Overheard in Toronto

Wanna peek into my diary again? It won't be as sweet as last time, I'm sorry. Background: I spent the summer in Toronto working, and did all of my sight-seeing alone. So I had a lot of time to people watch (or eavesdrop, your call). And I heard some pretty funny/ interesting things along the way which I jotted down into my journal. Here are my favourites :)

 

1. Little boy: "Pa, you smell like a traffic light"

2. One teen guy to another: "I've figured it out though. You can wear like jeans and a t-shirt, and if you wear nice shoes people will be like 'Oh, you look nice!' It's crazy!"

3. One teen girl going up an escalator, the other going down. First girl shouts "Hey, where did you get your skirt? I love it!" Second girl: "Oh! Garage!" and walks away beaming :)

4. Kid looking in a big fish tank: "Are these fish real, or are they dead?"

 

5. Son: "Daddy, how did he get in here?" 

Dad: "It's so hot that even the birds are taking the subway."

6. One rich teen girl to another: "What is grit?" "Oh, it's like bad risotto."

7. Mom to son: "I love you too, kiddo. I love you all the way to Africa and through all the safaris and into another universe."

8. Teen girl: "But I honestly think that I'm a really interesting person and that everyone wants to come talk to me."

9. One woman to another: "So wait, you don't have decent bookstores but you have spas where fish eat your feet??" 

10. 2 kids, boy and girl about 12, talking about pigeons. "In pigeon world, I think he's daaaaamn!"...."No, I think he's probably oh heellllll no!"

11. Guy, early 20s: "Yeah I shaved my back and glued it to my face."

Well there you have it, a glimpse into the minds of strangers. Some made me laugh so hard, others made me smile. Also, just as a sort of disclaimer- none of the people in the photos are connected to these quotes. 

All for now :) 

Orla

Sunscreen & Popsicles

 

I have just spent the most wonderful summer of my life taking care of 3 little boys in Canada. I've explored Toronto, I've been to Niagara Falls. I've had an awful lot of adventures, and it has changed me forever. But I must admit... When I'm old and grey, my fondest memories of my summer as an au pair in Toronto will be of sitting on the porch in the sun licking melted popsicle off little fingers and laughing and telling stories about frogs and balloons and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Sunscreen & Popsicles Playlist

Smile Bright- Letters & Lights

Rollerblades- Eliza Doolittle

When I Grow Up- The Beach Boys

One Thing- One Direction

Three Little Birds- Bob Marley

When I'm Gone- A Rocket To The Moon

Gold Rush- Ed Sheeran

Does Your Mother Know- Abba

Follow Me- Uncle Kracker

Brighter Than The Sun- Colbie Caillat

Never Grow Up- Taylor Swift

Dear Friday

(My blog is set to Irish time, but it's still Friday here in Canada!)

Dear Zach, painting with you is so much fun, kiddo. We can't tell what the future has in store for you, but I can guarantee you will do something with your wonderful creativity. :)

Dear Mr Caterpillar, little Liam and I had a lot of fun playing with you in the back garden. Liam has been asking for you quite a lot ever since.

Dear Pretty Purple Phone, thanks to you and your wonderful photo-taking abilities, I have become one of those people who takes photos of absolutely everything, including their lunch.

Dear Kina Grannis, I cannot believe you replied to my email!!! Proof that you are one of the sweetest musicians in existence. :)

Dear Ants, Zach was not very impressed at you guys eating his Goldfish crackers. He doesn't like to share food, even if it falls on the ground.

Love always,
Orla

PS~ I would love it if you would check out my newest YouTube video :) And I would love it even more if you could subscribe to me! Thanks :)

PPS~ I just realised I'm wearing the same blazer in the photo with Kina Grannis as I am in the video. Just a random bit of info there for ya. 

The Man Who Changed The World

Last week, I went with the family I work for to Niagara on the Lake. We stayed in a beautiful house with 15 people for 5 days. It was crazy and wonderful and all that's in between. :) And I got to do a lot of reading by the pool... Yes, I have a pretty tough job. 

One of the books I read was 'How Shakespeare Changed Everything' by Stephen Marche. I sat with my feet dangling in the warm water while the kiddos were swimming, and turned page after page til I was done- what an interesting read! 

An extract... You should really read this, it's long (and I will try to shorten it), but had me in fits of giggles! 

"If you cannot understand my argument, and declare "It's Greek to me," you are quoting Shakespeare; if your lost property is vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have been tongue-tied, hoodwinked or in a pickle, if you have knitted your brows, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, laughed yourself into stitches, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, if you have seen better days or lived in a fool's paradise- why, be that as it may, the more fool you, for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare; if you think it is high time and that that is the long and short of it, if you believe that the game is up and the truth will out even if it involves your own flesh and blood, then- to give the devil his due- if the truth were known (for surely you have a tongue in your head) you are quoting Shakespeare; even if you bid me good riddance and send me packing, if you wish I was dead as a doornail, if you think I am an eyesore, a laughing stock, the devil incarnate, bloody-minded or a blinking idiot, then- by Jove! O Lord! Tut tut! For goodness' sake! What the dickens! But me no buts- it is all one to me, for you are quoting Shakespeare." 

Well, I hope I didn't bore you to tears. If you read this whole post, then I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. :) Or maybe I'm just a dork. 

