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So, I was going to be a little bit wistful this morning, because my lovely German couple that I talk to over breakfast got up early today to drive to the falls and I was at the table surrounded by people who were in groups and wouldn't/couldn't speak English (Chinese to the right, French to the left) and I found another grey hair in my bangs this morning (we're not even looking at the rest of it!) and it's my tenth solo Couple Day today and grey and cloudy to boot after yesterday's gorgeous weather... but then my German couple asked for my contact details and gave me theirs, and Stefan the host was sweet as always and my hair is looking awesome after I blow dried it, plus, you know, I'm in Quebec, so bah to being whiny. Besides, [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] said I'm not allowed. ;)
(I'm still avoiding Facebook. They have a meme where people in relationships are replacing their photos with couple pics and my self-esteem is still new and fragile and I know my limits. :P )
I chose well for my place of V-Day fleeing - Winter Festival is much more important here and there isn't the scads of advertising/reminders that Toronto had. Besides, there are cute waiters who like my accent and look after my non-French-speaking self.
Plans for today: I'm going to wander up and down Rue St Jean, the shopping district, until I get tired and hungry, and then I'm going to find a place to eat and read and write a bit (since today is 52 Pick Up Day and I have my Idea) as well as my French homework, and then I'm going to wander around some more and maybe buy a bigger handbag and take photos, and then I'm going to find another place to hole up for a bit and have a couple of drinks and write up my Quebec notes into something resembling a post or three, and then depending on how I'm feeling, either come back for my nap (I've been napping for a couple of hours every afternoon to warm back up and it's been really good for me) or stay out and find a place for dinner since I can't go to the amazing sushi place for dinner three times in a four-night trip, even if the cute head waiter remembers me.
I'm definitely going to go back to the crepe place on St Jean, the one where this photo came from last year, tho'. Coffee! As big as my head!
(I'm still avoiding Facebook. They have a meme where people in relationships are replacing their photos with couple pics and my self-esteem is still new and fragile and I know my limits. :P )
I chose well for my place of V-Day fleeing - Winter Festival is much more important here and there isn't the scads of advertising/reminders that Toronto had. Besides, there are cute waiters who like my accent and look after my non-French-speaking self.
Plans for today: I'm going to wander up and down Rue St Jean, the shopping district, until I get tired and hungry, and then I'm going to find a place to eat and read and write a bit (since today is 52 Pick Up Day and I have my Idea) as well as my French homework, and then I'm going to wander around some more and maybe buy a bigger handbag and take photos, and then I'm going to find another place to hole up for a bit and have a couple of drinks and write up my Quebec notes into something resembling a post or three, and then depending on how I'm feeling, either come back for my nap (I've been napping for a couple of hours every afternoon to warm back up and it's been really good for me) or stay out and find a place for dinner since I can't go to the amazing sushi place for dinner three times in a four-night trip, even if the cute head waiter remembers me.
I'm definitely going to go back to the crepe place on St Jean, the one where this photo came from last year, tho'. Coffee! As big as my head!
Quebec City photos - day 1
Feb. 12th, 2010 07:03 pmI've uploaded my first batch of photos from today here
Now I'm waiting for a ping back from a woman from Toronto I met in the Pub "L'Oncle Antoine" about meeting up for drinks - guess whose phone is out of minutes? D'oh! - before I head out to forage for food. Or I may go out for food to one of the places near the B&B and come back to see if I have a destination, since I has a hungry. Otherwise, there's fireworks for the Winter Festival to watch. :)
[Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com], this one's for you:
Now I'm waiting for a ping back from a woman from Toronto I met in the Pub "L'Oncle Antoine" about meeting up for drinks - guess whose phone is out of minutes? D'oh! - before I head out to forage for food. Or I may go out for food to one of the places near the B&B and come back to see if I have a destination, since I has a hungry. Otherwise, there's fireworks for the Winter Festival to watch. :)
[Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com], this one's for you:
Morning in Quebec
Feb. 12th, 2010 09:30 amThis morning I was awake at 7:00 a.m. with the smell of fresh-brewed coffee wafting through the house. I awoke in fresh crisp sheets and a soft white duvet, like I'd gone to bed in a cloud.
Breakfast was croissants, cafe au lait, omelette and a mishmash of English, German and French.
God I love travelling.
