It’s not that I don’t want to write, here, it’s more that for the past couple months, I don’t know what to write about. But the thing is that, there’s plenty to write about; I’m pretty sure about it. And school is taking more of my time, I’ve had a couple of mid-terms and even if they were open books exam, they were hard. I haven’t really had time to finish any of the mid-terms I’ve written so far, or only barely had time to finish. Could write about The Boy, but I don’t know what’s going on with him (no clue whatsoever), so what is there to say? Or you guys might have a different perspective. Could write about the fact that I have to find a research project for my master, but my supervisor is pregnant and on bedrest and I don’t really want to go to her place to discuss it. But I know I should since I might be doing the project over the summer rather than during my last semester. Oh, and there’s that master degree offered in Quebec City that a friend showed me and it looks so much better that what I’m doing now, should I think about it? There’s also my computer being more and more stupid (ie, slow and giving me error messages for no reason), might want to change it since laptops are not too expansive these days. Could also write about how I’ve been enjoying playing Guitar Hero World Tour (guitar and drums, I don’t sing) at my brother’s since he bought it, so much so that I asked the game for my Wii for my birthday or Christmas. Might be better to get it for Christmas, otherwise I might not study as much as I’d like. The new apartment is better than the other one; there’s heating! So I haven’t been freezing like in the previous one. During the lab sessions at school, I’ve learned that working with wastewater is disgusting (as if you didn’t know) and gloves is not an option. I’ll try to remember that when I’ll have kids one day during diaper changes.
There might be plenty to write about if I just sit and think about it for 2 seconds.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Learning to be more patient
I think that this is one of the things that I have to learn; or let’s say to become more patient when it comes to some things. In one of my recent posts, I’ve briefly mentioned that I’ve met someone and wasn’t so sure of where things were heading. I think that The Boy is going to teach me to become more patient (he’s being called The Boy since one of me very good anglo friends already calls him like that since she can never remember his insanely long and very uncommon French first name). For the last few weeks, he’s been amazingly busy and has had to cancel dates a couple times. So, trying to be patient with him and just accept that he’s busy (he has a job and plays hockey in a league twice a week with his friends); even if it’s not that easy. The friend I’ve mentioned earlier on told me to move on since he’s not being serious; but I want to give him more time since we’ve talked and texted and he seemed to be somewhat sorry and apologized, but she reminded me that patience should have a limit, not matter what and no matter how you appreciate someone (but I do not really agree on the last part).
Since we’ve met, I’ve also learned not to rush things and to let things go slowly and to try to enjoy it; not always easy since not knowing where we’re heading is not always the fun part.
What has someone taught you recently?
Since we’ve met, I’ve also learned not to rush things and to let things go slowly and to try to enjoy it; not always easy since not knowing where we’re heading is not always the fun part.
What has someone taught you recently?
Sunday, September 13, 2009
North
When thinking about the kind of job I could get in the future, I’ve always known that there are certain things I wouldn’t want to do and others I’d love to do. But this summer has changed this a bit. I was given the opportunity to spend a week in James Bay, which is where the field site of one of the projects is located. If James Bays wasn’t remote enough, the only way to get to one of the field sites (and is very convenient to go to others) is by helicopter. A bit less than a 10 minutes flight to get there; and we had to go everyday. Think I liked it? By the way, before taking the plane to get there, I had never been in planes or helicopters. I loved flying and I enjoyed working in such a remote area.
The only things you hear over there, when the equipment is turned off, is the wind blowing; on windy days it can get somewhat strong. It’s also peaceful to be there (depends with whom!) and even more when you’re done with the field work and that you’re waiting for the helicopter to come, lying on the wooden platform is quite relaxing. It’s a big contrast from the everyday life in a city when there is always something going on.