Love & Passion{fruit}

(I am about to share with you a page from my diary. I never do this, but it's so special that I think you should get to read it.) 

July 2nd, 2012

Starbucks, Toronto

I think I am witnessing the beginning of a new relationship. :) I was here a few hours ago reading with a yummy vanilla latté, and I noticed a man and a woman sitting at adjacent tables talking. He is in his late 40s, and has the kindest eyes and a receding hairline. She is younger, though only slightly. She is Asian, with silky hair brushing her shoulders and noticeable laugh lines vouching for her happy personality. They were both sipping the remaining drops of their passion fruit iced teas, their chairs turned awkwardly to face each other. It made me smile. :)

Now, 3 hours later, I have returned for yet another vanilla latté (I guess my secret addiction is out now...), and they are sitting at one table, which is cluttered with empty cups of what was presumably passion fruit iced tea, and I can hear them sharing stories of their college days and hopes for the future. There is something undeniably comforting and heartwarming about witnessing two grown adults reduced to the nervous flirting and chit chat of pre-teens. I love it. 

And... They just left. Together. :) 

Summer Soundtrack

If it's possible, I feel even more musical during the summer. :) I go through moments of inspiration and contentment, followed by buzzing euphoria. And as always, I need music to set the right atmosphere. I want to give you a shortened version of my Summer Soundtrack playlist, and also some recent photos of my summer in Toronto. :) 

1. Bucket by Carly Rae Jepsen

2. Without Me by Kina Grannis

3. Count On Me by Bruno Mars

4. Strawberry Swing by Coldplay

5. I'm Yours by Jason Mraz

6. What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction (For Kate!)

7. One Love by Bob Marley

8. Rhythm of Love by Plain White Tees

9. Brighter Than The Sun by Colbie Caillat

10. Under The Sea by Shaggy

11. 5 Years Time by Noah and the Whale

12. Gone In The Morning by Newton Faulkner

13. Walking On Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves

14. Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae

A little glimpse of my summer, and its soundtrack. :) 

Love always, 

Orla

Niagara Falls

I usually try to avoid posting loads of personal photos that would be boring to other people. But today, I just can't resist. These are some (of 176) photos from my first visit to Niagara Falls with some very good friends. 

I am normally very able to express how I feel, particularly when I'm excited or happy. I get giddy and chatty, very smiley, and simply cannot contain myself. That's how I was for the 2 hour car journey! But as soon as I climbed out of sticky hot car and caught sight of this, I got very quiet. That never happens.

I got beyond the point of excitement. I was surrounded by awestruck tourists, I could smell salt water and cotton candy, the sound of the water gushing was so powerful, and the mist from the falls gave welcome relief from the scorching sun. I stared at the Falls in silence, and my poor Canadian friends were so confused. I seemed almost unimpressed, bored even. I was so overwhelmed by it all, that it was impossible for me to express it.  

The 'Maid of the Mist' boat tour brought us right up to the waterfall, making the experience even more memorable and wonderful. 

So, I have come to the conclusion that I must either get married near Niagara Falls, or come back for my honeymoon... 

And I am going to sell this last photo to a postcard company. ;) 

Colour On The Moon

I was in Canada less than 2 weeks when I felt inspired to write this song. I guess that shows just how wonderful this family is. It's a very scary thing to pack up and move to another country on your own, even if it is just for 4 months. But Denise, Mike, Zachary, Liam and Marcus have made me feel so welcome in their home since the moment I arrived. I've been here a month, and already the thought of leaving them chokes me up. But that's life. This is an incredible experience for me, and when it's over I will have to move onto the next one. But oh goodness, I will miss them.

The song is a mixture of little images that portray my time in Canada so far. And when I wrote the song, I was thinking a lot about growing up. I came to Canada alone to travel and work, which is a big step in my own growing up. And while I'm here I am so privileged to witness the little steps of growing up for each of these boys. I was here for Marcus' first laugh. Liam is learning new words all the time (his favourites at the moment are 'purple', 'crocodile' and 'cockadoodle-doo'). I was a part of Zach's 5th birthday, and he is constantly asking questions about everything and anything, and every time I get to pass on knowledge to a child, my heart wants to burst with happiness. :) It is an incredible thing to be a part of teaching a child about the world he lives in. This learning and growing along with exploring Canada is where the song came from. And it's not much, but the stories and memories behind it will always mean a lot to me.

Well, that's it I guess. :) I'd love it if you'd subscribe here. :) Oh, and if you feel like a cupcake right about now, then you should really check out my friend Valerie's blog... She's new to the blogging world, so she'd appreciate a warm welcome. :)

10 Reasons to Love Toronto

1. We had a birthday party for one of the boys I'm minding, and this was the party menu. So healthy, and all of the kids loved it!

2. Squirrels. They have to be one of the most adorable animals ever!

3. Tim Horton's and Starbuck's are on every corner when you need a pick-me-up.

4. So many beautiful editions of Jane Austen books.

5. Incredible garden's and trails to explore right in the city. I could spend hours there. 

6. Such pretty notebooks! Yes, I bought one.. Maybe two. 

7. This wonderful sun makes everything look so happy and pretty! 

8. They have maple syrup in their dinner. Yep. Have you ever had maple soy salmon before? 

9. City lights at night time.

10. Shutters on the windows. 

Gotta love Canada. :)