Wicked

Today I went to Portobello Market. Ill never go there again.

It has loads of hype. But with the amount of people running through the market I was begining to question what was being sold. Second hand items or people?

After that, I made sure my wallet was completely licked clean. And went to another musical. WICKED. Well now, I have done three musicals and none a favorite. All of them so good and uncomparable due to the fact that they are all so different.

Wicked is the story of how the Wicked Witch of the West became to be so wicked. Now you will be surprised. It is her story. And I do sympathise her. Infact, I like her. But the bottem line is along with the opera voices the actresses and actors have, the story all falls into place. Anything in Oz will be clarified in this musical.

Phantom Limb

I am presently listening to The Shins. I want to cry and Im not even sad. That music is just so beautiful. Thats one thing I cant wait about Montreal, To submerge myself into my music and loose myself while creating watever flows out of my mind.

The last two days have been pretty good. I really feel at home in London. Like I said, half Montreal and half New York. Some how I need to fit Tofino in though...

Yesterday I went to the TATE Modern. It was good but to be honest the MoMA in NYC is way better. Lets just say watever the MoMA refused, the TATE took in. Now I do realise theres huge hype about the TATE. I mean they do have big names in theres just not big pieces. I would have to say though that the highlight of all this is that I saw pieces of Warhol that I didnt even know existed! They were actually pretty good too. Black and white pieces. No color. I have noticed that Andy likes to present his pieces in dyptichs. Look around, youll notice it too.

After that I went to another musical. This time it was Billy Elliot. Wow! Another good one. It was very different from Chicago. Directed towards another crowd. At times it was very serious and at others quite funny. The accents were really good. And the dancing, better. The boy who played Billy was very talented and could do flips in the air while wearing tap shoes. Imagine him in 10 years.

Good Luck

Right now its pouring rain outside. As in the intensity it does in Tofino. But It has been raining non-stop for the past 12 hours. Its sheet rain so therefore a permanent shower. I dont really mind.

Today I passed on really good luck. I went into a shop that had some exposition with Tara McPherson (lowbrow artist) a month ago.And swipped up a print of heres which was signed. Its a small print but Im going to frame it. Tara McPherson is a great painter and a pretty renound female artist. I also bought my second Gary Baseman book, as well. And to my luck he signed it too. So now I have two more collectible artist pieces. I collect other peoples art. Its more interesting.

Tonight I went to a fabulous show. CHICAGO! I love musicals. It was my second ( I went to a broadway show back in NYC). Chicago is the greatest. A little Vaudeville, A little Burlesque, A dash of scandal and a ton of strong voices. The costumes were great. I loved the way they presented and portrayed their voices. It was cool that Roxy Hart, for the first time to my knowledge, was played by a black chick. And then to my surprise it happened to be Michelle Williams of Destiny Child. But I personnaly like Thelma the best, she had attitude and she wasnt a nice woman. The stage was presented in a 1920s fashion and had a live orchestra in the background. They were very good and complemented the voices but with force and strength. The storyline was pretty good. It was smart ans sassy. I was always hit by surprise. It was fun to recognize the songs frome the burlesque modeling sessions at Dr Sketchys.

On another note, before my limited time runs out here, I had a conversation with a young def man. It was real fun and we understood eachother. I also sat next to a boy on the train to London who was also reading Into the Wild, side by side and same edition.

London is calling my name!

Oh-my-goodness... gracias I love this city. Ok I havent seen much since today I took the train. But so far Im really liking this city. Im going to spend 5 days in this city because I have always been a little infatuated with this city and want to try and figure it out.

Besides I have this personnel brilliant beyond brilliant idea of comming to live in London on a two year visa. I started really thinking about this idea half a year ago. We will see where my ideas lay when Im 24. The dream and idealistic and reveuse plan is to move to London and become a well established artists' main woman. I would want to be the artists ART assistant. Almost like a Warhol syndrome but be treated fairly. You know, enough to live. I would help the artist set up various art shows, maybe a little art journalism on the side. But the biggest part would be working in the studio alongside the artist. Learning asmore then an apprentice but a friend who would share artistic secrets and tricks. I would love to work in a screenprinting studio helping set up and creat large scale works. But pushing further then where Andy had limits. Bringing social causes into the issue a bit like Keith Haring. My goodness I am on an artistic tangent. And then one day just become an artist. Just being and living and CREATING.

Guys London is way cool. Its a mix between New York and Montreal. But more new York minus the high rises. People have lovely accents over here. And the kids are dressed totally rad and have this whole skinny-punk-vintage vibe to them. Im digging it.

I live in the past present and future. Im just one of those people.

A last day in Paris

well all the things come to an end, except eternal life. But on this world, yup, they finish. And my stay in Paris is coming to that fate.

Today I checked out Notre Dame de Paris. It is a Gothic church with a presence. Inside you get a dark almost unsettling feeling. But at the same time it is so beautiful and the stain glass windows let only the tiniest of light illuminate the interiour, keeping most of the sun to brighten the glasses' dark and rich colors. It feel really good and peacefull in there. But you cant help but imagine that something dark must have happened there. Its just my feeling. And my wild imagination.

But I cant help but salute Victor Hugo for using his wild and crazy imagination for summing up the story of Le Bosu de Notre Dame. He really did reference the building different corridors and hidden rooms.

Then I became a bike junkie and hopped onto another Fat Tire tour. This time in Paris, duh. Man, they are so much fun. I love the mixture of biking and history with a dash of humor. Its really good cause it keeps a kid like me moving and on the ball while being completelly fascinated and immersed into these historical situations while seeing the places they took place in live.

This evening I spent sitting on a concrete rail watching the Eiffel Tower. Illuminated in the night sky. I watched the moon move from one side of the tower to the other side. For about five minutes there was even a cool light show that gave the tower a sparkling effect.

well folks, demain Im taking a train to London, last country and leg on this journey before I head back to Dublin, my temporary home and where half my heart is currently being held...

I am sorry, I do not have an interesting title

But before I get to that Ill tell you a little lowdown on the Louvre. In my poor attempt at a defense, loads of people go through the same 'too much art to handle' syndrome. Infact the average person spends 3 hours in the museum till they start to go crazy and then leave. The museum, once a palace that just kept growing due to kings marking their territory, is so huge. If you were to spend one humble and honest minute looking at all the PERMANENT collection, excluding expostitions, you would spend a whole 9 months in the Louvre without sleeping, going to the loo or sleeping. Yeah, go figure.

So last night I went on a walking tour of Monmatre. I decided that I should figure out the area that Im currently staying in. Montmarte is cool. Im having a case of deja vu...

Louvre

did that today. Um cool. But exhausting.

I am knackered. People in Paris seem to be happy people but not inside the Louvre. Everyone is rushed.

I didnt have to cue for two hours, only 20 minutes and I got in for free cause I was living in Dublin :)

I saw some very famous works. Like, the Mona Lisa, Wrath of Medusa, Winged Nike, Seated Scribe and Venus of Milo.

I dont think Ill ever go back to the Louvre. There is just too much art. You end up not really appreciating it.

I was not impressed with the Mona Lisa. She is tiny! We were corded 30 feet from her and she was encased in glass. Thus, we could hardly even see her.

The piece that impressed me the most was the Seated Scribe from Egypt. I have known about him since 1st semester at Dawson. He stands about a foot high. I thought he would be huge so I kept walking past him really frustrated. I fianally gave up and asked the staff to escort me to him. I relly needed to see him.

He is beautiful.

My favorite piece of Egyptian art by far. His face is so sculpted and rendered that he seems to almost be smiling. The shadows created make him so 3D that he seems to be alive. His eyes are lined with an aqua color instead of the typical black and for his pupils he has embeded colored glass. His painted skin is still so terracota in color that it is a wonder that it is still preserved.

I also saw mummified animals, who woulda thought?!

So what have you been up to, little miss Premont?

well, loads.

One thing I havent been doing is posing nude. I have had a fair deal of artists comming up to me offering paying modeling positions. But Im to busy taking in the city to cash in extra money. Paris is very open in my opinion. If people think your attractive, theyll tell you. Im not used to that. Of all the Europeen cities that express it, Paris does it the strongest.

Paris also constantly smells of urine and is ver dirty. Do come anyway!

I went to the Chateau de Versailles. Now that is a very cool place. The ticket cost me a hefty 25 euro but it is impressive nonetheless. The grounds are huge (I spent 6 hours and saw about 30 percent). I watched musical fountians to which I was quite in awe. And walked through Marie-Antoinettes little wonderland. She really did make a little paradise and that was my favorite part. The castle was cool and luxourious. The ceilings were encrusted with gold leaf, jewels and frescos. But I do have to say, I am not fond of a luxourious lifestyle. And back then, neither were the French.

...

I am staying in a hostel in the Montmatre area which happened to be and still is the home of many artists. Some famous and some, not so much. Once the district of; Vincent Van Gogh (touched his door!- I have the right to be excited ok), Toulouse-Lautrec aka Moulin Rouge, Monet, Picasso and Dali to name a few... Therefore Im in a really cool part of town:)

To get to Paris I took a plain from Hamburg. On boarding the plain I almost thought it was a joke. Smallest plain I have ever been in. It was the size of a bus and had propellers. It was basicaly a long helicopter.

I checked out the Dali museum. The mueum itself was dark and smelled of urine. But the art saved the exposition. I didnt even know that Dali also dabbled in sculpture! shame on me...

But the killer qrt museum for me was the Pompidou. Wow, now that is where youll see cutting-edge modern and contemporary art. The building itsledf is a piece of innovative architecture. Trasparent tubes encasing escalators dominate the exteriour of the building.

There was a whole expostion on Klandinsky (Taught alongside Klee at the Bauhaus Design School in Berlin- but a Russian himself). Showing loads of his works. I was able to notice the evolution through time in his works. I wasnt a fan of his simple elementary-school-looking bland lignes and colored shapes pieces but his latest was his greatest.

The other real cool part about the Pompidou was that they had a whole floor dedicated to feminist art. Yup, that right. Everything from Gorilla Girls to Yoko Ona to Kiki Smith, the works. And they didnt hide the facts that most women artists are showed in the shadows. However, I feel with the art that is comming out now... things are changing. We are starting to really just focus on whats essentiel, the art.

