From Big Apple to Big Brother (of the Year!)

*phew* It's been non-stop action since Jeanette and I returned from New York. So much to catch up on! First, the rest of the Big Apple:

We began our last full day in the city with a leisurely brunch in the village, followed by a trip to Magnolia bakery. Jeanette wanted to try those much-talked-about cupcakes, while I opted for the banana pudding -- highly recommended by Anton and now by me. Later, we strolled through Central Park on our way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. At the Met, we spent most of our time among the impresionists, though it was neo-impressionst Georges-Pierre Seurat's "Circus Sideshow" that most intrigued me. Amazing to see pointillsm up close and personal, though it does make you feel like you need your eyes checked. Maybe all the impressionists were near-sighted?

From the Met we headed south on foot and paid visits to Bergdorf's, Grand Central Station, and finally the Dean & Deluca at Rockefeller Center to meet Antonio. Sadly, he couldn't dine with us due to a work crisis, so Jeanette and I headed back to the apartment. We hit the Village once again for a wonderful last-night meal at Extra Virgin (wonderful gazpacho soup!) and spent the rest of time at Anton's gorging on his HBO and Showtime on demand (Curb Your Enthusiasm and Dexter).

We arrived back in Toronto Wednesday night, and Thursday morning I donned my finest suit and went to work. I don't normally wear a suit at work (though perhaps I should -- lots of compliments!), but that night was the Big Night Out -- the annual black-tie fundraising dinner for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto. Alfredo and I were invited to accept the Big Brother of the Year award! I received the call a few weeks ago, and right up until they handed us our framed award, it hadn't really sunk in.

It's an incredible honour to have received this award, and Alfredo and I both were a little overwhelmed at the scale of the event: Hundreds of guests dressed to the nines, CEOs, celebrities, TV cameras... We weren't required to give a speech or anything, but even so we both felt more relaxed once the ceremony was over and we could dig into our desserts. We made room for the chocolate mousse (his) and strawberry-rhubarb tart (mine) even though neither of us had finished our main course -- fortunately, Alfredo had the presence of mind to request doggie bags to take the gourmet food home to his mom and sisters. What a kid!

Here we are (far left) with the Big and Little Brother and Sister award-winners from all the other categories. On the far right is BBBST interim president Sandy Somers, who phoned us in May with the good news.

And here we are with Match Support Coordinator extraordinaire Michelle Bernstein.

As you see, Alfredo was in full-blown deer-in-headlights camera-shy mode, so it's wonderful that the framed award includes such a great picture. I've never been able to capture one of Alfredo's big smiles on camera. Lucky for me, Big Brothers doesn't grant this award based on photographic evidence!

That weekend we played our first game of soccer this season in the park, then went for burgers and ice cream. A little more our speed after the Big Night Out, and a wonderful way to round out an unforgettable week.