in the library

I can't help but to think what would have happened if i were to start all over again. If I had made my choices differently.
Very little things such as if I had chosen the Jazz hostel before Alexandrie or if I had never met the people I've met through these strings of choices. If I was more prepared. If i was less prepared. If I wasn't angry when I was talking to the guy on the plateau and lost my chance to live there. If I was to take the nice chinese couple as landlords or even the nice couple at Jolicoeur as landlords. If I had kept looking instead of rushing into that apartment. If I knew about CSDM before I got to Montreal. If I'd waited or if I'd hastened. So much would have changed where I am right now.

I know it doesn't matter thinking what ifs cause nothing could change what has passed. But I couldn't help it because the confined time of a year makes these incidences so apparent. Where I am right now, in this instance, occurs through a string of events and I think it's pretty cool to watch it unfold as it did.

I'm finally out of that appartment=). Will be coming home this Saturday.

the scale

I don't feel right assigning this apartment though i think it's more easy than negotiating with my landlord. It's not right though...so hopefully she'll let me off easy without scaring me half to death. She's one coocooo lady.

cause i promised

I miss her but i know wherever she is she is more happy than living in our little apartment uncleaned and smelly. She tried escaping couple of times when I opened the front door.
I'm coming home this holiday. Saturday 19th December at 9:00pm and I'm leaving again on the 5th of January. I'll call you all and we must go out. =). See you!

...

je n'ai pas lu ta ligne derniere jusqu'à cet moment
je fais des excuses á toi
mais je me mettais en colére avant et durant tu as msged
je n'est pas toujours déprimée
pas toujours
peut-être toujours...ici
mais je ne veux ça, ou
je ne veux pas que tu me dit ça
je suis désolée que j'étais fâchee
mais j'éspere tu es correct
et merci pour tout.

Metro, French and Randoms

The Metro artists here in Montreal are unique, diverse and talented. Their daily production of sound to the Metro defines its location as much as the construction of cultural arts and the casted shadows of distinctive beggars. I’ve encountered a folk singer singing in French, a rock guitar player, some drummers, a classical singer singing Frank Sinatra…a guy playing his guitar across his lap…and a guy at Square Victoria Metro (a business district) with his guitar improvising words to mock the people walking pass the tunnel about their daily lives (i.e. going to work everyday, working hard everyday for a guy who doesn’t know what their worth is…but I know what your worth is.) This awesomeness reminds me of the time I was admiring the artists in London’s tube.

Yesterday, as I was riding the Metro from Berri Uqam to Guy Concordia Metro (that’s about five stops), a guy was beautifully strumming his guitar from beginning to end. That really made up my day.

I’ve been taking a French class everyday from Monday to Thursday from 5:30-9:50 at a local school. The cost is about $50 for two months or so. The class has an interesting mix of people. I heard some are from Argentina, Mexico, Columbia and somewhere else I can’t recall. None of the students in the class were born in Quebec. Most of them are adults. Maybe five out of the twenty are around my age. It’s a small class and we get to converse a lot. I’m really enjoying it and feel like I’m profiting a lot from it.

I’ve got accepted to a program at UQAM, French Writing for Non-francophone but I’m paying tuition price for this course. I’m still debating whether I should take it or leave it. The quality for this course would be…well, I would be more pressed to learn in this kind of environment. The night course at the moment is kind of go at your own pace and absorb as much as you want. I need to think about it some more and see what kind of courses are being offered in this program. Maybe I could take just one.

I’m thinking about going back to Vancouver, not to stay, but to visit. I’m not absolutely sure yet but the thought is up there…more for hygienic reason than anything…I missed my dental check and I feel more comfortable taking my flu shot there than here. I also feel like I need a nutrient boost. I’ll get my act together soon and know for certain what I’m going to do.

I haven’t been at home for the last week as I was staying at a friend’s house. My roommate gave Bella to the SPCA. Last time I came to see Bella she tries to escape. Someone would adopt her soon as she is a kitty. Wherever she is I know she is happier there than here. I don’t think any situation could be worse than here. The pile of poop is still in the washroom.

I’ve been reading the Little Prince every morning. Hehe. Sorry!! I will get you another copy and send it to you soon!

Are you kidding me moments

-Hey. Did one of your friend pooked in our toilet the other day?
-No, I did.
-Well, you need to clean it up
-Okay. But you clean it next time okay!
-Haha if I pooked in it sure I will
(Never cleaned it…but her ex boyfriend did)

Uses own plate to put cat’s food in it. After buying new cat food bowl places plate in sink unwashed.

After verbal reminders and notes on her door…a text
-Could you please do your dishes? It’s been too long...plus I would really love to make dinner at home today
-Yah I’ll do them today sorry I keep forgetting. Although I have been cleaning up the floors daily. I’ll be home later. I want to scrub the bathroom floor I can’t live like this anymore!! Sorry
Dishes has been in the sink for over two weeks…FML
-cleaning up the floors daily- meaning sweeping up cat's litter sand into the kitchen corner

As cleaning the washroom found cat poop beside her litter box because the litter box was too full. Told roommate to look after her cat or get rid of it. She came home. took a rag and covered the poop and called it a job well done.

=)

Happy Halloween! What are you guys doing tonight?

rooming nightmare

So much drama has been happening with this little apartment. As I’ve mentioned there was the asking of a deposit and the leaking in my ceiling which all has come to pass. My landlord had increased the rent by over 20% from the last tenant to now without any major repair to compensate for the illegal increase. The usual increase is 2% per year. So now, we’re asking for a rent reduction plus renovations done to this place b/c it’s falling apart. The kitchen faucet vibrates and there are moles growing around it because it’s not properly glued down. The bathroom sink is loose, the toilet doesn’t flush properly, water pressure in the shower is horrible and the bathtub is so old that the wall paint the repair guy layers on it is chipping off. My roommate’s mom and I went to Regis and opened up a file for the court to look at this place. But, you know, administration takes forever. We had a heavy meeting with the landlord and her husband to see what we could do about this place without taking the time and money to go to court. My landlord is an idiot. She wrote a letter asking us to sign it that we’ve read it. And part of the letter indicated that she has changed my cardboard piece in my ceiling twice and promptly but the problem to this situation was never fixed. It doesn’t matter how many times you change the cardboard piece of the fucking ceiling would always keep leaking if the upstairs compartment takes a shower without the shower curtains completely closed. Even more, she asked me and my roommate to pay her for the lock she put in the bedroom doors. This is ridiculous as it is her investment to the place, not ours. I’m only staying for a year, why would I want to shed forty dollars for that if I could just grab a Dudley lock instead. I’m not paying her.
On top of everything, my roommate doesn’t clean up her dishes and leaves a mess in the washroom every time she re-dyes her hair or drinks too much.

We’re probably moving out soon or I would endure this for a year. I might sublet if I find the time and energy to or get too fed up. But who in their right minds would sublet this place unless they’re a little crazy or desperate. I had a dream last night that I moved into a place that was worse than this. What a nightmare. Note to future me, who may be a home buyer or apartment renter----take my time. Even if all the good ones are going off the market don’t settle for anything that is just passable without fully examining and researching about it.

