The goodbyes in Montreal were easier than I expected, or at least, much less sentimental than I was dreading they would be. I think I'm a bit emotionally drained so I don't think I see the goodbyes so much as a sad thing as I see it as something that just is - es muss sein. At that point of no return you can only look ahead or you can't keep moving.
So with last minute goodbyes under my belt, two hefty bags worth of my life here, and an early morning haul to the ride share Cardy and I were off to Toronto.
At first it didn't hit me but then slowly the sadness did creep in. Lucky for me though, Cardy and Toronto are too much fun to linger for too long.
She and I stayed at a backpackers hostel downtown because Cardy lives in the suburbs and we wanted to be central for all the action. We were close to Chinatown and this great area called Kensington Market. I've come to the conclusion that my favorite part of traveling is the food - if that's good the rest usually follows suit. Toronto delivers in the food department, and it helps that Cardy knows where it's at. So we've been eating a lot.
We checked in and then Cardy took me for potstickers! I haven't had potstickers in ages and they're typically the kind you buy frozen at Costco. We then walked around Kensington Market and explored the little clothing stores and colorful shops, coffee houses, and markets. It's such a sweet area to hang out in that we spent quite a bit of time there.
That evening we saw Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross at Soulpepper - a really good local theatre company (the kind I'd like to intern for). Great production in all aspects. The theatre is located in the renovated distillery district so it's a beautiful locale inside and out. The area definitely has a different feel than The Mainline in Montreal which is beat down with hand painted flames outside its doors. I'm not even sure I should be comparing the two as Soulpepper may be more equivalent to the Centaur in Montreal - hard to tell since Anglo theatre isn't as popular as francophone. I like both for different reasons but the common thread tends to be their choice of production work; career wise I'm leaning towards the more established, money making companies - girl's got to make a living.
That evening the sleepiness hit me so I took a two hour nap which Cardy graciously let me take. We left the hostel for a late night dinner at a Chinese Diner. I've been missing out on so much. Cardy had me try Congee which is basically this sort of rice based porridge. We got fish Congee and ate it with fried bread bits. So simple and delish. Then we left quite late to walk to the art school found in Toronto: OCAD - it's designed to look like a cube being held up by colored pencils. By 3 am we had walked to the town hall area. It was kind of nice to walk in the cool evening air and see the city at night - bustling even at 3 am!
Next morning we ate ate this great breakfast shop with lots of rolls and sweets: egg tart, pineapple bun with a custard on top, curry beef bun, coconut tart, raisin twist - I must find a shop like this in my next place of residence. After eating we made tracks to the Ontario Museum of Art. King Tut was there so we spent a lot of time in that exhibit. I made a point of going to see Wangechi Mutu's work which is temporarily collected in the museum - the first large collection of her works. She's a contemporary artist that I was introduced to when Daniel and I had gone to San Francisco's MOMA and her work just blew me away. They had given her a room and she had transformed it in her unique style familiar in her works. She does collages that comment on women, africanness, globalization, and sexuality - if I can be so forward in my simplifications of her messages. She collages and they're very good collages. Jess is another one that I can look at for hours given the opportunity and I'm beginning to wonder if collage art suits my aesthetic pallet. When I went to explore with the bit of time I had left after Tut and Mutu I found this trippy (apologies for the lame adjective) sculpture by David Altmejd - The Index. The guy made this huge piece made of mirrors with anthropomorphic birds and a broken apart werewolf and all sorts of little details along the way. There was an area you could walk into and I stayed too long or something because all the mirrors and little details started to make me jumpy. I was moved, affected, and engaged - the kind of art I dig generally has to have an eclectic sense for me to dig it, I suppose.
Vietnamese subs followed. YUM.
We met a few people in the hostel; a dude from Amsterdam, a Finish guy, and one German girl and boy. We convinced them to go to the Cameron house with us for some "garage jazz cabaret noir"Kevin Quain and the Mad Bastards. We ended up sitting next to this working Torontonian named Julie who was really talkative and gave us all the stories from her travels. Her latest was Nashville where she swore all the bars had strip karaoke and the people were so friendly she tended to think it was a joke. People do say "ya'll" and ex cons stop to give friendly directions.
The band was really good and the venue was pretty great itself. Julie said that it works as an art gallery so the interior design is always different. This one was full of decorated cowboy boots and paintings. The band plays every Sunday and they are very local and established. I was pretty blown away by their songs, the covers songs, and the choice to play the saw for "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." I downloaded that stuff when I got to Cardy's house because the guy didn't have anymore of the album I wanted.
Today, after doing some last minute souvenir shopping in Kensington market we moved over to North York - the subway where Cardy lives. Uh...is it bad that I felt a sense of relief when I hit suburb sidewalk? Wow. I must miss all of Stockton if that's where I'm at.
Cardy's house is great. Her Mom and sister Camen are really welcoming and I got to have homemade Chinese dinner. I really want to learn to make the ginger, garlic, coriander fish that Cardy's Mom made for us. Right now I'm feeling really good just chilling out and blogging in a living room on their massage chair (oh yeah!) right after watching the Canadiens beat Washington in a pivotal game for the Stanley cup - let's hope they beat em for the 7th game.
I've got another day here with Cardy and then it's off to Chicago and Andrew Doney - a friend from Sonoma who recently moved there for work in music. I'm really glad this is the place I get to say goodbye to Cardy as we've been planning to go to Toronto together since we bonded so quickly in the beginning. It's been really special for me.
