Riddikulus, because that's what school is. I had a wonderful summer, but it was too wonderful to let go. And they are shipping me off to Waterloo. C'mon. Tell me to stop hating and I might just slap you.
Riddikulus, because today was the season premiere of Glee and I found myself feeling "meeeeh". And of course the show itself is quite riddikulus, but in a gimmick-y predictable way.
Riddikulus, because I really need to get over myself and perk up. And we all need to be able to make fun of ourselves once in a while. After all, if you "me, me, me" too much, that's all you are going to get.
Riddikulus! Riddikulus! Riddikulus! I think from now on (until November at least), all my posts will contain a Harry Potter reference. I insist.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Barcelona and Madrid
Hola!
Spain is hot, hot, hot and even though I'm positively melting in the heat, I am loving the country.
Barcelona was my first stop and I recommend it highly to anyone who visits Spain. It is very touristic because it is just absolutely stunning. I love the fact that the city has so much character... it has many famous architectural gems (the most famous ones designed by Gaudi) and so much activity. There is also a lot of nationalism in the city - the locals consider themselves Catalan (Catalunya) and not Spanish. Thus a lot of the buildings have the Catalan flag or the cross of Sant Jordi (Saint George), the patron saint of Catalunya. The history is absolutely fascinating. I also learned it has the most Gothic style buildings per square mile. Many architects chose this style because the Medieval times represented the Golden ages for Catalonia so they wanted the buildings to reflect those good times. I love walking tours!
Madrid is, of course, the capital of Spain, though it is less distinguished than Barcelona, it is an equally wonderful city. My visit in Madrid is less touristic, and more about staying with my friend who is doing an internship in the city. It's been awesome hanging out with her and I've been eating all the best foods because she is such a foodie. I have been absolutely lazy because I haven't had to do any research - the wonders of staying with a "local". I love her.
We did a day trip today to Toledo, the former capital of Spain. Totally worth it to see at least once.
My girl and I in Toledo, Spain!
Spain is hot, hot, hot and even though I'm positively melting in the heat, I am loving the country.
Barcelona was my first stop and I recommend it highly to anyone who visits Spain. It is very touristic because it is just absolutely stunning. I love the fact that the city has so much character... it has many famous architectural gems (the most famous ones designed by Gaudi) and so much activity. There is also a lot of nationalism in the city - the locals consider themselves Catalan (Catalunya) and not Spanish. Thus a lot of the buildings have the Catalan flag or the cross of Sant Jordi (Saint George), the patron saint of Catalunya. The history is absolutely fascinating. I also learned it has the most Gothic style buildings per square mile. Many architects chose this style because the Medieval times represented the Golden ages for Catalonia so they wanted the buildings to reflect those good times. I love walking tours!
Madrid is, of course, the capital of Spain, though it is less distinguished than Barcelona, it is an equally wonderful city. My visit in Madrid is less touristic, and more about staying with my friend who is doing an internship in the city. It's been awesome hanging out with her and I've been eating all the best foods because she is such a foodie. I have been absolutely lazy because I haven't had to do any research - the wonders of staying with a "local". I love her.
We did a day trip today to Toledo, the former capital of Spain. Totally worth it to see at least once.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Last night, in Riga
My last night in Riga didn't feel like a last night. I guess it was because I was headed for Barcelona, not home. We didn't really have the sad good-byes... I was glad to leave to be honest, and I'm glad to have made some good friends that I hope to see again one day. The night before I went out and got back at the hostel at 5:45am, which was a first, drank 2.5 beers (0.5L each), also a first, and did not do anything stupid (which is not a first, thankfully). In typical Asian fashion I was beet red down to my neck and no one believed I was sober. But of course I was. I remembered everything I did. :D
Believe it or not, this was before the bar. SEP LATVIA 2010 :D
Believe it or not, this was before the bar. SEP LATVIA 2010 :D
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Rainy Riga
Ahoy mateys! The rain has not stopped since last night and it is still going strong. Might as well I guess as today is really cooking day. Our international dinner is tonight and as Canada is quite multicultural (i.e. lacking a sense of food identity aside from maple syrup), I am making fried rice. That's the great thing about being Canadian - you usually have some other cultural identity to fall back to (unless it's about hockey, then I'm 100% team Canada).
