Lullaby of Broadway

I watched the best show yesterday... It was a Broadway special, hosted by Julie Andrews. It was made for me I am sure. It profiled Broadway - the shows, the musicians, and the economics behind it all. How Broadway reacted to Holiday, and how it became a creative centre for all theatre post the Golden Age.

I cannot tell you how much I loved it, and how much I miss all the musicals we have at home. I wish I could access the Les Miserables, Phantom or Crazy for You CDs.

I wish I could attend an opening night here in Montreal - well I wish I had more money to do so... it would be a DREAM!!!!

Thank goodness for accuradio.com and the Broadway Channel... I feel in the mood for Gershwin... here we go!!

Loving Neverland

Yesterday I went to the movies with Maja.

I watched a BAD BAD HORRIBLE YOU JUST WASTED 3 HOURS OF YOUR LIFE movie - Alexander. Seriously, do not bother. This was totally crap, and the first time ever I walked out of a movie early....it was shocking.

Then I watched an amazing movie... probably made even more spectacular as it was juxtaposed against such a horrible Alexander experience. It was Finding Neverland.

I loved this movie, it touched me like Big Fish did. I love living in a world of possibilities, I love the idea of staying young, of eternal imagination.

Often I find myself caught up in my own world, my own imagination... dreaming of different scenarios, situations, and realities.... I love this movie, love the idea of Neverland.

Definately see it, and avoid Alexander at all costs.

Memory Songs

Songs that make me remember....

You're the Voice - John Farnham: The Danish MC Team. Pete, Mark, Huy and Bergio.
This is Goodbye- Moby: Farewell Song for Denmark
I was Born to Try- Delta Goodrum: Aussie Team. Jen, Alfy, Rob, Latif, Bretto, Andy
Anything Norah- Denmark
I'm Easy - Faith no More: Tristan

I love how songs can bring you back to places and people.

Fraternity Party

No time in North America is complete without a FRAT party experience - and that is what a group of us had on Friday night.

The alpha-mega-gamma.... blah blah blah boys fraternity of Concordia University hosted a party just a few streets from my place. Boy oh Boy what an experience.

You see it in the movies... and quite honestly I did not think it was actually a REAL experience. Let me tell you, it is.

Cheap drinks, pictures of all the generations of Frat boys on the walls.. the symbols of the actual Frat.... Old School here we come!

But it was a really good night, talking to French Canadians who were EVERWHERE!! I loved it, I was in heaven asking poeple to speak french, they also loved the Aussie accent.... SAY WHAT??!?!!!

Anyway I have kept the admin ticket as a souveneir.... now all I need to do is attend a Homecoming Party!!!!

Off to the movies now...

HAPPY MAZZY!!!

What a wonderful day...!!!

Although it started off very tiring, it got much better after a chat with my fave cafe man downstairs from our office. He has been selling me Guru drinks lately - high energy drink PLUS.
The afternoon was pretty fun, pizza lunch with Fabio and the Coop gang, then painting in the afternoon. So relaxing!

And now a wonderful weekend ahead...

Dinner tonight at my place, then an international students party.

Tomorrow night dinner at Noors, (co-worker) and then party at Merres house.

SO EXCITED!!!!

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND EVERYONE!!!!

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxoxoxox

Support Ukraine

Before I leave I just wanted to put a link up regarding the Ukraine elections. I actually feel very close to the whole issue, because last year working in Copenhagen some of my closest friends were from the Ukraine, and I was adopted into the Ukraine family of 22 trainees working for Celenia.

I know that what has happened in Ukraine has touched them very deeply, and as such has touched me as I feel a sense of home with this country as well through all there stories, photos and culture they shared with me.

Tania, who is now working in UK sent me a link of a few of them protesting at the Danish Government to take action.

If you want to have a look, check it out: http://dk2004.newmail.ru/photos/2004_Nov_25/Picture%20001.html

Supporting Democracy in Ukraine,

Love Mazzy

Going RAH

I need to go rah... I have no-one to talk to about this, so I am letting it out in words.

I have tried this week to be more relaxed at work, to not care as much... to do the work that is needed to get by, to fundamentally disconnect.

