A quiet few days...

The leaves have mostly all fallen and been collected by the yellow "jumpers".

In England, when the trees become bare, Christmas is near.
In the academic world, this means it's time to turn it up gear. Even Greg has been seen studying full days! Yes, the fond memories of being a student are alive! Life is tough!

We did manage to get out for a nice walk through the Covent Garden area this past weekend. That is not a space ship in the picture but one of many Christmas decorations.

This weekend we will be attending a reception at the residence of the Canadian High Commissioner in London, Greg has a hockey game vs. the University of Southampton, and we have a Christmas Ball at the College. Once again.... the life of a student is certainly tough!

American Thanksgiving!

Encore une belle journée d'automne... La marche a l'école était des plus amusante! Le soleil était au rendez vous... les trottoires étaient emballées de feuilles d'automne de toutes les couleurs et j'ai découvert le monde merveilleux des podcasts! Bon, pour certains d'entre vous... ca doit être drôle que je ne savais même pas que ça existait!!! C'est tellement cool... je peux écouter les nouvelles canadiennes sur mon ipod en marchant pour aller a l'école... et mieux encore... j'ai décourvert que je pouvais télécharger mes émissions de télévisions! De plus, je pense avoir réussi a surmonter mon ennui du Tim Hortons... du moins de façon temporaire... j'ai goûter pour la première fois a un latte du Starbucks... pas mal... je pense pouvoir m'y habituer...

Ce soir, nous avons eu un souper de Thanksgiving a l'americaine. Il y a définitivement des avantages a habiter a un college international - on a la chance de célébrer toutes les occassions! La dinde, les choux de bruxelles et les patates étaient excellents! Quoique que je suis toujours un peu perplex quant a la salade avec poison qui nous a été servi... il semble que ce ne soit pas une combinaison gagnante!

I move that Brussels changes its name to Annick's Land...

All those in favor please say YEAH. Yup.. this should be my land! Consider this... a city that smells like chocolate and waffles and that serves "moules et frites" as its national dish! To make things even better the Flemmish pride themselves on their asparagus and it is the homeland of Tintin and Boule et Bill! Really, it doesn't get much better!

Our adventure began on Friday morning boarding on the EuroStar... less than three hours later, after traveling through the country side of England and France, we arrived in Belgium... (even the train station smelled like waffles!) Almost forgot to mention, the 20 minutes ride under the English Channel. We arrived to our luxurious hotel which was located minutes from La Grande Place. That same afternoon, we hit the "tourist must see and do"... beginning with a walk through the "Galleries St.-Hubert", Europe's first indoor shopping mall which has a wide variety of upscale boutiques and of course fabulous chocolate stores! We then went on to see Manneken Pis and thanks to our insider knowledge from the Hamilton Clan we also saw Jenneken Pis! We went to "La Grande Place" - no words can describe how beautiful it is! No wonder it has been called the most splendid market square in Europe! Of course, we did go under the small arcade under 8 Grand Place to rub the wrist of the Evrard t's Serclaes Statute - rumours has it that it brings luck and grants long forgotten wishes! Let's just wait and see! We also visited lots of Churches including "Notre Dame de Bon Secours", "Notre Dame aux Riches Claires" and "Cathedrale St-Michel"! We also did the Museum tour... beginning with the City Museum where we got to see all of Manneken's Pis costumes. There was a Canadian costume given in 1958. Believe it or not... it was a Montreal Canadian Hockey Uniform! We also visited the Ancient Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum! I also had a fabulous time visiting "Le Musee de la Bande Dessinee". Greg was new to all of these French cartoon characters... it was an educational visit for him!

Of course, a visit to Belgium entails lots and lots and lots of eating! To sum up... we ate way too many waffles, too many chocolates and too much mussels! On Friday night, we had a fantastic dinner on Rue des Bouchers! Met some Canadians from Montreal... sitting next to us! We then spent the rest of the evening at this incredible pub sipping a beer (Laffee)... picture this... our table overlooked "La Grande Place" and we were seated next to the fireplace... On Saturday evening we went out for dinner with our friends from Singapore whom happened to be in Brussels on the same weekend by pure coincidence! Lots of good laughs! We went out for beer and desserts to the "Drug Opera" an odd name for an incredible dessert place! I tried the "Cherry Beer!" which was fantastic!

I almost forgot to mention, our hotel was hosting the Belgium idol that weekend! I wanted to try out... I'm convinced I would have made it on TV - when they show the worst singers! he! he! Greg, said it was a bad idea!

Overall, weekend in Brussels, lots of food, lots of walking and tons of fun! Below are some pictures...

This is a picture of Greg... minutes after we arrived in Brusells...

Greg in front of Mannekin Pis!

A few of many more pictures taken at La Grande Place...

Les Galleries St.-Hubert...

Dinner on rue des Bouchers...

Pictures inside one of the many Catherals...

The Chocolate Museum...

And... a final picture of Greg and I kissing at the Comic Book Museum...

(no... it was Lucky Luke!)

Travel Notes: We booked our tickets for the weekend through the EuroStar and had a great deal on both accommodations and travel.

A Beautiful Fall Birthday!

