Good morning everyone!! Bet you can't guess where I am! Or maybe you can since I have been counting down to this day since March! You guessed it - I am at Toronto Pearson Airport, Terminal 3, gate A17 to be exact awaiting my flight to the place where dreams come true. I cannot believe the day has finally come to head south for the summer and I am ecstatic! And nervous, scared, overtired and hyped up on caffeine, making for a winning combination this morning. Sorry to whomever has to sit next to me on the plane.
It has been a whirlwind two weeks at home - I had days that were jam-packed and days where I was bending over backwards to find something to do. I spent way too much time at different malls, saw many members of my family, hiked/walked all around Ancaster, saw two movies and a play - the list goes on. I was determined to make the most of my short time in Ancestor because as long as everything goes well, I honestly can't say the next time I will be there for a whole two weeks. As hard as it can be sometimes to be away, I am having so much fun taking on all these different adventures and I can't wait to see what this summer will bring! Now, before I catch my flight to the sunshine state, here is a look back on my short but sweet time in Ancaster:
First of all, I owe a large apology to my granny - she asked me this past weekend why I had not written in a while and I said that I had not done anything worth writing about which was a LIE!! Last Friday, I took the train into downtown Toronto to see my granny, so some shopping and go see the Lion King. I went to the Eaton Centre on Friday afternoon and met my housemate Elizabeth for Frappy Hour at Starbucks. I then shopped with my granny and BREAKING NEWS - Juicy Couture is closing all of their stand alone stores. This meant that the entire store was 50% off. My granny spoiled me and got me a beautiful white jean jacket and pink linen dress for my 19th birthday and I have worn the jacket almost every (warm) day since then. After shopping, we drove over to the theatre and went to a little place called Aroma for dinner. I learned that my granny loves Indian food so I let her choose what we ordered. Afterwards, we walked to the theatre to see the Lion King. She had taken me to see it a really long time ago (I think I was 8) so I did not remember how fantastic it was!! We were right near an aisle so the animals and characters ran right by our seats. I loved it so much I almost bought the soundtrack and a t-shirt. Did I mention it was a great show?
I slept over in Toronto that night and went to see my cousin Emma's soccer tournament in Oshawa the next day. She had driven down with my aunt from Ottawa so my granny and I drove up to watch her two games. Unfortunately, her team did not win either of the games we watched but Emma did walk away with her own prize - a black eye (see photo below).
Following the second game, I hopped back on the train to head home and meet my family for dinner. We were going out to the Keg for a belated birthday celebration for Connor and my dad. Unfortunately, Trevor was still away at school so it was just the 7 of us, but we had a great time. I had the dungeness crab; I had never eaten crab before, so it took me a while to figure out how to crack the claws and actually spoon the meat out. By the time I had figured it out, everyone else was done eating. Oh well, they had more time to digest. After dinner, I went down to Westdale to meet my friend Alex and his/our friends from Ancaster High at a pub called the Snooty Fox. I had not seen a lot of the people there since high school so it was fun to catch up with all of them. Our one friend Tania was heading on a European adventure with her sister the next day (she is currently there now) and I hope she is having an absolute blast!
Sunday, I met up with my friend Andrea and we went down to Bayfront Park to watch her brother in a bike race. However, we had a late start and got stuck in traffic so when we got to the park, he called us to say he was done and already on his way home. We debated staying at the park but went back to Andrea's for lunch instead and then went on a 2 and a half hour hike in the conservation area. We then walked to my house and were planning to go for an electric scooter ride but by the time we got there, we were both in need of a nap.
Monday, my friend Elena and I went on our traditional breakfast date to Cora's. I was extremely excited because I had finally filled up my Cora's breakfast club card and was eligible for a free meal. It took me a long time to decide, but to maximize my value, I chose a meal that came with a side dish and a drink. Elena and I then drove down to Confederation Park and walked to the Burlington Bridge and back. We think it was about 11km altogether. However, by the time we were done, Elena's knee had given out and my hands had frozen to the point where I was unable to undo the buttons on my jeans so we were both happy to finally get back in the car. We drove back home and picked up Elena's little sister Erica to go to Frappy Hour before I headed home for dinner. I then made myself at home on the couch for the rest of the night, getting up only to eat dinner, go in the hot tub and go to bed.
Tuesday, I took my mom spinning with me at Goodlife - nothing says mother daughter bonding like spinning until your legs fall off. We then drove to Mapleview and I went in to the Apple store to pick up my back up drive, though not my computer because they were still waiting on some advice from their engineering team in California. We did not have too long at the mall because we had to get back to pick up Jamie. I decided to continue on my walk-a-thon trend and walked to my dad's office to get his car to go pick up a book from my friend Maggie. Thanks to her, I was able to finish the Divergent series and all I have to say is WHAT A BRUTAL ENDING!! I do not want to spoil it but I was so disappointed. Maggie said that she threw the book at the wall when she finished reading and if it had not been 2:30am when I finished I might have done the same thing. Maybe the filmmakers can change it.
