Day 80

Today was my last full day in Toronto touring around. Tomorrow is packing day and then the flight out at 9pm.

I went out to the Hockey Hall of Fame this morning, then back to the Distillery district in the afternoon. This evening I took Jenn back to the Distillery too look around a bit then have dinner at the Mill Street Brew Pub at the Distillery. It was good. We ordered a platter and over ate. I had 5 different kinds of beer, but only small glasses of each. You can order samples of 4, equaling about a pint. She also brought me a sample of one of their new beers coming out soon. It was a good experience. I like beer.

I'll be thankful to get home, so I can drive places again. Transit is a good thing for the environment, but I've been on it a LOT, and I feel like I need a huge shower to wash the Subway off of me.

I think that's it for now. I have some photos to post, but I don't know if I'll have time before we go home. Thanks for stopping by. Take care.

Day 79

Today I went to Dundas Square, which was...underwhelming. It was big and lots of billboards and tv screens and buildings and people and all that. It didn't really have the character that I appreciate.

Tomorrow I'm going back to the Distillery. I'm looking forward to a second chance at taking some better photos. I'm thinking I'll also check out the hockey hall of fame. Should be pretty good.

Nothing much else to report for today.

I think we're both looking forward to going back to Saskatchewan. Jenn especially. I'm looking forward to heading back too, but facing real life is a bit daunting for me. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks for reading. Take care.

Day 78

Today I spent a few hours at the Distillery, which is not a Distillery anymore, and has been/is being rejuvenated into a thriving restaurant/shopping district. It's an amazing place to look at. I was a bit shy at first to walk around taking pictures, but eventually got my nerve up. Unfortunately, by the time I did, I didn't have much time left. I'm going back before we go back home. So many things to take photos of.

The photo above are of some bikes at the back of a coffee shop. I think it's ok.

Tomorrow I think I'll check out Dundas Square. From what I've read it's basically Toronto's version of Time Square in New York. We'll see what it brings!

That's it, I think, for today. Take care.

Day 77

Tonight went went to the CN Tower for dinner. It was a pretty good time. I took some photos, but I don't think they will be that great, because of the reflection on the windows of the lights inside, etc.

A few more days and we'll be home. Looking forward to seeing friends and family again, even thought it's only been a few weeks.

That's about it for now. Thanks for stopping by. Take care.

Day 76

Today we spend the afternoon with another of Jenn's friends from Toronto. We walked through a bit of Chinatown and up and down a section of Queen street west, which is known for it's boutique shopping. We also walked through part of a place called the Annex. It was nice to walk through areas of the city that weren't all huge buildings and people with suits.

This is the second and final week we're in Toronto. Jenn of course has class during the day, but we're looking forward to dinner in the CN Tower, and sort of the Raptors game come Wednesday. During the days I hope to get out for some more sight seeing. Tomorrow promises to be one of the more exciting days here - laundry day. I'm pumped.

Thanks for reading. Take care.

Day 75

Today we got up early in the morning to go to Niagara. At the end of it all, I would say if we go back, it'll be summer, and we'll rent a car. It was to cold, and way to much walking. That, and by the end of the day we had spent about 8 hours in transit. 4 hours there, and 4 hours back. First bus, then RT, then subway, then train, then bus. Reverse that for the trip back.

The falls were nice.

Tomorrow we're meeting another friend of Jenn's for lunch. I hope my feet and legs are better by tomorrow, or it'll be a long day.

Jenn went to bed early tonight, face wind burned, and legs tired and sore. Poor woman. She's a trooper, especially with my moody ass complaining all the time. Well, my ass doesn't complain...you get the point. I'm a grump sometime. Not something I'm proud of, and something I am going to work on. I'm very very lucky to have such an understanding and patient wife.

That's it for today. Take care.

Day 74

I don't really have time to write a bunch about my day right now. I took the subway to the Royal Ontario Museum today. When I got there, I was told it would take about 3 hours to see the whole thing. I knew I didn't have time to walk through the whole thing. While I was standing there wondering if spending the 24 dollars was worth only seeing part of it, a lady come up to me and asked if I wanted a free ticket. Problem solved. The area around the museum was very cool as well.

Tonight we went for supper and then dessert with some friends of Jenn's. It was good to meet them. Nice people. Tomorrow we're going to see Niagara Falls, which should be good. Lots of transit, though. So much transit.

Well, bed time. We're up early tomorrow morning. Take care.

