Monique Polak

My, my, it`s been quite an exciting day. First news: I flew here on a FOUR-seater plane and the PILOT WAS A WOMAN. Her name is Karen Stone, she is 32 and has two small daughters. The co-pilot was a guy named Marian Musil. He told me, ``I am the captain`s slave and secretary!``

I did three talks today at Bonaventure Polyvalent, where I met many young Gaspesians. I thought I`d tell you a littleabout them in today`s blog entry. Agnes McRae told me she loves to read. That`s good news for writers like me, Agnes! Colleen Major told me her nickname is ``Major Pain in the Butt.`` Even her brother Victor calls her `Major Pain`` when he passes her in the hallway at school. I didn`t think Colleen was a pain at all. In fact, I was most impressed when she told me is writing a book about her grandmother, who died when Colleen was 11. Kaneesha Smith showed me a poem she wrote called ``Walking Through Woods.`` I asked for her permission to let me quote my favourite line: ``picturing who she was and who she`s going to be.``

Tomorrow, I`m going to New Carlisle School. New Carlisle is the home of former Quebec premier Rene Levesque. It`s on the Baie des Chaleurs. I ran along the bay this afternoon. It`s gorgeous -- and huge! Will try to report in again later this week.