Nico Space

random random

2009-11-21T19:07:00.000-08:00

*Luke found the report of our dig at Loughbown 1 near Ballinasloe in Ireland and there are photos of the ringpin I found. When I first found it I said, "look! a golf tee!" Instead it was a 9th century bronze ringpin on my first day at the job. Amazing!

*Reading through old blogs is interesting.

Even if some things I wrote make me cringe of embarrassment it really helps to bring memories back.

*I am in Regina this weekend for the second weekend in a row. Although this week is a little less stressful than last.

I am getting camera training this time. Even though I use my camera quite often these days, I do have a lot to learn. In general my shots are too loose and I need better sequences. It was great to go to a press conference today and come back and be really satisfied with my shots. It is all about changing my tripod of position each time. Not taking shots in a straight line. Different angles is key. My trainer is brilliant and has a way of explaining things in a way I understand.

Panda and the sopranos

2008-05-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

I will take a real photo of them soon

I was reading a few old posts and realized that I should keep up with this a little more. A record is important for stirring up memories. I was in an antique store a few weeks ago and there was some farmer's old diary from the 50's. It didn't have much that was very interesting but I thought it would be cool to find some one's old diary and write a play about their life. My gran always kept a diary...maybe I should try and track one of those down.

I think I am going to buy more fish today. In case you haven't spoken to me in a while I bought a tank about a month an a half ago and am keeping 4 tiger barbs and one panda barb. They are not the most beautiful fish but they have so much personality. I know that sounds odd, but they really are not very boring at all.
Anyway, 5 doesn't seem to be enough. The panda barb took over the tank and corners the four tigers. I have been reading up on them and apparently they do better in bigger groups. So, I bought a 40 gallon tank off kijiji from some lady in Langham. I have prepping the tank and think I am ready to introduce my old fish to their bigger habitat and add some more. I hope a war doesn't ensue between the old and the new and the big and the small...

I will keep you posted...

La gang de Radio-Can

2008-03-04T14:57:00.000-08:00

Christmas eve

2007-12-24T14:28:00.000-08:00

It's christmas eve and I am at work. But I am very lucky. Some people aren't home for christmas and some have to work a lot later than I do.

It seems like there is a lot of tragedy this christmas, a lot of people I know have relatives who have passed in the last few days. And just when you think that has to be the last one, Oscar Peterson dies.

I am starting to feel the excitement of christmas eve, which is odd because the whole day I was saying, sure doesn't feel like christmas...

I am excited to eat some good food with my family!! And presents...I love presents. I know it shouldn't be about the presents...but I love presents!

2007-10-04T22:05:00.000-07:00

I have an exciting weekend coming up. My cousin Michael is geting married in Martensville. It's going to be in the gorgeous United church along the riverbank. It is the first wedding on my dad's side of the family. But we are a really small family so there will not likely be many more...
I saw my cousin Des tonight who came all the way from Cardiff. Talk about two worlds colliding.

OOOh Saskatoon

2007-10-01T18:38:00.000-07:00

It is quite strange to be working in Saskatoon. But a lot more comfortable than Regina. It's comforting to go to familiar buildings to do interviews. I saw a few people I know throughout the day.
It was down to the wire though to give my story in. I don't think I will ever get used to this really last minute stuff.
It sure is nice not to go to a hotel after work tonight though.
What used to sound glamorous is now real.

2007-09-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

I am watching Peter Mansbridge up North.
I sure have a lot to learn from him and I sure miss the North.
But, I am happy to be in Saskatchewan.
I ran into Murray at Ohanlon's tonight. I was picking up some of that Sheperd's pie Jeff said was so good (it was very good!) and there was Murray. Second time meeting him in Regina. I love familiar faces and I love the feeling of knowing a place.

I had a lot of fun at work today.
It was my first ever TV report.
TV is so nice because because you actually have to get off your desk chair and get out and meet people.
That was the point of getting into all of this business in the first place.

NEVER QUESTION THE BLOG!! Unless you want to....

2007-09-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

OK, so I went through a period and I was questioning the blogging.
I know...the blog shouldn't be questioned.
I as WRONG.

I will keep on blogging for the time being. I hope people who checked up on my blog once in a while have not given up on me.
Since I am Madame français these days cause of la nouvelle job, it is probably a good thing for me to write in English once in a while.
I tell you...it hasn't been easy. My head hurts and I am tired. I have never felt so much extreme repetitive stress.
I have studied and worked for the past 6 years in English and my French has definitely suffered. It is coming back slowly and I am very excited for the point that I will feel just as comfortable in French as in English.
It is so easy to lose a language, it's not even funny. I am so happy I have the opportunity to work in both of mine.

I am listening to Bush adress the nation in my Regina hotel room...
I was so excited to grow up and stay in hotels and eat out every day and watch cable TV.
It really isn't all it is cracked up to be.
I am craving home.

100 people

2007-08-09T10:36:00.000-07:00

I was at a party about a week before I left Cardiff and one of the students in my programme asked me what was the the most important thing I learned this year. I hate picking favourites cause I think everything is important but some of the things one of my profs told us were really interesting. The critical thinking skills he taught us were really, really useful. He also showed us a breakdown of the world, if the world only had a 100 people. I think it was a great way to put things into perspective.
Here is an abbreviated version:

If the World were 100 PEOPLE:
Gender
50 would be female
50 would be male

Age
20 would be 0-14
67 would be 15-64
14 would be 65 and older

Geography
5 would be from North America
9 would be from Latin America & the Caribbean
12 would be from Europe
61 would be from Asia
13 would be from Africa

Religion
31 would be Christian
21 would be Muslim
14 would be Hindu
6 would be Buddhist
12 would believe in other religions
16 would not be religious or identify themselves
as being aligned with a particular faith

First Language
17 would speak Chinese
8 would speak Hindustani
8 would speak English
7 would speak Spanish
4 would speak Arabic
4 would speak Russian
3 would speak Bengali
2 would speak Malay-Indonesian
2 would speak French
45 would speak other languages

Overall Literacy
82 would be able to read and write
18 would not

Literacy by Gender
87 males would be able to read and write
13 males would not be able to read and write
77 females would be able to read and write
23 females would not be able to read and write

Education
76 males would have a primary school education
72 females would have a primary school education

66 males would have a secondary school education
63 females would have a secondary school education

1 would have a college education

Urban/Rural
47 would be urban dwellers
53 would be rural dwellers

Drinking Water
83 would have access to safe drinking water
17 would use unimproved water

Food
17 would be undernourished
Infectious Disease
<1% would have HIV/AIDS
<1%would have tuberculosis

Poverty
53 would live on less than 2USD per day
50 would live in poverty

Electricity
69 would have electricity
31 would not

Technology
34 would be cell phone subscribers
17 would be active internet users
1 would own a computer

Since I have a college education and I own a computer I would say I am one of the richest people in the world.
My mom called me this morning and told me that she met someone who knows my friend's boyfriend that lives in the United States. I thought to myself what a small world! But then I thought, what a small rich world. I know he has a college education and owns a computer. So we mix with the same small percentage of very rich.

2007-08-04T04:02:00.000-07:00

Out to a Mexican restaurant with Des, Geroge and Melini. George is taking the pic

SWITCH

2007-08-02T04:53:00.000-07:00

So this week has not been as horrible as I told myself it was going to be. I am too negative sometimes. The flatmates being gone, it has been a little lonely but really quite bearable. It has been nice to make a mess of the house and just hang out on my own a bit.

I had my last meeting with my supervisor and then got on the phone to try and book a flight home early but it would cost me an awful lot and I actually had quite a bit of work to do. It has been nice taking it easy on the final touches of my dissertation. A little change here and a little change there and suddenly it looks a lot better.

I have not touched anything so I have a lot of packing to do this weekend...and laundry. It is kind of odd to be leaving this place and not being sure when I will be back. I am planning on coming to grad next year but that will depend on work and money and all the other issues.

Tuesday at Des' was great this week. I think my crossword puzzle skills have come a long way this year. Crosswords are a strange thing. Even though the clues are random you get used to thinking in a crossword kind of way and if you do crosswords from the same author you begin to catch on to their pattern.

Des got his whole house rewired, it is definitely brighter and the switches are modern. The other light switches dated back to the 1930's. They were round, bulky and you really had to switch them on. They looked like the one above. They also made a kind of sizzle sound when you turned them on. It wasn't a gentle click.

I am going to miss the Tuesday night gang. But Des, George, Melini and I are going to go out for a meal on Friday night. We are going out at 8:30. Everything works about an hour or two later than it does back home. Lunch is usually at 1 or 2 and supper is at 7 or 8. Or maybe just an hour later than what I am used to.

My documentary is now recorded on CDs so I suppose I am finished tinkering with it. It is hard to lay things to rest that you have been working on for a while. I feel like it will never be perfect but nothing ever is so I will have to deal with it. I am getting the written portion bound tomorrow and I will hand it in.

I think it will take a while for me to realize this isn't going to be hanging over my head anymore.

Going out for lunch with Elaine today. She said she wanted to go for a British lunch so we must be going to a pub or something.

