This is a true story. It all happened somewhere in yesterday...
I've been wondering a lot lately how friends are made. I know a lot of people, but I can't really remember how I met all of them. Are first meetings really that important? I remember some of them, the important ones. Otherwise, I just kind of fell into friendship with people. I guess we do make a lot of impressions with our first meetings of people, but I don't know how important they really are. I have friends who didn't really like me the first time they met me, but now we're really good friends. Why does everyone think first impressions are so important? Maybe some are.
I remember my first meeting with my friend Caitlin. It's probably one of the ones I remember best. We were in grade six, about twelve or so. We were waiting for our bus out front of the high school and a couple of my classmates were giving me a hard time about something (I can't remember what). I decided to do the logical thing and walk away. I went and sat on a curb and started reading my book. I was still pretty upset, but reading always made me feel better. I remember it was the third Harry Potter book that I was reading. I didn't know it, but Caitlin had seen what had caused me to walk away from my classmates. So she walked over to where I was sitting, sat down beside me and said, "Hey, what are you reading?". This was the beginning of our friendship. I don't know why I remember this first meeting so well. I guess it's just something that's important to me.
Another great first meeting was when I met Gen. It was at Caitlin's birthday party one year. Caitlin and Gen were running up and down the street screaming "Honk if you like Peter Pan" to passing cars. When they screamed it at my mom's car then we drove into the driveway, they thought that we were angry at them, so they went running towards the front door. They stopped running once they realized it was me. Needless to say, I immediately joined them in their yelling. It was a lot of fun and that's probably the only part of that party I remember.
My introduction to my boyfriend was a series of meetings. The first time I met him was before school while I was waiting for my bus in front of his middle school. He was friends with Gen and she said hi to him and introduced me. The next time I met him was months later. He and Gen had gone for a bike ride that morning and I came to hang out with them shortly after that. We hung out for a while at Gen's house before her parents came home and told her we had to leave because she had chores to do. Steve lived up Promontory at the time (a big hill) and didn't feel like walking/biking up it that soon after his bike ride so I invited him to my place to hang out. When I got there, my parents wanted me to clean the kitchen. I told Steve he could just sit there and hang out while I did it, because we could still talk while I cleaned. He, however, didn't like the idea of me just cleaning by myself while he just sat there so he started to help. The first time he met my step-dad was when he was sweeping our floor. After that, we hung out a lot. By a lot I mean everyday. Then I went camping with my family and he and our friend Tyson came up to visit for the day. We went swimming and I think that was the day I really fell for Steve. It was one of the best days ever.
Other meetings I've had were more subtle. People I meet at work tend to get the "you work with me, so now I'm talking to you" thing. This is pretty much where I just start talking to the person, forget to introduce myself and we end up as friends anyways. Jaimie likes to say that I became her friend by just telling her that we're friends now and she couldn't argue with it. Most of my newest friends got that kind of introduction to me. I just acted like myself and hoped they would like me. Seemed to work well enough.
I guess some first meetings are more important than others. With some of my friends, it really doesn't matter how I met them, just that we did meet at some point. Others, that first meeting meant a lot to everyone. When I think about it, the ones I remember the most were very connected. If Caitlin had never come over to talk to me that day, I never would have met her, Gen or Steve. I also never would have met a lot of my other friends that I know now. The most important meetings to me, lead to great things.
Your assignment for today is to try to remember the first time you met some of your friends. You don't have to write it down. Just remember it.
-Ciao!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Letter to a Forgotten Friend
This is a true story. It all happened somewhere in yesterday...
Dear world,
Do you remember when you were easy? When I didn't have to ever make decisions and people were just nice? What happened to you world? You've changed. When I was young, you were exciting and fun. I liked going to school, meeting new people. Now I just go to school and to work naturally. There's no excitement there.
Do you remember, world, when I danced on stage? When it was still fun and not at all complicated. When I wasn't so much worried that I would forget the steps or mess up, but about enjoying myself. Remember when it didn't matter if I won and I could still talk to other competitors like they were friends and allies? The judges were our real competition, not each other. What happened that made it change? When did everyone start caring more about winning?
And world, do you remember when I used to watch the stars? Remember when I had time to stop and just watch? Or when I didn't care if my hair got wet in the rain? Remember the day that you poured rain down on us, and Steve and I still went for a walk? We stopped in the middle of the street, our hair dripping wet, but we weren't cold. It was comfortable and fun. I didn't care about being wet, I was just happy. Why don't we ever dance in the rain anymore?
Remember when prom came around, world? It was a long time coming. When Kayla and I stayed up all night to get tickets for our boyfriends, it wasn't a hassle. We watched chick flicks and drank energy drinks all night and I felt accomplished when the time for us to buy the tickets came around. Even moreso when I made it through the whole school day without falling asleep. And when we finally made it to prom, I was so proud of myself in my beautiful dress. I felt like a princess and it suddenly felt like all the work I had done to get to that point was worth it. What happened to that feeling world? Where did it disappear to?
Remember world, when you were still new to me? Remember when I couldn't wait to grow up and be rich and famous and see the world? What ever happened to that?
What happened to you world? You've changed.
Assignment: Dance in the rain.
-Ciao!
Dear world,
Do you remember when you were easy? When I didn't have to ever make decisions and people were just nice? What happened to you world? You've changed. When I was young, you were exciting and fun. I liked going to school, meeting new people. Now I just go to school and to work naturally. There's no excitement there.
Do you remember, world, when I danced on stage? When it was still fun and not at all complicated. When I wasn't so much worried that I would forget the steps or mess up, but about enjoying myself. Remember when it didn't matter if I won and I could still talk to other competitors like they were friends and allies? The judges were our real competition, not each other. What happened that made it change? When did everyone start caring more about winning?
And world, do you remember when I used to watch the stars? Remember when I had time to stop and just watch? Or when I didn't care if my hair got wet in the rain? Remember the day that you poured rain down on us, and Steve and I still went for a walk? We stopped in the middle of the street, our hair dripping wet, but we weren't cold. It was comfortable and fun. I didn't care about being wet, I was just happy. Why don't we ever dance in the rain anymore?
Remember when prom came around, world? It was a long time coming. When Kayla and I stayed up all night to get tickets for our boyfriends, it wasn't a hassle. We watched chick flicks and drank energy drinks all night and I felt accomplished when the time for us to buy the tickets came around. Even moreso when I made it through the whole school day without falling asleep. And when we finally made it to prom, I was so proud of myself in my beautiful dress. I felt like a princess and it suddenly felt like all the work I had done to get to that point was worth it. What happened to that feeling world? Where did it disappear to?
Remember world, when you were still new to me? Remember when I couldn't wait to grow up and be rich and famous and see the world? What ever happened to that?
What happened to you world? You've changed.
Assignment: Dance in the rain.
-Ciao!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Roomie
This is a true story. It all happened somewhere in yesterday...
So I just had a new roommate move in- a friend of mine from back home who lived at home still until now. It makes me think about the first time I moved out of my parent's place and started to be all independent and "mature". I have two times that I could consider my first moving-out experience.
The first time was when I moved into the dorms at UVic. It was a great experience, but I don't like to consider it my first time off on my own. This is mainly because it was just a dorm room, not an apartment. The room consisted of a bed, a desk and a wardrobe. It was tiny. The bathrooms were public (one for girls and one for boys on each floor) and we ate food in the cafeteria everyday. We also had community leaders to keep track of everything. It did give the illusion of independence though. We could go anywhere we wanted without having to check in and I did spend a lot of time at my boyfriend's apartment. However, I still went back home to Chilliwack at the end of the year. I stayed there for a month before finally moving back out to Victoria to live with my boyfriend.
