Time Flies
Seems like yesterday when I just arrived Toronto for this Q4 break. In fact, I’ve arrived here a full month already, that’s one third of this self-directed “co-op” term. So far I had completed a marathon and a personal calligraphy website project. Looked briefly into casual/part-time jobs, that made me more determined to start a business instead.
Finally met up with my sister’s family for dinner and got back from her the cheap 3D printer I bought here last summer. Immediately started designing and prototyping things the next day! I also called up my parents for the first time since arrival and confirmed the sudden death of a longtime friend’s mother. I immediately forwarded my condolences to my friend who flew back from Vancouver to HK for his mother’s funeral. It didn’t seem that long ago when my friend would come over to my house and play video games as our parents were having their mahjong gatherings.
My UW friends organized an evening out to watch the Raptors and Leafs games at a pub on Thursday. We chatted and laughed about our good old days in our university years. It was 20 years since we graduated, felt like yesterday. One of the friends graciously lended me his car afterwards to run some errands the next day. I was very cautious at first, but as I became more comfortable at driving the manual stick again, I regained the joy of driving, just like the time when I had my Mini before I returned to HK in 2009.
Time really flies.
Fall Colors
Nearly a third of my Q4 break had passed already. So far I had completed a full marathon and a personal project. Just started looking into work and the possibility of setting up a “business” here.
Ventured downtown to see an art fair on Friday, got a healthy dose of artistic inspiration out of it. Often feel an urge to make art myself after visiting exhibitions, will see if I can find some time to do some occasional art later during this visit. My priorities will first be work and meeting and catching up with friends.
Joined my friend and their Hongkongers’ family group for a trip to Earl Bales on Saturday afternoon. The weather was perfect for a stroll in the woods and be immersed in the fresh autumn air and colors. It has been many years since I last saw the beautiful Fall colors of Canada, it now feels more majestic and magical!
3rd Marathon
First mission accomplished for the Q4 break away from the studio! I was seriously lacking practice for the marathon due to the past extremely hot and wet summer that prohibited many of my planned training. I was also unprepared. I entered the race with only 1 gel pack to replenish my energy during the long run because I was expecting to get the other 2 gel packs from the running organizer, but they were all gone by the time I arrived at the stations! It started raining halfway, that together with the wind made the marathon all the more challenging! I was starving and cold as I struggled past the finish line.
Despite all the challenges going into completing my 3rd marathon feat (first time in Toronto), the atmosphere was good and I was able to suck up some much needed positive vibes from the many cheers and smiles, and I was super happy to be able to finish the race within the 6 hr limit! 🎉
Craziness Before Q4 Break
Skipped my weekly journal entry last week because I was overwhelmed by things that I needed to finish up before my early flight on Wed morning.
At the studio, I managed to finish fixing a cable-stayed bridge model, groomed the countless cacti and succulents, and completed a last minute request from a client to have the earlier 3D printed boats “dissected”. Also scanned hundreds of my previous calligraphy work so that I can complete a project that was started earlier during the Q4 break.
At home, I managed to finish the last painting of the critically endangered animal caricature series that I started about 1.5 year ago. An auntie asked if she could board at my apartment for a few weeks after I fly. I said yes and with that promise I had to find extra time to do a more thorough cleaning of the apartment before I leave. Just barely managed to finish up the cleaning while packing for a 3-month trip a few hours before the flight.
Felt relief as soon as I picked up the boarding pass and had my luggage checked-in at the airport!
