Double Exposure

As predicted, my second weekend was just as lovely and languid as its predecessor.

Firstly, can we talk about how nice weekends are? I miss A LOT about being in school, but one thing I do not is the lack of guilt-free weekend time. My last semester especially was devoid of an entire day off ever (I only took a weekend of reading-week off, aside from that it was my carrel for 10 hours each day), so doubling up as I just did was especially delicious and delectable.

On Saturday I slept in, spent some time on the interwebs, and then hightailed it over to Lilly's fabulous back yard for some extra doses of sangria and friendship. Lilly, Nathan, Kesha, and I then took in the sights and sounds of a closed-off St. Laurent. This has to be one of the highlights of Montreal in the summer. I love a closed-off street, be it for block parties or big summer festivals. We took full advantage of Café Republique's makeshift patio and the open doors of a Yeh Yogourt whilst on our little meander too. The long walk up and then back down (through more pedestrian streets and parks) was also quite called for after a healthy (read: not healthy) dose of waffle fries and frozen yogurt.

St. Laurent - not packed but definitely popular

Montreal is certainly good at green space, no?

Sunday fell upon much the same lines. More sleeping in (apparently my internal alarm clock is tuned to 11:00 and no other time), and then un peu de shopping and then eating at the lovely Café Theatre. This lovely little endroit is just around the corner from my place, and it makes a killer club sandwich, y'all. I'm talking avocado and cranberry sauce all up on that mother. It becomes a bar at night too, so the gang are thinking of making this our Cheval Blanc of the west.

Café Theatre in all its kitschy glory

Love the decor of this place!

I didn't entirely bring the house down, but I did find the dress I'm going to wear to Lindsey's wedding later this summer and a killer 50s-inspired nautical shirt. I seems as if, at least in the realm of fast fashion, 60s and70s are à la mode maintenant and the only way to get your hands on 50s-inspired stuff is through lingering nautical trends. There are some styles I quite like from the later decades (especially in hair) but clothing-wise the best for me is definitely mid-century.

Everything that summer calls for: halters, sweethearts, gold buttons, stripes, and cinched waists

I think it has a lot to do with what I studied. I know it's super simplistic, but the 50s just seemed like such a magical time in Canada. There was booming post-war population growth and construction, and at least in film and visual media (my areas of historical specialty) a very simple, positive, optimistic, and hardworking ethos pervaded throughout. It also seemed like a really interesting time to be a Canadian. There were still really strong ties to Britain, but on the whole the nation was trying to figure itself out as it's own independent place - much on the back of Canadian soldiers' heroism and good work during the war.

All of this to say, I like my new shirt.

Dreaming of stripes, florals, heels, and requisite manhattans,

Your friend Lina

In Transit

The weekend came early for me, boys and girls. My bestest lady from my exchange, Ariana, was passing through Montreal on her way to her fabulous internship in Brooklyn this summer, and so I got her! My boss gave me the time off so we could hang out. It was the best!

Ariana (in her favourite pose) outside the CCA

Obviously, you all know how much I love to travel. And that even when you can't travel, the best thing to do is to treat wherever you are like you are a tourist. This is why I love love love having friends come to visit, cause that's exactly what you get to do!

Ariana arrived in the evening on Wednesday, so after an afternoon of cleaning up the place, I went to go meet her at the bus station. We then went on a mad dash to grab groceries and booze, resulting in a three-store trek. And two of those stores weren't even reasonable (24-hr dep and Jean Couteau anyone?). However, the fruits of our labour were wondrous. We had a mean v. reminiscent of Bristol dinner nights: shrimp and veg pasta with a few bottles of cider. Back in the day we (Ariana and myself, but also our two other best gals Clara and Adrianna) would always phone each other up, figure out who had what ingredients and make a feast before going out on the town. Next day we would get together for tea-time (again, compiling everyone's disparate ingredients) and piece together the night before (compiling everyone's disparate memories this time). Though of course it's never the same, I love reenacting the traditions of my favourite times with some of my favourite people.