I think this is going to be my final blog entry in my study abroad adventure. But I do want to document my adventures back to California through middle America so I'll start another blog up for that.
I'd hate to sum up my experience in some petty adjectives and cliches that don't do it justice but let me just do it anyway: eye-opening, character building, learning experience, fun, challenging, good for me, lots of heart, courage for another fresh start. Okay.
Thanks for the support and for reading. You're interest is what really makes it all possible. See most of you very soon.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Right Back Where I Started From
It's a bittersweet week as I make my preparations to return home. I decided to go home because even summer didn't seem like a good idea after a series of events told me it's time to go back to the sunshine state and my family. Yes, Tim and I did break up, but I'd say it was a collections of things that made me realize I'm not ready to stay still here much longer. I'm a wanda wanda wanderer.
I'm a graduate?! I finished not long ago with a really anticlimactic Greek Mythology final. Let us keep our fingers crossed until I actually get all those courses approved by SSU. There is a %50 chance that I may need to take one other course at SSU before I can get that official certificate that says I signed away my life for four years. Toying with the idea of walking with my class just to do it for the sake of feeling some sort of accomplishment after all the papers, studying, and crappy summer jobs.
Now I'm going to do what I want to do. Anyway, I leave in a few for Toronto with Cardy, then I'll stop in Chicago to see Andrew, and then my Dad will pick me up and we're going to drive back together. It's a pretty great way to return home, if I say so myself.
I'm so excited to see my family! I'm not excited at all to be coming home to Stockton, especially after having such a life of freedom and jam packed fun in Montreal. The plan is to be home for a month or so and then move out asap when I have a plan/job. To which city you ask? Don't know yet, I suppose it all depends.
Yesterday Graham, Cameron, and I checked out the St-Joseph Oratory. It's a huge church on the hill, very impressive interior, huge organ, the works. It was really interesting to see after reading a book on Quebec history and the importance of the church beginning with its founding until just recently (in history time).
Photos courtesy of Graham!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sunburn
I've never been happy to sport the pinkish aftermath of laying in the sun too long without sunscreen except this once. This weekend the weather has been in the 20's (high 60's, low 70's for Fahrenheit). I've packed away my winter things in my suitcase and started putting on my summer clothes. I walk outside and want to jump up and down like a little kid, it makes me so happy. I've got a week and a half more of school at this point so I'm trying to remember that.
This weekend I was outside on the balcony, my window flung open. The old place had a BBQ and we had friends over, and yesterday I went to an Easter Sunday picnic with people from the hostel. Judith and Daniel had made colored eggs and Easter bread. We played some American football. Everyone in Montreal swarmed the Mont-Royal - I've never seen so many babies and puppies in one weekend - it must be spring.
My birthday was really nice. It was the weekend before the Vagina Monologues and a tough week of school for me so I was kind of stressed and tired. But Tim took care of things pretty much for me. He took me out in the morning and along the walk to go ice skating I kept running into friends that he had asked to wait along the way. That evening we all were at my house and he had Logan create a little video that explained how my friends had all chipped in money to have him come visit me. It was a very thoughtful present and a very memorable birthday for sure.
The cast just before opening
I've been doing lots of research for programs, fellowships, and internships in the field and I'm surprised at how much there is out there in the form of sponsorship.
I'm just enjoying the rest of my Easter break, as we have Monday off, and trying to get some research done for a paper. It's going to rain this week, and while I'm not too thrilled, at least it will keep me indoors and concentrating for the last stretch of school.
I'll write when the last final is finished. Cheers!
This weekend I was outside on the balcony, my window flung open. The old place had a BBQ and we had friends over, and yesterday I went to an Easter Sunday picnic with people from the hostel. Judith and Daniel had made colored eggs and Easter bread. We played some American football. Everyone in Montreal swarmed the Mont-Royal - I've never seen so many babies and puppies in one weekend - it must be spring.
My birthday was really nice. It was the weekend before the Vagina Monologues and a tough week of school for me so I was kind of stressed and tired. But Tim took care of things pretty much for me. He took me out in the morning and along the walk to go ice skating I kept running into friends that he had asked to wait along the way. That evening we all were at my house and he had Logan create a little video that explained how my friends had all chipped in money to have him come visit me. It was a very thoughtful present and a very memorable birthday for sure.
The next weekend we put on the show. It was a great success and a really important weekend for me. We had the space for a very limited time so tech was very cramped and we all really had to work hard to organize so everything was done on time. I'm so happy with the outcome of everyone's hard work. This has been a very rewarding experience and one that reassured me that theatre is where it's at.
The cast just before openingI'm just enjoying the rest of my Easter break, as we have Monday off, and trying to get some research done for a paper. It's going to rain this week, and while I'm not too thrilled, at least it will keep me indoors and concentrating for the last stretch of school.
I'll write when the last final is finished. Cheers!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Waking Up to Sunshine
Dear friends, family, and stalkers,
It's been a little while. It's been quite a while, really. My apologies for that, I know that my grandparents on both sides (who would get the award for being the best g-parents around when it comes to supporting their grandchildren with letters of encouragement, packages of love, and emails of concern) are probably starting to wonder about me. Don't you worry, I'll be better about it for the duration of school (and summer, if you so wish).
