This is probably my last posting before I leave good old Ottawa for my week in Montreal. It has been a great journey that I wrapped up last night with a nice little get together with all of my closest friends. I have met so many incredible people in my last four years here and although not all of you could make it last night, you all really had an important impact on my life one way or another and hold a significant place in my heart. I am going to miss you guys very much.

We started out the evening at The Blue Cactus, where we had to wait an hour and a half to be seated. We were 12 people in total on a Friday night, so the long wait had to be expected, but I felt bad for everyone that was hungry and who wanted to sit down. The place was packed and I had friends scattered all over the place and I just wanted everyone to be happy. I got a little stressed out, because I wanted to spend some quality time with everyone who came to see me and I wanted everyone to be comfortable. I get all rawled up about little things, and I forget to have fun because I get worried that people won't be having a good time.

After dinner we moved our way up to Eighteen, a poshy martini place where we were expecting to see some friends of mine. But I think we were too late and missed them. There I had the strongest most potent martini I have ever had in my life. I never felt so buzzed after a mixed drink like this before, and it tasted awful! The drink I ordered was called the New Yorker (that I tried to order in a New York accent, but no matter how hard I try the French always prevails) and it had orange juice, absinthe and some other kind of liquor that I can't remember. Our time spent in that bar reminded me of a scene taken straight out of an episode of Sex and the City, as we were talking about out latest embarassing anecdotes, our latest conquests and the boys in our lives while slowly savouring our martinis (it wasn't as much savouring for me but more more like drinking it very slowly because I couldnt handle too much of that horrible bitter taste in my mouth.)

Then we hopped to the next bar. Yes, you've all guessed right. We walked accross to Zaphods at around 12:30am, where we spent the rest of the evening. It was only Nayeli and I at this point, but we met with some of her fun co-workers. The music was a little off this time but we still managed to have a really great time. I had one of Nayeli's co-workers come out just to see me... I had met him just last monday and appearantly he really wanted to see me again. So that is always very flattering and it well ended the evening.

In these last few days I really wanted to make sure to see as many people as possible before I leave. Thank you all for giving me this time. I know that I will be back some day, but I have never been gone this far away from everybody and not have the choice to come home whenever I wanted to. Im hoping that I can have as much fun there and to find as many great people to hang out with in Japan.

On another note, I'm still not done packing and I'm still waiting for my employer to e-mail me. My next entry will be next week, so I hope you dont miss my sappy writing too much. What can I say, that is what most girls do. I can't help it. I will try to be funnier and quirkier next time. But for now, I just want to tell you all how much I have enjoyed my last 4 years in your great company. Thank you, and till next time. We never know what we will be doing or where we will be in our lives when we meet again, but I wish you all the best of luck.

e.