Summerlicious: Amaya

It is time for Summerlicious again. What a wonderful way to explore restaurants you might not think of visiting otherwise. Yesterday, I went to Amaya, an Indian restaurant on Bayview, south of Eglinton. Go there. It is excellent. We had a salmon appetizer and the portion was bigger than some of the entrees that I have had elsewhere. The more important point is that it was excellent. The butter chicken that we had for a main with basmati rice and naan bread, again excellent. I am not going to as many restaurants as in the past but this one was definitely one that said visit again.
Will be visiting Pangea on Tuesday and will report on that after. Have heard nothing but good things.

Chick Pea Salad

Not sure if I already posted this recipe but it was enjoyed so much by the ladies I had lunch with that I decided to post it again.
Enjoy.

Sweet and Sour Chick Pea Salad


2 cans (19 oz each) chick peas, drained

1 cup chopped green pepper

½ cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic crushed and finely chopped

2 tablespoons, finely chopped parsley

½ cup cider vinegar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/3 cup vegetable oil

¼ cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

freshly ground pepper



Mix all ingredients together. Cover and refrigerate for 4-5 hours or overnight. Drain. Serve salad in a bowl garnished with onion rings and additional chopped parsley.

4-6 servings

Remember to Ask all the Right Questions!

This is a story that was published by the Retired Teacher of Ontario.

Remember to ask all the right questions!



Big waves, big breakfast = not a good idea.


A number of years ago, my husband Michael and I were in sunny California. It was March and the grey whales were heading back up north after breeding on the west coast of Mexico. We love whales and thought the best way to spend our last day in California would be to go whale watching. The whale watching tour we chose took off from Half Moon Bay.



We made our way to the boat site and were very early. Since the buses to Half Moon Bay from San Francisco did not run very often, the particular bus that we took was more than an hour before the boat launch. This was the one that made most sense. Breakfast also seemed like a good idea.



Now why breakfast seemed like a good idea to someone who gets motion sick, I will never know. I get sick watching micro-fiche in the library. It is the motion of the objects on the screen that do me in. I have also managed to get motion sick playing slots on the ferry from Bar Harbour to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Again, it is caused by the motion of the objects on the screen. It does seem to take me a while to learn.



After a hardy breakfast, we headed out to the pier to wait for our boat. The water looked quite calm. This was not really the case but I am not a person who has been to oceans very often and therefore, I did not understand breakwaters but I soon would.



The boat was small; we were off to see whales. Oh, that was not to be. Once passed the breakwater, the ocean became choppy and the boat was tossed about. A number of us became very seasick. It seems that there are different degrees of seasickness.



One of the passengers was so sick that she lay on the deck of the boat and could not even move when the crew warned us that we were turning back and waves might come overboard. The warning was well intentioned. She was soon soaking wet having been covered by a wave. Others hung over the back of the boat commenting sadly that they had paid to do this. Like me, they had not anticipated the severity of the trip.





Relief was finally stepping on land that did not keep moving and swaying. After some time on shore, I started to feel better. We wanted to head back to San Francisco. Our flight home was early the next morning. We stood at the bus stop waiting with anticipation for the ride back to the city. Nothing appeared for some time. We asked a young boy passing by when the bus was expected. He knew nothing. The store we were standing in front of closed. We started to get worried.



Finally, after a long wait a bus appeared, it was going to opposite way but we were so desperate that we were ready to ride on the bus and come back. Thank God we asked the bus driver if he was heading back to San Francisco. Yes, he was heading back but it was a passenger-less run. It was time to take the bus back.



We pleaded and mentioned that we were from Canada. That did it. He was a former football star who played for the Ottawa Rough Rider. He took pity on us and also was pleased to be helping Canadians. He took us over the mountains and back to San Francisco. We were so happy to be taken back to the city. We were heading home the next morning and had no idea how we would have gotten back. You never know when you are going to come across someone who will help you.



This is one trip that we still talk about many years later. I have a feeling that we will be in rocking chairs and will tell anyone who will listen about our whale watching trip.

Mathematics without calculators!