Carmen Sandiago, where in the world are you?

Paris

Luneburg

The last couple of days I have been spending a little south of Hamburg, in the cute medieval village of Luneburg where my cousins live. They are my cool cousins who are my age. Remember Jacob? And Maria? Thats who! I also finally got to meet my German Tanta Angelica and Theresa.

Basicaly it was just family chilling time. We went out to the lake and relaxed. German lakes are tiny. They look like ponds. haha

But the highlight of all this was when my uncle Gunther brought us to Hamburg. Hamburg is a very cool city. But my uncle is cooler. No kidding. He is very witty. So basicaly smart and funny. But the kinda funny that comes out of nowhere and takes you by surprise. Thus, ending up in. funny.

In Hamburg, Onkel Gunther became the perfect guide and showed us loads of sights and we toured around the city by walking and the river ferry.

But the part of Hamburg that struck me the most was Reeperbaum. Reeperbaum is the largest red light district in Europe. It was astonishing. Prostitutes out waiting in line on the sidewalks at 3pm. Streets of strip clubs and what not. The weirdest sex shops, not that I entered. But from the window I saw breast slippers. Which made me burst out laughing. So ridiculous.

We ate in a Greek restaurant and Maria and I couldnt stop keeping are eyes from being glued to the window as we watched lavished prostitutes trying to pick guys up. I do have to say that as pourly looked down upon a red light district is, Reeperbaum is still fascinating and I would go back again.

Towards the end of the trip we went to a fair. And this where I witnessed how hardcore my uncle really is when I watched him ride a rollercoaster on his own in the front row. I was v impressed.

I didnt actually ride a rollercoaster myself. I was petrified. You can all make fun of me when I get home, or not. haha

Chapter 3: Day 3

This morning I went to Checkpoint Charlie. It is a very ugly and badly put together museum but holds loads of information on the Berlin Wall. The highlight of the museum is all the escape stories and the radical ways that people crossed the border from east to west. After reading all these heroic stories of survival and courage I was really touched. People were doing so much to get the freedom they deserved.

After that, I went to the Jewish museum. Don't go there. It's expensive and and analytical. To the point where I was really disgusted. It was a poor excuse to say sorry to the Jewish population who was persacuted here. The building had cool architecture and some beautiful symbolism to it. But that's where it ended. It's high time that Germany fess up and say they are sorry. The museum told the cute little history of Jewish people. My arse. Basically analyzing them like they were a species or something. The smallest part of the whole exhibiton was the part on the Second World War. I didn't see a single photo of a tyrant named Hitler or a single swastika. Ok, cool, if you don't want to be offensive. But they hardly even wrote anything down about that troubled period either. Completely turning a blind eye to the situation and diluting the truth. First of all Hitler was Austrian and second of all the Nazis are hated practicaly world wide. Museums are allowed to show the truth in print and phtoography. Thats what they are there for: To help us document history in accuracy and get the facts straight.

After that I went to the Bauhaus Design School expo. Pretty darn interesting. It was one of the most influential art schools of the 20th century to the point where even IKEA got pointers from them. The likes of Klandinsky and Klee tought there. Although the art was pretty cutting edge for their time, it was all too similar. The work was new for the 1920's but within the school it was basically one body of work made by different wannabe artists. And that is where they missed their mark. A lot of art and architecture that we see today is thanks to Bauhuas.

To end my day I went to the East Side Gallery in east Berlin. This is where 1.5 km of the Berlin Wall still stands and have been transformed into paintings depicting peace. Even when the Wall was all still standing artists were flying into Berlin to paint in protest against the wall and its seperation. There is one painting by a Quebec artist but it really sucks. Im glad that some of the Wall still stands because it is a reminder of how greed over people and eventually world power makes some go mad and crazy. And thus, creating inhuman and disturbing oppression. There is nothing more evil then greed and power.

Well goodbye, after the bank I'm off to Lunebourg ( half an hour south of Hamburg) to see the cousins.

Chapter 2: Day 2

This morning I went to the Helmut Newton museum and exposition. I want to be a photographer! (among maney other things) His photography is a fetish and so provocative that it is nearly pornography. Yet, is not because it is only suggested. The intersting thing about his work is that he would take color photographs and only then before developing them turn them into black and white.

During the afternoon I went on a bicycle tour of Berlin. I was riding this real nice Hawaiin beach cruiser and the tour guide was so funny. Im pretty sure I was the only once who understood his mocking sarcastic humor. I kept bursting out laughing and everyone else was just insulted or too afraid to laugh. haha. But the tour was pretty sick and I saw loads of monuments. We also biked through Tiergarten, which would be their Central Park. Yet, only half its size.

During the evening I met up with my reflection. Crazy but true. Imagine me one year older and that would be Macey. She lives in T.dot. And for some strange reason is so alike to me physicaly but more psychologicaly and interest wise that we actually get along really well. We went to this lounge in their 'Plateau Montreal'. The interiour decor of the place was really cool. Set up like a 1950's livingroom and full of 30 year old intellectuals smoking and disgussing. I was in awe of the place. There are a few places like that in Berlin that were created out of Anarchy. It was a movement were people didn't care for the government and continued on with their lives but more or less in secret. Thus, creating pubs out of their livingrooms in order to not conform to Capitalism and propaganda. It was completely independant.

Chapter 1: Day 1

Today I went to the Hamburger Bahnhof museum. It is filled with works by the likes of Andy Warhol and Jeff Buey. It tends to hold really impressive large scale works. Only photography could explain this 'contemporary' (more like modern under my impression) art.

On a whim I got a haircut. I just popped into a salon and paid 10 euro. I asked to chop off my stringy split ends and crown my forehead with thick bangs. Its different but I think it just might work. Im tired off always looking the same since I was seven. Besides I don't have to be pretty for anybody because I'm pretty sure I'm 'pretty' in the inside. Someone did tell me I looked like Janis Joplin though. haha

And after that I went to see the new Harry Potter. Because its a must. Man I actually was laughing alot. Its pretty funny to be honest. Real good British Humor.

Berlin Babe

Berlin is a spralled and stretched out city. It isn't huddled together like Dublin or Montreal. It also happens to be a city 60 million euro in debt. Thus, they hardly even noticed the recession. Because of all the previous attacks on Berlin, the city is constantly reconstructing itself. And because there is a lack of money alot of reconstructed 'building' are plastic printed sheets stretched out on blocks. Yes, pretend buildings to give a sense of the city.

But Berlin is also a city with so much to do.

I have mingled in the city for 3 full days and I'll tell them all in chapters. enjoy

Just a thought on a year off

I highly recomend to take time off from the scholarly institution.
As a witness to my own life, I can attest that you will learn things that school does not have the capacity to teach you. The 'class' will be on yourself. Life will be your teacher for once.

In the past year I have learned more about myself then I have growning up during all my teen years. I have seperated it into three concrete and seperate parts all dealing with location. Because location has actually had a tremendous influence on my learning process.

1- Tofino
-Learned who I was
To a certain degree. But I figured out both good and bad things about myself. What I should change about myself and what I should grow and continue to do. I would say this was sort of like a 'comming of age' because I was not influenced by anything really other then myself. I was away from the media and submerged into nature. I could breathe again and because I wasn't distracted I had time to analyse myself and realise things and patterns about my personality.

2- Dublin
-Learned who 'They' were
This part had nothing to do with me at all. It was strictly about the 'others'. I was learning about a culture and people with whom I was becoming apart of. I was watching and learning. Adapting to a new lifestyle and figuring out how another society works and functions.

3- Europe
-Taking a course in Cultural history
Not that I chose to. But boy am I learning loads. For once, I am surely the outsider. Communicating in foreign languages and quickly adapting to their systems only to be replaced in another foregin situation. Truly thrilling.

You can't learn any of this in school, atleast not in a hands-on level.

Fate

Funny how Fate makes her mark. She makes herself known. And won't allow herself to be forgotten. No matter how hard you try to run away from her, she'll make sure she's there to stop you and make you go on with her plan.

I came to Berlin by fluke. My Opa really wanted me to go. I didn't really care for the city (now I do) and was being a bit of an absentminded teenager. Well, that was one plan altered and for some strange reason I hadn't planned on being in Berlin long enough. Because on Saturday the instateller ate my debit card. Luckily, I had pulled out a hundred euros to survive just before hand. So, I now spend more time in Berlin until the bank opens again. I'm not calling the shots here! But I do not mind at all. Because folks, Berlin is a city with a lot of history (duh) and therefore loads to see. And now I can leave after really appreciating and understanding this contraversial and influential city. the end.

ps. Thank you Fate

Tuscany

I am so dissapointed because I wrote a tale on Tuscany. It was a beautiful and picturesque story about my days in Tuscany. For some reason she chose not to inscript herself into the blog. And vanished.

Now I just dont feel like repeating myself. So this part of the journey will be a little less known and a little more mysterious. But I can tell you that my body is painted with freckles and I swam everyday. My aunt owns a real nice country villa and I babysat my adorable cousins, all 4 of 'em. I even changed a diaper (while the kid chose to stay standing- v difficult procedure) , and nearly fainted.

But the highlight of all this country and rolling hills talk was when my two Aunts brought me to the Opera. It was La Boheme by Puccini. Although it was in Italian I was completely mesmerized. The event was outdoors and super classy. Italians are very extravagent dressers.

so you missed your plain, eh?

I spent a few hours in Milano and hated it. I dont care if its the fashion city mecca or not. To me its an industrial and ugly city. I call it Shitilano. The only good thing about that city is the really good looking boys.

And then I missed my plain. Whatevs. So I chilled in the airport forever until I could catch a flight to Berlin instead of Hamburg.

I have loads to say but so little time

...and these keyboards are so confusing.

K folks Ive been in Tuscany. And I will elaborate in the very near future.

But cooler then that is I missed my flight to Hamburg. I woke up at 4:45 am and still missed it. The metro and bus were late. I forgive them.

