Halloween marks the shopping strike

The Fall spending frenzy is over. Or least I am declaring that it is over. It got a little out of hand as it does every year around this time. I just feel a necessity to buy new things, mainly clothing, but this year it was shoes. I went a little excessive although, I did need every pair of shoes that I bought. That's what I tell myself anyway. Half of the hallway closet in my apartment is filled with shoes (old and new), and I share my apartment with my roommate! I wonder what he thinks about my collection of shoes. I tried to hide them from him last year because they were in my walk-in closet. But now I don't have room to put them in my closet, so they have invaded the common area.

Now it's time to buy things that I really need: a coat (it's getting colder), a neck massager, and palm pilot.
This is only part of the loot. I bought 2 more pairs...and, some clothes. Oooh, I can't wait. I'm going to buy my Halloween costume tomorrow. I don't know what I'm going to dress up as, but I'm more excited to see what other people wear...Possible pictures pending.

A scene from The Notebook....almost

Holy smokes I just woke up from the most whacked out dream. It involved Ryan Gosling (a very good thing)...me...genital warts (I didn't have them, he did)...and round worms coming out from my hands. Gross. Isn't it funny how even the most pleasant dreams become invaded by stupid study facts. Just so you aren't totally disgusted by what you just read (and think that I am a very sick individual), we are learning about immunology and infectious organisms, hence the worms and warts. As an aside, warts are caused by a sexually transmitted virus called HPV. Learning about all of these things that you can catch from other people makes me never want to touch another person again!

Perhaps I shouldn't be studying at home. Then I wouldn't have naps that lead to these dreams...And then also, this wouldn't happen...I am either making mittens or arm warmers. I'm not sure yet. I was inspired by the latest bout of cooler weather (and 60 km/h winds) to make them. For anyone who knows me, they know I get cold really easily--I can even wear sweaters in the tropics!

Studying is so conducive for distractions! I would consider this a good distraction ;)

A common phenomenon?

Is this a common phenomenon?

Deriving happiness from someone else's unhappiness.

High school reunion

Last weekend I went home to go to a bridal shower for one of my high school friends (the bride-to-be Jenn is pictured in pink in the middle). It turned out to be one of those get-togethers in which you are reunited with many friends and acquaintances unexpectedly. However, given that it's a bridal shower, an event where traditionally only women go to, it wasn't a complete high school reunion. Since I'm totally obsessed with taking photos of my daily life, I had to capture this moment. We all got caught up with each other's lives. Some people are the same, many have changed quite a bit, but I think we still managed to get along! A lot of the conversation centred around marriage of course, and it soon turned into a conversation about how the people who are not yet married felt freaked out about a few of our friends tying the knot. I personally don't pre-occupy myself with these thoughts. When it happens, it happens. There is no sense using other people's lives as a measuring stick because we all have our own personal goals to achieve and standards to meet.

For some, seeing your friends around you getting married is like one of those phenomenons where if you see something enough times, you want it for yourself. I think I can relate. I have seen so many dogs lately that I can't wait to get one myself! Haha.

Jenn, as a "married one", will be joining Karen, Andrea, Shelby and Laura from my class. I think that she is getting married at the right time in her life. She's been with the same guy for nearly eight years now. It's actually really remarkable that I have known both the bride and the groom for just as long. Anyhow, I wish them the best of luck. Their wedding is being held in the Dominican...unfortunately I'm not going, but the New Year's reception in London is already being hyped up to be one of the biggest parties of this decade (OK there are still four years left in the decade, maybe I won't go that far). Pictured above are Shelby, Andrea, Crystal, Erin, Jenn, Abbie, Colleen, Nikki, Nicole, Susan (in front) and me. The second pic is a classic example of the two -- Sue providing entertainment while inflicting pain on a willing Andrea.

It occurred to me that the women are purchasing a majority of the gifts for the couple because Jenn requested that gifts from the wedding registry. I highly doubt that the men are sitting around at a groom's party opening gifts as well. Why must women do everything? I should have boycotted the registry and bought her lingerie instead...but wait, that gift is mostly for the groom.

What's in your bag?

Let's do a little exercise called 'What's in Your Bag?'

combination lock
hand lotion
cell phone
mini-pod
highlighter
5 pens
two pencils
pencil sharpener
two erasers (with the letters L & O on it)
two key cards
stamp card for Venus Nails
Amanda's wedding speech
Zovirax
Sunnybrook shuttle pass
band-aid
Shinylicious gloss
Softlips
cheque book
leather gloves
an Albert Einstein brain-teaser
wallet
knitting needles
Imodium
pills
sewing kit and scissors
keys
a DVD
day planner
a notebook
granola bar

I'm all bruised up

Millions of thoughts going through my head all the time. Some thoughts are repetitive, some are useless, some are annoying, some come inexplicably. Sometimes it's a song that triggers something. A smell. A place.

Sometimes when I wake up, thoughts are already invading my mind. So much so, that it gets me up in the morning, just to not have to think about things in bed where I can't escape from anything.

I woke up the other day hugging my pillow. What a comforting feeling.

Anyhow, let's just put it out there. I hate men. I am only saying this now because I know that I will be able to look back on this moment not too far into the future, with a completely different outlook. And when I'm there, I'll be able to see where I came from and appreciate my better frame of mind. Why are men so screwed up? Yes I can elaborate more, but I'm too tired to do that right now.

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Let's change the topic. I believe that there are three types of people out there....ok well there are many many types of people out there, but let's just generally break them into three groups for now. 1) Those who believe that change for the better is something to strive for, 2) Those who believe that they should change, but don't want to do anything about it, and 3) Those who are completely oblivious and think that change is something that homeless people ask for.