I'm about to head out for my adventures today. I have a map and a brochure about the Winter Festival, thanks to Stefan, our host, and I'm going to put on my hiking boots and walk around until I feel tired. Then I'm going to stop, rest, eat, perhaps write a little and then keep walking. And yes, I have my camera.
Au revoir.
Breakfast was croissants, cafe au lait, omelette and a mishmash of English, German and French.
God I love travelling.
I'm about to head out for my adventures today. I have a map and a brochure about the Winter Festival, thanks to Stefan, our host, and I'm going to put on my hiking boots and walk around until I feel tired. Then I'm going to stop, rest, eat, perhaps write a little and then keep walking. And yes, I have my camera.
Au revoir.
Between here and there
Feb. 11th, 2010 12:07 pmOr, rather, between Toronto and Montreal. We just left Kingston.
Today is the start of my five-day mini-break to Quebec. I'm on the train - with complimentary Wi-Fi today, since the satellite is unstable and service might be a bit dodgy. Considering I've been scavenging service from the health food store due to our wireless router blowing up the other day, it's not a huge difference.
I reach Montreal in two and a half hours, where I'll have an hour and a half before getting on the train to Quebec. I'll reach that around 7 p.m. ish. Then I'll taxi it to my B&B, check in and probably eat, have a bath and then curl up in bed for the evening.
I'm so looking forward to it, you can't imagine.
I'll be around - the B&B has Wi-Fi because I'm a sad addict. ;) But I'll definitely be busy enjoying myself. :)
Today is the start of my five-day mini-break to Quebec. I'm on the train - with complimentary Wi-Fi today, since the satellite is unstable and service might be a bit dodgy. Considering I've been scavenging service from the health food store due to our wireless router blowing up the other day, it's not a huge difference.
I reach Montreal in two and a half hours, where I'll have an hour and a half before getting on the train to Quebec. I'll reach that around 7 p.m. ish. Then I'll taxi it to my B&B, check in and probably eat, have a bath and then curl up in bed for the evening.
I'm so looking forward to it, you can't imagine.
I'll be around - the B&B has Wi-Fi because I'm a sad addict. ;) But I'll definitely be busy enjoying myself. :)
Home again, home again...
Apr. 26th, 2009 12:03 pmSo, a little late with the post, but yes, I'm back in Toronto. Just in time to go to Brian's birthday party, actually. Excuse me while I curl up on the couch and whimper. ;)
Vancouver!
Apr. 25th, 2009 09:31 amGot to Vancouver. Feel like dehydrated kangaroo strips, but at least I've been able to wash my face and brush my teeth. Now if only I could lie down for a nap. However my flight back to Toronto boards soon, so I'll have to make do with a Coke and free wireless.
Oops, boarding call. Must dash.
Oops, boarding call. Must dash.
One more sleep
Apr. 24th, 2009 09:43 pmBed for me early, since I have to get up at 4:30 a.m. and be functional enough to get on a plane. Here's what I'm doing tomorrow:
6:00 a.m. flight from Albury to Sydney.
Fly for an hour
10:25 a.m. flight from Sydney to Vancouver
Fly for 16 hours
10:00 a.m. flight from Vancouver to Toronto, fly for four hours, arrive at 5:33 p.m.
Catch the bus and subway home, dump gear, say hello to cats and roomie and the pretty girl upstairs, shower and eat something. Then allow self to be dragged anywhere for anything.
Obviously I won't be in communicado much for my very long Saturday. See you on the flip side. :)
6:00 a.m. flight from Albury to Sydney.
Fly for an hour
10:25 a.m. flight from Sydney to Vancouver
Fly for 16 hours
10:00 a.m. flight from Vancouver to Toronto, fly for four hours, arrive at 5:33 p.m.
Catch the bus and subway home, dump gear, say hello to cats and roomie and the pretty girl upstairs, shower and eat something. Then allow self to be dragged anywhere for anything.
Obviously I won't be in communicado much for my very long Saturday. See you on the flip side. :)
Family foo
Apr. 11th, 2009 12:47 pmSo, my auntie Leanne and her longtime partner Phil are getting married this afternoon - "eloping" on their farm, actually. I'm looking forward to it; the two of them are good together. Then tomorrow morning mum, dad and I, and David, Eva and Zoe are going down to Ballarat to visit my uncle Phillip and auntie Cheryl and their brood. Phil is dad's brother and the last time I saw him and Cheryl was at David's wedding. Should be back either Monday or Tuesday, depending on whether we go back via Kinglake - mum wants to see where the fires went through.
