The Extreme Cold, My Endless Search for Boots and Misunderstandings

Yet again it’s been quite a long time since my last post (I guess I am both uninspired and lazy?). Since this morning, I have been trying desperately to escape any reason that would have me go outside. It is minus 9 degrees…and with the windshield it feels like minus 15. Although I am born Canadian, and you would think that I should be accustomed to weather like such, unfortunately this is not true for me.

What makes it worse is that this winter I have no boots! Ok…I do have 2 pair of boots, but they are not AT ALL equipped for the winter (they have heels, are not water proof, and so on). I desperately need new ones, and it’s not because I’m just striving to get an addition to my shoe/boot collection. The pair I used from last year cannot be used…the zipper does not work! It’s been a while since I have been a while since I have been on my search for boots. But this year…I don’t seem to find any that I really love…well either that or they are extremely pricy. To that one person who has been accompanying me on my endless search…thank you! I am truly hoping I am able of finding a pair soon!

Anyway, as mentioned in the title, I wanted to address the issue of misunderstandings. I have recently noticed how mere misunderstandings or miscommunications can lead to many issues. What starts out to be a small matter, increases to become a more serious issue as time passes and misunderstandings persist. For the sake of the committees I am talking about, I dearly hope we find a solution to fix this predicament we are having.

Well, I’ve been listening to the Edge lately, here’s a change of song for this blog. “Californication” by the Red Hot Chilly Peppers.

Swoon

His friend said: "So where did you guys meet?"
We replied: "It's a long story..."

Although this was never my idea of a perfect romance, you ought to know that you make me swoon...

Feel Our Way Through

Bones break.
Organs burst.
Flesh tears.

We can sew flesh.
Repair the damage.
Ease the pain.

but when life breaks down.
When we break down.

There is no science,
no hard and fast rules

We just have to feel
our way through..

-Grey's Anatomy

GE Commercial

I saw this commercial over the summer when the Olympics were on and i loved it. I thought it was such cute commercial, and I still think so.

So here it is, for the few people who read this blog.

The song playing is entitled "In Summer" by Cao Fang.

Anyway i really should start studying!

It's Been A While...

So it’s been quite a long time since I wrote something. It’s not that I’m forgetting about this blog, au contraire its mixture of me being too busy, or me not having anything to say lately. Well I can say one thing actually. Some things happen when you least expected it. I’ll leave to that.

Since the last time I wrote, summer came to an end (unfortunately) and now it’s time for school yet again. I do not like school. But I love learning, it’s just I hate having, tests, labs, exams…and the list goes on. But similar to last year, I’m hoping I will learn far more than the scopes of my majors, perhaps learn more about myself?

Anyway, I wanted to talk about this band Stars in this post. The song playing right now is actually one of theirs. I really LOVE this band. On Tuesday they are actually performing at the University I attend. It’s a free concert (which is presently a great scenario since I’m low on cash these days) and it’s Stars. I must say…I’m quite excited!

Well, I’m going to stop blabbing about nonsense. Hopefully sometime soon I’ll start writing posts that are better than this one…

Planning Life

“What are you planning on doing this summer?”
“What are you planning on doing after you’re done you’re undergrad degree?”

These are questions many university students such as I get quite often. Later on in my life perhaps I’ll get questions like such

“Where are thinking of living?”

…and maybe even one day..

“When are you both planning on having kids?”

We like to plan. If plan A doesn’t work, well there’s plan B and so on. Not all plans turn out the way we want it though. I find sometimes when things don’t work out, that’s maybe what keeps us bitter. When things end or when things don’t work out, it’s upsetting to think about how our plans failed.

Yet I can guarantee you that it’s almost inevitable for us to go back to planning yet again afterward. (I know some people are not like this…maybe a lot of people are not like this actually)

Ok so sometimes plans do work. I just want to raise in this post that sometimes they don’t work and when that comes to our realization it hits us hard.

If I look at my life, well I was ripped of someone so early and there went all my plans. The things I had planned on asking help, advice, it all went crashing down that early morning. At that moment I loss a role model, so many “clichés” that life was supposed to assign me and so so much more...

Even friendships and relationships, we plan an ideal in our minds and it sometimes it doesn’t turn out the way we want it. Friends may back stab, you may hurt a friend or make a mistake that ends a relationship, someone might not feel the same way about you, etc.

Actually, I was just watching an Indian movie where two people’s plans of being together, getting married, having a family is all halted and shattered. Why? …Well the man had a terminal heart condition. He was dying…and eventually dies at the end.

Why is it then that we keep planning? Maybe we plan to be safe, in terms of career paths, financial planning, etc. Planning like such I can understand.

But what boggles my mind is how we keep planning the different facets of our lives when we keep getting disappointed. I wonder if there’s a social psychology theory that would explain why individuals have a need to plan. I’m still searching.

Memories: The Difference Between You and I

What defines us each as individuals? In my summer class, my professor had said memories are what defined a person. I find that her statement bares certain truth. Our experiences and how we remember them are what separates from us all from each other.

As I was reading today, for my test (which I have an incredible amount more to do and should be doing instead of this), I realized life without memory almost strips a person of his or her identity. As many people often complain about past problems and loath the fact that they remember them, those remembered words, situations, settings and emotions are forever part of who we are today. Of course, good memories well we all like to keep, such as realxing and fun trips, great and unforgetable encounters, unexpected perfect kisses, etc.

As a person who has lost people of great importance in the past. I can tell you that memories become treasures. However, the ability to keep memories to a certain degree or form new ones should actually be a treasure for everyone.

Not remembering the past means not knowing who you are. Not being able to remember current events, in others words not being able to form new memories allocate you nothing but to be stuck in time. You have no future, no past, you live only in the present and the second your attention shifts; you are in a new present. This is actually the case of a man who after suffering from an infection that damaged his brain, specifically parts of the temporal lobe and the hippocampal area (I’m not sure, but it’s what I believe remembering after watching this movie in class).

He would write in his diary. When a family member or a caretaker would take the diary and read it, all you would see is: “I am now for the first time fully conscious”, written many times and scribbled over. He was unable to form new declarative memories.

It is true that experiences shape who we are as person. Nevertheless, we should not neglect the fact that the way we remember these experiences plays a great role as well. You and I can live and even go through some same sets of events. Yet, we each might remember the events differently and allocate a different meaning to these remembered memories.

Random interesting fact about memories:
People usually remember music, movies, politicians and almost everything else from their adolescence and young adulthood better than they remember similar items from later in life. Events from ages 10 to 30 are sometimes called the "autobiographical memory bump". (Berntsen & Rubin, 2002)

Definitely, Maybe

As a girl, it is almost inevitable that I enjoy my good share of romantic comedies, or little romantic dramas (I know some girls don’t at all…this is why I said almost inevitable). However, for me there is one movie that stands out. In fact this movie has enough potential to perhaps be one of my favourites of all time. The movie is “Definitely, Maybe”.

It caught my eye and actually touched me. It’s one of those movies that you enjoy watching, but also keeps you thinking when it’s done. In other words, when you’re done watching, you can sit there and stare at the credits, listening to the music while lightly pondering. Yet, I am aware that this might be my sole reaction to this movie. For others this movie might not have such high standing.

“Definitely, Maybe” is about a man named Will who is in the middle of a divorce. His daughter wanted to know the story about how he and her mom met. Reluctant at first, he finally decides to tell her the story but doesn’t tell her who her mother is. His daughter will have to figure out who her mother is between three contestants.

I think the reason why I love this movie so much is that depicts us what “life” really is. Will has his good moments, of success, love, happiness. He also gets his share of terrible moments of heartbreak, joblessness, etc. It has a more realistic view on love and life. It’s not the typical fairy-tale story of a man and woman falling in love, getting married, having a family and living happily ever after. Although the movie still has you gripped on this concept of the love, true love. How people who are meant to be together, end up together. In real life, who knows if that is true though?

“Stop trying to find the real thing, it finds you.” This is what one of the girls in the movie tells Will about true love. I found what she said was so cute and in my opinion to be the truth. Maybe not love, but sudden flings sometimes happen when you least expect it, right?

Anyway, I’ll stop there. I might start quoting more of the movie and someone is telling me I’m quoting people too much lately. He knows who he is and he is right perhaps.

