The Wow Moments

As much as I love travelling and I talk so much about wanting to go and see the world and live in  other parts of it, I often forget about the now and where I am and the place that has shaped my life up to this point.... home

When your travelling you do it quite often; take a step back and say wow I can`t believe i`m here. But how often do you do that at home?

This past weekend I didn`t something a little more 'touristy' then you may normally do in your own city, I took a boat cruise around the Toronto harbor. And as it doesn`t often happen it had me admiring and feeling very grateful for the little sliver of the world that I get to so proudly call home. 

I love Toronto and it will always be home! 

Get Out and Explore

One of the things that I really took from my time in Australia is making every day count. In Melbourne, I made of point of getting out and doing and seeing new things every weekend.

Moving back to Hamilton, has made me realize that in my 5 previous years living here I haven`t actually seen much of Hamilton.

Friday, I had some free time and decide to take a walk down to the Hamilton waterfront.

t really surprised me how beautiful the water front was and yet it has taken me 5 years to get down there.

View of Burlington skyway

Found a little friend

Canada gesse! 

Lovely Church on James St. 

James St. 

Summer = Cottage Times

One of the best parts of the summer is getting to head up north and enjoying the sun in the nature and not in the city.

I`ve had the chance to enjoy 2 cottage weekends so far this summer, and looking forward to more.

Open Your Eyes... Again

As part of my daily routine I love watching clips of the daily Ellen on YouTube. I was watching this clip with Johnny Depp the other day, and really loved one of his inspirations for the character of 'Edward Scissorhands' which I think we can all try to take into our everyday lives a bit more.

He talks about seeing things that we see on a daily basis and taking them for granted, when really we need to open our eyes and see them as something new everyday.

It`s one of my new goals to see more beauty in the world. Even in the things that I see and do everyday.

Start Doing

My list of things to start doing: 

1) get my scuba license

2) learn to speak another language

3) take a self defense class

4) get CPR certified

5) appreciate every day more

What`s your list? 

The Travel Bug

For many who here talk of the travel bug, they laugh at the fiction of such a character. But for those of us who have it, it`s a little thing in your mind that eats away at you day in and day out. Now obviously not physically eating away, but it really does mess with your mind a bit. 

Don`t get me wrong the new job is going wonderfully; actually couldn`t ask for a better workplace. Having my family and friends so close is lovely again. But yet there is this little thing that eats away in my mind day in and day out... that of the travel bug. 

There are so many places in the world that I dream about going, and I feel like my youth and time to travel is slowly slipping away from me (I know I know i`m only 23). One of the top things on my bucket list is to visit every continent; 3 down only 4 left to go. The world is such a large, vast and wonderful place and I want to see every inch of it I can in the time I can. 

Sometimes Tragedy Can Bring People Together

This past week we lost a dear member of our family, Jack. May he RIP. 

My family 

Cousin Bonding 

The Nicoll`s 

The Easter Bunny Came! I must be a good girl

I love pretty much any holiday, particularly because it`s more time spent with the entire family. My sister was home for the weekend from Uni, so Saturday we drove down to my aunts house for a lovely family Easter dinner. We are lucky to be blessed with some lovely spring weather, which is often synonymous with Easter and makes the hunting a whole lot more fun! 

No matter how old my sister and I get, we still make my mom do an easter egg hunt. So Sunday morning we raced around the house collecting eggs full of treats just like we were young again. 

I`ll never be to old! 

Lets Play Ball

For those of you who don`t know Toronto it`s a major sports city. Every one seems to live and breath the sports of the city. Win our teams win, you`ll hear it around the world. But boy if they lose you`ll know it as well.

With our hockey and  basketball teams both missing the playoffs this year, the full force is now behind our baseball team the Toronto Blue Jays. This afternoon I attended my first baseball game of the season; the third of the home opening series vs the Boston Red Soxs.

I have to say the Jays are looking strong, and seem like Torontos only hope of a playoff run anytime soon.

At the end of the game today we got to go on the field and run the bases, which even at the age of 23 is a huge amusement.

Overall a great day for a Jays game and looking forward to all the others i`ll be attending this year!

The Working Life

It has been nearly 2 months since returning home and beginning the job search. 2 months later i`m still unemployed. I`ve had the conversation with a number of university graduates lately and it seems like everyone is rocking in the same boat. Half of the jobs on the market your under qualified for, and the other half your told your over qualified, which leaves you screaming the question 'what job can I actually do'!!!

I`ve learned that life is all about chances and all you need is one, so hopefully mine comes soon!

