Better late than never.

It has been a while since I have wrote a blog post, almost-ish 2 years ago. I actually really enjoy it, I just tend to convince myself I do not have the time, priorities, you know. But I am restarting the blog. This year I have some great ideas, which will hopefully pan out this time. I plan to make sure they do.

So let's quickly recap what happened last year. The months I skipped means nothing really happened or I've forgotten whether something significant happened (clearly it wasn't significant enough to remember).

Year 2016

January
New year, new you, new me, you know the gist.. We all know it isn't true and truthfully I don't really make resolutions. Why do we need a New Year to make ourselves this better version of ourselves. I do like to set goals at the beginning of the year though. Obviously I do not remember them one year later, but I am pretty satisfied with 2016 (despite what actually happened in the world).

February
Took a trip to New York City! Although it wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be. I had this romanticized idea of New York City after watching so many movies and tv-shows featuring it as a setting. Then again I didn't really manage to see the museums and cafes I was hoping to, and I learned going on trips with people that have similar interests is very important!

New York City - Times Square

March-July
Truthfully nothing extremely exciting happened. I worked a lot on my research, I got 3rd place in Ontario 3 Minute Thesis which was a really cool, yet a stressful experience, and I worked more on my research. Science.

Being Sciencey.

Just talking about some big fruit fly testes. 

August - September
First half of August I worked some more. Damn virgin collections aren't fun with Drosophila (aka fruit flies). Especially when they are every 6 hours. 6 hours is not enough to sleep... for me anyways...
BUT the later half of August and part of September Den and I took a trip through Portugal and Spain!

Lightning round in pictures of the places we went and things we did:

Conquering Lisbon - Portugal

We were really pleasantly surprised by Lisbon. We did not get to spend much time here

but the time we did spend was really lovely. Except that one time they forgot my food at

the restaurant and overcharged us for the wine...Apart from that, beautiful city!

Lagos - Portugal

The city we came to "relax" in. This was also the only city were we did not have our own 

room in the hostel. But it was so worth it! We had a really great time meeting people, drinking, eating, and relaxing on the beach. Funny thing about Lagos: if you want to go to the good, secluded,

non-touristy beache you will have to climb down their cliffs-of-death. 

There is a beach down there, and yes, we climbed down. I have a fear of heights so you can imagine

my excitement. Unfortunately, when we were in Lagos (3 nights), it was the ONLY 3 nights that Lagos was so wavy! Lagos usually has very calm beaches. Nope, not when we were there. We still greatly enjoyed our time, it just would have been even better if any time you'd want to go swimming

you wouldn't have to fear for your life that waves would take you deeper into the ocean/ shoot 1 

meter waves of salty water in your face. 

Seville - Spain

Why the 34 degree Celsius weather Seville?? Why?? It also did not help that our airbnb had no air conditioning and it's only window opened into the a weird opening that the buildings were all built around (area where people would hang their clothes and talk to each other from the windows). 

But Seville was so beautiful! Their history, their architecture, THEIR FOOD! Wow! Probably my 

favourite city that we went to. Do not miss it if you are ever in Spain. But maybe go when it's a bit cooler. Otherwise be like the Spanish, take your siesta (because in such heat you don't want to do anything anyways, and there's only so much shade you can find). 

Sort of forgot about our conquering plan, but remembered in Malaga- Spain

Also a beautiful city! And some really nice people. We had no idea how to get around the city when we got off the train into Malaga. We also could not figure out how to buy the bus tickets when no bus terminals were available and it's impossible to do it at any bus stop. We went to this lovely Spanish man who luckily spoke French (my French came in handy in Spain, more so than English sometimes). He tried to find us some change for our 20 euros, then told us the bus driver might let us go and break the 20 euro bill. Turns out he tricked us and ended up paying for us instead! What a wonderful man! Thank you kind stranger. 

Malaga was one of our favourites for Tapas. We found our favourite place there and would go there every day for lunch. If you are every in Malaga check this place out:

Best price, best quality, and tons of food! It's small, they only speak Spanish, and their food is so delicious; Especially if you like seafood! 

