Every year is eventful in its own right. Last year was a time where I finally felt rewarded for my hard work. This year, without going into too much detail, has tested my patience in every area of my life. So, I can safely say that I am happy that 2009 is ending and I can only hope that 2010 is better; not only for me, but for many others that I know that have also had quite a trying year.
I know there's still over a week until 2009 comes to an end, but I figured I'd do this now (I have nothing to do right now anyways :P).
So I'll try and include some of last years categories...but we'll see what I come up with.
3 activities:
Apple Picking - Quinn Farm: I would have to say that this was probably the funnest group activity of the year. Twelve people assembled to go and hunt for apples. This was followed by group cooking at a friend's place and soccer in the park. Definitely will do again (or so I hope).
As a runner up: Laser Tag - this was also a lot of fun. I managed to assemble 22 people for my birthday. It's just too bad that the game is only 20 minutes :)
Skating: I befriended a french exchange student this semester and she suggested we go skating (CEPSUM has free hours). I haven't gone skating regularly since I was about 9. Once I got the hang of it again, I really enjoyed it. So I shall continue this activity :)
Brazilian Percussions: This was an entirely random occurence - In mid-march, a girl in my biomechanics class asked if I wanted to try a free drumming class. I said ok. She and her 2 other friends decided to join, so I joined and have continued since then. I always thought if I played an instrument it would be the drums. I just didn't know I'd be playing samba :P Overall, an interesting experience.
3 Best Food Discoveries:
Cafe Byblos – Metro Laurier
Apart from trying Iranian food at my friend's place back in grade 9, this is the first time I've had any. As per the suggestion of a school friend, a troupe of 6-7 went to try their dish called "Le dizzy", made only on Sunday's. So, the food you get is enough for 2 (or 1 very hungry person) and it is also very fun to eat.
You have a stew that comes in a a big gourd. You strain out the liquid, which you eat with dried pita bread. The remaining food is mashed and then poured onto a plate. With your new mush, you take fresh pita bread and spoon some on with picked eggplant and other fresh herbs. It's realllllly tasty and I definitely suggest it.
Mazurka - Metro Sherbrooke
I generally love perogies. But dude man, this place is awesome. Maybe my judgement was skewed by the fact that I was starving (so was my friend) after a 4 hour long walk. But starvation alone cannot skew my food judgement!
Appetizer: marinated herring with some potato salad, beet salad, onions, etc. Usually, fish flakes apart. This fish was still chewy and just completely absorbed the marinade flavor. It was just *insert speechless, yummy, happy sound here* and my friend agreed. The soup that came with our combo was Dill Pickle soup. Sounds strange, I know. But this was also mouthgasm. I am determined to make it one day. As for the main, it was the vegetarian combo: 2 perogies, 1 potato pancake, 2 cheese blintzes and lots of sour cream on the side (this is not a meal for dislikers of creamy/dairy things). To end, we got tea. Haaaaaa. We left there completely satisfied, not too full and just generally happy (the waitress probably thought we hadn't eaten for days, since we finished every single thing, including the lettuce). Then decided we should make an eastern european feast (hasn't happened yet, but it will!).
Ramen - Metro Place d'Armes:
I like noodles in broth and I love Tampopo. Anytime I think of ramen, I think of Tampopo. So when I ate at Ramen (2X now), I was very pleased to find that the consistensy and texture of their noodles was exactly how the movie described it should be. Soft enough, but still retains enough structural integrity such that it's not mushy. In addition, the broth is tasty (Well, I had the soy broth. Miso is the other option) and they have vegetarian options. It was also a total mind warp to hear a chinese waiter with a french (from france) accent. Hoorah.
3 Best Tea/Chill Places:
David's Tea - Metro Mont Royal
There are actually 2 locations in Montreal, but I haven't been to the Pare one yet. In terms of chilling, probably not the best place. It has that kind of cold, ikea/deco/modern feel (it's painted all white). On the other hand, their tea selection is quite premium. In addition to traditional teas, they have a lot of flavored teas. I am a fan of Pumpkin chai, Creme caramel rooibos and coffee puerh (there's still so much to try though!)
Cha Guan - Metro Villa Maria:
The first time I went there, it was for a free workshop/tea tasting in the summer time. They had excellent iced teas and the workshop was also very interesting/educational (but I don't have the supplies to reproduce that :P). I went back later with a friend and decided to actually have tea and chill there. It was fun to sit on the floor and they're also very generous with their boiling water refills. It's rather small, but it has a nice quaint/homey feel. I haven't bought any tea there (though, I just received a very nice gift from a friend from there, with a choice of 4 teas). But, from what I can see, it is a bit pricy.
