I dont know what it is about the city, about this house Im in, or about the Depaneur(Grocery)/ Mini Mall under the house... But you know what??? I feel RIGHT !
Its a rare feeling you get , at different points of ur life.... But when you start feeling it, you feel confident in doing right about anything.
I had my Yoga class at 12:00 noon at St Katherine and Rue Stanley which I dediced to find a way to get to , ALONE..........And for the first time!
I wanted to feel like Im choosing the direction I should take and not just semi-relying on the locals (Joey and Liz).
So I got ready for the walk, planned my Route, got my Ipod out, and hit the streets..
C'etais superbe! C'etais vraiment une tres belle marche.
I bought my first French book!
Im really getting closer to this language. Im speaking in french to EVERYONE I see!
You should see me reading??? I read like Im a 7-year old.
I have to be saying the words out loud, so I hear myself. I speak slowly. At the same time, I feel like Im studying the language all over again!
I then met up with Liz and Joey and walked towards the View Port du Montreal.
We walked around the streets, the musicians, the artists, and many galleries. We sat on the floor and watched the Gymnasts doing some really high jumps choreographed to the music they are playing. Noticing walkers, bikers, families, rollerbalders, readers.
I look around and I smile.
Joey's friend invited us to her place, to chill and watch the sunset on her balcony in Cote De Neige ( That I previouly called Mont Montagne! Inno its high and it has something, snow, mountain, whatever)
Having realized that I need to change my clothes! I took the decision that I will head to the house, pick up whatever, change, and then head back to Cote De Neige ALONE.
No hesitation! Im off......
It took me one full hour, I got lost twice... Once on the way. And once the way Back.
I made it. I felt rewarded.
As a first timer, It felt GREAT!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
TrAIINNkeel
In Quebecan its TraAnkilite and in French its Tranquilite ..... is the word you feel when you walk on the streets.
Everyone is trAAAnkeel.
I spent a good portion of my day on Park Mont Royal coz we found out that the weather is good! The meteo said it was gonna be thunder-raining, SO NOT!... The sun was up all day long and people in the park were in their swim suits tanning.
The clouds were moving so fast; it was almost like Im watching a movie. Clear blue skies, among a pattern of clustered clouds spread all across the sky. The clouds start moving, really fast, they all carry a different color and thickness.
white, really white, grey, darker, black, RAIN ! and less than a minute later, as the clouds keep moving SUNSHINE. Literally, thats how fast it changes.
FYI: The meteo gives out a forecast of the weather PER block! Depends where the cloud lands.
Going back to TrAAAIInkeel, people are just..... tranquile.
Theres so much room for creativity; people really get creative with the idea of free living.
The Graffitti; here is unreal; its so different, breathless, and so delicate! They chose the right location and BAMMM add a whole new feeling to the neighborhood.
The nice thing is , as opposed to Bracelona, its NOT all over the place; Its chosen !
I put some pictures of them, and you be the judge. Here, we visited St. Laurent, St. Denis, and St. Katherine.
The buildings are ... wohow.
The shops? Oh God shou hayda?? How do they even think about these things. We visited a Vintage store, you can see the Roller Blades, used! The woman at the counter was dressed SO typical 70s style with the glasses and the hair. ...
Raed is a friend of Jooliz visiting them for one day from Dubai.
My cousin, I believe youve met.
and Joey and Liza.
Enjoy!
Everyone is trAAAnkeel.
I spent a good portion of my day on Park Mont Royal coz we found out that the weather is good! The meteo said it was gonna be thunder-raining, SO NOT!... The sun was up all day long and people in the park were in their swim suits tanning.
The clouds were moving so fast; it was almost like Im watching a movie. Clear blue skies, among a pattern of clustered clouds spread all across the sky. The clouds start moving, really fast, they all carry a different color and thickness.
white, really white, grey, darker, black, RAIN ! and less than a minute later, as the clouds keep moving SUNSHINE. Literally, thats how fast it changes.
