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losemymouth
27 August 2008 @ 04:16 pm
Our bilingualism confuses tourists.  
Today while taking the bus to WEM, I was listening in on a conversation of a group of foreign people. I think they were speaking Filipino (I can't remember the actual language name) because it sounded similar to Spanish, yet not quite, and definitely not Portugese. Anyway, they kept excitedly pointing to the water park and mentioning "West Edmonton Mall", and really, who lives here and gets excited about the mall?

We arrived at the transit station and the tourist family files off, but not before the last one turns to smile at the bus driver. Then in a loud voice she says: "Merci!"
 
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losemymouth
15 August 2008 @ 07:52 pm
Writer's Block: Independence Days  

While India's Independence Day is often celebrated with kites, the US celebrated with fireworks. How does each methods reflect its culture?


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Wow. That's some amazing grammar right there.
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losemymouth
04 August 2008 @ 09:49 pm
(no subject)  
SoooOOoooo...
Spamalot + Breaking Dawn + Locking self in cabin all weekend = Bliss + 2000 words
Wahoooo!
 
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losemymouth
14 May 2008 @ 10:51 am
My arrival approaches  
Things I look forward to in Canada:
1. Drinking tap water
2. Water being free in restaurants
3. Not getting sick every time I eat outside of my house
4. Drinking milk out of a carton, not a tetra pack
5. Taking a bus that is driven by a sane, licensed driver
6. Having enough leg space on said bus so I don't need to sit with my legs in the aisle
7. Not being stared at all the time for being 5'9'' and blonde
8. My cat
9. A bed that is long enough
10. Having a window in my bedroom
11. Eating food made by my Mom
12. Fruits and vegetables
13. Steak
14. Football
15. My sisters
16. Nephews
17. Parents
18. All my family, ac tually
 
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losemymouth
09 May 2008 @ 01:43 pm
Writing Update  

Wahooo! Broke the 10000 word barrier last night. I gave myself a week off of writing during finals and what not, some time to recover my muse, and I cranked out a good 1000 yesterday. Muy bien!
As a reward, I went out to a friend's birthday in my new shirt. Pics are on facebook, but the best part about my new shirt is that it says "Rock stars when the sun goes down." Yay for terrible English! The unfortunate part about last night is that I wore stupid shoes and now one of my ankles feels sprained. Mexican streets are in no way conducive to wearing high-heels.
Anyway, currently working on two projects, one now at the aforementioned 10 000 word count, the other at about 3000, and one of them will win out shortly. Also waiting to hear back about something on submission since February. Will know about that one by May 31. 
So, my critique group friends, I will have many things to share with you when I arrive one week from today. I am looking forward to seeing all of you!

 
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losemymouth
30 April 2008 @ 06:27 pm
Teaching in Mexico--It's over!!!  
Tuesday was my last day teaching. It was a goodbye that was not unwelcome on my part. Elementary is just not my thing, however there were some cool kids in the crowd.
Evidently they liked me. My going away presents include: ferrero rocher, a tweety bird, turtle statue, a t-shirt and sunglasses.
And the best present: a scultpure of a squirrel carved out of some kind of soap that smells like a mosquito candle. Beyond strange.
I played bingo with my grade sixes and asked them to provide me with 30 words in English to use as our bingo review. Words such as "hello", "cat", "dog" etc were common.
Then my one boy who is cross-eyed and very adorable says, "Table dancing."
I was rendered speechless. "Um, donde lo aprendiste?"
"Television."
What? What the hell was he watching?

Then today I returned to fill out some paperwork that I need to get paid. Cue overjoyed Mexican students practically dogpiling me.
"Maestraaaaaa no te vayas!!!!!"
It was children's day today, which basically means class parties. I was brought into the grade six class for cake and other food items. They were sitting at tables talking and listening to music and that is when I heard the most glorious song: Everything I do (I do it for you) by Bryan Adams, sung in spanish. Impressive, no?
 
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losemymouth
18 February 2008 @ 10:59 pm
Novelling Update  
So. My standards have increased in terms of writing.
I just read the "His Dark Materials" series and then Atonement and I feel like I can write like that (maybe not quite like that, but at least better than I have been) if I pushed myself. Furthermore, I have some MAJOR timeline/narrative issues to work out. So novelling is good for the time being. I feel like I should have some good chapters when I get back. I think I will post my re-write of Chapter 1 on here so those of you in the writing group can see my changes-- many changes are thanks to your suggestions.
As well, submitted "Family Ghosts" to an anthology and I am going to send out some other stuff, I think. I need to strike while the writing feelings are good, because I will inevitably hit that uninspired low again where I feel like I understand why artists are prone to alcoholism.
Stay tuned!
 
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losemymouth
13 November 2007 @ 03:02 pm
Spanish Music  

When I was in Mexico in 2004, this one singer was all over the television. His name was David Bisbal, and I thought at that time I'd like to learn spanish so I wrote his name down so that I could download his music.
Well, I found one of his videos on youtube:


Now, we all know my affinity for Spanish music and for horrible 90's pop songs. This combines the best of both!
He's kind of cute too, except for the fruity dancing. Maybe it's the brown eyes...
 At any rate, must go find some more awful spanish pop music and continue procrastinating studying for my finals. My poor future students--they will most certainly be subjected to this on a daily basis.

EDIT
Let's add this too:

Haiku2 for losemymouth
kind of a bummer
at least initially in
short the globe sucked
@
Created by Grahame
 
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losemymouth
02 October 2007 @ 06:46 pm
(no subject)  
Oh the night so young
It's been so long since I've had any fun
I don't know what's wrong
I just want to play another song

When the seasons change
Leaves will still be blowing through my brain

Can you feel your heartache?
Do you relate to me?

In an empty home
The man inside it never feels alone
Because when he holds the light
He knows there's nothing that he has to fight

Can you feel your heartache?
Do you relate to me?

-Relate to Me by The Voyces
 
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losemymouth
30 August 2007 @ 07:59 pm
Final day in England and the Homecoming  

So my last day in England was kind of a bummer, at least initially. In short, the Globe sucked. I got a refund-- the exhibit was under the construction and as for the tour, I told Chris that I could have gleaned more info off the Wikipedia article. Plus they were performing a play not actually by Shakespeare AND it was about the American revolution. WTF? Anyways, we wandered half-heartedly around London and made our way back to Aylesbury. Then met friends in High Wycombe for dinner, took some amusing pictures and went for a glass of Pimm's at The Harrow pub nearby. It was a lovely evening and the dinner and Pimm's was tasty, so a satisfying conclusion to my trip.
My flight was alright...met a nice girl who will be studying at the U of A who was from Norway. We gave her a lift from the airport to Lister Hall because I really felt for her...I've got to put out the good exchange student karma now. Now for some sleep, maybe a bit more on the Globe later if I feel less resentful.

 
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