You see, I believe in a little theory called Fate. I booked my flight to Hamburg and then my credit card cancelled the purchase. So then again I bought a ticket and then missed the flight. I wasnt suppossed to be in Hamburg,... yet. So I took the next flight to Germany which led me to Berlin. My Opa wanted me to go here and I need to realise where I come from and step up on my social-political knowledge. Its time to try and figure Germany out.

And the best part is, I didnt loose a dime. So it was meant to be. Im letting life call the shots and my history is writing herself down.

Now, I'm not saying I'm an art critic or anything...

Well Rome is a place of Art History, yes. But not contemporary works. Montreal is.

I went to the MACRO today, which is Romes' Contemporary Museum of Italian art. Boy, it wasn't that good. Only two pieces were kinda cool. I guess I'll just have to wait for the TATE Modern in London. The pieces were all Italian and all looked unfinished and like they had been done by second year college students. Nothing was meticulous and nothing was rendered. Fine, that's okey. But nothing was interesting either. They didn' push any bounderies.

However, I also went to two art galleris which were pretty darn intersting. The first one was way cool because it had works by artists exposed in Juxtapoz. So I saw original prints by Banksy (overated artist), Shepard Fairey (political OBEY artist), Supakitch and Audrey Kawasaki. The prints were all really cool but the one thing that sucked was how the weren't mounted properly. They weren' even flat! Art is practically sacred! Especially when it's good. And these are good works!

I want to be an Artist soooo bad. As soon as I get to Montreal I'm gonna submerge myself back into the scene.

Vaticano and the Basilico

Today I went to Vatican City! It was cool enough of a city since it's walled and they have their own currency but the coolest part was the Basilico. My goodness what a cathedral. If you want to be practically mesmerized this is the place to knock your socks off. It's both glorious and beautiful. The Oratoire St. Joseph is nothing compared to this.

I climbed all the way to the top. It took forever and I was really dizzy from walking up the spiral stairs but in the end it was really rewarding. The view of Rome is phenomenal. Rome looks uptop just like it does in all the illustrated ancient Rome books I use to read back in the day as a kid.

The Basilico is huge and beautifuly ornated. The frescos are made with tiny pieces of ceramic, glass and gold paint. Thus, giving off an illuminated effect. The mosaics even showed degradation and shadowing. The paintings and statues were immense. I wonder how long the whole process of making this church was. I'll have to get back to you folks on that one. But I'm guessing, a really long time.

But the part that stunned me that most and humbled me was when I saw Michelangelos' Buonarroti (Saint Mary holding the decieved Christ). The statue is of a medium size but is encased in glass. I have never seen a more intricate and polished statue in my entire life. I now understand why it is one of the most famous pieces of art on our planet.

I also saw loads of monks and nuns, in case you were wondering...

Hiroshige

I don't like the food in Italy.

Today I went to see an exposition on the world famous Japanese print artist, Hiroshige. It totalled to 200 of his works. They were so small but beautiful. I would like to try this technic.

They were prints created with watercolors placed ontop of a carved cherry blossom block. He depticted mostly nature and Japanese culture. I think he was an enthusiast of his country. He really makes Japan seem like a beautiful place. I forgot that it snowed in Japan! I prefered his prints with less color, even though he is known for his fluid ways with ink.

traveling solo

I really like traveling solo. I know that a lot of people wouldn't even think about the idea but a true adventurer wouldn't mind. I'm here and i'm doing my thing. I can do watever I want, whenever I want. Not being selfish at all but honeslty there are no bounderies to what I do and see. And while being solo I can just make up my plan as I go. I happen to be on the no-plan-plan. But one interesting thing is that I keep bumping into kids from previous hostels, from Montreal, from Dublin and from SWAP. So it's pretty cool that life keeps bringing me suprises. I'll have to thank her sometime soon...

A Dash of Ruins

Today I went into the Coluseum. The structure is amazing and once you enter the building you can really imagine what went on in the ampitheatre once upon a time. It has survived centuries and countless earthquakes that would of demolished our North American buildings. The grandios building is breathtaking to say the least. But I think the best was to describe it across the pond would be by photography.

I have also seen the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.

The Pantheon is just big. Theres a cool dome inside of it though. The Spanish Steps are warmed by the sun and because they are so polished are really comfortable to sit on. The Trevi Fountain is gorgeous. It's like a ginormous beautiful bath filled with light aqua water and adorned with multiple statues and mini-pools.

One interesting thing about the Roman fountains is that all the water is drinkable. Literally, you can just fill up your water bottle in the fountains.

welcome to the strangers

On my first day in Rome I got lost and hopped into a car with a 45 year old Egyptian man.

Normally I wouldn't do this. But I was feeling extremely adventerous and the intense heat probably degraded my conscious side. I felt that he was safe. He was nice. I did't get attacked. He owned a garden shop, my dad loves gardening. So I gave it a thunbs up and hopped in to the car. And then arrived safely in the hostel. the end

During the day I witnessed this artist making paintings out of spray paint. It was definately performance art to say the least. He knew he had a crowd and thus he painted with vigility and almost anger. He was pretty cool and boy did he know how to spray paint! The paintings ended up looking highly polished. I bought one for my brother.

And that evening I ended chatting it up with a homeless man. He was pretty cool. And he was chilling with his two bunny rabbits.

Bonjourno Roma

Well right now I am in Rome and I have to say that this is a pretty cool city. I actually prefer it to Lisbon. Rome is a city that is highly entertaining in the fact that it's a city filled with ruins. And boy are they massive! They ancient buildings are magnificient not only in their structure and in their detail but also their incomparable size. I can hardly imagine how long it took to make the sculptures and to erect all the buildings. I now understand how Rome was a super power. They knew exactly what they were doing. They must have been excellent architects.

One thing about Europe is that the people here made things to last a lifetime. They made their mark by a legacy in which they created unephemeral products to mark their place in history. This is one thing that I really appreciate. In North America its cheap'n'quick. I can notice that people in Europe took time and effort to make things beautiful. And because of this, the city is bathing in architectal and art history.

Lagos is where it's at

Well Portugal is coming to it's end. Already a week gone by. Boy, does time fly!

So the last two days I have been spending in Lagos, which to me is pretty near to the ideal summer spot. I would say it's Portugals' Tofino. Lagos is in the south of Portugal. If you go any more south you hit Morrocco.

I took a bus to Lagos from Lisbon. It was so beautiful and the scenary felt like it belonged in Africa. I saw skinny brown cows grazing in the grass, except the grass wasn't green? Maybe thats why they were so skinny.

In Laos I went on a dolphin excursion in the channel of Atlantic water between Portugal and Morroco. It sounds so cheesy but I really wanted to see them and I haven't ever seen dolphins up close in the wild before. I was so excited when they came to the boat. I wanted to jump off the boat so badly. They were common dolphins with white bellies. They probably were probably between 5 and 6 feet long. They would follow the boat and surf the waves. They were jumping and having a good time. I think they know that they are liked and then they get really excited to see humans.

Lagos is hot. It was 30 degrees when I was venturing but the locals told me it normally should of been between 40 and 45 dgrees celcius. Suprisingly, the water isn't that warm.

Then today I went on a kayak trek which was also fun. I went through some caves and explored a lot of the south of Portugal gravitating towards the Atlantic ocean. There are so many interesting rock formations and caves. The coast is an accumulaiotn of pourous cliffs. They are tan and the layers of formation are more than evident. We also saw some ancient ruins from three hundred years past of a temple that fell because of an earthquake.

After that I hit the beach with some friends I made. I have decided that my body looks like uncooked white chicken with a burnt Malta meatball for a head. And now, I load on the SPF.

Well, next stop: Rome

SURFING in Portugal

Today I woke up bright and early and I hopped onto a Moped and drove to the nearest town to pick up some cash ( our town is so . Actually, I was just sitting in the moped behind some guy from the hostel. But it was my first time and it was really fun. We were wizzing down the highway. I wanted to drive but you need a drivers' permit.

After that I headed to the beach and had an amazing surf. Absolutely wicked. The waves were great and of a light turquoise color. I caught some 'greens' and even glided my thingers through the waves. I was on such an adrenaline high. And I was so happy that I was singing in the waves. Making up my own lyrics to songs I only know of the melody...

Then I relaxed in the sand dunes. And got burnt. Disgusting creature I am for not pounding on the SPF. I didn't even think about it. The Portuguese sun is waaay stronger then the Canadian sun, I'll tell you that. The owner of the hostel has been taking care of me with his giant aloe vera plant. My skin is the same color as my lips.

This is the sickest hostel I've ever been in. It's so cool. It's kinda like a house ontop of a hill overlooking the Atlantic ocean.

SURFING in Portugal!

Yup today was a good day. I'm in the countryside beside the best surfing beach of Portugal. I really like this.

So I changed hostels and towns and am getting way more used to this traveling-solo-in-a-foreign-country thing.

So today I went surfing. The water is light and warm but you still need a wetsuit. But it was sooooooooo windy. To the death of me! This ain't no Tofino, folks. No beach break. Just huge waves crashing. Never a break and no sets. I was on a 6.8 almost-funboard and I only caught about five green waves.

However due to the wind... the kite surfers and wind surfers were having a blast. They are so cool. I was mesmerized while watching them do flips ontop of the waves. They really get a lot of air!

I don't look anything like I normally do. No make-up and I've stopped brushing my hair all together. I'm looking more and more like my position as homeless. haha! But people here in Portugal are way less image contious and I really appreciate this of the people. Everyone is just so relaxed.

Portugal

This morning started bright (not literally) and early. I woke up at 2:30 am and was out by 3:00 am. I was a bit on a mental high while walking through the shady streets at that time of night with all my luggage. The last drunks were hopping into taxis and my adventure was yet to begin. I was waiting at the bus stop when a taxi dude came up to a bunch of us and offered a ride to the airport for the same price. We submitted.

I was the first to arrive for my flight. I forget how here international flights aren't as international since were in the same continent.

Upon arrival into Lisbon the heat was the first thing that woke me up. A whole whopping 31 degrees celsius. I guess summer never hit Ireland.

