Emilie's family and I went to Quebec for a New Year's Eve party, and a tradition that my feet were not prepared for.
Each year her family and two other families all get together for New Year's Eve, involving a slap-up meal, lots of drinking, Secret Santa (involving a game to decide who will get which, normally slightly comedy, present: I got a Pirates of the Caribbean Calendar), and a painful tradition. Soon after the stroke of midnight everybody strips down to their pants (although the girls all cheat by wearing t-shirts) and jumps into the snow. Before this I was worried mostly about the effects of the cold on my nether-anatomy, although I discovered it is mostly painful on your bare feet. Coming back into the warmth the poor plates-of-meat didn't know where they were. Still, I survived, and I'm sure it helped to score points with the in-laws.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
30 Dec
Emilie and I flew back to Montreal, and had a delayed family Christmas (with her family, of course!) that evening - having a really nice meal and a present opening session. I was pretty surprised to get a few presents from her family - a cool thinking-game called Brainstonz, a Dexter DVD and (never a bad present) beer! The beer also came with a really nice, and almost infeasibly tall glass.
Emilie's aunt Lucie was also there, who (as I have mentioned before), is completely mental - so that made it all even more entertaining. Unfortunately, though, the jetlag kicked in and I fell asleep at about 11.
Emilie's aunt Lucie was also there, who (as I have mentioned before), is completely mental - so that made it all even more entertaining. Unfortunately, though, the jetlag kicked in and I fell asleep at about 11.
22 - 29 Dec
The next day we got up early ready to catch the train from St Pancras to the French Alps!
In sharp contrast to our normal family Christmasses, we decided both to go on holiday, and welcomed a couple of new family members - namely Emilie and Helen. We went to La Plagne (staying at Belle Plagne in a ski-in-ski-out catered chalet). Our chalet hosts (who made all the meals, etc.) were amazing, making breakfast when we got up and a meal in the eve. Although it didn't snow the whole time we were there (but did the day after we left!), the snow was mostly really nice and the skiing was brilliant. I didn't even see half the resort, mostly because I was skiing with Emilie, Andrew and Helen on blue runs, but it was really good just skiing the jumps and lips with Andrew.
Despite a humiliating grilling one evening from the people who should be most supportive, and a couple of family arguments, the week was relatively incident-free and while it was fun it was really good fun.
At the end of the hol it was strange to say goodbye to my family, seeing as I would be in Canada for over 8 months and would probably not see any of them until September. This will be the longest period of time I have ever been away from home...
In sharp contrast to our normal family Christmasses, we decided both to go on holiday, and welcomed a couple of new family members - namely Emilie and Helen. We went to La Plagne (staying at Belle Plagne in a ski-in-ski-out catered chalet). Our chalet hosts (who made all the meals, etc.) were amazing, making breakfast when we got up and a meal in the eve. Although it didn't snow the whole time we were there (but did the day after we left!), the snow was mostly really nice and the skiing was brilliant. I didn't even see half the resort, mostly because I was skiing with Emilie, Andrew and Helen on blue runs, but it was really good just skiing the jumps and lips with Andrew.
Despite a humiliating grilling one evening from the people who should be most supportive, and a couple of family arguments, the week was relatively incident-free and while it was fun it was really good fun.
At the end of the hol it was strange to say goodbye to my family, seeing as I would be in Canada for over 8 months and would probably not see any of them until September. This will be the longest period of time I have ever been away from home...
20 - 21 Dec
... Reading the next day to meet Emilie, who I had not seen for about a week. We met up with Nicky for lunch, and was cool to have us three together again - strange that it already feels like long ago that we were (practically) living together.
From here we went to London to meet up with, amongst others: Tim, Emily, Nigel, Mary Cliff, Ciara, etc - although we were almost thwarted yet again by Nige's rubbish directions. Eastfield Road actually turned out to be Eastham Street. One syllable correct, not bad Nige!
The next day, after doing a bit of shopping with Tim and Em at Portobello Markets, we went to We Will Rock You with my family. Although, for some reason, I was finding it hard to stay awake (I wasn't tired before or after it), the show was actually really good, and I think Emilie enjoyed it even more than I did as she actually loves Queen. After that we met up with Ferret for a few pints.
From here we went to London to meet up with, amongst others: Tim, Emily, Nigel, Mary Cliff, Ciara, etc - although we were almost thwarted yet again by Nige's rubbish directions. Eastfield Road actually turned out to be Eastham Street. One syllable correct, not bad Nige!
