Tirgan festival, Local sights, and 6K run

I’ve explored and experienced so much fun from Friday to Sunday, I just have to write about them here. I think the daily formula of 1.5 hours of fitness + 1 to 3 hours of outdoor fun is working very well for me this summer :)

Toronto Music Garden

On Friday evening, we went to the Tirgan festival to attend Kiosk the band outdoor concert at Harbourfront. The five-person band performed in Persian language, and their music was fantastic. The big crowd loved it and showed their appreciation with singalongs, and rounds of applause after each song.

Kiosk the band at Tirgan festival

On Saturday, I swam 55 laps earlier in the morning to get my fitness routine done before my relatives arrived. They have visited us in Toronto before but it’s been a while. The city has changed quite a bit since their last visit so I took them sightseeing where they haven’t been.

We spent about three hours strolling, chatting, and stopping to take pictures. Our walk included City Hall, the Financial District, Brookfield Place, and the Flat Iron building that I wrote about here. Lunch was at the historic St Lawrence Market (established in 1803), and cappuccinos at Cafe Balzac’s. A fun stop at Berczy Park to see the park's new design. The park was recently reopened at the end of June with a historic centrepiece, a large fountain that has 27 dog and one cat sculptures, and a golden bone sits atop the fountain. I enjoyed showing my relatives some local sights, and they were impressed with what they’ve seen. We returned home for dinner, relaxing and talking about possible meet-ups next summer.

Berczy Park fountain

Cafe Balzac's entrance

Cappuccino at Cafe Balzac's

On Sunday, it was sunny and warm 30 Celsius (88F). I ran my first 6K on a Life Fitness treadmill in the air-con gym in the morning. I had this idea after reading Deb’s I Can Do This post about her upcoming 6K race in Melbourne, Australia. I’ve been running 5K weekly since April and have done several 5K races before. I knew I could do 6K but never had any particular reason to do it. I’d like to try new activities that stretch me and mix things up from time to time to keep me interested. Now I can say I ran 6K on a treadmill. I felt great after the run. Success!

In the afternoon,  we went to the Toronto Music Garden for the Tio Chorinho: Brazilian Soul Music show at 4 PM. The musicians and singer stayed in the shade, and most of the audience were in the sun. We came prepared with sun hats. There are also scattered shades around the garden although you may not be able to see the band, just hear the music.

Brazil Soul Music at Toronto Music Garden

Toronto Music Garden

Marina by Toronto Music Garden

It was a beautiful day, in a beautiful garden setting by the lake front, and to listen to live music played by talented performers...Simply incredible! My pictures do not show enough of the garden’s beauty. If you’d like to learn more about the garden design and its history, please see the Toronto Music Garden web site. Such a lovely end to my weekend!

Plans for Monday to Thursday this week:

• Exercise an hour daily
• Learn Spanish 15 minutes daily
• Wrap up my joyful July in a sentence a day
• Prepare for a family long weekend getaway 

I hope you had a beautiful weekend, too. Make it a great week wherever you are!

April in a sentence a day

Thanks to Leslie at Once Upon A Time & Happily Ever After and Tamara at My Retirement Project for introducing me to “sentence a day” month in review.

Here’s a recap of my April in a sentence a day:

1. Welcomed April with Spanish lessons, gym, grocery shopping, and free viewing of contemporary art exhibits at the Power Plant.
   
2. It was a beautiful Sunday, perfect for walking 6.5 km (4 miles) and reflecting on the month of March.
   
3. A combo of learning Spanish, exercising in the gym, getting some house chores done, and cooking a tasty dinner that my family loved, made a good Monday in my book.
4. Practiced yoga and stretched...Namaste!
5. Wished a dear friend a happy birthday and laughed together.
6. Kept the day simple with yoga and light work.
7. Enjoyed a fun Friday with Spanish lessons, gym, a blog post on Lisbon & Sintra, and a cappuccino at Dineen Coffee with my best friend.
   
   
8. Resumed indoor swimming after the winter break, starting with thirty laps.
9. It was a productive Sunday with a 5.6 km walk (3.5 miles), a blog post, and close-to-done packing for my parents’ move.
10. "Rinse and repeat April 3rd" meant another good Monday.
11. Read and day dreamed about visiting Gibraltar, Spain, Budapest, and Prague.
12. It was hump day with Spanish lessons, gym, house chores, and packing last minute items at my parents’ place.
13. Moved and unpacked quite a few of these bins for my parents. 
    
14. It was a fine Friday after the move.
    
15. I could swim thirty four laps this morning, yay!
16. Felt fit and creative after running 5 km, publishing a blog post, and making a good family meal.
17. It was my kind of Monday when I made progress in Spanish, exercised, and finished booking for our Costa Rica trip.
18. Felt stunned and sad to know a neighbour died of a heart attack at the age of 57.
19. Completed my income tax return, and double checked.
20. Started thinking more about my condo refresh project in May.
21. Packing was light and easy for my family weekend getaway.
22. Thirty six laps in the pool made a great Saturday morning!
23. Enjoyed my family weekend getaway very much, with fabulous weather, and Chinese food for dinner on Sunday.
24. Felt pleased to add a few check marks on my Spring activity list.
25. Learning a new language and doing gentle yoga are fun.
26. Blogging and connecting with other bloggers are also fun.
27. My Spring list update reflected my personal goals for the year in the categories of Fitness, Finance, Family, Friends, and Fun.
28. Viewed Valerie Blass’ “Nous ne sommes pas des heros” exhibit and enjoyed jazz for free at Brookfield Place.

    

    "We are not heroes" by Valerie Blass

29. My sister gave me these two cute zippered pouches. 
    
30. Jumped start the day with a brisk 5K walk in 5C (41F) weather plus windchill, then wrapped up the rest of April with my sister, family and warm hugs.