So far, I am making rice out of a plastic bag and boiling water. It's amazing how people cope without rice cookers.
Anyhoo, wish me luck. Among my *long* list of accomplishments, cooking has never really made it on the list.
So far, I am making rice out of a plastic bag and boiling water. It's amazing how people cope without rice cookers.
Anyhoo, wish me luck. Among my *long* list of accomplishments, cooking has never really made it on the list.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Solo-ing It
So I have been in Latvia for a week and a half now, and I think I am getting used to the city. I only take 3 buses: 3, 7, 15. And similar to the Quebec experience, on some days, the highlight is going to Rimi, the hypermarket (because its more than a supermarket). I hang out with Portuguese people (the 2 girls are my travel buddies and 2 boys that just arrived last week). Very cool people of course and lots of fun. There are now about 16 students who are on the Student Exchange Program and there are at least 2 people who get drunk everyday. Students on vacation.
Work has been very easy. Not much to see, not much to do. The system here is very basic. Of course there are similarities but things are only entered into the computer for billing purposes. No labels or counting. And the doctors only prescribe brands because reps give them lots of incentives (paid vacation, gift cards, free stationary etc). I think this practice is quite universal.
Anyway, although life has been very chill, I am waiting to leave. But I haven't decided where to go. I'm thinking Amsterdam and Barcelona before I see my friend in Madrid but it's very expensive. And I am back to travelling myself.
Any suggestions?
Work has been very easy. Not much to see, not much to do. The system here is very basic. Of course there are similarities but things are only entered into the computer for billing purposes. No labels or counting. And the doctors only prescribe brands because reps give them lots of incentives (paid vacation, gift cards, free stationary etc). I think this practice is quite universal.
Anyway, although life has been very chill, I am waiting to leave. But I haven't decided where to go. I'm thinking Amsterdam and Barcelona before I see my friend in Madrid but it's very expensive. And I am back to travelling myself.
Any suggestions?
Monday, July 26, 2010
Even ET wanted to phone home... let alone a single girl in a foreign country
Despite thinking I had everything I needed on my bed, I still managed to forget a few things. Nothing major of course, but I wish I bought more food. I live in a res that is very affordable - under 200 CAD for the 4 weeks I am staying at, but there is no cafeteria or places to by food. The nearest supermarket is about a 15 min walk. I don't think I am brave enough to go myself yet. Met a few of the other students who are all very nice and friendly - so is my liason person of course. But I shall back-track and talk about my situation.
So, back to the airport. I got London Gatwick and went into London town at about 11am local time. It was a bright and warm morning and after doubling checking my times back to the airport and asking vonafone how to call home (aka the calling code for Canada), I sent a few texts and was on my way out to the city. I knew Buckingham Palace was quite close so I tried walking. But having 2 hours of sleep on a 7 hour flight meant I was pretty exhausted. So I made the decision to pay 25 pounds and go on the double-decker sightseeing bus. I don't regret the decision per se, but it would have been more worth it if I actually used the buses for the 24 hours I was given, plus the cruise on the Thames river but I only had about 3 hours before I had to go back. So I did a quick loop to the places I wanted to see the most first. Then I got off at the London Eye, gave up on the line-up, took a few pictures at Buckingham and went back to the train station. Perhaps if I had someone else with me, but after a 7 hour flight and with some jetlag, London really wasn't that exciting. I would love to go back when I have more time and hopefully some company.
Back at the airport, I wandered in and out of the stores a lot, trying to decide if I want to spend the rest of my change (had 2,45 pounds) but couldn't find anything, let alone kept my eyes open. By sheer willpower I managed to buy a keychain for myself, but it was very very tough decision. Finally when I was on my way to Riga, I was in a coma for about 3.5 hours. Best sleep on a plane ever. Of course, at this time, it was about 24 hours since I left Toronto. And I couldn't call home.
I tried texting. Message failed. I tried calling with various numbers... 001, +1, +001... but my SIM was not permitted to call overseas. I cursed Rogers with every fibre of my being. Still no good. I tried using the internet... it was down. In Riga, everything closes at 10pm and at this time, it was already midnight. So I gave up.
