Christmas in Toronto

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas,

It's not over just yet, there is still time to eat all the food you possibly can before you can feel guilty about it in January. So I'll fill you in on my Christmas. As some of you may know, I didn't go home to Ireland for Christmas. I'm not going to lie, it wasn't easy. For anyone who lives away from home, you will know the feeling of wanting to be at home at certain times either to see someone you love or even just to get your favourite takeaway. The two don't compare obviously but missing certain foods is a huge deal for people who live outside of Ireland.

There have been times I've felt homesick since I've been here (not as bad as I thought I'd be though) but Christmas time was particularly difficult. Seeing friends in pictures on nights out, watching how excited friends here were to return home for the celebrations, missing out on traditions like getting the tree with my mum, listening to a John Denver CD in my living room while dancing like a freak or just watching my nieces face light up as she opens her presents were all parts that I missed out on. 

All was not lost however as Christmas Day in Toronto was quite magical, full of lovely moments and some surprises. To make things special I played Santa this year and woke up at 3.30am on Christmas Eve night to put out stockings and some presents for Parker just like Santa would. It was nice to surprise him but he won when it came to surprises as he had been hiding presents that my mum gave him back in November for me. Naturally I was bawling and after I stopped I realised how blessed I was to have both of them in my life.

After exchanging presents, munching on some chocolate santas while The Grinch was on in the background, we begun preparing for the dinner. Parker and I cooked the turkey and ham, I also made a raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake and the other apartment made starters which was a gorgeous prawn pil pil and they also did all the vegetables, stuffing and potatoes.Overall it was a great success, so much effort was put in by all six of us left here and I was very proud of us all.

Skyping the family was the closest we got to being part of our families Christmas Day and although emotions were running high I enjoyed having a different Christmas with friends and someone I love. The weather has been very mild this winter and not at all what we expected, so excitement kicked in when it snowed on Monday night. It is still very mild for this time of year so I'll keep you posted when I start complaining about the snow and it being -20. 

Hope you all had a great Christmas surrounded by family and friends. Here is to a new year full of adventure.

Talk soon xx

Zita J

Christmas Week

It's Christmas Week everyone, yay!

My weekend was spent spending quality time with Parker as we celebrated being together five years. Christmas films, Christmas markets and staying in out of the cold.It was just what I needed.It's starting to get very chilly at the moment with a real feel of minus 9 but apparently it's above average for this time of year, so I'll count myself lucky for now I suppose.

I received two packages from home yesterday and I'm starting to get excited about this week even though I'm not going to be home. It's going to be different but the friends that have stayed and myself are getting into the spirit of things and having Christmas dinner together on Christmas Day and exchanging gifts so that should be nice.

To everyone back home, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Surround yourself with the ones you love and enjoy every minute of it.

Merry Christmas from Toronto

Talk soon xx

Zita J

'Tis The Season

Hey,

Welcome to Monday, don't worry it is nearly over. Hang in there. So this week I have started my proper shift at my new job. I am feeling positive about the whole thing and  I am getting use to my new role and this new experience that I face. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the Friday feeling around the office and knowing I had 2 days off to myself. Do you hear me? "Around the office", law de daw, still getting use to the fact I work in an office haha.

When I think about it though, all my previous jobs even since I was 17 have been jobs where I had to wear a uniform. Childcare required a uniform, my recent hostess job required a uniform and so on. Now I finally get to dress as I wish and feel like a fancy pants, its the little things that keep me happy as you can see. I know the privilege will probably wear off when on a Sunday night I have no clean or ironed shirts and I can't just wear a tracksuit pants into work, For now I am getting a thrill out of dressing up during the week.

So as I had the weekend to myself, the celebrations and countdown to Christmas have begun. On Friday, my friends and I attempted the 12 pubs of Christmas. We went to a new location where we knew there were a lot of bars but I am embarrassed to say we only did a pathetic 5 pubs (I am sorry Ireland for letting you down). In our defense however we started late enough and we weren't as familiar with the bars compared to our usual spots, we didn't know what to expect.

One bar in particular that we went in to, I quickly took off my flashing antlers as we realised it was a fancy Portuguese wine bar. We didn't stay long in that place as you can imagine. Overall a great night was spent with friends to celebrate our first Christmas in Toronto and a last night out with a few of them as they head home for Christmas, not jealous at all:-( I am going to try make the most of the Christmas celebrations here as its new and something different to other years. I know already I am going to find it difficult not being home for Christmas but then again spending it with someone I love and enjoying it with friends is also what its all about. Emotions are running high as we received our first care package from home courtesy of Parker's parents. It had some really special presents inside and of course, me being me..I cried when we opened it. Some things never change! Have a great week everyone;-)

Talk soon xx

Zita J 

A little update..

Hey,

So as you may have seen from my Facebook page I have been a busy woman the past two weeks. The reason being is because I got a new job...woohoo. I have been working in the my other job as a hostess since October but if I am being perfectly honest it was not working out for me. I got on really well with everyone, I did a really good job and I enjoyed my shifts but financially it wasn't feasible and if I am honest working nights and weekends...sucked.

Worried about money and wanting more stability I decided to get onto a recruiter for help and within a week I had a new job. I was delighted that it all happened so quickly. So the job is in an insurance broker that operates worldwide. My title is print production associate. I am only training at the moment so I am still getting to know my role but to explain my day to day work, I receive print projects from different clients and mange any requests they may have. I prepare these projects from the initial phase to production and then distribution. The role is both customer service orientated but also technical.

Initially I was nervous about the technical side of the job and being on computers all day as it is very new to me, but even after two days I am getting the hang of it and feeling more confident. It's a Monday to Friday job, starting at 10.30am and finishing at 7pm so I get a lie in, in the morning and on a Friday evening there is still plenty of time to get ready and go drinking... I have my priorities right don't I?

The job is also a 12 minute walk from my apartment so I am very lucky. although my last job was an 8 minute walk, ughh so that's 4 minutes extra exercise in the morning haha. I am finishing up in my old job this week, so I will be wrecked by Friday. I have to get over it though as my friends and I are planning on doing the 12 pubs or whatever ones we find.

Have a great week,

Talk soon xx

Zita J