Day 73

Well this is obviously a picture of the CN Tower, as taken from between two pillars, just outside the CBC building. We've made reservations for dinner up there at the top of the tower for Monday night. I hope it's a good experience.

Today was kind of a rough day, but I'm feeling a bit better tonight. I think if I get out tomorrow it'll help. The subway takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get to where I want to go.

I know it's not super exciting, and you can find a million pictures of the tower, so don't judge too hard. :)

Tomorrow I'm heading to Queen street west, which I read is good for people watching, and is more interesting than most areas. Like Soho in New York.

I suppose that's it for today. Take care.

Day 72

I tried uploading a photo, but it wasn't working, so you'll have to wait.

Today I spent most of the day in the room until Jenn finished class. We ordered pizza in. After that we walked to Tim Horton's to try those new fruit smoothies. All pretty decent. That's enough recap.

Some plans are starting to shape up, which is nice. We're meeting up with one of Jenn's old friends this Friday for supper. Saturday we're talking about taking a tour bus to Niagara Falls, but we'll see. Tuesday we're seeing another friend of Jenns. Wednesday we're going to a Raptors game, which should be something. I know they're doing terrible this year, but neither of us follow basketball, so we're just going to take it in. Besides, it was cheap. I think we want to check out the CN tower for supper maybe...or at least go up for the view.

As for the weekdays, I'm not sure what all I'll do yet. I was maybe going to see the hockey hall of game soon. That might be interesting.

Well, I really don't have much else to share now. Take care.

Day 71

I made it downtown today. I didn't really do anything but just learn how to use the transit. It's nowhere near as organized as Seoul's metro, but usable. I didn't see a lot of downtown, but what I saw looked interesting.

Nothing much else happened today. I took a few picture, but I don't know how they really turned out yet. I hope there is at least 1 or 2 usable ones. Yes, I took that few.

That's about it. Thanks for reading. Take care.

Day 70

Nothing really happened today. Jenn's first day seemed to go well. I didn't really go anywhere. Tomorrow I might venture out. Who knows. Nothing else to report. Take care.

Day 69 - Toronto

We landed in Toronto a couple hours ago, and I immediately started feeling better than everyone else. ;)

The flight here was uneventful, and and I had to pee real bad by the end. It was either "keep your seat belts fastened", or the restrooms were busy, so neither of us used it for the duration of the flight...which isn't super long, but us being a pregnant lady and a guy who had too much to drink during the flight, it made for a real satisfying pee at the airport.

Our room is quaint. It seems clean, which is a bonus. Free wireless internet is also a bonus. We're not at a hotel. We're at the college where Jenn's course is. Basically we're staying in the dorm, which was at one time a hotel. It's 2am here and I can hear people in the hall way, but it's not too loud. Brings me back to my Briercrest dorm days. That was a long time ago.

I don't know what I'm going to do for two weeks. Tomorrow I'll probably stick around here, to see how Jenn's first day goes. After that, throughout the week I'll venture out here or there. Weirdly enough, I want to see Toronto's main library. I don't know if it's a fancy old library like some big cities. We'll see. I just realized now that they probably have dozens, if not more in a city this size. Down town is somewhere I want to go see. The CBC building is another place I want to tour. Lots of stuff to see, most likely.

This might be a good experience. I hope it isn't a struggle, being away. I'm remembering the times I used to take the subway into Seoul, and get "lost" by myself for the day, in the markets, downtown, where ever. I don't know what Toronto's transit system is like. I hope it's decent. Seoul's metro subway was insanely easy, and made traveling around that city fun and simple.

Well, I've been rambling. Thanks for stopping by. Thanks for reading. Take care.

Day 68

I watched part of a video of a girl claiming that the Japanese earthquake and tsunami was an answer to her prayer, and that God shook Japan to let them know he was there. I don't know if any of you have seen this video, but that girl is extremely confused. That's all I'll say about that now.

I've been missing my family lately. I wish it was summer or Christmas and we were all together hanging out and having fun. Other than briefly in February, the last time I was with extended family, it was for my grandma's funeral. I'm looking forward to seeing family again, but under more positive circumstances.

Well I don't feel like talking about much else. Thanks for stopping by. Take care.

Day 67

Today was a pretty good day. Went for lunch with a friend, then went for supper with my in-laws, then visited some friends this evening. It's good to be around people.

Tomorrow is just clean the apartment and wash clothing day for the most part. We're going for lunch with some church friends at a Thai place. Man, it sounds like we never cook at home. We do. Don't judge.

That's it for today. Take care.

