Safe in Montreal

Hey everyone,

Well I am writing from a downtown net cafe in Montreal right now... and I have arrived here safely.

What an amazing 24hours. It is crazy how so much can happen and change in a day.

So last night travelling via Paris, I arrived to Montreal at 9pm. I got out of the airport arrivals terminal at about 11pm... long story, ineffecient customs and immigration... the usual drill.

I was greeted by an amazing group of AIESECERs... and a close friend from Australia working in Toronto, but up in Montreal for the weekend. I met a whole of group at once> Flavia, Mimi, Caroline, Valeri, JP, and Carl.

We saw a flaming car on the road to my new house... so we reported it to 911... very exciting.

I had my first 'Orange' experience... more on that later.

Went back to the trainee flat, met Andreas and barbora.... then went out drinking.

Came home... met Julia in the morning... she is a girl not a guy...

had a crazy day today...

no time for details but I will update later...

Things are great but as you can tell.... CRAZY!!!

Farewell Time

So last night was my Farewell party at Petes house. It was fantastic.

So many of my favourite people were there for the last time in one room; Pete, Lise, Jallyn, Stine, Sille, Louise K, Jonas, Majken, Louise L, Dave, Stefan, Sooraj, Natia, Emma, and some new faces aswell, Koura and a Russian student who I now forget the name....!

Anyway it was a totally HYGGE evening... with candles, some chicken curry, wine and good company.

Hmmm I have to run now because I am meeting a few close friends for brunch before I leave... will update more later.

Feeling crazily emotional.....

Red, White and Me

From Denmark to Canada.....Reality is finally setting in that I am leaving.

I spent today with my two most favourite people in Copenhagen: Lise and Pete. Lise and I had a random coffee catch up chat where we shared, and laughed, and shopped, sat on random shop stairs, and really just did what we always doL: TALK 24/7.

Then we both headed to Petes house for a Chicken curry and rice dinner, however Lise was unexpectedly called away.

So then it was just Pete and I hanging out, as has happened so often throughout the year. In a complete comfort zone that only exists with a very close friend, I watched some TV, he emailed his girlfriend Lone, in India, and we randomly chatted while cooking dinner.

We always intended on getting a movie, but when I was watching some of Pretty Woman showing on TV, Pete started to play his computer game. Being a competitive person, I wanted to give it a go... and starting at about 21.30 we played the war computer game FAR CRY untill 1.30am. We were obsessed with moving up the levels, and the game was really freaking me out at times with how life like it felt. I can't believe so much time passed though, it was crazy.

But it was the best night, just hanging and chilling with a close friend.

I realised going home that for both Pete and Lise, this would be one of the last times for awhile I would hang out with them, and it was quite a saddening thought. I think in all the lead up to leaving I never quite thought about the close friends that I would be leaving behind. Yes, of course I will most likely see them again, there is no doubt about that, and we will keep in contact as we need too naturally... but basic life hanging out with each other will not be a possibility.

I think up untill today I have been fuelled by an excitement of what the new place brings (so typical me), but not really fathoming what the old place holds... the memories, the people, the friendships, the saddness of leaving certain things.

So I guess at the moment I have a very weird emotion happening. It is unlike leaving Sydney last year, because I know that I will live there again, and I know the relationships I formed over 4 or so years and more with people are solid. I know I have some of those close friends here aswell, but the difference is, I know I will not be living here again in the near future... well not as I can forsee anyway... so that makes it a very weird situation, and a new one for me to be in.

I recieved an sms and an email today from some friends in Copenhagen, saying tomorrow will be a day of tears for them. That they will be sad that I am leaving. And now, I have to confess, I think there will be tears from me. Tears I have not allowed myself to fully cry for the place that over the last year has been my life and my home.

Living each Moment

Was thinking about living life, every moment? Was thinking to myself, am I doing this? Am I doing it to my potential?

Reading this poem made me reflect more on it...

