Walking tour

Seems I've been doing a lot of that - walking! This morning we went downtown. We left the house at 10am and I got back at 1:30pm. Judy walked with me, then took the bus back while I went to explore downtown a bit more. Today was meant to be one of the last warm days for Autumn, so I wanted to take advantage of that. There were several murals around town that depict the history of Oshawa and they were all pretty cool. We ended up at the Memorial Park and I wandered around. That's the place where people come to pay tribute to all the people who fought on all the wars, etc. I was at the main monument reading about the history when a man came up and told me more about as he saw me. I told him that I'm Aussie and he gave me more of an insight about the Aussies and Canadians as an allied force. That was cool too. Turns out that he is a war veteran and we got to chatting about it some more, and me basically learning more history of war. One thing I'm learning is how patriotic they are - one thing that is severely lacking in Australia. We pay our respects and all, but you do feel that sense of pride everyday here, not just on Remembrance Day or ANZAC Day. It really hit me today as I was speaking to the veteran. So I'm hoping to get to Memorial Park on Tuesday for Remembrance Day. And Memorial Park is really beautiful. It is well maintained and aside for it being a place to pay respect to the soldiers, it's predominantly a place for meditation and peace - and you get that feeling instantly despite it being a place that was built to remember (and to arguably glorify) war. I spent a good time there relaxing, seeing the beautiful white grandstand there that is used during Summer for bands to play. They're getting stuff ready for Christmas as well - with REAL Christmas trees being decorated and squirrels jumping on them.



Walked back home (and bless my good memory - I made it back in one piece again) and we started baking, as I had wanted to learn how to make molasses buns (when we were living in Sendai, Dawn's mum sent her a care package with these buns - I tried them and fell in love instantly! SO DELISH!) And I'm learning how to make them - they are a similar recipe to gingerbread men, so we made them today. All good! I'm gonna try and make some truffles and I'm kinda hoping nobody likes them. Everybody is fussy here, so I'm sure I'll get my wish, and then the truffles will be ALL MINE!

Tomorrow we're all going into Toronto to visit the world famous St Lawrence Market. Whatever you can think of, it's there. Everybody recommends it and I've read up on it, and I'm ready for it. Can't wait.

And as I've been blogging this, I'm also helping my best friend with her wedding. She's got a date ready and the reception place - it's all set for next October. 3 months after I get back home, so it's official bridesmaid duties from July to October. And the bridesmaid dress is HOT! I'm gonna look fabulous. And my hairdresser friend is online too, so I'm getting prices and all that and sending them to Jackki instantly. So I guess I'm on duty now! This is excting. As long as I have known her, Jackki has always said, "I'm never ever getting married". Now she knows exactly what she wants for her wedding! I've always said that I wanted to elope, so hopefully that remains :)

OK, off to bed. See ya!