High School Reunion

This month, my high school celebrated their 50th anniversary. The plans of a big celebration was in the works since 2024 so there was ample of time to get the word out regarding the big celebration.

The school was founded in 1976, and to this day remains one of the busiest high schools in Toronto. I graduated just over 20 years ago and man, I feel old.

I wasn't sure if I would go as a lot of my friends from my grade didn't really want to go. Everyone has their own busy lives and kids to worry about so going to a reunion wasn't really on many people's minds. 

After debating for a while, another friend had asked if I would go. Well, as long as I knew someone, yes I would definitely go!

The day of the event, my brother had called and stated that he totally forgot about the event happening, and asked if I was going. I said yes and after going back and forth, we decided to just meet at the school.

Unfortunately I did not have the Genesis that day, as it was in the shop (haaaaa again for maintenance work), so I had to take the Cayman. I mean, I guess it's an excuse to take it for a spin.

When the time came for the event, I realized that yeah, damn the traffic was quite bad. As soon as I turned into the school parking lot, I knew it was a horrible idea. The lot was not very big and of course, all the spots were taken. The other option was to drive across to the plaza next door and that was another bad idea. I decided to circle around and park at another empty school lot adjacent to the high school. There were just 2 cars in the lot, and no sign to say we couldn't park there.

I made the trek to the high school and met with my brother and eventually my friend. There was a nice tribute to all the teachers who had passed over the years. I knew some of the teachers, one of which was my gym teacher. I was shocked and saddened to see that a good handful of the teachers and vice princpal during my years, had passed away. 

After a few speeches and a lovely music played by the school's band, we were free to roam the hallways and some classrooms that were open for viewing. I had to admit, it was nostalgic to walk through the hallways again, and go through some of the classrooms. A lot of things haven't really changed physically - the chairs and desks are still the same (I swear, older equipments last a hell of a long time), the wall paintings are still there. Even the lockers are still the same. They're so old that the numbers have faded on each locker, so someone had resorted to writing the numbers with permanent locker on each one. 

I went through one of the science class rooms and I could swear it was where I had my physics 11 class. The teacher was a Polish lady with the thickest accent and for that semester, I could not understand for the life of me what I was learning. Physics is one of those things that either you get it, or you don't. It's really hard to teach it and understand it. 

I had got to see my previous music teachers. Honestly, that class is what made high school so memorable for me. It wasn't the math or the science, but it was music. I had taken music all throughout the 4 years I was there, so the teachers really got to know me as a student. If I had a mental breakdown, they were there for me. They remembered I played piano and prepped for my exam during my spares. That's how special these teachers are to me. It's so amazing to see them after all these years and to see they haven't really changed much.

I also bumped into my previous graduates and no joke, some I haven't seen since graduation. It's been a good 2 decades since I last saw them. Of course we had to take pictures with each other. The next fun part was to find our graduating year photos. That was easy as it was right in the middle of the big forum. It just brought back so many memories and all the fun times we all had as friends.

My brother was there much earlier and I ended up finding his graduate class photos. He of course bumped into his classmates from the past and literally for him, it's been 3 decades since he last saw them. 

Brother and I ended up walking around to try and find more things to check out. Unfortunately someone (or maybe it was something technical) triggered the fire alarm so the high pitch siren started going off along with the flashing lights. Just like old times. This was about 30-40 mins before the end of the event. At first we all thought it was just a fluke, so many of us still wandered the hallways. It wasn't until we tried to go to the pool area, that a staff member had shooed us out. That's when we realized oh, they're not joking. We had to evacuate the building.

We all poured into the walkways and sidewalks, and for the first time I realize this turnout was huge. Traffic came to a halt, with all the nearby parking spots all filled out. 2 firetrucks had arrived to check the scene. It was at this time that we decided it was time to go home.

All in all, it was a great event. Those who didn't go, all expressed regret of not going. I think many thought it would be a lame turn out but reality is, it really brought back old memories.

If you haven't gone to any of your high school reunions, I recommend it. You'd be surprised who you bump into and it just triggers an entire flood of memories.

Happy Mother's Day

This is to all the mothers out there...

Happy Mother's Day.

For all the moms who have been there for us, those who are moms to be, mothers for the first time, single mothers, mothers who have passed on...

Motherhood is not for the weak. It is the most challenging job in the entire world - one that is thankless, no pay, no vacation, no in lieu of benefits, no vacation. 

To the stay at home mothers - you want to offer the best for your kids by taking care of them and watching them grow; you are basically the doctor, nurse, pharmacist, social worker, technician, coordinator, plumber, chef, babysitter, cleaner, teacher (to name a few). You are basically that all in one, without the pay. 

Some husbands think it's so easy maintaining a home because they're always home watching the kids. How hard could it be? Wait until you try it for one day.

Mothers. We all look up to you. You are the superhero of society.

Thank you. Thank you for all that you've done, and continue to do.

<3

Miniso - Hello Kitty pop up

Wow, can't believe we are in May! We are almost halfway into 2026. Insane how fast time flies. Where'd the time go?!

About a week and a half ago on April 25, Miniso had their very first Hello Kitty and friends pop up store at the Scarborough Town Centre (STC) mall. This was the first event in Canada. What was so special about this event? The newest addition to Hello Kitty and friends was the new blind box racing edition. Along with 500+ other cool items that aren't found in regular Miniso stores. AND the finale? They were bringing in both Hello Kitty and Cinnamoroll characters for pictures!

Just look at how cuuuuute they are!

Sounds totally exciting right?!

On paper it definitely sounded exciting. I mean, the FIRST pop up in Canada! And this was being promoted all through social media and word of mouth. You would think Miniso would expect a huge turnout.

But no, it was chaos. 

The first Hello Kitty & Friends pop up store, meet & greet.

