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The last several days has been eventful, from getting a new bike to finally graduating from architecture school (yes!). My mom's flower store is still underway, and I have been helping her for the last two weeks managing tradespeople, giving her time to be a florist for and not worry about everything at once. That's taken up quite a bit of my time in Toronto since I got back from Hawai'i, and it's been busy to juggle that, my own personal work, and also attend to my grandparents. But I have made time to see old friends, and that has definitely been a good change from moving around city to city and missing everyone in between.

I'm slowly integrating myself into a groove of managing my own design work, and I am very excited to see the final results. My, er, "website" has been less of a site, and more of a download page since I bought the domain four years ago. This is something I am very determined to change, immediately. My graphic sense has changed and grown considerably since 2006, and I am extremely eager to finish my site for good. Or, at least let it remain unchanged for more than four months ;) A sneak peek for the opening page:

Aside from design work and mild project management, I have also been meeting up with friends a lot. I'm making the rounds slowly...sorry if I'm not moving fast enough! One thing that has been doubly nice about this is also getting to go to new restaurants and bars that I hadn't been to before. It's been a really long time since I felt like I lived in Toronto, and I'm just so, so happy to be able to re-discover the city again. There is a part of me that is ignited when I see how many people are biking now, and how many new and hip joints are popping up. Toronto is expanding its markets and filling those fine niches, that's for sure. A good thing, all round. There is potential here to grow as a designer (in all trades), and as we are a relatively young city, we possess a diversity and opportunity for change that is unmatched in other global city such as New York or London. You could say that Toronto is large enough to keep the masses content with the number of different venues, but it's also small enough that it's maybe at most 3 degrees of separation in the art/design/architecture circle. And yes, it's a circle. Possibly an incestuous one. Joking. Hmm, no, not really.

Went to Guu for the first time. Sake + Asahi followed by 8 shots of soju at another bar (pictured...this was night #2). I kept losing at the drinking games. Never again!

A night out with the architecture kids. Kensington Kensington Kensington.

Toronto is also gifted with a plethora of textures. Urban textures. Leafy textures. I like it.

I also met Celine for lunch at Swan the other day, and had an excellent curry squash soup. We both agreed that Swan had the BEST french toast. Ever. So, if you're wondering where you should go for brunch next, Swan would be a perfect choice! Celine has been up to no good by being an amazing photographer in her spare time (among other amazing, amazing things) and she will be shooting her own weddings next year! Check out her blog. It's always a great place to go if you're looking for some inspiration :)

Exciting, also! I also graduated today, which means I can officially close that undergraduate chapter of my life. It's been a long time coming, so I'm very happy it came and went without too much fuss. Although it seemed to rain the entire day...pathetic fallacy? Perhaps. I didn't trip, shook my hands correctly, and got the diploma in good speed. Too many flashes went off today, but it was worth it.

Just a few of my favourite people :)

Other equally exciting news! I also just bought a bike off craigslist. It's a bright red Miyata to add to my collection. Rides super smooth, and is dying to get a test through downtown Toronto. SOON! Photos to come. More Toronto tidbits too. Yum. Until then, I'll be thinking of a good Halloween costume...

Thinking of new ideas. Painting the town, Honolulu. O'ahu, October 2010.