Sunday 21 October 2018

Autumn fun list update #1

Greetings and happy Sunday! About four weeks ago, I wrote a post on my Autumn fun list. Today I'm reviewing my list and providing an update on my progress. Before I get into the details, I want to share with you a photo of a red maple tree because I love autumn colours in Ontario.



AUTUMN FUN LIST UPDATE #1 (September 22 to December 20, 2018):

1. Attend ten concerts: 60% done so far. I was able to attend six excellent concerts performed by:
  • Frédéric Lacroix (piano) and Norman Brown (baritone)
  • Walter Buczynski with pianist Younggun Kim
  • Artists of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio "The Best of Rossini"
  • Cathy Yang (solo piano)
  • Sofya Gulyak (solo piano)
  • Lisa Tahara (piano) and Brenna Hardy-Kavanagh (violin)

All of the above performers have very impressive bios. They have performed at prestigious events in Canada and abroad so I feel very fortunate to listen to their performances live. Plus, admission to these concerts is free.

2. Visit three art exhibitions: 100% done and more! When I wrote my Autumn fun list in September, I was hoping to visit three art exhibitions. It turned out that I was able to visit more than three. All of them have free admission as follows:
  • Insights Incite exhibition at FCP Gallery
  • Visual Arts exhibitions Fall 2018 at Harbourfront Centre
  • World Press Photo 2018 exhibition at Brookfield Place
  • Art exhibits at Gallery Arcturus
Gallery Arcturus was new to me and what a wonderful discovery it was! I plan to write a separate post on it. In the mean time, I'm including a sample of the art work that I've seen at the first three places mentioned.

October Roses by Vera Dernovsek

Change Enables Growth by Tracey Lawko

The Peacock's Tale mural by Ola Volo

Glazed ceramics by Anders H. Ruhwald

Rockhopper Penguins, photo by Thomas P. Peschak

WP Photo of the Year, Spot News by R. Schemidt

Aside from the art exhibits, I also attended the Indian Residential School Survivors (IRSS) Cultural Gathering and Celebration at Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square. More than twenty painted teepees were set up around the square to offer educational programming and drop-in workshops throughout the three-day event.

Teepees at Nathan Phillips Square

The event also included the unveiling of a commemorative sculpture of a female turtle crawling over top of a boulder, to signify overcoming struggle. The shell of the turtle has tiles to represent the 13 moons and 28-day cycle. Turtles are symbolic within multiple First Nations creation stories. The sculpture, created by Anishinabe artist Solomon King, is the planned centrepiece of the IRSS Legacy garden.

Turtle sculpture at Nathan Phillips Square


3. Watch ten movies: In progress, 30% done so far. I watched Billionaire Boys Club, Skyscraper, and Ant-Man and The Wasp. My verdict:
  • Billionaire Boys Club didn't keep my interest so I left about 45 minutes in
  • Skyscraper is entertaining unless you dislike fires and super high-rise buildings
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp is also entertaining unless you dislike ants and wasps :)

4. Try three new-to-me restaurants: In progress, 33% done so far. We dined out at Joe Bird, which has a quirky decor (an RV at the entrance, and casual decor inside), nice lake view, and good service. The food was average though so we won't be rushing back anytime soon.

Camper van at Joe Bird entrance

Lake view from Joe Bird restaurant

Chicken taquitos

5. Enjoy Thanksgiving with my family: Yes, 100% done! Our Thanksgiving was on October 8. My brother and sister-in-law hosted a beautiful family dinner with turkey and all the sides. We had a lot of fun catching up with everyone and a lot to be thankful for since everyone in our family is doing well.

6. Meet up with my friends for coffee or lunch: In progress. I had one fun lunch date with my friend this week, a second lunch date booked for next week, and a third one booked in early November. My friends' work schedules sometimes change at the last minute so it's great when our dates go as planned.

7. Write a guest post for another blog in October: Yes, 100% done! I'm honored to be the guest writer on Sue's blog on October 18. My topic was Thriving by Diversifying as posted here. Thank you to Sue for featuring me and to all readers and bloggers who left comments.

8. Take a trip to explore Morocco in November: Pending. I booked my flights and accommodations. I've been reading on a few places that I plan to visit in Morocco. I'll continue with my travel planning checklist until departure date.

From my list, I counted three items completed, four in progress, and one pending. In November I'll be in Morocco for part of the month so I'll resume going to the fun events in my home city after my trip.

