IBAAW

Okay, okay, so what kind of novel do I want to write? I really have no clue. I mean, what hasn’t been done before? Well, nothing actually. I have a million years of literacy against any of my ideas. On top of which, I hardly have any ideas!

Awwww... I am watching Bridget Jones’s Diary, which is such a sweet movie. It was just the “just as you are,” comment, which is obviously the fantasy of... well, me. All I want is a nice nerdy boy! That can’t be too hard to find, can it? Colin Firth makes me happy in the pants. I love Mr. Darcy, both from Bridget and also from Pride and Prejudice. Daniel Cleaver makes me quite angry.

Ha ha, they’re about to go outside to have an epic battle! See? I should be able to get a Mr. Darcy-type quite easily. It’s not like I’m forcing anyone to fight in the street for me, or anything! I’m not forcing anyone to jump through a storefront window. Hmmm...

Labels: Journal

Hey. Well, I really don't know why I am writing. Pretty much I would like to apologize for my boring life so far! I really must think of something to do with my new-found free time.

Well, I have my laptop now. Maybe I should get around to writing that novel as I’ve always planned. One of my past excuses was that it was too hard to write by hand. Well, voila, here is a solution to that! Also, as I am not working until the end of October, I do have plenty of time to get started, don’t I? Who knows, I could be the next insert-name-of-famous-author here. But I doubt it.

No, wait, I shouldn’t doubt it. Isn’t that what they say in that book, “The Secret.” ? Shouldn’t I be putting what I want out there and then letting the power of positive thinking help to achieve it? Well, okay then, if that’s what they want! I am one of the world’s most celebrated writers! Millions of people read what I write, and are interested in what I have to say!

Still, it wouldn’t hurt to actually start writing the novel that wil help me achieve this goal. I don’t think the power of positive thinking is so strong as to be able to write my novel for me! I will have to put my own energy into it!

Anyway, I'm not sure what I would like to write about, I've just always liked the idea of completing something as big as a novel...

I could also start on my next film project. What I want to do is so obvious, it's just settling down into it, instead of beig so lazy, moping around the house.

I am really starting to miss everyone from my group. I have this weird heavy feeling in my stomach pretty much constantly.

Labels: Journal

Hey! Not much going on, I've just been relaxing and such. Mom found out that she doesn't go back to work until Tuesday. I went to Ikea yesterday. It was pretty great.

I really need to get more of a life, or this blog will be VERY boring.

Anyway, the real reason I am here is to point out the new layout. Once again, it's simple, because I don't have the attention span to create anything too fantastic!

That's all!

Labels: Blogger, Journal

So the first few days have been pretty good so far. I've had barely any time alone, which might mean I will have a mental breakdown next week when my brother and mom go back to work.

So, I bought a laptop, as I've already mentioned. And I also transitioned into corporate whoredom by buying an iPod Nano this afternoon. It's hot pink (my favourite colour) and named Stanley. Ha ha. It's just kind of temporary, because it oly has 4GB, and my old 6GB ZenMicro doesn't work with Vista. And I want a 30GB iPod, but I obviously can't afford it. So, I shall get one when I start working, and give my mom this one.

Anyway, I was talking about the first few days. They've been good. On Thursday and Friday I hung out with my mom and Matt pretty much. We went shopping and saw "Hairspray," which was pretty fantastic. I downloaded the soundtrack. I loved it.

Last night was my welcome home party which was pretty fun! Everyone is pretty much the way I left them. Justine and Orry are still constantly bickering like a married couple. It was cool to talk to Emily about Katimavik since she is leaving in September. Hopefully I'll get some pictures from this event soonish.

Matt's back to work this week, and mom will be back by Thursday probably. Then I wil be alone. We'll see how it goes. I spoke to Joelle on the phone this morning, so now I am sad and "katima-sick." I really miss it quite a bit. And I can really only see it getting worse before it gets better. *Sigh*. Anyway, it will be interesting I'm sure. Ha ha.

