Sonic Toothbrush...
I got one of those electric toothbrushes for Christmas (I know, that was two months ago), and I tried it out last night. All my teeth felt like they had just been hit, although they haven't felt that clean since the dentist visit. The dentist recommended the toothbrush because I've got almost no gums on my bottom teeth, and the toothbrush is supposed to help support the gums.

Il pleure dans mon coeur...
I have to memorize and recite a poem for my French phonetics midterm on Thursday, so I've chosen this poem. It's an interesting poem, and it's in our textbook, so I thought I'd choose it. Plus, it's not too long or complicated (the poem has to be at least 10 lines long), and it's one that my prof likes (as long as I don't butcher it while reciting...).

Il pleure dans mon coeur
Comme il pleut sur la ville ;
Quelle est cette langeure
Qui pénètre mon coeur?

Ô bruit doux de la pluie
Par terre et sur les toits !
Pour un coeur qui s'ennuie,
Ô le chant de la pluie !

Il pleure sans raison
Dans ce coeur qui s'écoeure.
Quoi ! nulle trahison ?
Ce deuil est sans raison.

C'est bien la pire peine
De ne savoir pourquoi
Sans amour et sans haine
Mon coeur a tant de peine !

English Translation:
It cries in my heart
Like it rains on the city;
What is this listlisness
That penetrates my heart?

Oh the sweet sound of the rain
On earth and on the roofs!
For a heart that's saddened,
Oh the song of the rain!

It cries without reason
In this heart that is depressed.
What! No treason?
This sorrow is without reason.

It's well the worst pain
To not know why
Without love and without hate
My heart has so much pain!

Security Clearance...
Now that I have the job on Parliament Hill, I need to get security clearance to work there (so they know I'm not a terrorist, and won't plant a bomb in the Prime Minister's Office). I'm not sure exactly what it all involves, but I'm sure it won't be nearly as in-depth as the security clearance that a friend went through before working for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
However, I did have to provide the government with a list of all my employers for the past 5 years, all the educational institutes I attended over the past 5 years, and all of the addresses where I've lived over the past 5 years (including France).
I'm not worried, just curious as to how much they'll dig around, and if they'll call any of my previous employers.

I've Got a Summer Job...
In Ottawa!!!
It was just confirmed this morning. I'm going to be working as a Parliamentary Guide in Ottawa over the summer (May through the first week of September). That's what the mystery interview in Vancouver two weeks ago was for.
I had a first round interview in December, which was basically just a 25 minute oral French exam. Then, two weeks ago, I had a 2 hours group interview at UBC. The group interview included a 35 minute written exam, a presentation, and a few group activities, as well as parts in French.
I must say that I'm still a bit shocked that I'm going to be working in the Parliament buildings. The government is even going to pay for my return flight from Vancouver to Ottawa.

Reading Break!!!
Today and tomorrow are my reading break. I know that most places get a full week off, but we only get two days. Still, I'm not complaining. It's a good chance to get caught up on essays, and presentations, and to (hopefully) do a bit of studying for all the midterms next week.
And of course, go out and enjoy the sun a bit.

Talking to Americans...
I don't know if you've heard of Talking to Americans (it's only on Canadian TV), but it's pretty funny.
Here's a short clip where the host is talking to Americans, and the governor of a state (I don't remember which). Basically, they're all congratulating (or encouraging) Canada to switch from the 20 hour French clock (which we currently use) to the 24 hour clock that's used in America.
No offense intended towards Americans. I know some that are quite smart.

The Sun!
The sun's back out! It's been a while since there has been this much sun. It's been sunny and clear, blue sky all week. Not only have we had sun, but it's been decently warm as well! I sat outside yesterday in the sun with a nice mug of black current tea, and did some reading for my French film class while basking in the sun.
I'm heading outside now!

Nepal...
About a week ago, the King Gyanendra of Nepal took full control over the country, dismissing the parliament, and replacing it with his own advisors. He shut down all media relating to his coup d'état (they're reduced to writing about street dogs and such).
I just found this site called Radio Free Nepal, which has got some fascinating info about the current state of things in Nepal, published anonymously for fear of punishment/imprisonment.

Famous Bushman is Getting Married...
A few years back, a crazy guy escaped from jail in the interior, and lived in the forest for two years before the police caught him (disguised as a television crew). He stole from the cabins, and created a series of lookout posts, and underground bunkers.
Well, he's fallen in love, and yesterday (Valentine's Day) he asked the judge to change his house arrest sentence terms to allow him to move with his fiancee. How romantic. He still has to wear his electronic monitoring bracelet though, and allow police to check up on him in his new home.

Translation...
Yesterday I translated a website from French to English for some friends in the south of France (the ones I spent last Christmas with). They've started renting out apartments in Cannes. You can check out their website (and my translation by clicking on the British flag on the top left).

A Day in Vancouver...
Yesterday, I left from my place, for Vancouver, at 7:15 in the morning. I got to UBC (The University of British Columbia) around 9:15 (there was horrendous traffic on the #1 before I even got into Vancouver. I parked on campus (yes, it's expensive -$1.50/30 minutes), then found the room where my interview was to be held.
It was a group interview (me plus 3 other candidates), with two people doing the interviewing. The interview went pretty well, and finished after only 2 hours (it was supposed to be longer).
Then I met up with Kevin, a friend from elementary school, who moved to Victoria quite a few years ago. It's always nice to catch up with old friends.
Then it was off to the Vancouver Aquarium, where I met up with my Evolution class (they took a bus in, with the Invertebrates class) for a field trip. The last time I went to the aquarium for a field trip was in elementary school -now I'm going for a fourth year uni course! I got to touch a sea slug, sea star, and some other sea animal (a pointy thing that looks like a pin cushion). Then, we wandered around for a bit, looking at how the animals have adapted to their niches (we have to write an essay/food web for two different organisms). When everyone else left, I hoped into my car, and headed back out to UBC.
I picked up Mai (she went to my high school), and we went out for dinner at a cool restaurant on Granville Island (which I don't think is really an island). It was great to see Mai again, especially since she's graduating this year, and will probably go back to Japan next year. I probably should have driven in a long time ago.
After dropping her off at UBC, it was time for the long drive back home.