Bloody French Government...
It's reared its head again. I got a letter yesterday from the French government (sent to my old address at the MAJT, but forwarded from my administrative school) about income taxes. The form is called "Déclaration fiscale des traitementes et salaires perçus au cours de l'année 2004" (a rudimentary translation; financial declaration of salary from 2004). The statement doesn't say anything specific, so I'm hoping that I don't have to actually file taxes in France, since I've already paid taxes on the income I made last year. I'll try contacting the French embassy to find out what's up. Like I'm going to pay more taxes to the French government!
What I find odd is that I didn't receive one of these forms for 2003 last year, when I was working in France. Maybe it had something to do with me not actually being paid until January (i.e. the advance on October, November, and December's salaries didn't count?).
Merde.
March 11, 2005
March 10, 2005
Il fait trop beau...
It's 20 degrees Celsius, sunny, and the sky is blue. Take that Montreal, with your -15 weather, and blizzards!
The only problem with the sun is that it makes it too hard to study. At least my midterms are over. My cousin (the 21-yr old one) is getting married on Saturday, so it should be good for his photos.
It's 20 degrees Celsius, sunny, and the sky is blue. Take that Montreal, with your -15 weather, and blizzards!
The only problem with the sun is that it makes it too hard to study. At least my midterms are over. My cousin (the 21-yr old one) is getting married on Saturday, so it should be good for his photos.
March 09, 2005
Paranoid Russell Crowe...
I just read this article, and can't help but think about how paranoid some people must be of terrorist attacks:
Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terror network wanted to kidnap Russell Crowe as part of a "cultural destabilization plot," the Oscar-winning actor is quoted as saying in an Australian magazine.
In an interview published in the March edition of Australia's GQ Magazine, Crowe said FBI agents told him of the threat in 2001, in the months before he won a best actor Oscar for his role as Maximus in Gladiator.
"That was the first (time) I'd ever heard the phrase al-Qaida," Crowe said. "It was about - and here's another little touch of irony - taking iconographic Americans out of the picture as sort of a cultural destabilization plot," he added.
Crowe was born in New Zealand and has a ranch in eastern Australia but made his name in Hollywood.
It was not clear if there were other targets in the plot.
Crowe said he was shadowed by FBI agents after the threat and hired private security guards.
I just read this article, and can't help but think about how paranoid some people must be of terrorist attacks:
Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terror network wanted to kidnap Russell Crowe as part of a "cultural destabilization plot," the Oscar-winning actor is quoted as saying in an Australian magazine.
In an interview published in the March edition of Australia's GQ Magazine, Crowe said FBI agents told him of the threat in 2001, in the months before he won a best actor Oscar for his role as Maximus in Gladiator.
"That was the first (time) I'd ever heard the phrase al-Qaida," Crowe said. "It was about - and here's another little touch of irony - taking iconographic Americans out of the picture as sort of a cultural destabilization plot," he added.
Crowe was born in New Zealand and has a ranch in eastern Australia but made his name in Hollywood.
It was not clear if there were other targets in the plot.
Crowe said he was shadowed by FBI agents after the threat and hired private security guards.
March 08, 2005
WAVE2 Presentation...
I had a presentation/test/interview today for my Developmental Biology course. Basically, I picked a research paper, and the prof asked me questions about it for 45 minutes. I think that I did OK, but I could've done better. I thought that the paper was relatively easy when I picked it (a knock-out mouse that affected cardiac development), but it didn't turn out as such when I got into it.
The paper was about WAVE2's affect on cell motility and cardiovascular development. WAVE2 is part of a family of proteins that affects cell motility (along with WASP). They knocked out the gene (using Neomycin to select for cells), and ran the proper gels for verification. The embryos developed normally until about day 9, when they were significantly smaller than the wild types. They found that WAVE2 had a significant impact on actin rearrangement on the lamellipodia (the leading edge), while almost no impact on the trailing edge (unlike WAVE1 which impacts both sides). WAVE2 had no affect on vasculogenesis, but a major affect on angiogenesis. It's expressed in endothelial cells, but not in the neural tube. There's a lot more, but I'm sure it'll just bore you (if you even made it this far...).
I had a presentation/test/interview today for my Developmental Biology course. Basically, I picked a research paper, and the prof asked me questions about it for 45 minutes. I think that I did OK, but I could've done better. I thought that the paper was relatively easy when I picked it (a knock-out mouse that affected cardiac development), but it didn't turn out as such when I got into it.
The paper was about WAVE2's affect on cell motility and cardiovascular development. WAVE2 is part of a family of proteins that affects cell motility (along with WASP). They knocked out the gene (using Neomycin to select for cells), and ran the proper gels for verification. The embryos developed normally until about day 9, when they were significantly smaller than the wild types. They found that WAVE2 had a significant impact on actin rearrangement on the lamellipodia (the leading edge), while almost no impact on the trailing edge (unlike WAVE1 which impacts both sides). WAVE2 had no affect on vasculogenesis, but a major affect on angiogenesis. It's expressed in endothelial cells, but not in the neural tube. There's a lot more, but I'm sure it'll just bore you (if you even made it this far...).
