picture from maplesyrupfest.com

I have to admit that before going to my very first maple syrup festival at Bruce’s Mill. Yes, my very first one after 21 years of being born and raised in Canada. I imagined it to be the stereotypical Canadian farm boy atmosphere – flannel shirts everywhere (and yes there were many) and all white people (perhaps racist). As a jest, I even attempted to get my whole family – brother, mom and niece to “dress like farmers” just so we’d fit in. As it turns out, my attempt to “fit in” was highly unnecessary because practically a quarter of the people I saw there were Asian. Heck, even our tour guide was Asian and also an immigrant! As a Canadian, I should have known better, my assumptions were racist and ignorant.

The Sugarbush Maple Syrup festival was not just a time to drink maple syrup (the best syrup I have ever tasted by the way!), eat pancakes, pet animals, and learn the good ol’ Canadian tradition of getting our beloved Maple sap, but it was also a time to rejoice and bring people of all backgrounds together. (more…)

This year’s production of The Wiz directed by the awesome Daniel Bennett of the Trinity College Dramatic Society definitely hit a high note with its audience. I loved the characters, each of them were so unique and hilarious in their own way. The dance chorus, comprised of amazingly talented performers had amazingly choreographed routines. Furthermore of course, was the music. The Wiz without its music is like spaghetti without spaghetti sauce. I had pasta afterward, hence this terrible analogy, sorry. I also really appreciated that there was a live orchestra who helped guide the entire production just outstandingly. Finally, I want to comment on how lively and energetic the whole production was which obviously kept the audience engaged and laughing the entire time.

Here are some memorable quotes and highlights I remembered (in no particular order): (more…)

Oh I hate the TTC and its countless, lazy and overpaid employees too! If you read my previous blog, which you probably haven’t, then you’ll know what I mean.

Reasons:

1) The Service stinks: I think this pretty much says it all. They’re slow, break down and there are constant delays. I especially hate it when I wait ages for a bus and then suddenly pack of them come along. What’s worse, is when they’re all express and I’m at a local stop.

2) Employees are overpaid: Read this. I don’t care how hard or long this man worked; working in a ticket booth does not warrant $100 000. Don’t get me wrong though, it’s not him I’m mad at. If I were him I’d do the exact same thing. Money is money.

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Before I delve into my bickering of the endless idiots I run into on the TTC; I just have to say whoever named the TTC “The Rocket” is also an idiot.

Here are 8 of my TTC pet peeves:

1. People putting their bags on an empty seat. It’s okay when there are a few people but not okay when it’s 9 in the morning and people are barely awake.
2. People standing in front of an empty seat, which is bad because a) you are blocking people’s view of the empty seat, preventing someone else from sitting in it and b) you’re taking up more space by not sitting, douchebag.
3. People standing by the doors, as if there are no other places to stand and that they must block your way as you try to leave.
4. People continuing to wear their backpacks in a train full of people rather than setting them down on the floor. Doing this takes up so much space.
5. Guys (yes it’s only guys I’ve seen do this) sitting with their gigantic legs so far apart they take up one extra seat on either side of them.
6. People lean on posts when other people need to hold on to them.
7. People yapping loudly, especially a group of immature teenagers, and especially on the phone… Okay this one I don’t mind too much but when I’m tired, it is really annoying.
8. The bus driver tells people to move down but they don’t.

I mean is it really all that hard to be considerate? I can admit at times I can be inconsiderate myself like failing to give up my seat to an elder, which I am truly ashamed of and which is why I often sit in the back of the bus.

Image from Wikipedia

Warning: This contains spoilers after the jump!

We all know how tough it can be growing up and figuring out who are, which is why, I think, we can all somewhat relate to Water Lilies. Made in 2007, it’s a French film (originally titled Naissance des pieuvres) essentially about two young girls reluctant to come to terms with the fact that they are both lesbians. Okay you’re probably thinking, this is the perfect movie for guys to get horny but I assure you it is much more than that. I was so moved and felt just as much sadness, happiness and shame as the characters did. I know that sounds completely fruity but it’s true.
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Image from Wikipedia

So I went caving, aka “spelunking,” this weekend. I came away with so many bruises but it was all worth it considering how much fun I had. Now for those of you who don’t know what caving is, go here.

I swear that having escaped all of those — what I consider to be — “near death” experiences really changed my perspective on things like how strong our instinctual survival abilities are. I had to climb, crawl, lean against walls and whatever else, whilst holding a tiny flash light in my hand, as I was sure I was close to plunging to my death. Alright I might be exaggerating a bit, considering how much of a wimp I am. I kept having to ask my fellow cavers (yes I made up that word) to help me out, like by telling me how the heck they were able to climb up or down and in or out in the first place.

If you’d like to give caving a try, why not join our very own U of T Outing club (UTOC)? There are several opportunities to go caving with them at their cabin near the Niagara Escarpment. The club also offers other amazing outdoor events and activities.

In my honest opinion, Saints Alive! is one of the best student productions I have ever seen! I laughed almost the entire time and the music was stuck in my head even after the performance. The performers were so talented and, in, addition to acting, sung marvelously as well. Each actor had his or her own unique quirkiness and charm. The piano accompaniment was solid and lively and the musical numbers were choreographed well; not a single note was off tune (to me, anyway, the tone-deaf girl).

The actors were so well versed in their dialogue, as any actor should be, I kept thinking to myself, How could they possibly remember all those lines and lyrics? They pulled off such a grandiose play with ease.

I was impressed by (more…)