Today I started packing for Iceland! YAY!

Also, I finally updated my online pics gallery… Using Lightroom I created albums and put them on my pics page. All of the Spain pics are there too!

I watched a few movies too… Bolt (super cute) and Slumdog Milionnaire (very good)!

Happy’s doing well. Don’t know if she knows she’s going to a doggy boarding home soon though…

On Friday I went to get my second Couchsurfer at the ferry… She was arriving on the Nordik Express. I showed her the area near the Île au Perroquets lookout and we walked there with Happy. And I got help putting together my BBQ, but it’s rainy/wet outside so I can’t try it out just yet!

On Saturday I brought her for a walk up the Brador Falls, to the little lake.

In the evening it was the Social Club’s lobster boil, which was good fun! And delicious too!

And the Couchsurfer left this morning.

I didn’t sleep so well, the pillows weren’t comfy! I woke up at 4h30 again (second morning in a row), 6h Newfoundland time – in the Summer we have 1h30 time difference. I had a bad headache. I got ready and was out in the car by 6h35. I drove towards the ferry, with a few stops along the way… Tim Horton’s for brekky (yay!) then in Parson’s Pond to see the cute fishermen houses.

The last stop was Hawke’s Bay for gas and restroom stop. I got to the ferry with 1h40 to spare… We have to be there a bit more than 1 hour before if we have a reservation, or else we loose it. The crossing went fine…

I was soooooo glad went we docked! Home I unpacked everything I bought, took a nap, ate supper, relaxed. I also sewed a pouch for my clothing pins outside, attached with velcro on the balcony.

When driving in Newfoundland, you have to be on constant moose watch!

This weekend I spotted 6… 2 crossing, 4 on the side of the road, all female or young males (without their antlers yet).

I crossed over to Newfoundland on the Friday 6h30 ferry. Waiting to depart…

Then I drove the 350km to Corner Brook. It went well… At first the road was a bit wet (from recent rain) and that was yucky (driving through big puddles at 110km/h with splishes). When I got to Corner Brook I went to Walmart. Wow, they say it’s the evil store, but the savings are good! For example…

Happy’s dog food:
-Usually 45$ here, 28$ there.

Liquid laundry detergent:
-Ususally 9$ here, 5$ there.

Then I went to Staples to buy a new printer… Mine is broken, the paper feed doesn’t work anymore! I’d love to have it fixed, but no one fixes printers here… And it’s been frustrating not having a printer at home!

After that, Happy was tired of being alone in the car, so we went to check-in at the hotel. I had a bit of difficulty finding it but eventually did, after turning around twice because I went too far/didn’t turn at the right place! The hotel, Glynmill Inn…

From the hotel I walked with Happy to the vet’s. The visit went well. Happy passed her annual check-up, got updates of shots and a heart worm test. The vet said she was on the limit of her healthy weight, she can’t get bigger than this. If she does, I should cut down on her food.

Then we went for a walk around the hotel’s walking paths, the bog/marsh area… Happy loved the lovely path and woods! I put her in the room while I went to supper and to Stokes afterwards. I had to go buy a gift for someone in our Social Club. I didn’t know what to get… And I got a bit inspired and selected stuff for a “Summer table!” I like what I selected and wish I could keep it for me!!

In the evening I went for another long walk with happy around the hotel…

The bog/marsh again, plus around the lake! About 1h30…

I wanted Happy to be tired to be able to sleep because she doesn’t like hotels… All the noises, the weird furniture, etc. She’s not comfortable… But oh well!

Although today was a holiday, I went to work! I wanted to be the only one in my office so that I could truly concentrate on my writing! And it worked! I almost finished the report! Yay! Tomorrow I’ll be able to put on the finishing touches. And have my boss read/approve it. And send it off!

In 20 dodos I’m going to be in Iceland! Less than 3 weeks! Wow! I feel like starting packing!

Yesterday was a pretty busy day! It was nice and sunny out, though a bit cold.