Here is what I have learned about myself in that process...

I cannot pretend I do not care about what I work on, for truth betold I care too much.

I cannot sit and lounge around all day, quite frankly I find it unstimulating and a total waste of my time.

I cannot be 'naughty' - take longer lunch breaks, talk to people all day in the office. Its not that I am a goody two shoes, its just that it goes against something in me that says.. Maz, you are not acting at your best.

I cannot be satisfied with average work even though it may actually be success for the status quo. Because at the end of the day, I am my own harshest critic, and I know when I have and have not worked at my potential.

I cannot socialise all the time, when I am total in a task I completely log off to all the world, and people. Sometimes I just plain want to get things done, and achieve something - to actually have an impact.

I am more results and achievement oriented than I ever imagined, and working towards the bigger picture is the most fundamental part of the equation.

But what is the biggest thing that I have learned about myself this week? To accept these things as part of who I am, and to not be apolegetic about them. So I care too much, so I want to do something important.... I know that in my life these are the qualities that I will need to bring out more to make my organisation vision a reality. And I am starting to see the pre-conditions that I need to be at my best, so now I can look out for those in my future employment and life options.

I know that in this posting I have alot of 'I' - I feel this, I feel that....but another thing I realised today is that being in this job has really intensified my personal learning. I knew I was goal oriented, but I had no idea how important that was to me, that sense of achievement before coming here.

I knew that I loved working in AIESEC because it is a stimulating and inspiring environment, but I could not imagine that by coming to this role in Canada I would be placed in the absolute opposite organisational culture scenario.

I knew that I was a work-a-holic, but I had no idea how important the work that I do is to the quality of life that I have.

So I guess, coming here has been positive because it has highlighted to me who I am, what I love, what is important to me... and although it has been an up and down experience, at the end of the day it has been a worthwhile one.

Wow... it feels so good to get that all out of my head. I feel much better now not going rah to someone but finding another avenue to vent my frustrations.

Time to let go, and have some dinner.

A Pub, a Beer, Trivia and Good Company..

... equals a GREAT TIME.

For ages, Kristin my German friend and I have been saying how we MISS hanging out at the pub.

In Germany she would hang out with uni friends at the pub all the time, and in Oz/Denmark I would always just go down to the pub with the gang to get a beer, chillout, chat and have a good time.

Maybe its the people in Montreal, or maybe its more cultural here but hardly anyone we have met seems to go to the pub. People seem more set on dinners, on clubbing or house parties. Now don't get me wrong, I love all these things aswell but I am a pub gal at heart.

I need to talk with people and hear what they are saying.
I like the chilled out atmosphere, and relaxation.
I like listening to live bands when they are playing.

I remember being in Copenhagen in the office with the boys, Mark would come to my desk... Maz, do you want to go and get a beer? Sure I would say... and so it would be within a few minutes a whole group of us would head to Noah, or the Ph Bar.

I remember also in Sydney, sitting in the house with Andy, and the gang, heading every Tuesday night to Trivia at the Irish pub where we lived. It was awesome fun, especially when we won free pitchers of beer for ourselves!

So you can imagine my excitement today when researching cool things to do in montreal, that I located a pub with trivia on Tuesdays...

FINALLY!

Marking it in the calendar right now....

DONE.

Dedicated to my Darling Colleagues

I have just been told by my darling colleagues, Audrey and Maja that they are disappointed in me.

'Mazzy, why have you not posted today? What is going on? We want to read a new post on your blog....'

o...........k............... apparently I should be updating then.

So I dedicate this post to the lovely ladies in my office.

AUDREY

A french-Canadian goddess with a lovely figure. A translation student at Concordia University, she sits by me and takles her work with zeal... well, when she gets work anyway... which is NEVER. She wants me to put sometimes, but I never lie on my blog. Now she is showing me her 'work' - somewhat unconvincing I must say.

MAJA

A Polish diva with a huggable way in life. I have never been hugged so well as when I am hugged by Maja. She is a walking, talking HUG. Infact, I shall now call her HUG, it defines her better. She is trying to make fun of me as I write this, but its denial... for we both know, there can only be one ultimate hug provider... MAJA.