However, days spent in the peatland could get long and boring; so there was nothing better than an iPod and tiny-foldable speakers. On days that were cloudy and colder, listening to Stars, City and Colour or whatever L could fin on my iPod made a huge difference. (made you forget that you were wearing a bugjacket and that mosquitoes were still trying to bit you) It made me learn to enjoy music a lot and made me realize how big of a difference it can make on your mood. And I’ve also learned that it shouldn’t be taken for granted, since the battery on an iPod can die.
The thing I really like about being out there was to almost be stress-free, it’s very different than the city! Sure some days were stressful when things broke or something went wrong; but in the end, we always came back to thinking “you do you’re best with what you’ve got out here”.
The not stress-free morning was the first one, when it was the first time I got in a helicopter. The pilot was experienced, which made it feel safer knowing it’s been a while he’s been flying. But I didn’t like it when he told me what has to be done in case we crash and he dies and told me where the survival equipment is… however, flying was fun, the first pilot loved to fly few meters above the water (had to fly over a Hydro reservoir and over a river) or above ATVs trails. He was also doing some crazy things, which were not that crazy compared to what he told us he’s done in the past, but feeling G forces in a helicopter is fun (like a rollercoaster ride, except that there are no rails, so you don’t know where you’re going and when it’s going to stop). And on days on which he was flying “normally” it was also quite fun since you get to see this fantastic landscape from the air, which makes it look a lot better than when you’re on the ground.
That week spent up north taught me that worming in remote areas can be enjoyable and that flying is fun (I have no motion sickness whatsoever, which helps). But I’ve also learned to relax and to enjoy the time spent over there; to look around and realize how wonderful nature really is; it’s nearly impossible in the city to look around you and only see vegetation or not to hear all kinds of engines running.
*Have to admit that it may be a bit scary to know that the only way to go back to camp is by helicopter and that under some weather conditions it is impossible to fly.
The only things you hear over there, when the equipment is turned off, is the wind blowing; on windy days it can get somewhat strong. It’s also peaceful to be there (depends with whom!) and even more when you’re done with the field work and that you’re waiting for the helicopter to come, lying on the wooden platform is quite relaxing. It’s a big contrast from the everyday life in a city when there is always something going on.
However, days spent in the peatland could get long and boring; so there was nothing better than an iPod and tiny-foldable speakers. On days that were cloudy and colder, listening to Stars, City and Colour or whatever L could fin on my iPod made a huge difference. (made you forget that you were wearing a bugjacket and that mosquitoes were still trying to bit you) It made me learn to enjoy music a lot and made me realize how big of a difference it can make on your mood. And I’ve also learned that it shouldn’t be taken for granted, since the battery on an iPod can die.
The thing I really like about being out there was to almost be stress-free, it’s very different than the city! Sure some days were stressful when things broke or something went wrong; but in the end, we always came back to thinking “you do you’re best with what you’ve got out here”.
The not stress-free morning was the first one, when it was the first time I got in a helicopter. The pilot was experienced, which made it feel safer knowing it’s been a while he’s been flying. But I didn’t like it when he told me what has to be done in case we crash and he dies and told me where the survival equipment is… however, flying was fun, the first pilot loved to fly few meters above the water (had to fly over a Hydro reservoir and over a river) or above ATVs trails. He was also doing some crazy things, which were not that crazy compared to what he told us he’s done in the past, but feeling G forces in a helicopter is fun (like a rollercoaster ride, except that there are no rails, so you don’t know where you’re going and when it’s going to stop). And on days on which he was flying “normally” it was also quite fun since you get to see this fantastic landscape from the air, which makes it look a lot better than when you’re on the ground.
That week spent up north taught me that worming in remote areas can be enjoyable and that flying is fun (I have no motion sickness whatsoever, which helps). But I’ve also learned to relax and to enjoy the time spent over there; to look around and realize how wonderful nature really is; it’s nearly impossible in the city to look around you and only see vegetation or not to hear all kinds of engines running.
