Simon, what happened?

Simon Sushi on Spadina Ave. and College St. in Chinatown has been one of our family's Friday favorites for years now. You know that feeling of you don't realize what you have until it's gone?

Well yesterday mum and I went there for lunch a late lunch. It was strange because we ordered the same things as we always do but this time, there staff have changed?!?!!! The ladies have all changed! You don't understand. It's not like the new ladies were horrible to us, but it was just that feeling of familiarity. Usually when we walk in there we're greeted by friends who know where we like to sit and what we like to eat.

Maybe we'll try going there one more time in hopes that our friends happen to be on vacation or something.

Happy Nowruz!

It's going to be Persian Nowruz (new year) tomorrow. I was invited to a dinner for this great celebration. It was such a lovely dinner and I was taken just how welcoming everyone was. I was under the impression that it was going to be a dinner party with many people but it turned out to only be family plus me.

The food was completely amazing and I'm kinda shy to ask for recipes :). It was really neat to learn the cultural symbolism of the various items that were part of the celebration.

Happy Nowruz!

Cutting Tradition through TIFF

I went to the Canteen once again this evening. It feels like I'm soon becoming a regular there :). I had the maple roasted squash served with mozzarella, balsamic, sage and a grilled lemon and herb chicken. So delicious.

It was my first time however to go for a film at the TIFF Bell Lightbox since it opened. My girlfriend asked me to check out the premiere of a friend's film. The Cutting Tradition narrated by Meryl Streep is a production of Safe Hands. This documentary is about the female genital mutilation in Africa. It had such powerful visual effects- very disturbing graphics, but powerful. Although I found it to be a well done film, it was definitely hard to watch. I chose to ask a provocative question and make a bold statement because I was upset by some of the ignorant comments that were being made throughout the Q & A. I dislike it when as people we create a "them" and an "us" especially when "they" aren't in the room to defend or speak for themselves.

Overall, such an exceptional evening and I really enjoyed spending time with my friend.