Thursday, April 26, 2012

FREEDOM

I have officially made it through 12 hours total (4 exams) in that terrible gym along with 720 other nervous students and countless hours of studying. What a great feeling! It's just too bad it's pouring buckets outside now that I don't have to be locked up studying! Anyways, I thought I'd give you a taste of what freedom means to me. This evening looks like:
-grocery shopping
-laundry
-run? (nahhhhh)
-watching the latest episodes of Hart of Dixie and 90210
-possibly a skype with Jared!?
-SLEEP.

Once all these things (which have been put off for possibly just too long) have been done it'll be time for an awesome stress free, fun only girls weekend with Kinsey's friend Riley who Katie and I feel like we already know so well and absolutely cannot wait to meet!

After that I start my month long stats course so freedom only lasts so long :( Thankfully that's only 2.5 hours a day, four days a week so I have lots of plans for how to spend the rest of my time! May will look like lots of DIYs and cooking, shifts at the Y, tutoring and more!

Now for all you HSM fans, WHAT TIME IS IT? ...SUMMER TIME!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Lachine Canal

Just south of the Atwater Market, about ten minutes from Tupper, is the Lachine Canal. Although it runs right through the industrial part of downtown, all alongside the canal are beautiful running and biking trails and grassy banks, perfect for picnics!

Emily and I ran along it last week for the first time and the weather could not have been better– there was a nice breeze and the sun was gleaming off the water. This morning Katie and I decided to start our day off with a nice long run in the same spot. We headed out early trying to beat the rain and while we thankfully didn't get caught in a downpour, it was really windy and grey. Of course as I write this post the sun is out and the sky is blue, but nonetheless it was a great start to our day and it felt good to get out and run. I'm sure we'll be spending more time down by the canal in the future...We might even take advantage of the canoe rentals!


Obviously the canal has seen better days, as if evident from the google pics below, but you get get the idea :)

Fluff & Roses

Best. Roommates. Ever.


:)

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Warning!

While Katie may have gotten a sunburn from our rooftop study sesh last week, it seems the Montreal weather has taken an unexpected turn for the worse...

Dear students,
If you have an exam tomorrow, I would suggest that you give yourself extra time to get to the location. Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning, with possible snow and ice. Protests may also continue this week in the downtown area, and so please be prepared to enter campus by alternate routes if necessary.
Best of luck in your exams.

Thank goodness for my 'Joan of the Arctic' Sorels... not so much for 8:00 am exams and protestors.... One.More.Week.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

1900 Tupper Emily Style

What to do, what to do. This is my first weekend all alone in 1900 Tupper! Kinsey and Katie have both departed (to return shortly) so after wiping away my lonely tears I've decided to use this time wisely! Last night consisted of some undisrupted studying (although I would've killed for one of Katie's massages as a study break) and maybe this afternoon I'll get my prank on! It just seems like too good of an opportunity with both of my roomies gone at the same time. Most likely though I'll have to get out, maybe stake out at Starbucks. It's just too lonely here without my girls. Wishing you both the happiest of times with family! Can't wait to have you back!

My new home while the girls are gone.

For now though I've resorted to spreading my study supplies all throughout the apartment.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Exams

This is the McGill gym that holds 720 students during finals. 
I was stuck in there yesterday and Emily will be there this afternoon. 
Tonight Katie is FREE and only one more week to go for Em and me :) 

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

POSEIDON

Winter semester of last year, Katie, Emily & I played intramural water polo... more specifically, of the inner-tube variety.  We signed up as part of a free agent team and our captain Silong may or may not have registered us in the advanced league...

Even though our team came in dead last, this 'sport' proved to be an absolute riot. Learning how to manoeuvre our tubes and stay in them was quite a challenge but by the end of the season we were pros. I personally enjoyed the fact that tipping was permitted during the game and took advantage of this any chance I got, even with my own teammates! It's a fun game to watch and play, and if you ever get the chance, I highly encourage you to try it!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Wanted: Pool Boy

We've hit a bout of hot weather in Montreal. Yesterday the temperature was in the mid-20s, with a nice breeze. Today the thermometer hit 28. While as I type this I'm in a dungeon-classroom, the Weather Network sadly informs the sunshine has been downgraded to rain. (Frankly, I'm pleased with rain-- who wants to waste away sunny days with their nose in a book? No one. So bring on the rain.)

But I digress. While poor Emily was at work, Kinsey and I climbed to the roof. A survey of the landscape revealed some empty beer bottles (clearly we were not the first to hang out "upstairs") and some camping chairs. We brought water and schoolwork. = Complete study party on the roof.


And my personal favorite, Kinsey working hard (on her tan):


What I have chosen to omit from this post is a photo of the nasty, nasty sunburn my hour-and-a-bit in the sun caused me. I know, I know--totally my fault. I knew I was more suited to a lifestyle of hibernation. But I blame the roof's albedo (shout-out to Zahra).

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Chai Tea Pancakes

Our Sunday brunch... :) We dined on divine chai tea pancakes--a fan favorite here at 1900 Tupper--and listend to Kari Jobe's latest album.