We`re All Irish One Day of The Year

This past weekend was St.Paddy`s day. The green wearing, beer drinking, all day shit show of a day. It definetley lived up to its standard.

After getting dressed up with some amazing dollarama gear, we headed out to a keg party, filled with keg stands and all.

Then it was off to our first pub. And then the second. And then the third, as the nightime started to fall and the memories became more and more hazzy.

Overall it was another 'successful' St.Paddy`s day, and I was happy to be home to celebrate with some great friends.

My New Blog! Don`t worry this one isn`t going anywhere

What happens when your unemployed & don`t have much to do everyday... start a new blog.

Check out my new blog, about my passion... ORGANIZING. Yes call me a freak!

http://keep-it-organized.blogspot.com/

Spring Has Sprung!

For those of my non-Canadian readers, Canadian spring usually doesn`t rear it`s head until late April, but this year has been very different.

This week we have been hitting temperatures as high as 19 degrees. Today I had the windows open, the sunnies on and no winter jacket in sight.

I have been one lucky girl this year only having one month of a true Canadian cold winter and it hasn`t even been that cold!

Here`s to the weather staying like this and only getting warmer! Except here I don`t have to beaches and ocean to make it all worth while, but hey I`ll take what I can get...

'Home' Sickness

They say home is where the heart is and at the moment my heart still lies in Melbourne.

As happy as I am to be back with my friends and family to the place i`ve called home for so many years, my thoughts of missing Melbourne and Australia are always with me.

I miss the excitement of exploring and seeing something new every weekend, and Melbourne always had something to offer.

I miss the people that became like family their and all the fun we had over the year.

I miss that despite it being all new, it always felt like home.

I hope someday I can call Melbourne home again, just a little more saving and little more planning to go!

Family Day

One of the great things about being back at home is getting to spend more time with my family.

Over the 'Family Day' weekend, Lauren was home from University for reading week, so we as a family headed up to Collingwood; Blue Mountain, for some winter fun!

As Lauren and her friend Jenn took to the slopes, Dad and I took on the village.

 First up was a horse and wagon ride around the village!

 Next we took on Ontario`s first Mountain Roller Coaster: The Ridge Runner. An awesome ride!

It feels great to be back with the fam and experiencing a bit of true Canadian winter.

Superbowl!

Ahh back to the life of North American sports; just in time for the Superbowl to watch the Giants whip the Patriots.

One thing that will never get old: Uncle Wally. He showed his undying love for the Giants this Superbowl, which is always entertaining! Watch: Wally Wins The Superbowl

Home Sweet Home

After being away for 348 days boarding my final plane of a long journey and seeing home as the final destination was extremely satisfying. 

I was greeted at the airport by my Mom carrying my winter jacket... talk about reality check! 

The drive through the city to home was refreshing. Remembering things I had forgotten I had missed in my time away. Despite being away for an entire year, home still seemed so familiar; like I had never left. The little things had changed, like the new bathroom reno and the new restaurant open down the street, but my room was still my room just filled with some new Australian stuff. 

It feels great to be back in my own bed, with my family, in my house, in my city. 

Dorothy said it all... "there is no place like home". 

The Last Bit of Sydney

Today was my final full day in Sydney, and I have to say over the last 8 days my fondness for this city has grown. When I first arrived I have to say I wasn`t that big of a fan. Yes the harbor was beautiful, but I just found it hard to get around and navigate. But I have learned with a map and a will to get lost (yes to get lost) you can really learn your way. Making mistakes is when the greatest amount of learning happens.


This morning I headed over to circular quay to tackle the biggest (if not 2nd biggest) icons in Sydney, the Opera House. I took an hour long tour of the inside which was very informative, interesting and offered a new perspective of the this marvellous structure.
Some things I learned about the Opera House...

• It is situated on Bennelong Point 
• The construction of the Opera House was 10 years and $95 million dollars over budget (woops!) 
• The $95 million dollar deficit was paid off in only 18 months by the lovely gamblers of NSW in the Opera House lottery 
• The Opera House was opened in 1973 by her majesty Queen Elizabeth II 

There were many other things I learnt, but we`ll stick with those for now. Overall I`m very glad I did the tour. 

Inside the Utzen Room in the Opera House

After the tour I took a walk through Hyde Park and visited the ever so elaborate Anzac Memorial to learn a bit about the role Australians have played in many significant wars. 

This evening I took a fairy ride from Darling Harbor to Luna Park and then to Circular Quay. I got some great views of the harbor at night and it was nice to have a wander around the magical Luna Park. 

