Sunlit Parquet

After two terms in the basement, which, by the way, was an excellent spot to sleep in, I'm waking up by the morning sun now since the beginning of May.
Please click on the image to see the whole picture!

Weather Battle: Toronto vs. Hamburg

Ok, folks! Let's get serious and do a nice summer game: the infamous Weather Battle!
The rules are simple. Two cities are competing against each other, the one with the nicest condition wins. Sun beats clouds, 32°C beat 22°C, 10 % probability of precipation beats 55 %.

And here are the two opponents:

1. In the right corner: Hamburg - one of the most vibrant cities in Germany, the gate to the world, the Venice of northern Europe.
2. And in the left corner: Toronto - biggest Canadian metropolis, a multicultural mecca, a city of superlatives. Besides: just 1 hour drive away from Waterloo.

Look to the right column to see the results. There will be a new round every day...

iNeedOne

I just ordered this cool new toy. And I'm already pretty nervous about it...

Waterloo 10k Classic Race

The largest and most popular running event of the region is happening today. We're counting more than 1,000 runners - would be a pity not to take part, wouldn't it?



There's quite a crowd gathering at the start. Some bring their personal support...



This guy above will actually overtake me during the last 3 km - including his baby-jogger. Estimated time: ~40 min! Unbelievable. He must have taken a seat downhill!



Here are two more team players!

I meet some buddys from my running group during the run and in the goal area. Pharmacists (below, left) and their sons as well as massage therapists (below, right), for instance, do a lot of sports here too.



On the second half of the run, I fight a hard battle with Lance (above, right). We crossed the finishing line after the same time: draw.



This guy with his big bushy beard probably did the best job cheering during the run.

Ottawa Half-Marathon

It's May 29th, 10:15am.
The starter's gun opens the Ottawa Half-Marathon race - our race!
Together with 14,000 other runners and who-knows how many spectators (that, of course, were cheering just at us), we enjoy the sun and homy by-the-firesite temperatures as well as the scenic sightseeing-route.
Exchanging our experience with other runners at our hostel afterwards and enjoying delicious chinese food in downtown is a nice close to this amazing weekend.

Deutsches Brot

I've been here for more than 9 months now - and today I found what I was desperately looking for all the time: a German bakery!
It's just around the corner from where I shop groceries anyway and they have all the delicious treasures you can normally only get back home. All handmade. Amazingly, it is a lot cheaper than in Germany, too. Plus staff as well as and customers speaking German and apparently always in the mood for a chat.

You guys have a new patron now!