Happy New Year!

2010 brought lots of new surprises, challenges, and adventures. Here’s a little look back at my year:

In January of 2010, I was in South America, on the border of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. We rang in the new year in Puerto Iguazu, over caiprinhas and Argentine asado. Shortly after we found our way to Montevideo, Uruguay, where we rented a car and drove to Gabriel’s favourite place in the world, Punta del Este.

January also brought the reunion of the Broughdale girls, my two University roommates who I lived with for three years while we were studying. We met up in Toronto, spent the weekend roaming around Yorkville and catching up, and vowed to do it again soon. It was great to be reunited with the witty geologist and outspoken biochemist. Miss you Serp and Krall!

In February, after vowing to put off traveling for a while, we caught the itch again, and flew to a more domestic location: Las Vegas. Under the neon lights, we played black-jack, roamed the strip, and laughed til our bellies hurt.

In April I finished the first year of my MBA program. A week later, my wisdom teeth came out, and I started a diet of liquids. During that time, I discovered what had been ailing me for the past 10 years of my life. Gluten. Immediately I began a strict gluten-free diet, and never looked back. It’s been a challenge to live without the normal breads, pastas, and baked goods that I love, but seeing the improvements in my health has made it all worthwhile.

In May, Gabriel purchased his first home, a condo in downtown Toronto. I moved in, and we spent the summer painting, buying furniture, and making the condo into a home.

We also spent the summer exploring a new city, Toronto. From Buskerfest to Sunday mornings scouring the antiques market at the St. Lawrence Market, we really soaked up everything the city had to offer. Favourite moments? Discovering Kensington Market, walks along the harborfront, watching the buzz of the Entertainment District from our balcony, and entertaining at the condo with friends.

In late June, when the G20 came to Toronto, we fled the city. Off to Miami Beach we went, to the Canyon Ranch Resort and Spa. For the next two weeks, we spent our days lounging on the beach, biking down to South Beach, making Lean Cuisines in the kitchen, and watching Food Network shows well into the night. Being in Little Buenos Aires, we made a point to watch all of the Argentina and Uruguay World Cup games in the restaurants and cafes around us. We caught serious World Cup fever. I was thrilled when the Netherlands made it to the finals, and loved having a celebratory drink at Bier Markt once we returned to Toronto.

By the end of the summer, I had begun studying for the LSAT for admissions into law school. Whether it was on our balcony as the sun set, or in the newly furnished office, my nose was always in my LSAT study guide. In September, I started my second year of the MBA program. Specializing in Marketing, I had a great time working through cases and getting involved in our business council. In October I wrote the LSAT, scored well, and immediately felt an immense amount of relief. We spent the fall touring the Niagara wineries, visiting the local beaches, and spending time with my niece and nephew.

From Halloween as a belly dancer in Toronto, to Holiday Mixers with my MBA friends, this past fall has flown by. I’m grateful for an amazing 5 year relationship with Gabriel, the time I spend with my family, and the opportunities I have been given to attend law school next year. Where 2011 will take me, I have no idea. It’s exciting and a tad scary at the same time.

A new city. A new home. A new school. A new career. A new degree. A new adventure! Thanks for all of your support this year, and I can’t wait to see what the new year has in store!

Happy New Year!

May your 2011 be everything you hope for!

Carmel-by-the-Sea

When we told my parents that we were going to San Francisco, my Dad immediately recommended that we visit Carmel-by-the-Sea. Gabriel and I loved the idea of going on a little roadtrip down the Pacific Coast Highway, and made a point to schedule it into our time in California.

Carmel is a beautiful town, filled with winding hills, beautiful beachy homes, and a downtown area dotted with art galleries, cafes, and inns. Our first stop was the Hog’s Breath Inn, famously owned by Clint Eastwood. As per my Dad’s recommendation, we had to stop by and see this place! Cozying up by the fireplace, we ate a warm and hearty lunch. The food was “meh”, but it was neat to see the restaurant. Sadly, no Clint spotting.

After lunch we wandered down to the beach, following the steep downward slope. All of the homes in the area are so beautiful, with a relaxed, cottage-y vibe. It reminded Gabriel of his childhood in Punta del Este, Uruguay, with similar vegetation and the feel of the water nearby. I’m sure Carmel beach is gorgeous. It seems like it would be. We saw very little of it, due to the ever-present fog on our trip. I’m not complaining. It made for a mysterious aura as we walked along the shore. Surfers unloaded their boards from their vans, then clamored down a hill after their eager dog. Sea urchins that look like carrots, loaded with water, littered the sand. Birds with pin-noses prodded holes near the water’s edge, scurrying as the waves rolled in.