I never thought I would be the type to be sitting at a McDonalds, alone, enjoying a MacPoulet and drinking a really bad but cheap white moccachino. It isn’t too bad. I see that I’m not alone at being alone here. I can’t imagine doing this in Vancouver before though. I was thinking of bringing all of my food home but the repair guys is there all morning chipping away couple of our kitchen tiles. He’s such a slow and sloppy guy to be hired for the job. He has a grunt towards me because he knows I don’t like the work he does. I’m too sick and tired to argue with him today so I just left. I know I would have a pile of mess to clean up when I get home though.

post note-roommate left kitty drinking tray and dish on the sink thinking we would reuse it perhaps....left kitty's litter in the kitchen garbage and dishes are three days old. repair guy did leave a mess but i'm not in the mood to be generous. It looks like I would be staying in here for the rest of the year...I'll try to make the best out of it.

I started French courses yesterday and it was good to practice my listening. I got offered a Halloween bartending gig from my bar-teacher but have to get rid of a shift at my current job. He told me they're all easy drinks though =(...bore...

I will post pictures up of kitty very soon. Stay posted.

back from waterloo--I'd mogen ein Bier bitte

Nothing was going right for me the last couple of weeks. I got coffee spilled over my laptop I got fired from a job, screwed up on an interview, and was misinformed about class registration date. One of my roommates from Trois Riviere invited me to stay over at her house in waterloo for the Oktoberfest and I accepted it. I didn’t know how much I needed this to recharge and to rethink my intentions of staying in Montreal. It’s nice to be in an English speaking environment once again and to have friends who supports and encourages me on my endeavors…b/c I’m still pretty lonely here in Montreal. It’s hard…to meet good people here…I don’t know why.
I arrived at 11:30 at night and met her roommates and talked for a bit. The next day, I had breakfast with her first year roommates at this breakfast joint. Later, we went shopping in uptown for Halloween costumes and random stuff…thousand villages and had free starbucks where her friend was working. Went to a grocery store bought stuff to make dinner for later. Went clubbing…and that was very interesting. Bad free pouring…old guys…lizard kisser…slutty blue dress girl…test tube shooters…it was all very entertaining. Went back to her place, talked, reminisced and had popcorn.
Next day, our other roommate showed up in the morning as we’re making pancakes and coffee. Went to St. Jacobs…this outdoor market where they sell organic local food. Had hot apple cider…so good. Saw Mennonites. Our other roommate couldn’t make it to the reunion so she asked us to carry a photo of her around. Hehe. And we did. We printed out a live size head shot of her and took it around with us everywhere we went. It was awesome and the looks and laughs we got were priceless.
Made dinner again. Went to her roommate’s first year’s roommate’s residence and watched them play flip cup and drink. Took a taxi to Oktoberfest and waited in line for beer tickets. Never seen so much spilled beer before. Great music. I want to go to the one in Germany someday now. Hmm…what else…oh guy taking jager shots and pints of beer upside down. Great night. Cute guys.
Watched the entire movie of Grease for the first time. Slept for couple hours, woke up at seven thirty to catch the bus. They woke up with me and saw me off. I feel very lucky to have met these people.
Coming back on my ten hour bus ride, I felt refreshed and held a better sense of self again. I felt like I was drowning in Montreal just covered in self pity and misfortunes. It’s funny as I crossed the provincial border I felt my head tightened at the oppressive air that compresses my identity as if the very air could swallow me whole. I’m ready for this again though. I’m working at this place couple blocks away from my house. I had the call as I was in Toronto and he called me back this morning to work this afternoon. I’m working again tomorrow at three after getting my paycheck from my last job, private French lessons and an appointment with employment Quebec. Maybe things will pick up very soon. Hopefully…sigh. But not keeping my hopes up this time. Nope. I’m going to survive this time.
My roommate got a cat. Her name’s kitty Bella and she’s sitting next to me right now just staring. She’s so tiny and cute…almost four months but man can she purl loud. I think I’m going to go play with her now. Everything is good here. A friend of mine found classes for me so I’ll be starting next week on the 27th. It is forty five dollars for three months. I’ll let you know how that goes. Till then, take care and I’ll speak to you all very soon.

strange

I saw the strangest thing the other day on the streets of Montreal. It was around 14 hours and I was leaving a friend’s place going to the Metro. I was walking pass this girl talking on her cellphone and pushing her suitcase. A man was walking slightly behind her on her right side. At first, I didn’t think too much of it; I thought, they could be friends. But something was off. His face had a grunt and he seemed to be very jittery. Then as I passed them, I saw something that shouldn’t typically be seen in broad daylight. I passed them and I took a double take and saw that his pants were pulled down. He was jerking off right behind the girl with the suitcase. I was going to say something or maybe I was too shocked to but he looked back at me. He saw me looking. I wish I could have screamed something thinking about it now and I regret that I didn’t. My excuse would be I was too shocked and too scared to say anything. Plus, what if they say something back to me in French?

My bartending event was last night and I managed to invite twelve people but I had the worst tips ever. The same thing happened the last time I worked for the school and there will always be excuses. I was on the floor all night and I didn’t know how to speak French to the French clientele or I only invited twelve people and they were all friends so it’s awkward to be tipped. Whatever the excuse is, I know I didn’t perform well. It’s like, I am unable to socialize. I need to work on that. I felt so pathetic last night. The cash didn’t event balance.

I don’t know where my strength had gone or my motivation. I miss the comfort of my own home and my mom’s food. I miss being able to speak English and be taken seriously. I miss being seen. Will I ever be integrated into this new society that is so foreign to me? I feel like an outsider with cold shoulders turned to me and no solid information and long waiting lines. I am filling my days with things to do like walking down a long alleyway just to see that it is a dead end. I hate calling in to ask for information about things because I feel like if they see me they would take me more seriously and that we would be able to communicate better. I can’t tell you how frustrating communication is here for me. I know, I bought it onto myself. I wanted to do this. I still do. It’s funny. I feel like an immigrant feeding myself the American dream.

On the application form for the employment center it asks me whether I consider myself a minority. I’ve never been asked that before and was tempted to leave it blank so they could decide for me. Being born as a Chinese descent is fixed, sure, but being born as a minority…I guess I align a lot of negativity to the word minority. To say that anyone who isn’t white is a minority has an evil twist to its sounding. Minority means less power to have a say, it means discrimination and socially handicapped. Sure I understand that I am categorized as a minority but I’ve never fully come to consciousness of this. I think it’s because I grew up in Vancouver where the majority are Asians.

This is a change. I am seeing a lot and it is draining me. I’m meeting people that are really different from the people who I usually attract myself to. It still excites me that I am out of my comfort zone trying really hard to make this work out. I told myself before, if this was to be easy I would never had step foot out of my house. I’m never one for a plateau life, not for long. I would not have completed my final semester happily knowing what I knew then. I just hope I could make something out of my life. And this experience allows me to feel the strain of this nothingness a lot more potent than if I were to stay. And I hope it’s enough to push me for change, for betterment and for a sense of understanding.