After picking up the book, my sibling and I went over to my dad's house for dinner. Then, Elena picked me up and we went to Kelsey's for Girls Night Out, meaning we got 2 appetizers and 2 spiked snow cones for $20. I finally remembered to giver her her birthday present, which was a pinterest-inspired "Teacher First Aid Kit." She loved it! After our meal, we went to the movie theatre to see The Other Woman. It was so funny!! Not a movie you will watch over and over, but it was worth the half price movie fare.
Wednesday, I worked in my dad's yard, trimming and raking and cleaning up the gardens. That reminds me, I never finished cleaning up the long grass. Oops. Anyway, I made the front garden look beautiful and cleaned up most of the backyard. However, by the end of the day, I was exhausted, cold and grumpy. My mom, sister and I then went to Limeridge Mall because we had received an email for free manicures but there was huge accident on the highway so we did not make it in time. However, at least we were not the ones in the accident. Instead, we got to go on a scenic drive through Hamilton and on a shopping spree at American Eagle.
Thursday, I went to my dad's Rotary Club meeting in the morning. The guest speaker was a member of the club and he talked about his former travel and cruise agency, specifically talking about river cursing. I then had a day of appointments - I got my eyebrows done and my haircut and went to the spa - I have to look good for Mickey! In between appointments, I went on a hike with Maggie in the conservation area. We somehow ended up talking about what we would have changed about ourselves in high school, however we both decided that we would not have changed much because we are both pretty great.
I played soccer mom chauffeur on Thursday night and drove Jamie to hockey and swimming. We then went over to my dad's for dinner. Lauren had to stay later because my dad thought she was a good luck charm for the Habs vs. Bruins game, Unfortunately, she did bring the Habs good luck that night. Friday, finally my mom and I were able to spend a day together. We went to Sherway Gardens to do some shopping and my spring and summer wardrobes are now complete (and packed up in my suitcase). We had lunch at a place called the Construction Site, where we had fantastic grilled cheese sandwiches. One was called the all day breakfast and it had a fried egg in the middle. On our way home, we decided to stop in at Mapleview at the Apple store to see what was up with my computer, as it had been at the store for a week and a half. We went in and asked to talk to a manager. All of my pestering paid off, because she knew who we were as soon as I said my name. She reviewed my file and then said "I am prepared to give you a new computer." She took my mom and I by surprise, as we thought we would have to fight for a new computer but I am happy to announce that Macky 2.0 is now a part of the family. She is working just fine! So thank you Apple, for taking good care of me and I am happy to let you take Macky 1.0 into your care.
Friday night, Elena and I went to see the new Zac Efron and Seth Rogen movie Neighbors. I had enough scene points to get my ticket for free - score! Lauren went to see the movie before us and her friends and her had to use my ID to get in, as it was 18A. Apparently, it worked because they all were admitted. Originally, when I saw her text to ask for my ID, I thought she was going to use it to go the liquor store!! I mean, I thought the day would come but was not expecting it, so I was perfectly ok with giving it to her to go see a movie. The movie was hilarious and Zac Efron was gorgeous, of course! To my surprise, my friend Kathryn and her boyfriend showed up at the movie too. It was nice to see Kathryn because she is about to go on a 5 month mission trip to El Salvador. And I thought I was going away for a long time!!
Saturday, I spent most of the morning and afternoon packing, or rather attempting to pack and then went to Toronto for dinner with my dad and brother. My cousin Katherine had a synchronized swimming competition in Oshawa so her whole family had come down to Toronto to stay with my granny and watch her swimming. We had a big family dinner in Toronto that night and my uncle Andrew and his kids came too. It was so nice to see them all before heading south as I probably will not see them all again until Christmas!
Sunday was Mother's Day, so Jamie and I made our mom breakfast in bed. My mom and I went spinning (more bonding) and then met Lauren for her lunch break at driver's school. She wanted to sit outside in the sun, so we sat on a bike rack in the Fortinos parking lot. Once her class was over, we all went to the Ancaster Mill for a late brunch and it was delicious! I had not been to the brunch since two summers ago and it was just as good as I remembered it! I had crepes, lobster, lamb, cheesecakes, mimosas, etc., etc. and successfully gained 5 lbs in 2 hours. We came home, gave our mom her presents (tea, homemade body scrub and new electric beaters) and I made cupcakes and greek salad for dinner. Happy Mother's Day to the best mom around!
Finally, yesterday was all about packing! I vacuumed sealed all of my bedding and squished my entire life contents into two suitcases each weighing exactly 50 lbs. I went out to Staples to buy a travel case for Macky 2.0 and went over to my dad's to say goodbye to everyone there. Alex came over late that night for a final goodbye - oh yes and he got a job as a prep cook at Kelsey's so be warned the next time you go to eat there! I called Hannah and Jocelyn to say goodbye before leaving the country and finally went to bed at 2:30am. This morning, it was an early 5:30 morning and I am now through customs and about to board the plane! Wish me luck as I had to the most magical place on Earth!
Must get in line now and catch my flight!
Have a magical day! Pictures will be added once I am in Orlando!
All my love,
Erica :) xoxoxoxxoxoxo
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