Class Agreement

Unfortunately I was not in class the day the excerise was assigned but I do know what position I would have taken if I was. I would have acted with the collaborating mindset. The reason behind doing so involves the notion that the exercise was not only for myself nor only for the other students, it is an exercise that would have benefited every student who took the test. With that in mind I believe it would be the most fair and understanding position to take.

"Sally"

Our egg was named Sally. Unfortunately our egg was one of the many eggs that broke. Our team worked hard to make sure the contraption to secure sally was as we planned. During planning time we knew what was needed and quickly started creating our egg "protection". We knew we must keep all of sallys sides carefully protected with the few tools we had to use. Our group did have a number of ideas that were given but in the end I do not believe we all fully agreed on a final draft. The good part about having different ideas was when the time came to create our contraption other parts of second and third contraption suggestions were incorporated. Right before we had out ten minutes to start building, each of us volunteered to help build the contraption, or draw the picture, or any of the other responsibilites we had. We were able to have everything completed and myself at the front of the board within the last ten seconds. I really was under the assumption that our egg, without our fort, would make it without breaking. Its too bad that it broke, Sally did actually come from a group of people trying to reach the same goal.

The Trip to Montreal

Just recently I traveled to Montreal, Quebec and as many of you may know, Montreal is considered part of the 'French' Canada. The city has many beautiful architectures but a little too cold for my liking. Culturally I noticed a many differences from what I now call home. Originally I am from Odessa, Ukraine but I have not called that home in 17 years. Home has been New York since I was 5 years old and I could not be happier. I am very much accustomed to being able to step outside to the store at any time of day and buy anything from a toothbrush to food.

Moving on to my trip in Montreal, we decided at 10AM to get breakfast in what is called "Old Montreal". I do not exaggerate when I say EVERY restaurant was closed. The earliest one opened was at 11AM and that was an exception as others that serve breakfast was at 12PM. We sucked up our new york pride and walked around until 11. After visiting a few museums, lunch time came. I guess the French in Montreal had the same idea.. because every restaurant was once again closed from 3-5PM. Apparently this is the norm, so we spoiled new yorkers either had to wait it out or head out of Old Montreal. This may not seem like such a big concern, but I get cranky when I don't eat, thus small concern for 'normal' people = big concern for me.

After getting past food concern, we did a little bit of driving around. New city, new streets.. eventually I got lost. Coincidentally, my GPS chooses to stop working. I asked plenty of different people for help. Generally I try to be as pleasant as possible when asking for help, and normally I get a pleasant response back. Unfortunately, when I told people I was from new york and had gotten lost, most of them refused to help. Huh? I didn't get it. Everywhere I travel when I tell people I am from New York they love me (mostly because of the financial stereo type I believe) but these guys just had the opposite reaction. Very frustrating when you are lost and people just respond in a very nasty tone. Hey I could be wrong, maybe people just don't get lost in Montreal?

I do not want to convey just the bad parts of what I consider part of the French culture, I did have a great time. Everyone was very nice when it came time to take my money... joke. The hotel personal was very pleasant throughout the whole experience and we did meet a few pleasant French people that were very interested in chatting it up with us. All in all, I would definitely recommend someone take a few days off to go to Montreal, it is beautiful. Oh and one more thing, do NOT go to club 'circus'. It truly is filled with a bunch of clowns.. how could a club not serve alcohol?