Live fast and die young?

If that catch phrase is real, well then I'm pretty much following it, even though living that fast is not killing me, but making me feel good. I haven't been able to write anything, mostly because I was jsut procrastinating on everything, except work for here.

Some people have been complaining about the missing parts of news I used to give, so some updates. Well for one thing, my parents came here and living with three people in the place I live was epic, but good. We traveled around, had some falls (especially my mom) some good laughs, some historical time, some wonderful sight-seeing, some nice breakfasting (making up verbs now), some good friend's get-togethering (wine and cheese) and others. Then, well the term was going on and as lectures went on and teaching as well, it came to an end. Of course let's not forget the study parties, the thursdays' dinner, the MacDo/confessions intimes, parties (not the serious one), FLUFFY (and it's so fluffy I'm gonna die)/ Poker nights (by the way, some people owe me money, JK), Saint Patrick's day, snow angels, road pylones, golf clubs, biking to the Maple Syrup festival, BBQing, generally I'd say awesome times.

Anyways, as words can talk (are you sure of that???) but I'm lazy to write I'll just post pictures that will talk for me (LAZY ASS is what we call me, well for now on ;)

Sight-seeing

The Falls

Dinners ;)

THE car

BAZINGA

Matchin' pairs

Matchin pairs 2

Si six cent scies scient six cent six saucisses...

Maple Syrup festival

Nom Nom Nom

Drunk Kid with Maple ???

Well, that's it up to now, but more to come (maybe)

Coleeeny out ===>

O R U

Being Shoptimistic happens all the time here, whether you are tired, under loads of work, in your bed, dancing, partying, tea-bagging or other.

January has been crazy as hell, just like always, but months are going quickly like the river flows when there's a storm. January was the time of new commitments, new projects, consecration of other projets, fulfillment etc etc.

Shisha has been a way to go, the bal was crazy as us, helium helping as much as the flasks we had brought oups. Having fun is free though and this is great.

I'm not sinking about this but mostly thinking and it was a lot of fun.

I won't be too long in this one I just wanted to say ENJOY, SMILE and LIVE.

PS: if anyone is interested in hot yoga you should do it I started and this is one of the best activities I have ever had!!!

Way to go

Ohlalalala I'm such a bad updating person. Let's face it I update certain things like me yeah every six months or so i need a reset, a crisis that says oooh STOP you've been too far let's get back on track (this happened last week though: Migraine thanks for letting me know)
Anyways I should finish the NYC story but can't even remember where I've left The Story Wait, i'll come back in a few mins and will finish it


................................................................................................................................................................................................................                                                                                  ................................................

Ok there we go.

So on thursday, bright sunshine, bright sky line, seagulls playing, well it was time for me to go check the old lady saying high from over there, the lady on the other side. Taking the subway, walking to the deck, passing the security checkpoints (ooo take off your glasses the detectors are too sensitive, no kidding) getting on board. Well that went well and pretty fast and actually really good since I met a travel buddy for the day (and more) you know what we say about meeting new people from different walks of life, you always get to see everyone again. Anyways, navigating through a storm of cameras and almost involved in a shipwreck (just adding some suspense here) we got on the other side ;)

Big Lady, you got some crazy gigantic arms, legs, feet whatever. Making fun in front of her (inside her, mmmmmmmmm please no "that's what she said" jokes that would really be inappropriate) especially since I really "broke" in because first I did not have the right to have a backpack and did and almost got in and then MOSTLY BECAUSE I DIDN'T PAY FOR A TICKET TO GET IN THE STATUE.
Talk about security, (btw I should make sure no home affairs guy or others (see what I mean) will read this (noooooo where would the fun be in that case). So I got in there, took a tour, pix and went to the other island yeah the immigrants one you know where everyone first got or set their foot on (before the moon) loool.

We explored the building and relived history, tried finding out if whether some members of our families were there but NOPE it was for that exhilarating moment where MAYBE.

A maybe is "everything is possible" so maybe...

After that I went back downtown and made my way towards 30 ROCK because I had to do it, I had to do it. This was great, before getting in I went a separate way from my buddy travelers, and had to wait for our turn to get to the TOP OF THE ROCK. Therefore I just started "flaner" on 5th avenue and other places around, the ice-skating place etc etc.

On the top it was awesome, a different view from ESB but still a great one. Took my time definitely just because you have that crazy crazy feeling of who's up there, who's on top (JK) still the view really is amazing.

