Read on recommendation.
The Jade Peony, by Wayson Choy
This book started off pretty slow. I was a little turned off by the fact that the characters spoke Cantonese as opposed to Mandarin, so I wasn't always sure what they were saying, but the translations helped for sure. I didn't like that when I sounded out the phonetic spellings of the Chinese in my head, it didn't sound like words that I new, but as soon as I read on a bit and saw the translation, for the most part, I could go back and give the Chinese a Cantonese slant (or at least what I thought was Cantonese) and could often understand it. For the phrases that weren't translated, I couldn't always figure out what they were saying, which was a little annoying to me, but I figured that most people reading this book don't know Cantonese so it shouldn't be a roadblock that I don't understand everything that was being said. I think the fact that it was three little stories threw me off. In term of, "what's the point of the book as a whole?". After awhile, I just accepted that I was reading words, and experiences of three different people, and that their stories didn't HAVE to relate to one another. The first two stories weren't bad (once I got into it), but the third, I thought was a little dull. I had to flip through the last one a little bit. Especially at the very end. I guess I could relate (or at least understand) the cultural issues that were talked about, so that was nice.
In the end, this book wasn't horrible, yet another OK book. The fact that it ended on such a low note can't be a good thing.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
The Da Vinci Code
After hearing way too many rave reviews about this book, I decided that this might be a good book to start my venture into the "literary world".
This by no means will be an extensive book review, nor will it be a spoiler for those who haven't read the book, it's just a forum for me to rant a bit, and hopefully encourage me to continue to read.
The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown
It was OK. I admit that I had a difficult time putting it down. I liking the fact that the chapters were so short, because in my short reading blocks on the bus, I felt like I was accomplishing something by finishing one or two chapters in such a short amount of time. I did have to flip back every so often to remind myself what had happened in the previous few pages. It started off pretty good. I wasn't into the whole plot of it. I wanted to know what was going to happen. The middle-->end though started to get a little boring for me. It was all the religious talk I think. I just didn't find it really interesting. It seemed more like a history lesson, and I wasn't a fan. I did flip forward a couple pages every so often, because it was just too boring, and I wanted to get into the plot part of the story. I was hoping the fact that it was set in Paris (and surrounding area), it'd be more interesting, because I'd know of some of the places that are mentioned in the book, and it's true, that did help a bit (I was imagining the characters going from place to place - well actually Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou going from place to place - can someone outside of the Neuch bubble confirm that this is true?), and maybe next time I'm in Paris, I'll look more carefully for some of the places mentioned. The "codes" were pretty cool I guess. I was hoping that there would be more of them.
In the end, I gotta say that this book started off strong, but towards the end, I just got bored of it. Even though I couldn't put it down, as I was reading, I was hoping that something great/exciting would happen, but it never did.
This by no means will be an extensive book review, nor will it be a spoiler for those who haven't read the book, it's just a forum for me to rant a bit, and hopefully encourage me to continue to read.
The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown
It was OK. I admit that I had a difficult time putting it down. I liking the fact that the chapters were so short, because in my short reading blocks on the bus, I felt like I was accomplishing something by finishing one or two chapters in such a short amount of time. I did have to flip back every so often to remind myself what had happened in the previous few pages. It started off pretty good. I wasn't into the whole plot of it. I wanted to know what was going to happen. The middle-->end though started to get a little boring for me. It was all the religious talk I think. I just didn't find it really interesting. It seemed more like a history lesson, and I wasn't a fan. I did flip forward a couple pages every so often, because it was just too boring, and I wanted to get into the plot part of the story. I was hoping the fact that it was set in Paris (and surrounding area), it'd be more interesting, because I'd know of some of the places that are mentioned in the book, and it's true, that did help a bit (I was imagining the characters going from place to place - well actually Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou going from place to place - can someone outside of the Neuch bubble confirm that this is true?), and maybe next time I'm in Paris, I'll look more carefully for some of the places mentioned. The "codes" were pretty cool I guess. I was hoping that there would be more of them.
In the end, I gotta say that this book started off strong, but towards the end, I just got bored of it. Even though I couldn't put it down, as I was reading, I was hoping that something great/exciting would happen, but it never did.
Reading
I've mentioned it before: I don't read.
I don't what it is, but I've never really been good at it. I find it really hard to walk into a bookstore or library and just pick up a fiction book and start reading. There's so many, so how do you know which one to pick up?
I usually try to read books that I know a lot of people have read. I figure if a lot of other people have read it, it can't be that bad. I think it just takes a lot for me to actually get started. Once I start reading though, I'm pretty good. The action of reading isn't horrible. And I do often find that if I'm reading a good book, I want to finish it right away.
People have asked me what kinds of books I like to read, so that they can give suggestions of what I might like, but I really don't know what it is that I like about a book, or what "genre" it is that I enjoy. I do know that I usually don't read books and look for deeper meanings (hence my dismal results in English courses).
I'm making an attempt to read more, because I know that it's good for you...and I'm game for anything that will make me a better person.
One problem that I've faced is that I often don't have time to sit down for a substantial period of time to read (or at least I haven't made time for it, or when I have time, I don't think of reading as how I should fill it). I've often tried to read on the bus or subway (thank you summer ROM jobs and RCM courses!), but what I've found it that I'll read a couple pages or whatever, but then when I return back to my book, I've forgotten what I've read and either get frustrated, or else I have to flip back (I hate to backtrack in life) far enough that I never seem to actually make any progress.
I tried a little bit in the summer, and it worked out quite well. I read the first two Harry Potter's (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) and The Devil Wears Prada. All three were enjoyable. I also read Life of Pi, but didn't enjoy it as much (the bulk of the story was fine, but the end was blah...I felt confused after finishing the last page.)
I've consistently read John Grisham's lawyer books. It all started with an aunt giving my brother The Rainmaker, which I boldly started to read, and enjoyed, and since then, I've been able to make myself read all of his law-ish books.
I wanted to continue this venture, but I was worried that, well, once here, all the books would be in French, although my language skills aren't completely horrible, it's just not what I wanted. Sure, they have English books in stores, but I'm not a book buyer. I really don't find books a worthy investment. Similar to magazines, I don't see the point of spending money on them, because once you're done reading them, your done. If you read it again in the future, you know what's going to happen, or what it's about, so what's the point?
[Note: I'm only really talking fiction books here.]
Luckily for me, there are three special people here who have a plethora of books, and are so well read that I should be fine. Thank goodness for them.
Hopefully with this latest attempt, not only will I learn to fit reading into my everyday life, but I'll also be able to figure out what kind of books exactly do I enjoy. Thoughts, suggestions and opinions are always welcome.
I don't what it is, but I've never really been good at it. I find it really hard to walk into a bookstore or library and just pick up a fiction book and start reading. There's so many, so how do you know which one to pick up?
I usually try to read books that I know a lot of people have read. I figure if a lot of other people have read it, it can't be that bad. I think it just takes a lot for me to actually get started. Once I start reading though, I'm pretty good. The action of reading isn't horrible. And I do often find that if I'm reading a good book, I want to finish it right away.
People have asked me what kinds of books I like to read, so that they can give suggestions of what I might like, but I really don't know what it is that I like about a book, or what "genre" it is that I enjoy. I do know that I usually don't read books and look for deeper meanings (hence my dismal results in English courses).
I'm making an attempt to read more, because I know that it's good for you...and I'm game for anything that will make me a better person.
One problem that I've faced is that I often don't have time to sit down for a substantial period of time to read (or at least I haven't made time for it, or when I have time, I don't think of reading as how I should fill it). I've often tried to read on the bus or subway (thank you summer ROM jobs and RCM courses!), but what I've found it that I'll read a couple pages or whatever, but then when I return back to my book, I've forgotten what I've read and either get frustrated, or else I have to flip back (I hate to backtrack in life) far enough that I never seem to actually make any progress.
I tried a little bit in the summer, and it worked out quite well. I read the first two Harry Potter's (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) and The Devil Wears Prada. All three were enjoyable. I also read Life of Pi, but didn't enjoy it as much (the bulk of the story was fine, but the end was blah...I felt confused after finishing the last page.)
I've consistently read John Grisham's lawyer books. It all started with an aunt giving my brother The Rainmaker, which I boldly started to read, and enjoyed, and since then, I've been able to make myself read all of his law-ish books.
I wanted to continue this venture, but I was worried that, well, once here, all the books would be in French, although my language skills aren't completely horrible, it's just not what I wanted. Sure, they have English books in stores, but I'm not a book buyer. I really don't find books a worthy investment. Similar to magazines, I don't see the point of spending money on them, because once you're done reading them, your done. If you read it again in the future, you know what's going to happen, or what it's about, so what's the point?
[Note: I'm only really talking fiction books here.]
Luckily for me, there are three special people here who have a plethora of books, and are so well read that I should be fine. Thank goodness for them.
Hopefully with this latest attempt, not only will I learn to fit reading into my everyday life, but I'll also be able to figure out what kind of books exactly do I enjoy. Thoughts, suggestions and opinions are always welcome.
What do I miss?
Lately, I've been wondering if there's anything that I really miss about home. Sure, the friends and family thing is obvious, but what about the other random stuff?
I've got some people coming to visit that keep asking me what it is that I miss most, that they can bring for me, and I'm drawing blanks.
Keep in mind, that I'm fully stocked up with canned/dried Chinese food items and maple syrup.