So to my lovely ladies in the fishbowl... this post is for YOU!.

Love & Hugs Mazzy xoxoxo

Absolutely & Positively Knackered.

Ok so last night I stayed up to 5am with my German sister here in Montreal, Kristin. She had to do a paper for Economics, and I promised I would keep her alert and good company through the night.

It was quite a funny night....

We pretended instead of it being 8.30pm it was 8.30AM and we had the WHOLE day ahead of us!!!

I scheduled in a 'tea' break for her, a 'lunchbreak' at midnight and an afternoon break, as well as regular dancing, and chit chat times.

It was nice to be Mamma Mazzy again... I even managed to successfully cook some chips or as they call it officially here in North America 'fries'. Super crunchy aswell.

But today I am paying BIG TIME.

I have absolutely NO energy.... I have already had a coke, a GURU energy drink, 3 teas with 2 sugars in each... soon I either wake up or have a heart attack with this level of sugar intake.

I hate feeling no energy, it really annoys me. And today I cannot seem to get any for long periods, I am just content to sit, not talk and listen to music. Kind of like a post conference feeling.

I guess thats the difference, at conferences you keep MEGA active so there is no chance to feel tired, but sitting down all day has just added to the tiredness.

Thank goodness it is cheap movie night tonight at the cinemas.... all I want is me and the big screen.

Vegging out sounds like HEAVEN!

Now & Then

It is amazing how time flies, and how much some things change, and other things stay the same. In the last few days I have been reminded of some really good times in Sydney with close friends before I left for Denmark - almost a year and a half ago.

The other day I was sitting at my friends house, looking through old photos of people in Sydney... then Fred pops online with all his latest gossip from Sydney, filling me in on Goggo aswelll who has just finished her honours thesis.

Then today at work, one of my co-workers Fabio dared me to eat a huge mamma fudge cake in one bite. I did it for a free soft drink and a dare that he skoll a can himself. He did so in under 4 seconds... pretty impressive I told him. I know some Tall White Males (TWM) back home who would be mightily impressed with that effort.

Sitting here on the msn, Bubba aka Nick pops online... Maz, its been ages since we caught up... how are you? Well I say... I have been thinking about you guys in the last few days... and so it starts. Bubba tells me he has just finished his thesis, and is now reuniting with the human world. He is looking to travel to Africa for a year on a Development Traineeship.

Hmmm.... if thats not all, Westy comes online - he has recently caught up with Carl at the Strawberry Hills Hotel where I am told they still serve the best $5 Steak and Mashed Potato in town... NO WAY!!! Visions of the greatness of this meal fill my head.

The final straw... Lils Blog where she has posted reunion pictures from Tilly's 21st Party! Thanks Lil, it was so good to see everyone again!!!

So here are some pics I have for some good old friends, and a line from a poem I hold dear...

"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
The have stood the time old test. "

To all my good friends in Oz.... wish I could have been there to celebrate and kick back with you all!

Lots of Love and Hugs

Mazzy xoxoxo


Now...

Lil, Tilly and Jess at Tilly's 21st Party... gosh I miss you guys!

James, Ralph, Bubba (aka Nick), Thomas, and Marty. The Tall White Males!

Thomas and my fave Lil - CALL ME BABE!!! I need a Lil Milo!

and Then...

Bubba, Marty and Maike.

Dodgy Skolling in Action :-)

Mwa.... and Marty at a Hash Run in Sydney.

Maike and her boys!! Bubba, Fred, Thomas, Marty, Will and Thomas.

Rudi (now in Hungary) and James.

EDDIE!!!!! Well, just simply being Ed.

There is only one you....

"...There is only one you
and you will pass this way but once.
Do it right.
You will pass this way but once ....
and I know you will
Do it Right.
Dream Big..."

Thanks Jen (and Paris) for the Inspirational thoughts today.

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxo

Australia or Abroad?

I have found with the approach of my departure date from Canada I am questioning returning to Oz. Not because I do not want to go home... I mean I miss family, I miss friends, I miss the sun, I miss Oz.