Conquering Barcelona in style - Spain

Barcelona is a really great place to visit, but because of it's touristy nature you really did not get to feel like you were in Spain. Mainly it felt like we were in Russia... because Russians were everywhere. But we did meet a lovely Russian couple that we got to hang out with after our free walking tour (always suggested in every country)! 

In Barcelona, similarly to Malaga, we got ourselves our own little restaurant that we'd go to for lunch and our own server! The place was tiny and served Pinchos (similar to Tapas but you pay for each small individual item) and our server was seriously the best. We connected over a song and then we danced and sang some more. It was such an amazing way to finish the trip. 

I cannot live without adventure of some kind in my life. I cannot sit in one place at all. I love change. I even love moving apartments because to me that is a new exciting change!

September-December
We have made some lovely friends from Germany who are just some of the most wonderful people to hang out with. We celebrated the New Year at their house and it was a really great send of to 2016 and beginning to 2017. Although all 4 of us have noticed when ever we all hang out, our rendez-vous will always last past 2am in the morning. December was a great month for all the Christmas parties we attended/hosted. Just a lot of drinking and dressing up in December.

Christmas with Cleo is the best Christmas. 

Den was there too. Oh and also we won the grand prize at this Christmas Party! It was hilarious because we were the "plus two" and did not know anyone at this party... yet happened to win their Grand Prize. There were a lot of jealous people... 

So that was a fast wrap up and so on to 2017! I already have my first adventure booked and good to go. Mexico in February. Not only is this the perfect time to get out of bi-polar weathered Canada, but also it's my first travel of the year. I predict more, but we shall see how life pans out. Not going to lie a little freaked out about this whole graduating Masters thing and starting a life... oh wait... or just going back to school for further studying, because who doesn't love school?! (I'm serious).

Happy New Year!

Attack of the bumblebees

I could not believe I did not take any pictures on Saturday night. I just realized this when I thought “today I’ll write a blog about the weekend”… so you’ll just have to believe me when I say:

I went to a Birthday party on Saturday for a friend who lives just around here. It was really quite fun to catch up with some people as I haven’t seen any of them for some time, and it was great to eat some really delicious food!

The only downfall was that I had to leave early, as I wanted to go to church in the morning with a Russian au pair-friend I met in this area. Especially because it was Easter, and I really wanted to check out the service in a Parisian-Russian Orthodox church*

The service was so lovely, and as my friend put it, almost meditational. We definitely walked away very happy and ready to enjoy the rest of the sunny day.

We met up with an old friend I met back in University. We really had such a great time. I don’t know whether it was that we were in such a good mood, or that his jokes were so funny but I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much in a full day. We really could not get over the fact of how great the time was! Like even now I can sit here and think back and still laugh… creeping out my work buddy.

A tiny example of the fun we were having at the Invalides. 

Once I got home I was just so exhausted… I went to bed at 9:30 and fell asleep by probably 10 (but then again I might be a bit too generous with my time… it could have been 9:35).

Also today I came to a realization. I have a defense-less defense mode. I am quite disappointed in myself.

I bumble-bee flew into my room and then turned and flew right at my face, and you know what I did?! I just closed my eyes! How freaking useless is that! Like why was my instinct neither fight nor flight but just stand there with my eyes closed under the impression of “if I don’t see it, it doesn’t see me”. So clearly I should start taking some self-defense classes or something, because that just won’t fly with me.

And yes I come up with loads of epiphanies like that when I’m under attack… by bumblebees.

*Do understand I am a scientist. I also very much believe in evolution and that the world is much older than 3 000 years. However I was born and raised in a very religious culture, so it’s almost like a habit now. I’ve also been through things in my life that I could not have gotten over without the feeling that I wasn’t totally alone, even though physically I was.

Jet-lagged

Nothing beats a kicking and crying devil baby like last time on the plane, but this time I just could not sleep no matter how tired I was. I was just very uncomfortable. But I did meet a lovely asian man who sat beside me, as well as a cool American girl in the airport which made the wait much more bearable.

It also took me about an hour to get my luggage... After the first two rounds of luggage (each 20 minutes apart) I started to have a panic attack (not really, but used her for enthusiasm) that my luggage was gone, finito, never to be seen again. And then I saw it, the tiny (yes I took the smallest suitcase this time around), grey, plaid suitcase on the TV and out it came! I then went to meet Papi (grandpa) to pick me up and drive me home.

