Summer reading list... or autumn...or Christmas...

Between the millions of books for sale online, the thousands stocked in your neighborhood library, or even those sitting on your own bookshelf, let's just say that finding your next read can be overwhelming. 

I'm close to finishing my "summer read" - One Day by David Nicholls and I find myself savouring the final pages, not wanting it to end. What am I going to read next? I always find it so difficult to find a book I can lose myself in...

Luckily, the new site BookLamp does the searching for you, and finds you a book based on the last one you read. Using a Pandora-style method, this free system plugs in your old favorites, and finds new stories with similar characteristics in hundreds of categories like religion, history, fashion....and even brunch. There are definitely some flaws (I couldn't find classics like The Great Gatsby, The Perks of Being a Wallflower or Franny and Zooey), but they're constantly updating their system with new titles. 

Dear 16-Year Old Me...

I'm about to head to Spain in a couple of weeks (and yes, I'm dying for a sun-tan, however, I plan to lather on the sunscreen after watching this video. From someone who yes, went to the tanning bed when she was young (and still forgets to wear sunscreen sometimes),  I want to share this video with you. It left me speechless and even a little teary-eyed…

a Collett Catch Up!

Buckingham Palace - July 2011

I know I’ve been completely lacking on the updates. Looking at my calendar today, I realised – Holy AUGUST Batman! Although, I’m not surprised that July has managed to speed by with all that I’ve been up to. I’ve already updated you on my Canada Day antics and my weekend in Liverpool but about a week ago – I was lucky enough to have my sister Kendall visiting me in my new home in London. We had an amazing weekend together having a MUCH needed catch up as we’ve been apart since the Christmas season! That’s 7 months of Collett catch-up’s – which is a lot to accomplish in the span of 4 days. It was so nice to have my shopping buddy back and apparently my “fashion sense is a lot better” according to my fashionista sister… who I used to drag with me to Sherway Gardens Shopping Centre as my personal shopper for any special occasion. Guess living in one of the trendiest city’s in the world does that to a girl?

Anyways, besides cruising the shops in Westfield and the major High Streets (Oxford St. and Regent St.) we kept busy simply “hanging out”… Walking from Big Ben and the Embankment up through St. James’s Park to Buckingham Palace and then back down the Mall and up Park Lane to Oxford Street; quite a trek, but we hardly noticed, too engrossed in conversation. 

Before heading out on the town - July 2011

We partied a little and laughed a lot. I was so happy to finally introduce her to my new “mates” in London and had a great time out celebrating a roommate’s birthday. The Londoner was of course the perfect boyfriend, looking out for her when I was not able to pick her up from the train station and putting up with our girlie chats!

Sunday was a day of classic English recreation as we were lucky enough to attend one of the social calendar events of the season – the Cartier International Polo Cup Tournament held at The Guard’s Polo Club.  We got there (almost) on time and (almost) without any problems (lost printout of tickets, which still have yet to re-appear!) and after an hour and a half on a double decker bus – we arrived in at Windsor Park with F&M hamper in hand, filled with mixed berries, brie cheese & crackers and of course CHAMPAGNE! We spent the entire day drinking PIMMS (England’s signature summer drink) and our champagne, eating, chatting and taking in all of the day’s activities (and fashion) – to be honest I don’t think either of us had a clue about what was happening in the game, but it was still entertaining to watch!

The Guard's Polo Club - July 24, 2011

 I was so sad to see Kendall go at the end of such a fun weekend. After all - a sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost... and now that we're both living adult lives (in different countries, nonetheless) we are now sharing our grown up dreams.  I miss having her here and I hope she will return for another visit before she heads back to Halifax in the Fall. Yes, it makes me sad because I miss my family and my friends and the little things like walking to Port Credit Harbour and enjoying an ice cream yes; it makes me miss home - BBQ's and sunshine on the back deck, but I also know I’m not quite ready to give this up yet. So you’ll have to wait a little while longer Toronto… London still surprises me every once and awhile and I’m enjoying those surprises.

crazy. stupid. love.

have to see this!

there are places i'll remember...