POEM: Be Mindful of the Moment

The here and now is all we hold through times of joy and sorrow.
We may watch fulsome years unfold -- or may not see tomorrow.
Be mindful of the moment. Pay attention to each one.
The past has fled beyond our grasp, the future’s yet to come.

There is no way to measure what ensuing days might bring,
So seize the utmost pleasure found in every daily thing.
The road of life is far too short: no need to travel fast.
Investigate the wonders that lie strewn along the path.

The tender leaves on springtime trees, rough pebbles on the ground,
The snowflakes drifting on the breeze that fall without a sound,
Are all unique and precious, if we take the time to see.
No two have been identical in all eternity.

Is this not true of people too? Be mindful, then, of each.
Both strangers and those close to you have useful things to teach.
The two of us part richer if we pass the time of day,
And don’t just brush each other off, then hurry on our way.

Preoccupied by urgent schemes of business, love or power,
By gambling on our future dreams, we lose the present hour.
A life is forged of moments linked together like a chain.
Live each in full -- for down this road we shall not pass again.

Neil Harding McAlister

The cool cartoon that Pete has painted on his living room wall.


Rajiv and a very enthusiastic looking Pete at a dinner in his apartment.


My space in the MC office over the last year.


My office space from another point of view

Friends

Just reminiscing about old times, old friends... I think this is part of leaving a place and starting to get ready for a new life... so I am going to upload random pictures I find on my desktop :-)

Regional Board Team 2002: Jen, Eddie, Me, Denise and Dizzy

Lil and Jen ... somewhere! I am not sure when this shot was taken!

Tom, Me and Arthur at IC last year.

Good News

Good News.

My visa came through in the mail today... so I can now officially enter Canada.

Everything is sorted, and now I just have to finish packing.

It's becoming more real with each second.

From the European continent to the Americas...

... in only 3 days.

It has happened so fast, and yet taken forever.

It is seeming more real, and yet still a dream.

Can I really be saying goodbye to friends in Copenhagen?

Can I really be walking down Stroget for one of the last times?

Can I be leaving in only 3 days...

WOW.

Mazzy Chatline 24/7

Today I have felt alive, being and talking with friends all day long.

It started with catching up with Morten and Kristian in the morning. We meet at Nyhavn for a morning breakfast of cinnamon bread and pepsi, and then walked all the way to Christiania. It is also known as Freetown Christiania, and is a partially self governing independent city in Copenhagen. We were offered some Hash (although I had no idea what the guy was talking about as it was in Danish) and also went to the flea markets.

Then I headed back to the office to do some work for my visas, organising my packing, cancel my bank account in Denmark, and deregister from the Kobenhavn Kommune. I missed a call from mum, but I spoke to Lil on the phone which was great. I have not had a chance to catch up with Lil in a huge way since she left Denmark, so it was good to chat with her.

Bretto also called and we had a 10 minute power conversation, we want to catch up more tomorrow in a better milo chat... the short chat we had just did not meet our expectations. Bretto is working in Basel , Switzerland for a company called Syngenta at the moment and has a weblog aswell which you can check out at the links section. He is my number one reader on this blog (LOL He is soooooo going to kill me for posting that!!!!)

I met up with Louise from Copenhagen Business School and we had a great 2 hour long chat at my favourite cafe Kys (which I actually thought was Keys the whole year.... MONG MAZZY!!!!) Then browsing around shops, chatting to Jallyn on the phone about her day and now getting ready to relax infront of a movie!!!!

I love people filled, conversation catchup days!!!!

Hygge Nights

I have been having the most lovely "hygge" evenings lately.

PETES HYGGE HOUSE NIGHT

* Lovely Shower and washed my hair
* Chatting about life, life, life!!!
* Making and eating a yummy Teriaki Stir Fry
* Renting a love movie.... Punch Drunk Love with Adam Sandler... Ok what is a very weird movie, not what we expected but creative in a good way
* Pringles and dild dip... what could be better

MORTENS UNCLES HOUSE

* Meeting random art guy at central square who left me for 20 minutes looking at his African influenced artwork. Weird.
* Meeting Kristian from Aalborg, and having a lovely rain filled stroll to Kongens Nytorv where Mortens Uncle lives.
* Dinner with Kristian, Morten and Mortens uncle in the most European apartment I have been in - Mortens uncle is an artis, listens to classical music, and has candles everywhere... GORGEOUS!!!
* Having the BEST meal I have had in Denmark - Roast Beef, Rice, Mushroom sauce, Salad.... DELICIOUS!!
* 3 hours of great conversation

THANKS for the Hygge Nights guys!!!