I love my country with everything in me, and there is no doubt in my mind that I want to settle there at some stage in my life.

My dilemma is whether I should go back now for a short while to do my masters, or whether I should stay abroad and experience more before I go back.... its almost easier to stay abroad while I away, and think about returning at a later stage.

There is so much I would like to see, so much I would like to do.....

I think its obvious....I need some deep thinking time.

A Lazy Sunday...

What a day...

The weather outside is TOTALLY dreary.... rainy, cold and miserable. But it is wonderful because I am chilling out with Kristin and listening to Carols. She is studying, and I am catching up with friends, emailing, and reading the news etc.

What a perfect lazy Sunday!!!

And movies TONIGHT!! YAY!!! Can't wait - I think we will rent Love Actually.

Montreal Fun

Tali and Luc at Reggies Bar

Maja, Christine, Nabil and Pascal.

Rob, Merres friend from Toronto.

To see more Montreal Photos... see www.merre.net/aiesec

Jule Frokost Time

Gosh, I cannot believe it... we are almost in the Christmas period. It is incredible for me to believe that a whole year has passed since last XMAS, when I was in cold Copenhagen. It really seems like hardly any time has passed at all - and who would have thought this time last year that I would be living in Montreal, Canada.

Just thinking about Christmas, gets me thinking about my amazing xmas last year. Attending the famous XMAS lunches in Denmark... with amazing food and alcohol. Lunches that are more like xmas parties that go till 2 or 3 am in the morning. I remember attending a XMAS event at a Priests house in Aarhus, where we all sat making traditional Danish decorations, and learning about the tradition of dancing hand in hand around the xmas tree.

All this remembering and reflecting, made me want to put some pictures up of how I remember XMAS in Denmark... the lights, the decorations, the Hyggeness, the BEAUTY.

Jule Frokost Time is here!!!

Swedish Madness - I am sure!!!

Huge hugs to Diego, Soren, Sam, Loz and Kimbo who are

all together right now in Sweden.

Oh what I would do to be able to fly over

and join you all for some crazy fun!

Love and Hugs,

Mazzy xoxoxo

The Montreal Blues... Literally.

I have notived lately that so many people in Montreal have the blues. That is, many people are down, their spirits are low, and they lack energy.

And I mean, almost everyone of my friends here in the last week has confessed to having 'blue days'.

Finding this strange, I asked a local Canadian, what is going on? Why is everyone seemingly ' down and out' - including myself?

The Answer.

THE WEATHER.

Its the so called ' Cold Depression' where the lack of sun and crappy outside weather really affects people in a negative way.

Coming from a country with Sunny weather, I must say I am affected immensely.

It is amazing how much the sun in the morning gives a natural boost to your day, how healthy you feel with a a slight tan on your face... well the power of natural light really.

Yes, I was in Scandinavia last year, and yes, I was very affected then aswell.... but to be honest, I forgot all about it.

Well wherever I end up in life, one thing is for certain... I have decided large amounts of sun is an ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT!

I love MOVIES!

Yesterday was a weird but amazing day.

It started off with an email from the Montreal Playwrights Group that they need help on Friday night with work they are doing, and since I volunteered to be involved two weeks ago, was I still interested? YEAH OF COURSE!

Then one of the Co-ordinators from the Institute came into my office. You see, on Monday I was doing a presentation on the Y generation with one of my colleagues Fabio. We decided that we would do it in a TV show format, with me admitting that it would be good practice for my own TV show in the future. The co-ordinator asked me, 'Have you ever considered a career in acting?' . I was like... well yes, I do love drama, and theatre!!!

Ok... I was thinking about this all afternoon.

Then in the night, both Maja and I went to the movies. We watched three movies....

1. Japanese Story

An Australian flick which was not that amazing a movie... but amazing for me, to see Australia and Australian culture in action again. It gave me alot to think and reflect on, and I was often pointing out things to Maja throughout it as she was bored by the strange plotline.

2. Being Juilia

AWESEOME movie with Annette Benning - about acting and theatre life... again giving reaon for me to think, and inspiring my love of the creative arts.