I'm really trying hard to think of stuff, but it's not working out too well. Is there really nothing so Canadian, that I can't think of something to add to my list?
The above is a little misleading. I mean, I DO miss stuff, but it seems that everything that I miss can't really be packed up in a suitcase and brought over for me.
Any suggestions of things that I might be forgetting about? (Maybe I haven't seen the stuff in 6 months, so I don't even remember that it exists.)
Let's see: (in no particular order)
1. White hot chocolates from Second Cup. "Skim milk, no whip". Especially from the location across from the ROM. (Yes, I know that they have the mix, but it's just not the same.)
2. Club Monaco/Caban
3. Bloor St.
4. That special tofu/fish dish from Sang Ho on Dundas
5. Mom's "sour and spicy" fish dish
6. Seafood in general (well, except for moules...I've had plenty of that)
7. Tofu
8. Skating at the Galaxy
9. Judging
10. Driving
I've got some people coming to visit that keep asking me what it is that I miss most, that they can bring for me, and I'm drawing blanks.
Keep in mind, that I'm fully stocked up with canned/dried Chinese food items and maple syrup.
I'm really trying hard to think of stuff, but it's not working out too well. Is there really nothing so Canadian, that I can't think of something to add to my list?
The above is a little misleading. I mean, I DO miss stuff, but it seems that everything that I miss can't really be packed up in a suitcase and brought over for me.
Any suggestions of things that I might be forgetting about? (Maybe I haven't seen the stuff in 6 months, so I don't even remember that it exists.)
Let's see: (in no particular order)
1. White hot chocolates from Second Cup. "Skim milk, no whip". Especially from the location across from the ROM. (Yes, I know that they have the mix, but it's just not the same.)
2. Club Monaco/Caban
3. Bloor St.
4. That special tofu/fish dish from Sang Ho on Dundas
5. Mom's "sour and spicy" fish dish
6. Seafood in general (well, except for moules...I've had plenty of that)
7. Tofu
8. Skating at the Galaxy
9. Judging
10. Driving
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
I think I've fallen in love...
This past weekend we went skiing in the alps again. I go into the ski shop to get some gear and I see a guy with nice eyes, so I take a risk.
...
...
No no no, don't get your hopes up. My risk was to ask him about renting "short skis". Not quite "snowblades" (I don't think the store had them), but actually, short parabolic skis. They went up to my waist. I didn't really care what he gave me, I just told him I wanted to try something a little different, perhaps those "short" thingies that I'd seen other people wearing, so he gave me the short skis.
I'd heard about snowblades when they came out, oh, I don't know, back when I skied (so over 9 years ago). I'd seen people with them on in Canada, and someone had mentioned that I might enjoy them, because they provide a feeling similar to skating.
Anyway, so I'm ready to try something new. Sans poles, of course. I asked him about how they'd feel, would I be falling all over the place or what. He said, yes it's different, so I might have difficulty. I started to get a little worried that I wouldn't have fun with them, because the whole day, I'd just be re-learning how to ski.
The first bonus: Easy to carry! I've never been adept are carrying poles, and skis, so this was fabulous. I didn't have poles, and now I had tiny, light things to carry instead. It was great!
Once we got up the gondola, I put them on, and immediately I felt at ease! It was easier to "skate", I didn't have those stupid poles tying up my hands. I felt free!
When we were skiing, I had such a great time! I could go faster (and I wasn't scared to go faster for some reason), turns were easier, I loved the fact that I had my hands free. I felt like I was hopping back and forth more. It was just SO easy.
I'm sure I probably looked like my arms were flailing about, but I really felt in control the whole time.
The guy in the shop was right, they ARE skis to "play" with. I don't know why/how/what made them more "playful", but I really did feel like I was playing instead of just plain, boring, old, regular skiing.
I tried turning, and skiing backwards for a bit, but I think I need to try a little bit more next time.
I think I want to try the real Salomon snowblades sometime, because apparently they're more "playful", because both ends are turned up, making it even easier to do spins and stuff, but I've also been told that they're softer, and for "real skiing", they're just too shaky.
I forgot to mention that one of the reasons that I wanted to try these skis out, was because I'm considering investing in some sort of ski equipment. I wasn't sure if it would be worth it for me (I don't ski very often), also I'm still hoping that the art of snowboarding will miraculously appear in my muscle memory (I've tried twice, and I'm getting just a little frustrated). On top of that, I'm lazy, and don't feel like carrying around all the skiing stuff. Hence the short skis. I remember seeing people hop on the train wearing their boots and just carrying the skis. So convenient. So fun. They're still a trend, and like I've experienced, they really are more fun! Who knows...another potential money spending venture in the works!
...
...
No no no, don't get your hopes up. My risk was to ask him about renting "short skis". Not quite "snowblades" (I don't think the store had them), but actually, short parabolic skis. They went up to my waist. I didn't really care what he gave me, I just told him I wanted to try something a little different, perhaps those "short" thingies that I'd seen other people wearing, so he gave me the short skis.
I'd heard about snowblades when they came out, oh, I don't know, back when I skied (so over 9 years ago). I'd seen people with them on in Canada, and someone had mentioned that I might enjoy them, because they provide a feeling similar to skating.
Anyway, so I'm ready to try something new. Sans poles, of course. I asked him about how they'd feel, would I be falling all over the place or what. He said, yes it's different, so I might have difficulty. I started to get a little worried that I wouldn't have fun with them, because the whole day, I'd just be re-learning how to ski.
The first bonus: Easy to carry! I've never been adept are carrying poles, and skis, so this was fabulous. I didn't have poles, and now I had tiny, light things to carry instead. It was great!
Once we got up the gondola, I put them on, and immediately I felt at ease! It was easier to "skate", I didn't have those stupid poles tying up my hands. I felt free!
When we were skiing, I had such a great time! I could go faster (and I wasn't scared to go faster for some reason), turns were easier, I loved the fact that I had my hands free. I felt like I was hopping back and forth more. It was just SO easy.
I'm sure I probably looked like my arms were flailing about, but I really felt in control the whole time.
The guy in the shop was right, they ARE skis to "play" with. I don't know why/how/what made them more "playful", but I really did feel like I was playing instead of just plain, boring, old, regular skiing.
I tried turning, and skiing backwards for a bit, but I think I need to try a little bit more next time.
I think I want to try the real Salomon snowblades sometime, because apparently they're more "playful", because both ends are turned up, making it even easier to do spins and stuff, but I've also been told that they're softer, and for "real skiing", they're just too shaky.
I forgot to mention that one of the reasons that I wanted to try these skis out, was because I'm considering investing in some sort of ski equipment. I wasn't sure if it would be worth it for me (I don't ski very often), also I'm still hoping that the art of snowboarding will miraculously appear in my muscle memory (I've tried twice, and I'm getting just a little frustrated). On top of that, I'm lazy, and don't feel like carrying around all the skiing stuff. Hence the short skis. I remember seeing people hop on the train wearing their boots and just carrying the skis. So convenient. So fun. They're still a trend, and like I've experienced, they really are more fun! Who knows...another potential money spending venture in the works!
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
I should have listened to my gut instincts
Before arriving, I thought that it would be wise to not try Chinese cuisine while here in Neuch (and Europe in general). I wasn't sure how real the food would be (I don't think I could have dealt with chicken balls and radioactive-red sweet and sour sauce), and well, my expectations would just be too high, no matter how good the food really was.
One night a couple weeks ago, a friend really wanted Chinese, so I gave in. I thought, might as well try it, because who knows?
So we went to a restaurant that was authentically decorated, and had a little worship/prayer/shrine thingy in the corner. We spoke French to the host, but I could hear Mandarin coming from the kitchen. Very well spoken Mandarin, with perfect accents.
The chopsticks were wooden, you know, the ones you have to break apart, but they were resting neatly on chopstick holders.
The menu was in French and Chinese. The prices were VERY expensive, but I'm told that Asian cuisine in Europe is still quite a novelty.
We decide on a couple dishes, and I looked at the appetizers to see if something caught my eye. Maybe a soup. I see "Pekinese Soup" (I think that's what was written), and notice that it's supposed to be spicy (the wheels are turning). I wonder if it's "sour and spicy soup", but don't really know what the French equivalent or the real English equivalent of the name is. So I asked the waiter in Chinese, and he says yes. Success! I would have also liked to get a tofu dish (I've been craving tofu recently), but my friend wasn't up for it.
The soup arrived, and I am happy to report that it was fabulous! I REALLY REALLY liked it! (And I'm quite the connoisseur of "sour and spicy soup" if I do say so myself.) It even had "black wood fungus" in it (no pieces of tofu though).
We'd ordered a random mixed mushroom and vegetable dish as well as a duck dish (along with white rice of course). I was EXTREMELY disappointed. The plates were tiny, and it was just a mixture of chopped up stuff. Your generic stir fry in sauce. How disappointing (especially given the cost).
Oh well, at least there was that soup. I'd go back to the restaurant and just order the soup (but nothing else...after this experience, I don't think I'd want to try anything else).
That's just the first experience. (You would have thought the first one would have clued me in.
Round 2:
Setting: New Year's Eve (this was asking for trouble)
I figure, it's New Year's Eve, I should probably go out and have a really good meal. Asian if possible. So I decide to go out with a couple friends for dinner at a local establishment (different from the first) that has apparently been featured in tourist brochures/guides/what have you.