I have a feeling I'll be napping a lot in the car. *wry* I've never been able to read in a car without getting car sick, and it's a four hour drive. Ah well, at least I'm catching up on my sleep?
It rained this morning. Wonderful, glorious soaking rain. They desperately need it here - everything has gone beyond the usual yellow to brown and grey.
I have a feeling I'll be napping a lot in the car. *wry* I've never been able to read in a car without getting car sick, and it's a four hour drive. Ah well, at least I'm catching up on my sleep?
It rained this morning. Wonderful, glorious soaking rain. They desperately need it here - everything has gone beyond the usual yellow to brown and grey.
Got here, finally. Not my most smooth trip ever. *wry* However, I'm here, I've seen worshipped at the temple of Zoe and there was a "welcome home Jo" sign over the front patio.
Travel update
Apr. 3rd, 2009 10:14 pmSo, just about all my stuff is done. Gifts have been bought, packing has been (mostly) done, various bits and pieces taken care of. Kitty litter has been cleaned out and entirely replaced, Spike's claws trimmed (Angel was hiding), kitty food for the duration bought. Left on the list is:
*Laundry
*Pack remaining clothing that's currently in the laundry basket and bathroom stuff
* Strap [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com]'s tent to the outside of my pack so I can finally get it back to him, three years on. *meeps*
*Trim Angel's claws Ow. That is one squirmy cat.
*Grocery shopping so the roommate has food for the week. Also, pick up final item for Mum.
*Take out garbage
I think that's it - 's not a high brain function day for me today. Also it's that wonderful time all women 'love' and I'm cramping front and back. *mehs*
I should be on a little tomorrow - I don't fly to Vancouver until 5, then arrive around 7 and then have four hours to get to the correct terminal and check in. Good thing I have plenty to do - Jen's beta, Wolverine and the X-Men season 1 downloaded, a couple of plots to write up, Wiki bits and pieces - since I don't think I can get free 'Net at Vancouver airport. However, if I can, definitely expect me around. ;)
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I think that's it - 's not a high brain function day for me today. Also it's that wonderful time all women 'love' and I'm cramping front and back. *mehs*
I should be on a little tomorrow - I don't fly to Vancouver until 5, then arrive around 7 and then have four hours to get to the correct terminal and check in. Good thing I have plenty to do - Jen's beta, Wolverine and the X-Men season 1 downloaded, a couple of plots to write up, Wiki bits and pieces - since I don't think I can get free 'Net at Vancouver airport. However, if I can, definitely expect me around. ;)
Okay, I'm getting down to the wire here. Leaving next Saturday for Australia for three weeks, and there's OMG STUFF! to do:
Drag back pack out from under bed and de-fur since the cats use it as a bed. Pack non-essentials. - Today. Holy crap. So. Much. Hair. Note to self, next time make sure everything is zipped up and closed before you store the damn thing. Many thanks to Aisy for use of her vac to get the damn fur off.
Prepare Jane's files for her office day April 15; do all filing; prep last trial file; get various reports completed and sent off; finish expense claims before March 31; make sure Helenie knows what's what; write Helenie's to-do list for Sonia - This week
Finish logging for any plots my girls are in. - this week
Send Yvette to the WCA with Kevin for spring break. - this week
Send Amanda to Muir for a week or so. - this week
Make various announcements to game comms outling absence and availability to mod. - this week
Pick up dry cleaning - Monday.
Doctor's appointment for prescription - Tuesday
Get paid - Thursday (yay backpay!) Boo, Sonia
Gift buying - part-way done, three to go, know what I'm getting for all of them. Thursday.
Clothes shopping - Thursday in May
New contact lenses - Thursday/Friday
Fill prescriptions - Friday/Saturday morning
Buycat food, kitty litter, groceries. - Friday/Saturday
Arrange Canberra trip part with parents.
Catch plane - 5:00 pm Saturday
Arrive in Albury - 12:45 pm Monday
I do believe I'm actually starting to get excited about things. It was hard earlier due to OMG STRESS! but some of the causes of that have gone and the rest I'm just trying to ignore so I don't go insane. Because most of it, in the long run, is minor stuff in the scheme of things any way and I refuse to let it ruin the first break I've had in a year.
