I couldn't resist a photo op when my sister started cutting out paper puppets of the presidential candidates. Yes, there are probably a lot of things to do in Toronto... but this is how we choose to entertain ourselves. You can make your own too at www.folduscandidate.com Let's not forget about Hillary. Written on the back of her delicately folded torso: "I'm in and I'm in to win."

Went to a wedding at a yacht club in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The bride and I were roommates in Beijing when we taught English there during the summer of 2004. We reconnected in NY but the couple left for Turkey shortly after I arrived. They now live in Taiwan. Staying for the weekend, had some time to drive around and explore. Sturgeon Bay is one of the towns of Door County, a peninsula on the east shore of Lake Michigan. Went to a state park, local farmer's markets (where I discovered popcorn on the cob), and drove past the towns along the coast.



Stayed with the groom's neighbor, who recommended eating at Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant. The towns of the peninsula reflect the Scandinavian cultures of mostly Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic, German and Belgian immigrants. I ordered the Swedish Pancake Special, with Swedish meatballs and eggs over medium. The pancake was light, thin, and served with lingonberries (I couldn't wait to taste it and had to cover my bite with the fork for the picture!)



Flying out of Green Bay, WI. I believe that's Lambeau Field stadium, home to the Green Bay Packers. I know, I'm such a tourist.

C'est tres jolie, non?

My sister made this clutch for me. So pretty!

Tofu Hua

Sweet tofu with a thin syrup laced with ginger, served at a Cantonese late-night snack and dessert place. You gotta love the name of this eatery-- Health, Herb, Harmony. Around this area, I sometimes feel like I'm in Hong Kong and that I (being an English speaker) am the one that's in the minority!

I recently watched Reign On Me and I'm Not There and although I didn't think they were very good movies, they've inspired me to listen to The River again, as well as to revisit countless Bob Dylan songs from my long-ignored collection. Some things you may not know about me: 1. I have 14 Bruce Springsteen albums 2. I have 11 Bob Dylan albums 3. I've seen them both in concert I want to confess that I ran over a squirrel yesterday while driving home. I swerved but still managed to run it over, and saw it's tail twitching in the air from my rear view mirror. I am horrible. Horrible.

I really like driving around Toronto in the summertime, even on a cloudy day. I like looking at old houses, watching trains go by, and passing by places that our mother used to take us to-- like parks and libraries and playgrounds. Maybe one of these days we'll actually get out the car and walk around.

Flower Pic

Double Red Peony From this book I found at a used bookstore. I've been looking at various flower drawings/graphics for ideas for my wedding invitations. Right now, I really like peonies.

Yes, I'm knitting again

Just watched The Savages (2007) with my sister. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney, playing brother and sister, were brilliant as always. The story's about how they face caring for their elderly, demented father but is filled with so many hilarious moments.

Stopped by a farmer's market today, where I saw these lovely teacups.

I assumed the weather in Toronto would be pretty similar to NYC's, but it's not nearly as muggy or hot here. Cool, breezy, and sunny. Listening to this mix while drinking a milk tea.

Oh, Canada

I'm back home in Toronto. Home, as in where my family is, not where my things are. It's 2 in the morning and I just want to say:

1. I'm glad to be with my family again.
2. It's weird/nostalgic to be in Toronto again.
3. I miss my fiance. Already.

After landing, on ferry from Toronto City Centre Airport

Brooklyn Botanical & Thoughts on My Impending Deportation

Went to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden last week with my friend Dan.

Getting ready to leave my home in Brooklyn for an indefinite period. I will be heading back to Canada to await a new work visa. I keep joking that I'm being deported, but since I'm leaving within the given grace period and not illegally overstaying, should I rather say that it's more like... um, an exile? Apparently, I need to be screened by this agency called the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools... even though I graduated from NYU! Anyways, although I was upset at first, since I was still on orientation (a 3-month-long training as a new nurse before working without supervision), it gave me an unexpected vacation. The only downside, besides the obvious lack of income, is that this will set me back a few months in getting my very valuable first year experience. Not that I would want to work anywhere else, since I work at great hospital :) but in case I would ever have to work in Canada or something awful like that ;)



Well, because of the recent turn of events, I was able to visit my relatives in California and make it to my cousin's graduation from UCI. Above, a drawing of hers that arrived in my mailbox yesterday (I forgot to take it with me), which was inspired by Filipino artist BenCab's work.

Flower Pic of the Day

What I mean is, flower pic for today. Flower pic period. Because it's not going to be a daily thing. Anyways, you get it. Peonies (1984)

Getting Ready for 4th of July Weekend

... which means prepping for Neil's 4th of July catering event! Went to Costco yesterday and heading out to Fairway in a few minutes with our extensive shopping list. Some of my favorite hors d'oeuvres from the menu for tomorrow's party:

• Salmon Tar Tar with Faux Wasabi Caviar
• Crabcakes with Avocado & Red Peppers
• Truffled Mushroom Puff Pastry

So far, in a very good mood as I just got off the phone with a friend from nursing school whom I haven't talked to in a few months. When I heard her voice, I just missed her so much. (Wish you were part of my daily life again, L.) Off to Fairway we go.