i can feel it kick!
womb-deep intoxication.
hot liquid cocoa.
and now back to translating...
Monday, February 17, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
even if he says it to everyone
when the tall, sweet, leanly bicepped barista (who's also blessed with a touch of 'rugged' and a smidge of 'dim') pauses after taking your order so he can -- almost under his breath and through a coy smile -- say happy valentine's, blushing is not only inevitable; it is imperative.
and now back to translating...
and now back to translating...
Sunday, February 9, 2014
like nails on a...
a coffee shop is a great place for many things:
and now back to translating...
- a first date
- a little work
- perusing the newspaper
- crossword puzzling
- people watching
- catching up with a small gaggle of friends
- pitstopping in the middle of a long road trip
- looking for a new job
- drafting a letter explaining why you're leaving your current job
- googling, for no particular reason
- writing the great canadian novel (or just pipedreaming about doing it)
- enjoying some outside-the-house time with your eighteen-month-old
- blogging
- a fiftieth date
- etc.
and now back to translating...
Monday, January 20, 2014
shocks
last sunday night, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the waters some fifty kilometres off the more westerly side of the north coast of puerto rico. from the condo in san juan (located on the more easterly side of the island), we could feel it. right around midnight. the condo, perched way up on the 25th floor, swayed dramatically back and forth for many minutes, sending the thick vertical blinds -- hung like ginormous al dente linguine from the ceiling -- clashing against one another, despite the almost absent breeze. in that moment, my friend and i suddenly wished we were back home -- um, like, as soon as humanly or technologically possible: to the portal! -- in icy-cold canada, where, bearly (yeah, that's gonna warrant a chuckle soon) a week beforehand, a woman had sat in the coffee shop wearing an i'm-a-bear-or-a-cat-or-a-bearcat hat (*insert prescribed chuckle here*) to stay warm indoors. (actually, it was more of a cranial costume: a furry headpiece covering her forehead, hair, neck and upper back, and definitely flaunting animal ears.) in short: it was weird, but it was also that cold.
quakes aside, however, things here are more or less the same as back home.
i mean, sure, sure, the coffee shop on condado village's ashford avenue looks out on palm trees, is littered with FLAHrida-style accents (not to mention the associated lax attitude toward sun protection: leather-skins unite!) and bubbling with spanish, and sports significantly more bikinis than bear headwear. and sure, here, that cheese-infused delectable (over there, by the muffins) has a label in front of it that reads "local favorite," which admittedly makes my commonwealthed, let's-add-a-"u"-to-every-word eyes nearly bug out of my head: boyyoiiiingg!
but it's the same ole starbucks. the same (albeit pricier -- yeesh!) ole hot chocolate. the same ole perfect workspace for thesising. even some of the same ole tunes, including paris or amsterdam, mushaboom and (from the archives) hideout.
this musical blast of canadiana is a small example of how the most familiar things can double as the most shocking: who knew puerto rico was equally enamoured of Sarah Harmer! another such example was on monday, when a woman walked in through the door and, almost immediately (as in, before even lining up for her beverage), was hovering over one of my books, "multiculturalism within a bilingual framework." i instantly got a sneaky feeling that i somehow knew her. testing the waters, i soon piped up: feel free to look at it if you like. she was practically giddy: scooped up the book and started investigating its innards. a-ha! i thought (not unlike Sherlock Holmes might), and then asked (not unlike a phd student might): are you a student? (but, at this point, my question was largely rhetorical -- merely a way of sparking conversation with someone i knew i had some kind of affinity with.) sure enough, the truth emerged: not only is she also thesising (at the tail end of a phd in philosophy at syracuse) but she's also studying multiculturalism. something or other about the mingling of afro-carribean cultures (let's be honest: we never fully grasp someone else's research the first -- or tenth -- time we hear it explained). who knew that, on my self-directed writing retreat (deliberately intended to take me away from the office, away from colleagues, away from familiarity), san juan's tourist hub would serve up a new colleague, an academic conversation, and a business card!
and, now, glancing out the window, another surprise: the dog of the (seemingly) homeless man, who sits across from the marriott each day, is wearing fluorescent-pink nailpolish. well...it is and it isn't a surprise, since sometimes the most shocking things can also double as the most familiar: Fashion Pooch, She-Grizzly; tuh-MAY-toh, tuh-MAH-toh.