Went back down got my pix from TOP OF THE ROCK yeahhh and i think i went home because walking around that day was just crazy. Plus I had to walk even more the day after, being the 31st and having two museums left and ooo yeah NEW YEAR'S EVE ;)

So that friday I went to MOMA and the MET: these museums are awesome and I would have loved hanging out there for much longer but anyways... I won't talk about these visits much just that I saw some pretty good classics from Van Gogh to Pollock (whom I love) from Picasso to Monet etc etc AWESOME masterpieces!!!

After that I went to Central Park and had to go from the East Side to the West one and meet some friends for dinner before trying to get into TIMES SQUARE. We had a really good dinner with oldies (old friends) and new ones and at one point i tried to go to Times Square. I walked around, talked to some police officers, went to one entrance and was told that because of my backpack I would not get in.... :( too bad......... Anyways I was not that sure i'd be freezing my A** off. Just went back to a friends party in what we call RIGHT ON TIME (yeaaaaaaah VIVA the 80's and 90's house music) and spent a Happy New Year. Some friends were sick making that night pretty epic but that was great.

The day after (ahaha) waking up hanging in the apartment and then Chinatown to meet up with oldies, old friends again ;) We started hanging out for a bit had some fun doing some fake shopping and went separate ways :(

After that I got back home, got some rest and went back out for a last din din in NY: burrito night (or actually it ended being a Taco night ;)

Good friends, good food, good nights out.

The day after I was back in a bus (that I almost missed thinking it was 10:50 when in fact it was at 9:50 but as smart as my ass is I showed up earlier to be cool). Long way back home sits uncomfortable, had a Tim Burton movie marathon, was glad to cross the frontier and be back in Canada, got to Toronto, back to Loo and then to T's place where I had dinner, shower and drinks.

This is how great NY was


About january, that's a whole other story: applying for a PhD, working on my thesis, lectures, children's literature, bars, diners friends un bal craziness as usual. Therefore more to come

"Live Fast and Die Young"

Tha Big Lady

Coconut & Baby-sitter

Big Foot?

30 ROCK ;)

Ice-Skating at 30 ROCK

NBC

Top of the Rock by light

Top of the Rock by dark ;)

MACINTOSH (MOMA)

Previous pix: from MOMA

How do you call that figure of style/speech

Along the Broadway...

Back on track...

As a follow up to the NYC trip, here are some of the following days and adventures...
Tuesday, 28, 9:00 AM
Ring a ling aaaaaahh no just my ringing alarm, yes indeed short nights make long days. Waking up at my friend's boyfriends parents' apartment, some chat, a shower and breakfast....
After a few times, I called my friend back after studying the map and making my plans to visit the Big A. So new back up plan, another roommate who couldn't get his flight was still in NYC and I just had to pick up the keys to his girlfriends' apartment. In order to do so, get out from the building, turn right, cross the streets then left and wait at the M15 stop. Take the M 15 until 96th street, then take the M96 or 97 and go to amsterdam and broadway (4 stops after having crossed central park) then go to specific address, pick the keys up and then take the SUBWAY 2 or 3 downtown and HOME.
Therefore I left this place and these really nice people for the continuing story of Bungalow Bill oh no that's not right for Coleeny on the other side not of the Atlantic this time but the border ;)
As I did so, I met really nice people, had to give money to someone because I did not have time (yet) to buy a metrocard and went along the way. I started chatting with my bus neighbor and finally ended up getting the keys.
I then took the subway back home, walked down the streets, got to the apartments and by magic the three keys functioned and could finally settle.
I had a tea, a few moments of rest and then back on the pavements. So what was the plan this day??????
Well wandering around, familiarizing with the city its different side EAST/WEST and especially Times Square. I spent a while there taking pictures, feeling the NY atmosphere, visiting shops, getting advertisements about the shows... Then back walking in the streets, first toward the Chrysler building and then I realized mmmmmmm maybe I should start going some fancy place or crucial place: THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING.

Getting there, we were warned 1:30 line before getting in... OK it's ok.... Well some hours later (something like 2:30) we were finally at the top ===========> wouah that's amazing, all these flashing lights, the stories about the buildings, the view, the immensity of the city (the city that never ends??? that never sleeps???) It was one of the best experience.
And not to be showing off, i took the special elevator (JK) went closer to heaven (if that exists) and reached 102, for another glimpse of what is NY. Reaching its peak (thanks to two kiddos who made the elevator functioning (not really but dreams are made of illusions) I was there with coconut and we both enjoyed the view offered. Take your time... because life is too short ;)

After a while I hit back the ground (no worries I did not jump, it's just figuratively speaking) and was back to reality... I just had a quiet night yeah still tired from all these upcoming crazy adventures along the trip and went back home (the line killed me too!!!!!!!!)

