my life this week

• New follower alert! I would like to welcome Kym from Travel Babbles as my 13th follower. Kym is an ice hockey wife that has lived in way too many fun places. Please go and say hi!!
• I work for an accounting firm and busy season is in full swing. No more time for homework and reading new blogs while working! :(
• Last night, I saw Vay-row-nic as in Veronic Dicaire. She is a French Canadian singer impersonator/entertainer. She has an amazing repertoire of female voices that she can imitate like Katy Perry, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga just to name a few. Her energy is incredible and moves all over on stage with her dancers. She has become a Las Vegas sensation and is now doing a Quebec tour.  

• I need WANT a pair of Hunter boots. Bidou proposed that I set myself a goal and if I achieve it and can therefore buy the boots. I love that idea. Now I need to find a goal. Any ideas are welcomed?
• Daddy is leaving tomorrow for a month stay in Florida. I am sad since he his my number one friend that I like to hang out with when Bidou is not around.
• A couple more evenings and I will be done reading Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (book 6 of 2014 reading challenge). I am immensely enjoying the many 80s references included in the book.  

I took this picture this morning.

Lately, Kloé's routine is waking me up at 6 am, going outside to do her business, eats her breakfast and runs back to bed to snuggle up with Bidou.

How precious!!!

2014 reading challenge and new follower

I promised myself that I would welcome every new member that joins Kouisse's Korner as a follower via Google. Bienvenue to Stephanie from Not Entirely Perfect!! Stephanie recently wrote a post on planners that I just loved reading. Thanks for joining and being my 9th follower. 

There is no secret that I love to read. I actually prefer reading than watching television or a movie. I was 19 years old when I read my first real book ~  Family Album by Danielle Steel. I had never heard of Danielle Steel back then and remember devouring and collecting all of her books during my 20's. I only started discovering other authors in my 30's (so glad that I saw the light and ditched Danielle Steel). And since then, I have been hooked to the best pastime ever.

I love to challenge myself to reading goals.  Last year's reading goal was 40 books but I only read 30 books (and hopefully one day it will be 52 books).  You can find my list of books here.  I am challenging myself again this year to read 40 books.  I love to keep track of the books I read in a small green notepad that I have had for years but recently I have been using Goodreads and love it. Goodreads is the largest site for readers and recommendations in the world. If you are a member of Goodreads please do not hesitate to add me as your friend (please click here).

Last night I finished (book 1 of 40) reading Souvenirs de la Banlieue - les jumeaux". It is the 6th and last book of a French Canadian series from Rosette Laberge. 

Have you set a reading challenge for 2014??

trips and books and new follower

First I need to thank Tabitha from Wandering Java Lover for becoming my 7th follower. She is a Canadian blogger that loves Starbucks and Books. My kind of girl!!! :)  Please check out her blog!

By this time tomorrow, I will be up in the air flying somewhere over the Florida Keys on my way to Cancun Mexico for the week. 

My schedule today is crazy. I am working until 4:30 pm then I have an spa appointment for a pedicure (love pedicures!) and for some waxing (must look good in that bathing suit!). Then I need to pack for Bidou and I.    

Last night my hairdresser (yes... I couldn't go to Cancun with my roots showing!) asked me what kind of packer I was. Then it got me thinking about the stuff I do bring on trips. I think I bring just enough in clothes and shoes. I usually pack one suitcase for Bidou and I plus we have our carry-ons.  That's not so bad... right?? However, the item that I do bring to many of is books. For some reason, I am always afraid that I will run out of stuff to read.  Last summer when travelling to Key West for the month of August, I packed 12 books but only read 5 of them. Go figure!!

I usually read books on my mini i-pad but when travelling to Mexico, I love to bring real books. I find it is easier for reading at the beach or near the pool.

The following is a picture of the books that I am bringing on this trip.  My priority is to finish The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I hopefully to read another!! :)

grrrr... I can't get this picture to rotate... sorry people!!

What do you over pack when travelling on a vacation???

I will be taking a break from this blog next week but will be back in full force on December 9th.  Hope you all have a great week! :)

Finally.... Target Canada and new followers

First item to report - my 3 new followers.

I finally decided to share my blog with friends and family.  I created a Facebook Page for Kouisse's Korner and not long after my stats when up!!

Consequently, my 3 new followers are my husband (thanks Bidou!) and 2 very close high school friends, Nath and Chantal! 

 ~ Now for Target Canada ~

When they first announced that Targets were being brought to Canada, I was excited because Target has been one of my favourite stores that I discovered while living in New Jersey.  I was double excited when I found that they were building one walking distance to my home.  

Finally, the day I've been waiting for was last Friday - 

The Grand Opening of Target!

Since I've visited my fair share of Targets throughout the U.S., I was happy to see that the layout and concept was the exact same!  The only difference is the language on the signs - they are in French.  That is regulation since there is a law in Québec (another law to add to my list) that all signs on commercial buildings must be in the french language.

I went in the evening and there were TONS of curious people like myself walking along the aisles.  The #1 comment people where stating... "it so expensive here!"  People that are not familiar with Target think that they were getting a second Walmart and that prices should be automatically the same.  I completely agree that things were more expensive but things were a lot nicer.. more quality stuff compared to Walmart.

Pic of Daddy and Kevin checking out the electronic section!

Bottom line... I love the new Target. The store is big, clean and their merchandise is beautiful.  I predict that many of my future shopping trips will be spent browsing the aisles at Target!!

second follower & strange laws in quebec

A shout-out to Brianna from Endlessly Beloved for being my second ever follower.  I just realized that Brianna could be my daughter.  The blogsphere is just a strange place... helping people from different generations to connect without prejudice!  Thanks again Brianna.  And please check out her wonderful love story.  

Now on to my story....

On Wednesday, I had my winter tires installed on my car. Many of you are now probably thinking… why the hell does she get winter tires installed in the middle of October. I have 2 answers for you.  My first answer - it’s a Quebec law. My second answer - my brother owns a garage and if I want to take advantage of a free installation, I better get there before the crowds do because the day it’s start snowing… it is like hell broke loose in his garage!

Then it got me thinking about different laws that exists only in the province of Quebec.

And here are a couple of them...

The law on winter tires

Since 2008, between December 15 to March 15, the owner of a taxi or passenger vehicle registered in Québec may not put the vehicle into operation unless it is equipped with tires specifically designed for winter driving, in compliance with the standards prescribed by government regulation. 

The law on keeping your maiden name after marriage

In Québec, you must keep your maiden name when you get married.  Since 1981, no change may be made to a person's name without the authorization of the registrar of civil status or the authorization of the court. Newlyweds who wish to change their names upon marriage must therefore go through the same procedure as those changing their names for other reasons. The registrar of civil status may authorize a name change if: 1) the name the person generally uses does not correspond to the name on their birth certificate, 2) where the name is of foreign origin or too difficult to pronounce or write in its original form, or 3) where the name invites ridicule or has become infamous. This law does not allow a woman to immediately legally change her name upon marriage, as marriage is not listed among the reasons for a name change.

I have so much planned for the weekend... hope you will be back on Monday for a recap!