The next day we woke at the crack of eleven, luxuriated about the place with mushroom scrambled eggs and coffee, and by one were eventually able to hoik ourselves over to the Canadian Centre for Architecture to see the splendiferous exhibits they've got on the summer. The main one is 'Architecture in Uniform,' about architecture during the second world war. They cover construction projects like building new factories, hangars, bunkers, as well as the change in technologies such as camouflage, plastics, and glass. I love the way the exhibit ends as well, with a focus on post-war construction in North America. Throughout there is also tonnes of propaganda posters (of course my fave), and NFB films. They have my favourite one too, so of course I'm smitten with the exhibit. This was my second time going to see it, but as I am adamant that everyone I know check it out - and since it's right across the street from me - I'm sure I'll go many many more times.

Our Local Lunch - Quebecois brie, strawbs, baguette, and cider plus an Ontarian gal

We then came back to mine for lunch and then headed up to Parc Lafontaine to meet up with more friends - Lilly, Erin, and her sister Hannah. Erin had just come back from her exchange in the Netherlands, so it was not only awesome to see her, but also to get to reminisce about what were undoubtedly shared experiences. When I was in Bristol Lilly had come to visit, so we all could share about our travelling experiences. That combined with Ariana off on a new adventure of her own really made me start to crave again. . . . I even dreamt about flying and visiting Halifax last night! Maybe I should make that my next sojourn. . .

Nice Bum Where Ya Frum: A Study in Saunderses and Wilsons

For dinner we walked down to Lilly's to take full advantage of her wonderful little backyard. She's currently growing cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, tonnes of herbs, and tomatoes - so our veggie-burgers were super tricked-out with all her fabulous home-grown and organic produce. We made some seriously delicious (and a little deadly) Sangria and, true-to-form, laughed and talked all night.

White wine, rosé cider, 7up, white cranberry juice, frozen fruit, and sliced lemon and lime

There was even a little 'You Don't Know Jack' on the Wii thrown in at the end, which not only brought back fond memories of my childhood, but also satiated my thirst for trivia. Hmm, maybe it was the copious amounts of trivia my mother foisted upon us as kids that whetted my appetite. . . if you allow to play a little armchair Freudian psychologist. Honestly though, who doesn't love learning new, interesting things day in and out? Probably most people, but I am not counted among them.

The next day actually met us bright and early to whisk Ariana off to the train station. I still had the day off work, so I luxuriated about the place until a certain fellow showed up on my doorstep. We whiled away the evening talking and Tremblaying about the balcony, and yet I still made it to bed at an unhip and reasonable hour.

And now that that wonderful weekend is over, I'm ready for my next!

Get out and enjoy the city, sun, and fun boys and girls!

Your friend Lina

Beating the heat with the best way to keep hair back and Ariana's awesome Sevillan fan

True North, Strong and Free

Two weekends ago, boys and girls, the gang went up to Josh's cottage for our first of the summer!

I headed over to Lilly and Nathan's earl-eye in the morning on Saturday laden with treats (Lilly's delicious mango/avocado/black bean salad and the fixins for s'mores) and we all heave-ho'd into our little rented car for the trip (which was a nice 3-hour drive). We brought Lilly's dog with us who is becoming something of a grumpy old lady, so she was in constant motion trying to find the best way to lie down in a tiny space that didn't hurt her old lady hips. Needless to say, when we got out at the cottage it looked as if Nathan and I were also shedding animals. Which I'm not particularly in need of, what with my already-ridiculous mane.

Upon arrival, Josh and Ian and Josh's dog (a delightful doofus) were already there, so we promptly unloaded all the food, grabbed beers, and then basically just spent 24 hours on the dock. A few of the crew joined the lobster team (a beautiful radioactive glow to get the summer off to a good start!), but I was super diligent with the sunscreen so I was just a mite bit more tan/pinkish in regions. There was one spot that I consecutively missed on my upper arm, so it became the apocryphal story of how red I am capable of getting.

