Showing posts with label moving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label moving. Show all posts
Monday, August 30, 2010
Apartment and Heat
I walked outside this afternoon after lunch, some pleasure reading and a nap (oh, the woes of unemployment) with the intent of visiting la bibliotheque, which is a few blocks to the southwest. And discovered that it is 90 degrees outside. This is Canada! I want my chilly weather! Grump!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
New Apartment
This apartment is a beautiful place to take a nap. The windows of the bedroom face west and the light filters through the waving maple leaves and impatiens blossoms to project colored shadows onto the shades. Our new curtains our beautiful and the soft, white bed is so inviting.
It is a long, narrow apartment, but still large. The floors are hardwood (bedroom) and ceramic (everywhere else), and its windows look out upon the front yard (yes, yard! with flowers! and grass!) and internal courtyard at ground level. It's in an affluent part of town, and has its very own private front and back entrances, which means we have our own street number. It will be easy to heat in the winter, and stays cool in the summer without AC.
After much chaos, we are almost moved in - the owner, who lives in a floor above us in this house (it's a stone 3-story house built in the late 1800s), was storing some things in our apartment and is removing all of them this afternoon. He's been working on it for the past few days.
The kitties are acclimated to our new place and romp all night. Caspian now has Starcraft II and a fast wireless connection, and he's been playing for hours. Pictures to come!
It is a long, narrow apartment, but still large. The floors are hardwood (bedroom) and ceramic (everywhere else), and its windows look out upon the front yard (yes, yard! with flowers! and grass!) and internal courtyard at ground level. It's in an affluent part of town, and has its very own private front and back entrances, which means we have our own street number. It will be easy to heat in the winter, and stays cool in the summer without AC.
After much chaos, we are almost moved in - the owner, who lives in a floor above us in this house (it's a stone 3-story house built in the late 1800s), was storing some things in our apartment and is removing all of them this afternoon. He's been working on it for the past few days.
The kitties are acclimated to our new place and romp all night. Caspian now has Starcraft II and a fast wireless connection, and he's been playing for hours. Pictures to come!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Traveling Story
Troubles began when I hit Homeland Security just a minute after hugging my mom goodbye and watching forlorn little Jesper being wheeled away on a cart to be loaded into the unpressurized belly of a jet.
HS wanted me to take Kiska out of her carrier so they could x-ray the carrier. I tried, but she kicked a huge gash into my hand which sprayed blood in all directions. One agent ran to get me a towel with alcohol on it, while the others debated about what to do. I told them that, at their risk, they could remove her or have me do so, but if she struggled and escaped, we'd never see her again because she would be off like lightning. After about half an hour, they decided to just feel around in her carrier with her remaining inside, because I don't think she would come out without inflicting serious injury in the process. Whew!
I sat next to the former big wig president of a corporation in the waiting area. Not a peep from Kiska, who was trembling from her ordeal. I spread a fleece blanket over her carrier, and she went to sleep. The flight was about an hour delayed getting out, but when I arrived in New York City, my new gate was two gates up from my arrival gate, which was great because I had minutes to spare. Most of the people who booked the Montreal flight out missed it because of weather delays, and there were about 5 people on this flight! I could stretch out and enjoy the beautiful flight over rural New York, Vermont and southern Quebec. We approached the city from the south, then made a hairpin turn west and then east. I watched, bedazzled, as the setting sun lit the water of the St. Lawrence seaway. I could see the striated riverbed, it was so clear.
We touched down early, and I bustled out with Kiska in my arms - only to be stopped short for quite awhile at customs. I had everything in order, and it took about 1 hour for me to clear customs and then immigration. I went down to baggage pick-up to find my suitcase sitting alone and unclaimed next to a squeaky little Jesper, who was fine! Everybody else had already picked up their suitcases, since they only had to clear customs and not immigration. The airline company reps were cooing at the kitties. I was relieved. I wheeled the cats to get them cleared to enter Canada (I had to provide proof of vaccinations and health) and thanked the agent when she said, "bon chance!" I wondered why I'd need luck?