Labels: Journal

Well guys, I'm back in Calgary (yeee-haw). I've been having fun so far, but it's prety weird.

The goodbyes were so hard. I haven't cried so much in my life! And I vomitted on the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport in Montreal!

When I got home, my grandma was there! And I obviously saw Lissa! It was great!

Then I spent my entire 1000$ on a laptop!

So, yes, it is gone!!!! Ha ha. So weird. Other than the fact that I have friends scattered across the country sending me messages, it's sort of like Katimavik never happened.

Anyway, I would write more, but I am engrossed in exploring-computer and downloading programs mode.

Talk to everyone soon!

Also, you may notice the standard-issue layout that I hate is up. Well, I screwed up a bit of the coding taking down the countdown bar, and I need a new layout anyway. So, just deal with it for a while, okay?

Labels: Journal

Firstly, stumbled over the old LJ, and found this snippet:

Ha ha, my uncle just sort of cleaned our computer and said that someone's been spying on us. My mom replied with "wow, they must be pretty bored...ha ha. But really... wouldn't it be funny if there was a site out there, like aislingb.com with stuff that I do online and pics of me walking down the street? And an entire nerd colony that worships me? Wow. Although it is quite scary too, because who knows what these spies have read about me or my friends over MSN??? All of my secrets could be exposed! Someone could write a tell-all book and ruin my life! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 *sob*

Yeah... I was so amusing as an eleventh grader! Ha ha. Anyway, now that I think about it, I would quite enjoy an entire nerd colony worshiping me. That way I could find a nice lovely one to marry! Hee hee heeeeeee.

Today is my last day of work, I've received my recommendation letter, and... yes, it's almost over! Whooot! However, it also means that this is my last entry in this thingy that will ever be labelled "Katimavik," unless I decide to write more about Katimavik or post more photos or something. En tout cas, it will be the last post I write as a Katimavik participant! Weird, huh? It's been nine months of this already! Unfortuently, I don't have much to say with this historic post! Tonight is Alex and Steve's pseudo-birthday party! Steve's birthday is August 26th, and Alex's birthday is November 17th. So they're the only 2 birthdays we haven't celebrated in Katimavik. Therefore, AUGUST 17th (a combination of their birthdays) shall hereby be celebrated in lieu of! Alex is quite excited, exclaiming things such as "Wow, I can't believe I'm 19. I've only been 18 for 9 months!" and Steve will probably leave as soon as we cut the cake, since he really isn't into these kinds of group events.

We cleaned the house last night, but this morning it was... well, it looked like a tornado went through it. I like to call it Katima-house Syndrome, and I will use the same term when my own room at home gets messed up in similar fashion.

MY OWN ROOM AT HOME! Ahhh, I'm excited! I keep thinking about hanging out there, and going to the bathroom in the morning and not having to share! And shower doors! Shower curtains make me mad! Oh, and nobody stealing my towel! It will be great! Obviously, I will miss my group LOADS, but I am quite stoked at the prospect of personal space, as are they, I am sure.

Well, I'm going to go now... maybe I should say something ceremonial? Well, maybe I'll just say thanks to those of you who read this, and en effet, came along for the ride with me! It's been fun! But it doesn't stop here! More crazy adventures will take place soon! Ha ha. Okay. Bye.

Labels: Journal, Katimavik, La Pocatière

So, this weekend is my cousin Brock's wedding, and I am obviously missing it due to still living in Québec until Wednesday! I'm kind of bummed, but I decided to go see if there was anything new on their website. So, I googled it, and some cool stuff came up!

Here's some of it:

Green limos? Hemp gowns? Saying I do to eco
AMY VERNER

From Saturday's Globe and Mail
July 7, 2007 at 7:43 PM EDT

When Vancouver's Tanya Morrow weds Brock Maglio on Aug. 18, she will be wearing a hemp silk dress that she designed herself. The lavish buffet dinner, entirely organic, will feature B.C. salmon and bison, wild rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables. She has opted for organic cupcakes instead of a cake. And her bouquet of sweetpeas will also be organic. Nellie's Laundry, a local company that makes natural laundry soda in an old-fashioned box, donated six cases for party favours. Rather than gifts, Morrow has asked that each guest make a change in lifestyle that will have a positive impact on the environment.Morrow knows that her mother, who passed away on Christmas Day last year, would be proud. "She never liked people wasting things," she says.