The next day, after doing a bit of shopping with Tim and Em at Portobello Markets, we went to We Will Rock You with my family. Although, for some reason, I was finding it hard to stay awake (I wasn't tired before or after it), the show was actually really good, and I think Emilie enjoyed it even more than I did as she actually loves Queen. After that we met up with Ferret for a few pints.
19 Dec
Cutting my timing fine, I managed to get to Nottingham to see Martyn once more before my second stint in Canada. We just did a bit of drinking, but was fun of course as usual. Unfortunately, though, it was cut short by him having to work early the next day, and me having to get to...
15 - 16 Dec
From Nigel's I headed to Bristol and failed to see many of my friends, which was a bit annoying. Still I had a really good night, mostly hanging around drinking with Jon, but also met up with Big G and her new boyfriend, which was quite unexpected and really fun.
The next day I continued to fail to meet up with several of my friends, but did meet up with Shadow for a few quick drinks in the afternoon (before heading home), which was just as unexpected and fun as Georgia!
The next day I continued to fail to meet up with several of my friends, but did meet up with Shadow for a few quick drinks in the afternoon (before heading home), which was just as unexpected and fun as Georgia!
14 Dec
... my graduation. Although it was only fairly brief, it was good to see all my Reading friends again, particularly all the Frenchies. I got to wear a mortar board too (which I couldn't when I graduated in Bristol), so that was cool for tradition/silly reasons.
After this I went to London and followed some bad directions badly to Nigel's house, turning up well after 11 in the evening ready for a Game of Life. Lateness led to fast drinking, which led to chucking in his sink. Friday night, woo!
After this I went to London and followed some bad directions badly to Nigel's house, turning up well after 11 in the evening ready for a Game of Life. Lateness led to fast drinking, which led to chucking in his sink. Friday night, woo!
30 Nov
Instead of actually going to the last day of my course, the vast majority of the class went skiing for the day to a small local resort, which was real good fun! Being Canada, the snow was bountiful (although the snow machines didn't hurt). The fact that I couldn't walk the next day was only a minor point and did not stop the day being well worth the effort - but it did tell me that I had to fitten up before the imminent family Christmas skiing hol.
Pretty much from here onwards it has started to be really cold - colder than England for sure! And this, by all accounts, is just the tip of the iceberg. It's only about -20 or warmer... bring on the -40s!
Pretty much from here onwards it has started to be really cold - colder than England for sure! And this, by all accounts, is just the tip of the iceberg. It's only about -20 or warmer... bring on the -40s!
29 Nov
Finished my 6-week French course, spending each 3 week half in a different class, but at the same level. It was really good and a shame to finish, but hopefully I will carry on speaking French somehow or other in the new year.
My teachers were really nice (although with varying quality - one was an amazing conversation class teacher, getting everyone involved and keeping everyone interested, while another seemed to like to make up facts about Quebecois History - something which understandably riled Emilie!).
I also met a few really sound people in my class, and unfortunately only one of these would be staying into the New Year. Yun, Vinicius, Renata and Blanca/Mimi particularly made my classes fun! I'll miss these guys...
My teachers were really nice (although with varying quality - one was an amazing conversation class teacher, getting everyone involved and keeping everyone interested, while another seemed to like to make up facts about Quebecois History - something which understandably riled Emilie!).
I also met a few really sound people in my class, and unfortunately only one of these would be staying into the New Year. Yun, Vinicius, Renata and Blanca/Mimi particularly made my classes fun! I'll miss these guys...
14 Nov
In my final bit of work for the MSc I had to submit a hard-bound dissertation, which is an almost entirely unremarkable event except that it is both a requirement and cost about £60! Interesting that a simple, arguably unnecessary rule (that one has to submit this to pass the course) is lining the pockets of many printing companies and websites. Anyway, at least I'm done with the course now! Just the graduation to go through now...
26 - 29 Oct
Went to Rouyn, one of the weirdest/hardest to pronounce places in the world, and also where Emilie's parents live. We stayed for a few days so I got to meet the beau-parents properly this time, and had some really good food and lots of beer!
I was teased with the possibility of being taken up in Emilie's Dad's 2-seater plane, but it was not meant to be, as there was ice on the wing (meaning the plane could not be flown). It was touch-and-go all day, so I was kind of expecting it, but of course it was a shame!
I was teased with the possibility of being taken up in Emilie's Dad's 2-seater plane, but it was not meant to be, as there was ice on the wing (meaning the plane could not be flown). It was touch-and-go all day, so I was kind of expecting it, but of course it was a shame!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)