Tired, hungry (I had eaten no lunch and no dinner) and with a massive sinus headache blooming below my right eye, I met Caspian with a long hug and a kiss. We took a cab to his temporary apartment in deepening dusk and I watched the lights of a strange city fly by - a strange city that was now my home and the only place I could afford to live for quite some time. We snuck in and dropped the exhausted kitties off (no cats allowed), and then wandered out in search of food. We found it at a little sushi joint nearby, and walked amidst the throngs of howling university freshman back to the apartment at 10 PM, where we promptly crashed.
Caspian was up all night playing with the cats, and I was up intermittently all night because of the sinus headache, which was getting worse and worse. We'd thought the cats would stay in their carriers, terrified, but they were both out and very affectionate and gregarious. I woke up this morning after strange dreams with the headache diminished but not gone, made delightful butterscotch coffee (I'm not usually one to enjoy flavored coffee), ate muesli, showered and headed off to Old Montreal and customs, to claim all of our belongings. It took us about a half-hour or maybe a little more to get there, dodging dodgy old men, polite French-speaking street bums, insane students and cute couples. I think I would have enjoyed it thoroughly if it weren't for the headache, which was excruciating. We were made to wait in the grand customs building, empty and echoing, for another half hour before being called up. We gave the agent our moving inventory and all of our papers and were cleared without any trouble.
We continued our stroll, past huge, plodding Belgians towing carriages filled with tourists, to Rue Ste Catherine Oeste. I was not a happy camper and wanted to go home and sleep. Caspian insisted we get lunch, and we ended up in a basement bar, where I ordered from a surprisingly cultured menu. My choice: mussels steamed in white wine sauce. They were delightful.
Afterward, I was feeling up to a jaunt to our new, permanent apartment, into which we are due to move tomorrow at 9 AM. It is on a charming little street downtown, away from the crazy pedestrian traffic of Rue Ste Catherine, and surrounded by cute trees and pots overflowing with petunias and impatiens. My heart was pounding as I approached; I was excruciatingly aware that this place would be my home for at least a year. I was terrified of hating it and hoping so much to love it.
It was perfect. I'm not a city girl, but it is as perfect as it can be.
We took the metro home, which is a similar system to those in the Japanese cities I've visited, only a lot less complicated. We both fell into bed, exhausted, and woke 2 hours later to an overcast sunset. My headache was much diminished and I felt up to a metro trip to Caspian's office, which we took together. What a cool office! It has an amazing view, looking east over the St. Lawrence river and the bridge that connects the island to the mainland. I was so happy to escape the headache that I was pretty obnoxious.
Now here we are, sitting in the temporary apartment for our last evening, listening to students shout in the streets below, and petting the cats as they walk by. I'm tired, but we still need to pack up all of our things yet tonight.
HS wanted me to take Kiska out of her carrier so they could x-ray the carrier. I tried, but she kicked a huge gash into my hand which sprayed blood in all directions. One agent ran to get me a towel with alcohol on it, while the others debated about what to do. I told them that, at their risk, they could remove her or have me do so, but if she struggled and escaped, we'd never see her again because she would be off like lightning. After about half an hour, they decided to just feel around in her carrier with her remaining inside, because I don't think she would come out without inflicting serious injury in the process. Whew!
I sat next to the former big wig president of a corporation in the waiting area. Not a peep from Kiska, who was trembling from her ordeal. I spread a fleece blanket over her carrier, and she went to sleep. The flight was about an hour delayed getting out, but when I arrived in New York City, my new gate was two gates up from my arrival gate, which was great because I had minutes to spare. Most of the people who booked the Montreal flight out missed it because of weather delays, and there were about 5 people on this flight! I could stretch out and enjoy the beautiful flight over rural New York, Vermont and southern Quebec. We approached the city from the south, then made a hairpin turn west and then east. I watched, bedazzled, as the setting sun lit the water of the St. Lawrence seaway. I could see the striated riverbed, it was so clear.