Tivoli

Last night had a lovely night out at Tivoli, an amusement park here in the centre of Copenhagen. It is one of the oldest amusement parks in Europe, and dates back to the 1800's. Jallyn and I got free tickets to enter, so we were pretty happy.

It was a group of four that went: Jallyn (Aussie Trainee), Hemal (Indian Trainee), Sripad (Indian Trainee) and of course, mwa. We had an awesome time, and although I did not go on any rides (lack of money to do that sort of thing at the moment), just walking around the beautiful tivoli gardens, watching the entertainment shows and at the end of the night, the light illumination production.

Such a magical place, and a lovely memory for my last week in Copenhagen.

I hate packing!

How do you pack a years life into a suitcase?

How do you prioritise what you will keep and what you will leave behind?

How do you downgrade your personal possessions again?

I hate packing.

Missing the Aussies too

I was reading Brettos weblog page a few moments ago, and he has posted about missing the Aussies, and feeling homesick.

I AGREE!

Its a weird feeling knowing that some of your closest friends from Australia, and even the world are gathering in a city not that far away from you, and that you cannot join them.

You are there in spirit, but not body....

Its a weird feeling, thats why I am trying to keep as busy as possible and do new and interesting things here in Copenhagen. I want to feel like I am living these weeks up... ok maybe not with the people that are closest to me, but in the best way I can given the circumstances.

But one for the road before I leave for the Open Air Ballet with Jallyn...

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI.

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxox

Night out of Nowhere

Tonight was a night out of nowhere.

Originally planning on having a 'quiet one' with Jallyn watching videos at her house, we were invited by her roommates, Adam and Sara to join their post exam party with about 15 other people. Giving us a free shot of vodka and cocktail drink, we both joined the party.

We were speaking to a Danish guy that had been studying in Hawaii for 4 years and only just got back. He had a strong American accent, and a really laid back attitude... so we totally adored him. He really had the atmosphere of an Aussie surfer guy, so we were instantly friends.

I spoke to a Danish girl for ages about expressiveness and Danish culture, and we had a pretty engaging discussion about it.

Then I joined a Danish drinking game.

It was awesome because everyone was speaking Danish, and so it really felt like we were in another country, and the major minority.... awesome.

We also bumped into a Danish friend of mine, Jonas on the way to Jallyns house and he invited us to a university party at the LA BAR. But we ditched this event, when we got free tickets with Adam and his party to NASA, the hottest private nightclub in Copenhagen.

One of the guys that was at Adams house was the owner of the club, and so we all got on the free entry list.

I had no idea but apparently NASA is an amazing place to get into... you can read below...

NASA

"...This space-theme club in a cobbled courtyard is Copenhagen’s hottest ticket. An external steel lift takes you to the first floor where the all-white interior reflects the neon glow of the alluring cocktails. You have to look like a model or money to get in and the cost closely proximates a Hollywood movie budget, but you do get to drink with the stars..."

and it was definately true. The most beautiful people I have seen, the most expensive drinks aswell.

I stayed for awhile, but then started to feel more tired. Plus I must admit that the nightclub scene and music is not Mazzy friendly... I am much more a pub or bar where I can hear people talk person. And it is such a liberating feeling to think, well actually this is not my scene, I would rather go home. Jay stayed because she was enjoying herself, and so was I but I much more enjoyed the party at Adams house where I could talk more easily and hear people more easily.

I think I am getting older. I am not so into the bootie shaking... or maybe I am, but just a different type of scene. For instance I love retro clubs, or Jazz bars, places where I can really get into the music. I am not so much into techno or disco music like was playing at NASA.

