{Day in a Life...} - Night at The (Royal Ontario) Museum

Oh boy, The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)... My last memories here are faded ones, ten years ago my big sister would take myself and my second sister here every Friday. It was always super fun each time, they would have new activities each week, but with the same displays - it was somehow always amusing each time... And each time, Soph and I would be disgusted by the same rotting Mummy toes :p.

This time, I had an opprotunity to attend a 'Night at ROM' - where for the Fridays of two months ROM would dim the lights and set up music, drinks and food while allowing guests to explore the museum. It's a pretty cool idea! Each Friday there would be a new 'theme' going on! Tickets were $20/Student.

Got my ROM Bucks ready.

One ROM Buck ($6) would buy one dish or drink!

 The bones of a Pterodactyl illin' - Beautiful rock dissected to reveal gorgeous stones 

Dranks with the dinosaurs!

 I was absolutely captivated by each of the displays - the teeniest tiniest of pottery, the number of ginormous one-pieced statues and the vividness of each peace... Oh my gosh. The ROM has such an amazing collection.

But I wasn't thinking of the galleries when I accepted the offer to go to the ROM... I was excited for the food! Oh, it was hidden everywhere. In two areas up stairs and scattered across the main room on the bottom floor. 

I ended up trying:

- Kanto's French Fries topped with Pork Offals, Mayo and Green Onions

I love all sorts of odd stuff, so offals on anything was a definite order for me! And yes, it was great! I threw out the other half away though because I was being carb-cautious (Regret. 2AM and I am craving it!)

- Little Tomato's Maple and Mustard Glaze Peameal Burgers

Served with a soft boiled Quail Egg and Argrula - my big sis could not stop raving about this when she visited ROM weeks before... I did not like it at all. Bleeeh (Kiddy Alice's reaction :D).

- Hot Bunzz' Tuna Bun

I ended up taking this home for my big Sis. I was way too full. They served up two Tuna Buns for me, and I had the second the next morning, it was soooo good! They had three options - Elk, Tuna and Pulled Pork I believe. The Pork sold out quick, with the Elk selling out next and the Tuna last. It was like a Chinese BBQ Bun - Soft on the out and inside, with savoury, untraditional filling on the inside. Had a weird after taste to it, but I want more!

I also had a bottomless cup of Cranberry juice - I was so excited. But (Minute Maid) Cranberry juice from the can is absolute crap okay! It was nothing like Ocean Spray and gave me a sore throat after three sips.

Annnnd, the only shot of a dish I took in the night.

 Kanto's French Fries topped with Pork Offals, Mayo and Green Onions ($6.00)

And a few more displays coming up... Incredible - no words, just look, okay.

(the second image, bottom left corner - those were my favourite pieces of the night! 'Gruesome Statures')

 *Melts*

Even the ceiling was incredible - The gates that reminded me of Cabramatta, but no, I wasn't in Cabra...

I would spam more pictures, but I really don't want my posts to be too picture heavy! Just uploading the highlights of my light, but the other shots I took are available for viewing (here).

Overall, it was great! I would love to go again next year, and be wowed once again - hopefully with the Hot Bunzz stand also catering next time around ☺.

June 2013: Towel Hooks as Banana Hangers, Cheesy Temples & Kitten Tissue Mascots

I am getting a headache from backtracking - I should get these months over with!
Only one more to catch up on ☺.

A (boring) visit to Distillery, but I did manage to get a few cute shots.

1. The disappointing look on the kids face as he was reaching the peak of the bridge, to see that there was no way to get to the otherside
2. Faux taxidermy beaver, racoon and rabbit in a children's clothing shop
3. Sad fat small buddha
   
   
   
4. Canadians chillin on the grass outside, yet again
5. Blue Jays Way (lol, Canada)
6. Bipolar weather all day every day
7. This friendly littering sign
8. Andddd, still being a tourist taking a picture of the Rogers Centre and CN Tower each time I pass 
   
9.  Walking into Chapters to see letter blocks stacked in fate
10. Walmart... Canada's Kmart - it's ugly af. I miss Kmart!
11. Canadian Tire is a store that sells, kinda everything - for every $5 you spend, you get a 5c Canadian Tire note back. lol
    
12. A Thomas Sabo charm from Mumma Phan
13. A stack of Swarovski goods for sale on Kijiji
14. A cutie Fathers Day gift my seven year old cousin made for his Papa (they celebrate Father's Day in June!)
15. My sister's Hello Kitty Checkers.....
    
    
    The Stop's Night Market time! @ Honest Ed's Alleyway
16.  The line already extending around the block. All you can chow and drink at $50 - all the local restaurants and for a good cause!
17. Meatball sauce love hearts on ma plate
18. Receiving my first telegram
19. Korean Fried Chicken @ 416 Snackbar aw, yis.
    