He speaks french 99.9% of the time but is very proud of the handful of words he knows in English. So a lot of the time I just say "Oui" or "ooh" when I don't understand what he says, because there is just really no way of me understanding some of his words without a dictionary (he tries, and to avoid awkward minutes of me still not understand, I just say "ok" and nod).

Once I got home, I pretty much immediately passed out... for 5-6 hours... I woke up about 3 times and would fall asleep each time mid-text (I kept waking up with my phone in my hand and being a bit confused, until I remembered what I was trying to do - trying to text Den den and my mom that i've finally woke up... which was false 2/3 times). I woke up at 8:30pm which was just in time for everyone to be home, and dinner to be served.

Luckily the girls stayed at their grandparents Tuesday-Wednesday so I had the night and morning off.

After my long "nap" I could only go back to sleep at 2:30am, and then slept till noon the next day - don't you just love jet-lag.

I got to see the girls in the evening when I was picking them up with my host mom. They were so happy and excited to see me!! I felt so much love, it was really wonderful. I had day dreams of them hating the fact that I came, or being indifferent to the fact that I am here. But they weren't! And from the looks of it they really enjoyed my presents for them.

Well all is good so far. Tomorrow I just right into work, with a full day's of work, should be fun!

Bonne nuit et bisous!

DISCO!

I have just been informed that I cannot go downstairs to my room as apparently I am needed by my mother... she's been on the phone for an hour, but apparently is "almost done".. conversation doesn't sound done to me! So I guess I may as well start my blog here, and hopefully [preferably within this hour] I can migrate downstairs to my room. Apparently I was needed to urgently show how to drag a file onto a device... An action that I have demonstrated several times, on several devices...

Look at me writing about events that have occurred within the week! Tis quite an accomplishment. On Monday I took a trip back to my university town. I love revisiting cities that have some of my fondest memories. As soon as I arrived I was greeted by Mus, my wonderful friend and host for the next couple of days. Then I went to visit my old professor for some words of wisdom about future plans and just simple chats about life. I am embarrassed to admit that he used to intimidate me so much when I first took classes from him. It always made me nervous to come for help and I just felt stupid talking to him. But after working a year with the man, in the field and in the lab, as well as screwing up several times, in the field and in the lab, I guess you just realize you are a human who makes mistakes, and sometimes you must ask for help.

On my way to Starbucks (it was the only place that was close by with internet; I had to stay in contact with other humans!) from the lab I bumped into old friends along the university streets. So rather than taking 5 minutes to walk to Starbucks, it took me a good hour. I loved it! Catching up with different people, learning of their new lives, sharing my own, it really makes you nostalgic.

After grabbing dinner, and meeting many new people at the caf, Mus and I, as well as two other girls, headed out to the Bahamas concert. While I only recently started listening to them (knowing I was going to see them live soon), I really did enjoy the concert. The band has a very "feel-good" vibe. Although the four of us we're enjoying soft-core porn at the same time... as there were [presumably] 2 first or second-year couples who were having a make-out contest between each other. I don't know why the music got them so horny... it really wasn't that kind of music. After enjoying two shows simultaneously, we headed out to our university pub to enjoy... wait for it... Caesars! A wonderful, tomato-ee drink, that is never served in France.

Next day I had to get up early for my interview with another professor that I admire. The interview went quite well, and if things work out in my favour I will be moving back to this lovely city. The interview took about 2 hours, as I chatted to everyone in the lab, as well as got shown the entire lab and its adjacent components. I then left to go 2 floors up to join my previous lab's meeting and then later to go have lunch with my old lab-mate to catch up on the lab drama and bio-gossip (yes we have cool lives as biologists).

My trip ended with Mus and I going to Disco Bingo at the Grad Club [where we again enjoyed the wonderful lushy redness that is the Caesar] and played some bingo.  Mus succeeded in retrieving a prize bag due to her excellent black-out/marker/bingo skills, while I kept winning condoms. Yes you heard correct, all I won the whole night we're condoms, I was then known as "condom-girl". I ended up giving them away, as really I am the last person that would be using them, so I figured I'd do someone else the favour of not contracting STD or the parasite that is a human baby (biologically speaking of course - but actually being pregnant sucks so I've heard). Oh the way I kept winning the condoms was I had to say "Disco" whenever "O-69" was called - I know terribly difficult, but hey at least I won something, even though I didn't necessarily walk out with my 'prizes'.

