I've been working 'properly' now for three weeks and am enjoying the change of scene at the University of Toronto. The other teachers are very friendly and the students are great - it's a very multi-cultural and busy set-up. My first few weeks have been spent doing bits of teaching on the Academic and General English programmes. I particularly enjoyed having my own class of General English students - I was in my element making activities that involved lots of cutting up and blu-tack! Sadly, I've now been pulled off that particular programme as they want me to teach on a specialised programme for 40 Chinese teachers (sounds familiar!) - teacher training, language upgrading and a bit of Canadian culture thrown in. I'm having to mug up on the latter as I found myself in a bit of a muddle last week as to what the difference between a nickel and a dime was! The more you stay here the more you notice the language differences between British and Canadian English - I still haven't got used to asking where the washroom is as opposed to the loo!One thing I'm very impressed with is the Volunteer Language Programme they run at the UofT. The English language students are actively encouraged via meetings, a newsletter and a certificate scheme to participate in local community activities and charity fund-raising events in order to develop their language ability and social interaction. I've started to involve myself with this programme and last week took a group of students to register as volunteers with the Toronto International Film Festival, which will take place in September. I'm hoping to catch some of the red-carpet action myself...George Clooney is coming and, although he doesn't know it yet, he is my future husband!!
Another thing I like here is the number of public holidays - there seems to be one almost every month. In June it was Canada Day and I took the opportunity to travel a bit further afield and head up to Montreal for the long weekend. After a rather tedious 8 hour car journey, I finally arrived in what felt almost like a different country. All around me I heard a language that was familiar but not exactly the same. Quebecois French is somewhat different to European French and as my French is not great anyway, it resulted in some rather interesting conversational interchanges - usually ending up with my opposite number speaking in perfect English!
Old Montreal is very much like wandering the back streets of a French town with winding streets and narrow pavements but new Montreal has the appearance of any other North American city with modern office blocks and a grid-like arrangement. It's got a good feel and I like the place. The main reason I went
was for the International Jazz Festival, which I thoroughly enjoyed on the Saturday despite the rather chilly and damp weather. I saw some great 'world music' bands (Enzo Avitabile and Bottari were so amazing I watched them twice!) and bopped until the wee small hours. Sadly, the Sunday was a bit of a damp squib though due to torrential rain (sent over from the UK?) and a twisted ankle that I managed to acquire by falling down a hole in the 
pavement on my way home the night before...sober, I might add! I managed to hobble around a bit on the Sunday, saw the local houses all with outdoor staircases (to save space apparently!) and sampled the highly-praised Montreal bagels which were rather more tasty than the, in my opinion, bizarre local delicacy of poutine (chips, gravy and cheese curds)! Still, it was a good weekend away and despite the VERY long journey, was worth the trip.
Life in Toronto continues to be great fun and I've been really busy with one thing and another. I've met some really lovely people and have acquired a very active social life. I've really enjoyed the various parties, meals out, Fringe Festival and live music events (Manu Chao & Johannes Linstead) I've been to recently. My salsa and ballroom dancing is also coming along. I've decided I love the cha cha cha and, as my dance partner said to me the other day, I just need my 'Gone with the Wind' ballgown and I'm all set! That was just before I stepped on his toes for the umpteenth time.
I'm actually enjoying life in Toronto so much that I've decided I want to continue to base myself in the city for the rest of my time here and after I move from my friend's lovely house, where I moved last week to house-sit for a month, I'm going to rent a place right in the heart of the downtown area. People keep laughing at me when I say that as they think I currently live in the downtown area. It's so green and pretty round here, I think I'm in the suburbs - it's only when you go out of the city you realise how far it extends. The University and Annex area where I am now are officially in the downtown area. I will be in the business district near the lake and I think it'll be a nice change and an opportunity to try high-rise city-centre living. Plus, the 'condo' is very cool with its own gym and sauna in the building! I've got a good deal as the girl who owns it is off travelling for four months and will be leaving her stuff in one 'locked' bedroom but it'll in effect be a one-bed apartment just for me.This week I fly back to the UK briefly for a three day visit (I'm hoping it's not long enough to get jet-lag!) to celebrate my mum's 60th so I hope to catch up with many of you then. I'm also hoping to bring some Toronto sunshine and warmth with me!
