Buy a Penthouse, get a Porsch, buy an Apartment, get an Audi!

This was really a sign at the Dubai airport, advertising the new towers they were building. But hurry folks, it's only valid until the end of the year! Also, there was a sign for the McArabia, grilled koftka, availible in a meal. Wow.

So, I'm here, safe and sound, nearly completely unpacked and still a little jetlagged. I'm going to have a little nap this afternoon, then it's off to meet the Prime Minister.. of Canada! Funny hey? I travel half way around the world.. to meet him here. I laughed. I'll give Paul all of your regards, I'm sure. *smile*

Things here are just as I remembered. The weather is very cool, and definately warrants a sweater. The nights are pretty chilly, not as bad as minus 40.. by hey. I'll take it. Not too much going on these next few days. I start my Hindi lessons on Friday, so watch out!

I miss you all, hope everyone is well!

Home?

Hello all! Just a very very fast note to let you know I'm here safe and sound, without much help from Air Canada, the French, de Gaulle airport, Royal Bank and the student Science envoy to Dubai. In that order! And interesting trip, nontheless, and will update soon. Just wanted to let everyone know (I know you're worried) that I'm safe and sound in Delhi, and running hard from jetlag. Much love to everyone, I miss you all already. Talk soon!

Curtain Call

Well ladies and germs, this officially concludes (for now!) the North American portion of our tour. Tomorrow morning, 9 am, I lift off on my way back to my family, and strangly enough.. away from my family.

To everyone out there who has tuned in, taken part and helped produce these amazing past couple of years.. thank you. I'm not sure what to say, who to thank - it's been such a rewarding and wonderful journey. How could I possibly say thank you to everyone who deserves it?

The Gibbons family.. what can I say? You've become a second family above and beyond what I could ever imagine. From birthdays and communions to Christmas and Easter... it's been nothing short of phenonmenal. I have never felt so welcomed, so loved, by any other group of people than I feel I have been by you. You truly have become another family for me, and no piddly ocean will stop that feeling. I become speechless when I even attempt to describe how much you mean to me - and from a woman who can extoll on just about anything - I do believe that is a very deep compliment. Thank-you.. simply.. thank-you.

Camote, my dearest. There is little left to be said that hasn't been sobbed, whispered, laughed or yelled. You are a friend above friends. For the past 2 years of friendship, nothing short of a novel could adequetly describe it. Please - keep writing, keep thinking - You are a mentor as well as a friend.. the two combined still knock me flat. For everything - Thank-you.

Mr. Poshlust. You are half my heart, my mind, my soul. There are slices of you in my wardrobe, my book collection, my art, my very body, my life. You are an inextricable vein that runs throughout just about every memory I hold dear. You are the reason that I believe in a god, and the reason I believe in myself. You never were an Almost. I love you, and I will see you in 9 months to continue our adventure together.

The curtains are falling, and my packing is not done. For those who have obviously been omitted.. Know that you are in my heart, in my soul, and in my memories. I take you everywhere, and will miss you always. Be kind to each other, take care of your mothers, and don't forget me. I'll see you all in September. Love to all of you.. Goodnight!

You Say Goodbye..

I've never had to say so many good-byes in one week. I suppose, in a way, it's a mark of good friends, that you have to say so long to so many people. This week.. I wish I had fewer friends, because I'm a mess, and in serious peril of running out of water proof mascara.

Camote took me out for dinner last night to our spot, Flavours. We had a wonderful dinner in our regualr seats, and as always had a good laugh. I'm pretty sure I ate more than him... but what else is new? Our waitress was really sweet, with the nicest Polish accent I've ever heard. Given, everyone there is Polish, and upon passing by the side kitchen door, I spotted a little Polish baba in house slippers peeling onions.

It was hard to say good-bye. Aquaintences I have many, close friends.. are few and far between. I can't believe I've known Camote for almost 2 years now.. Then again, I can't believe I'm 20 years old. It's getting harder and harder to leave people the older I get.. I'm so exhausted from saying good-bye.. and last night was the worst.