    
20. Humid, pouring, not in the mood for anything - of course I had to be splashed at the first intersection I crossed at
21. First day to my Microeconomic class - why is it so far?
22.  Grumpy chumps Arsy catching up on Marketing readings at the library
    
23. View of King St from my Aunt's balcony
    
24.  My aunt using towel hangers on oven handle bars as banana holders
25. My aunt's toy, the popular Boo (I am the only person in the world who doesn't think he's cute)
26. My aunt's cutie plant
27. My aunt has still kept the metallic cylinder gift boxes she used to gift my sister, cousin and I our TY toys (Millenium, in my case! ☺)
    
    
    What has Milz been up to!
28. Milz touchin' my leg
29. My sister kidnapped my two other toys for a bit because I was getting two distracted playing with them while I was studying - at the end of the day, Millenium was able to be reunited with them ☺
30. Milz chillin in bed while I am studying
    
31. The dangerous unmarked pedestrian crossings of Canada
32. Ice cream, hot dog and slushie trucks along Queen Street!
33. How Canadians spend their Thursday nights - at the park, watching a movie
    
34.  Slicing up a bit of cheese, which ended up looking like a chinese temple (wat)
35. These gorgeous smelling reeds 
36. Leaving my pen unopen next to a piece of tissue was not a good idea
37. Receiving my Lions Club Certificate in the mails! Oh, and a Kitty card - what cuties!
    
    
    Ohhhhhp, and the popular tissues here are mascots of Kittens! Not puppies :p, silly Kleenex.
38.  And of course, with beautiful prints of the tissue box, I had to make coasters!
39. Watches my sis and I use to wear five years ago! My big sis still had them ☺
    
    
    I've been volunteering at the CAMH office since I got here, it's always pretty fun, and on this particular day, they were having an event for their Gifts of Light program!
40.  We were in charge of the Popsicle stand, it was such a nice day! We received each a bag of treats and a hot dog.... WITH RELISH! Yum. I also went through the crazed crowd to get three current and one retired Blue Jay'ers signatures on hats they were giving out... and left a lovely picture on my sister's whiteboard ☺.
    
    
    Around my sister's cubicle...
41.  Magnet Babu and of course she has a mug with that saying.
    
42.  Torontarians are crazer about their sport teams. It's even on crayons!
43. How tiny is this cigarette extinguisher!!! How does it work...
44. I remember these when I was a little fan! Wetting your paintbrush, dabbing the specified colours and painting the paper! Sooo good! I would love this now if I was a kid (or maybe even now...).
    
    
    
45.  Of course I had to download Archie's first app! But it's not available on Samsung, so I got it on my sister's iPad
46. Watching Stick n' Around - BEST. SHOW. EVER. This screenshot already makes me giggle
47. HOW CUTE IS THIS ASIAN KID
48. And, here is the start to my food pics! Stir-fried Japanese noodles, celery, bean curd, mushrooms and chili!
    
    
    
49.  Olive n' Roasted ham Pancakes
50. Five rows of (imitation Korean) Yakult for $2.30!!!! (from TnT)
51. Powder Soy Bean in a Mickey Mug!
52. Berry yogurt, Kashi cereal and a banaaaana!!!!
    
    
    
53.  Cheetos! (Yah jeals, sis?)
54. These cuties are definitely cuties
55. I am the best fish sauce brewer in the world.
    
    
    
56.  My mumma brought over a bag of Cha Lua she made on that morning! YUM
57. Dissecting Raspberries.... Interesting...
58. Shake n' Bake Chicken, Avo & Tomato Salad, Haddock and some artsy Nachos in Guacamole
59. Wonton n' Egg Noodles
    
    
    
60.  Lunch time! Taco taco taaaaco
61. This was AMAZING - Oven baked Brie topped with Caramelised Onions.... Mmmmhm!
62. Pig head from that one time and Parts & Labour
63. Fish balls and cucumber on Vermicelli with Fish Sauce!
    
    
    
64.  Mi Goreng and Fish Balls with Sriracha! - The Mi Gorengs are on steroids in Canada! I swear they are a much bigger once boiled than Australia's ones. In Australia, I would need a Packet and a half to fill me up (and where would that other half go???!!!) Here, one is just enough!
65. Sushi Take-out from Sushi on Bloor
66. Gzoya Dumplings! What up
67. Two types of Spaghettis in Meaty sauce (what is the occasion sis??? My bro and my sis' bf's mate was over)
    
    
    
68. Oh hellllo Banh Uot! From Pho Linh
69. Beautiful Chicken Salad of my Mumma's!
70. Cheesy goodness of ____ (they're not Doritos..... some other brand)
71. Chowing at Asian Legend! Dumplings, Scallion Pancakes and Rice Cakes!
    
    
    
72. Our delicious feast of Cheeseburger sliders, Rainbow Roll and Lobster Sammich' at JOEYs YES. BE JEALOUS.
73. Pizza from Pizza Pizza! 
74. Yum Cha take out - That Sticky Rice was (sticky and) beautiful.
75. Peach yogurt with Kashi and Banana!

Back soon with July ☺!

Day in a life...: Day two in TO, Welcome Back Dins & Reuniting with Archie Comics

Hello cuties!

I know I have a few long delayed posts, but I will compress the successive ones nicely, don't ya'll fret! ☺

So, about my first day and second night in Toronto...