Tanya was also on CityTV in Vancouver on June 11, 2007.

So.... yes, if anything I am somehow even more sad to be missing this event! It sounds freakin' fantastic, plus all of my family will be there, so... yeah, I'm sad.

Anyway, just thought I'd say that.

We're still preparing to leave La Poc. Tonight we're cleaning the house. Tomorrow night we're supposed to continue packing. Saturday is our Final Presentation, then camping, then cleaning, then good-byes, then home, blah de blah de blah, you've heard it before! In any case, I am excited! Except for the cleaning.

Labels: Journal, Katimavik, La Pocatière

Well, what a treat! It seems Sean has been using the CÉGEP computers for good instead of evil! So, here are some more photos! I haven't posted any in soooo long! Ha ha.

None of these pictures are in order!

This is our view from our campsite on Isle Verte!


This is us in our neighbour's pool! Ignore the red circle, the picture was uploaded as an inside joke to one of Sean's friends!


This is us walking through a tunnel in the walls of Vieux Québec!

Labels: Katimavik, La Pocatière, Photos

New photos of us camping have now surfaced online! Most of them don't include me, because Sean uploaded them to his Facebook, so they obviously have a more Sean-related focus (the same way my pics are always of me, and never of Sean.).

So, yes... I will be home one week from today! Actually, at this point, I will have been on the plane, and it will be just taking off! So, that is kind of exciting, isn't it?

Labels: Journal, Katimavik, La Pocatière, Photos

Here it is, an exposé (because I haven't done one in a while, and the label seems kind of lonely) on things I will miss about Katimavik and La Pocatière.

Things I Will Miss About La Pocatière:

• People riding bikes. Everyone has a bike here. Even the paramedics ride around town on their bicycles. And more often than not, these bikes have baskets on the front, which is pretty rad. Often I have felt out of place due to my lack of bike. When I get back to Calgary, I plan to bring casual biking to a whole new level!
• People driving their cars way too fast and way too loud. Seriously, it takes 10 minutes to WALK across town. Still, people insist at zooming down the road at 100km an hour. You can hear the tires screaming "Gahhhhhhhhhh!!!! Why are we in such a hurry to get to the Métro?!?!?!" Still, it's amusing. Also, lots of people here have really pimped their rides. I've seen several cars that glow purple during the night.
• Mopeds and motorcycles. Okay, we have them in Calgary too, obviously. But not EVERYBODY does. This is just as popular as the bike. They can be seen driving around downtown La Poc constantly. Unfortuently, downtown is only 1 street long, then they loop around to our street, and go back downtown in an odd circular fashion. Apparently they just drive for fun, with no real destination.
• The small town feel. Okay, so the lack of shopping is somewhat maddening, but I have no money anyway! I do enjoy the small town feel. I love how the new Tim Horton's was like THE BEST THING to ever happen. Ha ha. I think it was probably a bigger event than the McDonald's. I hope La Poc never gets a Wal-Mart, because I rather enjoy Zellers. I bought my Spice Girls lunchbox for 1$ at the La Poc Zellers.
• The pretty schools. I don't know how they do it, but the schools look very nice with their etheral glow at night.
• Church bells. And school clock bells. Knowing what time it is is quite handy. Also, the bells at 4pm mean I'm done work! Yay.