March 06, 2005
Cidade de Deus...
I recently watched two interesting films (surprise!). The first was called Cidade de Deus (City of God), a Brazilian film based on a real story from the City of God favela near Rio. A favela is the Portuguese word for a slum, and about 20% of Rio de Janeiro lives in favelas, separated from the rest of the city. The film was incredibly moving. It gives you a new perspective.
The favelas are where a lot of the hard-core drug dealers come from. Because the people are so poor, a lot of them don't have much of a choice. They can work legally for almost nothing, or can make a lot more money, and gain prestige and guns, by working as or for a dealer. There was a documentary after the movie, that talked about the drug-dealing and poverty problems. They interviewed drug dealers, people living in and near the favelas, police officers, and the police chief of Rio. What I found the most shocking was the frankness with which the police chief said that if the police weren't corrupt, then there would be havoc on the streets. The Rio police force is the best trained, and most highly armed police force in the world. They're probably better at close range fighting than the Americans (even after they invaded Iraq).
The police chief pointed out that if the police were to go and raid the middle and upper class that use drugs, then they would lose support from the tax paying population, and the whole system would collapse. So, they target the poor instead. But in doing so the poor attempt to fight against the police. He argued that it's necessary to keep the poor suppressed. I can't remember all of his reasons, but he did bring up some interesting points.
The second movie, which I watched in French film class on Friday morning, was called Indochine (Indochina), with Catherine Deneuve. It was set during the French occupation of Vietnam. Deneuve plays a wealthy French rubber plantation owner, who had never been to France. I won't give too much away, but needless to say it involves the communist uprising, and the two sides of the French perspective to their role as a colonial power.
I recently watched two interesting films (surprise!). The first was called Cidade de Deus (City of God), a Brazilian film based on a real story from the City of God favela near Rio. A favela is the Portuguese word for a slum, and about 20% of Rio de Janeiro lives in favelas, separated from the rest of the city. The film was incredibly moving. It gives you a new perspective.
The favelas are where a lot of the hard-core drug dealers come from. Because the people are so poor, a lot of them don't have much of a choice. They can work legally for almost nothing, or can make a lot more money, and gain prestige and guns, by working as or for a dealer. There was a documentary after the movie, that talked about the drug-dealing and poverty problems. They interviewed drug dealers, people living in and near the favelas, police officers, and the police chief of Rio. What I found the most shocking was the frankness with which the police chief said that if the police weren't corrupt, then there would be havoc on the streets. The Rio police force is the best trained, and most highly armed police force in the world. They're probably better at close range fighting than the Americans (even after they invaded Iraq).
The police chief pointed out that if the police were to go and raid the middle and upper class that use drugs, then they would lose support from the tax paying population, and the whole system would collapse. So, they target the poor instead. But in doing so the poor attempt to fight against the police. He argued that it's necessary to keep the poor suppressed. I can't remember all of his reasons, but he did bring up some interesting points.
The second movie, which I watched in French film class on Friday morning, was called Indochine (Indochina), with Catherine Deneuve. It was set during the French occupation of Vietnam. Deneuve plays a wealthy French rubber plantation owner, who had never been to France. I won't give too much away, but needless to say it involves the communist uprising, and the two sides of the French perspective to their role as a colonial power.
March 03, 2005
Yay!
I'm finally done my midterms for the week. I had my last one (out of three this week alone) today. I think I crapped out (I don't have a clue what's going on in that class), so I'm just glad it was done. I did write for the full 1.5 hours though, and filled up the whole test booklet, but I don't think that any of it made sense. The prof for the class isn't very good, so that doesn't help. Nobody (literally, I've talked to almost everyone in the class about it) understands what the prof is trying to teach. He gets one thing wrong every class, and apologizes at the start of the next class as he corrects himself. Not good is about all I can say.
I'm finally done my midterms for the week. I had my last one (out of three this week alone) today. I think I crapped out (I don't have a clue what's going on in that class), so I'm just glad it was done. I did write for the full 1.5 hours though, and filled up the whole test booklet, but I don't think that any of it made sense. The prof for the class isn't very good, so that doesn't help. Nobody (literally, I've talked to almost everyone in the class about it) understands what the prof is trying to teach. He gets one thing wrong every class, and apologizes at the start of the next class as he corrects himself. Not good is about all I can say.
March 01, 2005
Hell Week(s)...
This week, as well as last, are/were hell weeks. Three midterms this week, an essay, and possibly a presentation. Last week was just as fun, with a midterm, two presentations, and an essay (or was it two?).
Ugh, too much school. Guess I shouldn't complain though, there's only 6 weeks or so until finals start on April 12th.
This week, as well as last, are/were hell weeks. Three midterms this week, an essay, and possibly a presentation. Last week was just as fun, with a midterm, two presentations, and an essay (or was it two?).
Ugh, too much school. Guess I shouldn't complain though, there's only 6 weeks or so until finals start on April 12th.
February 28, 2005
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.
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.
February 27, 2005
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!
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!
February 25, 2005
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.
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.
February 23, 2005
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.
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.
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