Missing Josh and Lilly . . . and a special mention goes to Nathan

However, for the most part, my only casualty from the weekend were from mosquito bites. I've always been particularly delicious to them (all that good CO2 I produce), and this weekend was no exception. I counted 27 bites on ONE of my legs. This does not include feet, my other leg, arms, or back. Which had also been summarily munched upon. I blame the having to pee in the woods. Hopefully by the next time we go up they will have sorted out the septic system so no more disturbing mosquitoes in their natural habitat and then standing really still for a while will be required.

The day culminated in lots of more beers, burgers and the aforementioned salads, pie, and a hookah. All of this combined with six white kids' first foray into sun exposure for a year meant that we all went to bed SUPER early. I was third to last awake, and I was asleep by 11:30. We all still slept till 11:00 on Sunday morning, but we wouldn't have done so unless we needed it right?


Sunday brought a delightfully greasy breakfast, coffee made with paper towel cause we didn't think ahead, and more dock lounging and boating. We went for a couple rides around the lake yesterday, so all of that meandering culminated in us running out of gas down a channel from Josh's cottage. We tried as best we could to get the boat up and running, but in the end we had to paddle the thing back in. And this is a 70hp motorboat we are talking about, so no small feat there. Despite that setback, you know summer has arrived when you have your feet up in the bow of a boat with nothing ahead of you but still lake-water, trees, and docks, and nothing ruffling your being but the wind in your hair (and the ruffles around your neck cause I am lady, after all).

Easily my favourite photo from the trip - entitled If Men Were Housewives

We then drove back with no great excitement, I showered, and then I was to bed - willing my legs to scratch themselves.

We're hopefully going to be heading back for the Canada day weekend, so I'll be bringing you more of the same then! I must say, I don't mind a repetitive summer when a weekend such as that is running on Dave.

Blotchily tanned,

Your friend Lina

Featuring my new favourite way to wear and scarf and keep my hair back - pretty bow to dress everything up, including the H&M romper I lived in and my old baggy AA hoodie

(NB: Most of this post was copied from an email I sent to a friend - sorry originality laws!)

Summer of Dreamz

Well that may be a bit presumptuous, but I am have a friggin' great summer boys and girls.

I'm living in THE BEST apartment with my most excellent cousin Emma. There is honestly nothing like living with family. We understand eachother in a way that I've never had with a roomie before (even though I've always had lovely ones). And this is honestly my dream apartment as well. It's VERY Montreal. It's a walk-up with high ceilings, exposed brick, nice mouldings, washer and dryer, big kitchen, and my cousin is in Fine Art so we have beautiful decorations everywhere. Don't ever make me leave!

Justin (Bieber, Trudeau, or Emperor Justinian), QI book (because the show alone is not enough), and skelingtons!

I graduated last week with First Class Honours in History from McGill. And William Shatner was our Honourary Doctor. It was a really fun day (I wasn't expecting that!) and I've really never beamed quite so much as when one of my favourite professors was waiting at the end of the stage to give me a hug. My parents came down for the occasion (they really are so good at doting upon me), and I think a really great time was had by all. I've got to hand it to McGill, they really know how to put a nice cap (har-de-har) on four years of incredible work.

Me and my lovely Miim!

Soon after school ended (about a month and a half ago) I also got a job at a local cafe, and it too is going so well. I adore everyone who works there (although about half of them are leaving soon); for the most part the customers are nice and courteous and friendly; and there is no boon like free and cheap coffee and food. I'm now on a four-to-five caffeinated beverages a day, so I expect withdrawl symptoms to be quick and fast if/when I'm finished working there myself.

I've also been taking full advantages of my weekends off to go here and there, both about Montreal and elsewhere in the Queebs and the Onts. My cousin and one of my best friends have already come to visit, and there are more arriving this week! We've also started the Canadian summer tradition of cottaging at every available turn last weekend at Josh's place outside of Ottawa, and hopefully we will be going back there, and elsewhere, as the summer rolls on!

