Day 10 Living Abroad: Saturday Lunch, Downtown Adventures, and a Packing Fail

Saturday’s in Toronto hit a little different, and today was no exception. It’s been a whirlwind since I lost my Dad. After he passed, I found myself on the move a lot more. Staying in Cincinnati was tough—it still is—but back then, the pain was so fresh and raw. Travel became my escape. Toronto was one of those places I found solace in, so I decided to head back for a few days.

A little backstory: A couple of months before, while shooting my first international hotel campaign here in Toronto, I met someone. We grabbed a drink and instantly connected. We spent hours talking, and I left feeling like I had found a real friend. We stayed in touch, and by December, he offered to take me to a Raptors game. If you know me, you know I love catching a vibe at NBA games in different cities. It’s not just about the game; it’s about the energy, the people-watching, and soaking in the atmosphere.

But after that trip, he ghosted me. Nothing major went down between us—maybe he expected more, and when that didn’t happen, he decided to disappear. At that time, I was nowhere near ready to be in a relationship or even entertain the thought. My mind was still too heavy with grief. But still, the ghosting stung. We stayed connected on social media, but the vibe was off.

Fast forward almost two years later, out of the blue, he reached out. He wanted to apologize for ghosting me. Being the Pisces that I am, I was open to it. I figured we could chat the next time I was in Toronto. I wasn’t looking for anything to come from it—I just wanted closure.

So, we met up for lunch today. We talked, hashed things out, and moved on. I appreciated the apology. Not many men circle back to explain themselves, even years later. But hey, a win is a win!
After lunch, I decided to stay downtown and hit the Eaton Centre mall. Now, here’s the thing—I didn’t pack enough clothes for this trip. In my defense, I wasn’t feeling great before I left and kind of just threw whatever into my suitcase. Big mistake! I ended up with workout gear and baddie outfits, but nothing for casual, daytime outings. The mall was packed (why do I do this to myself on a Saturday?), and I didn’t find anything I needed. So, I called it a day and headed back to the Canopy.
​
All in all, it wasn’t a bad Saturday in Toronto. Sometimes, you just need a simple day with a little shopping, some good food, and a bit of closure. Here’s to better packing next time!