Christmas Eve

So its Christmas Eve and its not snowing. It would be nice if it was, but I look at Ida's pictures of -32 degrees and snow forever and I think - yes it is very pretty but also very very cold - so I'm good with not having the snow if it means I'm less cold - because it's still cold here.

My Mum and Dad rang from NZ, it was so lovely to hear their voices and I got to speak to my Uncle Ian (my dad's brother) and my Aunty Chris which was so nice - what a lovely treat for me! I'm really glad that my parents get to spend time with my Aunty and Uncle this Christmas. I think its been a long time since they have. I hope we all get to spend a Christmas together in the future! Maybe a hot Australian one with all my Petersen rellies.

I'm looking forward to Christmas tomorrow with my Aunty Tree, Uncle Lox and cousin Jazz. The tree is bearing up nicely and it is always so pretty with the presents underneath.

I bought some white rum to have with egg nog I've had to google how to drink it - I was going to try it warm but from what I can see on the internet - you should drink it cold.

Note - when did people start calling it the interweb? I have always called it the internet and suddenly I have started to hear it. I find it annoying. I don't know why I just do.

As I write this I am being very French, I am writing whilst drinking red wine - on a cold day and after two glasses (hearty glasses to be fair) my Asian side has kicked in and my face is rosy and warm. I would worry but then I think meh - its Christmas I've done a total of 3 plus hours of exercise today and I will sleep like a baby tonight.

Anyway I hope you all have had a super Christmas day, and have spent it with people you love. I love you all and I will update again soon xxxxx

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree!

And no I'm not referring to my aunty being seasonal. We've purchased the tree and I have now finally finished the decorating of it.

As we are in a condo we have a smaller tree and it sits up on the table - you have to say what type of tree you want here - not like in NZ where you just get what is there.

This is our actual tree

Ours is a Fraser Fir - its quite cool actually the branches are really stiff and it almost looks too perfect to be real expect for the fact that it was balding a little around the top, but they all were - we bought some extra bits and pieces and I think it filled in quite well.


This is an Instagram piccie of the baubles. I'm really learning about Instagram it is actually a lot of fun - read good time waster when you are bored.

I've been slack with the gifts this year - I'm still getting around to them. This will be the first year in MANY years where I am in a house that doesn't do stockings so I don't have run around like a maniac thinking about little gifts for everyone- although I actually like doing stockings I just haven't been as rushed this year so its a nice change.

It's about -1 degree at the moment - it will be cold for Christmas but we won't get snow in Toronto, mores the pity. We have the week in-between and then we head to New York for a few days. I bought a lovely pair of black leather gloves in preparation - again it will be cold but not snowing. I couldn't find my own black gloves which were all packed up before I left NZ. There is a leather shop here called Danier and honestly if I could buy everything in there I would.

Today (18 December) we went to see the movie the Life of Pi. Gosh you know I had a few tears in my eyes in that movie. What a beautiful concept, and what an interesting point that the movie makes on religion.

I have to say that it is much sadder for me to think of animals dying than humans. I don't know why, my friend Jen reckons that it is because humans can speak for themselves. I think this is true but I think its because I think we are here to watch over animals and look after them.

I won't ruin the storyline for anyone who hasn't seen it yet - but if you do get a chance to see it in 3D then do it - there was a couple of scenes (I saw it in 2D) that would have been amazing in 3D.

The next movie I want to see is Parental Guidance - one of those Billy Chrystal movies. I suppose I should be heading off to the see The Hobbit , but I'm just not sure about that one. My father used to read me The Hobbit when I was younger in order to help me to go to sleep. I am just not sure if I want to change the memory of The Hobbit that I have in my mind with one I see on the screen. It was like when I saw the Narnia movies, after reading them endlessly as a child. The screen adaption, while amazing, just never quite compared to what I saw when I read the stories to myself in my own head.

I have two more weeks at my landlords place. It will be nice not lugging food to and from my aunty's place - as I am usually at my aunt's for lunch and dinner. I will be just across the hallway house sitting for Taro's mum as she is away in Indonesia.