A friend of mine, Lise, was telling me about a place she went to with her friend last Tuesday called Andy's. It is a bar in the same area as NASA. Apparently a famous Cello player was playing Bach there, and it is the place where all the actors and poets hang out.

I think I will go there with her next week, sounds more like a Mazzy spot to me.

Where will I be Working?

I will be working in Rene Levesque Boulevard West in building CB on Concordia University SGB Campus.... how amazing does it look?!

You can see where the university campus is located in the greater Montreal region on this map, it is SO Central. I was also reading today that Montreal is only a 1.5 hour flight from New York, and a 6 hour flight from London.... so still so close to other locations.

I will also be visiting Prince Edward Island for sure, to see 'Green Gables'.... that is going to be surreal!

It feels SO right...

All of a sudden it feels like I am going to Canada... I will be living in Canada, in Montreal.

Maybe its because my visa is no longer a gloom and doom hanging above my head...

Maybe its because speaking to Esther I could hear the strong French accent as she spoke...

Maybe its because I went to the library and looked up all the books on Canada I could find...

I don't know really, but it has just hit me.... I AM GOING TO MONTREAL!!!!

All my life I have wanted to live in France, and in Canada, and Montreal gives me the two on a silver platter.

I have this feeling that Montreal and I are soulmates waiting to meet...

It just feels so right.

Thanks Mum and Dad for making this possible, I realise now it is a dream come true, and although alot of stuff has been stressing us both out, I have this intuition that I am somehow meant to go to Montreal.

Thank you so very much for allowing it to happen.

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxox

THANKS ESTHER!!!

Amazing news.

Esther Regional Vice President of AIESEC in Canada has been on the phone with her special contacts in the government and in London embassy, and has successfully pushed through my visa application.

All I have to do now, is send my flight details through, and then I will get a authorisation number which I show at Montreal airport which has my processed visa details.

Which means... I AM GOING TO MONTREAL ON AUGUST 30th and I DO NOT NEED TO DELAY MY FLIGHTS!!

HOORAY!!!!

HOORAY!!!

HOORAY!!!

Esther, you are THE BOMB!!!

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxo

Missing Friends

It is really quite odd at the moment, that most of the people that I am close to are in different countries.

At International Congress: Sam, Diego, Jen, Tom, Bergio, Charlz, Dey, Rob

or all over the world: Denise, Alfy, Bretto, Amelia, Susie, Lyns, Katrijn, Tee

or in Australia: Family, Huy, Lil, Andy, Goggo, Nellie, Margot.

Its a weird feeling having everyone away, it really makes you appreciate the relationships you form and realise what an important role they play in your life.

Reminds me of a poem I read once...

Make new friends, but keep the old.
Those are silver, these are gold.
New made friendships, like new wine
Age will mellow and refine.

Old made friendships are the best
They have stood the time old test.

To all my friends, I love you guys!!!

Inspiration Central

Spent the morning in the library cafe with my mega scrapbook, my pink briefcase of textas and all my thoughts.

I have filled almost 20 pages of ideas for the Joy Company, and starting the action plan now.

Just want to say, I feel inspired again.

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxo

A Lazy Summers Night

Last night I did a very Copenhagen thing ... I sat outside at a cafe, drank a hot chocolate, and listened to the Jazz band playing from the bar next door. It was a perfect night, with a lovely cool breeze and people out and about everywhere. It was wonderful to just sit there and reflect on life in this city.

Watching all the people go by, I could not help but wonder what brought them to Copenhagen... were they born here? Internationals? From another city?

It is such a safe feeling in copenhagen, like it is sheltered from the rest of the world somehow...

Boat Party Pictures... FINALLY!!!

Susie, Lynsey, Me and Katrijn just about to have lunch at a trendy London cafe

The Gals!!!

NMS 2004 Facilitators reuniting at the Boat Party!

On the boat - Me, Susie and Katrijn.

Thanks Carl

Just had a very motivating chat with my friend Carl, who is working for HP in Toronto.