Speaking of resuming...I've returned to read paper books. I used to read books all the time then paused to switch to online reading. Now I'm back to books that I borrow from the local public library. I'm currently reading Linwood Barclay's thriller novels. I just finished No Time for Goodbye which grabbed my attention from the beginning to the end. I'll start reading the trilogy Broken Promise, Far from True, and The Twenty-Three this week.

How are things going with you? What good things happened? I'd love to hear your update.


52 comments:

  1. Wow Natalie, you've done some marvellous things!

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    1. Thank you, Gail, for your kind comment. Yes, this season has been amazing so far.

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  2. I love the Autumn colours Natalie and never tire of seeing them. Re Skyscraper, it won't be on my list. I'm afraid of heights (although I'm not afraid of flying, go figure?). In Fukuoka I overcame my fear and went to the top of the tallest building Fukuoka Tower. The view was spectacular but I was so scared and was glad to get back on 'terra firmer'. Love the artworks you visited an I always enjoy reading what you are up to. Have a lovely week and it is great to be back and connecting with you again. xx

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    1. Welcome back, Sue! Good on you for overcoming your fear of heights in Fukuoka. From what I read, it's a common fear. It's great to connect with you again, too. Have a fabulous week!

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    2. Thanks for sharing your world with us at #MLSTL and I don't think I will be in a hurry to go to the top of a high building again! Have a great week! xx

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    3. Thanks, Sue, for hosting MLSTL. Plenty of fun to be had on the ground so no need to go to the top of building :)

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  3. I love that "Change Enables Growth", the pic of the red maple (magnificent) and the post you wrote for Sue. As always, you're well on your way.

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    1. Thank you, Jo, for your encouragement. It's always a stretch for me to write a guest post, not because of lack of ideas, but to put my thoughts down into a cohesive post.

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  4. I'm loving the art! Except the fire photo is freaking me out ... eeeek.

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    1. I continue to be in awe of how much beautiful art there is in my city. The World Press Photo exhibits tend to be thought-provoking as they capture images of world issues. I know it's hard to view some of them.

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  5. I know we get some colours in seasons here in Brisbane but I love the photos of autumn colours so much from North America.

    That turtle sculpture is massively impressive.

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    1. Thank you, Vanessa, for your comment. I think cool climate is necessary to get the amazing red, orange, and yellow autumn leaf colours. I see them every year and am always in awe. The turtle sculpture is beautiful when you look at it up close.

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  6. Gosh you've done well with the amount of concerts and art exhibitions you've been to ... and I LOVE that maple tree because I'm an autumn tragic - just love autumn colours! Sadly we don't see much of it here in tropical Queensland but when I do see autumn leaves I go crazy taking photographs! :-)

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    1. Hi Min - You made me laugh with your 'autumn tragic' description. I watch the maple trees every autumn, and I'm always in awe of their colourful displays. I take photos every year, too :)

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  7. I love how your list keeps you accountable Natalie and you've done some great things! We get to enjoy your list as well :) I enjoyed your guest post over at Sue's too #lifethisweek

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    1. Thank you, Debbie, for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoy reading my list. It helps me to keep track of things and is fun for me to look back and read what I experienced.

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  8. What a productive autumn you've had so far. The exhibitions you went to sound and look amazing.

    SSG xxx

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    1. Thanks, SSG, for your comment. The art scene here is unbelievably rich. I feel fortunate to have free access to it.

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  9. Wow, you've done well so far! Love the photos by the way.

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    1. Thank you, Stevie, for your visit and comment. I'll hop over to your site shortly.

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  10. You've done some amazing things this fall and your trip to Morocco will be fabulous! Enjoy.

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    1. Thank you, Darlene, for stopping by. I look forward to visiting Morocco.

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  11. Hi, Natalie - I adore the autumn colours in Ontario. Your post really helps bring them to life. Congratulations on your success with your Autumn Fun List. I love how you always jump in so fully and completely!

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    1. Thank you, Donna, for your comment. It's been truly fabulous to have so much fun and indulge my senses.

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  12. You've accomplished so much already this fall, Natalie. I'm amazed by all the living you've crammed into a month. Happy fall!

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    1. Thank you, Christie. I'm motivated to do activities that are fun to me. Happy fall to you, too!

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  13. I love your list. I need to get on mine. I’m letting fall slip away.

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    1. Thank you, Terri, for your visit and comment. Grab fall with both hands and give it a whirl :)

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  14. What a great list and great pics. Keep on going on that list. #MLSTL

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    1. Thanks, Patrick, for your kind words. Happy fall!

