Snow Day Sunday!

We woke this morning to lots and lots of snow. It was before Christmas when it last snowed properly here. So instead of moaning about the weather which I usually do, I went out and took some silly photos in it. Haha. It can be annoying getting places in the snow but it's so damn pretty. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in your busy life and not appreciate your surroundings but it's up to you to see the beauty of everyday things...

Happy Sunday!

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Talk soon xx

Zita J

Scarborough Bluffs

I have wanted to see Scarborough Bluffs for awhile now but for some reason we kept putting it off. Last Saturday it was such a nice day (Summer, please don’t leave) so we decided to head there. By car, getting to Scarborough should take about 30 mins. We had to get the streetcar, subway, bus and then walk; it took the bones of 2 hours. I was nearly odd with the place. It was so worth it though.

When we got off the bus and started walking we weren’t sure where we were heading so we followed people we assumed were heading to the bluffs. You know what they say don’t ever assume anything...bla bla. Well they weren’t heading to the bluffs; they were going below the bluffs to the beautiful beaches and park area, where a lot of families were having BBQ's and enjoying the sunshine. It was great though because we got to see the beaches and we got ice cream so I was in my element. Yes I am really 5 years old in my head.

After our ice creams, we tried to figure out how we were going to get to the top of the cliff where we originally wanted to be. We knew if we went back the way we came after getting off the bus we could probably find a way but sure I love doing things awkwardly so we decided to go through woods that said  “do not climb. Fine of $2,000”....be grand!! There was a pathway so we thought, why not?  By God did we pay for it! It was so steep and difficult and I was not wearing the right shoes or clothes for a trek through an ant infested woods. It reminded me of the times my dad used to bring me and my sister on adventures through woods in Kerry or across lakes, except this time I am not fit and I was more worried my make up being sweaty for pictures at the top. Lol.

We made it to the top and wow it was so worth it. You actually are not meant to cross a barrier to look out over the cliff but everyone does it (I’m like a sheep). It was the spot to take amazing pictures. It’s kind of scary though as there are no barriers, just a big drop into the water. My hands are sweating just thinking about it. Anyway here are the pictures from up there. Definitely a must see but probably only in the summer time with no winds seeing as it is a cliff. By far one of the nicest places I have seen in Toronto.

Talk soon xx

Zita J

Niagara Tour

Happy Monday, hope you had a nice weekend. As some of you may know my Mum came to visit me on Thursday. It was all emotion as I surprised her in the airport. I told her I was working but instead myself and Parker traveled to surprise her. It was no shock that I got teary eyed as I saw her. On Friday I showed her around the city, mainly places to eat as that's all I seem to do here. On Saturday morning we did a bit of shopping before I headed to work, later that night she popped in and had some food and drinks where I work. Then yesterday we had a bright and early 8am start as we headed to Niagara Falls. We went with a company called Niagara Toronto Tours and I could not recommend it more.

The package we got was $99 each and it included:

• Pick up from our apartment at 8am.
• Driver/witty tour guide 
• First stop was wine tasting in a Niagara winery, yes I did drink wine at 9.30am but it was just after lunch time in Ireland so it was totally acceptable.
• Second stop was to the historical town of Niagara on the lake (where there are amazing bakeries may I add) and is so picturesque. 
• Third stop was to view the worlds largest natural whirlpool and rapids.
• Last but certainly not least the fourth stop was Niagara Falls.Which did not disappoint.
• Included in this package you also get the Hornblower Boat Cruise right up next to the falls.(Bring a raincoat, wellies, overalls and an UMBRELLA! Don't really, that would be weird but if you think a tiny poncho will keep you dry on this boat you are sadly mistaken. So much fun though, so its well worth getting soaked for.
• After 3 hours free time, where you can take as many pictures as you like, eat some average tourist food, gamble at the casinos or just enjoy the sunshine and mild temperatures, which was very surprising and very welcoming in Canada during November, you are then brought back to your apartment door, tired but very happy that you got up early that morning.

Overall, we had a really great day. The weather was amazing so we picked a prefect day to go and I got to see one of the seven wonders of the world with my Mum and boyfriend, what more could you want? Below are some pictures of our day. Hope you enjoy!