My dearest Camote- please know that you really have changed my life. You are my confidante, my sounding board, my teacher, my conscience... And my friend. Thank-you for everything, and here is to many more years of love and laughter. Please take care of yourself, and I'll see you in about a year.

Off to bed. I don't have any more sobs left. Take care everyone, talk soon.

But what you don't see.. is I'm wearing sunglasses.

Stella

One of those days..

Have you ever had a day that turned out just how you wanted it.. and you never knew at the start that that's what you wanted? I had one of those days today, one of those perfect, unplanned days, that's everything you never knew you wanted.

Chatted to my mum for a bit this morning, drove Mr. A.P. to work and tried to fall back asleep.. No luck, so I blogged and caught up on e-mails and such. I went to lay down and watch The Daily Show for a half hour.. and ended up sleeping for a good 2 hours and didn't get up until 12:30. My beautiful downstairs neighbor called, and we went shopping with my gift certificate, then had a fantastic lunch together. Roasted artichoke dip and delish veggies and fries at the vegetarian cafe next door to my favorite store. We had a fantastic chat, just relaxed and ate and enjoyed ourselves.

We then went to pick up Mr. Almost Poshlust and saw "Sideways" at the movie theatre. (I swear.. I've seen more films in the past 2 weeks than I have in the past two years.) It was amazing, and once again, I do recommend it. (Funny enough, the only film I've panned in my blog was Farenheit 9/11.. and it won the biggest viewers choice award there is a couple days ago.) Paul Giamatti has the most expressive eyes I have ever seen. The movie was made all the more humerous by the fact that we had a crumpet of old ladies behind us, who alternately giggled or gasped everytime the f-word was said. They kept up a running narration for so long ("He's opening the door.. he has a book.. he put his keys in the bowl.." ) that I thought for sure one of them must be blind. I dismissed this notion when 6 sets of eyes bugged out of their heads when a naked Thomas Hayden Church came running on screen. I really do think that it was just as funny watching them silently howl and giggle as watching the movie.

After that, we came home and relaxed in bed, then ate nacho's and rice noodle Kraft Dinner. All in all.. pretty much the most fantastic day I've never asked for.

Yup, this means it's time to leave..

Dave, Stella, Camote

No really, he killed the snake with a four wood..

Dave.. Oh Dave.

Please God, let that ceiling hold one more night..

Mr. Almost Poshlust

I think their job is being cool...

Matt and Colleen

Hey.. Wake Up.. This is Funny.

Stella and Camote

The Prettiest Gals..

Andrea and Isabella

Bye-Bye Birdie..

With far far less stress than last time, we had our first, very sucessful party this Saturday night. Friends and pseudo family came out in force to say good-bye (20 people in our tiny apartment!) and it was just lovely. Looking around my apartment, I've never been so proud of the group of people I gladly call friends. Photographers, band members, viola teachers, parents, actors, singers, readers.. The list goes on. We ate, we drank, we made completely merry, and I couldn't possibly forget the night if I tried. The next morning, our house just looked so..loved. Wine glasses everyone, food eaten, forgotten e-mail addresses and baby bibs. You could still almost see everyone laughing and smiling and drinking. Thank you for the wonderful gift certificate to Artworks, it will be spent promptly and wildly unwisely. Again, thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday, you truly are the best friends a lady could wish for.

Of course, it was a little sad. It was even worse on Sunday evening to say goodbye to Mr. Almost Poshlust's family, where I managed to hold everything in until his mother started crying. I mean, I'm a smooth operator no doubt.. (right) but when she starts crying, I'm toast. Then to say goodbye to the little girls.. And Arlene. I just about choked. I can't imagine not being there anymore for family gatherings, to see the kids get bigger every time I walk through the door... *sigh* Well, the perks are that the kids will have good things to take to show and tell. There's nothing more I would have liked at that age then to get snail mail from another country.. Hopefully they'll feel the same!! They got me this beautiful journal and a huge gift certificate to Nokomis, my all time favorite store.. Which I will promptly spend today.

