2004 - Too Fast

Inspired by Devrim, I find myself reflecting on 2004 - the people, the places and the events that played a role in my life. And what a year it has been, one of the most amazing in my life to be honest.

Here are some highlights:

* Traveled to Germany, Netherlands, France, UK, Belgium, Poland, Latvia, Sweden, Canada and US - thats 10 new countries :-)

* Lived one two different continents, and two differen t countries on a semi- permanent basis. And add to that have lived by myself, but also with Aussies (Huy, Lil, Sam), an Argentinian (Diego), a Dane (Mark), a from German (Ranjit), a guy from Pakistan (Nadir), and a Polish gal (Maja) . I am definately becoming a Nomad :-)

* I worked in an entirely different AIESEC environemnet within Denmark but made some amazing connections that will last the rest of my life.... Lise, Pete, Mark, Soren, Jacob, Signe, Louise... the list goes on. You guys are so special to me, you know that.

* I made some new best friends who I treasure... Bergio, Huy, Pete, Mark, Kristin, Maja, Carl, Mims, Anuj, Louise, Majken, Sam, Diego.

* I started the year losing a heap of weight in Denmark but end the year with gaining weight in Montreal. On this account, I have to say that I am seriously considering moving back to Europe simply for the healthier lifestyle than I have found here in North America.

* I stood on 42nd street and Broadway... and for anyone that knows how crazy I am about musicals... this was a dream fulfilled.

* I have experienced work in a University and goverment setting, doing my traineeship here at the Institute of Education at Concordia University. This has been a huge personal challenge of motivation and focus, but at the same time has been a good learning experience unto itself.

* I started the year in an intense loving long distance relationship, but end the year single again. However the relationship and memories from it are something that I will have with me always. I loved every minute of the time I had with my ex, and that sort of connection is hard to come by.

* It was the year when I had the biggest personal growth - in Denmark the culture really made me question things that were important to me in my life, and in Canada I have had more professional questions to deal with. But living in both environments has really made me aware of whom I am as a person; the good, bad and ugly.

I never suspected last year that at the end of 2004 I would be living in North America, but thats the way I would actually describe 2004 - a series of unexpected and changing experiences... Just the way I like it.

Life is not meant to be predicatable.

Carol Time

Carol Time
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

Seeing and playing a piano for the first time in ages was one of the highlights of the night. I played carols and everyone sang, what could be better on Christmas Eve?

Joy in Action

Joy in Action
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

I love this photo... everyone looks so happy!

Anuj

Mailed Photos
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

Thanks for the Danish Cookies and Koala Bear, you are the best.

Tariff in the Spotlight!

Tariff
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

HAPPY EASTER my friend!

Cafe Campus Pair

Cafe Campus Pair
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

Kristin and Nadir, relaxing on the comfy couch!

Eating Yummy Dinner

Eating Yummy Dinner
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

We are all FULL from the amazing food.

My German Sister

My German Sister
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

Here is my lovely German Sister... Merry Christmas Babe!!

Christmas Dinner

Christmas Dinner
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

Having fun at the Christmas Eve International Dinner.

A Wonderful Christmas!

What a wonderful international Christmas I have had here in Monteal. Here are some highlights:

* Christmas Eve Mass at the People's Church of Montreal. The Pastpr is young and simply the best, we had candles and lit them one by one at the end of the mass. It was lovely, plus all our favourite carols to get us in the mood.

* International Christmas Dinner at Cafe Perk in The Plateau. We joined people from all different countries for an international feast - turkey, potato salad, and all yummy food. It was just like a family event - plus they had a PIANO!!! So I played carols from memory whilst everyone sang along. It was lovely... and especially since I have not played piano in such a long time, I really miss it actually.

* Snowing at midnight - welcoming my first ever WHITE CHRISTMAS! It was truely magical

* Staying up till 4am in the morning, talking to Kristin, Nadir and the BEST catchup call for a few hours with LIL. Plus also smsing and talking to Aussies online.

* Christmas Day lunch at Hong Kong Restuarant in China Town... fantastic time!!!

