites.
The best costume went to Jackie Kennedy


The most original went to the belly dancer


The cutest went to the hula girl


And the creepiest went to Dracula.


Everyone went home with a Trick or Treat bag with goodies, and a great time was had by all.

I had rented Scary Movie 4, but we didn't have time to watch it. Good thing, because when I viewed it the next day, it sucked big time!

October 28

is the date I have chosen to throw this party. I have listed it on MeetIn Toronto and so far about 12 people have signed up.

I will decorate my place with a SPIDER theme, and have a few games and prizes, as well as a best/cutest/creepiest and most original costume competition. As for food I am thinking just snacks, and people can bring whatever they want to drink.

I bought a cd of scary sounds, and it sucks, so I have to look for another one.

As for my costume I am thinking of a spider costume, you know, the widow spider, who bites of the heads of her lovers!!

LOL!

See more progress on: throw a halloween party

Come hang out at my place.

On Friday the weather looked miserable, and that was the forecast for the whole weekend. I wanted to get together with friends but didn't want to go out in the rain. So I decided to have a last minute party on Saturday.

I posted the event on MeetIn.org here in Toronto, and asked people if they wanted to hang out. I would preovide the apartment and pizza and they could bring the beer, or whatever they drank.

I also sent an email to a few friends who weren't on the MeetIn site. When Keitha got hers she sent me an email saying 'thanks for the laugh.' I didn't remember sending her a joke, but then she explained I had written "I'll provide pizza, you byob." She had read it, "I'll provide pizza, you boob!"

One person emailed me suggesting we watch a movie, so I put out the call for people to bring dvd's of their choice.

Anyway now I had to spend Saturday cleaning, it seems the only time I really clean is when I have people over!!

So about 20 people showed up. I ordered 3 extra large pizzas, that wasn't really enough, I only got one slice, but that meant I could eat LOTS of dessert! And my guests brought huge amounts of desserts. Beatriz brought ice, Munny brought peanuts and Al brought chips. Mona brought bread and a great red pepper spread. Manal brought popcorn for the movie, Henrieta brought chocolate cake, Richard brought blueberry pie, Georgia brought apple pie, Alice brought keylime pie, someone else brought chocolate peacan caramel coffee cake, and Mark brought chocolate birthday cake. I didn't know it was Mark's birthday, so this was a bonus. Of course I put candles on the cake and we all sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Mark had also brought a bottle of champagne to toast his special day. So it was kind of a surprise party, a surprise to me!

At one point someone knocked on my door. It was someone visiting my neighbour who had cut her hand and needed a bandaid. Jeez what some people will do to crash a party!

So we all had a great time, and ended up not having time to watch any movies.

People left a few at a time, but a handful stayed until shortly after midnight.

Michigan Pictures day 2

So the following day we shopped all
morning, but took a break to find a Krispie Kreme doughnut shop. We had found coupons in the motel to buy a dozen get a dozen for .99, so who could pass up that offer?

They had this amazing van outside in the parking lot. I took loads of pictures of it, because I think it looked very cool!


Here is Sandra buying hers. She was attending a big barbeque at her Dad's house later that day, so this was going to be her contribution for it.

Then it was time to find a post office so that we, (the Canadians) could buy ourselves some American stamps for future swaps. I ended up with lots of one dollar coins in my change that I donated to PST for the prize vault. Who knew there was an American $1 coin?

Outside the post office were these signs protecting newly painted lines on the road. It was just begging for a picture to be taken! Both Keitha and I posed.


Along the highway there were signs saying that if a worker was killed or hurt while working there was a $7500 fine and 15 years in prison. I asked Sandra if the same went for these cute little workmen signs!