Winter affairs

There is an island in the lake in front of Toronto called Toronto island:

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=&sll=43.6257,-79.377937&sspn=0.030816,0.077162&ie=UTF8&ll=43.6257,-79.377937&spn=0.030816,0.077162&z=14&output=embed&w=425&h=350]

There is a nice park and some beaches there where people go in the summer but there is also a residential area with a little community living there. You need to take the ferry and there are no cars allowed, so it is a really cute area which doesn't feel like being in the city. My friend Helen (who is from New Zealand) lives there with her boyfriend Pete. They are visitig New Zealand now for the Christmas holidays and she asked me to check the house sometimes and water the plants. Last weekend I went over with Denise, Dave, Laura and two of Denises friends from work, Kirstan and Beth. we spent the day over there, drinking hot chocolate and wine and eating cheese and snacks like pigs and playing some games. It was a nice day out of the city, like a little adventure. Denise and I spent the night over which was nice, a little vacation away but still close.

Dave and Laura at teh dock

Denise and Laura on the ferry

Dave and I on the ferry

Denise making hot chocolate

Playing games

Laura lounging

On Sunday last week we went to see some hockey. Laura (Dave's girlfriend) got some tickets to go see the second-level Toronto team. They had a practice by the first team followed by the game so we went to see both. Denise's friend Harry joined us instead of Denise because she doesn't like hockey. It was great seeing some live hockey. The team that practiced first is the main Toronto team, a very famous team. Toward the end of the practice they got a local kids team to come on the ice and practice with the real players. It was SO cute! Those really big hockey players were playing along with the little kids, passing the puck and pushing each other.

Laura at hocey

Hockey players

Hanukah was fun this year! we lit the candles every night and even had some friends over some times. We lit one night at the island with everyone and with Ben and Janice once (they came over for dinner on Wednesday). We have the fireplace on quite often now as it is getting cold (Mom, you would LOVE the fireplace, it is really old and very nice, made of heavy metal). Temperatures are constantly below 0 these days but no snow still.

Our fireplace on the 8th day of Hanukah

Denise by the Menora

Denise and I by the fireplace

As you know, Christmas is coming up and with it is the crazy plans (well, crazy presents more so than plans). I plan to go to Denises parents place for the 24th evening, when we do all the presents opening etc, spend the night over and probably go over to Mikes place for the 25th, where they do the presents during the day. Spend the day there, which is usually very relaxing and fun and head over back to Waterloo (where Denise's family lives) for the 26th and 27th, where we have plans to meet up with friends and family. Here are some pictures of the crazy present wrapping. This was an expensive Christmas for me! :-)

Sone of the Christmas presents

Presents wrapping

What else? Nothing more. Denise is away at a Christmas party at Waterloo tonight and I stayed home because I need to work. Instead, I am at a pub having some chicken wings, beer and writing this post. I plan to wake up early tomorrow, have a quick breakfast and head over to the lab to work.

Until next time,

Hugs,

Yoav