It was a weird christmas, I think any christmas away from home is not really 'christmas' but it was really enjoyable, and much more than last year in Denmark. I had a wondeful time sharing it with my international family here in Montreal. It was the first christmas where XMAS eve when forever and christmas day went by so fast... it's usually the other way around.

I have photos aswell which I will upload when I get a chance.

Once again, to everyone I love i hope you had an amazing Christmas!

Love Mazzy xoxoxox

It is now Christmas Eve...

... well hours and hours after Australia, it is now officially Christmas eve in Montreal, Canada. It is 1.30am and I am up buzzing with energy from chats on the phone tonight with family and friends. So I can't sleep at the moment, even Tony Bennett singing on TV is not creating a cosy yawny atmosphere.

So I just wanted to celebrate the arrival of my favourite day of the year - Christmas Eve. It is my absolute favourite, and I am looking forward to how it will evolve here in Montreal. I know the morning is going to be crazy with shopping, but the afternoon is when all the fun starts.

It was strange today listening to the family on the phone... I know exactly what is happening in the house, the sounds, the smells, the people.... these things are all Christmas Eve...

But I am also looking forward to today in my world... I know by 6pm tonight, and most defnately after the Christmas Mass, I am going to feel a CRAZY christmas spirit.

Ok, off to bed now I think...so I have the enegy to manage it all!

Merry Christmas !!!

Merry Christmas !!!

I am not sure about how other people abroad feel, but Christmas is the time that I feel the most homesick. There is something about walking around in the shopping centres, seeing couples together in love, seeing mothers and fathers buying gifts, seeing friends catch up, listening to the carols - something that makes you realise how much you miss the people you truely care about.

Sending out Christmas cards this year, I was struck by who my close friends are and where they are. My friends in Denmark who I dearly miss, Bergio in Slovakia, Mark in Germany, Jen in NYC, ... and the list goes on. On all my cards the most striking thing this year was the country to which I was sending them too.

Being a nomad, travelling abroad is wonderful in this aspect but it is also crappy. I mean, I wish I could take all the people I love the most in the world and put them into one room just for an hour, but I know that this is what comes with making global friends.

But at the same time, I am amazed by spending Christmas in another country. Watching the similarities and differences with Denmark and Australia. Noting what seems to be important in this cultural environment, and of course spending it with the people that I have come to care for over here. The two most special to me: Kristin and Maja. These girls have become my sisters - one German one and one Polish one. And I do mean family.... we spend so much time together and know each other so well. I love them both dearly.

"Christmas is the time to tell those people you love, how much you care for them and what they mean to you... "

Love Actually

Well I know the people I care about.. and YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!

So from me to you I give you a BIG FAT CHRISTMAS KISS!!

Just know I am thinking about you, and wishing you the most wonderful Christmas you can imagine.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Love and Hugs,
Mazzy xoxxoxo

Office Christmas Parties

Today we had our office Christmas lunch.

One word- Amusing.

Unlike the usual office Christmas parties in Australia, where free wine has people stocking up their arms full of glasses 'just in case' it ever runs out - this christmas lunch was a pretty tame affair. I remember in Sydney the office party we had at our data entry place ... people were totally tipsy & beyond with the younger staff initiating a 'DATA ENTRY, DATA ENTRY ' chant by the end of the night.

No No today was much more tame - and not that that was necessaily a bad thing :-).

At any rate the lunch amused me. Here is a 10 stage snapshot of how it felt on the ground:-

STAGE ONE: Is it me, or is it really stiff around here?

STAGE TWO: What do we say when there is nothing to talk about?

STAGE THREE: I am in a dodgy seat....So where is the wine?

STAGE FOUR: Did someone order the wine?

STAGE FIVE: Fill my glass with wine... I mean, to the top please

STAGE SIX: Anyone for a refill?

STAGE SEVEN: I am LOVING this wine!

STAGE EIGHT: Everything seems more rosy, maybe its not as bad as I thought...

STAGE NINE: Is it me, or is everyone really happy around here?

STAGE TEN: So let's make a toast - Here's to our amazing workplace!!!

It's amazing how accurate that really is for my afternoon.

Definately amusing.

My Wonderful Sister

I just wanted to say I have the best sister in the world.

