life's like this - avianto's journal

I finished my research here in Canada, so even though this is a hard thing to do, I have to leave Canada. I have to finish my Master thesis back in Germany soon. S o o n.

I’ve only stay in Canada for 4 months but I kinda like it here. Other than the Canadian winter weather which is insanely cold and windy, I have nothing to complain. My research went very well, the place where I did my research was a really great place with lots of great talented people around, most of the people I’ve met are nice and friendly, sceneries are great, cities are beautiful especially Montréal, skating in the Rideau Canal was wicked experience and lots of nice things happening here. So really, I truly enjoyed being in Canada in general and Ottawa specifically.

I’m gonna miss this country… It may not the best place on the planet but it is one of the best in my personal note. I don’t know if I could come back here again but I definitely planned to come back. I love this place, it is an amazing place.

So I’ll be leaving Canada on Saturday afternoon from Montréal. So long Canada, hope to see you again!

to leave your bike outside in the winter? The answer is: Especially when it was -30°C like today. / Read more …

Today in Ottawa. It was as low as -40°C, for those with °F standard -40 is the magic number when °C and °F show the same -40 number. For those who are not familiar with the words “feels like”, just take my words: “That’s the only thing you should worry about”. Never care for the word “Sunny” because if it is sunny outside then it means it is colder than usual, it may sounds strange to some of you but that’s the truth - in the winter, when it’s sunny then it’s cold. Never care for the other number / Read more …

It’s been snowing a lot here in Ottawa for the last couple of days. The pile of snow is getting higher and higher everyday. I’ve also been very occupied last weekend. Finishing, polishing and adjusting one of the CIMS’s project before Christmas break. Other than that not much happening. Waking up early, waiting for bus under the blistering snow, working at CIMS until late night, went back home also under blistering snow - not to mention waiting for an hour if I missed my bus for a split second because the bus is only running every hour on weekend… / Read more …

Bush is in Ottawa today. And he got a really “warm” welcome from Canadians. More than 5.000 people, more than 12.000 people according to the demonstration organizer, are marching down the street while waving banners and posters showing their true feeling about the leader of the United Empire of America… which can generally resumed as… “Bush Go Home” and home means Texas, not United States of America. The demonstration were mostly peaceful, a brief clash between a few demonstrator and riot police but… it’s not even a “clash” by my standard, OK I am not being fair here since / Read more …

I’ve been in Montréal today. Again. This time only for a day, left early, very early,around 5:30 to catch 7:00 bus, and went back late afternoon, using 16:00 bus. Not much to do, went to CCA again to meet my thesis advisor for an hour or so then strolled down the city, walking and riding the famous underground Metro. The weather was cloudy, temperature was below zero, some flirting snow were falling down but not much. I’ve been in Montreal for three times now. First time was when I arrived in Canada. So basically I was just passing by at / Read more …

I am back in Ottawa now. Montréal is an amazing city. I love the atmosphere, it is big enough for me but not too small like Lübeck. It has a some kind of European atmosphere in it. Maybe because of the French signage everywhere. It also has a good subway, called Metro just like in Paris. Interesting thing is most of the people on the sidewalk speaking English while Francophone are there but not as many as I think they are… or maybe I just walked on the wrong street. The weather was sadly bad. Drizzling rain all day with / Read more …

I will be leaving this afternoon to Montréal, Québec to attend Devices of Design event tomorrow at Canadian Centre for Architecture. The event looks promising, especially since it has an interesting topic which related to my proposed Master thesis also CCA is the place that I’ve been wanting to visit for quite some times. It will be fun and educational. Stories, reports, photos and other stuffs will be here after I am back in Ottawa. / Read more …

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada. On 11th month, 11th day and 11th hour people stay still for a couple of minutes to pray for the fallen during the war. The Poppies One most unique thing about remembering this event, especially in the Commonwealth countries, is most people wear a plastic red poppy flower on their left lapel of their garment (as close as possible to the heart). They wore it since October 25th until November 11th. It was a great spectacle seeing most people wearing the same kind of symbol for more than 2 weeks. After thought I remember / Read more …

A movie about a motorcycle trip through Latin-America that Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara made in his youth. Although Che Guevara is famously known as a revolutionary and political icon, this movie is not about revolution or political (some political issues are there but they are not the main issue) aspect of his life. Based on a book with the same title, it is a story about two young men (Che and his friend, Alberto Granado having an adventure of a life time cruising through South America using a Norton motorcycle (not until the end of the journey but I don’t / Read more …

One thing you can’t miss if you are strolling down in Ottawa is “Tim Hortons” brand. It’s everywhere, from the big red signane in every commercial building (and the campus) to the small and big cup holded by many people as they walking down the sidewalk (even inside the bus). It’s a Canadian thing, I presume. Honestly, I’ve only met Tim now in Canada and it just blew me away the way Tim hanging around on every corner of the street. Of course Starbucks are lurking around but Tim is still unbeatable. There are also a couple coffee place / Read more …

In Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and I have to admit it, I like being here… My experience with Ottawa is only between my home in the suburb, Carleton and downtown (Parliament Building, Rideau Center and … I think that’s it) but I just feel something in the atmosphere. First of all, most people I’ve met are friendly from a boy in a bus that asked for my suggestion of a birthday present to his mom to the university administrator. Secondly, I don’t feel like a foreigner, an outsider here. I just blend into the society… just like that. Thirdly, most of / Read more …

Went to Carleton today. Visited CIMS and met some of the crew. After that, a bus trip to downtown Ottawa. Apologize to all, I forgot my camera. So yeah, the weather was fine, the scenery was good, the trip was excellent but no photos yet... Sorry. But please do visit Place + Thyme for some nice Ottawa's pictures. It sure helps me to recognize the scenery (at least I recognize the National Library because of this photo). Anyway, Ottawa is a nice city. It is quaint (the word are stolen from my professor at CIMS). More about Ottawa later. I / Read more …

I am in Ottawa right now. Just arrived yesterday at Dorval, Montreal. Still sufferred from 6 time zones differences but I’ll be fine. Will write more later, right now I am still not myself. / Read more …