Want a Change? Just Do It!

(photo (c) Xandert)

Earlier this year, I was chatting with a friend about my desire for change in my life, and she described me as being 'restless'.
And she's completely right!

I've since embraced my restlessness, and am running with it!

As I write this, I'm sitting in my half-empty apartment, surveying the items that I still need to pack.

Back in the Spring, I was apartment hunting, but because I had to give 60 days notice for terminating my lease, I was having major difficulties finding a new apartment that was available in 60+ days.

The solution?

1. End my lease.
2. Chill for a bit. (30 days)
3. Then start looking for a new place!

Thankfully, it all worked out splendidly. My new apartment is in The Danforth (which everyone keeps telling me is an amazing neighbourhood), and it has most of the key features I was looking for.

One of the benefits of 'forcing' change, is that it makes life more exciting! Rather than the predictability of structure and planning, this method creates an unknown element which is fun to live within.
During the month where I was chilling, I was able to dream about the future. Who knows where I'll end up! Downtown? North York? Port Credit? The west-end? The east-end?
(I should mention, one of the keys to this approach is that I wasn't too stressed about the situation. My Plan B for if I didn't find a place was that I would move back in with my parents. So it's not like I was facing homelessness or anything serious.)

The other fun aspect of this approach is the punch!
You know when you make unplanned decisions, you often need to roll with the punches that arise?

In my situation, the punch was that my new apartment's move-in date doesn't aligned perfectly with my current apartment's move-out date. So I'm moving in with my parents for a little bit.
This means, storage facility, commuting, two moves, living out of a suitcase, and other things.

But again, this kind of adds some extra flavour to life.
I think of it as lime zest.

tangy.

The moral of the story is: If you want a change in your life, just do it!

WANTED: Fun!

Guess who's learning braille!!

I'm stoked. I registered for the Braille Transcriber certification course, and I received all the course materials, so I'm on my way!
Braille is fairly complicated.

This is going to be a fun journey.

Earlier this month I went wandering around the city and came across a labyrinth near the Eaton's Centre.
Labyrinths are fun, I suppose.
But I was mostly intrigued by this plaque with braille instructions/descriptions:

In addition to the studying/work that this course requires, I want to add more daily fun to my life.
Enter... dogs!!

The plan is to become a volunteer dogwalker with the Toronto Humane Society.
I attended an info session last week, and now I need to start the application/training course. We'll see if I meet all the criteria. For a charity, they have a really strenuous volunteering application process. (Multiple phone and in-person interviews, various training sessions...) I suppose it's understandable, given that you're dealing with living creatures. And the THS has had such bad press over the past couple years

Other options:

• Barista course: There's a Groupon right now for a 3hr course training you fancy-coffee-making skills! I don't have an espresso machine but I figure it might be fun to get one. And/or to learn about how Starbucks gets my latte tasting so good! [Update: I bought the Groupon!!]
• Photography course: I wanted to take this earlier in the year, but I decided not to because I don't own a dSLR. And then today, while I walked through my new work neighbourhood, I had a great idea for a photo project. So now I want to get a dSLR. ...And if I get the camera, what's stopping me from doing a course?
• Illustration: For whatever reason, I feel like taking a drawing course. I think it'd be fun!
• French: Should I take more french? It's kind of counter-productive to take a one-off courses and then wait months (or years) until taking another one. Maybe I should enroll in a longer credit course. Or certificate program! (intense!!)
• Desktop Publishing: A while ago I was looking into certificate opportunities in T.O for desktop publishing courses. I ended up dismissing them though, because I wouldn't be in town in the Fall. But now that I am staying in town, maybe I'll go ahead with it!

hmmm, what other fun course options are out there?

Apparently Canada looks like a whale

My new necklace has arrived!!

 

It's a tru.che original! 

Like many others, I was shocked and appalled by Urban Outfitters' blatant ripoff of this artist's work, so I responded - with my wallet.

And now I own some shiny representation of my love for my country! Which apparently looks likes a whale....

Picture by Tru.che: 

 

(I asked for my heart to be placed closer to Toronto.)

Buy your own here!

How to gain Wisdom

Buy it on Amazon!

Wisdom is a book by Photographer/Filmmaker Andrew Zuckerman.

I first came across this work last week - there's an exhibit of Wisdom at Brookfield Place (BCE) in Toronto.

I stumbled upon the exhibit and quickly became mesmerized by the large-scale portraits/quotes. About thirty minutes later I discovered that the book was located at a nearby table! So I became enthralled with that for a while.

I then returned to the space the next day to take another look.

Check out this portrait of Painter Andrew Wyeth: 

 

His face and his facial expression are amazing. Combine that with his quote which is about the power of love, and it's quite possibly my favourite portrait out of all of them. 

I want a copy of this for the dining room in my new apartment. 

Can you imagine? Right over the head of the table?

Speaking of new apartments... the Wisdom book would make a great house-warming gift! (hint hint)

The exhibit is at Brookfield Place until August 5th.
I highly recommend a visit - or two.
(bonus: It's right by Cheeseland!)

The best cheese in Toronto?

I went to the Obika Mozzarella Bar last night.


1. Silly name. It most definitely sounds like a sushi bar. (And look at the logo!!) They're trying to capitalize on the sushi bar trend. But I say, if your restaurant is built around cheese, you don't actually need to capitalize on anything. A cheese-focused restaurant is a brilliant idea. I shall call it 'Cheeseland' from now on. However, I will hand it to them, the odd name stuck in my head the instant I heard it. It could be that I was attracted to the concept of a mozzarella bar, or it could be that they were clever in their name choice. ...perhaps it's a bit of both.



2. Mozzarella bar!! There's something wrong and so so right about this concept. I was pretty excited about it, and Cheeseland did not disappoint. They have three signature cheeses and we tried two of them. First was  the cheese that is described as "deliciously creamy". And it was.
Next was their 'delicate' mozzarella cheese (flown in two times a week from Italy!). And it was delicate. Which is a good thing. The light/delicate quality meant that I didn't feel too guilty about eating an entire plate of cheese.
We also had some salad (nothing to write home about) and a pizza with gorgonzola cheese on it, which was pretty amazing. I may order that the next time I go.


And yes, I will be going back!


The restaurant has this odd 'open air' concept, which annoyed me a bit (there's a never-ending fountain nearby), but aside from that, it was a good time. The servers were very friendly too.


If anyone wants to open up a competing Cheeseland, I would suggest focusing on cheese plates - served on wooden cheese boards! Perhaps all the appetizers be different cheese plates with suggested fruit and wine combinations.
And please, include cheesecake as a dessert!

Dear Stranger, You're awesome!

It's time to write some fan mail to strangers!

Over the past week or so I've been impressed by some strangers/acquantances who have really pleasant and welcoming 'spirits'.
You know those people who just draw you in, and sort of emit sunshine?

I've decided to let them know.
(Now,  there's fan mail to podcasters or celebrities, but that's not what I'm talking about here. I'm talking about super random fan mail for regular people who aren't particularly putting themselves in the spotlight.)

I wrote my first "you're great!" email last night to a couple I met briefly while apartment-hunting. (Bonus: the couple is currently living in my new home. Good vibes all around!)

There is a little hesitation on my part, cause who knows how I'll be interpreted, or misinterpreted (i.e. presumed hidden agendas), but I'd say it's definitely worth the risk.

Here are a few components to consider including in the email:

• Who are you (If the person is truly a stranger, it's likely that they may have forgotten your interaction with them. Jog their memory!)
• Describe what is special about them
• Explain how they impacted your day/life

Also, try not to sound like a stalker or crazy person.

Happy writing!