Lisbon is beautiful but weird. I have never ever been in a city like this before. Obviousely and duh. The streets are made up of tiny white squares of rock that make up something of a mosaic. The whole city is of cream tones and is on slant. You either are walking straight up a street or sliding down another. It's almost as if the city is placed on tiny little mountains.

Right away I figured the city wasn't right for me. I needed the country, I needed the beach. I needed color. So I peaced off and took a train to Cascais. Cascais is paradise. A beautiful seaside town full of beachbums. Everyone looks like toast. I've never seen so many grannies in string bikinies in my life (or in just the bottems). The water isn't as hot as you'd think but the air is boiling. Except, I forgot my bathing suit. So tommorrow I'm gonna try and go for a surf.

Needless to say during this day a weiner dog tried to mull me and some old guy was trying to sell me weed buds.

And to conclude, it is so hard to speak over here! I don't know anything in Portuguese. And vice versa.

to finish up

After all the shannanigans my life went back to half normal. I had been living with Chara (new flat) and Stephanie. And as fate would tell her story.... Chara inherited my job. No joke. It was pure destiny. So she's staying atleast a little longer and working at the organic resto nestled in the heart of my beloved Phoenix Park. I continued on my life and trained her how to make a killer latte. We would walk all the way to work because we were that much closer. Then I had two days off and I said my goodbyes and peaced off. I was really sad about leaving because I am really gonna miss everybody and quite frankly I'm a bit nervous about this traveling thing. Especially since I have NO PLAN! So... behold, the next month is a non-plan-plan adventure.

Electrified

It has now been two days since we have been evicted. The first night we were evicted I slept in our appartment anyways. With no bedsheets or anything. Just the empty appartment. Chris did the same in his own room. It just sucked to have the bomb dropped upon you and then be evicted from your home the day off. Human rights just aren't as strong over here.

Last night I slept over at Teresas'. She kindy took me into her home and happens to live on the same street. However my continous disrupting of a normal life was not in short order. Everytime things settle down in Ireland and you feel at peace, something drastic brings you back into perspective and out of ease. This time is was through lightning.

There was a major storm on Canada Day evening here in Ireland. At about three in the morning Theresa and I were woken up by the sounds of 'a crashing airplane'. This is honestly what we thought. The sound was horrible. We were screaming and holding onto eachother. Rain was crashing down in Dublin. And lightning and thunder was on the prowl. Just right underneath the bedroom window in which I was sleeping next too, a lightning bolt penetrated into the wiring system. The building was constantly being struck by lightning because of the phone wires hugging the faced of the building. The alarms were going off like mad.

It was not safe to go outside at all. I called into work at 5 am stating that in no way was I going to walk an hour through the storm through an open park filled with telphone poles and trees. It was not safe. Phoenix Park is now flouded and some building in Dublin have recieved serious damage due to the storm. This is now my cue: leave Dublin. I'll be back in August. But my time here for now is done.

I really, really like Dublin but the time I was suppossed to spend here has expired.

Newgrange

On the same day we were evicted, Chara and I were already going on a tour to the Hill of Tara and Newgrange.

Hill of Tara really isn't much. Basically a hill giving a great view. The hill is covered with sheep that chill next to you and also happens to be the ancient ruling area of the Celts. But now it isn't much.

Newgrange however is way cool. It is a UNESCO World Heritage sight and predates the Pyramids and Stone Henge. It dates back to the Neolithic period. Newgrange is still a mystery but because it has been so well conserved, it is believed to have been an ancient buriel sight as well as a base for early astronomy. The huge rock and grass mound-stucture works directly with the eclipse of the summer and winter soltice letting the sun penetrate for a few minutes a year into the human made cave. The large earth dome is also covered with ancient art inside and out in the form of engravings.

When I was inside of it, it felt very magical and unreal. Being made in the BC era, one can only imagine what has happened in Newgrange thorugh all these thousands of years. I really want to get to the bottem of this enigma but nobody has all the answers.

Sudden Change

Life was perfect in this saga till on my day off Chara and I bumped into our Landloard. He told us to get out of the Appartment ASAP. It's a very long story but in the end: I am homeless. Chara has a new flat. Heeun and Chris are bumping at friends places. (I'm doing the same)

It's just such a long story that I don't even wan't to remember it. He is an aweful and untrustworthy man. In the end we have all learned something very important: sign contracts.

We were all evicted in 22 hours.

I am very tired right now and not having my own flat really sucks. I feel like I have already started my traveling journey. A week too early. I like it when I am established. Now I am just lost. But I'm fine at the same time because I have good friends taking care of me.

bits and pieces of a daily life

I keep forgetting what has happened over the last two weeks. It's fun and then slips my memory.

I know for one thing, I was hanging with my pals (Linda, Theresa and Chris) and then by fluke managed to get tickets to the premiere of the film Bruno. Which is hilarious and not recommened to be watched with the faint at heart. We were front row and laughed louder then the whole auditorium. It was just sooooooooooooo funny. There where some Irish celebrities there too but I had no clue who they were.

I have been hanging out with friends and doing things. But I honestly can't remember.

A week ago, Chara and I bumped into and artist in Temple Bar. He's a street artist and I ended up purchasing two of his works. They weren't pricy and depict seagulls in a Low-Brow formality. Very Juxtapoz. Dublin is FULL of Seagulls.

And a few days ago we had a flatmate night that we planned. Chris, Heeeun, Chara and I went to Govinda's (the Indian Veg resto). Chara and I wanted them to try something new. They really liked it. We bought two huge plates of food and splited them. After we were walking through Temple Bar to go to a pub before heading home when I bumped into my former manager from the Button Factory. He let us into that nights show for free. It was sooooo good. It was jazz night. I haven't heard that good live jazz music ever! The lead singer was very sassy and down to earth but her voiced ressonated sultry meloncholic lyrics. The Button Factory is a very cool place to be.

The Aran Islands

I have been up to a lot lately and therefore have never been online. A few weeks ago my mind was getting really restless. I needed change, I needed to get outta Dublin. Thats just me. I was a little stir crazy but only a little. So Chara and I peaced across to western Ireland to the city of Galway. It was my second time there.

Galway is a small hippie city full of hippie students and artists. Therefore, I like it. Imagine a bigger Tofino.

But the highlight about the trip wasn't Galway, it was Inishmore, the largest Island of the Aran Islands (there are three in total). These Gaelic Islands are submerged in the Atlantic ocean and are thus only attainable by an hour long ferry ride.

I think I have found where my heart belongs. The hottest day of the year that I have spent in Ireland was spent here. It was practically scorching even with the Atlantic breeze. Chara and I rented bikes and basically biked around the Island. Gazing at tiny little cottages and small rural towns that hug the coastline. We saw a few cows, and donkeys and horses. As well as some art. Life is relaxed over there. I was in awe and bliss. We went to a beach and stripped down to our underwear and played in a small beached bay. I was so glad to be back in the ocean. The hot sand was white and the water was clear. Surfing is only threatening my longing even more.

I have this romantic idea that one day (in a few years) I will go back to Inishmore and spend July and August renting a little cottage over there. I'll try and learn some Gaelic and swim and bike. Read a lot and most importantly focus on art. I will be relaxed, unoccupied with work and undistracted. Therefore able to give my heart back to art. I will only be influenced by what surrounds me: nature and color.

The Aran Islands

time is telling her tale

yup, another week has gone by. Its crazy to even imagine that I will only be here another 2 weeks. The first chapter is coming to its end. Life is becoming so natural here. If I didn't have a major commitment ie. Uni then I'd ideally be here till at least the end of September. But I'm on a time limit.

Chara, friends and I ventured into NCADs' (national college of art in Dublin- duh!) graduating exhibit. Think about an all-art school of 600 hundred peeps with a beautiful tiny campus. I spent two days looking through it and didn't even complete te whole show. It was a good show but so different from the Montreal art. I'm more into the Montreal scene. The art here was pretty darn literal which is fine but leaves less to the imagination ( thats just my perspective on it).

The other day I went with my friend Stephanie to the Brazen Head. The Brazen Head is the oldest still standing pub in all of Ireland. It was first constructed back in the 1100's. It has such an authentic feel to it. It feels a bit like a vamped castle. The pub has loads of rooms. There was a little Irish band playing some real good music.

Walking to work is always a charm, unles its raining. Then it's just a battle. A few days ago I was walking home when for the first time in my life, I saw a Polo match. It was real cool to watch. Basically a mix of hockey and horseback riding.

Two days ago Chris (our flatmate) and I decided to go on top of our buildings' roof. But to the very top. We somehow climbed onto the very top of the roof. We could see everything! The sun was setting and the clouds were of gold. We were having so much fun being crazy until we noticed baby seagulls in nearby nests and then we were being warned by there parents. (First of all seagulls here are HUGE, they stand 2 feet tall. They look more like eagles if you ask me. They have huge beeks and piercing yellow eyes. They chill on my balcony in the early morning. They are monsters!) They weren't technically harassing us because there was no official contact. But man alive when your on the top of a square building with no where to hide, you become an instant target. They kept swooping down on us and freaking out. I guess they are really good parents.

Last night I slept over at Teresa's. She is the coolest chick ever. She's 26 and from Vienna, Austria. Anyhoo she lives across the street so that is always a charm. My other real good friend here is Karine who I'll be seeing back in Montreal. I sorta met her through Laurence minus the introduction. Karine is cool and everyone likes her because she's real, fun and non-jugemental. Besides that my other real good friend is Lenny. She hails from Moscow, Russia and she's funny and weird and 22. These are the people (besides Karine-haha!) that I will miss the most. And a huge reason on why I'm just not yet ready to leave. My heart says no! but my mind says go.

things are settling down just before I take off

yup life is definatly stablilising itself, 1 month before I leave. We live in a hippie hotel and I couldn't be happier about our location. I'm already planning on having a huge gathering in September at my place in Montreal,which will be an evening of photography and exploring the world of Eire. It's gonna be great craic.

