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This is my most viewed photo on flickr with 951 views as of today. Strange the things people like to look at. Today was a tough, long day and I would rather post fun photos than think about it. Here's a page of all my fav ones on flickr. ENjoy! Speaking of fun photos... I finally put up the photos from Holly's wedding on flickr. Not very exciting. My photographic skills are slipping away. So is my grammar. Does the sentence "my photographic skills are slipping away" even make sense? I didn't think so.
Boston was super fun. Did I mention that before? A run down of my time there.Friday - walked the city & saw Harvard & Fenway & Newbury and everything in between. Not advisable to do when wearing heeled boots. Everyone (except Margaret who came on Saturday) assembled at Alla's house. The gang: Me (Toronto - Canada), Matt (Toronto - Canada), Kerri (Ottawa - Canada), Eliot (originally Victoria, BC but now at Yale), Peder (originally Norway, but now in London, UK), Alla (originally from Russia/Kansas, but now at Harvard). Drinking ensued. Out for dinner (chowder consumed). Out for drinks at communist bar. Much drinks drunk. Many drunks drink. The next thing we know we are at a house party until 4am in which more drunks drink. Someone nearly falls down the stairs, someone dances all night, someone falls asleep on the bathroom floor, someone loses their jacket, someone goes missing for 1/2 hour, someone assumes that the missing person has been shot and nearly calls the police, someone meets a pyromaniac/newfie, and no one at the party seems to know who the hell we are. It was eventful. We all made it home in one piece. A typical Kenya night takes place in Boston. Saturday - Alla & Eliot, being studious as they are, both depart early to go study for the day. The rest of us try to muster enough hung over energy to do something with our day. After a breakfast of crepes (some ate, some watched the eating), we dragged our dizzy heads over to the Boston Aquarium where we paid way too much money for a mediocre attraction. The best part was when we thought the seal was dead (not that we wanted the seal to be dead but it was kind of exciting). I think the aquarium made us all feel worse. It smelled funny and looking into the aquariums through that crazy thick glass made us all a little dizzy. And you can only make so many cracks about jumping in the tank to kill the manta ray before it gets old. So we head back to Alla's when Margaret arrived. We went to grab some food at a pizzeria (unfortunately we noticed after that they specialized in Chicago cuisine), where we caught up and I got the dish with the unfortunate name - Pork on a Stick. Who knew such cuisine existed? This is why it is important to travel the world kids - to experience such cultural marvels as Pork on a Stick. That night we head out for dinner again then boosted our energy with Red Bull & Big League Chew, we head to a bar and then another house party. Not as eventful unless you count when I knocked over a bunch of bottles and glasses. But nothing broke. Darn. That night we pow-wowed in Alla's room and were up late again. Taking unflattering photos and making fun of each other. I have to say, it was pleasantly shocking how quickly and easily we transitioned our friendships from Kenya to Boston, some of us not really seeing each other in up to 6 months, and here we were, having a great time again. Sunday - Sad day as we head for brunch at a jazz bar and Peder left (Eliot had already gone that morning). Matt, Kerri, Margaret & I head to town (Alla went to school - I guess that's the life of a Harvard girl) and the girls shopped while Matt did Fenway. The day went by so quickly, Margaret & then Kerri left. Matt & I said bye to Alla over Boston pizza and sadly head to the airport. That's when we discovered that a flight was cancelled and that the systems were down so we were stuck in chaos. We decided to take advantage of the bad situation and enjoy one last Samuel Adams brew in the airport pub. Once things calmed down and we were issued handwritten tickets, we made it on the plane and head back to Toronto. Man, I had a great weekend. I have to say I was feeling a little sad when I got back and on Monday. The weekend reminded me of the life I had back in Kenya. Seeing these friends brought it all back. Retelling the stories and looking at the photos together made it all real again and made me miss it again. But being able to see them again made me realize that although my experiences in Africa are connected to the place, little pieces of my great experiences and memories from Kenya are available to me through the people I became friends with.
Back after an amazing weekend in Boston. The city was great but having a mini-reunion with 6 of my friends from Kenya was even better. I will write more tomorrow. Stories involving bathroom naps, bananas, happy fish, crepes that never were, misunderstood canadian bacon, beer-laden plane delays, angry homeless people, a $100 trip to the bathroom, and pork on a stick. Ok, I might not go into full detail about all those things. But just know I had an amazing, unforgettable (except for the parts possibly blacked out), weekend.
Wow, fall is here. I was cold today. So much for wearing skirts with bare legs ever again. My friends are getting a dog. It is something I have never heard of before and it has a funny name. It is a Golden Doodle, which is apparently a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. And they are pretty cute. Check it out (bad website but cute dogs). I always thought that by the time I was this age I would be grown up enough to have a dog. But even the thought of adopting a fish scares me off that it would tie me down too much. I like immigrants. I like helping them. My new job has me dealing with a lot of internationally educated professionals. (IEPs). The program I work with is designed to work with IEPs and acknowledge all the education and work experience they accumulated before they moved to Canada. I like that. Something about it all makes me feel really hopeful, because I know they feel hopeful about the future. Good stuff.