I've always been thankful that my birthday is in November as it normally ends up being a happy day at a time of year that is normally grey, where the colourful leaves are long gone and where the rain, the cold or the snow are never far. What a difference to get up this morning to a bright sunny and colourful b-day! Although the sun didn't stay out for long it was still nice to have my birthday in the fall! This morning, Greg and I had a nice cozy little breakfeast in a small cafe on our way to school. Then, after class we met up with friends for some "birthday cake". To top off this already great morning, Greg and I went for a good "city run" as Julie and I would call it. Below are some pictures that we took on route!

Recognizing the "power shuffle"... that's me running in front of our college!

Now... for the afternoon... a few hours of studying to be followed by a weekend trip to Belgium! What a great Birthday!

Pour le meilleur et pour le pire...

Dans le cadre des celebrations du 75ieme anniversaire du College, nous avons eu la chance d'assister a des feux d'artifices absoluement extraordinaire! Reste a voir si les feux d'artifices etaient reelement extraordinaire ou etait-ce simplement en raison du fait qu'ils etait a quelques metre de nous. Egalement, dans le cadre des celebrations... pour le meilleur et pour le pire... les Canadiens ont fait une performance musicale du tonerre! Parmi les chanteurs figuraient... Annick et Greg. Il est sans dire que la performance fut des plus memorable et des plus drole. Parmi les chansons interpretes... Les Immortels de Jean-Pierre Ferland et Farwell to Nova Scotia et sous les applaudissement sans fin des spectateurs une chanson intitule "Canada is Really Big." Etant donnee le contenu de la chanson qui pourrait etre juges par quelques uns inappropries voici le lien pour entendre la chanson qui en ont fait rire plusieurs:

http://www.geocities.com/di2000ca/canadaisreallybig.wav

A Royal Visit

Today was the day that her Majesty the Queen came to our place! What a day! The excitement could be felt throughout the College. The security in place, the tour rehearsed and there she was the Queen of England two feet away from me. At first, I didn't think I would be that excited about it... but there is something quite special about seeing the Queen in person. The lady that's on our Canadian money! Greg was part of the fortunate group of Canadian that had the privilege of being inside the room while the Queen wondered and met College members. Following the Queen's visit, we attended a reception organized by the College where we had the opportunity to share our pictures and stories. The reception was attended by a number of distinguished guests from the College. We had a nice long chat with Sir Goodenough (former British High Commissioner to Canada) and his wife Lady Goodenough. All in all not a bad day! ;o) Below are some pictures.

The legendary wave....

One Interesting Place!

Another absolutely beautiful day in London! The sun was shinning, the air was fresh (or, as fresh as it gets in the city!) and the leaves are finally beginning to change colors. After class, a few of us went out to this “good looking pub” on Fleet Street just around the corner from the LSE and the Royal Courts of Justice. Once again, great food, great conversation and great drinks! We couldn’t help ourselves from admiring the rich and opulent décor! Turns out, the building dates back to 1888 and was first used as the Law Courts Branch of the Old Bank of England. Apparently, it’s a popular hang out for the lawyers from the nearby Inns of Court.

The Best Italian Food in London!

A two minute walk from Goodenough College and there it is.... the best Italian Food in London! It's called Ciao Bella and is located on the lovely Lamb's Conduit Street. Busy place, great atmoshere and awesome piano bar! We went yesterday with our friends from Singapore and had a wonderful time! Great food, great conversation and great music... really, what else can someone ask for!
http://www.ciaobellarestaurant.co.uk/default.asp

Des preparatifs pour de la grande visite...

Aujourd'hui, nous avons eu la chance de mettre nos talents artistiques a l'oeuvre! Non, c'est vrai... j'aime bien croire qu'on a des talents mais ce n'est pas le cas! Ceci-dit, le travail d'equipe peux faire des merveilles! Aujourd'hui, en preparation pour la visite de la reine, les gens du Canada se sont mis a l'oeuvre pour preparer une baniere! Alors, ci-dessous, une photo de Greg et du reste de l'equipe au travail!














Voici le produit fini! Pas mal hein?



J'ai egalement profiter de l'occasion pour prendre des photos du college ou on habite!


A la prochaine!

Breaking News

Early news reports are indicating that Annick was seen jogging through the streets of London today. Annick was unavailable for comment, but her husband Greg was quoted as saying "...the reports are true, Annick has taken her first jog since September 2005." He went on to say, "at first she was a bit hesitant, but then the ole instinct kicked in and she was off to the races...".

I know I speak for other news reporters when I say that we weren't sure we would see her running following her ACL reconstruction last fall. Well Annick - good on ya.

This is Kent Brockman signing off for UK NEWS.

London or Hollywood?

Here is where it started... Strolling along the cold streets of London on my way to the Parliament buildings and of course stopping along the way to take a few photos... I started to think to myself are there any famous people in London besides the Royal Family? Hey what's that over there? What are the people crowding around the barriers for? Maybe I should take a look... and by take a look... I really mean stand in the cold for an hour and a half! It was worth every minute.. the excitement of the red carpet was only secondary to the drama of the flashing cameras! Yes folks, Jack Black in person. Don't believe me... see the blurry proof! Lot's of other stars and I'm not cool enough to know who they are!!! One of them was "little Chris". I only knew that because some twelve year old beside me yelled out "Hey it's little Chris!".













The moral of the story - even though London has a funny way with order, rules and etiquette...

You should always look both ways before you cross the street... You never know what you will find....... no matter how "little"...