Atleast once a week when I walk to work I pass by the Phoenix Park deer. They look just like Santa's reindeer. Anyhoo, about a week ago Chara and I where walking home from my work at about 10:30 pm and therefore it was only dusk in this part of the world. We were walking when we stopped in our tracks and noticed right infront of us a heard of deer. 10 feet away. To not scare them we laid in the grass. To show them that we sucumb to them and that we are their friends and not enemies. We were oh so close. I love communicating with nature- haha!

fire

The other night I was woken up by Chara at 1am.

'Chantal get up'
'mmm'
'Chantal seriously, get up!'
'mmmmmmm'
'Chantal there is a fire outside our window!'
'mmmmm.... that's nice.....@

I was really tired.

Then we looked out the window and there was a huge fire right outside our window on the neighbours roof. Probably from a cigarette. The flames where about 12 feet high. The sky was red and smokey. I just wasn't paniking. We called the Garda and they showed up 25 minutes later. They suck. Canadian firefighters will be there in 5 minutes not when they feel like it. By the time they finally showed up the townspeople had put they fire out themselves by throwings pails of water on the roof. This was a big fire. Im still confused.

NEW FLAT!

So ya, our landloard peaced us to another flat. But we dont mind because it's SOOOO COOL! Imagine the most hippie flat possible. That's our flat :) We live in a penthouse with a porch on top of the building. Sometimes it reminds me a bit of the Common Loaf but even more intense. The walls are brightly painted and art is spralled across the walls. We also have a new cool flatmate from France. He's very clean. Part of the appartment even looks like a hotel. Its a weird kind a place but it apeals to me loads. Chara and I share a room with a king sized bed. We have a huge bay window and wooden floors. The sun just fills our room with light. I am so happy here in our new flat. I feel like a robin in the most comfortable of nests. Perched so high that I am practically unattainable. I'm comfortable.

Since I'm feeling good, art is starting to flow through my thingers again. But this time it's different. It's a little more Jenny Saville, a little more Francis Bacon, a little more raw. Except my paintings are Alive. No dead people business here.

I also bought some Neil Young and Bob Marley CD's, which is unleashing, once again, the creative side.



' Did you ever go to art school?'
' No, thank God' - Francis Bacon

What goes around comes around.

Because of my weird work schedule, the times that I have access to free internet are scarce. Therefore resulting in random moments of intense catching up via the blog.

I love the people at my job. We all really click well. I adore my boss. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever met both in and out. I strive to act more like her when I work because she does it so gracefully. My manager on the other side is a pain in the butt. Because of his duo-personnality and Bi-Polarness, he gets on our nerves. But I just shrug it off my shoulders because he isn't worth fussing over.

There are interesting trees around the restaurant and sometimes I pee in them. People can't see you no matter what. I'm going to draw them so you can understand their structure better. But when I am in them I feel like I'm in a circus tent. Or maybe just the jungle...

I yet have more to say : Wicklow

Although I am falling asleep I must continue on with my story. The other week Chara and I went to visit Wicklow. Every once and a while we just need to get out of the city. It's a normal thing that also happens to me in Montreal. Wicklow is a county south of Dublin. So we took a day trip on a tour. We visited this super cool craft mart where we ate the best porridge I have ever tasted. It was filled with cream, honey and berries.
We visited other things like the Bog Lands. Which are huge acres of land left from Glaciars. The land rots and decomposes making a charcoal-like mud substance. It is then cultivated and turned into bricks. Imagine a tiny little street (aka highway) surrounded by lands of mud and watery marsh. This is where Tolkein was much influenced for parts of his novels. Including when Frodo sees the warriors floating uder the marshy waters. Yup, Ireland is an Influence! Don't even get me started on the Gaelic :)
We also ventured into Gledelough which was breathtakingly beautiful. Imagine a meadow filled with trees and toombstones. The sun hits this little hidden area so perfectly. To the side there is a high and narrow tower. This is where monks would go to the top and watch out for enemies. All this was beside a forest and a a lake. All that is left in this area is what was made out of rock. No more wooden homes...

my life lately

I have been super busy with work and doing long huge 10 hour days because of the annual Bloom Festival which happens in Phoenix Park. Basically it is a competition where artists make up these fabulous and beautiful gardens. Thousands of people come to see this event which leaves us, thus, very busy. But that finished a few days ago. So life is becoming a little more normal.

I have bought myself a Luas ticket so that commuting to work isn't as difficult. The Luas is an above ground high-tech train. It's somewhat modeled after the Montreal Metro and the Vancouver Sky Train. Its nice and comfy.

Right now I am knackered, which is Irish for being exhausted. I don't feel like typing.

another week

well, it's just been an ordinary week. Nothing outta the blue. I quit the Button Factory after listening to my mums' reasoning. I was simply exhausted and not that healthy. I needed to make a choice. And working 70 hours a week was just out of the question. I needed to be sane. I'm going to miss the people there and the free nightly rock shows. I now have a secure organic resto job and I work more then full time, so, ...I'm just fine. Finaly the boys have left the building. Now we are just girls. The house is getting artsier and cleaner by the day. Last night was our first girls night and it felt just right. I have decided to stay here till atleast the end of June. I'm glad I didn't run away and that I toughed it out for a week. I could have given up and I really wanted to colapse. It would have been easy but I feel that I have learned a lot through this horrible experience. For example, grace and forgiveness. I am not bitter to them. It was a huge challenge and I almost wasn't strong enough for it. And to my surprise I actually was able to survive this. God won't allow you go through something you cannot handle. He just doesn't work like that. But the boys are gone. And I am no longer mentally tortured. I have forgiven them but I don't like them.

On another note: my sibs are about to start major adventures!!! Nadine peaces to Tuff forever in a few weeks. And Justin ( at only 15!) is going on Esperanza. Way to go guys :)

yup its true... my life has gone to the dogs

So basically, if that little story confused you a little tooo much... my life sucked the last week. There were 3 reasons:
- Waaay to much work+ waaay too little sleep= waaay too much exhaustion.
- My awful roomates decided to punish me for sticking up for others and doing what is ethically right.
-I was completely broke with a grand total of 1.86 euro in my bank account.

But I'm on the second day of my weekend and though I'm exhausted I do feel a lot better and happier. One of the roomates peaced to Spain today without even a goodbye. Good on him. Now one of my shoulders feels waaay lighter.

Yesterday, Chara and I went to the best vegetarian ever! The place is called Govinda's and its around the corner. It was the most zen restaurant I've ever been to. It was inspired by India with Indian food and Indian music. I was really happy. We sat in there for about two hours like we normly do in restaurants. Take an hour to eat another to speak. And relax.

The weather is a little warmer and I've been struttin around town in dress and doing some serious thinking. I'm not at my mental and physical beings' healthiest. So I have to watch out. I'm not too sure how much longer I'll be in Dublin for... so I'm doing some major and serious thinking towards that issue. I'm not ready for Canada yet. I feel like I'm suppossed to be in Europe for a little longer. I'll be here for sure for another 3 weeks. Keeping myself grounded and mentally sane.

Walking to work is amazing and I've already had two beautiful encounters with nature. My friend Gareth from Belfast, UK came over for a lovely visit. And thanks to his kindness and friendship he decided to walk the 1.5 hour walk with me to work in the bright early and damp morning. We were talking about faith when all of the sudden he pushed me off the sidewalk to explain a metaphor and we were awestruck because a white horse was galloping through the fields very nearby. It was pretty magical with the bright white horse going through the misty emerald grass. It felt medieval.
And then a few days ago I was going to work again and came across two heards of deer. Beautiful things they are and they were soooo calm. One heard was about 40 and the other about 15 in deer. I walked by them about 10 feet away and they weren't even scared. Some of them watched me. But when other people came by they ran away. Watching them run together in a troup was bewildering. I think I need to go back to nature.

A True Story

Once upon a time there was a little girl with a big idea. She decided to do her own thing and go big. So the little girl with the big idea took a big plane and flew across the big ocean to a little country. Life was good. She had a little job on her little street and was living a happy little simple life until one day the big bad recession decided to hurt her. She no longer had a little sweet job and no longer had little pennies in her pocket. She didnt know what to do. But she continued on living anyway. The little girl was only going to embrace this big problem and make the best of it. So the little girl got two new jobs that were sooo fun. She was sooo happy for her big accomplishments. But the little girl was getting tired for only sleeping a little more then 3 hours a night. But she continued and then a week ago her two nice roomates decided to be mean to her. She thought they were her frinds, and they were, but only for a while. The roomates became very mean because the little girl stood up for what was right. And she didn't fall into their temptation. She had her own idea and new it was the right idea. They made her life horrible for 2 days and then stopped talking to her. She didnt let it get to her because she knew it just wasn't worth it and she wanted to continue on her little life with big dreams. And now she's more then a little confused...

exhaustion

I will probably continue on this blog tommorrow. But the bottem line is I'm not in a good place and need to do something about it. Don't worry.

On a more happier note: I'm working a day job in this organic restaurant in the middle of Phoenix Park. It takes me an hour and a half to get there so do the math. In equation I have blisters on my feet, the kind that are painful to walk on. I really enjoy working at the restaurant. It reminds me of a classy Common Loaf.

Button Factory: Yesterday was the Dublin Gay Theatre Fastival and the ceremony was at the venue in which I work in. I saw loads of hilarious shorts and skits. Gay people know how to have fun. I wish I was gay. They know how to let loose and enjoy life. And goodness, it wa some of the best acting I have ever seen.

As well, a couple days ago at the Factory was a Chzech and Slovakian concert. MY mom would love this music :) It was basically world-folk-fusion. The band was freaking ood but the crowd was even better. They know how to rock!!! I was having a great time! Montreal is known for a being a city that knows how to rock out. Well Chzechs and Slovaks can do it waaay better. Truth be told. They were sooo enthusiastic and bouncy up and down so high and energetically. I saw lods of men skipping all over the venue and doing pirouettes. It was so funny! No shame just gain and game.

