Snapshots from Summer

As it would be too daunting to recap all of the gloriousness that was my Montreal summer, I'll think I'll let the pictures do the talking again. Here's some highlights from the marvelous metrop (and other gettings-away)!

The Montreal Botanical Garden with visitors


Montreal fireworks competition every Wednesday and Saturday


Climbing the Mountain with the best of friends


Making new friends in new neighbourhoods


Seeing one of my favourite bands on big and small stages


Dinner in the park whilst watching Shakespeare


And my favourite place in the world to finish it all up . . .


. . . with glorious traditions . . .


. . . the sun streaming in . . .


. . . old standbys . . .


. . . and the most perfect view in the world

It was a good summer everybody.

Thanks for it all,

Your friend Lina

Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey?

That's right, I've come home. Moved back for the year. Set up my new room. Found myself a jorb. Fixed up my bike. The whole lot.

I was kinda worried about it, to be honest. But it's mostly turned out to be a-ok. Everyone I knew I was going to miss the most in Montreal I have been keeping up with, I made a visit there just this weekend, and having M and D take care of me is pretty nice. I think things can only get better with employment, getting out of the house more, meeting more people, and some spending money!

My camera broke soon after I got home, unfortunately. Which means I haven't been able to take any photos of my old-hometown-new-again. I am really enjoying Ottawa the second time round. The west end, where I live, is getting really spiffed up (well, it's been growing and changing steadily, but I'm just discovering its vivacity now)! The nature around here is awesome as well. I'm just a stone's throw away from the Ottawa River, fields resplendent with monarch butterflies, and trees upon trees quickly changing into my (second) favourite season. I'm loving all the new shops and bars and cafes I'm getting to explore, too. I can't wait to get visitors here as I often did in Montreal! I love showing people around - playing tourist in your own town - which I think will be good for me, and good for anyone interested in the National Capital as well. Can't wait, can't wait!

So despite the ups and downs, the impending storm of applications, and the thermometre which just won't drop down to fall temperatures, I think Ottawa's pretty swell. And I hope sometime you'll come visit so you can see it be swell too!