Ottawow

I took a bus to Ottawa while I was in Canada to visit my cousin and old friend. I arrived on Thursday afternoon and met up with a friend of mine from prep school, who moved to Canada yeaars ago. It was amazing getting to spend some time with her, as this was the second time I’d gotten to see her in around 7 years.

Ottawa is absolutely beautiful. It really is such an amazing city. I loved exploring around and being able to catch a bus downtown (something a South African is still not used to).

We took a bus to my cousin’s apartment, and it was fantastic being able to relax and literally just chill out. After a little bit my cuzzie got home from work and it was so amazing seeing her again. She visited earlier in the year but I missed her a ton.

We went to see a band that night called White Horse and they were incredible! A husband and wife who were as talented as they were adorable together. They just had a kid and the wife looked amazing. So that was a treat to see!

Friday morning was incredible. And guess what I did? NOTHING. Being able to wake up without an alarm, take my time getting out of my pjs, chilling drinking tea and hanging out was all I needed.

I met up with my friend and we went for lunch and coffee at this gorgeous restaurant Downtown. I forgot what it was called but it was all artsy and stunning.

I had an amazing time exploring the town with her and getting to catch up with her now that she is a party animal 😛 We said our goodbyes and it sucked only getting to spend such a little time with her, but it was worth it for sure.

I made my way back to my cousin’s place and got in a quick workout. We went for dinner with her lovely boyfriend (soul-mate) and their friends. Curried cauliflower soup and Sangria. That is all ❤

My cousin and I have spent most of our lives apart but I’m so lucky to have her in my life. She is not only hilarious and beautiful, but a really amazing person 🙂

We headed back to Toronto on Saturday morning, to spend some last minute time with family and then have some pre-birthday celebrations.

Terri, her boyfriend Jared and I headed downtown to meet up with her good friends. We got delicious food, some drinks and headed to a beautiful park to chill out.

Then we went dancing and I pretty much fell asleep on the dance floor which sucked, but I was exhausted. Looking back I probably should have sucked it up and had a Redbull, but considering I had to be at the bus station at 5:30am the next morning I think my body did me a favour.

12 hours later I arrived back in NYC, took a train back to Asbury Park an hour later, and finally got home around 10pm. It was a LONG day. Did I mention I shlepped a massive suitcase, another suitcase, a backpack and my handbag like 8 blocks in New York City. Yes, everyone thought I was the biggest tourist. But oh well at least I have my summer clothes again!

It wasn’t 10 blocks or even that much of a mission I’m just overdramatic.

Ottawowza for sure ❤

Canada you were amaze

Is it too late to become a mermaid?

I scuba dived throughout high school and absolutely loved it. It’s a different world under water, with magnificent creatures everywhere your eyes can reach. Unfortunately life got busy and I got lazy and I started going diving less and less. Sad face.

The point of this is, I’m lucky that my family has a neighbour who is a family friend, and is around my age so I had someone awesome to chill with and explore while I was staying with them. We decided to go to the aquarium yesterday, and I was like a kid in a candy store.

I felt sorry for him because I was either taking a bagillion photos or being in awe of how beautiful everything was. But he managed dealing with a crazy South African pretty well 😛

For the South Africans who’ve been to UShaka Marine World, this was UShaka on steroids it was so amazing.

These bad boys changed colour. Absolutely incredible.

Okay fine, I’ll stop now.

So needless to say it was amazing. Sea life is so incredible and completely underrated. Seeing it all made me miss being in that world.

There are entire oceans filled with so many different species and ecosystems, and people don’t appreciate how truly spectacular what lives under the sea really is.

I’m a terrible blogger

Last Friday after work I began my little adventure to visit family in Canada.

I took a train to the city and explored around a bit before I headed to Port Authority for my bus ride to Toronto.

I chilled out,  enjoyed some delicious macarons, and read some of my new obsession; Outlander ♡

My bus was overnight so I got to see this gorgeous sunrise in Buffalo,  NY.