My second experience, which I consider to be the proper one, was when I moved in with my boyfriend in Victoria. Now, at the time it was him and another friend of mine living in a one bedroom apartment. It was cramped. My boy had the bedroom and our friend lived in the living room. It was incredibly frustrating and we got at each other throats a lot. So, inevitably, our roommate moved out and we got the place to ourselves. So, for about a year we lived in that apartment all by ourselves. I felt quite mature, juggling work and school and paying rent and buy groceries. It was great. The only problem was the apartment itself and our new building manager (the old one got cancer and had to move out :( Not sure how that turned out). Our apartment was small and on the fourth floor. We still had a hole in ceiling when we moved out from where they drained the water when it was leaking down from the roof. The kitchen was also terrible. It was tiny and closed on one end. As someone who is a little claustrophobic, it was really hard for me to be willing to cook/clean in a kitchen like that. So, when our current roommate went through a breakup with his now ex-girlfriend (who is also one of my best friends) and met his new girlfriend on a visit to Victoria, we offered to find a two-bedroom with him out here. So, we did and he moved in a couple of days ago. It's great.
So anyways, there are a few things that I would say everyone should pay attention to when moving into a new apartment. Firstly, make sure to leave room for your roommates, even if they're moving in after you. It's their place too. Don't decorate the group living areas without them or arrange the furniture in a way that they hate. Also, make sure to start doing the dishes all the time. The build up sucks more than just doing them right away. Trust me. Change pots are also a great idea. Have a place where you can all put your spare change. The buildup of change can be used for laundry and buying communal stuff for the apartment. Have a designated mail spot too. That way, everyone gets their mail, even if only one person has the key. In general, just try to work things out so it's easier for everyone. Don't be a dick. If you want your roommates to go out of their way to make your life easier, you have to be willing to do the same. Also, buy groceries! Your roommates will eat your soul if you're the only one not buying groceries. Watch for them labeling things. It's a sign that you need to buy more shit.
So, my assignment for you today is to clean your respective apartments/ rooms. Make your living spaces easier to deal with and try to keep them that way.
-Ciao!
So I just had a new roommate move in- a friend of mine from back home who lived at home still until now. It makes me think about the first time I moved out of my parent's place and started to be all independent and "mature". I have two times that I could consider my first moving-out experience.
The first time was when I moved into the dorms at UVic. It was a great experience, but I don't like to consider it my first time off on my own. This is mainly because it was just a dorm room, not an apartment. The room consisted of a bed, a desk and a wardrobe. It was tiny. The bathrooms were public (one for girls and one for boys on each floor) and we ate food in the cafeteria everyday. We also had community leaders to keep track of everything. It did give the illusion of independence though. We could go anywhere we wanted without having to check in and I did spend a lot of time at my boyfriend's apartment. However, I still went back home to Chilliwack at the end of the year. I stayed there for a month before finally moving back out to Victoria to live with my boyfriend.
My second experience, which I consider to be the proper one, was when I moved in with my boyfriend in Victoria. Now, at the time it was him and another friend of mine living in a one bedroom apartment. It was cramped. My boy had the bedroom and our friend lived in the living room. It was incredibly frustrating and we got at each other throats a lot. So, inevitably, our roommate moved out and we got the place to ourselves. So, for about a year we lived in that apartment all by ourselves. I felt quite mature, juggling work and school and paying rent and buy groceries. It was great. The only problem was the apartment itself and our new building manager (the old one got cancer and had to move out :( Not sure how that turned out). Our apartment was small and on the fourth floor. We still had a hole in ceiling when we moved out from where they drained the water when it was leaking down from the roof. The kitchen was also terrible. It was tiny and closed on one end. As someone who is a little claustrophobic, it was really hard for me to be willing to cook/clean in a kitchen like that. So, when our current roommate went through a breakup with his now ex-girlfriend (who is also one of my best friends) and met his new girlfriend on a visit to Victoria, we offered to find a two-bedroom with him out here. So, we did and he moved in a couple of days ago. It's great.
So anyways, there are a few things that I would say everyone should pay attention to when moving into a new apartment. Firstly, make sure to leave room for your roommates, even if they're moving in after you. It's their place too. Don't decorate the group living areas without them or arrange the furniture in a way that they hate. Also, make sure to start doing the dishes all the time. The build up sucks more than just doing them right away. Trust me. Change pots are also a great idea. Have a place where you can all put your spare change. The buildup of change can be used for laundry and buying communal stuff for the apartment. Have a designated mail spot too. That way, everyone gets their mail, even if only one person has the key. In general, just try to work things out so it's easier for everyone. Don't be a dick. If you want your roommates to go out of their way to make your life easier, you have to be willing to do the same. Also, buy groceries! Your roommates will eat your soul if you're the only one not buying groceries. Watch for them labeling things. It's a sign that you need to buy more shit.
So, my assignment for you today is to clean your respective apartments/ rooms. Make your living spaces easier to deal with and try to keep them that way.
-Ciao!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Work
This is a true story. It all happened somewhere in yesterday...
So work lately (I work in a thrift store that I will not name here) has been frustrating me and a lot of my coworkers lately, so I feel I should also talk about my opinions on the matter. Since this is a blog about the past, I will keep it there. The way things have been going at this job reminds me a lot of my last job: McDonald's (Yes, we've all done our time at some fast food restaurant during high school).
When I worked at McDicks (as I lovingly refer to it) I got promoted pretty quickly to a crew trainer*. It was pretty cool because I got more responsibility and more money (that's the thing about the place I work now. More responsibility doesn't always mean more money). Anyways, I did that for a while before I got bored of it and talked to my Restaurant Manager about another promotion to Team Leader*. This is where the problems started. When you're becoming a Team Leader you get what's called a shadow- a manager who helps train you to be a Team Leader. I was given the one Manager that my Restaurant Manager* disliked as my shadow. So, naturally there was some hostility between him and the RM. This shouldn't have affected my promotion, but I soon learned that the Restaurant Manager was trying to get me to fail as she struggled against me every step of the way while she helped every other crew trainer who was training for the promotion at the time. For background, we needed to go take a class in Vancouver to get promoted. When this class was coming up for me, I discovered that everyone else had been scheduled to take it except for me. Which is ridiculous because I had been there the longest out of the lot of us. Anyways, I did end up getting into the class only because one of the others couldn't make it that day and they had already paid for his position in the class.
So when I finished the class I got promoted, right? Wrong. No, I got back from the class after doing really well in it and still didn't get the promotion. Apparently, I still needed to know how to do a travel path (walk around and check that everything was clean) and do one for every day for a week. This was retarded. So, I jumped through the hoops and did it. Then, finally I went up to the restaurant Manager and told her I had done what she asked. Finally, she gives me this look of defeat and says she'll promote me. Took freaking forever.
No, things didn't stop after that. After that, everyone was being promoted to Swing Managers*. I figured, why not me? So, I tried for it really hard and this time, the Restaurant Manager didn't even attempt to pretend that she wanted me promoted. Instead, she gave me this BS line about how all the managers needed to vote unanimously for my promotion and "they" (I'm pretty sure it was only her) had decided that I was too nice to the crew to be promoted. Are you kidding me? One of the requirements for a promotion there was a good repor with the crew. They had to be willing to listen to you. Since I had trained the vast majority of them, they all listened to me quite well. They instead promoted a couple of people who I think were not suited for management. Everyone thought they were idiots who couldn't do their jobs. There was no respect for them because they didn't earn it. Well, it was more of one specific person who was like that. Anyways, I never got that promotion and ended up moving to Victoria and getting my current job and going to school.
