Solitude

I'm on a school overnight trip to Queen's University and today I had some time to explore on my own. The last time I was in Kingston, Ontario was with E on our 1-year anniversary, which was almost 4 years ago! This trip is so very different: I'm staying in a dorm room, I'm here for work, and I don't know a single other adult here!

My day started out a bit soggy at first. The rain started just as I was making my way out the door. Good thing I had an umbrella!

I've been carrying a lot of tension in my neck and back lately and E has been pushing me to get a massage. How fitting was it that the first place I passed was a spa? I settled in for an hour of relaxation at the hands of a fantastic RMT. Luckily, once I emerged from bliss the rain had stopped.

After that, I walked along Princess Street to Starbucks for an extra-hot coffee misto . . . YUM! I trekked down to the Lake [Ontario], popping in and out of adorably quaint shops and boutiques. The sun even came out and warmed me up [but also made my hair a frizzy mess!].

don't fall in!

frizzy self-portrait

holiday inn by the water

After a few hours, I thought it'd be best that I head back as the forecast is calling for severe thunderstorms this evening. I didn't really think I could have such a lovely day on my own in a town I knew nothing about, but it turned out grand.

minibux: mocha coconut frap, verdict? delish! [minus the whipped cream.]

best seat in the house

Do you like to explore on your own?

old stone and academia seem to always go hand-in-hand

luxuriously fragrant lilacs

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May 2-4

I've been neglecting this blog for sometime now. The only excuse I have is that things are a bit crazy around these parts and changes are happening, but they are taking a toll on me. Oh, and I've been spending every waking minute with my Kobo. I'm hoping to get back into the rhythm of things [blogging, exercising, etc] before report card season hits me full-swing! In the meantime, a few snaps of my guy, whose energy is boundless.

puddle jumper caught mid-flight

can't get enough of ravi aunty's luscious green

cuddling in the morning's rays while watching nemo, our newest obession.

balancing like a *graceful* swan [who, by the way, were taller than indy!]

This past weekend was Victoria Day here in Canada, aka a long weekend. We spent so much time outdoors, trying to make up for the lack of vitamin D the week before with all the rain. Indio took full advantage of the sunshine.

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This moment . . .

Inspired by Amanda Soule - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

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To all the mothers in the world:

Wishing you a fabulous day!

I'm lucky because not only do I have the most fabulous mom, I also have a wonderful mother-in-law.

my mom with me on a trip to india

my mother-in-law with e in guyana

And the icing on the cake: celebrating Mother's Day with my own son who spoiled me rotten [with help from his papa]!

me and my babe in new york

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Well Fed Cinco de Mayo: Rebozos

My love of Mexican food has not been fulfilled since we moved to Toronto.

In NYC, I was spoiled with the plenitude of restaurants serving delicious, authentic, affordable Mexican cuisine, but up north, my luck hasn't been as great. Sure, there are Mexican restaurants here, but definitely not as many as in NY. And authenticity is hard to come by because apparently just adding avocado to a dish seems to make it "Latin American."

E grew up eating authentic Mexican food made by his Mexican-American mother, so he is an even bigger critic than I am!

In honour of Cinco de Mayo, we set out to finally try Rebozos, a local restaurant that began in the owners' living room. Apparently not much has changed as the owners still live in the house the eatery is in, except that now Rebozos has expanded further into their living space.
We ordered chicken enchiladas verde [E], a chicken quesadilla [Indio], and a chorizo burrito [me]. The chef made a mistake and made a chicken burrito, so he threw in a chorizo taco alongside it.
Everything was delicious! Indy ate the insides of his quesadilla with gusto and asked for more. E said this was the closest we've come to finding food like we had in Mexico on our 2004 trip. And I was very happy and very full after my hearty burrito! The only thing missing was a margarita!

Rebozos is a must try for anyone looking for authentic Mexican cuisine in Toronto. We'll definitely be going back!

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Rituals: AM vs. PM

creating a math test for my class while drinking a grande extra-hot low-foam lactaid bold misto with two pumps vanilla . . . kept warm by alicia's cozy.

winding down at the end of the day with tetley tea and a piece of birthday chocolate . . . thanks, p!

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A boy's-eye view

As Indio gets older, our visits to his birth city become more of an adventure for him [and me, trying to keep him busy!]. I try to think of new and exciting things to do with Indy, who is at an age where he's curious about everything but has the attention span of a, well, a 2-yr old.

We took a customary subway trip along the A line from Indy's grandfather's place towards Far Rockaway. The train travels above ground in this segment and goes through the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and along the ocean, so there's lots to see. Not surprisingly, Indio was just as intrigued with the workmen repairing the tracks as he was the Atlantic.

here comes the A train!

playing footsies on the train

Indio's current obsession with all things transportation meant a visit to the NY Transit Museum was in order. We met up with Julie, Jonas and twins, Jesse and Miles for a morning of exploring buses, trains "from the olden days" and enough turnstiles to make you dizzy.

don't let the pigeon [or toddler] drive the bus!
supervising an oil change at the mechanic

A trip to NY always includes a visit with Alicia, Monty, Dulce and puppeteer extraordinaire, Kirsten. And much to Indy's delight, our night was filled with children's songs, complete with actions!

there was a great big moose . . .

Of course, Indio wouldn't leave all the picture-taking to me. This boy has an eye.

indy showing off his shutterbug skills to me and louly

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While the humans are away . . .

. . . the pup will play!
Cassius enjoyed the Easter weekend with a *treat hunt* at Parker Pet Care, our go-to boarder in Toronto. The staff treat Cash like royalty and he returns the love through wet doggy kisses and peeing on their floor every time we drop him off.

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Well Fed: Brooklyn

I know I've been MIA for a bit, but I finally found a moment to sit and catch you all up on our most recent trip to NYC.

Whenever I return to New York my trip seems to centre around food . . . delicious food. This trip was certainly no different!

My first stop wasn't actually in Brooklyn. After an overnight drive through torrential downpour I met up with my cousins who were stopping in Manhattan for the night for a piece of Crack Pie from Momofuku. And yes, it is every bit deserving of its moniker because it's that good. Bonus: it was served alongside a cup of Stumptown java.
Back in Brooklyn later in the week, we enjoyed dinner at Bocca Lupo in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. The evening began with an aperitif of Tequila with fresh strawberry, basil and balsamic vinegar. YUM!

My final night in Brooklyn I met up with Sophia for a delicious meal at Iron Chef in Brooklyn Heights.

new york, crazy couple and hardrock rolls

We walked through DUMBO before heading back to the 'Heights for some Crumbs cupcakes: Raspberry Swirl and Baba Booey, aka heaven in the form of peanut butter and chocolate!

bklyn bffs

love

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