We climbed trees, took pictures, collected little white crabs on the shore. Then we got super-cold and made the climb back to the main street of Carmel. With newly warmed bodies, we stopped into the first café we saw, and Gabriel ironically ordered a carmel latte. He never, ever orders specialty coffees. Randomly, he ordered one this time.  When I asked if it was intentional that he ordered a carmel latte in Carmel, he said no. So perfectly ironic and coincidental.

Leaving Carmel, we headed for Pebble Beach. After paying the $9.50 toll to enter into the gates of the 17-Mile-Drive, we immediately saw a huge stag jump across the road and disappear into the fog. As we climbed up and up the winding roads, the fog closed in on us, until it was nearly impossible to see the edge of the road. With the sun quickly setting, no street lamps, and the thickest fog imaginable, we quickly detoured off the 17-Mile-Drive, and headed back to the highway. Oh well, it’s not like we could have seen the amazing views the drive had to offer anyway!

Scenes from Monterey, California

• We watched as thick strands of salt-water taffy curled together in the front window of the candy store. Inside, we sampled some peppermint salt-water taffy, and Gabriel treated us to some caramel corn and peanut brittle.
• Walking along the desolate wharf, restaurant staff aggressively offered us clam chowder samples in tiny paper cups. We declined.
• Atop a look-out, we spotted sea lions hanging on to buoys in the bay.
• A funny blue bird, sitting in the pouring rain, did a mating dance with a swooping motion.
• Quizzical, comical, curious seals made our trip to Monterey great.

Seals of Monterey Bay

One of the highlights of our trip to California, was seeing the seals in Monterey Bay. It was a rainy afternoon, and we stopped off in Monterey on our road-trip down the Pacific Coast Highway. We had seen them from the look-out point of Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf area, and we wanted to get a closer look. Not another soul was in sight, as we walked through the puddles along the rainy wharf, headed out to the beach. As we approached, we began to see that the “rocks” in the distance weren’t really rocks at all. They were seals, perched atop rocks jutting out from the water. Their torpedo bodies were stationary as they dozed in the rain. With our feet firmly planted along the water’s edge, we watched as some seals lazily looked up at us. Then, without warning, some heads popped up out of the water. Baby seals. White with spots, and cute little whiskers. Their quizzical faces shone at us. It was an amazing moment. I began snapping away, and ran to the car to get my bigger lens. As Gabriel smiled and waved at these amazing creatures, they slowly moved closer to us. Sensing our presence, more baby seals began popping out of the water, curious to see who the two crazy Canadians standing in the pouring rain were. After watching them for a while, we slowly walked back to the car. One particular seal, who had been watching us intently the entire time, decided to follow us. As we walked parallel to the shore, he swam alongside us.

Napa Valley

Chalk it up to poor geography classes in school, but I never really realized how close Napa Valley was to San Francisco before we began planning our trip. When I saw on the map where Napa and Sonoma were, I instantly begged Gabriel to go there during our time in California. At first he was reluctant. After all, we do live very close to some of Canada’s best wineries, in Vineland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Why would we need to go to the wineries in California? Um…because they’re world-famous. And beautiful. And it’s an excuse to drink wine in a picturesque setting. Coupled with an amazing bargain (thanks to Priceline…more on the accommodations later!), that was enough to persuade us to visit Napa.

Kristin of Camels and Chocolate had suggested to skip Napa and stay in places like Yountville or Glen Ellen instead. If it weren’t for the amazing deal we scored for a hotel in Napa, we would have definitely followed her advice. Napa, as we were fore-warned, was a tad touristy. The downtown area was nothing too remarkable, and definitely paled in comparison to the historic core of Niagara-on-the-Lake. However, what really wowed us was the amazing landscape that surrounded us…rolling hills (mountains? super large hills?), trees beginning to change colour (crazy that Napa is currently experiencing the type of weather we have in October), and vineyards as far as the eye could see. I LOVED the scenery. And the abundance of wineries, all within short drives of one another, was another plus!

We did tastings in Napa, Sonoma, and Oakville, and particularly enjoyed our time at V. Sattui. Our hotel had given us a free tasting certificate for it, so we thought we may as well check it out while we were in the area. Established in 1885, the family-owned winery was inspired by Tuscan architecture, and offered a comprehensive tasting of some of their award-winning wines. After walking through the wine cellar, reading about the history of the winery in their small museum, and enjoying our tasting, we purchased some picnic fare at their “market'” area. Soft cheese, gluten-free seedy crackers, Italian salami, and pears, in addition to a picnic set, gave us a great lunch to have on the surrounding picnic grounds. We sat underneath a golden tree shedding its leaves, as we ate lunch, looking at the colourful landscape around us. It was one of the only sunny moments of our entire trip, and we soaked up the sun and non-foggy skies as much as we could.