Anyways, as I said. I'm feeling like it's a similar situation where I work now. I don't begrudge them for not promoting me right now, however, because I understand their reasons. I'm not full time. My hours don't work out properly for me to be a supervisor. I do however, think that the person who did get promoted was not a good choice. I sometimes feel like I don't want to go to work just because he's there. I keep feeling so frustrated around him. When I'm asked to help him however I can to make him a better supervisor and he refuses to listen to my advice, I'm forced to say that I can't help him anymore. It's impossible to teach someone who won't learn.
So, my assignment today is for you to not back down about something you believe in. Don't be silent if you have a problem at work. I'm not. I talked to someone yesterday about the whole situation. Hopefully it will be dealt with.
-Ciao!
So work lately (I work in a thrift store that I will not name here) has been frustrating me and a lot of my coworkers lately, so I feel I should also talk about my opinions on the matter. Since this is a blog about the past, I will keep it there. The way things have been going at this job reminds me a lot of my last job: McDonald's (Yes, we've all done our time at some fast food restaurant during high school).
When I worked at McDicks (as I lovingly refer to it) I got promoted pretty quickly to a crew trainer*. It was pretty cool because I got more responsibility and more money (that's the thing about the place I work now. More responsibility doesn't always mean more money). Anyways, I did that for a while before I got bored of it and talked to my Restaurant Manager about another promotion to Team Leader*. This is where the problems started. When you're becoming a Team Leader you get what's called a shadow- a manager who helps train you to be a Team Leader. I was given the one Manager that my Restaurant Manager* disliked as my shadow. So, naturally there was some hostility between him and the RM. This shouldn't have affected my promotion, but I soon learned that the Restaurant Manager was trying to get me to fail as she struggled against me every step of the way while she helped every other crew trainer who was training for the promotion at the time. For background, we needed to go take a class in Vancouver to get promoted. When this class was coming up for me, I discovered that everyone else had been scheduled to take it except for me. Which is ridiculous because I had been there the longest out of the lot of us. Anyways, I did end up getting into the class only because one of the others couldn't make it that day and they had already paid for his position in the class.
So when I finished the class I got promoted, right? Wrong. No, I got back from the class after doing really well in it and still didn't get the promotion. Apparently, I still needed to know how to do a travel path (walk around and check that everything was clean) and do one for every day for a week. This was retarded. So, I jumped through the hoops and did it. Then, finally I went up to the restaurant Manager and told her I had done what she asked. Finally, she gives me this look of defeat and says she'll promote me. Took freaking forever.
No, things didn't stop after that. After that, everyone was being promoted to Swing Managers*. I figured, why not me? So, I tried for it really hard and this time, the Restaurant Manager didn't even attempt to pretend that she wanted me promoted. Instead, she gave me this BS line about how all the managers needed to vote unanimously for my promotion and "they" (I'm pretty sure it was only her) had decided that I was too nice to the crew to be promoted. Are you kidding me? One of the requirements for a promotion there was a good repor with the crew. They had to be willing to listen to you. Since I had trained the vast majority of them, they all listened to me quite well. They instead promoted a couple of people who I think were not suited for management. Everyone thought they were idiots who couldn't do their jobs. There was no respect for them because they didn't earn it. Well, it was more of one specific person who was like that. Anyways, I never got that promotion and ended up moving to Victoria and getting my current job and going to school.
Anyways, as I said. I'm feeling like it's a similar situation where I work now. I don't begrudge them for not promoting me right now, however, because I understand their reasons. I'm not full time. My hours don't work out properly for me to be a supervisor. I do however, think that the person who did get promoted was not a good choice. I sometimes feel like I don't want to go to work just because he's there. I keep feeling so frustrated around him. When I'm asked to help him however I can to make him a better supervisor and he refuses to listen to my advice, I'm forced to say that I can't help him anymore. It's impossible to teach someone who won't learn.
So, my assignment today is for you to not back down about something you believe in. Don't be silent if you have a problem at work. I'm not. I talked to someone yesterday about the whole situation. Hopefully it will be dealt with.
-Ciao!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Spontaneous Day
This is a true story. It all happened somewhere in yesterday...
So a couple of days ago, it was spontaneous day. My friend Mav and I were having lunch when she mentioned that she wanted to get her hair cut and colored at some point soon. So, my response to this was "Well, let's go do it then". Anyways, long story short, she ended up with slightly shorted hair, bangs and blue and purple streaks. It was great and it couldn't help reminding me of other spontaneous days that I've been involved in.
One time, when my friend Kayla and I were in the mall (this was when we were in high school and hanging out at the mall was cool) we were talking about the fact that I have my nose pierced and she was thinking about getting something pierced as well. Well, as I always do, I suggested that we just walk on over to the piercing place and get her nose pierced. Needless to say, Kayla ended that day with a pierced nose. Another day, we were spontaneous once again when she got her lip pierced. Most of these piercings ended up being taken out after a while. Kayla's piercings always seem to get infected.
I feel the need to say at this point that I'm usually the one who says "you should do this" and not the one who actually does it. Not sure why this happens. Could be because I'm a redhead and would never color my hair and because I'm pretty sure I only look good with the piercings I already have. Maybe I'm just very persuasive. Not really sure why people listen to me.
Anyways, another great moment of spontineity was when we walked down to the river (we lived down the street from it at the time) on a hot summer day. This was with the Captives, or rather the ones we could drag out that day. We didn't bring our bathing suits because we were only planning on walking around down there. Instead, we ended up emptying our pockets of keys and electronics before jumping in full clothed. Yes, jumping into the Fraser River fully clothed is usually a stupid idea. However, we were in a side channel that was pretty calm and there were enough of us there to save anyone who started to get dragged away. Of course, nobody did get dragged away. It ended up being an awesome day. We sat out beside the water to dry off in the sun then headed off to hang out at one of our houses. Probably one of the best days of that summer.
So my assignment for everyone today is to do something spontaneous. It doesn't have to be drastic or dangerous, just something random that you didn't plan to do today.
P.S. Sorry for the delay in postings. I'm in midterm week right now.
Ciao!
So a couple of days ago, it was spontaneous day. My friend Mav and I were having lunch when she mentioned that she wanted to get her hair cut and colored at some point soon. So, my response to this was "Well, let's go do it then". Anyways, long story short, she ended up with slightly shorted hair, bangs and blue and purple streaks. It was great and it couldn't help reminding me of other spontaneous days that I've been involved in.
One time, when my friend Kayla and I were in the mall (this was when we were in high school and hanging out at the mall was cool) we were talking about the fact that I have my nose pierced and she was thinking about getting something pierced as well. Well, as I always do, I suggested that we just walk on over to the piercing place and get her nose pierced. Needless to say, Kayla ended that day with a pierced nose. Another day, we were spontaneous once again when she got her lip pierced. Most of these piercings ended up being taken out after a while. Kayla's piercings always seem to get infected.
I feel the need to say at this point that I'm usually the one who says "you should do this" and not the one who actually does it. Not sure why this happens. Could be because I'm a redhead and would never color my hair and because I'm pretty sure I only look good with the piercings I already have. Maybe I'm just very persuasive. Not really sure why people listen to me.
