New Digs

And there you have it, a tour of my room. Didn't take very long, eh? But I don't need much and everything is comfortable and clean. And it's not in the basement! I'm really pleased with this room (particularly the bed, it's huge!) and my location in Limoilou. Two thumbs up! You can read about my Airbnb experience here. 

I'd like to think that all these experiences in Quebec are preparing me for bigger, scarier adventures in the future. Baby steps now in order to prepare me for life abroad after college!  I'd also like to think that one day I'll be this awesome combination of Anthony Bourdain and Ernest Hemingway. But female. And sober.

I really need to make sure that I finish touring Quebec properly before I leave next month. I've now reached the "only one more month left" mark. I've still got some restaurants to try and and a few buildings I want to photograph now that they've been Christmas-fied. I'm going to miss Quebec, it's been a really lovely home for this semester. 

Just wait, I'm totally going to be that person who is constantly bringing up their study abroad. "Well, when I was abroad..." It's just been fabulous, y'all. 

Airbnb, first impressions

I was really nervous about renting a room through Airbnb. Who hasn't heard those horror stories about crazy roommates? (Thanks for reminding me about them, Mom.) I was able to rationalize my fear of renting by remembering that crazy roommates happen in college dorms all the time. It's just a part of the experience when forced to live with strangers. 

Those selfies above were taken five minutes after I arrived at my new place in Limoilou, a little quartier about twenty minutes from Vieux Quebec. A little while later my new roommate would inform me that the bathroom is the best place in the apartment for selfies. 

I had such an insane case of jitters when I was moving last weekend.  I was a little scared of living with a new person that I found on the internet. I didn't exactly know where I was living. BUT. My roommate is the nicest lady and my new quartier is lovely. My roommate is easy to talk to and she made sure I was properly outfitted for the Quebec cold. 

When I first arrived, Celine Dion was blasting from the radio and I felt like I was in a Quebecois sitcom. And sometimes when we have conversations I feel like we would make a perfect reality show. However, my French has improved so much! I can now have normal conversations without the other person looking at me like I'm completely crackers. 

I have my own room (pictures coming soon!) and I'm free to use to the kitchen, washing machine and bathroom (obviously). I think I paid a little over $400 USD for five weeks, a great deal considering I got everything I wanted. And I'm not living in a hostel. Ha!

Before finding this room through Airbnb, I tried using Kijiji, a Canadian craigslist, but had little to no success. I found a few rooms, but it was so hard to get in contact with the owner! Renting through Airbnb is incredibly easy. Paying is easy and feels very secure, because the person you rent from doesn't get the money until you check in. No chance they'll take your money and split!

Finding a room is easy using Airbnb's search filters- I searched for a private room under $500 with a kitchen, internet and washing machine. Even though I'm a little further out than before, I really like my location. I've already found the neighborhood cafe! I plan on exploring Limoilou this week, if it doesn't snow too much.

I'm about a ten minute walk from the bus stop, but I don't mind the walk. It's good to be forced to exercise, heaven knows how many maple cookies I eat. 

I'll be sure to write a follow up post when I conclude my five week stay, but my first impressions are very favorable and my roommate isn't crazy. #winning  

If you have any other questions about my move or anything, let me know if the comments! 

Kdrama

(^I'm calling this series "Portraits of a Kdrama Addict)

If you've ever wondered "what does Della do with her free time?", this post is for you. You know, just in case you thought I study too much. My downtime is normally after seven at night unless I've got plans to play with friends. 

(Like last night. Let's just say that I don't get drunk, I just get sleepy. And learning new card games in French is the pits.) 

On a normal weeknight, you can find me snuggled in my bed watching kdramas on Drama Fever. Or Viki. 

This the classic story of a kdrama addict who falls in love with a new drama. 

In the first episode of The Master's Sun, I knew it was love. The soundtrack is perfect. The characters actually experience realistic character growth. And the pacing for all the events are fantastic. 

And com'n, look at these faces: 

And the soundtrack:

Hopefully this post gives you a better insight into my life as a kdrama addict. I like to think that it's cultural research for when I move to Korea. Yeeah. 

The Grand Tour

Welcome to my humble abode! Last weekend I made a special effort to pick up my room and make my bed just so I could take pictures for y'all. I know my fans are getting restless. 

It's pretty simple as rooms go, but it has become my safe spot. For those days I feel completely overwhelmed, I retreat to this space for however long I need. 

I didn't bring very much decor with me- just my cheetah blanket, a strand of lucky elephants, and a tiny goat. I totally miss my room at home though. However, the bed here is much comfier, so...

If I'm not at school or touring Quebec, you can find me here.

I love that the two goat things I have with me are both from friends. Warms the cockles of my stone cold heart! 

Those flashcards were the best fifteen dollars I spent all summer. 

My desk! Can you name that Kpop music video playing?

My closet! (The strand of lucky elephants are hanging off one of the knobs!)