Seriously?

Apparently, we had an earthquake today. While it was pretty strong for those closer to the epicenter, I have to say, I didn't even feel it. This was a bit surprising as I was pretty sensitive to little tremors. Maybe because I was driving at the time (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!). Anyways, the best part was when I got home and turned on the TV. I expected a little story about the quake, but wow! People were calling in like it was the most traumatic experience of their lives. The reporters were doing their parts by asking sincerely about damage (there was none) and what it felt like etc. Oh, and since were earthquakes considered weather events??!? News reports talked of buildings being evacuated and cameras fed live shots of power plants. Given the recent events in Japan, alright, I can understand the uneasiness. But people, get a grip! The plants released statements that basically said, people, chill. The wording was something like this is an "unusual event" but it's still a level 0. One report showed footage of a news conference (supposedly during the quake)where everyone ran for the hills. I personally wouldn't have known there was quake if you had shown me just the footage. I thought maybe I had just been desensitized after some of the quakes I'd been through. But then, one "eyewitness" relayed what one of his co-workers from California said after being evacuated. "Guys, seriously? That was nothing"

Not the tea lady, but pretty good!

In my continuing efforts to avoid disputes in the morning, I found myself at the local Second Cup this morning for breakfast. I decided to take advantage of their Tuesdsay Chillers promotion and try their Matcha Chiller. First, I usually don't do the coffee shop thing. It's hard for me to justify spending over $3 for a cup of something that I could make easily for a fraction of the price. But, I figured mental health is priceless. Secondly (pun!), I'm usually pretty skeptical when it comes to green tea items on menus here, ever since the Starbucks fiasco (I don't care if it's a grande, green tea does not have a mint flavour!). Anyways, much to my pleasant surprise, the chiller acutally has a matcha flavour! It's the small, unexpected joys in life...like the construction crew that just started in with their jack hammers right outside the window...

I'm a criminal...

At some point during the school year, I hurt my back. I can usually stretch it out, but this time has been different. It's been hurting for about 2 months now, and has only gotten worse. So, I finally decided it was time to see my old chiropractor. It just so happens, that his office is down the street from my old junior high school. While the school is now closed (such a shame, it's a beautiful building), I couldn't help but go and see it anyways. As I drove up, I was saddened to see the construction equipement, the half torn down walls and the broken or boarded up windows. As I walked around the back of the gym, along the same path that I had sketched for art class, the first place I ever saw fireflies on the night I had my first slow dance, I heard a gentle but frantic flapping sound. Trapped between a screen and a piece of plywood, was a little swallow. Half climbing up and down screen with his delicate feet, as his wings beat hopelessly against the screen on one side and the wood on the other. I tried to shoo him up the window to where the opening was, but he couldn't make it. I nervously looked around and weighed my options. He might be able to make it out on his own. But on what was expected to be one of the hottest days in recoreded history, it didn't look promising. It was already above 30 degrees, even though it was before 9am. I looked him in the eye and my choice was made. Grabbing my key to Skippy (old car) which had the best edge, I sliced open the middle of the screen in one stroke. The swallow instantly dropped down to the gap and flew out over my shoulder and into the sky. Still apprehensive about the screen, I went to the chiropractor's.

Major Withdrawl Symptoms

Well, it all started last weekend. I was shopping in an Asian supermarket when this song came on. It was the Chinese version of an EXILE song, Lovers Again. This particular song was not only released when I was working in Japan, but my baseball boys had used in as part of a hilarious presentation during the school festival (complete with dancing ichi-nenseis and sakura petals). And now, I've been stuck for the past week on this "natsukashi" rampage. I've been sing choral competition songs to myself, looking up zen-ken results, and of course I got an email from an old student as well (great timing). Then the dragon boat team had an otsukaresama enkai at a place that had a real izakaya vibe. Oh, the agony!! I predict I will start watching koshien over a very shakey internet connection soon...

Pouring again...

Well, my professional life has been...interesting. I went to Peel today, with the goal of speaking with the principal to arrange for my evaluation. Much to my surprise, she showed up during class and just did an evaluation. Thankfully, my evaluation went really well. This means I am no longer limited to just the two schools in Peel. Then, when I got home there was a call from a principal that had interviewed me before the break for an LTO. But, I never did hear back as the spring break hit the following week. I was actually not too thrilled with my interview as I was sick at the time (I actually ended up taking the rest of the week off). I probably would have normally gone mad, but then the earthquake and tsunami hit, so my focus went into search mode instead. So all of a sudden, things are moving again (including the 4 back to back calls from the booking system.)

Shu-cream!!!!

We went to Pacific Mall the other day when something stopped me in my

tracks. A poster for Beard Papa's!! It's a shu-cream (cream puffs) chain from Japan. I have to admit, I was never a huge fan of Beard Papa's. My palette had grown accustomed to the soggy shu-creams from conbinis and I couldn't really rationalize spending the extra money if I had to let the product "sog up" in the fridge anyways. But, it's a different story here. This means I no longer have

to make my own!!! After I had finished jumping up and down in front of the poster, I looked around frantically like a squirrel that had just caught a whiff of a border collie. I then headed to the food court in hopes of actually finding the store. Then...there is was. I frolicked over and giggled like a little girl, with my hands up to my face as I oohed and ahhed over the different flavours. I decided to go with a half dozen (3 vanilla and 3 matcha). I have to say, I'm still not into the fresh ones. I had to take it back home for some soggifying action. BUT, I do need to say amazing matcha! I dare say they might have used real matcha!

Japan Quake and Tsunami Donations-double your value!!

Double your donation to the Canadian Red Cross! If you have an ING Direct account, log in and make a donation from there. ING will match your donation! You'll still get receipts for all donations over $10.