The whole experience didn't start well. I mean, to get to the restaurant, you had to walk through a pub. It was 6:30pm, and the restaurant wasn't even open yet. In fact, we ran into the owner, who was hanging out in the pub. He said to come back in half an hour. A little annoying, but it's Europe, and they eat a little later here, so fine, we'll come back.
We return at 7:30ish or so, and in the pub, are greeted by another person. She asks if we don't mind having our dinner in the pub. Same food, but different locale. Is she kidding?!? It's New Year's. I don't want to be eating the best meal of the year in a smokey, loud, football on the TV pub. We say no, we want to eat upstairs (looking back, I can't believe we played along, and didn't get the hint that this was a sign of things to come). We follow our disgusted hostess upstairs, and (surprise surprise), we're the only patrons. Still, it's well decorated and they're playing ethnic music in the background. We sit down, look at the even-more-than-the-first-restaurant overpriced menu, which really didn't have too many options, and try to decide what we want. Every two seconds, the hostess/waitress comes over to ask if we're ready, if we really do want to eat, what we want to eat, what kind of food we want to eat, etc etc. (I'm a little ticked off by this point, but it's New Year's Eve, so I stick in there.) After awhile, we order a couple dishes and relax/chat for awhile.
The food comes, and while the appetizer was ok and the smell and sizzle of the hot plate dish was fabulous, the rest was...well...not.
Suffice it to say, it made me wish I was in Toronto, having a good meal at home. (No, not homesick, but sad.)
This restaurant did not receive a tip that night. They didn't deserve one, and their food was WAY too overpriced to begin with. I'm embarrassed at how much I paid for a meal I didn't enjoy.
The moral of the story: I'm NOT going to eat Chinese food in Europe. I will refuse.
One night a couple weeks ago, a friend really wanted Chinese, so I gave in. I thought, might as well try it, because who knows?
So we went to a restaurant that was authentically decorated, and had a little worship/prayer/shrine thingy in the corner. We spoke French to the host, but I could hear Mandarin coming from the kitchen. Very well spoken Mandarin, with perfect accents.
The chopsticks were wooden, you know, the ones you have to break apart, but they were resting neatly on chopstick holders.
The menu was in French and Chinese. The prices were VERY expensive, but I'm told that Asian cuisine in Europe is still quite a novelty.
We decide on a couple dishes, and I looked at the appetizers to see if something caught my eye. Maybe a soup. I see "Pekinese Soup" (I think that's what was written), and notice that it's supposed to be spicy (the wheels are turning). I wonder if it's "sour and spicy soup", but don't really know what the French equivalent or the real English equivalent of the name is. So I asked the waiter in Chinese, and he says yes. Success! I would have also liked to get a tofu dish (I've been craving tofu recently), but my friend wasn't up for it.
The soup arrived, and I am happy to report that it was fabulous! I REALLY REALLY liked it! (And I'm quite the connoisseur of "sour and spicy soup" if I do say so myself.) It even had "black wood fungus" in it (no pieces of tofu though).
We'd ordered a random mixed mushroom and vegetable dish as well as a duck dish (along with white rice of course). I was EXTREMELY disappointed. The plates were tiny, and it was just a mixture of chopped up stuff. Your generic stir fry in sauce. How disappointing (especially given the cost).
Oh well, at least there was that soup. I'd go back to the restaurant and just order the soup (but nothing else...after this experience, I don't think I'd want to try anything else).
That's just the first experience. (You would have thought the first one would have clued me in.
Round 2:
Setting: New Year's Eve (this was asking for trouble)
I figure, it's New Year's Eve, I should probably go out and have a really good meal. Asian if possible. So I decide to go out with a couple friends for dinner at a local establishment (different from the first) that has apparently been featured in tourist brochures/guides/what have you.
The whole experience didn't start well. I mean, to get to the restaurant, you had to walk through a pub. It was 6:30pm, and the restaurant wasn't even open yet. In fact, we ran into the owner, who was hanging out in the pub. He said to come back in half an hour. A little annoying, but it's Europe, and they eat a little later here, so fine, we'll come back.
We return at 7:30ish or so, and in the pub, are greeted by another person. She asks if we don't mind having our dinner in the pub. Same food, but different locale. Is she kidding?!? It's New Year's. I don't want to be eating the best meal of the year in a smokey, loud, football on the TV pub. We say no, we want to eat upstairs (looking back, I can't believe we played along, and didn't get the hint that this was a sign of things to come). We follow our disgusted hostess upstairs, and (surprise surprise), we're the only patrons. Still, it's well decorated and they're playing ethnic music in the background. We sit down, look at the even-more-than-the-first-restaurant overpriced menu, which really didn't have too many options, and try to decide what we want. Every two seconds, the hostess/waitress comes over to ask if we're ready, if we really do want to eat, what we want to eat, what kind of food we want to eat, etc etc. (I'm a little ticked off by this point, but it's New Year's Eve, so I stick in there.) After awhile, we order a couple dishes and relax/chat for awhile.
The food comes, and while the appetizer was ok and the smell and sizzle of the hot plate dish was fabulous, the rest was...well...not.
Suffice it to say, it made me wish I was in Toronto, having a good meal at home. (No, not homesick, but sad.)
This restaurant did not receive a tip that night. They didn't deserve one, and their food was WAY too overpriced to begin with. I'm embarrassed at how much I paid for a meal I didn't enjoy.
The moral of the story: I'm NOT going to eat Chinese food in Europe. I will refuse.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Happy Valentine's Day!
I never really understood why this day's so special, and that statement's not coming out of bitterness or anything. I'm a very happy young lady.
It really is, just like any other day. I think the same about all holidays...they're just like all the other days in the year! I never really understood the fuss (although, as I've mentioned time and time again, I quite enjoy the lights, glitter and glam of Christmas).
I did find it funny though that this evening, the flower shop at the gare had the longest line I'd ever seen. It contained only men.
Fresh cut flowers ARE pretty special.
It really is, just like any other day. I think the same about all holidays...they're just like all the other days in the year! I never really understood the fuss (although, as I've mentioned time and time again, I quite enjoy the lights, glitter and glam of Christmas).
I did find it funny though that this evening, the flower shop at the gare had the longest line I'd ever seen. It contained only men.
Fresh cut flowers ARE pretty special.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Vienna (finally)
I haven't written about my trip to Vienna over the winter holidays yet. It wasn't intentional, it just happened that way.
Vienna was wonderful. Another grand European city, complete with the necessary components that each European city must have:
1. A castle
2. A big church
3. A pedestrian street
4. A market
5. An open square
6. A LOT of museums
We visited Schonbrun castle, which was a knock-off of Versailles. Having been to the original, needless to say, I wasn't too impressed. I feel in my time in Europe, I've seen enough castles, that, well, quite frankly, they're getting a little boring. You would have thought that someone who loves sparkly and ornate things (along with "dream homes" - I used to love going to the Home Show and wish I had the perfectly decorated mansion) would love the glitz and glam of castles, but they just don't do anything for me.
Our hotel was really close to both the cathedral and the pedestrian street. I really love the hustle and bustle of big cities, and since we visited Vienna during the holidays, the streets were PACKED. I got that great feeling of being anonymous, walking down Yonge/Bloor Sts. I just feel FABulous strutting down the street knowing full well that no one cares about/is looking at me. I wouldn't change a thing.
Who knew? Vienna has some great shopping. And dare I say that people in Vienna were better dressed than in Milan?!? Perhaps too bold of a statement, but there were some really posh looking people. Fur coats were in full effect. Stilettos and uberchicness too.
We didn't visit any museums (except for the castle) during the trip. It wasn't a way that I wanted to spend my holiday. I didn't mind walking around and looking at the architecture and impressiveness of all of the buildings/structures/monuments/statues, but I wasn't prepared to read too much about them, or do the "educational" thing. I like when people tell me stories (so tours are okay), but my disliking of reading is too strong.
When we were there, we noticed a lot of pig figurines, candies and toys. We couldn't figure out why...I was pretty sure that the pig wasn't the symbol of Vienna, but we found it odd that they were EVERYWHERE. A previous post explains that they symbolize good luck, and the abundance of them made sense because we were there around New Year's.
Being the ultimate tourist (I think it's more the musician in me), I wanted to find the Danube and go to a concert. I have many snaps of me trying to touch the famed river, and we paid big bucks to listen to a bunch of Strauss, Lehar, etc. I was actually impressed at the programme, because it only had 2 overplayed pieces. Soon I understood. I think there were more encores than pieces in the programme itself, but at least it made for a super fun concert. It really wouldn't have been complete without the most famous pieces. It was kinda fun because the conductor sometimes played along with the orchestra on his violin. It was a bit Andre Rieu-ish, but definitely not as tacky. It helped that the musicians weren't dressed in period clothing, although instead of wearing all black like most orchestras that I've seen, there were some pretty ornate evening gowns. Oh, the concert hall was amazing.
Funny thing about my time in Vienna. In German, Vienna is Wien, so it was "Wiener" this, "Wiener" that. I kept getting really confused when I read signs. I could help but think of sausages, hot dogs, or frankfurters. You know, like, what's a wiener symphony? A wiener tour? They take you around and show you different types of wieners? Surely you understand my confusion.
Vienna is also on my list of cities to return to. There a couple things that I'd like to do/see that I didn't get to do/see this time, but no biggie, it's just an overnight train/short plane ride away!
