Chapter 45: Gobble Gobble Santapants

nerd blog post #50

I was just talking to Doctor who remarked how fast the weeks go by.. He's right. I can't believe it's already Sunday.

On Friday night, a student invited me to an apero-dinatoire. This is kind of like a pot, but with more food. This is a Breton tradition. The host provides all sorts of food and drinks and it's kind of fancy. It's like a dinner party, but mostly finger food, and happens in a living room. The difference between a pot (also called an apero) and an apero-dinatoire is that for the latter, which is what I went to, you don't have to eat anything for a week afterwards.. Anyways, I met this student and we went. it was at her friend's house and I didn't know anyone else there. These were third year students, but these parties feel so grown up. Everyone is really dressed up, you give bisous when you enter the room, you present wine to the host, you drink fancy cocktails and eat salmon treats. It's at these kinds of parties that I really notice the difference between French and Canadian men. Anyways, as the party went on, it became less refined - people started dancing and the room was filled with smoke and French singing.. A really fun atmosphere.

This student of mine is really nice. She has invited me to a couple of things before, but this was the first time I could go. I found out that she's originally from Rwanda, but has also lived in South Africa and Kenya. I love meeting fellow Africans.. I hope we can be good friends.

I came home just after 11pm to meet Cynthia's friends. These two girls are both still at the University of Rochester (where she went) and were former roommates there. Now, they're studying abroad in London. They were tired, so we didn't go out.

Saturday morning, I went to the market. It was raining, so I ended up spending an hour at Hossoen's. He hasn't worked for three days, though, because he had kidney stones.. So it was his son, Shahein, and Mamoun, the other guy who works there. I chatted with them for some time. Mamoun is from Algeria and is doing a Masters here in Rennes. A really nice man.. Speaks four languages. (Speaking multiple languages is the quickest way to impress me. Start practicing, young bachelors! And 48 points to Bettina.)

In the afternoon, I snoozed and chatted to Wray on Skype (10 points) and then we had a good dinner with the guests. Yes, the infamous Roly Polys! Always a hit. The visitors were really sweet girls. Both enjoying their semester in London. One of them wants to be a nun! I let her know that I once wanted to be a nun as well. In particular, a singing nun. I was four. Really, though, I think I just wanted to be just like Maria who got to hang out with those fun kids and make out with Captain Von Trapp near the gazebo. Eidelweiss.

We ventured out to Thirsty Street and I swung into the kebab stand. They were finishing up so I helped bring the stuff in and do the dishes. I invited them out with us, and they said they might join in after they were all finished. So us girls went to Contre Escarpe, our favourite night bar where the bouncer knows my name. Maybe that's when you know you're home.. Anyways, it was fun. The two guys showed up later on and we tried to go to another night bar but it was already closed... So we came back here. Shahein, who doesn't live in Rennes, stayed over. Luckily, we have ample mattresses (I have three on my bed!) so even with all of the guests, there was a ton of space.

Today, I'm having a chill day.

And now, a fairy tale. This fairytale is entitled..

The Balcony Prescriptions Series
By Emily Hyland Hincks

Part I: The Hot Balcony

In February 2007, nine close Queen's drama friends went to Cuba for Reading Week. Sort of by chance, Hinckster ended up being roommates with the Doctor. Doctor and Hinckster have been friends since their first year of undergrad, but the friendship really peaked in the last two years. One morning, they were sitting on the balcony sipping coffee in this paradise land...
Doctor: Hincksy, I have a question to ask you..
Hinckster: Yeah?
D: If we both get into the MA program at UofT, and if we both decide to go, do you want to live together in Toronto?
H: hahaha.. Sure, Doc. If we both get in, and if we both decide to go, and if I can afford it, yes. I'd love to.
*H did not think that she would get in...

Part II: The Cold Balcony

In January, 2008, Doctor and Hinckster had been living together in Toronto for four months and were half way finished their MAs at UofT. One afternoon, they were sitting on their balcony sipping coffee in the freezing cold snow...
H: Doctor, I have a question to ask you...
D: Yeah?
H: If we both get the European programs we've applied for, and if we both decide to go, do you want to spend Christmas with me?
D: hahaha... Sure, Hincksy.. If, if, if.. I'd love to.
*Doc did not think he would get in...

Part III: The Future Balcony

Doctor and I have booked a wee trip for the break.. We fly out of Manchester, England, on December 16th and heading to the Turkish Riviera for seven nights. We are very excited! I plan on going to England a few days before to visit my Birmingham Hincks clan, and we'll be arriving back in England on the 23rd. From there, plans are up in the air.. I have had very kind invitations for Christmas, but haven't thought much past this trip that we just booked on Friday.

And so, if I can't eat turkey, I might as well stay in one.. I will miss Canada very much, but am happy to be with someone who is like a brother from another mother..

Doctor also informed me that our room has a balcony. I'm almost too scared to step onto it..

The End.

And that's the news of the week-end. Sending love across the pond..

Signing off,
Hincks.