Chistmas in Canada 2012!

Sometimes plans go through the window, and its times where you are left alone that you really appreciate the meaning of family. Unfortunately due to an unforeseen family issue for my roommate, colleague and best friend, our Christmas plans were diminished within a few hours.  Being alone in Boston was now a prospect I was going to have to endure during my time off work from December- January for 2 weeks.

Having looked at flights back to Scotland it was a tad ludicrous pricing due to the very last minute booking and so close to Santas arrival, I really wanted to just stay on this side of the pond- so why not visit distant family in Canada.

My Mums Aunt and Uncle live in Canada and have started their own Canadian life and family in the Capital of Canada- Toronto. I had once met this part of my family many years ago, at my Grans house in Ardrossan, Scotland.  Having them being a lot closer to me in Boston, than they ever have been whilst I stayed in Scotland it made perfect sense to get in contact with them in my situation and see if they would take in a humble lodger for the festive period!

Within a few days of contact since many years, I had been welcomed up to Canada to stay for a whole week during Christmas.  I could not have been more happier at the time I booked my flights (eventually to the correct Provence, as my Canadian geography wasn't upto scratch..) to know I was going to be with family, to be able to re-connect and enkoy the merry season with them.

I flew on December 29 via Porter Airlines which was fun, it was my first time in a smaller jet plane! We flew slightly delayed due to technical problems, and landed in Billy Bishop Island Airport- which I must add is a terribly small run way, I really thought I was going to have to swim over to Toronto. Taking the 2 minute ferry after I collected my luggage I was now walking on Canadian soil, and meeting my distant family!
Holly my mums cousin, my second cousin kindly, waited for me and picked me up at the airport- and took me to their lovely family home where I met her husband and re-met her daughter, my third cousin (thankfully we both looked a tad older from our younger days). . .

My time in Canada FLEW in. I was so lucky to have explored some of Torontos sights, met the most amazing people, be hosted on Christmas day with family and gifted lots of love and presents on Christmas.  I hopped between my Aunt Mays house, and Hollys' house, which was great as it allowed me to steal lots of family stories and past from their Canadian lifes. Being able to re-connect with this part of family was just great, and I am so thankful for them welcoming up to share their love and warmth during December!

Whilst in Canada I:
-Wined and dined at more distant families house and won a few games of pool (I honestly am normally really bad..) Enjoyed a great palette of food and tonnes of cheer!
-Explored the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) for an interest few hours, learning about the mighty dreadful DinoSAAAAAURS from the past and historical seeings.
- Walked around Queens Park, trying to capture some snaps of the brown and black squirells which are in their teams scurrying around the trees and bushes! I found them hilariously intriguing as I am only used to little grey furry squirells. (easily amused, I guess)
- CHRISTMAS DAY. - Spoiled by the Coopers and Co on the Merry little day, indulged in heaps of scrumptious food and welcomed as a Canadian. It was as if I had known them for a lot longer, I could not have been welcomed any more- it was lovely!
- Enjoyed Boxing Day shopping in Yorkdale Mall. I enjoyed wandering around the many sales, unlike other manic shoppers who go ALL out and get a tad insane with crunching prices which are offered... followed by a tasty lunch in Jack Astors, which let you draw on the table with crayons and create a 'work of art' whilst awaiting the fine foods. I created a stunning castle, accompanied with Highland Cows and sheep. (spot the scot) I really think my drawing will be cherished..
-Enjoyed a chinese buffet whilst meeting more third cousins which again was lovely to extend the family love! We watched Brave the Scottish film, which was great- I really didn't realise my accent was that strong.. ohmy!
-TORONTO TOURS. - Given a priceless tour around Downtown Toronto by my lovely cousin Holly. We explored the CN Tower which gave you breathtaking views of the city, it was a tad misty a few miles out in the view due to the snow but I still got fabulous shots of the Lake, and city surrounding the 346m high tower http://www.cntower.ca/en-CA/Plan-Your-Visit/Attractions/LookOut.html
-Being able to take in some of the many districts in Toronto, my favourite being the Distillery District where we enjoyed lunch and the many quirky shops. Ending the night with MINCE and TATTIES at my Aunts house, it was a grand meal- cheers!