Ingredients:
2 eggs
2 cups (whole wheat) flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
healthy pinch of ground cloves
scant 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup brewed black chai tea
4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
½ teaspoons vanilla extract
oil or cooking spray (for cooking)


Step 1: In a large bowl beat eggs. Add buttermilk, chai tea, butter and vanilla and mix well. Add flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt. Mix well until mostly smooth. Let batter set for a few minutes.

Step 2: Heat griddle or pan over medium heat. Add a teaspoon of oil (I used grapeseed oil) to the pan or spray with cooking spray. You can test to see if the pan is hot enough by adding a few drops of water, when the drops start to dance its hot enough.

Step 3: Pour 2 Tablespoons of batter onto the griddle. Cook on the first side until bubbles that form start to pop. You can also gently lift up the pancake to make sure the bottom is not overcooking, if it is the pan may be too hot and you will need to adjust the heat. Flip the pancake over with a spatula and cook until golden brown. Repeat until all the batter is gone. Let cooked pancakes rest on a heat proof plate in a 200 degree F oven until ready to serve. Then drizzle with maple syrup!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Pizza Picnic

We spent the day in our PJs writing and studying. Cooking was the last thing we felt like doing, so we went on the Internet to compose the most complicated PizzaPizza order ev-er (they let us customize our pizzas, and we capitalized on this opportunity). For instance, my high-maintenance order consisted of under-baked crust, with extra sauce and cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and grilled red peppers on the left side, and pineapple and chicken on the right side.

Of course, Emily hopped in the shower and ten seconds later the pizza arrived. Hence, the photo that follows. Then she had her pizza box backwards and couldn't get it open in time for the camera timer. Noob.


Disclaimer: these pizzas are our lunches and dinners for the next three days. (Judge not lest ye be judged.)


I leave you with the lyrics to one of my favorite songs.

Ô, je suis une pizza
Avec du fromage
Beaucoup de sauce
Des tomates
Des oignons, des champignons
Épices mélangées
Jeeeee suisssss une pizzaaaaa
Prête à manger!

You & I

You may or may not remember Emily's post about an upcoming Ingrid Michaelson concert... Well April 9, 2012 has come and gone, and on this date, we went to the most magical concert of all. Here is a taste...

It was a dreary, rainy day, but nothing red lipstick and colorful umbrellas couldn't fix.



The concert was in the historic Corona Theatre. We had prime seats: front row of the balcony. I am feeling guilty, so I must confess, we snuck our Starbucks drinks into the theatre. This was potentially the most rebellious thing I'd ever done ;)


The woman was hilarious! We laughed and laughed. Also, it was the band's first stop on their tour, so there were still technical and musical things they had to work through. The glitches here and there added character to the concert.


As a side note, today we almost impulsively boarded a bus to Toronto to see Needtobreathe and Ben Rector. Unfortunately, our common sense prevailed and we stayed home to study for our upcoming final exams... You can bet next time Ben Rector is in the area we will be in the front row scream-singing.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Yeah, Baby!

...Or should I say yeah, Big Mac! All afternoon today I had been craving McDonald's. Just craving it, as I just so happened to be walking past it on my way home. (If you haven't already noticed, I tend to use this excuse a lot) Despite Katie's voice in the back of my head telling me to resist the urge and go home and make a salad, I caved. I ordered my usual, plain double cheese burger and a medium fry. Mmm-hmm.  While I waited for my not-so-complicated order, re: Bon Qui Qui @ King Burger below for a good laugh, I overheard someone ask for the student discount. STUDENT DISCOUNT? It couldn't be, but yes, yes it is and a whopping 10% at that! I instantaneously texted Katie to tell her the good news! She responded with the words, 'Now you tell me,' and a photo which I've attached below. I then called her saying I couldn't believe she ordered McDonald's. I let her squirm for a bit before admitting that I did too! We had a good laugh and shared our excitement about all the money we'll save and all the more reason to continue eating at McD's! (Mrs. Ernst, I pray that you are not reading this post, but if you are, know that we both have plans to be at the gym first thing in the morning!) 


Monday, April 9, 2012

1900 Tupper...New and Improved

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, Spring has sprung which means it's time for some Spring cleaning here at 1900 Tupper! After seriously re-stocking our cleaning cupboard with the latest from Mr.Clean, featuring the "Lavender Vanilla and Comfort" line from Febreeze, we were ready to whip this place into shape. Better yet, we're proud to announce that we've officially gone green!  


Sunday, April 8, 2012

Unhappy Birthday

THERE'S PRESENTLY A ROWDY BIRTHDAY PARTY IN THE BASEMENT OF 1900 TUPPS AND WE CAN'T SLEEP. Drunk renditions of "Happy Birthday" abound. Let's hope they wrap things up soon (pun intended) or we'll be calling a certain landlord. (As three eldest siblings we've got the tattletale thing down-pat.)

Friday, April 6, 2012

Awake My Soul

Last semester we had three wonderful friends over for dinner. After we had finished eating, Jeremy, Ryan, and Sam surprised us with a little concert. They are all music majors at McGill and it was incredible!


Although we don't get to see them very often, we are so blessed to have these three in our lives!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Zzzzz...

Early bedtimes for all of us at 1900 Tupper tonight. We're currently battling colds, fatigue, and projects (it must be semester-end). Everything always looks brighter in the morning! Bonne nuit! :)