Oh Toronto, How I Love Thee

I've been doing a horrible job updating, but my adventures are keeping me busy. I spent about five days in Toronto from July 27th to August 3, with a few hours in NYC. It was one of the highlight moments of my summer. The first time I went to Canada was back in 2003, and at that time I was too young to really appreciate the city at its surrounding areas. Caribana was even better than I thought it would be. It was even more fun because my cousin got us into the parade.

Toronto is such a refreshing difference compared to Connecticut. There is true diversity. I loved the restaurants, "street cars", people, and most of all the shopping. There stores are huge. They have two H&Ms in their downtown area, both are three floors. The thrift stores are lovely also (I got Levi's for $10). I can go on and on, but I'll end it here. i had a great time.

Sometimes my little adventures are all that's keeping me sane.

Tone, Tone, and more Toning

So I've lost even more weight, most due to being a vegetarian, and rest is attested to Zumba and my walking craze. However, I want to tone up, specifically my arms and stomach. I have my mother's thick arms, but I don't it's genetic (?). I tried on clothes for my trip, that I haven't worn since last year, and there's a noticeable difference. A lot of people have been telling I've lost weight for months, but my response has mostly been meh.

Now, I'm starting to see it's substantial. I'm going to need that same discipline that I used to transition to vegetarianism to go through with this. I was using my school's weight room to tone up, but I haven't been on campus for weeks, the gym hasn't seen me for more than a month and a half.

Needless to say, I now have a healthy body image. Now and again I might think, "Why does one boob look wayy larger than the other." Then, I remember, one breast is ALWAYS bigger than the other. Anyway, mission engaged.

The last three weeks have been dedicated to getting accustomed to work. In late May, I applied for an internship position at a law firm in my city. After later research, I found out that it was a large law firm on the East Coast. Anyway, after my essay and interview, I got the job. This well give me more insight into the practice of law, and whether I want to pursue the field. As soon as I was done with one internship, I started another.

I like work. It involves a lot of thinking, networking, and level-headedness. It's professional and constructed. However, the associates, partners, and staff are friendly and down-to-earth.

I have the usual; my own office, company phone, email, placard and the whole bit. I'm such a noob sometimes. I refuse to decorate my office with embarrassing pictures. lol, I'm really simple most times.

This Week In Review 13-18

This week has been so hectic, but it was all worth it. Graduation season was coming to a close; so in total, I attended four graduations. It was like a constant rotation of work, events, and graduation ceremonies, sometimes on the same day. I'm tired, but getting to see my friends and family happy has been worth it.





My final graduation, my own school's. I was one of the ushers for my school. It was great to see all my friends graduating. Here, I'm with some of my friends who attended and ushered.


A little Gardening with my mom.


At my bro's graduation, so proud of him!


I was a nominee for one of the awards given out by my agency. We had a lovely breakfast at The Farmington Club. This is me with the organization's Execs. "who are all those old guys you are posing with?" That's what my mom said, lol.




That same day. after work, I had to leave immediately and go to my best friend's graduation. So proud of her also.

Lastly, I can't forget one of my favorite cousins who graduated. She has been through so much this past year, and I'm really proud of her for sticking to it, and ending this phase of her educational career on a good note.

Great Week!

Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When I first read "Left To Tell", I was only thirteen years old going on fourteen. One of my classmates gave it to me, so I thought why not. I could not put this book down. I was so totally and utterly engrossed that of my daily routines and ritualistic nuances became irrelevant. This story is about strength, forgiveness, and courage in the most horrid of circumstances.

As someone who has always been interested in World Affairs, I had heard of the Rwanadan Genocide before, but never in this context. The information that I got from CNN was all numbers, fact sheets, and statistics that rub you in all the wrong places. This book is about survival and the human connection. You don't have to believe in God; all you need to believe in is determination and the drive to continue when there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

I found myself recommending this book last night, after meeting the First Lady and ambassador to Ghana. Their determination and faith made me remember "Left To Tell." I had to recommend this book. It's also why I'm just now doing a review years after I've read it.



View all my reviews

Wishy washy

If there's one thing that upsets me, it's when someone says something but does another. You say you miss me, but you don't make the effort. Just when I was steady getting along, being among the ones who love me, you decide to erode the balance I was trying to create. Yes, we both have mutual feelings of sentimental bliss for each other, but if the effort is one-sided, there's no point. Now, is there?