It's why I turned so blue

Greetings devoted readers! I'm officially finished with my first semester. Yippy!

As soon as I finished I started cooking and baking. Sarah and I made a delicious spaghetti squash casserole and a butternut squash soup; this ambitious endeavor was taken on due to countless musings by myself on how one cooks a squash while enjoying the soups and dishes at People's Potato - turns out it's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Plus, now I've got a stock of food to keep me until I leave and to keep on the freeze until needed.

I've been doing shopping trips to find things to send to people back home, making Christmas cards, reading, and making little goodies to give out. I attempted to make fudge but it didn't set so it's more like really sweet, semi too-thick pudding. But the choco covered pretzels and sugar cookies turned out fine.

It is -15 Celsius right now (5 in Fahrenheit). Holy crap, I'm so cold and the snow has only been around for a while. I don't know what I'd do with out my ginormous snow man suit. It's getting to the point where you're going to have to really coax me to leave the house. I'll be better once I get some wool to cover my feet and legs.

Today my friend Anna and I spent time in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Anna is leaving this week so it was really good to spend some quality time with her; plus, she's an awesome art museum companion because she is an art major and has been studying Canadian art - I learned quite a bit. The pièce de résistance was most definitely the James Waterhouse exhibit; the museum is the first to showcase all his works in one place at the same time and I really like his mythical subject matter. My favorite is Circe Invidiosa.

On Saturday morning Emilia and I will be entering the states! First trip is to see my friend Maeve who attends Boston College. I'm thrilled to spend time with a friend from back home on the other side of the states.

Neige!

neige=snow.

So the Monday after American Thanksgiving I woke up to snow covered trees and streets. It was beautiful. Then it sort of stopped. Then it started again. And now it's supposed to be 15-25 centimeters tomorrow!

Here's a picture of the first snow:

(You'll be happy to know, Grandpa) I bought a coat. It's something I think about doing a lot so I'm glad I finally did it. I look like a marshmallow in my big, puffy, warm, white jacket.

Anyway update on the week. Went with Joanna and Inga to my friend Marcel's for his going away shindig. It was fun but very sad to me because a good chunk of my buddies will be leaving for home in the coming weeks.

Sarah and Cameron had a joint birthday party. The next day I went with some friends to the Christmas craft fair down the street.

When I came back home Nikolaus had visited our house! The 6th of December is a Holiday when St. Nick and a dubious character, Knecht Ruprecht. If you're good you get gifts, if you're bad you get beat. There were three little chocolate santas and a card written in German waiting to be let in.

Cardy and I just went out and purchased a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It's pretty darling. Thought you would get a kick out of the tree Grandma.
Friday and I'm done. Woot. Then it's just saying goodbye to friends, getting some Christmas celebration done, and I'm off on my east coast adventure with Emilia.

T-day 2

Hello blog readers!

This weekend was fun; unfortunately fun tends to be unproductive.

Got a lovely care package from G&G! Awesome tuque (what they call the warm winter hats here), merci beaucoup. Also, the Utah chocolate and other goodies were much appreciated. I feel so spoiled, I think the place where I pick up packages knows my face by now.

Had my last full day of French class this Thursday, have an oral exam this coming Thursday, and turn in my play. Next week I have the French final and then I'm through with my semester.

Friday, I met with my group for playwriting and got a little bit done, had dinner with Graham in China Town, and saw a one man theatre piece based on the same story that Tom Hanks film, The Terminal, is based on.

Last night our house hosted American Thanksgiving as an excuse to pig out. G&G - we used that red white a blue USA scarf as a banner. Among other things there was turkey, taters, mussels, risotto, quiche, and lots of desert. Because our place is so small we opened up the divide between Tim's room and mine. I didn't think we'd be able to fit that many people but it totally worked with all Tim's floor pillows. Plus it made for a fairly intimate gathering because we were all sort of forced to lounge around and talk. It was very special for me. I was happy to say how thankful I was to have a good portion of the people I made friends with here all in one room.