Yup, I have a new mantra. Well, I developed in in Kenya. I can't really remember when or why or how it came upon me. But it's the whole idea of moving forward and leaving your problems and worries and issues behind you. Because most of the time there really is nothing you can do about it (your worries) and what is the point of stressing? So yeah, hakuna matata. I wish that Disney had never created that song because it is cheesy and makes me not like to use the words but they are pretty useful to my mental health. My first big test of this way of dealing came when all the photos on my hard drive got deleted. Why cry? I am lucky to even have the memories of such amazing times, never mind actual photos. That would be icing, right? The blogger/google debacle? Also, not a big deal. If someone who I didn't want to find my blog found it, then there certainly is nothing I can do to undo that. I will deal with it, if I have to. The gym has also kept me very sane lately. And helped me shed my Kenya weight - HURRAH! All my hard work payed off. It only took 6 months! You know, I always hear women talking about how when they are in their late 20's, which I still somewhat cringe to admit that I am, that things start to fall into place and they finally feel comfortable in their skin. And I have to say that I do too. Maybe it's an age thing. Or hormones. Regardless, it's good.
Speaking of good... jumping rope for the glory of God is also good. You have to see it to understand. Particularly if you are having visions of "orientals".
Oy... last night (right before I woke up), I dreamt that I was driving to my family's cottage and I noticed Brad & Angelina in a station wagon LEAVING our cottage. I just shrugged and assumed they were there to see my uncle. I got to the cottage (which turned into my parents' house) and sat in the basement, chatting with my uncle. It seems he is taking night school classes too. And he had a big stamp across his forehead and he told me that he got it from one of his daughter's friends. And that he was going to this kid fired from his job as a journalist for doing that to him. My uncle is not a vengeful person, so that part shocked me a bit. Then he said we should go out back and he could introduce me to Brad, who was sitting on my deck. As we were going up the stairs I was asking my uncle if Brad was really fun to work with (for some reason I got it in my head that my uncle was also in Ocean's 11), and then I tried to play it off like I didn't really want to see Brad by saying that I really don't tend to like really overly attractive people because they are usually assholes. And then I realized to my horror that Brad had heard me. We made eye contact through the screen door. Then my alarm went off.
My uncle is not famous. Nor does he work with famous people. He just went to the same high school as Paul Schaffer so I guess in my crazy mind that is how I equated him with knowing Brad.
Blogger & Gmail - I am SOOOO mad at you right now! Just because I have my gmail account as my blogger email contact, you combined the two separate entities and posted my first and last name in my blogger profile! So when you "google" me - you get to my blog! Which is not supposed to be findable! I made this blog and purposely didn't let certain people know about it for a reason! And now I am findable. I have removed my profile but the results still come up and you can access it via the google cache. I am so mad. You didn't even ask me for my permission! What if my work finds it? Or my family? Hmmm? I am so mad. Mondays are my longest days. Work from 8 - 4 then gym from 430 - 530 then class from 630 - 945. I get myself into these things but I have to accept the fact that I might get a little grumpy sometimes by the end of the day. The whole google mess set me off and suddenly I was ready to bite off people's heads because of things I normally don't let bother me. Such as: Every stall (there were 10 of them) in the brand new washrooms in the brand new Ryerson building, had toilet paper or garbage on the floors or IN the toilets. Are people that lazy and slothish that they have to leave that junk behind? Seriously, it takes 2 seconds to throw things away. And toilet paper goes IN the toilet, not on the floor! I got a free calculator with my $110 accounting text book. Ok, so not completely free. The ONE and the NINE button don't work! How annoying! The clincher (when I knew I was just in a bad bad bad mood) was when I was crossing the street and a man in front of me with a cane was walking slowly (and I am a fast walker) and I was stuck behind him and I felt anger. Why did I feel anger? He is old and lame! He is ALLOWED to walk slowly! So I stopped and tried to calm myself and be zen. And I think it worked. Also, the brie I ate when I got home probably helped. That stuff is the best anti-stress / anti-depressant in the world.
Gahhh, it's been a crazy week. Work is suddenly crazy busy and I am doing about 1000 other things in that way that I always do things where I sign myself up for too many things for me to handle and then it all gets stressful. Have I written this before? It's seeming familiar. Yesterday we worked at a conference that we were a major sponsor of where business people who apparently have $500 to toss around to come and listen to 'inspirational' speakers. Last year it was Bill Clinton & Mark Burnett. Yesterday it was Michael Eisner and Sir Richard Branson (and others). Michael Eisner only reminds me of watching Disney movies on Sunday nights when he would introduce the movies. Mr Boogedy, Child of Glass (scariest movie ever - gave me nightmares for weeks), The Girl Who Spelled Freedom. What was really interesting was running into an old 'friend' of mine, this guy I dated like 5 times, who was quite smart and witty but a total conservative. As in, he loved the political party. He was a 'young conservative' and attended events and wanted to one day run for office. He had posters of conservative leaders in his room and asked me on our first date how I voted in the last election. The funny thing was that I voted NDP (far left) and only ever fought with him over politics. He drove me crazy, but not in a good way. He was actually one of 3 conservatives that I dated and dumped. Strange guys who were proud to show their love for a party I loved to hate. Then last night I went to see a film with Karen but Gael Garcia Bernal didn't show up. (He produced the film). Oh Gael, when will you realize you and I are meant to be? We can work past the height difference, I promise. Exhausted, I was working at a job fair today, that mostly had new immigrants looking for work. It was depressing but still hope-filled when we felt we could help them. I like seeing people get a fresh start. They are a courageous group.
