Mostly Montreal

I am happy. Sorry, make that, I AM HAPPY!!!  Why? I don't know why specifically, I am just thankful I am.

Its my day off. I got to sleep in. I am having some hard boiled eggs and toast with a coffee.  Sounds good right?
I have a job, my hip is better, school is almost out, spring is here although it is June, my husband cleaned the kitchen last night so I don't have to do it today.  Life is good!

I just came back from Montreal.  I had such a wonderful time thanks to my friend Michele.  She let me stay at her apartment, showed me downtown Montreal.  I found it a lot of fun to take the bus and train, as I drive everywhere here in Calgary.

My first day there we went to an Asian restaurant Zyng, where we made yummy bowls.  It was a cute small place, but the food and service were fantastique!  After we ate, we met up with some of Michele's close friends who were also graduating from McGill the next day.  We had amazing drinks from Le Distilliere, they come in half and full size mason jars. I chose the Basilic Romantique mainly because it referenced the movie Twilight in its description!  It was yummy and had basil in it. Amazing!

The next day was Michele's convocation, it was a hot day but a beautiful convocation.  We had plans for after the ceremony to go get poutine  for lunch and then meet up with her parents for a celebratory dinner at a Portuguese restaurant. But after the grad we were all starving! I tried to get to the restaurant for a lunch menu, but with construction detouring us, we couldn't get there and quickly gave up.  We wound up instead at an amazing little Italian place called Gallo Nero.  What was cool about that is, I was with 3 Italians who could read the menu!  Dinner also included a cappuccino or an espresso. I chose the cappuccino and it was so good!

After lunch Michele and I just needed to sit for a bit. It had been a early big day for her.  We had plans to go out to downtown for some food and drinks...but we were so tired! After discovering my twi hard friend hadn't seen Eclipse yet, decisions were made.  We would order in St. Hubert's and I would get my poutine and we would rent Eclipse.  It was so windy and had a fun walk to the movie rental place.  It was a great night, with just some simple and honest friend time.  We were so tired yet we stayed up till 1am just talking.  That is how you can tell you have a great friend! You are yawning and you know you are tired, but you can't get enough of the person you are with!

The next day we slept in and had a great breakfast. Michele's mom had gotten us fresh bagels the day before and today we were determined to have some bacon with it.  After some breakfast, more talk time, we finally got ready and headed out.  I had a mission to complete. Go to Schwartz Deli and enjoy a smoked meat sandwich.  We took the transit, stood out in the rain for a little bit, but then the moment came.  Once inside, things moved quickly and smelled delicious.  I ordered a very simple sandwich with a Coke.  I was so full, I forced the last of it down my throat. It was too good to leave any behind.   After we finished, I went and bought a large brisket to bring home to my husband who was so jealous of my entire trip.  We were pushing it for time once we had the brisket, so we hopped in a cab and headed back to Michele's place to get my luggage and head to the airport for my flight home.  As her mom so generously drove me to the airport, I was so sad to be leaving.  Michele and her parents were so wonderful to me, and my trip that much more enjoyable.

As I sat waiting for my flight, I knew I would be back.