Though it may be the shortest month in the calendar this February was the longest for me; I think this is partially due to how last month was around when I started feeling very over winter, when the short days really got to me, and when I had the most difficult time in school and at home (as in the apartment I was living at previously). A lot of it had to do with Tim and I dating long distance via skype and texts; albeit it ended up being only a month of separation but it was still difficult. It had just blossomed right before he left, and I suppose since we lived together and were such good friends already it made it really hard to suddenly not see each other everyday and try to learn how to be together in our new developed dynamic. Don't get me wrong, it was a lot of fun too just getting to know each other from a distance with our new feelings for each other. Sufficed to say I had a difficult time concentrating on school and it wasn't until he came back just before Valentine's day that I was thankfully given winter break (or reading week) to be with him and do some catch up work for school that I felt a little better.
I do, however, often have to remind myself that I'm here for school. But school has been a challenge for me because I've gotten in a bit of a slump with winter - the cold has made me want to hibernate. This is difficult, because I'm here as a creative writing major - and the last thing I want to do right now is sit down and write. When it's not sleep, life and the work I'm doing outside of the rigidity of the classroom is much more exciting and has been the thing that has kept me warm this winter.
It's not till recently that the weather is miraculously warmer and the sun lasts longer. I found the perfect new place: cheap, great roommates, same street I was living on, and I have a huge sunny window! Though, this too has its disadvantages because now all I want to do is be outside, get to know my new roomies, or cook in my new kitchen: anything to avoid school.
Ladies and gents, I may be coming to the end of it, but I've come to realize that this girl isn't made for academia. At least, not right now. And if it was academia I was meant for, then it was at a school like Concordia with a degree that focused on directing and stage management. I've half admitted this to myself many a time, but always just kept going because my goal seemed more driven towards finishing school so that I wouldn't waste time or money.
Note: I do plan on going to grad school, but probably not for a long while. Time to self educate, explore my options and passions, and explore the world.
I may not be particularly compatible with my English major, and I can tell you I certainly feel a fraud as a creative writing major; but I can tell you that I know and love theatre. I have started to feel really comfortable in the work I've done and the experience I've slowly gathered in theatre classrooms and projects. I feel like I belong, now more than ever, in the theatre process. For now. I'm very much okay with realizing later that theatre isn't my thing but I think it's about time I accept that it's what gets me going, moving, thinking, and learning; and has been that thing for some time now - regardless of how little money it will make me. And I think it took coming to a place like Montreal to really accept that about myself. I'm not knocking Sonoma, it's just that I reached the big fish in a little pond feeling there and I guess that's why I plunked myself in a larger environment to begin with. Though when I did this, I must admit, I was still pretty intent on miraculously coming into my own as a creative writer. Think again girl. Theatre is pulling on miss Bonnie, but for now it's not in the direction of playwright.
I guess I'm learning that the hard way, and there isn't a day that doesn't go by where I'm not nearly pulling my hair out from frustration about writing a script. Days where I'm cursing those majors who can read a text book, or do an equation and then move on with their lives whereas I've got to sit down and stare at a blank screen and write crap and then only come to my enlightenment at 4 am when my brain won't function correctly anymore to put words on the screen that can capture it. Then going to class on Tuesday and feeling the humiliation that comes along with hearing your drivel out loud. It's not a very fun cycle, but perhaps something I needed to experience. I'm not ruling out writing. But I'm certainly not able to write when I'm in school in a way that I'd like. I think I've got to come into my own on my time off, I think I'm not developed enough outside of school to have the confidence. And I certainly haven't written enough to call myself a writing major. So I say English and emphasize the theatre minor.
I'm loving the Vagina Monologues and I feel so privileged to be a part of this process. In many ways, as other theatre experience has shown, it can be the thing that keeps me energized enough to get through yet another semester. It can be the thing that stresses me out the most, but at the end of the day, it's always something I'm glad I did because I learn so much and feel very accomplished about. Not to mention that I've become very close with the director and friend, Rhea from Winnipeg.
Along the lines of the production: we've got an eight hour rehearsal on Sunday, rehearsals dispersed throughout the week, and then the big weekend is coming where we'll get into tech and then right after the show will be up in the big theatre on campus. I think it's great that even though I came here unable to participate in the theatre productions because I'm not a major, I still found a way to get involved and ended up being in a production that did make its way to the big stage.
School really isn't that far from being finished and I'm starting to formulate my summer. Not only my summer, but it looks as if I'll be finding a way to stay for quite a while with a month visit back to my roots in between. For summer I'm still looking to take a two month, four day a week, $50 French course with Cardy; volunteer for big theatre festival in Montreal, The Fringe, and get other work or volunteerism in with other theatre spaces or companies; and get some sort of job that will allow for me to pay rent and buy groceries. And I've got to find a way to stay without an academic visa after that so it's going to take some research and getting things straight. It's scary but also very exciting because I really do want to stay and I've got lots that's drawing me here - I just realize it's not going to be easy because I am, after all, in another country, not only that, but an area of that country where it's pretty necessary to parler français; something, I'll readily admit, I'm not very good at picking up and I've got to work much harder at.
Something I've learned about myself; something that is noticeably different: I'm a champ at taking on change, but not even that, I need and crave it. I think this was already true but moving to the east coast of North America has a huge impact on my resiliency and desire to be more protean.
