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

writing Blah (sorry)

I slept in yesterday. Felt extremely tired for some odd reason. Liz came over and we had lunch that I had made…noodles with choi. We later went to the IBM building to search for a friend of mine. I have pictures of the caf but I’ll upload them later. Had Tim Hortons. We ordered in French. “Je voudrais un grand café s’il vous plait”. Correct? Apparently it is croissant de fromage and not fromage croissant which we had originally said. There was a red carpet thing happening but we didn’t know who the ‘important people’ were. Went to the beer festival and it was packed! Left. Went to Super C to grocery shop (I need to eat better). Beer/liquor everywhere. Bought a chicken. Had rice at Elizabeth’s house. Played with her tenant’s cat. Got tired. Got lost. Got tired.

I apologize for the lousy posts you guys. My posts aren’t really meant for an audience. You are my friends who know me well and this is how I speak to you. Don’t really want to spend hours composing something…I’m not very good at compositions anyways. That’s my excuse and I am sticking to it!

I haven’t really been brushing up on my French. I’ve sort of been absorbing the city. I should start learning soon though. I’ve been using the books I had received heavily. I’ve started to look for apartment...and scanning through job ads…it looks to be harder than I had anticipated. But I am sure it is doable.

outdoor opera

cant remember exactly the name of the place/station/show
but watched a projected opera outside of a gallery
>>Place de Arts
Sous Les Etoiles--4 Juin à 20H
Lucia Di Lammermoor Donizetti

listening to zigzag in the living room
should sleep soon...

http://festivalmondialbiere.qc.ca/en/festivals/mondial_de_la_biere_montreal_2010/
i might be going here tmr

grafitti/art work/street art

china town pictures

Food here is pretty expensive. Bo lo Bao is like $1.25 each. I bought a bag of bak choi for three

bucks...dollar something a pound. aiya

The women in the red is the same women in the right changed. She's playing one of those Chinese instruments. The guy behind her is wearing a fur jacket and he's a palm reader. Funky huh.

This chinatown is pretty tourist-y

china town

I had bought a camera today at Future Shop. Went to little China Town and bought noodles and bak choi...had pho. Tiredness.

Websites

I'm using this page as a reference site too...

www.louer.ca
www.toutmontreal.com
www.kijiji.ca
www.craiglist.com

HOUR
MIRROR

taxi hostel metro beer

The first day went by pretty fast. I didn’t want to leave the hotel earlier because I was pretty comfortable there. But soon, I had to call the cab and he drove me to the first hostel. The conversation with the cab driver was super nice. We talked about Vancouver, Montreal and the French/Quebecois language...and Quebec’s history. It was the nicest cab ride I ever had. We passed by Vieux Montreal. I really want to visit there sometime this week.

The hostel is super super nice. It’s really not that bad. In fact, it is actually a really nice living environment. One of the employees suggested that I try to find an apartment around the Plateau.

I met up with Elizabeth and dropped a jacket and couple of sweaters at her place (yay! More room in suitcase). We walked around St. Catherine and grabbed food at La Belle Province. I had Soupe a l’oignon, Viande fume et une poutine. Elizabeth had crepe with salad and shared the poutine. Her building was really nice. Love it. We later rode the metro to McGill for her work’s softball game. We sat there and drank coolers. Went to the Timothy(?) pub afterwards, had nachos, beer and watched the quarter game. I left and am at the hostel at the moment. I took the metro all by myself=). I bought a monthly pass for around 80 bucks (thanks dad for the lucky money cause they accept only cash). I said I would watch a French movie with one of the person staying in my room but she’s asleep right now.

The metro here is similar to that of London’s. You put in your fare and it pops out the other end of the revolving bars. The doors are wicked. It looks like those revolving doors except it’s not. It pivots in the middle when you push. Metro workers speak mainly French and gets mad at you when you speak English (or they can’t understand you very well).

It's raining right now. The weather is a little weird. It was super sunny and hot then the wind hits and you shiver. The Metro area is really warm.

I want to buy a camera soon. This place is gorgeous.

How much are webcams? I had found one for $50.

ce dimanche, Elizabeth et moi allons à La Rhonde

Tu me manques

trois rivieres

June 27th--August 7th

http://www.uqtr.ca/eif/english/

My name...
c/o École internationale de français
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
C. P. 500 Trois-Rivières (Québec)
Canada G9A 5H7

Metro pic
http://www.metrodemontreal.com/index-e.html

swimming pool and commute

So I had jumped. LOL. I’ve made my metaphor come to life when I had visited the indoor swimming pool of this hotel at one in the morning on my own. Among the odd cravings that I get sometimes, this is one of the oddest. It was fun though for the first ten minutes. The pool was shallow and super small. I decided to dim the lights (cause I can) and got freaked out…went back to the hotel room and took a shower. Sleep was okay…I heard a guy banging on the door next to mine at seven in the morning. Four pillows makes a comfy bed though.

Sometimes, I don’t know which language to use…French or English? And I end up using English. It seems I’m not comfortable with French at all to start using it. I’ve overheard conversations in French and it makes me nervous...I’m sure I’ll get better soon though.

So I’ve decided to taxi to Alexandrie-Montreal (sorry =( I know I should be smart and be frugal but luggage too heavy). It’s supposed to be a $35 flat rate to downtown Montreal. I’ve contacted Elizabeth and told her about my luggage situation. Hm…she’s working at the moment and not too sure if I could stash my luggage at her place but Alexandrie has lockers (like the ones in the pool) so maybe I would do some rearranging of my things.

In Montreal!

And it's beautiful! sigh*I am in my hotel room at Best Western Aeroport de Montreal for one night and I've ordered a Gigi (avec champignons, prosciutto and sauce rose, prosciutto and rose sauce) for dinner b/c everything is closed and I dont want to be travelling around airport/night traffic. woot woot room service. I am starved!

Airplane ride was really neat. I finished reading the novel Penelope and got chocked over a certain letter (smily faces flying everywhere =0 ). My computer says it is 8:05...there is a three hour difference between Vancouver and Montreal.

I am staying at the Alexandrie-Montreal Hostel from June 3rd-June 16th then at Le Jazz St. Denisfrom June 17th-June 27th then I will be off to Trois Rivieres will I will start my six month (sorry, i meant week) of intensive French learning experience! So excited! I should probably take the time to brush up on my french. (don't tell mum about the hostel k sis?...it's going to be fine)

I wore the pair of jean that had multiple metal buttons so i was patted down real good...I sat beside a women who came from toronto and is in montreal for business and a guy who just came back from vacationing around asia (Taiwan, Philippines...etc). I asked him what food i should try in Montreal and he said poutine pronounced Trevor style (almost). haha. Pu tene...hmm pu tene.

...my luggage was SUPER heavy!!!

Wanna thank you all for helping me with this trip. =) Miss you all very very much.

where's my fooood. I'm so hungry

write more later. take care!

allergies

My last day in Vancouver before i leave for Montreal...and I have a huge headache from allergies...jeez.

I went to an early brunch with a friend, came home and can't seem to be able to move. My allergies are taking over me. ahh.

I don't know how I am feeling right now. I figure it wouldn't hit me until I am actually in Montreal. I feel the experience is like jumping into a swimming pool...the temperature is bound to be cold to begin with but I will get use to it. I have yet to jump though.

Allergies are making me tired.

I've forwarded this page to you... =)...cause you said you wanted to live vicariously through me. Welcome to my stream of thoughts...be warned that my grammar is still horrible and that i tend to rant a lot
But you already know that =)
Keep this site hush hush as i want to limit the ones reading this--merci beaucoup!!

a la prochaine!