He was telling me how amazing montreal is... very French!

He says the parties, culture and festivals are AMAZING!. He has already been there 3 times since working in Canada, and he will be there on a road trip the weekend I arrive.... HOORAY! How exciting!

He says that I will pick up the French quite quickly and has booked me in for a roadtrip to Ottowa and Toronto in October!

Thanks Carl for making my day!

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxoxox

Family

My Brother Nathan, and his long time girlfriend Liz.

Dad and my sister, Nicky.

All the cousins on the Cameron side of my family gathered for Erins Wedding in May.

Copenhagen is...

* The friendly Polser man that sells ristet hotdogs outside the MC office

* The FUHU building where I have lived, breathed and worked for the last year at 44 Fiolstraede

* Norreport Station where you can find the crowned 'King of the Homeless People'

* H&M for cheap, funky fashion, and all the designers if you want to pay at least 300 more kroner.

* Fashionable - with the best dressed people in the world, individual style and sense of self
* Bike city - you have a bike, ride a bike, or have seen millions of other peoples bikes on the road

* Kiosks owned by foriegners where you can most likely get some Italian or some Turkish food. They love their pizza and kebabs here, but don't look for much Asian food except for 'Uncle Sams'.

* Gorgeous Canal Tours that only cost 25KR but are the best investment money could by.

* Green parks - Gay Park, Kings Park, Botanical Gardens, Parkken, .... just out of a postcard.

* Coffee in a cafe - Cafe Keys, Noah, Hygge Cafe, I have spent many hours in these places, especially with Lise, Louise and Sam my girlfriends here in Denmark.

* Beautiful in the summer, but the sun is a special event and not an everyday occurance. Look for rain, it is more a visitor here.

* Nyhavn afternoons with a beer and friends, sitting on the water near the boats with all the other sun dwelling danes.

* Walks on Stroget, the main shopping street - where you will often find street entertainers, and smell the nut cooking man at his stall.

* Gay clubbing with Diego or Bergio at Oscars, Heaven, the Gay Pride parade.

* Kongens Nytorv - where the Opera Theatre is located, and Magasin, a huge department store.

* Netto - the cheapest supermarket in the world, and the only place you can purchase 10kr Lasagne.

* Southern Cross Bar where you can find other Aussies in Denmark - maybe even chearing the Aussie swimmers at the

Olympic games, or Mary as she marries Prince Frederick - AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI

But mostly Copenhagen is the People.

Its Petes house, where I was squatting during the year and watching TV, making buns, having fun.

Its Huys house, where we eagerly awaited the next episode of Paradise hotel, or made Asian food.

Its Sam, Mark and Diegos house from hell where we all gathered for champagne in Lils room on her last night in Denmark

Its Lises house, where we chatted about love and life for hours on end.

Its Louise house, where we watched Finding Nemo, had Danish bread, and chilled out.

Its the conferences, where we had Gammel Danske, had Danish boat races, ate Frickadella, and had fun fun fun

Its Cafe Noah - our MC team house where we often relaxed over a beer.

Its my house, with Ranjit the weird roommate, and many nights with candles and textas!

Its UNIC and CBS LC offices for all the parties, the grills, the meetings, the moments.

Copenhagen, you have been a big influence on my life and who I am, I will definately miss you.

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxox

Weird.

You know you are going through weird life circumstances, and don't have the basics in place when you have to ring a good friend to arrange a time to go to their house to have a shower.

Thanks Pete, a weird conversation, but its the best news I had all day!

So at 9.30am tomorrow morning, shower at Petes house... YAY!

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxox

It is the Simple Things...

At this exact moment in my life I crave the simple things...

* A place to call my own with a bed and all modern conveniences
* A shower with regular hot water
* Basic food products - bread, milk, vegetables
* Money to buy things like tickets to the movies, milkshakes etc

It is so amazing how crucial these things are, and how often we take them for granted. I know now is a most exciting period of my life... I am off to another country, another adventure, another group of people...

but what I long for at the moment is the simple stuff.