FYI: The meteo gives out a forecast of the weather PER block! Depends where the cloud lands.
Going back to TrAAAIInkeel, people are just..... tranquile.
Theres so much room for creativity; people really get creative with the idea of free living.
The Graffitti; here is unreal; its so different, breathless, and so delicate! They chose the right location and BAMMM add a whole new feeling to the neighborhood.
The nice thing is , as opposed to Bracelona, its NOT all over the place; Its chosen !
I put some pictures of them, and you be the judge. Here, we visited St. Laurent, St. Denis, and St. Katherine.
The buildings are ... wohow.
The shops? Oh God shou hayda?? How do they even think about these things. We visited a Vintage store, you can see the Roller Blades, used! The woman at the counter was dressed SO typical 70s style with the glasses and the hair. ...
Raed is a friend of Jooliz visiting them for one day from Dubai.
My cousin, I believe youve met.
and Joey and Liza.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
a Sunday for you
I dont know if you noticed, but in my profile description I kinda mentioned something about wanting to meet, experience, and mainly want to know what I dont know?
I would have NEVER had known that I can be having SUCH an amazing session with the people that I havent seen in almost 11 years...Les Cousins came over and we talked and chilled until we played Family Guy.
Theres a technical glitch, I would LOVE to fix it but.... its a bit more REAL that way...
Ard el Arz/ The Land of the Cedars
OKAY Everyone, I have to say something... or ... ask for a favor...
PLEASE watch the video Ive attached of my cousin Joey.
I am from, Ard l Arz, a beautiful country inside out, but the way I see it, its roots are weak. Its roots are weak; and he goes on describing his personal experience living away from his country and this faded image he has of it (Nido kibrou il wlad il sghar); and the recognizing that "Nous sommes tout soeur et freres".
I did not give him justice with this description; but please watch it!!!!!
Basically, It was the weekend here in Montreal, and my cousin and I went up to Family house... where the whole Mallat Family resides. and we spent an amaaazing day, had lunch, sat outside where the weather was acting very nice to us, spoke in Arabic/ Lebanese, ate lebanese food , and continued the evening throughout midnight, with the young cousins,,,,
PLEASE watch the video Ive attached of my cousin Joey.
I am from, Ard l Arz, a beautiful country inside out, but the way I see it, its roots are weak. Its roots are weak; and he goes on describing his personal experience living away from his country and this faded image he has of it (Nido kibrou il wlad il sghar); and the recognizing that "Nous sommes tout soeur et freres".
I did not give him justice with this description; but please watch it!!!!!
Basically, It was the weekend here in Montreal, and my cousin and I went up to Family house... where the whole Mallat Family resides. and we spent an amaaazing day, had lunch, sat outside where the weather was acting very nice to us, spoke in Arabic/ Lebanese, ate lebanese food , and continued the evening throughout midnight, with the young cousins,,,,
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Woouuuattttt????
Bonjour the world! Ca Va? All is great??
Remember how I told you I see ALL kinds, shapes and forms of people?
Indirectly, Im implying that this city (as i have noticed, nothing factual) has an identity problem.
Am I french? Am I english? what am I?
Its amazing how these people speak PERFECT english, and even a more perfect french!
They have the accent spot on, they have a wide and extensive vocabulary, grammar, everything.
Around the city, EVERYTHING you see is written twice!
Toilets/Toilettes.
Exit/Sortie.
Metro/Le Metro.
One alteration though... THE QUEBEQIAN ACCENT... wohowwwww... Wooouuuuaaattttttt???
Les Greiiiiinnnn Pareeeiiinnnn as opposed to Grand Parents.
OUWEEEEEEE as opposed to Oui.
Untsi pue as opposed to Un petit peu.
Apparently, Quebec is the only French-speaking part of all of Canada, and they are fighting for it to be a LIBRE QUEBEC, One that is keeps its French-speaking origins.
Some shops and places explicilty have a sigh saying "Ici, On commerce en Francais " and if you speak in English they will not reply to you.