Well  I believe it is time to stop the blogpost at its high-point of winning and condoms, so I will leave you with the new Maroon 5 video (if you have not yet noticed, I really like this band). It is such a sweet concept where the band simply crashes strangers' weddings!

I will also be sleeping with 2 cats by my side, things can really not get any better.

New Years posts to come soon!

Oh yes, I forgot to mention, this is how I travelled back home on Wednesday morning:

The zipper on my boot broke, and well, I can't go home bare-foot, so Mus and I improvised.. I think I set up a cool new fashion statement.

Fact: I hate airports.

Specifically the Toronto Pearson one. I think almost every time I have been there I have cried [*cough* bawled my eyes out until I am red in the face]. They might as well start greeting me with boxes of tissues at the "departure" level.

I haven't written in all this time as I have been busy with actual human beings, and I rarely opened my computer (expect to download and stream shows that I can then watch at home... thanks to farmer-land-type internet that is extra slow and very limited at my parents').

I will write a big blog post (or several) about the past 2 weeks that Den den and I have lived through, which was quite fun.

I guess it is also common for people to post their new years resolutions? Well I can already say I've failed, I wanted to do the "take a picture everyday project", but I realized I had failed by January 2nd.. So perhaps I will start with a "picture a week" [yes I know I have failed that too, but my resolutions don't start Jan 1st, I'm on vacation!]

At this moment I am really not looking forward to going back to France. First, all the violence that is occurring, then well I just want to finally stop living in a long-distance relationship! God damn, it sucks so much!

So somber post today, but I'll work on it.

If anyone wants to follow these deceivingly titled "photo's of the day/week" of mine you are welcome to follow me on Instagram @Itsstasi.

Sick with a full house

My last couple days in France were a complete bust..

The weekend I spent in Paris (obviously), but then starting Sunday night I wasn't feeling very good, and so commenced by 2 days of fever and a week of sickness. Which means I spent Monday-Wednesday in bed-rest as I literally could not move anywhere with the high fever and headaches I was experiencing. I was kind of dreading my 8-hour flight on Thursday afternoon back into Canada, as I really did not know how I'd survive. Luckily my fever went away, but everything else was full-blown sickness action. 

I survived. But the plane ride was not fun. I couldn't sleep at all because it just was not the time for sleep, and planes are pretty uncomfortable when you're in economy class (I hear first class is different, but unfortunately I don't shit money). 

So I've already spent 4 days at home. I must say it is so lovely to be surrounded by your own family. No need to worry about much, and I am always surrounded by animals! My parents now have 4 dogs... when will they stop?? I thought 5 cats was bad enough. Perhaps that's their maximum, always stop at 5. Wait no, we have 9 horses.. Oh god, I would not survive with 9 dogs, 9 cats on the otherhand... think of all the purring!! It would be cat heaven for me. Anyways, needless to say, I was very excited to see my puppies! 

But that's all I've really done at home. Home life is kind of boring. There's no Paris, or Eiffel Tower, or car at my dispense. We did get to go to a Christmas orchestra recital today, which was pretty fun. But in a couple of days time I'll be busy with Toronto stuff. 

Also my parents and I happened to get into a conversation I really did not want to have. I had to break them the bad news that's been haunting me, but they were actually very supportive! Like very supportive! I did not feel like such a failure after having talked with them. I am so glad they brought it up, especially after I was so scared in mentioning anything and have been completely avoiding "future" talks. 

Anyways my internet is acting up so I hope this post actually posts. I hate it when I write a full post, press the publish button, and have everything disappear and never publish... It's kind of heart-breaking when I've written such a heartfelt piece and everything disappears into cyber space and I've got to try and remember what I wrote to rewrite everything. 

I'm tired. I've been waking up at 4am for the days I've been here. Damn jetlag! 

Just out for a stroll.