Wednesday early morning...
I took the subway, and stopped at Clark street and headed towards Brooklyn bridge wouah wouah wouah, Empire State of Mind playing on the I pod and yes I'm definitely in NYC. Took some snapshots, some shots of coconut (the famous monkey traveling all over every places it can go) and moved forward to other sightseeing... This one was moving and weird. Not necessarily for me or I don't how I feel about it but ground zero is weird... Now it's a construction field, and not having seen those towers for real I did not realize what was missing, I just knew but was nut affectionately attached. I was grieving but still did not quite catch the feeling... Ground zero is really another place...

After that I made my way towards Wall Street and their guardians armed as if we were all about to rob the place like this sure, my camera is in fact really dangerous it takes pictures of the architecture and security facilities JK, no this is a place you may want to see but not the most exhilarating!!!!!!!
Anyways after having been walking all over this part of town I headed back to the west side and was willing to go to the AMNH (American Museum of Natural History). AHAHAHA funny story I thought i'd take one of the A or C ( I don't remember the letters for these ones and would get off at 81st mmm It would have been a good plan only if the subway or train had stopped there ;)
So I took another one back and stopped at columbus circle which actually was cool because then I could just walk through Central Park and then reach  81st.

After this little walk I got in the museum and took my times to visit... Took my time to visit, visit and visit and visit... Yes there are a lot of things to see there sure is!!!!

After having been walking all day long just went back outside and hit the streets again just to wander around in NYC and times square (I would have gone to a show if: not alone and if I had find a not-too-expensive show) Anyways good times!!!!!!!!! I went toward the UN's building and just saw it from the outside yeah I was to late for the last visit hours (mmm like 3 hours, you sure you don't want to let me in... ;) Therefore I headed back to downtown (by that i mean 42nd Street and 5th). As I was there I went to the Grand Central Terminal (and not station, which is the name of the post office at the corner). I stayed there for a while taking pictures of people in transit (stuff I love) and read the history of the ceiling (being a reversed picture of the stars of our astrological constellation of something called like this) in fact you can see the different sign (like Aries, Taurus...) on the ceiling. Funny facts, first its upside down or not in the right way, then there's a whole in the ceiling that was not repaired because (I can't remember the date) but at some point they had a missile show there and had to make a whole for it so fit in there). There are stories about the clocks (the one in the middle and the one outside, designed for the outside one by a collaborative work with french artists). There's also a secret well guarded about how everything functions or how the train works there (it's a secret place that is not known....) This is it for Grand Central (there's also a nice market there ;)

Finally I headed back home and decided to conclude my day by a walk on Brooklyn Bridge by night ;)

These are not the so-much funny stories of visiting NYC but more are coming soon.

Up to now,

Coleeeeeny =======> OUT

Brooklyn Bridge, early morning

It deserved a High 5 or high V

Coconut

Ground Zero

Coconut in central park

The AMNH

Coconut at the AMNH

UN's building

Grand Central Terminal

In transit

In transit

SUBWAY

Brooklyn Bridge by night

The Empire State of Mind, The Big A

Sunday night, a long way to go, a freezing night in this bloody cold. Questions in my mind, answers dropped all over the road and on the way. Greyhound, Guelph 9.20 PM. All day long, I was looking at the weather forecast: plane/no plane???
Which decision is good?
Ultimately the One I made (ultimately it always happens to be the one you make that ends up being the good one). They always turn out to be the best. Anyways. There were a lot of doubts about this trip (but a lot of hope and faith in things to help sort things out). I was supposed to go to Buffalo and first realized I was going to Toronto and then Buffalo. Well it was not as clear as that, the drivers were really confusing some saying that they did not cross the border others saying that they were going to Buffalo but not the airport. Therefore, in Toronto I had two choices ahead, because of the weather and the high probabilities of being stranded in Buffalo:
1. Easy choice = going back home and losing the chance to have f****** awesome and legendary memories
2. Get on the bus, get this crazy trip done, figuring out how to get from one point to the other.

