The title of this post is pretty much the only sentence I can say in French. It’s probably wrong, but I say it all the time just to prove that all my time in French classes was not for nothing. I took French until grade three, on and off between grades 4 and 9, and all through high school. I came out of high school with an alright understanding and the desire to take it further, but I hit a roadblock in my first year of university. Sitting in my first day of class, the professor spoke nothing but French and everyone in the class seemed to be already fluent. I dropped it after the first day because I literally had no idea what was going on or what the expectations would be (beyond already speaking French…).
Being the giant lazy sloth that I am, I just stopped. Well, that’s a lie, I attempted, poorly, to take an independent class through Athabasca University, but that was a complete wash and a waste of money. Now, I have decided to finally get back on tackling #6 on my life list to become fluent in French. I have been fairly dedicated so far, listening to podcasts everyday, reviewing old French textbooks, listening to French news stories to get an ear for the spoken rhythm of the language. I’m hopeful. I also will be enrolling in J’explore a French learning program offered at various locations across Canada, care of the Canadian government. The program is 5 weeks long and I hope to be able to do it in either Montreal or New Brunswick. The goal is conversational French fluency, but of course they have varying levels of classes. My personal goal is to not end up in the beginner’s class!
So far, my absolute favourite tool has been Coffee Break French, produced by the Radio Lingua Network. Radio Lingua has several different French podcasts, including One Minute French and the video-based Walk, Talk and Learn French, but so far, Mark and Anna at Coffee Break French have been the absolute best at helping me get a new lease on the French language. I highly recommend you check them out if you are also trying to learn or relearn Francais, either at their website or on Itunes!
Forgive my ridiculous lack of posting. There is not excuse for laziness…pure, consuming, indulgent laziness.
I did make it out to Kelowna for a rather short, but incredibly relaxing trip. Adam and I just hung out and took in the beautiful surroundings. I did get to see the Spotted Lake near Osoyoos, which was pretty awesome. It was actually one of the things I was most excited for on my list, because I like freaky natural things. Check out the pic below.
I also got a massage for the first time, which has gotten me a slight addiction. There is definitely not picture of that. Pervs.
Two things were crossed off of my list in the short trip!
The weather has decided to get back to be snowy and cold, which is just what it does in April when you live in Calgary, Alberta. I’ve literally spent the entire day I should have been studying staring out the window thinking about Iceland, because you know…snow…outside…Ice…land. Yeah. August I will be heading the Iceland way, I’ve been perusing flights and hostels but until my mom and I make definite plans to see my grandparents in Toronto I can’t do too much (I should probably also get a job to pay for it, since Visa does not currently accept sexual favours, but you know…less important…)
Iceland makes an appearance several times on my list, testament to my desire to go and enjoy everything the country has to enjoy. It is literally at the moment my number one destination, with Morocco falling into second place. Yeah I know, snowy and cold to hot deserts, my brain doesn’t follow rhyme or reason. Only four months and I’ll be hanging out in Reykjavik! Here is what is on my list…
#317. Go to the Icelandic Phallological Museum
#356. See the Northern Lights in Iceland
#377. Travel to all of the European countries (it totally counts!)
I thought I had more on there! And now I’m wondering if I could even see the Northern Lights in August…Anywho! I’ve been looking at Iceland’s tourism websites and trying to work out some sort of rough plan. I’m also trying to find someone willing to go with me since Adam will be both working and broke and my mom has this weird vendetta against doing anything fun. I guess if it comes down to it I will go on my own, which is scary, but something I know I can do. Any good ideas of things to do in Iceland, particularly in Reykjavik?
This week is all about things that aren’t about to make it onto my life list any time soon. I’m trying to be adventurous and open to new experiences, but some things are just beyond my personal threshold. Case in point: Pulpit Rock. The articles are still great and interesting, the subjects just happen to make me queasy and unhappy to think about.
10 Most Exotic Asian Foods
via Nellie at Wild Junket
I should mention here that the chicken feet actually look somewhat good…but the rest of it isn’t about to be consumed by me anytime soon.
North Korea
This blog entry is surprisingly beautiful and has some wonderful photography. It actually kind of made me want to go to North Korea, but I think it might still be a little bit too out there for me. The forced participation in musicals is what does it for me.
So I’ve made up my mind: life is bland whether you are working or not. I do very much enjoy not working. I have all this time to cook and sit around and start book clubs called “Liberal Rejectionist Revisionary Visionary Literary Socialites” (AKA The Finer Things Club for all you Office fans). Our first book, thanks to Sarah, is The Little Prince.
