The wheels on the bus...
go round and round!
I've passed my Nova Scotia driving test! Well, I say passed...it wasn't really that hard. We drove around a few suburbs and then went back to the test centre. We were barely on the road for 5 mins! The examiner said "Can't see why they make you do this, you've been driving for 12 years! Let's just go round the block to make it legal!" Of course my license picture is awful...
I fly home next week...time has flown by. I'm in the middle of trying to decide what to take home and what to keep here. Obviously bringing no winter gear back with me - bet it decides to be freezing cold on the day I land!!
Things that I miss...
Now that the time is fast approaching for me to return home for the summer, my mind is travelling to the things I have missed - apart from the obvious friends, family and me cats!
You'll notice a food theme to this list!
1) Bovril on toast. White toast with loads of butter and then a light covering of Bovril
2) Anchor butter.
3) English potatoes. Don't ask me why but they taste different here!
4) Chinese food - deep fried shredded beef...
5) My car and the freedom it gives me.
6) My own place to live - living in residence has been fun, but I think I've had enough of sharing a stinky bathroom now.
7) My own kitchen - who would have thought?
8) English sausages
9) Heinz Baked Beans!!!
10) Heinz Tomato soup.
And now, things I don't miss.
1)Chavs - and all general English scum types.
2)England's weather. Here it is either cold or hot and with both the sky is generally crystal clear blue. Nothing grey here!
3) The cost of everything in England - houses in particular.
4) Road users in England. If a horn beeps here it generally means a greeting.
5) The ever increasing whinging attitude of British people. We expect too much.
What do I like most about Canada? The feeling of freedom it's given me. The blue sky. The outdoors being on my doorstep. The possibilities of exploration and travel. People smile at you in the street. Strangers have conversations with you in the supermarket (and they're not mad and they don't want anything). People's never-ending wish to help you - lifts here and there, advice on how things work over here.
The fact that I could sit down by the river this afternoon and type up my English notes whilst watching a Muskrat (think otter and you're there - not at all rat like) pair swim back and forth, three ducks paddle about and two male peacocks attempt to win over a bored looking female. Photos at the end - you might need the eye of faith to see the Muskrats!
Things I've realised over the last month:
1) It's much better to spend money on decent tea than buy a supermarkets own brand...
2) Cook - it's a good thing!
3) Eat breakfast - stops you falling asleep by 11am.
4) Walk - it's good for you and lets your brain wander.
5) That I really, really do want to be a vet and for the first time it's starting to feel as if it's possible. :o)
PS - Just got an email from my English Prof about my latest essay and he says "I enjoyed yours very much." Aw shucks *blush*. I'm still not taking his class next term though! ;o)
This photo doesn't really do the little fella justice. They're quite cute to look at really.
Parp! Parp!
Should I look behind me?
Don't worry folks - there was no train behind me. This is a picture of a bridge we cross to get into town. The trains, when the do appear (one every 3 weeks or so) only go at about 10mph...honest ;o)
Bloggity blog...
It's 1am. I can't sleep. Therefore I am sitting at my computer slowly getting obsessed with little internet surveys. They feel that they can look into your soul and spew forth some in-depth information about you. Here are some of the answers - no giggling now.
My personality
You are pure, moral, and adaptable.
You tend to blend into your surroundings.
Shy on the outside, you're outspoken to your friends.
You believe that you live a virtuous life...
And you tend to judge others with a harsh eye.
As a result, people tend to crave your approval.
Yeah...I'm pure, moral and live a virtuous life...
My temperament is apparently melancholy.
My sleeping position tells me that:
You are calm and rational.
You are also giving and kind - a great friend.
You are easy going and trusting.
However, you are too sensible to fall for mind games.
And finally if my life was a movie it would be in the genre of Film Noir.
Ok - who here just feels really chipper now, eh?!
Blindsided 101
If things are going good, you should always keep checking behind you. Chances are something is about to sneak up on you and knock you off your perch.
WWA
Hi, I'm here today because I have a confession to make. I stand before you to admit I'm an addict. That's right I'm addicted to "The West Wing". Thank you allowing me into West Wing Anonymous.
Agh - it's terrible. It all started after my brother sent me the first three seasons for my birthday. I've often watch the programme, but never really followed it. Now I'm watching the episodes back to back and drooling for more! Disaster struck when I realised the second disc of season one was corrupt and I can't watch the season finale!!
Thankfully I've gained exemptions from three of my four final exams...more time for the West Wing!
Salmonella, cockroaches and a stomach that will take a nuclear bomb
Living in residence means you have to share a kitchen. Currently, 7 of us cook here.
There is a cleaning rota - which means that one person is responsible for the over cleaning of the kitchen each week. They have to do a complete clean of the entire area. Mop the floor, clean the microwave and scrub all surfaces. This brings two problems...
1) The person on duty last week hasn't done a thing. It's possible to stick to the floor in some places. The person on duty this week is refusing to do anything until the person from last week cleans the place...confused? The upshot is we have a filthy kitchen right now. Everyone is glaring at the person responsible and refusing to even go anywhere near the mop. We have a war of attrition on our hands.
2) A few select people feel it's ok to not clean up after themselves. In other words, someone is on duty...they can do it. This results in various sticky substances being left on the worktops. Crumbs get brushed onto the floor. Bits of carrot find their way to every possible crevice. Let's not even start about what may be down the side of the cooker. A new life form is possibly putting together a kitchen coup from behind the fridge as we speak - probably in cahoots with the fridge population.
Today we have guests (to go along with the "guests" that come out at night from behind the work units) - namely some students cooking a turkey. One of our number has offered out the kitchen for cooking. This in itself is fine - but those doing the cooking don't look like they've washed for a few weeks so I doubt the kitchen will get much of a clean up.
Personally I am not afraid. After 3 months of living here I have developed immunity to every known food bug going. I must have, I cook in filthy conditions - if I was going to die, I would have died by now. But, it's gross and I can take it no more. Tomorrow morning I'm going to attack that kitchen and make it gleam. The floor will once again be white, the cooker silver and the worktops will not have added bits...
No doubt next week we will all be vomiting due to cooking in clean conditions. Our bodies won't know what's hit them.
