We always slice it up like that

I've been in Toronto now for a few days, which is good because now I can finally write about my time in Perth with a bit more perspective. It's always always always good to go home, both to Perth and to Toronto; of course every time I come back I'm torn between these feelings of "It's good to be back" and "Where did that go?! / Nothing should change while I'm away" and "Things have changed which is good but I'm not comfortable with it" and more and more I realize I could never live in Toronto again. Sigh. Let me backtrack.

Perth was good. I remembered this morning when I first moved to Fort McMurray and some guy walked into my school and after talking to him for about 2 minutes he stops me and says "Are you from the Ottawa Valley?" and stunned, I admit that yes, I am, in a way, from the Ottawa Valley. Apparently I have an accent. I guess when I get to NZ I'll be the one with the accent again, but this time a bit more obvious! WIERD. I digress, I'm good at that.

It was good to be back in Perth, where everything is cute and quaint and beautiful and meticulously taken care of, people take pride in their homes and their life and seem pretty content. Nothing much ever seems to happen (excuse me, since I left the bakery moved and a restaurant renamed itself... I'm sure a few people celebrated birthdays and anniversaries... a bridge was vandalized and rebuilt... kids graduated...) but it's kind of comforting that way. I had the chance to meet up with my old friend Emily from high school, which was totally amazing since we hadn't seen each other and really talked for at least 7 or 8 years, and somehow this wasn't an issue. Had a delicious lunch at TABLE in Ottawa and indulged in too much dessert at THYME & AGAIN afterward. Ran into Devrie from high school too. God. It's a small world. Went to visit my cousins Gilly and Gavin, Aunt Jocelyn and Uncle Jim, had a lurvely tea party (with somersaulting entertainment courtesy of Gilly) and even got to play "GO AWAY MONSTERS!!!" Afterwards, as if I hadn't eaten enough, Nik and I went for dinner in Chinatown. I think there were honestly mountains of food on the table enough to feed at least 6 sailors. It was a fantastic day.









While I was in Perth I also had the opportunity to take part in a pig roast. Harry, the coolest 11 year old I know, specially requested a suckling pig and a werewolf cake for his birthday. So, arriving in the middle of the day, I witnessed the building of a fire pit, the construction of 2 metal racks for roasting, and the tying-up of the pig. Most delicious pork I have ever eaten. It's so indescribably good to see Sarah and Darren and the boys and really ridiculously hard to say goodbye.

I also got to spend a bit of time visiting Luke and Amanda (not enough time!!!). Spent a quality day with Paul flying a kite at Conlon farm and drawing pictures and of course having good chats... Thanks for that!

I also have to give mad props to my Grandma who is now surfing the Internet! I am oh-so-very impressed with her. Hopefully she has figured out how to get on this thing called a blog and see the pictures!!!

Of course I got to spend time with me mama as well, out at the new home at Kiwi Gardens. It's a rather surreal setting to live in, acres of rolling hills, trees, coyotes howling at night, beautiful plants and such darkness at night you feel all so alone with the stars. Pretty sweet.

Mum drove me down to Toronto, so she could take my aunt out for her 60th birthday (CONGRATULATIONS CLAIRE!) and we stayed downtown in the only hotel room available to man that night. Apparently everyone in the world wanted to sleep in a hotel in Toronto that night, so we felt extremely privileged to pay a retarded amount of money to stay at the Holiday Inn. THE HOLIDAY INN! Eeps. So while Mum and Claire went to a schmancy restaurant Joh and I ate take-out Sushi and jumped on the hotel beds....

I've been walking around tons, trying to fall back in love with public transit, going to places I used to frequent and finding them shut down or moved or just different. Let me rant for 2 minutes about Toronto:

• it smells
• people are pushy
• i can't see the stars
• everything seems to cost a lot of money
• rich people are VERY rich here and seem to enjoy flaunting it
• poor people are VERY poor
• fashion is cool but everyone cares too much i think
• people ride their bicycles (awesome) but the funny thing is they look like they could just hop off their bike, flip their hair back and walk onto a magazine photo shoot... in Calgary biking requires helmets and spandex. here, high heels, jewelry and a big stylish satchel are encouraged.
  
• it kind of stinks all the time
• lots of people smoke, ick

Okay. Thank you for indulging in my rant. Let's just say that being here makes me appreciate the clean air and smiles that when I see them, in, say, Perth, Ottawa, Calgary, or Nova Scotia...

Anyway. The thing about Toronto is that some of my dearest friends are here, so I can't stay mad at the city for very long. It's been lovely sharing Johanna's new big bed and playing with her roommate's dog Sophie, even if she does pee on me - I must just be so exciting to be around...! I've bought a new camera and once I download the pictures I'll put some up. I had a fantastic dinner with Jessie at her new home (CONGRATS AGAIN JESSIE!) and met her elusive fiancé finally! Michael and I went to the ROM yesterday and even though we didn't get to go in the new crystal wing I did get to dress up like a knight with chainmail and everything! There is documentation of this, I promise.

I also finally got my passport, too. With my VISA! Eeps. This is really happening. This is really too goddamn exciting! Okay, I have to go, I think I have overstayed my welcome at the free Internet breakfast place. Mmmmmm breakfast. Most important meal of the day!

xoxox