Wiarton Take 2

Headed back to Wiarton to see Jess - this time for about 12 days.

I came back in knowing people this time, and by people I mean the old fullas at the Legion which is the Canadian version of the RSA.

It was nice to see people again. I fell prey to the dreadful dreadful wine of the Legion and when you have a couple you think its ok and its really all downhill from there.  I think I shall treat myself to champagne for New Years but apart from that the race is on to get to a suitable health level for when I return to NZ. 

My poor body also got fed wheat so it is very happy to be back in Toronto on my wheat free diet. If you want to learn more about the benefits of a wheat free diet you need to check out the book Wheat Belly.

Since I cut out wheat my acid reflux has gone away, my wheeziness and the majority of my sinus issues. Amazing! And I realise I sound like an infomercial but it really has made all the difference! My skin, which on a good day is great, has become even better!

Also while in Wiarton I saw their Santa Parade, which DID container a million and one clubs with old men, but no Santa.

Go figure.

The Ham and Turkey spin at the Legion was also on our social calendar (Jess works there and is a member hence why we spent time there). I won a huge ham on the bone, so now I just need to find a diabetic friendly glaze and we'll be away laughing.

We also had the chance to head into Owen Sound where I just had to , had to , get my hair cut at Walmart. I actually thought it would be terrible but it isn't bad and now I can say I can be white trash with the best of them!

We also had a nommy dinner of Japanese, I've not had decent Japanese in so long so I was very excited. I got to have my regular teriyaki chicken bento box.

Jess and I DID go and see Twilight - we were the only ones laughing so I'm thinking we weren't there for the same reasons everyone else was. 

Jess , bless her, is a bit clumsy, the floor around us ended up looking like a popcorn machine had been attacked in it. I really wish I had taken a photo - it was EVERYWHERE.

Afterwards we headed off to the Festival of Northern Lights which was sooo pretty.

We also managed to dye our hair (and didn't ruin it), and attempt to put up her Christmas tree. You know when someone is so upset, and has been looking forward to something but the situation just goes from bad to comically tragic and you can't help but laugh. That's what happened here. 

She expected the tree to be about 4 ft taller, and for all the lights to work. They kind of stopped halfway up. Ever the optimist Jess says, ah well , at least we can put the decorations up half the tree and fix the lights the next day. Alas, the ornaments didn't have the hangry on parts to them so she couldn't even do that. I felt terrible but could NOT for the life of me stop giggling.

It was nice to be back in Toronto again though, with my little routines. Tomorrow I am heading back to the gym I've not been in over 2 weeks and no doubt I shall kill myself on the cycling machine but I'm going to go ahead and do it anyway!!!

Aunty T and I are heading out to buy a real Christmas tree this week and I'm looking forward to decorating it.

It appears that my Christmas cards have all made it around the world which is awesome. Now I just need to finish my Christmas shopping and prepare for a feast!

I can't believe it's nearly the end of the year - and what a year it has been.

Oh crap I think I'm over my title

I don't know if I like my blog name anymore. It was so cool when I thought about it and I was clearly going through a Latin phase but I'm not sure now.

Just like Cougar Town I too am rethinking my title.

Oh well I'm sure it will work out - maybe I can rework to be less poncy.

Meanwhile, I went to see David Clayton Thomas from Blood,Sweat and Tears. Now I'd not heard of him but he has worked with some of the top blues and rock stars of the 20 th century.

He was absolutely amazing- there is definitely something to be said about artists of today versus from  the 60s etc.

Look at Bieber, or Minogue or any of the other "voice edit" wonders and it is all about the show. Take all the whistles away and many of them have no musical substance whatsoever. Sadly I think Bieber actually has talent - not Minogue though bleh!

It reminded me why my favorite band is still The Beatles - all these years later there music is still relevant and used as inspiration today and they used to just perform no dancing or light shows or what not.

I'm so excited as the entire remastered Beatles collection is now available on LP.

I've been up again in Wiarton with Jess. I have been there for 12 days. It was snowing a bit while I was up there and I tell you it does make it seem more Christmassy with all the decorations and the snow.

I'll update on that shortly as I need to download photos.