August 31, 2015

For many reasons…I haven’t written on here in forever.  Primarily laziness, and partially because I don’t feel like my writing is what it used to be.  I feel like myself…and probably society as a whole., are losing a lot when it comes to the art of writing.  I firmly believe as technology grows, our brains shrink.  So much of what made us humans is slowly being taken over by technology.  I hope that thru my writing I can preserve what part of me is left; from before social media gossip became more important than news and literature.  

There’s no doubt I’ve taken things for granted.  We all get caught up in life and forget to appreciate the small things, and that’s okay.  I just thank goodness for opportunities to be brought back down to earth.

I know how lucky I am, most days and I’m beyond thankful.  I may not always show it, mostly thanks to RBF (resting b***h face) but I am.  I have an amazing family, great friends despite the distance between most of us, and an amazing career.  I may spend more hours at 35,000 feet in the air than on the ground…but that doesn’t keep my job from reminding me to stay grounded and humble.

Today happened to be one of those days where I needed a little reminding.

Mornings don’t suit me and all who know me know I have the attitude of a great white shark just about anytime before noon.  A three hour flight to Toronto at 7 am, a lack of sleep and chronic hunger creeping up had me a little grumpy.  However, I survived and here I am!  A full stomach and better than ever!

The typical routine on a new-to-me layover is to immediately create a list of potential food options.  Thanks to Yelp, TV Food Maps and a few of my other favorite foodie apps I usually hit up some amazing spots.  Today I hit the jackpot.

I avoid chain restaurants and Americanized foods while on layovers, especially international and I’ve been craving Poutine since I first had it in Winnipeg during the winter.  After playing around with Yelp and using filters like distance, $$ and “Poutine”, I had a few options.  

Thankfully I stumbled upon a restaurant called Signs.  I watched a video on Yelp and knew this was “the one”.  Signs is a restaurant that employs only deaf waitstaff.  All interactions are done using American Sign Language and the menus have cheats for all the ASL you could need while there.  

Upon entry you are greeted by a host who explains the concept and introduces you to your server.  Once seated all interaction is done between the customers and the servers.  It is encouraged to use the sign language cheats provided on the menus but not required.  Of course I tried my best for the most authentic experience.  My server was amazing, a young girl with a contagious smile.  

  
I started with a Bloody Ceasar which is the Canadian version of a Bloody Mary that uses Clamato instead of the normal Bloody Mary mix.  There wasn’t a noticeable difference but like all Bloody Mary varieties, I loved it!

For my entree I ordered the Poutine of course.  I was torn between two Poutine options but the ASL cheat menu was well equipt and showed how to sign, “what would you recommend?”  Torn between the Duck Confit Poutine and the Bacon, Scallion and Sour Cream Poutine…she convinced me of the latter.  Her choice did not disappoint.  French fries generously topped with gravy, cheese curds, scallions, bacon and most importantly sour cream.  It by far exceeded my expectation of what Poutine was.  However, I do look forward to ending up in Toronto again and trying the Duck Poutine, I was 100% satisfied with my decision. 

My meal at Signs was one of the most satisfying meals I’ve had.  Not just because the food was so great, but because of the experience as a whole.  Taking the time to experience something new, something so eye opening was truly a fulfilling experience.  I expected it to be a new experience but never expected to be so moved by it.  

I noticed many things while in the restaurant that I never had given much thought to before.  The way the change clanked together when being pulled from the register, the sound of footsteps along the wooden floor, and even the overplayed songs on the top hits playlist playing on the house music.  Things that we might otherwise ignore or even annoy us a some point, had me seeing the beauty in it.  Also sadness that some people never get to experience these things.  

I finished my meal and thanked the server again along with leaving at 50% tip.  It wasn’t much, but being there she probably did more for me than I could do for her!

  
Even after I left the building, I paid more attention…an ambulance siren howling in the distance, the faint sound of a small dogs nails tapping along the sidewalk…so many sounds we hear but never actually listen to.  The walk back to the hotel was music to my ears in the form of the hustle of the downtown streets of Toronto.  

I came back to the room and decided to finally start writing again.  Although I don’t think my writing is great anymore, I know regardless it is still a gift I have and I should embrace it.  We don’t know what tomorrow holds, and so much can be lost.  We should appreciate what we have while we have it.  

Kelsie

#TheFlyLife #TheFlyingFoodie

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