TORONTO GIRL CHRONICLES

15 years or so ago my parents came to Canada for a visit. My mother said "I want to live here." Two years later, my young and ambitious parents gathered our little family and moved to Canada (Waterloo), armed with courage, drive and unbreakable optimism. They sacrificed what they knew to give us the opportunity to be whatever we chose to be.

That's what Canada means to me: sacrifice, courage, optimism and endless opportunities. Although I will always love my native country, because its the essence of who I am, I will always be grateful to my parents and this amazing country for giving me the chance to develop myself and follow my dreams.

Okay. I will stop being so cheesy now.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Like the SATC trailer says (have not seen the movie yet...gasp) sometimes, you just have to get away with the girls...because boys just don't understand some of the things we do...

Here's a list of cheap or money free girl-dates to strenghten the bond:

* Girls Just Want to Have Fun! Cindy Lauper performs on July 3 at Queen's Park as part of the Pride Week  festivities. (free!)
*  Want to see a Shakespeare play outdoors? Canadian Stage TD Dream in High Park 2010  presents Romeo and Juliet, a tale of star-crossed lovers and feuding families. I know it sounds romantic, but I dare you to try to get a boy there... (pwyc $20 suggested)
* Sample the best and most exquisite cuisine in the city for relatively moderate prices at Summerlicious. Perfect excuse to dress up and engage in some juicy girl talk over expensive wine. No clean up required. ( lunch menus from $15 - $25, dinner menus $25 - $45)
* Free chick-flicks at Harbourfront Centre. Longo's Free Flicks Series takes place from July 7 to August 11. Only a girl friend would understand the hilarity of Julie & Julia. (free!)

If you have any other ideas I would love to hear them!

I was walking on my way home from my interview with Aline Morales, when I decided to stop by and get a small cookie from my favourite bakery. I only go there once in a full moon, so this is a really cherished treat. On my way home again, as I am happily eating my cookie, this young “gentleman” approaches me and screams loudly “Oh my god! Oh my god! YOU HAVE A FAT ASS BUT I WOULD STILL HIT THAT!” I didn’t know whether to take it as a compliment (a fat ass is not necessarily a bad thing), or be humiliated. I walked in disbelief for about 5 minutes, experiencing a roller coaster of extreme emotions. Confused and shocked that someone would dare be so rude, until I came up with the following (super lame) come backs:


1 – Like I would let you hit that (kind of lame).

2- Well you have a skinny ass, so there’s no way I would let you hit that, m*f. (kind of bitter)

3 – How dare you be so rude? (I’m just not good at giving out insults...)

It was then that I decided to just let it roll. I was not going to let a 15 year old idiot tell me how to feel about my body. Just like I was not going to let a fashion magazine, or a movie star, or a diet product tell me who I was, or if I was worthy of my own acceptance. I decided right then and there that I love my gorgeous fat ass, and I would proudly sway it with every step I took, on my way back home.

And because its Monday and we all need a little laugh...

I am a cheater in the kitchen. I use brownie mix. Yes, I would love to get all Miss Betty Crocker but I don't have the time. That is why I use PC's Organics Chocolate Brownie Mix. I do like to spice things up by adding a little bit of cinnamon and a little bit of chili flakes. I call this creation (drum roll please): Mexican brownies. They are not really Mexican, but no one has to know...except for you.




INGREDIENTS

* 1 pkg of Chocolate Brownie Mix
* 2 eggs
* 1/4 cup of water (to replace butter) or more to moisten mix
* 1/4 cup of cinnamon
* 2 tbs of chili flakes (adjust if you want less or more bite)

1) Mix dry ingredients well, then add eggs and water until mix is moist and thick. Pour mixture into oiled baking pan.
2) set oven to 350 (degrees F) and let it bake for 30 minutes.
3) Insert knife to make sure its ready. if knife comes out dry then you're good to go. If knife comes out wet, leave it on for another 5 minutes and repeat knife test.

Serve with vanilla ice cream and strawberries if you want to be extra indulgent. Which you do, don't you?