Being a tourist in Ottawa

One thing I enjoy about being in Ottawa is that there are so many interesting things to see and photograph.  I bused to downtown today to get next month's bus pass and then I wandered around and took photos.

Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal

Bird-watching before Ottawa's first 2013 winterstorm

Before heavy snow started to fall yesterday afternoon, I went out to Mooney's Bay Park, a 45-minute walk from where I now live, to do some bird-watching.

With the city in the background, this scenery reminds me of being in Vancouver.

Moving from Peterborough to Ottawa

I officially moved to Ottawa on Friday, thanks to my parents who flew from BC to Ontario to help me move.

Here are some photos from the past few days.

On Wednesday (Nov 20), while bored from packing, I looked at the wasp nest next to the house and found that all of the wasps were dead (probably from the cold) and so I took the nest out of the crevice.

Close-up on the nest.

Next steps in life

32 months after receiving my admission into Trent University as a M.Sc student, I (finally) received an e-mail yesterday admitting me into the Ph.D. program at the University of Ottawa.  Just two days before me moving to Ottawa, no less.  Better late than never, I suppose.

 

It's always exciting to start a new path in life, despite how much I dislike packing, moving, and unpacking.

On a very sad note, one of my friends lost her father about this time last month, and today I got an e-mail saying that another friend lost her mother yesterday.  I try to maintain a biological perspective about life and death, but it is very difficult, especially knowing that members in my own family are not getting any younger or stronger. 

There is always one more step after the next, but no one knows which direction it will take you...

Hasta la vista, Peterborough

This weekend will be my last official weekend here in Peterborough.  This time next week, I will be trying to get settled in Ottawa.  This past two and half years in Peterborough have definitely brought me memorable experiences - mostly good but also some sad memories.  I have traveled enough and met enough people since my undergraduate years to know that partings are eventual and inevitable, whether they are family, friends, or just acquaintances; therefore, the best thing to do is to look forward to the future and treasure the past (as I have tried to do with this blog).

Yesterday, I hanged out with friends for one last field outing and (potluck) dinner together.

Haven't photographed sunset in a while.

Wordless Wednesday - Cattails around pond

Trip to Ottawa

I just returned from a five-day trip in Ottawa where I looked for a place to move into next week, visited the professor whom I will be working for, and took care of some administrative stuff for my admission to the University of Ottawa.

I arrived on Friday evening and I spent the entire Saturday looking at (three) different places and decided on one later that day.  Then I headed over to the chosen place on Sunday morning to hand in a deposit for the place.  Afterwards, I bused to downtown to take a break and took some photos.

National Gallery of Canada.  As you can probably tell, the weather was kind of crappy that day.  Definitely visiting this place at least a few times for the next few years.

Oil Beetle and Heron

Walked to school today and came across these wildlife.

First was an Oil Beetle (Meloe sp.), the second straight day of finding an insect that can potentially harm humans.  When disturbed, they will emit an oily substance from their leg joints and cause skin blister and painful swelling.

Woodpecker and Water Bug

While walking along the path next to the Athletic Centre at Trent this morning, I saw a Hairy Woodpecker pecking away.  I only had my point and shoot with me, so I took a video.

Went out for a walk around the school building in the afternoon and I saw a giant water bug (Family Belostomatidae) crossing the parking lot.  I picked it up (while avoiding its proboscis) and decided to bring it home to get a photo of it.

While in my room, it started flying towards the light.  Feeling bad for it (and being kind of nervous of a large-sized insect with a nasty bite flying around in my room), I let it go right after.  Very cool encounter though.

Life in Peterborough winding down

As my work here at Trent winds down, I have a very very very busy month ahead of me as I have to pack, find housing in Ottawa, and then move there, all the while arrange for my parents to travel from BC and Ontario (because they want to help me move).  I'm up to my ears in searching for housings, car rentals, travel and accommodations for my parents; therefore, I may disappear for a week or a month.

The poor weather this past week did not help with my stress, until today when the sun came out.  I decided to bike to school and visited the Trent's Wildlife Sanctuary (probably one last time).  Sigh.

Foams on the Otonabee River.