DMCI Mini Reunion

Front: Manuel, Jay, Wayne. Back: Me and Brian.

Our friend, Wayne and his daughter, came into town for a bouldering competition this Saturday. She had tied for first in a local competition and, along with seven others, earned the chance to compete here next weekend.

It's been 15 years since Wayne was in town. He's been in Vancouver since graduating from university over 25 years ago. So, when I found out he was coming, I hastily got a few high school classmates together for lunch.

Besides through Facebook, I don't have much contact with a lot of my friends from back then. It's sad this is the only way we keep in touch I know. Facebook is a useful tool though. It's how I managed to arrange for us to meet up.

The only friend who still lives in the immediate area (Don Mills) is Manuel. Brian is out east in Whitby and Jay is downtown. I'm in midtown Toronto. My parents still live in Don Mills. Still in the same house my sister and I grew up in.

We met at the Jack Astor's at the Shops at Don Mills. Even though I hadn't seen most of the guys in 5-15 years we pretty much knew what everyone else was up to (through Facebook). Though Manuel isn't in touch with us on FB, so it was a big surprise when he said he got married last year.

After lunch we went over to the high school for a look around and to snap a few more photos. It was Wayne's daughter's first visit to Toronto. Before lunch he showed her around the old neighbourhood and to see his old house (by our old public school).

It was great meeting up. Hopefully it won't be so long until we see each other again.

Lunch at Hilkka's

Pastor Hilkka invited a few of us over to her and Misa's place for lunch last Sunday. They share an apartment on Bayview, not far from Tyndale University. After church I went up with her, while Willy drove Tony and Iris after dropping his son Wilson off at home.

Upon arrival I met their big, orange cat, Sammy. After checking me out he promptly went into the closet in one of the bedrooms to hide. Really, Sammy... really? He wouldn't even come out for a treat.

While waiting for the others to arrive I had a look through Hilkka and Misa's Shutterfly creations. Like me, they also like to make books with Shutterfly. While I usually make books of my travels, Hilkka concentrates on her many nature shots. She shoots all year round which is great.

Lunch was wonderful. Misa spent a lot of time preparing her version of different Indian dishes. She starts with a traditional dish and adds a signature twist to her particular taste.

After lunch we had tea and dessert and chatted about various topics around the table. We had an interesting talk about drawing trees which Tony started. He says you can find out a lot about a person from how they draw them.

Thanks to Misa and Hilkka for a lovely afternoon!

Tony's 60th Birthday Party

Iris and her mom and a few others organized a party for Tony's 60th birthday at their house on Saturday. They did a great job.

Andrew manned the barbecue outside. Iris had gone through some of Tony's photo albums and posted a number of pictures of him taken over the years.

Pi-Yu told some stories about Tony from back in the day. Barbara hosted a quiz about Tony with mini Kit Kats as prizes. And Ferdinand, Kelly and Sarah sang some songs.

It was a chance to reconnect with a few familiar faces I hadn't seen in awhile. Since the last time Tony hosted a birthday at their home perhaps.

Niagara Falls with Tony and Iris

... and Iris' mother.

Iris' mum was visiting from Korea. She arrived over a month ago I believe. Since they don't have a car I drove them to Niagara Falls this past Sunday.

They decided to start at Canada One outlet mall on Lundy's Lane. They had gone once before when Iris' parents visited last year. Tony couldn't remember exactly where it was so I stopped to ask strangers on the street for directions. I suppose I'm not like typical guys that way (I'll ask directions). I'm too impatient to drive around aimlessly.

The main attraction for Iris and her mother (and, perhaps, most women who shop at the mall) was the Coach outlet store. In fact it's the only store with crowd control stanchions (ropes). They're the only store where people actually have to wait in line to get in. Well, at the women's location anyway. They also have a men's store (no line there).

Tony and I ate our Vietnamese sandwiches while we waited. Then we headed to a few shoe stores because my running shoes were a bit worn. The deals weren't as good as in the U.S. though, so I didn't buy anything.

Afterwards we headed over to the Falls. I dropped Tony, Iris and her mum by the Falls and went to look for free parking. Tony offered to pay for parking, but I didn't want him to waste the money.

It took me a bit of time, but I accidently came upon the free lot we used a few years ago. It's on Portage Road a bit south of Fallsview Casino Resort. It's about 5-10 minutes walk away from the back entrance where the casino buses drop passengers off.

