Catch up!

• I had the best weekend, y'all. I spent the holiday weekend (it was Canadian Thanksgiving!) in North Carolina with my sister and her family. I was able to hold my newborn nephew, Anselm, for so many hours and I've never been more content. My other nephew, Beren, is getting so insanely big! The way he talks about school and his life makes him seem so much older than he is. 
• I have moved to the intermediate level of classes at my school! I'm very excited. Though having two new professors is a bit fatiguing, my brain feels a bit mangled this evening.
• I don't actually have much to write about for the blog since I was traveling and playing all weekend. But never fear! I'll be sure to share some pictures of Anselm tomorrow.
• Bonsoir! I'm off to finish homework and sleep.  

Sunday, Part 2

After visiting the church and the waterfall, we headed towards Cap Tourmente to watch the snow geese migrate south for the winter. I posted a video on instagram- not many pictures from there because I don't have a zoom lens and the birds just looked like specks.

I have never seen that many geese at once. There were hundreds of thousands just floating on the river. Every once in while something would spook them and all of them would hover a few feet about the water. And the noise! It sounded similar to the hum of cicadas.

However, I did end up with several cool images of the geese flying that I edited. Check facebook for them!

After that experience, we drove (okay, my host dad drove, I slept) to the Isle d'Orleans. After we bought local apples we went for the famous chocolate dipped ice cream cones. (Think dip cones from Dairy Queen but a thousand times better. The chocolate coating is thick and dark.) While eating our ice cream, we watched the most gorgeous sunset.

Studying abroad is really the coolest. I've been able to do so much in these past two months. It hasn't all sunk in yet and I don't know if it ever will. I'm glad I have this blog and social media to document all I've done, because it is all a blur!

The French Days of Old

*I found this little essay in the chaos of my desktop. I figured it's still applicable! And what better blog to post it on than this one?*

I've just finished my final for my intensive summer French class. It was a 930 word essay based on a French mystery novel. 

I'm currently experiencing three distinct emotions: extreme fatigue, elation and longing for more. 

The extreme fatigue comes from having worked 20 hours every weekend during this class and having pulled half-nighters for the last two weeks. (There was so much homework. My word. I even started texting people in French!) 

The reason for my elation is fairly obvious- I can now have fun! Its summer and I'm free as a bird! I've got grand plans to go shopping, finalize my Canada itinerary and catch up on my sleep. 

The longing for more is a little strange, I'll admit. But even as hard as these past five weeks have been, I know I'm this much closer to being prepared for Quebec. 

I had surprisingly high marks on my oral exams, which makes me a little more comfortable for my oral placement exam I have to take in order to enroll in the Quebec program. *yay*  Apparently my partner and I speak more quickly in French than the other students in our class. 

But I'm most proud of how much I've progressed since the spring semester. Back then I struggled to make basic sentences, much less hold a five minute conversation (my oral exams!)  I also earned much higher marks on my written exams- I attribute this to my professor. 

She was/is fantastic. She was enthusiastic, helpful and pushed each of us to step out of elementary French boxes.

Now I have to figure out how to study and maintain my French during the rest of the summer. I bought a new phrase book and a box of 1000 flashcards via Amazon, and I think I'm going to start trying to read children's books in French. 

But now it's time to celebrate! I'm off to have lunch with my French buddy, Megan.  

Sunday, Part 1

Last weekend was really fantastic. I met up with family friends and visited four places on my "Quebec Bucket List". These pictures are from two of the four places my host family and I visited.

First up was the Shrine of St. Anne of Beaupre. I've never seen a more beautiful church, even the two smaller churches situated close by were gorgeous. And the gift shop! If only I hadn't forgotten my wallet...but, I'm not sure how acceptable it is to buy souvenirs from a church? Laying aside my protestant values, isn't that monetizing Christ? Ahh, well. A post for an entirely different blog.

The second place was Canyon Sainte-Anne, which is home to one of the most gorgeous waterfalls I've seen yet. And there's almost always a rainbow present! I took so many pictures. But how could I resist? Fall is in full swing and Canada is looking mighty fine right now. I will never regret going abroad in the fall instead of the summer!

Enjoy the pictures! I hope that they aadequatelyconvey the beauty of Canada and the fun I had this past weekend.

Merci beaucoup!

My sister, Hannah, and I have a similar conversation every time we visit each other. We talk about how comforting and relaxing it is to see people who know you so well. You don't have to explain anything and you can just be you. Now, I know that this seems like a rather simple revelation, but for me it's so important.

As a student studying abroad and as someone who needs some alone time every day, I crave time with people who I don't have to explain anything to, especially in a different language.

This lovely experience happened this past weekend. Some family friends who live in Montreal drove up to Quebec for a a quick tour and thoughtfully asked me to join them. It was one of the best days I've had!

This family is special to me. When my family and I moved to Hawaii fifteenish years ago (holy cow!) we moved over my birthday. Our house was entirely packed up into hundreds of boxes and everything was in disarray. This family gave me a party that I still remember; there was a butterfly cake and a mock circus complete with games and prizes. One of my sweetest memories!

I'm so glad I was able to share some of this city with them. I was able to introduce them to my favorite creperie and the farmers' market I adore.

Nothing can beat a day full of conversations, laughter and crepes. Thank you, Hof family, for a really lovely weekend.

Well have you?!?! 

Promenade

I feel like these pictures truly say au revoir to summer. Everything was so green last week and BAM. The leaves have changed for fall! I'm absolutely in love with maple trees. I kind of want to be the maple tree version of Miss Rumphius and plant maples all over Virginia. 

Canada is so beautiful right now- everything is a shade of rust and gold. Over the weekend I explored a waterfall, a church and a wildlife preserve with my host family. Needless to say, I took so many photos. I'm going to try my best to sort and edit them in a timely fashion! 

I have to say, autumn has never been my favorite season but Canada is changing my mind. And have you seen rural Canada? Holy cow. I may have planned my future farm here.