Text Messaging

I realized last week, while waiting for my summer class to start that I hadn’t deleted any of my text messages yet. I got my new phone around November, therefore my inbox contains messages that I have received this past 9 months.

I was going to through almost of them and it suddenly occurred to me how my life had changed during these past 9 months. For any other individual, these short messages I had received from friends would bare no meaning. However for me, some of those specific texts can send me into nostalgic thoughts.

I sat there in class, realizing how for me these text messages can be timeline. Some of those messages could represent the end, the beginning or the turning point of my life’s thoughts, dramas, etc. Meaning that shortly after these messages, there was a change in my life’s dynamics.

I wonder how much longer or how many more messages I will receive before I need to start deleting my old ones?

Timing

“Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over.” - Gloria Naylor

C'est La Vie - Part II

It is 4:18 in the morning right now. I came back home yesterday and I am still so very clearly jetlagged. My trip back home went well. Similar to the airplane ride to Mauritius I met some interesting people. Amongst, a psychiatrist, a lady going to Toronto to meet family she had just tracked down and a man who travels a lot due to business.

Anyway unlike my last trip I occupied myself with a lot of movies (far more than the trip there). I was entertained by the following: Enchanted; Penelope; Definitely, Maybe; I Could Never Be Your Woman, and The Other Boleyn Girl. The rest of my flight was filled with conversation and magazine reading.

In the first movies 4 movies I watched (all mentioned above at the exclusion of The Other Boleyn Girl). There seemed to be a recurring theme… a brilliantly elaborated happy ending. It seemed to be that no matter the circumstances, people who were meant to be together would certainly cross paths once more. Moreover the couples always accepted each other for the good and bad. They also completely forgave and forgot the other’s faux pas.

But is life really like that? Do events actually happen for a reason? I am aware my questions can’t be answered with absolute accuracy. However, I just had an urge to ask them. It encouraged me to ponder and reflect on my life. If it seems that the famous quote: “everything happens for a reason” is true, then my life predicaments, my life’s prospects, my life’s ill fate or the people who embellish my life… What is their sole purpose? Again, I realize that these are once more questions that can perhaps only be asked, not answered.

I wonder… my life… I am destined for unlucky romances or a lifelong successful relationship? I guess time will tell. It is corny to say, but those movies made me question, “If there is that one person that maybe I’m meant to be with…where will I meet him, or have I already met him?”

In terms of past heart predicaments, I have realized I sometimes have a problem with forgiveness. It takes time for me. I need time to let go of what happened in most cases. Nevertheless, I always make sure I do my best to let go. There is this one quote of Catherine Ponder, where she says: “When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.”

I have always been an advocate of that quote, even before I knew its existence. In times when a really good friend of mine was at his emotional lows, I always tried to explain how complete forgiveness was the key. I could never find the right words to explain. He says he is finally ok now. To be honest, I’m not sure if I believe him…actually no, I bare no opinion. For his sake I hope he is free from the past pain that was gripping him so hardly.

However, I shouldn’t be too quick to talk. There is another quote of Thomas H. Szaz, he says: “The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget”. I don’t forget. Is that truly wise though? What if you restrain yourself from something you really want one day because you can’t forget the past? Because you’re scare things will repeat itself. Not forgetting may make you become more prudent, but perhaps at the expense of daring to fulfill one’s true desires.

Wait! Recap: Mauritius Day 32, 33 and 34

As you few people who do read this blog, you might have realized I haven’t been posting in a while. I had been planning to, but these last weeks at Mauritius have been far to overwhelming in terms of schedule. Here is my own little recap of my last memories on this little paradise island.

Mauritius Day 31: I went shopping and bought some Birkenstocks! We ate Niuk Yen for lunch; I’m going to miss those! During the evening, it was my birthday dinner. It was nice to see the family all together. I invited the Canadians, one of my best friends, her cousin and other Mauritian friend. They provided with good company as well. After the dinner we went to this little pub situated at Caudan.

Mauritius Day 32: My best friend and I woke up quite late. It was a peaceful morning. We quietly ate our breakfast and conversed (trying to use up the little time we have to the fullest). After her dentist appointment, my aunt came to pick us up and bring us to the beach. Our beach time was short but still worthwhile. I was introduce to “A Fine Frenzy” (the song currently playing is by that artist) by my best friend. I really love their lyrics, I will have to post about them soon…

Mauritius Day 33: Summed up…it was my last visits before I leave. In one day I was able to see around 8 families. I also picked up my last gifts to bring back to Canada. I also visited Domaine Anna. The scenery was astounding…and I also got to play with a pet monkey!

And it brings us to today…

…Mauritius Day 34, which could also be entitled my last day. I woke up extremely late, sine I went to sleep well this morning (around 6 in morning actually). I was kept up by my fall and winter course enrollment, msn conversation, changing my blog look (which might be morphed again when I get back to my home country, I’m not sure if I like it yet).

5 weeks have gone by so fast. I have gotten used to this little island and now I have to leave. But it is time, I’m going to be really busy right when I come back with summer school, my new hospital placement for volunteering, and perhaps a summer job.

What will I miss here? Well here’s my list so far: Niuk Yen, the beaches, the dogs (pets), marlin, frequent (ish) weddings (If was in Mauritius, attending weddings would be more often…), Shopping (some things are cheaper in Mauritius!) and most of all my dearest family…

Mauritius Day 29 and Day 30: Hiking, Clubbing and The Airport

I was told I was going on a boat which would also include some time on the beach. Therefore, I wore what one would call “beach wear”…flip flops, bathing suit, etc. However, it turns out that the boat brought us (Canadian friends, their family, these cute British doctors and I) to a small island called “Île aux Aigrettes”. There was so beach activity. Instead we had to hike and learn about the original organisms that once roamed, are endangered and are currently living in Mauritius. It was really interesting! An example is that there some plants (which I can’t remember the name) that have completely different leaves when they are younger and older. You would think it is two different plants. However, it was horrible hiking with flip flops and shorts. The Canadian friends and I got a lot of mosquito bites. It was near the end of the trip that we were informed that the British doctors had mosquito repellent.

The British Doctors: “They’re good looking, they’re doctors and they have the British accent…I’m so jealous”. This is how one of my Canadian friends described them. I thought it was hilarious but simultaneously true (minus the jealous part).

That night I went clubbing with my cousins, future cousins and the Canadian friends. There is a reason why Day 29 and Day 30 are combined (as you will see later). It was really fun! I was gone after a few beverages and had a really good time. The atmosphere was nice and the music was ok as well. By coincidence, I saw my good friend (back home)’s cousin who’s from Montreal. He bought me a drink and we had a talk. My thoughts:…well too bad he’s in Montreal…(I’m half-kidding).

After my clubbing adventure, I decided to not sleep and go pick up one of my best friends arriving at the airport (accompany her cousin). The effects of the beverages were gone by then. Her flight was delayed. We waited and waited and I fell asleep for about 2 hours on a bench. My shoulder hurt quite a bit as I woke up from that nap.

I got home and could not stay awake anymore. I had a horrible head ache and fell asleep quickly.

4 hours later…

My newly arriving friend came back to my (temporary number 1) house. We talked and talked and watched the movie “My Blueberry Nights” (the one I had bought)…I will comment it on it later on, the movie had some very meaningful quotes.

Mauritius Day 28: Final Bank Trip, Hang Out and Allergy Attack

Today:

- Final Bank Trip: Bank Trips are finally over. A joint account was opened and everything that needed to be taken care of has been settled.

- Hang Out: One of my friends met me at my aunt's and uncle's boutique. We went to eat some KFC (it's really good in Mauritius...seriously) and i met his friend he always kept talking about. My Canadian friends came to join us shortly after. We did some shopping (I didn't buy much, I bought a movie..."My Blueberry Nights"). When were done, the guys wanted to play badminton (they wanted some exercise maybe?... I can't remember) and the others played chess. Canadians won both! I was proud.

