Buy something at the Goody Shop

On my walk home from school today I decided to take a slight detour and visit the infamous "Goody Shoppe/Shop". Over this past year I am sure I have eaten some treat from there, but I have never stepped foot inside. So today felt like the day to do it!

I had a lovely 60cent Ginger Snap. It was nice and strong on the ginger, and man did it have a snap! (watch out roof of my mouth!) Some great looking baked treats, as well as my favourite red feet all prepacked in little bundles.

And another one (off the list) bites the dust!

Oh the Places I've Been

A retrospective look back at the places I went before awarding myself badges and pats on the back ...

The Cabin - A delightful diner out on Woodstock Road. A personal jukebox at our table and a wonderful old school feel. I seem to remember being chastised for my music selection, but I nwill blame in on the freezing cold day which numbed my musical senses. A fantastic place to grab a lobser roll breakfast after the 5k Santa Shuffle. My need to not finish last overtook my Christmas spirit to pass someone in the last 500m. Not my finest hour - haha!

The City Club - a great birthday party at this fine establishment. Might never make it back here, so happy to cross it off the list when I had the chance!

Attend a UNB Sporting Event - I am now a seasoned Volleyball watcher. I remember playing in gym class, but man, we never played like the boyz on the UNB Reds! What an amazing game. It was also great to join two seasoned players (of Vball!) who could help me decipher the game. But let's be honest, the real reason why I go to the games is to sit in the family-friendly section and watch kids beat each other with blowup sticks, and to eat Skittles, and drink fine imported Bud Light. Man it tastes so much better in the Currie Centre!

Lipdub - I remember just arriving in Fredericton and being a young impressionable new prof with a rubber arm, and joining LBC for UNB's LipDub. Awesome day! I especially love and treasure the Prof T-shirt! Danke L!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wawx-_HXxaE http://thebruns.ca/articles/48596 (check out the N and the B!!)

Sugar Bush / Kings Landing - last weekend we went back in time to the settlers'.... umm... settlement. The morning was started off with a great pancake breaky ("no meat please .... why yes, I do apreciate the extra serving of bacon and sausages!" - or rather $ will!) We explored the area, saw the livestock, enjoyed a hot apple cider, and tried not to get hot maple syrup all over our faces, jackets, hair, etc. It was so nice to see the old buildings and I would love to return again in warmer weather - but I have firmly decided I am not living there this summer and becoming a blacksmith!!

Donair Pizza - one of my besties raves about East Coast donair pizza - or the sauce at least. As a non-meat eater I just cannot share her passion for the donair. I thought about buying the sauce and trying it on brocolli, but have resisted. But the other night, fueled by a couple Piccaroon's Winter Warmers perhaps, I had a bite of $'s donair 'za. Hmm... interesting! Worth a check of my list. The new friends we met in the pizza joint that night were much better than the meat pizza I gotta say!

The Regent Mall - I am not a huge shopper, but I do like to look. I will admit that I had been to this mall to spend endless hours (no joke) in the Walmart, and to go to a movie, but had never actually set foot in the mall. The other day I explored it, and will say I will never have to return (unless I need a DELICIOUS Laura Secord Easter Egg!) What a collection of interesting people! I will, however, be making more trips to Walmart!

Hit up three new restos (two down)

Every mostly-vegetarian loves to be invited to a resto named "Asia Beef Noodle". I thought of resisting the invite to join the sweetest people, I realized this was a great opportunity to knock another one off the list - oh and see my friends!

I was delightfully surprised by the vegetarian options offered by the Beef Haus. Their selection of imported beers (Bud Light was it?) was also of a high calibre. I would probably return. Maybe around Christmas when the window decorations will have a better effect. The sauces were also a wonderful treat!

Thanks Sweeties! Was most impressed!

BBJ out!

New Editions ...

