So it’s been a long time since I
updated, but not too much has changed. Job is the same, weather is getting
worse (sob) and I’m still busy with socializing and travelling. I headed to
Ottawa recently for a weekend and a wedding – always worth visiting my second
family there.
I’ve just started taking a course
at the University of Toronto in Publicity and Public Relations because I figure
I’ll move into communications in the next year or so. It’s something I’ve been
thinking about since I started in journalism. I miss newspapers and the
non-stop deadlines, but if I can’t have that I think I might as well get paid
well and advocate for a bank or something.
The exciting thing this week (which
will not sound exciting but really is): I got Ken Follett’s latest book at the
library and am working my way through the 900+ pages about World War 2. The
first book, Fall of Giants, was fantastic and this one is shaping up to be
similarly educational. I’ve already learned a lot about Germany in 1933 so by
the time I finish reading I’ll be an expert.
It’s been interesting following the
US election, especially on Tumblr where people tend to be a bit more relaxed
and therefore focus on the weird/funny, not the polls and serious side. I’m
loving the instant memes – binders full of women, horses and bayonets – but my
favourite has been Romney’s statement that Syria is Iran’s route to the sea… So
many scathing maps, my knowledge of middle east geography has never been
stronger.
And to finish up, here is a repost
from Facebook of things I like about living in Toronto:
A year ago today I arrived in
Toronto and not long after wrote a heartfelt note about the things that Canada
does badly. It was well received, and saw immediate action from the government,
which is phasing out the penny. Sure, I could add to that list, but
anniversaries are times of celebration, right? So here is a list of things that
are awesome about living in Canada, and in some cases specifically Toronto.
There's always something
happening. Always.
You can buy pizza by the slice
It's easy to meet people and
make new friends because other cool people go to the same kinds of events that
you attend
Dollarama
Books are way cheaper than NZ
Sometimes they make movies
nearby and Robocop motorbikes past your apartment or your street gets turned
into a disaster scene or a New York City block
You can take a bus to New York City when you
get sick of seeing fake New York taxis
The ROM and the AGO are world-class
I love the architecture of the AGO and OCAD
The Toronto Islands are
amazing. I would live there except it would be really inconvenient and a little
too rustic and actually no I would never live there but I might think about it
sometimes when there's a homeless guy peeing outside my apartment building.
Caesars are actually quite nice, as long as
they have enough hot sauce in them.
I like living in an apartment
building. You never get Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses, although there are the
occasional drunk girls knocking at 3am. (That was really only once.)
Kensington Market, Chinatown,
The Beaches, Leslieville, walking through the Yonge-Dundas fountains...
Hot dogs
It has a subway. It's not a
great subway, but it's better than not having a subway!
Standing on Bay St looking north past all the
financial buildings to Old City Hall. Best view in the city.
I’m sure there are dozens of things I’m
missing and I’m not listing people because I’m sure to miss someone but suffice
to say it’s been a great year and I expect to stick around for a couple more at
least ;)