I can't wait to go home in December. This isn't because I am that homesick, or am having a bad time; I am actually having a great time meeting people, travelling, getting closer with my host family, I just can't wait for the little things back home that I just can't get here in France. Like the visits to Starbucks during cold Decembers, not being able to leave the house because there is way too much snow, christmas lights throughout the streets alongside english christmas music, christmas movies on tv, christmas parades... I could go on but clearly I am excited for Christmas and to see some familiar faces. 

Bienvenue en France: First Impressions

My plane to france was only leaving at 6:40pm (from Toronto) and I was going to get to Paris, France at 8:00am. This is so convenient you might say! Why not just sleep the 7(ish) hours on the plane, spend the day with the family, and go to bed when all the french go to bed! Voila, no jet lag.

IF ONLY IT WAS THAT EASY. 

I had the perfect spot on the plane, a window seat, next to a lovely french couple.... with a devil child sitting in the back. And no I am not being harsh, he was horrible. He didnt sleep the entire plane ride, instead he kept kicking my chair, crying at the top of his lungs, and pooping (to put it lightly); all while the mother wouldn't give a sh*t, she didn't do anything to stop him! CONTROL YOUR CHILD WOMAN! I was so exhausted and cranky that I wanted to turn around and say that (as well as other.. not so nice things...) to the woman behind me. It didn't matter, I'd say it in French, Russian, or English, I thing she'd realize what I was trying to say according to my tone (along with the couple sitting beside me... they weren't very happy either). 

Well in the end, the let me into France. Not that it's a hard process, once you actually get here... the French embassy back in Canada.... well that is a different story. 

The family greeted me at the front gates, which was so lovely! They were actually happy to see me. I say "actually" because I have read too many horror stories in au pair blogs. For some reason I only came upon these blogs 3 days before I was leaving... and all I could think was "what did I get myself into, crap!" So that was lovely. Then we spent the day going to Mcdonalds, IKEA, and a lovely french restaurant.

Now I have divided most of the things into categories, if there is a category you would rather not read, then just skip to the next one. 

The House

Their house is located about 45mins away from Paris (by car). It is in such a lovely little village. The surroundings kind of remind me of Hobbiton (but not really). If you have seen the movie "The Holiday" with Cameron Diaz and that Titanic girl; The England village place that Cameron Diaz stays in, is almost exactly like the village I live in. It's awesome. There is a forest in the back, a stream in the front, and nature all around me. It almost reminds me of home, which helps with the homesickness. 

The Family

The girls are really quite nice. They seem to like me which is a very good sign, and will hopefully make my life a little easier. However, they have so much energy. Every night I am just exhausted. It doesn't help that I go to sleep at 1am every night. They think I am cool! Ha! Best compliment ever received from a small human that wasn't related to me. 

Leo (5) and Connie (9)

Leo, the youngest, is just the cutest little girl. Her favourite word to me however is "Quoi" [What], due to my broken french. Connie is a little easier as she understands English, however doesn't usually respond in it, making things a bit difficult for me. Hopefully she will be speaking back in English soon, I'll make sure of it. 

The family overall is very welcoming. Very different from the horror stories I have read of other au pairs. We will see how the rest of the year goes as well. 

Finally a sunny day in France! 

Things that have surprised me so far in France

1. Canadians, our school teachers have lied to us! The french don't us "ne" with "pas". For example to say "I don't like" is just "j'aime pas". Perhaps this is slang, perhaps not, but I have adapted this way of speaking now. 

2. Holy crap, there is so much cheese! And they are all so different... and smelly. 

3. The roads are very narrow. Like "pull over to the side for others to pass" narrow. This is going to be interesting when I am driving... the standard.

4. Did you know French eat raw beef? No, not "rare", raw. I was a little taken aback when Cindy (the mom) handed over a slab of raw ground beef to Connie for lunch. Apparently this is very common. You eat the raw beef with mustard, salt, and pepper. I believe it's called "Steak Tartar". 

5. Roundabouts everywhere. Something else I should get used to. 

6. The french drink, but they tend to be very classy about it. 

7. People aren't as mean as I was told they are going to be. Geez people, what is with all these stereotypes. 

Well I have finally wrote this. Hopefully my next one won't take a week for me to write. I have new experiences everyday, but I get lazy to actually write, when instead I can read about other peoples experiences, some which are pretty horrid. 