and now back to translating...
quakes aside, however, things here are more or less the same as back home.
i mean, sure, sure, the coffee shop on condado village's ashford avenue looks out on palm trees, is littered with FLAHrida-style accents (not to mention the associated lax attitude toward sun protection: leather-skins unite!) and bubbling with spanish, and sports significantly more bikinis than bear headwear. and sure, here, that cheese-infused delectable (over there, by the muffins) has a label in front of it that reads "local favorite," which admittedly makes my commonwealthed, let's-add-a-"u"-to-every-word eyes nearly bug out of my head: boyyoiiiingg!
but it's the same ole starbucks. the same (albeit pricier -- yeesh!) ole hot chocolate. the same ole perfect workspace for thesising. even some of the same ole tunes, including paris or amsterdam, mushaboom and (from the archives) hideout.
this musical blast of canadiana is a small example of how the most familiar things can double as the most shocking: who knew puerto rico was equally enamoured of Sarah Harmer! another such example was on monday, when a woman walked in through the door and, almost immediately (as in, before even lining up for her beverage), was hovering over one of my books, "multiculturalism within a bilingual framework." i instantly got a sneaky feeling that i somehow knew her. testing the waters, i soon piped up: feel free to look at it if you like. she was practically giddy: scooped up the book and started investigating its innards. a-ha! i thought (not unlike Sherlock Holmes might), and then asked (not unlike a phd student might): are you a student? (but, at this point, my question was largely rhetorical -- merely a way of sparking conversation with someone i knew i had some kind of affinity with.) sure enough, the truth emerged: not only is she also thesising (at the tail end of a phd in philosophy at syracuse) but she's also studying multiculturalism. something or other about the mingling of afro-carribean cultures (let's be honest: we never fully grasp someone else's research the first -- or tenth -- time we hear it explained). who knew that, on my self-directed writing retreat (deliberately intended to take me away from the office, away from colleagues, away from familiarity), san juan's tourist hub would serve up a new colleague, an academic conversation, and a business card!
and, now, glancing out the window, another surprise: the dog of the (seemingly) homeless man, who sits across from the marriott each day, is wearing fluorescent-pink nailpolish. well...it is and it isn't a surprise, since sometimes the most shocking things can also double as the most familiar: Fashion Pooch, She-Grizzly; tuh-MAY-toh, tuh-MAH-toh.
and now back to translating...
Thursday, January 2, 2014
when it's -39˚c with the windchill...
...and this poor little coffee shop seems barely able to maintain a mere 15˚c, and that lady -- whose hood seems to be lined with a live ferret (!) -- is holding the main door wide open while she stands outside yammering on her phone and letting the impossibly cccold air seep insidiously into the room...well, when all of that happens, it is definitely ok to (at least temporarily) send any remnants of your christmas spirit soaring riiight out the window (or open door, in this case) in order to march over to Little Miss Ferret and accidentallyonpurpose nudge her jibber-jabber tongue smack dab onto the nearest available metal post.
and now back to translating...
and now back to translating...
Sunday, December 15, 2013
unto others (part III)
[saturday december 14]
when it's -31˚c with the windch-ch-chill, even the five-minute walk between one's apartment and the coffee shop -- in spite of the scarf-hat-mitts, the chapsticked lips, the canadian upbringing, and the personal resolve to brave the elements *triumphant horns* -- is painfully long. and then, even the insides of the coffee shop require said scarf to remain snugly in place.
so it seems especially lucky that today (unlike yesterday, with its "friday" and its "13th") should be one of the days that knox church hosts its out-of-the-cold dinner, serving up pork roast, herbed potatoes and glazed carrots to anyone who might need refuge from the hurts-when-you-inhale air.