I’m making a lot of yummy food on my own. I love making meals at home and I love rice. I found appreciation for the comfort of rice in my tummy. I took it for granted when I had it everyday at home. I am more Chinese here than I am in Vancouver, I realize. I like speaking in Chinese and my race is more recognized here. It’s the strangest feeling. I’m not quite sure how to explain it yet.

update?

email me if i haven't given you my address already

signed up for french classes and the placement test is on monday the 21st. If I fail this placement test (for intermediate french), the next available course for my level would be in January...I need to find more affordable french courses...

the whole registration process is so frustrating! kinda makes me feel down...=(

problems with my roommate...the place is still a mess...

Bartending party next friday...very excited.

Loving the coffee and tupper ware from Vancouver--p.s. thanks for the chats!

here

I tried to refrain myself from writing about this cause I thought it would get better soon but things has gotten to borderline ridiculous. First it was the asking of a deposit (which is illegal in Quebec) then it was the case of my missing roommate for four days (as she has the copy of the key), then the journeys back and forth for a day and a half to retrieve a set of keys that I should have gotten three weeks ago. Now, the leaking ceiling…this is way too much to take in at the moment. I still wanted to find a job and French classes. Is this all part of the experience? How to deal with nasty landlords and roommates? She just covered the ceiling up with paint and didn’t stop a pathway through the upper level to my room. I can get pass this.

So if I seem distant or haven’t been calling as often it is largely because I’m trying to settle this…running around like a chicken without a head trying to get things done—but nothing. Hehe. Ohhhh.

New York was amazing. There isn’t anything to complain about. The bus ride was a bit long but even that was enjoyable. I had so much fun. And, shout out to Trevor. Thank you for Jean-Georges. It was an unforgettable experience. You have paid for the best foodgasm I’ve ever had.

Today’s my last day of bartending class. I really enjoyed it and must say, did exceptionally well on my practical. I think barista-ing did me good in terms of speed. I ended up to be the fastest in the class and won a match against the instructor as he was using only one hand. =). I don’t have internet in my place yet so text me if anything.

More Pictures of Beag and drink recipes

Trevor: if you could grab vodka, melon liquer, peach schnapp, Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice and Grapefruit Juice I would be able to make these following drinks without a shaker...

Sex on the Beach--3 Vodka 2 Peach Schnapp 2/3 Orange Juice 1/3 Cranberry Juice
Pearl Harbor--3 Vodka 2 Melon Liquer Pineapple Juice
Melon Ball--3 Vodka 2 Melon Liquer Orange Juice
Fuzzy Navel--3 Vodka 2 Peach Schnapp Orange Juice
Killer Kool-aid--3 Vodka 2 Melon Liquer Cranberry
Sea Breeze-5 Vodka 2/3 Grapefruit 1/3 Cranberry
Sex Symbol (shooters)--3 vodka 1/4 Melon Liquer
Cape Code--5 vodka Cranberry
Greyhound--5 Vodka Grapefruit
Screw Driver--5 Vodka Orange Juice

Drinking Games

Ring of Fire
A Waterfall
2 You
3 Me
4 Whores
5 Give
6 Dicks
7 Heaven
8 Mate
9 Rhyme
10 RPS
J Thumb
Q Catergories
K Rule



If you break the ring of fire=drink
If you topple the cards over the bottle=drink


To the Bar and Back
Say higher or lower going forward and back. If you get it wrong you take a sip

I also learned how to play fuck the dealer...but totally forgot at this moment

incoherent-ness

wine bar--last night at Trois Riviere
piknicelectronik--looks like a spring (except it's summer) party outdoors
zumba class--so sore but fun

liz's surprise breakfast tomorrow!
...
aug. 20. Beag is sleepin by my feet right now. Il est très mignon. I took more pictures of him. I'll post them a little later.
Took Liz to a Zumba class for her birthday present. Feeling the burn from Tuesday's class. I don't think I would be going back anymore though. I want to find a good French class soon. I hope everyone is well!
....
August 21, 2009
They say that good things come to the people who are patient. But these things are always uncertain. I guess I could have waited for the other two people to respond to me before signing that lease. But one called me to look at her place later on that afternoon and one just now. What if I didn’t like these places then I would have lost this room. I would have remained in the state of complete nothingness just b/c I was waiting for something better to possibly come along. I like certainty and security, it seems. But this possibility of something better, because it does sound better, irks me. And I think of the lost I made when I agreed to the guy on the plateau. The Chinese apartment was actually really good and resourceful as well. They were really nice to me. But I have settled for this apartment and I know I would get use to it like I get use to everything and I’m sure I could manage…but it is not ideal at this point in time. I am sure it will be though. It’ll have to be.

feeling fed up with apartment hunting today

evening: call me crazy but i just made a confirmation on the place I saw thursday...$525 not including electricity and Internet...might turn out to be $550-570 a month. I am tired of searching for a place and this might be the best I could get...fuck it!

...
so as she didn't reply back yet, I called her yesterday...cancelled...and switched my commitment to another place yesterday (sunday) for a smaller less nicer room shared with another student in a basement of an apartment. lol ghetto...BUT it's $430 a month plus internet. I have to buy my own kitchen pots and pans and everything though. And I have to give her a 300 dollar deposit and first month's rent today. Here goes some major impulse buying. It also doesn't have a washer and dryer but I'm sure I could live with that...
...
So it's illegal in Quebec to ask for a deposit but she's going against that...thought I'd feel happier after the signing but...something feels off...I hope I could shake out of it soon. It's nothing like what I had hoped for.
...

wasn't sure whether i would record this but as my memory of this dream slowly slips away i feel i should dissect it while i still have part of it. It took place in the delivery room with a first person perspective of the woman in labour. As she was pushing and giving full trust to the nurse and doctor...as she was contracting...as they were measuring her...they stopped altogether because the woman had been of suspect for something mischievous...She probably was guilty of something i did not know what...it was probably something horrible...but the questioning and idling took hours...and i watched the focus being shifted so drastically that the birth was no longer a subject
Two three hours must have passed by in the dream state. And as the focus turned back to the unborn it was acknowledged that it was too late. I saw the hopeless look in the woman's face and heard the nurse say, "you could just shake it out". No questions, no sympathy...no apology.
And I saw the woman argue with the doctor a couple days later when she regained her strength. I saw how she tried to stay collective and reason with him...how could he have let this happen. And the doctor reasoned back--that it was all part of procedure that she was guilty of something...that she was in the wrong. I saw her grew quiet and left.
Then she drew a weapon. Her laptop...her address book and the emails to local newspapers...and she began to tell her story. Half awake, i wept as she wept...writing down every ounce of disbelief how this could be 'normal' and 'accepted'. A knock on the door. It sounded to be the doctor. She sent out half the written story...just for keeps sake...and she cowered under the table. I couldn't dream anymore.