2nd choice validated. Even though that second choice was made, I still had to undergo all the trips adventures/misadventures. So first stop, custom, at the border. I was just waking up, half-heard what the driver said, heard something about some luggage, realized I had to get off the bus. Took some of my stuff and got out. As sleepy as I was I didn't get everything as the driver had said and had left my backpack inside the bus. I saw my luggage out, took it and went inside the customs office. Then, one of the officer came in, vigorously and threateningly asked: "Whose that bag" Mmm without even turning, no second doubt: "Oh, it's mine". The custom officer responding me as politely as a broomstick: "Didn't you hear that all luggage and bags had to be brought inside". I: "mmm no, I was sleepy". He then replied: "Do you have anything to declare (twice)"; "aaaah no some food and my laptop".
And there we were, I saw the guy, emptying my bag maybe mostly on a quest for some adventurous discoveries à la 24, but it turned out that I'm no drug dealer, no serial killer (or maybe, JK), no terrorist or whatever (maybe crazy). (He even X-rayed my mac to see if I didn't inadvertently set a bomb in it ;).
An then back in the bus a few minutes.
Buffalo Terminal.
From there, I had called a friend from my friend who lives there because I didn't know what to do of myself ;) I had heard that the airport did not take anyone, and was a bit afraid of what would happen...
Anyways I took a cab (all of this happening of course at 2.00 am in the morning) to the airport and slept there (AWESOME EXPERIENCE, A MUST DO) waiting for some answers and updates. I was waiting for the first counter to open and at something like 6 or 7 went there and asked the women what is possible in the world of flying realities. Not much, JFK was closed and was maybe supposed to reopen in the afternoon. I was therefore put on the waiting list (one which is as long as my intestines and even more ;) After a few times, I went back to the counter because the 4 PM flights were still canceled and an obnoxious and aggressive woman "welcomed" me "there are no planes today, nothing is flying today".
I was like yeah well I still need to figure out what I can do so can you please get the F*** out of my way so I can actually talk to the person at the counter. I had to figure if I would cancel/postpone or whatever.
I ended up at the counter and after the women introduced me to the reduced possibilities and high probabilities not to get a flight I decided to cancel them.
Ok, then wandering around, I found the greyhound desk (kind of) and asked about schedules or whatever. People were there and were supposed to take a bus to NY except that the Bus was not showing up and that they had heard they were completely full. Out of the blue I decided to get back to the terminal. Climb on the first bus to go downtown oooppss I only have a $20 bill and asked the driver, can you wait I'll get the change. He just said well get in (AWESOME)
After a long ride across Buffalo we got to the terminal where I bought my round trip for NY.

A long ride, with french people (mmm Lucky me (I'm being sarcastic there)) who didn't get of what the driver said so I had to translate everything with them (and here I'm prejudiced because they are from Paris). After 8 hours and 2 stops, Manhattan, NY, Port Authority Bus terminal 42nd and 8th Avenue.

Once there, I had to find a cab for Long Island, because long story short I had to pick up the keys for the place where I'd be staying! I was still with the french guys and we shared a cab (lucky me one of the driver agreed to take me up to Lond Island). I was chatting with my cab driver along the way and we talked about NY and the weather. He then got pissed because we had to get to a place (and cab drivers only know Manhattan by heart) and he didn't get the directions. We stopped and my friends came over. According to the driver they did not know how to explain the directions, from my point of view he just did not want to listen because I had the directions and I told him where to turn (which he did not). Anyways, got the keys, drove back to Brooklyn, street completely blocked by the snow = I had to finish walking there. I arrived at the place, nice building, get in, climbs the stairs and ................................................................. try to open the door. I'm saying try because I opened the only lock that was supposed to be locked but the door would not open. Yes indeed I was missing one of the keys for the door. Well it's ok, I'm just tired I can just sleep there... No, JK called my friend and we tried to figure out a back up plan.
Back up plan: go to the girl's boyfriend's parents in the upper east side (72nd/1st Avenue). I took a cab and got there: that is one of a fancy place. Awesome people (just to remind you it's something like 2.30 am in the morning), I got there and finally went to bed.

To conclude for this day =  A HELL OF A CRAZY AWESOME TRIP

The following story of NY will come soon


Coleeeeny out =========>

Baby-Sitter and Coconut ;)

Step up

NYC by night

Coconut at the Empire State Building (of Mind)

Hey, A ....

On the other side of the Atlantic, things are going wildly well and it turned out that I obtained an A (not necessarily for the first time of my life), but for the first time abroad, or in North America to be precise. An A, really, is making you feel good, I understand now what's the feeling ;)

Anyways, a saturday in waterloo (today as I should say most definitely) could be summed up as a good day. Waking up of course I need to wake up to do things even if I can do things in my dream they're mostly real/alive when i'm awake ;). Anyways, after having said goodbye to a friend going back to the old continent I got back home and watched a movie that made me feel a bit homesick.

