Toronto The Good

This is great. Gotta love this city...

Unfolding

"And what was said to the rose to make it unfold
Was said to me, here in my chest
So be quiet now, and rest."
-David Crowder

I love this lyric, it really speaks to me at the moment. For the past week I have been getting ideas for paintings at least three or four times throughout the day. Colours, themes, shapes - EVERYWHERE. I was helping Addie paint a picture at school today and trying my best not to take over!

My digital SLR has served me well over the past year as my creative outlet. And while I love living through the lens, I am SO ready to go back to painting and get my hands dirty.

*Seriously, they get really dirty and everything ends up smelling of oil paint.*

My beyond-supportive man is already keen to help me squeeze this in our schedules. And hopefully, we'll work it into being part of our weekly routine. Hopefully.
I wonder if this is how it feels to get over some sort of writer's block or something...

Now, off to dig out some materials!

If only

I worked in the same office as Dwight.K.Schrute. He is my favourite.

"I have been Michael’s number two guy for about 5 years. And we make a great team. We’re like one of those classic famous teams. He’s like Mozart and I’m like...Mozart's friend. No. I’m like Butch Cassidy and Michael is like...Mozart. You try and hurt Mozart? You’re gonna get a bullet in your head courtesy of Butch Cassidy."

"When I die. I want to be frozen. And if they have to freeze me in pieces, so be it. I will wake up stronger than ever, because I will have used that time, to figure out exactly why I died. And what moves I could have used to defend myself better now that I know what hold he had me in."

Student Life

A brief and insightful interview with Ryerson's President, Sheldon Levy, about smart cities.
Levy once said, "what is good for Ryerson is good for Toronto".
Well-into my third year of studies in this institution, I agree with that statement.

OK, now to finish my Criminology paper on community policing efforts...eesh.

This is new...

Mark is now officially self-employed. How exciting. We have never done this before, that's for sure. Like working for someone else, it has advantages and disadvantages. For example,
Advantage: he is home A LOT more/getting time off work is no problem.
Disadvantage: no more benefits.

I get a limited amount of benefits with my university tuition, thankfully. Still, not-so-good.

After our long visit to the UK in the spring, we decided to get our dentistry done there from now on instead of buy insurance here. It is much more simple. For example, at an NHS dentist we can get one, two, three or however many fillings we need filled for 45 pounds. One set price. Easy, right?

Here's the thing. My tooth hurts now...I think a cavity is starting to reveal itself.
Can I wait? I really want to wait. One thing I hate more than going to the dentist is PAYING him.

The Deepest Calm

"Isn't she lovely Isn't she wonderful..."
-Stevie Wonder

When I look at the photos of our old place (above), I vividly remember how tranquil and still it was for the first six months with our new babe. Everything from her cries, to her naps, to getting dressed, play times and even mealtimes...everything was full of such great gentleness.
We enjoyed countless long periods of silence as we simply watched her in awe and wonder. I look back and remember the deepest calm. "She's here, she's okay..."
Everyone said that precious time would go by fast.
Everyone was right.

Then Grace came. weighing at 7lbs, on October 20,at 9:38 pm our housemate Sallyanne finally met her wee angel. So far our place has been dim, quiet, peaceful... full of friends and family tip-toeing in to catch a glimpse of the newest member of The Social Club, as we like to call it.

That same wonderful atmosphere is back and I am soaking it up while it lasts.

She smiled at me in her sleep today, and Mark is more broody than ever ;)

"Life flies by in seconds
You’re not a baby
Gracie, you’re my friend
You’ll be a lady soon
But until then
You gotta do what I say"

Critical Instant

Check out this new blog for superb movie reviews. It is written by none other than James Bower, Lincoln native and cinematic genius. You may have seen him in the fancy role of best man at our wedding. We are so pleased that he is publishing these reviews to a blog finally!