We touched down early, and I bustled out with Kiska in my arms - only to be stopped short for quite awhile at customs. I had everything in order, and it took about 1 hour for me to clear customs and then immigration. I went down to baggage pick-up to find my suitcase sitting alone and unclaimed next to a squeaky little Jesper, who was fine! Everybody else had already picked up their suitcases, since they only had to clear customs and not immigration. The airline company reps were cooing at the kitties. I was relieved. I wheeled the cats to get them cleared to enter Canada (I had to provide proof of vaccinations and health) and thanked the agent when she said, "bon chance!" I wondered why I'd need luck?
Tired, hungry (I had eaten no lunch and no dinner) and with a massive sinus headache blooming below my right eye, I met Caspian with a long hug and a kiss. We took a cab to his temporary apartment in deepening dusk and I watched the lights of a strange city fly by - a strange city that was now my home and the only place I could afford to live for quite some time. We snuck in and dropped the exhausted kitties off (no cats allowed), and then wandered out in search of food. We found it at a little sushi joint nearby, and walked amidst the throngs of howling university freshman back to the apartment at 10 PM, where we promptly crashed.
Caspian was up all night playing with the cats, and I was up intermittently all night because of the sinus headache, which was getting worse and worse. We'd thought the cats would stay in their carriers, terrified, but they were both out and very affectionate and gregarious. I woke up this morning after strange dreams with the headache diminished but not gone, made delightful butterscotch coffee (I'm not usually one to enjoy flavored coffee), ate muesli, showered and headed off to Old Montreal and customs, to claim all of our belongings. It took us about a half-hour or maybe a little more to get there, dodging dodgy old men, polite French-speaking street bums, insane students and cute couples. I think I would have enjoyed it thoroughly if it weren't for the headache, which was excruciating. We were made to wait in the grand customs building, empty and echoing, for another half hour before being called up. We gave the agent our moving inventory and all of our papers and were cleared without any trouble.
We continued our stroll, past huge, plodding Belgians towing carriages filled with tourists, to Rue Ste Catherine Oeste. I was not a happy camper and wanted to go home and sleep. Caspian insisted we get lunch, and we ended up in a basement bar, where I ordered from a surprisingly cultured menu. My choice: mussels steamed in white wine sauce. They were delightful.
Afterward, I was feeling up to a jaunt to our new, permanent apartment, into which we are due to move tomorrow at 9 AM. It is on a charming little street downtown, away from the crazy pedestrian traffic of Rue Ste Catherine, and surrounded by cute trees and pots overflowing with petunias and impatiens. My heart was pounding as I approached; I was excruciatingly aware that this place would be my home for at least a year. I was terrified of hating it and hoping so much to love it.
It was perfect. I'm not a city girl, but it is as perfect as it can be.
We took the metro home, which is a similar system to those in the Japanese cities I've visited, only a lot less complicated. We both fell into bed, exhausted, and woke 2 hours later to an overcast sunset. My headache was much diminished and I felt up to a metro trip to Caspian's office, which we took together. What a cool office! It has an amazing view, looking east over the St. Lawrence river and the bridge that connects the island to the mainland. I was so happy to escape the headache that I was pretty obnoxious.
Now here we are, sitting in the temporary apartment for our last evening, listening to students shout in the streets below, and petting the cats as they walk by. I'm tired, but we still need to pack up all of our things yet tonight.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Leaving it Behind
It's been quite the week. Really? A week since I last posted? Unreal!
I'm sitting awake in the dark of my dad's office, at my parents' house, at 4:04 in the morning. Can't sleep. I hear Jesper crying in the bedroom I'm borrowing - he's upset that I'm not in there in bed, snuggling with him. I'm his only constant in a world of chaos, poor little kitty.
In the last week, more adventures were had, cats were picked up from Natty & Pepper's place (Lovely and I stayed overnight after our loooong drive), much insane packing was done, last piano lessons were had, goodbyes were said, health certificates were acquired from veterinarians, movers arrived, packed and left in a flurry of crazy activity. Caspian chose our apartment at the very last moment (Saturday night, before the morning the movers came). It's a ground floor 1 bedroom apartment in a stone house built in 1870! Expensive, but with ceramic and hardwood floors, a laundry room and an excellent location.