So, you know, it's may not be adventures every day but I am feeling the most charmed I've ever been!

Keep in touch, boys and girls!

Love,

Your friend Lina

Empire State of Mind

As compared to last year, this year has been horrendously destitute of trips. However, that bug that bit me last year still rears its ugly head all the time. I calmed the little fellow a few weekends back though, boys and girl, by taking a trip down to New York City with Lilly to visit everyone's favourite violist and long-time best friend, the illustrious Emilie Grimes!

WHAT. A. CITY. I loved loved loved New York. All throughout the trip I kept thinking how much it reminded me of like a North American version of London. And that's pretty high praise coming from this devoted Anglophile. Honestly though, every last minute of the trip was enjoyable. If I had all the money I would move to New York in a heartbeat.

Well, having said that, I must eat my words if only a tiny nibble. The first eight hours of the trip (read: overnight bus) weren't the most riveting, but it is me we're talking about, so there was some good that Lilly and I were able to squeeze out of that trek. Luckily, we got seats together at the very front. Livingstone (the wonderfully named, sassy driver) saved them for us, which did afford some lovely views. I was in and out of uncomfortable sleep the whole time and it was nighttime, so less than illustrious for most of the trek, but waking up to the sunrise over the Manhattan skyline? Oh it had to be seen to be believed.

We pulled in at around 8:00 AM, and then walked our way up to Emilie's dorm at Julliard. Just that quick jaunt up 8th Avenue to Columbus circle, then along Broadway up to Emilie's was enough to sell me on the city. It just is SO BIG. I knew going into it that yes yes, Manhattan is a very tall city, yada yada, but nothing can compare you for the bright lights, big sounds of it all. There really are yellow taxis everywhere too. Again, I shouldn't be surprised, but you know me, starstruck by everything.

We had a quick breakfast with Emilie after getting settled, but as she had to attend to various prodigy-based business that day, Lilly and I were then let loose to wander the city. And boy howdy could you ever just had done that for days and days. We started by meandering throughout Central Park, and as you can see, we had the finest weather. It was hovering around 0 to -5 all weekend, with blue blue skies on the Friday and Sunday of our trip. All this made for the most charming jaunt around the park. Lilly has just embarked on an urban studies degree, so she was the officionado of fun facts about the grand ol' metrop, which, of course, made my heart sing. She told me all about the park, the plans of the city, and other little featurettes here and there as we meandered about, all whilst swooning over the beauty and splendour of it all. It really was astounding how the noise of the city just melts away as soon as you step into Central Park, leaving you just with birdsong, winding paths, and incredible views of what industrial man is capable of.

After soaking that in for a spell, we made our way down 6th Ave towards the MoMA. I had originally thought of heading to the Met, but I'm glad we took this option instead. It had a lovely mix of wacky contemporary (I'm not smart enough to actually appreciate it), famous names and faces, and pleasing exhibits. We were especially stunned to have come across van Gogh's "Starry Night", as neither of us knew it was there. Lilly was especially charmed; it's one of her all-time favourite paintings. There was also a lovely dose of Dali, Warhol, Picasso, Matisse, and Magritte; all very much to my liking. Especially charming was this wonderful dancing piece of magnetic tape, suspended mid-air between two floor fans in the lobby. Again, the views from inside? Spectacular.

We then went out a-walking again, to go look at all the lovely buildings that Manhattan has to offer. I could describe them all, but it would just be a big jumble of tall, impressive, famous, BIG, wow! and you would grow very tired of me, boys and girls. Instead, I present to you some shots of the highlights for me.

Taxi cabs, just like the Oranges of Sevilla for me

30 Rock

Steam Stacks?

The New York Public Library

Triangle Building!

