Nheec.Mikee

how many raccoons do you see?

[posted by Nheec] Yesterday I celebrated my 30th birthday for the third time.  Life has been good to me and I feel very blessed. There’s nothing else I could ever wish for, except a walk-in closet!

Incidentally, as my family and I were hanging out at our patio after dinner, we saw Rocky Raccoon and his brood in the backyard.   This time they were relaxing and playing in a tree where they also sleep.  We think there’s 8 of them altogether, including 6 babies.  They’re regular trespassers in our property but as far as I know they haven’t done any mischief, save for the time when they stole and gnawed at my dad’s slippers! But all is forgiven and we’re happy to see them.

Did you know that raccoons are the only animals that wash their food before eating it?

Mikee at Niagara Falls

aboard the Maid of the Mist

view of Skylon and Casino Niagara from Maid of the Mist

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[posted by Mikee] This past Sunday we got up early to go to Niagara Falls which is pretty far. At first I thought our whole family is taking the GO train but sadly we did not.  We got there by car instead.   I wonder what it is like to ride on that dang Go train…

I gotta say there were hardly any cars to be seen on the road on an early Sunday morning.  We saw a big brigde over Lake Ontario.  It was amazing.   We got to Niagara in around 1 hr and 30 minutes.

I  saw the falls  and I started taking pictures.  We took many pictures y’all and then we boarded the Maid of  the Mist which is a ferry that takes us near the Niagara Falls.  We had to wear blue plastic cape like a raincoat to stop the water from getting us wet because the falls is misty and rainy.  We saw a rainbow!

Sky Wheel located at Clifton Hill

a wax figure of the Joker on display at the wax museum

Mikee's shadow in the fish pond

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We then went to Tim Hortons  to eat and I had iced capuccino and a bagel.  Then we proceeded to the giant ferries wheel called the Sky Wheel.  It was fun!   We went back to the falls and took more pictures.  Mama and Papa went to sit down in the shade.  Mommy said aren’t  papa and mama so sweet.

After that I got a picture of a squirrel and a sign and a weird type of bus called the Orion 4 I think, and we took pictures of a little pond.  No frogs on any of the lily pads in sight but yes there were little fish in the water.  I took a cool picture of my shadow in the pond.   The rainbow brigde which stretches over the Niagara River caused a lot of traffic on our way home.  Looks like a lot of people are going to USA from Canada.  I  took a few more pictures on our ride home which I hope my mom didn’t delete!!!!!!!!!!!

THE END

CHIN Picnic at Exhibition Place

view of the CHIN picnic grounds from the ferris wheel

Mikee posing with a pony at the Petting Zoo

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[posted by Nheec] We spent almost our entire day at Exhibition Place for this year’s CHIN Picnic.   Aside from the circus shows and the K9 dog challenge,  Mikee enjoyed the midway rides and the animals at the petting zoo.  There was also a Ms. Bikini contest but we didn’t stick around long enough to watch it for Mikee found it boring.  He’d rather ride the ferris wheel than watch a dozen women in bikini.  A couple of years from now I doubt he’d be saying the same thing.

overflowing garbage receptacle at Bay/Dundas

[posted by Nheec] The trash keeps piling up as the city workers strike drags on.  It stinks out there and the smell only gets worse as the weather gets warmer.  Everyone is getting extremely frustrated and is just anxious for the City and the striking CUPE workers to cut a deal soon.  I won’t hold my breath but I will definitely hold my nose.

Toronto celebrates 142nd Canada Day

Canada Day at Queen's Park

Toronto Veteran's Memorial Wall

CityTV news reports live at Queen's Park

Canada Day celebrations at Dundas Square

[posted by Nheec] Since our trip to Montreal this long weekend is canceled we decided to head down to Queen’s Park to celebrate this year’s  Canada Day.  The citizenship ceremony and dignatorial salute were followed by live entertainment, games, face painting, and other family-friendly attractions.  Several media outlets covered the event and as usual, Mikee was close behind.

What do I love about Canada?  Multiculturalism.  It’s  really great to see a mosaic of people coexist so well and respect and appreciate one another.

Happy birthday, Canada!

Asian Pride

it's raining men!

Darna!

Rainbow colours symbolizing diversity in the gay community

Big Baby on Wheels

Maria Claras?