So, all of our possessions are on their way to Montreal, and I am responsible only for myself, my suitcase, and my cats. That's all. I leave on Tuesday.
I'm sitting awake in the dark of my dad's office, at my parents' house, at 4:04 in the morning. Can't sleep. I hear Jesper crying in the bedroom I'm borrowing - he's upset that I'm not in there in bed, snuggling with him. I'm his only constant in a world of chaos, poor little kitty.
In the last week, more adventures were had, cats were picked up from Natty & Pepper's place (Lovely and I stayed overnight after our loooong drive), much insane packing was done, last piano lessons were had, goodbyes were said, health certificates were acquired from veterinarians, movers arrived, packed and left in a flurry of crazy activity. Caspian chose our apartment at the very last moment (Saturday night, before the morning the movers came). It's a ground floor 1 bedroom apartment in a stone house built in 1870! Expensive, but with ceramic and hardwood floors, a laundry room and an excellent location.
So, all of our possessions are on their way to Montreal, and I am responsible only for myself, my suitcase, and my cats. That's all. I leave on Tuesday.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Books?
Should a moving company quote $5000 for two newlyweds in an apt. moving to Montreal? Hell, we have two folding chairs and a tiny round breakfast table to eat at!
Could it be the books? The boxes and piles and loads of books?
Could it be the books? The boxes and piles and loads of books?
Friday, August 6, 2010
Who am I?
Today was a sad and happy day. Happy in that I feel that I made the right decision in leaving this workplace behind and moving to a new country, but sad in that I am leaving behind several people I care deeply for, and one who told me in parting that if I needed him, he would do anything to help me.
I turned in my badge, my equipment, my exit questionnaire. I looked out of the elevator for the last time. I did spend some pleasant time at a Cuban restaurant with my closest work friends, and we hugged goodbye under the hot August sunshine.
When I got home, I flopped down onto my unmade bed, a snowy, queen-sized mound of down comforter, pillows and sheets. I felt diminished. I was unemployed. I jealously held the idea of my completed degrees close to my heart, comforting myself that I would always have them. I curled up and wondered who I am now.
I am not unhappy with my job anymore. I am not "settling" for a career, or living with the consequences of an uninformed choice in job responsibility.
I am free now. Significantly less well-off (for now), but free to do what I please, be discerning, accomplish tasks that interest me, choose a new direction in my career that I have passion for.
That very first task was a nap. A long, sun-streaked snooze, probably three hours long, and then I got to work! I worked out for an hour. I read several chapters of The Sins of Scripture. I got a good start on rereading the Harry Potter series from beginning to end, which is one of many goals over the next two weeks. I boxed up ceramics and organized lots of other items. I boxed coats, organized winter gear, played with the cats until they were panting, started the moving inventory required by the moving company and Quebec customs, and talked at length with Natty.
Tomorrow: French. I plan to save and print out FSI's online French language coursework at FedEx and complete as much of it as I can in my spare time.
I turned in my badge, my equipment, my exit questionnaire. I looked out of the elevator for the last time. I did spend some pleasant time at a Cuban restaurant with my closest work friends, and we hugged goodbye under the hot August sunshine.
When I got home, I flopped down onto my unmade bed, a snowy, queen-sized mound of down comforter, pillows and sheets. I felt diminished. I was unemployed. I jealously held the idea of my completed degrees close to my heart, comforting myself that I would always have them. I curled up and wondered who I am now.
I am not unhappy with my job anymore. I am not "settling" for a career, or living with the consequences of an uninformed choice in job responsibility.
I am free now. Significantly less well-off (for now), but free to do what I please, be discerning, accomplish tasks that interest me, choose a new direction in my career that I have passion for.