I started with a walk for Happy… And she ate another dead bird. She’ll get sick from it someday!!! But when she finds one, she runs away with it and doesn’t want to be near me until she’s done gulping it down! No way I could catch her to take it away… Argh!!!

Then I went to the school to help out with lunch. They were holding the athleticism competition for the Lower North Shore and kids were hungry! I helped serve the pasta, clean, etc.

After back home I wanted to put my clothes line up! I bought 110 feet of rope and a pulley. I asked my friendly neighbour to help me fix it. But I didn’t have enough rope! Missing like 20 feet! Crap! I went back to the store and bought another looooong piece, this time 150 feet!! It was more than enough. I’m so glad I have a clothes line now! I tried it out with a load of laundry and it’s great!

Before supper I went for a walk with Happy in the village, to mom’s house and back.

This morning I wanted to take advantage of the nice weather before the rain starts. I went out to fix the garden-area I planned on the side of my house. I gathered rocks around the house to form a little border. I went to the beach with Happy to get a bit of sand and a few extra rocks. Then with M. I went to get some earth… Nice rich black one. Finally we went to get a rhubarb plant. It broke in two so I now have two plants in my little garden area! I also planted some onions. Later on I’ll add flowers to finish it off! I also need to put a backing, because when it rains the earth splashes on the siding of the house making it all dirty…

In the arvo I went for a visit at J.&R.’s. I had a nice chat with J. and got to see their grandson, who I hadn’t seen for a while… He’s so cute! Pretty blue eyes!

I’m glad that even though I don’t have much family here, I do have a little réseau around me that I can ask help to or visit with!

It’s not often that I loose my cool, but today I did. I have been working all week on fixing someone else’s mistake. Today when I finally got to talk to this person, they had trouble admitting their mistake and acknowledging the work I’d done. It pissed me off! Still I remained very professional but I spoke up and said what I thought.

Because of this extra unexpected stuff I had to do I’m going to work on Monday instead of taking my holiday. I feel too stressed. I have to complete a report for our project and it has to be done and sent before I go to Iceland. I want it finished ASAP!

Yesterday the sunset was amazing. I went to take pics… One of wave water sliding back into the sea and another of the beautiful orange sky. It’s moments like this that make living here so worth it.

This week I had a cleaning lady come at my house for the first time… She swept/cleaned the floors and the bathroom. It’s neat! Not having to worry about doing it this weekend! And it’s a coop, so it’s helping too.

24 dodos and I’m in Iceland! Yay!

On Saturday I went to Quebec City. I had supper at my aunt’s, it was nice…! She wasn’t expected me, I showed up at her house as a surprise! Then I slept at my bro’s.

In the morning I left early to go to the airport… Two small suitcases, one backpack, one flower bag, one big bag with a fragile glass item in it. I was loaded! The cab brought me at the airport in 15 minutes for 25$ (including tip). Then as I was about to check-in, first one in line when the lady opened the counter, I realized I was missing something…!

CRAP! I forgot the paddle at my bro’s apart!! Leaning against the wall! I thought… What do I do. Check-in, leave the paddle here, and find someone to bring it back for me? Go get it? Ah ah! I had a good idea! I called my bro, asking him to bring it to the cab that would go to his apart block. I called the cab company to explain/ask for a cab to bring it to me at the airport. And it worked! I was poorer 25$ but that’s fine, at least I had my paddle!

The Air Lab flight went fine. Except you’re treated less well than on PAL. One bad thing is they don’t give you any food. Not even a little packed lunch. I was starving the whole flight because I didn’t have time for brekky before leaving bro’s apart and didn’t have time for brekky at the airport because of the paddle thingy. So yea, no food. The other sucky thing is that they only confirm one of your checked bags and the other(s) are stand-by. Even if you pay extra fee for extra bag, it’s not sure it’ll be at your end destination. When I told the lady at the counter that was a strange policy, she looked at me with a snobbish look and gave me a dry answer that it had been like that for a while.