A few weekends ago there was a Nuit Blance (translation: up all night) city-wide celebration. My old pack and new pack of roommates conjoined to walk around the city and enjoy all the events. Concordia has been having it's two week Art Matters festival - the largest event of it's kind in North America (I know, right?!). Rhea had a piece in it so Tim and I went to go see her performance as well as all the other performances at the collected works in a local venue. Found some new music! Elgin-Skye is a soon to be purchased album for me. She sings about woodland creatures and manatees.
Also, my birthday is tomorrow and I have been forgetting it's even happening this whole month because it's such a small thing in comparison to everything going on. I'm going to go to some student produced work that I was lucky enough to see written in one of my classes and then I'm going to see my friend in her student produced dance show. Afterward I'm having friends to my new place and then we'll go dancing. Sunday evening after a loooong rehearsal, I'll be going to see Joanna Newsom - a singer/songwriter from Nevada City, California. Somehow, sometime I've got to write this darn script more fully into existence. I seriously get anxiety every time we meet to workshop because it's not getting out there and the day that the class has to see it is just around the corner. This is what I signed up for, and I do realize I'm lucking to be in such a great program with such talented folks - it's just that more often than not, I don't feel like I belong.
I'll post pictures of the new place soon!
I love you all. Hope life finds you well.
It's been a little while. It's been quite a while, really. My apologies for that, I know that my grandparents on both sides (who would get the award for being the best g-parents around when it comes to supporting their grandchildren with letters of encouragement, packages of love, and emails of concern) are probably starting to wonder about me. Don't you worry, I'll be better about it for the duration of school (and summer, if you so wish).
Though it may be the shortest month in the calendar this February was the longest for me; I think this is partially due to how last month was around when I started feeling very over winter, when the short days really got to me, and when I had the most difficult time in school and at home (as in the apartment I was living at previously). A lot of it had to do with Tim and I dating long distance via skype and texts; albeit it ended up being only a month of separation but it was still difficult. It had just blossomed right before he left, and I suppose since we lived together and were such good friends already it made it really hard to suddenly not see each other everyday and try to learn how to be together in our new developed dynamic. Don't get me wrong, it was a lot of fun too just getting to know each other from a distance with our new feelings for each other. Sufficed to say I had a difficult time concentrating on school and it wasn't until he came back just before Valentine's day that I was thankfully given winter break (or reading week) to be with him and do some catch up work for school that I felt a little better.
I do, however, often have to remind myself that I'm here for school. But school has been a challenge for me because I've gotten in a bit of a slump with winter - the cold has made me want to hibernate. This is difficult, because I'm here as a creative writing major - and the last thing I want to do right now is sit down and write. When it's not sleep, life and the work I'm doing outside of the rigidity of the classroom is much more exciting and has been the thing that has kept me warm this winter.
It's not till recently that the weather is miraculously warmer and the sun lasts longer. I found the perfect new place: cheap, great roommates, same street I was living on, and I have a huge sunny window! Though, this too has its disadvantages because now all I want to do is be outside, get to know my new roomies, or cook in my new kitchen: anything to avoid school.
Ladies and gents, I may be coming to the end of it, but I've come to realize that this girl isn't made for academia. At least, not right now. And if it was academia I was meant for, then it was at a school like Concordia with a degree that focused on directing and stage management. I've half admitted this to myself many a time, but always just kept going because my goal seemed more driven towards finishing school so that I wouldn't waste time or money.
Note: I do plan on going to grad school, but probably not for a long while. Time to self educate, explore my options and passions, and explore the world.
I may not be particularly compatible with my English major, and I can tell you I certainly feel a fraud as a creative writing major; but I can tell you that I know and love theatre. I have started to feel really comfortable in the work I've done and the experience I've slowly gathered in theatre classrooms and projects. I feel like I belong, now more than ever, in the theatre process. For now. I'm very much okay with realizing later that theatre isn't my thing but I think it's about time I accept that it's what gets me going, moving, thinking, and learning; and has been that thing for some time now - regardless of how little money it will make me. And I think it took coming to a place like Montreal to really accept that about myself. I'm not knocking Sonoma, it's just that I reached the big fish in a little pond feeling there and I guess that's why I plunked myself in a larger environment to begin with. Though when I did this, I must admit, I was still pretty intent on miraculously coming into my own as a creative writer. Think again girl. Theatre is pulling on miss Bonnie, but for now it's not in the direction of playwright.
I guess I'm learning that the hard way, and there isn't a day that doesn't go by where I'm not nearly pulling my hair out from frustration about writing a script. Days where I'm cursing those majors who can read a text book, or do an equation and then move on with their lives whereas I've got to sit down and stare at a blank screen and write crap and then only come to my enlightenment at 4 am when my brain won't function correctly anymore to put words on the screen that can capture it. Then going to class on Tuesday and feeling the humiliation that comes along with hearing your drivel out loud. It's not a very fun cycle, but perhaps something I needed to experience. I'm not ruling out writing. But I'm certainly not able to write when I'm in school in a way that I'd like. I think I've got to come into my own on my time off, I think I'm not developed enough outside of school to have the confidence. And I certainly haven't written enough to call myself a writing major. So I say English and emphasize the theatre minor.