This evening we had dinner at Tim's moms house. DELICIOUS pasta with mushrooms and tomatoes. Tiramisu for desert. YUM. We were entertained by his little cousin Tina who drew pictures of everyone and sang for us. Haven't been around kids in a while, or in a car so that was nice being in the suburbs for a bit.

Well, I'm very sleepy so I'll be signing off now. Apparently it's supposed to snow tonight! This November really hasn't been bad. Mostly sunny, cold, a little bit of rain. But I want my white christmas.

Fiya

This is an old image but I really love it. It's a photo I took from our rooftop when the trees were still full of fall leaves.

This one is on our balcony and an accurate depiction of the trees now.

I'm about to leave for a class at the Y but I just wanted to do my check in. I figure if I keep up one a week I'm in good shape and I missed last weekend.

Two more weeks of school! Yeyeyeyey!

All I've got left is studying hardcore for my final French exam and working on the rewrite of my play before the final class date. I can't believe my first semester here is almost over but I'm glad for it because I've needed a break.

Last week I invited a bunch of people over and then we headed over to Divan Orange. There were two French bands playing at the venue and both were very cute and dancey so it was well worth the evening. The first band dressed as sailors and the second band had three saxophone players.

On Sunday I checked out a show I've been waiting for with Ryan and Emilia. We saw the band tUnE-YaRdS and The Dirty Projectors. I didn't know the last band too well but they were pretty fun; however, I went for the first one. Merrill Garbus is the lady behind the music. She loops sounds and beats right in front of you and has a powerful voice that vibrates to your core. Just check her out for yourself on her myspace - she's well worth a listen. I went to buy a CD after but they were sold out. She was there so I said something lame like, "hey, that was really great!"

Hello Sunshine

It's been beautiful and sunny all day so I was hanging out on our balcony to soak it all up. I feel tons better: I joined the YMCA so I could take some classes and keep in shape, and I'm much more calm about classes now that things have sort of settled.

Graham helped me study for my last French test and it made a huge difference! I think I'll repay him in food as I'll need his help for the final.

We had another burrito dinner yesterday. Really hit the spot, as I've been craving, of all things, Taco Bell. At least we made a healthy, more authentic version of the stuff. I've kept up the vegetarian eating since summer and I just realized it's been about 6 months! Go me, but something about the 6 month mark is making me really crave greasy meat. I'll admit I ate the lard created refried beans that Morris made. I just couldn't help it, the craving was too strong.

This weekend I also reunited with some friends I haven't seen in a month. It was really nice because they're some of the first people I met here and we all really bonded over trying to find housing together.

Nothing much else to report. Grandpa sent me the second installment of Proust's In Search of Lost Time - sometimes all I want to do is curl up and read it until I'm through. I'm glad it's come in time for winter, it will make the snow all the more beautiful as I make my way through his page long sentences.

This week I'm going to see the Waterhouse exhibit at one of the art galleries in Montreal and I'm going to have to go to a theatre performance or two in order to write my review for class. La vie! J'aime Montreal!

Write a Novel

I've been pretty sick lately, not sure if I had swine or what, but I've got a pretty awful hacking cough and residual sleepiness from sleeping too much.

I rested up so that I could at least dress up for Halloween, though. Look how cheap I was! (Is it weird that I'm always excited for my thriftiness) Found an umbrella lying around outside and turned it into a bat costume. Here is me hanging with Heather (dressed as an apocalypse goddess - can't remember the name), street fighter: Chun Lee, and swine flu.

My hard drive keeps warning me it's going to crash. It's pretty weird turning on my computer and getting a message of its impending death. At least it's warning me. The people at tech support said there is nothing I can do, that my lap top is just nearing the end of its life. No sympathy from the man behind the counter, no words of comfort, just a cool glance and the assurance that I better not get too attached. I should take what I can from it and save all the memories it has elsewhere.

Unlike a beloved pet though, I'd really like a new computer. It's just not really something I want to spend the time and money on. Especially because I just lost my phone as well.

This month is NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month! http://www.nanowrimo.org/ is a month designated to writing a novel of at least 50,000 words. It's about quantity not quality, which is kind of assuring. Write like mad and then go back after to refine, if you like. So I'm gonna do it. I don't know why it isn't called international writing month. I think it originates in the states but it's open to anyone.