Important thing is I’m home! I missed home! Really it’s maybe not Blanc-Sablon per say I missed, but it’s my bed, my dog, my bath, my clothes, my stuff.

Back at work today and it was quite hectic. I tried doing a thousand things at once.

And after work when I went to get the mail I got a nice surprise… My kayak had already arrived! Quick! I mailed it on Friday morning, and it’s Monday and it’s here! I choose the 5-day delivery. Canada Post really outdid themselves on this one! Yay! Now maybe if it’s mild/not windy weather this weekend I can try it out!

I spoke to mom to get news about Happy and apparently she’s doing amazing! Today M. came by to pick Happy up and bring her to run free! They went to the sand dunes. Happy swam in the little creek. I was a bit scared of Happy going without a leash with anyone but me, but glad it went well with M.! Means she can listen well to other people too!

Today I started by going to mail my kayak! I choose the Express option, my kayak should be home by Friday next week if all goes well, I could be going kayaking next weekend! Then I went to the doctor for an annual check-up.

After I went to get some cute Summer shoes at Aldo, the last thing missing on my shopping list. Now I’m fine with no shopping until October! Then I went to the movies to see The Soloist. It was a neat little film.

Back home, I went to the dog park I used to go to with Happy. I sat there, watching other people’s dogs run around and play together. I like big dogs best..! They run fast! Catch balls! They are the most fun.

And now it’s packing time. Tomorrow I’m going to my cousin’s place to see her and her little girl. We’ll have brekky together. Then I am planning on taking the 13h bus to Quebec City and do a surprise visit at my aunt’s! And have supper with them. On Sunday morning my plane leaves to go back home! Yay! I’m glad I did this week in the city, it was fun, but I miss home… My bed, my couch, my tele, my fresh air, my beautiful sunsets, my dog, etc.

Today was shopping day! I started by going to Ikea… I got lots of small things, from kitchen stuff like spatulas/napkins, some fabric to make inside curtains for my bedroom, candles and a lantern, etc. I also bought mom’s birthday gift for August… I am sure she’ll love it and I want to give it to her right away, but I’ll wait… 3 months.

After that I drove to Laval! My first time there…! I went to S.A.I.L. to buy my kayak! It was neat because there was a promotion in the store, a rebate equaling the amount of the taxes! YAY! Plus I liked that the workers didn’t work on commission like at Sport Expert or so… They gave me advice, moved on to the next customer, I looked around and loaded the stuff onto my cart. No pressure! Amongst other things I bought:
-Kayak/paddle/pump, rain jacket (red, from Quartz Nature).
-Sandals (suuuuper comfy, from Ecco, like my hiking boots).
-A -7 compact sleeping bag because I only have a huge -40 Winter one (from North Face).

Then I went to bring 2 big bags of clothing at a local clothes donation box. I brought the bags from Blanc-Sablon after cleaning my closet… I gave things I hadn’t worn in more than a year, so things I didn’t like anymore or that didn’t fit. But items still in really good shape others will surely enjoy!

At home I packed things I bought during the day to send home by Canada Post… 2 boxes and the kayak in its bag! The paddle I’ll bring with me on the plane.

My kayak & paddle… I’m so happy! I can’t wait to go test it in Blanc-Sablon!!! Thanks mom for providing a part of the funding as my birthday gift!!

Today I started by going to the Jean Talon Market. It was nice to see all of the nice fruit/veggies, but especially all the plants/flowers! How I wish I could plant some already in Blanc-Sablon, but it’s still too cold (below 0 at night)… So it’ll have to wait. That’s one thing I liked about Montreal, my nice hugely flowered balcony and sidewalk tree area, so easy to grow!

Then I went to the dentist. They did a good cleaning of my teeth and spotted a cavity. Well it’s a “recidivist cavity,” one that formed under an existing filling. So they’ll have to remove the filling, clean under it and redo it. The dentist wanted me to come back this week but I have better things to do of my holiday in Montreal so it’ll wait until I’m back home.