I'm loving the Vagina Monologues and I feel so privileged to be a part of this process. In many ways, as other theatre experience has shown, it can be the thing that keeps me energized enough to get through yet another semester. It can be the thing that stresses me out the most, but at the end of the day, it's always something I'm glad I did because I learn so much and feel very accomplished about. Not to mention that I've become very close with the director and friend, Rhea from Winnipeg.
Along the lines of the production: we've got an eight hour rehearsal on Sunday, rehearsals dispersed throughout the week, and then the big weekend is coming where we'll get into tech and then right after the show will be up in the big theatre on campus. I think it's great that even though I came here unable to participate in the theatre productions because I'm not a major, I still found a way to get involved and ended up being in a production that did make its way to the big stage.
School really isn't that far from being finished and I'm starting to formulate my summer. Not only my summer, but it looks as if I'll be finding a way to stay for quite a while with a month visit back to my roots in between. For summer I'm still looking to take a two month, four day a week, $50 French course with Cardy; volunteer for big theatre festival in Montreal, The Fringe, and get other work or volunteerism in with other theatre spaces or companies; and get some sort of job that will allow for me to pay rent and buy groceries. And I've got to find a way to stay without an academic visa after that so it's going to take some research and getting things straight. It's scary but also very exciting because I really do want to stay and I've got lots that's drawing me here - I just realize it's not going to be easy because I am, after all, in another country, not only that, but an area of that country where it's pretty necessary to parler français; something, I'll readily admit, I'm not very good at picking up and I've got to work much harder at.
Something I've learned about myself; something that is noticeably different: I'm a champ at taking on change, but not even that, I need and crave it. I think this was already true but moving to the east coast of North America has a huge impact on my resiliency and desire to be more protean.
A few weekends ago there was a Nuit Blance (translation: up all night) city-wide celebration. My old pack and new pack of roommates conjoined to walk around the city and enjoy all the events. Concordia has been having it's two week Art Matters festival - the largest event of it's kind in North America (I know, right?!). Rhea had a piece in it so Tim and I went to go see her performance as well as all the other performances at the collected works in a local venue. Found some new music! Elgin-Skye is a soon to be purchased album for me. She sings about woodland creatures and manatees.
Also, my birthday is tomorrow and I have been forgetting it's even happening this whole month because it's such a small thing in comparison to everything going on. I'm going to go to some student produced work that I was lucky enough to see written in one of my classes and then I'm going to see my friend in her student produced dance show. Afterward I'm having friends to my new place and then we'll go dancing. Sunday evening after a loooong rehearsal, I'll be going to see Joanna Newsom - a singer/songwriter from Nevada City, California. Somehow, sometime I've got to write this darn script more fully into existence. I seriously get anxiety every time we meet to workshop because it's not getting out there and the day that the class has to see it is just around the corner. This is what I signed up for, and I do realize I'm lucking to be in such a great program with such talented folks - it's just that more often than not, I don't feel like I belong.
I'll post pictures of the new place soon!
I love you all. Hope life finds you well.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
I'll stop the world and melt with you like a blister in the sun
Apologies for being a poor blogger this month everyone.
School whacked me in the face and I feel like I've been trying to salve a nosebleed ever since.
Rehearsals are going well and I really like the girls. We rehearse twice a week on the weekends. I've made pretty good friends with the director and it's so much fun working with a student director who is my peer; instead of being someone I'm supposed to learn from, we learn together.
School is going alright now. I'm still really digging my Irish Lit course and all the stuff that our professor brings to the table. The other courses are all great as well, I'm really glad about my choices, I just wasn't prepared for all the readings that I'd be doing.
So fun stuff:
I went to Igloofest last weekend. It's a Canadian thing, I suppose, to go dance to techno music outside in -13 degrees celcius. It was quite a strange novelty dancing around bumping into people in my big puffy jacket. A fun novelty, but I think it will just be a one time thing. Crazy Canadians.
Yesterday I went to go see one of my favorite bands! Nouvelle Vague made there way to Montreal. They're a french band led by two producers that do bossa nova covers of punk and new wave. The producers have said that they wanted to bring new life to the songs so they usually picked women singers who had never heard the originals. It is SO good. Made to sound like 60's French pop; they are such a great live presence band. One of the girls ran into the crowd and danced around with people, me included. The other, for a final song, came into the crowd with her mic while singing and got really dramatic for the song 'Bela Lugosi's Dead' and writhed around on the floor.
Tim and I are now an item, fyi. Dani called it. It's a good fit and I'm happy. And no, we will no longer be roommates, and yes, he is still in Vancouver.
School whacked me in the face and I feel like I've been trying to salve a nosebleed ever since.
Rehearsals are going well and I really like the girls. We rehearse twice a week on the weekends. I've made pretty good friends with the director and it's so much fun working with a student director who is my peer; instead of being someone I'm supposed to learn from, we learn together.
School is going alright now. I'm still really digging my Irish Lit course and all the stuff that our professor brings to the table. The other courses are all great as well, I'm really glad about my choices, I just wasn't prepared for all the readings that I'd be doing.
So fun stuff:
I went to Igloofest last weekend. It's a Canadian thing, I suppose, to go dance to techno music outside in -13 degrees celcius. It was quite a strange novelty dancing around bumping into people in my big puffy jacket. A fun novelty, but I think it will just be a one time thing. Crazy Canadians.