Waaachaaa! Unfortunately, in the mix of it I'll probably have a dead computer on my hands. Here is something I miss about Sonoma: readily available computers. Not so much at Concordia. Too many students everywhere to provide for that. Plus, campus is pretty far from where I am so I'm never that interested in heading over if it isn't school related.

Snow

I tamed the beastie on my head today! Got my haircut where Courtney suggested (Merci boucoup!) at an adorable little salon off St-Denis. Justine thinned it out so my curls would behave and trimmed my bangs. Here is a picture with my old-timey webcam filter that makes me look like I've got some yarn in my teeth:

I shopped for some layer today at my favorite boutique, Cul-De-Sac. The woman who works there is amazing. She loves her job and takes the time to get to know you and help you with what would look good for you. The store consists of cheap used or vintage items, more expensive reworked items, or just new fairly inexpensive clothes. I did some walking around to enjoy the fall and found something Graham and I had stumbled on before during a walk. Check it out Robertson clan:





It snowed yesterday!! I was just getting off the metro and suddenly it started falling, confused at first I stopped mid-stride in an intersection. Dazed and googly eyed with a dopey smile on my face I wandered around marveling at the stuff for a good half hour. I can't remember experiencing getting snowed on and I've been telling people that. Though, now that I think about it, it did happen during a tahoe trip at Andrea's cabin - so I'm a liar. But it seems completely different when you're just walking around the city. Snow falling on everyone and all the big buildings. It was so beautiful that these tears formed in my eyes. Very sentimental of me but it made me so happy that I was in another country, experiencing something so simple yet magical.

I tried to take a picture but my camera doesn't recognize the flakes.

The snow definitely made up for the week of midterms and an awful score on my French oral exam. Something about that bad grade really energized me, though. I'm going to the French speaking practice tea times that the school offers and I'm bringing that grade up for the final. Just you wait Prof Roch!

I'm going to take it easy this weekend and work on writing letters and reworking my play for it's final presentation next Tuesday. Lazy weekend of movies, roomies, and hopefully some Halloween cupcake decorating and pumpkin carving.

Family, even though I've little snow experience, I connect it with the holidays and it made me very nostalgic for Christmas, Emma's smile, and all you little buggers. I miss you very much.

Love,
B

Rumpus

Pictures from Thanksgiving are in!

Judith was taking the picture so she isn't in it but this was our Thanksgiving crew. Started off with some AMAZING squash soup and homemade bread, coupled with something I made: a scrumptious pomegranate, hot apple cider (Thanks Canadian Food Network). This was at Guido's house , Tim's twin and the guy looking away from the camera. The feast included a chicken, pumpkin pie, salads, mashed potatoes, stuffed peppers, cornbread, polenta crust pizza, Indian spinach bread, and manicotti. So much goodnessssss!

Mom sent me a wooden centerpiece ready to be colored. Cardy did the honors. Mom also sent eternal (polyester) maple leaves that we used to decorate the table. This the lovely Emilia, from Finland, and of course, myself - lookin full.

After the meal there has been talk of having big meals every two weeks. I hope this happens because I think it will make winters really fun. Plus, I really like cooking if it means I can cook for others. If it's only for myself, I've no motivation.

Speaking of food. Thank you thank you for my package G&G!! I love that gigantic scarf and I shamelessly lived off of Top Ramen (which is only called ramen here) for the past few days. Also, side note for G Bain - I found some oriental flavor here! So you don't need to keep sending it unless you want to - which is fine with me. Anyway, I've been holed up in my room writing (go figure) for my writing courses, handling midterms, and generally being an anti-socialite. I even gave up watching a band, a very good one, just down the street in order to write on a Saturday night. Dedication, I guess. After my French oral exam on Thursday I'll feel a lot less stressed and things will go back to normal: you know, semi-regular sleeping habits, varied meals, actually doing my laundry instead of thinking about it.