Cocktails

I'm sharing part of what I'm learning with you guys as I'm studying =)

Melon Ball
Collins-Stir
3/4 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Melon Liqueur
Orange Juice
Garnish: Orange

Fuzzy Naval
Collins-Straight
3/4 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Peach Schnapps
Orange Juice
Garnish: Orange

Killer Kool-Aid
Collins-Stir
3/4 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Melon liqueur
Cranberry Juice
Garnish: Lemon

Sea Breaze
Collins-straight
1 and 1/4 oz Vodka
2/3 Grapefruit Juice
1/3 Cranberry Juice
Garnish: Orange

Alabama Slammer
Collins-Shake
1/2 oz Amaretto
1/2 oz Southern Comfort
1/4 oz Sloe Gin
Orange Juice
Garnish: Orange

Singapore Sling
Zombie-Float
1/2 oz Grenadine
1/3 Orange Juice
1/3 Pineapple Juice
1/3 Bar mix
3/4 oz Dry Gin
1/2 oz Sloe Gine
1/4 oz Triple Sec
Garnish: The works

Screwdriver
1 1/4 vodka and fill with orange juice

Tequila Sunrise
1 1/4 tequila fill with orange juice and top with Grenadine

Long Island Ice Tea
1/4 vodka 1/4 white rum 1/4 dry gin 1/4 tequila 1/4 triple sec
fill with bar mix(which is lemon/lime juice). shake and top with coke

Sour
1 1/4 Canadian Whisky. 1 tsb sugar. Bar Mix. shake and serve

Tom Collins
1 1/4 Dry Gin
1 tsb sugar
3/4 bar mix
shake and top with seven up or club soda

Manhattan
1 1/4 Canadian Whisky
1/2 sweet vermouth
2 drops of angostora bitter

Sex on the Beach
3/4 vodka
1/2 peach schnapps
1/3 cranberry juice

Beag

So as I was trying to get some work done...searching for places and making decisions...Beag decided to sit right on top of my notebook. hehe. so I gave him a lot of attention and then a photoshoot

b/c piam wants to know

untitled

i'm at liz's right now. watched the fireworks yesterday. need to find a place. write more later =)

August 10 2009
There has been very little time for self reflection here in Montreal/Trois Riviere. I have been away from home for two months now and everyday it just seems to be like “go, go, go”. I haven’t yet settled down yet in terms of a place and belonging. I haven’t yet found a job or have found a place to practice my French without sounding stupid. I am experiencing a lot though (on the go). Laying here at one in the morning, I try to recollect my whereabouts and experiences. I feel like it is necessary for me to slow down and breathe and acknowledge what has been happening.--perhaps to value it more.

A question was asked in class the other day—what would I like to do in life. I’ve mumbled something like a lot of stuff and I don’t know yet. That’s what I am here to discover and so on. I would like to bungee jump. Dumb answers like that. I don’t plan very well. I walk one step at a time and I measure out what is desired and attainable. I wish I could have been learning French and staying in Montreal through different means perhaps for school or for a job and with a more solid purpose. But opportunities for me to do such a thing were slim so I carved my own way--with the motivation of several friends--I found courage to push a thought into practice. One of the workers from the catering place I worked in, his name was Chris, I think, told me to “just go…you won’t regret it and you can’t imagine the things that you would learn…that’s my only advice for you, just go”. He is right I have learned a lot in terms of seeing and experiencing a different place and environment and being on my own. In a way, I am living out “what I want to do in life”. I thought the hard part was telling my parents and getting here. I can’t tell you how difficult it is sometimes to feel an empty pit in my stomach and thinking that I’ve gone nowhere with this…with my French and establishing a sense of belonging while watching my bank digits decrease as I am unemployed. It’s frustrating. But in the end, I figure, if I could accomplish this, I could really do anything. And it’s something that I could personally be proud of.

Afternoon of Tuesday:

I guess I am a bit stuck and reflection generally makes me more solemn. Staying in Trois Riviere was an experience. I think I’ve drank and partied more there than I had in my entire life. I had also learned and practiced more French than I ever would if I had stayed in Vancouver. I met a lot of amazing people, people who I think I would keep in touch with for the rest of my life. And as I was leaving the program I felt like I would be excited to get back to Montreal and begin to settle down, finally—find a place, find a job and learn French—carving my own paths again. There’s no schedule and no guidelines, no classes at the moment (except for bartending). I don’t know how to practice my French. I tried it in the Starbucks I’m sitting in at the moment. (I couldn’t get internet to work at Liz’s place.) So I said a sentence and it’s going well then I saw the confused look in his face. I switched to English. Do they get offended if I speak in really bad French? I’m worried that I might not be able to find a job…I feel like this might be a hindrance towards me finding a place. As yesterday’s interview, the guy was like, yes, it is important to speak French even if you want to go into bartending. Maybe I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. Everything seems to be a downer and I’m waiting for some sort of light to shine through this situation.
And as for yesterday’s place…I don’t think we clicked very well. I was super tired so I was in my mumbling mode and it felt really awkward. I was pretty much done but couldn’t leave because he offered me tea and the tea was still very hot. I fucken told him that…oh my honesty would take me nowhere. I like the location and I like the space but there’s a couple downfall as well. The laundry room is crammed, small and unorganized. The room is huge and unfurnished (no closet space). There’s just a bed in there. He picked his other roommate and it’s a guy as well so I feel like the toilet seat will always be up. I feel like I am being judged a lot…it seems like he doubts that I could live with roommates because I don’t have a lot of experience with it other than the last couple of months. He wants someone who is sociable and I told him that I like my alone time as well. I know I didn’t sell myself very well last night but I don’t seem to care at the moment.

It’s depressing. I could shape my personality anyway I want here. I could revamp who I am or who I think I am to someone that … I don’t know. I want change. I don’t think I’ve ever had this big of an opportunity for change where I could recreate my identity. I am a nobody and my identity is questioned and doubted. Expand later.

Dix Minutes Présentation--Le dernier.

Cette expérience s’est passée il y a cinq semaines. Il était environ neuf heures et demi en un vendredi. Ma coloc et moi n’avons pas envie de rejoindre nos autres colocs dans une soirée. Donc, nous nous sommes assis sur le canapé et nous nous sommes renseignés notre voyage au Québec le jour suivant.




Mais, peu après, nous étions très ennuyée. Je me suis souvenu de la dernière fois lorsque nous sommes sorties à Chasse Gallérie, nous avions vu un observatoire. Je lui avais demandé si elle souhaite s’habiller en noir et en cachette dans le bâtiment. Ce serait une aventure! Nous ne nous étions pas habillés en noir, mais nous sommes allées à l’observatoire (2. Observatoire).





Là, à l’extérieur du observatoire, il y a deux gardes de sécurité. Nous leur avons demandé si l’observatoire est ouvert. Ils nous ont dit de l’observatoire n’a pas de travaille pendant les cinq à sept ans et le bâtiment est utilisé seulement pour des cours. C’est dommage. Nous étions déçues. Mais, après les gardes de sécurité sont partis, nous sommes entrée l’observatoire parce que nous voulions voir par nous-mêmes. C’est un magnifique bâtiment avec le escalier en colimaçon (3. escalier en colimaçon).


Nous sommes montées le escalier en colimaçon.


Les couloirs ont été complément vide. Les salles de classe ont tous verrouillées. Il a été faible.