A ridiculous life

Well loads has happened over the week. I dont know who I am right now or how exactely tired I actually am. I'm gonna pass out. The best part of the week is when Chara and I went to Howth last Tuesday. Howth is north of Dublin but right on the coast. I don't know if it's considerd the Atlantic ocean but if I would swim for my life I'd end up in Liverpool. We took a train over there and the weather was simply beautiful. Suntastic. I saw a few seals and the water is of a tropical blue. Howth looks just like a little harbor town and is therefore an adorable little seaside paradise. It was the perfect getaway day. After exploring the coast Chara and I went up on to the is huge hill where most of the town resides. It actually reminds me a lot of Canada. The giant cliff-hill was covered with yellow shrubs and people would horseback. It was beautiful and surely an adventurous day. Oh,... and we also ate fish 'n' chips.

ho hum dee dum

The weather over here is fantastic. Warm and sunny but windy. Sometimes it reminds me of Nanaimo in that way. So I have been chilling on the roof a lot. Chara's over here and life is good. Im also stoked because Karalee is comming to Europe soon-ish. And this will be grand. Last night Jess, Chara and I went to my work, on a night I didnt work and listened to the good reggae music. It was full of Blacks and Hippies and that's how I like it. Im pretty broke with less then 30 euro to my name which is about 20 bucks Canadian. Honestly, I'll I do is go out for coffee and sit in the sun. I live a pretty normal life. But yesterday we went to church and to Carissas Bible Study. I really like the study and Im pretty into it.

A good day

Today is just beautiful. I'm very happy, maybe its cuz of the weather, maybe it's because Chara just arrived, maybe because the work world is looking up, maybe it's I'm settling in, maybe it's because I've made some great friends, maybe it's because I just met an old man who has the same birthday as me, only he's 5 times feistier ( coolest old man ever and sooo interesting- hung out with him for an hour)... maybe its all this and more. But today is a good day and I spent 3 hours in Phoenix Park. Yesterday I had a job interview for Quicksilver and today I had a job interview for an organic restaurant in Phoenix Park. The restaurant is really inspiring because all their vegetables are grown in their own walled organic garden. Asides from that it's just been the usual: rock concerts and coffee with mates. I kinda wanna stay in Dublin for waaay longer then planned... but I have a life ahead of me unfortunatly with time limits.

True Story

So I came to Dublin without a Bible. Because I brought a Bible to Tofino and didnt read it once. So I figured less luggage weight. Yup, Im a genius... Until I started going to Carissas Bible study and since its a daily study I was stuck. So I went to the Christian bookstore around the corner and only wanted to by one book. But that doesnt really happen so I was checking out the New Testament. I came to the till with an inexpensive edition when a woman talking to the clerk gave me a mini New Testament. Without my realisation she had bought it for me. I was really thankful and greatful. Nice woman she is. Then she handed me a euro which she said was a blessing. Strange and weird to me and it has never happend to me before. Basically unfamiliar to my eyes and I still dont know what or how I feel about this. BUT I said thank you and that I would pass it on. So I continued on my day and asked God that he direct me to the right person who needed it because I didnt. I wasnt worried. I just new that when I new someone really needed it, I would know. I went by lots of homeless people but I just didnt feel like feeding their crack addictions. Later on in the day a girl caught my eye, she was crying and she was familiar. I had met here three weeks prior to this. She was the daughter of a woman in rehab and her step dad would beat her. So, at 15, she decided to run away. And now was living on the streets because the youth shelters had no more vacancies. Damn them, this is unjustifiable. I came over to her and hugged her. We were talking and I gave her the euro, which was honestly the only cash I had on me. She was crying because she had just walked out of the bank with 300 hundred euros in her hand. Being young and a lil naive she walked out with the money just chilling in the palm of her hand. Someone swipped it and ran off. Now she has no money. Both times I have seen her I beg to take her out for lunch or even just a tiny chocolate bar. She always refuses and says that its way to embarassing. I really want to help her. When all she wants is money. Pray for this girl peeps. Shes as young as my brother. I have a feeling shes sleeping around for money for drugs. Maybe its my wild imagination. But the way she was dressed this second time seeing her, I kinda figured? She really needs help but shes so independant.

Laryngitis

So I havent written in the blog in a week. Im not super lazy (well sometimes yes) just super busy. A lot happens in a week. And I cant remember everything. For one thing I am super tired but everyday is occupied with adventures and friendship and then gig work therefore leaving me sleep deprived. And because of this and possibly other things like how this town smokes like a chimney, I have inherited laryngitis. HAHA! YA! jokes on Chantal again. I honestly cant go through a year without getting something weird and not fun. Basically now I have no voice, NO voice. I sound like a little dog who had its voice box removed, sad story :(... So moving on to happier things... I met this really cool girl named Holly and weve been going to Eddie Rockets a few times. And when I add it up with the times Ive gone with Jessica, well then Ive just been to Eddie Rockets waaay to many times. Eddie Rockets is the coolest dinner ever. Holly from Van City is moving to Montreal, life will be good. Besides working and being exhausted and hanging with amazing friends like my soon-to-be wife Teresa, I have been going to Carissas Bible study which I really like. My mobile phone broke on its own. It wanted to make my life a lil harder, lil bugger (thats what she said). So I had to dish out more moola to get a new one and continue my downward laddwer to homlessness. The higlight of my week is when I invited my seven closest friends over to my ROOF! for Indian food. It was really fun to have a picnic on a roof. Ill show you some photos some day... I also wanted to say my Moms Bday was on the 1st. Happy 36th Birthday Mum!!!! haha love peace

Button Factory

So now I have a secure job. It also is one of the most coveted jobs for people my age. I have no idea how I got it. Im definatly not cool enough for this haha. But I work at the Button Factory which is basically like Foufounnes Electriques. AKA super cool. And there is live music everynight. I think Im gonna ditch the cafe because I have been working in cafes for years and am very over it. The hours at the venue are till about 3am which is ridiculous and I pass out in bed after but its good experience. Although basically all I do is listen to good music and pick up empties. I want to broaden my CV and get experience in different fields. Hopefully getting towards working in an art gallery at some point in my near life. I am sooo stoked on this job except that Im gonna lack a social nightlife but watever. Two months aint that bad and its a sicktastic job.

a new leaf

Hmmmm so this weekend was pretty fun, asides from sunbathing on my roof as much as I possibly can (this is a luxary, I swear), I have been up to other things like going to a concert with my friend Teresa from Vienna. We were on the VIP guestlist ( I felt special haha!) so we got in for free. The concert reminded me of the Montreal scene and they even played a lil Marley, which reminded me of Tuff City. I also went to church with Jessica. Yesterday I went running with my roomate and seriously good friend Mario to Phoenix Park. I reckon I said I wanted to die, I cant run for a long time and Im almost as slow as a turtle. I decided to take a break and lie down in the grass while he went to go pee in a bush when we were all of the sudden chased out of the park by the security. Apparantly someone was shooting a gun in the park. ( death wish?) So we ran all the way home. Today I started my first day at my new job, well... if they keep me. The place is called Seven Wonders and its in the Financial District. It is the most futuristic and hip cafe Ive ever seen and the food looks amazing and is organic. And Im really excited because... drumroll please... Chara is coming in 2 weeks! Major art fest in the works ;)

I am sick

Yesterday I went with a bunch of peeps to see 17 AGAIN: Its actually hilarious. I laughed sooo much at things that shouldnt be laughed at. So today I am sick. Behold, for the second time. So today I went sunbathing in my bathingsuit on my roof, with a fever. Its really nice and hot up there and there wasnt a cloud in the sky. Until half an hour later when I noticed my male neighbour just staring at me through his sliding door. No shame, just standing there. Watching. So that was the end of my day, I left. On Tuesday I have a trial shift at this resto thingy. I really hope it works out cuz I dont want to leave.

a loooooooooooooooZOOng weekend

so that wraps it. Tommorrow its back to getting a pathetic job. The weekend was pretty good. The last few nights we've beeng going to this evening church thingy that Carissa invited us to. And met up with a lot of other Christian girls our age except that they all live in northern Ireland. One of the seminars was on Darwins theory and the other was on proving that Jesus did actually exist. On Sunday we also went to a farmers market in Phoenix Park. I love Phoenix Park, its like Dublins' Central Park. It also happens to be the largest as well as oldest urban park in all of Europe. Then today we went to the Dublin Zoo with our mate Garth. Dublin Zoo is... weird. Definatly old skool. But the primates were wild. And bamboons have the ugliests butts ever. Monkeys are definatly show-offs. And Gorillas are very territorial. I even saw one beeting his chest to the crowd. I feel bad for the animals in the zoo. Although, I must say that these animals were way more entertaining then in North American zoos.

Jobless in Dublin, a memoir by Chantal A. Premont

´´I will survive¨´, I have been telling myself. Asides from have loosing my job life is pretty good. Two nights ago I went to an Indie show with Jess at the Sweet Chili, an indie pub venue. The band was called Richer Then Astronauts and the show was pretty good and the music was electro-indie-rock. It reminded me of the good ´ol Montreal days. Last night, we went to an easter celebration at the Easter Cafe. We met up with Carissa Clendening from Ukee, Tofino´s sister town. Today I pavement poundend and handed out tons of CVS and for the first time in 2009 I wore a tank top. It was soooo hot. And I didnt mind.

Hi! So a few days before St-Pattie's day, I went to Paris. Henceforth, I missed St-Pattie's day in Dublin. I know! But it's ok! Because Paris was very cool and I met some nice people in hostels, one of whom came with me on my first wwoofing experience in Normandy. So I was supposed to go to this lady's farm, but I couldn't reach her and decided to go to another farm. My worried father called the first farm, where I wasn't. Then.....he called the gendarmerie, the hospitals and the embassy! So I got to ride in a French police car and be interrogated and wasted a lot of people's time. haha... So my first farming experience turned out to be my first cleaning lady experience, but I still had a lot of fun on the account of there being a few other people my age there. However, the farm I'm staying at now is exponentially so much better because there are also cool young people, and I'm actually doing some farming! They have 2 super cute kids and they eat vege and organic and don't use medecine. Ok so I ate a really good organic free range steak yesterday, but they're mainly vegetarian. That's it for now! Chantal I'm sad you lost your job, but it's ok because you're the CV handing out master.