What day is it? Blink blink

2007-07-29T01:43:00.000-07:00

Everyone (my mom and luke) keep on telling me about this crazy heat. Damn, it is rare I see the sun here. So much rain. Luckily Cardiff has not had any flooding as of yet. It has been pretty terrible elsewhere.

This photo is of cardiff bay, Abi and I went down to the restaurant on top of the water for lunch yesterday. It wasn't this rainy though. We actually caught a little sun. I just feel like I have been missing out on the summer fun. But maybe it is uncomfortable?

Abi left for home to Geneva yesterday. Can't wait to go home myself. I have been saying that for a long time now...
I just feel like all I do is work and watch TV. However, I have been very lucky to have so many visitors and I sill have some friends here that I meet wih from time to time.

My God. I feel like I am whining. Things are pretty damn good when I think of it. I am almost one my MA and going home in a week. August is just so amazingly full of fun things to do. The Fringe, Folfest, Mike and Deanna's wedding extravaganza, Daniel's crazy ass huge wedding. Wow. I suppose I can put a little work in and suck it up butter cup. I actually have quite a bit to do this week and the time will be sucked away.

My own medicine

2007-07-23T06:18:00.000-07:00

I suppose if I am asking other people to blog (chris) I should do the same. I don't want to be called a hypocrite. I don't want to be called a hippo anything.

Well, as you probably know I am really looking forward to going home. My doumentary is put together in a sort of draft version. I still need to work on my levels. I may need to enlist some help from teachers with that. It seems the more I fiddle the worse it gets.

My prof is in France so there is no going over it with her until next Monday. So I am going to try and get all the other stuff out of the way. I have to finish my reflection and do a conclusion. I also have to get my production file all sorted and looking organized. Definitely not my style.

I am happy Abi is still with me for a week. I had to say goodbye to my other two roomies on Saturday. I don't think I have quite come to grips with this year coming to an end. I am just looking forward to sitting around in my backyard and having a little holiday.

Listening to Luke on the radio

2007-07-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

Luke told me he was going to be on CFCR today so smart me I am checking it out via web.
Man! He is awesome at being interviewed and I am very impressed at how well he sounds live via radio!
Fantastic Luke!!!

BBQ in the park

2007-07-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

Daniel is still here. I am happy about it but it is too bad he forgot the day of his flight. He has rebooked and is now leaving tomorrow. What a horrible feeling that is. I am sure evryone in the world has had a similar experience.

Anyway, it gave us time to have a BBQ in the park tonight. My roomate Abi got it all together for us. It was quite relaxing.
It has been great hanging out and doing fun things with Daniel.

I have been going through the process of possibly getting a real job and it has been an emotional roller coster. Actually thinking of a real job is a really hard shift after so many years of school.

Doing well at doing good

2007-07-16T02:52:00.000-07:00

Hey yo,

Things have been really good lately. I have been having fun with Mike, Deanna and Daniel. Now it is just me and Daniel left and we are still having fun! Des took Abi, Daniel and I out for supper last night and it was extremey tasty.
Today I hink we are going to go to Castle Coch and Cardiff castle in the same day!!! It will be very interesting since it is the same designer. It's not ABC (another bloody castle) for me yet. I still get excited by it, even if I have been to these two before.

I miss you all back home and can't wait for an amazing August. I am determined to make it incredible. August is my favourite month ever! But July has been sweet.

This week it's back to work!! I will sleep at the Bute building if I have to. I want to finish this thing!!!

This is a photo of a cock fighting ring at St. Fagan's.

PHOTOS

2007-07-13T03:10:00.001-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=35270&l=3256a&id=687205614

2007-07-12T01:27:00.000-07:00

Mike was saying that people blog a lot less since Facebook and it's sooo true! I need to keep this up because it's a good record of where I have been.

We have been having a great time here. It is so nice to have friends from home around. Mike, Deanna, Daniel and I went to the Museum of Welsh Life yesterday and then came home and we all made Fajitas together. We drank lots of the rum my dad brought back from India then walked down to En Route the Funky Buddha.

Today we are planning to go to Bath. I really don't mind going there again because it's so beautiful. It's only an hour away on the train so it's the perfect day trip.

Things are going pretty well with school. I had a super meeting with my supervisor. i am very happy I agree with most of her suggestions. It would suck if we didn't see eye to eye. She also pushes me to be more straightforward. I do have the tendency to tip-toe around things and expect people to know what I am really trying to get across. So hopefully I will get better at that.

Watch out Saskatoon. Papa is home tomorrow

2007-07-07T15:58:00.000-07:00

Just thought i'd give y'all some warning.

I had my last day with my dad here today. Finally, a sunny day! Haven't had any of those till now.

Dad and I were sitting on the patio at the Claude today and there was a girl who had a tatoo saying "Hardcore til I die'. Yes, it was spelled out exactly like that. Oh my, that is the last thing I would have written on my body (snort snort chuckle chuckle). You know, this world, it takes all kinds.

It has been really fun going out for supper and hanging out with Des and dad. Last night we went to a little pub on the way to Caerphilly. It was very, very yummy. There sure are some amazing restaurants here.

Ok, I am tired and not sure why I am blogging....

Later

My story is up

2007-07-05T09:26:00.001-07:00

My digital story is now up on the BBC website! They sent me the link today:

"My cousins and I were amazed by the way she could blow cigarette smoke out of her ears."
'To know someone' by Nicole Lavergne-Smith
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/audiovideo/sites/yourvideo/pages/nicole_lavergnesmith_01.shtml

The video didn't work very well at school (the moving pictures weren't moving) but it worked when I played it at home.

My innards are fine, thank you

2007-07-05T04:35:00.000-07:00

The best thing about this documentary is the familiar voices I get to listen to all day. I always forget that I am in Cardiff because I am constantly listening to Canadian accents.

I went to Boxersize last night. It was the first period of major exercise in a few months. I went back to Sk and sort of gave up. This cannot happen when I return!I need to get in shape to dance the night away at Daniel's wedding.

I love how my family is talking about their outfits for the wedding. I am so excited to see how everyone looks! My mémé showed me her outfit twice! Which, reminds me that I still need to find a dress. I told everyone I was going to wear a large brimmed hat with big feathers so that everyone behind me can't see a thing!

It is the first period I have been alone at night in quite a while. My flatmates are all gone this week so I have the house to myself. I thought it would be terrible but apart from sleeping with all the lights on it is going pretty smoothly.

Humans are meant to spend time with one another and it is comforting to know someone is there. It is too depressing to be alone all the time but it is unhealthy to not be able to be alone. We need time to reconnect with our innards.

Hot stuff

2007-07-03T04:34:00.000-07:00

Both sides now

2007-07-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Well, I am all settled in.

Dad and I had a great trip this past weekend to Llantrwyd Wells. Or, as I say, one of those double L places.
We stayed in a little hostel right beside a pub. The first night everyone turned around an stared at us wondering who we were when we walked in and the second night we were greeted by everyone with a friendly knowing hello. The second night there was a man playing guitar in the pub. It reminded me a lot of Luke's gig at Maud Millars. One lady came up to dad and I during it and told us we were very welcome in the town. I thought that was very nice.
That day we had gone to Aberystwyth. It is a little run down but still a nice town.
Last nigt and tonight I went out for supper with Des and Dad. Both wonderful suppers. It sure is nice to have family in town. Today I spent some time working on my documentary. I also had my first meeting with my supervisor. She was really happy with my progress and very encouraging. I will meet with her again next week. I want to go hardcore this week getting it all together so that I have some free time for Mike, Deanna and Daniel coming next week. I can't wait to have my Canadian posse here.

Spurts

2007-06-28T05:20:00.001-07:00

Since I am now away from home and my best buddy isn't with me all the time for me to blab away to, I suppose I will go back to blogging.
I am loading all my interviews on Cool Edit today and they each take a few minutes, so I will blog in little spurts.
My trip here went very smoothly. The flight attendants were really nice and I was surprisingly comfortable the whole way. I also slept quite a bit. Yet, it has not helped my jetlag. I have been having a lot of trouble falling asleep at night. The birds were tweeting and the sun was coming up when I last looked out the window during the night.
When I arrived my phone was ringing and I had a message from my dad. I called him up and he was just pulling into Cardiff. No time to be lonely at all! We went to Des' house and had the usual Tuesday night feast!
Dad and I will go on a little trip this weekend but I am not sure where yet.

2007-06-11T14:51:00.000-07:00

OK.

It seems I am a better blogger when I am not at home.

Things are swell in Saskatoon. I am having a lot of fun and according to my mom I go out every night. It is true. I have been going out a lot. I think it's fabulous.

My interviews are going well. I have 2 or 3 left and then I am done. I have interviewed 10 people so far. I am learning a lot about interviewing and learning tricks to not forget my next question. Sometimes I get too wrapped up in what they are telling me that I forget where I want to go. I have been surprised at how I remember my questions pretty well.

It is really hard in a half hour or an hour to stay focused on one path. Every person is so full of information that sometimes I just want to hear all of it rather than stick to the key points.

Transcribing kinda sucks but it does give me the opportunity to really think and examine what each person has contributed.

