During the last month I have been very busy with my other career as ESL teacher. During the summer months we have a program for children and as I'm a children's book author, the director of the school thought it would be a great idea for me to work with our kids in the ESL summer camp.
He was right, I'm having a great time. Oh, and so are the children!
My students have gone to a cooking school, they've gone hiking, watched movies, created a few art masterpieces. They are scheduled to do a few more very fun activities before they leave at the end of August. They have also learnt some basic English, such as Simple Present, Simple Past and Present Progressive and they are practicing everyday.
In the afternoons I take some of our older students around to see the sights of Toronto and other areas well worth seeing.
We've gone to Niagara Falls,Niagara -on- the -Lake, saw a winery and got soaked on the Maid of the Mist. We saw The Distillery district, the CN Tower, went to a Baseball game to see the Blue Jays( sadly they lost that game). We've gone shopping, bowling, toured the University of Toronto, went to a movie and saw the St. Lawrence Market. We also had a fun day at Canada's Wonderland.
The fun part is that I get to play tourist or better yet tour guide in my own city. Toronto is a great place to visit............. even now when we have a garbage strike where well paid city workers throw a temper tantrum, which we are the brunt of. I strongly feel that all the BIAs ( Business Improvement Areas) should work with the locals of that area and hire private garbage pick ups that listen to us, their employers. Then the city workers can strike to their hearts delight............we don't need them anymore!
On a lighter note, I have another 2-3 weeks of playing tour guide . Then, I get the chance to work on the publication of Freddy. I hope to introduce him and his friends soon.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Introducing Minou de la Rue and her Friends
As I continue to work on publishing Freddys French Fries Fiasco, I am already working on my next book, Minou de la Rue and her Friends. That is the working title, as I am not sure how it will develop. My books end up telling me what their titles will be once they are ready.
As a professional writer, I usually start with the development of the story itself, as if I need to write what I saw in my mind. The characters talk to me, telling my what they want to do.
This time, I am starting my next book with the development of the characters. It seems to be the right thing to do with Minou de la Rue. Let me introduce you to Minou and some of her friends.
Minou is an adventurous cat who enjoys life and meeting all her friends, animal and human a like. She is a very beautiful gray cat with long fluffy fur and great big green coloured almond shaped eyes. In one of her adventures, when she was very young, she hurt her tail, and now it flops down to her side. She is very proud of this goofy tail and prances around proudly showing it off.
She meets Ausland, a big dog, who is very protective of her, when she is looking for adventures.
Nozum is her brother, who teaches her a lot about life, as he is older than she is. Minou does not always listen.
Minou meets up with Ricki the Raccoon, who loves to wander through the night and find treasures. His mother is always close by to protect him and Ricki is a little bit rebellious.
She also meets a new cat on the block. His name is Harley. He is a very excitable and rambunctious little cat who already writes about his life on his blog, harleysadeventures.blogspot.com.
There are a few more characters that are developing, they are still maturing.
I will keep you posted and introduce you to the rest of the characters when they are ready.
As a professional writer, I usually start with the development of the story itself, as if I need to write what I saw in my mind. The characters talk to me, telling my what they want to do.
This time, I am starting my next book with the development of the characters. It seems to be the right thing to do with Minou de la Rue. Let me introduce you to Minou and some of her friends.
Minou is an adventurous cat who enjoys life and meeting all her friends, animal and human a like. She is a very beautiful gray cat with long fluffy fur and great big green coloured almond shaped eyes. In one of her adventures, when she was very young, she hurt her tail, and now it flops down to her side. She is very proud of this goofy tail and prances around proudly showing it off.
She meets Ausland, a big dog, who is very protective of her, when she is looking for adventures.
Nozum is her brother, who teaches her a lot about life, as he is older than she is. Minou does not always listen.
Minou meets up with Ricki the Raccoon, who loves to wander through the night and find treasures. His mother is always close by to protect him and Ricki is a little bit rebellious.
She also meets a new cat on the block. His name is Harley. He is a very excitable and rambunctious little cat who already writes about his life on his blog, harleysadeventures.blogspot.com.
There are a few more characters that are developing, they are still maturing.
I will keep you posted and introduce you to the rest of the characters when they are ready.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
My personal outlook of life
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak in front of a fine audience. In my speech, I approached my philosophy of life.
As a 10 years old, I had an epiphany. I realized that life was one great big adventure after another. I envisioned my life and saw great adventures ahead and I wanted to experience them them head-on.
