Finally going to Ottawa

Since I'm leaving at the end of September, I've finally decided to visit Ottawa. Gabriel mentioned that since I have never been there that it was an indication of my lack of Canadian-ness. I disagree, since many Canadians I know have the anti-Ontario virus. Perhaps it's because I've lived in Quebec for 9 years, and I have become anti-federalist. But perhaps Canadians who are not from Ontario are sick of all the attention it gets! So, I'm going to Ottawa by train on Monday to see what the hype is all about. Will I convert and say I love Ottawa?! Who knows!

August recovery

A big thank you to all those who helped in body or spirit for the BC wedding! It was lovely... but more than the day itself it was wonderful to have the family all come together...

Thanks!

Much too long

I guess this is proof that Canadian winters are tough since I haven't posted in so long! Luckily whenever I travel I feel like writing journal and blogs. I spent the last two weeks in New Brunswick visiting Amber, Zaak and his family. It was a nice change of my sometimes lonely city life, Zaak and his two sisters and their kids were there as well as Blaise and Acadia. The beach was beautiful, the stars bright and the company lovely!

Almost 9 years

I moved to Quebec in August 2000, my how time flies. Lately I've been trying to gradually say goodbye to Montreal as I'll be leaving for Syria in the fall. I don't know if it was because of the winter or cool spring, but I've noticed that I've been in a rut. I go to the same restaurants, the same parks, the same shows... BORING! Since humans only seem to appreciate things after they are gone, this weekend was one for the good guys! So, I saw some old friends in a new restaurant, taking a new route, watching the fireworks from a new location and it was FANTASTIC!!
So this will be my new summer moto! Try new everything in Montreal before it's time to say "au revoir"

Movie faux pas

Alright, I realize that get annoyed about a lot of things when sharing public space... For example public transportation. I tend to get annoyed easily, but I also think a lot of people lack tact. Today I went to see a movie and there was a kid with his mom who distracted me the entire movie. First of all it was a lame movie (Knowing-with Nicolas Cage) so it could have been worse, but this was just a diaster. First of all the kid didn't even speak English, second the movie was a sci-fi thriller and third I think the kid was definately ADHD. He couldn't stop talking to his mom,slurping a slupie with a spoon and eating candy loudly and or playing with some change he had in his pocket. I did ask after a few bouts of talking to "shush please" and that worked for a few minutes. Later in the movie after much discussion, his mom gave him money to go get something, the kid got lost and tried to use the emergency exit! The next fiasco was that he left his open bag of candy on the chair with my purse on it, so when I picked it up to get something his candy went flying all over the floor... It's kind of funny now, but I was wishing for an employee to shine a light on them and ask them to smarten up... alas for the good old days!

From start to finish

I have been meaning to read "The Kite Runner" for over a year now and finally bought it last week with my fellow teacher Ann who was loading up on books to read over the summer. I started it at around 7pm on my balcony, and just finished it around midnight... What a beautiful, tragic, shocking story... It makes me feel so selfishly rich in my life where I can buy anything I need and most of what I want. I just made some donations on line... I'm thinking what a great book this would be to teach, but perhaps too much for students to handle. But really, North Americans need this book badly, to wake up and care about others, to realize how incredibly blessed and spoiled we are and to help others. The work of a great author is one that allows people to be changed, to think, to consider to ponder... Thank you Khaled Hosseini

May updates

The evenings are getting longer and longer... I started a monday night yoga class... I won't be working at College Notre Dame next year... I'm pumped about going to BC this summer... I bought a fun summer dress on the weekend... I need new music on my ipod... I am slightly addicted to iced tea... I don't think many people actually read this