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[posted by Nheec] Thousands of people regardless of race, culture or sexual orientation converged along Yonge Street this afternoon to celebrate this year’s Toronto Gay Pride Parade.  The downtown core was crowded and not even the wet weather could dampen the event.  It was great seeing members of the Canadian Military and the Ontario Provincial Police in attendance., as well as NDP leader Jack Layton and his wife Olivia Chow who were dancing on one of the floats and having a great time.

Mikee looking all grown up on his grad day

CONGRATULATIONS Mikee!  We’re all very proud of you.  Keep up the good work and never forget that I will always be here to love and support you in everything that you do.  Love ya, kiddo!

Your #1 fan,

Mom

the venue for the 150th Queen's Plate, Woodbine Racetrack

The RCMP Musical Ride and the Canadian Tenors performed at the race

view of the grand stand

waiting for the race to begin

start of the Queen's Plate race

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[posted by Nheec] I took Mikee yesterday for the first time to Woodbine Racetrack to check out the 150th Queen’s Plate thoroughbred horse race, the oldest such race in North America.  His grandpa would’ve enjoyed it if he came with us but he had to work this weekend.  The place was packed with spectators, dignitaries,  media, etc.   We were able to watch three out of the nine races and, eventhough we didn’t bid,  it was pure excitement.   It was also very hot!  I came home with an unflaterring tan! Anyway, the winner of this year’s Queen’s Plate went to #7,  Eye of the Leopard.

[posted by Nheec] We’re suppose to check out Toronto FC’s open practice this morning but we’re holed up in the house instead due to the lousy weather.  Bummer! Anyway, Mikee is now busy creating his first computer game online at Sploder.  I believe he calls it “Save the World” and it has many levels, enemies and obstacles.   He’s been working on it for a couple of months now and said that I’ll be the first to play it when it’s done.  FUN!

Mikee's computer game he created on Sploder

Social Studies Project

[posted by Nheec] Mikee spent hours working on their project for his class’s social studies fair.  It turned out great and he was really happy about it.   However, for his mark his teacher gave him a silver and Mikee wasn’t too thrilled.  He was aiming for a gold and so was a tad disappointed.  I told him it was okay and that he shouldn’t feel bad.  He worked hard and should be proud of what he has accomplished.  He also learned a lot and that’s the most important thing.

His graduation is on Tuesday and he feels so much trepidation.  I think for the most part the transition from grade school to middle school scares him.  I told him it’s normal to feel that way and would he like me to go to class with him on his first day in Grade 7?   I can hold his hand while I walk him to his  new clas.  He said no.  LOL.  I think he’ll be okay.

Eco-Cab along Queen's Quay West

Mikee checking out an eco-cab parked near Harbourfront

[posted by Nheec] We have been seeing a lot of these two-seater pedal-powered cabs  in downtown Toronto lately.   We saw a few along Queen’s Quay near Harbourfront during Luminato Fest and of course, Mikee just couldn’t help himself.  Unfortunately, his legs were too short to reach the pedals in order for him to ride it.  The great thing about these eco cabs is that, not only are they environmentally friendly, they’re also FREE!  (gratuities to cab driver notwithstanding).

Seeing these eco cabs reminds me of the pedicabs (three-wheeled bicycles) in the Philippines.  I’ve always thought Philippines has the hippest modes of transportation — from jeepneys with fully-loaded sound system to carabao rickshaws in the provinces.   One thing that amazes me, and one I feel greatly sorry for, are the pedicab drivers.  Can you imagine driving around a pedal-powered tricyle all day carrying two passengers who each weigh an average of at least 100-200 lbs for miles and miles in the scorching heat?  Exhausting! 

Cirque Du Soleil performs at the Natrel Pond at the Harbourfront

Hello!

one of the stilt walkers along Queen's Quay

Harbourfront Centre with the CN Tower in the background

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[posted by Nheec] This year’s Luminato Festival’s closing weekend features the world-renowned Cirque Du Soleil.   We were only able to check out the nature group at the Natrel Pond at Harbourfront Centre (the urban-themed performances of acrobats are held at the Music Garden).   There were boat floats, musicians, stilt walkers, water nymphs, etc.   The performances were brief but we’re a big fan of Cirque so we enjoyed it.

Looking forward to the upcoming Ovo which comes to Toronto this September.

Luminato's Tastes of Toronto

a vegetarian cuisine from Susur Lee

enjoying fried clams and fries near the waterfront

BBQ!!

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[posted by Nheec] What’s better than eating in a 5-star restaurant in Toronto?  Eating gourmet street food for $5 from the city’s top chefs of course!