Oklahoma @ Stratford Festival

A colleague of mine, Irene, asked me: "...so, Emilia, have you been to Stratford?" I responded without turning my head away from my computer monitor: "You mean, Stratford-and-Avon...in England?" "Dah! Noooo....noooo! Our very own, Stratford, Ontario?" my colleague yelled as she smacked my keyboard as I was typing and talking to her at the same time! She is very motherly and, well, a bit of a pain but she is one of my good friends. Anyway, she said that her neighbour is unable to come to Stratford Festival and she was wondering if I would be interested to join her. I thought: "Oh man, a full day with her.." He he he! I asked how much the ticket is as my head quickly did a clockwise rotation back to my computer monitor!


Irene said that her neighbour paid $108.00 for it [**my cheap brain started making sounds like 'caching...caching...'] but Irene added that the neighbour is willing to give the ticket for free due to its last-minute notice. The neighbour, who is a senior citizen, is due for surgery and would therefore not be able to make it to the show. I said: "Naaahhh, I will pay for it." I insisted in paying half of the ticket, just to be fair, and darn - I am glad I did...
The sound that announced the start of the performance....The story: Oklahoma was changing fast and the first great influx of homesteaders was settling the land and the cowboys try to hold the openrange life they have come to enjoy including the love of their loves. Romance...action...comedy...lots of amazing dancers and singers!



We were like 3rd row from the front. Excellent seats! The stage is up close and personal (as supposed to the stage ambience at `Royal Alex`or even `Princess of Wales`...


Before and after the show, we had the opportunity to roam around downtown Stratford. Sun was blazing but not toasty hot...summer wind blowing on our face, it was perfect! The City of Stratford sells a bag of corn to people who wanted to feed the ducks and our group purchased three bags...

Lesson to learn from this duckie: "Be not afraid to swim alone and enjoy your own ripples..."
I like this photo...very Canadian!

"Reach for your dream (or food)" as what the mommy Swan below is doing!Photo of Mommy Swan and 3 babies! "C'mon kids, swim along all the way to the corn!"

We were wondering what kind of species this guy is? "Goose"? ....Nice make up job though...I am envious...

I think if I do not trim my hair soon, it will turn to this!

Thanks to Susan Cheng, a fellow Sultanette, who gave me the idea of this pose!
I was eyeing this Swan and thinking: "What a show off!" [...and I thought I am the only one! Bwa ha ha ha ha ha!]


I like more summer and I wish there is 48 hours in a day - but we do what we can...so lets go and Carpe Diem (seize the day!)

Till next time!

I wish there is 48 hours in a day!

Why is it that there is only 24 hours in a day? So much fun stuff to do, so little time!



Like Susan and Yael here -- oh yes, they can't get enough talking about travelling and their next trip destination!






I actually left my wallet at home and in the absence of credit card, I decided to resort to waitressing to pay my bill (well, as supposed to dishwashing! dah!)












I can be a walking Lululemon advertisement sometimes...

I really love this LLL green top I got.
They said it is made of natural bamboo [**Emilia is thinking: 'Oh dear! Is this why I am feeling itchy now and prickly?"]


























Tina RT talking to hubby: 'Honey, Emilia and I are going to Lululemon first, okay?!"



Hubby thinking: "Your friend, Emilia, is a bad influence!'






































'Are you guys selling tea pot?"









'This danish pastry is reallly goooooood!"







'Ooopppss! Accident can happen, you know..."







..working on my humble balcony while digesting the sumptious brunch with the Sultanettes!




My mini-garden


















































'showing off my brand-new gardening equipment - well...from the dollar store, you know!'

Fun Day at The Toronto Zoo

All right...I will admit - I burned myself silly today but hey, it was a fun day at the Zoo! Most of all, not spending a dime adds to the extra fun! What can I say, I am cheap!

It is my Firm's annual summer picnic (free food, free entrance, free Zoomobile, free parking) and free sunshine for all employees and respective families!

Zebrina, the Zebra

Nice stripey costume [**Emilia thinking how she can have this design for her next Belly Dance costume...]

Apparently, this Ostrich is guarding an egg...but I cannot see it. Nice posing though. Ostrich must be thinking: "What do you humans want?"

Cheetahs looking at humans and wondering: "Aaaahh...Food...so close yet so far..."

Hippo here is really huuuuggggggee!
...well, so as the Elephants...but this one is still a baby.
...back to Mr. Hippo (or Mrs. Hippo - what do I know!) now cooling down after a gigantic meal of grass. Hippo is a herbivore, I heard.
Polar Bear is one of the main attractions at the Zoo!

Aaaahhh...refreshing...I am envious [*meanwhile, Emilia scratching her sunburned arm wishing she can dive into the water as well...]

...now, Bear showing off the diving skills...

Another interesting feature at the Zoo is the Waterside Show - a 30 minute interactive demonstration of tricks of featured animals.

A hawk..


There is a story behind this beautiful Serval Cat. According to the Zoo Keeper, the original owner, a Torontonian, tried to domesticate this Serval Cat but failed and left with no choice, the owner placed the cat to the care of the Toronto Humane Society, who, in turn, contacted the Toronto Zoo.

[**Emilia applying more 'after-sun lotion' to her red, itchy skin!]

Bye for now and blog with you again later...

Piano Recitals

This is my piano; her name is Sonata


















One of my piano classmates, Katy























Piano Class Group Photo




















My Piano teacher, Margit

Piano Duet with my teacher, Margit