I have a lot of transcribing to do this week and I want to get a good structure together to show my prof when I get back.

I am sad to go back to Cardiff and I am really hoping I can find a good job near home when I come back. Life is easy here and I like being close to my family and friends.

I was shortlisted for an internship with the UN in Namibia and found out I didn't get the job last week. It is the second year in a row I am shortlisted. Although, last year I actually got to the interview stage. I wasn't too let down though. Africa will happen someday and now, I suppose, is just not the time. I sort of feel like I want to get really good at my craft and go abroad and teach later in life. Right now I would be going to learn. Although, every experience should be give and take.

Anyway, happy times.

2007-05-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

I am sorry I quit blogging. I guess I have been having too much fun relaxing.

I am starting to feel a little pressure about my supposed work here though, so I am going to get right on that. My first angle, which I suppose I trusted would last me to the end got a little shattered at my first interviews yesterday. That is supposed to happen a lot but I get a little over positive sometimes.

Here are some pictures of my mom's 60th and my trip to Regina, which I luckily recruited Catherine and Nathalie for. It made it a lot more interesting!

Finding out she is having a party

The morning after

2007-05-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

I'm home and the jet lag is finally better today. It's supposed to be not so rough coming this way but Luke and I have been really tired.

I went to 5 a 7 this Friday and three people that I wanted to do interviews with for my project just happened to be there. Two of them were sitting beside each other. Very handy.

It has been really fun catching up with people but there are still lots of folks I want to see...

I am so lethargic and don't want to write anymore.

2007-05-16T17:49:00.000-07:00

Hey Buddies,

Luke and I are stuck in Toronto cause Air Canada didn't give us enough time to change planes and wont pay for our hotel room. We seriously ran from the plane to get our connecting one and missed it by 4 minutes! We are sad. But we will be home tomorrow.

See y'all soon, enough.

2007-05-16T04:11:00.000-07:00

Hello Buddies,

We are in Heathrow and managed to get on the same flight. I got my laptop connected to the internet here so here is a beautiful photobooth photo of us!

See y'all soon!

Scaring Luke: a photo exhibition

2007-05-13T03:07:00.000-07:00

2007-05-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

I am at school working on an article.

I went to see my prof yesterday to look over my work so far and he says my writing has improved a lot this year. I think it has too.

I was looking at some of my articles from the beginning of the year this morning as I was trying to sort through the piles of paper in my office. As I was reading over old articles, I saw tons of things I would have done differently. I guess that's what this was all about: improving and learning to be critical.

I still have a long way to go but I am happy progress has been made.
I saw an ad on saskjobs.ca for a television reporter in Swift Current. They needed people right away, so I didn’t apply. It was just nice to see opportunities at home.

One of the articles I am writing right now is about the provincial nominee programme and the labour shortage in Saskatchewan. I called the department of Employment and Learning to see if there was anyone who would want to talk to me.

They had me on speaker phone right away and everyone in the office was pitching in trying to answer my questions. It was hard to keep people straight for the interview but it was so great that they were so helpful. It seems when I try to interview people here I often get the royal run around and the “we’ll get back to you in 2 years”.

They also helped me set up an interview for my francophone immigration documentary and Pat Atkinson’s office called my house the other day and agreed to an interview. I am feeling good about how it is coming together so far.

I have felt the desperation of Saskatchewan trying to attract people to the province though. Maybe that’s why everyone is being so nice. Whenever I talk to someone in some official role they are very anxious to know when I intend on moving back to the province.

2007-05-08T14:55:00.000-07:00

I got up and was trying to rush Luke off to work for no reason at all. I thought he was running late and forgot to wake me up before he went, but he informed me there was still five minutes till he had to go meet his ride on the corner. I also got mad because he didn't wash his cereal bowl.It was really an over reaction to a little thing. Like, who really gives a shit? I am the biggest nag ever sometimes. He is very, very patient with me. It's really quite remarkable.

Our classes are pretty much over but everyone is still at school trying to get their work done. I am really stressed about getting these articles done and I have absolutely no clue if I am ready to start interviewing people for my documentary. Oh well, what harm is there is asking a question or two that has no relation?

I also have no clue what I need to do to get ready to go home.

I was walking out the door to go to aerobics tonight and there was a guy gasping for air in front of my house and a woman that was with him yelled at me to call 999. I called and they asked me a series of questions about him, which I could not answer. He got better while I was on the phone with them and the lady told me to cancel it but we couldn't. I guess he has had a chest infection for a while and had a few attacks like this today. He sounded horrible. My flatmate, Binny, was looking after him so I excused myself and went to aerobics. There didn't seem to be much more I could do.

Tonight I dropped my cell phone in the toilet. Luckily before I weed. It still seems to be working.

2007-05-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Chris told me I should blog when I was talking to him on msn yesterday, but I didn't feel like it. I do today!

Well, we are coming home very soon and it hasn't really sunk in. I think it was such a shorter leg than last time, so I haven't missed home as much. It was also a much more challenging semester.

We did our final project this past week at school and it was very, very difficult. I was partnered up with a guy who is virtually never at school. I ended up doing both the tv and radio story almost entirely on my own. They turned out pretty good but it was a lot more work than it should have been. Our final 20 minute programme for radio went off without a hitch but our television programme was a disaster. Luckily, it is is only 10% of our final mark. I learned that team work can be very challenging.

We had a kind of crazy week at home as well. We were broken into last sunday night because one of my housemates left the back door unlocked. It is scary to think of someone in the house while we were sleeping. They got off with a laptop and about £8 from my wallet. I had borrowed a £3000 camera from the school and they didn't take it!

A few nights later I was talking on the phone with my mom when we heard screaming and banging outside. They were having a house party in the back garden a few doors down and robbers walked right into their front door and took 3 laptops. The guys at the party noticed and chased them down the street and surrounded their getaway car. Unfortunately, they managed to drive off. It's pretty gutsy to break into a place at 9:45 pm while there is a party in the house.

Anyway, I am sleeping with the lamp on. Not that I didn't before anyway.
I am a bit afraid of the dark, but don't tell anyone.

Only two more articles to write and semester 2 is done. Now for the fun stuff! My radio documentary. I am not looking forward to going home as much as I would if I didn't have so much work to do when I got there.

Kim's activity club sounds awesome! It makes me want to be in Saskatoon forever!

Bonne Fête Jocelyne!

2007-05-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

Happy 60th Maman!!!

Je t'aime beaucoup, beaucoup, beaucoup, beaucoup, beaucoup. beaucoup!!!!!
I can't wait to see you in two weeks!!!

2007-04-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

My mom told me my great uncle Henri died the other night. His wife tante Fernande, died a few months back. I knew tante Fernande but I don't remember oncle Henri.
Mom said all he wanted was to die before tante Fernande. He asked tante Fernande to ask God to come and take him as quickly as possible. He just didn't want to live without her. My mom said that tante Paulette said, "it only took two months to bargain with God to let him come".
Every christmas he would tell people that he didn't want any presents because he already had his Fernande.
After she died his daughters would come in and cook for him and he would just go straight to sleep right after supper.
I am happy he is at peace now and reunited with Fernande.

I got an invitation in the mail today for Luke and I to go to Daniel and Rachel's wedding. As my mom says, it's time for us to have a real party after such a hard winter.

Nicomatose Space

2007-04-22T06:43:00.000-07:00

Nicole asked me to type a blog for her:

This has been a good weekend so far. Yesterday I followed Luke around downtown and watched him shop for new clothes. He only brought crappy worn-out clothes to Wales, and now they've all fallen apart. I asked him him why, and he said it was a stupid question. I don't think it was a stupid question. I picked out a black shirt with tiny polka-dots for him to buy. He's been just a bit sick for the past few days, coughing and sniffling and taking tons of my Vitamin C. He's such a WEAKLING.

Today we met my classmate Ali at the local food market across the river from the millenium stadium. We were there to get some interviews and vox pops (quick opinions from random people) for a TV show project. My piece is about the recent increase in demand for local food. We got some good footage, and then had some excellent Indian food from a stand for lunch. Yummy!

It has been really nice outside here for the last week or so, and we've been enjoying going for walks. Today I think we'll go out to Bute Park and play frisbee. I don't have a frisbee, so that's an issue. I hope we can find one somewhere. It seems like a good idea.

Well, off I go!

Take care,

Luke

I mean... Nico

2007-04-20T04:43:00.000-07:00

I was watching Ellen the other day and her trainer (who has the most irritating smile I have ever seen) said stress causes you to gain weight in your tummy area and no matter what you do your body will refuse to lose it.
I thought this was interesting since my belly and my hips are where I store it all.
So, I got to thinking, maybe I am stressed.
I read up a bit about stress and it says it can cause severe mood swings.
Hmmmm...

In the article it said to eat healthy snacks.
I generally eat pretty well, especially lately.
Does anyone have any stress busting ideas?
I don't really want to be all high strung for the rest of my life.
However, I don't want to be a dead fish.

Bienvenue bébé!

2007-04-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

I have heard through the grapevine that Sonia has given birth again! Félicitations David et Sonia!
I immediately called Viviane but she wasn't there and Angelo didn't know if it was a boy or a girl.
All in good time...