I did allow myself to go out and watch Where the Wild Things Are with Cardy and her sister, who was visiting. Was a bit disjointed for me, but I don't know what I was expecting for a movie based entirely on a book from my childhood. Overall made me tear up from nostalgia a few times. Mom, do we have a recording of G Bain reading this? I hope so, because that's how I remember it. A very beautiful work with an awesome soundtrack. I listen to the track used for the "wild rumpus" in the mornings to get me pumped for school.

Movies are $12.50 here. I'll stick to the dollar cinema and the underground $5 cinema du parc from here on out, thanks.

Oh yeah, and here is our ridiculously cute roommate picture. Toronto, Montréal, California, Alberta. California looks like she has a stick up her butt because she couldn't keep a straight face.

Three Hopeful Thoughts

Overwhelmed. Not going to lie. So I've taken a break to write a little. I've got midterms pounding at my door and I'm cowering in the corner trying to ignore them. Not doing so hot.

I think I'll refrain from taking French next semester. While I want to learn the language, and I enjoy taking the class (other than its time) I really don't think a six unit French course is doing me any favors right now. I'm a fourth year trying to finish my degree abroad. I've really got to focus on my writing courses. I can't give both chunks of my schedule enough time for the attention they deserve. If I do decide on staying for summer I will take a cheap french course at a language school and get a simple job (can't get anything that will involve me speaking with customers since I've no real French experience).



Picture I took today of my street - loving the yellows, reds, and oranges! Today it snowed. Just a little, to the point where you'd hardly notice, but enough to make me giggle and jump around like a little kid. While I'm not ready for snow it was really great being outside to witness the first little bits of the season.

I get a kick out of bundling up and accessorizing - something I could have done back home but never found that appealing. Apparently I really like hats and can't have enough. Still don't have a winter coat, but I suppose I should get one soon since winter seems to be coming early this year. I do, however, have long johns and warm socks now - and I'm wearing them right now.

Thanksgiving weekend was lovely. I mean, I really enjoyed spending time with my roommates and a few friends that I'd invited over. Lots of good food and a fun time.
Pictures to come soon.

OOOOh dear. I should be sleeping - it is 3:29 here. In the am. French quiz in 5 hours. I get test anxiety! I can't help it.

La Vie En Rose

Well it's getting cold, guys. I've yet to get some good shoes for this weather but the coats I have right now are fine. Luckily there are tons of thrift stores for boots and used shoes nearby, it's just a matter of taking the initiative to dig. I brought three pairs of shoes with me: sandals, black flats, and ked-like vans; neither of these are appropriate for the weather that sprung up. I don't think the squirrels were expecting it because I saw a dead one just outside our door, poor thing probably hadn't found shelter in time.

We have a mouse in the house but I bought some friendly mouse traps, though, nothing has come of it yet.

I can't believe it is October already! On October 12th it will be Canadian Thanksgiving (Why Monday? How do you digest and just start classes?). Anyway, we'll probably have a mini Thanksgiving feast this coming weekend.

On Thursday I went to a talk by Tomson Highway at the nearby McGill University. I'm really enjoying the Canadian theater scene because it seems pretty close knit and Montreal is such a great hub to be. I was very happy to go see him speak because I'd previously decided to write on him, so that was pretty exciting for me. Highway is an award winning Aboriginal playwright, pianist and composer (though the later two haven't gotten him any awards as far as I know) from Manitoba. He is a beautiful effeminate soul, a giggly ageless older man. I really dug what he had to say about his studies in mythology, languages, god(esses), and modern times. He was also, quite clearly a collector of bad jokes. Highway was born in a tent on a snow bank and he said this of the experience: I was born in a tent, that's why I'm so intense. This would have fallen flat if it weren't Highway because he giggled profusely, making the rest of us burst into giggles as well.
I've watched some of his discussions and he repeats the same jokes, which to me, makes him all the more charming. Anyway, I'm not here to write an article but I would suggest you check out some of what he has to say.

