Who sleeps? What do you mean beer and pizza isn’t a suitable dinner?

Hi, rest of summer. I think I’m ready for you.

*Osheaga bands Friday: Charli XCX, Fun., Of Monsters and Men, Dum Dum Girls, The Weeknd, Florence + The Machine, MGMT, Justice.
^Osheaga bands Saturday: Memoryhouse, Portugal. The Man, Kandle, Young the Giant, Brand New, Yeasayer, Feist, Snoop Dogg.
`Osheaga Bands Saturday: Zeus, The Airborne Toxic Event, Santigold, Passion Pit, The Shins, City and Colour, Madeon, Metric, The Black Keys.

I haven’t totally given up on humanity. (yet)

I had been taking antibiotics for a week with no result. They were prescribed for what we thought was strep throat. I told the doctor, “I’ve had strep four times in less than a year. The antibiotics usually work quicker than this.”

Actually, she corrected me, all of the swabs I’ve ever given [for strep] have come back negative. All of those prescriptions – the money, the turmoil I’ve put my body through while taking them – didn’t actually help the cause. It was probably just my body healing itself; essentially, the antibiotics did nothing.

I left the doctor in a bad mood. You mean there’s nothing you can do for me? Take ibuprofen for the pain and gargle with salt water? That is your solution.

So self-righteous. I got home and tried to focus on the positive things, which eventually worked. But ultimately, I was left with a scathing feeling of unfairness. Why me? Why am I the only 22 year old I know that can’t go without a cold after a night of drinking? Why can my best friend eat an entire pizza and feel fine and my bloat is the equivalent of a beached whale?

Luckily, I have come out of that mindset rather quickly and faced the facts. It doesn’t matter why I have the immune system of an 83 year old, I just.. do. And regardless of how much I try to pretend that isn’t true, it is.

I explained to the doctor that I felt worse a few days after starting the antibiotics, my theory for this being that I spent most of the week running around and being sick, but Sunday was my first day I could spend in bed. What was supposed to be a day of healing really just allowed the virus to take it’s toll on me.

Listen to your body: that’s what the doctor told me. Four easy words to say, but four words that forced me to be honest with myself. Do I really eat that well, or do I just eat well compared to my twenty year old college comrades? My sleeping habits could most definitely be improved. What else? My stress level is a big factor. Sometimes I think that’s something that can’t be controlled, but ultimately it is. It manifests itself out of tight deadlines and piles of overdue homework, two things that could be maintained if I was better at managing my time.

As much as I wish my body still functioned like it did a few years ago, it doesn’t. But the thing is, I know that. I am fully aware and in denial all at the same time. And I know exactly what I need to do to start living a better lifestyle. What gets in the way of that? Laziness.

Ah, that one will take some work, especially with the end of school being so near.

All in good time.

Sangria made with red wine is the love of my life.

Yesterday was absolutely beautiful! I spent my morning and part of my afternoon filming a city council meeting at City Hall, then headed outdoors (finally!) to get some lunch and embrace this amazing summer weather we’ve been graced with.

Council Chamber at City Hall panorama.

Half the media in attendance. Many of those journos are my classmates.

In front of the camera for the day.

Street meat: my Toronto weakness.

Regardless of how long I’ve lived (or will live) in Toronto, you know I’m not a born Torontonian because of one little thing.. I love pigeons. I’m serious, I do! Where I grew up, we had no pigeons. I think they’re the cutest, sweetest things. So, yeah, they’re totally pea-brained and poop everywhere and invade every public space… so? All they want is bread!

Bailey Martel: unabashed lover of pigeons.

Do not hate the pigeons. Love the pigeons.

Once we got home, Briar and I put on our bikinis and got some sun for the first time in 2012. No, this is not a photo from last summer.. we legitimately got a tan on March 21st. Spring, you are too kind.

A working morning and a sunny afternoon? My favourite kind of day, no doubt. Productive + happy.

Briar is the only person I know who is paler than I am. Hopefully we can get enough vitamin D this summer to change that!

After that, we went for a walk around the neighbourhood. Briar will soon be my roommate in May, so I’m slowly helping her get familiar with the area. Although, walking deeper into Christie Pits Park, even I had no idea there was a community garden and pool!

Christie Pits Park

It was still ridiculously hot, and 5pm somewhere (just kidding, it was 5pm here!) so we went to my favourite & local pub, Pour Boy. Sangria and steamwhistle pints were had and much deserved after our stressful and long day…

Briar. Beer. Boobs. Battlestar Galactica.

Just kidding, it was a breeze. Literally.

I love you just the way you are. Seriously, you are perfect. NEVER CHANGE!!

Dear summer of 2012: I can’t wait for you!

“Looking up from underneath
Fractured moonlight on the sea
Reflections still look the same to me
As before I went under

And it’s peaceful in the deep
Cathedral where you cannot breathe
No need to pray no need to speak
Now I am under all

And it’s breaking over me
A thousand miles down to the sea bed
Found the place to rest my head
Never let me go
Never let me go”

This afternoon was absolutely beautiful, so I spent a few hours at the harbour front photographing everything in sight. A little tourist-y of me I suppose, but not the same at all as when I first laid my eyes (and lens) on the city. There’s something different from capturing Toronto in the eyes of a Torontonian, and the eyes of a tourist.