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes...

Since I’ve relocated to England, I’ve remained close to London (other then the quick jaunt on the Eurostar to my parent’s home in Brussels). So it is a long time coming that I get back to my roots. This past weekend, I spent a day in Liverpool, England. I took the early train out of Euston London Station at 7:07a.m. to arrive at Liverpool Lime Street Station at 9:20 a.m. giving me plenty of time to explore. Of course the weather was typical English weather – and now I can understand why northerners who are visiting London can’t understand why we complain about the rain – because once you head north – you’re lucky you don’t drown from all of the rainfall! 

Strawberry Fields Forever....

Of course, you cannot visit Liverpool without partaking in SOMETHING “Beatles”. So I hopped on the Magical Mystery Bus Tour and was taken through the suburbs of Liverpool where the “Fab Four” grew up, visited their childhood homes, walked along Penny Lane, "met" Elenor Rigby and rocked out in the famous Cavern Club on Mathew Street. It was a really great tour – especially if you are a fan of the Beatles like I am.

But all things Beatles aside, the tour was also a great way for me to get an idea of where I come from. You see, I have some scouse in my blood from my grandmother, who was born and raised in Liverpool, long before the Beatles were playing their rock ‘n’ roll. I thought about her the entire time I was there – from arriving at Lime Street Station (spit on Lime Street station, I remember my Dad telling her when she would go back to visit) to walking through the streets of the downtown city centre – maybe I walked in her footsteps? I wish that I could share my stories with her about what I saw and did (although, I like to think she was there with me) and then she would smile and tell me a story from when she was young about the area or someone she knew there. This was a short visit, but I’ll have to go back and visit the relatives that I have there and really walk in her footsteps.

The Cavern Club - had to leave my mark

Happy Canada Day, eh?

First of all, I want to wish Canada a very happy 144th birthday!
Second, happy Canada Day to all my Canadian loved ones near and far!

In the spirit of this very patriotic day for us, I have reflected on my time as an expat so far. It's been quite an adventure and of course I am constantly being asked about my glorious homeland. I have been asked about everything from food to beer to hockey and everything inbetween. But surprisingly, the thing I have been asked about the most is the meaning of "eh?".

This doesn't surprise me at all... afterall, living in a different country, I too have had to ask my English 'mates' what the meaning of certain terms are as well. They also look at me with a smile and explain - sometimes with difficulty. I can sympathize... because how does one describe "eh". Every Canadian just "knows" what it means... its like you're born with the "eh" gene. You just get it.

Anyways, for fun, I came up with a list of explainations so that you fellow canucks can proudly explain the meaning of "eh" when asked abroad! Enjoy your celebrations!

Richard, our office accountant has got some Canadian spirit!

 Eh is a useful word that is very important and is the basis of all Canadian communications. It is used in conjunction with other words, or simply by itself. The tone or the slight differences in exclamation also changes the meaning:

Eh? = what did you say?

Eh? = what do you think?

EH? = something to say just to end a sentence.

Ehhhh!! = WOW!!

EH!? = what do you mean?

Eh?? = your joking!!!??

EH!! = Hello..(you off in the distance!!!)

Eh? = want a doughnut or some Tim Bits?

Eh!Eh! = coffee double-cream too please!

hey..eh! = want to go to the drive-in movie??

Eh..y'know = I'll pick you up at 8:00 (8:30 in Newfoundland).

Eh..wanna? eh? = lets fool around ...
EHHHHHHH = sounds coming from the car.
hey..um..er eh... = I'm pregnant!
EH????????? = how did that happen?
EHHehhEHHehhEHHH = sounds from the delivery room.
EHHH-ehh, EHHH-ehh = baby's first cry.
Ehh..whadya think eh? = marry me.