Finalement, ma coloc a trouvé la salle qui mène à l’étage du télescope (4. La Salle). La porte est bien verrouillée. Nous avons envisagé plusieurs options. Nous ne savons pas comment prendre des serrures. Nous ne devrions pas briser le verre. Nous avons éteint quelques lumières afin que nous puissions mieux voir dans la salle.





Nous nous sommes aperçu les escaliers en colimaçon qui donnent accès à un trou noir, des affiches et un bureau. Nous avons décidé à explorer plus le bâtiment.




J’ai découvert des cameras de sécurité, alors je leur ai fait signe




Il était un bâtiment laboratoire, donc il y avait les douches d’urgence et laveurs des yeux dans le corridor. Nous sommes descendues quelques escaliers et nous avons trouvé nous-mêmes à souterraine.



Il était noir et il faisait chaud. Les corridors était super étroits et le plafond était bas.




Il était assez drôle quand je regardais mon colocataire frappant sur les portes pour se renseigner s’ils étaient creux. Elle marchait comme un dessin animé. Je me attendais à quelqu’un qui nous verrions par la fenêtre ou un garde de sécurité qui marchait autour du campus de pourrait nous trouver.




Le bâtiment était comme un labyrinthe. Nous avons fini dans un tunnel : ce tunnel souterraine était un lien entre touts les bâtiments. Cet endroit faisait très chaud. Les murs étaient blancs et il y avait les tuyaux partout. Il y avait les bureaux et les chaises (7. les chaises).



Nous avons entendu les bruits et je rechignerais à continuer. Mais, mon colocataire semblait comme elle s’amusait. Donc, je l’ai suivi n’importe quelle sa décision. Elle a continué. Le tunnel a séparé. (tunnel a séparé)




Nous avons eu deux choix. J’ai regardé au derrière de mon coloc et j’ai vu un figure noir marchant vers nous. J’ai chuchoté, « il y a quelqu’un là! » . Alors, nous nous sauvions et nous avons pris le deuxième tunnel. Il donnait accès au sous-sol du CAPS (8. Sous-sol du CAPS). J’ai soupi (sighed) en soulagement espérant que nous avons eu trouvé une sortie. Nous avons essayé touts les portes.
Il y avait un autre camera de sécurité ici. Nous avons essayé la porte au dehors. Il était barré à l’intérieur aussi. Donc, nous devrions revenir au tunnel. Pendant notre promenade, nous avons vu une carte sur le mur (9. Une Carte).




Quand je regardais la carte, mon coloc a trouvé des lunettes de soleil et les a essayé. Elle m’a demandé si je les aimait. Je rirais et j’ai dit « pas de tout ». Elle m’a répondu « c’est dommage » et les a remplacés. Nous avons pris l’autre tunnel où l’homme marchait. Nous avons trouvé des escaliers et nous les sommes montés. J’aime ces genres d’aventures, mais nous étions là pendant quarante minutes. Je tenais mon dictionnaire près de mon cœur et je sautais derrière d’elle. C’était amusant. Il y avait une salle avec un grosse poubelle et une piste sombre à la gauche. Je réfléchissais que je ne veux pas aller là et j’ai entendu mon coloc disait quelque chose et j’ai crié « non! ». J’avais peur. Je ne peux pas mieux expliquer en mots.

Alors, nous sommes montés les escaliers et avons trouvé un bâtiment familier. Nous avons su où était la sortie et comment de revenir à notre appartement. Cependant, nous avons du passer le garde de sécurité. Quand nous passions, nous avons essayé d’avoir l’air normale. Il nous a dit quelque chose en français que je n’ai pas compris. Alors, j’ai rendu compte…qu’il a dit qu’il nous regardions d’un bâtiment à l’autre…et il a dit à mon coloc…des lunettes est bons!



C’était très drôle et une expérience amusante. Ma coloc appelle cette étroit la catacombe après. La prise de ces photos tout seul, a été effrayant mais il me fait rappeler comment amusant il a été d’explorer un nouveau lieu avec un amie.

Il pleut

encore


I am using the After Bite: the itch eraser like crazy right now.



Jeudi Soir: La soir dernière du cinq semaines du programme
Vendredi Matin: première gueule de bois Vendredi Après-Midi: deux de mes colocatrices est sont retourné à Toronto =(
Vendredi Soir: deux gigantesques araignées dans ma chambre-nous avons appelé un ami de venir les tuer
Samedi Matin: Nous avons pris un autobus à La Ville de Québec
Samedi Apès Midi: Nous avons marché sur les Plaines d'Abraham
Samedi Soir: Nous avons mangé un super souper et nous avons regardé Cirque Du Soleil: Chemins Invisible. Après, nous sommes allées danser
À l'aube: Nous avons dormi en dehors de l'église justqu'à ce que cinq heure
Lundi Matin: Nous avons acheté nos billets à Trois Riviere
Lundi Après Midi: =) J'ai faim.




Stanislas

another presentation damn it

Trois Minutes Présenation--qui dit la vérité?

-----------------------------------------lundi 27th
L'accident

Quand j'étais jeune, j'aimais faire des promenades à vélo autour de mon voisinage.
Le voisinage de mon enfance était jolie et calme.
Dans ma rue, il y avait une longue pente.
Aussi, il y avait de minuscules fissures sur le trottoir, ici et là.
Chaque été, quand mes soeurs et moi étions jeunes, nous passions l'après midi à l'exterieur dans notre voisinage.
Un été, quand je faisais du vélo, j'ai eu un accident.
La température était belle.
Je portais un tee-shirt, un short, et des baskets.
Je me souviens de mon père à l'extérieur devant notre porte qui nous regardait.
J'allais très vite sur mon velo.
Soudainement, je suis tombée de mon vélo.
Je suis tombée sur mon côté droit et tombée sur le béton puis j'ai roulé sur la colline herbeuse jusqu'à chez mon voisin.
Je ne m'en souviens pas beaucoup.
J'ai roulé jusqu á au moins cinq maisons plus loin de chez moi.
Ce que je me suis ensuite rappelée c'est que j'étais dans ma salle de bain.
Alors, mon pére m'a dit: "laver ton genou avec de l'eau froide"
J'ai été dans la baignoire.
J'ai tenu la douche téléphone.
J'ai ouvert le robinet d'eau froide et j'ai vu l'eau devenue rouge
Même si cet événement s'est passé quand j'étais jeune, je me souviens de l'eau rouge clairement dans ma tête.
Mais je ne me souviens pas de ce qui s'est passé ensuite.


promenade: f. to ride
faire une promenade á: to go for a ride
Trottoir: m. sidewalk
Fissure: f. crack
-------------------------------------------------------
I had fun doing this presentation. I think it went well and i dídn't have that 'oh it is done' feeling. =). Très heurseuse.
--------------------------------------------------------
I won't be going here http://www.bungee.ca/ this weekend!!!! =( b/c it's all booked

Insight

It's been a really tiring three weeks. I think I'm going to take it easy this weekend and not go to Maurice Park. My head really hurts...I don't know how to get rid of it.