*Have to admit that it may be a bit scary to know that the only way to go back to camp is by helicopter and that under some weather conditions it is impossible to fly.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Everything is different
I haven’t posted here for quite a while, it may be that Facebook is so much easier when it comes to posting pictures and changing status. Or simply being lazy? Having to commute a lot over the summer and spending time in the field?
Anyhow, school started 2 weeks ago, I know it was early; and I think I’m going to like it even if it looks like it’s not going to be easy. Now it feels like I’m getting so much closer to not being a student anymore… in 2 years (minus few months), I’ll be done with grad school. However, that’s somewhat scary. At the welcoming session, one of my profs asked me what were my career objectives; to which I answered: “I’m not so sure yet, I’ll see we the courses I’m taking this semester”. He didn’t look quite satisfy. However, it’s the truth; I don’t know if I want to work more with drinkable water or wastewater or a mix of both, or research? Work as a consultant, somwhere in the government? But I do know that water is an interesting field of study; is that a good start? And working as a research assistant for a prof that studies greenhouse gases taught me that it’s an interesting field of study but may not be my favourite. However, getting the opportunity to work in James Bay for a week (where they do research) and flying in helicopter everyday to get to the field site taught me that this kind of research is fun; remote area and flying in helicopters (have to write more about that in another post).
Things are also quite different now that I’m done with my undergrad degree… meeting new people, good friends moving out of the province which means that I don’t get to see them on a daily basis as usual. And living without a roommate is also different, has pros and cons. And I met this guy, and it's still the period where things hasn't been clarified. And going to a French university is also making a huge difference, I’m glad that I did my undergrad in English (not afraid of English textbooks) but I’m also happy to study in French since it’s somewhat easier.
Just lots of changes in the last little while, do you like changes or you'd rather keep a routine where things are not changing too much?
Anyhow, school started 2 weeks ago, I know it was early; and I think I’m going to like it even if it looks like it’s not going to be easy. Now it feels like I’m getting so much closer to not being a student anymore… in 2 years (minus few months), I’ll be done with grad school. However, that’s somewhat scary. At the welcoming session, one of my profs asked me what were my career objectives; to which I answered: “I’m not so sure yet, I’ll see we the courses I’m taking this semester”. He didn’t look quite satisfy. However, it’s the truth; I don’t know if I want to work more with drinkable water or wastewater or a mix of both, or research? Work as a consultant, somwhere in the government? But I do know that water is an interesting field of study; is that a good start? And working as a research assistant for a prof that studies greenhouse gases taught me that it’s an interesting field of study but may not be my favourite. However, getting the opportunity to work in James Bay for a week (where they do research) and flying in helicopter everyday to get to the field site taught me that this kind of research is fun; remote area and flying in helicopters (have to write more about that in another post).
Things are also quite different now that I’m done with my undergrad degree… meeting new people, good friends moving out of the province which means that I don’t get to see them on a daily basis as usual. And living without a roommate is also different, has pros and cons. And I met this guy, and it's still the period where things hasn't been clarified. And going to a French university is also making a huge difference, I’m glad that I did my undergrad in English (not afraid of English textbooks) but I’m also happy to study in French since it’s somewhat easier.
Just lots of changes in the last little while, do you like changes or you'd rather keep a routine where things are not changing too much?
Friday, April 03, 2009
Answers
I know it’s been a while since I last wrote here, but school is simply hectic and having to write reading journals in a class is pretty much time consuming (the amount of reading is insane, at least I’m not used to it being a science student). Anyways, still have few essays to write, some are going to be fun and others are going to be painful. However, I do have good news that I wanted to share with you guys. And I will be back later in the month.