- Allergy Attack: After a delicious and huge dinner at the restaurant "Canton" i followed my Canadian friends to their aunt's house. They were going to be picked up there, to go back home. They live near me and they were my only ride back. Anyway I watched television with the Canadians. We enjoyed this French comedy show "Un Gars, Une Fille", that episode was actually funny and this soccer anime show (which was so incredibly unrealistic, but still entertaining I must admit). I was having a good time, until suddenly my eyes started tearing. That worsened to puffy eyes and never ending rounds of sneezing. My condition deteriorated more and more, until I had to go outside. I wonder what was in that house…

Mauritius Day 27: Pictures and Packing Contemplation

I went to see my mom’s cousins this afternoon. It was a nice and pleasant visit. I was greeted very well. I was shown old pictures and new ones as well. It was nice to see how everyone (my mom, aunts, uncles, their cousins, etc...) looked like back in the days. To laugh at their hair…or perhaps to really like the outfit they were wearing. My mom’s cousin kept on showing me pictures of this guy from la Réunion, she thought we would go well together. I thought it was funny. Along with the pictures I drank some good tea and watched French music videos playing on the television.

I heard some interesting stories. Apparently this lady that lived a in the same city (I guess…or town rather), her and her husband was in this mafia gang. Their house got searched and they were caught with Heroine. Anyway the man put all the charges on him and is now locked away. In fact, it was for his own good, they say that he was wanted dead if he walked the streets.

Later tonight I was presented with the first batch of things to bring with me back to Canada. I really should start packing soon!

Mauritius Day 26: The Beach, Dogs, Ants, Birds...Relaxing and Fun

I woke up to sunlight this morning. Thank Goodness! I was able to head to the beach with my uncle, aunt and two friends from Canada. It was great! We lied on the beach, soaking the sun (just as I had wanted to) and we took a dip into the water as well.

The reason for which I mention the animals in my title, is because we had close encounters with nature (with those animals in particular). There were ants, but it actually didn’t bother me (I actually really don’t like bugs usually). The two guys were actually finding it fascinating how these little creatures were carrying big things. I eventually joined them and watch those little insects for a little while.

We tanned, which felt…well very pleasant. You could feel the heat as your skin was slowly getting warmer and warmer. One of the two friends (they’re brothers actually) was showing me some card tricks. He was pretty good. Unfortunately for one of them I was lying down and I saw what the “trick” was.

Stray dogs were coming so close when we had food. So close at times, it seemed they were our pets. Luckily we were able to push them away. In fact, the animals on the beach did not seem to be frightened of us. The birds would fly so close and would literally stare back at you if you were looking at them closely.

Either way, my day at the beach was very if not extremely relaxing and fun…

Mauritius Day 25: The Rain and New (ish) Hair Colour

I was so excited to head to the beach today. I really wanted to be able to lie on the sand, relax and soak up the sun. That plan was shattered by the rain that accompanied the coming of morning. We did not go the beach.

On the other hand, to not waste a day (since I don’t have so many left), I got my hair done. I wanted to change the colour and do something drastic. So…I bleached my hair and dyed it a light brown, nearly blond colour. I also had to change my eye brow colour as well. …I’m kidding! I am not brave enough to try that, I don’t think it would look good as well…(ok I know, jokes are not one of my strengths).

I just got some brown and some red added to my hair. There was not that much added, my hair is relatively still dark and black…but with a few lighter spots.

C'est La Vie - Part I

I wanted to take a break from my usual diary like Mauritius posts and go back to my random “from the heart” posts. I don’t think I actually have anything of worthy content to explain or elaborate on…but I just feel like talking…well writing actually at this moment. Essentially I have realized that I am a person who really loves to do something when I feel like it. I get more satisfaction from the done deed when the root of it…was due to my want, my desire to do it. So at 12 (something) AM, I’m sitting here in the dark and I wish to write a post.

Earlier this evening, I was talking to a good friend of min. She was telling the latest news of her drama. I’m bringing her up because I realized how I love how even though I don’t see her often, whenever we see each other or get to talk, we can just almost (it seems) go back to where we left off. It made me recognize that in fact I’m really pleased with the friends I have. You all know who you are…and I’m so grateful to be able to share my drama, my aspirations for the future, my fears, my good moments and my bad ones.

Good moments, and bad moments…life seems to be combination of both. In the past almost (in 15 days!) 19 years, I have come to truly believe that. I have had good moments in my life and also terrible ones. But when I come to reflect on my life, sometimes I don’t even know what to think about it or what to make of it. In this whirlwind or thought, I then recognize that perhaps my life is my own, my story…I guess it’s the one thing I’m absolutely sure no one will have, except for myself.

Many people have often asked me, how did I go on with life when probably one of the worst things happened to me. Some seem to think I’m strong emotionally …but in reality I’m probably one of the weakest persons I know. I am quite emotional…I have my “episodes” once in a while…I feel bad very easily and I tear up when I watch movies that are sad, unfair and touching.

So I went on with life. It’s what people who cared for me and who loved me would have wanted me to do. Besides, I believe life is a somewhat of a game…just not a game that is fair. We are not all given the same things, but there is nothing we can do about it. You do with what you have, what you are given and you live how you want and how you can.

Along the way, you meet people to stay in your life for a long time or who will just be a person you will converse with once and probably don’t even remember right now. Either way I believe that everyone you meet impacts you somehow. Those people whom you do not remember right now…well back then they were the subject of conversation you had with your friend while telling them about your day or they might have generated a thought in your head while you had been conversing with them (if that makes sense at all…). As for the ones who stay in your life for a long time, well they are there to enjoy the smooth road with you and help you with the bumpy ones.

As you might have notice, this post is entitled to be “Part I”, of perhaps a series I have decided to start called “C’est La Vie” (for those who don’t speak English it means It’s life), I have figure I will surely have most posts that will have for subject…life.

Mauritius Day 24: Driver, Sunglasses and Abercrombie Polos

My cousin’s driver drove me to Port-Louis today. It was cool to have someone drive you where ever you needed to go. An example would be that I had to drop my bag somewhere before my actual destination, and he gladly brought me there.

I spent the rest of my day with some friends (who are also Canadian and on vacation) and their aunt. We went to eat lunch at this little restaurant. I really liked the Niuk Yien we had. That is unquestionably food I am going to miss. Niuk Yien in Mauritius tastes so much better than in Canada.

Afterward, we walked the streets of Port Louis and also visited Caudan.At Caudan there is this jewellery store that is home to the nicest watch. (However) It costs around 9000 somethins ruppees, which would be around 333 and something dollars...Along the way, I decided to get these sunglasses (converted they were $4…so even if I don’t like them later…it doesn’t matter right?). We also got some Abercrombie polos (well my friends got them for themselves and I for my brother).

Maybe I’ll use those sunglasses for the beach tomorrow…

Mauritius Day 23: Horrible Morning, Sight Seeing and Night At My Cousin's

If you read my last post, I believe you would know why today would be a horrible morning. I had another queasiness adventure and I was extremely tired. I was awoken by the loud sound that my uncle was making while mowing the lawn. I wish I could have slept some more…but after that awakening I could not fall back asleep.

I spent the rest of the day sight seeing. Looking at waterfalls, mountains, trees, forests….etc. The view was gorgeous and the fresh air was very pleasant as well.

Dinner and the night was spent at my cousin’s house. His daughters are adorable. I enjoyed being able to catch up with my cousin’s niece. We were both flower girls for his wedding 8 years ago…

Mauritius Day 22: The Wedding and Too Many Drinks

I wasn’t able to get my hair done the way I had wanted it. But it was not the end of the world. I had it up in way that I was content with. My cousin’s girlfriend on the other hand, Korean Girl, completely took out what was done to her hair and washed it. She informed me that she ressembled something like a mixture of a lion and a mountain.

The hair dressers put rollers in my hair and I had to sit under that heated cask…It was not a pleasant experience. I was feeling really hot and every time I would move lower to escape the heat a little bit, the hair dresser would quickly readjust it so it was right on top of my hair. When she took the rollers out, I was astonished. I literally had a little afro. However, after some mild hair brushing it turned wavier rather then intensely curly.

The wedding was a lot of fun. It was little awkward for me at the beginning since, I didn’t know many people and I had no idea where to go…I was lost. But as the night unfolded I loosened up a bit and hung out with my cousins. One thing that I realized that night, is that the wedding was being filmed. On the dance floor when you are singing per say and you make a mistake…what if the camera caught that? (just a random thought)

As said in the title, I drank quite a bit too much. The drinks were free….so yeah. My dress and my shoes both have spilled drinks on them. I’m happy and grateful that the cousins were there to help me. Nevertheless, my queasiness adventure was not very pleasant.