I’m not sure how I found time to read this mostly illustrated 109 page childrens’ book into my time, especially since I have been completely wrapped up in RuPaul’s Drag Race. God I love Drag Queens. I wish I could BE a Drag Queen, and according to my gay bestie, there’s nothing stopping me. Then again, he wishes he was a woman, so it’s only fitting he encourage his lady friends to try and impersonate men (who impersonate women). I have been trying to find a drag show to attend, since seeing a real live fully fabulous and over the top drag show is #489 on my list.
My inspiration
Otherwise, life is bland. I’ve been working on papers and getting through the last 3 or 4 weeks of this semester. I then get a full two weeks to mentally reset and prepare myself for the long haul of spring and summer courses. Other than my short trip to Red Deer to see Hey Ocean do a show, I have no travel plans until June. Even then, it’s just Kelowna. I shouldn’t disparage Kelowna so much, I’m rather excited! At least there is water there.
The conversation went like this
Mom: Why did you get Tang when you don’t like orange flavour.
Me: …
Mom: I mean what inspired you?
Me: I didn’t know what Tang was.
Mom: Great job.
And that was how crossing number #591 off my list went.
When I added “Try Tang” to my list, I really had no idea what it was, other than a drink that was insanely popular 20+ years ago. How bad could it be? Well, given the fact I hate anything orange flavour, it would be really bad. I talked myself into still going through with it at the grocery store, after seeing the orange glow radiating from shelf. So put it in a cupboard when I got home and for weeks tried to forget it was there or on my list.
Of course boredom always wins out in the end.
It wasn’t really that bad, just really insanely sweet orange. Like orange juice except unhealthy. Definitely not one of the “favourites” list. Now the rest will sit in my fridge and hopefully someone else in my family will drink it. Ick.
This is a new feature I’m starting. Through Twitter and StumbleUpon I end up reading a ton of articles ever week that are relevant to my life list. Some are just other life lists, some are travel blogs, and some are how to guides for silly things. They give me inspiration, a good laugh, or the knowledge I need to get a move on this giant list of goals I’ve accumulated. I’ve decided to start sharing some of the better articles and sites I come across. Hope you enjoy them as much as I have.
How to make the big move happen
How to plan your get away, get adjusted to living abroad and turn those ex-pat dreams into a reality, via Wild Junket
Applies to
#36. Live in Italy for at least one month on my own
#405. Move the heck out of Calgary
Helsinki – A Modern European City of Culture
This article just furthered my intense desire to get myself completely immersed in everything that is Northern European! Helsinki is at the top of my destination list. via Brilliant Trips
Applies to
#479. Visit the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress in Helsinki
#377. Travel to all of the European countries
Squatty Potty
I had never known what a “Squatty Potty” was before. I never knew what pooping would be like in Asia/other places. Now, I do. via Squidoo
Applies to
#611. Use a squatty potty
Does going to Kelowna even count as a vacation when you live in Calgary? I’m serious.
I read all these blogs about people going everywhere and anywhere, staying months in exotic locals, eating interesting food, meeting people from all over. Me? I’m going to Kelowna. I’m trying really hard not to complain, Kelowna is beautiful, it will be relaxing, and the Rocky Mountains are an international destination. And I only have four days of vacation time for this birthday vacation. Being a student with a part time job, saying “I only have four days of vacation time” kills me inside, but it’s true. I’m trying desperately to grad by the end of 2009 which involves spring and summer courses, thus reduced fun time. Last summer I dicked off to Eastern Canada for a month, this summer I have four days!
I decided I couldn’t drop a few grand for a four day vacation. I just spent $1,600 or so on a crappy week in the Dominican Republic. And, it turns out air transportation companies don’t care how long you are staying for, the flights cost the same. It was hard, but I told myself it had to be within driving distance, and it had to be cheap. I simply could not justify flying to Venezuela for four days, as awesome as that would be. Even San Fransisco was out of budget.
On the bright side, I found a wicked deal on Expedia a suite in Summerland near Kelowna right on the lake front. I guess when it comes down to it a vacation is a vacation. Relaxing on the beach in Kelowna nestled in between giant mountains is probably just as nice as relaxing on the beach anywhere. It just doesn’t come with the travel cred.
Things I will get to cross off of The List include…