it's also a lucky day because, once the veggies and cheddar have been cut up and the crackers, pickles and dip have been put out, Joan -- the cheery woman who's been at the helm of this to-do for nearly two decades (as compared to my mere two months) -- turns to me and asks, perfectly innocently: would you like to be in charge of the hot chocolate? HA! eleven litres of boiling water, four litres of milk, and a costco-sized container of chocolate powder that shimmers like gold dust, like snow in the night light? seventy-six servings' worth of warm liquid chocolate, bubbling frothily in a giant metallic cylinder? all at the mercy of my ginormous witchcrafting whisk? the answer is yes. yes, Joan, i would like to be in charge of the hot chocolate. and the sublime pleasure of brewing the drink is only amplified -- some seventy-six-fold, i daresay -- when one of the guests enquires with is there any hot chocolate tonight? and i'm able to immediately plunk down two filled-to-the-brim pitchers for the pouring. few things warm the heart (or the stomach) like sharing hot chocolate does. but here are twelve more, to round out this month of five-dollar donations:
dec 20: nelson house, in honour of abused women and children. (hats off to friend Annick for this recommendation.)
dec 21: rideau addiction and family services, in support of those dealing with addiction in whatever capacity.
dec 22 (a twofer): 1) last chance horse and pony rescue, in honour of cousin Kate, her love of horses, and her big heart; 2) ref4rett, as per cousin Carlee's special birthday request. (happy birthday, C!)
dec 23: JUMP math, in support of education, in honour of Mom (who got me involved in this program once upon a life in toronto), and in honour of an acquaintance who regularly -- and rightly -- proclaims that math is everywhere.
dec 24: ACORN canada, in support of low- to moderate-income households, with a shout-out to my legal-eagle friend Jena.
dec 25: ottawa food bank, in support of empty stomachs on xmasday.
dec 26: canadian association for disabled skiing, in honour of friend Creed's birthday and his many years of volunteering with CADS.
dec 27: windreach farms (centre for inclusion and personal achievement for people of all abilities), in honour of Dad and brother Greg, whose dutch masters construction services built their facilities and has supported their programs.
dec 28: united way st. catharines, in honour of Uncle Joe's birthday.
dec 29: youth services bureau, in honour of friend Craig.
dec 30: matthew house, in support of refugees who come from all over the world to make canada their new home.
dec 31: translators without borders, in honour of (duh!) translation, because "access to information is critical," and "language barriers [can] cost lives." hear! hear!
happiest of ho-ho-holidays, and ho-ho-hottest of chocolates to you!
and now back to translating...
when it's -31˚c with the windch-ch-chill, even the five-minute walk between one's apartment and the coffee shop -- in spite of the scarf-hat-mitts, the chapsticked lips, the canadian upbringing, and the personal resolve to brave the elements *triumphant horns* -- is painfully long. and then, even the insides of the coffee shop require said scarf to remain snugly in place.
so it seems especially lucky that today (unlike yesterday, with its "friday" and its "13th") should be one of the days that knox church hosts its out-of-the-cold dinner, serving up pork roast, herbed potatoes and glazed carrots to anyone who might need refuge from the hurts-when-you-inhale air.
it's also a lucky day because, once the veggies and cheddar have been cut up and the crackers, pickles and dip have been put out, Joan -- the cheery woman who's been at the helm of this to-do for nearly two decades (as compared to my mere two months) -- turns to me and asks, perfectly innocently: would you like to be in charge of the hot chocolate? HA! eleven litres of boiling water, four litres of milk, and a costco-sized container of chocolate powder that shimmers like gold dust, like snow in the night light? seventy-six servings' worth of warm liquid chocolate, bubbling frothily in a giant metallic cylinder? all at the mercy of my ginormous witchcrafting whisk? the answer is yes. yes, Joan, i would like to be in charge of the hot chocolate. and the sublime pleasure of brewing the drink is only amplified -- some seventy-six-fold, i daresay -- when one of the guests enquires with is there any hot chocolate tonight? and i'm able to immediately plunk down two filled-to-the-brim pitchers for the pouring. few things warm the heart (or the stomach) like sharing hot chocolate does. but here are twelve more, to round out this month of five-dollar donations:
dec 20: nelson house, in honour of abused women and children. (hats off to friend Annick for this recommendation.)
dec 21: rideau addiction and family services, in support of those dealing with addiction in whatever capacity.
dec 22 (a twofer): 1) last chance horse and pony rescue, in honour of cousin Kate, her love of horses, and her big heart; 2) ref4rett, as per cousin Carlee's special birthday request. (happy birthday, C!)