Next step: actually make some friends, preferably ones that speak English. I am very tired of all this FOMO when people speak around me. 

I've Graduated, Here's Proof!

I was supposed to be at the beach today...

... and that's when we had guests invite themselves over. While my mom cannot say no.

Now I remember when I used ot be like that. Just let people walk all over me, not being able to say "no" to people, and therefore people would take advantage of me. I don't know how but I got over it. Yes, every now and again, I get intimidated by people, but most of the time I am not afraid to say exactly when I am unhappy with someone/ something. I am not sure whether this has to do with confidence or self-realization; whatever you want to call it really.

Anyways...

I am working on some projects that will hopefully be finished before I set off to Alberta. Soon!! Working on it.. ish... I procrastinate if people haven't noticed :).

ISI Canada

Quick, shameless plug, for a company I am starting with a couple of other cool kids from university. Check it out. Especially if you are in Ontario. It's a really great project with insane potential!

www.isicanada.org

P.S. Blog post to come tonight. 

Happy Birthday Canada

Yesterday was Canada Day. It was awesome.
We went on a boat (with my flippy floppies) and I didn't lose my phone!!

Happy Birthday Canada.

Stay High (Tove Lo)

At this moment, yes, right this minute, I am leaving Ottawa. I am on my way to Toronto, so I can spend 6 hours there until I get to bus it home. 

These past couple of days have been amazing. Each day we did something different, but yet the same, but it was all so much fun. I haven't laughed this hard until I cried, I haven't shared my soul so truthfully to feel better, and I haven't felt so welcomed as if I am part of the family. 

Some background:

My friend Kristina and I have been friends for quite sometime. I've known her since my first couple of years in Canada, through our Russian ballet school in Toronto. Ballet was the place I went to escape my reality. This was the place that I had friends, that I felt welcome, that I felt like people actually accepted me there. Elementary school wasn't necessarily the easiest time for me. When I went to ballet I felt like I could be myself, I could escape from trying to pretend to be this other person so I could have friends, so I could fit in. 

Every minute I spent during this trip I felt this wonderful feeling that I cannot explain. I could be myself. Not that I am not myself all the time [now], but I could be more free, unleash the "real" me, to a full 100%. 

I cannot wait to see this wonderful family again. 

[To explain the number of pictures of me:] 

[we took about 500 throughout the entire weekend, not all of me of course]

I was a "model" for a day. Kristina is a photographer, she loves taking pictures. I think she really has a talent, all pictures no matter how what face I made, turned out beautiful. 

This one has to be one of my favourites! 

We went out of drinks. 

Canada Day is coming up soon! 

So depending on when you are reading this, Happy Canada Day! 

We go up, then come down

Right now I am in Ottawa but I will be doing a #tbt type of post (yes, yes I know it isnt thursday).

So this past Sunday I drove from my place to Wonderland. It took about an hour or so (I may have been going fast), but I finally got there, in my non-air conditioned diesel car that I borrowed from my brother.
It was an amazing trip.
We laughed. We rode rollercoasters. We ate food (and got an extra pizza because ours had hair on it).

I want to spend as much time with my friends as I possible can before I leave for a year.

Look how happy we look to be waiting in line.

For the next couple days I am in Ottawa staying at this beautiful girls house. We've known each other for quite some time now. We met at a ballet school I went to when I first came to Canada. We've already reminisced through many memories and continue to laugh and create new memories again. 

Everyone had a successful day, my sister caught some fish, I caught some fish...

...my phone went scuba diving.

Now let me tell you a story:

Mom: "Hey Ana, want to go boating?"

Me: "Definitely, let me just take my phone so I can take pictures"

The boats motor starts to rumble, as we set off from the dock.

Me: "Oh look some ducks"

*Takes phone out of pocket. Holds with 2 flimsy hands*

Me: "Theres baby chicks! Let me get a little closer"

Phone: "What a wonderful hot day. Wow this water is so beautiful and clear. Ohh look at that a fish. How convenient that I am not held very tightly. I can finally be FREE!" *bounces of side of boat* "Ouch that hurt a little but who cares I can go swimming...... x.x"

And that is how I lost my phone to the fishies.

