Montreal Bucket List Update!

Bonjour mes amis!!!

Well, here I am again, writing this blog.   More apologies for not updating this frequently enough.  I find that there is so much to do that I get caught up with everything else ;)  But, not to fear, because I'm here to catch you up with what's been going on.  :)

Mostly, I would like to review my Montreal Bucket List from before and give you an update about how everything is going:
1.  Run to the summit of Mont Royal (6-7 km)
      --I have yet to run to the summit, although I have run up the Mont a couple of times already (just not to the summit yet).  I have also walked up to the summit already.  I plan on running all the way to the top in the next couple of weeks.
2.  Explore Old Montreal
      --I have done this!  I would still like to do it more, but it's such a beautiful part of Montreal with such rich history.
3.  Go to local public markets
      --I plan to do this in the next couple weeks so stay tuned!  My mom went while she was here and LOVED it. 
4.  Attend mass at Notre Dame Basilica
      --I have visited but haven't attended mass yet.
5.  Tour Montreal's City Hall
      --I will have to find some friends to do this with  :)
6.  Learn to dance during weekly summer ballroom dancing lessons
      --I plan on going this weekend!  I saw them teaching last weekend but unfortunately didn't get to stop and learn.
7.  Visit some of Montreal's museums
      --I still need to research the best options here.  The art museum is not far so I think I shall try that.  :)
8.  See the gardens on Notre Dame island
      --Not done yet, although I have been to the island.  I even drove my car around the racetrack!
9.  Explore the "underground city"
      --I have done some of this, but in the summer it's so great to be outside.
10. Do some sort of water activity on the St. Lawrence River
      --I'm not quite sure how I will accomplish this yet, but I'm looking into my options.
11. Enjoy the Jazz Festival in July
      --I was fortunate enough to attend four different nights, seeing at least 8 different concerts.  The talent of the performers was amazing!  It was so great; I think I shall return here in the future for the festival  :)
12. Walk around the Mont Royal Cemetery
      --I drove around last week.  It is much to massive to walk around, I think, but it is a very interesting place indeed.

Other goals for the summer:
1.  Practice my French
      --This is going okay.  I'm starting to recognize more and more of what people are saying.  I've been able to order a couple of times in French already.  :)  Friends at church and work are helping me some, too!
2.  Read at least a book a week (or more!)
      --I'm actually a little behind on this.  I've been here four full weeks, but I am only on my third book.  I hope to catch up this week!
3.  Keep training for half marathon
      --By God's grace I have been doing this.  I run about 3-4 miles five days a week, and I usually have an increasingly longer run on Saturdays.  It's hard to get motivated but so rewarding to persevere and do it!
4.  Meet lots of new, fun friends
      --YAY!  I've met most of these friends at church, but I have a few in the office as well.  God is so good the way He provides above and beyond what we ask for.  :)
5.  Buy a bike and utilize it
      --Sadly, I don't think I'm going to do this one.  It turns out I don't really need a bike since I'm so close to everything.  It would probably end up more of a hassle.


As you can see, some of these are done, others partially done, and a good number have yet to be done.  However, I hope to accomplish many of these in my remaining weeks.  Okay, this is all for now, but I just wanted to give you a brief update as well as some fun pictures.   

A+ (or @+, which is short for A' plus, meaning until later)
Rebekah