I’m enjoying Toronto quite a bit more now, but, then again, I remember an earlier post that was detailing my quest of discovery and how I was enjoying the same phase then too. I will let you know if the novelty of new neighbourhoods wears off again.

I have been walking to and from school – which takes me through some interesting neighbourhoods. Little Korea and the annex on Bloor are one big food court. It’s overwhelming, but the signs in the windows are interesting and colourful. I walk by in the mornings, so I haven’t yet really been regaled by smells, but I am looking forward to it. I also enjoy window grocery shopping as the fruit stores are putting their wares out on the sidewalks.

Little Italy feels much more accessible. Perhaps because the culture being sold is one I am so much more familiar with, but I feel much more comfortable with the prospect of walking into one of these restaurants, cafes or shops. The merchandise on sale piques my interest a bit more too. If I were rich, I think you would find me down on College and Christie on a frequent basis.

The walk also has me seeing some of the “nightlife” landmarks in the middle of the day. They are not particularly inviting places, but I guess no lounges, pubs or other venues are at 10am. I have told Veronica that she is under orders to accompany me to some of these places before I leave Toronto despite her supposed hatred of them as not going just seems dumb.

I visited Honest Ed’s on Bloor at Bathhurst earlier this week. The store is a maze, but it looked fun. I ended up not having to wander around for hours, as apparently you usually have to, because I entered near the carrot peeler I was looking for (and picked up four glasses for fifty cents – whoot!) and left. However, I intend to go back for some of the other random stuff I have convinced myself that I need.

I went to the Loblaws (I usually go to Fiesta Farms because it has a much better priced fruit and veggies section and some interesting imported goods) because I wanted a flowering plant. I came home loaded down with stuff, but no plant. I forgot. I like the Loblaws, but it was very busy. There is an excellent cheese counter, though no St-Paulin in the Quebec cheeses section, and a good selection of lamb. The prepared foods section is HUGE, but I am just not interested in removing one of the prime joys of my life.

Today I made giant mixed-berry muffins (and froze them) and a banana loaf (will freeze half – and don’t make banana loaf with cake flour. It thought it might turn out well, and it isn’t bad, but fluffy just doesn’t go that well with banana loaf. Ah well, you never know until you try). The <em>Joy of Cooking</em> has changed my life. I must go out grocery shopping again on Monday to pick up the ingredients for the menu of Gnarly Nerd Night, but I enjoy grocery shopping so much that this does not bother me in the slightest. Perhaps I will even get a potted plant between now and then.

My apartment is looking more and more homey – but I am feeling more and more defined by my possessions. Ah, the paradoxical nature of comfort! My posters are up, as are my postcards and the pictures from Italy. I need to get on printing out the other “collages” I want to make. There are lots of small surfaces to adorn with cherished memories. I have mixing bowls (hence the frenzy of baking) and magnetic poetry on my fridge. Most importantly, there is food in my freezer, refrigerator and pantry. When there is no food – I get a little freaky.