D&BM pictures a

 

Here I am. Being goofy. It's difficult taking a picture of yourself, by yourself, 

but I had to prove I actually went, right?!

This is the beginning of the trail. The hillside isn't particularly dramatic, though the cliffs as viewed from Belfast
(the other side) are quite lovely. It's easy to have a happy disposition in the sunshine and fresh air!

Divis & The Black Mountain

Location: Belfast, over looking the harbour
Mission:   4.0 miles
Terrain:   3/4 prepared 1/4 other
Time:       2.3 hours for Lough and Summit Trails 
including a visit to the Summit of Black Mountain 

My first hike in Northern Ireland on my first day in my new home was a pleasant one 

and the weather held fantastically, even permitting the sun to shine most of the adventure. 

I stayed warm with the exercise, a long sweatshirt with 'glove-lets' and a hood, plus a scarf. 

I went solo, as usual, though I'm still holding out hope for company one of these days, 

and remained so along Lough Trail and the unprepared portion of the Summit Trail. 

Considering how much rain is expected to fall during every month I would suggest completing 

this loop in a trusty pair of Wellingtons because my trainers were submerged multiple times 

despite my best efforts at keeping dry. 

The stock of the nation seem to enjoy the fresh air and a walk as I do. They came out in droves after work while the sun was still remarkably high in the sky. This latitude is further north than I've ever yet had the pleasure to spend an appreciable period of time in soaking up the long hours of daylight.  On the paved section I was joined by many natives throwing a friendly "hiya" toward me 

(not to be confused with the karate chop "hi-ya!" as there is no emphasis on the 'y'). 

The shrubbery reminds me of muskeg: lumpy surface with standing water, almost imperceptible hiding beneath. Most of the low foliage is heather which is due to bloom purple in the summer months. I saw an archeological formation of rocks representing a gathering place dating to first early AD said to have been used by hunter-gatherers and not so long after came upon a flint stone. There isn't a tree in sight on this hilly area however I did pass alongside quite a few cows.

Lobster Rain Jacket

In a week I'll be testing out the effectiveness of my new jacket in the rains of Northern Ireland.  

Did you know their rainiest month is July?  I did not.  

Once I learned this odd and somewhat lamentable fact, 

I thought a raincoat in a happy colour would be key to maximum enjoyment of the season.  

At least at the same latitude as Prince George (or Edmonton, or Denmark...) 

I should be enjoying plenty of daylight!

The uberbright and cheerful jacket comes from Eddie Bauer.  

The fit is perfect - roomy but sharp and the sleeves are just the right length.  

The jacket is a shell with a soft interior which is basically just the underside of the fabric.  

And the hood has ample room.

Now all I need are BOOTS!!!

A new cover was found :)
Next is a course on the awesome capabilities of the iPad.
The sessions are free at the Apple Store, just sign up on line!

Wow I cannot believe I went to Miami and never took a single picture, of say a palm tree, 

but I did get one BBQ picture of this delicious salmon pinwheel.  

I may have to recreate this at home - delicious!

There, that's more like it!

And I, with help from the more computer savvy than myself, 

can upload pictures from my phone to my new iPad via google plus...

Here's the beauty!

I really love the red colour of this cover. 

The price however is quite insulting.

It does have high functionality in terms of its magnetic ingenuity,

stabalizing effects and covers the screen well. 

It does not however cover or protect the back and the ridges where the cover folds to become the stand, leave the screen lined. 

I think there must be other, less expensive options that are also pleasing. 

I'm on the lookout!

...To return to the trials of skin care...

                                 Aveeno Results Are In:

****Exfoliater: not so much for daily use, but weekly for sure. 

This is similar to the Mary Kay microdermabrasion kit, but simpler, 

less expensive and you get way more, and smells lovely. 

This is my favourite product of the lot.   

***Night Moisturizer: I like this quite a lot. 

The smell is very nice and upon waking up my skin feels soft.  

It is however, quite expensive for so little that I ended up

using it much more sparingly than my neck might have liked, so since it's all 

used up I think I'm going to try an option I won't mind using rather liberally next.

**Face Wash: Leaves skin nice and clean feeling without being overly drying, 

however the foaming face wash from the naturganic line at the body shop suits me better, 

as it leaves my skin feeling plumper and more refreshed. 

Check it out here. Too bad it's no longer available solo travel sized!

*Day Moisturizer with Sunblock: A little too greasy without enough moisturizing effect. 

Hard to find a moisturizer that is also a sunscreen... 

I think my regular sunscreen, Hawaiian Tropic, does the job equally as we'll... 