Above is a self-portrait that turned out exactly how I wanted. I have some other shots from the day, as well as a whole collection of photographs (including my favourite instagram shots) that I’d like to post. Perhaps this weekend if I can find the time.

Above lyrics are from “Never Let Me Go” by Florence + The Machine. You can find the song on her sophomore album, Ceremonials. Florence will also be gracing us (meaning Toronto) with her presence on August second, and, announced yesterday, she’ll be hitting the stage at Osheaga 2012! So very exciting.

Gluten free blueberry muffins, made with fresh blueberries, homemade blueberry jam swirled throughout, and topped with a fresh lemon zest+sugar coating to give them a delicious, sweet crunch. These are now my favourite muffins. A recipe for the books!

New month, new mantra.

Over the month of January I took a breather from my normal internet life. It being winter, of course more time is spent indoors, but I’ve really felt like I’m fading away into the internet abyss lately. Where are my memories? They’re of websites. Television shows. They’re on unwritten lists of things I want to do, but never have. Perhaps January should have been my fresh start, but it took all of that month to figure everything out. And by “everything,” I mean life in general. There are always things going on, but right now, more than ever. My health. My family. My wellness. My education. Me, me, me. Some say that happiness is overrated – I counter that with a search for stability and well-being. There are things in life that you have control of, and things you don’t. My health and my relationships are mine alone, and I want to keep them strong. I have my studies – productivity is key. I’ll always have family. And to everything else – Why stress yourself out over things you can’t control?

So, I started out February off right. A day off of classes meant finding some summer work, and an evening class of yoga. I also spent an hour talking to two of my bests, which may not always seem important, but I’ve found that surrounding myself with those I care about makes me truly happy. Now, if only they didn’t live so far away…

Not a resolution, but a desire: I’m going to make an effort to do a few minutes of yoga (the sun poses) every morning before starting my day. I’m also going to start writing (on here) more. And lastly, I want to develop my own personal mantra.

Until we meet again.

New Year’s Day brunch at By The Way Cafe.

Happy New Year!

There is nothing better to me than being able to wake without an alarm on the weekend. Get the Saturday paper off the front steps, and enjoy it over a cup of coffee and some easy breakfast. Ease in to the day.

That would be my perfect Saturday. But my perfect Sunday? Brunch! And eggs Benedict at that.

I am a self-proclaimed eggs benedict connoisseur – this is true. Also one of the many reasons I could never be a true, life vegan. While I can do without a lot of things dairy, there is nothing more quintessential to my taste buds than the combination of hollandaise and a poached egg, placed on a bed of spinach, and a toasty english muffin. Mmm. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.

Once the weather warms up again, I’ll continue my quest to try all the eggs benny this city has to offer. I know what you’re thinking, and of course I plan on writing about it. Bailey loves Benny.

So far, my favourite comes from By the Way Cafe, a restaurant found in the Annex, on the corner of Bloor and Brunswick. Served seven days a week (bonus for those mid-week benny cravings) they add dill to the hollandaise. I always order the florentine (spinach), but they do a traditional benny, and one with salmon as well. Sided with potatoes, which compliment perfectly, and a few pieces of fruit. If you dine, ask for their homemade hot sauce. The cafe has a lot of Middle Eastern cuisine, and their hot sauce is infused with flavour, and just the right amount of kick.

I swear they’re not paying me to write this (but it would be really nice if they were). I have many photos of my past bennies, but for this blog, I’ll post my most recent one. It’s from yesterday.

Perfection on a plate.

So, my perfect Saturday is a lazy, slow to start day, that is the equivalent of being woken up by daylight and casually stretching your arms over your head, knowing the day ahead of you will be easy breezy.

But my perfect brunch? An hour to myself at By the Way, with my benny, my Moleskine, and an endless cup of coffee.

This post was written on a Sunday afternoon while wearing the comfiest clothes, drinking coffee, and snacking on a fresh cinnamon scone from Cobs bakery. 

Waiting to enter the studio.

Aside from swooning over Laura and fangirling over Regis, I loved being back in the studio environment just to ooh and ahh over the equipment. I have such a natural instinct and draw towards all things TV Production – filming, editing, writing. Being on camera. It’s all I want to do. The assignments have become fun – challenging, but fun – and it’s what I look forward to the most. My teacher, Hedy Korbee, could not be more instrumental in helping me realize this. I appreciate any type of support I am given, and she makes me feel like I can actually do this for a living. So, here’s hoping.

Stopped at Starbucks for a pick-me-up after the taping.

Sipping on piping hot Americanos.

There are only ten days left in this semester. I’d be lying if I said I was totally caught up and felt good about everything. But there is something to be said about a calm before a storm. The storm, in this situation, is stress. It’s been around, but it’s about to be crunch time. I know I can pull it off.

More than anything, I am looking forward to the holidays. I’m not going to be with family, so I’ll be making the most of it by myself in the city. A pile of books. A plan for yoga. And so many new recipes to try.

Is three weeks too premature to say, “bring it on, 2012″? I don’t think so. Only 26 days left in December. And what has been the most trying year of my life yet.

Bring it on, 2012.

Coffee and Briar - I love both of these things and don't know what I would do without them.