Francis Bacon

Today Jess, Felix da Housecat and I went to the Hugh Lane Gallery again and finally looked at all the art on the first floor. I learned a lot about Francis Bacon, he was basically a really messy artist who made pretty cool art. So I havent really looked for a job yet on accont of my super lazyniss, I prefer frolicking about in town and laying in the sun. We also went to church and the speaker was really good. So in a nutshell, Im really feeling some artsy inspiration, as soon as I can Im gonna paint my face like a cat and London is calling me. Now Im gonna rewrite my CV cuz I lost my USB, oh me, oh lame...

Francis Bacon

to most things there comes an end

well behold world, my little European life has just been slightly altered. Today, on this pouring rain day, I was left off from my job. Its the first time its ever happened to me but then again there is a first for everything. I kinda saw it coming and with the recessions hitting Europe pretty darn hard, the econemy is just not holding up. I was left off because the tiny cafe I was working for could barely even pay us and therefore was making no profit. So, I understand. Now Im gonna have to find a new way to survive. So please pray for me. Im not that worried and I know that I can do anything I want in life because Im driven. So tomorrow Ill go back on the job hunt but only after Yoga haha. Other then that Im really loving life. I must say though that Europeans my age are way more knowledgeable and worldly cultered then us northamericans. The truth hurts but its the truth. love ya all and keep the grades up cuz end of term is approaching :)
AND SUMMER IS JUST THAT MUCH CLOSER!

to most things there comes an end

witnissing the making of an album...

well Im really getting into living in Dublin. For my next living abroad session, Im already planning on spending a year in London in a few years. Life has been pretty normal along with hanging with friends. The last few days have even almost felt like summer. I can tell that its just around the corner. A big shout out to my brother Justin! Today he turns 15. The other day, a Sunday, Jess and I were walking to her house when all of a sudden we started hearing bass and drums. Right away I knew it was live and that it was coming from someones appartment. So we managed to get ourselves into the appartment and that was when we witnessed our first recording session ever. I am sooo inspired right now. All of the members of the band, the Blood (somethings) were also visual artists. The music was very cool and something that I have never ever heard before. They also had keyboard-like instruments from the 70s. Another good thing about where I live is how there is an amazing vegetarian restaurant right down the street. Guess What?- I made it into Print Media. I am sooo happy. Ill major in Art History and minor in Print Media at Concordia U this September. I want to cry but I wont because my roomate is sitting right next to me. Still touching up on my Spanish. peace out

Commission!!!

So another week has passed by, Dublin is still amazing. I have 150 CAN dollars left. You know, just living very comfortably... I have been hanging out with a lot of people lately and kinda sorta possibly made some Irish artsy friends my age. Hahah I love how this is a mission. Im on a mission. So today, a miracle happened. Well actually Im not to sure. But I think I mini-launched an art career. Basically I told God that watever happens with my time is pretty much in his hands. Im not worried about my futur and am pretty open to watever happens. I just asked that watever happens that somehow if I need it Ill be helped under any way. Im open to radical ideas. And if Im not helped, well then its ok, it just wasnt meant to be. Ive landed here and have made it happen. Now Im ready to just fallow my path. So, behold, today I kinda went looking for a job but only handed one CV because it was waaay too beautiful outside. I really just wanted to walk. So I walkedfor 2 hours and handed out one CV. I was thinking with the possibility of a second job I could really go and have a wild time this summer. Anyhoo my favorite co-worker Paula asked me to do a live portrait of her and her boyfriend and my boss asked me to paint a 20 foot canvas for the cafe which is now being changed into a wine bar. They are both on commission. Im trying to not get my hopes up but if this does truly happen well then thanks God for your super artsy and creative way to help me with my dream. A traveling artist :)

im really upset right now because i wrote the longest post of my life and the computer somehow published it but didnt. So Im sorry your just gonna have to wait longer till my spirit get back up about loosing my first novel. Now im going to go stuff my face with a cupcake and cradle myslef to sleep. not

just life you know

WOW Laurence is really good at this whole blogging thing :) hahha not. Well life hasnt been extremly eventful lately. Just little bits and pieces. I had another week at work which was nice. We had some amazing weather this week but now that the weekend has presented itself good weather has shyed away. Shell be back soon. For the first time since Tofino I had a reading party. You know, just two people sitting on a couch enjoying eachothers presence while reading. And then I fell asleep... My friend Jessica tends to stay over at my place on the weekends and thats how I like it. On Saturday we went with my flatmate slash friend Marcos to an International BBQ. It was a bunch of young people in a penthouse. It was really fun except for the part of me not being able to eat hamburgers. I had pringles and coke... oh joy! But anyway from way up top we could see the entire city. Dublin is really cool to see from an almost aerial view. The old city is just bustling. After that we went to our friend Felix (the housecat)s house for the most amazing pasta and crepes ever. ( For some reason peanut butter and pancake syrup are like nonexistant over here. And they put coleslaw and sweet corn in their sandwichs, its actually really good). So basically just hanging out with friends. On a boring note, I now have an Irish bank account. On another note, I recieved a fine from the Tram system over here. Ill get back to them. Oh, and my cubard and fridge are empty. Im sooo hungry.

An Unsaintful St Paddys

On Monday I went with Jess to Dun Loaughaire, which is south of Dublin. At first I hated the village until I found the ocean. And all was well again (haha Edward). So I bet your all wondering how St Paddys is over here, eh? Well its awesome. Except for the caotic amount of people here, its pretty darn good. The parade was so brilliant. It totally kicked Montreals knok-off parades butt. It was filled with Cirque-du-Soleil-like costumes. It brought back the passion within to become a costume designer. Then the City went nutts. In all of Ireland there were 3000, yes 3000 ambulance calls. Two people were stabbed to death here in Dublin. I saw ladies beating up bodyguards and what not. GONGSHOW. I saw little teenage boys kissing eachother. There were actually black people in Dublin this weekend. Otherwise its pretty rare. It felt right having more colour in this pasty city. On another note my manager is a pothead. Literally he comes to work stoned and leaves to take naps or something. Its pretty ridiculous how over the map he is. I bet he takes our pay-cheques and rolls joints with them or something. haha

saturday, saturday night

hmmm so I have absolutly no clue whats up with Laurence. I really want to know. All I can say is that she is really liking Paris. Anyhoo St. Paddys is coming up and this city is buzzing with enthusiasm. The population has doubled. Two nights ago we had an Indian food feast at my flat. So a bunch of young peeps; Canadian, American and Spanish. Im still sooo stoked on having an Indian supermarket around the corner. Today, with my friend Jess, we went to get piercings. I got my third holes done in my ears. I now have seven piercings.

...

Well lets see... tomorrow Laurence is peacin to France to volunteer for WWOOF. I no longer work at Q of Tarts. This past week I have been working at Cafe Wolfs which is a cafe (duh) and wine shop. The interesting thing is that I happen to live 3 blocks up the road from it. So I only work weekdays which is pretty dope. Meaning I can travel on weekends as soon as I have a lil moola. I'm, one again stating this, really enjoying my time here in Dubs. It is definatly an intresting city with no lack of weirdos but you get used to it fairly quickly. The weather has been gorgeous over here. And Im about to meet Laurence in the park. Last night, with Jessica from Van city, we went to a cool rockin diner and had milkshakes. Pretty good HUGE ones I must say. One thing about Dublin, that is absolutely breathtaking! Not.- Is everybody smokes over here. Like a ridiculous amount.

My mailing (hint;) address is:

Chantal Premont
Flat 4
57 Capel Street
Dublin 1
Ireland

Life

Im sooo stoked on life right now. Im pretty sure I live in chinatown haha. There are about 15 Asian markets and restos on my street. And, heaven, is just around the corner. There is an Indian food market. Yup, Ill be eating and cooking a lot of that stuff :) My work is also on my street but by pure coincidence. So I am flat out broke. I have 800 hundred Canadian. Which, here, means I should be borderline homeless. But fear not! I shall prevail. And live... in an appartment. Im gonna take Spanish lessons. Which is going to be pretty sick. Laurence comes back to Dublin today. Which is fantastic.

Belfast

So this weekend I went to Belfast. Belfast is in Northern Ireland but its apart of the UK. I dont like Belfast, its very British. Not that thats a bad thing. It just wasnt my vibe. They have a budding Burlesque vintage scene but asides from that its a pretty bussiness oriented city. So, pretty boring. But I went on a trip and reunited with Laurence and we went to Giants Causeway!!! It is one of the Wonders of the World. It is very cool. Basically its a formation of thousands of large geometric rock hexigons that have invaded a part of the northern shorleline. Its pretty epic when the Atlantic waves are crashing upon it. I also went on the Carick-E-Rede rope suspension bridge and saw 2 ancient castles. This morning it was hailing and snowing. Belfast is so friggin cold compared to Dublin. I love Dublin. I was on the bus from Belfast back to Dublin and it was sooo cold and in my head I was saying 'I want to go home, I want to go home'. Home being Dublin. Im back here and Im feeling it.

Belfast aka the UK

So right now Im in northern Ireland which happens to be apart of the United Kingdom. So in other words, right now Im using the sterling pound instead of the euro. Im here for a few days before I officially beyond officially start work on Monday. (I have yet to decide between two different full time jobs... and the world continues to spin) Laurence is here right now. Its nice to have a reunion now after 3 days. Shes playing guitar upstairs right now. Ireland is mostly Catholic except for the northern part which belongs to the UK and thus being Protestant. I am really liking Dublin and honestly this place is growing on me more and more everyday. I really have a fun apartment, so far. And my roomates are the funnest Spanish boys ever. Im definatly catching up on my Spanish. I still do not have an Irish friend. The quest continues. Dublin is a very international city. And we are proud to say Vancouver and Montreal are... well you havent seen anything yet. There are also a lot of handicaps here. Im really confused on that. Im thinking it has to do with the huge drugs problem...

