Smile, It's Free :)

Earlier this morning, on a stoplight, I caught myself staring at a bus 100% électriques. It amazed me how the city is slowly adapting to a technology that reduces greenhouse-gas emissions (hello, air pollution). It may come at a very steep price for the city, but if it means being more environmentally friendly and sustainable, then that is something worth looking into and investing. Surely, the well-being of every tax-paying citizen must be the utmost priority of the government. However,  this post isn't about the technicalities of such. Before our light turned green, I saw the bus driver smiling at me, a smile so warm and wide it made my morning. I waved in exchange of his thoughtful gesture. My husband, although sitting on the passenger seat, missed all this. I told him how that gesture was appreciated. Some people say Canadians are generally friendlier that Americans, but I'd like to say that in this situation I just viewed it as two people trying to start their day with kindness. After all, it's always a good idea to start our day smiling. 

Bonjour from this sunny side of Quebec! Xx

A Cold Sunny Afternoon

Sunday turned out to be the sunniest day of last week. We've been planning to spend it walking and discovering another nearby commercial area in Montreal. Rue Sherbrooke is a thirty-minute walk from our house and is considered the second longest street in the city. The long stretch of street was filled with various architecture, shops, art galleries, museums, cafes, hotels, etc. We could spend a full three days here and I am certain we still wouldn't be able to see it all. We walked from 1:30 PM to a little over 5 PM. We made over twenty thousand steps. I was dead tired by the time we arrived home and I never made it after 8 PM. My entire legs were very numb and tired, I had to ask Jan to apply Salonpas, a pain reliever patch. Would I do it again? Absolutely! Jan and I will always remain to be huge fans of long walks especially when the weather is pleasant. 

Can you spot the car?

ice popsicles as "double kill"

really grateful for the sun <3

It was still cold at -9C and temperature dropped after 4 PM, so gloves were necessary

Westmount Seventh-day Adventist church

this white adorable house stood out from the crowd

Jan and I went into several shops to browse and Quincaillerie Hogg in Westmount left us speechless. It had everything you would want inside your house. J'adore! <3

a gravy boat that's so cute you can use it as your pen holder or just display it by the kitchen shelf--makes for a nice conversation starter

Jan wanted to buy this book but I stopped him, asking him several times if he's really going to have the time to finish it what with his already busy schedule juggling school and work. He left with a heavy heart </3

Jan: If zombies were around they'd surely catch up on us because you're easily distracted and wouldn't care if they were after us
Me: Jan, let me just finish my snowball.

Bonjour from Mr and Mrs Ong!

always looking at the sunny side of life <3

It's still Christmas in February

straight out of a fairytale book-- a big beautiful castle hidden in the thick woods

Can you find the hidden cone?