I went for a run in the park by my house today. It is a really amazing park with a nice river running through it. It is super huge and full of people doing fun outdoor things. There are often kids swimming in the river. It looks itch infested to me but most little rivers and lakes do since I am especially prone to the itch. I have low quality skin.

When I run I always find it nice when I forget I am running and get lost in my thoughts. As I was galloping through the trees I was so happy at the thought of Sonia having another baby.

It doesn’t seem like that long ago that we were playing barbies in her basement or talking about how many kids we would want some far off day. I have to pinch myself sometimes.

Look on the sunny side

2007-04-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

My dad says it is more difficult to think of positive things about people than it is to think about negative things. I am feeling a little down today because I think I am thinking too much about negative things and not enough about the positive.

Here is a list of the happy things of today:

-When I woke up I didn't have trouble getting out of bed, even though it was 7:00am

-My hair dried in a really nice way naturally. Sometimes it doesn't

-The people at the French immersion week I am working at are very nice and interesting.

-A guy from the French thing said I reminded him of his grandma. But only because she is from Moose Jaw not because I looked like his grandma. But I am sure his grandma was very beautiful, even when she was older.

-Chris joined Facebook. Yay!

-I love the Lavergne Lions group on Facebook and I am so happy that I now have a way of talking with my cousins.

-It was sunny and warm today. I didn’t wear a jacket and I was hot.

-I wrote about a third of an article, which is due in a month. That is a first.

-My partner for my group work is a live and well. I was quite worried about his whereabouts.

2007-04-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

I was watching CNN tonight for a little too long.

I am sad about the school shooting in the States.

I thought it was very funny that one of the first messages from the white house was that they had aid available. This should probably be a normal thing for the government to say but I felt they were trying extra hard to dot their i's and cross their t's. The government has not done so well dealing with disasters in the past.

I get worried when they begin to talk about needing more security in schools. I definitely do not think it is a good solution.
If going to school begins to be like getting on an airplane I think everyone should drop out.

Sometimes people go nuts and there is nothing we can do to control that.

For the time we have on this earth we should try and make it as pleasant an experience as possible.

Fear gets us no where.

Back from Scotland

2007-04-15T04:50:00.000-07:00

Well it's back to reality after a magical trip. Scotland was amazing and now I realize I have seen the whole of the United Kingdom. Well, been to every country anyway.

Our tour guide to and from the isle of Skye was amazing. She was such a good storyteller and her love for her country was inspiring. It made me want to explore Saskatchewan!

She was also able to make history come alive! Her description of the battle of Culloden in 1746 was so interesting. It explains why Scotland is the way it is now.

After Scotland lost the battle a series of laws were put in place which were to deteriorate the highlanders culture. She explained that these laws destroyed the clan system. They were no longer able to gather in large groups, they were disarmed, their land was taken away, the kilt and the tartan were banned and the chiefs were no longer able to have power over the clan.

Our guide said there was lots of immigration after these laws were put in place. I felt really sorry for the highlanders after her description but I also couldn't help but think that a lot of these Scottish immigrants would just repeat history and implement similar laws on the native people of Canada.

I have renewed energy after this trip and I wish I had time to go to the library and read some historical novels that a girl on the trip recommended. Unfortunately, I have soooo much work to do. I am very happy we went to Scotland but I am left in a bit of a tight position. I took on a job for the next three days leading secondary students in some games in french. So, it's going to be a busy week.

80's

2007-04-07T01:10:00.001-07:00

GET OUT OF THE OFFICE

2007-04-04T17:38:00.000-07:00

Hello blog,

For the past two nights I sat in front of the tv and did homework. Half doing homework and half watching tv. I think I have inherited my mom's habit of watching tv while she does other things, like ironing. I know my aunty Paulette does this too. I don't think I have ever seen my mom just watch tv. She is often doing two things at once.

When I just watch tv I get a little stressed and feel like I am wasting time. Maybe my aunt and my mom feel the same.

Anyway, I am sick of doing homework in front of the TV. I need something to iron.

Today I was at school and saw that there was bar work available. So I have just finished a shift at Salt, a bar in the bay. The staff there is really nice and it felt good to bartend again. I miss funny customers.

My teacher says that one of the first rules when you are on assignment in a foreign country is to get out of the office and meet people. That is the only way you will have something to report.

I think it is one of my main rules in life. The most amazing things happen when you leave your comfort zone and meet new people. The only way to grow is by leaving your comfort zone. It feels a tad uncomfortable at first but it pays off hugely.

For example, tonight I did not really feel like bartending. BUT, I was sick of being on my couch in the evening and sick of my money in my account draining away rather then growing, so, I took this job. The first day at a new job is always crappy.

However, because I left the comfort zone of my living room and put myself in a crappy first day at a new job position I met a girl who bartends part-time but also works for one of the major television stations here. She gave me some e-mail addresses and I may be able to get some work experience.

Who knows what will come of it. It doesn’t really matter. It’s just important that I met some fresh faces and stepped out of routine.

When I was working at the cactus full time it became a comfort zone. Outside the comfort zone seems more dangerous but I think the comfort zone is incredibly dangerous. Years could disappear without anyone noticing.

Luke dog poo

2007-04-02T01:05:00.001-07:00

Disney fancy dress party

2007-04-01T05:01:00.001-07:00

watchin TV

2007-03-31T11:51:00.000-07:00

Eastah! Eastah!

2007-03-31T03:08:00.000-07:00

Easter holidays have officially begun and now the real work starts. I have been able to absorb myself in the activities of everyday and put my articles aside. Now it's showtime.

Last night Luke and I went to a party at a pub for my programme. It was pretty fun and neat for Luke to put faces to names.

After I had curry chips of course, but they did a little number on my tummy. How could they betray me like this? I loved them!

All is forgiven now though and the cravings for the next order have already begun.

Hidden camera...again

2007-03-28T00:22:00.001-07:00

Luke eating

2007-03-27T23:44:00.001-07:00

Warwick

2007-03-27T23:43:00.001-07:00

To know someone

2007-03-22T17:02:00.001-07:00

Everybody has a story

2007-03-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

I am having a very interesting week.

I applied for a BBC class on digital storytelling before Christmas so ten of us from my programme have been set free from our usual classes and immersed in a very digital world for a whole week.

One of the best things about it is that all of the stories are being done on macs just like mine. I get to use my own comp and I am learning a lot about the features of the computer and how to best use all the software. How handy!

It started out quite stressful, having to write a script the first evening that would be our final script. I was up quite late worried and unsatisfied on Monday night. However, I woke up early Tuesday morning and finished it. I made a few edits with one of the six teachers that are looking after the ten of us and off I was in the studio recording my voice.

My story is about my Gran. I was really happy to have a VHS video filled with old 8mm footage of her and my family and thought I was all ready to make the story. Unfortunately and fortunately I learned a lot about NTSC (as the joke goes: Never The Same Colour) this week and PAL. NTSC is the video standard used in North America and most of South America. In NTSC, 30 frames are transmitted each second. PAL is the standard mostly used here in the UK. In PAL, 25 frames are transmitted each second.

Anyway, we had a lot of trouble capturing my video. We did manage to capture a bit in black and white (the colour just would not come through) before the VCR ate my tape twice. Anyway, my tape can be repaired but the instructor folks told me to maybe think of a plan B for images. So...at least I have some black and white video and I will mix it up with the photos I have.

I will try and post the finished product on my blog at the end of the week.

It has been a lot of fun and I am getting more and more inspired by storytelling, citizen media and digital media. It brings together a lot of my passions.

POST 100!!!!

2007-03-16T06:05:00.000-07:00

Well in celebration of post 100 I thought, like in any cheesy talk show, it is time to look at the past 100 posts and pick out some highlights!

-Monday, October 30, 2006- Chris' dance party video

-Also from Monday, October 30, 2006 my flying video, which Christos, a guy in my program commented very seriously: I don't understand your humour.
That's ok Christos, you're not the only one.

-Sunday, November 26, 2006: Chris and I talking to random dude about hockey and rugby on St. Mary's st. after the pub.

-Sunday, November 19, 2006-My happy 1 year to Luke post and the photo of him with a stain on his shirt, a handle bar stache and and my coolest hat.

Saturday, December 09, 2006
Remembering my hog on a bun. Soooo tasty:
"I was really hungry and saw a whole pig roasting with a sign that said, "Hog on a bun". I couldn't resist. I ordered a regular one and they slapped a lot of hog and some stuffing on a bun. I added some apple sauce. Delish!"

Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Losing my hair and the many comments it generated.

ANYWAY, a few memories from 100 posts. Thank you to the 30 people on average that check up everyday. My mom can probably account for 10 of those. Thanks for checking everyone. I appreciate it!
Here is to many more!

Lucia

2007-03-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

Only a few days have gone by this week but it already seems like a very long time has passed.

My mom called me Sunday night with the news that my aunty Lucia passed away. I am quite sad I will not see her again in this life.

She had not been well for a while and was never really diagnosed with anything concrete. We are still not sure why she died. At least she died at home. From what I gather she didn’t like doctors.