Though it might be too greasy for a moister climate in winter.

Next test will be this

 A small noteable tasty and healthy snack:

I had a whole box of these from costco.  Spicy chocolate is delicious. 
I have no idea how it could have taken me so long,
chocoholic that I am, to have discovered this. 
I'm happy I did!





Back to the Books

Is it possible to say "I'm so happy I'm going to have no fun for the next six weeks!"?

In this case, quite!!!!!!

Well, maybe I should rephrase: no fun = studying only. Most of us would be cleaning the bathroom before getting down to required reading and that includes the neat freak, myself, but since I'm in a hotel I have no excuses! In order to get something you really desire you often have to work really hard for it.  The greater the effort involved just makes the outcome that much sweeter.  And its going to be a very bright light at the end of the tunnel!

Honestly I dont even know how I have arrived here... Yes I know, the good friend, resume, interview and flew by plane... but this feels fantastical, incredible and pretty much unbelievable, yet here I am in Toronto. For real. Smiling :D

Now I just have to get through everything...
Whilst also trying to fend off all the inevitable fiends:
Insomnia
Nervousness
Weight Gain 

My plan was to go to the gym every day even if its only for 20 minutes of cardio... Which is more like every other day... And eat my vegetables and fruit. Oh how I detest eating out! And where is Jugo Juice when you need it and you've forgotten to bring your handy magic bullet? 

Anyway, must study. And take a few relaxing moments. Will check in again soon!
Maybe by then I'll figure out how to load pictures from my iPad.... I do love my new toy but I have a lot to learn ;)

This and That

Some Brazilian Love
Havaianas, Caipirinah (Cachaça), Bikinis, Portuguese, Beaches, Warm Weather...

I am wishing for summer!  Can't it stop snowing already? 

In the mean time I can slip on a pair of flip-flops, mix a strong lime drink, sip and dream...

Just sitting here becoming a brazilnut ;)

After the summer season, Air Canada will be using the 777 strictly on the YYZ-GRU route and it has also been announced that there will be a direct flight Toronto to Rio!  World Cup!

Some foxy art for my phone... 
Care of pinterest, the artist and on-line purchases.  
Check out Society6 for other cool products.


The world needs more art and originality!  
And so does my condo... 
Now that I have a new mustard coloured retro look couch I'm going to have to finish decorating!

Alas the small cranium.  In future no matter how cute other people's patterns look I will just count the stitches, measure, calculate and write my own pattern notes. Nevertheless this picture shows the back where the rounds meet and I'd say it's pretty neat work.

I was feeling under the weather for a while.  Nothing like mac and cheese for comfort.

Yum

Ahi Tuna, Mango, Avocado, Quinoa, Greens

It was a combined effort dinner.  It's so fun to cook with other people!!!

 And finally, I'd really like, no, LOVE!!! to fly this pair of turbofans around the sky!  

Oh my!  I sure hope my dreams and wishes do come true!

This is a 737-800 belonging to Air Berlin which is in the SkyService hanger in Toronto.  

Not only is this airplane big (huge) compared to me here, or the lovely Beech1900, but if you walk underneath the belly and stick your head, actually just walk in it's so spacious... 

to where the cavity in which the gear folds you have a life-sized mechanic's electronic soduku!  Wow!  

Leading edge flaps, slats, winglets as tall as me, swept wings.  

Mmmm Boeing Love!

 (Thanks Karl for showing me around this awesome bird.)  

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  

Top o' the Day!

One last dessert...

...and then I promise I'll consentrate on less edible endeavours.

Ta-da! Poached Pear and Coconut Milk Rice Pudding

This looks so fancy and it's easy!  But you do need to stay in the kitchen or at least nearby.  

In other words I need to get my buzzer working in my building so I don't have to 

wait for my company down stairs.

Begin with the pears.  

Boil one liter water with 1 cup sugar and a stick of cinnamon. Stir to dissolve sugar. 

Add star anise if you have it.  I wish I did, but couldn't find it anywhere!

Lower heat and cook four peeled brown pears for 15-20 minutes. 

Remove pears and keep the liquid reducing on low for 20-25 minutes.  

It will still be very runny, so that this way you can pour it!

Meanwhile and a can of coconut milk to a liter measure and add water to fill to one liter.

Put in a pot with 1 cup Arborio rice and 1/2 cup sugar.  

Boil and then reduce to simmer allowing to cook for 25-30 minutes. 

Serve warm or room temperature, with a sprinkle of cinnamon if you'd like a Greek touch.  

Four servings of Greek won't hurt anyone, but watch out before the Trojan Horse rides in.