Otherwise, this weekend we just spent relaxing in bed, eating party leftovers and talking. We watched Napoleon Dynamite on Sunday.. I do recommend it. It might be the saddest comedy that I've ever watched, and yet I loved him so much I really would date him. Swear. He was the cutest thing since lunchables. Please see it. *smile* Also watched Garden State, which I also enjoyed. Zach Braff really is a talented guy, and a great actor. Anyone who's ever taken an anti depressant must see this movie. Well.. the rest of the world should too. If just for the pet cemetary scene.

This week itself is fairly busy, as can be expected. I'm still trying to get packed and organized with as little trouble as possible, and it's getting harder. How am I supposed to fit my life in 170 pounds of luggage, a small carry-on and a purse? Lord help me and the baggage handlers from slipped discs.

Hope everyone is well, I'll keep updating as much as I can, then we'll be silent from the 15th to the 19th as I make my way and attempt to sleep off the jetlag. Thinking of you all, and again, thank you to everyone for Saturday and Sunday night. I've never felt more loved.

What?!

Believe it or not.. this is my last weekend here. I can barely think it, it makes me so sad. Sad to leave here.. Excited to be with my family again. I just hate that it's my last weekend.. Weekends are so precious to Mr. Almost Poshlust and I.. and this is our last one together for a long time. How did that happen?

We've got a relaxing day planned tomorrow, then tomorrow night we're having a little soiree, very relaxed little get together of our friends to say goodbye all in one go. It's easier that way, then I don't have to try and see everybody in the little week that I have left. That one is reserved for Mr. A.P, and soaking up as much of him as I can.

I guess I really don't have too much to say.. Just wanted to let you all know that I'll soon be posting from India! I'll keep everything as updated as I can, but I know for a fact service is bad there.. Hope all of you are enjoying the new year! Will talk more soon.

Line Learning

So I never knew this, and thought maybe somebody else would find this interesting. We all know a group of fish is a school.. but did you know a group of rhinocerous is a "crash"? Or that a bunch of porcupines is called a "prickle"? Or that a lot of owls is called a "parliament"? I things you learn in line at Chapters never cease to amaze me.

A Great Winter Dessert

Gluten Free Vegan Apple Crisp

I really love this recipe. Since most apple crisps have oats (gluten) and wheat (gluten) its tough for me to find one that not only tastes good, but is easy to make. So, with a few trials and errors, I made one myself. Plus, with no eggs or butter, it's vegan safe. Which my downstairs neighbor appreciates.

5 cups sliced tart apples (granny smith are great)

2/3 cup of almonds

1 cup of graham flour

1 cup gluten free graham cracker crumbs

1 1/2 cups of brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 cup of whey free margerine.

8" by 8" dish

1. Peel, core, slice apples; fairly thin.

2. Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.

3. Add drops of margerine a pinch at a time and mix in with hands until crumbly.

4. Sprinkle mixture onto apples, mixing in with apples and over apples, pat down firmly.

5. Bake for 30-45minutes, until apples are tender and topping browned.

6. Serve with ice cream (soy ice cream for the vegans!) and enjoy!

Top Albums of 2004

In relatively no order..

The Roots - The Tipping Point

Beautifully hip hop, smart, sweet, hard and rock-out-able. A little bit softer than other albums and perhaps a tad more sensitive.

Best Track - "Star" & "Why"

CocoRosie - Maison de mon Reve

A romantic mix of hip-hopera and drippy sinks. Recorded by two sisters in a Paris bathroom, with rattling gold chains for percussion and occasionally what sounds like a toy cow. If I was organizing these by preference, this one would be first. An amazing, all too rare album.

Best Track - "By Your Side"

Savath and Savalas - Apropa't

Another Scott Heron alias (Prefuse 73 etc etc), very sexy, very foreign. Tailor made for kissing somebody who doesn't speak English, or smoking on the balcony on a hot day.