The last one is my favourtie picture that I took of the day. Now off to spend more time with my Mum, who just made a roast..I am very excited!

Talk soon xx

Zita J

Two weeks in...

Happy Monday,

Hope you all had a lovely bank holiday weekend, it is a bank holiday here too but seeing as I don't have a job yet, everyday is a holiday :-) So I am here two weeks today. To be honest I feel like I am here about a month. We have done a lot in the past two weeks, so I guess I'll fill you in. Last week we went to the Islands. Its a ten minutes ferry ride over and only cost $7. It is really pretty over there with beautiful beaches and lots to do.

Parker and myself rented a two seater quadricycle to see the island while some of our friends rented regular bikes. We had lots of fun cycling around and ringing the bell at people. When I go again I might rent a regular bike as we weren't allowed on the promenade or over bridges on the quadricycle. All in all it was a great day out and  already I can't wait to go again!

Between all the sight seeing and fun stuff, we have been looking for an apartment of our own. At the moment we are lucky enough to stay with friends, I am repaying them in cheesecakes! Luckily we found a place we really love and all going well we are moving in on the 24th of August and as luck would have it all we have to do is go down ten flights of stairs to our new home! The area we are in is great, two amazing restaurants at the foot of the building, a short walk to the waterfront and very close to the heart of downtown Toronto. The building itself has great facilities, a gym, pool, spa, games room, home cinema, BBQ area and so on! 

I can't begin to describe the food here, everywhere I have eaten so far has been amazing. From the well know Five Guys and Chipotle to places like The Bier Markt and Warehouse. The restaurant Warehouse always has a queue out the door because everyday everything on the Menu is $4.95...Everything! I better start using the gym and pool facilities here at the rate I am eating!

To finish a great week, on Saturday night we went to see James Bay and George Ezra in concert. Parker bought me tickets as a surprise before we left and I was really looking forward to it. I wasn't disappointed. Prior to going I was more excited about seeing George Ezra  and he was excellent however in my opinion it was all about James Bay. His voice is sensational and I may be in love with him...sorry Parker! I will leave you with a mash up of the man himself! <3

Talk soon xx

Zita J 

The Story So Far...

Greetings from Toronto,

Sorry I am only getting a chance to write my blog post now but as you can imagine, I have been very busy. I only bought a laptop yesterday so its all systems go from now on. So... As you can see I have arrived safe and sound in Toronto and if I could describe in one word what I think so far it would be... AMAZING!

We arrived on Monday after a very doable six and a half hour flight. We flew with Aer Lingus and I could not sing their praises enough. One flight attendant started talking to us and we told her that we were moving over to Canada to live, a few minutes later she arrived back to our seats with two bottles of Prosecco to celebrate our big move.

After landing, going through security and getting our visas sorted, we got a taxi into Toronto to meet our friends who we are staying with. They met us outside their apartment block and brought us up to their apartment on the 15th floor, I am really going to have to get use to heights in this place because all the buildings are huge. Anyway after settling in a bit, some more friends called over to see us and we went downstairs to a communal area and had a BBQ and a few drinks. Surrounded by high-rise buildings in lovely warm weather, with friends around us was a great way to start our adventure.

The rest of of week was spent eating some amazing food, shopping for bits and pieces, playing basketball, watching softball and getting lost in this fascinating city. So far I am absolutely loving it! The people are so friendly and helpful, the weather is in the high twenties everyday and they have some cool shops for example Bulk Barn you can buy every type of food imaginable in there from spices to sweets, to peanut butter and soups, all you do is put what you want in bags or containers and they weigh it. So simple yet so great!

Next week will be spent viewing apartments and getting to know the city even more but for now its so far so good. I will leave you with the story so far...

Have a nice weekend:-)

Talk soon xx

Zita J

What I am leaving behind...

When planning on what blog posts to write before my departure, this particular topic was one I wasn't sure should I share with you as its very honest and personal. Then I thought of the reason behind setting up my blog was to share my experiences with my family, my friends and anyone who is interested in seeing my journey both before I go and during. So here it goes.

As the time draws nearer and I can almost count the weeks on one hand I am beginning to get anxious about my decision, especially when I think of what I am leaving behind...