That very first task was a nap. A long, sun-streaked snooze, probably three hours long, and then I got to work! I worked out for an hour. I read several chapters of The Sins of Scripture. I got a good start on rereading the Harry Potter series from beginning to end, which is one of many goals over the next two weeks. I boxed up ceramics and organized lots of other items. I boxed coats, organized winter gear, played with the cats until they were panting, started the moving inventory required by the moving company and Quebec customs, and talked at length with Natty.
Tomorrow: French. I plan to save and print out FSI's online French language coursework at FedEx and complete as much of it as I can in my spare time.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Not Much, but Something
Bread baked overnight. I woke up at 2am to the warm, ancient smell of it, and had to get up and have a small piece with butter. It is delightful this morning with strawberry jam. Ah, the conveniences of the 21st century. Our Cuisinart bread machine was one of our best investments.
I sit at the dining room table with my feet propped up, coffee by my hand and two cats lounging close by, waiting for the moving company rep to come, do her walkthrough, and cite us a quote. I have NO idea how much this should cost.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Projects and Musings
I should have started taking before & after pictures of our apartment before assembling about 20 boxes and packing up all of our books and some of our fragile items. The place is in a sort of ordered shambles, with boxes neatly in corners, bare bookshelves against walls, rolls of bubble wrap and packages of unassembled boxes everywhere. It is going to take ages to pack up the kitchen.
My sewing machine sits on the desk, unused, in its beautiful little brocade drape. Maybe after Caspian leaves on Friday, I'll make an excursion to the fabric store to start on my new little projects, which I wrote down in Elena, my planner:
- Cases for ugly brown pillows
- Pillowcases for bed
- Knitting bag
- Scrap bag
- Shopping totes
I also have to somehow eat all of the staples we've stocked up, and I have no idea how I'm going to do that. I have been told that international relocation goes much more smoothly if one doesn't pack food and other consumables.
How am I mind-wise, you ask? Feeling like my life is finally moving again. Slightly hungry and about to eat the dry cereal I packed for a snack. Victorious. Chilly. Feminist. Particularly satisfied by the work I've been doing this week. Happy that thunderstorms are brewing. Equally sad and eager at the opportunity to live and travel alone for a month. While my mate is exceedingly fun to be around, I think we will both enjoy being responsible only for ourselves for a little while, and I'm pretty sure he'd agree with me!
I'm not always the easiest person to be around.
My sewing machine sits on the desk, unused, in its beautiful little brocade drape. Maybe after Caspian leaves on Friday, I'll make an excursion to the fabric store to start on my new little projects, which I wrote down in Elena, my planner:
- Cases for ugly brown pillows
- Pillowcases for bed
- Knitting bag
- Scrap bag
- Shopping totes
I also have to somehow eat all of the staples we've stocked up, and I have no idea how I'm going to do that. I have been told that international relocation goes much more smoothly if one doesn't pack food and other consumables.
How am I mind-wise, you ask? Feeling like my life is finally moving again. Slightly hungry and about to eat the dry cereal I packed for a snack. Victorious. Chilly. Feminist. Particularly satisfied by the work I've been doing this week. Happy that thunderstorms are brewing. Equally sad and eager at the opportunity to live and travel alone for a month. While my mate is exceedingly fun to be around, I think we will both enjoy being responsible only for ourselves for a little while, and I'm pretty sure he'd agree with me!
I'm not always the easiest person to be around.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Resignation
I just resigned. It went well.
My sister and I, at the Paramore concert Friday.
Confetti!
P.S. - I just discovered Dream Theater, and I'm impressed.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Unsettled
Kokopelli told me last night at my lesson (which consisted solely of chatting) that there are three events that happen in peoples' lives that are the most unsettling: Divorce, death and moving.
I've been putting off and putting off feelings of grief at walking away from the friends I have here - and some of them ARE dear to me, even if I sometimes wallow in imagined solitude. Caspian and I went out with two unique friends of ours last night to say goodbye. At the end of the night, after I gave my hugs to these friends, despite our pretty casual relationships, our eyes met and lingered and the friendship was transformed into something beyond casual. It was the moment that we both acknowledged that we'd just made our goodbyes to another kindred spirit. I think we both wondered when we'd see each other again.
