I am lucky to have had a light week and an equally light weekend as my friends. A pastime I have developed is reading (in this case last two issues of the Economist and Conrad Black's blog on National Post), from which I recently found the origins of Quinoa to be quite the underdog story. As many things these days (organic, field-to-table, etc.) we realize that our ancestors got it right. Funnily enough my Friday lunch consisted of an overdressed chicken and Quinoa from Food iQ, a bustling quick serve underneath the TD complexes purportedly opened by a banker to cater other overworked, malnourished bankers. The name "Food IQ" itself merits it a visit, I think (haha!).

Stories like this make it hard for me to imagine a better city to live in (though I understand my rather provincial experience gives me little credibility). The PATH hosts a pastiche of flavours unfound in touristy New York (Sandwich Box, another favourite is pictured above). A Sam James Coffee Bar will soon open, with whimsical latte art designs. Yorkville is a delightful place to spend the weekend. Quality is high but it isn't pretentious. The Winners is separated from the Gucci and Hermès by only a Starbucks. We went to the Manulife center, whose top floor is "Panorama". A friend pointed out that a similar establishment in New York would likely have hour long lines.

On a grander scale, Canada must be one of the best places to live. The recounts from those recently returned from exchange eliminate most places. Off the top of my head, it seems like Northern Europe and Australia/New Zealand are the only contenders. I am writing this on the 200 year anniversary of the War of 1812 and on the weekend of Queen Victoria, both reasons to be excited to live in Canada. No doubt our history has been dull. What that really means is that there have been no major wars, famines, genocides, political instability nor natural disasters. Knock on wood.