A little out of order - Birthday #3

Someone turned 10!

and asked for an Oreo cake

being helpful...

A little out of order - Birthday # 1

The teen years arrived on November 6th!

We had a relatively quiet day (I flew in from Iran). Seb received his long-desired smartphone. We had a glorious, family walk in High Park and then went out for fancy pierogis.

However, 13 seems an important age to us, so we really wanted Sebastian to do something to mark it. It took awhile to organize but finally this weekend, he had 3 friends round for a million hours of video games, an outing to see Dr Strange in 3D (not bad actually) and a sleepless sleepover.

Coffee cake was requested

As was singing Happy Birthday in Mandarin (with some youtube help)

The finished product

being enjoyed

A little out of order - Birthday #4

Dropped in to see my Mum and take her out for a birthday meal - or two! Dinner was at a colourful but dark roti joint, whilst the following day's lunch was the airy cafe at the local sports arena (her request!).

Checking out the book dispenser

and enjoying some chili

A little out of order - Birthday #2

I got some great hugs

and gifts

The day took a massive nosedive around 8:10 pm when we turned on the tv and started to follow the US election results...

Persian travels - part 2

I had the immense good fortune to have 2 days to nip away to Esfahan - the jewel in the Persian crown. It is a stunning place, so here are a few snaps of the gorgeous, rich history and culture of Iran. And of course, the incredibly hospitable Iranian colleagues made sure that family and friends knew that I was coming and had someone to take me out and about.

The "little" mosque from across the plaza

And through an arch

and within

I have a thing about ceilings...

A reminder of what lies underneath all the plaster and paint.

Plaster work at the early 17th century palace

The music room at the main palace - those are lyres etc

More beautiful plaster work at the palace

The back of the palace

Esfahan was the capital in the 17th century and had many European ambassadors and artists

The plaza, which is full of families and couples picnicking and taking buggy rides on a weekend

My lunch spot

I could barely focus on the yummy food

The large mosque

more ceilings but this one was not just beautiful, its expanse makes it an engineering feat

I didn't have any battery left to capture the peaceful gardens and beautiful murals of the city's 2nd palace or of the centuries old stone bridges that cross the now dry riverbed (the authorities open the dam gates for New Year's only)

The lovely restaurant where I had brunch with a friend of a colleague

The eye-wateringly decorative Armenian church

(ceilings)

And its outward simplicity or austerity even

My welcome home party

Persian travels - part 1

Got the visa - will travel

Got the headscarf - can step off the plane

Meeting a global child protection colleague & friend's inspirational parents. They run 2 NGOS - one for disabled children; the other working with people with HIV & AIDS.

The current and previous mayors of Tehran have really tried to beautify & plant the city. This is an amazing 3 level bridge over a highway that connects two parks for strolling. It was packed on a Tuesday night

The food! 

The mountain range looming over Tehran

and the next morning after snow

2 lovely colleagues  - and now friends - at a delicious and cozy "knit cafe"