Nicky - I LOVE YOU!

You are wonderful babe.

Thank you so much for all your effort and work to get my masters application in to the uni. It just shows me how much I miss you, and what a wonderful person you are.

Love you and miss you babe,

Hugs Mazzy xoxoxox

It;s not Sydney anymore, Toto....

One thing is clear - It is time for the people of Montreal to evacuate the city.

The conditions here are WAY TOO HARSH for any human to endure... today it was -40 .... ok let me make it more explicit MINUS FORTY DEGREES CELCIUS!

It was craziness.

I waited for my bus for 10 minutes out in the cold, and my ears felt like they were literally remolding, my legs felt like they were getting frost bite, and my forhead started to physically hurt. My eyes started to cry for no apparent reason, and my scarf was starting to ice where the water I slashed in the morning remained.

One Word - UNLIVEABLE.

Today I REALLY felt like an Australian in a new environment, and of course my colleagues in the office...


'Maz, you have not seen the worst of it yet - wait for February'

Well, I can definately wait.

A Perfect Sunday

I am sitting here on the laziest Sunday afternoon ever. Maja has gone to watch a movie, and it is just me in the house.

It is TOTALLY HYGGE!!

I have candles around me, accuradio christmas carols playing, it is softly snowing outside, and I am chatting with friends online now that I have home internet. It is now peak time in Europe - so I am getting to talk to many of my friends in Europe.

I am also writing my christmas cards, and thinking about working more on my Canada Scrapbook...

What a WONDERFUL LAZY CHILLOUT OUT HYGGE DAY!!!!

I'm Loving IT!

The Power of 'Maz Time'

All of my close friends know about a very important time for me... its infanously called 'Maz Time'.

I have often declined invitations, left the MC office or not answered the phone claiming 'Maz Time', and everyone that has grown up with me knows what this means.

This is MY time. It is when I book a date with myself. It may be as simple as a hot chocolate at cafe depot, reading a book on my bed, going to the cinema to see a new movie, painting in the park, emailing friends and family, calling someone I love, writing my thoughts on a pad of paper... It is time I schedule for myself - and is a non-negotiable.

Over the last two months I have been really bad with factoring 'Maz Time'. I have literally been spending most of my time with people, and actually have been starting to ditch out of social events as they seem to be the only time I can gain any alone moments. This is bad as I am a fundamentally social person, and thrive on situations to meet and greet a new crowd. So lately, not only have I been feeling this need to be alone, but I have also been feeling bad at missing potentially wonderful social connections with many new and amazing oeople.

Tonight I realised what I am doing wrong. Unlike the past, where my insanely busy schedule forced me to factor in Maz Time, now in my current reality I have alot more free time than I can ever remember. So I have become less focused on allocating my time. As a consequence I have been less rigid with demanding from myself the time I need to be alone, to reflect and to do things that just make me happy, and bring me energy.

So tonight, inspired I made a calendar, and went through the old motions of allocating time to what I need to do, and most importantly what I want to do. This means taking up some new interests again, things like joining the Toastmasters club (I always wanted to see what this was about), dancing lessons, and volunteering in a local YMCA project. Plus I found the best group FAN - Film Appreciation. Anyway I was just brainstorming, but I honestly feel so inspired. I feel more myself than I have in ages...

How funny is it that you can forget to do the things that mean the most to you.

Christmas Excitement on the Rise

So, I finally know what I am doing for Christmas!!!

Two days ago Kristin and I met up to plan 'Global Santa Fest 2004' - hmmm ok, in other words a Christmas celebration for all the internationals we know in Montreal or people with family that are far away. It was great, and was the biggest feeling of Christmas i have had in the last month.

The Output? A 2 day Christmas Celebration.

Christmas Eve

Cooking Dinner together - a traditional christmas baked dinner
Decoraring the house, and sharing deorating cultures with other
Singing wonderful carols, and learning some in different languages
Christmas Eve Mass - Church Time but not at midnight... TOO COLD!
Christmas Party and Pressie Giving No.1!! (for those countries that give pressies on this night i.e. Denmak, Germany)

Christmas Day

Breakfast Delight - Pancakes, Bacon, Eggs .... EVERYTHING!
Present Giving for those people from counties where they are given on Xmas Day.
Old Monteal and going into the downtown... White Christmas Fever!
Restaurant for Dinner
Christmas Movie Marathon - as a quiet finish to a wonderful chritsmas celebration!

