HAPPY THINGS OF THE WEEK

                         
                                

1. I've booked onto the ski trip! This year McMaster University Ski and Snowboard society are going to Tremblant in Quebec. Ideally I wanted to go back to Whistler, but I might have been aiming a little high there. So naturally this is the next best place and I can't come to Canada and not go skiing, that would be sacrilegious.

2. Clothes shopping (AND RESEARCH) in Toronto. Ok, so I may have got a little distracted in American Apparel and Anthropologie but I’m loving Toronto. I visited Koreatown and Chinatown this weekend for some early research for my dissertation and they're great places. I walked for over 3 hours around the city and didn't get bored once.

3. A new pair of winter boots! Winter is coming. You can feel it every day- the subtle drops in temperature, the early morning frost... I took a trip to the local mall last week and splurged on a good pair of winter boots- making sure they were insulated and waterproof. I now love them, they're so comfy and my feet are very snug thanks!

4. Baking autumn/fall goodies. I also attended a baking event last week! The fact my kitchen doesn't have real ovens is a bit of a downer for me, I remember baking homemade apple cider doughnuts last year! However I managed to bake some great stuff this weekend with a few other keen bakers; everything from apple turnovers to pumpkin roll and butter tarts.

5. Finding a decent coffee. It's been a struggle surviving off Starbucks and I miss my dad's coffee maker at home. But a quick trip to Dundas introduced me to Detour; a cute cafe on the main street selling quality cappuccinos and healthy soups and sandwiches. The grilled cheese with chilli chutney is a good choice FYI.

6. Mid-terms are finally over! This is both a happy and a sad thing. Yes, my mid-term exams are over. But I have three huge assignments due over the next two weeks, so you win some you lose some. Anyway I prefer coursework to exams- it means I can sit down with a cup of tea and plan it- rather than cram information into my head pre-exam day.

7. Postcards and letters from home. I have such great friends back in the UK and a few of them reminded me of that this week. I got a couple of cards and postcards which kept me up to date on the goings on back home as well as some great anecdotes. They were thoughtful and funny and I'm looking forward to sending some back.

8. Oktoberfest! Ok, I realise we're not in Germany, but did you realise the second biggest Oktoberfest celebration is in Kitchener in Ontario? Well it is. We took a trip up there just before Thanksgiving and had a dance and a drink in a big music hall (ice skating rink?) along to German music. Lots of people were dressed up in lederhosen and I kind of regret not having my own...

9. Thanksgiving itself!! I was lucky enough to be invited to my housemate’s thanksgiving this year and I was so pleased. I won't be getting a real Christmas dinner (considering I'll be in Cuba) so I was excited to have an early-turkey dinner! And I wasn't disappointed; turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and stuffing- you can't go wrong.

10. Spontaneous wine and cheese nights. I walked home late from the pub one night and managed to crash my housemates wine and cheese night. We spent the night mostly drinking the wine and catching the end of a horror movie...Wine and cheese are possibly some of life's greatest little pleasures and this is a great way to spend a chilly fall evening.

REVIEW > CHUCK'S BURGER BAR

Just a quick trip downtown and a little walk away on Locke Street, you'll find yourself at Chuck's Burger Bar. A no-frills gourmet burger joint with good craft beers and big portions. It's very low key, with only 5 tables and a bit of bar space. We crammed 7 of us onto the bar and ordered a round whilst pouring over the menu. And there's plenty to choose from; venison burgers, lobster poutine and enough different sauces and toppings to last a lifetime! Peanut butter on your burger anyone? I went for a (healthy) turkey burger, with caramelised pears and a cranberry mayo, this was served alongside skin-on fries and a crunchy house slaw. Although, yes we were eating at 9pm and I was starving, this was easily one of my favourite indulgent meals in Canada. Finding a good burger is like finding the perfect little black dress and you just know when it's a good one from the first bite. You can tell this place is a hit with locals and students alike as the place was packed with people when we first got there- I would suggest booking a table or turning up earlier to get a proper seat as this place get's busy even on a random Tuesday night. But waiting at the bar isn't so bad either, there's a good selection of Canadian beers and enough Ice Hockey to watch until you're seat is ready. Next time I go I would love to customise my burger and pick out something adventurous or ask the waitress for a good combo! I would also order the maple bacon doughnut bites, not sure why I didn't do this before for $3 a bag.

DINNER ON THE CN TOWER

It was a windy Saturday afternoon and I was ridiculously excited. I was finally going up the infamous CN tower. I had asked everyone for recommendations of where to go and what to see in Toronto and nearly every one of them told me to take a trip up the tower. We decided to try it out and (for a bargain price of $55 try the lunch menu too!) After checking in, you're ushered into a lift which zooms up into the clouds. It's very odd walking out of the lift into a revolving glass room. The scene spins around you and you're transported from high rise skyscraper views to sprawling suburbs to the shimmering sea-like lake. I couldn't stop snapping photos; every second was a new photo opportunity! Now for the food, the $55 menu came with 3 courses. For a starter I had the pea and pancetta spring tart. The pastry was a bit dry and the pancetta was more akin to bacon lardons but it was 2pm and I was starving so I gobbled it down. My medium rare steak with mashed potato and peppercorns was however- to DIE FOR. Perfectly cooked with buttery mash and just enough creamy sauce. Lastly dessert; the final act. Maybe the best one? You can't say no to a chocolate lava cake with espresso ice cream and raspberry coulis. Melt in the mouth chocolaty goodness. Hands down the best meal in Canada so far with the best views! Not only this- but everything on the menu exhibited the best of Canada! You could try everything from 'Vancouver Island Sea Salt' to 'Grilled Ontario Calf's Liver' and of course Maple Blancmange, which is as Canadian as it gets without putting a beaver on it. After lunch we wandered around the observation deck and they lay down on the glass floor for some edgy looking pictures. Overall it was a great afternoon, although service was slow at the start, it picked up and gave us enough time to enjoy the views! I would love to see Toronto again at night and try out a few more tasty offerings when I get the chance!