Mauritius Day 21: Indiana Jones Movie, Canadian Friends and 8 Pounds

I got a facial this morning, it was nice and relaxing. I actually fell asleep and when I woke up my face felt all weird, because I could now feel the dried mask on my face (I didn’t feel it when I was asleep..). I met up with an old friend soon after and we went to go watch the new movie of the Indiana Jones series. It actually didn’t even seem weird watching it in French, since I’m getting used to this surrounding French media. I’m even get used to walking in Port-Louis…meaning I know how to cross the streets more without putting my life in peril and I’m getting accustomed to the uneven pavement.

I got to see a friend and his brother today. He is Mauritian but lives in Canada…like me. It was nice being able to talk English and to not have to pay attention to the speed at which I’m conversing. Usually, I talk too fast when I’m speaking to my Mauritian family and friends.

Well I predicted correctly in my previous posts. I gained 8 pounds already…

Random interesting fact (well I think it is): York University is planning on opening it’s med school in 2012…I didn’t know it was that early.

Mauritius Day 20: La Foire Quatre-Bornes, Cheap Manicure and Eye Brow Threading and Who Is Remy Ollier?

I was hit with a sudden allergy attack last night. My eyes were all red and small (as if they are not small enough…) and my nose was such a bother. I left my room and decided to sleep downstairs on the sofa. It was really comfortable actually and my allergies calmed down.

I woke up to the sound of rain. It was horrible weather for a day where my transportation was that of walking and the bus. However, it actually was not as bad as I had thought it would have been. I shared an umbrella with my aunt. The wait for the bus took a while…there were so many buses that came by…but it was only after the 5th, that the bus my aunt and I had to take had finally arrived.

La Foire de Quatre-Bornes was great. It was yet another successful day of shopping! But since it was raining, some areas were a little muddy…which I did not enjoy so much.

Manicures are pretty cheap in Mauritius. They cost 150 rupees, which is around $ 5.56. I got a French manicure. It wasn’t the best I have seen but still not that bad. I also got my eye brows threaded and it cost only 25 rupees! converted that makes $0.93...which is amazing.

On the way back home, I was looking out the window during the car ride. I realized that there was a statue of this man named Remy Ollier. Yesterday when I was walking in the city I also realized that there was a street named after him (the reason why that street name caught my attention is because I have a friend who is named Remy). Since today I also found that there was a statue of this man, I became really curious to find out who he was. After dinner, after finding nothing to watch on tv and being bored…I went on google. There is not that much information on him. This is all I found:

- Remy Ollier was a Mauritian journalist, patriot and political reformer.

- In the 1840s Remy Ollier, leader of the ‘coloured’, rejects the idea as a ploy to close anew the Royal ollege to Mauritian ‘non-whites’.

Mauritius Day 19: Conversation With A Librarian, My French, Wedding Dress and Getting In Touch With An Old Friend

I had actually started writing this post this afternoon (at the time noted at the bottom actually) and I was almost done. My post publishing came to a sudden halt when the street loss power…the computer shut down. I was writing my post on a word document since the internet was being difficult. I lost everything. Anyway I’ll just restart…

When I have nothing planed for the day, or rather when my family has nothing planed for me, I spend the day in my uncle’s boutique and then perhaps go out for lunch, etc. However, today I decided to take a walk in the city of Port Louis. I figured that either way if I got lost I would just call my aunt and she could come and find me. I enjoyed my solo walk and I bought myself a Chinese lantern from this little boutique. I plan on putting in my room when I come back to Canada.

I kept walking and then I stopped at this tiny library. It caught my attention because it contained old books, comics, magazines, etc. I wanted to take a look at them. Nevertheless, I actually ended up talking to the librarian instead. He was telling about how the Chinese culture in Mauritius is disappearing. Most “Sino-Mauriciens”, meaning Chinese Mauritians have left the country. I was informed that I was walking in the China Town part of Port Louis. Many years ago it was populated by almost all Chinese. At the present this is not the case at all.

He invited to his house which was behind the library and I went. We conversed about the youth of Mauritius and he actually showed me pictures of his kids and his wife (when I think about it now...that was quite random). I have actually realized that there are some people around my age that I don’t perfectly get along with. Our perspectives, our way of thought…it’s far too different. In parallel with what we were discussing, the librarian told me the story of his nephew that had been living with him for a while.

The boy’s mother had gone to South Africa and she met a man. They had quickly wed and the boy was born shortly after. Unfortunately the marriage did not last. Furthermore it did not end on good terms. Eventually, the woman and the boy fled back to Mauritius. Back in her home country, the woman had found love once more. She married for the second time. Regrettably again, it ended in a bitter divorce. The boy was affected by all of that drama. To make matters worst, his mother doesn’t take care of him. He lived from uncle to aunt…moved around. Lately he got kicked out of school and they actually don’t know where he is. His mother is also not searching for him.

Since my stay in Mauritius, my French has changed. My family’s television has satellite that receives French channels from France. My accent has slowly morphed into the accent that resembles what I hear on tv. When I come back home, it will surely change back, I usually tend to imitate what I hear around me.

So for Saturday’s Wedding, I am not wearing my prom dress. My uncle and my aunts like my grad dress more, which is shorter and simpler. I decided to listen to them. It’s actually better for me, since I can do something more chic with my hair without looking overdressed.

This evening was quite exciting. I was able to get in touch with an old friend of mine. I hadn’t heard from him in a long time. My last trip to Mauritius I went out with him and his cousins a couple of times. I hope to see him soon.

I just realized this post has a very long title…

Mauritius Day 18: Movies, Pencil, Eraser, Ruler and Paper

Peaceful and quiet are the words that I would use to describe today. I did absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. I was able to keep myself occupied with movies, a pencil, an eraser and paper. One of my best friends, who is coming to join me in Mauritius for my last 4 days is stopping in Paris, instead of London like I did. Her wait is 10 hours and she has decided she will walk around Paris. She is so lucky! I would love to see Paris! I think this is what inspired my little sketch. It’s not the greatest thing but I only had one unsharpened pencil (and I couldn’t find a sharpener), so I used it the best I could.

Mauritius Day 17: Perhaps A New Vision, Walking Beside A Speeding Bus and Some Good Wine

Before I left for Mauritius, one of my best friends had given me the advice of taking time for myself. To take time to truly ponder about life, my desires for the present, the future, etc. Unfortunately, at the core of this so called vacation, I haven’t really had time. However, I can say that I have had my little “epiphany”. This epiphany of mine gravitates in the professional and career aspect of my future. I have decided that I might try and take on a challenge that I had given up. I’m still not quite sure yet…but the key word here is “try”.

Anyway, I went to this tourist part of Mauritius. When it comes to tourism, Mauritius Island knows how to make itself welcoming. It was so beautiful! The restaurants and hotels had a touch of refined elegance but still with a tropical aura. There were these apartments for sale. Their location was brilliant…right beside the beach. Wouldn’t be great to wake up every morning to the sound of waves? However, I’m almost certain the price for those apartments is quite high as well.

I was walking with my uncle and I heard honking. I understood that I had to move to the side of the road because a vehicle was coming…and so I did. I almost had a heart attack when that vehicle came by. It was a bus. This bus was going so fast! And it drove so so close to me…I was quite startled for a moment.

In the evening…I had a dinner once more. However, for today’s dinner I enjoyed some good wine. I was also given the chance to spend some time with some other cousins. There were these two cousins that had no idea who I was, it was funny. Although they should not feel bad at all, since I wouldn’t have recognized them as my cousins if I saw them walking down the street. I guess we’re even? One of them is actually the groom of the wedding I’m attending Saturday.

I was able to change the song.

Mauritius 16: From The South to The North, Beach After Beach And More Music...

I’m very pleased and relieved that my uncle promised me that he would be bringing me to the beach once more. I left my bikini at my other uncle’s house. It was today that I actually found out that I was being brought to the beach. We literally went all the way to the south and then all the way to the north. I have some pretty nice pictures I admit. I’ll post them up on facebook when I can. I don’t think I’ll be able to put some on this blog. The internet here is too slow…

Anyway I saw the music video of this song today on the television. The artist is Etyl and the song is called “J'me fais mal” . I believe she is from France as well, but I’m not sure…

Here's the music video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iGJWRNeFF8Y

I would change the song playing to this one...but it's not working.