Watched my first Canadian hockey game this week! Ryan is a huge fan who tries to watch every game, Tim is a pretty big fan, and Cardy is kinda like me - likes it okay but doesn't know too much about it. We all hung out, ate poutine, and watched the Montreal Canadians beat the Toronto Maple Leaves on TV. I think I'll splurge on one game at some point just to see it in person. I've always liked hockey and I think it would be worth it to see the violence in person. Yeah...that's a big reason I like the sport.

A Festival called Pop Montreal was going on this week; bringing together art, music, and film. I didn't go to any shows because nothing was calling out to me but we did go dancing last night and today I went to the local artist and record sales. Got a few $1 CDs, some posters by a local artist for my bare walls, and some really cute mini pine cone earrings. I found a guy who did screen printing stencils of the street I live off of, I think I'll go back and buy one to remember the experience, my bus, and the 24 hour bagel shop. I could do it myself, but then I'd just be stealing his idea and it wouldn't turn out as nice.

I'm having a hard time writing for classes, I've got the first scene of a play due on Tuesday that keeps stressing me out because I keep staring at a blank screen. Wish me luck.

Parlez-Vous Français?

Grandma Lena gave me a gentle reminder that I haven't written something in a while and I'd agree. I'm not very good at this everyday life bloggin' and should probably start writing detailed letters to people.

By the way! Thank you for all the letters and packages. I feel very loved and it really helps to get that support from my family.

This weekend I took advantage of the free museum pass given to all the international students. Checked out the historical and archeology museum of Montreal, Botanical Garden and Insectarium, and the Biodôme. Quite a lot to tackle but I felt that I should take advantage while it was free. Also this weekend, the island had a culture buffet weekend where a ton of stuff was going on from book binding, to African dance. Joanna and I checked out a painting race (the mc would give two groups a theme and while a band played they tried to finish their paintings in time) and film by the train tracks (artsy images and sounds) showing with my roommates. Good times.

Today I had my first French test. We've been moving really fast and I'm bad about studying regularly for a class to the degree that is necessary for the pace of a language course, but looks like I'll have to change that if I'm going to get anything out of it. Cardy offered to study with me so that I could have the practice of saying the words aloud to someone. I've got a really cool friend in French class. His name is Max and he's a sound engineer - a pretty rad study. He even started a site if any of you are interested in the sounds around Montréal: http://cessa.music.concordia.ca/soundmap/ . Anyway, I think next test we'll have to study together. I retain the language better when I have to repeat it allowed.

When it rains it pours. Today was the first heavy rain I've experience in the city. Wish I brought my rain boots. Typically the rain I've experienced here is a temperamental sprinkle that teases with brief spurts. I can't explain to you how awesome I feel walking around in my inspector gadget coat, with an umbrella and a spring in my step. Mom said it was 100 in Stockton last time we talked and while I'm sad the sunshine is diminishing, I'm pretty thrilled to experience this four season thing. Plus, blazing red maple leaves? Pretty awesome.

I love People's Potato! I had no cash today so I went to grab some free delicious lunch and ran into some international friends - we know whats up. I'm going to find out about volunteering next week, if only to wash dishes. Another organization I've been looking at runs the recycling program on campus and I've been thinking about joining them. I don't have a job and I can't get one my first semester but it is important to me that I get more involved. My school is really great about student involvement and there is something for everyone. Gotta take advantage.

Have I mentioned how crazy I am about my Canadian theater course? I have this super political professor who works as an editor for a theatre magazine and is a key part of a politically driven theater organization. He loads us up with information on what's going on in the theatre world RIGHT NOW and in turn we learn about the market and practical knowledge for the biz. My group project is the first to go and we're supposed to discuss the canon. I feel as if I know more about the modern Canadian theater world than I do about the states scene. Of course, Canadian theater is still a bit of a baby in comparison, and their is a lot less of it so the community is more tight knit. The Canadian Council for the arts funds a lot of the projects and the Quebec province especially funds their arts: probably in an effort to preserve both the francophone and anglophone cultures. The arts in Canada make up the 6th largest industry in the nation, generating a fair penny for what the government puts in. Anyway, it is a large course with lots of heated debates, information, and a really academic feel and expectation. I'm learning a lot.

That's all for now, à bien tôt!