Yesterday I went to go see one of my favorite bands! Nouvelle Vague made there way to Montreal. They're a french band led by two producers that do bossa nova covers of punk and new wave. The producers have said that they wanted to bring new life to the songs so they usually picked women singers who had never heard the originals. It is SO good. Made to sound like 60's French pop; they are such a great live presence band. One of the girls ran into the crowd and danced around with people, me included. The other, for a final song, came into the crowd with her mic while singing and got really dramatic for the song 'Bela Lugosi's Dead' and writhed around on the floor.
Tim and I are now an item, fyi. Dani called it. It's a good fit and I'm happy. And no, we will no longer be roommates, and yes, he is still in Vancouver.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Baaston, Virginia is for lovers, and the Concrete Jungle
Hold onto your butts, this one is long overdue and jam packed and probably not that articulate.
I woke up a little late for the ride share Emilia and I were to take to NYC. Emilia searched on a website where people offer a space in their car for a small fee - it's a pretty awesome system and faster than the bus for crossing the border. Anyway, I wake up late. So I stumble around my room throwing on layers as fast as I can, trying to pack last minute things, and shoving a bagel down I run out the door to the stop where we're supposed to meet. A woman from Montreal is taking her friend from France to NYC with a hired student tour guide. I sleep most the time and it's a pretty relaxed ride. We get to the border and I'm not going to lie, I felt kind of embarrassed to be an American during the border crossing. The people at the border try really hard to intimidate and they're so suspicious of everything. It made me nervous even though I didn't do anything wrong. On the car ride I felt like apologizing to everyone for how silly we were treated, I may have, actually. I don't remember.
Anyway, we get to NYC where we're scheduled to take a bus to Boston. We miss the first bus, but it was a free ticket anyway for a seasonal promotion. So we buy a ticket and we're on the last bus to Boston, on our way between the storms that are going on around this time.
We arrive to see Maeve! It was so good to see her smiling face, a friend from back home! She took such good care of us too. She had meal points and an extra bed for Emilia and I to share so we saved a lot for the day and a half we were there. She shows us Boston College, the city, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and this rad thrift store called The Garment District. If you ever get a chance, check it out. They have this large pile of clothes you can pretty much swim in and everything in it is $1.50 a pound. We also attended a truly enjoyable Christmas punk show. That was really exciting for me because I've been craving it quite a bit. Punk I mean. Also, just the feel of American, because it is different. I accidentally gave them a Canadian twenty at the entrance and got a little disgruntled. The guy looked at me and was like...yeah...we don't take that here. Also cool about Boston: the accents. Oh man. A successful romp in Boston was had and I'm so glad I got to see Maeve before she left for California Christmas.
Next was Virginia! What a pleasure to bus through other states and see the countryside for cheap. So so so good to see everyone in the fam that lives in the east coast because it's been a while. Kellen especially because I've grown rather fond of that cousin of mine. Virginia is really very beautiful, aunt Lana took such good care of us, Gordon was a lovely chauffeur and snow man maker, and the boys were good for entertainment. It felt like real Christmas. Not that the others were fake before, it's just I've always had the picture in my head that Christmas is snowy. We woke up at 11 to open presents (and I'm used to 6 with Emma), and both Emilia and I were overwhelmed by how kind our family was for being so thoughtful with their gifts. I felt like a little kid again. I got a Uke! After presents we made a snow man, and then Emilia and I made some latkas (part of Christmas with my immediate fam).
Throughout our week there we visited D.C. I got to see the senate and look in on the debates! That means I was watching John Kerry, John McCain and others from an observation deck like animals in a cage. Kind of felt surreal. Checked out some other areas, saw the big tree, the white house, etc. We went to a diner type resto in the D.C. mall so that Emilia could have an American shake.
Devin convinced us to go to the Marine Museum, which was pretty interesting. Also visited George Washington's estates and then an art collective location that used to be a factory that produced missiles. Also, Target. That was kinda lame to get excited about but I was nonetheless. My favorite part of the trip was just exploring the Virginia woods just near the house with my cousins and their dog Toby. What a charming area. And I only had to wear a sweater! It was like spring when we left because all the snow was melting.
I'm so grateful to have spent Christmas with family and to get a feel for what it's like to live in the east. I'm a lucky duck, I tell you. I've got good people in my life. Thanks so much guys! It's a Christmas I won't forget.
Then it was on to NYC. Emilia and I get there and meet with Tim. Apparently the border was more of a jerk to him. Shessh. We get to our hostel and drop our stuff and then go walking around Manhattan to get a sense of the city. We were in NYC for a total of a week and Dani joined after two days of us being there already.
We did the basics: Central Park, Conney Island (so Emilia could take photos), MoMA (with a really well curated Tim Burton exhibit), MET, Broadway - Sarah Rhule's "In The Next Room" - my kind of play as I'm not a big musical fan, food, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Bridge, Greenwich Village, NBC studios, Time Square, the humongous library, and Strand - a three story, plus a basement, of books selling for fairly good prices and probably the number one reason I would consider moving to NYC if I ever had money for it. I guess I did lots of touristy things but it's kind of necessary for that first trip if you've never been there.
