Wednesday, January 20, 2010

A reminder




Make sure that you are dressed warmly when you go out during the winter months. Don't just check the temperatures, but make sure you also check to see what the Windchill factor is. For example: It may be -5C outside, but then the windchill may be -11 or -15. This means that you must be dressed for the windchill temperature.

In case you have forgotten this very important website, here is a reminder so that you can keep checking the weather reports before venturing out.

www.cp24.com

Your 24 hour channel on the internet and tv. Make sure you check the all day weather forecast before you leave your home. With temperatures dropping suddenly during the day, you don't want to be stuck without your warm jackets, mittens and hats.

Check out this link to see a cute video on how to dress your kids right for the winter. Cut and paste it in a new window and then press enter.

http://www.settlement.org/sys/library_detail.asp?doc_id=1004151

With February being the coldest month in Canada, be prepared for the temperature to drop further and more snow. Winter can be fun if you are prepared! Try a new sport...skiing or snow boarding. Ice skating can be fun for all ages. Go to your local community centre to check out their ice skating class dates and rates.

Parks have ice skating areas that are safe for families and small children. Try the rink at Gage park in Brampton....you can see kids of all sizes skating here. You can enter here from Main Street.

Have fun!

2010 links to things happening in Toronto and the GTA

If you are visiting or already live in Toronto or the GTA (Greater Toronta Area), here are some website links for you to check out to see what is happening in your city or town.

www.toronto.com

Check the above link out for all plays, theatre performances, restaurants and events in Toronto. There are tons of links to movie tickets, calendar of events through the year and tons of information on things to do.

www.brampton.ca

Brampton - the flower city. Check out the above link for everything that is going on in Brampton.

www.mississauga.ca

Mississauga - leading today, for tomorrow. The catch phrase for this city. Check out the link!

www.oakville.ca

Vision: To be the most livable town in Canada. Check out the link to see what they are doing to achieve this.

www.burlington.ca

Most of these cities and towns have their own network of events and happenings through the year. Go through the websites and links to see what you may be missing out on!!


I'm Back!!

Yes I am back in good ol'Toronto...........it is -4C today with a windchill of -11. Just three days ago I was in sunny India, 20C......perfect warm weather....and now I can only dream about it!!

The biggest news here right now is the earthquake in Haiti, and how all of North American is helping with money, food, aid and helping hands. The destruction and numbers who have perished in just unimaginable. If you want to help, make sure you give your money to a trusted charity group or the government. The Red Cross, World Vision etc are all good charities that you know will use the money for what it is intended.

The kids are back in school. They didn't seem to miss much even though they missed two weeks of school. If they caught up in just one day.....exactly what is it that they are learning?? My kids are thrilled though..........my son has rock climbing in school for four weeks and for her next field trip my daughter is going skiing and snow boarding. Sounds like fun!!

Guess what? I finally got my Police clearance certificate, allowing me to volunteer at my kids school and the Church. In order to work with kids, you have to get a police clearance report saying that you are not a convicted Child Molester. This is a good thing!!

There were two pedestrians struck down and killed this morning, in two seperate accidents. Please be careful when driving and taking those right turns. You never know when a person is crossing the street.

Just found out that 'Rogers' added a 'On Demand' channel for kids and that it is free!! This works like a library of videos, that you can pick and watch on your t.v. Most of the On Demand channels you have to pay for. So this was a nice change!!

Wish you all a wonderful 2010! Welcome to all the newcomers and hope all of you who moved last year are settling down and are enjoying your new life in Canada.

Will keep you posted on what is happening here in Toronto and the rest of Canada.

Until then,

take care
Nal

Monday, January 11, 2010

Indian traffic

 
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Lighting crackers for the New Year on New Years Eve.

 
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Back in Canada day after!

Since we're leaving tomorrow for Toronto, the kids have been playing overtime with all their friends and I have been packing and sorting out all the things we have managed to collect in the one month that we have been here. With Christmas and two birthdays......tons of gifts to carry back!!

It has been so warm and wonderful here and now we dread to go back to the cold! But once we are there, I'm sure we will adjust and get back to our routine of school and work.

Once I'm back, will fill you in on what is going on in Canada and what is new this year.

Until then, take care!

Choice of sauces and pickles at the Raintree at the Taj Connemara Hotel in Chennai

 

Saw this interesting cart with an assortment of pickles and sauces at the restaurant during dinner.
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View of the restaurant interiors

 


The roof was made to almost look like the inside of a houseboat. This is the 'Raintree' restaurant in the Taj Conemmara in Chennai city, India. Very traditional southern Indian food, with a choice of veg, non-veg, spicy or non-spicy. If you are lucky, you will see a live Indian dance. They have a live Indian music playing too. Worth the money and memories!!
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Banana Leaf cut to fit inside a plate

 


This is what is called an indo-western fusion idea! The banana leaf is something many traditional Indians eat on, as it is clean, organic and easily disposable. No trees were cut for this! The leaf is cut into the shape of the plate in this case, for an upmarket restaurant in Chennai. Looks exotic, doesn't it?
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Copper cup and bowl in an Indian restaurant in Chennai.

 
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Saturday, January 9, 2010

One month of no posts...........

In case you are wondering what happened to me.......I've been in India for the past month, home for Christmas and the New Year.

We are back in Toronto on the 13th and can you imagine .....going from 21C pleasant weather to -14 in 48 hours!! Dreading it after a month of perfect weather and no snow to shovel!!

Will get back to posting once I'm back at home.

Until then, take care and a very Happy New Year to all of you!