Sentimental Lady

Been quite some time, eh?

This isn't a sentimental blog; I named it for the Fleetwood Mac kick I've been in since I heard the cover done by a pretty legit band (my roommate took me with him to see his twin's girlfriend perform with her band, Key for K).

I've settled more officially now that I have a bed (double sized!!!), a bike, a yellow room (thanks to Jo for helping me), a schedule, and more friends.


The first week of school was a little exhausting because my body was rebelling and got sleepy in all my classes. French if fairly early in the morning and I live a good half hour away so I should probably set up some sort of routine that helps me wake up. Tea will be necessary.

My classes all look like the sort I'm going to really enjoy. I've been in school for two weeks now and I finally feel as if I'm really getting into the swing of things. Studying is hard when you're still figuring things out and makeing friends.

Last Tuesday was my roommate Tim's birthday. I went to a free boxing class with him and I'm still sore from the workout but I'm glad I did it because it reminded me how little physical activity I've done aside from walking all over. That night Cardy and I put together a dinner for him and when Ryan (other roommate) got out of his late night French course he brought a little cake so Tim could blow out a candle. The picture is of Tim and Cardy, wish I had a picture of Ryan to share. Never gave the rundown on the boys because Tim was originally moving out and Ryan was the roommate that Cardy and I chose to fill the last room. Tim was born and raised in Montreal by his mother and grandmother from Italy. He is a linguistics major at Concordia and a fun person to talk to and hang out with because he knows his way around. He wants to move to California and I keep telling him that the state is broke and not as awesome as Montreal. Tim, however, has experiened enough of the winter and prefers the sunshine state. Ryan just finished school and moved to Montreal recently to take an odd job and do a lot of reading before going to grad school. He is from Alberta and studied English Literature in Vancouver. Most of his possessions are books - lucky me! He, Cardy, and I are all reading the works of Milan Kundera right now.

I ate at the People's Potato this week. The People's Potato is a student run organization that is payed for by the student union and is all based off of volunteering. While they have a suggested donation box the - if you will - student soup kitchen is funded by fees that students pay the school. A few of the California kids met up and we talked with a Québécois and a British Colombian about transportation, politics, and homeless issues. The Quebecer has biked along the coast of California and wants to settle there eventually.

I made a group of friends at the Concordia International Students Association (CISA) and recently we've been spending our free time hanging out. We consist of two Aussie girls, one New Hampsire boy, and the Cali kids. Last night I had everyone over and we made a delicious Mexican dinner - the Californians missed it. I don't have a large sitting area so we got some pillows and settled around the coffee table in my room.

Ashleigh and Sarah, Aussies, in the front; Cameron, New Hampsire (in the glasses) in the back. Cali's in the middle (Graham, Lauren, Morris).

Thanks to Graham I have a new old bike! He purchased it (helmet, lock, bell, and bike) a while ago but found he didn't have interest in riding around the downtown area where he lives because there aren't many safe lanes for bikers. I got the package for 20 bucks. Wahoo! I rode my little blue baby to Mont Royal today to hang out with my new Finnish friend Emilia. We read a little and then she took some photos for her class - I got to be her awkward model! (I feel weird posing for stuff but it was still lots of fun). The last picture is a view from the top of the mountain that I took while with my friend Joana.

Loopy

I briefly looked for a more official resource but all I could find was Wikipedia's information on labor day: according to Wiki the states took the labor day idea from the Canadians.

Anywho, it's not like labor day in the states where everything is on sale; here, everything is closed. Still haven't done any clothes shopping for school so I've only got my week and a half supply - not to mention no fall coat. I was thinking I would do it today but I'll just wait until next weekend.