First off, I'd like to say that the weather is a shocker! I was wearing three layers of clothing for the first few weeks here and everyone else was easily prancing around in 3/4s. My body isn't use to this climate.

Our plans for the day were to attend our family gathering for my welcome back party! Yis. It's been five years since I've seen my mom's side so I was definitely excited to see everyone again.

My aunt lives a few 'short' blocks away from us - short my ass. It took us 20 minutes to get down here! We dropped by a few places before heading to my aunt Kim's. 

My sister walked past this McCains sign so simply -- What? This is the McCain office?! I couldn't stop thinking of the unlimited supply of pizza pockets all the employees must have stocked in their fridges, envious, I pranced on.

 And our first shop is to Shoppers Drugmart (Priceline equivalent, but isn't as showy and appealing to women like Priceline is... oh gosh, I miss Priceline.) this place was stocked with high-end make up brands (Lancome) to Salsa dips - I excitedly bolted straight to the drugstore makeup section to quickly skim all the prices. Guys. Canada isn't as cheap as you'd expect, I'd say the same prices as Australian drugstore products (Australis). I didn't want to touch anything.

Archie Comics - ohhhhhhhhh archie comics! (That comic book you see in the centre of the photo there) Archie Comics took up so much time of my childhood, this is the best comic book you could possibly read - I read their 'bests' on my trip over here, and dammmmmmn! I am definitely going to continue to stash their collection as soon as I am able to fund the habit :p 

In Australia their comic books are easily $15 for a double digest and $7 here :) - hell yess!

We also dropped by LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario), which I had to wait outside of since I didn't bring my id (So I couldn't spew over the low prices of vodka - yet!). In Ontario (the province/state I live in guys, keep up!), all the spirits and a large portion of alcoholic beverages are supplied only by LCBO - so if workers go on strike, gg to our thirsty livers.

And off to Kim's! We entered these godly black heavy gates - where the hell are we. Damn, Canadian condos are fancy. Look at that black horse.

My family is so cute - my grandpapi gave me my first stash of Canadian mesos

I was so excited looking at all the delicious foods everyone brought along - Many varieties of sushi, delicious BBQ duck, oven cooked chicken wings, my aunt Nan's specialty kale salad and so much thai takeaway!

 I looooooooove duck! omg bury me in ur oily goodness plz

A marble cake from my cousin - it's beautiful! (and incredibly tasty)

It was also my aunt Jackie's birthday :D

 View from aunt Kim's balcony - my golly. You're beautiful at night Toronto, I'll give you that.

Bidding an au reviour to my sweet family, stumbling out of my aunt's condo with hands full of goodies and grabbed a taxi home.

Many red pockets and Millenium n' Ms. Tinkle awaiting my cuddles.

Second day away from home and I'm still not phased. Not sure.

Day in a life...: My trip over - the first night in!

Hi!

This obviously isn't one of my happier posts - this is only a one off, I promise!

Prepare yourselves for the rambling block of text my friends:

It's been a long time since wonderarsy - its taken me a while to gather all of my thoughts. Even after processing this information over the past four months, it still all seems surreal. Waking up every morning is the absolute worst for me. All of my dreams are about my life in Sydney, then I wake up here.

So - I've moved to Canada! There's been many sleepless nights and freakish blank emotions leading up to this date - but I've done it. I've managed to fit the past ten years of my life in Australia into two suitcases and dragged myself to Toronto. It definitely is nice to see my family again, it was something I've been longing for, to be surrounded by family, for so, so long. But then again, now I've realised, my friends have become my family too - I'm not sure how to deal. I'm still trying to grasp all of this, but it's hard without feeling so much hatred towards everything and everyone around me.

So, a little bit about my trip over and first night in my new home (I'll try not to photo-spam too much).

 Goodbye Fairfield.

 Checking in my baggage and retrieving my passes - stopping over at Los Angeles > Denver > Toronto.

 My happy papa.

Strolling along side these windows - and of course getting lost. Boarding my 12 hour flight to LA!

Finally off the plane but then dealing with a terrible, terrible three hour wait in line, missing my flight and dropping my luggage on a six laned road. Sigh.

 Rescheduled my flight for an instead, 10 hour direct flight from LA to Toronto. An incredible collection of 'Archie's bests' to keep me company.

Finally arrived in Toronto at 11PM... And after what felt like forever to retrieve my luggage, I went outside to be greeted by my sister, her boyfriend and my uncle.

 That car steering wheel - ya'll tripping or what?

After a midnight meal at a Chinese restaurant, we went home.

 I entered my cute new room, unloaded my suitcases... which only took 20 minutes! What the hell. Seriously - it took me five sleepless days to pack - I wasn't very organised, I even brought a damn kitchen scale... Do I even need that??? Ugh. But aside that, there lays squish little Millenium absolutely missing me.

All unpacked, I remembered my sister gave me my belated christmas present and a card before I left - I opened it and cried. Turned to my right and saw Ms. Tinkles sitting on my bed. She must have fallen over.