So, after the fair I was taking the bus home, exhausted and sleeping on my feet after long days and late nights and as it was my stop, I rang the bell and went to reach for the swinging handle to grab hold of so that I wouldn't fall down as the bus pulled to a stop but it just grazed my hand and I yelled "Ohhhuuuuuuuuuuhhhaaaaa" in a strange voice and then fell over and slammed on the foot of the girl behind me. People were openly staring at me. I was so tired that I just started laughing out loud and then they stared more. Sometimes I worry if I am crazier than I realize.
Not as crazy as people who get Clay Aitkins tattoos. Please see all of these!! two three four Although once a girl I worked with got a tattoo of a teddy bear sitting on an anchor. That was a nice one.
First Daratt, a film at TIFF from Chad, with Matt. Then Ethiopian food for the first time in 6 months, with TUSKER! Could it be any better? Just like Indian Theme night, 13 months ago! Work is getting crazy busy. So is life. I always do this. I take on way too many responsibilities and things start to spin out of control. I'm hoping to survive this next month or two of craziness though. I think I will. I'll try not to complain too much.
The weather today was perfect. It made me unbelievably happy. I was nearly skipping down the street after brunch today. It was sunny and warm but a little bit crisp. Instant happiness. I have all these great memories in my head of days in the past when I have enjoyed such weather. - Walking along Jericho Beach in Vancouver one October - Sitting in a park bench in Copenhagen one Thanksgiving - Lying on the grass one September at York University - Walking along the path at Hiawatha in "the soo" one September Today I had brunch, took a walk, was sucked into watching 3 episodes of Grey's Anatomy (a show I have only just gotten into and so my roommates and I are obsessively consuming the first season), did some laundry and sat on a bench outside a school drinking tea and wearing a summer dress with a jacket and flipflops. Perfect weather. Great day.
I hate mornings. The only reason that I love starting work at 8am is because I can avoid interacting with people by leaving for work at 7 instead of 8. If someone merely bumps into me in the morning, I want to bite their ears off. So this morning leaving at 545 for the subway for the long, nearly 2 hour journey to a "networking breakfast" which we were some of the people the students were networking with, I was not in great spirits on the ride out. 2 things that made this morning a little more interesting:1) It helped me to see that the woman sitting in front of me in the nice outfit had her sweater on inside out. Very obviously on inside out - labels out, seams, everything. Is it bad that I didn't tell her? I mean, there is nothing she could have done on the bus. Maybe I should have told her. 2) Once at the event when setting up with my colleagues, I went to reach below the table to grab something and bashed my face full force on the table. My lip got smashed and swelled up and my nose was hit causing my eyes to tear. It also made a terrible enough noise to make everyone go "WHOA, are you OK?". Hi, my name is Kathryn and I am a spazz. (Either that or it's karma for not telling the lady her sweater was on inside out). I think things like that happen to me when I am nervous. One time the most strange thing happened. I was an exchange student in Denmark and on like my 3rd day of school some girls from my class invited me to go to the bakery to get a few danish (the pastry) during lunch (don't even get me started on how good they are - 30 pounds speak for themselves), and I went and got a julekage and a coke and we sat at a picnic table and they talked to me and were all nice speaking English to me and making me feel welcome. My hand was on my coke bottle and I can't explain happened next but I was just listening to someone talk and I went to pick up my coke when suddenly my hand slammed the coke down onto the table, banging and causing coke to fly out of the bottle all over myself and the girls. They just sat there staring at me wondering what I had done and I had no idea, nor did I have any way of explaining why my hand spazzed the way it did. I just sat there in silence, my face burning, my hand still gripping the damned coke bottle.OK, terrifying, nightmare-inducing video of a bunny screaming... (link via dooce)
Usually in the fall I like to listen to things like Simon & Garfunkel or Cat Stevens. For some reason right now, nothing else sounds right except for David Bowie. I am obsessed. I love it when that happens. Every song of his is FANTASTIC to me right now. Although I know that inevitably I will listen to SO MUCH Bowie that I won't be able to listen to him again for a while. Ugh. Tomorrow I have to get up at 5:30 to head to a networking breakfast. That doesn't sound like much fun. All I can say is good thing for coffee and my extra large sunglasses to shield me from light and people for the first hour of the day until I get to the event. Although if there is bacon there, that might make me feel a LITTLE bit better about the whole thing.
This is my most viewed photo on flickr with 951 views as of today. Strange the things people like to look at. 
