Indirect learning

So I started my courses yesterday. My classes will be referred to as courses during my year here, because the word in french is "cours", so the translation is less confusing in my head. First off, Tuesday morning was quite the frustrating morning. I went to the registrariat to try and change my courses, because I had been enrolled in what appears to have been a masters course. Over one hour in line, only to be told that I was in the wrong place and that I had to go see someone for the political science department. Frustrasted at the lack of efficiency, I went to this woman who incidently was the most annoying person I have yet to meet here. She shall remain nameless, but she has a horrible attitude, and is extremely frustrating. Not only did she talk to me as thought I was stupid, but also advised me against taking a certain course. Best part? SHE IS IN THE COURSE; not as the professor mind you, as a student. Anyway, happy thoughts. I got two classes switched over, and I was then enrolled in US political system and the politics of Canada and Québec. Off to US Politics I went. My main motivation for taking this course was to see the way that the US is represented in Québec, and I am certain not to be disappointed. Within the first twenty minutes, I knew that I was going to the love the course. The prof is pretty young, probably born around 1980 ish, and he is passionate about his subject. Between that, and the way that people discussed parts of the US, I am extremely excited!! After that, I went to my Canada and Québec class. The subject itself is very interesting, and the workload is minimal. The main issue that I have, though, is that my prof's Québécois accent is extremely strong. I need to sit near the front to understand anything. Indirectly though, I should at least learn more québécois words. Today, I had a Political Thought course. Let's just say I am not keeping it and I am going to try and get that one changed right away. First off, I despise political theory, and political theorists. While intellectual thought of the abstract sort is great, if it is not applied concretely, I become very irritable. The lecture was entirely on the idea of an idea, not what is an idea, but why do we even call it can idea....Offfft. Oh well, I'm going to try and get into several other courses besides that one, so I will keep you updated. One aspect of all my courses that I am finding surprisingly pleasant is that they are all three hours long. While it can become naturally a bit boring, it makes scheduling life so much more simple. That, and the fact that you only have to do homework once a week for each class, and the system gets an A+ from me.

Less about school! I went on a walk this afternoon after meeting up with Guillaume in the Social Sciences Café. I took the métro up to Mont Royal station, then walked back down Ave. Saint-Hubert. It was largely residential the whole way down, then I turned into the Gay Village and grabbed a coffee while I read my book for an hour. Ô and the best part about coffee shops here, if you get it to drink there, which you should because people take their time here, you get a REAL MUG! None of the plastic/paper/cardboard Starbucks stuff, REAL MUGS! Imagine! Quick rush-hour ride on the métro back, and here I am, writing. And here I am, not writing anymore :)