Brachiation

Just recently I started studying anthropology, and for a while I've been interested in primatology; I'm considering doing graduate studies in this area. I just find it so fascinating how human-like primates are in their behaviour--some even seem to have a human-like sense of humour, and a self-awareness you don't see in most animals.

Today in class, we covered 'brachiation' which is the graceful swinging from tree to tree that many primates do. Gibbons are particularly good at this. Their arms are longer than their legs, showing their advanced adaptation to this form of locomotion. These apes (not monkeys) are part of the group of primates closest genetically to humans, but they're much further from us when compared with chimps, gorillas and bonobos. Gibbons are naturally monogamous, (debatably) the only great ape who does this. They're not considered social (in comparison with other apes), and form small family units that drive away other gibbons. Anyway, I found this video while searching up some examples of brachiation, and I must ask, who wouldn't want to study something this awesome? This cheeky fellow certainly seems to have that aforementioned sense of humour. See for yourself...

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La Vie En Rose

Alright, so there's a significant reason why this title is in French--in a few days I am taking off to the land of all things French to visit my boyfriend, whom I've been with for almost a year now (yay!) for a much-anticipated visit. Being that I live in Canada, we don't get to see each other all that often. Very lame. I've proposed they just use some of that pent-up techtonic energy and jet Canada somewhat into the Atlantic Ocean so we're closer, but they don't seem to be going for it. Anyway, naturally it is on my mind, so Imma write about it a bit.

My Frenchtastic piece of French (who I will refer to as 'Mec' in the future) lives in what I think is one of the most beautiful areas of the country (though really, don't quote me on that because I haven't seen all of France by a long shot). It's a region called 'Rhône Alpes' and it is surrounded by mountains. Gor-ge-ous. He tells me that there's already snow on the tops of the mountains, which makes me even more jealous that I don't live near enormous chunks of rock.

Another thing I love about France--the language. After about a bajillion years of studying, I am finally getting kind of good at it. I know lots of useful words. Like 'maïze' and 'oeil' and 'autochtone'...and 'degage' and 'ta gueule'. Yeah, you pick up lots of useful terms. I'm getting pretty good at this cheek-kissing thing too. I only rudely and completely ignored his father while he was trying to greet me once so far! Lemme tell you, it seems pretty simple, but I'm still not sure who I'm supposed to kiss and when. But in all seriousness, it really is great to finally feel that I'm making progress in French. Despite it being an official language of our country, they really aren't very serious about English students learning it, which is a pity. However, it's pretty difficult to find an opportunity to practice if you live in English-speaking Canada.

So all in all I am très excited for this trip. Honestly, I wish I could go see him every month. That's, of course, the best part. La France wouldn't be the same without him. I wouldn't get to mock him, or have him explain to me the strange, strange ways of his people (just kidding, hon) or explain to him the even stranger ways of mine (no, mon amour, 'beaver tails' are not real beaver tails...NO Mec, I did not have to kill a bear with my bare hands to be considered a full-grown woman at 18). Though we will both be studying the whole time (which we actually can do together because we're AWESOME) it will be fantabulous to hang out :).