This week, I learned that I have been accepted to do a Master in Civil Engineering and the week before I got an offer to do one in Geography (I also applied for a certificate as I was very scared of not getting in)… I sat down with myself on Wednesday night and decided that opting for engineering would be the best for me… I did not get an entrance scholarship for the eng. degree but I don’t really mind since I know I will probably like it much better. It was a hard decision to make knowing that I could have gotten over 14,000$/year from some department… but still, I thought about the long run and engineering wins. I’ve been taking a bunch of courses related to issues with water and water in different location on Earth (general courses, hydrogeology, water in rivers, in lakes, in wetlands… a lot). And engineering seems to be a logical route, plus the option I chose is centered towards the environment, which will be fun.
I don’t fully realize it know, I don’t realize that I’ve been accepted where I most wanted to go… I guess that it will hit me at one point… I learned it right after my final oral presentation in a “cartography” class (geographic information systems/science), the teacher just told me that we did a great job and then I went to check my file and here it was: accepted.
Plus, it means that I won’t be doing some preparatory work for a Master and that I can accept a research assistant position with one of my profs… so I have a summer job and it was soooo easy to get; the teacher knows me quite well (he taught me 4 courses). It should be a very fun summer… will be working in a marsh and maybe on a reservoir (+ the less fun stuff: lab work). He was so happy for me when I told him I got in (he wrote a reference letter for me, so he knew about the application) and he was happy that I accepted the job... so was I.
Anyways, it was just generally a great week… now I have to tell my roommate that I still move (she found someone, finally!!!) but that I’ll stay in Montreal… it’s gonna be much better for me, more expensive but it will worth it.
How was your week?
This week, I learned that I have been accepted to do a Master in Civil Engineering and the week before I got an offer to do one in Geography (I also applied for a certificate as I was very scared of not getting in)… I sat down with myself on Wednesday night and decided that opting for engineering would be the best for me… I did not get an entrance scholarship for the eng. degree but I don’t really mind since I know I will probably like it much better. It was a hard decision to make knowing that I could have gotten over 14,000$/year from some department… but still, I thought about the long run and engineering wins. I’ve been taking a bunch of courses related to issues with water and water in different location on Earth (general courses, hydrogeology, water in rivers, in lakes, in wetlands… a lot). And engineering seems to be a logical route, plus the option I chose is centered towards the environment, which will be fun.
I don’t fully realize it know, I don’t realize that I’ve been accepted where I most wanted to go… I guess that it will hit me at one point… I learned it right after my final oral presentation in a “cartography” class (geographic information systems/science), the teacher just told me that we did a great job and then I went to check my file and here it was: accepted.
Plus, it means that I won’t be doing some preparatory work for a Master and that I can accept a research assistant position with one of my profs… so I have a summer job and it was soooo easy to get; the teacher knows me quite well (he taught me 4 courses). It should be a very fun summer… will be working in a marsh and maybe on a reservoir (+ the less fun stuff: lab work). He was so happy for me when I told him I got in (he wrote a reference letter for me, so he knew about the application) and he was happy that I accepted the job... so was I.
Anyways, it was just generally a great week… now I have to tell my roommate that I still move (she found someone, finally!!!) but that I’ll stay in Montreal… it’s gonna be much better for me, more expensive but it will worth it.
How was your week?
Monday, February 02, 2009
Hectic time of the year
This is how I feel due to the fact that I have a gazillion things to do this week... can't wait for this semester to be over... Mostly because I'm taking an advanced class in Environment and it's more like philosophy and environment... which means a lot of readings, a reading journal to write twice a week and did I mention the readings? We are currently reading a book by Polanyi (The Great Transformation), and I'm not thrilled by the idea of having to discuss this in class tomorrow and basically having to finish the book within the next 16 days.Yes, the picture is the snowstorm that hit Montreal last week.
Can't wait for the calm after the storm, which is going to be this weekend more or less, or the real calm will come at the end of February during reading week... taken this Sunday while going to the grocery store.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Challenges
I never thought that it would be that hard to write letters to apply for grad school and research proposal. But after one weekend of doing that and a bunch of other things, I think that I’m done, well, I’ll still have to apply to one place before March 1st but it will be a piece of cake this time. And I also realized that it was the first time in the last three year that I had to write something really important in French, it was hard. It seems that my brain is now a weird mix of French and English!
