Learning outside of the Classroom
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I have been studying in Toronto for seven months. I choose Canada which I love , try to find more about it. I am activating an interest in the “ stranger”. Each weekend I walk around, read articles or a novel or watch TV program. The current affairs and the living environment become vivid and regular presences in my life. When I am exploring, I ask myself what this country can teach me. Are these things that they do better than we do?
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Walking in parks and trails :
I like walking in parks and trails. Keep my eyes open and listen carefully while exploring the parks and trails. I am amazed at how many animals and rare plants, the broad diversity of spiders, birds, trees, shrubs, butterflies, insects. March brings the hope of spring arrival and the promise of warm, sunny days ahead. Birds are starting to sing. Red-tailed hawks are at work bringing in new branches to rebuild their nest. Some flowers pop out as soon as the last winter frost passes, while others paint their shrubs as the first spring rains hit the soil. This is when I get a bounce in my step and start walking through Toronto's parks, watching the changes begin. Thanks to blue skies and sunshine, I have spent the first two days of March. This is a great time to go down to the waterfront and watch spring unfold.
I like walking in trails through parks, green spaces and ravines observing what is around me. I am surprised that many natural areas still remain in densely populated Toronto. Most of these natural areas are in the ravines, river valleys and along the waterfront, where they form the city's natural parklands system, support an variety of plant and animal life,and provide an opportunity for people to experience wilderness, provide important ecological functions as a stopover location for migratory wildlife
I like walking in parks and trails. Keep my eyes open and listen carefully while exploring the parks and trails. I am amazed at how many animals and rare plants, the broad diversity of spiders, birds, trees, shrubs, butterflies, insects. March brings the hope of spring arrival and the promise of warm, sunny days ahead. Birds are starting to sing. Red-tailed hawks are at work bringing in new branches to rebuild their nest. Some flowers pop out as soon as the last winter frost passes, while others paint their shrubs as the first spring rains hit the soil. This is when I get a bounce in my step and start walking through Toronto's parks, watching the changes begin. Thanks to blue skies and sunshine, I have spent the first two days of March. This is a great time to go down to the waterfront and watch spring unfold.
I like walking in trails through parks, green spaces and ravines observing what is around me. I am surprised that many natural areas still remain in densely populated Toronto. Most of these natural areas are in the ravines, river valleys and along the waterfront, where they form the city's natural parklands system, support an variety of plant and animal life,and provide an opportunity for people to experience wilderness, provide important ecological functions as a stopover location for migratory wildlife
Walking in the streets, I have found many interesting stores and learned the local tradition, custom and lifestyle.
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• Vantage stores are one of my favourites in Toronto. I am interested in different clothing style, fashion design, throughout history has turned to previous eras for inspiration. Vintage clothing retains and increases in value due to the fact that it is genuinely from a past era. In addition, authentic garments are made one at a time, with enough attention to detail to create an item that has long lasting value. Dress-making is my hobby. I looked at the details on the clothes, appreciating the tailors’ talent and technics, the fabric quality, imagining the owners’ characteristics, living conditions and lifestyle at that time.
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• William Ashley, in Bloor Street, which was launched in Toronto in 1947, they have rich selection of quality tableware and giftware in multi-culture style. There are dinnerware, stem barware, plate ware, kitchenware, cookware. Those objects with both functional and aesthetically pleasing display people’s beat wishes for their life. I have learned that the cuisine,table service and custom are quite different from my hometown. I think any culture is produced based on the unique geographic environment and social context.
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Fran’s is my favourite restaurant. I had twice food at Fran’s in Yonge Street. Fran’s is a family-owned and operated establishment that it began more than 70 years ago. Fran’s is known for its home-style cooking. My favourite is T-Bone Steak full of flavour served with garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, substitute for a side salad, daily soup. There are big different between Western food and Eastern food both in cooking and serving.
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Big Smoke in Eaton Centre offers handcrafted burgers made fresh daily using good quality ingredients, unfrozen fresh ground chuck made to the specifications. It is recommended by my neighbour, she has been living in Toronto for 70 years. She said the company use best fresh Andes beef that is the reason why their burgers are good quality. The next day I went there to have. What She said is true. My favourite is classic burger is on a sesame seed bun that comes with the option of fixings. I experienced natural, a little sweat, delicious meat. it is unforgettable.
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LCBO I had read many descriptions about characters drinking wines in novels. When I walked around at LCBO store in Summerhill, I was shocked at a wide range of wines, sparking, fortified, beer and cider from all of the world. When I looked at the countless bottles, I supposed that during the development wine history, each of brand must has many amazing, mysterious stories for generations. I attend their Taste Experience class to sip, shake and stir, feel the cocktail scene, learn how to appreciate and balance the subtle and complex flavours, in my mind visualizing how people enjoy their life with good food, a cracking fire and family and friends, comfort food and elegant dishes, released wines,fabulous cocktails and so much more, to warm up a cold winter.
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Union Station The main part, Ticket Lobby gave me a deep impression. The building was constructed between 1914-1920, officially opened to the public in 1927. Its architectural style is Beaux-Arts. With the outside facade, enduring materials such as bronze, limestone, marble, tiles, and translucent glass create a sense of enduring quality. The entire space is lit with natural light from clerestory windows refracted throughout the lobby. The ceiling and the floors are constructed of Tennessee marble laid in a herringbone pattern. All of these created an atmosphere which make me feel the national powerful and dynamic economy development in early 20th century.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade When I listen to the Highland bagpipe bands playing Scotland the Brave, my eyes were full of tears and I said to myself: Canada, I love you. I would like to give you my soul and my passion. The bagpipe music sound is extremely like our traditional instrument “suona”, which is very popular in China's tradition in funeral, wedding, and other celebrating occasions. In addition, I like the bagpipe player dressing. There are many amazing details such as the folding sock top over leaving about half the flashes showing, the sgian dubh( knife) in right handed sock, the kilt with the sporran and the kilt pin, these show perfect masculine handsome.
