Start of 2014

Two and half weeks into the ‘Winter Semester’ and straight into life once more.  We had a gentle re-introduction into the weather with a nice minus five degrees.  Or it was just us being lulled into a false sense of security as this week the Canadian winter returned once more with the experience of the frozen nostrils and headaches.  I just feel sorry for the guys walking around with frozen beards and moustaches.  I’d never really taken seriously the warnings about frostbite before.  Oh no, such potential was definitely felt.

My luggage arrived from who-knows-where just in time for a fraternity ball on the first Saturday back.  Actually taking time to get dressed, get made up and an excuse to tame that ‘fro into something socially acceptable was a rare and welcomed experience.  Wearing heels for the first time in months instead of just my standard snow boots and a full length dress rather than leggings was just excellent (although my walking in the heels probably left much to be desired after such lack of practice).  The above plus a three course dinner was an oh-so-casual start to the semester indeed...

A week later and my attire altered slightly into oh so sexy and flattering ski gear, wearing half my Christmas presents of thermals and ski socks.  ‘Snowbutter’ was the name of the weekend trip to the favourite place of Mont Tremblant.  Tons of students from across North America, lots of drinking, quite a bit of hanging, some hot-tub timing with skiing now and then amongst all that, meant an epic weekend and renewed appreciation of the snow out here.  Oh so there is a reason for it... The state of our hotel room after just 48 hours was rather unbelievable.  Who knew girls could be so messy?  Made best friends with the bouncers of the Après Ski bar (naturally).  Dared the cold by running to the club in just a strap-top (why not).  Actually drank more than one can of beer (first time in my life) during the copious games of ‘Flipcup’ (even got a ‘one flip’ a number of times shockingly).  However, living off bagels, packet noodles and wine for the three days meant needing the whole next week to recover came as no surprise. 

This term a couple of us Internationals have signed up for Intramural Dodgeball. Anyone who has seen my throwing and catching skills will have guessed that those genes don’t run in the Pike family in the slightest.  I can’t really catch the ball to get people out or hit people to get them out, so my game plan is to just bounce around, avoid being hit and somehow stay in.  The pain I felt in my throwing arm the next day proved to be that throwing is just not a natural action for this girl... But who knows, miracles could happen.

Continuing the theme of sport, the annual event of ‘Capital Hoops’ occurred this week where the Carleton Ravens basketball team took on our ultimate rivals from the other university in Ottawa, the Gee-Gees. Yeah. What even are those?  Apparently it’s the first horse out the gate.  Not even the winning horse.  And indeed they lived up to that name by losing in front of an overwhelmingly red and black, Carleton supporting, screaming crowd.  We are number one in Canada so not exactly a shocker.  School spirit at an all time high.  Facepaint and chants in abundance.

My final and most recent excursion was back once more the city of Montreal to visit a friend with whom our friendship has covered Costa Rica, England and Canada.  The trip was a slightly difference experience from the beautiful summer weekend of September with the city covered in snow and ice. Such a chilled weekend of roaming, eating and shopping (buying a bikini for our Spring Break trip to Cuba felt just slightly at odds with the weather outside).  Walks in the snow have become one of my favourite things out here so couple that with a hill, a gorgeous blue sky and a panoramic view of Montreal and it was not a bad time at all.     Basically some ideal weekends.  

Rain and Routine

This time last year, being a number for the weekend, running in the rain and attempting team challenges, whilst being yelled at by people in uniform in pretty much a foreign language (in other words, OTC selection).  This time last week, cycling through the sunny streets and along the sparkling river of Montreal, munching on crepes and embracing wholeheartedly being ‘those tourists’.  This weekend, writing essays, watching the rain pour down and basically trying to save money due to the slightly terrifying speed at which it is being spent. 

Life is settling into a routine of two days of mental amounts of lecture hours and coffee-making, a few days off with feeling like it’s a Sunday, the token night out, a subsequent hangover day and varying attempts at reading/writing essays, all with the highlight of meal times with unlimited amounts of food at caf.  Each meal is an occasion (with only 9 a week, one must be skilful at which meals are chosen to attend).  A standard visit includes several trips around all the stations, a collection of 4 to 5 plates and bowls with copious mugs of tea (while trying not to drop my overflowing bowl of yoghurt and granola all over myself and the floor...yeah, debatable success with that...)

Anyway, to one of the top-times of my life out here so far.  The trip to Canadian France.  Montreal.  We arrived at our hostel and were pleasantly surprised at the marble, flowers and polished wood – it was going to be a plush stay... however, being pointed over the road we discovered our room was disappointingly that of the standard hostel – the rickety bunk beds, the dodgy looking sofa, and disintegrating walls.  But we’re students so can’t complain much and we survived (just) so that’s the main thing. 

Our stay consisted of cafe visits, poutine-eating, delightful restaurants, delicious crepes, meanderings through the cobbled streets, amusement from street-entertainers, visiting an old friend, copious photo opportunities and the highlight of renting bikes.  A breeze blowing, singing songs from The Sound of Music as we cruised along, and basically having the feeling of ‘this is the life’ sums it up well.  We had heard great things of the nightlife there and thus, it was experienced to the full by all (with matching consequential hangovers).  Alors, tres successful and no doubt it shall be visited again sometime in the future.   

Despite staying in Ottawa this week, it has been busy and filled with a birthday trip to the supposed second best burger restaurant in Canada.  Was scrumptious indeed.  Yet another visit to our student bar (I think us Brits/Aussies are gaining a reputation – not one time has gone by without one of us being kicked out... Take them to Timepiece and I don’t think a single person would not be thrown out.  Although, they sure know how to grind out here...and how to make every single person around that excited couple be battered around by their untameable enthusiasm.  Lucky us...).  Plus a much needed shopping trip (including my most expensive fro-yo to date.  Worth it), with the classic cultural purchase of friendship bracelets. Cool kids and we know it.  

The Indian summer we were privileged to experience for the majority of my first month has finally come to an end.  Heartbreak.  Now begins the descent into ‘Fall’ with its turning leaves, dropping temperature and arrival of rain.  Furthermore, with people already planning Halloween outfits (my days, are they keen for it out here), it feels like I might as well be flying home for Christmas next week.