Summer Fun In September

Two fun things planned during the next few weeks that I'm really looking forward to:

1) A road trip to NB with Sis to visit our parents, who are hosting a Labour Day weekend music jam right in their back yard - stage, amps & all!

2) A road trip to Stratford, ON with a friend to see The Tragically Hip live for the first time at an outdoor concert. YAY!

Summer fun continuing throughout September ... gotta love it. :)

Delighting In Proximity

Although I sometimes miss the country, I still can't get over how nice it is to have everything close by. This morning I had no food so I walked to my local diner for some breakfast and people-watching. Then it was off to my local bakery for a fresh loaf of bread and now, I just got back from my local grocer to pick up some spring greens for tonight's salad. Wonderful. I seem to be delighting in proximity.

3 Circles Of Friends, 3 Amazing Outings

I'm blessed with a wonderful community of friends and family. I sometimes forget this, but the past few days spotted with social outings have served as a fulfilling reminder.

Outing #1: Dancing at Gracie's
I craved movement, a night on the dance floor. Thursday night I called up a few friends and voilà ... an evening of music, people-watching and dancing at Grace O'Malleys. I must've been in the perfect mood for such an outing; I managed to let go and get lost in the moment, whether chatting & chair-bopping, or strutting my stuff on the dance floor. What a treat!

Outing #2: The Mad Chatters
Last night, I got together with the folks in my discussion group for another evening of thought-provoking conversation. The subjects ranged from freedom to politics, to gay pride to food. The setting was conducive to sharing and exchanges: sitting at a table full of munchies, candles and wine in a friend's garden, under an arbour draped in colourful lanterns. A richly satisfying experience.

Outing #3: The Wolf Trail
I spent this morning with a friend, hiking Gatineau Park's Wolf Trail. Three hours and over 8 kilometres later, I couldn't help but grin. Without broadcasting it, I had set myself a goal of hiking this trail by the end of the summer. Today I did it. As a bonus, I spent three hours catching up with a good friend, talking about past experiences, dreams, wants, needs, life. Soulful.

Three circles of friends, three amazing outings to feed body, mind and soul. What more could a girl ask for?

Corktown Bridge Over The Canal?

They're considering naming downtown Ottawa's new pedestrian bridge over the Rideau Canal Corktown, after the wild & raunchy shantytown that housed most of the immigrant workers that helped build our beloved Canal at the time. I love it!

Read more here.

Comforts Of A Regular Hangout

I spent a good chunk of my afternoon hanging out at my local diner with a book, eating a grilled cheese and sipping on probably one cup of coffee too many. Add friendly smiles from the servers who now recognize me and a seat by the window for people-watching and I must say, I don't think it can get any better than that. I've discovered the comforts of a regular hangout.

Urban Living Checkpoint: A Little Over 7 Months

Wow. I've been here 7 months already. Emotions are swirling as I reflect on my new life here in the city. Too many to list here.

So the million dollar question: After 7 months, am I still happy with my decision to try out urban living? You betcha. I still love the urban vibe I get when I step outside my building. I still love the proximity to my local grocer, bakery & flower shop. I still love my cozy apartment, full of quirks & character. When I leave, I'm happy to come back.

The past 7 months have been quite a ride, full of discovery, personal challenges and many, many firsts. I can think of no better place to experience it all than right here in my little corner of the city. Urban living - it's a good thing. :)

Spooked

Something was scratching & squeaking under, outside or around my bedroom window. It woke me up and now I'm spooked. My first thought was that maybe it was another bat (see previous post); it sounded too big and loud, and I don't think they scratch. Another rodent? Eeeewwww. Someone out on the fire escape? Sh-t! Whatever it was, it seemed to have simmered down once I started turning on all of my lights (although I could've sworn I heard more squeaking as I wrote this). It may have simply been my window blinds hitting the wooden frame in the wind. Who knows. Whatever it was, it has me sitting here at 2:30 in the morning, spooked. That sucks.

Bonne Fête Des Acadiens

Hallo pi bonne fête des Acadiens!!!

Today is our national "fête". Joined by Sis, I just came back from an evening of Acadian culture & company in downtown Ottawa. The national capital region's Acadian association rented half of Yesterday's Restaurant on Sparks St. We had music, face painting, noise making, and of course a drink or two to celebrate. It was all good. Every Acadian misses their home on August 15th; it was great to be in the company of others who share my roots, right here in Ottawa.

So tonight, I have 1755 playing in the CD player (the Acadian musical group), and I send a wave and a hug to my Acadian friends & family. Bonne fête du 15 août!

A Running Accomplishment

I ran a 5K last night.

My friend and I have successfully completed the Learn to Run clinic we started in May at the Running Room. Yesterday was the last clinic: a 2.5Km fun run with the option of repeating the loop to make it a 5K. We both did the repeat. Who would've thought after huffing & puffing that first week when we ran one minute and walked two, that we'd be running 30 minutes 10 weeks later! YAY for us!

All Things Summer

I haven't written in a while. The past several days have been too full with the perfect mix of fun busy-ness and lazy afternoons - the epitome of what summer is all about. Here are few of the highlights:

• a day in the Gatineaus with a friend spent hiking, eating ice cream and enjoying quiet contemplation by a rushing creek
• an afternoon spent cheering gorgeous athletes at the Canadian Track and Field Championships
• a few good meals shared with Sis, along with good conversation
• a few good movies to make me laugh, to make me cry
• a few lazy afternoons with a favourite book or magazine
• an evening in the Market with a friend, catching up and toasting life with a good glass of wine

This weekend I'm going camping again with friends, followed the next weekend by a concert at the Super Ex, then the next weekend more hiking ... yes indeed, the epitome of all things summer.

Parliament Hill: A Capital Treat

A friend of mine said he was going on a bike ride to catch a view of the sunset. I was envious. From my apartment window, I can only see bits of the evening sky above other buildings. Its pink and purple hues tease me, taunting "It's gorgeous, too bad you can't see anything!"

Tonight, I went for a stroll that led me to a perfect spot to catch the colours: behind our beloved Parliament Hill. From the top of a cliff overlooking the Ottawa River, I enjoyed a full view of the pink & purple skies against Quebec's Gatineau Hills. What a treat.

A treat I didn't expect was the experience of walking alone on Parliament Hill leisurely, observing, listening, exploring. As I approached the Hill, I wondered how long I'd be able to roam the grounds freely as I can now. I looked around and couldn't help but break into a grin - two guys juggling, a couple embracing, families posing for the camera, children running. It seemed so familiar and comfortable.

I think maybe I've taken Parliament Hill's proximity and access for granted. Tonight, I realized that it might not always be there for me to explore so easily. I think maybe I'll explore it again soon, just 'cause it's there, and I can.

It's Here

The cool front is here. After a series of nasty thunderstorms, the humidity has finally broken. This morning a cool breeze greeted me as I opened my balcony door. I welcomed it with a sigh of relief as I sipped my coffee, enjoying its morning freshness on my skin. Three cheers for cool fronts.

Is The Cold Front Here Yet?

It's been hot. Hot, hot, hot. Yesterday felt like 47 degrees Celsius outside; I don't even want to try guessing what it felt like in my top floor apartment with no air conditioning. Thanks to the kind folks who've offered me a corner of their air-conditioned digs for a little respite and a comfortable night's sleep. I appreciate it!

Today feels a little cooler with a humidex temperature below 40. Sometimes there's even a cool breeze coming through my window. Later, the cold front arrives bringing with it a comfortable high of 25 for tomorrow. Three cheers for cold fronts.