The culture of the Quebecois....

I was so looking forward to a day off, but today was no such thing. I was woken up at 9:15 this morning to go to cadets band. I thought the rehearsal would be 2 or 3 hours max. It was 6. It was alot of fun though! The music is very easy compared to what I am used to, so I could sight read it almost perfectly. I enjoyed the band rehearsal, and the people were very nice and welcoming to me. I understood most of what was going on, but we didn't talk alot, we just played, which I had no problem with! The highlight of my day was probably when a boy that was probably 14 asked me what "jizz in my pants" meant. I laughed so hard! (and no, I didn't tell him what it meant) The band practices every saturday, and we have a concert at the end of march. Their concerts are very different than ours though, for one, they wear uniforms. and two, it's like a marching band, so they have coreography! We are learning this next week, so that should be interesting!

I was so exhausted after band I fell asleep on the couch reading Harry Potter, and then we had a nice dinner for valentines! I understood so much of the conversation, I was very proud of myself! It was hard to understand them because they usually speak very fast, and tonight there was wine involved, but I did a good job!

After dinner, Julie and I took the bus to the city to see the finale parade for Carnival. I had never been to a parade before, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. This parade was amazing! Everyone watching was so into it to, they were all playing plastic trumpets, cheering and dancing! The floats were huge and colorful, and the dancers were so amazing! They all had on colorful makeup and costumes, and were so full of energy! My favorite float would have to be one that was a huge bird! The front of the float was it's head, and on top of it's head was a smaller nest with three little birds in it. These birds reminded me so much of me and my brothers for some reason, and I took so many pictures! It was such an entertaining evening, and I am so glad we went! The energy and the sights and the sounds made me so happy. I honestly almost forgot I could be that happy. I never really realized it before, but I get so happy that I kind of... buzz. I feel like a radiator. There is so much happiness bent up inside me, it just radiates out of me. I never noticed it, because at home, I am that happy most of the time. I have not been that happy since I've been here, so I noticed so much when I felt like that tonight. We were walking through the back allies of quebec city on the way home, and I just felt so happy I could fly!

Tonight I also experienced the culture of the quebecois in the form of a waffle. The french eat waffles like we would eat a donut. They are baked with cinnamon and sugar, and they taste like jesus!! They are so so good! I did have to laugh tonight when Julie said she was going to show me "gaufres"- thats the word for waffle in french, but I thought she said we were going to eat gophers. I remembered that In one of the stores they were selling fur thongs and I thought, if it is the culture of the Quebecois to wear fur thongs, who's to say they don't eat gophers? But luckily for me, "gaufres" are actually tasty waffles!

Today was kind of difficult because it was valentines, and all I could think of was what i would do if I was home. I miss everything and everyone so much, but I know I just have to take things here one step at a time. I found out today I am 11% finished my journey, which I can't even believe. I just have to do this week ten times over and I am done. Considering things will only get easier, I can do that! I was so excited and felt so happy and alive tonight, I hope I can spend the majority of my time here feeling that good!

Radiating Joy,
Carly