Cafe Dervish - Metro Berri-UQAM:
These dudes specialize in chai (I realize chai means tea, but I'm thinking of masala chai-ish types). They have many different kinds, spanning from traditional masala, to some kind of ethiopian blend. Their teas are made fresh, on the spot - with the choice of moo milk or soy milk. Each mug is about 5-6$, so it's not something you'd have often, but it's certainly tasty and comforting for those cold autumn and winter nights. As a side note, they have some quite premium food (all vegetarian, with the choice of veganizing your order). I particularly enjoyed their jamaican sandwich, which had faux turkey with jerk spices, lettuce and plantains and it was served on naan bread (yes, naan!).
3 Best Movie Discoveries
Cidade de Deus
I had heard about this movie before from a few people, but never saw it till this year. It is indeed a very good movie - definitely violent, a tad grim. Excellent soundtrack and it was fun for me to hear the brazilian portuguese accent.
Sin Nombre
I went to see this with 3 friends in the spring. Takes place in Honduras + Mexico. Another one of those violent and grim movies (do I see a trend...? nah, it just happened). Also a good soundtrack.
Taqwacore - The Birth of Punk Islam:
This here be a documentary on the beginnings and evolution of punk islam. Some of the groups were inspired by the book called the Taqwacores. It showed the islamic punk scene in the United States, as well as their travels from state to state. It also showed the reaction to punk islam in Pakistan (one of the groups went there). There were definitely some very funny parts. Overall, a very good documentary.
New General Entertainment:
The Big Bang Theory:
One of my friends suggested that I watch it. One thing that's good about this show is that you don't need to see all the previous episodes to understand what's going on. Each episide is kind of a single unit by itself (or what you need to know is easy to follow/determine). It basically follows the lives of 4 nerdy graduate students working at a university. So naturally, the humor is quite nerdy, but also very entertaining.
30 Rock
Paw sugguested I watch this show. So I started watching and then watched all the seasons within the span of 1-2 weeks. The humor is very quirky/off beat. That's the only way I can describe it.
True Blood:
This is the only other series I started watching this year. It's really cheesey, like really stinky winky cheese (talking bout some kinda 10 year old blue cheese). But that's what makes it entertaining. Most of the people on the show are stupid (as in making stupid decisions, getting themselves into stupid situations, and saying some of the cheesiest lines :P). There are 2 characters I like however - Eric and Lafayette (they are both badass). So this is the kinda show that you can watch when you don't want to expend too much brain power.
Music:
So here's the thing with music this year...I haven't listened to a lot of new bands. I either listened to stuff I already had or listened to some really old music or complilations (like Putumayo). I can't really suggest much off the top of my head, even in terms of new releases from bands I know. Generally ok, but nothing really mind blasting as far as I can remember. Maybe my 2009 mood is dampening my musical excitement :P
3 songs that happened to stay in my head
Massive Attack - Paradise Circus:
I found out about this new release while reading pitchfork. This song has been playing almost consistently for the last 2 days (itunes says 105 times. It was on loop while I was cleaning today...). Suffice to say, I'm very excited about the new Massive Attack album in general (and would be very happy if they toured around here). What I love about this song?
1) The beat - very chill, but layered. I really like the sound of the bass, though i'm also fond of the clapping.
2) The vocals - soft and smooth
It took 354 days, but I think I found my favorite song of the year.
Vampire Weekend - Horchata
Another pitchfork discovery. This song is hells catchy. One of my friends said it sounds like a christmas song, except they're talking about horchata (an excellent drink, I might add). I am also excited about their new album 'Contra' coming out Jan. 12 :) They've been very good at preventing leaks.
MC Serginho - Pocotocopo: (actually scratch that, most of the songs from the Rio Baile Funk : Favela booty album):
So this year, I've been to what...about 3 brazilianish parties and at all of them, some baile funk was present. I never knew what the songs were, just that they were catchy. Recently, my friend downloaded the stuff (how she found it, I dunno). In anycase, this stuff is incredibly catchy and also very very dancy :).
Despite the general crapitosness of this year (that's not to say there was no good stuff whatsoever), I am intent on ending it well i.e.: I shall try my best to be christmassy and in general good spirits and resolve as many things as possible, so as to not transport 2009 grimness into 2010.
So here's to the end of 2009! Merry Christmas and may 2010 bring health and happiness to you all, as well as success in all your endeavors.
Haven't blogged much in a while, but I thought I'd pop in for a bit to express my love for the new track "Paradise Circus" by my fave trip-hoppy dudes Massive Attack. It will be on the upcoming album "Heligoland" in Feb. 2010.
Now I just hope they tour :D
The actual video is NSFW. But you can look it up.
Now I just hope they tour :D
The actual video is NSFW. But you can look it up.
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