The Bill 101 Debate

Quebec is know for being the little french haven of the North American continent. Growing up and going to all french schools, you kinda tend to think that English is unimportant because all the school system teaches you to say in English is hello and you get to learn your colours. YAAAA!!! Nevertheless fortunately I didn't get stuck in the all Franco way.

Jump to present day where I'm a fully functioning allophone, but somehow my Montreal accent is too Anglo and where the girl who barely speaks English somehow manages no problem. I was dealing with someone who surprisingly in his LAC-ST-JEAN accent said you speak very well but I can sense too much Anglo in your accent. Meanwhile my co-worker can barely string two words together in English. But that's OK cause in Quebec you can get a job only speaking French and never in a million years get if you speak French with too much of an accent. People wonder why everyone runs away to Toronto or Van, well because there's a lot less bullshit and it pays better. In Quebece most people peak at least 2 languages, have a University degree, have travelled and meanwhile they'll still be serving you coffee.

V-Day

Is an evil evil holiday. Who's got 2 thumbs, brown hair and got broken up with on Valentine's Day???? ME!!!!

It's a Small World After All

Here's a run down of what happened wednesday night.

Location: Cock n' Bull Pub
Time: sometime after 10pm.
Company: Fred, Steph, Larissa, Steve and me

me: hey guys this is Steve
Steve: nice to meet you.

10 minutes later Steve leans over and this is how it goes:

Steve: I think I know that girl, what's her name again?
Me: Larissa, i've known her for years, she's a creative writting Grad Student at Concordia.
Steve: hmmmm she from Montreal?
Me: um nope I think she's from the States originally.
Steve: Hmmmmmm cause um I think I may have gone on a date with her?
Me: really? a date?
Steve: um well not exactly but I think I kinda slept with her. Actually I ran into here and brought her home.
Fred: Hey!! I totally know you from somewhere!!!!!! Where do I know you from?

Why is the English community so small in Montreal??????

She Who Does Not Cook

Right before we start, let me just say that if you know me, you know that my cooking skills are very sub-par. So you can imagine my panic when He who's toilet I broke, suggested I have him over for dinner. I spent Sunday night scrolling through pages of various recipes putting aside the ones I thought I would remotely have a change at not fucking up and the ones I knew were way to complicated. So Monday night, I spent my after work chill out time going grocery shopping and such. I got home to have a sanity coffee and cigarette and read the last of my book. Steve came over while I was in full cooking mode and graciously poured me a large glass of wine and gave me a hand in the kitchen. Good news no one dies or was sick. Even better news, I got a lift to work, and since it was -10 and really windy I was happy not to have to wait for the bus.

Soon month no. 2 of working at the bank... Every day I'm there, I feel more and more as part of the problem and definitely not part of the solution. People accept what I say to them, no argument or contest. They take my word and accept the options I give them as good solutions. But every once in a while I feel guilty, I feel like I'm not doing enough. When I was in Korea I loved it, I actually felt useful and as a valued part of society. Working in Ireland at hostels, I felt like a part of the traveller (backpacker for Cormac) community. Actually being helpful and discussing things I cared about and felt were interesting. I feel that now I talk about all the things I DID and not the things I'm DOING or will DO. I'm thinking about a new project for next year but I don't know what yet. The funds will be limited but they always were. I think next year will be time for a new continent and more meaningful experience.

The bill for Samgypsal and 2 beers each. Don't forget +15% tip.

It makes running outside hard.

MMMM Smithwicks, my favorite beer from when I lived in Ireland.

HAHAHA typical Quebec French politics. Scratch out the English and Korea .... both are equally as offensive!!!!

It was good, kinda like in Korea.

Soju 20$- Used to be 1$ in Korea.

Sometimes I wonder WHY!!!

I promised myself that when I left Korea I would drink a lot less. I'm afraid I might be starting to fall off the wagon but I'm sure I can do it!!!! Thursday night I ended up going to the Irish Embassy, apparently the new Concordia Uni bar. I went with Steve ( the dude who's toilet I broke...) and it was the meeting the friends to size me up night, or so I felt like that's what it was. I of course felt I had to order many many pints of Swithwicks to give my best impression. It turned out that all I did was drink a lot and blab on and on and on about Korea. I ended up going to bed at 4 am and stumbling into work the next morning though I woke up not at my house but somehow managed to squeeze some work clothes in my bag. Friday was dinner and wine at Fred and Steph's. Matt and Claire joined us. I'm so happy Claire still smokes- cause that means I never feel guilty going outside. And well drank more wine and with the lack of sleep I took a mini nap on their couch at one point. Saturday ugh... Ended up going to the SAQ to purchase vodka and rum. Shruti and Carlos came buy and after 24 beers and a lot of liquor, I decided it was best to keep drinking into Sunday. Cause that's what I do.

It's been officially 9 weeks that I've been back and so far so good. I started actually working my job job and I have to admit sometimes people still surprise me. Really!!! Is it that hard to balance a checkbook? Must you really write a bad cheque why why whyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!And soon enough when my bank account recovers from my rent/ phone bill/Internet bill/ Visa bill, I'll be hitting the gym again. I'm actually excited to start running, biking and whatever else. I though maybe I'd just do the outdoors thing but really I had running when it's freaking freezing outside. I appreciate all those brave people that go out in -20 degree weather.

That's the exciting update.... Still enjoying my massive 2 bedroom apartment all to myself...

There was actually a second and a third date. Next time I was over I noticed the part that I had broken. It was actually attached to a bigger part that had been replaced. Turned out ok though.

The Date, The Job and Family

It's the holidays again. With that I left my comfy quiet apartment to spend 2 days with my parents. Funny how even when we grow up we will still be little kids in the eyes of our parents. Needless to say my mother has been overly maternal since my return, I appreciate it and all, it's just that after having been away for so long, I know how to take care of myself. But I forget that in Korea most parents do everything for their kids. Those days when a seven year old couldn't dress himself. When my kiddies were unable to tie their shoe laces or function in almost every way possible without my assistance and well me doing everything or them. Or so they would have liked.

But now I work at a bank. No kiddies tearing around, no arguments with my boss as to what I'm entitled to have ( breach of contract ladies and gents). Now everything is nice and clean, all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. Frankly it's a little boring and I find myself missing my Korean experience more and more. I miss my Korean friends, a few in particular but such is life for the moment. Apparently according to Steph.... It took six months to get back in the groove of things.

And well I just wouldn't be me if I didn't go on a date where I made an ass of myself through my clumsiness. So last night I went out to Brutopia on Crecsent ( south of St-Catherine), we had a few beers chatted, got along fairly well all that stuff. Closing time was approaching so since he didn't live to far we decided to keep drinking at his place. At one point I decide to go to the bathroom and lo and behold, the toilet won't flush. I take of the cap and peer inside to see what the hold-up is. So I start fiddling and I broke it!!!! Yup something snapped and cracked and before you know it I had to walk right back in there and announce that I had just broken his toilet. All that and a bag of chips.

So that's the big update.