Montreal: Best Memories

TO Airport

After a hectic move-out from London Hall and a hectic journey to the Toronto airport, I bid a last farewell to Stefy and Elian and boarded the plane to Montreal. I think I was too tired to feel too emotional about saying goodbye to the girls- perhaps it was also because at the back of my mind I just knew that I would see them again and that it would just be a temporary goodbye. It would be ridiculous if we do not make the effort to see one another again given that HK and SG are just a few hours away.

Cynthia

Arrived at the Montreal airport to the extremely pleasant greeting by Cynthia. Cynthia is such a wonderful friend that the word "thanks" is just woefully inadequate to encapsulate my gratitude to her thoughtfullness and generosity. Cynthia's dad also came to pick me up from the airport. Cynthia hasn't changed much since we last went for the legal clinic last semester but now I feel that I know her so much better. Cynthia and her family live in Brossard, a town just 20 min from Montreal which reminds me of the relativity of Richmond Hill and Toronto. Brossard is a quiet and serene residential neighbourhood. Cynthia lives in a nice and cosy three storey house with everything necessary in it. It is home to a total of 6 children and 2 parents. The plush sofas, piano, neat living aeas, the general atmosphere and the family member photos on the fridge TV radiate warmth once I set foot in the home. Mrs Chen and Cynthia made me feel so welcome and at home. Until now, I am still overwhelmed by the kindness that this family has showered me in these two days.

First Day

Talked for a couple of hours with Cynthia at home, Cynthia is just like an old friend whom I have so much in common with although we have been so far and apart in the past few months. She is a rare gem with such a lovely personality, characterised by all the good qualities one can possibly think of.
I then took a shower and went to take a nap on the comfortable bed I had beside Cynthia's in her sister's room. Ghosh I was so tired I slept from 3.30-6.30pm, waking up to the dinner time bustle and friendly family talk upstairs. I had a wonderful dinner with Cynthia's family- heart-warming home cooked food! I had dinner even though I had to meet Orla and Carlet at their hostel for dinner at 7pm because it was just irresistable to have dinner with Cynthia's family!

The Jonna's boyfriend Tony was kind enough to drop me at the HI hostel to meet Orla and Carlet, before driving Cynthia Jonna and Lois to shop elsewhere. Orla and Carlet cooked curry and rice - yummy! It was so nice to have dinner with them- our first dinner together and the last that we'd have together in Canada. After dinner, we sat together in a couch and just talked...reminiscing starting from our arrival, how we met, what we did, our common memories and what we thought of our semester here. It was such a close talk. Reminds me of the 成语“促膝谈心”。It was the perfect farewell setting- sitting idle, talking about our genuine feelings and putting together our pieces of memories, one by one. There was so much reminisicing and although all of us did not say it out loud, I knew that all of us were reluctant to let these memories slip through our hands as much as we know time will dilute all memories. We want to grasp and hold these memories tight while we can. We just can't let go just yet.


It was a teary farewell at the front of the hostel before I left. Hugs and best wishes. So much memories came surging back as Orla and I gave each other hugs. I will forever remember the sihouette of Orla and Carlet as they waved goodbye to me in the distance. I was still crying when I was in the car. It was a beautifully sad night.

Second Day
Woke up late, settled the interview stuff, wrote an email home and booked ottawa hostel. After that went out with Cynthia to the neighbourhood mall, which reminds me of Masonville except that it has more and better brands.

Then Mr and Mrs Chen picked us up to go to an Asian market, after which we went for a dinner at a chinese restaurant. There were 7 dishes and I was totally stuffed after that. Mrs Chen kept apologising to me for not treating me to a better dinner last night and I was incredulous- here I was having difficulty expressing my enormous gratitiude for such kind treatment that I do not really deserve and Mrs Chen is apologising to me for not treating me well enough!

After dinner I had a great chat with Mrs Chen as she worked on her T-shirt embroidery. Mrs Chen exudes the impeccable motherly aura and reminds me of Ah gui. I also had great talk with Derek- Cynthia's precocious little brother. He is so confident, articulate and innocent; so sure that he wants to be a doctor. His assertiveness, expressiveness and confidence made me think that I actually have something to learn from this little boy who is 12 years my junior.

Goodnight.
Tmr Cythia is bringing me around Montreal. Cheers to Cynthia!!