Anyways, another great moment of spontineity was when we walked down to the river (we lived down the street from it at the time) on a hot summer day. This was with the Captives, or rather the ones we could drag out that day. We didn't bring our bathing suits because we were only planning on walking around down there. Instead, we ended up emptying our pockets of keys and electronics before jumping in full clothed. Yes, jumping into the Fraser River fully clothed is usually a stupid idea. However, we were in a side channel that was pretty calm and there were enough of us there to save anyone who started to get dragged away. Of course, nobody did get dragged away. It ended up being an awesome day. We sat out beside the water to dry off in the sun then headed off to hang out at one of our houses. Probably one of the best days of that summer.
So my assignment for everyone today is to do something spontaneous. It doesn't have to be drastic or dangerous, just something random that you didn't plan to do today.
P.S. Sorry for the delay in postings. I'm in midterm week right now.
Ciao!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Mexico
This is a true story. It all happened somewhere in yesterday....
So I had turkey dinner on Sunday for thanksgiving at my mom's place. It was a lot of fun and it made me start thinking about past holidays. The thing that I find funny is that I find myself remembering the holidays when I wasn't at home. The prominent one was Easter in my grad year.
I remember that year very fondly and I still don't regret missing Easter. I missed it in order to go on this trip called Project Help Mexico. It was a great trip. The purpose of Project Help Mexico is to build a house (or houses) for those less fortunate than us in Mexico. The unfortunate part about it was that we were only allowed to build for people who owned their own land. If they didn't, then the landlords would be able to kick the people out of their homes and rent them out for a higher rent after the new house was built. The people who owned their own land needed just as much help as those who didn't. Their living conditions were not what we in Canada would call good. So, we built a house for this wonderful family in Tijuana, Mexico.
Anyways, the best part of this trip was that we went over Easter weekend. The build site was just next to a church where we could hear people singing during one of the days we were working. Another great thing about it was that we handed the keys to the house over on Easter. It was a great moment and there were a lot of tears. We didn't just give them a house, either. A few of the guys on the trip built the kids of the family a set of bunkbeds that were mounted on the wall and we all chipped in money in order to buy them some housewarming gifts. We even brought some stuff from home. I personally brought them some wool blankets. Others brought them a sewing machine and clothing and other such things. The biggest thing we got for them, I think was their oven/stove. I remember how important this piece was because the mother of the family was very excited to be able to cook a turkey for her family that Easter. It made us all realize how fortunate we were for what we had back home.
Project Help Mexico was a great experience that I would definitely do again if I could. It was the first time in my life where I felt like I was truly making a difference in someone's life and it helped that I did the trip with friends. We had a great time. I didn't completely miss out on my Easter either. When I opened my suitcase in my hotel room, I found that my mom had put a chocolate bunny and an Easter card into it while I wasn't looking. It made me smile and I shared some of it with my friend Kayla, who was sharing my room with me.
Anyways, my assignment for everyone today is this: Help someone. It can be anyone. I would suggest making a donation to Project Help Mexico. But, not everyone can afford that. So, just help someone however you can.
Ciao!
So I had turkey dinner on Sunday for thanksgiving at my mom's place. It was a lot of fun and it made me start thinking about past holidays. The thing that I find funny is that I find myself remembering the holidays when I wasn't at home. The prominent one was Easter in my grad year.
I remember that year very fondly and I still don't regret missing Easter. I missed it in order to go on this trip called Project Help Mexico. It was a great trip. The purpose of Project Help Mexico is to build a house (or houses) for those less fortunate than us in Mexico. The unfortunate part about it was that we were only allowed to build for people who owned their own land. If they didn't, then the landlords would be able to kick the people out of their homes and rent them out for a higher rent after the new house was built. The people who owned their own land needed just as much help as those who didn't. Their living conditions were not what we in Canada would call good. So, we built a house for this wonderful family in Tijuana, Mexico.
Anyways, the best part of this trip was that we went over Easter weekend. The build site was just next to a church where we could hear people singing during one of the days we were working. Another great thing about it was that we handed the keys to the house over on Easter. It was a great moment and there were a lot of tears. We didn't just give them a house, either. A few of the guys on the trip built the kids of the family a set of bunkbeds that were mounted on the wall and we all chipped in money in order to buy them some housewarming gifts. We even brought some stuff from home. I personally brought them some wool blankets. Others brought them a sewing machine and clothing and other such things. The biggest thing we got for them, I think was their oven/stove. I remember how important this piece was because the mother of the family was very excited to be able to cook a turkey for her family that Easter. It made us all realize how fortunate we were for what we had back home.
Project Help Mexico was a great experience that I would definitely do again if I could. It was the first time in my life where I felt like I was truly making a difference in someone's life and it helped that I did the trip with friends. We had a great time. I didn't completely miss out on my Easter either. When I opened my suitcase in my hotel room, I found that my mom had put a chocolate bunny and an Easter card into it while I wasn't looking. It made me smile and I shared some of it with my friend Kayla, who was sharing my room with me.
Anyways, my assignment for everyone today is this: Help someone. It can be anyone. I would suggest making a donation to Project Help Mexico. But, not everyone can afford that. So, just help someone however you can.
Ciao!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Boys
This is a true story. It all happened somewhere in yesterday...
When I was younger, I always seemed to get along better with boys than with girls. This could be because I liked a lot of the same things as the boys, but the same couldn't be said for the girls. I hated the colour pink (I'm still hard-pressed to find a shade that I enjoy) and I didn't really get into wearing makeup until almost grade twelve. Even then, I didn't wear it that much. I still don't bother with makeup a lot of the time. Takes too much energy to put it on.
Anyways, I recall that one time I was looking through my Mom's old yearbooks and one of the comments was "save some of the boys for us". Of course, I felt the need to ask Mom about this. It wasn't what most people would think it meant. Apparently, my mom used to hang out with all the boys when she was in school as well. Well, I'm one of those weird people who is proud that she's like her Mom. So, I saw this as a sign that I would turn out okay.
About a year ago, I met a few girls at work and started hanging out with them. This was really weird for me because I usually drift towards guys more. Anyways, we started going out for drinks a lot and I can't help recalling that I was incredibly awkward the first few times I went out with the girls. When you've grown up with boys your whole life, what do you say to a group of girls who know nothing about gaming and actually like mainstream music? Well, I guess I figured out something considering I'm still friends with all of them. It's hard not to be friends with me. I tend to just go up to people and tell them that we're friends now and they don't have a choice in the matter.
I realize something strange about myself. I've always hung out with groups. I'm not as comfortable in a one-on-one setting. I remember I started off hanging out with a group of boys in elementary school (well, there were two girls besides myself as well). Then, in middle school I was one of the few french immersion students who didn't hang out in the same room as the rest of the Frenchies everyday. I had a few older friends who I always spent time with. There were also the Captives who yes, did have females in it but I only really remained friends with the boys. There was also the Group who existed simultaneously with the Captives. They were a separate group because I didn't see a lot of them as often as I did the Captives. In high school, I was a techie. A sound tech, to be exact. I did belong to the first and only all-female tech crew. Strange for me and the school. But, I still hung out with my boys after school and during lunch. Well, the boys and Kayla- who was always a huge tomboy (until grade 12). I remember standing in line for a vending machine with her in grade eight and a couple of girls started hitting on her, thinking she was a boy. It was hilarious.
