5 Favourite Winter Activities

1.     Skating

During the winter months it is always nice when outdoor arenas are iced over and there is the opportunity to go outside for skate.  Although I am not the best at skating it is still a fun social winter activity that can be enjoyed at any age.  Two outdoor skating places that I enjoy going to are; waterfront in Burlington by Spencer’s On The Lake, and at the Hamilton Harbour Front.  Having the opportunity to go skating outdoors rather than in arena should be taken advantage of.  Outside skating is always more enjoyable and more festive.  If you ever want to meet up, I will be the one wearing a helmet, and all the protective gear possible.

2.     Winter Light Shows

Christmas lights are in full swing and there are so many to see!  Downtown Burlington by the waterfront always sets up a bunch of light fixtures of different animals, characters, etc.  It is nice to just go for a night time walk down that way and see all the cool lights that are spread across the park.  There are also some houses that have some intense Christmas lights, some which take up entire houses, or some that pulse with a specific piece of music.  There are some of these houses and buildings in every town, I am sure.  There are two in Burlington that I travel to every year just to look at for a few minutes.  It is amazing to see the effort some individuals go through to project the holiday spirit onto others.

3.     Toronto Christmas Market

This market is located in the Distillery district of Toronto.  It runs from November 28^th through December 21^st.  If you have never gone down to experience this amazing market, you definitely should this winter season!  There are so many vendors and cool things to see.  It is a fun day event that an entire family can enjoy.  The market also hosts events throughout the duration of their stay.  To learn more about the Toronto Christmas Market here is a link to their website, http://www.torontochristmasmarket.com/index.html

4.     Baking

One of the most common activities during the winter season is baking.  In my house the focus is on cookies, all types of cookies!  This is always a fun activity to do with friends or family when it is too cold to do anything outside, and you want to do something fun in the nice warmth of your home.  Also, try something new, make something up from scratch, have fun and experiment with different holiday cookies and treats.

5.     Christmas Dinners

FEASTS, FEASTS, FEASTS!  In my mind, Christmas dinner parties do count as a winter activity.  Whether it is with friends or family, it is always nice to get together with people who are important in your life and celebrate a holiday together.  And obviously the food will always be eaten and fully enjoyed.  This is one thing I look forward to every winter season, is having the opportunity to spend time with people who I may not have seen that often during the year, and participate in a happy and cheerful gathering.

Although I am not a huge fan of the cold, there are many winter activities that are enjoyable and I look forward to every year.  Happy Holidays everyone!

Until next time,

Kat

Favourite TV Shows

1.     American Horror Story

If you are into horror, creepy, gruesome type stuff then this show should definitely be on your list of things to watch.  The series is into its 4^th season, which is titled ‘Freak Show’.  The one cool thing I enjoy about this series is that none of the seasons are connected.  Each season has been set in a different time period, with different characters, and a completely new story line.  This season deals with one of the last standing Freak Shows in Florida during the 1950s.  The series follows the ‘freaks’  trying to keep their show profitable, and dealing with the normal human population, as well as other evils that are trying to take advantage of their unique and abnormal qualities which make them ‘freaks’. Having different story lines for each season keeps the show interesting and unique for its viewers. The cast definitely embodies their characters within each season, which makes them so believable and realistic. Even though this style and genre are not my usual things to watch, I find that this series has captured my attention and I keep coming back to watch.

2.     Sons of Anarchy

For years my friends have been raving about SOA and I have always been hesitant to watch because it didn’t seem like something I would enjoy.  But earlier this month I gave in and started watching the series on Netflix.  It is safe to say as soon as I started watching I couldn’t stop, and ended up watching season 1 within one week of starting to watch the show.  I have only completed the first season but I will continue watching.  The series follows a biker club called the Sons of Anarchy in the town Charming, California. Also referred to as SAMCRO, this biker club is involved in illegal gun trafficking.  The show also shows the club as they encounter their rivals, political figures, and authoritative figures throughout the series.  One thing that really surprised me about this show is how realistic everything seems, which in some way kind of freaks you out because this is how biker gangs could realistically function.  I hear the seasons continue to get more intense as the series goes on, so hopefully I will finish the series before my attention gets lost, which I highly doubt.

