I had set my alarm for 5:45am but Dad woke me up at 5:15am instead! He always was the early bird. Pulling myself out of bed was tough considering I had only gone to bed at 1am!
It was hard leaving my friends that night. I held off doing it as long as I could. But I had to do it. They have been such a big part of my life for so long. I think the next time I leave town I'm going to make sure it isn't at 7am! Leaving is hard enough never mind doing it at 7am!
I'm one of those people who get emotional when I'm overtired so on the plane ride to T.O. I was on the verge of tears. A few times I had to hide my face in my sweatshirt cause I thought that the flight attendant would think I was crazy.
The flight however was uneventful. That is a good way for a plane ride to be. That was the first time I'd flown on Westjet and they are SO much better than Air Canada! They are friendly and helpful. PLUS I had much more space than I did on the flight I was on in March. I had the whole row to myself! It was a bright sunny day so I was able to see everything all the way down.
Once I got down to the baggage carousels I text messaged Karen, Jason and Ryan. Karen messaged back right away which was a surprise and it lifted my spirits when I was feeling a little low. It was good to know that I wasn't forgotten at all and that someone there still loved me even though I was gone.
I had two big suitcases and two carry on bags. Three of the bags had wheels and the other was a backpack. Of course being distracted as I was I didn't think of the logistics of hauling all those bags by myself to the sidewalk where Kate and Stu were to pick me up. Let me tell you - IT DOESN'T WORK! Well not easily anyway. It was definitely my lucky day since there wasn't ONE luggage trolley in sight! I managed to haul the small carry on suitcase on top of one of the larger suitcases. So picture me with a backpack on and tenuously balancing a small suitcase on top of a large one hauling two large ones on wheels walking backwards! Well that worked till I got to the door and was too wide to fit through the door. Luckily a lady saw me and took pity on me and held the door open.
Since Kate and Stu recently bought a car Kate was practicing her Toronto driving and actually drove the car to pick me up. She did REALLY well. I don't think I could drive in T.O.
Auntie Carol had been awaiting our arrival and invited us out to her garden for cool drinks. The garden and yard are gorgeous! I felt like I walked into an old English garden. It's so calming.
Auntie Carol had told us which bedroom to put my stuff into. It is truly amazing. It's a beautiful room with a door leading to a window enclosed porch which overlooks the garden. Above the bed hangs my favourite painting of Kate's mother's. Everything was waiting there for me. I quickly scoured my suitcase to find the perogies Babcia had given me so that I could put them in the freezer. Just before I had left my Mom had repacked one of my bags to make them fit. I found one bag, but couldn't find the other. I assumed that my Mom wasn't able to fit them and didn't pack it.
Auntie Carol had a wonderful lunch for us. We started off with a cold broccoli soup. (AND YES I DON'T LIKE BROCCOLI. But I ate it anyway and it was quite good) After the soup we had toasted ham and cheese sandwiches on fresh bread from a really fantastic restaurant on Bayview street. SO DELICIOUS! For dessert we had homemade Pecan pie. (Prounouced Peh-can not PEE CAN. Apparently a PEE can is what is under your bed and Peh-cans are what you put in pie - Don't ask!)
After lunch Stu had to leave us to escort his mother on a destressing photo shoot. Kate, Auntie Carol and I sat out on the front porch chatting and drinking tea all afternoon. The weather was absolutely perfect with warm sunshine and a cool breeze.
Kate left for work about 4pm at which time I headed upstairs to unpack. I had hauled all my suitcases into the porch because the room is small. Auntie Carol had cleared out a dresser and there was a VERY small closet behind the door. AND I DO MEAN SMALL. It's not even deep enough to hang the clothes properly you actually have the clothes turned at an angle to be able to close the door. I'll take a picture of that as soon as I get a chance. As a result Auntie Carol gave me some space in the closet in the next bedroom to put more clothes in.
I found that Jason had responded to my text message with a really encouraging and uplifting one. That made me smile as I continued to unpack.
Unfortunately as I unpacked I found the other bag of perogies! They were now soft and I KNEW would just turn into one GIANT perogie upon cooking! :( Yeah Babcia would fire me as a Polish person!
Auntie Carol and I had the company of Pepsi a wheaton terrier belonging to the family down the street. Occasionally Auntie Carol babysits Pepsi. In truth I think Pepsi looks out for Auntie Carol. She keeps a close eye on her and never lets her out of her sight. Such an affectionate dog!
Around 6 Stuart picked Auntie Carol and I up and took us for dinner at Kate's restaurant Spring Rolls. I even got to have her as my waitress this time. And let me tell you the service was spectacular. Well accept for when Stuart asked Kate for pizza or chicken fingers. That almost caused us to be tossed out on our ear! Stuart had invited a friend Kate had made working at Spring Rolls. His name is Jordan and he looked like Kate's ex-boyfriend Mike and had the personality of Kate's ex-boyfriend Andrew! Totally weird!
After dinner Stu and Auntie Carol showed me the building I'd be working in. It is REALLY tall. It's on the corner of Bay and College streets. Then we took a walk out to and around Chinatown and then returned to Kate's restaurant. Stu drove Auntie Carol and I back home and stayed for a chat. He left around 11 at which time I was too tired to stay awake anymore.
At this point I was feeling really sad and lonely. I text messaged Ryan and he didn't respond right away. I figured he was probably busy. But a few moments later he returned my note with one that totally took away the sadness and I was able to go to bed.
Thanks Karen, Jason and Ryan for your messages you have no idea how much they helped.
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