BIG IN JAPAN

Last Saturday my boyfriend and I went on to try a Japanese restaurant in Montreal, called Big in Japan. We heard so much great reviews about it, that we thought we might go and try it. We really like the decor a lot, with the posters, and the maps of Japan and Tokyo. What was really pleasant also, was the little boutiques of Japanese goodies, such as sandals, knifes, soaps and copybooks and crayons. The food was really nice too, but it was more of a mix between Japanese and European cooking. My boyfriend had short ribs on green tea sauce with rice, and I got kushi-mori "fried brochettes" and gyoza, it was really nice. If you stop by Montreal, I would definitely recommend it :)

Anyway I can believe that the reading is almost over, I will miss Montreal its such a fun city. I am really not looking forward to going to school again :P But before I leave there is still the Montreal Nuit Blanche that my boyfriend and I have to try. I hope I will be able to post the pictures and show them to you ^^

WE HAVE NO TIME TO STOP AND STARE

Leisures, by William Henry Davies

What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare

I like this poem a lot, the rimes are so pretty. And somehow it reminds me of the past most. In fact I have been so busy at school that I felt that I have not been able to enjoy the beauty of this world lately. Today as I walk by the school park, I just sat on a bench and watched the snow fall, it was all so quiet and peaceful. It made me remember how life used to be care free, but somehow when you entering adulthood you feel like your future is uncertain, somehow you don't know where life might lead you...and sometimes it makes you forget to breathe, and stare at the beauty of the world. I really need to manage some time for myself and some other time for my studies. I am in desperate need for the right balance in life. I hope to find it soon, until then I leave you with some shots of montreal and ottawa. I just like the way the weather is changing from freezing winter days, to cold breezy mornings. Watching the snow melt, and then come back is simply beautiful, it's like mother nature is playing hide and seek with us. Somehow, it makes me even more impatience for the spring, but yet, makes me want to enjoy the last winter weeks a bit more.

Until next time I wish you all a good week-end!

Marilyn

xx

DES MOTS D'AMOUR SUR UN CACTUS

So here I am back in Canada after a wonderful time in Tunisia. I had a great time there overall (except for a little illness, and a social crisis). I missed blogging a lot, I couldn't blog or post because the state blocked almost every internet connection, and they blocked the possibility to upload pictures. So I had to wait two weeks until I could finally post some of the pictures I took.

Here is the first part, they were taken in Hammamet for the first part of them. I don't really enjoy Hammamet usually, especially in the summer because it's packed with tourist and so crowded. But I must say that it is quite lovely in the winter. It looks like a Mediterranean village again, the hotels are empty, and the streets are calm and silent. This winter it was quite windy and cold, and the sky was both sunny and dark. It was so pleasant to walk down those streets.

And now that I am back I must say I miss it a lot, I feel so happy when I am close to the beach. And what I miss the most is the Mediterranean food, I missed it so much that I had to made a Mediterranean salad today. I found the recipe in Sophie Dahl's cooking book.

I will now leave you with those pictures, I will post some more probably next week.

Happy New Year !!

I am wishing you all a happy New Year! I wish I could have post pictures of the holidays, but unfortunatly due to the recent social crisis here it is impossible for me or anyone else to upload any kind of pictures or videos on the internet. I can't wait to be back in Canada to be able to access internet normally again without any restrictions, if you know what I mean (since I can't say Censo***** , I will get into trouble).

Anyway, I hope you all had a great time and celebrated well! I wish you all the best.

Before I leave you, here are some little quotes:
- people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits.
- Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Hal Borland
-New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights. Hamilton Wright Mabie

For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"

xx
Marilyn

BIRTHDAY, DECEMBER, SNOW, AND MAGIC

So fall is definitely over, and I must say I quite enjoy the weather..The snowflakes are falling out slowly, and the wind is so gentle.I love how everything is covered in white!

Yesterday was also my birthday, I finally turned 20, my boyfriend and I celebrated it in a great restaurant in Montreal and then we went home for the cake..I am sorry for the picture but the cake kind of fell down because of the heat in the room.But it was still good ^^

What I love about winter also is the food..Hot soups, pancakes and fruits for breakfast, chocolate muesli..I have huge chocolate cravings lately .lol.^^

Will we were walking near the contemporary museum yesterday we saw this big exposition of shining balls, which light up and change pattern just like in shadow plays. Those balls also played a gentle sounds, just like the one whales use to make.

I loved it!

I am sorry I haven't been around a lot lately, but I kept on reading your blogs though I didn't comment. I am sorry for that.But I had an LSAT to prepare, and 4 final essays to prepare, it has been hell.. but I am glad it's over, and I am looking forward to reading and commenting your blogs again..I missed you all, I hope you had a great week! ^^