This is about Longfellow Middle School in Falls Church, Virginia and a teacher who has the courage to fight the system and others who have authority and teach without computers. Instead he makes his students think. He uses old text books because they have better examples and are not confusing with irrelevant material. Interesting, I have thought that mathematics has gotten off track the past number of years. Sadly, I am often thought of as a Luddite because I oppose the use of computers and calculators without considering why they are being used.
It seems that the tools that some teachers are using are interesting toys but do not really teach the students. Wonder when teachers will accept that sometimes the old ways are actually relevant and work.
When will this leap to technology stop and when will educators and their superiors stop and reflect what is going on?
If you can access the article: Why your Kids can't add without a calculator, do. It is very revealing.

Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day.
Time to celebrate Canada and what we have. Interesting watching the United States they have a health care programme but it is not as good as ours. People still have to purchase plans and as we know not all plans are a like. There are fewer restrictions on medical conditions which is good.
This is not all that is good about Canada.
Enjoy the day and remember to appreciate what we have.

Summer is here

Summer is finally here and after the long wait, I am already getting organized for the fall. One tennis membership has been submitted and now another one came by e-mail. Amazing how you are in one season and getting ready for the next. I am also booking chamber music performances.
Supposed to be very warm today but so far it is good. Not complaining. Hopefully, this will be the last of the really warm weather for a bit.
Enjoy summer.

Music Exams

The next 3 days will be filled with music exams. I will be listening to playing exams starting at about 10:30 this morning. I must stay focused on what student plays. It will be hard but I can do it. Hard to stay focused on exams this long. I have to admire examiners at institutions like the Royal Conservatory. They have to do weeks of examining.
Some of the students who I will be listening to will be tested by me for the first time which is unusual. I have not taught them but they are on my list of classes. Oh well, we will manage.

Time to get on with life

Now that I have 2 1/2 days off, I remember what it is like to enjoy some time off. Yesterday, I had a gig in the middle of the day. I only managed that a couple times recently and that was because the performances were planned before I was asked to work and I could not reschedule. It is nice to have a minute to relax and go and visit some important people. Going to visit my 93 year old friend. Have not seen her since I started working. That is two months now. Hard to believe that time has passed so quickly. My next thing is to get some errands done. Going to the car wash at the car dealership this morning. That will be different. Have never done that but it is time that I tried. I am becoming braver with time. Parked in underground parking yesterday, again for me a strange thing. I don't like underground parking. Seen too many movies where bad things happen.
Two more weeks and I am off for the summer.

High School versus Elementary

Having had a chance to experience elementary school for 30 years and then high school for 5, I will take high school any day. The differences are incredible. High school during exams that is all you do and if you have a day or part of a day when you are not teaching you do not have to stay in school. That is why I have time today to post on the blog. I do not have exams until Monday when I start for three intense days. If I were in elementary, there would be no time off and the teaching loads are very different. The first issue is that you do not teach more than 175 students. I often had over 400 students and I taught everyone, there was no choice on the part of students or me.
Teaching load in terms of classes is very different as well. High school, you have a period off and this period is 70 minutes and a lunch, elementary you were lucky if you had a period off each day and it would not be 70 minutes. Lunch was not 70 minutes and sometimes you had lunch duty. All of this a challenge. Band, choir and any other groups are not part of the teaching load in elementary, in high school they count as part of the teaching load.
The report cards are also an issue. I completed two classes in about 10 minutes. In elementary it would take about an hour at least and generally more. Why are they not using the same systems, it does not make sense.
If elementary understood the differences, I am not sure that people would be so eager to teach the young. It can be fun but the loads are not equitable.

Ray Bradbury has passed

It was with surprise that I read that Ray Bradbury passed away yesterday. I read some of his work many years ago. Little did I realize that he was still writing at the time. What a science fiction icon! He lived through interesting times and will be missed.
Time to reread some of his work.

Snail Mail

Just when you thought that all mail  is now e-mail, I read an article yesterday that supports my snail mail activity. It states that people are sending regular mail. There are cards being produced that people are pleased to send and receive. Who knew? I certainly work to keep the post office busy and not just sending advertising flyers.
Send those cards and letters by regular mail, people love getting something in the mail.
If my students are any indication, e-mails are not read regularly by many.
Looking forward to that next card or letter in the mail.

Jeffrey Leung

Last night, we had the pleasure of hearing a performance by an saxophonist that I have had the pleasure of teaching and then following his progress at university. Jeffrey Leung has had a number of performances that we have seen and this was the latest. The piece was Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra from the Dreamworks Film "Catch Me if you Can". What a wonderful piece played with such skill by Jeffrey.
We are looking forward to his next performance. It won't be until next year since he is off to Iowa to study with a renowned saxophonist, Dr. Kenneth Tse and then maybe follow up with a Masters from there.
Fascinating what students can do if they set their mind to it and are willing to go explore options.