Mauritius Day 15: Hair Cut, Sushi and Extremely Nice Waiters

A centimeter off and a few touches on my layers and my bangs are what consisted of my hair cut. It was done bright and early when I had just woken up. I failed to mention that my mom’s old neighbour’s daughter is an esthetician and she has her own salon beside the house. The work on my hair was done early, while her boyfriend was getting ready for our outing. He also slept over at the house.

Along, with her little niece (the little girl I referred to as the cutest girl I had even seen in my life in my previous post), we went on yet another shopping trip for me. Her father, has an O’neil store. For those who don’t know that brand, it’s similar to the style of Billabong. In fact I was informed that in Australia, Billabong is a child compared to O’neil in terms of popularity. I got these mittens (ish)…they’re the ones that have an opening for your fingers. They are really cute. Amusing how I’m purchasing winter accessories on a tropical island…

We got some sushi after that. I was…disappointed. It was expensive and the restaurant offered extremely small portions. Furthermore, it wasn’t the best sushi I had tasted. When I come back to Canada, stopping at an All You Can Eat restaurant will be a must!

Anyway, I’m going to fast-forward to my dinner, with my “big” uncle and etc…The waiters at the restaurant we dined, were beyond what I have seen before. They would not let you do anything. If you tried to pore yourself a bit of water, they would rush to your side and help you. My trip to the washroom was interesting. I asked one waiter where the restrooms were situated. He pointed them to me. However, that was not all…there were a few waiters standing in what seemed to be a line, with about a meter separating them. As I was walking towards the restrooms, they each smiled and pointed to where they were. The last one told me, the women’s one is to your right. I found this…kind of funny (If this makes so sense to you...I apologize it's a little hard to explain)

Mauritius Day 14: Pajamas, Piano, Bol Renversé and Shoe Passion

I enjoyed a day at “home” to the fullest of my capabilities. I stayed in my pajamas, which was with all honesty…fantastic. I hadn’t done that in what I feel is like ages. I found out my aunt and uncle had an old key board. I had quite an amount of time before I left to go stay at my mom’s old neighbour’s house, so I played and sang. I even made up a song…(yes when I’m bored, I write cheesy songs, maybe one day I’ll post one up…I guess for the sake of comedy?...)

For lunch, which I took at around 4:30, my aunt surprised me by making me a bol renversé. It was cute, and I really appreciated it. She remembered that I had said that I really enjoy the taste of those bol renversé and that in Canada, I don’t think they existed.

So my mom’s old neighbour’s daughter and I share the same passion…we LOVE shoes. She had the cutest pairs (flats, heels, closed toe, open toe, sandals and many many more) and I tried all them on. If I had a lot of money, I would have an open closet full of shoes!...But for now, unfortunately all I can do is dream…

Mauritius Day 13: Extremely Sore, Caudan, Some Music...

Remember how last post I mentioned I accompanied my uncle to his yoga class? Well, I had failed to mention, that before the yoga class started the instructor had urged us to perform these exercise movements…They weren’t that hard…However, this morning I was in pain. My arms and my legs were very sore. I guess the explanation for this morning’s state would be the consequences of going into a yoga class (but really an exercise class at the beginning) when I hadn’t been exercising in a long time. It is true it has not been a decade since my last attempt to keep fit, but it has been some time. The last time I felt this sore was after my first class of track and field at the beginning of my first year of university. Anyway it was quite embarrassing today. When I would go up and down stairs…well I made faces (I probably looked constipated or like I smelled something bad…but truthfully I don’t know).

I actually had a long (ish) conversation with my cousin this morning. I don’t really know him very well, because it’s been around 9 years since the last time I saw him. Anyway I realized he has a little lisp when he speaks. Yet, I think it suits him. He was informing me of the future development plans Mauritius has in mind. I must say that I will try my best to come back in 5 years to be able to see these pivotal changes.

There was a “braderie” at Caudan. I honestly had to idea what that word meant. For those who like me, have poor vocabulary, it means that there are sales. I went to see these apparently 50% to 80% sales. Unfortunately, my shopping trip did not land me with many bags in hand containing great deals. In contrast, I walked out with nothing. There were so many people, that it was so hard to find things. It was like those scenes you see on tv when the ladies are at a store and almost killing each other for that cute little top. Ok…so it wasn’t as violent as those scenes, but people were still a little pushy…

As some of the few people that read this blog might have noticed, I changed the song that is playing. The artist of the song is Christophe Maé. He sounds like a girl at times when he sings, but I like his song “Belle Demoiselle” (which the one playing). I was only able to find 30 seconds of the song, but here’s a link where you can watch the video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xcHQXYPTGw4

I think he’s from France…but anyway I keep hearing him on the radio here in Mauritius and I wanted to share. Enjoy!

Mauritius Day 12: My Heart, More Shopping and Yoga

Since this morning, my heart has been beating so fast to the point where it gives me a headache. This is the reason why I had an ECG done on me, which led to the 24 hour heart monitor right before my trip to Mauritius. It is quite irritating, because it affects my breathing as well. Actually, these “heart palpitations” have been reoccurring frequently today…

Anyway I woke up quite late and I went shopping once more. I found great jeans again on this shopping trip. These fit better than the last, they are almost a pair I would consider “my favorite/perfect jeans”. Furthermore, I found the cutest key chains and after a little round of bargaining, I was offered a reasonable price. I might have to back again sometime next week, if my prom dress doesn’t fit me properly. I have a wedding attend and I was actually planning on wearing my prom dress, but I’m not sure if it fits well anymore…

This afternoon, I had no plans. Therefore, I decided to join my uncle in for yoga class. It was interesting. I found it actually quite funny how they kept the windows and doors open. Instead of in a quiet, serene environment, our yoga class was taking place with sounds of traffic, honking, busses, etc…that could be heard. Nonetheless, I tried my best to focus on my breathing and to relax.

Tomorrow…more shopping I believe…

Mauritius Day 11: Still Sick, Street Shopping, Road Accident and Picture Posting

I’m still sick. I must say I really dislike my big runny nose right now. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll feel better after a good night sleep. Anyway, I went to some street shops today. I was actually able to bargain a bit. I am proud.

The man and I argued. He started by offering a price at 150 rupees. :
- 150 rupees
- 100
- 140
- 130 (smiling)
- 140 (he repeated)
- 130 (smiling again)
- ok 135

It wasn’t an amazing bargaining accomplishment but since it was I who did it, I consider it to be of value. Since I’m not that good at bargaining, I don’t usually bargain actually…

There was this accident today where I was walking by. Apparently this man was crossing the streets and he got hit by a car. Word around says he died. I didn’t witness the accident, but the blood was still there. Later tonight actually when I was chatting away on msn with my friend, he was telling me that apparently Mauritius holds a high record for fatal road accidents.

Pictures are finally up on Facebook. I was at my other uncle’s house and he had a card reader that was hooked to the laptop. I’m also going to add pictures to my previous posts as well as this one later if I have time.

Mauritius Day 10: Cold, "Cou Cou" and Mini Language Barrier

I think I’m sick…perhaps a cold? This is quite ridiculous though, I’m in a tropical island and I get a cold? I spent around an hour closing my eyes after lunch in the boutique since I couldn’t keep them open. I believe I might have dosed off for a little fraction of that hour, but I’m not completely certain of that. However, one thing I am sure of is that my runny nose used up a lot of tissue during that elapsed time.

Following my “nap”, I walked to a quincallerie, which belongs to my mom’s old neighbours. I talked and talked. I seem to be doing quite a lot of that in Mauritius, in addition with eating…

This afternoon before dinner, I met my cousin’s son! He is adorable and he liked me too! It’s amusing, because Mauritian Chinese people attribute me as the little boy’s aunt, because he is my cousin’s son (I think it’s only Mauritian Chinese people who do that). Therefore, they were telling him to call me “Coucou”. (which means aunt, but you say Coucou to your aunts on your dad’s side, and Yiyi or Ah yi…or I’m no sure…to the aunts on your mom’s side). However, having him calling me that made me sound so old…

I also saw my Pak pak (oldest uncle on my dad’s side) this evening. He told me I looked exactly like my dad. A lot of people are telling me that lately. Yet, it doesn’t make so much sense, because in Canada everyone tells me that I bear a striking resemblance to my mother?

He and my uncle got into a little discussion. I believe my Pak pak wanted to know my opinion, but it was hard to figure out what was going on since he was talking to my uncle in mostly Chinese. Furthermore, his wife (who is actually Chinese) was conversing with me, but she also was speaking more Chinese than Creole. I understood the important bits she was saying but for the piece that were incomprehensible…well I just nodded and smiled.