We also stopped by ground zero and walked to the edge of the island to gaze at the statue of liberty. I was surprised by how powerfully I was affected walking by ground zero, of course I comprehend the gravity of what occurred but not in such a personal manner before. Much of it is gated and there is construction on the memorial but there was this large beam from the fire that had stayed in tact in the shape of a cross and had been relocated out of the area. It was really affecting me to read the little messages people had scribbled on it to loved ones. Its simplicity gave me some joy as well, because the area looks as if it will just turn into a huge tourist attraction. And that just scares me. But then again, I'm one of the tourists.
For New Years we were at a loss for what to do because Time Square sounded like a terrible idea. Last minute Tim said he was Canadian to a girl on the subway and got us into a cool party with a bunch of New Yorkers. Was fun to ring in the new year in that sort of environment instead of a tourist attraction where you freeze your buns off.
Adventures had, and super tired we make our way to the trains for our 12 hour ride. Whew! I tried to sleep as much as possible but it was a little difficult. I was loopy, for sure. I can't quite explain how calming it felt to return to the hut, it truly has become my home and I did miss it and Montreal in general. Danz had three days to see Montreal so I tried to put as much together as possible. We went to old port, went ice skating, ate food a lot, hung out with friends, went dancing, etc. It was cool to show someone around. In the midst of this I started school, though, so I hope she had a good time even though I had to dash to class sometimes to make sure I got registered.
Here is my next semester: Greek Mythology, Prose, Playwriting, Power and Conflict Resolution, and Irish Dramatic Literature. Can I just say I'm blown away by how cool my Irish Lit prof is? She's directing a McDonagh play and her profession is directing. So we're looking at plays from a theatrical perspective in an English course. It is perfect for me. Did I mention she is British?
Also this semester, I couldn't help myself so I answered a post for a needed stage manager. I'll be stage managing the Vagina Monologues for this semester. I can't tell you how excited I am. This is an amazing, poignant, and important piece for women and men alike. I've seen it performed twice at Sonoma and both years I was blown away. Before you start bemoaning how your relative is some crazed feminist who chants in your face or doesn't shave her pits please just check out the site if you don't know what the show is: http://www.vday.org/home
This year all proceeds will go to women in the Congo. The vagina monologues is part of the worldwide movement called V-Day, dedicated to ending violence against women and girls.
I've met with the cast and crew and I can tell it's going to be a really rewarding experience and one that I will return to in years to come. Some of you know how much I need large projects in order to thrive, so you understand how excited and energized this makes me. It's been a flurry of a week and the next is just happening! I wish things would slow down because this is, after all, the last of my undergrad.
Oh yeah, also doing belly dancing. I start tomorrow. Wud up. I love you Montreal.
One thing not to be so excited about, though I am excited for him: Tim leaves Friday morning for a Vancouver work adventure. The company he works for is moving him there for the Olympics for two months. I guess it's not that long but I'll still miss him. Guido (his twin) will take his spot for the time so it will ease the difference of him no longer being around. Plus Guido can teach me Uke!
We had a lovely little belated Christmas where we opened gifts and then went out for sushi all dressed up. So we felt like little kids and then grown ups in the same night.
I woke up a little late for the ride share Emilia and I were to take to NYC. Emilia searched on a website where people offer a space in their car for a small fee - it's a pretty awesome system and faster than the bus for crossing the border. Anyway, I wake up late. So I stumble around my room throwing on layers as fast as I can, trying to pack last minute things, and shoving a bagel down I run out the door to the stop where we're supposed to meet. A woman from Montreal is taking her friend from France to NYC with a hired student tour guide. I sleep most the time and it's a pretty relaxed ride. We get to the border and I'm not going to lie, I felt kind of embarrassed to be an American during the border crossing. The people at the border try really hard to intimidate and they're so suspicious of everything. It made me nervous even though I didn't do anything wrong. On the car ride I felt like apologizing to everyone for how silly we were treated, I may have, actually. I don't remember.
Anyway, we get to NYC where we're scheduled to take a bus to Boston. We miss the first bus, but it was a free ticket anyway for a seasonal promotion. So we buy a ticket and we're on the last bus to Boston, on our way between the storms that are going on around this time.
We arrive to see Maeve! It was so good to see her smiling face, a friend from back home! She took such good care of us too. She had meal points and an extra bed for Emilia and I to share so we saved a lot for the day and a half we were there. She shows us Boston College, the city, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and this rad thrift store called The Garment District. If you ever get a chance, check it out. They have this large pile of clothes you can pretty much swim in and everything in it is $1.50 a pound. We also attended a truly enjoyable Christmas punk show. That was really exciting for me because I've been craving it quite a bit. Punk I mean. Also, just the feel of American, because it is different. I accidentally gave them a Canadian twenty at the entrance and got a little disgruntled. The guy looked at me and was like...yeah...we don't take that here. Also cool about Boston: the accents. Oh man. A successful romp in Boston was had and I'm so glad I got to see Maeve before she left for California Christmas.
Next was Virginia! What a pleasure to bus through other states and see the countryside for cheap. So so so good to see everyone in the fam that lives in the east coast because it's been a while. Kellen especially because I've grown rather fond of that cousin of mine. Virginia is really very beautiful, aunt Lana took such good care of us, Gordon was a lovely chauffeur and snow man maker, and the boys were good for entertainment. It felt like real Christmas. Not that the others were fake before, it's just I've always had the picture in my head that Christmas is snowy. We woke up at 11 to open presents (and I'm used to 6 with Emma), and both Emilia and I were overwhelmed by how kind our family was for being so thoughtful with their gifts. I felt like a little kid again. I got a Uke! After presents we made a snow man, and then Emilia and I made some latkas (part of Christmas with my immediate fam).
