Merry Christmas George Mason

December brought the Christmas Spirit to Mason, helped by the snow arriving in Fairfax. It was nowhere near as heavy as Montreal but it was nice to see some snow around Christmas time, especially for the students from Brazil who had never seen it before! We decorated our floor, listened to seasonal songs and watched some Xmas films, including to my shame only just seeing Home Alone 2 for the first time (I know). It's been difficult to get too Christmassy though, as December also meant time for Finals. The last 2 weeks have been finishing assignments and completing exams, which were a mixed bag, but the never ending classes are over. Lasting from late August to mid-December its been the longest unbroken learning time I've ever done, and I'm glad to finally get a break.

There's been time for other things, including a trip to the U.S Capitol building. For those who don't know it is the home of Congress, the other part of Government who share a balance of power with the President. We toured the building which was incredibly interesting, its another one of those iconic places where I've learned so much about the history that has taken place there, you can't help but enjoy seeing it all for the first time. Although sitting down in a Senate session to see an almost empty chamber, and a guy apologizing for the Senators being absent because of traffic reminds you that members of the American government, like Britain to be honest, aren't always the most effective workers!

The inside of the dome, a painting called "The Apotheosis of George Washington". I get that they love their American heroes but having him as an angel-like figure looking down on you is a bit odd.

December was also a busy month for birthdays, so we always found time in between the work to celebrate- congrats to Yusuke, Rosalie, Marwan, Terry and anyone else I forgot. I might have had enough cake and champagne to last me through Christmas, but its been worth it. Especially since its the end of a fantastic semester at George Mason, where I have met some brilliant people from all over the world. I chose to be part of the Global Crossings LLC (Living Learning Community) on a whim, not really thinking about what it would be like. The 4th floor of Hampton Roads has turned out to be a great place to live filled with fantastic experiences and stories from across the globe, and other international students from elsewhere have helped make it great. I look forward to seeing most of you again in January for another Semester and will miss greatly those who are heading back home, or to a new experience. So thank you Rosalie and your impromptu dancing, Samir and your philosophy in flip flops, Ted and your classy fashion sense, Jeremy and your slightly extreme love of Lion King, Les Mis and Five Guys, and Marwan and your strange but brilliant humour. We will miss you all and look forward to seeing you again someday- good luck for everything in your future!

To all of you Happy Holidays, have a good break- and to those who celebrate it, have a Merry Christmas!

A

Montreal- Get Involved

Thanksgiving is a pretty important holiday in the U.S, although all I knew about it came from watching episodes of Friends. So when it came round at the end of November and we had a few days break, we decided to celebrate this traditional American celebration by going to Canada. Obviously.

We went to Montreal, Quebec, where a few of the French people we know had lived before, and where Thanksgiving is celebrated a few weeks earlier. So we came for the cold and snow (minus temperatures all week), the food (poutine is pretty nice, chips and gravy and cheeses basically), seeing the Queen on the money again... and the drinking age being back to 18! But it was a long journey. Our Megabus left D.C about 1:30, and our 4-ish hours journey to New York quickly turned into +7 hours. Traffic was terrible and we missed our first bus to Montreal, so had to wait til midnight to get the next one. Our race through New York City with baggage in the rain was a bit wasted in the end! The next bus ride wasn't much better, stopping too many times really. Border control is one thing, but sitting in Albany bus station at 3am was a pretty low moment for everyone involved.

We finally arrived around half 8 the next morning, settled into the apartment (which had a great view) and explored a bit of Montreal. Its a very different city to any of the ones I'd seen in America, older and more European for obvious reasons. In the snow its a really beautiful place, and felt very Christmassy with the decorations up. I don't know if I'll ever see a White Christmas at home, but it was nice to get a White Thanksgiving here.

We visited a few places in Montreal like the Port and the Fine Arts Museum- because we're cultured students, of course- but the best was Notre Dame, which was absolutely stunning. It completely put the National Cathedral in the shade. Inside was amazing, and the nicest touch was the dark blue ceiling with gold stars to appear like the night sky. We also took a look at McGill university, one of the top Universities, and another small church where Joe was very enthusiastic to "get involved".

If we're honest, the best part of Montreal was being able to go out and have a drink... so we did! Not much to say other than it was good times all round.

Red Cup time

Love a bit of Karaoke

Sam, Jeremy and Marwan showing off how "so cool" they are

Emily and Yusuke Hattori!

The moment Georgia realizes she's lost her voice

On our last day we were tired, cold, and not looking forward to returning to work at GMU, so logically we went for a trek up Mont Royal, which overlooks the city and was next to our apartment. Somehow we made it to the top and back without falling over too much, apart from Yusuke who quickly regretted his forward snow angel. It was a great view from the top and a lovely way to end the week. Unless your name is Joe, who returned to find he'd lost his passport which would leave him stuck in Canada for a while. We were very sympathetic friends, until we got hungry and left to eat poutine. They found it in the end, so I don't have to end this blog with updates on how Joe is surviving alone across the border in minus-10 temperatures. 

Montreal was fantastic from start to finish, although I wouldn't recommend almost a full day of travelling by coach both ways! But I can safely say that our Canadian break was the best moment so far of my year abroad in America... sorry U.S.A!

A