Mauritius Day 9: Window Shopping, Little Boy Tantrum and The Cutest Little Girl

I started my day by visiting old family friends of the family. But one of them (an “uncle”) is really sick. At first I didn’t recognize him, since he has loss so much weight, but afterward when I was talking to him, I could see some old resemblances.

Afterward, I went do some shopping with my mom’s old neighbour. However, it turned out to be more window shopping. At one point, we walked into a baby clothe store and there was a cute boy standing in the corner smiling at my friend (also my mother’s old neighbour’s daughter) and I. My friend went closer and he shrieked! Literally. Furthermore, he started yelling: “Awer! Awer!”. I realized he was trying to say “Aller! Aller!”, which means he was telling us to go. It was funny, because his mom came and laughed and gave him a cookie and then he was all smiling again and fine. It is either that the child is showing symptoms ressembling that of bipolar,or perhaps my friend and I are just repulsive.

We also went to visit my mom’s old neighbour’s other daughter. Who is now married and who also has the cutest little girl I have ever seen in my entire life. She showed us all her shoes, her toys and her sun glasses. So adorable! We watched tv all together and chatted on msn and webcammed with the girls' (sisters'/neighbour's daughters') brother who is in australia. On tv there was "Nouvelle Star" on, it was funny watching the french aspiring singers perform english songs, since some of them had quite the thick accent.

Oh I finally finished my book, yesterday night actually (instead of sleeping). I was good! I can’t wait to get my hands on the next one of the series. I was also looking at my Biological Psychology book (yes...I brought it..it was in case I was bored and had finished my other book), and I didn't read it. While looking at it, I was actually thinking to myself: "what did I get myself into?...Summer school..gahhh" (for those who don't know when I come back from this trip, I will be taking summer school).

I will try and post pictures up soon. Either on this blog or on facebook. I'm just having a little technological predicament at the moment.

Mauritius Day 8: More Family Visits, Lost Allergy Pills and Calender Planning

I’m actually feeling quite lazy. Therefore this post will be of a short length. Anyway, this morning I could not find my allergy pills. This is not extremely alarming, but sometimes when I eat something, turns out it contained nuts. In situations like those, having those pills would be of great help. Well I’ll keep looking.

More family visitations were done today. Amongst was a visit to my great aunt. Finally at her house I was able to see a picture of my great grand mother. I hear so much of grand-mère Sabine.

I finally got a converter and charged my Canadian phone. When I was just playing around with it I was started planning my weekends (well attempting to) and I realized there is not much time left. I have only 3 weekends left, which 2 are completely booked already.

Mauritius Day 7: Driving Skills, Indian Food and Chinese Tea

My Dad's second eldest brother came to pick me up today at noon with my aunt. Prior to the pick up I enjoyed a quiet morning (I had time to read my book, which I'm still not done reading). I realized that my orientation/direction problem might be a problem that runs in the family. My uncle would always ask my aunt: "I turn left or I turn right?"...for people who know me, this must surely remind you of a car ride with me.

They brought me shopping and I bought 2 shirts. For the rest of the day, all three of us just ate and conversed. I'm realizing that I'm having quite a dilemma in Mauritius. When I don't eat a LOT (I mean of monstrous proportions) they think I don't like the food. As much as I assure them that this is not the case and that I'm just really full from my last meal, they will not take it...Also I have come to the realization that if in one day I'm visiting 10 people, I must be prepared to drink and eat 10 times (again in huge proportions).

Anyway back to today. Before we went out for dinner, I had a fascinating conversation with my uncle about psychology. He was a teacher for the deaf and he took some psych courses. We were exchanging knowledge and I must say I found it quite interesting (I’m a loser…I find psych really exciting).

For dinner, we went to an Indian restaurant. It was really good! For desert, we went to get some ice cream. I was told it was one of the best in the country. While was eating, I got a call on my cell phone (“mobile” or “portable” in Mauritius, which I still can’t bring myself to say when I’m in a conversation)…and to my surprise it was my mom! The day ended with some good Chinese tea that my uncle and aunt brought back from china when they went on vacation.

Mauritius Day 6: More Little Notes and Some Walking

I woke up today with a note and keys beside me. My uncle and my aunt had gone to work already (each set of uncles and aunts leave me little notes in the morning...it's cute). The note indicated to me that my uncle was going to pick me up at noon to bring me to the boutique. I enjoyed my time alone. It was nice, the quiet...I could silently be lost in my thoughts...actually not that I have so much to think about. Anyway, after brunch (I guess), my uncle arrived. During the car ride I occupied myself by taking pictures of the scenery.

Today was also another quiet day, I spent some time reading in the boutique (I'm still not done the book Twilight, I'm either a slow reader or I'm not always presented with enough time...I think it's a bit of both) until my aunt brought me to another restaurant to eat lunch. Seriously, I think when I come back to Canada I will have to join a gym, or run everyday to loose the extra pounds I'm most likely going to gain.

After lunch, my other aunt and the Korean girl came to meet me and we were off to do some shopping. I'm sort of picky with clothes sometimes, however I still managed to find this Abercrombie and Finch shirt for my Brother and I. It was a lot cheaper then what I would have found in Canada, I was quite pleased.

The Korean girl departed to go to get ready for her evening classes and my aunt and I kept walking some more. We walked quite some distance in the heart of Port Louis. I was sweating...not profusely...but still sweating. I was shocked to see people walking around in long sleeved shirts and pants. I was feeling quite the heat in my t-shirt and my capris and yet they seemed to be so comfortable.

During our walk, we ran into my dad's old friend. They had gone to university together. I didn't remember his name, but he reminded me of it.

Anyway it is dinner time soon. Later I will be visiting my dad's eldest brother. The age difference is quite amusing. When this uncle was getting married, my father was 6 years old. This uncle's child, therefore my cousin, has a daughter that is only 2 years my junior. This should promise to be an interesting visit.

Mauritius Day 5: Bus Ride and Boutique Work

This morning I was awoken at around 6:30 to go to Port-Louis with my uncle. However, my uncle and my aunts then decided that maybe it was too early and that maybe the helper could come and bring me later. This did not lead to more sleep for me at all. I tried to desperately fall back asleep, but I couldn’t. I then decided to get up, shower and went on the computer. One of my best friends sent me an email and it made me laugh so much. I was quite content I was home alone at the moment, since had my uncle and aunts been home…well they would hear random laughter coming from upstairs. My laugh can be very…yeah.

Anyway the helper came soon after and we were on our way to Port-Louis. We took the bus. It was a nice trip, we conversed about life. Without doubt, I must say, that she is one the most kindhearted person I know. She genuinely loves to talk and help others. I also admire her for the sacrifices she has done in her life for her younger siblings in times when her family was stricken with poverty. Our insightful conversation came to halt when we arrived to my uncle’s work. I was left with my uncle and she left soon after.

My uncle and I went to the bank once more. Unfortunately the matters are still not resolved and we are going to see another bank again some time soon.

Following, I found myself with my mom’s good old friend (also an old neighbour). I went out for lunch with her, her husband and her daughter. I spent the rest of the day at their little boutique. I’m not sure how to explain what they sell…actually their little boutique is like a mini Home Depot. My mom’s friend had me sit on a chair behind the counter. When the boutique was busy, clients were asking me questions. The look I had on my face was that of utter confusion. Luckily, at that moment a worker would come to my rescue and aid those clients.

I finished the rest of my quiet day by taking pictures of the flowers in my aunt’s and uncle’s garden. Before dinner I tried to get the dogs to stay still to take a picture. 2 out of 3 are barely 1 year old yet, therefore making them quite hyper and full of motion. I’ll have to try another time.

Also I’m starting to realize when my own cell phone rings. …Ok rewind…I was given a phone about 2 days ago from my aunt to use in Mauritius. However I’m not used to it. When it rings, I always think it’s someone else’s, only to find out that it was mine. But, I’m recognizing it now!

Mauritius Day 4: Sleeping In, Father Almost Look Alike and Great Jeans

For the first time in Mauritius, I slept in today. As I woke up and went down the stairs I heard a knocking on the door. It was the helper, she came to iron clothes. I knew her from my last trip; she was taking care of my grandma when she was deep into the Alzheimer illness.