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  15. Natalie you lead such an interesting life! I am always impressed by how proactive you are at getting out and about and finding new and engaging things to do. I feel quite boring in comparison!
    MLSTL and I've shared this on my SM :)

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    1. Thank you, Leanne, for your kind comment. I'm motivated to create and enjoy life my way :) I read on your blog that you were thinking about making some changes such as less blogging more living. I look forward to learning about what you decide to do.

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  16. Beautiful photos and words shared, Natalie. I am secretly delighted that you call the season the same name we do! Go Autumn.


    Thank you for joining #lifethisweek. Next week's optional prompt is "I Want This". Denyse

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    1. Thank you, Denyse, for your kind words and for hosting #lifethisweek. Autumn sounds nicer than fall to me :)

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  17. Natalie, I'm seriously impressed with your productivity! You are a busy bee. I'm such a homebody that I have to really push myself to get out. How are you finding the switch back to paper books? It took me awhile to switch to electronic, but that's all I've read for so many years I now find it difficult to switch back. I picked up some books from the library today, so we'll see how I go.

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    1. Kristin, It's so easy to stay at home when the weather gets cooler outdoors where I live. I make sure I go out for my walk every morning and have some place to explore a couple of times a week. Switching back to books is an adjustment because I read the books only at home. They're heavy to carry around. However, I found that I'd stop and bookmark where I was and use my time better, as opposed to continue online reading for hours. Less screen time is probably better for my eyesight in the long run. Let me know how book reading goes for you.

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  18. Natalie, what fun you are having visiting galleries and attending concerts. The trip to Morocco will be exciting!

    Jude

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    1. Thanks, Jude, for stopping by. Yes, I've been enjoying fun arts and entertainment. I look forward to visiting Morocco. I hope you're enjoying painting in your lovely studio and writing.

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  19. I've been going to concerts a lot this year (just did #24 on Friday with 2 more booked in before the end of the year) - Really therapeutic I've decided! Glad you're enjoying getting out and about. There's so much on!

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    1. Thanks, Lydia, for stopping by. Yes, so much on. Glad you're going to concerts and enjoying them.

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  20. Your days are always filled with such rich cultural experiences. Are these art museums all in Toronto? I think we have two art museums in El Paso. I should probably know that for sure and not complain because I have only been to one. Need to visit the other. Passed it yesterday in the car. Thanks for the inspiration.
    That maple is stunning. My daughter sold her house in the spring and was so sad to leave behind her beautiful maple. I need to see if she has planted one at her new house.
    Glad your thanksgiving celebration was enjoyable. I think we are going to be all by ourselves this year. Boo! Can't justify cooking all my favs for just two of us. Or can I?

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    1. Yes, Leslie, these art museums are all in Toronto. The maple trees were looking beautiful the past few days so I snapped a few photos before all the leaves are gone. I look forward to reading about your Thanksgiving cooking.

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  21. Maybe I'll be less apathetic if I actually set a 'to do' list for the month which isn't about chores but of things which are (for me) chore-like. Like outings. As you know I always feel ashamed at how little I do (socially, educationally, exercise-wise etc) when I read your blog posts each week... perhaps a goal or two wouldn't go astray for me!

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    1. I thought your post on 5 ways to bring the holiday vibe back home was great, Deb. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy!

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  22. A fun list? How innovative. I think I should copy this idea and instead of saying I would like to see something, I'm going to make a list and stick to it! I think this is a fabulous idea. Morocca sounds divine. #TeamlovinLife

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    1. Give it a whirl and have fun with your list.

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  23. Okay, I just have to start by saying that your movie reviews made me laugh out loud! I've not seen any of those. The only movies I've watched lately are of the Hallmark variety, and I'm okay with that! (One of their Christmas movies MIGHT be playing right now whilst I'm writing this!) Thanks for sharing the picture of the beautiful autumn-colored tree!!! And I am THRILLED for you that you have access to so many concerts and exhibitions for FREE!!! WOW! That's amazing!

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    1. Your first sentence made me smile :) Thanks, Michael Ann, for stopping by. Enjoy autumn!

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  24. I like the idea of a fun list for the season. That allows plenty of time to accomplish a lot, but also puts a bit of a deadline on it, so you really can't procrastinate much. Love the idea!
    Sharing for MLSTL

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    1. Thank you, Trisha Faye, for your comment. I like the seasonal fun list for reasons you mentioned. Please feel free to join us.

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