Vienna was wonderful. Another grand European city, complete with the necessary components that each European city must have:
1. A castle
2. A big church
3. A pedestrian street
4. A market
5. An open square
6. A LOT of museums
We visited Schonbrun castle, which was a knock-off of Versailles. Having been to the original, needless to say, I wasn't too impressed. I feel in my time in Europe, I've seen enough castles, that, well, quite frankly, they're getting a little boring. You would have thought that someone who loves sparkly and ornate things (along with "dream homes" - I used to love going to the Home Show and wish I had the perfectly decorated mansion) would love the glitz and glam of castles, but they just don't do anything for me.
Our hotel was really close to both the cathedral and the pedestrian street. I really love the hustle and bustle of big cities, and since we visited Vienna during the holidays, the streets were PACKED. I got that great feeling of being anonymous, walking down Yonge/Bloor Sts. I just feel FABulous strutting down the street knowing full well that no one cares about/is looking at me. I wouldn't change a thing.
Who knew? Vienna has some great shopping. And dare I say that people in Vienna were better dressed than in Milan?!? Perhaps too bold of a statement, but there were some really posh looking people. Fur coats were in full effect. Stilettos and uberchicness too.
We didn't visit any museums (except for the castle) during the trip. It wasn't a way that I wanted to spend my holiday. I didn't mind walking around and looking at the architecture and impressiveness of all of the buildings/structures/monuments/statues, but I wasn't prepared to read too much about them, or do the "educational" thing. I like when people tell me stories (so tours are okay), but my disliking of reading is too strong.
When we were there, we noticed a lot of pig figurines, candies and toys. We couldn't figure out why...I was pretty sure that the pig wasn't the symbol of Vienna, but we found it odd that they were EVERYWHERE. A previous post explains that they symbolize good luck, and the abundance of them made sense because we were there around New Year's.
Being the ultimate tourist (I think it's more the musician in me), I wanted to find the Danube and go to a concert. I have many snaps of me trying to touch the famed river, and we paid big bucks to listen to a bunch of Strauss, Lehar, etc. I was actually impressed at the programme, because it only had 2 overplayed pieces. Soon I understood. I think there were more encores than pieces in the programme itself, but at least it made for a super fun concert. It really wouldn't have been complete without the most famous pieces. It was kinda fun because the conductor sometimes played along with the orchestra on his violin. It was a bit Andre Rieu-ish, but definitely not as tacky. It helped that the musicians weren't dressed in period clothing, although instead of wearing all black like most orchestras that I've seen, there were some pretty ornate evening gowns. Oh, the concert hall was amazing.
Funny thing about my time in Vienna. In German, Vienna is Wien, so it was "Wiener" this, "Wiener" that. I kept getting really confused when I read signs. I could help but think of sausages, hot dogs, or frankfurters. You know, like, what's a wiener symphony? A wiener tour? They take you around and show you different types of wieners? Surely you understand my confusion.
Vienna is also on my list of cities to return to. There a couple things that I'd like to do/see that I didn't get to do/see this time, but no biggie, it's just an overnight train/short plane ride away!
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Ugg(s)
Remember my rant on Uggs?
Well I saw red Uggs. I guess I can use that Dr Suess story afterall.
Darn those Uggs people.
Well I saw red Uggs. I guess I can use that Dr Suess story afterall.
Darn those Uggs people.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Making the most of an experience
Written Saturday, February 05, 2005 @ 10:37pm
I went paragliding. I jumped off a mountain with a parachute (oh, and a man who knew what he was doing). I’ve never done anything like that before, and I loved it. I wasn’t actually scared or nervous (which surprised me). Of course I was really excited to do it. A little running, and we’re off. I actually thought he’d bailed and we were going to try again, because is didn’t seem like we were moving anymore. But then, all of a sudden, I realized that my feet couldn’t touch the ground anymore. I was surprised at what it felt like to be in the air. I felt like I was just hanging there. Not like I was zooming around, falling quickly or anything crazy. I felt like I was hanging there. Hanging in midair. We were only going at approx. 30 km/h. Obviously the view was spectacular. I couldn’t stop smiling. Then we went crazy. Bruno started doing crazy dips. It was such a rush. Like a roller coaster. I didn’t know where to look to focus. I didn’t know where was up. I was screaming out of sheer exhilaration and happiness. It gave you the top and bottom of roller coaster bumps feelings. The weightlessness…the heaviness. We waved at the skiers staring in awe. We waved at the people enjoying a drink on the alps. We swooped towards the slopes. We probably scared the bejeezers out of some of the skiers (especially since it was the bunny hill and they were probably freaked out to begin with). I took video footage. I made some snaps. I had a professional snap taken (complete with squinty eyes, and WAY too big of a smile). We flew over the town. I had my turn at steering. It was over too soon. A soft landing on powdered snow. I MUST do it again.
Some people gave me a strange look when they heard how much it was going to cost me, but I didn’t care. I’m NOT a big spender. Some may call me cheap. But, I look at things a little differently now. I am given opportunities that I may never have again, so perhaps it seems more expensive than is reasonable, but if it’s possible, I’m going to take full advantage of these opportunities and experiences. Hence the purchasing of 2006 Torino tickets (shhh…more details to follow MUCH later…just wanted to give a sneak peak of – fingers crossed – things to come.)
When do I have to wake up?
I went paragliding. I jumped off a mountain with a parachute (oh, and a man who knew what he was doing). I’ve never done anything like that before, and I loved it. I wasn’t actually scared or nervous (which surprised me). Of course I was really excited to do it. A little running, and we’re off. I actually thought he’d bailed and we were going to try again, because is didn’t seem like we were moving anymore. But then, all of a sudden, I realized that my feet couldn’t touch the ground anymore. I was surprised at what it felt like to be in the air. I felt like I was just hanging there. Not like I was zooming around, falling quickly or anything crazy. I felt like I was hanging there. Hanging in midair. We were only going at approx. 30 km/h. Obviously the view was spectacular. I couldn’t stop smiling. Then we went crazy. Bruno started doing crazy dips. It was such a rush. Like a roller coaster. I didn’t know where to look to focus. I didn’t know where was up. I was screaming out of sheer exhilaration and happiness. It gave you the top and bottom of roller coaster bumps feelings. The weightlessness…the heaviness. We waved at the skiers staring in awe. We waved at the people enjoying a drink on the alps. We swooped towards the slopes. We probably scared the bejeezers out of some of the skiers (especially since it was the bunny hill and they were probably freaked out to begin with). I took video footage. I made some snaps. I had a professional snap taken (complete with squinty eyes, and WAY too big of a smile). We flew over the town. I had my turn at steering. It was over too soon. A soft landing on powdered snow. I MUST do it again.
Some people gave me a strange look when they heard how much it was going to cost me, but I didn’t care. I’m NOT a big spender. Some may call me cheap. But, I look at things a little differently now. I am given opportunities that I may never have again, so perhaps it seems more expensive than is reasonable, but if it’s possible, I’m going to take full advantage of these opportunities and experiences. Hence the purchasing of 2006 Torino tickets (shhh…more details to follow MUCH later…just wanted to give a sneak peak of – fingers crossed – things to come.)
When do I have to wake up?
My skiing tidbits
Written Saturday, February 05, 2005 @ 10:29pm
1. It sucks to ski when you can’t make out the texture/consistency of the snow. You have to rely on quick reflexes and skiing skills, because you don’t know when you’re going to hit ice, a bump, powder, etc. You don’t even really know where the ground is and where you can dig into.
2. Skiing in the shade is darn cold. And the sun makes it easier to see the ground.
3. Zermatt doesn’t believe in moguls. They flatten them out if they start to appear.
4. My style of skiing is quick turns as opposed to wide swooping turns. I think it’s the skater in me. I seem to really carve on my turns to slow myself down and gain control. Like I’m digging into the ice.
5. I don’t like to go too fast.
1. It sucks to ski when you can’t make out the texture/consistency of the snow. You have to rely on quick reflexes and skiing skills, because you don’t know when you’re going to hit ice, a bump, powder, etc. You don’t even really know where the ground is and where you can dig into.
2. Skiing in the shade is darn cold. And the sun makes it easier to see the ground.
3. Zermatt doesn’t believe in moguls. They flatten them out if they start to appear.
4. My style of skiing is quick turns as opposed to wide swooping turns. I think it’s the skater in me. I seem to really carve on my turns to slow myself down and gain control. Like I’m digging into the ice.
5. I don’t like to go too fast.
Off piste
Written Saturday, February 05, 2005 @ 10:08pm
When you ski, there are areas that are marked off for you to ski. You know, trails. They usually have poles of some sort as boundaries. For your safety, you’re supposed to stay on the trails. Of course this means that there’s another option. Going “off piste”. This is where you may run into trees, rocks, you know, uncharted territory. Grounds that haven’t been skied on, with fresh snow.
Now, I’m NOT stupid. I’m not going to ski where it’s not safe. Think of it like how at Mount St. Louis/Dagmar/Blue Mountain/Whatever, you go off little bumps, or just off the course. Same kind of thing here. I actually didn’t go to completely uncharted terrain. I only when where I could see tracks (ie. a couple other skiers when there)
Note: I keep writing “skiers”, but of course I also mean snowboarders too.