What seemed to have made writings these letters even harder is that I had the feeling that January blues were coming this year again, plus the bunch of questions that I’m currently asking myself and the scary unknown. All of these together have made me feel a bit, I don’t know how to say it but sad and scared at the same time. But I’m lucky since I have good friends and that they know me quite well. Saturday night one of my best friends (if not my best friend) and I went for diner at a new Asian restaurant. It was really good and then she thought that some chocolate might be a good idea for me. So we went to the best place in Montreal for chocolate lovers, a restaurant where there is chocolate in basically everything I would say. After a good coffee (espresso and chocolate) and a brownie I started to think that those January blues were not going to get me this year. And this morning one of my good friends, called me and said that he would be at my place in few minutes. I guessed that he sensed that things were not that right when we talked earlier this week and that having a good chat might help. It did help, just talking about our fears and what is bothering us can make a huge difference. And sometimes, a long hug also makes things better. He is one of my friends with whom I have that feeling that I can talk about everything and I like knowing that we can count on each other when things get a little bit rougher.
The last challenge of the day was to tell my roommate that I might leave in July but chances are pretty high that I will. I’m applying for grad school in Montreal and Quebec City… and don’t know where I’ll go. I felt that it wasn’t right to tell her that we should resign our lease together, not knowing what I’ll do next year. She wasn’t really thrilled, but I know that being honest with her (and now) can pay off. She still has plenty of time to find a new roommate for our awesome apartment. And I’m starting to think that leaving in my own place, not shared with a roommate would also be really great; L and I don’t fight and have tremendous respect for each other but still, I’d like to have my own place.
And I'll try to post a bit more often, but this Environmental Philosophy class is keeping me way too busy! Too many readings to do!
What seemed to have made writings these letters even harder is that I had the feeling that January blues were coming this year again, plus the bunch of questions that I’m currently asking myself and the scary unknown. All of these together have made me feel a bit, I don’t know how to say it but sad and scared at the same time. But I’m lucky since I have good friends and that they know me quite well. Saturday night one of my best friends (if not my best friend) and I went for diner at a new Asian restaurant. It was really good and then she thought that some chocolate might be a good idea for me. So we went to the best place in Montreal for chocolate lovers, a restaurant where there is chocolate in basically everything I would say. After a good coffee (espresso and chocolate) and a brownie I started to think that those January blues were not going to get me this year. And this morning one of my good friends, called me and said that he would be at my place in few minutes. I guessed that he sensed that things were not that right when we talked earlier this week and that having a good chat might help. It did help, just talking about our fears and what is bothering us can make a huge difference. And sometimes, a long hug also makes things better. He is one of my friends with whom I have that feeling that I can talk about everything and I like knowing that we can count on each other when things get a little bit rougher.
The last challenge of the day was to tell my roommate that I might leave in July but chances are pretty high that I will. I’m applying for grad school in Montreal and Quebec City… and don’t know where I’ll go. I felt that it wasn’t right to tell her that we should resign our lease together, not knowing what I’ll do next year. She wasn’t really thrilled, but I know that being honest with her (and now) can pay off. She still has plenty of time to find a new roommate for our awesome apartment. And I’m starting to think that leaving in my own place, not shared with a roommate would also be really great; L and I don’t fight and have tremendous respect for each other but still, I’d like to have my own place.
And I'll try to post a bit more often, but this Environmental Philosophy class is keeping me way too busy! Too many readings to do!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Can’t things stay like this forever?