Catch up

I really don't know how I managed when I working in terms of keeping up with blogs and things like that. Actually, if I remember correctly, I did not start a blog until I retired. Right now, a blog is the last thing that I think when I am off to work. There is plenty to keep me busy with the teaching, working with students on performances. We had the school concert last week. It was a success which is nice for the teacher who I am replacing while he is on a sick leave. I also have personal performances to keep track of and prepare for.
I am able to keep up with most things but this blog is definitely extra.
Today, the weekend, I have got most of my mail done and yes, I send regular mail as well as cards and pay bills by mail. Easier to keep track of what is happening.
Will be back blogging regularly once school is over for the year. Just a month to go. Summer holidays will mean something this year.
Hope that everyone enjoys the weekend.

Kim's Convenience

If you are looking for something good to see, go to Kim's Convenience at Soulpepper in the Distillery district. It is an interesting examination of the immigrant experience, especially the Korean one. It seems that many of Toronto's convenience stores are operated by Koreans. The second generation has difficulty understanding the sacrifices that have been made on its behalf. Kim's Convenience is a discussion in play form of the changes that occur in Toronto and the difficulties experienced.
Go and see this.

Helping others

Yesterday, I came home to a lovely surprise. A neighbour had left flower for me to thank me for a small gesture. I give her the crosswords from two of the papers that I get each day. I also give her the section of the paper that has a column by a journalist who she enjoys. A small gesture that is appreciated. We all need to remember to show our appreciation for gestures that others make.
Surprise someone today.

Different Priorities

While I am working my priorities have changed temporarily. Need to get up early each morning, have breakfast and make lunches. Unfortunately, no time to write on my blog. Today since it is Sunday have time for another entry which will not be very exciting.
However, do want to say that we went to the Bach Children's chorus concert last night and it was wonderful. What a celebration of 25 years. Hope that Linda makes it to another 25. The best part was the boys section. They got the greatest applause other than the finale which was Down by the Riverside.
Hope that everyone is having a wonderful weekend and enjoying Mother's day in their own way.

It is May

Wow, time is passing quickly. Had forgotten how work takes up your time. I have not posted for two weeks. Time is passing quickly and I am not going to complain. Have friends who wish time would pass more quickly for them. They have illnesses of various kinds. Will not describe the issues. Just believe me when I say that the issues are serious.
Work is going well. I have another month and half and then I am back to supplying when needed. Have already posted some commitments. Don't have to count my days so carefully which will be good. 20 days goes very quickly. 50 will be much better.
Looking forward to playing tennis again. I really miss the regular exercise. Need to at least take a walk later.
Breakfast first.
Hope that everyone is doing well.

Posts?

Since I have returned to work, things have calmed down and there is very little that is different and exciting in my life. Today is good. I am off to Peterborough with some friends. We will have lunch and see a play. Nice.
The coming week is 5 days of work and 3 gigs. The first one is Tuesday evening and I will be playing with Zach at Princess Margaret Lodge. A good thing to do. Then the gigs that help pay for all my musical activity. You can read more about those activities on my Taffanel Wind Ensemble blog.
Hope that everyone has a good week.

Heart Attack

It nothing like a heart attack or serious illness to put life into perspective. A friend recently had a serious heart attack. He can not drive for a month, can only up and down the stairs once a day and walk the dog for 5 minutes. His spirits were not good today. This is hard. Some of his students spoke to me today. I suggested that it is time to send him their best wishes. Stop waiting to make the ultimate card. Send their thoughts and wishes for him now. As a person alone with their thoughts. It is easy to think that others have forgotten about them.
Time to remember people.

Woman dead for threes before discovery

Just read a newspaper article about a woman in New York who was dead for three years before she was discovered. The article asked why someone did not notice her bills weren't paid. I would assume that she had all her accounts on prepaid and as long as her account had funds the bills continued to be paid. Mail would pile up at her mail slot but that would not trigger any thoughts that something was wrong because no one would be checking.
This is a reminder to keep in touch with people and to keep triggers going that would let people know that something might be wrong. What a terrible incident.