Blow in and fly out.

My friend wanted to give Toronto another try. She'd left in a rush when she realized that the Journalism program at Ryerson just wasn't for her back in the confusion of first year.

When I hugged her goodbye three years ago I knew I'd see her again.

She was roommates in residence with Gill, my roommate. I met the two of them in our news reporting class; together we barred our teeth and guarded our hearts during the class as our instructor enjoyed the taste of first-year's fear.

But today, this time around we could be at ease while we spent our time together. It was our reading week break.

Her boyfriend and our lovely friend, Morgan blew into town by train from Ottawa and flew out over the haze of morning light. They were here for just a handful of days, but all of us tried to take them out on touristy missions.

On a cold Thursday and me with no voice (actually I sounded like Minnie Mouse) we explored Casa Loma.

Deep in the tunnels that connect the mansion to it's stables I cooed her name to hear my strange voice echo against the stone walls. Even with her boyfriend's hand in hers she still whimpered. I was scaring her. It made me laugh.

Our time together made me wonder how the laughter might have been different if she had stayed in Toronto and if we had all lived together. What would the dynamic have been like? Would we have laughed more?

It's such a brilliant thing to have friends in many places, spread out over the country and around the world. You meet up share a story, a laugh and a hug and then part ways for a time until you can see each other again.



This was our first goodbye in first-year. Man we look young!



Morgan and I when I visited her in Edmonton

Let me out.

My arms are covered in goose bumps. It's cold in here.

It's a lot harder to heat a 5 bedroom home in a rural town than it is to keep a mid-sized, walk-up apartment in Toronto toasty. I've had a wool blanket draped across my shoulders all day.

My man and I picked up two Greyhound, student fare, tickets and hit the road to his home town to visit his parents. Almost 6 hours later we were somewhere else, somewhere far away from where I feel I should be right now. There's so much work that needs to be done. Although, my heart needed a break. A big break.

The city hasn't worn me out just yet, but I feel like I'm spinning in circles. I was hoping the quiet in this town would help.

Sadly, the clouds moved in to shower the day in freezing rain. It froze. It also kept me inside, fearing a bad fall like everyone else outside. I'm getting cabin fever, itchy feet.

I just want out. I want to explore.

Could this be love?

Today is that day. You know, the day singles loathe and the one boyfriends forget or sweat over, if you're lucky.

No, I shouldn't say that.

To be blunt, Valentine's Day has always pissed me off. It's the one day in the year that has the power to hurt countless people's feelings, to squash any heightened expectations or feel forgotten.

In elementary school I was always the last girl that was asked to dance at the Valentine's Sock Hop. Today, I blame it on my awkward height and my uni-brow, which since then has disappeared.

Over the handful of years that I've had a boyfriend on this notorious day, it hasn't always been champagne and chocolates. But then again, I'm not that much of a traditionalist.

The man I'm with today does his best with what he's equipped. He's no Casanova. No, he's more than that. He's a real man. One you can whole heartedly trust and adore for just being him.

I'm gushing I know.

This year I was short on cash so I agreed to babysit tonight. My man joined me. We made cupcakes (just before he arrived) and then played Uno with the girls, who absolutely adored him; the youngest was actually flirting with him!

Now, we sit. Two glasses of rose and two laptops, just the way we like it.

Whether celebrating or loathing: Happy Valentine's Day.

What can I do now?

I pace my room. Sit down, for just a moment. I trim my finger nails. Oh my toes look like they need another coat of nail polish.

Get up and move to the kitchen to pop some popcorn on the stove. I love making it on the stove. It dances, pulling back flips in the air. I wish I felt this way today. I wish I felt like dancing. I can't even get dressed and I can't focus on my work.

I slept too many hours last night. I'll blame it on that. Now my whole day is off.

The bowl of salted popcorn is reduced to un-popped kernels when I realize the Women's Network program I'm tuned into is actually making me dumber. I get up and move back to my room, still not dressed.

Turn on some live streaming radio and make my bed. I look at my chair. It's swiveled to the side, inviting me to take a seat. So, I sit and place my fingers to the keys. Is this the moment? Am I ready to finish this assignment? Could this really be it?

No, I decide to blog instead.

Gum Boots

According to the receipt these bad boys cost $26.78. And they were worth every penny.

The weather in the city has been less than ideal with what I know to be, traditional Ontario Winter conditions. The thermometer must be confused as hell. One second it's a snowy blizzard and in the next moment it's a Spring day, raining like it's April.

I walked up to the bank over the weekend, which is about a 6 block walk. By the time I had arrived I was kicking myself for not bringing along an extra pair of socks. My poor, sad excuse for canvas Winter boots were soaked from the slush.

I hurried home before I became too chilled. I then quickly rerouted my day, heading over to the closest Winners to pick up some good ol' gum boots or wellies if you like.

Haven't been able to peel them off since that moment of purchase. They may not be the most fashionable statement as I believe that fad has faded, but I just don't care.

They're comfortable, they keep my feet dry and you have to admit stomping through slushy puddles like a 5-year-old is rather invigorating.

Most of all these new friends are reliable through very unreliable weather conditions.

*Another mini blizzard is on it's way for the GTA tonight.

Free fun

I really have no money. I'm tired of uttering that phrase. It's boring to me, drab.

Someone who isn't boring to me, my little sister, flew in last Saturday to shake up my little life.

She had no expectations, but I did. I always have expectations of myself that generally exceeds what's financially capable. So, I stressed about about entertaining her. But, after our first day out on the town I did my best to let those feelings of inadequacy wash away. I wanted to enjoy every moment, every ridiculous moment.

Together I truly believe we're a force. One of my roommates commented on the way we speak to one another. She said it almost sounded like we were about to erupt into a fight, but no that's us being endearing. We've both always been two very impassioned young women.

She alone can walk into a room and completely fill it with her creative energy and spirit. I never used to understand it, but now I get it. She's so wonderfully complex and I love it.

So, we spent just a handful of days talking and walking because that's all I could afford. I wanted my sister to see parts of this city that she hasn't. I'm afraid this might be the last time we're together here. So, we made the most of it.

We had cheap to free fun:
Sunday * Walk throughout the Fashion District on Queen West St.
* Walk through little India - all you can eat Indian Buffet ~ $12.00
* Live Irish music & $6 pints at Dora Keogh (141 Danforth)

Monday * Walk through High Park's Free zoo. Photo op with Highland Coos & Bison
* Royal Ontario Museum 45 minutes before closing is ALSO free. Just a note the Dinosaur Exhibit is on.

Through both our walks and talks I was able to get a glimpse into how my sister is beginning to view the world. I was able to also see how she views it through her lens. These are some photos my baby sister (soon to graduate high school) took while here in Toronto.