Peace Tower Visiting (January 2) - Observation Deck

After several days of cloud and snow, the sky finally turned out to be crystal clear on Wednesday. What a gorgeous day! Well, except the temperature, it was about -20 degree Celcius in the daytime.

I like that sky so much so that I cannot refuse the call of the nature. One of my housemate and I then went visit the Peace Tower at noon. Peace Tower is located at the heart of Parliament Hill, which is a distinctive monument in memory of the service and sacrifice of the men and women who died for serving their country. When you stand in front of the set of Parliament buildings, you can literally feel the greatness and majesty of them.

After the entry of peace tower, we got serious security check. Although this is not very convenient for visitors, I think it is a must for the important place being considered as a national treasure and symbol. This tower is 92.2-metre high with 9 levels, containing an Observation Area and the Carillon, a series of 53 bells weighing from 4.5kg to 10,090kg and a Memorial Chamber on the third floor. We visited both places. Everyday at 12:00pm, the Dominion Carillonneur entertain visitors to Parliament Hill with recitals. I enjoy the rhythm and tune of the recitals so much that I would like to listen to it every hour. On the Observation deck, we sticked around there for quite a while, busy taking pictures for recording everything beautiful. I guess the security guard might also think so, because after he saw us time after time again, finally said, "woa, you guys are still here." Haha, Yes, we are. Since we have nothing urgent to do, why should we rush.

in the Peace Tower

Original Peace Tower clock movement

The clock

overlook from observation deck

US Embassy

Chateau Laurier Hotel

West Block

Library of Parliament & Alexandra Bridge

Ottawa River

Langevin Block & Capital Infocentre

Fireworks Show on New Year Eve (December 31)

I went to parliament again on the last day of 2007, with one of my roommates and a friend from Beijing. It was a big day for that not only would 2007 become the past and would we embrace the come of a new year, but also Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, was celebrating its 150th anniversary. It was 150 Years for Ottawa after being named Canada's capital city.

Fireworks began at 7pm, so we went there at about 6:30pm from my home by walking. Many people with their family and friends were strolling at Parliament hill and nearby places. Some folks carring their telephoto cameras and tripods arrived there quite early, so that they could take spots for a better shooting angle. I also brought my tripod there. Here an advice is that if you want to take picture of night scenery and fireworks, tripod is a must, or the picture would blur a lot and those details can be hardly recognized.

We were fairly enjoying the fireworks show and it lasted around 30 min. After that, we entered Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa's premier business hotel, for a while and watched some Christmas trees and its beautiful interior decorations. After standing outside for a long time in a cold winter day, I warmed up and finally recovered in the hotel. Felt so good!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel

in the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel

White Christmas - uOttawa & Shopping mall (December 25)

On the day of Christmas, everywhere outside was so quiet. I saw very light traffic all the way from my home to uOttawa, then Rideau Centre shopping mall, and then Parliament Hill. Our school was closed. Few people were in the mall. Well, it was really out of my expectation. What a silent Christmas day! I know, however, people must be veeeeeeeeery busy in their interior worlds at that moment.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rideau Centre at Laurier St.

University of Ottawa

White Christmas - Parliament Hill (December 25)

07' Christmas has just passed, most people have had a great time in celebrating this holiday. For me, it is quite meaningful since this is my first Christmas in the capital city of Canada.



People in my hometown usually ask me if there is a lot of holiday atmosphere surrounding me when it comes to Christmas in Canada. Well, to be frank, this pretty straightforward question is kinda hard for me to answer. Yes, during the Christmas season, people's homes, apartments, stores, shoppingmalls, restaurants, government buildings and most of the public places are decorated with Christmas trees, wreaths and various beautiful Christmas theme accessories. Many TV channels are broadcasting Christmas-related programs, even story settings of animations and sitcoms are in Christmas season. What do all these things bring to me? I think they just remind me of the arrival of the holiday, give me some visual pleasures and lend me a reason to get a rest from busy studying days. What else... I guess nope. Believe it or not, I don't realistically feel I am really celebrating a holiday (But I still welcome any holidays bringing me a break). The longer I stay in Canada, the deeper feeling I get that Christmas and some of other holidays are all about family. Simply because I'm not with my family, i cannot fully enjoy the happiness that these holidays should have brought to me.



Someone once told me that life is all about CHANGE and BALANCE, so I think we should always try to make ourselves happy and get some funs no matter where we are. As for Christmas, when my family is not here to celebrate with me, a good thing is I have my friends. A friend of mine and I went to uOttawa campus and then Parliament Hill in the afternoon of Christmas Day. Because we both think that only staying at home killing time is not what we should do on Christmas, at least not for my first Christmas at here :) So we brought our cameras and decided to give some nice shots to record this wonderful holiday season.



Parliament building is quite different from its usual looks in terms of color. Illuminations endow it with the effect of wonderland. As it changes color gradually from red, purple, blue, green, the snowflake shaped lights are slowly and randomly floating on the wall. I really like the effect it got. Although many family prefer not to step out on Christmas, you can still find some families, parents with their kids, went visit this spot. Parents held kids' hands, told them some Christmas stories as they were walking along the road appreciating the beautiful scenery. Kids laughed and played with each other. Christmas had put big smiles on kids' faces and I can literally see how happy they were at that moment. So sweet!



When the sky was getting pretty dark at 5:30pm, it was also quite chilly and windy. If the temperature allowed, I guess I would have stayed there longer. After that visit, we both got some nice pictures , and also great memories. All in all, It was a wonderful Christmas day for me, thanks Ben!

-------------------------------------------------------

Feel so Cheerful!

Finally, I'm done with all the school stuff of this fall term. Yesterday, when I clicked the "send" button to submit the last assignment of mine, I felt that I was the happiest person in the world, no kidding. Cheers~

After three month study of MEBT program, I found one thing that worth mentioning. FINAL EXAM, the thing that makes you hate so much but also like much. Everytime when it closes to the final term, my life will become way busier than before, writing report and paper, making presentation one after another, preparing final exams etc. They can definitely keep me busy all weeks round.


As for final exam, I have to review all slides and other related handouts before it, no matter it is a closed or open book exam, a sit-down or take-home exam. To be honest, there is really much pain before the final exam. It is like an outside-force stick you on your chair and keep pushing you doing something monotonous. At the beginning, I thought there is nothing but dislike towards it. Then I changed my mind over time. Because a lot of times, preparing final exam makes me be aware of what I was studying in the past and reinforce memory of those knowledge in my head. I have to admit that when it brings pain and stress to me, it indeed does something good for me as well.


Sometimes, I blame myself deeply for not doing things, especially my study initiatively. In theory, I know that I shouldn't study just for the sake of the exam, but well, it is just hard to focus on the school stuff when there are a lot of attractive things distracting my attention. Now it is different, I decided to change a bit for embracing the come of a new year. I'll try to plan my schedule forward next year, and be more active in doing my research and study.


Currently, I want to release myself from the heavy workload and strain, and enjoy deeply this wonderful Christmas and great holiday season. I'll hang out with my friends from time to time, do something I am really passionate and enthusiastic about, like photography^^, talk overseas with my family, cook and eat my favorite food, and wander around outside inhaling the fresh air. In a word, I'll cherish every FREE minute I got and have a lot of funs...Yes.


Wish you all Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!