Heading Home

It's amazing how fast 5 weeks can go. In many ways it seems like we were just packing to head to Quebec and now - we're enroute home. Craziness. The program ended well. As my brain kind of packed it in a bit early... there was a bit more time for adventuring. That's at last how I'm justifying it.

My class did some fun things as we were wrapping up the program. One of my favourites was the battle with Carly's class... Someone in her class had been smack talking mine - and the teachers decided we should have a battle for the title of "meilleure classe". It was hilarious - I don't know if a winner was chosen, but I had fun.

Carly's class did a French parody rendition of "I'm Sorry" by the Biebs talking about their French.
Pure awesomeness. 

The program also ends with a "spectacle". It's mostly presentations by the different workshops - dance, song... but the animateurs had created an embedded skit, which was pretty fun.

I really loved the Genie who was theoretically teaching French, albeit ineffectively. 

One of the things we squished in before we left was a visit to the Musée de la Civilisation which is an awesome museum. It's huge! I really should have started my visits at the beginning of the trip to actually make it to all the exhibits. There were lots which are fun - like Observe. More than meets the eye which is all about seeing/experiencing things differently or Like cats and dogs which is about how dogs and cats experience the world - where you can see the way dogs see, or test your capabilities compared to that of an animal (for example - if I were a cat, instead of me - for my height I should be able to jump close to 10 meters from standing! How crazy is that?). There was an exhibit on the history of Quebec - representing many different perspectives of the many diverse populations who live and have lived there (by far the most inclusive thing I saw during my time in Quebec about First Nations populations). Something that is really awesome about this museum is how all the exhibits are interactive. There are videos, games, activities, things to listen to... in all the exhibits, not just those geared towards a younger audience (although, those did have more of those elements). I think that's part of the reason it always seems busy.

Art in one of the exhibits in the area talking about winter. 

Apparently it's a necklace made out of duck bills.

I loved how the snowshoes walked along with you as you went through the exhibit

There were these HUGE pillow couches in the exhibit about cats and dogs that looked like, cats and dogs! I think they'd be great in my classroom... I'd only need one - anyone want to make me a giant pet? 

Art from Australia made from items found in the ocean

More art from Australia

In the exhibit about perception - there is a pinhole camera and mirrors you can play with. Fun stuff! 

My favourite part of the museum was the exhibit entitled Uprising X 25 which was inspiring! The exhibit looks at around 20 different uprisings, protests, or movements that have occurred in the last 25 years, since the Berlin Wall came down. It blended music and spoken word with text and videos. In some ways - it was amazing to see the ways in which people have come together over and issue and influenced changes in policy or action. In others it was a bit discouraging to see such a profile of the challenges faced in communities around the world - and how so many seem to have the same root. For the uprisings that I was more familiar with, it felt a bit like there were left out parts of the stories - the reactions or policies, or in some cases - the horrific responses of those in power. I did appreciate how the focus was on connectedness and peaceful protest. The only part I was truly disappointed by was how women were under-represented in the exhibit. Overall - it was amazing. As I wandered around - I found myself inspired and lesson planning. Thinking about things I would do with my kids this year - tied to language arts and active citizenship. Makes me excited for the upcoming year. I also really liked how there was a call to interact with the content. There is an opportunity to write your dreams, your ideals, your suggestions that will be blended together with others at the conclusion of the exhibit. Check out what's already there: https://legendemondefutur.mcq.org/ Again - scheming plans with my kid-crew this year.

On our way 'home' we stopped at the "Cat Cafe" which is a bit of an odd experience. I think I counted 7  cats - I don't know if that is all of them or not - but the walls are lined with pathways for them - and there are pillows all over. They wander around and if they choose to approach you - you may pet them.

I am sure that the J-man and the monster would have LOVED it there. 

 Following the conclusion of the program, Carly and I took the train to Ottawa where we've been for the weekend hanging out with some friends. I like trains. I wish that they were more affordable in the West. Such an awesome way to travel.

Train ride

So that's it. We head back home this evening. It's been a bit of whirlwind experience - but good. I'll be glad to be home. I hope wherever you are - all is well with you.

Peace to you~

Exams and distractions

We just completed our 4th week - one left! Midterms came and went - leaving us a week to learn new things and get ready for the finals. I think back to the schedule at UPeace - and the three week turnover and wonder how that was ever possible.

Last weekend I went whitewater rafting with the school on the Jacques-Cartier river. It was fun, a nice sunny day to compliment the VERY cold water. I was certainly thankful for the wetsuit. The area is beautiful, giant trees and what seem like small mountains... The river is one of the multitudes that feeds the St. Lawrence River. We were told that there has been a lot more precipitation this year than usual - so we were in luck that the water levels were really high. It was a nice adventure - but unfortunately no pictures (as my camera doesn't seem like the type to swim).

Carly and I also got bikes when we got to town. Carly, of course, is super hearty and rides to and from school every day. Alas - the perpetual prairie kid - I struggle with the hills so have been riding the bus to school - and riding the bike home where the route is a bit more forgiving. We went for a ride a bit ago now - just for fun. We followed a path filled with interpretation centres that took us from down by the river up to the Plains of Abraham. I will admit that I pushed my bike up a lot of the hill, but it was a pretty journey. I love the 'shadow' sculptures that crawl up the cliffs to illustrate the text of how the British, against all odds, made it to the plains engage in battle.

Our steeds and the metal ones that are on the route.  

The trip up the hill - and the view from the top. 

I've participated in a few of the school's weekday activities. I went to Wendake, which is a Huron community near to Quebec City. The school had organized the event... so I am not sure where the actual community is - this seemed to be a tourist centre that made me somewhat uncomfortable as it seemed more a costumed representation of vagueness and stereotypes. Perhaps I just didn't understand enough of the content of the tour but ...

I also went on the tour of the Château Louis - which was the original building that is below what is now the Château Frontenac. There isn't much of the building left, as it burned down. When the Château Frontenac was built, they placed the promenade over the remains. It wasn't until recently that it was turned into a museum-ish place that could be toured.

Some of the artifacts from the Chateau Louis

It's been a lot of fun just wandering around the city. I love all the things that make the area near our house interactive and fun outside space. There are fountains and art installations all over the place. I wonder what this city is like in the winter when it isn't inundated with tourists. It seems like everywhere I end up there are interesting things to see and wander through.

These fountains are near our house. I love that there are little people shrieking with joy as they run through every time I go by. There are benches and picnic tables all around which are also filled with happy people. 

I continue to love our patio - aren't the views great? 

A Salvador Dali, a "fountain" and street performer

I LOVE these canoes! 

Construction has to be hard in hilly places. 

One of my favourite bakeries. I had a chicken potpie from here that was AMAZING. 

Tonight we went to Crépuscule - a free outdoor circus-arts show. It was great. A little scary at times, just in that make your tummy flip into knots with worry for other people's well being, kind of way. It was pretty incredible.

From the beginning of the show.

 I hope that wherever you are - summer is treating you to lovely sunny days and tasty treats.
Peace to you~