Despite not being well she had more energy in her than most of us combined. She was a feisty Brazilian woman. I really loved her from the start.

When I met her over 10 years ago I remember playing volleyball with her in the backyard at the family farm. My cousins and I looked at her a bit quizzically at first as she played with more gusto then any of us.

At my high school graduation no one in the crowd cheered louder then her when I walked down the aisle. She was always really encouraging and was proud of all of my cousins and I.

I am so happy my oncle Guy married her and she became my aunt. Her spark and exclamations will be missing from our family gatherings.

If things are tough I’ll just think of her and say to myself: “Oh my Godee!”

It has been nice to connect with a few of my cousins the last few days on Facebook. Sometimes things like this bring you closer together. It’s good to have family to laugh with and get through the hard times.

I am happy my family came together so quickly when they heard the news. The family from St. Louis drove down immediately and everyone hung out at Guy’s house all day. It seems that everyone is coming together to help out.

Lucia’s daughters have a lot on their mind I am sure. Gislaine just had a baby three weeks ago and Helen is due in a few months. Lucia’s mom also just died a few weeks back. There are now 11 of her brothers and sisters still alive from the original 13 and some are flying back this week for the funeral. It has been a really hard time for all of them.

Lots of love to oncle Guy and all the family.

Do you know what is really interesting?

2007-03-09T08:05:00.000-08:00

Justin Lewis spoke to our class this week and argued that sometimes polls are more accurate at getting the true opinion of the masses then elections because a more representive sample of society participates in polls than in elections. Isn't that fascinating if it's true?

Killer

2007-03-09T02:40:00.000-08:00

Wa!

Oh well I don't mind, you don't mind
Cause I don't shine if you don't shine
Before you go, can you read my mind?

The Killers are making me stop in my tracks these days. When I hear one of their songs come on the radio I need to stop, shiver a little and continue on. I think it's because one of their songs made me really happy one day when I was walking home and since then that emotion comes back every time.

Positive response.

Job anxiety

2007-03-07T06:30:00.000-08:00

It's all I really talk about these days, what will I be doing next year? I like having a plan.

I was really stressed in Ireland when I didn’t know what was going on in September. Then thinking about coming here to do a degree. I comforted myself in thinking that it is only one year and it’s a good opportunity.

Now I am back to square one. What’s next?

Part of me wants to go back to Saskatchewan and find any job. I am sure it would be fine and I would be satisfied and happy but part of me feels like there is only a small window of opportunity for me to get more international experience. Of course there is a lifetime of travel ahead but it’s harder to get up and go when you have a mortgage, 5 kids and you’re on the community social committee.

Not that any of these things are going to happen tomorrow but I know things change fast.

You almost got hit by a car! I mean, you did get hit by a car!

2007-03-05T14:09:00.000-08:00

Luke and I were walking to the laundry on Saturday morning and we stepped off the curb to cross the street. Suddenly I saw the car parked facing us start to move! I screamed at the top of my lungs "Luke!!!” Tears sprung to my eyes as I tried to pull him back out of the way but it was too late. The car bumped Luke.

Luckily it did not hit him hard. He said it did not hurt at all. It was mostly just scary. The driver pulled back again into his spot and got out of his car asking Luke over and over if he was ok. The driver said he just wasn't looking cause he was focusing too much on the traffic. He seemed like a nice man.

We have been extremely careful crossing the street since then. Although it was not our fault he got hit.

School was a bit stressful today. I am doing radio now for two weeks. My prof asked the first presenter, to read the news and take care of all the technical stuff as well. I was the first presenter. Surprisingly it went off without a hitch! I was bright red and my hands were shaking all the way through. What a rush!

It was a great start but there were a few downers. When I was doing sound for my team later I neglected to turn up the volume for the sports presenter and screwed up on the last jingle of another program. I really learned lot today.

I bought a few tickets on another grad centre trip to Warwick castle on the 24th of March. This coming weekend is our trip to Cadbury world!!

Time goes by so slowly for those who wait

2007-03-02T03:33:00.000-08:00

I'm like Billy Elliott. When I walk it's hard not to skip or polka or something. I think it's the aerobics curse. Once you do it regularly the movement doesn't leave your body and you just have to move all the time. It doesn't help that I am quite a hyper person.

I think I need to take a bit more time to just kick it. I don't mean a lot more time because I would be extremely unhappy if I hung out too much. Just a little more time. I think it would improve my social life to just relax into social situations and not be thinking of the next activity. That is if I had a more active social life.

I get soo excited for breakfast club and things like that. I really miss you people back home. You're so much fun.

My writing is so full of hyberbole it's not even funny. In the last two paragraphs I had to delete two uses of the word always and one of the word everywhere. Jesus. This needs to be corrected. I suppose it is being corrected.

I spend too much time on Facebook. Do others have this problem? I need to kick it more often with humans and less often with my computer.

I like saying kick it.

It's friday and I love Fridays. I cleaned the kitchen up a bit. The urge to clean came over me. That doesn't happen often so I gotta run with it when it does.

Luke comes back from Swansea today. It looks like they will going ahead with the 7 week accomodation. But probably not next week. It sounds like it's right by the beach. I may start spending weekends there. I dream of living by a beach and I looked at pics of the mumbles and it looks like southern France. Ooooh la la

Hanging on till I catch on

2007-02-26T11:22:00.000-08:00

Allo,
It was a great weekend. Luke and I just hung out most of the time but it was really fun. Friday night we went out to a comedy club for my flatmate Abi's birthday and we had a great time. Being a comedian would be a tough profession though. One got quite upset with a table of women for talking and it put a bit of a damper on things. I think you have to be able to keep your cool.

Last night we went out for supper with Des. The waiter is quite funny at the chinese around the corner and very, very slow. But you feel as though he puts a lot of care in everything he does.

School today was really good. I love how critical my profs are because I really feel as though they care about how we turn out as journalists. Sometimes it's tough to take the criticism, even though I know it will only make me better at my job. When things go well and they tell you it's good, like today, it feels fantastic.

I called Luke and he is staying in a hotel in Swansea. It sounds like an interesting site and he knows one guy on it from his old job at Heathrow, Small world. He sounded really tired on the phone so I am sure he will sleep better tonight. He said they may find different, 7 day a week accomodation in Swansea but he is not sure.

It's almost Thursday!

2007-02-21T14:27:00.000-08:00

The minutes have officially turned into hours. Luckily I left jobs to do. Good thing Luke didn't secretly plan to arrive early cause he wouldn't have been able to walk into my office due to heaps of clothes on the floor.
I cleaned my room and my office because Luke knows how tidy I am and I must keep up appearances.

I bought tickets for Luke and I do go to Birmingham and Cadbury World with the graduate centre day trips. I think I got the last 2 tickets. I had forgotten to get them yesterday so I am lucky there were a few left. We will go on March 10th, so the jet lag should be over by then.
Cadbury lost 30 million pounds this year due to a recall on all their chocolate bars in the UK because some may have been infected with salmonella. I have faith the problem is taken care of and will eat some chocolate when we go.

The photos are of Luke and I in Swansea where he will be working starting monday.

JASON WEBLEY!!!!

2007-02-17T04:30:00.000-08:00

JASON WEBLEY IS COMING TO CARDIFF ON MARCH 5th!!!!!!

I cannot believe it!!!
He is the guy who plays under the broadway bridge the last night of the fringe every year.

I am a HUGE fan.

Last Song
(c)1999 by Jason Webley

One day,
The snow began to fall,
And slowly, inch by inch,
Covered up the earth.
'Til finally,
The top of the tallest building,
Was lost beneath a powdered sea,
As quiet as a shadow's grave.

And we say that the world isn't dying.
And we pray that the world isn't dying.
And just maybe the world isn't dying.
Maybe she's heavy with child.

One night,
A woman took my hand.
I left my home and followed her
Into an icy field.
When I wanted to go back,
I'd lost the way.
So she beckoned me to lie beneath
The stone that always bore my name.

One morning,
We woke up in an alley.
To the smell of urine, alcohol,
Trash and gasoline,
With a dim sense of a notion
We'd held something in our hands,
That was bigger than us or God,
And we can never touch again.

I've been looking at the symptoms for a while,
Maybe she's heavy with child.

It's friday

2007-02-16T03:58:00.000-08:00

I love fridays now that I have no classes. It is such a great day to sleep in a little, catch up on work and still know that I have the weekend to do more work. I feel like I am really on top of things this semester and it's thanks to Fridays.

I spoke with my prof yesterday about my dissertation and she suggested I do a radio documentary rather then a TV one. I didn't like the idea at first but have been listening to quite a few really great readio documentaries and am quite excited about it. There is a richness to radio that you cannot get with TV.

When I listen to the radio on my walk to school in the morning I take in the sights around me and get lost in my imagination and the voices floating into my ears.

Man, I can talk myself into anything.

Tonight we are having a chinese new year party at school. We are all supposed to bring food from our country. I made some maple fudge last night but it was a little runny this morning. I put it back on the burner (not sure if I can cook fudge twice) and it seemed pretty thick when I left the house this morning. I hope it doesn't become hard as a rock. If it does I will tell people it is maple candy.

