a few thoughts

Hi guys!

What better way to avoid planning my class than add a post? I'm at the wee Canadian studies centre, waiting for Mary to return from 'Aerobik'. Work here is interesting enough - on top of my regular class, I get the chance to lecture in French to senior language students. Its fun, who knew that I would enjoy talking about my own interests so much!

Outside of the work, I've been doing a lot of jogging. There is quite a huge hill (maybe 800 metres high?)located right in the middle of city that, apart from a park at the very top, has been left wild. There are small paths that switch-back up and down and around the side of the hill. A fast moving creek meanders around the base of one side of the hill. An incredible array of birds make there home here - so much so, that I often have to avoid stepping on them! The south side of the hill is now covered in small purple and yellow flowers. From there, I can make out most of the south-west of the city and beyond.

I've noticed that sound carries in unusual ways - while jogging high up in the hill, I will hear the occasional lada (russian-made vehicles, I love these cars) roaring by down below, roosters (yes roosters! if they have any space at all, urban homeowners will rear animals in addition to their huge gardens), dogs (tons and tons of stray dogs here!), and snippets of conversation.

Anyways, Mary has returned and we are off to make some borscht. If the good weather holds, we are planning to head out into the Carpathians this friday. Fingers crossed.

Yours,

Eric