Good news travels in pairs.

Today was a very good day for two very big reasons and a very lovely third reason.

Reason 1)
My uncle had the lump on his neck removed today and contrary to what the doctors thought before, this WAS the primary cancer which means they think they've gotten it all out. The doctors will have to run a few more tests and determine if he needs more surgery or any other treatment, but so far so good. He is spending tonight in hospital but goes home tomorrow morning, a much happier and relieved man. And aren't we all relieved... P H E W! He's not in the clear just yet, but me-oh-my he's a hell of a lot closer than we thought he was just yesterday.

Reason 2)
When I got home from the hospital I had an email waiting for me that contained six lovely little words: Your entry clearance has been issued. The brutal waiting game and the incessant form filling out and such is all over... well, nearly over as I have to wait for the mail man to bring me back my passport and documents. But now I can start to plan the next stage of my life with a little more zeal. I think I will stick around Toronto for Christmas, but with my visa in hand I should be able to leave anytime after 3 December if a job offer comes rolling in before the holidays. Yipee!!! London, here I come.


And reason 3)
For the first time this season, Toronto is covered in a beautiful blanket of white snow. It is the perfect snow for walking, for building snowmen, or just for looking at from inside of a warm house with a mug of hot cider. I often forget just how much the first snowfall warms my heart. This is one of those very special moments that comes just once a year, and I am so happy to be home for it again.

Today, November 19 2008 (I realise it's into the wee hours of the 20th but I have yet to go to sleep) has been, officially, the best day of the year.

A very Christmas blog

It has been AGES since I've written, yet again... two weeks have passed and though I haven't done anything spectacularly exciting within the past fourteen or some odd days, I feel I should update and report what has happened around me.

Sunday December 16 we (Toronto) got hit with a BEAUTIFUL snow storm. Well over a foot on the ground and a nice blanket of white over everything for the holiday season.
I somehow managed to get all of my Christmas shopping done with only two days off last week (and I must admit, I am very pleased with the gifts I've chosen for my family). We didn't get a chance to drive north and cut down our Christmas tree as planned because of the above mentioned snow storm. Instead, we drove around the city and ended up getting a really nice tree from Loblaws... tree photos to follow (as I've not taken any yet).

Work has been really busy. I am, however, still enjoying it. I like watching people frantically search for Jamie Oliver's cookbook and LOVE being called an angel for finding the correct issue of Naruto for someone who was too lazy to walk into the store and find it herself. I am working later today, Christmas Eve and will be sporting my oh-so-wonderful Santa hat.

I have been asked many times what I want for Christmas this year and haven't really been able to come up with an answer. I think it's because what I want for Christmas I will get in a month when I am in England: I really just want to be with my friends who are there while I am all the way over here. Today I spoke to Chris for his birthday. Even hearing his voice made such a huge difference, and I am going to make a better effort to phone my dear friends overseas more often because it had me smiling all night at work. (Despite the fact that I made my first mistake at work by showing up at 2:30 instead of the scheduled time of 2... oops).

In terms of actual gifts, I am hoping to get one item: "The Lonely Empress" (the book on Sisi of Austria that I've been trying to find for the last few months, and kicking myself for not having bought it when I was holding it in my hand in Vienna).

I think that is enough for now. I had more to say, but as this is already quite long I will end it here... most likely I will write more later on today.

and so another week passes....

I really am getting lazy when it comes to updating my blog. Perhaps I am just keeping too busy? Perhaps.


So what has gone on... well, there has been a nice layer of snow all over everything since last weekend. The weather has been too cold for it to melt away, and I must admit I am quite content with the white all around. Today my father and I finally put up our Christmas lights, bringing our block's total of houses in a row with Christmas lights to six. Well done us. We also hung up our two wreaths and next weekend the four of us will venture north to cut down our Christmas tree. That's right, we're cutting down our own again this year.

Work is going well. I'm enjoying the constant Christmas music more than most, and somehow finding a way to smile for 8 hours without letting the angry shoppers bring me down. I suppose it's knowing how desperate some of them are to find gifts for their mothers/sisters/fathers/brothers/bosses/girlfriends/boyfriends/etc. that keeps me motivated to help them. I have been enjoying my staff discount quite a bit lately... as we get the full discount on all of the 'bargain' items as well, so it's savings all around! I haven't been spending much money lately, but have somehow managed to get some nice Christmas gifts already.

I have finished shopping for:
Anna and her family
Emily
Kate
Karen
Sam
Allison
Jenn
and have picked up part of the gifts for my father, mother and brother. So yay! Just have to sort out David's gift and put the finishing touches on the treat for his mother and I'll be done. Wow, I am on top of things this year. Suppose it helps working in retail with nothing but shopping on the mind all day.

Speaking of David, the band that he is in called KEY WITNESS is having their CD release party next week Saturday for their first album MERCURY IN RETROGRADE at the Tranzac Club. Let me be the first to say (well, probably not the first) the album sounds fantastic! They album is really well done and without any bias, they really are a great band. The lyrics are lovely and JM's voice is so addictive. Check them out and if you want a copy of their CD (for $10 I believe) let me know.

And, I think that is all I have to report for now. OH NO, WAIT! My graduation plans:
I'm arriving 22 January, heading to Brighton 24-29, back with family Jan 29 - Feb 5, back down to Brighton Feb 5 - probably the 16th, but I still have to sort out cash. My mum wants to take a trip somewhere with Ryanair, and with flights costing as low as 10 quid per person round trip surely hope we do go somewhere... More on that soon.

Welcome, Winter

The winter is here. How do I know? This morning I woke up to a nice thick blanket of white over everything outside, with flakes still falling - really quite lovely actually. If that wasn't enough of a clue, the walk to work through slush and puddles might've reminded me what a Toronto winter looks like. And if THAT wasn't enough the walk home from the cinema with a frozen nose and an "extreme cold weather warning" on the radio would certainly do the trick. Yes, folks, it is winter in Toronto. Tonight it's going down to -15'C with the windchill. Oh how I've missed the windchill factor.

I saw JUNO again tonight, another free screening (went to accompany my brother who had an extra ticket) and another free t shirt - different style this time. The movie was just as good as the first time. I laughed a lot and oohed and awwed all the same. Definitely worth seeing... twice.


Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends and family. I had sushi tonight with my brother after the movie and though it wasn't as traditional as turkey, we enjoyed one of our favourite dishes in honour of our dual nation's holiday... hmm, does that even make sense? Anyway, you get the point.

I was reading my friend Nick's blog earlier this week (THE EAST COAST SOUND) and though I'd add on a list of some of the things I'm currently doing, as he did on one of his recent posts.

At the moment I am:
Reading - "Pattern Recognition" by William Gibson
Watching - Heroes, Survivor China, and re-runs of Fraser and Seinfeld
Listening to - Girls Aloud "The Sound of Girls Aloud"
Sleeping - Fairly well, though I really ought to try to get in before before 1am if I can... speaking of which, it's getting late.

G'night all.
x