Summer is so fun! Hard to believe that it’s flying by so quickly! I started the month off celebrating Canada Day, taking in some fireworks! A 10 minute walk to the beach means I have a great spot to take in the show. #score
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It’s becoming a little bit of a tradition to see Debbie and the girls at some point during July. They made their way from Calgary for a weekend visit with the family. I’ve got to say, it’s been pretty special to see these little ones grow up. Glad they aren’t too cool for us yet. I wish I could see them more often!
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Sacha came to town! We became friends when we were living in Quebec. We get along fantastically well and it’s always lovely to reconnect. We may not have grabbed a picture, but we had a great visit exploring the beaches!
Whether it's Quebec, Winnipeg or Toronto I always love visits with l'autre Sacha @sachawinter
— Sacha Gudmundsson (@sachagud) July 7, 2015
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We launched our new #TeamTELUS Advocacy program at work in July! Mega fun times! We had hosted some of our Ontario bloggers/influences (Casie, Christine, Julie and Nancy) in Toronto to an open house followed by dinner and chats at Brassai.
Carrie Anne and Sonya weren’t able to make it to the Toronto launch event so we also got together for dinner at America in the Trump Tower.
Lovely night for cocktails and chats over dinner @TrumpToronto w @cbadov, @TheCulturePearl & @jyetman #TeamTELUS pic.twitter.com/uUFuIjpLYH
— Sacha Gudmundsson (@sachagud) July 24, 2015
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The Pan Am Games came to the city and thanks to Matthew’s brother we were able to take in some preliminary judo action. We had never seen judo before so it took us a couple matches to really understand the rules.
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After Judo, we took advantage of the free transit that our tickets provided us so we made our way down to Port Credit and walked along the lake. Truth be told, it was a little strange to be there without Jenna.
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Andrew celebrated his birthday with a boys + me weekend in the city! We got lucky with both the Jays and TFC wins. Ah, sports and beers are a winning combination. #squad
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Rachel came to town! We got together for dinner and a catch up. Rachel recently graduated from Cornell’s Urban Planning program and the future is wide open for her! I’m really looking forward to where life takes her next! After dinner we made our way over to the sign, had to check it out for ourselves. It’s a beauty.
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So, Matthew loves Dave Matthews Band. I mean, obsessed. When he told me I couldn’t help but think about some of the DMB jokes from Happy Endings.
Anyways, to me, Dave Matthews is one of those bands that I know some of the songs because they played on the radio in the 90s, to Matthew, he is the king of music. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a show before with someone so animated and excited. It was a great night with a lot of dancing. I certainly have a new respect for their music and could see myself going to another show with Matthew.
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Before our dinner at America, we made our way to Blo a blow-dry bar. I never knew these existed! I’ve always said, if I was a mega millionaire the two things I would pay money for would be pre-grated cheese (now I have no need for that) and having someone wash my hair for me. Ah, luxury and laziness!
First @bloheartsyou experience. Love getting my hair washed for me. #lazybutt pic.twitter.com/ZHhgfZ3hJw
— Sacha Gudmundsson (@sachagud) July 23, 2015
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Jordan, Hayley, Sarah and I took in a Shakespeare in High Park performance of The Comedy of Errors. It was a great night! Lots of laughs! Highly suggest you check it out, bring dinner and have a picnic! The performances of The Comedy of Errors and Julius Caesar are pay-what you-can (suggested $20 per-person) and run until September 6th.
Great time last night @ Shakespeare in High Park for Comedy of Errors! Go see it! #csComedy #csSiHP @canadianstage pic.twitter.com/bG2c706Xu9
— Sacha Gudmundsson (@sachagud) July 25, 2015
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To wrap up the month, we said see you later to John as he moved back home to Ireland. 🙁 Sad. But! We had a great night! Hopefully I’ll get a chance to see him when I’m in London in September!
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I tend to keep things positive on these wraps but I had a standout, not-so-nice street harassment moment this month and I feel the need to share it. I decided that I wanted to watch the Pan Am Games closing ceremony fireworks from Ashbridge’s Bay Park. I made my way down to the boardwalk around 9:30 pm, noting that there were still quite a few people walking around. As I walked by a man I heard him say “Hey… Hey girl.” I ignored him, as you do when people call out when you walk by. There was something in his tone that made me more cautious so I started to walk faster but he picked up his pace and made his way closer to me. I’ve never really felt scared before but something was off. He called out at me again with hatred and venom in his voice “Hey, listen here you little f***ing whore.” When I looked at him I could see the anger in his eyes. I put my hands up in the air and stopped walking. I froze and he kept walking ahead. I stood still for a little while, looking back and forth, checking out my surroundings. When I saw that he was continuing in his direction, I changed my plans and make my way back home.
I keep wanting to downplay this situation as I wasn’t physically assaulted but I hate that I felt unsafe. I hate that some men make women feel unsafe. I hate that I have to be cautious when I go for a walks. It doesn’t feel good. Being told to “smile for me babe” or being given the up and down is cringe inducing. Street harassment sucks whether its violent or not.
I shared my story with Hollaback, a movement to end street harassment powered by a network of local activists around the world. An organization that is working together to better understand street harassment, to ignite public conversations, and to develop innovative strategies to ensure equal access to public spaces.
I love to walk and I’ll keep it up… though I may decide to get one of these self-defense cat key-chain.
Anyways! That was my month! Pretty lovely minus that crappy moment. 🙂
Hi Sacha, sorry to hear about the creep. But enjoyed your blog as usual. Cute kids!!
Thanks Debbie 🙂 wish we could see you all more!
The little girls just love you to pieces, that’s so obvious, me too!!!!!!