Expressions
J'ai mes yeux dans le fond de la tête==Je suis épuisé
Pelleter des nuages==qui rêve beacoup/ parler pour rien dire
Chiâler==se plaindre
Tiguidou==C'est cool/ Parfait/ Super
Déguédine==dépêcher/ ca presse/ bouge
Avoir une drôle de bine==avoir une drôle visage/figure
Avoir la couennedure==fait forts/ avoir de l'endurance
S'enfarger dans les fleurs du tapis==trop grand attention aux petits détails
Péter au frette==mourir/quelquechose de brisé
Avoir son voyage==c'est assez
parler anglais comme une vache espagnole==parler anglais tres mal


~~ <3 Ariane Moffatt--Je veux tout

random pics

Hôtel du Parlement
The design above the door on the top floor is suppose to represent Britain (thee lions) and the design above the door on the top right represents France. The design above the two doors on the bottom floors represents Canada. I wish I went closer to take a better picture but my allergies were acting up and my camera was running out of battery.



I love the ceiling to this room. I wish I could have captured this better.



It’s a can of Budweiser.



I love these things. It’s going into my collection of statues with random objects attached to them.



At I’Île St-Quentin—Vendredi 10 Julliet



Playing around with my camera



I quite like this one



The pit stop to Central Ville

~Outings~
À Trois Riviere
>>>>La Vielle Prison de Trois-Rivières
>>>>Sanctuaire Notre Dame-Du-Cap
À Ville de Quèbec
>>>>Hôtel du Parlement
>>>>Musée de la Civilisation
(I want to see the Chute one day)

Une Bonne Soirée

Sorry...using simple english but u get the jist...translating to french ever so slowly...

Il était environ neuf heur et demi. Ma colac et moi n'ont pas envie de rejoindre nos autres colocs dans une partie. Donc, nous nous sommes assis sur le canapé et nous avons lu á propos de notre voyage au Quebec le journ suivant. Nous sommes passée une observatoire la soiree derniere quand nous allions The Chasse Gallery. J'ai la demandé si elle voudrait porter ...

We saw an observatory the night that we went to the pub and I asked her whether she would like to dress up in black and try to sneak into the building with me. We didn’t dress up in black but we did make it out to the observatory.

There, outside the building, we bumped into two security guards. They told us in French that the building is only for lectures and that the telescope hasn’t been working for five to seven years. We went into the building after they left because we wanted to see it for ourselves. It was a gorgeous building with a spiral staircase. We went up the stairs. The wall way was completely empty. The classrooms were all locked. Every other light was on. We tried opening some of the doors. Finally, my roommate found the room that leads upstairs to the telescope. The door was locked though. We contemplated several options. We don’t have anything to pick the lock. We shouldn’t break the glass. We turned off some lights so we could peer into the room better. We saw the spiral staircase leading into a dark hole, some posters and a desk. We decided to explore the building some more. I noticed that there were security cameras above us so I waved at it.

It was a lab building so there were emergency showers and eyeball washers out in the hallway. We descended some stairs and found ourselves underground. It was dark and hot. The hallways were super narrow and the ceilings were low. It was kind of funny watching my roommate knocking on doors seeing whether they're hollow or not and creeping about like they do in cartoon shows. I walked behind her kind of nervous. I kept anticipating someone to peek through those glass windows or a guard walking around and finding us sneaking about. At the end of a hallway we saw a man sitting behind a computer with his feet up. We walked across that room and my roommate took a drink of water from the fountain after it and said “task accomplish”. We walked back and away from the man.

The floor plan to this building is like a maze. We ended up in this tunnel: this underground tunnel that connects all the buildings together. This place was super hot. There were white washed walls and pipes everywhere. There were some desks and office chairs. We heard noises and I was reluctant to continue. But my roommate looks like she is having so much fun. =). So I followed her, whatever her decision was. She continued. The tunnel came into a split. We had two decisions. I looked past my roommate and saw a black figure walking towards us. I whispered, “there’s someone there’s someone there!” So we scurried into the second tunnel. It led us to the basement of the gym. I sighed in relief hoping we could head out. We tried all the doors. There’s another video camera here. We tried the door that would open to the outside. It was locked from the inside as well. So we had to return to the tunnel. On our walk back we saw a map on the wall. As I was looking at the map my roommate found a pair of sunglasses above the frame and tried it on. She asked me how they look on her. I laughed and said it doesn’t really suit you. She said too bad and placed it back. We took the other tunnel where the guy was walking. We found some stairs and I took them. Don’t get me wrong. I love these kinds of adventures but we’ve been in there for about forty minutes then. I was holding my dictionary close to my heart and bouncing about behind her. It was fun. There’s this one room with a dumpster and a dark pathway to the left. I thought to myself I don’t want to get in there and heard my roommate say something and I screamed out no. We laughed. I was pretty freaked out then. I can’t explain this any better in words at the moment.

So we took those stairs and it led us to a familiar building. We knew where to exit to get back to our residence. We had to past the security guard office though. As we passed we tried to look normal. He said something to us in French that I couldn’t really make out. Then I realized…he said he was watching us from that building to here…and he said to my roommate…those sunglasses looks good on you!


Classic! It was so much fun and we laughed so hard. We saw another student when we were walking back to campus and we had a talk. She was going to a party. People are still partying at this hour. It’s kind of nuts cause our bus for Quebec leaves at eight thirty tomorrow morning. I should probably sleep. Good night everyone!

speaking franglais

it.is.fini.!.
Je vous remercie pour votre aide et d'encouragement.
---------------------------------------------------
thursday morning
I just got my second pen stolen today in class...peut-etre Stolen! ARG Tres ennuyeux!

Other updates...I'm really tired right now! Me and my colocs went out to the "gallery" last night and I think I had way too much Richards Blanc.

I need a sieste then I have a conversation class at 3:30! Boo. J'ai beaucoup des devoirs donc je dois les faire. Plus tard...

Uhm...I think this would be my transitional blog...like, when i was on the airplane heading towards Montreal...they started to speak in English and half way in between they started to speak in French? Yah?! Well...I'm going to have a couple of inbetweens...for transitioning!

A bientot

(I will add accents to the French words next week...cause I keep forgetting them when I write the tests too =( )

Working Progress-Mon Coup de Coeur

I have a two minute presentation on Wednesday morning on something that I like. I chose Cirque Du Soleil :) J'aime le Cirque Du Soleil! Hate presentations though...
Give me any help you can...I'll update this throughout the day.
................................................................................

Je voudrais partager avec vous mon admiration pour le Cirque Du Soleil. Avez-vous entendu parler du Cirque Du Soleil?

I would like to share with you my admiration for Cirque Du Soleil. Have you heard of Cirque Du Soleil?

C'est une entreprise Québécoise qui est basée à Montréal. Je pense que la première fois que j'ai vu le Cirque est il y a d'environ sept ans. J'ai vu la production Alegria sur la télé avec ma soeur qui est plus jeune. Dès le début, nous sommes tombées amoureuses de la musique, l'art, la choréographie, les couleurs de la scène et des costumes, ainsi que les actes. Alegria est toujours notre production préférée du Cirque Du Soleil.