So anyways, my assignment today is for you to do something that's out of your comfort zone. Hang out with someone you wouldn't normally spend time with, or see a movie you think isn't the right genre for you. Anything that makes you expand you horizons.
When I was younger, I always seemed to get along better with boys than with girls. This could be because I liked a lot of the same things as the boys, but the same couldn't be said for the girls. I hated the colour pink (I'm still hard-pressed to find a shade that I enjoy) and I didn't really get into wearing makeup until almost grade twelve. Even then, I didn't wear it that much. I still don't bother with makeup a lot of the time. Takes too much energy to put it on.
Anyways, I recall that one time I was looking through my Mom's old yearbooks and one of the comments was "save some of the boys for us". Of course, I felt the need to ask Mom about this. It wasn't what most people would think it meant. Apparently, my mom used to hang out with all the boys when she was in school as well. Well, I'm one of those weird people who is proud that she's like her Mom. So, I saw this as a sign that I would turn out okay.
About a year ago, I met a few girls at work and started hanging out with them. This was really weird for me because I usually drift towards guys more. Anyways, we started going out for drinks a lot and I can't help recalling that I was incredibly awkward the first few times I went out with the girls. When you've grown up with boys your whole life, what do you say to a group of girls who know nothing about gaming and actually like mainstream music? Well, I guess I figured out something considering I'm still friends with all of them. It's hard not to be friends with me. I tend to just go up to people and tell them that we're friends now and they don't have a choice in the matter.
I realize something strange about myself. I've always hung out with groups. I'm not as comfortable in a one-on-one setting. I remember I started off hanging out with a group of boys in elementary school (well, there were two girls besides myself as well). Then, in middle school I was one of the few french immersion students who didn't hang out in the same room as the rest of the Frenchies everyday. I had a few older friends who I always spent time with. There were also the Captives who yes, did have females in it but I only really remained friends with the boys. There was also the Group who existed simultaneously with the Captives. They were a separate group because I didn't see a lot of them as often as I did the Captives. In high school, I was a techie. A sound tech, to be exact. I did belong to the first and only all-female tech crew. Strange for me and the school. But, I still hung out with my boys after school and during lunch. Well, the boys and Kayla- who was always a huge tomboy (until grade 12). I remember standing in line for a vending machine with her in grade eight and a couple of girls started hitting on her, thinking she was a boy. It was hilarious.
So anyways, my assignment today is for you to do something that's out of your comfort zone. Hang out with someone you wouldn't normally spend time with, or see a movie you think isn't the right genre for you. Anything that makes you expand you horizons.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Quadratic Effect
This is a true story. It all happened somewhere in yesterday...
I find myself remembering my first attempt at writing a novel. I didn't originally plan for it to ever be finished or for anybody to ever read it. Well, I was kind of right on one count. I started writing it in grade six and continued to write it until about grade eight or nine. I had a bit of a following with it as well. A bunch of people in my french immersion class were always wanting to read it and that inspired me to write even more. I ended up finishing the first book (on a major cliffhanger and I would never end a book like that now) and starting the next one. I called the series Quadratic Effect- a name that my Step-dad came up with. It was about four sets of twins who could channel the abilities of the four elements: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. No one twin could do anything by themselves. They needed their sibling. At the time, I thought this was a great story idea. It seems a little lame now, though.
Anyways, after a while, I just stopped writing it. I think I just realized that I'd been writing these stories for years and had yet to edit or change any of it. My content started to change a lot through the years. I moved away from the importance of the bond between the twins and started to go towards a few other subplots. I did, however plan out the entire series to the end. I even once tried to go back and rewrite the first two and a half books that I wrote, but the story was over for me. I would love to use the characters again, though.
So, for anybody who's reading this and used to read QC as I was writing it I will now reveal to you how all of the characters would turn out. Anyone who hasn't read QC, lucky you. Maybe I'll dig it up sometime and post some bits of it on here for a few laughs. Anyways, here it goes. Hopefully I won't forget any characters.
Colin: Obviously, he was always everyone's favorite. The comic relief. Everyone always loved that he managed to get hurt so often and yet never fatally so. He was unbreakable. Anyone who read the most recent book will remember that he was diagnosed with Cancer (can't remember what kind). Everyone always assumed that he would make it through because he's Colin and Colin can't die. This, unfortunately isn't true. Since about halfway through the first book, I always planned for him to die in the end. He was the only character I couldn't see a future for. In the end, Colin does die with his sister Caitlin by his bedside. He gives Caitlin his half of the power over wind and she becomes the only character able to use her power on her own. The final scene of the final book has been written multiple times and it is always Caitlin spreading Colin's ashes.
Caitlin: We all remember Caitlin as the sensible one who fell for dark and brooding Nelidern and took care of her reckless brother. She is broken apart by her brother's death but does move on to date and later marry Nelidern.
Anula (yes, I made up these names): We remember that she didn't have proper use of her legs, using supports to walk around. Also, she was eventually possessed by the main antagonist (whose name I can't remember). Well, surprise! She was freed from her possession eventually. Yay! That's all I can remember for her history.
Nelidern: He was always full of depression. In the most recent book, he used some of his power over fire to burn his own face, scarring it permanently. This was because he blamed himself for his sister's possession and just couldn't handle it. Eventually, Cailtin does help him make it through and they end up together. Yay!
Connell: Okay, I can't actually remember my plan for him. Pretty sure he ends up awesome though.
Kanella: Okay, this one I had big plans for. She was just starting to date this guy nearing the end of the most recent book. Well, it turns out the dude was super abusive. Her brother, Connell and the rest of the twins get rid of the guy for her, convincing him to stay away from Kanella. Unfortunately for her, they don't get rid of him before she gets pregnant. She's only sixteen at this point but does choose to keep the kid. Everyone helps her raise him.
Bella: Bella was in love with Colin, and her and Caitlin never really got along. That is, until Colin's death. She never moves on, unable to find anyone that she can care for more than Colin. However, her and Caitlin become close friends finally.
Bernand: Well, he was never a super happy guy. He does end up happy in the end with one of the girls. Can't remember which one though.
Gen: Also can't remember what happens to her. Not super important to the story though, I remember.
Well, those are all the main ones. Hope you enjoyed reading about their stories. It was an amazingly lame story but something made people want to read it. I think someday I may use some of the characters again. Probably Colin will show up in something just because I loved his personality so much. I think very fondly about the QC series. It was my first big project and it really helped me decide that I wanted to be a writer someday.
So, my assignment for you today is to do something creative. Write something, draw something. Anything. It doesn't matter, just do it for fun.
Ciao!
I find myself remembering my first attempt at writing a novel. I didn't originally plan for it to ever be finished or for anybody to ever read it. Well, I was kind of right on one count. I started writing it in grade six and continued to write it until about grade eight or nine. I had a bit of a following with it as well. A bunch of people in my french immersion class were always wanting to read it and that inspired me to write even more. I ended up finishing the first book (on a major cliffhanger and I would never end a book like that now) and starting the next one. I called the series Quadratic Effect- a name that my Step-dad came up with. It was about four sets of twins who could channel the abilities of the four elements: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. No one twin could do anything by themselves. They needed their sibling. At the time, I thought this was a great story idea. It seems a little lame now, though.
Anyways, after a while, I just stopped writing it. I think I just realized that I'd been writing these stories for years and had yet to edit or change any of it. My content started to change a lot through the years. I moved away from the importance of the bond between the twins and started to go towards a few other subplots. I did, however plan out the entire series to the end. I even once tried to go back and rewrite the first two and a half books that I wrote, but the story was over for me. I would love to use the characters again, though.