And that I've done! There have been exciting adventures, happy adventures, dangerous ones, sad and unhappy ones and just plain fun adventures.
With the happy, exciting and fun adventures I, of course, wanted to be able to live them forever and never let it end. But with the unhappy and sad times I wanted to speed up time to get through it. In those dismal days, I always kept in mind "This too shall pass"
As a writer, I have been able to see adventures in all nooks and crannies of my life bring them into existence and sharing them with others in my short stories, plays and books. I have been able to create and "meet" a number of characters.
Soon, I will introduce you to my latest character, Freddy. A young bird, who ate too many french fries and it too heavy to fly. With his little friends, Alfie, Jeanie and Robby, he has some very exciting adventures while he loses his big belly and learns how to fly again.
Please stay tuned!
As a 10 years old, I had an epiphany. I realized that life was one great big adventure after another. I envisioned my life and saw great adventures ahead and I wanted to experience them them head-on.
And that I've done! There have been exciting adventures, happy adventures, dangerous ones, sad and unhappy ones and just plain fun adventures.
With the happy, exciting and fun adventures I, of course, wanted to be able to live them forever and never let it end. But with the unhappy and sad times I wanted to speed up time to get through it. In those dismal days, I always kept in mind "This too shall pass"
As a writer, I have been able to see adventures in all nooks and crannies of my life bring them into existence and sharing them with others in my short stories, plays and books. I have been able to create and "meet" a number of characters.
Soon, I will introduce you to my latest character, Freddy. A young bird, who ate too many french fries and it too heavy to fly. With his little friends, Alfie, Jeanie and Robby, he has some very exciting adventures while he loses his big belly and learns how to fly again.
Please stay tuned!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Harley- a rambunctious 3 month old kitten
I'd like to introduce you to Harley. He is the newest addition to our family.
He is a small 3 month old kitten who has charmed his way into our hearts. The first evening he was with us, he jumped on my pillow and with his nose firmly propped into my ear started purring.
When we started discussing names, he told us he likes Harley. He thought it was a cool name. We agreed and because he purrs like a well oiled Harley Davidson bike, we did name him Harley. Dancing around the apartment, Harley told us he was delighted.
He is now is very busy exploring, chewing on plants, fighting dangerous hair scrunchies and watching the birds fly by. Great adventures await him.
He has enchanted me into setting up his own blog, so stay tuned for Harley's blog and his adventures.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Getting back to normal life and looking forward to it
It has been a while since I've been able to post.
It has been about 4 weeks since the fire and life is slowly but surely getting back to normal.
The first month we stayed in a hotel , which had some of the comforts we were used to. On Friday, we moved into a new apartment, close to our old building. ( The building will take about 6-8 months to renovate)
The last few days, I've been shopping up a storm. It is very interesting how we take things for granted. On Friday afternoon, we realized we didn't have a bed, or pillows, sheets and towels. Well, time to shop!
On Saturday, I was very happy to finally cook for myself again but realized.... I have not pots or pans to do so. Off to the store once again.
We are literally starting over again. My husband and I look at it as a new beginning. We were very lucky to come out alive and also that we had insurance. For those of you who don't have content insurance, I would stongly advise to get it. It will be the best $20,- per month that you will spend.
Next week, I will get a new computer and I hope to get back into the swing of things. I am looking forward to writing again. I have so much to say.
I am looking forward to starting up again with the promotions of my first book "A Winter Solstice Celebration"
I am just finishing Freddy's story and hope to introduce you to him fairly soon.
I am also working on a story to honour my beatiful cats. They both died in the fire, but will live on in their adventure book (s).
'till next time
DiDi
It has been about 4 weeks since the fire and life is slowly but surely getting back to normal.
The first month we stayed in a hotel , which had some of the comforts we were used to. On Friday, we moved into a new apartment, close to our old building. ( The building will take about 6-8 months to renovate)
The last few days, I've been shopping up a storm. It is very interesting how we take things for granted. On Friday afternoon, we realized we didn't have a bed, or pillows, sheets and towels. Well, time to shop!
On Saturday, I was very happy to finally cook for myself again but realized.... I have not pots or pans to do so. Off to the store once again.
We are literally starting over again. My husband and I look at it as a new beginning. We were very lucky to come out alive and also that we had insurance. For those of you who don't have content insurance, I would stongly advise to get it. It will be the best $20,- per month that you will spend.
