Thursday, January 31, 2008

Glass vs. Brick


I took this picture next to UQAM which stands for Universitée du Québec à Montréal. These are two separated buildings with the St Urbain Street in between. The building on the left belongs to UQAM (this is where my car is parked right now) and the one on the right belongs to the Bell Telephone Company of Canada. One more time you can see that the city of Montreal is mixed with modern and antique buildings.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Gogo Lounge


This is the name of this bar on Boulevard St. Laurent. It is located right in front of the coffee shop where I usually go to use the internet, and post pictures on my blog. Hopefully by the end of this week, I will have internet connected in my apartment so I won’t have to go out in the cold. There seems to always have a warm ambiance inside, and I realized that every single day of the week, this bar is packed. Inside of the bar, the lights are red, as well as some funky seats that look like a hand. To see how it looks like inside in the middle of the day, click here.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Baby Fox ?


I was wondering what kind of animal it was. He seems to be protecting his ball from somebody maybe trying to steal it. I took this picture on the top of one of the rear doors of the church on the Loyola Campus (there is the same statue on the other side). It is the first time I see this kind of sculpture on a church; usually I’ve seen sculptures of personages that are related to religion. There is one more picture posted my More about Me site where you can see a clown holding two faces, one laughing and the other one crying.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Snow Removal


This Monday has been pretty busy for me, with a lot of assignments to hand in. I still managed to take this picture. This is how they remove the snow in the streets of Montreal. I think it's funny during day time, but at night, at 5 am ( this is the time they remove the snow in front of my building ), it's annoying with the noise of those trucks. Anyway, we can't see on this picture, but there are usually two little snow removal "baby trucks" to remove the snow on the sidewalks. Just to give you an advice in case you come to Montreal in winter, watch out for those ones because they go like crazy and don't pays attention if there is someone coming on the sidewalk. I wonder if they need a driver license to drive those things.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Sous-marin


This is the name of this sandwich from the restaurant La Belle Province. It’s pretty good, with meat and vegetables, however, once your done with it, you have to go use the bathroom. Not to use the toilet, but to wash your hands because of the grease dropping off from the sandwich.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Soon it will be dark


While walking today along Ste Catherine street, close to Concordia University, the sun was going down over Montreal. I could see some businesses closing, and some that were opening. I like this time of the day, feels like a switch during the day, where a different kind of atmosphere is arriving. It is expected to be cold this weekend so cover yourself up and don't catch a cold. For me it's too late, I caught a cold yesterday.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Missing ornament


I like the simplicity of these Christmas ornaments. Just for few more days, time for the city to take their Christmas light away until next November, those few trees will get the attention of the people passing by. I wonder why they forgot to add bulb lights on one of them. Tomorrow is Friday, and I can't wait for the weekend to arrive. I still have few more things I need to take care of, like for parking my car, and finally I will be totally settled in here. By the way, today is exactly one month I started this blog, I hope that all of you enjoyed it so far.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Complex structure


Here is a picture taken in the J.W. McConnell Building, where the library is located. This building, opened in 1992, has been built with many geometric shapes inside and outside. First, the building by itself looks like a giant cube, with cubic expansions on the sides and top. This inside alley is used to go up or down through circular stairs around it. Today I finally registered for a membership to use the gym at school. It is time for me to go back and do some exercise. It’s been more than a month now that I didn’t do any physical activity. Moreover, I don’t want to look like my chemistry TA; whose width is almost greater than her height.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Reflection


With a beautiful weather like today, I thought I would take a walk after school and try to explore the downtown area. I took this picture while walking along rue Metcalfe (I’m not exactly sure how to pronounce this street name), close to McGill University. I find it cool for the residents of these apartments to still get some sun light inside their house through reflection. My guess is that most of them are college students. To see a closer view, click here.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Security Officer on Facebook


One more time, I can see what the money of my tuition is used for. This security officer of Concordia University is checking his Facebook account instead of looking at the monitors. For those of you who don’t know; Facebook is a social networking website mostly used by college students. I had to take this picture quickly because there was a camera monitoring the entrance of the security office, and my guess is that we are not allowed to take pictures of the inside. Today it's snowing in Montreal and I can tell you, that’s a good thing. The temperatures a little warmer, compared to the -19 of yesterday, and the sidewalks are slipping one more time... so if you are like me (always slipping even with your big winter shoes) watch out!

