The view

This is the view from the bedroom of my new apartment. I'm excited.

Winter has arrived

A prodigy from Sierra Leone

This is the story of Kelvin Doe, a 15-year-old electronics wizard from Sierra Leone, a tiny nation on the west coast of Africa. Kelvin has a knack for constructing gadgets out of spare parts. That knack earned him an invitation from MIT to be a guest resident for three weeks.

I love this video for many reasons. I spent six months living in Sierra Leone and Kelvin's story revived so many little memories I'd filed away and forgotten about. But mostly the story reminded me how much necessity sparks innovation in Salone. Electricity supply is unreliable so Kelvin, also a radio DJ, constructed his own battery and his own FM radio transmitter.

MIT chose to nurture the raw talent they saw in Kelvin, an experience he'll take back to Salone to make his life and his family's life better. I hope to get back there someday.

Blue Mountain

Earlier this month we drove up to Blue Mountain for a weekend of sleeping, cooking and relaxing. I'd never been to a ski mountain in Ontario before and just as I expected, the "mountain" was more like a hill — at least when compared to ski hills in B.C. I'm entirely spoiled when it comes to ski mountains, having grown up with at least four different hills within a two-hour drive from my home.

Nonetheless, we had a great time exploring the little village, drinking hot coffee and reading in front of the fireplace. The hill itself wasn't open yet but I'd love to go back when it is.

Good morning, Toronto

Taken at 7:45 a.m. West Toronto. iPhone. Edit: VSCO app.