Some music...

Check out some new additions to the right (podbean) as I'm currently working on recording some stuff to make a cd for my mom.  But first up, check out my JT cover!  Quite silly, really.

Miami Photos

So in February I went to Miami for four days.  By myself.  Weird, I know.  I had some airmiles I had to use up for a one-way anywhere in the US, but needed a place that wasn't too expensive to fly the other direction.  Originally I had a friend connection for accommodation, but things fell through for her and so I ended up being creative because, well, Miami isn't cheap to stay in as a tourist.  I used some more airmiles for a disappointing hotel, cut way back for one night in a hostel (which was quite cool and where I met some attractive guys from Spain, ha ha) and then splurged for a night at the MIA hotel.

When I learned that my friend had to back out, I figured it would turn into just four days lying on the beach or by the pool reading; it was Reading Week after all and I brought some French and Spanish to study for school.  I had heard that Florida was experiencing a cold winter, but I didn't think it would affect Miami.  I was wrong.  It was cold.  Of course, not as cold as Ontario, but definitely NOT warm enough for my lying-around-in- the-sun plan.  If I was going to enjoy Miami, I would have to walk around to keep myself warm.  And shop for some clothes, because I didn't bring enough warm things.

Camera in hand, I set out to explore.  Not staying right at Miami Beach, I figured out the bus system and was on my way.  Over the four days, I rode those Miami buses A LOT.  What an interesting way to see a place.  I felt like the ethnic minority on the bus, for sure. And Spanish felt like the first language of many places I found myself in Miami.  On the second day I ventured to the downtown and checked out some touristy market and then rode this free little train with the commuters.

I wandered around trying to find a "downtown" and well, couldn't really find anything particularly interesting.  Everything shut down at about 6!  Waiting for a bus back to the hotel area was strange as I was the only one waiting.  And getting off the bus was a little sketchy and it was only 7:30!  So weird.  A big contrast from Miami (South) Beach where I spent Days 1 and 3.



In fact, Day 1 was great because I met a local who hung out and wandered around with me for hours.  We checked out lots of vintage clothing shops and then had Cuban for dinner.  He was an interesting, musician dude (shout out, if you're reading Adé).  I ran into him when I was crossing the street to get a better view of the line up to see Celine Dion at her movie premiere.  Never did take the picture, but saw the limo pull up and then saw Celine, her hubbie and son across the street.  Interesting tangent...I kept hearing francophones all over Miami Beach.

Day 4 I checked out Coconut Grove, a supposedly artsy area.  It was kind of just lots of yachts, restaurants and expensive shops.  Came upon the Barnacle Historic State Park pretty much just as it was closing.  Wandered around and took pictures of interesting things.

I spent the third day walking along the entire beach of South Beach, down to the southern most tip and back up in through the middle of town.  And now I know what Vanilla Ice was talking about "A1A Beachfront Avenue", although I didn't really go on that as a walker.

Cute British family.

Dude modelling some underwear I guess.

A bearded man just chillin'.

And there you have it.  My Miami trip.

Oh, I also had: stone crabs, a Peruvian fish dish, an empenada and Cuban coffee.  Ate Subway once and immediately passed the Whopper Bar and was sad to have missed that experience.

Short thoughts...

Was driving home tonight from a dinner with friends and a visiting family who are missionaries in Asia and doing some thinking.  First, was thinking about me and kids, how I'm more into them than ever (I played with their little girl for a long while and spent some time with some friends and their babies earlier today).  I truly like being the auntie.  (At the same time, it's not easy having to wait to be a mom.)

Second, I caught this short shpeal on the radio about our hearts and how we can use our passions to determine what our ministry can be.  Funny because I used to say the same thing at the YWAM DTS's I taught at.  And here was a little reminder for me to think about this again.  What came to my mind was how I've always enjoyed hanging out and talking with those in the downtowns of cities, whether they be homeless or not.  Just making friends and acknowledging people.  I've enjoyed those conversations in many cities around the world, particularly in my culture (including Canada, US and England).  Yet, I haven't really found a way to incorporate this into my own life in my own city.  I think I'm gonna try again.  (I know it's not easy though as a single woman--had some interesting, tricky experiences when I moved to Kitchener's downtown in 1999 and tried to be "friendly like Christ" to those I met (who seemed to all be men).)

Third, was thinking how I should follow through with this Mexican family I know here and spend some time hanging out and practicing Spanish.  This week while presenting to high school French classes and evaluating applicants' level of French (for my summer job), I was struck again with how far I have to go in my own learning.  My speaking [confidence] sucks!  When I have the option (like we do here), I revert to English.  Erg.  Even in Montreal last month, I attempted to find this yummy wine and gave up trying in French and switched.  Then didn't speak much French again after that.  Well, I ordered my lunch of crêpes....

The program I'm in encourages the students to study "abroad" for the third year.  I keep looking at it, but right now I'm mostly interested in going to Quebec City, to Laval.  France just seems to far for me right now.  We'll see.  I have some time.

This week I got clearance from the department for an exception: they're going to let me study Portuguese at another school and count it toward my degree!  Yay!  Very happy about this.  Wasn't feeling the existing options (Italian, German, Arabic).  And Portuguese was one of the languages on the list of goals that partly got all of this started.

Ok, fourth.  I've been wanting to post this song, because I like it and keep playing it over while driving. I doubt if the video is any good, but just take a listen.  (Notice the Canadian accent on "shouted".  It actually took me awhile to figure out what the word was!)

Matt Maher, Alive Again