Day 66

I know it's cheating if I write yesterday's blog this morning, but I fell asleep on the couch at 8:30 last night, and that's that. The whole "write during the day" thing didn't really work out either. We were running around all day.

Anyway, yesterday was one of those days. I hope today is better (at least emotionally).

Jenn went to her first midwife meeting yesterday (I went as well). It was a group meeting, where one of the midwifes presented on some general information, the idea of home birth's vs. hospital births, and some other house keeping details (not literal house keeping). It was good.

OK, well, I'll write today's later. I'm lame, I know.

Day 65

I always leave this till the very end of the day, when I'm tired and don't feel like writing anything. I think I'll start trying to write earlier. Maybe when my brain is somewhat functional.

Today was a decent day. We went to a movie tonight with some friends, which was good.

It was Jenn's friday today, so that's good.

Okay I'm just trying to think of things to type. I'm out. Take care.

Day 64

I honestly don't know what to tell you today. I went swimming tonight with Jenn and a friend from church. It helped me feel better. Thankfully the roughest part of my day was in the afternoon so Jenn didn't have to experience the worst of it.

For the most part, I'm looking forward to our Toronto trip.

Tomorrow, we have our first dr's appointment, and will hopefully be able to hear the baby's heart beat. I really really hope it's not too early to hear it.

I think the baby starts hearing fairly soon. That will be fun.

I can't wait to meet the little one already. On one hand, I wish human gestation was the same as dogs (about 3 months). On the other hand, this world would probably be in trouble if that were the case. That's hardly enough time to think about what you've done. I suppose 9+ months is a good chunk of time to prepare mentally and materially.

Well, that's about it. Thanks for reading.

Day 63

Today I helped a friend for a few hours with his house. It was good to be out of the house. I was really tired after, because I'm ultra out of shape. I mean, ultra.

I'm sorry, but that's it again for today. There's lots on my mind, but I'm not ready to share it yet.

Thanks anyway for stopping by. Take care.

Day 62

Fatherhood is something that I'm looking forward to, but don't feel ready for.

Jenn has her first Dr.'s appointment this week. That might be the only one, as she finally got a call back from the midwife program saying she has been excepted. That was good news. No, we're not having a home birth. Jenn wants a midwife to deliver, but in a hospital. I know those who are trying for a home birth for their next baby, and don't judge whatsoever. People can have what they want. We just want the assurance of a hospital surrounding, with the care level and attention and patience of a midwife.

Well, today has been extremely draining, so I'll leave it at that. Thanks for stopping by. Take care.

Day 61

Today, for the most part, was a good day. It was one of those Saturdays that felt long, but in a good way. Usually Saturdays go by way too fast. Today wasn't without it's frustrations, though. What day isn't, I suppose.

We leave for Toronto in a week tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it. I think Jenn is a bit nervous, but it'll turn out good. We've both flown before, but not together. During the week, Jenn will have class by day, and I'll go out and see stuff, take photos, etc. It doesn't seem fair, but she wants me to come along for support. I think we may go see Niagara Falls, and some other Toronto tourism spots while we're there.

I have nothing to talk about today, really. Sorry.

Thanks for reading anyway, though!

Day 60

This weekend I'm leading worship for the Plenary sessions for something called Harvest Fest. I'm a bit nervous for a few reasons. I've only really lead music for my church, I don't know how many people are going to be there, and I don't know if they know the songs I've chose to do. That being said, it's not really about me. It has been a good opportunity for me to do something, and to get out and be with people.

We practice the songs at my in-law's house. It was pretty sweet. While I played guitar, my brother-in-law played bass, my friends played djembe and cello, and my mom and dad in law played flute and violin. Even though the last two people won't be playing this weekend, it was great to listen to. Sounded like orchestra with a bass and guitar. I'd like to do that again sometime, but just for fun.

I'm supposed to be sleeping, but I couldn't really. I'm more tired now.

Thanks for reading. Take care.

Day 59

Sometimes I drink my iced tea one spoon full at a time. I wonder if anyone else has something they eat/drink weirdly.

BP is starting to put out commercials about people from the coast where the major oil spill happen last summer. Basically, it's people telling the camera how BP isn't perfect but they got them through the hard times, and that things are on the up and up. It almost makes you feel good, until you remember that it's from BP. Honestly, the commercials will work for the most part, because people believe what they see. Yes, maybe parts of the coast are healing, but I'm willing to bet that thousands are still negatively impacted by the spill. We've already forgot about it. This will just make us think to ourselves, "That's special. BP fixed everything!" Commercials are powerful.