Times Square

At the end of this (extraordinarily long and extraordinarily bipedal) day, we tracked down Emilie again at her school. Another friend of hers was in town for the evening (after having auditioned about the place), and she took us to one of her favourite haunts for dinner. It was SO New York. We took the subway over to Brooklyn to Grimaldi's Pizzeria, under the Brooklyn bridge. The inside was all kitsched-out, with red gingham tablecloths and green booths, just like you would want from New York. You could only order whole pizzas, so the four of us screwed up all our strength and courage and ordered one white (two kinds of cheese, garlic, and basil) and one regular (tomato sauce, cheese, garlic, and basil). SO GOOD boys and girls, again, just what you would have expected from a New York pizzeria. After all the good food, wine, and conversation, we hoiked it on back to the West Side, for tea and (black and white, so many Seinfeld dreams coming true for me) cookies before calling it a night.

We rose bright and early on Saturday to a bit of a mistier, grey-er day, but at least one where the three of us could gallivant together. First off, Emilie took us back to Central Park to show us her favourite spots that we missed out on. I could live in that park, so I was happy to go back as many times as we did. She took us to the memorial for all music lovers (probably got that name wrong), as well as to Strawberry Fields (did you know that was in Central Park? I thought it was literally English strawberry fields), and the Imagine memorial to John Lennon.

To warm up we got tea and soup from a charmingly rustic little restaurant, and then braved the bone-soaking mists (I told you it was like London) over to the Natural History Museum. We didn't have nearly enough time in there (is there ever enough time for museums?), but what we did see of the Asian Peoples and African Peoples exhibits was impressive, illuminating, and at time unabashedly silly. I love how straightforward, and a little racist, old museum copy can be sometimes. It didn't help that we were all really tired and that the three of us tend to the goofy when we're together, but it was good wholesome larks all the way through.

Then, it was to business, boys and girls. Serious Broadway business. Thanks to tkts, we were able to snag half-price tickets to see Chicago! We picked those up after braving the mist, lines, crowds, and lights of Times Square, and then went for "dinner" to another one of Emilie's (and apparently the world's) faves, Magnolia Bakery. I've never been one for cupcakes per se, but these were ridiculously delicious. So ridiculously so, that the $3.00/each we payed for them felt like we were being undercharged. After eating at the bar (standing room only in this place) we fanoodled about in anticipation of the show.

And WHAT a show. I've got a supersoftspot for Chicago in my heart, as I once competed with a song from it in the halcyon days of my singing youth. But, hoy, it's really quite the thing when put on by professionals. At first I was a little disappointed that it didn't have wild sets and costumes, but the talent and sparkle of the thing soon won me over. And our seats! We were just up from edge of the stage, spectacular view. After that incontrovertible highlight, we trekked back up to Emilie's hood for margaritas, cervesas, and nachos. The too-ing and fro-ing of the day combined with still lacking in sleep made for some very silly girls after not-too-much libation, so our "big night out in NYC" was just wonderful. We caught up, laughed about the nonsense of our lives now, the nonsense of our high-school days, and just generally reveled in each others' company. What more can a girl ask for, eh?

Lilly and I had to catch our bus back to the True North early Sunday afternoon, so our final morning with Emilie in the NYC was a little more muted, but still extraordinarily enjoyable. We went to yet another one of her favourite haunts, Alice's Teacup. This restaurant/tea house was decorated very much along the Lewis Carrol guidelines. A mishmash of Victorian teacups, saucers, and plates came with our delicious eggs benedict on scones, and every last detail was attended to. It just made me want to be a rich little girl, growing up in Upper West Side Manhattan. One can always dream eh? After breakfast, we took one last stroll around Central Park to Holden Caufield's duck pond and the children's area. Now THIS is what I call a children's area. No unnecessary kids mucking up the place, no structures, just climbable statues to great figures of children's lit. I was as happy as a bug in a rug.

With Alice and Friends

Hans Christian Anderson reading the Ugly Duckling to me and a friend

We then high-tailed it off to the bus station (taking our one and only New York taxi), and settled in for our trek back home. I always have such a hard time coming home, I just love travelling so much. It's nice to know that this time though, it won't be quite so hard to get back.