It’s funny, because on our drive up to Napa from San Francisco, we were in complete darkness and fog, and could barely see a meter in front of the car. We were winding up and down hills, over bridges, and around sharp corners. We knew we were probably amongst some stunning scenery, yet could not see a thing! Driving home from Napa the next afternoon, we were able to finally see what we had driven through the night before, and it was gorgeous! The drive alone would make me want to visit this area of California again. Other things on my “to do” list the next time we’re in the area? Taking a ride on the “Wine Train” (yes, there is a train that slowly chugs through the valley as you sip wine and eat gourmet cuisine), and doing some cycling. If you’re ever in the area, I recommend visiting Silver Oak winery, where you’ll receive some free wood-fired pizza to accompany your tasting, as well as Robert Mondavi winery, where the scenic adobe-like atmosphere is a beautiful backdrop for an afternoon tour through the vineyards.

Robert Mondavi Winery

Merry Christmas!

Here’s to time spent with family, warm home-cooked meals, stockings filled with goodies, the laughter and excitement on children’s faces, snow falling softly outside, the smell of cinnamon, pretty wrapping paper, hot chocolate dates with friends, and unwrapping that absolutely perfect gift.

Wishing you all a safe and merry Christmas, filled with joy and everything that makes you happy!

xoxo,

Heather

California Christmas

I’m not sure if I could ever spend Christmas away from my family here in Canada, but visiting a different country or city pre-Christmas is always interesting. San Francisco was beautifully decked out for Christmas, with towering Christmas trees, decorated cable cars, and even lit-up palm trees! Some of my favourite pre-Christmas memories in San Francisco were watching the ice-skaters in Union Square, drinking way too much hot apple cider from our hotel in the Financial District, and picking out some “California” presents/souvenirs for my family.




Have you ever experienced Christmas in a different country? We’ve seen the festivities occurring in Malta and the Netherlands, and Germany to some extent. In Canada, Christmas is pretty much the same thing as it is in the United States…just with more snow I guess (although this year, the U.S. East Coast is making our snowfall look paltry in comparison).


PS. No, that’s not snow in the above photos! Just rain…but it made the pictures look pretty Christmas-y!

Along the Wharf

I’m always drawn to the water, marinas, and wharves. I think it has something to do with my family’s nautical past. The clinking boats in the harbor, the sound of waves crashing against rocks, the serene colours of blue, white, and green. It came as no surprise then, that the moment we arrived in Fisherman’s Wharf (where we stayed for the first few days of our trip to San Francisco), I felt right at home. I had heard warnings from various bloggers that Fisherman’s Wharf is very touristy, and to skip it in lieu of other options. Maybe it was the insistent rain that plagued us our entire time in California, or the chilly weather, or even the thick layer of perma-fog, but there were very few tourists in sight as we strolled along the wharf. I can definitely imagine though, in the heat of the summer, on a busy weekend, how Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 must be an absolute tourist haven. In a way, it was kinda nice to be left alone as we strolled, viewing the beauty of the bay, uncrowded and peaceful.

Fisherman’s Wharf is a stretch of harborfront, boasting lots of restaurants, clam chowder stands, and small shops. Immediately when we arrived in San Francisco, we had to try some of the famous clam chowder in a bread bowl (or porcelain bowl, if you’re gluten-intolerant like me…). I really enjoyed the weathered buildings of this historic part of San Francisco, even if they’re been commercialized and “Disney-fied”. We could still see some older buildings further away from Pier 39 that were steeped in the nautical history of the place. On our last day near the wharf, a Saturday, when the rain clouds finally disappeared for a brief moment in time, we saw the other tourists, bustling about, pouring into the seafood restaurants in droves. It was nice to see the other-wise deserted place we had become accustomed to for a few days, turn into a lively mini-village of other vacationers.

Along with the occasional interesting bird that we don’t see here in Canada, we caught glimpses of pelicans swooping around, diving into the water to catch a fish. On Pier 39 we walked out to see the famous sea lions, having heard their tell-tale bark the night before. They made up a slithering huddle of smooth skins, fighting, playing, and dozing on the rocking docks. I loved looking at them, even if it was pouring rain. It was nice to be alone, watching them from underneath a thin overhang on a nearby building, as restaurant trucks unloaded the daily catch into the back doors of the kitchen.

I guess the dismal weather actually worked in our favor, allowing us to enjoy the beauty of Fisherman’s Wharf without the commercialized tourist trap that we had been heavily warned against. After a long stroll through the rain, it was absolutely wonderful to stop into a restaurant for a bowl of warm clam chowder while watching the boats bob upon the bay.