I'm not necessarily homesick but seeing and hearing familiar sounds made me feel like I really was somewhere else. Indeed, I was watching Mercredi, folle journée which takes place in our dear and beautiful city NANTES. The tram, the places, the "jardin des plantes", "les quais de l'erdre", "motte rouge" these places are filled with memories, so i guess it's normal to feel a bit nostalgic when hearing them sound in your ears and deeply in your heart.

But this is not the point, so waking up this morning doing some chat overseas, and getting ready for proctoring (what a name, tell me about it!!!!!!!)

Proctoring: scientific name to say getting bored watching kiddos scratching their heads and at war with their not-so-well-reviewed french grammar. Some of them were pretty into it, others were flapping their wings and waiting for the first hour to be done to kick their own asses of the place and finally be done with their french exam. How ironic is it that they're happy when done, and not-so happy when receiving their grades. Maybe I should point out the link in between the fact that, usually, your grade correspond to the amount of work you spent on reviewing and actually taking the exam... Well they'll figure it out later...

One hour done, it seems that there were some sales somewhere because we were flooded by students getting out... Humm well we'll see the results.


So Exam done, ("WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEXT?" is miming T, and I trying to figure out what she's saying from across the room or gymnasium as I should say. Well I guess FOOD is welcome, and so heading to the Ye's sushi, we eat food and talk about everything. Everything that's usually what happens with food and wasabi (JK).

This is it the update for today because I actually have to correct these exams MERLIN'S BEARD!!!!!


Coleeeeeny out =======>

Santa is coming.... To town

Merlin's beard, I'm glad i do not treat my dissertations as my blog otherwise I'd be screwed for this semester. Anyway, a lot of things happened during this past month, firstly we wen to Sainte-Marie au pays des Hurons, then we also had a tacky sweater party, and a nice picture with the actual Santa, and more of course.

Sainte Marie is beautiful, we were there at night for the "first lights show", we were definitely freezing, but we enjoyed jokes, cedar tea, songs, feather writing, candy tasting, candle making, marshmallow chocolate drinking, and of course snow. This was fun indeed.

Rocky Raccoon (made a hat and a song) 

 The village

A fireplace in the place

By the way, i also forgot to mention in between all  the activities during this silent virtual moment, we also had a gril's night, jazz's evening, a "soirée raclette" and The Dumbass departure dinner " (sépciale cacdédi)

The tacky sweater party was one of the best, have you ever worn a stupid sweater, just like in Bridget Jones???? Well I do and honestly this is one of the best sweater I now have ;) . My sweater is a jacket with a the zipper and a snow man divided by this same zipper it has gullybully eyes (a word i just made up ahaha) and Xmas red snow boots. My hat was also one of the best. I had a lightening chrismas tree!!!! Who has that eh? I'm asking.

anyway We had a lot of fun and a good evening of flip cup, singstar and beer pong!!!!

In between all this, snow has come to town in Waterloo and covered with her white blanket it's wonderful. This is brightful, fresh, shiny and nothing like anywhere else. I prefer the cold here than the one from France!!!!!!!!! (We had one night a -18 ouhou awesome).

That night was the girl's night where we played the Blitz "Awwwwwwww Man" this game is awesome, almost like jungle speed and as funny as any other card games. Still... So you can imagine that girl's night is about gossip but I'm not telling you any of it, just have to bring your ass over here if you wanna be part of it ;)

During this evening there was a joke told, one of this joke that would make you piss your pants, here it is, for you in a first preview:

This is the story of a girl who went to a jewelry shop. While looking at some necklaces and bending down she farted. As she stand up again she saw the salesman and acting like nothing happened she asked him how much was the necklace. He then simply told her: "If I'm telling you the price right now, you're gonna shit your pants" ahahah isn't that funny ;)

Anyway another awesome thing we did with one of my roommate was to go take a picture with THE actual Santa, coz he actually live in Waterloo for the record... HE was asking us if we had been good, but i don't know what's the definition of good and on which social paradigm it's constructed so i just said with a smile: "I work" ahahaha stupid.

Nico, Santa and I

Then we had the dumbass departure dinner, where we ate a crock pot or whatever it's spelling is but T made chicken and Jezzzzz that was F****** awesome, or I should say (because that's my new swear word and it rocks) MERLIN'S BEARD that was good. A good evening of fun, games, wii, movies, dinner, BLITZ, SNOW BALL FIGHTS, some bricolage and a lot of laugh!!!!

There we go for this little update, i'll make sure to write a bit more though.

Coleeeny out ========>