Next week, I will get a new computer and I hope to get back into the swing of things. I am looking forward to writing again. I have so much to say.
I am looking forward to starting up again with the promotions of my first book "A Winter Solstice Celebration"
I am just finishing Freddy's story and hope to introduce you to him fairly soon.
I am also working on a story to honour my beatiful cats. They both died in the fire, but will live on in their adventure book (s).
'till next time
DiDi
Monday, April 13, 2009
Caring nature of our fellow human beings
When I posted my last blog, I was leading a very busy and hectic but very good life. On April 4/09 my life turned up side down. The building I lived in burnt down. We all got out in time except for one person who sadly died. Also 4 cats, of which one of mine also died.
To tell you about the goodness of our fellow man, I had to start with this horrible story. My husband and I are- thank goodness- alright. We are a bit emotional still, but in time we will be able to go on.
It has touched my heart how all the people in our community and in the rest of the city have reacted. There was a lot of concern for our well-being- physical and mental. The city officials were also very concerned and helpful and I know that other tenants are also very grateful to all who have helped and are still helping.
When I ran out of the building I has no shoes on. I borrowed a pair that were too big and when I went to the Eaton Center to buy a new pair, someone gave me a coupon. Another person paid for our breakfast one morning. Everyone asks how we are and wants to help. We had to put posters up for the cats that got lost and everyone was helpful. we did get calls and found my youngest one. I know that in the scheme of things they are small things. But, they meant a lot to me and my husband.
One of my main concerns, after I knew what was going on was that my computer- where I have my manuscripts- won't work. I have been told that they can recover the information so keep your fingers crossed. I will in due time introduce you to my next character, Freddy.
I want to thank everyone for all their help and concern. I will keep in touch and work on the last little bits of my manuscript with Freddy. He is also very eager to meet all of you!
To tell you about the goodness of our fellow man, I had to start with this horrible story. My husband and I are- thank goodness- alright. We are a bit emotional still, but in time we will be able to go on.
It has touched my heart how all the people in our community and in the rest of the city have reacted. There was a lot of concern for our well-being- physical and mental. The city officials were also very concerned and helpful and I know that other tenants are also very grateful to all who have helped and are still helping.
When I ran out of the building I has no shoes on. I borrowed a pair that were too big and when I went to the Eaton Center to buy a new pair, someone gave me a coupon. Another person paid for our breakfast one morning. Everyone asks how we are and wants to help. We had to put posters up for the cats that got lost and everyone was helpful. we did get calls and found my youngest one. I know that in the scheme of things they are small things. But, they meant a lot to me and my husband.
One of my main concerns, after I knew what was going on was that my computer- where I have my manuscripts- won't work. I have been told that they can recover the information so keep your fingers crossed. I will in due time introduce you to my next character, Freddy.
I want to thank everyone for all their help and concern. I will keep in touch and work on the last little bits of my manuscript with Freddy. He is also very eager to meet all of you!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
I'm back again!
Hello Everyone,
It has been a while since I have posted a blog.
My only excuse is that time has passed me by.
I've been working very hard on my next book as well as developing my new web-site.
I've also been planning my marketing and PR strategies so that more children and their parents can hear about "A Winter Solstice Celebration" and its environmental message.
The development of my web site is coming along and will be more children friendly than the one I have now.
I hope to have it up by the the middle of April. I will certainly send a blog to you when we have the launch.
I am very excited to meet with a team of PR experts next week who are going to advise and help in this area.
Last but not least, I would like to introduce you to Freddy. Freddy is the character in my next book. He is a small sparrow who likes his french fries too much. He ends up too heavy and cannot fly. With his friends, Alfie, Jeanie and Robby he has a lot of adventures as they try to help him lose his big belly.
It has been a while since I have posted a blog.
My only excuse is that time has passed me by.
I've been working very hard on my next book as well as developing my new web-site.
I've also been planning my marketing and PR strategies so that more children and their parents can hear about "A Winter Solstice Celebration" and its environmental message.
The development of my web site is coming along and will be more children friendly than the one I have now.
I hope to have it up by the the middle of April. I will certainly send a blog to you when we have the launch.
I am very excited to meet with a team of PR experts next week who are going to advise and help in this area.
Last but not least, I would like to introduce you to Freddy. Freddy is the character in my next book. He is a small sparrow who likes his french fries too much. He ends up too heavy and cannot fly. With his friends, Alfie, Jeanie and Robby he has a lot of adventures as they try to help him lose his big belly.
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