Its pretty cool... and I am really looking forward to spending it with some of nt fave people in Montreal!!!

Now I have to get some pressies, and prepare..............AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Guess What? I am going to CHICAGO!!

Well I asked for it... A new Challenge.

And guess what? I have one that has fallen into my lap - Going to Chicago to chair the US national conference. It is going to be amazing, seeing Jen again, working with an AIESEC National team, and really have a strong role in the success of a conference.

I am so HAPPY and EXCITED at the moment, and am really looking forward to what is going to be an amazing learing experience I am sure.

CHICAGO BABY!!!!

'Merry Christmas' Around the World

Afrikander: Een Plesierige Kerfees
Arabic: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Argentine: Feliz Navidad
Chinese: (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
Chinese: (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
Czech: Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish: Glædelig Jul
Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!or Zalig Kerstfeast
Esperanto: Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian: Ruumsaid juuluphi
Finnish: Hyvaa joulua
German: Froehliche Weihnachten
Greek: Kala Christouyenna
Hebrew: Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
Hindi: Shub Naya Baras
Hungarian: Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Icelandic: Gledileg Jol
Indonesian: Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish: Nollaig Shona Dhuit, or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat
Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Philipines: Maligayan Pasko!
Polish: Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie
Portuguese:Feliz Natal
Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Serbian: Hristos se rodi
Slovakian: Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce
Turkish: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian: Srozhdestvom Kristovym
Vietnamese: Chung Mung Giang Sinh
Welsh: Nadolig Llawen
Yugoslavian: Cestitamo Bozic

Chicago?

chicago
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

A pretty exciting opportunity has presented itself to chair the US National Conference. It will be from 28th December till the 5th January in Chicago, all expenses paid.

It is amazing opportunity I hope I can embrace, I just need to cancel the trip to Quebec city I have already planned with some Canadians.

Will be an awesome challenge, and great fun though I am sure :-)

Fingers Crossed.

Self-Motivation

In AIESEC I was always motivating myself to do the maximum amount of work in a minimal amount of time. In my current work it seems the converse holds true. It is all about doing the least amount of work you can in the maximum accepted period of time.

It is an underlying philosophy in the current culture of this organisation, and a huge reason that nothing actually ever happens, or with huge amount of success.Working in such a way really builds a lax worker.

Even myself, I have to remind myself to keep motivated, to try and find stuff that really stimulates, to read something challening in the morning, to have a meaningful conversation... etc. Any entreprenuer would not be able to exist long here, and it is the perfect place to really kick a person into action.

To get a person to again start doing max work in min time.... well striving to be excellent.

What am I saying to myself?

What am I doing with my Joy Company?

I need to refind my fuel for what I love. Sam and Diego get on the next plane to Montreal... I need you guys!!!

Faces of Denmark

Danish Friends, originally uploaded by Mazzy.

Carol Time

If anyone out there is looking to play carols online the best site is www.accuradio.com where there are many carol stations.

I am LOVING IT!!!

It is the only way I can get into the Christmas spirit at this stage.... I am going to by some things to wear to work today. Yes I am one of those insane Christmas people, and proud of it.

Happy Lucia Night

Last night I went to a my friends house, Anuj, for the Sancta Lucia Day celebrations. For those of you who do not know, Lucia Day is a Swedish custom celebrated since the 1920's. It is the light festival, and marks the return of the sun. Use the link if you want more details.

Anuj was on the Swedish MC team a few years ago, and I was on the Danish team, so we thought it was a good idea to do a bit of a Scandinavia night aswell. It was great, we had swedish meatballs, and food. Yummy vodka too!

So Happy Lucia to everyone in Sweden!

Is it that time of year again?

It is amazing to think that a whole year has passed since NYE 2004 and it is now time to again say ' What am I doing this NYE?'