PS I made it to University. Major stokage going on over this side of the ocean :)

new flat

Sooooooo today I quit one of my jobs. And have not responded to the other. But I'm working at this cool cafe-resto in Temple Bar (apparently the cool part of town). Its called Queen of Tarts. Its run by too sisters who studied pastry making in New York City. I'm a waitress slash potential baker. I just hope I don't get fired!. I'm the youngest and I said I had experience waitressing... but I didn't! hahaha well I got the job right? we will see if I can keep it. The only draw back is I have to cut off all my hippie hemp bracelets. I'm sooo sad. They just don't understand that it is a part of me you know... like Tofino. I guess some people weren't born sentimental. Right after this Im moving into my new apartment. It with two Spanish dudes and one French chick. Its freakin tiny but so is everything here in Dublin. So you know since I'm here I'm gonna live the way they do- via expensive rent. But i couldn't care less, because I'm here to have fun :)

The blog! Right! Okay, so sorry about my three week absence, I guess I used up all my sick days by now... Yes, I am in Belfast. And I have a double bed all to myself! And I ate meat for supper!!! I'm staying at my dad's cousin's place, which is a really nice house with a view of the ocean and a lot of things that don't exist in hostels. My laundry smells so good. This afternoon, we went to the nearby village (so I'm not exctly in Belfast) and to a tower that overlooked the country and the ocean. Typical Irish sheep-filled beauty! Tomorow, I'm going to Belfast to see museums and what not. My dad's cousin just gave me a private seminar on Belfast tourism (so I might not get lost). Interresting fact: in some protestant neighbourhoods, they painted the sidewalks blue, red and white to make sure the Catholics got the message to stay away. Thankfully, times are changing and these painted sidewalks are now grey again...

Settling in

Well today was the day. Laurence has peaced to Belfast (northern Ireland aka UK). I dont know when Im going to see her again. But I know I will see her again in the not-to-distant futur. So I have 3 jobs. YES, 3 jobs. In other words, 2 jobs 2 many. So the last few days I have been trying them all out. The one that I did today, I realised that I had to quit,... the day I started. Ill quit tomorrow. haha The job that I am the most keen on partaking and wanted to do all along is at Queen of Tarts. Which is a really cool cafe run by two sisters. Its basically a cafe full of tarts. And there gonna get me waitressing and baking. I really hope I like it. I start tomorrow. So tonight I checked out the first of the appartments. And I like it a lot except that its 355 euros. EXPENSIVE! But the people are cool and young. Sooooo, I said yes. But well see. I still almost have 24 hours.

Today was a good day

Well here is a little history... the Irish dont really like the English. Go figure, thanks to the English a vast majority of the Irish population perished, once upon a time. The famine. Soooo because of the devastating past RUGBY is truly important here in Ireland. Especially when it comes to a match against the Brits. Meaning the whole town was drunk and there were no more vaccancies in the hostels. I, being my Ill-think-about-it-later attitude, didnt reserve any hostels. And, thus found myself, homeless. But I really didnt care, and wasnt worried. I just had no place to stay. Actually thought it was pretty funny. I ended up sleeping over the last two nights at two different friends house. OH, and the Irish one the Rugby game. Soooo Happy Days. People in Ireland say Happy Days when things are looking up or just going well. Jolly people they are. By the way, Leap Year! Today Laurence and I went out in surch of the harbor. If I wanted I could take a ferry to Liverpool. I think thats a pretty cool idea. I also went, with our new friend Jessica (I have no Irish friends!- its on my to-do list ) to the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Sweet times. One thing that I love about Dublin is that everything is in walking distance. I really love to walk. I always have but now even more. And yesterday for the first time that I can remember, I rode on a double-decker bus. I could see everything. It was actually quite entertaining. There were also people riding horses in the streets, you know, in traffic. Tongiht I went to CORE, the v happening church with pretty good music. From now on Im calling Dublin, Dubs. Just because I love giving everthing Im found of a short pet name. So Dubs, I love you.

New Direction

Yesterday I went to a show. It was sooo good. It was in the basement of a pub. It was v grunge. But the music was something I have not heard before. Some of the bands used a box-like instrument and then tapped it like a drum. There were four bands and they hailed from central and eastern Europe. I blended in since they all had dark hair. I felt like I was in a band of gypsies. Anyhoo I met my role model couple there, Roland and Ola, from Slovakia and Poland. They are sooo cool. Dublin has a thriving indie music scene. You just have to find it. Its way more independant than the Montreal indie scene. I mean come on U2, the Boomtown Rats (aka Sir Bob Geldof) and Damien Rice (woot! music love fest) all hail from this city. And U2 satrted by busking. So in the next coming days Im going to have to make a big decision on wether I should leave and travel now or travel in the summer. Im thinking about leaving and coming back, well see... more on that later. As in a few days.

does not deserve a title

Right now I am soooo tired. Exhausted as someone possibly a wee bit dramatic would say. But fear not I will be sleeping soon. I am 5 hours ahead of Montreal and 8 hours ahead of Tofino! GONGSHOW! Yup guess Im just a little bit older now. So today and yesterday were handing out CVs-day. Which isnt very interesting at all. But last evening was nice because we went to a pub to meet all theses other work abroad young peeps from Canada, South Africa (woot!), Aussies and then Americans. Yup good times. Today I got a call for an interview and I was so happy that I ran into the cathedral that was right next to me. And then to my surprise I heard an Orchestra. So I snuck in and listened. I was so awestruck. It was a very euphoric moment. It was the Trinity College orchestra. Their version of McGill. I also wathce dswans today. They were trying to fly. They were beautiful. They couldnt really fly though hahaha. I also saw a band tonight. they were playing funky jazzy groovy fusion stuff. They were really good. Innovative I would say...

The Big Smoke

Thats Dublins nickname. Today I had a totally grand day. It was fantastic. Dublin is absolutely breathtaking and beautiful. The city is so old yet has a very alive atmosphere. Its so much older than Montreal. Today, not that I wanted to, I got a cellphone. I had absolutely no choice what so ever. I would obviously prefer to not have one. But to get a job I need a number. This isnt Tofino, at all. Anyway since its not me I went outrageous and bought a pink cellphone. Just to be obnoxious. It is the most girliest thing ever. Im thinking of plastering High School Musical stickers all over it and attaching rinestones. You know, like make the ugliest cellphone possible, ever. HAHA! I also made my CV because here in Ireland the CV is so much more personel. Being that they are a pretty friendly country. Tomorrow I go to the police station ie. the Gardai. They are scary they walk all over the city like they own the place. Like we are crazy or something. Anyway I have to go to sign my last immigration paper.

Sunday Sinner

Went to church again, good times. Tomorrow we go to an orientation session. So we can finally get jobs. We have officially been in Dublin for a day and I already feel like I need to get on with my life. Im on the go. Anyway, I have got to say that I am absolutly in love with Dublin. Im going to stay here. People have really bad teeth over here-no offence to them. Its just somehing I noticed. Im really thankful for my teeth. People are way more fashionable over here than in Canada. There casual clothes are our dress-up clothes. They like to make an impression. But I prefer people for who the are. As long as you keep proper hygiene your cool with me. Not because your wearing leather boots... BUT today I went looking for this apartment and I couldnt even find it. The number was 13. I wonder if they just opted it out of superstition because the other adresses were a 14 and a 12. But no 13. hmmm But watever its cool because the area was sooo dodgy. On the way back, Laurence and I started talking to this folk songstress on the street. We hit it off and then she lent us her guitar and we played a few songs and made a few euros. We officially busked. I liked it. Were going to do it again sometime soon.

PaddyWagon

So I did a PaddyWagon tour of Southern Ireland for 6 days and it was sooo much fun. I adored it. The people on our bus were, French, Aussie, Kiwi, American and South African. It was a good eclevctic mix. And we were all roughly of the same age. On this trip we went ot many castles and and saw a lot of nature at its finest. But fear not! I still think CAnada is a way more beautiful country. I have not seen anything Beat BC yet! ever in my life. Canada is beautiful and still a bit rugged. I honetly feel as if the dheep are oging to fall off the cliffs. I visited the cliffs of Moher which are Amazing. The Atlantic ocean is so beautiful. Pacific still kicks its butt though. I ran through the Atlantic ocean. It felt very rewarding. MY favorite part was exploring all of Irelands very diverse natural areas. Irish kids are the cutest! They honetly look like little caabbage pach kids, haha. We took a ferry and I saw a dolphin:) Being in Ireland you can totally feel that you are on an Island. It is so small. A plus

differences

here are some differences Ive noticed in Ireland- some might obvious
-people drive like absolute maniacs over here. They honestly want to kill pedestrians
-streets change names from basically every block
-I swear the toilet flushes the opposite way. The toilets are sooo dodgy. And oldschool
-We are such a more practical country. I love socialism.
-peanut butter is rare. doesnt happen.
- there are always 2 faucets- one hot and one cold. Which is so awkward.
-They LOVE kings of Leon over here. which is a good thing
-Kids chill in the pubs AND sometimes bars.
-there are sooo much sheep in the country.
-the food is sooo greasy over here, even greasier then NYC. I now am boycotting restaurants for a while and cooking for myself. Otherwise Ill return as an obiece person.
-UK facebook and hotmail is just WEIRD
-very unpractical country

Dublin

So Im back in Dublin after now a week of traveling the south Island. Which is breathtaking. Im debating wether on living in Dublin or Cork. Im making spelling mistakes but Im on a time roll. So, all apolagies. I guess now I find a job, eh? They call me CanadaIa over here, haha. I also get mistaken as an american over here. Urgh. I guess Im just a proud Canadian. Irish people our very proud of who they are and their country. PS Sufjan Stevens is playing right now- nostalgia.

Galway Girl

I am presently in Galway which is on the western side of Ireland. It is parralel to Dublin. It takes less then 3 hours to cross Ireland! Its that small. Anyway Im on this computer for a very limited time. Im on a PaddyWagon tour with a bunch of cool Aussies. Were having loads of fun. Ireland is very weird. Canada is waaay more practical. But more on that later. Im really liking Ireland. In Galway they speak also Gailec. Its a bilingual city. yup it is:)

Emerald Isle

Ireland has the greenest grass ever. Greener than even BC. And Dublin is a concrete city with a few palm trees. And instead of Lays they have Hunky Doreys. Just a little FYI

Emerald Isle

Peacing in 1 day

We take off in 24 hours. Goodbye Canada.