JOYEUSE ST-VALENTIN!

2007-02-14T01:47:00.000-08:00

The day of love, hearts and sweet little words. I think I am going to buy a chocolate bar at the school canteen to celebrate. That is not a sad thing. That is a VERY exciting thing. I eye up those chocolate bars every day.

May cupid get you all!

I know I was hit and it's the best thing ever!

i'm crying and my abs hurt

2007-02-11T16:04:00.000-08:00

http://www.travelbuddiesworldwide.com/TravelHumor.htm

meh

2007-02-11T14:11:00.000-08:00

I just wrote an opinion piece on my school blog saying that the US was not prepared to attack Iran anytime soon. I just checked out the BBC website and read 2 articles that make it seem as if they will. The US is blaming Iran for supplying arms to Iraq and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is defending Iran's nuclear activities. I hope I end up being right but it looks grim.

I had a fantastic weekend despite my volunteering plans falling apart due to a few snowflakes (it has been bright and sunny today, by the way). Do they realize what Saskatchewan has had to plug along through this winter?

I went to see a play yesterday. It was nice to get a little culture in. it was a matinee performance of To Kill a Mockingbird. Overall it was a good performance. The accents were a touch off and ne of the children had the most irritating voice.

Last night I went to see the movie Music and Lyrics. Good solid cheese. There is something about Hugh Grant shaking his hips that makes an audience crack up.

Today I have been writing falsities and hanging out at home.

I heard a rattle at the door tonight and then the doorbell rang. I thought it was my flatmate but when I answered it was a guy asking me if I owned the car out front. I told him I didn't. He then asked me if I knew who owned it and I said I didn't. He then left. I should have asked him why he was asking.

He left me a little worried because I wondered why he was shaking the knob. Why hadn't he just rung the doorbell? I have a feeling it may have been our robber since all the lights were out at the front of the house. Creepy stuff.

Snow weekend

2007-02-09T08:05:00.000-08:00

My exciting volunteer weekend was canceled due to snow...too bad. I didnt know a little slush could cause such a disturbance. However, it sure is cold when it snows here. The humind chill goes right to the bones. Kinda like Montreal weather.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes I received from everyone, I really appreciated it.

I had a great night. I went out with my roomates to the Funky Buddha for supper and then we went salsa dancing. Can't wait to go to the Funky Buddha with you when you come Luke. It's a very cool little bar.

Salsa dancing was fun and entertaining. I was a man for half the class and I realized that there are just as many bad female dancers as men.

I delight in dancing. I get so entertained by it. I had a few laugh attacks with some partners. I love how everyone has a different approach to dancing. One guy lifted up his eyebrows and made his eyes as wide as possible every time we changed moves.

I woud like to introduce you all to my brand new picnic backpack I got from Luke. I think it's one of the coolest things I have ever owned:

Friends at the click of a mouse

2007-02-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

Hola amigos,

I was pressured into blogging.
It's ok I would rather do this then read.

Volunteering
I am going away this weekend to volunteer with the UNA exchange in Dare Valley. The UNA have volunteer projects all over the world and weekend projects in Wales. My workload is piling up a little but isn't as much as it will be later and it's a good opportunity to meet some new people. It only costs £5 and all the accomodation and food is covered for the weekend. It may be cheaper for me to be there then stay here. I understand I will be working on a garden to attract more birds to the park. They asked us to bring something to do in the evenings. Any ideas??

The photo above is where I believe I am going.

Birthday
In other news tomorrow I will be 26 years old. I am now closer to 30 then I am to 20 and that's ok. I am deciding today to not worry about age too much and focus more on what I am doing and the quality of my life. Not that 26 is anything to panic about.

It is supposed to snow here tomorrow. I heard people go a little nutso when it snows here. It has not snowed yet this year. It is quite fitting for it to snow tomorrow since I was born during a blizzard. As for birthday plans, I think I am going to for supper with my roomies and a few people from school to the Funky Buddha and then we will go to salsa.

Facebook
I have joined Facebook which is taking up way too much of my time. It is kinda fun and I have had contact with people I have not spoken to in a while but it is kind of ridiculous at the same time. There is something very odd about having someone as your friend on facebook but never actually talking to them in person. I think these programs give us a false sense of happiness. Look at me, I have 7200 internet friends, aren't I cool?

Today I sat beside someone in my class who is one of my supposed friends on the account and we did not say a word to each other. We wouldn't usually say a word to each other so why would we start now?? On the other hand I did talk to a few people that I don't usually talk to about Facebook and maybe we will talk more often. Perhaps it has broken the ice.

All I know is that I spend too much time at my computer doing ridiculous things. I might be pretty lonely without my computer since I have become so used to it. Sad prospect.

Be still my grade five heart

2007-02-04T13:03:00.000-08:00

I was about to cross the street today and suddenly a motorcade of police on motorbikes with all the lights flashing came through and waved at me and a few others not to cross the street. I wondered who it was when a car came by without tinted windows and there were four men in it. Two of them looked quite young in the back. I asked the woman beside me who it was and she said, "Prince William." Sure enough, it must have been because I saw in the paper he would be here as the vice royal patron to the Welsh Rugby Union.
The hours I spent thinking about Prince William as a child...
Then when I am years past the point where I am dead sure I don't want to marry Prince William anymore, there he is.
I spent so much time wanting sugary cereal SO BAD. Now I buy my own groceries and have the freedom to buy all the Captain Crunch I want and I eat oatmeal in the morning???
I suppose I still don't have the freedom to have Prince William but if he were to ask I would decline.

No trips to Pain with this one

2007-02-03T03:01:00.001-08:00

There is a scheduled outage on blogger. So I am writing this blog on word and I can post it when they are sorted. I find it is a good practice to write blogs on word first anyway. One, for the spell check and two, because it is easier to lose a post on blogger then it is on word.

The weather is fantastic in Cardiff today and it was equally as beautiful yesterday. The weather seemed even better then it was because I found out that Luke is coming to Cardiff on February 22nd!!! I hope the weather continues to be nice so it’s not too miserable for him digging. He got a job offer a few days before I left Sk. It’s for a job he applied for over 6 months ago. I like the way the world works sometimes.

I now have almost all my marks back from school and it looks like I am going to pass. I got three fantastic marks, two mediocre marks and one mark which I am not happy with at all. In one sense it is good that the mark has pissed me off because it really has made me want to improve my writing.

I often do my work quite quickly and once it has passed the good enough test of me reading it through once or twice I hand it in. Bad, bad Nicole. Sometimes it really does end up being quite good but sometimes it ends up being mediocre.

There is nothing worse then mediocre. I like things to be great or terrible. Mediocre is so average and stale and doesn’t require me to take extreme measures. You can’t yell or cry with mediocre. You can’t get crazy drunk and have an excuse. You can’t go buy a pack of cigarettes and sit in a dimly lit bar soaking in your misery. You can't lock yourself in your room for three days and refuse to eat. Mediocre is good for me but mediocre makes me feel trapped.

Don't leave me hanging like a yoyo

2007-01-31T11:27:00.000-08:00

Hello family and friends,

My teacher asked us yesterday to start up a blog but he doesn't want any teenage ramblings. I think this blog consists of his definition of teenage ramblings. It's ok with me though, because it is meant for people I know and curious onlookers, you know who you are.

So, I am going to start another. He expects one post a week for the next five weeks starting next week. He'll give us the topic then. Before ya'll start rushing and pleading with me for the link, I will give it to you in due course, ok?

Now, what I need you to do is criticize it. Please, be ruthless with me. Have a freakin' grammar rodeo with me! Tell me I am wrong, tell me you agree but for goodness sakes say something. I know, Kim, you must usually hold back from unleashing your editing skills on your fellow blogger friends but I am begging you, please do!! (That is if you have time, of course)

I tried to go to aerobics for the 2nd time in a row tonight but it was full. Stupid people with their stupid New Years fitness ambitions!

I went to Des’ last night. He had the usual spread and I almost completed a crossword! I also managed to get one of his mind puzzles apart but couldn’t get it back together again. I think going to Des’ is good for my brain.

2007-01-29T16:23:00.000-08:00

I laughed very hard at this. Maybe I am tired. I got it off of Beth's link from her latest blog:

Prelude to an asskicking.

e: Come here Mustard.
me: Why are you calling me mustard?
e: You said last night that I could.
me: No I didn't.
e: Yes you did. Think back, Mustard.

24 little hours ago

2007-01-29T12:39:00.000-08:00

What a difference a day makes! I had a fantastic day today and a pretty good one yesterday as well. I went to aerobics yesterday at 12 and my favourite instructor was there. She is very motivating and encouraging. I could really notice the change in me. Christmas did take its toll. I often had to do her slower versions of exercises. Oh well, I'll be back up there with strong arms and bouncy feet in no time. She always yells, "strong arms, girls! Strong arms!" Everyone gets fierce expressions on their faces and punch the air like they never have before. I met up with Annie at aerobics. She misses her boyfriend too.

