On the Eve of New Year 2010, I went to Nathan Phillips Square to see the fireworks. It doesn’t compare at all to the fireworks we get in Australia, but it was still pretty.

And I kinda got to see Kardinal Offishall perform. Hahaha

Anyway – here’s a photo of Toronto City Hall.

This is me waiting for the countdown. I look all rugged up, but it wasn’t too cold. It was about 2 degrees and there were light flurries.

Here’s some photos of the fireworks at City Hall.

I wanted to get a photo of the skating rink and as I approached it, I was too excited. I kept walking towards it until I stepped onto the ice without realising and fell straight on my ass! My initial and only thoughts was “PROTECT CAMERA” and as I was holding my camera with my right hand, I fell towards my left side and hurt my elbow… It still hurts 11 days later! Hahaha…

Here are some photos of the ice when most people had left.

On Saturday October 3, 2009, I went to Toronto’s fourth annual arts event – Nuit Blanche. it’s a massive celebration of contemporary art and is featured all over Toronto.

It goes throughout the whole night until sunrise! I didn’t stay out that late, as we walked around a great deal and was extremely exhausted already by about 12:30am. But it was really fun and interesting!

Even though I didn’t have a tripod (as you would normally need one for night photography), I got a few decent shots. Please see below!

My favourite was when they had carnival rides on Bay St! Bay St is Toronto’s version of Wall St – the heart of the Financial District and it represented the ups and downs of the market and the horrific fall into the current recession. It had a very creepy feel to it.

In November 2007, I was in NYC for the Thanksgiving Parade and loved the silver bunny that was paraded around. It was so big and shiney! I was so excited to see it inside the Toronto Eaton Centre! What a massive bunny.

This display was really interesting. It’s called the “Four Letter Word Machine” and everyone huddled at the Toronto City Hall to see the next word. Above is supposed to show “FEAR” but I got impatient and just took the snap. It was freezing cold!!!!

I took this shot at Toronto City Hall. October 3, 2009 is actually the same day as the Chinese Moon Festival – when the moon can be seen at its fullest. Really beautiful reflection on the water along with the pretty lights.

This is me at the BCE Building having a rest. Was so exhausted!

This is at Union Station. The lights were all dimmed and there was fog everywhere. There were voices of commuters being played in a loop. Was a very interesting atmosphere to experience.

More photos:

Nuit Blanche 2009 Flickr Set
60 Photos

So on Sunday afternoon I decided it was about time to head up to Chinatown to grab some groceries. I’ve been wanting to cook a proper Asian dish for some time now and let’s all face it – Chinese grocers are typically much cheaper than the fancy supermarket chains.

Chinatown ain’t too far from where I live. In fact it’s about 15 minute walk away and I pulled my shopper with me. But as I got to Spadina/Dundas, two blocks of Spadina Ave were closed off to traffic (From Dundas to up past College). There were so many stalls set up with various items (mostly food) and hundreds of people. I thought to myself: what the hell is going on?

I quickly realised (from a banner) that it was a Chinatown Festival. I’m not sure how often they have these things but I felt lucky that I was in the right place at the right time. There was so much lovely food! Japanese Squid Balls, Fish Balls, Beef Balls, Kashmiri BBQ, and much more!

I thought I would cruise past it all, but then I saw there was MALAYSIAN FOOD and decided I really needed my camera so I could show my parents back home. Suddenly feeling very hungry for food, I ran all the way home for my camera and ran all the way back.

I ate Murtabak which is like a Roti, but filled with curry. Delicious. Then I had my favourite dim sum dish – Radish Cakes. Then to accompany it all with Bubble Tea, of course.

There was lots of music and plenty of things (very Asian things) to buy. You definitely felt like you were in the middle of China but nope, you’re right in the heart of Toronto.

Some photos are below, but for more photos check out my Toronto Chinatown Festival Set at Flickr.

Upon missing home, I thought what a better way but to celebrate my birthday with fellow Aussies. My birthday always falls on ANZAC Day every year (April 25) and the YACA (Australian Canadian Association) celebrates this event every year.

This year it was held at Scallywags and had the following events:

• ANZAC Biscuit Tasting
• Two-Up Game Play
• Australian Trivia
• Australian T-Shirt Competition
• Australian Goods Raffle (Cherry Ripe, Wagon Wheel, Twisties, etc.)

It’s funny because after going to this event, I realise how incredibly un-Australian I am. While I love ANZAC Biscuits, I don’t know what they’re made of. While I love to play games, I’ve never played two-up in my life. I couldn’t answer a single question in the Australian Trivia game, I don’t own a single Australian clothing item and I had no real particular appeal to buy a raffle ticket for those Australian goods……..

Nonetheless, it was fun I finally got to speak to someone about bogans and footy.

Thanks to Shirley, Ed, James (Tiu) and Matt for accompaning me.

Here are some pics below, but there are more on my Flickr.

Continue Reading