Things I Will Miss About Katimavik:

• My group mates. Oh my goodness. I don't even really want to think about this yet. This is going to be intense. These are my brothers and sisters! And we're about to be seperated and scattered across the country! It's something I've always thought was dodgey about Katimavik. Like, "Okay....okay.... let's get these strangers together, turn them into a family, and then.... rip them apart, causing ultimate emotional damage! What a great idea for a program aimed at youth! We'll build them up, and then crush them!" Ha ha. Okay, maybe it's a bit far. Anyway, I will miss them more than I am able to express in this little thingy. Even though it actually hasn't sunk in that we're leaving yet. Gahhhh.
• Ummm... I really can't think of anything else... Sponsered activities? Yes, those are pretty great. I mean, who doesn't like free trips to some of Canada's biggest cities? But still, those trips were only really made memorable because of my group mates... Hmmmm....

Okay, okay, new, unplanned category!

Things I Will Miss About My Katimavik Family:

Working our way West to East....

• Anny, Williams Lake, BC: I will miss hanging out with Anny and discussing the craziness of Eastern Canada. I mean, milk in a bag? Puh-cha! Also, our dance parties were pretty sweet. And dress-up games. And crazy photos. I will miss having someone document everything I do (now I will have to do it myself! Arrgggg!).
• Nick, Edmonton, AB: I will miss his snarkiness, which is something he developped in Katimavik. Nick can always make me feel happy. I find his polar bear attributes amusing. I hope I get to see him often! I mean, we only live 3 hours apart!
• Me, Calgary AB: I think I am more West than Edmonton. But we don't really need to talk about me anyway.
• Steve, Timmins, ON: I will miss Steve's laid-back, take-one-for-the-team, just-chillin attitude. I still don't know him very well, but he's still always been nice to me, and what more can I ask for?
• Gwobert, Brampton, ON: I won't miss Gwobert at all. ....... Okay, I'm lying, ha ha. I'll miss Gwobsy a lot too. He's actually very nice, even though we've spent the last 9 months torturing each other. I really hope he finds what he's looking for, what he wants to do, in life. I'll miss long chats either philisophical or about nothing at all.
• Sean, Toronto/Alliston/Mississauga, ON: Where does this boy live, anyway? I'll miss his crazy sense of humour! He has the amazing ability to make anyone dissolve into giggles. Many times I have found myself in shock from something he's said.
• Jadey, La Plaine, QC: Ahhh Jadey. I will miss sharing a room with her! It's been 9 months now! Always my roomie. Ha ha. I will miss her happy demenour, and our emo chats and drawing together. I have no idea how I will be able to get through the night, without hearing her manical laughing in her sleep!
• Joelle, Stanstead/Sherbrooke/Magog, QC: Joelle Ma Belle! I'm going to miss her crazy faces, and her craziness in general! She can always cheer me up, we have great conversations! She's fantastic! I'll miss having someone to understand my insanity!
• Alex, Trois-Rivières/Montréal, QC: I remember when she pretended to be so cool, and turned into such a dork! I will miss her laugh, her constant touchy-feely love expressions, her self-molestation (ha ha, that sounds weird...) and her funny English expressions. "By the way," "Better thing in the world," "It's the perfect girls' night! We have girls... we have night..."

Even so, none of this really does them justice... *sigh*. I guess I'll just give up then!

Hope you enjoyed this odd little exposé, ha ha.

Labels: Exposé, Journal, Katimavik, La Pocatière

Well, I'm back!

Community Involvement Project was fun. We served Spag. Not much to say really!

Camping was amazing! I peed in bushes and outhouses! It was intense. We saw loads of seals. We were on Isle Verte, which only has 32 inhabitants. The camping section was pretty much our own. It was like our own private island. Very nice.

HMing with Anny was pretty nice. We made borscht one day, and I had two spoonfuls of it, and then burst into hives, so I suppose I'm still allergic to beets. Ha ha. We had some other random disasters but it wasn't too bad overall.

On Monday night we also had a dance party! Ha ha. We turned the 2nd kitchen into a bar, by turning around this bar thing that we use as a games shelf. Then I stole Xmas lights and garlands from the Xmas tree, which was still up from Xmas 2.0 2 weeks ago.

Other amusing things happened this week. We cleaned a bit which wasn't as amusing. Lissa came back to Canada! Ummmm.... yes.