My house. When I think about the fact that I won't be coming home to my house for quite some time makes this decision a little harder. I adore the house I live in. I feel very lucky sometimes when I drive in my drive way and see the beautiful house and colourful garden I have occupied for 25 years. I have so many memories of my garden from playing in the treehouse, playing rotten egg with my neighbours, the countless parties outdoors, to recent times of chasing Nancy around it.

Inside I am going to miss things like baking cheesecakes in my kitchen, my bedroom and my cosy bed and some of the clothes I am leaving in my wardrobe (jokes). Materialistic things aside. Its not what I am going to miss, its who...

Friends. You know when people say " I have the best friends in the world!", well, I do. Ranging from the friends I see every few days here in Cork to the ones dotted across the world. They are all so special. I am very blessed to have a close group of girl friends that I have known about 13 years. We have been through a lot together, from moves to different counties to moves over seas and to this day if I go a week without seeing some of them I get withdrawal symptoms. I love how close I am to some of them, so much so that I can walk into one of their houses without knocking and I am made feel like a family member right away.

This weekend it going to be a tough one for me and one of my friends as we realised that its our last weekend together before I go away. Some of them are jetting off to New York and Las Vegas for a few weeks ( I am very jealous but I better get use to seeing pictures of them having fun without me). As one of them won't be back by the time I leave, we are going to make the most of our last weekend together. Each and every one of them have different qualities, strong minded, brave, caring, funny, hard working, that's what makes them so special.( ye can fight among yourselves girls over which qualities ye think ye have). They have been so encouraging and supportive about me moving and although I will be devastated leaving them behind, I know nothing will have changed when I return.

Family. As I go to write this I am already finding it difficult to put into words how much I will miss my family. 

My Dad, As I blogged about the quality time I spent last week with my dad before I depart, you were made aware that I don't see him as often as I would like, however I am hoping that as he travels a lot, Toronto may be somewhere he visits a few times :-) Every time I spend time with my Dad he spoils me rotten. He is such a generous, hard working man and a big softy at times. Not knowing the next time I see him is very hard but one thing is for sure, I will always be his little girl.

Nancy. Oh dear. Little Nancy, I currently can't see what I am typing as my eyes are welling up. How am I going to leave my favourite little two year old behind? I think when it comes to thinking about saying bye bye to my little niece, I crumble, My fear is of missing out on so much of her growing up and the thought that she will forget about me. Nancy, I think has been the best thing that has happened to our family, She has brought so much laughter, madness and excitement into our house and has two of the proudest parents in the world. I will just have to Skype her all the time so she remembers what I look like.

My sister. " There is only two of us Zita J, you and me, So you can't go forever! OKAY?" That's what my sister, Cathy, said to me when I told her I was moving, and she's right. There is only two of us so I know it will be hard on both of us, There is something really great about having an older sister, Firstly, you can argue with a sister and within 10 minutes ye can be laughing at something ridiculous. Secondly, you always have someone to look up to no matter how old you get. At the risk of sounding extremely cheesy, my sister is my inspiration. She fascinates me sometimes the things she gets done. She runs a very successful blog and business Turquoise Flamingo, Along with numerous other ventures such as Oh Me Oh My Diy and  a little bird told me. She does all this while being a full time hands on Mum to fabulously crazy toddler. She really is a true inspiration, not only to me but to many others I'm sure.I know saying bye to her and her little family will not be easy

My Mum. So how do you leave behind your best friend? I don't know and honestly I'm dreading it. Myself and my Mum have a fantastic relationship. We chat and gossip just like I would with my friends. She is young both in her looks and at heart.( hope the genes carry over). When I officially decided I was moving, we cried, then laughed that we always cry and then cried again. She is the most amazing woman I know. She is caring, understanding, strong, emotional ( I wonder where I get it from), brave and very stylish.( a MILF as some would say). I am not a mother but the only comparison I can think of to understand how my mum might feel is how I feel when I see the children I work with grow up and move on. I know its on a much smaller scale but its hard watching children you have taught, worked so hard with and cared for so much move on and face the big bad world. So for mums who watch their children move across the world, I can't imagine how they feel and how my poor mum with her tiny little head feels about the next five weeks that are quickly approaching.

Can you see how I have days were I feel anxious about my new adventure when I think about what I am leaving behind?

Talk soon xx

Zita J