stampin4fun: Week Three in Chicoutimi

Woohoo! Week three of my French immersion program in Chicoutimi Quebec is done!

I had an exam this morning so I am now feeling very relaxed that it's done and am just chillin' and thought I'd share some stories and photos with you from this past week.

Last Saturday I was thrilled to attend a Christmas in July Stampin' Workshop.

When I found out that a demonstrator I knew actually lived in Chicoutimi, I made sure to ask if she was hosting any classes and was excited to register.

It was fun to enjoy stamping at a class where everyone speaks French. I invited my Chicoutimi "mom" , Chantal

I'll try to show some of what we made if I get a chance to do a video this Tuesday.

On Sunday, Chantal and her friend Jean Eude drove us to a tourist town called "Tadoussac"

Tadoussac is located at the point where the Sanguenay River and St. Lawrence River meet.

They offer whale watching boat tours and Fabienne (my roommate) was keen to see some whales.

We made a couple of pit stops on the way to take photos of the gorgeous scenery and to meet family members.

I think Fabienne and I were being proudly introduced as Chantal's newest "girls". (Chantal regularly hosts students from the French Immersion program)

When we arrived in Tadoussac Fabienne went straight to her whale watching and I used the time to wander on my own.

There were some cute cafes and boutiques.

I decided I had to eat seafood since I was so close to the water.

A raspberry lemonade and shrimp salad on bagette was perfect.

Then I enjoyed sitting on the rocks and gazed out at the water while listening to music. It was super relaxing! I was told by a staff member at the "interpretation center" that if I was patient and watched, I might see some whales or seals or other sea life.

I didn't see any whales but I may have seen the head of a seal popping up

I explored a few other historic sites. I took the opportunity to use my student status to save on the entrance fees. :-)

When Fabienne returned from her Whale Watching cruise she was excited because she saw her whales and learned lots.

I immediately asked her for photos but she said she only had photos of water because the whales disappeared so quickly under water.

I showed her photos from my whale cruise that I took while on the incentive trip to Alaska and she said it was just the same.

So let's pretend these are the whales in the St. Lawrence that Fabienne got to enjoy (but really they are in Alaska LOL)

Fabienne and I thought that was the end of a great day but it turns out that Chantal and Jean Eude had other surprises in store.

We took a ferry to another small town and enjoyed dinner in a local diner.

Then we arrived in Malbaie where there was a casino and a Fairmont hotel.

Our mom Chantal was a happy winner at the Casino!

Fabienne and I didn't gamble but we enjoyed a little walk on one of the trails.

Imagine Fabienne saying "magnifique"

We thought it was funny that myself and Fabienne were completely wiped out from the day and crashed asleep in the car ride home while the young at heart Jean Eude did the driving and Chantal chatted with him driving home.

We really were like children after a long day!

Week three in school involved more studying because we knew that our exam was coming up at the end of the week.

It didn't matter that an exam was coming up. Each day was still jammed full of activities because heaven forbid we should have any free time during the day!

I had to do a group project related to Quebecois expressions and what they mean.

I had to draw.

It was horrifying.

I kept thinking : I don't draw. I am not an artist. Where are my stamps???

One of our classmates was celebrating her birthday so her host mom invited Fabienne and I over since we lived so close by so we could share birthday cake and give a little surprise birthday song.

OOO, I've been invited to celebrate a birthday! I must make a birthday card...with French sentiments of course! The Amazing Phrasing stamp set to the rescue! (gosh I don't know the name of the set in French!)

What shall I do for a gift?

Make a few cards from a Paper Pumpkin kit and wrap it up with a little tissue paper and pretty ribbon.

(learn more about the all inclusive paper pumpkin kits HERE)

Bonne Fete Kristen!

Other activities that kept me busy this week:

Going to an outdoor education centre where we did our usual French lesson then a trivia game and hike in the forest.

Another dance lesson with Louis. He keeps us laughing!

I'm slowly getting accustomed to the student life. By the time I'm acclimatized to life here, I'll have to head home.

Today I missed my car and driving places. Fabienne and I stood in the rain waiting for our morning bus to school.

My thrill today was finally getting to win a game. Our teacher each Friday has game time. We played Family Feud (in french: Guerre de Clans...very violent name in my opinion)

Our team won!