Let me break it down to you. In order to take picture of the characters, you must first buy something at the pop up shop. Once you show the receipt to the team, they will guide you to the line up to take pictures with the characters. On paper once again, it sounds simple. Well, let me tell you how it actually went down. You ready for the tea? 

The event began early on Saturday morning. For those crazy enough to do this, they lined up outside of the mall at 4am. When the doors were still closed. I kid you not. These were HARDCORE fans. I was not that crazy. I still wanted my beauty sleep, so my friend and I (and God bless her for coming with me), decided to meet at 9:45am to line up.

I got there first and saw this line in front of Sephora. However it looked quite short. I asked the lady in front if this line up was for the pop up store. She mentioned it was actually for the characters, and the line up for the pop up was on the other side. I thanked her and made my way over, and COWABUNGA. The line up was INSANE. Torontonians love lining up for the most random things.

I don't know who decides on how the line up goes, but it sort of snakes around the entire place. I had to ask for directions on where the damn line began. So I lined up first, while my friend joined me shortly after. Initially the line seemed to be moving at an alright pace. I wish there were signs, but there were plenty of security around and STC staff, but apparently NOT ENOUGH. 

My friend and I continue lining up, chatting up about life and what not. The lady behind us had brought her daughter, as her daughter was a huge fan of Kuromi (that makes 2 of us!!). Her daughter begged her to come to the mall and take pictures with the characters. This was tough for the lady as she had work at 12:30pm and rushed to line up at 10am with her daughter. A lot of kids were actually there lining up with their parents, and a lot of kids and adults dressed up for this event. I had my Kuromi sweater that my bestie bought for my birthday. 

So here we are, at this point lining up for 1.5 hours and we sort of hit a slow zone. The lady is getting a bit antsy with waiting as now she is close to her work time. Meanwhile my very brave yet no BS friend goes to find the coordinator of the event to see how long it would take to get to the characters. At this point, it was about 11:20am. 

After what seemed like forever, my friend returns back and delivers the saddest news: they have officially closed the line up for the characters because they were only there for a 3 hour window, from 10am to 1pm. In between, they were required to take 20 minute breaks, because the costumes do get quite humid, and it would be inhumane to not give people a break from the humidity. When you think about it, a 3 hour window is not a lot of time already, but add 20 minute intervals in between, and you're probably looking at a 1.5 hour event instead. There is no way they are getting through this massive line up, so of course, they decide to cut off the line.

Now, the thing is, they did not announce this to those lining up for the pop up store. Keep in mind a lot of people showed up to this event primarily for the characters. The pop up store would still remain for the next month to shop, but the characters were only there for that one day, for 3 hours. In simple terms, everyone was lining up, thinking they would get a chance at taking pictures with the characters but no one from Miniso had gone around yet to inform them all of the bad news.

When the lady and her daughter found out, honestly it was the most depressing thing a mother could do, to deliver bad news to her young daughter that hey, we can't get photos with the characters because the line is closed. Other people nearby heard us talking and were stunned as well. The coordinator did not expect such a huge turn out. But hello, you guys promoted this event like crazy via social media. It was over hyped. And considering this is the first hello kitty pop up in Canada, did you not think this would draw people in?? They clearly underestimated the event.

The best request though? The coordinator asked MY FRIEND if she could go around and pass the message along. UMMM WHAT? No, that's YOUR job. My friend ain't getting paid for any of this, and there's no way in hell she is going to deal with the backlash that will happen from these customers. Like, are you kidding me?! Obviously my friend told her no, get your employee to do it. That's not my job. Eventually the coordinator did speak with an employee. This poor soul had to deliver the bad news to the massive line up, one by one. 

As for the solution for the remainder of the massive line, how would they get the photos? The coordinator suggested after the photo session, they could do a group photo with everyone in line, before the characters finish their shift at 1pm. Again, this was only a suggestion, but no guarantee that this would happen. And how would this group selfie work? You'd only be able to use one camera. It's not like everyone can ask for photos with their own phones.

At this point, my friend asked if we should still line up because at this rate, it would take another hour to get into the pop up store. I could go to this pop up store anytime - it didn't have to be opening day. Plus my back was also aching from standing so long, I had to leave the line a few times to either walk it off or sit down and rest. Since both her and I were not THAT desperate to shop in a crowded pop up shop, we decided to just leave the line. The lady and her daughter behind us had already left given that she had work. 

Instead, we went around to try and find these characters and eventually we did. We snuck in a few pictures, and my friend is a ninja - she managed to snap some up close, while evading security. Now that's a true friend! Like damn, we could've just done this instead of waiting in line for over an hour and a half! 

My friend being stealth.

After that, we just decided to sit down and grab some lunch and catch up on life. Honestly, it was a very interesting girls day out (a much needed one). 

The Miniso pop up event? It was a fail.

The characters were the ones that really made everyone hyped up, but to disappoint a whole bunch of fans is just on a different level. Especially the kids. The amount of disappointed kids (and parents who had to be dragged out early to this event), you just can't imagine. 

Honestly, this event would've been more successful if they hired 2 pairs of characters. When 2 are on the floor taking photos, the other 2 are on standby outside, getting their breaks. When it is ready to switch sides, you swap. And you keep going until the photo session ends. This would've made the line flow much quicker, and everyone would get a chance at photos. Miniso has the budget to hire 2 more people to play characters. It's not like they're operating on welfare. 

Another mistake? Don't promote the event as the very first pop up store in Canada, if you aren't going to anticipate a huge turn out. As a coordinator, you ALWAYS anticipate the unexpected and worst case scenarios. You don't just blame the "I didn't know it was going to be so big" game. Then why are you a coordinator? 

Miniso, get your SH!T together before you announce another pop up event.