My Vacation in the "Soo" - Part F - by Anne Shier (a.k.a. "Annie")

August 17 – 25, 2014

Saturday August 23, 2014 – Day 7 &

Sunday August 24, 2014 – Day 8:

On Saturday morning, I watched one of my favourite TV-DVDs:  either “Private Practice” or “Desperate Housewives” – something I like doing regularly, mornings and evenings.  I also started my writing again based on Alexandra Orlando’s book, this time:  Chapter 5 – Rock Bottom in which she talks about her constant struggles to lose weight as a top-level rhythmic gymnast in order to compete effectively internationally in a somewhat hostile environment, particularly with respect to getting herself ready for the Beijing Olympic Games competition.  I expect that this chapter will take me two full days to finish, and it has.

I also went to Black’s camera store in the mall on Saturday afternoon to buy a picture frame, which I will use for my personal photo and give to James as a birthday present.  He had given me a similar present (of his own photo) for Mother’s Day and I thought that was a really nice gift, so I hope that he likes my birthday gift to him.  He will turn 10 years old on September 2, 2014.  Brent, James, Dave and I will all be going out for a birthday dinner the following weekend to celebrate James’ birthday.

On Saturday at dinner time, I grabbed dinner at McDonald’s and took it to the courtyard at my hotel to eat.  It is a very nice outdoor area nestled within the hotel’s property.  It’s been a very nice sunny day out today, so, eating outside seemed like a great idea for a change.

On Sunday morning, I watched another movie-DVD called “Shall We Dance?” which I also haven’t seen in a long time.  So far, I’ve watched at least 10 movie-DVDs here in the “Soo”; I love doing this kind of activity during my vacations up here.

On Sunday night, I plan to pack my stuff up, starting with the computer and speakers, and I will have to check out by 6:45 am at the latest tomorrow morning as my Greyhound bus leaves the terminal by 7:15 am.  The trip home to Toronto will take about 10 and a half hours (to get to Yorkdale Shopping Centre), and then I will have to take a GO bus from Yorkdale to get home to Ajax (another hour).  On Thursday afternoon (12:30 pm) this coming week, I have an appointment with Jason for chiropractic and acupuncture.

Meanwhile, Dave, Kyle, Kaylee and Jaime will have gone on a short holiday up north to a resort on the French River and will be back on Thursday, so I expect to be home alone for a few days this week.

I will be planning my return to work at Albert Campbell on September 2, 2014 and I hope that I will have almost everything I need by then.  Of course, I still need to buy a couple of things (like a new purse), and I really need to get a haircut, so I will do these things as soon as I can.  I might also have to see my dentist as I’ve been experiencing some minor dental pain during my week in the “Soo”.  I sure hope that these pains do not represent major problems, however.  I’ll be sure to make a dental appointment when I get back – no point in tempting Fate, is there?

So, as long as I am ready to return to school (or work, if you like), I will take whatever comes my way and handle it, like I always do.  I hope this school year is spectacular and I am looking forward to it.

copyright 2014, Anne Shier.  All rights reserved.

My Vacation in the "Soo" (2014) - Part E - by Anne Shier (a.k.a. "Annie")

August 17 – 25, 2014

Friday August 22, 2014 – Day 6:

I’m now into the extended part of my holiday here in the “Soo” and loving every second of it.  On Monday August 25^th, I have to go home, so I only have three days left to enjoy myself.

Today, the sun is expected to come out later this morning or early this afternoon, and, boy, did it ever!  So, I took advantage of one of the few sunny days there’ve been this week to go over to the boardwalk and sit there and read my book.  As lovely as that was, I only lasted about an hour though because I was getting too hot sitting in the sun by the river and I was starting to get hungry again.  This happened in the early afternoon.  That was kind of funny because I did eat a good breakfast this morning at the hotel.

So, I went back to the mall to McDonald’s to get some Chicken McNuggets (the 6-pack meal) and took it back to my hotel room to eat.  I was still fairly hot and kind of tired, probably from taking a little too much sun I guess, so I rested and watched “Private Practice” (beginning of season 3) and tried to cool down somewhat.

Later, I decided I had to visit the TD Canada Trust ATM again, in order to make sure I have enough money to last me till I get home on Monday.  While I was doing that, I contemplated buying a Cineplex Cinema movie ticket to see a movie called “Into the Storm”.  I can either buy my ticket for the show today or buy my ticket and use it later to see a future show.  I don’t go to the movies very often; usually, I’m up here at the “Soo” whenever I want to do that.  And, if I did buy a ticket, most likely I would buy it over the counter at the movie theatre.  I’m kind of old-fashioned that way.

Now, you can use a special type of vending machine to buy and print your movie ticket; there’s no need to buy it from a ticket vendor person at the theatre anymore.  I believe that the movie theatres already had these machines, but I’ve never used one before; perhaps, I should start using them.  You can download an app for m.cineplex.com if you want; you can buy your ticket on any computer at m.cineplex.com before you even get to the theatre, but, even though I know such things are done, I’ve never done that either.  I guess I’m not that technologically savvy about such things - I suppose it’s because I just don’t go to the movies often enough to worry about these things.  Maybe today, I might go to the movies at the Cineplex Cinema; it’s pretty much the only thing I have left to do in the next few days before I have to leave for home.

As it turned out, I wasn’t able to see that particular movie today because it was no longer being shown due to being cancelled yesterday – who knows why?  Probably some business man somewhere decided it wasn’t making enough money.  I inquired at the concession stand about what happened to the movie I wanted, but all they could tell me is that it was no longer available here.  Perhaps I’ll check out its availability on the web site and find out if I can see it at home later on.

One good thing is that I bought movie-type food – a hot dog, buttered popcorn and a large soft drink and took it back with me to my hotel for dinner.  Now, isn’t that something you would only do on a vacation?!  While I was consuming this food, I watched a movie-DVD called “Air Force One”, another movie I haven’t seen in a long time.  I have tons of these movies, but not always the time to watch them, except during vacation time.

copyright 2014, Anne Shier.  All rights reserved.