I’m not really looking forward for next year; for various reasons, but one in particular that might seem a bit silly but in reality isn’t. In the last year and a half, I’ve made friends, good friends actually, and comes the end of this semester we’ll all be doing something new. Some are staying in Montreal, others are planning to go to grad school outside the province and others are going to get a job. It’s kinda sad that it might come to an end sooner than we thought. Those are people that know me and that I know that I can count on. They’re the friends that make it really fun to just go out to a pub, drink beer and just talk and laugh. Or with whom we go play hockey, just like we did over the weekend. We went to Parc Lafontaine (a huge park in Montreal) and joined people that were already playing; it seems to me that it’s a very Canadian thing to do. I must admit that I have bruises on my knees cuz I felt a bit but it was so much fun. So was drinking hot chocolate at L’s place after it.
At the same time, I’m looking forward for next year since, things might change a lot since I might go to another school, meet new people and experience new things. But this feeling of being at home when I’m at school is definitely going to change. Such as walking in the lounge around lunch time, sitting on one of those red couches, eating lunch and enjoying it because people in the program know each other quite well and some times it feels like it’s one big family. Sadly, a bunch of them are going to graduate in May, and so will I.
By the way, I’m so lost with what is going to happen for me next year; I ran into my subway buddy from my old job the other day and he started to ask questions about what I want to do next year and what are my goals… he asked few questions; I talked with profs about grad school and they made me think about things I didn’t thought of, but I’m now asking myself a gazillion questions.
At the same time, I’m looking forward for next year since, things might change a lot since I might go to another school, meet new people and experience new things. But this feeling of being at home when I’m at school is definitely going to change. Such as walking in the lounge around lunch time, sitting on one of those red couches, eating lunch and enjoying it because people in the program know each other quite well and some times it feels like it’s one big family. Sadly, a bunch of them are going to graduate in May, and so will I.
By the way, I’m so lost with what is going to happen for me next year; I ran into my subway buddy from my old job the other day and he started to ask questions about what I want to do next year and what are my goals… he asked few questions; I talked with profs about grad school and they made me think about things I didn’t thought of, but I’m now asking myself a gazillion questions.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Back?
I don’t think that I could even say that I was a blogger for the last few (have to admit it) months. School took over I guess, and all those never ending assignments (and those that required good writing skills were more of a struggle for me). But now, this semester is almost over… one final to go and a final paper to write; and I’m so not motivated… Even if it was a hectic semester, filled with field trips in the first month (3 weekends, back to back), I think that I enjoyed it (and even with the crappy schedule that I had).
I can barely believe that at the end of the next semester, I’ll be graduating… it’s hard to imagine. But at the same time, it is extremely scary. I’ve been looking at grad schools, and if there’s one thing that I hate in science is that in order to be accepted for your master, quite often you have to bring your own money… and those scholarships can be pretty hard to get. I’ve talked to few teachers in my fields of interest, will do more of it when this semester will be over… but I’m starting to seriously think about doing a master in engineering, even if it means doing one more year since I did not take advanced calculus in university… or do a non-thesis master…
I can’t promise that I’ll write a lot here in the upcoming months, but I’ll try, because I realized that I missed it. I went to see Stars for my birthday (and loved it) and at the end of the concert, I thought about how I’d like to share that with you guys. (It was so good, I just loved it and would like to see them live again) I hope that I’ll have time to write… I’ll try to take the time to do so.
I can barely believe that at the end of the next semester, I’ll be graduating… it’s hard to imagine. But at the same time, it is extremely scary. I’ve been looking at grad schools, and if there’s one thing that I hate in science is that in order to be accepted for your master, quite often you have to bring your own money… and those scholarships can be pretty hard to get. I’ve talked to few teachers in my fields of interest, will do more of it when this semester will be over… but I’m starting to seriously think about doing a master in engineering, even if it means doing one more year since I did not take advanced calculus in university… or do a non-thesis master…
I can’t promise that I’ll write a lot here in the upcoming months, but I’ll try, because I realized that I missed it. I went to see Stars for my birthday (and loved it) and at the end of the concert, I thought about how I’d like to share that with you guys. (It was so good, I just loved it and would like to see them live again) I hope that I’ll have time to write… I’ll try to take the time to do so.
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