cherry blossoms at high park

Cherry blossoms at High Park is the blooming of the Sakura trees that lasts for about one week during the spring. The path to the lake is canopied in flower blossoms, and it's like being in a Disney movie. You'll notice A LOT of (Asian) people posing, which is oddly part of the whole experience. Of course there are people of all types of people, including some dressed in blazers and high heels, which leads me to believe they take the photos very seriously, or they just haven't been to a lot of parks. I wouldn't put it past anyone.

It's great being around happy and loving people. C'mon, there are even swans! I highly recommend it.

Micheline, a local of High Park, enjoying the beautiful weather:

 

<3, 

Jen.

Some Healthy Urban Livin'

I took a 5 hour bike ride with Jon and his Uncle Loren all over Toronto over Easter Weekend. It was 'It's The Small World After All' Village in real life. Somebody was like 'this culture seems like it has nothing to do with this culture - let's put them side by side.' It was really fascinating and something I can't seem to get over, despite living here for years.

We started off along the Belt Line, which was a long shaded dirt path along Elginton and Lawrence. We were poster children for Healthy Urban Living with our bikes under the brilliant weather whizzing past joggers and strollers. The path also started off downhill, setting an excellent place which really makes you feel good about yourself. The day did end with a bucket of fried chicken and cigarettes but we did our best.*

The three of us saw the Evergreen Brick Works peak out through the trees, and forced Jon to pose in the valley for the sake of creating art! Yah the photo looks totally forced, but uh, it's part of the art.

We were in luck because we coincidentally ran into a make your own pizza work shop.

Even though it was probably just for kids (hence Jen's shocked look), I paid $2 for buffalo cheese (delicious) on whole grain crust (like spelt and corn and other good stuff), baked in an outdoor kiln.

With free baked sweet potatoes.

Next to a teepee.

Next to this cool clay-like hut.

Which pretty much sums up fantasy summer camp living.

And here are some other cool aspects of the Evergreen Brick Works, like ponds and valleys:

Wow, I can't wait to see what it looks like in full summer greenery.

After our pit stop here, we biked through Middle Eastern neighborhoods, Rosedale, cemeteries, Yonge+St. Clair, and more. I can't wait to explore the city this summer.

It was one of those days that makes you feel lucky. There's so much.

Jen.

*No, it didn't really lol

Snow No Show

Snow - or the lack therefore. I've never seen such the city so naked.

There were light flurries, which turned into a legit snow fall, and by the time I decided to pick up my camera and walk out - it already stopped. Frankly, this is turning out to be an awesome winter. However, I will admit fresh snow lends itself beautifully to brighten the dull winter cityscape. (But is that really enough to make up for the destruction of shoes, slippery sidewalks, and brown slush? The answer: no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you remember the Bell Canada Campaign a few years ago with Frank and Gordon? I actually worked at Bell Canada during that time. While I don't have any attachment for the brand, I look back fondly on the beavers. Frank and Gordon were littered all over the office in costume, one of which was 'virus doctor'. Now they're retired doctors playing in the snow. (Overpaid slackers? Much like the telecom industry?) But cute, no?

 

 

 What is this, you ask? No clue. It was just gangling on a tree. This is what you get when you live near OCAD.

 

Cheers to a cozy and warm winter in the city,

Jen.

the days are getting darker ft. coronation park

I got off work early one day and decided I needed to see the horizon (after being surrounded by sky scrapers). The sunset is still stunning late in the year in Coronation Park, which is one of the best parks along the Waterfront. Harbourfront can be underwhelming at times for those who live in the city, but if you go far enough along the Martin Goodman trail (west towards Oakville), you can find what you're craving.

 Awesomeness, 

Jen.

Adison and some cool bike tricks

I love Grange Park and Adison was practicing cool tricks on his bike there.