My flight home on the 29th felt slightly like a rollercoaster simulator at points.  With the heavy snow that Boston was experiencing, we hit a snow storm in the clouds which gave us all a good shake and bump in the jet plane.

When I finally got into my apartment, a tired little scot I rested my head looking to unpack tomorrow, delighted with my past week in Canada.

It was better than I had imagined, and I could not have asked to be welcomed with any more kindess and love than what I received.  It was an amazing Christmas 2012, in Canada- and I will cherish the memory for years to come!

Thank you for a great week, christmas and time in Canada Coopers and Co! Love and Hugs, Nicole X

Festive fun.. .

.. all around!

I have had an interestingly FUN FRIDAY (as if not every friday is a fun fabulous friday). Awakening to a rather warm flat, sarcasim intended, I hurried around shuffling my lunch into my bag and onwards to work.

Today I recieved a prize to go for lunch with the Dean of Undergraduate Admissions to the Faculty Club in January, with other 'Taste-off' Winners.  Yesterday we enjoyed many plates of marvelous munchsized treats, scrambled and baked by the Admissions and Processing staff.  I baked my mighty dish that is- Cranachan, accompanied with sugary buttery shortbread! It was a lovely evening in work, I tasted lots of dishes from superbly rolled oreo truffles to spicy chicken Empanadas. Before the 'Taste-Off' (which was the offering of the many dishes, followed by a vote for the best of 3 dishes) began, we all were tested on some Northeastern related questions, winners were given a prize from the festive hamper! Certificates were also given to those who had been nominated for various categories, for their corraegous efforts throughout Fall 2012!  It was a really great way to socialise with my other colleagues, enjoying time away from our professional responsibilities.

Courtesy of Brooks Canaday/Northeastern University.

Back to to the Friday, I went to the Annual Holiday Party at Northeastern University for Faculty and Staff hosted by President Aoun.  I enjoyed being able to network with a great deal of colleagues which I rarely see, wishing them all a Happy Holiday' whilst tasting the many delights which were offered by the International Village buffet selection.  The nor'easters sang some tuneful festive songs boosting the merry atmosphere amongst faculty and staff.  I even had the amazing opportunity to meet with the President, he was wearing his Husky Hat which he had been given from the Visitor Centre staff from his filming task.  He is an aspiring charachter, with great goals and expectations for Northeastern University.  He even joked on my accent, giving his best Scottish impression, which I must say was very good!

On my return to the office after the Holiday Party I was even given a Husky Hat which I proudly wore on my hour walk back to the apartment.  I will most definitely sport the Husky on my return to Scotland! #diehardhusky

... ... .. HAPPY HOLIDAYS

My night ended with our weekly Friday popping and locking at Zumba.  It really is a great way to shake everything out and refresh.

Courtesy of Brooks Canaday/Northeastern University.

Courtesy of Brooks Canaday/Northeastern University.

AUF WIEDERSEHEN UND GUTES GLÜCK

Goodbye Katharina!

We have got to know a lovely German girl, who worked along side Katie in International Co-op, for the duration of ten weeks.
Tonight was her last weekend in Boston, and we thought we would give her a propper send off with friends!

We all gathered in our apartment, with tonnes of snacks and banquets of laughter and conversation. 

It has been great to meet our German friend, and experience a few months in Boston with her.  I hope that keep in touch in the future, and she enjoys her time with her host family down in Florida before returning the Germany in the new year.

Soon to be Stars..

.....Hopefully.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-z2_ljtrKU&feature=youtu.be

Maybe one day.

This is the trailer from the event we helped out at a few months ago, during my first free visit to the century-old FENWAY Park.
Perhaps when the video is released our talents will be revealed worldwide, and we will be, of course, head hunted to star in the next BLOCKBUSTER film. 

Stay tuned.......... ..

Ice Skating on Frog Pond!

This was going to be the caption, which I had planned a few days ago...

After work, friends and I all gathered and headed downtown to Fajitas & 'Ritas, for some “unabashedly fun” food and atmosphere. http://www.fajitasandritas.com/  Recommended by our friend, we slevered over sizzling fajitas and marveled at the creative wall art work and paintings. This was a nice toasty warmer and prep for our next acitivity iceskating!
.. .

