Celine's Life Adventure

Happy Wednesday! Jomar and I went to the first day of the PNE Winter Fair. We left home after office hours and arrived at the PNE shortly before 6:00 PM. The entrance is near the Pacific Coliseum, not at Hastings and Renfrew's corner. Winter Lights, presented by BC Hydro One of the first lights you will see is the Winter Lights display. But, then, there are the star, train, and gifts. Arc and Star Gift Train A smaller present. After admiring the first section of WinterLights, we took a peek inside the Tim Hortons Ice Rink at PNE Agrodome. Tim Hortons Ice Rink at PNE Agrodome

I'm happy. I work for small businesses and don't experience Christmas/Holiday parties. We did have dinner in the past, but it's different than having a party with 200 people. Vancouver Aquarium Main Entrance Thankfully, Jomar's workplace organized an in-person Holiday Party this year at the Vancouver Aquarium. There were lots of food, alcohol, sea creatures in the dark, and socializing. I met his colleagues. I had a wonderful time. Pacific Canada Gallery I need to practice wearing heels! Standing up for 3 hours on 2-inch heels is too painful for my feet. Thankfully, the company gave Uber vouchers, so we used them to and from the Vancouver Aquarium. Jomar and Me

We're donors to St. Paul's Hospital; this evening is the lighting and first day of Lights of Hope. In 2018, we also visited the display, and I wrote about hope, which you can read here . We're apparently big enough donors to get invited to a Donor Celebration Reception an hour before the lighting. So right after work (5:00 PM), we hurriedly took an Uber to Sheraton Wall Centre for the reception. There's free food, booze, and desserts - MANY desserts (all sorts of cookies, mini cupcakes, mini cake rolls, mousse, and, did I already say cookies?). Inside the Constellation Suite at the Sheraton Wall Centre on the 34th floor After the short program, we went downstairs to find a decent spot for the Lights of Hope lighting. Christmas Lights St. Paul'

My husband and I did a crazy thing and purchased a Seasons Pass for the Vancouver Christmas Market 2022. This means we can visit as many times as we want! Of course, we were there an hour before opening on the first day. We love the food, lights, and live music in the market. Below are some pictures of the market. Unfortunately, there are some areas where I didn't take good pictures, so when we come back, I'll do my best to take better ones. Walk-In Christmas Tree I love the Walk-In Christmas Tree but we saw one kid cry his eyes out when exiting from it. He might have thought that he was trapped inside a hollow tree. Tannenbaum Terrace Christmas Pyramid and Flying Stage

Our last few hours in Toronto for this trip, and we decided to spend the morning in St. Lawrence Market. St. Lawrence Market St. Lawrence Market St. Lawrence Market is like the beloved Pike Place Market in Seattle and Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver. However, after walking through the two floors of St. Lawrence, I realized how small the Granville Island Public Market is. We ordered from two different stalls, which I will write about in my food blog, and maybe I will remember to add a link here. Gooderham Building Mitch met with us for breakfast, spent more time with us as we checked out from our hotel, and walked to Union Station to catch the UP Express to the airport. Going through Toronto Pearson Airport was a breeze, except for the baggage drop, but security was quick, and there were many food options. Our flight left on time, and we even arrived in Vancouver 30 minutes earlier than scheduled. As soon as we arrived in YVR, I told my husband I wanted hot soup and rice. So

This is a special day; you'll understand why as you read along. We woke up at 7:00 AM and prepared for the day.  Casa Loma Our first destination is Casa Loma. We took Line 1, got off at Dupont Station, and walked to the bottom of Baldwin Steps. The long staircase will take us to Casa Loma.  Baldwin Steps Apparently, it's not a castle but a castle-style mansion of Sir Henry Pellatt. It has 98 rooms and was the largest private residence in Canada. We're in front of Casa Loma. The exterior is magnificent. I also love the two secret passages in Pellatt's ground-floor office and the library. On the third floor are stairs to the towers of the mansion. Overall, it was an impressive home. We're in front of the pumpkin cart. One more picture before more tourists arrive! Inside the Library Their house has a Conservatory! This narrow staircase is one of the secret passages. After two hours in Casa Loma, we walked back to the train station to Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). Royal O