Off piste means deep powdered snow. Think what you’ve seen on TV/movies where skiers are knee deep in fluffy snow in the middle of completely open terrain.
On one day, we found the perfect off piste area. I felt such a thrill. It’s such a different feeling skiing through that type of snow. On trails, you’ve got pretty much packed down snow, and maybe a top layer, but it’s still pretty hard. Off piste was a feeling that I can’t explain (seems like I’m having a hard time explaining many of my experiences).
It was really fun, but you’ve GOT to be careful when going off piste. You never know what kind of terrain you’re going to get. Trees and rocks can pop out of nowhere. You don’t know how deep the snow is (one off piste experience led me to do a face plant, because there was a huge pothole, but you couldn’t tell with all the snow on top of it, so I just sank into the hole, and kept tipping forward because, well, because the fronts of my skis got stuck and then I tipped forward until the action of face planting fluffy snow – I guess that’s one good thing about off piste-ing. It’s so fluffy that falling doesn’t hurt – but you can lose a ski or pole VERY easily.) Oh yeah, and there’s the whole thing about avalanches. Going off piste could potentially cause avalanches, but that’s if you’re doing some serious off piste-ing.
I feel like a pro now that I’ve off piste-ed. Booyah.
When you ski, there are areas that are marked off for you to ski. You know, trails. They usually have poles of some sort as boundaries. For your safety, you’re supposed to stay on the trails. Of course this means that there’s another option. Going “off piste”. This is where you may run into trees, rocks, you know, uncharted territory. Grounds that haven’t been skied on, with fresh snow.
Now, I’m NOT stupid. I’m not going to ski where it’s not safe. Think of it like how at Mount St. Louis/Dagmar/Blue Mountain/Whatever, you go off little bumps, or just off the course. Same kind of thing here. I actually didn’t go to completely uncharted terrain. I only when where I could see tracks (ie. a couple other skiers when there)
Note: I keep writing “skiers”, but of course I also mean snowboarders too.
Off piste means deep powdered snow. Think what you’ve seen on TV/movies where skiers are knee deep in fluffy snow in the middle of completely open terrain.
On one day, we found the perfect off piste area. I felt such a thrill. It’s such a different feeling skiing through that type of snow. On trails, you’ve got pretty much packed down snow, and maybe a top layer, but it’s still pretty hard. Off piste was a feeling that I can’t explain (seems like I’m having a hard time explaining many of my experiences).
It was really fun, but you’ve GOT to be careful when going off piste. You never know what kind of terrain you’re going to get. Trees and rocks can pop out of nowhere. You don’t know how deep the snow is (one off piste experience led me to do a face plant, because there was a huge pothole, but you couldn’t tell with all the snow on top of it, so I just sank into the hole, and kept tipping forward because, well, because the fronts of my skis got stuck and then I tipped forward until the action of face planting fluffy snow – I guess that’s one good thing about off piste-ing. It’s so fluffy that falling doesn’t hurt – but you can lose a ski or pole VERY easily.) Oh yeah, and there’s the whole thing about avalanches. Going off piste could potentially cause avalanches, but that’s if you’re doing some serious off piste-ing.
I feel like a pro now that I’ve off piste-ed. Booyah.
Still in awe
Written Saturday, February 5, 2005 @ 9:56pm
It was a wonderful week. I couldn’t not believe that I was skiing in, on and around the alps.
The weather was fantastic, because it varied and I could experience different things.
Sunny days were fabulous because the sun warmed you up instantly. I wanted to stop everything, lie on the snow and soak up the wonderfulness that I call my life.
One day was snowy. Pretty crazy to ski in, but it wasn't like in good 'ole Collingwood where sometimes they feel like ice pellets on your face (which is just a TAD painful).
We went at a perfect time. There was lots of snow on the ground, and conditions couldn’t have been more perfect.
While skiing, I had to stop every so often not just because it took a good half hour to get down the hill, or because I wanted to take pictures, but to just stare in awe. To breathe. To smile.
FABULOUS.
It hit me this week that this was a once in a lifetime experience. I am positive that if my dream didn’t come true this year, in my lifetime, I would have never heard of and experienced Zermatt.
I’m very happy.
It was a wonderful week. I couldn’t not believe that I was skiing in, on and around the alps.
The weather was fantastic, because it varied and I could experience different things.
Sunny days were fabulous because the sun warmed you up instantly. I wanted to stop everything, lie on the snow and soak up the wonderfulness that I call my life.
One day was snowy. Pretty crazy to ski in, but it wasn't like in good 'ole Collingwood where sometimes they feel like ice pellets on your face (which is just a TAD painful).
We went at a perfect time. There was lots of snow on the ground, and conditions couldn’t have been more perfect.
While skiing, I had to stop every so often not just because it took a good half hour to get down the hill, or because I wanted to take pictures, but to just stare in awe. To breathe. To smile.
FABULOUS.
It hit me this week that this was a once in a lifetime experience. I am positive that if my dream didn’t come true this year, in my lifetime, I would have never heard of and experienced Zermatt.
I’m very happy.
The Prix and Lausanne
Written Saturday, February 5, 2005 @ 9:15pm
I'm SO glad that I bought tickets to the Prix. I went on Saturday and Sunday, to watch the Semis and Finals respectively. I was in awe the whole time, and sort of wishing that I had that talent and could join them onstage. It was weird, I mean, I know that it just wouldn't be possible for me to be that good, no matter how hard I try, so I'm not really jealous that I never had the opportunity to participate in something like the Prix, I just wished that there was some other form of dance that wasn't so "turned-out" oriented that I could compete with or perform with. I guess "free movement" was the closest I got, but it obviously didn't take me anywhere in the dance world. I'm still glad I did it though, because when I did free movement, I was always happy. Free. Into the music. I could express what I felt. I've posted on this subject before - you know, about how after awhile ballet just didn't do it for me. It was too restricting or something. Even when I was doing pirouettes and allegro, I had fun, but it wasn't completely wonderful.
Anyway, this was to be a weekend COMPLETELY alone and enjoying myself. I hopped on the train quite early Saturday morning, with the plan that I would wander Lausanne in the morning (shopping, discovering, getting my bearings) and then venture to the Theatre for the Semis which started in the afternoon.
A quick note: I had forgotten that Lausanne was the train station that I was stranded in when coming back from a weekend to Venice in 1997. Dad has remembered, and I remember he'd mentioned it again to me recently, but I honestly thought that it wasn't Lausanne that the wonderful experience happened at. My memory has always been pretty shaky, which is why I think I'm a pack rat. I hope that by keeping little tidbits, I'll look at them years down the road and then I'll remember events that happened. The digital camera's also coming in handy for that reason as well. I wonder if there's anything that I can do to improve my lack of "remembering capability".
The morning was wonderful. It was a little chilly, but popping in and out of stores and boutiques made it easier. Also, it was easy to keep warm for by the sheer fact that it was a constant uphill walk to wherever it was that I needed to go.
Everything was really close, even the Theatre. Funny how maps make everything look so spread out, but then once you walk it, you realize everything's so close. I guess I should have known. It's Europe afterall. Everything's close in Europe.
Finally I get to the Prix. I'm SO excited and I've got a wonderful seat. I'm absolutely blown away by the talented young ladies and gentlemen performing onstage. For the Semis and Finals, the dancers perform three pieces each. First, a classical variation. Next, a contemporary variation choreographed by artists who've come in for the week to rehearse with the dancers. So the dancers just learned the choreography that week as opposed to the other parts which they could have prepared for. Finally, there's a free component where the dancer can dance to anything (music, genre, style, etc.) in which the jury is looking for artistic interpretation.
For the classical variations, the girls either danced to Giselle, Raymonda, Don Q or Sleeping Beauty. The boys: Giselle, Don Q, Le Corsaire, La Sylphide.
For some reason, because everyone looked so "classical" when dancing their classical variations, I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to their contemporary pieces. Again, I was blown away. And the music was fantastic.
I didn't really take notes and pay enough attention to remember which dancers I thought would make it to the finals. I mean, as I watched, I made mental notes about what I liked and didn't like, but after leaving, when I looked at the list of competitors, I could remember which was which. I think for next year, I'll pay more attention to who's who, but this time around I just thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.
I happened to sit beside some dancers who had already been cut. It was a tad annoying, because they were pretty catty, and bashing the dancers onstage. I like to enjoy dance in silence, that's all. Whatever.
At intermission, the jury walked by me to their room (it reminded me of when I'm judging at skating competitions and walking by competitors/observers who just stand and stare). I was in awe. Dancers have a special walk. I noticed that Karen Kain doesn't look as polished as I thought she would be. I think it's just that she's getting a little older? I'm not sure. She had that dancer neck, but I was expecting it to be MORE. Oh well.
I also felt myself standing straighter the whole time I was at the Prix. And looking at how everyone walked. I looked for the "waddle". If you know ballet, you know what I'm talking about. I didn't see as many as I expected. Maybe dancers don't waddle as much anymore. When they stood still though, there were some extreme "first positions" happening by nature.
I laughed when one of the free programs was straight out of "Centerstage". Yeah, the movie. He danced to the Michael Jackson song from the gala performance right after Ethan Steifel comes on stage riding his motorcycle.
Finals were fabulous as well. I thought that those who made it to the finals actually danced better in the semis. Perhaps it was nerves, perhaps it was me seeing it for a second time and being more critical. Whatever, it was still incredible.