3.     Suits

Suits is one of those enjoyable shows that can be watched at any time.  It deals with Pearson and Hardman law firm in New York City.  A character named Mike, somehow finds his way into working at the firm without having completed a law degree, which he and only another character named Harvey know early on in the series.  The characters are what make this show very enjoyable.  The character of Harvey is an entertaining know-it-all who can apparently do no wrong.  Another character that makes the show even more enjoyable is Louis Litt, his character is portrayed as the uncool kid trying to sit at the cool kids table.  Litt feels like he is the hardest and most reliable working one in the firm, which his colleagues don’t always agree with and they tease him for it.  Suits will be going into its 5^th season in the summer of 2015.  This show is drama mixed with comedy, which creates a very entertaining TV series that I will continue to watch until the series end.

Until next time,

Kat

Favourite Travel Destination

New Zealand

My month long journey through Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud, a term used by the Maori culture that refers to their native land of New Zealand, was one of the most memorable and unforgettable.

Embarking on this journey, I did not know what to expect.  I was travelling alone and with strangers for the first time.  And in the summer of 2012, my chance to travel and experience another side of the world presented itself.

My first two weeks were spent in Punakaki.  A very small town on the west coast of the south island.  It was here were eleven other strangers, who soon became close friends, worked on conservation efforts in the area.  Our days were spent replanting an area that had been previously strip-mined.  Our weekends were spent hiking, or ‘bush walking’ through the most amazing forests, mountains, and rivers.  These two weeks we all learnt a lot about New Zealand, its people, and the landscape.

The following two weeks my group had gathered with 30 other individuals to explore the rest of what New Zealand had to offer. I along with a large group of friends travelled from the bottom of the south island in Queenstown, and journeyed all the way up to the north island to Auckland.  I had checked so many things of my bucket list during this time, such as: sky-diving, white water rafting, attending a rugby game, back water rafting and the list goes on.  The scenery was straight out of a painting; the amount of green, and rolling hills was amazing to see.  We also had the opportunity to learn a great deal about the Maori culture, and of course learn the Haka. 

Going to New Zealand for a month will probably remain as on of the most memorable trips that I have done.  It truly is the adrenaline capital while being the most easy-going place I have ever been. I met some truly amazing people from all over the world! If I every get the opportunity to travel back, I would do so in a heart beat!

Until next time,

Kat

My Favourite Artists

I find with music I quickly become a fan, and then forget or move on to something different.  But with the following artists I find myself constantly going back to their albums, humming their songs, and truly interested in when they release any new music.  Here are my 4 favourite artists… for now anyway…

1.     Hozier

This is a newer artist that I have only discovered recently.  He is an Irish musician whose song “Take me to Church” is starting to play on radio stations across North America. His music is a mixture of indie, blues, and even a bit of soul. He has a very cool sound and tone to his voice, which I find very unique.

2.     Vance Joy

I only really started listening to Vance Joy’s music after I saw him in concert.  He is an Australian musician with a very beachy, laid-back vibe.  He reminds me of Jack Johnson, and Jason Mraz, with a combination of indie and folk music.  He is excellent live and I would definitely go see him again.  Check out his two singles, “Riptide”, and “Mess is Mine”.

3.     Sam Smith

Sam Smith is one of those artists that exploded after his single “Stay With Me” was released.  I’ve only recently started listening to the rest of his music and I must say, his songs capture you emotionally.  The sound of his voice is just amazing and makes you want to keep listening.  My dream would be for him and Adele to make a song together, that would be amazing!

4.     Milky Chance

This is a German duo who have recently caught my attention.  They have a very unique sound, which at first couldn’t decide if I liked or not.  But after listening to more songs it really grew on me. Their sound is a mixture of reggae and electronic music, if it doesn’t sound like your thing I would encourage you to listen to their song “Stolen Dance” and then make up your mind!

Until next time,

Kat