So, for anybody who's reading this and used to read QC as I was writing it I will now reveal to you how all of the characters would turn out. Anyone who hasn't read QC, lucky you. Maybe I'll dig it up sometime and post some bits of it on here for a few laughs. Anyways, here it goes. Hopefully I won't forget any characters.
Colin: Obviously, he was always everyone's favorite. The comic relief. Everyone always loved that he managed to get hurt so often and yet never fatally so. He was unbreakable. Anyone who read the most recent book will remember that he was diagnosed with Cancer (can't remember what kind). Everyone always assumed that he would make it through because he's Colin and Colin can't die. This, unfortunately isn't true. Since about halfway through the first book, I always planned for him to die in the end. He was the only character I couldn't see a future for. In the end, Colin does die with his sister Caitlin by his bedside. He gives Caitlin his half of the power over wind and she becomes the only character able to use her power on her own. The final scene of the final book has been written multiple times and it is always Caitlin spreading Colin's ashes.
Caitlin: We all remember Caitlin as the sensible one who fell for dark and brooding Nelidern and took care of her reckless brother. She is broken apart by her brother's death but does move on to date and later marry Nelidern.
Anula (yes, I made up these names): We remember that she didn't have proper use of her legs, using supports to walk around. Also, she was eventually possessed by the main antagonist (whose name I can't remember). Well, surprise! She was freed from her possession eventually. Yay! That's all I can remember for her history.
Nelidern: He was always full of depression. In the most recent book, he used some of his power over fire to burn his own face, scarring it permanently. This was because he blamed himself for his sister's possession and just couldn't handle it. Eventually, Cailtin does help him make it through and they end up together. Yay!
Connell: Okay, I can't actually remember my plan for him. Pretty sure he ends up awesome though.
Kanella: Okay, this one I had big plans for. She was just starting to date this guy nearing the end of the most recent book. Well, it turns out the dude was super abusive. Her brother, Connell and the rest of the twins get rid of the guy for her, convincing him to stay away from Kanella. Unfortunately for her, they don't get rid of him before she gets pregnant. She's only sixteen at this point but does choose to keep the kid. Everyone helps her raise him.
Bella: Bella was in love with Colin, and her and Caitlin never really got along. That is, until Colin's death. She never moves on, unable to find anyone that she can care for more than Colin. However, her and Caitlin become close friends finally.
Bernand: Well, he was never a super happy guy. He does end up happy in the end with one of the girls. Can't remember which one though.
Gen: Also can't remember what happens to her. Not super important to the story though, I remember.
Well, those are all the main ones. Hope you enjoyed reading about their stories. It was an amazingly lame story but something made people want to read it. I think someday I may use some of the characters again. Probably Colin will show up in something just because I loved his personality so much. I think very fondly about the QC series. It was my first big project and it really helped me decide that I wanted to be a writer someday.
So, my assignment for you today is to do something creative. Write something, draw something. Anything. It doesn't matter, just do it for fun.
Ciao!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Role for Damage
This is a true story. It all happened somewhere in yesterday...
We all have one person that we admire when we're young, whether that person deserves admiration or not. As we grow, we inevitably learn that our role models have flaws too. Sometimes those flaws make us respect them more. Other times, it makes us lose faith in them.
I've had a few role models in the past. When I danced (from when I was 3-14) my role models were the older kids in the dance school. They were always so much better at what they did than anyone else was. I remember thinking that I could never do anything that they did. Well, it turns out that a lot of the really good dancers from the older group could do things that I could never do. I was right about that. Eventually, when all the older kids moved on to bigger and better things, I became one of the older kids that the younger ones looked up to. We were doing faster tap pieces and people from my group were always getting the main parts in the middle show (not me, though because I was never really that good). However, I realized at that point that I had become what I had admired and, well, it wasn't anything special. I was still the exact same thing as before, just older. I figure the admiration I gave to the older kids was probably just based on age, not skill. Although, a lot of them were really good.
Somewhere in the middle of admiring the older dancers, I began to look at one of my older brothers as a role model. He was always really cool and outgoing. He had an awesome girlfriend (well, she was awesome at the time) and was amazingly talented when it came to woodworking. I remember being in my middle school woodworking class (required, not chosen) and being so frustrated that I couldn't build anything properly. These things should really be genetic. Anyways, eventually I realized something. Yes, he was good at a lot of things and a lot of people liked him, but he had his flaws too. My brother wasn't a saint. He tried to go get a tattoo against my mother's wishes when he was sixteen and my mom went up one side of him and down the other. He made mistakes too (like tattooing "MOM" on his knee. But that happened later).
So I looked somewhere else for a role model. That brought me to authors. You see, I'm a writing major now because I've always enjoyed writing fiction. Seriously. When I was in grade five and we had to write a story, my teacher asked me a question that changed my life (not that I realized it at the time). She said, "Have you ever considered being a writer?" and my response to that was "No. I like writing, but I want to be a dancer". Shows how much I know. Anyways, my role models from high school onwards were all authors. I started with an admiration for R.A. Salvatore's work. He writes for Forgotten Realms, which is a fantasy world now owned by Wizards of The Coast. I've always loved fantasy and I thought, I could write that (for the record, I still have yet to complete a passable fantasy novel. Passable by my standards, that is). Eventually, I started to admire Agatha Christie's work. I loved the way she wrote her mysteries. There was so much foreshadowing and planning in those novels. I really didn't think I could ever manage something like that. But, like all role models, Agatha had her issues too. Once you've read a couple Agatha Christie books, you could start to predict what was going to happen all too easily. So, now I've turned to Garth Nix. Another good fiction/fantasy author. However, this one is different. I started by admiring his writing and then I read the foreword to his book of short stories. In it, he described his creative process and I realized something. He has the exact same creative process that I do. It was the first time that I looked at something an author has done and said "Hey, I already do that". It was pretty inspiring. But, like all role models I suspect that good ol' Garth will show his flaws eventually.
It doesn't bother me to lose role models. They're just people. Their role model status is just there to inspire us when we need it to. When we don't need that inspiration anymore, then they just appear as regular people again. There's no science to it. I'm sure I've been a role model to someone in my past. Not sure who, but I'm sure it's happened.
So, in honour of my past role models, I have an important assignment for you today. Go show someone how to do something today. This could be teaching them how to do their job, or how to say something in another language. Just teach something. Give someone a chance to see you as a role model, even if it's just for a minute or two.
Ciao!
(P.S. Does anybody do these assignments?)
We all have one person that we admire when we're young, whether that person deserves admiration or not. As we grow, we inevitably learn that our role models have flaws too. Sometimes those flaws make us respect them more. Other times, it makes us lose faith in them.
I've had a few role models in the past. When I danced (from when I was 3-14) my role models were the older kids in the dance school. They were always so much better at what they did than anyone else was. I remember thinking that I could never do anything that they did. Well, it turns out that a lot of the really good dancers from the older group could do things that I could never do. I was right about that. Eventually, when all the older kids moved on to bigger and better things, I became one of the older kids that the younger ones looked up to. We were doing faster tap pieces and people from my group were always getting the main parts in the middle show (not me, though because I was never really that good). However, I realized at that point that I had become what I had admired and, well, it wasn't anything special. I was still the exact same thing as before, just older. I figure the admiration I gave to the older kids was probably just based on age, not skill. Although, a lot of them were really good.