I mean all the thoughts of 'How will I bring in a new year... and the associated stress I remember when I was in Oz.... what to do, what to do!!! I mean, of course because it has to be a PERFECT night, right? It has to somehow be special.

Traditionally in Australia, I go to Milsons point under the Harbour Bridge, sit outside, drink wine watch the harbour, opera house and fireworks. It is a pretty amazing spot. Usually we would get there at about 10am, and have the BEST spot to see everything. By 9pm we would be 'happy' and by midnight... well things would be pretty blurry I can say! Then there was always the huge queues to the public toilets which caused many an Aussie a stressful situation. After midnight we would abandon the harbour, and head into The Rocks area for all the street parties and madness!

Last year in Denmark it was a quieter affair, brought on by the dramatically different weather conditions. Initially I was going to attend a traditional Danish NYE Party. This would mean a 3 course meal, then watching the annual NYE address from the Queen which everyone would debate for while, then head down to the lakes for the fireworks at midnight, and then start the REAL party! Instead though, my ex-boyfriend Tristan was in town so we had a night of cards, and wine with some close friends and then headed into the city to watch the fireworks in Copenhagen. MAN, EVERYONE was doing their own fireworks, it was like a war zone. Honestly we went home as quickly as possible after midnight because of the stress this 'free for all' philosophy was causing us.

So back to the original question - what am I doing NYE this year?

What is everyone else doing out there?

Share with me your plans and inspiration!!! Are you clubbing? Pubbing? Staying at home? House Partying?

Give me your thoughts ASAP!

White Christmas Weekend

Wow....Here are the ingredients to an amazing weekend:

# Waking up to a HUGE amount of snow at your doorstep.... I am talking like 30 centremetres tall.... The MOST amount of snow that I have ever seen in my life!

# Making snow angels, and sliding down the hill in the snow... not to mention aggressive snow fights with a German!

# Outdoor Iceskating at Bonsecuers Basin with Francophone music, and jazz, swing... it was THE BEST!!!

# Attending a free sound and light show at the Bascillia Notre-Dame and learning about the history of Montreal at the same time. Pretty informative :-)

# Listening to live carolers singing in old montreal.... just like the movies, the outdoor carolers actually exist. Plus hearing carols in French is weird especially when the tune is the same i.e. Silent Night

# Attending an Egyptian Jewellery Exhibition with a colleague from work, and seeing some of the most amazing beadwork ever.

# Catching up with good friends in the warmth of your own house whilst watching the flurries of snow fall outside of your window.

# Watching the Best movies ever on a cold night - 'Love Actually' and 'Bowling for Columbine'. LOVE THOSE MOVIES!

# Going to an 'Ice Bar' where the drinks are served in ice glasses.

# Seeing and going inside a real igloo that was built near the Old Montreal. I have photos of this and I will add them later

# Going to Mont-Royal for a beer with a friend, and only hearing French. In this suburb no-one is speaking English and it is wonderful!!!

This was the best weekend I have had in ages, because I felt again like I was new to this country. It felt so much like the Canada I was expecting with the snow, the fires to keep warm, the carols, the winter spirit and activities.

The upcoming weekend I have also been invited on a Skiiing trip which will be fantastic I think as I have never skiied before in my life.

Loving this strange winter wonderland, and my first ever truely white christmas!!

Weekend in 1 hour!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

Boredom

• Do I get bored easily?
• Do I find it difficult being in a place for a long time?
• Do I constantly need new influences and people in my life?
• Am I really a nomad, travelling around?
• If so, what is it that I am searching for?
• Do I hurt the people around me by disgarding them when they become routine? I mean do I even actually do this?
• Do I focus too much on me, and what I feel that I forget those I love?
• Who are those that I love?
• Do I even tell them how I feel?
• Do I even spend enough time with the people I treasure?
• Or am I spending it with the people who I like, but not love?
• Why am I doing this?
• Do I serve a greater purpose?
• What is it that I am supposed to do in this life?
• What do I want to achieve?
• I mean, what is really important?
• More specifically, what is really important TO ME?

Hmmm.... In need of a good wine, and good D&M I think, anyone up for that tonight?