The last two days have been eventful. A group of hostel kids planned on renting a car and heading over to Quebec City for it's 400th anniversary summer. My friend Rodrigo headed up the trip as he had done the research and had a friend in the city we were supposed to crash with. As life would have it, we left much later than expected but eventually we were all in the car with Fabio (sweet and smarmy Belgium) driving. The ride was long and Fabio was going a little faster than he should have and consequently got pulled over by the Quebecois police. With a ticket for Fabio, we continued on and got to the city around 10 and went to grab some food. Rodrigo phoned his friend who said he couldn't house everyone - a little disconcerting. After eating we began looking for a hostel to crash at. We got the same story everywhere: no room. We weren't about to stay at a hotel as they were all very expensive in what had become a very touristic city. The two girls (Paola from Berlin, and Judith from Austria) and I agreed that if all else failed we'd just sleep in the car at a park - the boys were indifferent. It began getting pretty late and we were all getting pretty tired and goofy. In the car the three of us girls kept cracking up with little to set us off - often just the boys trying to navigate and take charge in a city they were unfamiliar with was entertainment enough. If it wasn't the boys making us laugh it was the communication barrier that would sometimes sneak up because of accents or an unknown word; Judith and Rodrigo especially have a very difficult time understanding the others English. I mentioned how loopy we were all getting and everyone really liked the word because they hadn't heard it before. It is wonderful that I am able to communicate so well with everyone here because everyone learned English. Even though they can speak French they are all willing to speak English around me (sometimes I feel like a dumb American with my two years of high school Spanish).

At 2:00am the boys had found a motel - I had already fallen asleep in the car. The three of us girls took a bed and the two boys took another. The next day we walked through the streets, enjoyed live music and street performers, explored the market, found a castle,

and hung out at the park.

We tried some very sweet maple taffy which is created by rolling maple syrup up from ice - was cool to see that done in front of me.

I fell in love with this grassy bridge street overpass thing (I'm sure it has a better name than that). I like taking pictures of things like this, and people more than buildings so that is the majority of the pictures I took.

grassy bridge

View from grassy bridge

Rodrigo, and Fabio in the right hand corner

Paola

Judith

In the evening, after eating at a mediocre Irish pub, we made our way to the Cirque du Soleil FREE street performance! Quebec city pays the performers to perform for some time in the evenings. The performance is divided into three sections and eventually the three divisions meet in the middle so the audience has to follow the performers. Really a spectacular event.

My favorite part of the performance was a female who did all sorts of amazing feats in a solo performance, such as doing the splits parallel to a vertical pole that was spinning. The only way I can describe her is a very delicate ballerina pole dancer - she had mad muscle strength. I couldn't get any quality photos but a Flickr member snagged this one - to find out info on him or see the pic up close just click on it.

We left a bit early from Cirque so we could catch what we'd missed the previous night. The Image Mill is a large projection on the old mill in Quebec - spectators watch the 40 minute projection from across the water. As taken from a Quebec tourism site: The Bunge grain silo “projection screen” is over 600 meters wide and 30 meters tall—the equivalent of 25 IMAX screens!

The production portrays the history of Quebec with images and sounds. I didn't get a lot of it, but it was a really cool experience just chilling on the grass across from this humongous projection.

To check it out on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVK5qXfYMwA

Got back safe and sound at 2am. Had a blast and really enjoyed the company I spent the weekend with.

Yesterday the cal state kids got together for some Thai food so we could get to know each other, finally! It was great hanging out with everyone. Afterward I hung out with some friends from the hostel for a farewell to Amy (a girl from California who had been staying in the hostel during her vacation).

School starts tomorrow! I've never been so excited for classes to start; time to learn some French and meet some new people.

Convenience is Key

Yesterday I spent entirely too much time trying to get to Ikea. I swear by the public transit system, its just that Ikea is far and I was going by myself. Ikea really isn't all that fun by yourself but not many people wanted to go to Ikea because all my friends are more settled than I am and I wanted to go early.

Long story short I ended up getting the bed I picked out at Ikea from some guy off craigslist for less. Plus, free delivery. Yeah bed! It is still a mattress on the floor with all the parts scattered about because I'd rather paint before I set it up.

Today was spent talking with the landlord and paying first months rent, going to an orientation of sorts (ended up being geared for freshman, but hey, I found out that Snoop Dog will be at orientation on the first day and got to listen to the president who is one rad lady as far as I'm concerned), window shopping for a hair straightener (I'm sorry, but it has been too long that I've been without), researching banks, and watching a fantastic documentary in the evening through the world film festival.