Somewhere in the middle of admiring the older dancers, I began to look at one of my older brothers as a role model. He was always really cool and outgoing. He had an awesome girlfriend (well, she was awesome at the time) and was amazingly talented when it came to woodworking. I remember being in my middle school woodworking class (required, not chosen) and being so frustrated that I couldn't build anything properly. These things should really be genetic. Anyways, eventually I realized something. Yes, he was good at a lot of things and a lot of people liked him, but he had his flaws too. My brother wasn't a saint. He tried to go get a tattoo against my mother's wishes when he was sixteen and my mom went up one side of him and down the other. He made mistakes too (like tattooing "MOM" on his knee. But that happened later).
So I looked somewhere else for a role model. That brought me to authors. You see, I'm a writing major now because I've always enjoyed writing fiction. Seriously. When I was in grade five and we had to write a story, my teacher asked me a question that changed my life (not that I realized it at the time). She said, "Have you ever considered being a writer?" and my response to that was "No. I like writing, but I want to be a dancer". Shows how much I know. Anyways, my role models from high school onwards were all authors. I started with an admiration for R.A. Salvatore's work. He writes for Forgotten Realms, which is a fantasy world now owned by Wizards of The Coast. I've always loved fantasy and I thought, I could write that (for the record, I still have yet to complete a passable fantasy novel. Passable by my standards, that is). Eventually, I started to admire Agatha Christie's work. I loved the way she wrote her mysteries. There was so much foreshadowing and planning in those novels. I really didn't think I could ever manage something like that. But, like all role models, Agatha had her issues too. Once you've read a couple Agatha Christie books, you could start to predict what was going to happen all too easily. So, now I've turned to Garth Nix. Another good fiction/fantasy author. However, this one is different. I started by admiring his writing and then I read the foreword to his book of short stories. In it, he described his creative process and I realized something. He has the exact same creative process that I do. It was the first time that I looked at something an author has done and said "Hey, I already do that". It was pretty inspiring. But, like all role models I suspect that good ol' Garth will show his flaws eventually.
It doesn't bother me to lose role models. They're just people. Their role model status is just there to inspire us when we need it to. When we don't need that inspiration anymore, then they just appear as regular people again. There's no science to it. I'm sure I've been a role model to someone in my past. Not sure who, but I'm sure it's happened.
So, in honour of my past role models, I have an important assignment for you today. Go show someone how to do something today. This could be teaching them how to do their job, or how to say something in another language. Just teach something. Give someone a chance to see you as a role model, even if it's just for a minute or two.
Ciao!
(P.S. Does anybody do these assignments?)
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Captivating
This is a true story. It all happened somewhere in yesterday....
So a couple of my friends came to my apartement yesterday and dragged me out to dinner with them claiming that they were "kidnapping" me. This brought up a lot of fond memories from back home, even though the people who were kidnapping me yesterday were not from Chilliwack. But that really didn't matter. I'm drawn back repeatedly to the summer that I lovingly refer to as the "Summer of the Captives". The Captives is what we called ourselves that summer. Or rather, what I labeled everyone in that group and they kind of went along with it. The reason we were the Captives was because we would show up on each other's doorsteps and claim to be "capturing" or "kidnapping" eachother. Eventually we would always choose to hang out at one of our houses after biking or walking around for a while.
The summer of the Captives is a very fond memory for me because it's also the summer when I met my boyfriend. You see, the Captives consisted of mostly couples after a while. We all started out as friends, but then we eventually paired up. One friend in particular had a few different girlfriends that summer but they were all a part of the Captives at one time or another.
I find myself recalling one particular argument I had with a friend of the time about teenage love. I claimed (and continue to claim to this day) that I was in love with my boyfriend. His argument was always that it wasn't love, it was just lust. You see, he didn't believe that love was possible at that age. Even with his girlfriend, he was sure it was simply lust caused by hormones. We had this argument multiple times before everyone else got fed up with it and told us to shut up about the damn lust-love debate.
It wasn't surprising at the time that a lot of people didn't think that my boyfriend and I would work out. We're both very stubborn and everyone thought that we would get at each others throats eventually. But that never happened. Slowly, all of the Captives went their seperate ways and all of the couples broke apart. That is, with the exception of my relationship. The one that everyone thought would fail is still going strong. It's hard not to be a little prideful about it. If I was still friends with the guy who insisted on calling it lust, I think I would be rubbing it in his face every chance I got. I'm not really a bitch, I just like that I proved him wrong.
Anyways, that summer was before my grade nine year and everyone elses grade ten year. They all entered high school and I finished up middle school. Eventually, when I got into grade ten, the Captives were together again.... Well, in a way. We saw eachother before classes everyday but not much otherwise. I'm still friends with a couple of them. Acquaintances with others. There are also a couple I don't even talk to. Don't even know where they are. My point is, friends can drift apart, but that doesn't change the fond memories you have of the time you spent with them.
So here's my assignment for you today: Message or call or text a friend who you haven't talked to in a while, just to let them know that you haven't forgotten about them.
Ciao!
So a couple of my friends came to my apartement yesterday and dragged me out to dinner with them claiming that they were "kidnapping" me. This brought up a lot of fond memories from back home, even though the people who were kidnapping me yesterday were not from Chilliwack. But that really didn't matter. I'm drawn back repeatedly to the summer that I lovingly refer to as the "Summer of the Captives". The Captives is what we called ourselves that summer. Or rather, what I labeled everyone in that group and they kind of went along with it. The reason we were the Captives was because we would show up on each other's doorsteps and claim to be "capturing" or "kidnapping" eachother. Eventually we would always choose to hang out at one of our houses after biking or walking around for a while.
The summer of the Captives is a very fond memory for me because it's also the summer when I met my boyfriend. You see, the Captives consisted of mostly couples after a while. We all started out as friends, but then we eventually paired up. One friend in particular had a few different girlfriends that summer but they were all a part of the Captives at one time or another.
I find myself recalling one particular argument I had with a friend of the time about teenage love. I claimed (and continue to claim to this day) that I was in love with my boyfriend. His argument was always that it wasn't love, it was just lust. You see, he didn't believe that love was possible at that age. Even with his girlfriend, he was sure it was simply lust caused by hormones. We had this argument multiple times before everyone else got fed up with it and told us to shut up about the damn lust-love debate.
It wasn't surprising at the time that a lot of people didn't think that my boyfriend and I would work out. We're both very stubborn and everyone thought that we would get at each others throats eventually. But that never happened. Slowly, all of the Captives went their seperate ways and all of the couples broke apart. That is, with the exception of my relationship. The one that everyone thought would fail is still going strong. It's hard not to be a little prideful about it. If I was still friends with the guy who insisted on calling it lust, I think I would be rubbing it in his face every chance I got. I'm not really a bitch, I just like that I proved him wrong.
Anyways, that summer was before my grade nine year and everyone elses grade ten year. They all entered high school and I finished up middle school. Eventually, when I got into grade ten, the Captives were together again.... Well, in a way. We saw eachother before classes everyday but not much otherwise. I'm still friends with a couple of them. Acquaintances with others. There are also a couple I don't even talk to. Don't even know where they are. My point is, friends can drift apart, but that doesn't change the fond memories you have of the time you spent with them.
So here's my assignment for you today: Message or call or text a friend who you haven't talked to in a while, just to let them know that you haven't forgotten about them.
Ciao!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Magic
(Okay, so I couldn't wait till tomorrow to post this)
This is a true story. It all happened somewhere in yesterday...