I am sure they are enjoying taking selfies of themselves.

The last photo I ever took with my phone, the happy days:

How will I ever Tinder??? Wait.. screw that... HOW WILL I INSTAGRAM?! 

Well hopefully new phone tomorrow. I've been searching on Kijiji for the past 3 days. I better get that phone tomorrow. 4s baby! What an upgrade. 

Till next time. 

Adventures at home/ приключения на тракторе

A couple of days ago my dad took me further up the land, in a tractor, to show me some ruffed grouse eggs and cool looking trees. 

Childhood fears of the dentist

Today I was supposed to go to the dentist to remove one wisdom tooth. 

This is me preparing for the battle:

I have a very huge fear of dentists. I get really nervous knowing something more major than a cleaning will happen. I am not sure why. I've never had any bad experiences. I just really hate the sound of the drill, and people looking into my mouth. 

Anyways, so I go to the dentist, I wait 3 hours... yeah I am not kidding, 3 hours. Only to enter the dentist's office, sit in the seat, and leave. Yup. I did not get my wisdom teeth removed. Why? Because the surgeon said there was no point just yet. I have grad coming up next week, they are not bothering me, and insurance cannot cover all four. He says I should wait till next year. 3 hours for that... 

Oh but something interesting did happen. When entering the dentists office two guys stood outside smoking, one decides to ask me "how are you doing" in a creepy, kind of way. Now let me paint you a picture, these guys had muscle shirts on, underwear showing, and a lot of "bros" and "yo". Then they happen to walk in right behind me.... great. We wait there together for 3 hours. They then start asking me things like how old I am (they were 23/22... apparently, they looked and acted about 17), whether I am Russian, my name, little things. 

Anyways after I am finished my chat with the surgeon, I walk out to meet the two again - Aaron and Sean. One, Aaron, happens to hand me an appointment card. Instead of an appointment he has his name and last name written on it. At the same time he says "Add me on Facebook". 

Well that was interesting. 

At least I still have all my teeth, for a year for sure. 

Be proud of your smile, no matter how crooked your teeth are, how many teeth you are missing, the space you have between your teeth, every smile is beautiful! 

Sun Models

Today was such a beautiful day. Sunny. No mosquitoes. No blackflies.

My little sister had a piano lesson today, so we had to drive 45 minutes from our place to the next city (the much bigger city, where there is an actual mall, and subdivisions, you know real things that are usually found in cities). My mom then treated us to ice-cream and we took photographs. I wanted some photographs for the blog and instagram (cause I'm hip like that) and my sister and mom decided to join in.

We're a pretty cool family... just saying. I love when we have "girls only" days. 

Conference video is finally up

Hopefully people enjoy. 

Great opportunities arise if you put yourself out there

This week was pretty amazing. I got to go to an evolution, ecology conference. This was my first conference ever and let me tell you - best experience ever!

The first day I arrived (Thursday) I got my registration folder which contained the schedule, lunch voucher, parking pass... and [best part] a $10 gift card to indigo! Books.. yes please. I've been wanting to buy a North American bird/ amphibian guide (yes nerdy.. whatever) and now I can!
The first day was a bit awkward for the first 30 minutes, because I did not anyone there, and I was actually forced to make friends and talk to humans (preposterous!). I met some great people on the first day that I ended up hanging with for the rest of the weekend.

The rest of the weekend it was all about lectures, my presentation, and a lot of really good food. I met some really interesting researchers and professors. Additionally, I got informed of a Masters project I could get involved in (yay networking).

I don't have that many photos of the actual conference; instead I have selfies. I also made a video for some peoples entertainment, that I hope to put up pretty soon (my internet sucks).

The first picture I took after arriving. Took me a while to find parking.

Poster day!

Movie day with my friend after the last day of the conference. We went to see "The other woman" and it was hilarious! Most definitely recommend. 

Best driving songs: 

Problem - Ariana Grande

Rude - Magic! (I have listened to it 8 times so far.. today only, it may as well stay on repeat)

Lalala - Naughty Boy