SUCH helpful people, SO SO NICE. Wow, its so nice to constantly have smart conversations with switched on people who serve you. I went to buy a phone and a number..... They know what theyre talking about, they stay with you TILL then end. I was really stupid in there.
Man, they have different plans for mobile phone.. You can choose to pay for outgoing calls for free all month, but pay for your incoming, Same with Text messages, You can choose certain mobile numbers that will NOT have any charges to them, So if you choose that number, you can call and call for free!
A lotttttt of options and plans!
Also, since you cant have a phone without the number (and vice versa coz they sell them both together), EVERYONE carries the same phones around... costing from 10 to 100 dollars! Thats it.... Man, i remember I waited and waited for my Blackbery Bold and paid 3,000 AED for it!
Not to forget the Millions of Dollar phones with diamonds and a mini bathroom in them!
Thats not in here! No, Not in here!
Remember how I told you I see ALL kinds, shapes and forms of people?
Indirectly, Im implying that this city (as i have noticed, nothing factual) has an identity problem.
Am I french? Am I english? what am I?
Its amazing how these people speak PERFECT english, and even a more perfect french!
They have the accent spot on, they have a wide and extensive vocabulary, grammar, everything.
Around the city, EVERYTHING you see is written twice!
Toilets/Toilettes.
Exit/Sortie.
Metro/Le Metro.
One alteration though... THE QUEBEQIAN ACCENT... wohowwwww... Wooouuuuaaattttttt???
Les Greiiiiinnnn Pareeeiiinnnn as opposed to Grand Parents.
OUWEEEEEEE as opposed to Oui.
Untsi pue as opposed to Un petit peu.
Apparently, Quebec is the only French-speaking part of all of Canada, and they are fighting for it to be a LIBRE QUEBEC, One that is keeps its French-speaking origins.
Some shops and places explicilty have a sigh saying "Ici, On commerce en Francais " and if you speak in English they will not reply to you.
SUCH helpful people, SO SO NICE. Wow, its so nice to constantly have smart conversations with switched on people who serve you. I went to buy a phone and a number..... They know what theyre talking about, they stay with you TILL then end. I was really stupid in there.
Man, they have different plans for mobile phone.. You can choose to pay for outgoing calls for free all month, but pay for your incoming, Same with Text messages, You can choose certain mobile numbers that will NOT have any charges to them, So if you choose that number, you can call and call for free!
A lotttttt of options and plans!
Also, since you cant have a phone without the number (and vice versa coz they sell them both together), EVERYONE carries the same phones around... costing from 10 to 100 dollars! Thats it.... Man, i remember I waited and waited for my Blackbery Bold and paid 3,000 AED for it!
Not to forget the Millions of Dollar phones with diamonds and a mini bathroom in them!
Thats not in here! No, Not in here!
Friday, July 24, 2009
SUMMER is HERE
My first shot of reality :"Miss Karam, Youre Late!".
I walked into the plane and everyone is frowning, I was the last one to board the plane coz, you know, I met acouple in Dubai Duty Free and chatted my whole way into their life and didnt realize that the flight had been onFINAL CALL for a good half an hour! Nice!
Six hours and half later, I get to Frankfurt and my ears automatically detect the einnnggtt and ayyyynggtt-ness ofthe dutch language. Around 2 hours later, as I am calmly watching a documentary on my laptop, the whole of Frakfurt airport gets flodded with AT LEAST 3 full flights of Indian passangers. And here! It happens... "I TOLD YOU, THE COFFEE IS 6 DOLLARS"... I had never realized how RUDE people can be with Indian people. The waiter didnt even BOTHER looking at the inidian while screaming the price to him!Another 7 hours and 40 minutes later, I am in Montreal Airport and within one hour, I was AT the JOOLIZ (Joey and Liza's house) in Avenue Du Parc. They've furnished it so so so well. Its a really cozy one-bedroom, all colors, with many gadgets and masks on the walls, along with a whole wall filled with pictures, happy pictures.
