Friday, December 31, 2010

I'll be honest - I'm somewhat happy to see the back of 2010. Personally, however, there were a few good moments:

  • Canada won Gold in Hockey at the 2010 Olympics on home turf (both the Men's and Women's team)
  • Watching the Olympics, as a Canadian abroad, made me weepy and proud
  • I went to Barcelona - my first time in Spain - and fell in love with the food and people
  • I *finally* ate at one of the best restaurants in Glasgow: Guy's
  • I really REALLY got into cycling (which is both joyous and rage-inducing)
  • Paul and I had an AMAZING time whilst back in Canada
  • Paul and I went back to Catalonia, Spain, for Paul's 30th birthday
  • I discovered there was hockey - IN GLASGOW!

So, bring on 2011 and here's to more hockey games, fantastic food, and better cycling lanes in Glasgow in the new year! If you want to check out what a traditional Hogmanay in Scotland is like, be sure to stream BBC Scotland's Hogmanay programme here. It kicks off at 11.45pm (UK Time - 6.45pm Eastern Standard time and is available to stream around the globe, so there's no excuse!)

HAPPY HOGMANAY!

Friday, December 24, 2010

It goes without saying that around this time of year, I get particularly homesick for friends, family and Canada. I find myself getting weepy at Christmas commercials and even more farklempt than usual while watching the beautiful film, It's A Wonderful Life (side note: I always get nostalgic for the annual showing of it on the CBC).

That said, do you know what I'm missing more than anything right now? Canada's ability to DEAL with snow. Good god, by Scotland's reaction (or lack of) to the snow and ice, you would think that we live in some tropical paradise; never mind that Glasgow's latitude is almost the same as Moscow's. Scotland and the UK as a whole, DO NOT know how to prepare, anticipate and deal with snow and ice; the whole country comes to a standstill. It's absolutely ridiculous that Heathrow Airport completely shuts down when there is a snowfall.

Sorry y'all, I'm a tad bit bitter, you see, because a week ago today, I had a MAJOR wipeout while running along Byres Road (one of the busiest and hippest streets in Glasgow), and only managed to break my fall with my head (my hands were full with christmas presents). Suffice to say, it was mortifying and not to mention very fucking painful. Thankfully, four guys came to my rescue and helped me up and one even offered to take me for a coffee (I was in a bit of a shock). I thanked them for their help but declined the coffee as I was rushing off to meet my friend, Kate. In the end, Kate had to take me to Emergency (or "A &E" as they call it over here) at the Western Hospital. Turns out, I have a concussion (not a big deal, really) and a black eye.

Dudes, it is nasty. I look like a proper hard Glaswegian now.

So hot, eh? Trust me, it looks way worse in person although now it's turned into a nice yellow hue.

Anyway, prior to my brain injury, Paul and I managed to get a decent sized tree this year.

Only thing is, I didn't buy enough LED lights for it. Damn.

More importantly, my friend, Lauren, finally managed to get her Masters of Science - Yaaaah! We celebrated last Thursday night by having (overpriced) drinks in Prices Square and getting drunk as is the traditional Scottish way.

So, everyone, I'm missing you very much and hope to see you soon. So, with that, have a happy Christmas! More importantly, have a funky, funky Christmas!


Tuesday, December 07, 2010

WEEKEND IN PICTURES