Snowy life in Toronto....

It's been over a month since I arrived in Toronto and I figured I should update with what's been happening.....  But truth to be told, not a whole lot!!!    Have just been settling into the city taking everything in, and also had been busy with the apartment hunt which took a while but did eventually find a roof over our heads...!   It's somewhat a modest two bedroom basement apartment, nothing to brag about but it's cozy enough.  Still bits and pieces would like to sort out in "The Den" (as we've nicknamed it... ), but it will do for now and will see how we'll get on in the coming months. 

Singing Cryst-mas - Swarovski style!!!!

Since Christmas is only around the corner I thought I share a related event I attended to get everyone into the festive spirit!!! 

Swarovski did a launch in support of the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada held in the largest shopping mall in Toronto, the Eaton Centre on November 19th (yeah, that was sooooooooooo long ago but I did say I was busy.........  ).  The host of the event was TV personality and co-host of Breakfast Television, Dina Pugliese.  She's a local gal and someone that is new to me, but certainly made a great impression on stage with her presence and charm.

The special guests of the night were The Canadian Tenors, a group made up of four gifted singers who all happen to have the looks to drive the ladies screaming and the men envious!!! 

The Tenors put on a really impressive performance with Christmas and festive songs and tunes, and certainly left me wanting to hear more of their work in future.  My best buddy, Pádraig (a talented and gifted singer himself) was also amazed by their performance.  And he knows a good singer when he hears one with his sharp ears!!! 

After the entertaining performance, it was time for Swarovski to unveil their surprise in support of the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada....

Hmmmm............. 

Ahhhhhh............ 

OOhhhhhhh.........!!!! 

YEEAAAHHHH!!!!! 

So the Swarovski Crystal Wish Tree makes quite an attraction in the Eaton Centre, standing approximately 35 feet in height and 20 feet wide rotating on the spot showing off the 20,000 or so shimmering Swarovski crystal baubles/balls that decorates it.

Other randomness..........

The night is right for a fight....!!! 

Those who know me would know I'm a huge MMA and UFC fan.  (those who don't - yes, I am a huge fan of Mixed Martial Arts!!!  Mainly thanks to my brother, Fai for the introduction....  )  A good thing (amongst many others!) being over in this part of the world is that I get to enjoy and watch live events of UFC properly in the evenings, rather than unforgivable hours of the morning back home in Ireland (due to time zone difference) like up from 2am till possibly 6am in the morning.....!!!! 

Currently reading Got Fight? - The 50 Zen Principles of Hand-to-Face Combat by Forrest Griffin (the 1st season of reality series The Ultimate Fighter winner and former light heavyweight champion).  Hilarious book on the Octagon, fighting (inside and outside of a cage/ring), and life in general!!!    Thanks again, Fai for the book.  Now I know when times gets desperate I can always try donning the MMA mits......  And probably end up with a 'cauliflower face' like good ole Griffin.....   

Snow snow snow.....!!!!N eedless to say, it's been absolutely freezing here in Toronto!!!!!  It's been like between -3 to -7 degrees C most days, the evenings sometimes hitting below -10!!!!    Despite the terribly bitter coldness, the weather itself remains better than in Ireland though....  The U.K. and Ireland had seen some awful downpour of rain and heavy gail over the past month, causing some major flooding over parts of the both countries.  Perhaps I made a lucky escape...... 

Think I much perfer the sight of snow rather than the wind and rain............ 

It was so cold though the snow very soon turned to ice-like......  which made walking quite a challenge indeed....... 

One thing for sure is you wouldn't want to be involved in any snowball fights like we used to do back home in Ireland when we see a sliver of snow......  One hit in the face from some of these snow/ice balls I've seen here would almost equal being pummel by hammer I can only imagine.....  Not cool............... 

Pint me to my pint!!!!Not short of Irish pubs here in Toronto.  However, the day Pádraig and I fancied finding an Irish bar to watch the first leg of Ireland vs France World Cup Qualifier we had a desperate time finding one that showed the game!!!!    Anyways, enough about the soccer but this has to be a favourite find we came acros..........

Haven't tried this place yet......  Once their beverages doesn't come from their companies name, I'm cool with visiting them at some stage.......... 

Final words.............I don't know if I'll get to do another post before Christmas, so if not.............

                               Here's wishing everyone a

                 MERRY CHRISTMAS

                                    &

                HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Peace & Best Wishes,

Alan