Throughout our week there we visited D.C. I got to see the senate and look in on the debates! That means I was watching John Kerry, John McCain and others from an observation deck like animals in a cage. Kind of felt surreal. Checked out some other areas, saw the big tree, the white house, etc. We went to a diner type resto in the D.C. mall so that Emilia could have an American shake.
Devin convinced us to go to the Marine Museum, which was pretty interesting. Also visited George Washington's estates and then an art collective location that used to be a factory that produced missiles. Also, Target. That was kinda lame to get excited about but I was nonetheless. My favorite part of the trip was just exploring the Virginia woods just near the house with my cousins and their dog Toby. What a charming area. And I only had to wear a sweater! It was like spring when we left because all the snow was melting.
I'm so grateful to have spent Christmas with family and to get a feel for what it's like to live in the east. I'm a lucky duck, I tell you. I've got good people in my life. Thanks so much guys! It's a Christmas I won't forget.
Then it was on to NYC. Emilia and I get there and meet with Tim. Apparently the border was more of a jerk to him. Shessh. We get to our hostel and drop our stuff and then go walking around Manhattan to get a sense of the city. We were in NYC for a total of a week and Dani joined after two days of us being there already.
We did the basics: Central Park, Conney Island (so Emilia could take photos), MoMA (with a really well curated Tim Burton exhibit), MET, Broadway - Sarah Rhule's "In The Next Room" - my kind of play as I'm not a big musical fan, food, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Bridge, Greenwich Village, NBC studios, Time Square, the humongous library, and Strand - a three story, plus a basement, of books selling for fairly good prices and probably the number one reason I would consider moving to NYC if I ever had money for it. I guess I did lots of touristy things but it's kind of necessary for that first trip if you've never been there.
We also stopped by ground zero and walked to the edge of the island to gaze at the statue of liberty. I was surprised by how powerfully I was affected walking by ground zero, of course I comprehend the gravity of what occurred but not in such a personal manner before. Much of it is gated and there is construction on the memorial but there was this large beam from the fire that had stayed in tact in the shape of a cross and had been relocated out of the area. It was really affecting me to read the little messages people had scribbled on it to loved ones. Its simplicity gave me some joy as well, because the area looks as if it will just turn into a huge tourist attraction. And that just scares me. But then again, I'm one of the tourists.
For New Years we were at a loss for what to do because Time Square sounded like a terrible idea. Last minute Tim said he was Canadian to a girl on the subway and got us into a cool party with a bunch of New Yorkers. Was fun to ring in the new year in that sort of environment instead of a tourist attraction where you freeze your buns off.
Adventures had, and super tired we make our way to the trains for our 12 hour ride. Whew! I tried to sleep as much as possible but it was a little difficult. I was loopy, for sure. I can't quite explain how calming it felt to return to the hut, it truly has become my home and I did miss it and Montreal in general. Danz had three days to see Montreal so I tried to put as much together as possible. We went to old port, went ice skating, ate food a lot, hung out with friends, went dancing, etc. It was cool to show someone around. In the midst of this I started school, though, so I hope she had a good time even though I had to dash to class sometimes to make sure I got registered.
Here is my next semester: Greek Mythology, Prose, Playwriting, Power and Conflict Resolution, and Irish Dramatic Literature. Can I just say I'm blown away by how cool my Irish Lit prof is? She's directing a McDonagh play and her profession is directing. So we're looking at plays from a theatrical perspective in an English course. It is perfect for me. Did I mention she is British?
Also this semester, I couldn't help myself so I answered a post for a needed stage manager. I'll be stage managing the Vagina Monologues for this semester. I can't tell you how excited I am. This is an amazing, poignant, and important piece for women and men alike. I've seen it performed twice at Sonoma and both years I was blown away. Before you start bemoaning how your relative is some crazed feminist who chants in your face or doesn't shave her pits please just check out the site if you don't know what the show is: http://www.vday.org/home
This year all proceeds will go to women in the Congo. The vagina monologues is part of the worldwide movement called V-Day, dedicated to ending violence against women and girls.
I've met with the cast and crew and I can tell it's going to be a really rewarding experience and one that I will return to in years to come. Some of you know how much I need large projects in order to thrive, so you understand how excited and energized this makes me. It's been a flurry of a week and the next is just happening! I wish things would slow down because this is, after all, the last of my undergrad.
Oh yeah, also doing belly dancing. I start tomorrow. Wud up. I love you Montreal.
One thing not to be so excited about, though I am excited for him: Tim leaves Friday morning for a Vancouver work adventure. The company he works for is moving him there for the Olympics for two months. I guess it's not that long but I'll still miss him. Guido (his twin) will take his spot for the time so it will ease the difference of him no longer being around. Plus Guido can teach me Uke!
We had a lovely little belated Christmas where we opened gifts and then went out for sushi all dressed up. So we felt like little kids and then grown ups in the same night.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
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.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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.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!"
Sunday, November 8, 2009
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!
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!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, October 23, 2009
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.
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
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
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Rumpus
Pictures from Thanksgiving are in!
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.
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.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
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!
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!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, September 7, 2009
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).
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.
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,
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
JudithIn 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.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
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
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
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