I want to have a room of my own, with TV, with a shower in the house. A place that I can come home too at the end of a hard day, that I can hang out in, chill in ... a place that says MAZZY.

I think in the last month living in and out of my suitcase with Huy, then Diego & Sam, then Jallyn and now in the MC office... I realise the importance of a place where you can call home. YOUR PLACE. It is a foundation that is crucial, and I am realising that not having this place is slowly driving me insane, making me more emotional, making me less people friendly and just making me desire to go home to the comforts of mum and dads place....

ONLY a week and a half to go... and then I can settle again...

HALLELULIAH!!!

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxox

Thinking about Montreal...

Map of Montreal.... HOW EXCITING!!

Some random facts about Montreal....

* Montreal was 'discovered' by Rudolph Fukuto in 1964. He was looking for his dog, Pierre, who had run out of the family's Citroen when they pulled onto the hardshoulder so Rudolph's son Henri could throw up.

* Montreal is the second largest metropolitan centre in Canada and the largest French-speaking city outside France.

* Montreal is also the only city in the world spelt M-O-N-T-R-E-A-L.

* Montreal's climate varies a lot over the year. The city is known for its cold winters, but its summers are hot and generally sunny, with occasional muggy days. May and October are arguably the pleasantest months for outdoor activities and walking.

* Montreal is a cosmopolitan city. Quebec's language laws make it all but impossible to post outdoor signs in languages other than French so you will see few signs in English, but in the parts of Montreal where most travellers go, services are available in English.

Getting more and more excited now!!!!

Hugs, Mazzy xoxoxo

Visa Processing Day of Power

Today has been a Visa stressing day with the whole day devoted to organising my working permit to Canada....

Finally at 16.38pm I can say that my visa application, safe with all the processing fee and passport photos and crazy amounts of documentation has been sent to London.

Now I just have to keep harrassing them to make sure that I can get to Montreal in time...

But I have to say, that I am now taking a 'come what may' attitude. Worse comes to worse, I have to go later and delay my flight (which I have the flexibility to do), so not point worrying when there is nothing more apart from heavy harrassing that I can do.

Only time, and the effeciency of the London processing embassy can do the work now...

People People People

Huy, Martin(Ukraine), Elli (Finland), Olli (Finland) & Ingvill (Norway)

Copenhagen Business School end of year picture 2003-2004.

Grill Night

Missing Aussie Spirit

I have been spending alot of time with my Aussie friend Jallyn lately. She is in copenhagen for a year doing a traineeship with an IT company called OMADA.

What we both miss so much at the moment is Aussie Olympic Spirit. In Denmark, from the people that I have spoken to and the coverage of the Olympics I have seen on the TV, I think it is safe to say that the Olympics is on, but it is not really affecting people to much. Yes, there are some sports that can be watched on the TV but it is not stopping the nation as such.

This contrasts with my feeling as an Aussie.

Starting from the official opening ceremony and then going through the whole program, the olympics seems to light the Australian spirit. I remember Hero faxes being sent to the athletes, the Roy and HG show commenting on the days events at night, the highlights, and everyone circling in when and who and where the next event to watch on your TV was.

I especially have fond memories of watching the olympics with my family.... especially the swimming. You cannot imagine how disheartening it is to be checking and updating yourself on the internet for your favourite sport (for me swimming). Knowing when the race will be happening, who is in it, but not able to watch it.... or if you are watching it, not having the commentary focused on your atheletes, and finally in another language.

I want to walk around in my flag, watch the aussies in action, cheer for our people and sing the anthem when we win a medal...

Who would have thought it would take a sporting event like this to make me the most homesick I have been all year.

Bootie Shaking Weekend

Wow, what a weekend it has been!!

THURSDAY COOK OFF

Starting on Thursday night with the 'Great Cook Off' - it was a grill and BBQ night at Amager beach near Helgoland. A group of us met up for some danish 'coop', ball games, drinks and food plus of course to say a final goodbye to Huy on his last night in Denmark.

