Escape to Paradise Island

The snowy weather in Southern Ontario continued while Ricky and I went on our first trip together to visit his grandparents in Jamaica. I had never imagined how one's childhood might be like in Montego Bay, but now having seen it in person, I can sort of picture part of his life through this place. The beaches, sun and loads of tropical fruit would have made little me pretty happy.

Cottage life

I always complained that every time I went to a cottage it would be raining, but not this time. We spent the most beautiful summer weekend at Geoff's farm back in July. The water was warm and the dock was very well utilized as a hub for sun bathing, reading and great company.

As the leaves are changing colours these days, I can only reminisce the hot summer we've had. I'm looking forward to the fall. Hikes and layered clothes in this weather especially make me excited.

Spring Forward

A day trip to Niagara on the Lake back in February, when the wind was still chilly and mittens were absolutely essential for taking photos outdoors.  Although I enjoy the snow covered winter scenes, I am so happy to see extended hours of daylight. Can't wait for spring outings.

Fall weather

We hiked along the Niagara Escarpment in the perfect weather last weekend. I'm very much enjoying this fall weather.. Hope you're having lots of hot cider and pumpkin pie!

Camping

Believe it or not, this is my first camping trip. I'm not so found of bugs, darkness and the lack of water, but everything about this trip made all of the above seemed negligible. Our days were filled with canoeing, cooking and eating. Brunch in the wilderness is the best thing.

Brooklyn

Jean Talon

Fall is not my favourite season of the year, simply because it's a sign to tell me the cold Canadian winter is just around the corner. Although fall leaves triggers this kind of sadness that Summer is no longer here, I do always like seeing the colourful fall fruits and vegetables around this time of the year. I've heard so many good things about Jean Talon Market. I'm sure this market is lively in the other seasons, but the fact that we visited in October made it a much better experience. This market felt like the liveliest spot in the city, everybody was there buying fresh produce, having lunch or just taking a stroll like we were. I bought some pate and blue cheese to bring home. Quebec blue cheese is amazing.

Montreal

Two of my friends and I drove to Montreal for Thanksgiving long weekend a couple weeks back, the weather there was mighty fine, 24 degrees for an October weekend, I could hardly believe it. We took it easy and went to a few favourite places, Shwartz, Jean Talon market and Mont-Royal Park, to name a few. I also bumped into a university friend on the street! I love seeing familiar faces in foreign places, don't you? I once bumped into a high school friend in Florence, Italy, it just happened both of us were there for the weekend. Anyway, I digressed, I will post about Jean Talon market next!

farm

Although the weekend was chilly and rainy, we had a great time at Geoff's farm back in June. The air has cooled down quite a bit here already. Are we having a short summer this year?

from the trip

Just a few 1/2 frame photos from LA and Vancouver, I will let the photos speak for me.
The next a few posts will be more or less like this, I hope you won't mind.
I've been busy with a few things, be back soon!

Here's my trip

Hello! I've been back from my vacation since last week, and Toronto has gotten so hot while I was gone. It's almost as hot as LA here. I have my fans on and windows open 24/7, but I still had a hard time falling a sleep for the past couple of nights because of the heat!

I had a wonderful time in LA. This was the third time I went to LA, the first time was to visit Disney world when I was a kid, the second was when I lived and worked there as a summer intern, and this time I just got to spend time and catch up with dear friends. These photos are taken at Venice beach, one of my favourite places to hang out in LA.

I didn't take many photos in Vancouver this time at all, since I was too busy packing up my parent's house and trying to spend as much time as I could with families. My parents and brother were planning to move back to China, so visiting them was the main purpose of the trip. They left for Bejiing the day after I came back to Toronto and have since then settled down. Although it doesn't make too much difference having family across Canada or across the Pacific Ocean, but I do miss them a lot more these days. It's going to take Eric (my little bro) a little time to adjust to things in China again, but I think he will do just fine, he's such a sociable dude anyway.

I hope you are having a great week, I'm going to have a popsicle now!