Before the finals, the dancers had a short warm-up class on stage that the public could watch. Wowee Zowee! Sigh. I do wish I could look like them.
I don't even know how to explain more of what happened. It was just incredible, and I've already decided that I have to go again next year. The dancers were incredibly talented, and I was just so happy the whole time.
I'm SO glad that I bought tickets to the Prix. I went on Saturday and Sunday, to watch the Semis and Finals respectively. I was in awe the whole time, and sort of wishing that I had that talent and could join them onstage. It was weird, I mean, I know that it just wouldn't be possible for me to be that good, no matter how hard I try, so I'm not really jealous that I never had the opportunity to participate in something like the Prix, I just wished that there was some other form of dance that wasn't so "turned-out" oriented that I could compete with or perform with. I guess "free movement" was the closest I got, but it obviously didn't take me anywhere in the dance world. I'm still glad I did it though, because when I did free movement, I was always happy. Free. Into the music. I could express what I felt. I've posted on this subject before - you know, about how after awhile ballet just didn't do it for me. It was too restricting or something. Even when I was doing pirouettes and allegro, I had fun, but it wasn't completely wonderful.
Anyway, this was to be a weekend COMPLETELY alone and enjoying myself. I hopped on the train quite early Saturday morning, with the plan that I would wander Lausanne in the morning (shopping, discovering, getting my bearings) and then venture to the Theatre for the Semis which started in the afternoon.
A quick note: I had forgotten that Lausanne was the train station that I was stranded in when coming back from a weekend to Venice in 1997. Dad has remembered, and I remember he'd mentioned it again to me recently, but I honestly thought that it wasn't Lausanne that the wonderful experience happened at. My memory has always been pretty shaky, which is why I think I'm a pack rat. I hope that by keeping little tidbits, I'll look at them years down the road and then I'll remember events that happened. The digital camera's also coming in handy for that reason as well. I wonder if there's anything that I can do to improve my lack of "remembering capability".
The morning was wonderful. It was a little chilly, but popping in and out of stores and boutiques made it easier. Also, it was easy to keep warm for by the sheer fact that it was a constant uphill walk to wherever it was that I needed to go.
Everything was really close, even the Theatre. Funny how maps make everything look so spread out, but then once you walk it, you realize everything's so close. I guess I should have known. It's Europe afterall. Everything's close in Europe.
Finally I get to the Prix. I'm SO excited and I've got a wonderful seat. I'm absolutely blown away by the talented young ladies and gentlemen performing onstage. For the Semis and Finals, the dancers perform three pieces each. First, a classical variation. Next, a contemporary variation choreographed by artists who've come in for the week to rehearse with the dancers. So the dancers just learned the choreography that week as opposed to the other parts which they could have prepared for. Finally, there's a free component where the dancer can dance to anything (music, genre, style, etc.) in which the jury is looking for artistic interpretation.
For the classical variations, the girls either danced to Giselle, Raymonda, Don Q or Sleeping Beauty. The boys: Giselle, Don Q, Le Corsaire, La Sylphide.
For some reason, because everyone looked so "classical" when dancing their classical variations, I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to their contemporary pieces. Again, I was blown away. And the music was fantastic.
I didn't really take notes and pay enough attention to remember which dancers I thought would make it to the finals. I mean, as I watched, I made mental notes about what I liked and didn't like, but after leaving, when I looked at the list of competitors, I could remember which was which. I think for next year, I'll pay more attention to who's who, but this time around I just thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.
I happened to sit beside some dancers who had already been cut. It was a tad annoying, because they were pretty catty, and bashing the dancers onstage. I like to enjoy dance in silence, that's all. Whatever.
At intermission, the jury walked by me to their room (it reminded me of when I'm judging at skating competitions and walking by competitors/observers who just stand and stare). I was in awe. Dancers have a special walk. I noticed that Karen Kain doesn't look as polished as I thought she would be. I think it's just that she's getting a little older? I'm not sure. She had that dancer neck, but I was expecting it to be MORE. Oh well.
I also felt myself standing straighter the whole time I was at the Prix. And looking at how everyone walked. I looked for the "waddle". If you know ballet, you know what I'm talking about. I didn't see as many as I expected. Maybe dancers don't waddle as much anymore. When they stood still though, there were some extreme "first positions" happening by nature.
I laughed when one of the free programs was straight out of "Centerstage". Yeah, the movie. He danced to the Michael Jackson song from the gala performance right after Ethan Steifel comes on stage riding his motorcycle.
Finals were fabulous as well. I thought that those who made it to the finals actually danced better in the semis. Perhaps it was nerves, perhaps it was me seeing it for a second time and being more critical. Whatever, it was still incredible.
Before the finals, the dancers had a short warm-up class on stage that the public could watch. Wowee Zowee! Sigh. I do wish I could look like them.
I don't even know how to explain more of what happened. It was just incredible, and I've already decided that I have to go again next year. The dancers were incredibly talented, and I was just so happy the whole time.
Speechless
Written: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 2:30am
I just finished my first day in Zermatt. I arrived here last night (even thought it's Tuesday right now, I still think it's Monday because I haven't gone to bed yet, so the day's still going on), but it was really late, I was tired, and it was so dark that I couldn't really get my bearings or anything. I just went to the hotel, settled in and then went to bed. It didn't help that the plan was to wake up early today. Like, eat breakfast at 8:30am and then head out to the slopes. I'm not a breakfast eater, but I figure that if I'm going to be out all day, I should force myself to eat something. For me to be able to eat in the morning, I need to wake up really early so my body is awake enough to digest the food (or else I get really bad stomach aches). I slept SO comfortably, and unfortunately my wake up call had to ruin it. It was still pretty dark outside as well. Whatever, it was going to be a good day. When I went down for breakfast, I got my first look of outside. I can't even describe it. Directly in front of me (just a little below our hotel) was a town of wooden chalets. In the distance was the alps. Snow covered and fabulous. The sun was shining down on them. I started laughing. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was tearing because of the sheer "oh my goodness" of it all. I really can't describe how incredible it is here.
The plan of the day was to ski to Italy. Is my life for real?!? (If you know nothing of Zermatt, I would have hoped by now you would do a little research on the net or something, but it's in Switzerland.) But yeah, we were going to ski into Italy. I couldn't believe it. And part of the reason that we had to leave so early in the morning was because it takes about an hour to get to the top of the mountain. An hour by high speed gondolas and lifts. Baby, this ain't Mount St. Louis Moonstone, that's for sure.
I rented my equipment, and we were off. The whole way up (which consisted of three different lifts - all gondolas/space pod looking things) we had to carry out skis. There were so many people, by the end of the hour, I was getting a little sick of going in those gondolas. I couldn't wait to actually DO something. Oh yeah, and in Canada they have dinky tags you hang from your zipper flap right? Here, they give you a card (credit card sized) which has a bar code that you have to scan to go on lifts and stuff. Hi-tech. I had the top of the line "International" pass, so I basically had free reign over everything available to me. We finally get to the top (thank goodness, I was feeling a little ill in the last gondola because we were standing up for what seemed like forever, and the thing was so ridiculously packed. We put our stuff on (I'm skiing).
I'm actually pretty nervous. I skied every year up to high school, but didn't really go since then. While you can't really forget how to ski, it still takes a little while to get the feeling back into your legs, and yet again, I must say "this ain't Mount St. Louis Moonstone". This was the friggin alps! Anyway, I was already in complete awe. I took pictures, we really really giddy, and the people I was with we getting a little bored of my enthusiasm and itching to start skiing. I had to put my camera away for fear that they would leave without me, and I would be stuff on the top of the alps, not knowing where to go. Oh yeah, walking towards the ski shop to rent my stuff, I got my first look at the Matterhorn. It was QUITE spectacular. I didn't loose sight of it for the whole day.
We started going down, me feeling a little awkward on my skis, but still doing pretty well, I thought. We only gone for a bit, and everyone stopped for a little breather. (Also to make sure I was still alive. They'd skied the day before, so they had their skiing legs already, and they didn't really know where my skiing level was.) I asked where Italy was, and was told that we were already there. Darn, there were no flags or anything at the border. I was expecting something cooler. Oh well. I also thing it would be so much more exciting if we had to show our passports at the border. Ha ha ha. Could you imagine?
The conditions were wonderful. Some powder (which I actually don't like too much, because I find it slows you down really suddenly, and throws you off a bit - I think I'm the only person who doesn't like powder), but good. The sun was really really warm as well. Sometimes the wind was really cold though. It really bit into your cheeks. It was so nippy that the plastic on my earmuffs got really brittle, and sadly, just a little bit into the skiing day, they broke. Argh. Oh well, good thing I had my kitty ears hoody. I love that hoody.
I kept my camera in my coat pocket all day so that I could whip it out for quick snaps. I was also skiing with my small MEC pack which had some extra layers, (I actually had to take one off soon after we started,) water, snacks, money, you know, all the necessities. It was fine carrying it around. No problems.
Partway down, we took my lifts up a little bit more, and then skied down and took different lifts up again. It was such a wide range. You could go to so many runs. Each of the lifts takes so long to get to the end. Not because they're slow (they're probably actually faster than anything I've been on), they're just sooo much longer. It was pretty crazy.
I had some freak out moments on some steep parts, and areas that were narrow and crowded, but I'm pretty proud of myself for lasting the whole day of skiing, after not skiing for a long time. And I was skiing on the alps, with wasn't exactly flat. I didn't really have any wipe outs either. Pretty good eh?