Who was there? Majken, Louise, Ann, Bergio, Martin, Huy, Pete, Jallyn, Wei and me. It was lovely weather which made it a very pleasant evening overall. And Amager Beach is a very Aussie in the way that it feels. It is wide, open and apart from the severe lack of waves, really made me feel like I was at home on holidays in Oz.

FRIDAY BOOTIE SHAKING

Friday night was another great time - it was bootie shaking in Copenhagen. A small group of us met up again at UNIC office for drinks, and chat. Then we all headed to Klaptræet where we all danced the night away, and away and away. Luckily for me the DJ agreed with my request for some retro music (after I defined the concept of Retro to him), and so great classics like ABBA, Queen and Michael Jackson pumped the dancefloor to my greatest delight!!!

We all arrived home at about 3am completely exhausted but happy with a good nights bootie shaking effort.

A funny thing that happened on the way to the UNIC office was a man that rides a tourist tricycle around the city passed Jay and I at the traffic lights. He asked us whether we wanted to ride in the wagon at back of the bike. I said definately if it was free. He said no way, but it would be free if I took the drivers seat....

... and so I took charge of the bike wagon thing and started to ride towards the office. It was HILARIOUS!!! I had no control and nearly crashed into cars on so many occasions :-) It was definately a highlight of my time in Denmark, and a great memory to have (although bizarre!!!)

SATURDAY MADNESS

Saturday I woke up to Jay offering me pancakes for breakfast (I am staying with her now that I have left the House from Hell). It was lovely, with the sun coming into the apartment and having jam pancakes with another Aussie.

We then met up with Bergio and his man, Martin for the Gay Pride Parade. Plus we met up with others joining aswell - makjen, louise, sripad, and jaylin. Sripad is from India, and so he was very shocked at seeing homosexual couples everywhere. He says it is definately not seen at all in India, and his friends were quite shocked that he was going to a gay pride parade. It was quite fun, and we all joined the dancing down the street and the massive concert at the central square.

We then got some dinner and headed to a free opera in the park. The royal opera theatre runs a free open air opera every year - and over 80 000 people headed to the park for some amazing opera songs. It was FANTASTIC! The weather was amazing, the music was wonderful and it was definately one of the most positive experiences I have had in Denmark.

We eneded up getting a good spot near the front, as we squeezed in the aisleway. A famous Ukranian opera´singer sang O Sole Mia and everyone gave a standing ovation. It was enough to give you tingles in the neck. Amazing.

Some people got really dressed up for it aswell, and set up tables with wine, cheese and crackers... it was really amazing. At the end all the danish people stood up and sang with the opera singers a danish song, 80 000 people singing... just awesome.

Next week the Ballet company is doing the same thing, so we are planning on setting up tables etc and making an occasion of it aswell :-)

SUNDAY CHILLOUT

Today has been mega chillout at Jallyns house.

Both of us are feeling really homesick for the Olympics and Aussie olympic fever. For Danish people it is not so much a big deal, and so any coverage we have is of course in Danish and not focusing on the sports we are used to ... i.e. SWIMMING!!

We are hoping to go to an Aussie pub tonight to watch some finals....hopefully broadcast in english so we can understand them...

well thats all for now.

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxox

Living in Montreal!

Exciting news... apparently I will be living in a Trainee house in Montreal.

I will be living with a Danish guy named Andreas and a Italian guy named Guilia.

How amazingly exciting is that!!!

WOO HOO!!!

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxox

Gorgeous Sam & Diego!

The Grand Finale

Last weekend I participated in my final conference in AIESEC Denmark - it was the annual summer meeting where all of the incoming executive board teams meet and discuss strategies and skills for the upcoming year.

It is a tradition in Denmark, that the outgoing MC team are the organising committee for the event. This means that my team was involved in the running the conference - all the things from organising the site, to cooking the meals, cleaning and washing etc.