Have I mentioned the world film festival? Montréalers (and perhaps Canadians in general) know how to live it up during the summer. I love the buzzing evening atmosphere: open restaurants with tables on the sidewalks, bikes, closed off streets, and the film festival going on in the heart of the city.

Thus far I've seen three films: The Escape - a Danish film on a journalist who escapes from a terrorist group with the help of one of its members. Searching for Dragone is a documentary on Franco Dragone (theater director known for work with Cirque du Soleil); a highly entertaining character because he has a temper and I love seeing how different people work in the field I'm interested in. The director of the film got up from the chair right in front of us and answered questions afterwards, I would have liked to say something but he and everyone else were speaking in French. The last two that I saw included Diario del Fin (Diary of the End) - a hauntingly beautiful short film on a woman with a bleak future. Pictured above. The short film was just before the documentary film on Iraqi children in Baghdad: Diary of the Ash City. Many of the children interviewed exuded such insight, intelligence, hope, and innocence when it came to daily explosions and the sectarian war that I kept thinking they'd hired actors. I'd really like to look into more of what the creators have to say, as they were putting themselves and those they interviewed into a lot of danger.

I found out this evening that the YMCA just around the corner provides free swimming hours to the public from now through December - FANTASTIC! I'm wedged between a darling library (pictured below) and the YMCA so I'm all set for winter, kids.For pictures and info on my neighborhood: imtl.org

The Way We Get By

Montreal has a beautiful hill that is considered a mountain; the base of the mountain has a little statue and gathering area. Mont Royal is not too far from where I'm located and I love passing the green grass and pretty trees - when it stops raining I'll go for a little trek.

Yesterday the Tamtams were held at the base of the mountain. Grandpa Bain would love to be a part of this, I'm certain. On Sundays during the summer people gather together and have a drum circle, people sell jewelery, and everyone is welcome.


We passed through the art festival going on. They had blocked off a main street for street performers and sales. I went with a few of my buddies to Ben and Jerry's after - 3 scoops for $3!

I moved into my official room.

Can you see why I'd want to paint it? Pictured is my sweet $5 desk that I purchased from a dude around the corner.

And this is my awesome closet - you need a ladder to get to the higher rack of clothes.

I still need to find a bed. Hopefully someone on Craigslist will be able to deliver.

Later that night I went out with my roommates and their friends to a little bluegrass festival. You don't have to pay entry fees for the little venues in this city - magnificent.

où je vis (where I live)

I'm going home...

My neighborhood...

Whenever I say things like this I get the undeniable urge to smile. Being homeless for a week will do that to you, but living in a place you're enamored with will do it too.

Here it is:

The kitchen has two sinks, lots of cupboard space, and fruit brand stickers all over (look below the cupboards). This is an artistic house because quite artistic people reside in it. I like walking through and finding a new quirk every time.

Here is my hallway but more importantly: pictured is my lovely roommate Cardy as she sews a design on her dress.

Hands down favorite component of the house aside from the chill people that live in it: the bathroom. That is the shower.

This is the bathroom mirror, decor, and the charming cracked paint.

The room I'm temporarily sleeping in - this door leads to the balcony.

The view of the street from my balcony!

I'm currently chilling out in the back room of the house on a bunch of cushions and pillows that were already in the room. On a Walmart trip I purchased a blanket and pillow. Aside from my suitcase and some Walmart stuff I've got very little to my name. Maybe its a little silly but it makes me incredibly happy living so simply. My life consists of figuring out my neighborhood and cruising craigslist for furniture. On the first I move into my official living quarters next door! I'll probably paint it while I still have no furniture because it is a dark, depressing green. Cardy says yellow to remind me of the sunshine.

Ottawa

Today a few of us went to Ottawa to see Parliament, the market, and the civilization museum. It was a fun day but my dogs are tired from this week. Must be time to mellow out and settle into my new place - pictures to come soon!

Pictures: "Obama" cookies sold at local restaurant, view from Peace Tower, the group of us that went, cathedral, Parliament.