Sunday, June 28, 2015

Fish out of water post #1

Salut Québec!

So I arrived in the province of Quebec this afternoon.. My goodness, how exciting.

I've been thinking that it would probably be a good idea to write about about my adventures, as it's pretty easy to forget about the things that you've done otherwise. Also, Ms. J would be sad with me if I completely gave up story telling. Alors, bonjour! 

I'm living in Quebec for a little over a month. I'm a music student, but I also like learning about languages and cultures. My government offers a program for anglophones to practice their French over the summer and earn university credits. It's a pretty sweet deal and this is the second time I've done it. 

I got here on a particularly dreary and rainy day. On the train I sat next to a nice Egyptian man who gave me some sort of coconut flavoured madeleine cookie and helped me to get my suitcase unstuck. It was funny how quickly memories of my last trip flooded back to me when I got here. In a taxi I heard a bit of Murry Schafer's Apocalypsis being broadcast from Toronto on the CBC, but I think the driver thought it was a bit too far out, so he switched the station back to Quebecois pop music about beating hearts and love. 

I made it to my residence, and was greeted by people who seemed relieved when I could understand what they were saying. Later, I adventured out in the rain to buy groceries, and was pleasantly surprised when I also could understand what the cashier's rapid French about points cards and plastic bags. 

Most of the students seem to be arriving this evening, and I haven't had the chance to meet many people yet. I'm looking forward to an event on my schedule tomorrow that just says 'pizzalympiques' with no further description of what it is. Hopefully I will get to meet my classmates. Also eat pizza. 

Anyway, hopefully there will be funny stories of my incompetence to follow, but for now bonne nuit!

E

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Well this is awkward



 Remember when people used Yahoo messenger? When was that, 2006? What a time it was to be alive. I remember you used to be able to send these little talking animations to your friends in the chat. I particularly liked one of a muscular, suit-wearing man who would jump up and say, "Don't worry - I'm here." I would send it ironically when I arrived after a prolonged absence.

I'm currently wishing that there was some sort of equivalent for modern blogging platforms.

Hi. This is awkward. I'm E. I took an almost year long hiatus on this blog. Sorry!

"But E," you must surely be wondering, "why did you abandon your blog for an extended period of time? Also, why are you talking to yourself in third person"

Well, dear imaginary readers, I recently finished my first year of university. University is wonderful. However, I also found that university takes up a heck of a lot of time. On good days, I had time for an afternoon nap (on a related note, I now love naps. naps are so great). On bad days, it was just a struggle to finish all my assignments and practising so that I could get to sleep at some point. However, it is now summertime, and I can blog once more! Hurray!

"So E, what have you been up to since last summer besides taking naps/wishing you were taking a nap?"

Oh boy! So much! I'm studying music education. I get to play flute lots, which is pretty great. I also learned how to play a bazillion percussion instruments, and the violin. Actually, I don't play the violin so much as make interesting noises on the violin, some more ear piercing than others. But it is an improvement from knowing nothing about stringed instruments!

I've made lots of lovely friends. I learned about music history! I learned about world music! I now know how to articulately justify my fondness of disco music. I had a TA explain to us how Beyonce's 'Love on Top' is actually brilliantly written. I learned how to identify chords by ear (useful for impressing little sisters by playing pop songs on the piano). I played a bass flute! I travelled to Chicago and played at Symphony Centre! I saw a crap ton of great concerts! It's been such a good year.

 (omg so many modulations)

"So E, why have you come back, other than having too much time on your hands?"

I do have too much time on my hands, this is true. I missed writing, for one thing. Another thing, I'm doing a French immersion program next month and thought it would be fun to document my adventures.

Anyway, that's it. How do people end these things? God, I'm really out of practice.

Too de loo?

E