Monday, January 21, 2008

Sunshine Reflection


As the sun goes down on Montreal, there is still light on the Sherbrook Street West with the reflection of the sun light into the windows of these buildings. Even though it is sunny today, the temperatures are dropping to -19°C, and with the wind, it feels even colder. Today I’ll try to buy some warm under clothes, that people are used to wear underneath their pants to warm up their legs, and also a hat to cover up my ears. I hope that all of you had a good and warm weekend.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Frite Alors !


This is the name of this restaurant chain from Montreal well known for there menu where most of the dishes are made of French fries. These restaurants, that are originally built to look like a typical Belgium French fries restaurant, are famous for their poutine, burgers, and of course their French fries. Drawn on the walls are cartoon of the young Belgian reporter and traveler Tintin. It reminded me my childhood cartoon heroes.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Something cool discovered...


Today, instead walking back home from the subway station, I thought I’ll take the bus. I was feeling kind of lazy to walk outside by -15°C (if we can describe it as laziness). Anyway, I decided to take the bus and get off next to the Parc Jeanne-Mance. It was a great surprise for me to find in the middle of the park, a natural ice rink, with hockey goals. Moreover there is a great view of the Montreal skyline from the ice and it’s only a 5 minutes walk from where I live. Those kids seemed to have fun. Next time, if it’s not too cold outside, I will join them.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Need a Charge ?


It’s amazing what kinds of services are offered nowadays. This machine offers to recharge any type of music or cell phone devices for a little more than 2 bucks. I saw this machine in the JavaU coffee shop of Concordia University. I really wonder if there are many students that are willing to pay just to get their cell phones or music players recharged. With already all the things students have to pay, if it was me, I’d rather wait to get back home and use my own charger. Anyway, it was just to tell you, it was the first time for me to see a service like this one. I think it is kind of useless, but who knows, maybe others find it good.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Window Cleaning


This worker is cleaning the windows of the EV building. I can see what the money of my tuition is used for ….

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

8 AM Workout



He is courageous, because at this time of the day, with the snow outside, I’d rather stay in my bed. I took this picture in the EV building of the Concordia downtown Campus. ( you can see part of the building in the Antique and Modern post below ). This spacious and modern facility features 150 workout stations spread out over 10,000 square feet. Instead of going to Tim Horton’s I should go here…

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Montreal Skyline


Today the snow was back again in Montreal. This time I think the t-shirts and shorts you took out last week, it is time to put them back in your closet until next summer. I believe the winter has arrived for good. Sidewalks are one more time very sleepy. I experienced it today, while running to the subway station on the downhill St-Urbain street, I slipped on an ice plate and felt on my right elbow ( It’s the second time that it happens to me since I’m here ). I remember seeing quickly as I stood back up a little smile on the face of a black woman at the bottom of the street. A good thing is that both my camera and my computer were not damaged, so I can continue this blog. On this picture, the top left building is called the Place Ville-Marie, a 46 stories tower. On the rooftop there is a rotating beacon that lights up at night, illuminating the sky with four white horizontal beams that can be seen as far as 50 km away.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Looking back


This picture, taken in the old Montreal, means that if you want to have a happy life, without any regrets from the past, you should always look forward, towards the future, and never turn around, never look back. A friend of mine told me that one day.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Stairway



Remember couple days ago I posted a picture of the Loyola Campus, well, this picture was taken from the top of the building, looking down. It was right when I was done with my class. I hoped there was an elevator, but as I walked my way up, I appreciated this stairway.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Last Christmas tree



These past few days, I could see many people getting rid of their Christmas tree This one is still there, and it's still beautiful. I didn't check if it was a real one or not, but I will. What I really liek on this picture are teh two trees, one alive, and one dead ( in the back ) .

Friday, January 11, 2008

St John the Evangelist


Yesterday night, while coming back home from school, I saw this interesting church. Located at the corner President-Kennedy and St. Urbain. it was built in 1878, and described as a "slum Gothic" style. It surprised me to see a red roof as well as red doors. Most of the church's roof I've seen before were either grey, green or copper. Today the snow is back again in Montreal, even though it will rain later during the day, melting the snow one more time, and creating again those dirty sidewalk ( due to the salt they put on the sidewalks ). Anyway, the weekend is coming and I can't wait for it. I will use it to take a good rest of this tired week, maybe duck in a coffee shot, look at some other daily photo blogs, or just enjoy a good hot coffee...