3. Bridget Jones

Well... just hilarious. A total HOOT!!!!

Anyway, anyone that knows me knows that I am dramatic about life and inevitably read too much into everything (Oh well!!) but after all this...

I am signing up to Improv theatre with Mcgill University
Volunteering my time on Friday to the Montreal Playwrights Group

and I am going to start to explore more aspects of theatre whilst I am here in Montreal.

If I cannot unleash my creativity in work, I will unleash it out of work!!!

Feeling Content

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxox

Don't you just hate...

...feeling like you could have been more yourself?

...feeling like you have missed an opportunity?

...feeling like you had a chance for crazy fun and turned it down?

WELL I HATE THIS FEELING.

There is nothing like the feeling that you could have done more with your time than you allowed yourself. This happened last night when for the first time ever I left a social event early... I mean I piked.

I was being responsible, and left so I could sleep before work today.

But as soon as I got on the bus I had this feeling.... Maz, this is not you. You are always one of the last people standing, ever since your first national conference in AIESEC Sydney. Unless exhuasted or ill, why would you leave an event early.

I mean it does not mean that much in the scheme of things, but when you take an action you know is NOT YOU, and yet you are the one doing it - well it gives you reason to pause for reflection.

And that is what has happened.

I got the kick I needed to use and abuse every minute left I have in this city, in this country.

I mean, who knows when I will be back here again... I had better make my time count.

Mazzysplace.nomadlife.org

Ok I now have a new blog address...

Please access it at mazzysplace.nomadlife.org from this point onwards.

Thanks guys!

Hugs Maz

Aussies abroad...GO GANG!

Loved Jens post about Aussies abroad SO much I decided I would link it here. Go to jennifer@nomadlife.org to see her post... its awesome.

Like Jen, I want to give much love and hugs to all Aussies abroad.... Are we going to get that Aussies abroad blog going? Whatever happened to that idea? And if it is happening.. whats the addy!!!

So hugs from me aswell.... Jen (US), Brett (Switzerland), Sam (Denmark), Arthur (Netherlands), Tom(Egypt), Rob (Belgium), Anna(Hungary), Loz (Sweden), Kim (Finland), Emma (Denmark), Jallyn (UK).

NOTE: I have a new blog address which is mazzysplace.nomadlife.org - go to that site in the future to see my updates. Knus Mazzy xoxox

Big Fish

I love this movie. I first watched it with Huy in Denmark. We were in the office on chatting on the msn about how we were both demotivated that day, and not being productive. I suggested that we 'sneak' out for a 'meeting' and really pop to the movies. It did not take much, actually ANY convincing to get Huy on board.

So we went for a meeting, and had the MOST inspiring and relevant movie for the emotions we were both experiencing in Denmark at that time. It really hit home. We talked and talked all night about the movie, and what we both got personally for us... it was pretty amazing discussions we had.

And again this morning, I watched the Big Fish DVD given to me from my French-Canadian friend Pascal. Again it affected me.

What I personally get from this movie, is the desire to LIVE life for all its value, to not waste any second, and to be all that I can be. I do not know why, but the movie is a very powerful one for me.... Thanks Tim Burton for directing this amazing movie!!

I will ponder some more I think with some Norah music....

Thursday Madness

So on Thursday night I had a Chillout at my house... well what was supposed to be a chillout but ended up being a HUGE party... OH MY GAWD.

First of all, I did not many people, because hardly anyoned RSVPed. It seems that RSVP does not really mean anything in this country - which was really frustrating.

Anyway, it ended up being at least 20-30 people all up in my one bedroom apartment. Everyone brought snacks and alcohol, so there was plenty to go around. It was craziness.

I have a gin, rum, vodka and wine all leftovers in my freezer.

But it was a fun night, with a crazy assortment of people :-) I wish I had photos!!!