I have not had a decent meaning of life and personality discussion since Carl left Canada in November.

My Danish Boy Team

Today I was searching in google for the postal address of the AIESEC Denmark office, and I came across our Danish team MC site. It is pretty cool, although the picture of me is fishy - I look quite drugged but I am NOT!

Anyway if you want a profile of the boys I worked with last year, go to:

http://www.aiesec.dk/mc/index.html

My Guardian Angel Strikes Again

Wow.... so somehow after feeling a bit down, and wanting new people, new experiences this has happened:

4.00: Talk to Danish friends at a party, reminise about the old times, and start a Mazzy return to Denmark fund! :-)
5.00: Talk to Anuj, organise a Scandinavian XMAS party, and plan a catchup also on Sunday night at Hurleys. Get some life advice.
6.00: Talk to Mims. Book in a party with the acting crowd again, book in Quebec City Boxing Day Bash, Book in a cheap van trip to New York for New Years, Book in a Pubnight on Friday with a free live jamming crowd.

6.15: Now. Sitting with Maja at my desk, realising that someone is looking down on me and giving me just the positive energy and influences that I needed. THANK YOU to my wonderful Angel :-) MWAAAH!!!

Drunken Danish Friends

The Gang!!!
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

This is a HUGE hug to my Danish friends in Odense. I just got off the phone with them as they are having their Danish Christmas Lunch today.

Ok Christmas lunch in Denmark for those who have never been to one usually starts mid afternoon, maybe even in the night and consists of much traditional Danish food and ALOT of drinking. They usually go till the wee hours of the morning. (This was a huge shock to me... I literally thought I was attending a lunch!!)

Anyway, I spoke to Morten (The world's biggest Loser :-)), Helene who made cry, Jacob who sang to me 'I love my little Calendar Girl, Signe who told me how strange it is to have a 'husband', Irene who told me my extra canadian weight was a unique pressie!!!

GUYS I LOVE YOU!
I MISS YOU!

And please, YES start taking those donations to get me on a flight over there... Open the Mazzy Danmark Flight ASAP (and do not link it to Helenes exchange results!!!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Loving you all from afar!

Defining it

I know how to define it.... ok....

I feel like my life is a Television set. In the past I had many channels with shows that stimulated me. If a channel had a crappy show, I could just change he channel, and get energy from another show. You see, there was always something playing on other channels, always many dimensions to what I could view. I knew I could always be happy, always be stimulated as a viewer.

CurrentlyI feel like I have only one channel with the same actors playing in different shows. You see the people i live with, are the people I work with are the people I socialise with... and although really entertaining in the beginning, the show is now becoming repetitive. And to be totally honest, only a few of the actors on the channel stimulate and entertain me in a real way.

I mean, its an amazing revelation to have - thinking about it this way it is clear what I am going to do. 1. Seek out the actors that really entertain me for more viewing, and 2. Try harder to establish some more channels for a more diverse viewing experience.

The Need to Disconnect

In the last week I have been feeling the need to disconnect, and I am not sure why.

I don't really know how to describe it, but I am really wanting to spend time to myself more than usual. I mean there are plenty of people to hang out with here, and they are all wonderful. I have enjoyed all the time that we have spent together, the partying and the fun.

I am not sure if it is because of Christmas, or if it is because I have reached the point in Canada where I feel quite normal, and at 'home' - but I am really feeling a little suffocated. By my job - yes, by my friendship group - yes, and by life I think..

I mean I love it here, but I have gotten into a routine, and I HATE routine. Maybe thats it... it has become the same old, and I guess uninteresting to me..... I mean it is true that I get bored quite easily, and need to be stimulated... could this be it?

I guess it is strange to try and explain how I am exactly feeling... maybe its the weather? Maybe its the need to feel some inspiration again that makes me want to search more within? Maybe it is remembering the 'mazzy' people - the people I would import into my world if it was possible, and realising the lack of them here in Montreal... not friends, but mazzy people... I guess there is a difference...

Or maybe I just plain think too much...

Nafisa hard at Work

Nafisa hard at Work
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

Here is Nafisa... definately hard at work! So many times I caught her playing Solitaire like this... NAUGHTY!!!