It is a Quebec company and it is based in Montreal. I think the first time I had seen Cirque is about seven years ago. I had saw the production Alergria on the tele with my little sister. From the start, we fell in love with the music, the art, the choreogrpahy, the colours of the stage and costumes, and the acts. Alegria is still our favourite Cirque Du Soleil production

J'ai eu l'opportunité de regarder une répétition générale de Quidam. C'était magnifique. J'avais aussi vu Midnight Sun à la télé. Ils a pris part dans le Festival de Jazz à Montréal. L'année dernière, je suis allée avec ma soeur voir Corteo pour son anniversaire. Nous avons l'adoré. J'adore leur concept, leur musique et leur perfectionnisme. Aussi, Cirque Du Soleil a la capicité d'éloigner les gens de la banalité du monde durant le spectacle. Alors, c'est la mission du Cirque du Soleil: d'invoquer l'imaginaire, provoquer les sens et évoquer l'emotion des gens autour du monde. J'espère voir plus de leurs spectacles.

I had the opportunity to watch a dress rehearsal of Quidam. It was magnificent.
----------I had also seen Midnight Sun on television. They were apart of the Jazz Festival of Montreal. Last year I bought my sister to go see Corteo for her birthday. We loved it. I adore their concept, their live music and their perfectionism. -----------Also, Cirque Du Soleil has the capability to remove people from the benality of the world for the period of the show. So, it is the mission statement of Cirque du Soleil: to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses and evoke emotions of people all over the world. I hope to see more of their shows

~Fini

é à è
www.translate.google.com

Vocabulaire:
un répétition générale: a dress rehearsal
éloigner: to move away
le spectacle: show (theatre)
Avez-vous entendu parler du: Have you heard of...
Dès le début: From the start
Ainsi que: as well as

Possible Questions:
Midnight Sun-2004
Quand j'étais au lycée, j'etais dans un programme de musique. Dans ce programme,
_________________________
évaluation: (each out of five)
A. La Langue
Richesse du vocabulaire
Prononciation
Structure grammaticale
B.Communication
Exposé sans lecture
Clarté du récit
Respect du temps
Débit et fluidité
3. Questions
Capacité de répondre aux questions
--------------------------------------------
~Here goes nothing... =)

Je viens de penser a vous!

Salut! Everything is okie right now. Thanks for the talk Karen--You are Awesome! =)

One of my roommates and I cleaned the washroom a bit couple days ago so the place feels less gross now. I guess I was just moody when I said they were too uppity. I think we are getting along. We went clubbing on Tuesday cause we didn't have school on Wednesday. That was fun. The walk to downtown was thirty minutes. We needed to stop by a pub cause we needed to pee really badly. Once we walked in everyone was staring. We bought tequila shots. And as we're waiting for one of the girls to finish using the washroom all three of us were approached by these guys asking us to buy us drinks and one of them asked one of the girls whether she would like to visit his place cause he's really nice. lol. That was a funny experience. We laugh everytime we passed by that pub to downtown.

The club we went to is called Le Temple. Great place. Nice music. Expensive drinks. I enjoyed it.

There was a festival...375th birthday of somesort on Wednesday. Bands. Foods. Beer and Wine! Fireworks.

Played volleyball yesterday. Scraped my knee. =). Was soo much fun. Love the feeling of burning arms....i bet i'm playin it wrong but it was so worth it.

Caf food is alright. I am still 'malade' so the food tastes okie for me. I bought Benylin today for toux seche et rhume, so hopefully I would be able to sleep better tonight.

Je me reveille a sept heure et demi. @_@. I have to sleep before twelve cause I'm usually exhausted before then. je n'aime pas les matins.

Had a special Con Panna at Morganes today! MMMMmmmm....expresso, steamed milk, marshmallows, whip cream and two pieces of chocolate beans (can't help myself! haha...it made me happy)

I finally learned the numbers in French! LOL. It's amazing how i got by French without knowing the numbers. I'm working on le present progressive, passe recent, futur proche et present de l'indicatif right now. I have to prepare a two minute presentation for wednesday about 'mon coup de cour'.....ehhh...i'm not too sure what that would be yet. Help? What am i passionate about...so passionate i could share it with the class for two minutes.
------
PS joni's awesome >.< (lol...u guys are silly)

pt.form

guy too complicated
might not take place on the plateau
school`s fine
Amy's awesome and so is Trevor
guy on the Plateau sucks...wants me to make a deposit after i told him I'm at Trois Riviere
i'd lashed back at him
headache and moody
made an oath to speak french and only french
i wish i believe in oaths
ma premiere classe s'est tres bien passe
i know less french than i thought i knew
practiquer mon mauvais francais
en plus, je suis malade
J'ai ete malade pendant les trois derniers jours
i didn't mean to be sarcastic
i really did enjoy my first class
inspite of everything
ppl/ here are beyond amazing

it's raining again
weather so random
rained all day yesterday
sunny today and it's raining again
vancouver never rained like this

four weeks in
and i guess you're right
i'm still at the base of the grind
and had yet to climb
my breath runs short
my body heavy
with baggage and emotions
i haven't yet learned to handle

i don't understand people
with their words like air
and their minds like water
actions and words never intersect eachother
handle trust like the game of poker
i'm not an exception

i lost the place on the plateau
i could have looked further to find better
and it wasn't a great lost
as the guy is flimsy and he said
he couldn't trust me...or didn't feel well with me
so i dont understand why i feel like i've lost
i guess it's b/c i was so close to accomplishing something
and i pushed it all away
so i'm starting anew again
it'll be okie...
--------------------------------------------
P.S. found internet in the library =)
--------------------------------------------

I miss good and cheap Sushi! I miss Grouse Grind!

It’s true what they say that you can’t really know your place until you step away from it. (Something along those lines) One thing I’ve learned from this trip is my belonging to the city and the people of Vancouver. I don’t think I’ve ever used the word ‘Vancouver’ with such vigor and I don’t think I’ve ever spoke to you guys with such admiration and gratitude. I might have taken you guys for granted when I was so comfortably situated amongst you. =) So thankful I’m being missed and cared for even though I’m provinces away from you…thank you…Okay okay…I will stop this mushy-ness now. I can see 2J making that funny face of WTF.

I don’t really like my roommates @_@...i’ve written to some of you about this. haha. They’re too uppity for my personality…but I’m sure we would adjust to each other. We’ll see how this turns out.

The bathroom in this apartment is gross. Lets just say I’ll be very terrified if I were to drop my bar of soap. I guess that’s what I get with free accommodation. The hostel was nicer than this apartment. I get my own room with a lock on it though =). It’s kind of silly that there’s no pots/pans, utensils or plates/cups in this place as they won’t feed us in the weekend. I’m so annoyed that there’s also no internet connection in the room and I can’t find a free internet café place around this town.

I got the student discount for the trip here because I printed out a confirmation of enrollment letter while I was in the hostel…so problem solved. I also got the student price while I watched the movie ‘up’ with Liz and Thomas because I was with them (and they had their student cards). Yay! I should have introduced Liz better to you guys. Haha but you know who I’m talking about now that I’ve mentioned Thomas right? He came to visit her last Tuesday and would be staying for two weeks. I feel like he gotten taller…=) that I haven’t seen him in like two years. They’re a lot of fun to hang out with…because Thomas has the best pick up lines for Liz.