Best Track - "Te Quiero Pero Por Otro Lado"

Sarah Slean - Day One

If I was so inclined to be a groupie, I might have to follow Sarah around. Hip, funny, well dressed... Oh, and the girl can sing. This album has a couple stellar stand out singles (Day One) but gets better every listen. A mix of pop, rock, accoustic guitar, a little girl angst and some damn catchy music. Mr. Almost Poshlust's favorite album of the year. (I'm betting)

Best Track(s) - "Pilgram" & "Lucky Me"

Usher - Confessions

Ok. So I'm a little ashamed of this. But honestly.. It's a good booty shakin' time. And who doesn't love an album full of apologies? I know I listen to it when I want one. It really doesn't matter who it's coming from.

Best Track- "Bad Girls"

TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes

I don't know if there is a way to describe this album. Polished, incredible production (thanks to David Sitek - produced Yeah Yeah Yeah's), with this crazy inflection of soul that could only come out of two neighbors from Brooklyn. A strange almost barbershop quality with a beautiful man singing falsetto (always sets my heart on fire). Intelligent and strange, and ultimately beautiful.

Best Track - "Ambulance" & "Don't Love You" & "Wear You Out"

Leave me a message here and I can mail (snail mail!) you a custom made cd, just for you. *laugh* No really. Listen to these albums. You'll be all the better for it.

World Aid Unintentionally Feeds India's Poor

They have quite a bit of aid flowing into India and surrounding areas due to, of course, the much maligned tsunami. The aid workers are having a hard time directing aid to the victims of the tsunami, because they can't differentiate between the recently poor and the vestigally poor. So, as a direct effect, they're handing out aid to everyone, not just "those who need it". Call me crazy, but if I live in a hut selling 3 fish a day and you live on the side of the road begging three fish a day.. Does that much really seperate us from needing some shitty biscuits and bottled water? God damn. We're accidentally feeding a larger majority of the poor people than we intended. Only feed the ones that are tired, poor and wet. Forget the ones that are dry.

Waiting for the New Year..

So far.. So good.

I can't believe another year has come and gone... Does it officially qualify me as stodgy and old when I say that? Or do I have to start realizing my parents life advice was actually relevant before that happens? At any rate - it's 2005. One day down.. A bundle more to go.

Our new year was rung in in a suitably posh fashion. Mr. Almost Poshlust and I went to our local neighborhood restaurant (actually voted one of the years best new restaurants in Canada) Culina, where we had fantastic food and great company. We had our favorite, and actually our only, waitress there, Franc. We've never had anyone else, and I'm glad. I wish we could leave her million dollar tips, her service really is 1/2 the reason we go there. That.. and she's pretty. *chuckle* Mr. Almost Poshlust had a chocolate and blue cheese covered steak with dirty mashed potatoes, and I had scallops and cocoanut rice with sweet black bean sauce.Her and the staff bought us dessert, (warm chocolate fudge cake with cappuccino ice cream and sour cherry sauce.. ) and we left feeling happy and full. She left for Peru this morning at 6am.. so all the best to her!

We returned home at about 11:30 to watch home and garden television and doze in bed until 12, which we very nearly missed.. Had a couple of sips of champagne and promptly fell asleep. Mr. A.P. managed to get himself out of bed around 9, I on the otherhand dozed and dreamt until about noon, which was fabulous. We spent the rest of the day drinking champagne and eating chocolate and playing crib at the kitchen table, and watching the Godfather. I think an entirely posh and appropriate way to spend the first day of the year.

It really was an amazing year, and I do have Mr. A.P. to thank for it. I hope he realizes how much he means to me, and how lovely he's made my year. I'll be posting favorite music etc etc of 2004 soon, I just have to get it all in order!! *smile*

I hope everyone had a lovely New Years Eve, and I send a midnight kiss to all of you. Best of luck in 2005, will talk to you soon!