Then of course, my phone rings. It was my baby. He had tried to text (which I got but not return), tried calling home (not sure if anyone answered), called my liason person (who did not pick me up from the airport, let alone knew what was going on at 4 in the morning) and had no word from me. Finally, when he did call, he wouldn't believe that I couldn't call. Of course I tried you goose. After a few minutes of "You should of called", I told him of my situation and we managed to convey to my parents that I couldn't call.
As of today, I have a new Latvian number and new european cell phone charger. If you have skype, make sure to give me a call. There isn't a whole lot to do around here.
So, back to the airport. I got London Gatwick and went into London town at about 11am local time. It was a bright and warm morning and after doubling checking my times back to the airport and asking vonafone how to call home (aka the calling code for Canada), I sent a few texts and was on my way out to the city. I knew Buckingham Palace was quite close so I tried walking. But having 2 hours of sleep on a 7 hour flight meant I was pretty exhausted. So I made the decision to pay 25 pounds and go on the double-decker sightseeing bus. I don't regret the decision per se, but it would have been more worth it if I actually used the buses for the 24 hours I was given, plus the cruise on the Thames river but I only had about 3 hours before I had to go back. So I did a quick loop to the places I wanted to see the most first. Then I got off at the London Eye, gave up on the line-up, took a few pictures at Buckingham and went back to the train station. Perhaps if I had someone else with me, but after a 7 hour flight and with some jetlag, London really wasn't that exciting. I would love to go back when I have more time and hopefully some company.
Back at the airport, I wandered in and out of the stores a lot, trying to decide if I want to spend the rest of my change (had 2,45 pounds) but couldn't find anything, let alone kept my eyes open. By sheer willpower I managed to buy a keychain for myself, but it was very very tough decision. Finally when I was on my way to Riga, I was in a coma for about 3.5 hours. Best sleep on a plane ever. Of course, at this time, it was about 24 hours since I left Toronto. And I couldn't call home.
I tried texting. Message failed. I tried calling with various numbers... 001, +1, +001... but my SIM was not permitted to call overseas. I cursed Rogers with every fibre of my being. Still no good. I tried using the internet... it was down. In Riga, everything closes at 10pm and at this time, it was already midnight. So I gave up.
Then of course, my phone rings. It was my baby. He had tried to text (which I got but not return), tried calling home (not sure if anyone answered), called my liason person (who did not pick me up from the airport, let alone knew what was going on at 4 in the morning) and had no word from me. Finally, when he did call, he wouldn't believe that I couldn't call. Of course I tried you goose. After a few minutes of "You should of called", I told him of my situation and we managed to convey to my parents that I couldn't call.
As of today, I have a new Latvian number and new european cell phone charger. If you have skype, make sure to give me a call. There isn't a whole lot to do around here.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Duck-footed vs. two left feet
Buying shoes is a pain-in-the-butt for me because I have wide, flat feet. Money aside, finding shoes that are flattering and supportive of my feet is next to impossible. Add that to my vanity and shoe shopping is just plain disappointing. Rather go home empty-handed than to have a pair of shoes that aren't perfect for me right? Well, today I settled. But in exchange, I bought home two pairs of shoes that are comfortable, wearable, on sale and not fug. Add that to the running shoes I purchased yesterday and I bought 3 pairs of shoes this weekend. I win!
Anyway, it got me thinking: would I rather have feet that look good in any style but have two left feet, or have the flat Viktor Krum-like feet as described by Ms JK Rowling in HP4? (BTW, I can throw in a Harry Potter reference in just about any conversation). Sure it takes more time to look for shoes when I have flat feet, and I may have to pay a bit more usually for the W sizes, but at least I am not tripping over myself right? And even though I can't dance, I'm not terrible per se. See, glass is half full today my friends.
Anyway, it got me thinking: would I rather have feet that look good in any style but have two left feet, or have the flat Viktor Krum-like feet as described by Ms JK Rowling in HP4? (BTW, I can throw in a Harry Potter reference in just about any conversation). Sure it takes more time to look for shoes when I have flat feet, and I may have to pay a bit more usually for the W sizes, but at least I am not tripping over myself right? And even though I can't dance, I'm not terrible per se. See, glass is half full today my friends.
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