Here is a mini-collection of random photos I took this past month that highlighted new things I've tried/got. :)
September, you've been lovely!

Cheers,
Jess.
 
This is the fourth year I have celebrated the Moon Festival without my family. Always get a little homesick around this time of year but keeping busy helps. That being said, it is the fourth year I've celebrated with my LEC family. So many of my students, my friends, my roomies, classmates, friends of friends etc. came by to taste some mooncakes, some longan, some pomelo, and green tea. 

The dining hall was decked out in paper lanterns that I haphazardly made throughout the day and improvised how to stick dollarstore tea lights on the bottom so when they would glow and flicker. Needless to say, I thought it looked pretty magical, all hung up around the room. 
I taught students how to make the paper lanterns, and once all the tasting was done, we all headed to the steps by Bata and I shared some old legends/stories that came with the Moon Festival. I'm pretty sure I ruined all the stories - really not the best story teller in the world. 

Ended the night with a hike through the Drumlin and have to say that was so much fun! (A little dangerous with flip flops though.)

I am so thankful for everyone joining me in this celebration, especially during a time when family is dearly missed!

Cheers,
Jess.

 
Okay, so hospital visits aren't new for me. I've been there before for other people, but recently, had to take a trip for myself. After a day of alternating between chills and feverish sweats (yucky, I know), arms and legs got pretty bad pins and needles which led to numbness. Before I knew it, passed out on the washroom floor (yay to ringing in ears, narrowing of vision among other fun things before your body actually passes out). 

That being said, the hospital visit was quite lovely. Shawna drove me there and sat with me for a good four hours! The doc said something about a low basal cell count...wasn't really paying attention...he was cute. So after returning to my room, I saw a bunch of sweet messages on my whiteboard, a note that was slipped under it (well I saw it after I crawled back to my room but couldn't pick it up), and a cool origami flower. Needless to say, I love my students and my team! <3

Regardless of all the staff being super sweet, and TUEFRT being awesome, I'd rather not have to go for another visit. Feeling sick is no fun. 

Cheers,
Jess.