Mr Game Over

Crazy Fabio
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

This is Fabio who seems to be doing some crazy faces. Apparently I have not been giving him any credit on this blog lately, so here is a WHOLE visual image devoted to him!

Gals in my Office

The Gals Working
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

From Left: Me, Maja and Audrey. We all work in the same office... it can get weird some times... this IS a horrible picture though I have to admit. BUT the only one I have.

Things I love...

• .. Snuggling up with a good book on a cold day...
• ... Watching a live band, or having drink with good friends at a Pub...
• ... Hygge dinner parties with wine, jazz music and soft candles...
• ... Listening to great music - any musical, opera, classic rock or 80's...
• ... Connecting with a new person for the first time...
• ... Sitting with close friends, and not having to talk at all...
• ... Eating good food....anywhere, anytime...
• ... The energy I gain from standing on a beach looking out at the ocean...
• ... Seeing difference in action, and travelling to new places, new cultures...
• ... Writing, Painting and personal reflective activities...
• ... Chilling with crazy extraverted live life in the moment people...
• ... Being reminded of my Australianism but also being reminded I am not in Australia....

Christmas Spirit - Zero Level

For some reason I am not feeling very Christmas like. Usually the person that feels Christmas spirit in the early part of November, for some reason this year I am not feeling it.

I mean there are decorations around, there are carols at work.... hmmm what is going on?

I remember this time last year in Denmark decorating the XMAS tree with the boys in the office, and having wine in the candlelight. I remember attending all the free XMAS stuff in Copenhagen - the Markets, the concerts, the carols, the XMAS lunches...

What is different now?

I am not sure. Even my friend Kristin, after cooking German XMAS cookies did not feel the spirit.

Well I am going to try and see what I can do about attending some XMAS concerts, and decorating the office at work...

Maybe that will do the trick...

Fring?? What could it mean?

Funny Moment yesterday.

Maja went out, and I sent her a text message ' Bring some drink back on the way home.'

Well thats what I thought I sent.

I got a message back ' ok... but what is fring??'

HMMMM... Strange but I ignored it, thinking that I would deal with the situation when she came home, and answer the strange non-sensical question then.

But I never got that chance, as she rang me an hour or so later.

Mazzy what is fring? You want me to bring some fring back! i have looked in all my dictionaries and I have no clue what you are talking about!!!

LOL - well apparently I typed fring instead of drink... we laughed for ages!!

How amusing.

Crazy Polish Times

Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

The insane Swiss and Belgium guys!!!

Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

Saying goodbye to Poland!

Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

Laughing with my fave Bolivian friend.

Oh Happy DEY!

Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

My crazy Venezuelan friend, Dey.... quietly thinking in our fave floor spot!

Poland Memories

Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

What an amazing time I had in Poznan, Poland. The strange thing is my co-trainee here is also from Poznan.... Tcesch!!!!

Nasty Trick

This morning I woke up to the amazing SUN!! The snow had melted, and it was 8am.

I was ready to embrace the day!!!

I thought to myself, it looks amazing outside, I will not need my jacket...

BAD MOVE MAZZY!!

The Sun here does not mean warmth... REPEAT SUN DOES NOT EQUAL WARMTH.

One I started walking outdoors, I was FREEZING! I mean my ears felt like they were going to drop off.

Definately a nasty suprise for this Aussie girl let me tell you....!

The Laughing Game

The Laughing Game
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

The best game in the world... the LAUGHING GAME!! I was teaching it to everyone, and it was hysterical!

Arhus, Denmark

Arhus, Denmark
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

This photo shows the billboard promoting Prince Fredericks engagement to Aussie, Mary. It was HUGE, as was the wedding. I must admit it was great being in another country, and seeing so much of your own country being promoted because of a royal wedding!

Lazy Afternoon fun!

International Friends
Originally uploaded by Mazzy.

Here we all were in Aarhus, Denmark on an amazing day... the sun was shining, and we were looking at ancient Viking museums. It was pretty cool!

Sydney Sydney Sydney OI OI OI!!

Wow...

It is so nice to see that the people that were in AIESEC when you were in a leadership role are now running for the top leadership positions.