The excitement of hugging,kissing, welcoming, was really strong and it just felt RIGHT. I started unpacking slowly and then Liza and I walked to St Katherine to have a nice catch-up session in Starbucks.
I see chinese, I see blue-haired girls, I see many handicaps, I see hippies, I see very very funky looking girls with ALOT OF STYLE. Its crazy how NOBODY looks like anybody. Theres a big sense if Individualism.
L'ete est La. Summer is here. There was an article in the paper saying SUMMER IS HERE. Yeah well, everyone is on the streets in shorts and tshirts holding an umbrella. Its raining, I havent yet seen the sun, BUT its summer. Its cloudy and Im wearing my leather jacket. They call this summer.
I feel light, my eyes are glowing, my face too. I breathe happiness. I can not really decribe what Im feeling,This is one of the most beautiful feelings. I feel so at home with Jooliz, I pack I walk around and I smile. I walk down the street. I smile.
I walked into the plane and everyone is frowning, I was the last one to board the plane coz, you know, I met acouple in Dubai Duty Free and chatted my whole way into their life and didnt realize that the flight had been onFINAL CALL for a good half an hour! Nice!
Six hours and half later, I get to Frankfurt and my ears automatically detect the einnnggtt and ayyyynggtt-ness ofthe dutch language. Around 2 hours later, as I am calmly watching a documentary on my laptop, the whole of Frakfurt airport gets flodded with AT LEAST 3 full flights of Indian passangers. And here! It happens... "I TOLD YOU, THE COFFEE IS 6 DOLLARS"... I had never realized how RUDE people can be with Indian people. The waiter didnt even BOTHER looking at the inidian while screaming the price to him!Another 7 hours and 40 minutes later, I am in Montreal Airport and within one hour, I was AT the JOOLIZ (Joey and Liza's house) in Avenue Du Parc. They've furnished it so so so well. Its a really cozy one-bedroom, all colors, with many gadgets and masks on the walls, along with a whole wall filled with pictures, happy pictures.
The excitement of hugging,kissing, welcoming, was really strong and it just felt RIGHT. I started unpacking slowly and then Liza and I walked to St Katherine to have a nice catch-up session in Starbucks.
I see chinese, I see blue-haired girls, I see many handicaps, I see hippies, I see very very funky looking girls with ALOT OF STYLE. Its crazy how NOBODY looks like anybody. Theres a big sense if Individualism.
L'ete est La. Summer is here. There was an article in the paper saying SUMMER IS HERE. Yeah well, everyone is on the streets in shorts and tshirts holding an umbrella. Its raining, I havent yet seen the sun, BUT its summer. Its cloudy and Im wearing my leather jacket. They call this summer.
I feel light, my eyes are glowing, my face too. I breathe happiness. I can not really decribe what Im feeling,This is one of the most beautiful feelings. I feel so at home with Jooliz, I pack I walk around and I smile. I walk down the street. I smile.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
A message to you
Thats it... Thats my last blog I type from the UAE... from the ARab world... from the world that Ive known so so well and Ive grown up in..
Im travelling in a couple of hours... and I head to what I like to call "The Unknown". Its Montreal for 2 weeks , where Liza and I catch a plane to Chetumal/Mexico... and she leaves me there:)
Ive been thinking so hard about this.. well to be honest... no I didnt even think about this.... the answer is ,... No i WONT do a farewell dinner with all my freinds of Dubai!
I can NOT cope with this... I function a lot better when theres no GOODBYE, and emotional talks!
so heres a message to all of you.... (one one. or wa7ad wa7ad meehh)
I love you all, you will be missed, your jokes, your comfort, your attitudes, your personalities, your different personalities , your presence!
Im travelling in a couple of hours... and I head to what I like to call "The Unknown". Its Montreal for 2 weeks , where Liza and I catch a plane to Chetumal/Mexico... and she leaves me there:)
Ive been thinking so hard about this.. well to be honest... no I didnt even think about this.... the answer is ,... No i WONT do a farewell dinner with all my freinds of Dubai!