Sadly to our disappointment, when we eventually arrived on the Frog Pond- of course the night we had planned to go ice skating- it was only the night they close the rink to refresh the ice.  So alas, we walked to Max Brenners and had a tastebud worthy smooth warm hotchocolate.

Until next time ice rink!!..... ..

Treats for All.

Warm hands, Warm Hearts.

 http://www.northeastern.edu/coopconnections/events/warm-hands-warm-hearts/

This Sunday we helped out with some of NEU volunteers spread some cheer and enjoy treats whilst helping treat others.  We joined Phi Delta Theta, NRHH, the NU Black Student Association, the NEURONS,
and Co-op Connections for holiday fun, stuffing fluffy teddy bears to give to others, making cards for soldiers and decorating cookies (for our own pleasure.. yummmm)

The event also gave us the most amazing Turkey, cranberry and stuffing sandwiches along with holiday giveaways and music! It was the perfect start so the festive season.

There was a gingerbread competition, which required early regisration- which we had missed.  But to our surprise and good fortune, one of the teams had dropped out to other commitments and we were luckily given a gingerbread kit to tackle and compete with.
This of course happened 30 minutes into the hour you were allowed to build the house, so with amazing team work and cordination around sticky icy fingers and sugary delights we built the most impressive (bias) gingerbread house I have ever seen!!

Due to other plans, we sadly had to leave the event before the end and grand announcement of winners.  An email shotly revealed that our house came joint second place, which we could not be more happier about considering our hurried efforts.

Go team Scotland Huskies!

Its beginning to look a LOT like Xmas

Arriving back from a long day at work, we had a surprise awaiting us.

Except this wasn't your usual little white envelope nor was it a brown wrapped box.  It was a large, white net covering a 6ft Christmas Tree-  A REAL ONE!

My flatmate had, bless her, dragged the tree round from the front of the apartment to our door by herself once she noticed it had been delivered. It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our Kinross Apt!!

The following night we all trooped down to the local $store, which with a massive $7 each spent we were able to get a healthy bunch of decorations to storm our tree with.  We sat with cookies and candy canes, singing christmas songs and put our tree up, allowing it to shine in all its decorated glory.


Can't wait for Christmas 2012 in Boston with my roommate, now that we have a tree to dance 'around'!!

Fortune COOKIES

Today, 12/5 I attended the Northeastern University Beyond Borders Event exploring specifically China today.  I got to listen to two student speakers explaining their experiences within the United States, and within China.  Showing their personal comparisons on cultural differences, and the way of life habits.

I really enjoyed their presentations learning about the comparisons, and tips on what to know if I was to travel across to that part of the world.  I even got a Fortune Cookie, which I learned from a student at my table, that these are not actually traditionally chinese.  They were, from what they claimed, boosted by the Americans on a false interpretation on Chinese fortune tellers... interesting.. 

And so within my cookie- authentic or not- my fortune inside read:

"Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." 

Which of course guides me to atleast face some troubles with some courage, than to avoid them all together making it harder to cure.  Or along those lines.. .

 

My chinese word was, Pumpkin- which related heavily to my past few weeks in New Jersey enjoying, pumpkin: soup, cookies, beer, pie and even pumpkin air freshener!

Twenty years of happiness

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEE

I aged into a new decade this week. November 27- My twentieth birthday in Boston!

It was a lovely week, everyone spoiled me with many fabulous treats from cakes to lunches! I was greeted to balloons and two chirpy roommates when I woke up in the apartment which was lovely.  And entering work, my office had a massive Happy Birthday Banner covering the door! 

I was treated to going out to the ballet for the evening with friends. We went to see the Boston Ballets, The Nutcracker.  Which.was.amazing.  I teared up towards the end when the 'nutcracker' music played, it was a beautiful art watching the dancers sway and float across the stage with such elegance.  I thoroughly enjoyed my night there, and the full week of becoming a year older!

Thank you to everyone who gifted me with cards, presents, cakes, friendship and love!