After I parked I walked down to the Falls to snap a few quick pictures. I actually didn't have much time before I was supposed to meet them at the designated spot near the police station on Niagara Parkway/River Road.

I met Tony there at 5:30. Iris and her mom were still out sightseeing. Instead of having them walk back to the car I arranged to meet them at the Fallsview Casino Resort parking circle at the main entrance. It was really hot and humid out. I didn't think it would be good to make Iris' mum walk any more than necessary.

Iris wanted to eat at Burger King because she had some coupons. Instead of eating in Niagara Falls I thought we should head back along the QEW and stop somewhere along the way when we encountered traffic. The drive was relatively smooth though. So we pulled over in Hamilton and ate at the BK on Centennial Parkway near the Kings Buffet where I drop off the wet towels.

After dinner we hopped back on the highway and I drove them back to their place.

Farewell to Tae Hoon

We had dinner at Tony and Iris' place today. It was in honour of Iris' brother Tae Hoon who was here studying English in Toronto. He'll be returning home to Korea on Wednesday.

After Tae Hoon, Tony and Iris, I was the next person there. I arrived half an hour after the stated starting time so I was surprised no one else came before me. I guess starting at 4:00 p.m. was a bit early for most people.

Ying came next. I let both her and Tae Hoon play the Camouflage and Airport games I grabbed from my nephews. They're puzzle games that I often bring to gatherings. People really like playing them.

Mike arrived at 6:00. We started dinner shortly after. Tony and Iris had made a lot of wonderful food (like they always do). Along with rice, vegetables and salad, there was a Korean boiled pork dish and soup. It was all very good.

Andrew showed up while we were eating and we saved John some food after he arrived at 7:30. He had been delayed by a detour on the subway he was taking. They were doing some track work there.

All in all it was a lovely evening. We played my nephews' games. We chatted a bit and listened to Christmas music on the radio. Tony and Iris had a crackling, fireplace video on their television set. And the wee Christmas tree they bought from Canadian Tire on Sunday was twinkling beside it.

IKEA - New Toronto tourist attraction?

Iris and Tony's friend, Jinny, revisited Toronto for the first time in seven years. She's in town for their second wedding. This time Iris' parents and brother will be in town to witness it.

Since I have a lot of free time on my hands I was charged with being tour guide again. Like I mentioned above Jinny lived here seven years ago. She was studying in Toronto for six months, so she's had the chance to see some things already.

Normally I take visitors to the Distillery District, to the Beaches, Eaton Centre, Yonge/Dundas Square, City Hall, along Queen West, Kensington Market and Chinatown. This time we did something different. Jinny wanted to go to IKEA.

On the way up from Tony and Iris' place I detoured through the Bridle Path and Shops at Don Mills. I thought Jinny might like to see them.

After that we did make it to IKEA. It's been quite awhile since I've been there. They're redeveloping with quite a few condos in the immediate area. I almost couldn't find my way into the parking lot. We were there for quite a bit of time. Jinny was looking for some bedding items both for herself and Tony and Iris. By the time we finished it was after 2:00 p.m and we were hungry.

We went into the cafeteria in IKEA, but things didn't look so hot there. So I suggested going back to Don Mills to go to Congee Queen. Jinny liked that idea. She hadn't had congee in awhile and wanted to order some. As well as the chicken and duck congee we had shredded meat chow mein (chicken, pork and other stuff) and beef chung fun (rice rolls). Mmm.

After lunch Jinny wanted to check out her old neighbourhood of Yonge and Finch. Just to see what sort of changes there were. Unfortunately rush hour was all but upon us. We tried to head back south, but were stuck on Yonge for such a long time. So annoying.

We had pretty much no choice, but to sit it out. I made the decision to head over to Bayview Village in search of a Tim Hortons. Unfortunately our luck didn't change. No Timmies. But, there was a Timothy's so that's where we went. It cost me over $5 for a cold, caffeinated beverage. By the time 6:00 came round we attempted to drive back down to Tony and Iris' place again. This time the traffic was lighter thankfully.

When we got there Tony and Iris had just about finished preparing dinner. We ate together with them and Iris' parents. Tomorrow I'm planning on taking them to St. Jacobs. They have a farmers market there. Let's hope the rain stops by the morning.