Buy something at the Goodie Shoppe
Legislatative Tour
Charlotte Street Arts Centre
Red Lantern Pub
Go to Another Concert
Beat SP at a game other than Apples to Apples (he threw down Agricola though I would have to practice for months to do that!)
Go to Science East
Step inside every building on campus
Visit all the houses in F&J's book

Modern Day Brownie

Was out last night and was reminded that I had originally suggested getting "Fredericton Badges" for a sash - a la my old Brownie sash. So for each achievement off my list, I will also award myself a badge. So after almost a week I am one item down. I am not sure what the "Having a Conversation in French" badge will look like, but the award ceremony should be fun!

Have narrowed down the badge selection ... an obvious one in French, or Friend to the Disabled.

Hit up three new restos (one down)

I will admit that I was fully scared to try a Sushi resto in Freddy. I am no gourmand, but I think I have a bit of a handle on good food. And my darling Fredericton, for all your positives, you seem to be lacking in great food. That is not to say I have not have some memorable dishes in this fine city - I would just say that the company I am with is generally better than the food!!

So when a sushi outting was suggested recently I will admit I kind of cringed. I had already invisioned rank salmon and awful sushi. But you gotta live a little ... So off we went (both a little apprehensive as I remember!) to a sushi joint on King. And I will admit that I was pleasantly surprised! The food was a little different than anything I had ever tried (the miso soup tasted like it came from paste, the sushi was covered in a sort of BBQ sauce), but it was different than anything I had had here - and in a good way!! So kudos Sushi place on King (who's name escapes me - but it's right across from the Pimp's hideout by the mall). You surprised me!

And of course - the company was way better than the food!!

Visit three new NB Cities (one down)

So I might be back dating this one a bit, but I am still counting it (and I may need to in case I don't reach my goal!!)


I was very lucky to have Ann come visiting me over March Break. We headed down to the beautiful city of Saint John, which is the largest city in New Brunswick (followed by Moncton and then Fredericton). Saint John is said to be the most "Irish" city in Canada, and the downtown area was certainly a great place to visit. Ann and I were lucky to see old Cabbagetown friends in their great city.

We got to witness the great tidal changes, the Market (with a mediocre Lobster roll - which reminds me I should add a Lobster Roll Scale to my bucket list!), our friends' BEAUTIFUL abode, the Loyalist Cemetery, cool Army/Surplus/Antique finds, and lovely, lovely bar scene. Have a great Irish fish-quality-inspector as a friend for life!

We were also lucky enough to taste sturgeon - a fish once at the risk of extinction because of caviar overfishing, but now on the way back up in New Brunswick. And lemme tell you, a smoked Sturgeon is fantastic!!


I really enjoyed our visit to Saint John. And alway great to spend time with my mom Ann!!

Have a conversation in French ...

Of Canada's ten provinces, New Brunswick is the only province to be officially bilingual.

I would love to say that my French has improved from the dual language street signs or from listening in to conversations in the local downtown Tim Horton's (where you are almost guarenteed to hear Francais) - but it hasn't. So I was very lucky to have been subjected/treated/forced to have a French conversation last week whilst out for drinks on Saturday night.

I proudly butchered my way through the conversation. I think I made up words, redefined French word order, and generally offended my drink companions. But I gave 'er a go (and somewhat had to after being tricked in to a French evening!) But all in all the evening left me with a sense of being a proud Canadian. We are lucky to be such a diverse land.

And despite the tequilla which seemed to have helped my French speaking ability - I am sticking to English next outting! Je m'excuse!

Freddy Beach Bucket List ...

I am realizing I really need to take advantage of this city more ... so to help me I have created my to-do list in this fine city ... So in no particular order ...

I happily welcome people who want to help me achieve these goals!!

Ride the Fredericton Bus
Go to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery
Buy a Broach at the Sunday Flea Market
Hit up three restaurants I have never tried
Go to three churches
Run another race
Fish on the Miramichi
Catch a Lobster
Have my photo taken by the Biggest Fake Lobster in Shediac
Wear my vintage UNB letterman jacket out in public
Have a conversation in French (in this lovely bilingual province)
Visit three new NB cities
Go to the 20/20 club
Have a (lobster) dinner in a legion hall
Visit Gagetown Military base
Play Bingo at St.Mary's
Dress Up in a Manequin outfit from the Mall