dec 23: JUMP math, in support of education, in honour of Mom (who got me involved in this program once upon a life in toronto), and in honour of an acquaintance who regularly -- and rightly -- proclaims that math is everywhere.
dec 24: ACORN canada, in support of low- to moderate-income households, with a shout-out to my legal-eagle friend Jena.
dec 25: ottawa food bank, in support of empty stomachs on xmasday.
dec 26: canadian association for disabled skiing, in honour of friend Creed's birthday and his many years of volunteering with CADS.
dec 27: windreach farms (centre for inclusion and personal achievement for people of all abilities), in honour of Dad and brother Greg, whose dutch masters construction services built their facilities and has supported their programs.
dec 28: united way st. catharines, in honour of Uncle Joe's birthday.
dec 29: youth services bureau, in honour of friend Craig.
dec 30: matthew house, in support of refugees who come from all over the world to make canada their new home.
dec 31: translators without borders, in honour of (duh!) translation, because "access to information is critical," and "language barriers [can] cost lives." hear! hear!
happiest of ho-ho-holidays, and ho-ho-hottest of chocolates to you!
and now back to translating...
Monday, December 9, 2013
unto others (part II)
not only have several people joined me in donating to one or more of the not-for-profit organizations named in last week's post (i'm raising a mega-mug of hot chocolate to Jenna, Renée, and Rory!) but i've also received a number of suggestions for additional not-for-profits to give to. here's the next installation (*drum roll*):
dec 9: the canadian skin cancer foundation, in memory of friend Scott's father.
dec 10: sick kids foundation, in honour of all kids, who -- as cousin Erin rightly reminded me -- are a fundamental part of the wonder and joy of xmas.
dec 11: the canadian red cross, in honour and memory of all those affected by typhoon haiyan.
dec 12: the ottawa humane society, in honour of friend Jenna's cat (Oliver) and our dog (Willow).
dec 13: the salvation army, in honour of Santaclaus (from late last november) and others deserving of dignity they aren't receiving.
dec 14: colon cancer canada, in memory of friend (and blog devotee) Sherry's mom.
dec 15: the arthritis society, in honour of both of my grandmas.
dec 16: canadian contemporary dance theatre, in honour of the art of dance -- one of the loves of my life. in particular, dance among young people who, in this case (versus those where wee ones are smothered in make-up and phony smiles, and encouraged to perform like robot-princes or -princesses *cringe*), bring heart, soul, skill, range and magic to the stage.
dec 17: danny grossman dance company, in honour of the pioneering dance giants, who set the stage decades ago and still forge on.
dec 18: the learning disabilities association of ontario, in honour of friends and family members who have become well-acquainted with adhd, dyslexia, etc.
dec 19: big brothers and sisters, in honour of good friend Alison and her clan, who still prove that "family" is also defined beyond blood ties.
kindly keep your recommendations coming and your generosity flowing.
and now back to translating…
dec 9: the canadian skin cancer foundation, in memory of friend Scott's father.
dec 10: sick kids foundation, in honour of all kids, who -- as cousin Erin rightly reminded me -- are a fundamental part of the wonder and joy of xmas.
dec 11: the canadian red cross, in honour and memory of all those affected by typhoon haiyan.
dec 12: the ottawa humane society, in honour of friend Jenna's cat (Oliver) and our dog (Willow).
dec 13: the salvation army, in honour of Santaclaus (from late last november) and others deserving of dignity they aren't receiving.
dec 14: colon cancer canada, in memory of friend (and blog devotee) Sherry's mom.
dec 15: the arthritis society, in honour of both of my grandmas.
dec 16: canadian contemporary dance theatre, in honour of the art of dance -- one of the loves of my life. in particular, dance among young people who, in this case (versus those where wee ones are smothered in make-up and phony smiles, and encouraged to perform like robot-princes or -princesses *cringe*), bring heart, soul, skill, range and magic to the stage.
dec 17: danny grossman dance company, in honour of the pioneering dance giants, who set the stage decades ago and still forge on.
dec 18: the learning disabilities association of ontario, in honour of friends and family members who have become well-acquainted with adhd, dyslexia, etc.
dec 19: big brothers and sisters, in honour of good friend Alison and her clan, who still prove that "family" is also defined beyond blood ties.
kindly keep your recommendations coming and your generosity flowing.
and now back to translating…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)