Anyone else looking forward to the Royal wedding in April? Yeah, me too.

Anyway, thanks for reading, take care.

Jason

Day 58

Jeepers, it's going to be difficult to do this for a full year.

Today was an ok day. I did errands. Woo hoo.

I'll just say, that I gave up facebook for lent. It was a huge time waster for me. It feels good to be off of it already. Sort of like Bilbo after giving the ring to Frodo. "I feel better already." Yeah. I really did. Facebook sort of just pissed me off, anyway. All people do is brag about their to do lists, or talk about how busy they are, or "vague book" as a friend called it (when a person's status is purposely vague to get attention). Anyway, it's good to be away for a while.

I guess I'll just leave it at that. Thanks for reading. Take care.

Day 57

Lent starts March 9th, or Ash Wednesday. I'm giving up something, and also trying to live healthier. That won't be hard, considering that I haven't been living a healthy life at all, really.

I went aquacising tonight again with my wife. I really enjoy it. It lifts my spirits for a couple hours, which is really nice.

We leave for Toronto next week. I need to figure out where the good photo spots are in the city. I'm hoping to get some good street stuff, but we'll see. I think it's a mix of planning, skill, and luck. Considering that I'm just there for a couple of weeks, and don't know much about the city, and my skill is developing, I'm probably going to rely mostly on luck this time around. Looking forward to that.

Well, that's it for today. Thanks, and take care.

Day 55 & 56

Yesterday evening was a challenge for me. My sadness came on quite strong, and I didn't want to do much, let alone blog.

Positivity is tricky. It's usually those with a positive disposition that go around gloating that positivity is the key, and that they have remained positive through adversity, etc., bla bla bla. Yes, being a positive person helps, but it's much much easier said than done. That, and a lot of other factors play into people's "choice" to be positive, or happy. I think positivity takes a crap load of discipline, and sometimes even more friends or family to help out. The problem is, and I've mentioned this before, people are uncomfortable with depression or sadness, and they distance themselves from it. Understandably.

It's a battle, and I'm fighting it.

Day 54

End of the day. I lead music tomorrow at church, which I usually always enjoy in the moment. This time was more unorganized than usual, which is saying something. It usually comes together.

I'm watching Telemiracle right now. It's sort of a tradition for me. I don't watch the entire thing, but I try to catch the first while, and Sunday afternoon to see the "final" total. Better entertainment is easy to find, but it's not about the entertainment for me. It's about seeing small town kids performing, watching tired and awkward hosts try to pass the time, reading the names at the bottom of the screen, in case you know someone, seeing totals, waiting for a knock-down, and Bob. The big thing is that they help people. I don't know what the process looks like, but I guess they help a lot of people with expensive stuff. That's always good.

I think that's about it for today. Thanks so much for reading.

Day 53

We had some friends over for a visit and a game. It was a good time. It was a fairly last minute phone call that we got from some friends, which we're usually glad to say yes to. Last minute visiting seems to be a dying activity, sadly. I love stop by's, or last minute visits. It doesn't seem to happen anymore. Everything is schedules. It's like play dates. Really? You can't just call up a friend that also has a kid and hang out so your kids can hang out? Maybe that's what play date is, just now called a play date. I think a play date is scheduled. Oh well.

I'm not sure if I'm going to talk baby talk to my baby. I think I'll talk normally to him/her from birth. I think it'll honestly help them speak sooner. Baby talk just seems to encourage speech impediments, or slower language development.

Well, I'll leave it at that. I hope everything is well with you. Thanks for reading. Take are.

Day 52

I don't have anything, really. Thanks for checking in! Sorry I don't have anything for you!

Day 51

I can't imagine what a woman has to go through during pregnancy. I think maybe the two main emotions are guilt and worry. Worry that something is wrong, and guilt that you caused it. I won't go without mentioning the myriad of physical changes and challenges as well. On the other hand, if a woman can work through those emotions and physical experiences, many exciting feelings may come along with the process as well. Experiencing the miracle of a baby growing inside, excitement for the baby's arrival, etc.

My job right now is to help make my wife as comfortable as possible, given her circumstances. It's only going to get more interesting from here on, said the doctor the other day.

Day 50

This morning was terrible, the afternoon was much better. This evening was fun. I'm glad the day got better as it progressed.

Sorry, that's really as much detail as I want to share. I know, I know...lame. I'm not writing it to get attention...just to write about something.

My parents might be coming to Saskatoon for the day on Saturday, which should be a good time.

Honestly, that's all I have. Sorry. Maybe next time.

Take care.