I remember Tillz, Ralph and Westy when you guys were first year members, eager to learn and be involved, and now you are running for the AIESEC Australia National Team.

It is amazing.

Best of luck guys, know I am SO proud of you, and especially proud of being an AIESEC University of Sydney alumni at this moment.

Love and Hugs for you all.

Jen, you are the BEST

THANK YOU JEN JEN....

....For the most intellectual discussion I have had in ages, it was great. Getting your phone call today was perfect timing, just when I was doing a PPT at work on Business Etiquette. Then talking about how to establish an organisation in a new country... what would be the steps, the concerns, what could be done...AHH THE MAGIC OF IT!

It was pretty damn exciting, and I could feel my creative and intellectual energy like I have not in ages.

I guess sometimes you are just meant to have certain conversations with people, and I know you were meant to call me today... not just for you, but to remind me of what it feels like to be really brainstorming and stimulated by another person.

THANKS BABE!!!! I CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON YOU TO HELP WITH THE BLAH FACTOR!!!

Witness to the Magical White Dust

Ok today has been AWESOME - there is SNOW EVERYWHERE!!!!

It is like someone took a brush and painted the city with magic white dust. It is SO SOFT, and so gorgeous; breathtaking really. Never did I see such wonderful snow, and how it can make a city look so mystical. I mean I did see snow for the first time in Denmark, but the way it falls here is something different.

All day today I have been going out in my free time to 'play' in the snow (much to the amusement of the workers in the Internet Cafe in my building!) My co-workers think it is insane, and hilarious...

'You will get sick of this snow Mazzy....'
'You will sing a different tune when it is up to your arms, and you have to shovel your way in the road...'
'Wait till it is minus 40!!!!'

hmmm.... kinda scary thoughts for a girl from Oz.

Today alone it was -10.

The absolute coldest temperature I have ever endured in my life....

-30.......... I cannot even begin to imagine that!!

My Polish Sister!!

Here is the gal I am spending almost every minute with.... we work together, live together, party together...

It's my POLISH SISTER!!!!

MAJA!!!

Got that Blah Feeling...

You know sometimes you just feel... BLAH.

I mean, it does not even have to have a reason... its just how you feel.

Today is a BLAH day... maybe its because I have been working on the worlds most boring seminar topic - Business Etiquette. Seriously, this is one boring and dry area to look at for hours on end... nowhere near as exciting as different behvioural styles or personal awarenes....topics that gave me natural energy yesterday.

Now, about to head off to an Official Dinner with the COOP- a Reception Cocktail - I think I will be standing near the wine stall with another worker here Lynn.

Clubs & Maz - MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE

Ok, I am not sure if it is because I am getting older.

I am not sure if it is because I am more in touch with who I am as a person.

I am not sure if it is because it is just by its own merit mega dodgy...

BUT Clubbing and Mazzy seem to be mutually exclusive concepts.

Last night I had a complete juxtposed experience.

First going to an Irish Pub called Hurleys, listening to live Irish music, having a beer and having lively conversation with good friends.

Then going to Club Extreme for the International Students End of Semester Party. To be honest, I was really looking forward to this because am dying to meet some new people, and being from new, exciting countries is a huge bonus. But needless to say, that the only people I was about to meet in this club was guys who wanted to pick up chicks. I mean, how do you spell dodgy again... thats right DODGY. There is no way I was going to ACTUALLY meet some new cool people - I mean to hear what a person was saying and speak took an impossible amount of energy. I guess it would be great if I was actually into the music, but truth be told I only feel like dancing to this music once every blue moon.

So I left early. But in a way it was liberating.

This is just simply not my scene. It is not and never has been. Simple as that.

Everyone was in shock... you are leaving? But why? We just arrived... how can you leave? Stay for an hour?

An hour? An hour too long for me.

I will definately stick to pubs, jazz bars, and theatre for my fun.

Frat Party Memories

The International Gals at the Fraternity Party

Sitting on the couches with the Frat pictures behind us!

Maja got an elaborate entrance design on her hand when we entered the party!

Nabil with my fave ELMO!! Love this little guy, he travels the world with me :-)