Following my shower and my quick breakfast, I called my cousin’s Korean girlfriend. She got my uncle or her future possible father in law, to come pick me up. In the car I couldn’t help but stare. He did not actually completely resemble my dad, but some of his features did. His hands, were almost exactly the way my dad’s looked, except his finger nails were kept shorter. He also had the same nose as well amongst the other resemblances.

Arrived at his home, I was greeted by the Korean girl and given a tour of the home. Following that we had lunch, or what would be called in Mauritius Déjeuner (Breakfast = Petit Déjeuner, Lunch = Déjeuner, Dinner = Dîner). I realized my uncle was really interested in the global warming issue. He actually had sent a letter to the health department of the country asking to stop the use of pesticides on the fruits and vegetables in the country. Unfortunately his attempt only got him another letter from them explaining that the use of pesticides was needed because the tourist needs. It was strange I couldn’t even remember the last time I properly spoke to him. It had been 8 years since we last spoke. He advised me to not reach too far into a career because I was a girl. He said guys would be intimidated by me. I didn’t know how to take that comment. I was I to let the little feminist in me come out, or let this go. I decided to smile and nod, because I have always believed that it is true that true hardcore feminists are intimidating to men, guys, etc…although this is another issue. It’s my life so we’ll see, either way I only want to have a Masters for now…possible PhD perhaps I dream for later.

I spent the rest of my day with my other uncle. The bank was big, like the one’s you see in movies. The TD Canada Trust bank I go to in Canada is the one in Hillcrest mall (which is small), so maybe this is why I think this bank is big.

We then went shopping in Rose-Hill. I got a t-shirt and a pair of jeans so far. I’m very pleased with the pair of jeans. It is so unbelievably hard for me to find jeans. I either feel too fat, or too skinny. In other words, my hips are too big for my legs, or my legs are too skinny for my hips. However, I found a pair that fit perfectly, with the minor fact that I’m clearly way to short and I need to get them cut at the bottom.

I finish this post by saying, my “a bit of weirdness” situation has increased by ten folds between this post and the last.

Mauritius Day 3: Meeting The "Big" Uncle, A Day With A Korean Girl and A Bit of Weirdness

This morning started out with a visit to my “Big” uncle. I call him that because he owns the LG Dragon Electronics in Mauritius. Well at first I went to see my older cousin. It was funny he was in a room in a tie walking around talking on his cell phone and occasionally hitting his cigarette on the tip of the window. I walked towards him and when he saw me, his face made me realize that he didn’t know I was coming to Mauritius. He has gotten older, for a split second I was considering that perhaps his expression was not due to the fact that he didn't know i was coming but more to the fact that this person was not my cousin and had no idea who i was. Thankfully, he was my cousin.

When I went to go see my uncle I felt a little intimidated. I walked into his office and he greeted me and then told me to sit. His office was really nice and very Chinese. The paintings and writing all gave a sense of little china in his office. When we walked out and I followed him to his apartment, all the workers were staring. It was quite embarrassing. We had a nice talk on medicine of our society. We compared medication; it was interesting to see the difference between Korean allergy pills and my Canadian ones.

I spent the rest of my day with my cousin’s Korean girlfriend. She was really fun and nice to hang around with. We agree a lot on style: she has chucks, she has a purse like me, etc…At around 3 in the afternoon, she asked me if I wanted to get some beer with her, and I agreed. She got 2 tall glasses (for her and I) and we sat and spoke as we drank our beer. She confessed that she used to drink beer everyday, but lately her stomach was kind of sick so she had had no beer for a month and today was her first time again. She was happy!

Now moving on the bit of weirdness…I have a friend, I know him for a very long time. Anyway he liked me apparently the last time I went to Mauritius and he got me a gift and confronted me before I left the country (I found out today, that my cousin apparently helped him pick it out). This afternoon/evening, he was asking on whether I still remember that and if I gave it away. I replied yes to the first question and no to the second. As our conversation continued he was asking me if I had a boyfriend etc…All I could think of was: “could you not think of something else to ask me and keep these questions of curiosity for later on in the conversation, not near the beginning, so it’s not too out of blew”. Either way he’s a nice guy though, a good cousin (he’s like a cousin) that I will hope to see more him as this trip unfolds.

Mauritius Day 2: Tasty Sandwich, Many Old Faces and Crazy Driving

I slept from I believe around 2 in the afternoon the day of my arrival until 12 AM. I got hungry so I went downstairs to get some food and went back to sleep again. My second awakening was at 7 o’clock. I got out of bed and my aunt and uncle were already awake. When I’m back in Canada, I usually eat leftovers for breakfast, therefore huge breakfasts as some may see it. However, it is important to note that I eat leftovers not because of my immense appetite but more because in the morning I am either in a rush or too lazy…therefore leftovers heated in the microwave seems like the best idea. Anyway my uncle and aunt had on the table ready for me, this plate full of rice, chicken and vegetables. I couldn’t finish it, the amount was to much for the size of my stomach.

Around noon, we went to Jumbo in Riche-Terre (not Riche-Lieu, my apologies cousin), to get some groceries. Since it was lunch time I was offered some more food by my aunt and uncle. I got a panini sandwich with cheese and Marlin inside. It was so good! I really loved it. As we left the grocery store, I saw my other uncle and my aunt and I was saying hi to them, I saw more family friends a few meters away. It was really funny.

After groceries, along with my uncle and my aunt I visited more family and family friends. We then returned to my new home for 5 weeks. I had a little amount of time to shower before more company came. Truthfully a few moments after my shower and my hair blow drying, more company came. Amongst those company was one of my best friend's cousins and the uncle and aunt I saw at Jumbo previously that day.

This is getting long, so I’m going to finish it quick. I ended up going with uncle and aunt set number 2 (ones I saw at Jumbo) to visit more people. And after some dinner many mosquito bites I find myself here at their house…typing away.

One last thing, the driving in Mauritius is CRAZY! Seriously.

Mauritius Day 1: Allergies and Sleep Deprived

I was so unbelievably tired. The consequences of no sleep on Air Mauritius were really having its affects on me. My uncle and my Aunt brought me to breakfast (it was 8 in the morning when I landed) after going back to their house and leaving my stuff there and my nice shower. The breakfast gave me allergies..I don't know why...I was also very tired and it was hard to keep up with what was going on around me.

Their new house is really nice, I really like the inside. When I look outside of my window I see a lot of green (trees and grass) and mountains. I also realized that I speak really fast. My uncle and my aunt have me repeat things sometimes...it makes me laugh.

In Canada, I'm no doubt a Mauritian. But now in Mauritius I have never felt so Canadian. Maybe that will change as this trip goes on...we'll see.

The 17 Hour Trip

Air Canada: My seat was beside the window, which made me so happy. I also had this interesting conversation with a man that sat beside me. I don’t know his name and he doesn’t know min either. Anyway he is a sound engineer and was on board towards England to go see a concert with a close long time friend of his (since kindergarden). We found ourselves discussing different genres of music and we also labeled an opinion on it. After some talking, eating and sleep, in 5 hours the plane landed in England.

Heathrow Airport: I got my cream taken away from me, it was not 100mL. The guy who searched my bag was nice. I thought he was going to me mean, since the person who went before me and him, got into a little discussion and he seemed rude. Either way he asked me about my trip and I was enjoying the English accent. I think one thing I did at Heathrow was listen to the workers talk. I love English accents. So I got some Starbucks with my friend’s aunt and uncle (they were going to Mauritius as well). It tasted great! When we went back to our seats, I was trying to take cool pictures of the cups. As I was doing so, this man said… “ça c’est de la globalisation…”. This was the start point of my conversation on globalization and the variation of French around the world, with this French couple from Bruxelle heading for Montreal.

Air Mauritius: I got into the aircraft and I was very content that this was the last step to Mauritius. I loved the seats, they were green!...with orange pillows. My screen was not working so I changed spots to sit beside this girl. It was funny and weird. The girl had the exact same wallet as me and she also had a heart monitor on before going on the trip, which again was like me. She was also Canadian and from Ottawa. We had a conversation about education and movies. I watched P.S I love you first on my screen. It was so embarrassing. The movie made me think of what happened to my mom…and I cried and cried (I killed babies, the person who knows this inside joke will get it…a lot of babies). Next I watched the movie Jumper, it was ok? I guess…After that the girl next to me (her name was Sheila) and I talked some more as we were having our dinner. As more hours went by, it was time for us all to sleep. I knew that since they had dimmed all the lights. The result was near complete darkness. I could not sleep since in Canadian time it was only 6 in the evening…so I kept myself busy with my book (which is pretty good I must say). Ok…so skipping to the landing…I looked like I was either dying or on some drug, since I did not sleep at all, and now I was really really tired. It was kind of foggy and cloudy because it was raining. Therefore the view while landing was not as pretty as it could have been, but it was nonetheless, still green and inviting.