Edit: Put in chronological order for [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] ;)
Finish logging for any plots my girls are in. - this week
Send Yvette to the WCA with Kevin for spring break. - this week
Send Amanda to Muir for a week or so. - this week
Clothes shopping - Thursday in May
Buy
Arrange Canberra trip part with parents.
Catch plane - 5:00 pm Saturday
Arrive in Albury - 12:45 pm Monday
I do believe I'm actually starting to get excited about things. It was hard earlier due to OMG STRESS! but some of the causes of that have gone and the rest I'm just trying to ignore so I don't go insane. Because most of it, in the long run, is minor stuff in the scheme of things any way and I refuse to let it ruin the first break I've had in a year.
Edit: Put in chronological order for [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] ;)
Arty stuff
Jun. 3rd, 2008 01:22 pmI like taking photos. I don't do it often, and most of the time they're pretty forgettable, but sometimes I get one I can feel proud of.
Taken at a crepe cafe in Old Quebec City, Rue San Jean.
Edit: Part 1 of my holiday pics (there are some still on the camera) are up on my Facebook account: here
Taken at a crepe cafe in Old Quebec City, Rue San Jean.
Edit: Part 1 of my holiday pics (there are some still on the camera) are up on my Facebook account: here
PSA - Impending Absence
May. 23rd, 2008 08:16 pmAs I've mentioned to various people at various times, tomorrow I go to Quebec City, to join my parents (who are there already and not missing in a ditch somewhere, which was becoming a possibility due to phone issues) for a week. A couple of days in QC, a couple of days in Montreal, travelling time... it's pretty much my first "travelling for the sake of travelling" trip in a while. Unfortunately, because I'll be with the parents, I won't be able to arrange to meet up with anyone, and I don't think I'll be online a lot - I'll have the laptop with me and there's wireless in the first hotel, but again, there for holiday and not to spend time online.
It'll be very good for me, I think. :)
Any way, [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] (among others) has my cell number if there's an emergency, otherwise, this is me signing off for the night and I'll catch you all in a bit. Have a good weekend, folks. :)
It'll be very good for me, I think. :)
Any way, [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] (among others) has my cell number if there's an emergency, otherwise, this is me signing off for the night and I'll catch you all in a bit. Have a good weekend, folks. :)
Itchy feet.
Mar. 18th, 2008 02:15 pmI've got that travelling urge again. It's been a while since I went anywhere that was an actual travelling-type trip and with people on my friendlist going places and spring advancing, I'm feeling the itch again. No scratching that one in any major way, unfortunately, as I am short on spending money and leave time, but there is Montreal in May with my folks and after that, I can look at trying to save some actual travelling funds and maybe take myself off somewhere, maybe parts of Canada I haven't reached yet or somewhere I glossed over last time. After all, part of the reason for moving here was so I could travel the place a bit more easily.
Maybe it's time to get a new Lonely Planet Guide.
Maybe it's time to get a new Lonely Planet Guide.
So, apparently, the way I talk is changing. Someone on the phone yesterday had to ask where my accent was from, not getting the Australian straight away as is usually the case. Admittedly I was using Work Voice, but still.
Huh.
Huh.
Late, but...
Dec. 3rd, 2007 10:52 amI am back. And taking the day off since guess where the roomie was when I got home? *goes back to bed*
Just quickly...
Nov. 30th, 2007 02:23 pm...Since every time I start to do something today I get interrupted. I'm off to Kansas City for the weekend, to help [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] move. I'm leaving in about half an hour and getting back Sunday night. I'm not sure how much internet access I'll have, and I've printed off a gazillion things to entertain me in the meantime. And hopefully nothing else annoying will happen today. Because right now I'm contemplating mass homicide of my coworkers. And IT, although they're actually here today.
See you on the flip side.
See you on the flip side.
Arrived safely and with no issues - got my baggage first out of the carousel, even. I shall travel that lightly more often.
Doing some frantic scrambling log-wise right now, and then the roomie and I are going to the pub. Jen, we're a day early in our reckonings, so things are okay for the most part. False alarm with the panicking and I shall probably have to grovel at some point, but right now? Protecting my sanity.
Good trip. I'll have to do this one more often. :)
Doing some frantic scrambling log-wise right now, and then the roomie and I are going to the pub. Jen, we're a day early in our reckonings, so things are okay for the most part. False alarm with the panicking and I shall probably have to grovel at some point, but right now? Protecting my sanity.
Good trip. I'll have to do this one more often. :)