I can NOT cope with this... I function a lot better when theres no GOODBYE, and emotional talks!
so heres a message to all of you.... (one one. or wa7ad wa7ad meehh)
I love you all, you will be missed, your jokes, your comfort, your attitudes, your personalities, your different personalities , your presence!
- CHARBEL: My one and only... you sooo my third brother.. and if you give me your passport you can be my husband!
- Rana, Pia: My two girls that I share sooo much with! Come to think of it, all my feelings of THISSSS and its developments have been shared with you two:) Its nice to know that three girls (each in a different country) can still be so close.
- Steph, Sam, Amanda, Lara and Randa: You guys seriously are something else... I havent seen such a REAL family love BOND like that before... everytime I come to ur place, Im in awe!
- Gracey: **and little Jasmine.... and Gracia Safi... That it, youre in my Life forever and Im so happy for that:)
- Kia: Me n you have this really nice connection, Its like i feel you and you feel me:)
- Meerz and CharliEeE: You will always be my Kindergarden, High School, University, Dorms and next door companion!
- Passo: Have I told you that I LOVE your new direction of Life? your whole attitude is sooo much respected.
- Rakan: Youre suchhhhh a good friend and neighbor, welcome to my circle of love!
- RaRa: Your head is always something un-understandable... mish ma3oul how i love it!
- Maya: Always Digging Deeper and seeking further. Chapeux for you. A conversation with you calms me down and puts things in persrective.
- Carol, Claire, Dima, Reef: Hayete all of you... I smile when I think of all of you.
- NaDYN : my sister-in- law.... My sister and My friend and My voice of wisdom. La ya Lina, Focus ya Lina. What would I do without you in my life??????? I admire how you do it:)
- My Man, My boyfriend, My love: Its REAL... what we have is REAL and its there forever. Ive known it from DAY 1. And the tingle I get in my heart keeps getting stronger BY THE DAY.... Its been 2 years minus 5 days and I still havent understood it! You see?Im writing this and Im feeling stuff for you!
- NaDDOUMMAAA and My Big Brotha: MY family. MY blood. This is how its supposed to be. I wouldnt wanna change A THING about our relationship. 2 brothers and 1 sister is THE BEST combination. I love you two so much!
- Mother the Real and Father the Real: The love you have for each other, the way youve handled it all handled our upbringing, Youve trained us so well, educated us so well and have given us everything we need. You approved of this and told me to :"GO, if this is what you want, Go, Do It"... Youre such strong people.
I know I forgot many people, And im sorry for that... Like I said before, Im ALL OVER THE PLACE!
I feel alive! I feel soooo curious.. I feel Fresh. I FEEL GOOOODDDDDD.
Friday, July 17, 2009
The Wait
Its a weird thing, The Wait!
I have been "waiting" for this kinda feeling for excatly one year.
Waiting, wishing, sitting wondering, dreaming and waiting for this feeling to come, or for this day /week to finally come!
I tell you th truth.... ITS FREAKY.
Im freaking out. I leave in 5 days. One flight. 13 hours. Dubai to Montreal.
I packed my clothes. I packed a total of 20 items (thats including tops, dresses, leggings, jeans, and shoes). Anything I might need, I will figure out a cheap way to buy!!!
I packed my stuff. I still have a couple of things to get (like a multiple plug, a battery....)
I keep going over the same things in my head, do I have this? Do I have that? Will this be enough? Will I need anything more?
Its my last weekend with Touf!
What did we decide to do???>
What we do best! NOTHING!
Weve been drilling and fixing up his place... We decided NOT to create a "farewell" theme.. so were just... NOT even mentioning it.
Im sad! Its weird! The wait is just weird!
Ive been waiting and waiting for this for 12 months.... Now that its here??? I have my eyes open, frowning, dazing, and questioning WHY am I not as exited as I was 12 months ago!