I went for a run today around town. Gah, I am so out of shape! Now, I’ve been sitting in this café called “Café Morgane des Forges” for about two hours now. I’m going to end it here. Comment and let me know what you would like to me to share on here! I’m running out of ideas about my current whereabouts and do-abouts. Give me something to write about =) as I’m a bit blasé out. Ciao and take care!

---------------
Gah!!! He said he made a 'mistake' on craiglist and that I'm payin $360 a month now for the apartment on the Plateau!!!! Falalaa....for saying that $10 isn't that much for all I am getting! I took it anyways. So i have a place to stay now in August...let you know the address in August when you email me
I'm not really mad about the price increase but the fact that he's flimsy...I wonder how that's going to work out. He keeps saying that $10 isn't a big deal and it would help him greatly with the house...I told him I would like to keep it open for negotation in the future...I'm not sure if he understands what I'm trying to say or where I'm coming from...I'm worried that something like this might happen again.

gettin easier

I think I’ve started to settle in finally. The hostel experience was tiring and I’m glad it’s over with. I’ve realized that I am more of a hermit than I would like to admit. I don’t like to be surrounded by people all the time as it tires me. I met someone at the hostel and am staying at his place at the moment. He and his brother were from Mexico so I’ve been having Mexican food for the last five days and listening to Spanish conversations. It’s been really good. I get the house to myself in the morning as both of them work and at night we have an early dinner together, watch a movie and go to sleep. They wake up at five/seven while I wake up around ten…b/c I still can’t fall asleep until one/two still.

I’ve finally gotten a chance to sit down at a coffee shop and type something down. It’s been pretty eventful the last five days. Saturday, I got to see the Fashion and Design Festival happened in St. Catherine and McGill University Street. It was pretty amazing to see a runway show in the middle of the street. Also went to the Aboriginal Festival afterwards. I can’t remember what happened in-between…OH, I went back the La Ronde with Liz b/c her membership card allow her to bring a person in for free and expires last Saturday…had dinner at Liz’s house for one of those days…she made curry rice. Days have started to become a blur for me now…not too sure what the meaning of that is.

I saw a place yesterday that I really like. It’s in the middle of the Plateau and eight minutes away from the Sherbrooke Station. I would be living with three other people and one of them is from France and is a programmer. The washroom and the room are a bit small. The place is a bit of a mess but I’m sure I could adjust. The guy’s a huge coffee drinker and couldn’t get up without a cup of strong brewed coffee. I think we would get along great. There’s also a rice cooker! I think if he answers yes on Sunday I might take this place. It’s less risky than the previous one for $250 + utilities and I have no idea how much utilities is. Plus, it is way too far from downtown so commuting would be a pain.

Will be going to Trois Riviere this Saturday! I’m pretty excited. Hehe. Let the whole French experience begin. I’m going shopping today. Both of my jeans are in horrible shape from all the walking. I’ll try to be frugal…

Ciao! I hope everyone is doing well!

PS. i also went to a bar finally...(don't tell mum)...went to two in one night but that is all

apartments

i've updated the 'notes' section to this blog....ugh...the places that i've looked at are out in the boonies...sigh* but they're major nice people and i only live w/ one or two other roommates...close to a metro but far from everything else...should i?...

Had bagels here. =)
http://www.fairmountbagel.com/eng/index.htm

la ronde

amelie theme song <3

jon-ai

Have a Happy Birthday Tomorrow Joni!
<3

notes

apartment #2 $400--
pros--close to Metro. big room. queen size bed. nice people. nice neighbourhood.
cons--shared w/ 4 people. unusable oven. bit clustered for four people.
overall--cant live with 4 people

apartment #3 $500--living with a couple (master degree student and a special event planner)
pros--cute dog. nice room. rice cooker provided. easy going.
cons--far from metro. too expenensive for the space. need to sublet for next june.
overall--bit over budget for the space...keep posted

Apartment #4 $375/$400 small/big room
Pros: living with only one other person. price range. two minutes from Metro. has everything i needed included rice cooker
Cons: creepy small town feeling from the area and the landlord. too far from downtown. may have trouble gettin home at night
Overall: We'll see if i can find anything better

Apartment #5 $250 + utilities...living with 2 other people...Chinese landlords
Pros: five minute walk to Metro-Price (but it's uncertain cause of utilities)
Cons: Metro far from downtown and packed with travellers goin from downtown (may need to take multiple night buses)
Overall: keep looking

Apartment #6 $350--living with 3 other people
Pros: in the plateau--close to everything
Cons: 3 people.kinda further to the metro than the others (8minutes). small washroom/room. No windows in the room.
Overall: I quite like it! Will know by Sunday [ps. guy's a jerk-]

-taking absolute bartending: starting August 10th!



métro Operating hours
Lines 1-Green & 2-Orange
Weekdays/Saturday/Sunday
5:30 a.m. (first departure) to 12:35 a.m. (last departure)
5:30 a.m. (first departure) to 1:00 a.m. (last departure)
5:30 a.m. (first departure) to 12:30 a.m. (last departure)

Can't get out of bed

I'm not a morning person no matter where I am!

Looked at a room couple days ago at this French woman's home on the Wst side of Montreal (English speaking). The house was gorgeous, spacious and everything that I wanted...but may not be available by the time I need it. The woman was very motherly and kind. She has a dog too!!!! $490 if i take this place. I'm going to keep lookin just in case.

I'm going to go check out Adecco the temp agency and absolute bartending school to ask some questions...then...I might want to head to Chinatown for rice. Lol. I could handle two days without rice but a week is just redunculous.

p.s. i did forget something intentionally....my student card...=(



----9:51pm
Didn't check out the bartending school. Liz got off work early so we sat at Tim Hortons for a bit then went to The Holder for a salad (salad of duck confit, gresiers and magret with foie gras, poached egg and croutons) and wine. MMMmmmmMM!!! I know...I've splurged =(. I'll tighten up starting now! Promise.

uhm

Sorry guys. I'm such a bore! I won't be posting everyday as there's really nothing much to say. I wandered the city aimlessly today and met up with liz and her roommate to watch Star Trek for five bucks at the Scotia Bank Theatre. Popcorn and drink=5.50...awesomeness. Star Trek is one awesome movie--watch it if u haven't already. Ciao now!

liz landlord's cat

getting tired of being a tourist

I'm sitting in Cafe Depot a 24 hour coffee shop on St. Laurent street. Liz, Sauna and I went to Mount Royal to see TamTam play. I have a video...pretty crazy

There were also other festivals going on like the Milk Ride (made that up) with thousands of bikers, a live stage concert, circus performers, free stuff (milk, detergent, hair stuff...etc) and something that looks like this

It's like a medieval battleground or something.

Hope you're all well =). It's so windy here.

I am changing my 604 number tomorrow! Msg me if you want my new number for any reason.

Thank you for helping me out =) be emotionally unstable without you

old montreal

Old Montreal today