I am rather pleased to be writing again, although it does mean that I am finished my holidays and back at work. Sigh. I was glad to be home and see my lovely roommate, but work is always hard to adjust to after 10 days off.

"10 days off, Jenny? Pray tell, what did you do, where did you go, and what personage magically appeared while you were there?"

Well, boys and girls, I did a fair few things during my wonderful holidays. Firstly, I finally took the plunge and hightailed it to the centre of the Canadian universe: that wonderful metropolis of Toronto. I had been promised that this was a city not to be missed, and it did not disappoint. I flew in on Thursday, Apr. 2nd at 12:42 pm, and took a bus and the subway to my hotel. My hotel was a converted mansion which was built in the mid 19th century. Its claim to fame was that Hemingway lived there for a bout a year in the early 2oth century.I was staying right off Bloor Street, which is a busy and happening thoroughfare. Thursday evening I walked down Bloor and did a little sight seeing while trying not to look too much like a tourist. I miserably failed at this because I was constantly looking up and narrowly missing running into other pedestrians. I was reminded of my trip to New York City because there was just so much to see.

That evening I went to the Peter Katz / Rob Szabo concert which I enjoyed very much. The location, "Hugh's room" was big enough to fit a decent crowd, but small enough to be intimate. I was sitting down quite close to the stage, so I had a great view. The sound was really fantastic, and both guys sounded amazing. Rob Szabo had such a beautiful voice, and I became a fan of his the moment he began to sing. I bought a cd and spent a few minutes talking to him. Peter Katz played everything off his new album (he was actually in the studio last week), and I liked all of it. It was different seeing him in his home town, because all of his friends and fans were there. He was more relaxed and pretty crazy at times, but I had a mild feeling of being an outsider due to his numerous shout-outs and personal jokes. He was, however, as charming, generous, compassionate and talented as he always is, and I got the brief chance to shake his hand and say hi.

Friday I went to the Royal Ontario Museum which was infinitely more than I had been promised. It was enormous: five floors, each one like a maze where I got myself lost a couple of times. The highlights:
1. "The evolution of style" This display had Western european furniture and decorations from the Medieval period up to the Vicorian era. It was really quiet in this wing because it wasn't as exciting for the kids, but I was completely mesmerized.
2. The Canadian History exhibit. It was really neat to see the artifacts from the Hudson Bay period in the 17th century, furniture from Upper and Lower Canada, and the numerous paintings of the landscapes and the people.
3. The Asian exhibits. The furniture and the statues were breathtaking in their detail and craftmanship.
4. The restaurant. The food was delicious, the prices reasonable, and the recycling was so advanced that although all of my waste was disposable, I only threw away my napkin.
5. The mosaic on the ceiling of the original building. In the centre of the tiles it read: "That all men may know His works" I was really touched by this inscription, and the idea that the earth and all of its treasures are a reflection of God's wisdom and influence.

Saturday I went downtown and did some shopping a sightseeing. Eaton Centre was great, and there were so many fun little boutiques on Queen Street. I finished the day off with a trip to Indigo Books and Music, which was so big and beautiful - the stuff that Chapters dreams are made of.

I really enjoyed my trip! I loved walking and taking the subway, the ridiculous amount of culture there was, the friendliness of all the people I met, and the pace and energy of the city itself.

I came back to Edmonton on Sunday, and spent some time with Jess and Andrea. On Wednesday, Andrea had a baby girl, Rachel Lee! I have to say that I am still flummoxed by the idea of childbirth. You go to the hospital and you come home with a baby, like they are giving them away for free there. Maybe if our stomachs were transparent and I could see it growing it wouldn't be so strange (well, strange in a very different way!) Babies just seem to magically appear out of nowhere.

So, I am back in Lethbridge and in the midst of completely changing the set-up of my room. I finally have my dresser assembled (thanks, Dad!) and am going to do a second book-shelf next. Pretty soon it will be done and maybe I will have an Open House.

"Party on my bed and everyone's invited!!"

Wait a minute...