The freaking wait!
I have been "waiting" for this kinda feeling for excatly one year.
Waiting, wishing, sitting wondering, dreaming and waiting for this feeling to come, or for this day /week to finally come!
I tell you th truth.... ITS FREAKY.
Im freaking out. I leave in 5 days. One flight. 13 hours. Dubai to Montreal.
I packed my clothes. I packed a total of 20 items (thats including tops, dresses, leggings, jeans, and shoes). Anything I might need, I will figure out a cheap way to buy!!!
I packed my stuff. I still have a couple of things to get (like a multiple plug, a battery....)
I keep going over the same things in my head, do I have this? Do I have that? Will this be enough? Will I need anything more?
Its my last weekend with Touf!
What did we decide to do???>
What we do best! NOTHING!
Weve been drilling and fixing up his place... We decided NOT to create a "farewell" theme.. so were just... NOT even mentioning it.
Im sad! Its weird! The wait is just weird!
Ive been waiting and waiting for this for 12 months.... Now that its here??? I have my eyes open, frowning, dazing, and questioning WHY am I not as exited as I was 12 months ago!
The freaking wait!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Wedding-ish
Friday July 10th at 5:00 PM on a very simple village within the Mountains of Jbeil.
Im back from Lebanon... I just went for the wedding... 4 days!
I tried my best to meet up with Nadyn and Fu and spend time with them... because Im leaving in 10 days! But you know it is when youre getting married?!!!!!
Hayete, they were all over the place... and HAHAHA.... I kept calling FU asking him.."Fu, there a right turn and a left turn, which one should I take???" hahahah! Hayete Fu!
IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.... Fu looked so good, wearing the same thing as my dad and Nadim!!
And Nadyn looked gorgeous too!! with Makeup and Hair kamain!!!
I was sitting on the front bench , and i just couldnt believe that this is the very same church we used to visit when I was 10 years old! Seriously!
The whole trip was so very emotional for me. I had to say goodbye to my 2 brothers AND My mom!!!!
I had to explain to some friends that Im happy doing that.... But everytime I tried... Id be like:"Yes Yea Im gOood bouuuuhoouuuuuu..... and Id cry"
"Im great, Im leaving to Mexibouuuuhhouuuuuuuuuuuu, and Id cry"
Man I cried so many times!!!!
And if theres ANYTHING I SUCCCKKKKK at , its saying Goodbye!
I just like to silently dissapear! No need to stand, and hug, and kiss, and say Goodbye, and feel bad, and not know how to act, or where to look!! KHALAS, just go... silently!!!!
Im back from Lebanon... I just went for the wedding... 4 days!
I tried my best to meet up with Nadyn and Fu and spend time with them... because Im leaving in 10 days! But you know it is when youre getting married?!!!!!
Hayete, they were all over the place... and HAHAHA.... I kept calling FU asking him.."Fu, there a right turn and a left turn, which one should I take???" hahahah! Hayete Fu!
IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.... Fu looked so good, wearing the same thing as my dad and Nadim!!
And Nadyn looked gorgeous too!! with Makeup and Hair kamain!!!
I was sitting on the front bench , and i just couldnt believe that this is the very same church we used to visit when I was 10 years old! Seriously!
The whole trip was so very emotional for me. I had to say goodbye to my 2 brothers AND My mom!!!!
I had to explain to some friends that Im happy doing that.... But everytime I tried... Id be like:"Yes Yea Im gOood bouuuuhoouuuuuu..... and Id cry"
"Im great, Im leaving to Mexibouuuuhhouuuuuuuuuuuu, and Id cry"
Man I cried so many times!!!!
And if theres ANYTHING I SUCCCKKKKK at , its saying Goodbye!
I just like to silently dissapear! No need to stand, and hug, and kiss, and say Goodbye, and feel bad, and not know how to act, or where to look!! KHALAS, just go... silently!!!!
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