Love,

Your friend Lina.

Autumn Sunshine in a Blizzard

Did you get the crazy snowfall that we did yesterday? If the news/internet is to be believed (and I've had it confirmed by my mother in Ottawa, so far away), it seems as if most of North America got hit with a good old fashioned blizzard yesterday. My favourite part about it was that Southern Ontario shut down, Toronto had to "use snowplows" (as one surprised councilman said in an article from the CBC, usually they only have to salt), and that Montreal didn't even get issued with a weather warning.

I must admit, even though it was kinda a hard slog to trek between buildings at school and then back home again in it, it certainly does make the city ever so pretty. And this morning, totally blue skies! Winter really can be the best.

That isn't to say that Autumn isn't great too. Here's a few outfit picks from that same Thanksgiving weekend. The whole family went apple picking at a nearby farm, but since they had had a bad harvest that year, the highlight really was taking a walk on the "nature hike", ie the path through the trees. Ever so lovely in weather and company!

Me and My father-dear

Me and my (more fashionable than I am) cousins

The purpose of the day

Nature hikin'

Reprieve of the birch photos

Getting sassy in the wilderness

Hoodie: AA (My Roommate's)
Dress (worn as skirt): AA
Scarf: Market stall on holiday in Siena
Purse: H&M
Jacket (tied around purse): Primark
Tights: Christmas gift, probably something like Zellers or Sears
Old-lady Loafers: Zellers
Glasses: Hakim Optical (my first big word)


Always so fond of the weather you're not having eh? Hopefully I'll get some sweet winter shots from New York this weekend! I hope you have a good one yourself!

Love,

Your friend Lina

Ramble On

I had another lovely weekend, boys and girls!

Thursday night I was determined to be the good student and stay home and do work (ie watching films for one of my classes, that's homework right?), but unfortunately got sidetracked to an open bar at Le Bull pub. The good times with old friends was had, but as I remarked to one of them, it very much had the atmosphere of the pub crawls of Europe long past. I even got to talk to an Australian (yet without the same results, haha). Very reminiscent.

Friday night Alastair came to town (he was auditioning for McGill). We got THE BEST Indian food from Thali, and did, in fact, stay in for once. It was so lovely to spend some time with him catching up, and the sleep I caught up with too was a welcome change from my usual pace of things.

I was good and productive all weekend whilst Al was off playing trumpet about the place, getting all my editing done for the undergraduate history journal. There's some serious talent out there at McGill, I can tell you. It also just rererererereconfirmed my love for history. I read on a tonne of topics, some new and some old, and it really does just floor you how much interesting stuff is out there to be discovered. And I only edited about a tenth (if that) of all the papers submitted! What larks. Maybe I should actually do that history thing here that I proposed back in the day. Hmm, maybe after I finish my two honours papers that I've yet really to start. . . .

On Sunday Al and I went out for lunch at Theatre on St. Catherine, a charming diner/coffeeshop just around the corner from me. It was a little pricey for lunch fare, but the food really was delicious and the ambiance wonderful. I wish I had taken pictures! That evening, after seeing the illustrious guest off at the train station, my favourite Montreal relation came over for an evening of tea, cookies, and more editing into the wee hours.

A little more studious, but still the sort of weekend young me would have wanted for older me. This weekend though, I'm off to New York! Lilly and I are heading down to visit our friend Emilie who's going to Julliard. I know, right? I'll walk around campus pretending I go there. Although the locals may notice that I'm only looking up at all the big buildings (I can't wait!) and see me for the fraud I am. At least I'm a really honest tourist!

In all honesty though, I'm SO excited. It's been ages since I've gone on a trip (I don't think Chicoutimi counts), I think Amsterdam must have been my last one! Ahh, so long ago. . . . But yes! As they say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!

Have a good weekend too, you guys!

Your friend Lina