The Medieval Festival was this weekend, and it was SO MUCH FUN. It was great to be able to dress in period costumes while volunteering! Also, it was on the mountain which was so gorgey! Near the trees there was a medieval market, with cool things to buy, and in the soccer field there was jousting and other knightly events! Plus the food areas, and the games (axe, caber toss and archery), and the medieval tents where people were staying. Eating meals with large wooden spoons with wooden bowls was fun. Everyone was SO INTO IT as well. And it was very well organized for such a small town! Next year it will be a week long! Ahhh I want to go so badly! Ha ha.

So, this week is our last. It's weird, because we keep saying it, but we don't really feel it yet, I suppose. We're doing a lot of debriefing (booo) and cleaning (boooooooo) but some fun stuff too. Our Final Presentation is Saturday before we leave for camping, and Alex and I are MCing which should be fun! Oh yeah, we're going camping AGAIN on Saturday night until Monday afternoon. Then the goodbyes begin.

Alex lives in Trois-Rivières, so bussing her to Montréal isn't practical. So they were going to make her stay in the house BY HERSELF for 11 hours, and catch a bus on the 22nd at noon (we all leave at 1.45am on a charter bus). But she didn't want to, so instead she's leaving at noon on the 21st. Which will be sad because we all sort of wanted to leave together. Anyway, we will be crying all day! We pretty much have free time all the 21st, to sit in our empty house, and occassionally sign Katima-related forms. Then, as I said, our bus will pick us up at 1.45am.

We're all being bussed to Montréal. Anny, Nick, Steve and I are the only ones flying from our group, so we'll be dropped at the airport, and then the rest of the gang will continue to the bus station. Steve is being flown to Toronto and then Timmins (which makes the guys from the GTA mad, because they have a 5 hour bus ride, whereas Montréal to Toronto is an hour flight). Anny is going to Vancouver and then to Williams Lake. Nick and I are flying to Calgary, and then Nick's flying to Edmonton. So, yeah... I will be back in Calgary at 11.27am on August 22nd, 2007.

It's weird. I'm excited. I'm sad. I'm mood swingy. We all are. It's hard to describe.

We'll see how it goes.

Labels: Journal, Katimavik, La Pocatière

Yes, so today is my last day at work for almost 2 weeks, and since our Katima-comp is broken, I won't have access to one for a while!

Tomorrow is our community involvement project on Isle Verte. We're making spag for 200 people! The girls will be wearing grass skirts, the boys will have pirate hats, and everyone has flowery leis. Also, we made tropical themed decorations. I did a kick-ass cartoon pirate ship, and a gorgeous 5ft siren (mermaid) in a sort of anime style. I really surprised myself with my artistic abilities, and everyone was quite impressed! I'll hopefully take pictures of atleast the mermaid, since she is quite the masterpiece.

Then, I am CAMPING this weekend! Oh my goodness, I don't know if there are toilets where we're camping on Isle Verte since it's not, like, a campground or anything. Gahhhhhh. Anyway, we're spending Friday there (in addition to Thursday, I think) and then I think we're going to visit the Bic Park, but I'm not sure. On Saturday night we'll be home for sure, and on Sunday afternoon we're going to the beach, which will be great, because I'll be able to swim this time!!! (Last time I had girly issues, so I couldn't, and I still had fun, but not as much fun!)

Next week is my last go as house manager for the rest of my life! I'm with Anny, so it should be fun, as well as give me a head start on my packing / sending a box of stuff home. And the La Poc Medieval Festival is that weekend, which will be fun as well. We're also starting prep for our final presentation soon, and I'm on that committee, so that should be fun/stressful.

Also, today is the first of August, and I will be home in 3 weeks! We leave La Poc at 11pm on the 21st, and then take a bus to Montréal, then planes home, but I still don't know EXACTLY what time I'll be home at. I suspect I'll have a layover in Winnipeg though, which I'm kind of dreading, because I would prefer to just fly direct. Ah well.

Labels: Journal, Katimavik, La Pocatière