May 21, 2007

Where have I been?

I realized today that my blog has fallen sadly behind the times. And, as it would probably take way too long to update you on every little adventure I have been having, I'll just give some of the highlights:

Montreal:

I have spent two incredible weekends in Montreal, Quebec to visit Gabe, and am planning two more in the next two weeks (: All this Montreal adventuring is probably going to make me fat, since every time Gabe and I get together, manage to eat really, really well (too much cheese, wine, cake, honey, yum). But, I train enough Aikido and do enough walking around to not worry much about it. It makes me a little bit uncomfortable that I don't speak any French (save bonjour, bon soir, merci, and Je ne parle pas Francais ("I don't speak French")), but I have enrolled in a French class starting in a couple of weeks. Almost everyone in Montreal speaks English as well, but I just don't feel like it is fair to make people have to speak English just because I can't speak French. There is nothing like staring someone blankly in the face when they ask you a question that you don't understand...

Boston:

The weather here has been gorgeous. There are so many incredible plants to look at and flowers to smell, it is really intoxicating, especially when I come home near dusk and the light is all golden and the air full of flower perfume. Now I understand why people get sad when the move from somewhere green to Reno. I appreciate the beauty of the desert, but it is definitely much more subtle than the "in-your-face" greenery here. I was doing laundry the other night, and found a huge patch of wild mint growing behind the house...looking forward to drinking some fresh-brewed mint tea and making spring rolls (:

Gabe and I took a walk to the Arboretum (500+ acres of trees in the middle of the city) a couple of weeks ago to enjoy all of the plants, and decided to climb this hill that looks out over all of Boston. When we got close, we heard someone playing the bagpipes, and as we rounded the corner, we realized that this guy was standing at the top of the hill bag-piping to the world. We got our own little (semi) private concert as we watched the sun set over the city. I have always had a fond place in my heart for bagpipes (thanks, Gigi). It was awesome.

Aikido:

I have been getting more beat up than I care to admit, but I don't really have much choice in the matter. I am feeling a little more comfortable in the dojo here, a little bit less like an outsider, though I still know that this style of training is not what I want to be doing in the long run. I am learning a lot, though, and I guess that is all that matters.

The Kitties:

I let Miles and Rosie out into the yard a couple of weeks ago--the day was just too beautiful to keep them inside. They both had their claws removed before I got them, so they aren't really supposed to play outside, but I caved. Rosie couldn't really deal--she just kind of stuck by the door, slinking down really close to the ground, trying not to be seen. Miles, on the other hand, went nuts, tasting every plant he could find, rubbing himself on the warm slate, sniffing the flowers, exploring. He was good for the most part, until he saw another cat...I have never seen him so pissed off before. He chased the poor kitty across the yard, down into the street below, and had him cornered under a car when I found him. Silly Miles. When I yelled at him, he ran straight home, back into the apartment and spent the rest of the afternoon hissing at Rosie and I. Needless to say, I won't be letting him out again any time soon, even though he demands that I let him out every time I have the screen door open.

Reno:

I will be back in Reno from August 20th-27th for my friend Sandra's wedding. Good times, good times.

Work:

...is awesome. I love my job.

Friends:

I have been meeting some random people...mostly, a couple (Andrea is from Germany, Yiorgos is from Greece) who seem like they are really nice people. We will be having dinner sometime soon. It is easy to meet people, but hard to meet people you want to be friends with, especially in a city this large. I am finding it difficult, because I want to open up to everyone, which you can't, because people take advantage of you. I just don't have the time or the energy.

Books:

I am reading the "His Dark Materials" Trilogy by Phillip Pullman...I highly recommend it to anyone. I can't put them down.

And, that has to be it for now. I have to go back to doing some real work. I will update some photos when I finally get an internet connection at my house and do a little maintenance on my computer. Until then, you'll just have to be patient.

2 comments:

Danger Girl said...

I am glad to hear (er...read) that things are going good! I will be in New Jersey this summer for a bit and would love to see you! How far is that from you?...If not there is the wedding. Do you guys need a place to stay?
R

Unknown said...

They have been incredible weeks. I am a lucky boy.