La Compagnie Créole - Ca fait rire les oiseaux

CHORUS

Ça fait rir' les oiseaux.
Ça fait chanter les abeilles.
Ça chasse les nuages Et fait briller le soleil.
Ça fait rir' les oiseaux Et danser les écureuils.
Ça rajoute des couleurs Aux couleurs de l'arc-en-ciel.
Ça fait rir' les oiseaux, Oh, oh, oh, rir' les oiseaux
Ça fait rir' les oiseaux, Oh, oh, oh, rir' les oiseaux

Here are the lyrics to the chorus of my FAVE French Song.... I LOVE THIS!!!

Thanks Quebec for introducing me to its magic :-)

Artyj, Diego and Sam Time!!!

Thank you for the great chats guys, so great to talk to you all.

Love you.

Public Request

It has come to my attention that a good loser friend of mine from Denmark has recently been spotted at a conference TOTALLY trashed after a few too many cocktails.

Apparently it was quite a sight!

So if anyone has the pictures of MORTEN at the party... please send them to mazzy.cameron@aiesec.net so that I can make them public on my blog...

MWAA HAA HAA MORTEN!!!

Hugs Maz

Ukranian Wedding Bells

One of my good friends from Ukraine got married on the weekend!! Oh my goodness:-) CONGRATS Artem, I wish you and your lovely bride the happiest life imagineable. Love Mazzy xoxoxox

Pics from Kristian!

My darling Sammy, and Loz!!! Go Aussies GO!! Loz is on the Swedish team and Sam is on the Danish team :-)

Lovely shot of the AAU guys and gals!!

HR Birthe obviously beautifying!!!!

MISS YOU ALL!!! Hugs Mazzy xoxoxo

Savner Danmark

On the weekend I was in Denmark withdrawl. I spent Sunday looking in my Danish scrapbook and sugar booklet with all the amazing memories floating back in my mind.

Part of the reason I was so reflective was the knowledge that some of my most favourite people in the world were getting together for a National conference on the weekend. The first conference I have not attended since I left Denmark in September.

What a weird feeling.

Also weird was looking at the scrapbook and realising the people and places that I have left behind there - people who form such an important part of my life, and hopefully future.

So to all my Danish friends... I love and Miss you!

I hope you had an AMAZING conference!!!

Og Danmark savner dig :-)

It's a Small World

FUNNY STORY

A few weeks ago I met a guy at a party named Anuj. We started chatting about life, blah, blah and it turns out that he was in AIESEC. Not only that but he was on the Swedish MC team a few years ago.

COOL.

I know an Aussie girl named Silvi, he says.... NO WAY, I say. She is one of the people that first inspired me in AIESEC.

Then I tell him she was also on the Danish MC team, as was I over the last year. NO WAY, he says.

Then he tells me that he was also in Costa Rica on a MC CEED. Really, I say.... Because my good friend Dorys was on the MC in Costa Rica last year.

I have heard of her, he tells me!!

He tells me about a friend who was in Denmark from Phiippines...

MARNIE I say!!! I met her in 2000 at a Philippines conference in Manilla.

So connected through various people, and many countries, we finally meet. How amazing! The world really IS a small place.

INTERNATIONAL PARTY

Linking up with Anuj and Peter (a friend from Hungary) we headed on Friday night to the MOST international party I have attended since I arrived. It was in a suburb called Plateau. SO much fun!!! I met SO many new people... from Slovakia, Hungary, UK, etc.

I will keep going to these parties, I love meeting new people and new cultures!!!!

THANKS ANUJ!!!!

Terrible Toilets

Canada is wonderful in most areas, but I have been meaning to write for ages now about what I think could be among the worst toilets in the world.

I have also gained agreement from my German friend Kristin, neither of us have ever seen anything like it before.

To the normal person entering a Montreal toilet, you could be fooled into thinking that they are just like other toilets yuo have experienced before in your life... however, this is definately NOT the case.

Let me explain why. Ok, there are three weird qualities to these toilets:

1. The Water Factor - ok these toilets use WAY too much water which rises almost to the top of the bowl. I think you are getting an impression.

2. The Time Factor - Then the excessively high water starts a whirlpool action. This goes on for a minute or so.... round and round and round... while you watch it, praying for the water to PLEASE start emptying so you can move on in your life. As you can imagine, this is not how you want to spend any amount of your life. Watching the toilet water swirl around, trying to imagine good thoughts and red roses.