I've been putting off and putting off feelings of grief at walking away from the friends I have here - and some of them ARE dear to me, even if I sometimes wallow in imagined solitude. Caspian and I went out with two unique friends of ours last night to say goodbye. At the end of the night, after I gave my hugs to these friends, despite our pretty casual relationships, our eyes met and lingered and the friendship was transformed into something beyond casual. It was the moment that we both acknowledged that we'd just made our goodbyes to another kindred spirit. I think we both wondered when we'd see each other again.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Resigning Myself with Style
Caspian's mother has gifted me with a beautiful (and heavy) black lacquered screen from Japan, inlaid with flowers and sparrows. It weighs more than I do and is at least six feet tall, with hammered copper feet. Caspian's grandparents are antique dealers and have many, many beautiful and priceless things. For Christmas just before our wedding, Caspian's grandmother gifted me with a set of the loveliest porcelain dishes shaped like fish and signed by the artist, a national treasure of Japan. I don't even want to ask what they're worth. Those, the antique tea set from my uncle, my wedding and engagement rings and my piano are among my most prized possessions. I don't even open up that marvelous wooden box containing the tea set - it's packed in Japanese newspapers from the 1940s.
I am so excited about hiring some burly guys to move the screen to Montreal for me, where I'll use it to divide up a big room into a smaller room and a bedroom for any guests who might visit us. I could even put my expensive Japanese futon in that little nook.
I am a happy today. Two more business days until I resign.
I am so excited about hiring some burly guys to move the screen to Montreal for me, where I'll use it to divide up a big room into a smaller room and a bedroom for any guests who might visit us. I could even put my expensive Japanese futon in that little nook.
I am a happy today. Two more business days until I resign.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The Plan
Caspian flies out permanently on July 30th. I turn my two weeks' notice in on Monday, July 26th. Meanwhile, I pack and pack and pack some more. We already have all of our boxes and bubble wrap. All I need to do is make sure to write up a detailed inventory as I box things up, since Canadian border control needs that information to allow our schtuff to get into the country.
I already boxed up a lot of Caspian's books - they will probably fill 5 boxes. My books will also fill 5. That's a lot of books. I also boxed up unused linens, curtains, furniture covers and pillows. Sometime soon, I'm going to have to carefully wrap up our French casserole dishes (which we never use), Japanese tea set, glass pitchers and tea pots, since it's unlikely that I'll need them before August 24th - the day I fly out. Moving day is the 23rd of August.
Lovely and I are driving together from August 10-20 to west coast Michigan for ten days of sun, leisure, coffee, family and nostalgia. I plan to hike, have early morning coffee at my favorite haunts, visit my favorite candy store, play cribbage with my grandma, go to the beach, and sit on the deck overlooking the river while drinking root beer and listening to the wrens sing.
I already boxed up a lot of Caspian's books - they will probably fill 5 boxes. My books will also fill 5. That's a lot of books. I also boxed up unused linens, curtains, furniture covers and pillows. Sometime soon, I'm going to have to carefully wrap up our French casserole dishes (which we never use), Japanese tea set, glass pitchers and tea pots, since it's unlikely that I'll need them before August 24th - the day I fly out. Moving day is the 23rd of August.
Lovely and I are driving together from August 10-20 to west coast Michigan for ten days of sun, leisure, coffee, family and nostalgia. I plan to hike, have early morning coffee at my favorite haunts, visit my favorite candy store, play cribbage with my grandma, go to the beach, and sit on the deck overlooking the river while drinking root beer and listening to the wrens sing.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Dreaming of Montreal
Still no news from Montreal International, but we're hopeful that information will find its way to us soon. Caspian took a test to apply for a really dynamic and neat position in his company, and it was brilliantly written and backed by a whole lot of passion (not to mention some neat concept art by one of his best friends). I probably shouldn't be as optimistic about his chances as I am, but hey, optimism is fun! Despite my moods, I consider myself to be a pretty optimistic person.
