A New Day

Tuesday March 24, 09

Today was the new day I was hoping it would be. I fell asleep last night at 7:45 and woke up at 7:30 today, and in those 12 hours, all my homesickness and negativity went away.
First period today, I had math, in which we got our quizzes back. I got 1/15, and honestly, I didn’t even get one mark right, I think he just gave me the one mark because I tried so hard. I feel good about it though, because I tried. I genuinely tried hard, and that’s all I can do!
After that I had Science, which I was not really looking forward too, but it was not to bad! We worked in groups to finish an assignment, and I didn’t have to deal or argue with the teacher. It was really funny though, because at the end of the class, he gave us a good yelling at, because the desks weren’t in the right spot. I was sitting there thinking, “Oh my god, this is so grade eight.” And then I remembered this is a grade eight class, and I laughed.
At lunch, the Library was closed, which did not make me happy, so I went to volleyball instead. I had to take shorts and shoes from the lost and found because I didn’t bring mine, and I was thankful I have been working so hard, because my legs looked good! (I have never worn “soccer” shorts, but when I get home, I think I will drop some money on UMBRO. Those shorts were so comfortable, and were so nice to move in, I was debating keeping them!) Volleyball was not bad for my first time back in a while, and I did have fun. The library is closed until Friday, so I am kind of excited to be playing again tomorrow and Thursday. Speaking of tomorrow ,it is the diploma ceremony I have been looking forward to for such a long time! I can’t believe how quickly it came… it makes me doubly realize that the rest of my time here is going to fly!!
After lunch I had a French test, which I think I got more than 6% on! It is difficult, because I would have gotten 100% in English, I am really good at poetry, and often I knew the answer in English, but not in French, and the word wasn’t in my dictionary! I gave it my best effort though, so no matter what the result, I can feel good about it!
Finally, I had art. My partner skipped today, so I was on m own. I couldn’t really do anything though, because we are at a critical point in the project, and it would be really unfair of me to do it without her. I look back now, and the fact she skipped tells me she probably cares as little as I think she does about this project, and I should have just done it by myself, but whatever.
Dinner tonight was really cute. Rachel is really struggling in English class, so at dinner, her parents asked me to talk about my day in English. It was fun to tell stories about my day in both languages, and made me realize that my French is good. I also found out today that I am the only exchange student in my school that was not from French immersion. This made me feel good, because I had so much more to learn than them, and now we are pretty much all at the same level.
After dinner was my five-mile run, and since my run last night was so bad, I was nervous. I tried a new technique to mentally prepare myself for my run though, and it went so good. Before my run, I lied down and mentally went through every mile of the marathon, and how I would be feeling. It got me so ready to go, and my run was awesome! I think I might try the same technique in the mornings going through my day, today was the best day I've had in a while, and I want to do whatever I can to make sure they stay this good.
After my run tonight, I came home to find Julies mum had made date squares. Oh my goodness. My mum makes the exact same ones, and I found such comfort in them.
Speaking of things that give me comfort, I finished my unbiased evaluation of Quebec vs. Winnipeg. It was not very unbiased. In conclusion, the city of Quebec is better in the winter. There is so much more to do here. Carnival, skating, skiing. Quebec is big on winter sports.
Winnipeg is better in the summer. I live for going to the beach, and they don’t really have any here.
School is more enjoyable in Winnipeg. In Winnipeg, we get independence once we hit high school. The kids here don’t get it until Cegep (the school after high school, before university), and I feel like I am almost back in elementary with all the rules at this school.
Do I think the school system is better in Winnipeg? No. Academically, the school set up is way better here. You go to school for eleven years, and then 2-3 years of CEGEP. This is “higher education” that is the equivalent of our bachelors program in university. The plus is, you don’t have quite as much responsibility, but you’re getting the same education for a quarter of the price.
Socially, Winnipeg is way more happening. I'm not sure if it is the same in the city, but in the suburbs, no one parties!
Culturally, hands down Quebec takes the point. You can feel the pride these people take in being “Quebecois.” The culture here is so thick you could swim in it!
Overall, the only thing I can conclude is that I miss home way too much to make an unbiased evaluation. Everything about Winnipeg is more appealing to me because it is my home. It is where my family is and where my friends are. No matter where I go or what I see in this life, Winnipeg will always be my home.
Be Home Soon,
Carly