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So it's my final year as a University student and things are getting more intense as I get more hungry to be in the real world. For a moment, I stood in the middle of Exchange Plaza to soak in the feeling of being where I belong - the workforce. To see familiar faces as well as groups of people who may seem to fit my likings, I felt I need to be in this world. Every time I go back to class during summer, feels like I'm looking at a couple of kids who have yet to realize what's going to hit them once they graduate. For some odd reason it feels like high school all over again, again. The first round being new was in high school, the second round would be University. When we thought the cycle ends, comes in post University - real life. For each phase we change our level of maturity, life should go forward, not backwards. For once, I felt right, seeing everyone walking past me with their worker's badge while strutting a fashionable yet professional attire. I hope the real world is ready for me, I've been waiting for a long, long time.
stories
People say, for every country has its own customs and character. In a way I find that true city to city. So far in Montreal I learnt:
1. Franglais MTL vs Franglais Ottawa = Quebec Accent Franglais vs Anglophone Franglais
2. Your cool with Jugo Juice. Montreal's better version of Booster Juice/Bubble Tea.
3. Shopping to them is like beaver tails to us. Proud of it, but easily forgotten the next day till the next season.
4. Saying hello/goodbye consists of two kisses to the cheek and a semi hug. As a dude from Ottawa, it was as confusing as the handshake or the props dilemma.
5. Clubbing is a sport, not a leisure.
6. To not accessorize, decorize or fashionialize (requires new verbs) is a no no.
7. The pride district, know it and know it well or else prepare to be macked and gawked at.
8. They have 3 worlds: The Day, The Nightlife, and the Metro.
9. The Metro horn is truly the Horn of Gondor (at first listen)
10. Takes me as nearly as long to go to school as it is to go to Montreal (sometimes).
11. Do NOT yell Kovalev in the middle of the mall
12. Trying to translate french words you don't know can only lead to disaster when lost
13. All men's clothing must be the furthest, longest path, deep in a corner somewhere
I've learned these things the hard way - definitely a trip to remember.
Oh another thing I remembered:
14. When first meeting someone, the handshake is standard, not a hug. (unless you're a creep)
1. Franglais MTL vs Franglais Ottawa = Quebec Accent Franglais vs Anglophone Franglais
2. Your cool with Jugo Juice. Montreal's better version of Booster Juice/Bubble Tea.
3. Shopping to them is like beaver tails to us. Proud of it, but easily forgotten the next day till the next season.
4. Saying hello/goodbye consists of two kisses to the cheek and a semi hug. As a dude from Ottawa, it was as confusing as the handshake or the props dilemma.
5. Clubbing is a sport, not a leisure.
6. To not accessorize, decorize or fashionialize (requires new verbs) is a no no.
7. The pride district, know it and know it well or else prepare to be macked and gawked at.
8. They have 3 worlds: The Day, The Nightlife, and the Metro.
9. The Metro horn is truly the Horn of Gondor (at first listen)
10. Takes me as nearly as long to go to school as it is to go to Montreal (sometimes).
11. Do NOT yell Kovalev in the middle of the mall
12. Trying to translate french words you don't know can only lead to disaster when lost
13. All men's clothing must be the furthest, longest path, deep in a corner somewhere
I've learned these things the hard way - definitely a trip to remember.
Oh another thing I remembered:
14. When first meeting someone, the handshake is standard, not a hug. (unless you're a creep)
stories
I took the time to discover Toronto for what it is, I lived in Ottawa and understand as much as I can in my early adult years, now I discovered the last of the tri-city; Montreal. Amazing this trip was, I can't stop replaying the amazing culture that this city possesses. Having the laid back and semi busy tone, it was a good balance of what both Ottawa and Toronto has as a character. Time to time, I feel I have lost a bit of my character as I grew up taking more responsibilities in my life. I lost the romance, the confidence and even my true ambitions - but that's just how I feel. Montreal was able to bring it back for me and now I'm refreshed, discovering myself again starting from scratch (but not really). We lose a little bit of ourselves sometimes, just time will help bring us back to the right track again. Merci Montreal.
stories
February started off great with a little family celebration for the lunar new year, nothing beats seeing smiles and food everywhere! Coincidentally, Valentines Day was also dated on this day for couples to celebrate their time together. I chose to ignore all the single awareness nonsense and decided to take my cousin and sister out for dinner in the market. We all walked through Winterlude and saw couples as we pointed them out one pair at a time. It was something quite entertaining to see while we all joked on how cute or quirky each pair was.
After dinner, I decided to treat my little siblings with some dessert at a local cafe. There I saw, a cute misses that stood with amazing stance and class who caught my eye, ordering a cup of tea and a dessert. Nudging me, my little siblings gave me the eyebrow and look as a sign to go for it. Even though they're young, they were right - she was alone at a cafe and sat down and just looked out the window.
Time to time I look over from our table to see if she was actually texting or waiting for someone at a table seated for four. Twenty minutes passed, then thirty...then forty. It was like a scene off from a movie, sitting at the corner of the cafe, gazing over the couples that walked by enjoying the quiet moment she has alone on valentines. Noticed a window of opportunity, I walked over and wanted introduced myself as I was on my way to get a plate from the waitress. Her phone rang and was unable to take the chance that cupid has given me. Having my family there, I had to take them home, and started packing up early. There I was standing at the door - I looked over one last time. Intense, were those minutes thinking how things could have been different if I wasn't catering someone else, would I be able to do anything now?
I opened the door and stood outside waiting for my family...still looking over, innocently, the lonely girl at the cafe. I just wanted to wish you a Happy Valentines Day and I'm sorry I wasn't able to tell you that. In a way, I think she knew...
TK
hockey × ottawa × senators × stories
To fill you in, this night wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for my friend who bid during a gala in November. The bidding was nothing more than harmless fun, which backfired and ended up in my friend's bill the next day. Little did I know it was one of the most awesome thing he has ever done, the crew and my family spent new years at a hockey game which totally took my breathe away! Unlike any other seats in the stadium, we were privileged with suite tickets up in the 4th floor!
We stepped in the front gates of the stadium, only to realize we're not supposed to go the main entrance. We were then redirected to another gate which led us to a more calming environment. The concierge informed us that we must take the elevator to access the floor that we were seated in. The moment those doors open it was like a private hotel with our personal greeter! The walls were painted red and decorated with jerseys and pictures of old hockey games. The box is like our private booth, we felt like royalty at the moment - but the real memories lies in the moments with my friend's cussing and cheering. All this wouldn't have happened if my friend didn't take a little risk on his part. Doesn't hurt to jump when there's an opportunity presented - this can go for many things in life. Who knows, it might actually be one of the greatest chapters in your life.