I think that I belong in the first group. There was a time when I was utterly happy being a boring person and although my situation was stagnant it was constant, and that's what I liked. Constant is good - in the sense that your support system stays constant, your beliefs stay constant, and your personality and sanity (hopefully) stay constant. I guess it's all that other stuff that you add onto it that can always be improved. Is there something goodie-two-shoes about wanting to be a better person? I guess we're not in grade school anymore, a time when we felt somewhat wrong about being a brown-noser or was ridiculed for being the "smart one"--but we're not in grade school anymore. As long as it doesn't become an exhaustive task, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be a better person.

That is my motto these days. Hey, I tried out for a dance troupe the other day. I haven't danced since I was 12 when the only interesting thing about Chinese School on Saturday was practicing with the Chinese Folk Dancing group. I never went into rhythmic gymnastics or ballet, as I was once encouraged to do. But now I figure it's better late than never, and I have nothing to lose. Nothing (but my dignity).

What group do you belong in?

Friday the 13th - My date with Romeo

Yesterday I went to a presentation put on by the Canadian Network for International Surgery in conjuction with our faculty. The keynote speaker was Romeo Dallaire, the most admirable person, I think, in recent Canadian history. Although, Canadians don't have much to be proud of with respect to its role in or more aptly put, non-existence in Rwanda during 1994-the genocide. Oh the hell he went through, only to emerge from his own personal demons and still be a composed, tireless and eloquent ambassador for human rights in Africa. He gave an awe-inspiring speech, most of which one probably had to be very familiar with global crises in the past 30 years or have read his book (which I did) to contextualize. It was funny when the doc introducing Romeo (now The Senator) admitted to only reading his book last week. And then when he tried to state the name of the book, he almost blanked out and forgot the title. Romeo was very forgiving and was light-hearted about the situation - he laughed heartily while poking his tongue between his teeth. He is as much dignified in person as he appears in his old military/peace-keeping photographs. He speaks so passionately and with esteem and intelligence.

"You must not survive the future. Shape the future."

Look how happy he is to be standing next to me! The feeling is mutual. I was so excited to meet him. I got him to sign my book, I gave him a nice firm handshake and I told him how much I appreciated that he came to speak with us. For all that he's done, he makes me want to do a little good in this world too.

The meaning of family

Who can you rely on in times of crisis? A close friend? A classmate/co-worker? Who will ask for nothing in return when you really need help or a favour? The only true answer to this is family.
So what does family mean to you? Family means comfort, unconditional love, they see you for who you really are, and whether or not they judge you, I should hope that they have your best interests in mind. They are there to give you advice, to "have your back" so to speak and to be there for you when things get rough, or good. To stick up for you. To be an observer. Whose opinion of you never changes despite hearing something that contradicts their opinion. To make you feel like you are the most important person in the world. To boost your confidence. To make you feel good about yourself. They help you to have a good laugh. They know your likes and dislikes. They can predict you. To tell it like it is. They don't need material goods to show their love.

Who is family? Family is in it for the long haul. Stick together, love each other.

There is nothing like separation from your loved ones to realize how much they mean to you. And how much you rely on them. I've been asking myself, now that I live in Toronto, who do I turn to in an emergency. I think the real answer is myself. It's a really daunting thought, and it scares the hell out of me, especially when I don't have family around. But I think I'll get used to it.....eventually.
These pics were taken at Algonquin Park (Sept. 30) and Ipperwash Beach, I think (August).

Hearing funny things

I was playing vball Friday afternoon. One girl turns to me and says, "you're really good, are you on varsity?" HAHAHAHA. That's so freaking awesome that she said that! Wow that made me feel really good about myself :) I can barely reach over the net.

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In the changeroom, two girls were talking to each other about their friend.
Girl 1:...and her boyfriend is in med school!
Girl 2: Oh my God! He's in med school! Which one?
Girl 1: U of T. He's in 4th year.
Girl 2: She's so lucky.

Are you kidding me? I haven't actually heard 2 girls so excited to hear about some guy in med school. As if they wished to trade places with their friend who was dating a med student, like it was going to make them cooler. I was almost choking on my water. Little do they know that most of my male classmates are geekalicious. The M-Bomb really does work...for men.

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On our trip to Algonquin Park...
Mom: Your face looks so skinny. **This is usually a negative remark coming from my mom**
Me: Thanks, that's the nicest thing I've heard today.

Red Shirt Day

Me and my boys - Mark, Warren and Rahim (Last Friday)

So much anticipation

The premiere of LOST Season 3 was on Wednesday night...after all the build-up from last season, I was pretty disappointed. There's a bit too much ambiguity and too much, dare I say, civilization. I liked it when everyone was barbaric and there were "mystical" creatures roaming the island. Every so often, they have an episode where the story-lines are what I call "mushy" - there's no suspense, no drama, and mushy music. This episode was one of them. Blah. Next episode better be good!

Here's an acceptable mushy exerpt from last season's finale:

Here's the set-up...
As Desmond contemplates his dismal existence with a gun in hand, he turns to the book, Charles Dickens' Our Mutual Friend - the last book he wants to read before he dies. As he opens the front cover, a letter from a long lost love falls to the ground. He picks it up and reads...

Dearest Des,
I'm writing this letter to you as you leave for prison. And I've hidden it in the one place you would turn to in a moment of great desperation. I know you go away with the weight of what happened on your shoulders. And I know the only person who can ever take it off is you. (Sorry to be so dramatic, but these are dramatic times, are they not?) Please don't give up Des. Because all we really need to survive is one person who truly loves us. And you have her. I will wait for you. Always.
Love you, Pen