One thing I forgot to do was bring Euros with me. So I got a little ripped off in Italy when we stopped for hot chocolate and once again for lunch and I had to pay in Swiss Francs. Oh well. Whatever.
Skiing in areas of shade (where the shadows from the alps fell) was pretty crappy, because it was SO much colder, and because it was so dark. Who knew it made so much of a difference?
My quads and knees were also getting pretty yucked out soon after we started. I'm getting old and creaky. Sigh.
We basically skied from 10am (the time we got off the last gondola going up) to 5pm. By the end I was ready to be done. You know where you get to that point where you're starting to get tired so you know a really bad fall could be in the midst? It's the same with skating too. And I don't think I've ever skied for that long either. And on these kinds of "hills".
After sitting for just a bit in the hotel, we head out again to explore. Zermatt's a pretty cute place. I mean, it's a completely functional little city. Supermarket, stores, post office, churches, schools, the works. It seems pretty cool. I definitely want to explore some more. There was a really chill bar that we went to. Couches, artsy, trendy - you know, the vibe I like. After dinner, we went out again to check out the nightlife (hence me writing this at the time listed above). It was pretty fun. I miss going out. It's fun to do it every so often. It was snowing a little bit when we started coming back to the hotel. I wonder what it'll look like when I look out the window tomorrow morning.
I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe my life. This can only be a dream. A dream come true. I've written so much, but I still don't feel like I've explained the actual affect that being here has made on me. The impact. The "wow factor".
WOW.
I just finished my first day in Zermatt. I arrived here last night (even thought it's Tuesday right now, I still think it's Monday because I haven't gone to bed yet, so the day's still going on), but it was really late, I was tired, and it was so dark that I couldn't really get my bearings or anything. I just went to the hotel, settled in and then went to bed. It didn't help that the plan was to wake up early today. Like, eat breakfast at 8:30am and then head out to the slopes. I'm not a breakfast eater, but I figure that if I'm going to be out all day, I should force myself to eat something. For me to be able to eat in the morning, I need to wake up really early so my body is awake enough to digest the food (or else I get really bad stomach aches). I slept SO comfortably, and unfortunately my wake up call had to ruin it. It was still pretty dark outside as well. Whatever, it was going to be a good day. When I went down for breakfast, I got my first look of outside. I can't even describe it. Directly in front of me (just a little below our hotel) was a town of wooden chalets. In the distance was the alps. Snow covered and fabulous. The sun was shining down on them. I started laughing. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was tearing because of the sheer "oh my goodness" of it all. I really can't describe how incredible it is here.
The plan of the day was to ski to Italy. Is my life for real?!? (If you know nothing of Zermatt, I would have hoped by now you would do a little research on the net or something, but it's in Switzerland.) But yeah, we were going to ski into Italy. I couldn't believe it. And part of the reason that we had to leave so early in the morning was because it takes about an hour to get to the top of the mountain. An hour by high speed gondolas and lifts. Baby, this ain't Mount St. Louis Moonstone, that's for sure.
I rented my equipment, and we were off. The whole way up (which consisted of three different lifts - all gondolas/space pod looking things) we had to carry out skis. There were so many people, by the end of the hour, I was getting a little sick of going in those gondolas. I couldn't wait to actually DO something. Oh yeah, and in Canada they have dinky tags you hang from your zipper flap right? Here, they give you a card (credit card sized) which has a bar code that you have to scan to go on lifts and stuff. Hi-tech. I had the top of the line "International" pass, so I basically had free reign over everything available to me. We finally get to the top (thank goodness, I was feeling a little ill in the last gondola because we were standing up for what seemed like forever, and the thing was so ridiculously packed. We put our stuff on (I'm skiing).
I'm actually pretty nervous. I skied every year up to high school, but didn't really go since then. While you can't really forget how to ski, it still takes a little while to get the feeling back into your legs, and yet again, I must say "this ain't Mount St. Louis Moonstone". This was the friggin alps! Anyway, I was already in complete awe. I took pictures, we really really giddy, and the people I was with we getting a little bored of my enthusiasm and itching to start skiing. I had to put my camera away for fear that they would leave without me, and I would be stuff on the top of the alps, not knowing where to go. Oh yeah, walking towards the ski shop to rent my stuff, I got my first look at the Matterhorn. It was QUITE spectacular. I didn't loose sight of it for the whole day.
We started going down, me feeling a little awkward on my skis, but still doing pretty well, I thought. We only gone for a bit, and everyone stopped for a little breather. (Also to make sure I was still alive. They'd skied the day before, so they had their skiing legs already, and they didn't really know where my skiing level was.) I asked where Italy was, and was told that we were already there. Darn, there were no flags or anything at the border. I was expecting something cooler. Oh well. I also thing it would be so much more exciting if we had to show our passports at the border. Ha ha ha. Could you imagine?
The conditions were wonderful. Some powder (which I actually don't like too much, because I find it slows you down really suddenly, and throws you off a bit - I think I'm the only person who doesn't like powder), but good. The sun was really really warm as well. Sometimes the wind was really cold though. It really bit into your cheeks. It was so nippy that the plastic on my earmuffs got really brittle, and sadly, just a little bit into the skiing day, they broke. Argh. Oh well, good thing I had my kitty ears hoody. I love that hoody.
I kept my camera in my coat pocket all day so that I could whip it out for quick snaps. I was also skiing with my small MEC pack which had some extra layers, (I actually had to take one off soon after we started,) water, snacks, money, you know, all the necessities. It was fine carrying it around. No problems.
Partway down, we took my lifts up a little bit more, and then skied down and took different lifts up again. It was such a wide range. You could go to so many runs. Each of the lifts takes so long to get to the end. Not because they're slow (they're probably actually faster than anything I've been on), they're just sooo much longer. It was pretty crazy.
I had some freak out moments on some steep parts, and areas that were narrow and crowded, but I'm pretty proud of myself for lasting the whole day of skiing, after not skiing for a long time. And I was skiing on the alps, with wasn't exactly flat. I didn't really have any wipe outs either. Pretty good eh?
One thing I forgot to do was bring Euros with me. So I got a little ripped off in Italy when we stopped for hot chocolate and once again for lunch and I had to pay in Swiss Francs. Oh well. Whatever.
Skiing in areas of shade (where the shadows from the alps fell) was pretty crappy, because it was SO much colder, and because it was so dark. Who knew it made so much of a difference?
My quads and knees were also getting pretty yucked out soon after we started. I'm getting old and creaky. Sigh.
We basically skied from 10am (the time we got off the last gondola going up) to 5pm. By the end I was ready to be done. You know where you get to that point where you're starting to get tired so you know a really bad fall could be in the midst? It's the same with skating too. And I don't think I've ever skied for that long either. And on these kinds of "hills".
After sitting for just a bit in the hotel, we head out again to explore. Zermatt's a pretty cute place. I mean, it's a completely functional little city. Supermarket, stores, post office, churches, schools, the works. It seems pretty cool. I definitely want to explore some more. There was a really chill bar that we went to. Couches, artsy, trendy - you know, the vibe I like. After dinner, we went out again to check out the nightlife (hence me writing this at the time listed above). It was pretty fun. I miss going out. It's fun to do it every so often. It was snowing a little bit when we started coming back to the hotel. I wonder what it'll look like when I look out the window tomorrow morning.
I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe my life. This can only be a dream. A dream come true. I've written so much, but I still don't feel like I've explained the actual affect that being here has made on me. The impact. The "wow factor".
WOW.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Crisp button up shirts
Before I entered the working world, I had a dream. To be the one who wears the crisp shirts or pantsuits. The professional/trendy/stylish/cool/polished looking one.
For some reason I love the look of crisp, well-fitted, button up, collared shirts with pants and a nice pair of heels. I'd love to have a closet full of shirts, neatly pressed, of course. So yeah, that's the annoying part. I have subjected myself to a life of ironing. The things we do to look good.
This weekend I did a little shopping at Nara Camicie. Not a bad store. I bought a (gasp!) red shirt with wide cuffs, that I could use cufflinks for. Maybe I should invest in some cufflinks. How masculine of me to like wearing shirts and pants. And the cufflinks part too. The heels, well, I guess that's different.
For some reason I love the look of crisp, well-fitted, button up, collared shirts with pants and a nice pair of heels. I'd love to have a closet full of shirts, neatly pressed, of course. So yeah, that's the annoying part. I have subjected myself to a life of ironing. The things we do to look good.
This weekend I did a little shopping at Nara Camicie. Not a bad store. I bought a (gasp!) red shirt with wide cuffs, that I could use cufflinks for. Maybe I should invest in some cufflinks. How masculine of me to like wearing shirts and pants. And the cufflinks part too. The heels, well, I guess that's different.
Milan again
As I promised myself, I went to Milan this past weekend. Yet again, I had a wonderful time. It was actually the first time I took off for the weekend on my own and stayed at a hotel by myself, which was quite exciting. I actually didn't get to stay at the same place as last time because it was full (I didn't pre-book). The new place was actually nicer than the last...it was cool to have my own hotel room. (I LOVE staying in hotels.)
I wasn't by myself the whole weekend, some friends happened to be in Milan the same weekend, so I met up with them for a bit. It was nice to be on my own, but also spend time with them, especially since they lived in Milan for a year, so they took me around to some neat places.