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Antique and Modern


Montreal is a city mixed with antique and modern buildings. I personally prefer antique buildings. This shot was taken at the corner of Guy and St. Catherine streets. Opened in 1903, the Bank of Toronto building was one of the first commercial projects of Ross and MacFarlane. Considered a modern classic of its time, the construction was modeled on the Temple of Zeus in Agrigento, 480 BC. It is plan to be part of the Concordia University's buildings, expanding the Quartier Concordia, and giving a new charm of the Sir George Williams downtown campus.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Montreal Fire Department



Today, while staying in a coffee shot in Boulevard St-Laurent, the Montreal Fire department showed up a block next to the coffee shot. Quickly I grabbed my camera and ran out to take a picture of them right before they crossed the street to go on the adjacent sidewalk in order to have a better look. I am not sure what really happened, all I know is that is was on the second floor of an old building. It feels good to know that some brave men like them are here to assist the population of Montreal. These days with the warm temperatures, the snow melted away, leaving the streets and sidewalk wet. SInce that, I can see many more objects that were hidden underneath the snow, like benches or cars. Sometimes I really wonder if we are in winter or not.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Loyola Campus



Here is the other campus of Concordia University. About 15 minutes away from the active and crowded Sir George Williams downtown campus. For those that prefer to study in a quite environment, this campus is perfect for them. So far I have been there once, and I didn't see more than 15 students walking outside. I think if I would be there, alone, at night, I would be scared. Kidding, anyway, just to tell you that this campus was originally a French-language Jesuit school founded in 1848. To see more pictures of the campus, click on my More about Me site.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Vive le Québec libre !



Today is Monday and it is very busy for me. Anyway I still managed to post a picture. Here is the Montreal City Hall in the Old Montreal. It was built between 1872 and 1878 and it is in 1967, from the balcony of the building, that Charles de Gaulle gave his famous speech "Vive le Québec libre". Have a good Monday everybody.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Emptiness



This weekend, many people were out shopping, especially now that the temperatures are a little warmer. The snow is melting, and it makes it easier for everybody. As I was walking in the Old Montreal, most streets, restaurants or bars were packed. Very few were empty, like this one. This weekend has been very busy for me moving in furniture in my new apartment. Glad that I’m finally done with that. I hope that most of you enjoyed your weekend. For those of you living in the Montreal area, start to take out your t-shirts and shorts because next week is going to be hot. It is expected to be 11°.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

There is a car underneath



I wonder why the owner of this car hasn't taken the snow off yet, maybe he couldn't find it...

Friday, January 4, 2008

Tim Hortons



Here was today's lunch. Sandwich and doughnut at one of the famous Tim Hortons coffee place in Canada. This one is right accross the university in the Sir George Williams downtown campus. I find it really hard for me not to duck in and get myself one of those delicious doughnut as a snak, but I have to be carefull, because those things are not "fat free', or I should say "sugar free". The co-founder of the company was the famous hockey player Miles Gilbert Horton, a canadian professional hockey player who played 24 seasons in the NHL. Too bad that most of you can enjoy it only with your eyes...

Thursday, January 3, 2008

-21C



Ok, for my first day of school today, it was good, however it would have been better if the weather wasn't so cold. When I left home, it was -21° C, and it's been like that the whole day, at least is was sunny again. Hopefully everybody had a good day back to school. Cover yourself, and don't get sick. Click here to see more pictures on More about Me site.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Fait frette !!



It means "it's cold". Yes ! and it's just the beginning. Today the temperature's been dropping to -13° C. Coming from the west coast, it's been a long time I didn't have to face such cold temperature. At least today's sunny, compared to yesterday where it's been snowing all day long. At the end of the day, we got 20 cm of fresh snow. Kids that are still in vacation must enjoy playing in the snow now that the weather is beautiful. I believe it's the first time I see the sun since I left Seattle ten days ago.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Old-Montreal



I wish plenty of good things to all of you for this new year 2008. This shot was taken in the early hours of this new year in the Old Montreal close to the City Hall. Happy new year everybody !