Pictures from the Rock

As you know from my last (brief) post, D and I went to St. John's, Newfoundland for New Year's! I have wanted to travel throughout Canada all my life and Newfoundland specifically over the past couple of years. My interest in Newfoundland was largely sparked by Wayne Johnston's memoir, Baltimore's Mansion. You should read this book.

So here are some shots from the trip:


I think this photograph speaks for itself.


The cold and endless North Atlantic. As one man we met described it, "Next stop: Ireland." This was taken from Signal Hill.


St. John's, as seen from atop Signal Hill.


This is Cabot Tower, built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's landing in Newfoundland. This event also coincided with Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.


Funny and informative sign on the hill.


Wonderful, colourful homes, commonly found in the Maritime provinces. I think the colours are great and they really make the city feel more upbeat.

We actually didn't take too many pictures. Most of the shots are from Signal Hill, which was definitely one the best parts of our trip.

I have nothing even slightly negative to say about St. John's. I thought the city was very pretty, the people were incredibly nice, the food was good (and fishy!) and there is lot to see and do. The only tiny downside was the season, not to be confused with the weather. The weather was actually much better than it was in Toronto while we there. However, because of the holiday season and since living so close to the ocean makes the weather unpredictable, a lot things were closed while we there, like Cabot's Tower, The Bookery and the whale watching boats. But none of that is St. John's fault.

Next time we visit, we'll just have to make sure it's summertime.

Future and Past

Hello, how was your Christmas?

I'm ever so slowly typing this post on my new iPod Touch. So strange.

Especially since I'm in the oldest city in North America. That's right. D and I are in Newfoundland.

More to come on our adventures!

What a bright time

When I came home this morning, I found this taped to my door:



Our friend Lindsey made us this sweet little card to wish us a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It's cards and gestures like this that I love the most about Christmas. When I was little it was always the act of making things at Christmas that I liked the best. Making food, making gifts & cards, decorating the tree, wrapping presents...making magic. These are the reasons that Christmas feels magical and special. And I think we often forget that.

A String of Pearls

When I listen to Glenn Miller, I think of my grandfather. When I think of my grandfather, I think of the sound of his voice, the easy way he walked and the things he loved. One of these things was Glenn Miller. He also loved golf, really good scotch and my grandmother.

I think about all of these things, but now, more than ever, I think about the kind of person I want to be when I think about Grandpa.

Listening to Glenn Miller and thinking about Grandpa keeps me going in the right direction, especially on the days when I think I may have started to stray too far away from the woman I want to keep becoming.

Game. Set. Match. Point. Game Over. End of Game.

I was shut down in a similar fashion earlier today while freezing my ass off and waiting for an elevator.

Man: You know you shouldn't be dressed like that in this weather.
Me: I know.
Man: At least you're not working outside.
Me: I have boots, they're upstairs! I just didn't put them on.
Man: You're only human.

(I'm wearing a skirt today with flats. I'm about to put my boots on and go home.)

Home

Go home and watch Planet Earth right now.


And if you've already seen it, watch Blue Planet.


And if you've already seen them both, then I have nothing else to say to you...except this:

I think Planet Earth and Blue Planet are the most important films of our time.

In Good Company

I give you John Milton:

And Judi Dench: