It's downhill from here

So I’ve made it half way!!!

I celebrated my dying my hair all by myself. Kinda scary. Especially because the last time I did it was in 5th form when my mum put in the funny blotchy blond streaks. But it turned out pretty cool. It’s a little darker than I wanted but everyone says I look “chic” so that’s cool. I went shopping with some friends and that was good. I got heaps of new clothes and had a very girly day.

Had an afs meeting on the weekend. It was like a reflection opportunity for parents and students. It was really good for me because I got to realise how we have resolved our problems and now being with my host parents is much better. We had to “examine” our goals. Like, what our goals were, what we are doing to achieve them and if we are going to get it done by July. So far I think I’m on track. I’m building an amazing relationship with a Quebecois family, my French is pretty good, and I’ve defiantly got good friends. It was interesting how much the other students are having trouble making friends to go to the movies, or go shopping etc. Like the students who don’t speak French at all cant talk to people, there are the weird students who lack the social skills to make friends that aren’t exchange students, then there is me and the Italians who have heaps of friends and are always going out and having a good time.

Had a good night with my host parents last night. It was the half way day so they treated it like a special occasion. I got to pick dinner, helped make it, drank wine and had a good time. I don’t want to sound arrogant but I’m really proud of getting through the problems because now I have a good relationship with Diane and Bernard. Oh and the other good thing that happened….they said I could have a birthday party and have al my friends and even have alcohol. That may sound really baby, but it’s a bug thing for an afs student to be able to do that because usually the parent don’t allow alcohol or parties. So it’s a good thing and I’ll be grateful and itll be just a lil shindig with some friends.
That’s probably long enough for today… :)

The 5 month mark

Today is my 5 month anniversary here. I tried to make a list of the stuff I've done, places I've been, things I've seen and lessons I've learnt. But it wasn't as easy as I thought. Because there is so much that I have experienced so far. From -20 degree mornings waiting for a yellow school bus to learning that the only time I waste is thinking I'm alone.

I've always known the importance of friendship but now I understand it. I can truly appreciate my freinds and family. It's a little like the saying you don't know what you've got until you've lost it. Except I never lost it. I was simply 'distanced' from it.

I've learnt so much from teh first 5 months and I still have so many more opportunities in the next 5 months. My level of french should keep improving, the situation with my host family is always getting better, I'm still making freinds, and I've got lots of travel coming up, including going to Quebec on my own for the ice festival, going to Toronto with AFS and a trip to Boston with school.

:)

An update

I haven't put photos up here for a while so I thought I would give y'all an update My really good freinds here....Johanie, Silvia and Caroline
The dog all dressed up for his walk. Usually he weras boots aswell but I'm laughing to much to take a photo
Stoneham. The mountain where I go snowboarding every Saturday. This isn't all of it. I would need a panoramic camera to show you all. It is truly amazing there 

Day 152 in Quebec

I haven’t really been busy. So I don’t have an excuse to not blogging. The weather has been much the same, always under 0 and a little snow every now and then. The weather for snowboarding is amazing. Not much wind (only on the chairlifts, but they have a cute little wind shelter lol) it was -17 last Saturday. Snowboarding is still fun, but I would prefer it if I could actually snowboard rather than attempting to, but failing and falling on my ass too many times. Maybe next Saturday. School is boring. We have lots of exams because its the end of term on Friday, but yet again no rewarding 2 week holiday, just another weekend. Last Saturday after snowboarding I went to a friends house for dvds. She invited a few of her very good looking cousins so it was a good night. Watched some very strange Quebecois dvds, I have no idea if they are in New Zealand but I’m defiantly bringing them back with me to show you guys. Next Saturday my host parents are having a family dinner, so it will be loud, and very Quebecois. I’ve promised to bake a cake if it means I can go to bed early because I know ill be tired form my attempt at snowboarding.
Coming up to the five months is a little scary (Thursday) but what is scarier, is that the 30th is my half way point. So next Tuesday will mean that I made it to my half way mark. Ill celebrate when I get there.

The coldest day in January...so far

Today is the coldest day we have had so far in January. Last night it was –30 and today at school it is -22. Tomorrow it is forecast to be -30 during the day. Hence why today is the coldest day…so far. I don’t mind the cold. It’s just when I look out the window it’s a brilliant blue sky and amazing sunshine, then I look down and see everything snow-covered, remembering that while, inside, I wear tee-shirt and jeans, outside it’s a mild *cough* freeze your ass off*cough* -22. Some very weird little kids were rolling around in the snow before in shorts and tee-shirts.

So the cold is different. And another big difference…I’m getting better at school.
I got a bit of a shock with 92% in math class (seeing as the average was 78%), a 79% in history and a whooping 80% in French (where as before the teacher gave me no mark as he preferred to avoid reading the grammatical horrors in my essays). So maybe I got some special lucky charm going on with the snow.
Going to play ice hockey Friday night, snowboarding Saturday and I’m going to have a go at curling *quiet giggle* Sunday. So I think I’m taking the opportunities to indulge in winter sports.

i heart winter sports

I had a pretty busy weekend, but it was sooooo much fun.
Friday night I went to the mall after school, so shopping is always good. Then we went to a party that was pretty average, but still a party.

Saturday was the best day. I went snowboarding in Quebec. I live about 2 hours form Quebec city so it was an early start (6.30am). The mountains are soo beautiful there. There was heaps more snow there than in Drummondville so that was cool. The ski fields are different to the ones in New Zealand. Ill get some photos up here later. Its like a mountain covered in trees except they cut down the trees in about 5 lines to make up the ski runs, but there are some parts you can ski between the trees (experienced skiers of course). There are runs specific for snowboarders (like the snow park) and runs just for skiers (cos they don’t like the boarders). But as it was only my 2nd time snowboarding I just stuck to the easy runs. I was pretty good for a beginner. Didn’t fall unless I tried something stupid (like spinning around or jumping). I’ve got heaps of photos ill try and get up here soon.

After snowboarding I went to an ice hockey game with some friends. It was the cOoLeSt ThInG eVeR!!! I was sitting right up next to the plastic thingy to sop the puck (or the players) coming into the stands. There were so many fights, and the players were always smashing up against the plastic in front of us. I am in love with ice hockey now. Lol. They even had the funny little truck that comes on between periods to clean the ice. Oh and the funny mascot that kept dancing and being stupid. Unfortunately our team lost but it was still a good game.
Sunday morning I was hurting so bad from snowboarding, plus Genevieve and the little kids were there so I woke up at 7.30 (not good seeing as id gone to bed well past midnight). They left midday-ish, and I was going to have a lil nap…..but then Nick and the little 1 year old came, and I was home alone, so I couldn’t take my much needed siesta. So instead I did the geekiest thing and went to bed at 7.30 on a Sunday night (I know its sad but now I’m awake for a Monday morning).

The Day I Met A Skunk

I saw a skunk. A real live moving breathing skunking skunk! But I was inside and it was outside, so i didnt have to smell it. All that matters though is that I saw a skunk. Its one more animal i can add to my ive-seen-that-animal list.

What do Jerry Springer and Tyra Banks have in common...?

...Day time television shows.

Sorry I havent blogged in a while, I've have been far too busy wasting time wacthing 'The Price is Right'.

It's the end of the holidays and im going back to school on Tuesday. I've spent the holidays shopping, watching day time television and hanging round with friends. For New Years I went to a friends farm and stayed there for a few days. I got to meet heaps of her family (including very good looking cousins), go ice skating at 2am, play ice hockey and, well in new years tradition, drink alot. There were 4 of us from school and then the family of my friend. Her mum is english canadian so I got to talk to her a bit in english, which was a good vacation. We watched lots of movies, ice skated lots, and invented crazy vodka mixes (i really mean crazy...like ketchup, mustard and vodka, but we were at the point where you dont care what your drinking as long as its alcoholic so it was ok). It was an awesome few days, and silvia and i got our chance at getting a quebecois boyfriend.

Being New Years and all i decided be one of the thousands of women who set a goal to lose weight (but my goal is to be healthier and hope like hell i shed the undisclosed amount of kilos ive gained since being here) .

Hope everyone in nz had a good new years and (i know its a tad late) but best wishes for 2007. especially onslow peeps starting uni or doing whatever this year, life will never be as easy as onslow was. lmao