Mauritius Here I Come!

I'm leaving my house really soon, therefore this is going to be a very short post. I'm leaving my house to head the airport. I'm going to Mauritius as many of the few people who read this know (actually the start of this blog was for this trip). I haven't seen some of the family living on that little island for 4 years and more. Those who were babies are now walking, talking and attending school. Those who were merely young adults the last time I saw them, are now getting ready to be married and completly in the realm of adulthood (if that makes sense). I'm excited and yet deep inside i still hold this feeling of not wanting to go. I'm going to loose the little independence I have here at home and also I will miss my family and friends (you all know who you are)...Anyway Mauritius here I come!

The Square Root of Three

This is from the movie Harold and Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo Bay. I love this poem.

I’m sure that I will always be

A lonely number like root three
The three is all that’s good and right,

Why must my three keep out of sight

Beneath the vicious square root sign,

I wish instead I were a nine
For nine could thwart this evil trick,

with just some quick arithmetic
I know I’ll never see the sun, as 1.7321

Such is my reality, a sad irrationality

When hark! What is this I see,

Another square root of a three
As quietly co-waltzing by,

Together now we multiply

To form a number we prefer,

Rejoicing as an integer

We break free from our mortal bonds

With the wave of magic wands
Our square root signs become unglued

Your love for me has been renewed

The Mind and The Heart

I was always a person who thought that emotions were in the control of the individual who was feeling them or of the individuals who held them. However, I started to realize a little while ago, that it’s not true at all. Even I, a person who always thought that emotions are switched on and off, have been proven otherwise, in her own emotional predicaments.

Today I was talking to every good friend of mine and he had said “the mind and the heart don’t always agree”, and I believe he is completely right. As a matter of fact, I would also say that perhaps they rarely do agree.

I don’t know where I’m going with this post. But in the midst of conversation with my friend, I started to realize there are certain things that maybe I should start to accept and move along or move on (how ever you want to say it). Instead of being stuck and frozen…I guess time will tell, I thought that I had reached this point many times, but to my dismay I had not. So we’ll see about this new attempt.

All Good Things Come to an End.

"All good things come to an end" is most likely known as a verse, or a line found in the somewhat famous song of the artist Nelly Furtado. I heard her song for the first time a while back, when I was driving alone, listening to the radio and deep in thought…and of course still focusing on the road.

Flames to Dust, lovers to friends
Why do all good things come to an end?

I found that she had perfectly assembled words that seemed to sum up the awful truth that people tend to forget or ignore. Pretty much everything comes to an end. This reality seems to just be perhaps buried in our minds. Things that last long, may not seem to be ending. What I’m trying to say is that in life, some things are short lived and some things lasts longer, but things still come to an end. An example would be the famous line that is often exchanged in wedding vows, “till death do us part”, meaning even if people stay together for so long, it eventually ends…

But what lasts forever, is there anything that does? At one time in my life, I thought it was memories. But I soon realized memories sometimes fade in time, even though you try so hard to cling to every single bit of recollection you have of something or someone lost. This is actually a fear I share with one of my best friends. The sound of someone’s voice, the way they laugh, it gets lost in time little by little… My next idea was love. Love is a though word to define, but in this post, I mean love in all shape, size, sense and so on…the love you have for parent, for a friend and for a lover. I’m not sure if this statement is right, it might actually be completely wrong. However, at this moment in my life, I’m daring to believe that is it one thing that perhaps lives on.

This is a tricky statement, because friends come and go, lovers come and go. Do you still love a friend who betrays you, or a lover who hurt you? I would say most likely not. But I was referring more in the sense of when people are separated because of a non existent heart beat, a last breath…death. Or when people are forced to be apart from each other for particular reasons, etc. How ever lost a person might be to me, I still love them and always will. However, I do realize that I have only lived to experience almost 19 years of life, and I still have a lot to learn. In 50 years, in a year, a month, a week, or tomorrow, I might be presented with a new challenge, incident or individual that may possibly make me do a complete 180 degree change of mind. But until then, I believe true love lasts forever.

First Year

I am done first year. I really like the sound of that, makes me so happy at this moment. However, this seems all surreal for me at this moment. I feel like it what not so long ago that I was asking a million questions to my York alumni friends, preparing to separate from my closest friends, then finding out that one of best friends actually had a sudden change of plans and was now going to my school, having fun at my frosh week, and so on.

Either way, this has been a total of around 8 months of continuous and insightful learning. As my professor terminated one of my classes, she had said she along with the other head professor had planted in our heads seeds of doubt (I actually have one of worst headaches of my life right now…I’m not too sure if that’s exactly what she said, but it was something along those lines), she meant to say that at that moment, at the end of that class, they as professors had succeeded at forever changing our perspective, our understanding and the way we would perhaps make inferences in the future.

Amusingly, I have found that I do perceive things differently now and I am perplexed by how this change has been done in very little time. I wonder just how much more growth in terms of intellect, character, and more importantly as a whole person I will endure in following years to come…

Anyway, this year has been interesting, bad, good, fun, stressful and undeniably memorable.

Going With The Flow...Not That Easy?

“Going with the flow” is without doubt a concept that I go by for certain aspects of my life. Moreover, I also frequently advise people to follow this concept when they are found in an ambiguous situation.

Why? Well simply because I often believe that sometimes when one is found in a situation or in a series of events that are vague, too complicated to understand, etc…it’s better to just “go with the flow”…meaning just live and enjoy what’s going on, instead of spending time contemplating or trying to bring sense to it.

However, this concept might not always be easy to follow. I was reading my psychology book yesterday and there was this one explanation about how individuals tend to make attributions. Here is what was said in the book: “People make attributions mainly because they have a strong need to understand their experiences. They want to make sense out of their own behaviour, other’s behaviours, other’s actions and the events in their lives.”

I wanted to somehow relate this fact raised in the book to the difficulty people might have in maintaining a “going with the flow” attitude. I guess, it's not that easy to just not ask questions that would explain a situation (if that makes sense?). One usually wants to make sense to of what’s going on, what’s going to happen, etc.

Now, I am aware that after reading all the way up to here, all you might have in mind is: “what on earth is she talking about?” or some of you might actually be reading this and thinking “She totally misunderstood what Weiten was saying in the psych book.”

I hope not...=S but to the few people that read this, if I am wrong let me know.

Anyway “going with the flow” is something I don’t think I will be able to stop doing. I find it’s my safe (perhaps?) way of going about when I honestly have no idea what to do…even if there are possible conflicts that might tag along with it.

Facebook and The Blank Series

This will be a very short post, since again I should be studying and not procrastinating as I am at the moment and have for a big part of this day. Anyway, yesterday one of my best friends and I were talking about facebook. We were talking about how this “social utility” (as it claims itself to be on the homepage), was so much better before in its simplicity. I am really getting tired of the phenomenal amounts of applications, requests, etc… that greet me almost every single time I sign in.

Ok…so moving on…Today I discovered The Blank Series. I find them a blend of what I would say is funny, interesting and very true. The author of these series has raised many points that I can relate to such as: “So every time i like have an exam; i always end up doing anything BUT studying for it.” The author and I have realized many times, that we agree on many things (psychology is interesting, professor Quinlan is a good teacher, etc...) and we have similar interests. Well I really should get back to my book. I am starting to fear that I will not be able to get through everything on time for Thursday. =S

Lastly, to the author of The Blank Series…you deserved that free Second Cup drink and best of luck with integration!

First Blog

I really should be studying right now, but I really could not help myself to start “blogging”. I’ve wanted to start but always postponed it to another time. But finally, I guess I really could not help myself. Anyway, studying awaits me. On Thursday at roughly 11:30 (I believe), after about a 2 hours exam testing my knowledge of psychological disorders, treatments, as well as social psychology…first year is finally over! I can’t wait!