Ahoy Matey

Today seemed to be all about the Sydney ferries.

In the morning I headed over to Darling Harbor to have a brief stroll around before hopping on a ferry over to Circular Quay (the main ferry hub where the opera house is). Then I caught a ferry over to Manly, where I went to the Oceanworld aquarium. I have to say it was a bit of a disappointment. It was really small and a bit run down, but they had a cool overhead aquarium where you could walk through and see sharks and sea turtles. They also had a little touch pool where you got to feel some creatures and urchins of the ocean. After the aquarium I went for a walk along Manly beach and through the main shopping area, before catching a ferry back to Circular Quay.

My next stop was over to Bondi Junction, a main shopping hub, to run a few errands. Then it was back to the hostel for a cool dip in the pool before dinner.

Only 1 more day left in Sydney :(

Sydney Day 5

Well what can I say another lovely day in Sydney. The sun is shining and I’m here!

Today I moved hostels, so this morning I took one final walk along Bondi. The atmosphere there is just amazing. Even at 9am the beach is full of life with surfers surfing, kids playing, people running; it really is one of a kind. With sand still on my feet from Bondi I headed into the city. I did some walking around George St. a very prominent shopping district, where I came this piece of artwork putting Louis Vittons to good use.

Next stop was to ‘The Rocks’ precinct where I had a walk around exploring some of Sydney`s oldest buildings. Wouldn`t you like a view like this from your front door…

The harbor bridge is probably the biggest (if not 2^nd biggest) icon of Sydney. So the next part of my day was spent learning all about it. The favorite tourist thing to do in Sydney is to climb the bridge on the ‘Harbor Bridge Climb’. But because I don`t have an extra $250 to spare, I decided to do the next best thing available and climb one of the pillars. This has been one of my favorite things I have done in Sydney so far. It gave a fabulous lookout from the top and was a great lesson in the history and building of the bridge!

After climbing the pillar I took the walk from the South side of Sydney to the north across the bridge. With more fabulous views along the way!

Tonight I ventured back to bondi to have share dinner with a friend at the delicious Bondi Pizza! Only 2 more days to go in Sydney and yet so much still to see and do! 

The Zoo With a View

Today was my 4th day in Sydney, and I decided it was time to venture across the harbor. So this morning I took the ferry over to the Taronga Sydney Zoo.

The best part about the zoo is that it is located on a hill, giving you a picture perfect view of the harbor (and all its famous landmarks) while roaming and looking at the animals.

Some of the highlights were getting to see the 3 baby tiger cubs born in October, watching the very funny seal show and seeing elephant playtime.

New Years Day

How lucky am I to be able to say that I got to spend my NY day on Bondi Beach.

After a nice sleep in, and a morning walk from the South all the way to the North end of the beach, I settled into a nice spot on the beach at about noon. And thank goodness I did...

By about 3 o`clock, you were lucky if you could find a morsel of sand that wasn`t covered by a towel or a bum.

It was a fun day reading on the beach, jumping waves in the water and checking out the Bondi Sunday market.

Could you ask for a better New Years Day?

Happy New Year!!

Since the beginning of my time here in Australia, it was always my goal to be in Sydney for New Years, to witness live the amazing harbor bridge fireworks display I have seen broadcasted on tv time and time again.

So yesterday was THE day. Many people had talked about going to clubs, or concerts, but I have always known I had to see the fireworks. There are a number of viewing points for the fireworks. Everything ranging from $1000 tickets for yachts to $400 dinner parties, to the public free viewing areas. Because my lottery numbers have yet to be called I stuck with the public viewing area.

Many people had said that the public viewing areas get very very full, so you have to go early. So I had planned to meet some other au pairs at the grounds at 9:00 (gates open at 10:00 btw) to make sure we got a good spot. I ended up getting there a bit later to the graces of this...

Only really about 1/4 of the line

3 hours of waiting in line later I finally got in! Which brings us to 1:00; a whole 11 hours until midnight. 

Lots of games, walks, reading, music listening killed 8 hours, when the 9:00 kids fireworks display went off. 

Then some napping and coffee carried us all the way until the countdown. Then it was HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

The fireworks were crazy coming from all directions. My favorite had to be the ones coming off the bridge. The finale lit up the whole sky, engulfing the whole harbor in color and light. 

And with a quick 10 minute blink, it was over. 2012 had arrived, and we got to witness one of the most amazing NYE fireworks displays in the world. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! And all the best for 2012!