Afterwards I came home and talked to Mariona on msn and she told me that her and some other girls from school were going to see Mrs. Potter, so off I went. It was a nice afternoon. I had tea after with them at a local bar. How civilized! Mrs. Potter is a pretty good movie although it's a bit of a love story and the relationships are undeveloped.

Today I had a great day at school. We did a radio programme in the morning and a TV programme in the afternoon. We all had to take turns doing the different jobs. I really like the behind the scenes stuff as much as I like being on camera or on the air. It gets super stressful sometimes but I love the energy and my prof yelling out, “5 seconds…cue!!, Cue!! Everybody has to be concentratin’!! Look at your run down!!” He is just as stressed as we are and it adds to the excitement.

It is such a great feeling to see someone do something that you never think you’d be able to do and then to sit down and semi-successfully do it and know that you have the ability. Wow. I really like it all. I like running the teleprompter just as much as I like doing the sound. It’s a real power trip and a real team effort. If there is anyone not doing a job right the whole shebang falls apart. I clearly like TV better then radio. Radio is a little boring on the technical side.

When I went to read the news it felt like opening night of a play. I am sure the feelings of my heart pounding and palms sweating goes away but I am sure enjoying the rush at the moment.

On ira où tu voudras, quand tu voudras

2007-01-27T13:59:00.000-08:00

I woke up early this morning to see if Elaine was on the Stratford bus but both our names weren't on the list. It's for the best since I was severely jet lagged today.
Cardiff has lots of interesting smells. It really smells like the Atlantic. Saskatoon has all of its smells hidden by snow. Cardiff is stinky and sweet and full of life. I was feeling really positive today walking through the streets and taking in the atmosphere. I miss my family and friends and my Luke but I am happy to be here for this time. It's a really interesting place when I take off the negative blinders.
I found out today that I have Fridays off. That would have been nice last semester but a little more then I want this one. I may not say the same in a few weeks. I may take a few bartending shifts to help out with rent. Abi told me it's really fun during rugby season.

The landing of N

2007-01-26T12:06:00.000-08:00

I am here. Yes, I made it. It was a really quick trip. Going through Calgary is so smooth and simple. I sat beside a 40 something who was in Canada working for some oil company. He was a metal specialist.
After the movie (Little miss Sunshine, my third time seeing it!) I moved to the back of the plane cause I was uncomfortable. I found 2 free seats together so I could stretch out. I tried to sleep for a bit but it didn't work.

A lady in her 80's came over to me and started telling me about her life. She thinks her husband may die soon of cancer. He is quite irritable these days and is not as positive as he usually is. They were on their way to visit their family in England and Wales because they don't know how long he has left. She has four children and definitely has her favourites. Her daughter in Wales is very domineering. The lady called her daughter up before the trip and told her she wasn't going to deal with her crap anymore. She had enough with dealing with her husband and other deaths in the family. She also got her son to call this daughter and tell her to leave their mom alone. According to the lady, her daughter's only good quality is that she is an amazing seamstress. She told me tons more and had tears in her eyes when she left me. She said it was so nice to talk to someone about her problems. Maybe I should be an in-flight social worker.

My transfer to my bus in London went well. I slept all the way to Cardiff and got a taxi from there. My roomates came home soon after. It was good to catch up. Unfortunately I found out our house was broken into this past Monday. Luckily all my expensive stuff was with me. Jo has been gone on placement so she only got her dvd stolen. Abi and Bryony lost quite a bit, however. A few laptops, dvd player, family heirlooms etc. I feel really sad for them. The only thing I left here was my cell phone and it is gone. I'll buy one this weekend. It's creepy to think someone went through my stuff. I am not sure if I just left my room messy or if they messed it up. My drawers had definitely all been opened though. The cops seem to be taking it pretty seriously and tried to get fingerprints. They are going to send a detective over soon as well.

I have no way of contacting Elaine to see what is happening with Stratford. Hopefully she checks her e-mail. If not, i'll just show up there tomorrow.

My laptop had been fine all through christmas and now the screen just flashed. I wonder if it has something to do with voltage.

Thanks for your thoughts in your blog, Kim. I sure wish I could be in Saskatoon. There are no friends like Saskatoon friends. I was pretty sad to leave but I am trying to think positively. I feel as though I am doing the right thing. It's just that sometimes the right thing is really challenging and a tad depressing at first glance.

Claudia's phtos of Luke

2007-01-24T19:15:00.000-08:00

Thank the Lord for lotsa hair

2007-01-23T11:50:00.000-08:00

Mom had the day off today so we went to dim sum and shopping for my b-day present. I wanted a curling iron and a travel mug an we found both at London drugs. I was really excited to try out my new hair tool when I got home. It got hot really fast, which is a good thing for a curling iron. I curled a bit and it wasn't curling very well so I thought I would leave it in a little longer. Suddenly what I thought was a little vapour turned to smoke and my lovely curl came right off. Luckily, it is in a place that can be well hidden. Luckily, my whole head of hair didn't catch on fire.

It must be disturbing losing all your hair quite quickly. I was a little disturbed by one little section. I can't imagine having to go through chemo. I suppose there is always something shocking about something drastic happening to your body quite quickly. Humans need time to digest change and even sometimes that isn't enough. Like people suddenly trying to fight their age even though it was constantly happening. Maybe they hadn't noticed. A lot of people say: "one day I just looked in the mirror and I was old." The moment of realization is all those slow gradual years hitting you all at once.

I noticed at christmas that a lot of my friends have wrinkles around their eyes now. They never used to. Maybe we've all had a few experiences that made us deserve them.

Photos of a great weekend

2007-01-21T20:48:00.000-08:00

My mom's super villain alter ego...pretty accurate

2007-01-19T16:52:00.000-08:00

Here is my mom's villain. I would also like to announce that Breakfast Club will be held at the Zeller's restaurant, which is inside Zeller's at the Circle Centre Mall. David said I could pick cause it's my last week in Saskatoon. I thought it would be funny...

See you at 12.

Your results:
You are The Joker

The Joker		59%
Mystique		44%
Mr. Freeze		43%
Poison Ivy		42%
Riddler		40%
Dr. Doom		37%
Green Goblin		32%
Apocalypse		30%
Lex Luthor		29%
Kingpin		28%
Magneto		28%
Venom		27%
Dark Phoenix		23%
Catwoman		23%
Juggernaut		20%
Two-Face		16%

The Clown Prince of Crime. You are a brilliant mastermind but are criminally insane. You love to joke around while accomplishing the task at hand.

Click here to take the "Which Super Villain are you?" quiz...

On ne se console pas des chagrins, on s'en distrait

2007-01-19T13:58:00.000-08:00

I was walking back from downtown today and saw all the sculptors working away by river landing. I love to see art going on in the city and with Saskatoon as the 2006 Capital of Culture there seems to be quite a bit that has and is going on.

As I was walking I was listening to my new handheld radio, which is really funny because it has a really long antenna. We are supposed to listen to the radio a lot for school. It take a 1/2 hour to walk there so I figured I mind as well be more productive on my walk.

I am working very slowly on my literature review. I hope that it will be enough when I get back. I am not too worried about it though. I talked to some people from school on msn and they didn't even know this litterature review was due in mid february. I think there will be some mega scrambling going on when I get back and maybe I will just do a mini scramble. I will need something to keep me busy in the beginning.

Chris made me think of checking my site meter and someone from Texas checks my blog fairly regularly. Who in Tar Nations are ya?

Jacques Laitton

2007-01-18T11:43:00.000-08:00

I walked into McNally Robinson today and to my surprise Jack Layton had the same idea! There he was sitting on a chair doing a book signing. Unfortunately I didn't talk to him. I saw him walking to a car after and I am just so impressed by how Canadians treat well known people. A US politician could never just simply walk to his car after a book signing with little to 0 security and drive off. Incredible. He didn't even have tinted wondows. I know he is not crazy famous like Beyoncé but he is well known and people have the respect to give him space. Maybe most people don't care much for him. Know that I care about you Jack.

I bought a book with critical thinking exercises in it today. I have a class in Critical thinking at school and I find it pretty difficult. I am under the impression that if I can become a master critical thinker I can take on anything. It is so key to look at arguments from an unemotional point of view to see if they are logical or not.

Last night mom, Patrick and I went for supper at the Ryalls kingdom and it was absolutely fantastic. Diane made these really tasty meatballs and brussel sprouts!! She also made strawberry and rhubarb crêpes for dessert with whipped cream! Yum. Yum.

I called to see if there were any tickets for the Sadies left and there were none. That's too bad. I will have to check e'm out another time. They tour often enough anyway.

That's right

2007-01-18T07:16:00.000-08:00

Your results:
You are Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy		75%
Mystique		64%
Kingpin		64%
Juggernaut		64%
Catwoman		61%
Dark Phoenix		57%
Green Goblin		56%
The Joker		56%
Dr. Doom		55%
Apocalypse		53%
Lex Luthor		50%
Magneto		49%
Venom		48%
Riddler		46%
Mr. Freeze		46%
Two-Face		24%

You would go to almost any length for the protection of the environment including manipulation and elimination.