In the arvo I decided to do a bit of shopping… Stopped at Zara & Simon’s, where I bought some neat pieces. Then Sports Expert to find a new rain jacket, but the one I liked didn’t fit totally right, the hood was too big (and would blow off while on a boat ride for example, so it’s not good). So I’m still on the lookout for that. I also stopped at H&M and got a few tops. And finally L’Occitane for my favourite bath soap, verbena scented.

I also went to the movies. I saw “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” which was crap but cute. I had a small popcorn and coke, it was not healthy food but it was feel good food that helped me feel a bit less sick strangely.

I decided to skip on the YULBlog evening and my Kills gig. All day I didn’t feel too well, headache, chills/warm, a bit shaky, so I decided an evening at home would be better. So I took a nice shower, put my pjs on and watched Bones.

Tomorrow is a big day… Going to Ikea’s for fun and then in Laval to buy a kayak at S.A.I.L., if I can find my way there!

Yesterday was my birthday!

I started the day by going to the supermarket. Wow, so much stuff! And cheap too! A pack of strawberries for 1.66$ compared to the 7$ I’d pay home!

Then I went to the hair salon. I like going there, because it’s not only a haircut. It’s a head massage, a nice long hair wash, and then the cut. And I’ve been going to the same stylist for some time now so that’s neat.

After I went to eat a little poutine at Frites Alors! Feeling energized I walked to the Atmosphere store to do some shopping. I found some Summer hiking pants (quick dry), some Smartwool Summer hiking socks as well as a hiking backpack. I have a small/tiny backpack home, a bigger one for school, and this one is in between. It’s neat because it’s quite lightweight!

In the evening I went for supper at Mechant Boeuf. Joined by some friends and my cousin, I had a nice meal. I even got my creme brulee with some sparkly candle on it! After supper, most people left, but 4 of us went to a nearby pub for a drink. And I was home by 23h.

I am feeling really tired. Even though I slept from 23h30 to 8h, somehow I’m tired. Don’t even feel like going to YULBlog or The Kills gig tonight, would feel more like a movie… I’ll see how it goes today after the dentist’s at 13h…

To come here, I flew a different company than usual… The new Innu Mikun/Provincial Airlines partnership. The flight went quite well! First was a Dash and then a Saab, so two “big” planes for the Coast’s standard Twin! And the best was the food! Usually I starve when traveling that route… I always pack some stuff to eat… But today I didn’t even take it out. They gave us the standard munch pack, then a muffin, then a huge grilled chicken sandwich with Guacamole, a pasta salad with tomatoes/fresh basil/feta, then a sort of brownie dessert… It was stuff from Java U, so quite yummy! Then on the next half of flight the lady offered more sandwiches, salads, pastries… But I was full!!

Quebec City at sunset from the plane…

Arriving in Montreal after a while in Blanc-Sablon the same things always strike me… First it’s the traffic/amount of cars/industry-feel of the city. Then it’s the smell. Then it’s the no snow. And finally it’s the cultural diversity.

I’m at a friend’s apart, while he’s away to Europe, so it’s quite nice to have the feeling of a home while away from my home! And it’s near my old ‘hood… When the taxi brought me here we drove by 2 streets away from my old apart block! So I don’t feel lost at all.

Tomorrow is hair dresser and birthday supper. Maybe a bit of shopping in between too! I need cute rain boots… Because the weather forecast doesn’t call for much nice sun in the coming days sadly!

Yesterday I went walking on the beach for the first time this Spring. The sand is finally free from ice/snow… Almost everywhere anyways! All along the water line there are still big pieces of ice. Walking on them with Happy was fun!

This weekend I took it easy… I did some stuff around the house, some walks with Happy… But I didn’t even pack my luggage for Montreal yet! Usually I’ve packed days before a trip!

I’m so looking forward to my trip to Montreal! I’ve got lined up: hair salon, birthday supper, shopping, movies, Kills gig… Just hope there’s no fog tomorrow and that the weather is good enough for the plane to fly (predicting rain and strongish winds).