What was on the roster? What is on the roster?

Since Halloween things have been "no holds barred" busy. Here's the lowdown on what's been happening:
1. I participated in a week-end symposium on a poet named Statius, where I had to act as a graduate respondent to the presentations of two established scholars. Pretty intimidating, but an amazing experience!
2. Christmas shopping! With so many people far away in Edmonton, Vancouver, and Bermuda, Tony and I wanted to get things out super early to avoid line-ups and huge costs at the post office. I'm proud to say that other than shopping for one another, we're totally finished, with a bunch of bundles making their way to family as we speak.
3. Grading exams, which is definitely not as stressful as it used to be. It's nice to feel like I'm getting used to things that caused me to worry a lot in the past.
4. Christmas crafting, because Tony's Mom generously donated to us a huge bundle of felt (black, red, white, green). We got out the glue gun, hit the craft store for some extra supplies, pumped some X-mas tunes, and had a craft night. It ruled! I can't say that the products were beautiful, but they're filled with love and we had a blast making them. It's those kind of nights that really make Christmas fun! (It might be corny, but I don't care, because it's also true!).
5. Writing a paper, frantically, which I was printing off 40 minutes before I had to hand it in. Close call ... whew!
6. Writing a lecture on Cleopatra, which proved to be a bit of a challenge, but it's all ready to go!
7. Planning my Mom's Christmas visit, which is really getting us excited about the Holidays! We're going to Fiddler on the Roof! We're going to make tons of cookies and other goodies! We're going to relax, shop, wrap presents, buy stuff for the food bank, order an organic turkey, make pies, watch movies, walk Dolly, go to Kensington Market and dim sum, and so much more!!! As you can probably tell, I can't wait.
8. General fun and shenanigans, whenever possible, with Tony and Dolly!

Now I have to jump through a few more hoops at school for the semester (my lecture tonight, one presentation, one paper, and final exam marking still left to go). Then I have to get cracking on my shopping for Tony before the malls are insane - I love shopping for Tony the most! We need to do a few things around the house before my Mom comes (this place is a shambles!). Despite the general craziness, all is well, and I hope everyone out there is having a great week, and is starting to get that old Christmas feeling!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was great! We helped hand out candy to over 320 kids at our building's annual extravaganza, I as a witch and Tony as various monsters (thanks to the costumes provided to all volunteers!). There were some amazing costumes, and both kids and parents alike were having a blast. Dolly also go into the swing of things - she's a BEEgle! If only we could still trick-or-treat ... I'd love to have woken up to a pillow-case full of loot this morning!

Post-sicky Autumn Stroll

Fall colors galore.

Golden autumn canopy.

For the last week or so I have been essentially laid up with a flu/cold. Now somewhat better, I decided to join the family after a long hiatus for an autumn stroll to enjoy their company and the autumn colors. Weather-wise, Toronto is still nice and mild, despite Halloween being just around the corner. Fall here is a prolonged affair, with ample time to savor the season, and that is one of the many delights of living here.

A man and his proverbial canine best friend.

The Doll and I.

Over in a flash ... sigh.

Why do super-awesome times have to go by so lightning fast? We had a fabulous time with my bro, sis-in-law, and nephew Sam, and I can't believe it's all over. We really took it easy, and spent time just lounging around, doing a little shopping, and eating lots and lots (and lots) of goodies! Needless to say, it's back to the gym for T-man and I first thing tomorrow.

Sam is really a delightful little chap. He has a smile that could light up deep space, and a sense of humor like nobody's business - we are going to miss him something fierce! Dolly was very fascinated by him, and he treated her so nicely and was far more gentle than I knew a 2-year old could ever be. It also totally ruled to spend time with Will and Franny, who are so easy to get along with, and are the most gracious guests. Here's hoping they come back very, very soon!!!

Get ready, here they come!!!

We are soooooooo exited in our house today, because later on this afternoon my brother Will, sis-in-law Franny, and adorable nephew Sam are arriving in Toronto! They'll be staying at our place for four days of gushing over the baby, playing with Dolly, shopping, vidz, movie watching, etc. I am taking the entire time they are here off (with the exception of my seminar tonight, in which I am giving a presentation, and a brief meeting on Wednesday), and I am frankly beside myself with anticipation. Anyways, check back later this week for various pictures and updates of the goings-on!
Hope you all had a great week-end!

Crazy week!

So far this week has been crazy with a capital "C". First of all, school is back in with a vengeance! I am starting my Major Field in Vergil and have been running around like crazy trying to get all of my texts, lists, etc. sorted out, which involves many trips to my advisor's office/the library/the 3 cent copy place/etc. That's not even counting the time spent on Amazon price-comparing between the .ca and .com sites. You honestly wouldn't believe how crazily expensive some of these Classics books can get, thanks, I'm guessing, to very limited printing runs. Thank goodness for Tony, who is always such a huge help with taking up the slack around the house!

We've also been relatively busy on the fun, social side of things. Some pals were married last Saturday and we attended the celebratory evening get-together at the pub where the happy couple met. Needless to say, it was a lovely, long, late summer night drinking pints and chatting up the other guests. On Monday, in a strange twist of fate, we unexpectedly got our hands on some tickets to see the Cult at Massey Hall, and had a wicked time at the show. They still totally rock, and Ian Astbury fired off many a clever quip amidst the tunes. Honestly, during a couple of songs I thought Tony and I would just burst with glee - it was super awesome!!! "Wildflower" live?!?!? ... forget about it!

To commemorate my many Amazon shopping trips for school stuff lately, I've added below some pics of Dolly caught in the act of shopping for herself. Don't let her mild demeanor fool you ... she's a real rascal!

Hmmm, what have we here?

Dolly, caught in the act - no wonder our credit card bill has been so massive lately!

It's been ages ...

... since I posted last. So what's happened since "Exam Crammin'", you ask? Please refer to my summary list below:
1. I wrote and, much to my delight, passed the dreaded Minor Field exam.
2. Two of the plants on my balcony died, suddenly. This is testament to my lifelong "black thumb" ... all of my plants are doomed.
3. I had a wonderful week off - yes, a WHOLE week.
4. I saw the new Hayao Miyazake animated feature Ponyo, which was a lovely little tale about a boy and a goldfish princess. Oh, also in relation to this, my popcorn ruled.
5. I spent time with some out of town pals, here in TO in their way to fabulous destinations - here's to late summer beers!
6. I played many, many board games with Tony, which was loads of good quality adventuring ... you know, killing monsters and gathering treasure and whatnot.
7. Spent lots of time with the Dolly, because she is the darlingest, sweetest little pup!
8. I made a Madmen picture of myself on the program website [see picture below].
9. We bought a new DVD player, since ours has been skipping every few minutes, even with pristine discs, for the last couple of years ... FINALLY.
10. We bought loads of cheap DVD's and watched a lot of movies from the comfort of the couch - Dead Man, Castle in the Sky, Blood Simple, Miller's Crossing, Unforgiven, Ratatouille, and more.

Anyways, school is back in effect, and I have had a busy week helping out with the orientation for the new Classics grad students. My first class of the English course I am taking (on MIlton's Paradise Lost) starts on Tuesday, and on the same day I will be finalizing my Major Field reading lists (this is the next big step in my degree). This week-end is shaping up to be a goodie - tonight it's Thai delivery and "The Outlaw Josey Wales", tomorrow night it's a wedding get together for some pals. Have a good Friday/Saturday/Sunday combo, and check back soon, because I promise to be better with posts!