Click here to take the "Which Super Villain are you?" quiz...

2007-01-16T00:20:00.000-08:00

blizzard

My cold backyard

2007-01-15T08:53:00.000-08:00

Claudia took some photos in our backyard. It was about -30 so we took them really fast. I am happy it is warmer today. We might be able to go skating at some point this week. One photo is of me, Claudia and Cindy and the other is of me mom and Claudia. Her english is really improving. Maman and I have rarely seen someone so dedicated.
My dad left yesterday for India again. He cooked us up some really good curry the night before. I probably won't see him until the end of summer now unless he takes a trip to the UK. It does make me miss home a little less when I am away to know that not everyone is there. I miss people a tad more then places. I want to be where my family and friends are.
Yesterday was very relaxing. Luke and I went to Daniel's birthday brunch at the yard. He says that now that he is 25, breakfasts are in order. After brunch I went for coffee with Viviane, Elyse, Erica and Catherine. It's fun when you don't notice that 3 hours just went by.

Beckham Shmeckham

2007-01-12T10:19:00.000-08:00

I am just watching the news and it is plastered with news of Beckham. I agree this is a big story but to take up half the hour???

The US bombed Islamic courts in Somalia this past Sunday killing at least 19 people who were not even all the al-Qaeda leaders the US claimed it was targeting! I think we are getting too used to the US bombing people that we are at the point of not caring any more. I am upset that people are not protesting in the streets but I have not exactly been the leader of mass protests so I have no right to get angry. Why are we so apathetic???? I realize at some point you have to go on with your own life and not get completely consumed, but…..

LOL!!! David Beckham had a grand announcement and the audio and video isn't working!!

The media can direct to a certain extent what we think and talk about. Right now I am thinking about David Beckham and how his move to the US will be seen. I am also thinking about Posh and if maybe the paparazzi will be easier on her in the US.

If it was not on TV for so long this news hour I would not be thinking about it so much.

So what needs to be done?? I don’t know. I do know that I should shut the TV off and maybe read something I actually think is important. At least with magazines, books, journals and newspapers we have more choice.

Blizzard Wizard

2007-01-10T10:42:00.000-08:00

It's snowy out there!! Winds at 70 km/h. Mom and I have a new student living with us from Brazil who is really, really nice. She seems to be taking the weather in stride and says she absolutely loves winter! I tried to call her a taxi this morning but the lines were jammed so I accompanied her on a wild blizzard adventure because it was her first time taking the bus to school and I thought it would help to point her in the right direction. After reading Dave's blog I see classes are canceled at the university. I wonder if hers were too at ESL.

2007-01-10T10:34:00.000-08:00

blizzard 3

2007-01-10T10:27:00.000-08:00

blizzard 2

2007-01-10T10:26:00.000-08:00

saskaton blizzard 1

Brussels forever

2007-01-09T12:25:00.000-08:00

As I write this blog I pause every once in a while to relish in my favourite activity. Eating Brussel Sprouts. I don't remember when it happened but I believe it was sometime last year. I got absolutely obsessed with Brussel Sprouts (yes, they deserve capitals). Everytime my teeth sink through the many delicate layers something happens and I feel almost as though I am floating. It must be some vitamin I am lacking...but I hope my need keeps up just for the pleasure of it.

Last night I treated dad and myself to a supper at the Samurai for his christmas present. It was really quite fun. We walked there from the house where he is staying. The little sips of rum on the way helped me forget the cold. We shared a bottle of sake and had a pretty delicious meal. It was a little less impressive then what I had imagined. The cook didn't do any tricks and the food was pretty basic but the experience of sharing a table with folks you don't know and the warm glow we got from the sake was fun enough.

After the Samurai we sipped our rum back across the bridge and went to Calories where I had a glass of port and creme brulee. Boy, is their creme brulee yummy. Then we went across the street to the Yard, where Luke joined us, and we topped off the night with a scotch.

It's no surprise my Brussel Sprouts are feeling so good today.

Everything in moderation, including moderation.

Not as warm as sake

2007-01-08T08:05:00.000-08:00

Hi
I went out this morning and took a few photos of my house. I thought it would be interesting for those who read this blog from some warmer places. Although, this winter has been very warm so far. It was super cold before I got here but has often been warmer then -10 since I arrived.

My dad and I are going to the Samurai tonight! I have always wanted to go there. Nice warm Sake!

Today I am going to try and write more of my litterature review. I like not having class and just work but I would definitely be doing more if I as in Cardiff because I would have classes and work even more after. I really hope next semester is jam packed and interesting because I am pretty comfy here in Saskatoon and it's going to be really hard to leave.

Sticky rice!

2007-01-05T12:29:00.000-08:00

Today mom took me out for dim sum at Yip's. My, am I treated these days!
I went right after a longish walk with my dad, so didn't feel too horrible.

Last night Luke and I went to watch Little Miss Sunshine at Jacqueline's house. It was the second time I saw it. I love the dancing scene at the end. It seems like every good movie has a good dancing or singing scene....or the ones I like anyway. When we went to Luke's house after they were watching Mountain Patrol. I got that it was about Tibetan antelope poachers and people trying to save them (just caught the end). I couldn't get the image of one of the characters sinking into quicksand out of my head. I looked up some stuff about quick sand and I guess it's not as dangerous as movies make it out to be but can still be quite scary. Most quick sand isn't more then a few feet deep. I sure wouldn't want to get stuck in it, anyway.

I sent off one of my assignments today and finally contacted some rat expert in Cardiff about my news story on the issue. I had been having a lot of trouble getting a hold of him!!! Rat people are very busy.

perogies!

2007-01-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

Well, I am still in Saskatoon but I have to get to work. There is no better time to start blogging again then when I actually have something to do.

It has been a really good christmas, one of the best really. I really don't want to go back to Cardiff yet, so it is good I have a few more weeks here. Time flies so fast though.

Dad, Patrick and I went to eat at the Park cafe, a little restaurant on 20th, today. I had been there with Gilles before when we were practicing for the play. Everything is homemade and vey good. I had homemade perogies and homemade farmer sausage.I should try and eat as much food as possible that I can't find in Cardiff. Saskatoon has a really good restaurant selection, or maybe it's just that I know them well.

I am a teeny bit stressed cause I have a lot of work to do before I go back but hopefully I get a good chunk of it done. I think the trick is to do a little a day, which I have been, so that's good.

Luke has been showing me a few things on his drum set at home. It's super fun. I didn't realize I could play the drums at all. So I have been having a little liking the drums fling.

I hope there is breakfast club this weekend. I feel like I haven't seen some good BC people in a long time. Anyone have any suggestions?

christmas fun and yum in my tum

2006-12-26T18:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Luke

2006-12-22T12:05:00.001-08:00

I hope 25 is fantastic!

Happy Birthday Luke

2006-12-22T12:05:00.000-08:00

I hope 25 is fantastic!

wow

2006-12-19T23:51:00.000-08:00

Hello yall

I am having a great time back in saskatoon. I am lucky that there have been so many events where I can see lots of people at once. Every single baby I have seen so far is the cutest baby I have ever seen! My friends must all be very good looking and have fantastic personalities.

Tonight I went to a 5 a 7 at la troupe du jour. Then I went to Lukes place and headed to the yard to hang out with Jeff and Kim. I ran into tons of friends there and have just arrived home after a really good night of catching up. Everyone seems to be doing pretty well or so it seems at christmas rendez vous.

Anyway, I am really tired and need some sleep.

Hello there from Saskatoon!!

2006-12-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

I'm bAAaaaack! I got in, about and hour late, last night! It feels awesome to be home!
Mom had made chicken wings like she does every time I come home from somewhere. Quite the tradition. Maman, Luke and Patrick were all at the airport to greet me!

It really feels like christmas now with the snow and all. I saw the forestry farm's display from the plane and it really looks beautiful from above.

It's 7:00 am and I have been awake since 6:00. I guess that's normal since it is 13h00 Wales time and I am not one to slep in.

Looking forward to breakfast club this morning!

yooohooo

2006-12-13T07:36:00.000-08:00

Big News, that I am now allowed to tell! My dad is coming home for christmas!!Leaving the beaches of Goa for us! That's pretty sweet.
My brother told me last night, "do you know dad's secret?" I was all like, "what secret?"

Haha...I can keep secrets!!!

Fun, fun.

I went to school this morning and there were only 8 students there and no teacher. My prof had to go to Kosovo for some reason and I and 7 others didn't get the message. So, I spent the day watching tv and sorta worked on my article. I am going to go to school tonight and finish it off and print it. It gave me the chance to get my laundry done. Another job off the list.

2 days and I am home!!!

Rar

2006-12-12T07:42:00.000-08:00

Things are better in Cardiff. Not so much stress today. Who left the last comment on my blog? I liked it. It sounded like a calm voice of reason. I finished off my news story and will work on my Wal-mart article tonight. I am also going to Des' tonight. It's the last Tuesday before I go home and last Tuesday I went to salsa dancing classes with my flatmate so I am due for a visit.

I went shopping with Yi-ting today and I think I have bought everything I will buy here. Maybe a little duty free visit in London, who knows.