Staff outing

Last Friday we had a staff outing with the Consulate. We left early in the morning with the bus to Hamilton, ON, to the African Lion Safari park. We had a bus tour through the safari park, where we saw lions, cheetas, giraffes, baboons and many other animals. In the end we even saw the bathing of the Asian elephants.

After a nice lunch at the Cambridge Mill we went to the Rockwood Conservation area. It's only about 40 km from Toronto and it feels like you are somewhere up north in the Muskokas. First we rented kanoes and let's say not everyone stayed dry ;) There were beautiful ruins and scenes to be seen. After the kanoe trip we went hiking. We saw an old mill and took some group pictures.

After all these activities we were hungry againa nd our day ended at Joey's, a nice grill restaurant where we had a delicious dinner. At the same time we said goodbye to our Deputy Consul General, who will be transferred to Brazil.

McKellar Lake

One weekend in June we went to a cottage in Parry Sound, Muskoka, which we had rented with juha's school friends. The weather was amazing and the cottage was at a lake. There were canoes and boats and we enjoyed ourselves a lot swimming in the lake. Everyday we made delicious food, had a bonfire, played games and just relaxed. We had a great time!

Guests

Oh my god, I just noticed that I haven't written in almost 2 months. The reason for that is that we have been so busy every day and all the weekends, that I just haven't had the time to post. At the same time it has been gorgeous weather and I haven't been sitting inside behind the computer at all. However, now I have a lot to tell from the last couple of weeks.

May has been guest month for us. It started with Matt and Renelle, who visited us for a weekend before they flew to Mexico for a wedding.

Halfway May my parents, with my uncle and his wife came to visit us. They had first spend a few days in New York and came by train to Toronto. We picked them up from the train station and they stayed at our place the next 11 days. I had taken the Monday and Friday off to have a bit more time with them. The whole time the weather had been very nice, so we primarily grilled every night food on the barbecue and sat at patios enjoying beers. Our guests went sightseeing every day and got a good impression of the city. I went with them to the Toronto islands and Niagara falls.

Breakfast on our deck

Our guests: My parents, uncle and his wife

At Sherwood Park

Mum bought us garden flowers

On the ferry to the Toronto islands

My dad <3

Niagara Falls

The American fall

Family portrait

Cute town Niagara-on-the-Lake

The last weekend that they were here we played floorball at the Canada Cup. A tournament with teams from even the States. I played at the Darkside woman's team and Juha at the men's recreational team. We both did very well and got into the finals. We woman lost with penalty shots, but were a good second after the USA woman's floorball team. The men lost as well because of small mistakes and they should have won the whole thing, because they were better. Well next year we'll try again.

Darkside woman's team: silver at Floorball Canada Cup

On Sunday evening my friend Mervi, from Finland came to visit us for 10 days as well. For one day it was very crowded at B&B Laan-Kaari. On Monday we said goodbye to my parents and uncle/wife, but I was happy Mervi was there to keep me company. Juha was busy with the last exams and didn't have much time to spend with us.  
I had a great time with Mervi and we did funny stuff. We also ate and shopped too much.

Leaving back home

Mervi and her friend Jackie

Lunch at the park

Food

And more food!

Chicken wings and cider at St. Louis

It was great to have all those people over who we haven't seen for a long time. Thanks for visiting us!

Queen's Day

Now that I work at the Consulate General, I also had the opportunity to celebrate the queen's birthday again.  In Finland usually on the 30th of April, we have been partying because of Labour Day celebrations on the 1st of May and I haven't been celebrating Queen's Day for a while.

Queen's Day is a very patriotic festivity in the Netherlands, where everyone dresses in orange. To continue this tradition I wore an orange dress to our Queen's Day reception.

Me and my colleague Miranda

The Consul General and his wife had invited approximately 250 people from the Dutch and Canadian society. The reception was held at the prestige National Club in downtown Toronto.

We sung the Dutch and the Canadian anthem and we got to taste real Dutch 'bitterballen' and Gouda cheese.

Bitterballen and Gouda cheese

In previous years the Queen's birthday has been celebrated with huge parties, but because of financial savings, this is not possible anymore. Anyhow, it was nice to feel a bit Dutch again and to meet all these  Dutch-Canadian people.