Spring is here!

Happy Spring dear reader,

     Isn't spring wonderful? The flowers come out, the snow melts and we can finally remove all those layers of sweaters. The air smells fresh although, most of the time it smells like a farm of cows has taken over the air. It's also the time for a change. A closet change, a big cleanup or in my case, a new room! It also means that school is (finally) over in just a couple of months. This morning when I looked out my window, I was glad that Spring was finally back. I could see some patches of grass poking through the little of snow we had left. On my way to school, I thought about what I did this winter. I realized I didn't go outside even once. That's crazy! Despite the fact that i'm not a very outdoorsy person, I usually go sliding with the school but, this year it was canceled. I also like to do some skydooing with my father or snowshoeing with my mother but, they both worked all winter and didn't have time. Well, on my second period the intercom went off telling us school was cancel for the rest of the day. You'd think that I would be happy. To be honest, I'd rather have a day of school than a snow storm in spring. Last week, I was wearing my toms to school and opening my bedroom window to let fresh air in and today, my feet got frozen by a blizzard. I guess I should of listen to Groundhog Fred and not get my hopes up on an early spring.

Happy spring, said no one in Canada.

Marjorie

7up and Pistachio cupcakes, great for St-Paddy's day!

    Even though St-Patrick’s day is not celebrated in the French culture, I always like to do something special to celebrate it. This year, I decided to bake some Pistachio & 7up cupcakes! Not only is it my all-time favorite kind of cake (I have it every year on my birthday) but, the icing and the cake is also green! If you ever decide to make it yourself, leave a comment below or tweet me (@xmarjooox) I’d love to hear your thoughts about it!

For this recipe, you will need:

Cake

• 3 eggs
• 1 box of white cake mix
• 1 cup of 7up or sprite
• 3/4 cup of oil
• 1/2 cup of walnuts or pecan (optional)
• 1 box of green pistachio pudding (Jell-o brand)

Beautiful Church!

    Today, a new pope was elected, Francis 1. I thought I should do a blog post about churches. First of all, let's make something clear; I do not go to church every week. Yet, I believe in my religion. I did not read every page of the bible. Yet, I went to bible camp. I pray. Yet, not everyday. I do not count myself as a very religious person. Yet, I try to get more involve in my church. I wear pieces of clothing and accessories with crosses on them. Yet, I wear them because it's a fashion statement. Religion to me is not a bad thing. I wish I could go to church more often because I feel so good when I leave. I feel relieved like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. One of the highlights of all my trips are visiting churches. Whether it's La Cathédrale Notre-Dame in Ottawa, the Mission San Xavier church in Tucson, Arizona, Église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires in Old Quebec or Notre-Dame-Du-Mont-Carmel  my hometown church, they all have amazing architecture, history and not so original names (so many Notre-Dame).

    The church in Tucson, Arizona has to be one of my favorite. It didn't have a long spire like most, it was so different! The San Xavier Mission del Bac was my first Spanish church I ever visited. On the outside, they had different cactus planted and palm trees too! The inside was just as breathtaking. They even had tour guides that would explain us about the museum (outside the church) and about its history and artifacts. Did you know the original foundation was built with volcanic rocks?

    The cathedral in Ottawa was just as great. I've never been in such a big and beautiful church. The stained glass were really well made, even the ceiling fascinated me! The details were just as astonishing. At the end, we got the chance to hear an organ piece that made the visit a hundred times better (if possible).

    My hometown church was once demolish and rebuilt. I still remember reading in a book that when it was demolished, the bell was still intact and you could hear it ring when they took the church down!

    Churches are great because no matter how small your town is, there will be one. Usually in the middle of the town. I could go on and on about amazing churches and facts but I made this post so people could take a closer look their church. It could have the most interesting history! Churches are important. My new objective is too visit at least one church when I travel. It takes about thirty minutes of my time but when I leave, I feel better and more inform.

Encounters with Canada!

     When my school counselor first gave me the "Encounters with Canada" pamphlet, I could not have been happier! I have a passion for traveling, so I jump on every chance I have to visit different places! Spending a week speaking English in Ottawa sounded thrilling! As I was going through the pamphlet, I stumble upon this; "Encounters has changed my life". I thought that they were really trying to hard to sell the program. How can a week of camp change your life? I've been to camp before, made friends, told them i'd see them again, but never did. I couldn't understand this quote until Sunday when I left Ottawa after one of the best experience of my life.