Things of note this time around:
1. Went to a football (read: soccer for all you North Americans) game. Inter Milan vs. Chievo. Apparently, one of the worse attended games ever. Too bad. The stadium was enormous. I was quite giddy, because it was just so impressive and the fanatics were really entertaining as well. The final score was 1-1, and I was actually disappointed with the post goal celebrations of the home team/crowd. Basically, there were none! I mean, if the fanatics spent the whole game singing and chanting, why wouldn't they go crazy when a goal was actually scored? I was confused. Favs of the experience, seeing the many riot police (and secretly hoping that something crazy would go down), hearing the fanatics warming up their lungs as we were approaching the stadium and seriously thinking that it was a recording being projected over the sound system and going up the "towers" to the seats. I hope to go to another crazier game soon!
2. Milan has recently gone smoke free indoors. This seems like a pretty big deal seeing that it's Europe, and smoking is more accepted in society. I won't complain though, because it really was nice to enjoy, for example, a smoke-free meal and not having to air out my clothes later that night. Although, walking on the streets and in the stadium I was back to holding my breath.
3. Bloor St./Yorkville will never be the same again. I spent some alone time wandering the Via Montenapoleone area. It's a lot bigger than what I experienced the first time I was there, making the Toronto equivalent just not as exciting as it used to be. It was strange to see multiple D&G's, Gucci's, Prada's, LV's, Armani's, etc etc ETC within a couple blocks. And they weren't little boutiques each. They were full out stores. There was an Armani superstore. It took up the entire block and was its own department store. I'd say it's the size of Holt's on Bloor. It contains Men's, Women's, Children's, Home, Eyewear...I could continue on. It was UNREAL. I had a "I can't believe my life" moment, which I haven't had in quite awhile. (I wonder why?) I mean, I was strolling through the streets of Milan, looking at designer stores...it actually made me wonder if I do want to return to Toronto at some point. Shocking, I know, because my plan has always been: return to Toronto to carry on my "normal" life. Anyway, I don't want to dwell on that subject now. There's no point. Back to the wonders of Via Montenapoleone. I was actually too scared to go into any stores in the area. On Bloor, I feel like (this is going to sound really really weird, but...) I'm a different person, or that I'm putting on an act. It's my release. My make-believe land. My happy place. I wasn't completely able to be like that this time in Milan, so I couldn't bring myself to go into any stores. Not a bad thing (I'm not good at explaining this), but just how it was at that moment in time. I was quite satisfied with looking through windows. Next time perhaps I go in. Oh, and it was incredible to see the designers that I'd only read about or seen on TV in person. Sigh, it was fab.
3. Milan could be my bag city. I've acquired another one. It's a pink, sequined monstrosity and I love it. Cronch, remember we saw it, but I didn't want to dish out the cash for it...well, I did this time (sale!). Mom and dad, it matches my belt exactly. It was actually quite a successful shopping weekend. Two pairs of shoes, the bag, a jacket, shirt, and errr...some other stuff.
4. Shopping is basically the reason I went right?!? Well, not completely, I mean I wanted to get away and stuff like that, but it just so happened that it's sale season. Sales are fab.
5. Some restaurants have "happy hour". This means, if you buy a drink (alky or non) you can visit the little appetizer buffet at the bar for free. Tapas bar I think it's called?!? In Italy it's fine, because people don't abuse it. They just take a couple snacks and that's it, but I could see restaurants in North America going bankrupt if they started the same thing.
6. I like using the metro (read: subway) system in different cities. I think I'm pretty good at figuring them out and I just like the fact that if you go the wrong way, who cares, just get off and then try again. I know lots of people who are so nervous to go on the wrong train and stuff, but what's the point of stressing? If you're in a rush, fine, but if not, it's just another experience if you go the wrong way.
This is getting long. My attention span is fading. I think that's all I want to say right now.
I wasn't by myself the whole weekend, some friends happened to be in Milan the same weekend, so I met up with them for a bit. It was nice to be on my own, but also spend time with them, especially since they lived in Milan for a year, so they took me around to some neat places.
Things of note this time around:
1. Went to a football (read: soccer for all you North Americans) game. Inter Milan vs. Chievo. Apparently, one of the worse attended games ever. Too bad. The stadium was enormous. I was quite giddy, because it was just so impressive and the fanatics were really entertaining as well. The final score was 1-1, and I was actually disappointed with the post goal celebrations of the home team/crowd. Basically, there were none! I mean, if the fanatics spent the whole game singing and chanting, why wouldn't they go crazy when a goal was actually scored? I was confused. Favs of the experience, seeing the many riot police (and secretly hoping that something crazy would go down), hearing the fanatics warming up their lungs as we were approaching the stadium and seriously thinking that it was a recording being projected over the sound system and going up the "towers" to the seats. I hope to go to another crazier game soon!
2. Milan has recently gone smoke free indoors. This seems like a pretty big deal seeing that it's Europe, and smoking is more accepted in society. I won't complain though, because it really was nice to enjoy, for example, a smoke-free meal and not having to air out my clothes later that night. Although, walking on the streets and in the stadium I was back to holding my breath.
3. Bloor St./Yorkville will never be the same again. I spent some alone time wandering the Via Montenapoleone area. It's a lot bigger than what I experienced the first time I was there, making the Toronto equivalent just not as exciting as it used to be. It was strange to see multiple D&G's, Gucci's, Prada's, LV's, Armani's, etc etc ETC within a couple blocks. And they weren't little boutiques each. They were full out stores. There was an Armani superstore. It took up the entire block and was its own department store. I'd say it's the size of Holt's on Bloor. It contains Men's, Women's, Children's, Home, Eyewear...I could continue on. It was UNREAL. I had a "I can't believe my life" moment, which I haven't had in quite awhile. (I wonder why?) I mean, I was strolling through the streets of Milan, looking at designer stores...it actually made me wonder if I do want to return to Toronto at some point. Shocking, I know, because my plan has always been: return to Toronto to carry on my "normal" life. Anyway, I don't want to dwell on that subject now. There's no point. Back to the wonders of Via Montenapoleone. I was actually too scared to go into any stores in the area. On Bloor, I feel like (this is going to sound really really weird, but...) I'm a different person, or that I'm putting on an act. It's my release. My make-believe land. My happy place. I wasn't completely able to be like that this time in Milan, so I couldn't bring myself to go into any stores. Not a bad thing (I'm not good at explaining this), but just how it was at that moment in time. I was quite satisfied with looking through windows. Next time perhaps I go in. Oh, and it was incredible to see the designers that I'd only read about or seen on TV in person. Sigh, it was fab.
3. Milan could be my bag city. I've acquired another one. It's a pink, sequined monstrosity and I love it. Cronch, remember we saw it, but I didn't want to dish out the cash for it...well, I did this time (sale!). Mom and dad, it matches my belt exactly. It was actually quite a successful shopping weekend. Two pairs of shoes, the bag, a jacket, shirt, and errr...some other stuff.
4. Shopping is basically the reason I went right?!? Well, not completely, I mean I wanted to get away and stuff like that, but it just so happened that it's sale season. Sales are fab.
5. Some restaurants have "happy hour". This means, if you buy a drink (alky or non) you can visit the little appetizer buffet at the bar for free. Tapas bar I think it's called?!? In Italy it's fine, because people don't abuse it. They just take a couple snacks and that's it, but I could see restaurants in North America going bankrupt if they started the same thing.
6. I like using the metro (read: subway) system in different cities. I think I'm pretty good at figuring them out and I just like the fact that if you go the wrong way, who cares, just get off and then try again. I know lots of people who are so nervous to go on the wrong train and stuff, but what's the point of stressing? If you're in a rush, fine, but if not, it's just another experience if you go the wrong way.
This is getting long. My attention span is fading. I think that's all I want to say right now.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
I said I wish I could sing
...so here's a little ditty for you:
"I'm going to Milano, gonna spend me a lotta Euros..."
Peaches/Euros...Tomayto/Tomahto...why can't we all get along?!?
Come to think of it, I never did write about my trip to Vienna. Maybe I'll do that after I get back from Milan.
"I'm going to Milano, gonna spend me a lotta Euros..."
Peaches/Euros...Tomayto/Tomahto...why can't we all get along?!?
Come to think of it, I never did write about my trip to Vienna. Maybe I'll do that after I get back from Milan.
I wish
...that I could be in a musical theatre show.
I just got back from a wonderful little performance. It was basically three British, but French speaking ladies singing French and English songs. But the way they did it was so funny, and just made me smile. It was a wonderful way to end a pretty stressful week for me. There was live piano accompaniment as well.
I was just a fabulous, relaxing and uplifting 1.5 hours of my life. It really made me smile. I haven't felt that ____ feeling that I got so often near the beginning of my adventure. That's not to say that I haven't been enjoying myself lately, I just haven't had that ____ feeling in awhile.
I just got back from a wonderful little performance. It was basically three British, but French speaking ladies singing French and English songs. But the way they did it was so funny, and just made me smile. It was a wonderful way to end a pretty stressful week for me. There was live piano accompaniment as well.
I was just a fabulous, relaxing and uplifting 1.5 hours of my life. It really made me smile. I haven't felt that ____ feeling that I got so often near the beginning of my adventure. That's not to say that I haven't been enjoying myself lately, I just haven't had that ____ feeling in awhile.
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