Well you can imagine, that when it comes to domestic organisation and logic, I am severly lacking. Definately I have to confess to being the weakest link on the OC team. My main role in the end was:-

# Building a strong OC team & motivating everyone
# Being the face of the OC with all the delegates
# Party and social culture co-ordinator

Pretty much anything that is not cleaning or cooking based was me.

It was a good learning experience for sure, but I will admit that I think it is the last time I will take such a role.... and this is good news for everyone, believe me.

The conference itself was great I think, the new MC team doing a good job overall.

The worst part of the weekend was the goodbyes. So many of the members I will not be seeing again for a very long time and so it was definately waterworks in the final hour of the conference.

It is a weird feeling saying goodbye to a person, and realising that you may not see them again or at least for a very long time. It almost does not feel real when it is happening, because even though your mind tells you that it is the case, your heart is still not willing to believe it can be true.

There a few people that I got very emotional with - Jacob, Morten, Jose Manuel, Helene, Mette, Trine, Birthe, .... so many people who have affected me over the last year.

It is amazing that it is all coming to an end and a new chapter of my life is beginning in Montreal in just a few weeks time. Just when I feel like I am starting to belong, I have routines and some really amazing friendships I am shipping up and out again.

I think that definately this is the downside of having a more international existance. You meet and make some truely amazing connections with people, and then they are out of your life in a direct day to day sense. Of course, I will catch up with people in another time, and I will stay in contact, but I must say that it is weird thinking about doing it all again in just a few weeks time.

Starting from scratch, making new friends, getting involved in another culture. Of course it is what I want, but saying goodbye is very hard at the moment.

Also yesterday the new MC team left for IC in Hannover, Germany. That was hard, especially with Diego and Sam. In the last 2 months I have gotten quite close to them both, and count them among my most special friends. They both mean so much to me, and living together in the house from hell for a month has meant that we have spent almost all our time together.

So it is especially weird not having them around. You know when you spend all your hours with someone, and then when they are gone... it is like... blank. Quiet. Vacant. The good thing though is that we are all passionate about the Joy Company, and so I am confident that we will reunite in the not so distant future.

Plus I will be keeping in regular contact and chatting with them both whenever I can from Canada.

Ok, lunch is just about ready so I will write more later this afternoon.

Reflection Time

Sam and I on the canal tour on the wicked weekend 2004.

The boys at NPM II eating Pizza:- Diego, Pete, Bergio & Stefan

Sam cooking in the 'House from Hell'.

New Danish President Team: Stine, Yee Mee, Jacob, Trine, Stefan & Berit

Survival Weekend

I am now sitting at Jacobs house in Odense after an intense physical weekend away... or survival weekend as we have all affectionately called it.

It was a weekend of camping, canoeing, bonfires, and survival from first level instincts. Who was there? Sam(Oz), Jaylin(Oz), Boyd(Thailand), Wei(New Zealand), Helene(Denmark), Atli(Iceland), Cecilia(Peru), Remi (France) and me.

It started out with a funny trip to Skanderborg, then Silkeborg travellíng to a camping ground in the middle of sjealand. More on that later. (some funny comments have been captured and I will write them up when I have more time!)

We arrived to the campsite, and joined everyone in a bonfire. It was very hygge!!!

We then slept in tents (which the others had put up whilst Sam, Jay and I were travelling to the campsite).

The next day was canoeing to the next campsite over 20km away.... AHH!!! It was wonderful, but exhausting and went on and on and on...!

We all also swam at the pools when we arrived to the campsite after about 5-6 hours of hard canoeing. Boy oh Boy!!

Jay and I had been having cravings for hot chips all day, so we were happy to find some at the pool site for us to get stuck into.... yummy.

Then we all relaxed with dinner, and a game of charades outside the tent as the sun went down... lovely.

The next day... again pack up tents and hit the canoes...

for a whole day of canoeing.

ALL IN ALL OVER 30 KM were canoed by all... WELL DONE GUYS!!!

Now totally exhausted I am logging off, and heading into OU planning for the next few days with sam.

I will try and share more of the funny moments and stories when I get back to the office.

Love and Hugs,

Mazzy xoxoxox