I was sitting next to this Sri Lankan man who ended up being very sweet. We shared stories of our countries and how we ended up here. Sometimes stranger isn’t always danger! It was lovely. But there is no way I would have ever met him if we weren’t on a 12 hour bus ride together.  You know, stranger danger?  😛

After a few little naps I woke up in Toronto

The next part of the adventure was finding the subway station and taking the subway to Finch – where I was picked up by a wonderful family friend.

She took me past the South African store (there is a huge South African community here it is awesome). I almost cried I was so excited to see South African things. Ceres juices, biltong (not that I even eat it), cadbury, nestle, everything! Of course I had to get some treats. It’s my week off right? 😉

Fruit & Nut because it’s my favourite, white eggs because they’re a classic, and smarties mini eggs because SMARTIES MINI EGGS OKAY?! 😛

Canada has been amazing so far. Adventures with Aunty Linda include going to my first wedding shower, visiting her great niece’s grade two little event (which was absolutely adorable), an amazing yoga class (which is something I need to find time to get into regularly I loved it so much), and getting to spend quality family time.

Got some inspiration from kids brainstorming what makes them proud :’)

Loved having time to relax, snuggle up on the couch and chill out with my main man; Earl Grey.

I’m currently on a bus to Ottawa to visit some more special people:) Of course I left my new boyfriend (my book – Outlander) in my suitcase that is under the bus. So I’ll probably catch up with my blogging on the ride.

But Canada AY, you’ve been fantastic.

Apple pie, May, New job, Identity theft & Canada

Probably the most random blog post title ever but that pretty much sums up my life right now.

I had apple pie for the first time a couple weeks ago and now I realize why Americans love apple pie so much. Dear g-d it is fantastic. Yum.

I cannot believe it’s May already. I feel like I just got used to the fact that it’s April, and now it’s May. This year really needs to slow down it is freaking me out. It’s crazy how it feels like I just had my 21st, and now I’m almost TWENTY TWO. Wow. I do not feel ready for this all haha

Two days ago I woke up to a notification saying I have less than $50 in my account. Which was strange considering I had literally deposited my check the night before. I freeeaakkkeddd out, checked my transaction history and it turns out that some scumbag had gotten my card details (from an ATM- I still had my card with me) and had stolen close to $300 from my account. I hadn’t even paid all my bills for the month and I was left with basically nothing in my account. So Saturday was an awful morning for me. Eventually I sorted it out with the bank and they blocked my card, but I’m still waiting for the money to be transferred back into my account.

Boo. Not even 5 months in America and someone’s already stolen my identity. So ironic that I come from South Africa, and this happens to me here. There really are screwed up people everywhere in the world.

On a happier note, I get to go to Canada soon! I’m visiting family in Toronto (and hopefully Ottawa). I cannot wait. Not only am I ridiculously excited to see them and spend time with them, but I can’t wait for a little break. A week away from work just sounds like perfection right now.

Life has been pretty crazy in the past couple weeks. I started a new job, so in the process of finishing off shifts at my old work I was training over here. I’m meant to have weekends off with this new job but ended up working all weekend to try make up for the shifts I’ll be missing when I’m in Canada for a week, on top of just having $300 stolen from me. ‘I need the money’ is putting it lightly.

What’s kinda awesome about my new job is that it’s a 25/20 (depending on how lazy I am) minute bike ride to work and back home everyday, so it’s forcing me to get a lot of cardio in each day. Seen as summer is coming that’s a good thing right? I’m slowly getting used to not having my car to depend on, and considering how expensive it is to taxi all the time I’m really enjoying being able to ride my bike. It’s muuuuch quicker than walking, it costs nothing, and it’s healthy!

Still taking each day as it comes and trying to get into a new routine now that I’m working basically 8am-8pm Monday-Friday (with a lunch break don’t worry). I’m excited to have weekends off once I’m back from Canada!

It’s true what they say, “Life happens when you’re busy making other plans”.

🙂