3. The Sound Factor - Finally when the bowl empties of the water, there is a gargling noise.

It is REALLY gross. I did not really want to go public with this, but I find the whole thing so strange, and so unexpected, and soooo... whats the word, unexplainable.... that I had to make a posting about it. It has definately been one of the biggest shocks i have experienced since i arrived here....honestly.

Bonza Mate

Wow... This posting is for all my Aussie friends in Australia and across the globe - I LOVE YOU!

I love travelling, I love meeting new people, I love trying to understand difference, I love culture in any form....

But NOTHING beats catching up with an Aussie; especially when I have not done so in ages.

Carl coming up to Montreal for a night brought out all the randomness that is me. We laughed at the oddest things, we gossiped about all the people back home, we had deep discussions on the meaning of our lives and where we are headed, even talking about who are we as people.

We drank a little to much, spoke for way to long, and laughed at exactly the same moments at the same bizarre things. We spoke about our Australianism (what it means will take more than this posting as we discovered in our chat!), and what we loved/missed about home.

We spoke at a crazy pace, used english words I have not employed in what seems like years, and had the best fun teaching some Canadian friends Aussie slang such as arvo, dodgy, she'll be right... for all those non-Aussies reading, check out: http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html for an insight into Aussie slang.

So anyway, I am dedicating this posting to all my good Aussie friends..

* If you in Australia, PLEASE appreciate every ray of sun that comes your way... I LONG for such good weather :-)

* If you are abroad, stand up at your computer now and do a random Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi OI OI... Random, but totally cool :-)

Love you all!

Nomadlife.Org

I really hope that this works!

Changing my blog address

Hey everyone.

I am joining Jen, Bretto, Devrim and everyone - joining the Nomadlife revolution.

So now to catch up with all my tales just go to:

mazzysplace.nomadlife.org

I'm SO excited...

... CARL my great friend from Sydney, is in town.

He has just arrived to Berri UQAM station. He is my great partner in crime....

SO we are all celebrating at Cafe Campus tonight :-)

WOO HOO!!

Will update more about this tomorrow.

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxox

Happy Melbourne Cup Day

To all the Aussies out there... at home and abroad...

HAPPY MELBOURNE CUP DAY!!!

Try explaining to your Canadian colleagues that you have a major national holiday and event... a horse race!!

Gotta love it!

The US Election - Up Close and Personal.

It is very strange being in the situation where you have more access and information on the US election, than your own national election. But being in North America at this presidential election time, there is no escaping the faces of George Bush, and John Kerry.

Every minute of every day for the last 2 months, some program at some time has been covering the election. I have never seen so much saturation of Television. I mean news programs are one thing, but they are also appearing on the Tonight shows, the day programs, the Dr Phil, the Oprah, the entertainment shows... it is craziness.

Definately an important election for US and the world, and certainly an interesting experience being right in the middle of all of it in North America at the moment.

Eagerly awaiting the final result now...:-)

WONDERFUL DAY!!!

"Oh what a glorious morning...
Oh what a beautiful Day...
I've got a wonderful feeling...
Everything's going my way!!"

What a FANTASTIC DAY!!!

After such a relaxing and positive weekend, I came into work today a little anxious. I had a presentation at the staff meeting on all the work I have been doing, and the results so far.

I was feeling a little apprehensive about it, as my supervisor was putting subtle pressure to 'please do a good job', so I felt i was presenting for both of us. It was weird, because usually I would be in my element presenting, so the added pressure and anxiousness was a new feeling. As national director, it is a usual thing to stand in front of people and present, just part of the role.

However, once started I relaxed and felt comfortable. I LOVE explaining concepts, gauging group feeling and interest... lets face it: training and being on the stage. I got SO MUCH natural energy from taking that role, it is definately the area I know I need to be... not sitting behind a desk all the time, but engaging and relating to people.

I HAVE RE-SPARKED THE FIRE OF MOTIVATION AT WORK!!!

Have more to write but now I am off to Kristins house.... Movies and Internet!!