In addition to local news, the New York Times, occasional forays to CNN, PolicyWatch, the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune, I've started reading the Montreal Gazette to learn more about the political and social environment there. Looks like the heat wave that has gripped SE USA is plaguing Quebec as well, but on a smaller scale. I'm comforted to hear that it does indeed get up to 90 degrees in Montreal... But the thought of winter is pretty terrifying to me. I guess if I have all the right clothes...
I have several books going right now, a couple of which I've already read.
Currently Reading:
Kushiel's Dart, by Jacqueline Carey - Probably one of my favorite books/series of all time. The passionate, sexy, brilliant and dynamic story of a very unique courtesan and how she changes a world.
Sabriel, by Garth Nix - The first of the Abhorsen trilogy, it's the story of a young necromancer and her fight to save her father from an unknown fate. A compelling universe with fascinating characters, and one of my most favorite books. Another interesting, flawed heroine.
Walden, by Thoreau - An old classic detailing Thoreau's sustainable, responsible, purposeful existence in a small cabin at the edge of a pond. His dated prose can be both ponderous and poetic.
Buddhist Scriptures, Edward Conze, ed. - A survey and an introduction to important Buddhist writings. I really need to pick this one up again, I got a bit frustrated with the male centrism.
Books I Intend to Read:
Linguistics, Adrian Akmajian et al. - I have this weighty tome waiting on my shelf and I haven't been able to forego my favorites to start relearning about one of my passions. Probably a prudent read now that I'm about to be forced (happily) to learn Quebecois!
Quebecois Dictionary and Phrasebook, Renata Isajlovic - One of they very few I could find that wasn't for rookies or basically a children's book. We'll see how it performs when it arrives in a few days.
Berlitz Self-Teacher: French, Berlitz editors - An older French textbook and very substantial, from what I read in the reviews before purchasing it used. While I'm a veteran language-learner, I haven't spent much time at all studying romance languages (does Latin count?) and should probably begin at the beginning. I don't think I'll have a huge problem with grammar or writing, but pronunciation, on the other hand...
In addition to local news, the New York Times, occasional forays to CNN, PolicyWatch, the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune, I've started reading the Montreal Gazette to learn more about the political and social environment there. Looks like the heat wave that has gripped SE USA is plaguing Quebec as well, but on a smaller scale. I'm comforted to hear that it does indeed get up to 90 degrees in Montreal... But the thought of winter is pretty terrifying to me. I guess if I have all the right clothes...
I have several books going right now, a couple of which I've already read.
Currently Reading:
Kushiel's Dart, by Jacqueline Carey - Probably one of my favorite books/series of all time. The passionate, sexy, brilliant and dynamic story of a very unique courtesan and how she changes a world.
Sabriel, by Garth Nix - The first of the Abhorsen trilogy, it's the story of a young necromancer and her fight to save her father from an unknown fate. A compelling universe with fascinating characters, and one of my most favorite books. Another interesting, flawed heroine.
Walden, by Thoreau - An old classic detailing Thoreau's sustainable, responsible, purposeful existence in a small cabin at the edge of a pond. His dated prose can be both ponderous and poetic.
Buddhist Scriptures, Edward Conze, ed. - A survey and an introduction to important Buddhist writings. I really need to pick this one up again, I got a bit frustrated with the male centrism.
Books I Intend to Read:
Linguistics, Adrian Akmajian et al. - I have this weighty tome waiting on my shelf and I haven't been able to forego my favorites to start relearning about one of my passions. Probably a prudent read now that I'm about to be forced (happily) to learn Quebecois!
Quebecois Dictionary and Phrasebook, Renata Isajlovic - One of they very few I could find that wasn't for rookies or basically a children's book. We'll see how it performs when it arrives in a few days.
Berlitz Self-Teacher: French, Berlitz editors - An older French textbook and very substantial, from what I read in the reviews before purchasing it used. While I'm a veteran language-learner, I haven't spent much time at all studying romance languages (does Latin count?) and should probably begin at the beginning. I don't think I'll have a huge problem with grammar or writing, but pronunciation, on the other hand...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)