When I was younger, don't think I appreciated my family nearly as much as I do now. My three brothers and I were always at eachothers throats (my brothers moreso than me) and we usually prefered to hang out with friends than with our parents. Now, my family is amazingly close. Well, with the exception of my parents who divorced when I was ten. Anyways, back to the story. I find myself remembering my Dad's "special water". This was a magical type of water that my dad could put on any skinned knee or bruised elbow and it would be immediately better. Of course, it was really just regular tap water that my dad would always put into the same container so that we thought it was the same magic water everytime. Somehow, we never noticed that the water level remained the same everytime.
Anyways, when I was about six or seven, there was a huge snowstorm in Chilliwack (my hometown for those of you who didn't know that) and we were snowed in. At the time, we lived in the area of the city called Greendale. It was mostly farms out that way and we heated the main area of our house with a wood stove. Now, Greendale is one of those places that's far enough away from a hospital that it's practically impossible for an ambulance to get out there in a snowstorm like the one that was happening at that time. Also, the roads were not plowed.
So, my family was sitting down to have dinner (in the dining room by the wood stove- a rare occasion because we never ate as a family) and I suddenly had to use the washroom. Because I was on the opposite side of the room from the washroom, I had two choices of routes. Route number one was to go around the majority of my family, past the window and therefore avoiding the wood stove. Route number two was to go past just one brother, but required me walking on the loose bricks that surrounded the wood stove. What do you think I chose? Of course, the loose bricks around the wood stove. My brother at the time was a bit of an ass (sorry if any of you are reading this, but it's true. We were all asshole children) so he didn't even pull in his chair for me. Instead, I fell as a brick came loose under my foot. I landed hands first on the top of the wood stove, burning my hands from hands to wrist. My Mom and Dad were lightning fast in their response. I don't remember what my brothers did. Both parents grabbed me off the ground and ran me outside to put my hands into the snow. Once my hands were fully cooled off in the snow, I asked for the only thing that I could think of to stop the pain: my Dad's "special water". I don't remember if I knew at the time that it wasn't really magic. I know that today the mere idea of that water makes me feel better, so I could have known. I don't remember. What I do remember my dad running off to his "secret stash of special water" and telling me and my brothers not to watch where he kept it. It's funny because, after he put that water on my hands, it actually felt better than when we had put them in the snow. Anyways, my hands were in pain for a couple days, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been thanks to my parent's quick thinking. I never even had to got to the hospital for it and I have no scars from the incident.
It's weird the things we believe when we're kids, but those weird beliefs set the stage for the rest of our lives. The fact that my father cares enough about me and my brothers to have made up that "special water" to make us feel better makes me smile whenever I think about it. Also, the fact that one of my brothers once ran off towards the bathroom, when I was hurt and my dad wasn't home, saying that he knew where Dad kept the magic water just to help me feel better makes me realize that my entire family was close when we were younger. We just didn't show it as much as we do now. A good family will go to the ends of the earth and back for eachother, even if it's not a life or death situation.
So, here's my assignment for all of you today: think of something that someone you consider family has done for you that makes you smile. Remember it and try to do the same for someone in your future.
This is a true story. It all happened somewhere in yesterday...
When I was younger, don't think I appreciated my family nearly as much as I do now. My three brothers and I were always at eachothers throats (my brothers moreso than me) and we usually prefered to hang out with friends than with our parents. Now, my family is amazingly close. Well, with the exception of my parents who divorced when I was ten. Anyways, back to the story. I find myself remembering my Dad's "special water". This was a magical type of water that my dad could put on any skinned knee or bruised elbow and it would be immediately better. Of course, it was really just regular tap water that my dad would always put into the same container so that we thought it was the same magic water everytime. Somehow, we never noticed that the water level remained the same everytime.
Anyways, when I was about six or seven, there was a huge snowstorm in Chilliwack (my hometown for those of you who didn't know that) and we were snowed in. At the time, we lived in the area of the city called Greendale. It was mostly farms out that way and we heated the main area of our house with a wood stove. Now, Greendale is one of those places that's far enough away from a hospital that it's practically impossible for an ambulance to get out there in a snowstorm like the one that was happening at that time. Also, the roads were not plowed.
So, my family was sitting down to have dinner (in the dining room by the wood stove- a rare occasion because we never ate as a family) and I suddenly had to use the washroom. Because I was on the opposite side of the room from the washroom, I had two choices of routes. Route number one was to go around the majority of my family, past the window and therefore avoiding the wood stove. Route number two was to go past just one brother, but required me walking on the loose bricks that surrounded the wood stove. What do you think I chose? Of course, the loose bricks around the wood stove. My brother at the time was a bit of an ass (sorry if any of you are reading this, but it's true. We were all asshole children) so he didn't even pull in his chair for me. Instead, I fell as a brick came loose under my foot. I landed hands first on the top of the wood stove, burning my hands from hands to wrist. My Mom and Dad were lightning fast in their response. I don't remember what my brothers did. Both parents grabbed me off the ground and ran me outside to put my hands into the snow. Once my hands were fully cooled off in the snow, I asked for the only thing that I could think of to stop the pain: my Dad's "special water". I don't remember if I knew at the time that it wasn't really magic. I know that today the mere idea of that water makes me feel better, so I could have known. I don't remember. What I do remember my dad running off to his "secret stash of special water" and telling me and my brothers not to watch where he kept it. It's funny because, after he put that water on my hands, it actually felt better than when we had put them in the snow. Anyways, my hands were in pain for a couple days, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been thanks to my parent's quick thinking. I never even had to got to the hospital for it and I have no scars from the incident.
It's weird the things we believe when we're kids, but those weird beliefs set the stage for the rest of our lives. The fact that my father cares enough about me and my brothers to have made up that "special water" to make us feel better makes me smile whenever I think about it. Also, the fact that one of my brothers once ran off towards the bathroom, when I was hurt and my dad wasn't home, saying that he knew where Dad kept the magic water just to help me feel better makes me realize that my entire family was close when we were younger. We just didn't show it as much as we do now. A good family will go to the ends of the earth and back for eachother, even if it's not a life or death situation.
So, here's my assignment for all of you today: think of something that someone you consider family has done for you that makes you smile. Remember it and try to do the same for someone in your future.
Gazebo in the Starlight
So welcome everyone to my very first blog post. I moved quite recently into a new apartment, got a new computer and now I've started a blog. Wow, a lot of things are new lately. I guess something needs to be new considering most of the rest of my life remains the same as it's always been. I've been with the same amazing guy for six fantastic years (which is impressive considering he's my first boyfriend and I'm only 20. Do the math) and I am still friends with most of the people I met in grade school (including Georgia who I've now known for a whole 10 years). I know, I'm an anomaly.
Anyways, I've been ranting (which isn't surprising because I do that a lot). I don't wholly expect that people will read this, but at least it's something for me to do when I'm putting off homework. Anyways, I mostly planned to make this blog about things that have happened in the past (thus the name "Somewhere in Yesterday") but this post seems to have been about things that are happening right now. Weird. Anyways, I will try my best to concentrate more on the past tomorrow.
Ciao!
Anyways, I've been ranting (which isn't surprising because I do that a lot). I don't wholly expect that people will read this, but at least it's something for me to do when I'm putting off homework. Anyways, I mostly planned to make this blog about things that have happened in the past (thus the name "Somewhere in Yesterday") but this post seems to have been about things that are happening right now. Weird. Anyways, I will try my best to concentrate more on the past tomorrow.
Ciao!
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