And the love profusion you make me feel, you make me know

- Madonna


So I guess I haven't been around lately. In truth, I was in France from early September to Christmas, and at that time I wrote on my other blog, Travel 101. I'm not actually done with that one yet because a) I haven't really shared all the experiences I had in Europe, and b) I'm not quite done traveling. But for now, I'm back here, talking about who knows what, and saying whatever I like because, hey, it's my blog.

Today's blog will be kinda random because I just want to briefly share some things I've been thinking lately...

Sounds
Do you realize how much the voice is attached to identity? When you think of someone you're close to, you imagine their face, perhaps the way they are around you, and... you guessed it! Their voice. When I think of the friends I made in Europe, each one comes attached with their voice; its register, its timbre, its tone, its accent, and even the things the person would say. Auditory perception is so strong, yet subtle so we don't even realize it's happening.

For that matter, some sounds can be so familiar to us, they remind of us things we know or knew, places we love or don't. If you've ever been in the kitchen and all of a sudden the fridge stops buzzing, you'll know what I mean. How about the sound of swings in a playground? (This really takes me back, because I grew up with a schoolyard behind my backyard and I spent a lot of time there. I also happen to know that those swings produced a pitch that, as I swung forward, would slide from a Bb to an Ab.) Sounds - those sneaky little things that we didn't realize were even ingrained in our memories. It's so cool.

History
What's even the point of learning about it, if we just repeat it over and over?

Music
You all know how much I love music. I do. My favourite thing about it though is that there is something for everyone. Really. I'm not a fan of rap, you'll know this if you know me even a little. But apparently there are actually people who like it, and you know what? I'm cool with that. It really doesn't bother me, as long as you don't force it down my throat.

Everyone's tastes are different and everyone's styles are different. Justin Bieber. Yeah, he's 15 years old, he sings songs that are way too old for him, his voice will change one day, and he's currently a huge icon in the teeny-bopper culture. So what? Give the kid a break and let him have his 15 minutes, k?

Spring
I'd like to believe in the most magical, beautiful thing in the entire world, but come on. This is Southern Ontario. Spring means melting snow, which ultimately leads to slush, puddles, mud, muddy grass, and dead-looking lawns. Not to mention how much salt, cigarette butts and general garbage you can see left behind during the winter months. Thank goodness it eventually rains and washes all that crap away.

And then, there's the cold. Ah yes, flu season always seems to strike those enjoying the beautiful, ten-degree weather without checking to see that there wasn't a blizzard coming the next day. And then they're stuck in bed for a week. Which is awesome when you're a kid and it's ok if you miss class. Not so awesome when you're trying to graduate from university.

Seriously, the only good thing about Spring is... No, can't think of one single thing. Except maybe the end.


My lovely, faithful readers, thank you for stopping by once again.

I've got you under my skin, I've got you under my skin.

This is my face, covered in freckles...

- Kate Nash

Today's blog is about makeup. No, it didn't take me three months to conceptualize the topic. Rather it took about 3 seconds. Why? Because I've heard the comment "You know, you'd look so beautiful/gorgeous/pretty/etc if you wore a little make-up" a few too many times. The funny thing is that this statement is always followed by "not that you aren't already" comment. Usually I just laugh it off in hopes that people will get the hint. I guess not. When they ask why I don't, I usually prefer not to go too in depth with my answer, and so I always end up giving them the excuse that I just don't have time for it. Which isn't untrue. I mean, if I wanted to, I'd make time for it. But I don't. So, what are my real reasons for avoiding makeup? Are you ready for this?

1) God didn't need make-up to make me.
Therefore, there's no reason for me to try to improve the way I look. He cares more about where and how my heart is, and frankly, so do I. Instead of trying to improve upon the way I look, I'd rather start inward and work my way out. If ever I find that what's inside of me is perfect, then maybe I'll consider wearing makeup. Which, by the way, is pretty impossible. Which, by the way, is my point.
2) Don't fix what ain't broke.
If I already am "beautiful/gorgeous/pretty/etc" then there is no reason for me to try to improve on that. Again, I care more about what's inside me and other people.
3) What does the Bible say about makeup?
Although I don't think the word "makeup" is used in the Bible, there are instances where it's mentioned in some way. Generally makeup is reserved for, well, prostitutes. Nough said?
Esther wore makeup. But for one reason... so that she could be pleasing to Xerses so he'd choose her to be queen, because he was obviously shallow. And she ended up being queen and saving her people. However, I'm thinking... that makeup is not going to help me save the Canadians. But if it came to that, I could do it.

I'm leaving on a jet plane

- Chantal Kreviazuk

Ok, so I'm not leaving just yet. BUT! I am going to France to study in the Fall. I'm going to the Université François Rabelais in Tours. One of my teachers told me that the people in Tours think they have the purest French. "Français pur de Tours," they say. She also told me that that's the place to find all the castles. So, I'm definitely looking up castles to go see in Tours because well... who wouldn't want to see a real castle? (I mean, other than Casaloma :P)

I'm also planning a little trip up to Belgium to see some relatives. That should be nice. Also, since I'll be away from home during my birthday, I've decided I'll celebrate by doing something that I've wanted to do ever since I was little... I'm gonna go to Italy. Maybe for a weekend or something. I'm thinking Venice, Milan, Rome... Cathedrals, art, history and more. And I'm super-excited for it all. Like, just thinking about going there makes me nervous and excited and all those feelings I'm sure will reproduce the minute I get off the plane.

The hard part is being away from here. I've never been gone from home that long... and by home, I mean both Waterloo and Bowmanville. And everyone keeps telling me how much they'll miss me and like... I'll miss everyone too. So much. I wouldn't ever be able to replace the people I love with new, French ones, either. That's just a silly notion. So I'm hoping... they won't be able to replace me while I'm gone for three and half months. (I know, it's a silly notion.) And I get home sick really easily. But I know this will be a great experience for me, and I'm hoping to come back more cultured and with a better ability to communicate in French. (Not to mention I'm gonna have some awesome Christmas presents this year.)

Anyway, I'm not gone yet, so don't even think about looking for a replacement yet!

So kiss me and smile for me, tell me that you'll wait for me.

Look at the shape I'm in, talking to the walls again

- Finger Eleven

You're probably wondering why I keep changing the layout and template of my blog. Truth is, I get bored of that kind of stuff really easily. I'm also a really bad procrastinator. In fact, if my room were any bigger, I'd rearranging it instead of typing this. But for the sake of my many many millions of tonnes of faithful readers (AKA Gina), I guess I should keep writing here.

Not sure why you keep reading, I don't write much of value. Usually I write because I'm bored, not even because I have something on my mind. And the reason I don't have something on my mind right now is because there's not space at the moment for free thought. It's too cluttered with things that I have to do and things I will have to do. I illuminated the no on my vacancy sign and put Mary and Joseph in the stable long before this school year even started. And yet... here we are.

Procrastination; it's an art, somewhat like writing, dancing, singing or painting. Only it takes a lot less perseverance and a lot more practice. (It requires practice because it's easy to procrastinate on one thing by accomplishing another, which is both counter-productive and productive, depending on how you look at it.) If I ever had to write a thesis on any topic in the world, I'd probably end up writing about the various forms of procrastination and its effects on the average university student. I could just write an article for the Cord, but then I'd go to edit on Tuesday and not like any of it and end up rewriting the whole thing before the paper got published.

Now listen, I wouldn't have to procrastinate if I didn't have things to do... Wait, let's rephrase that. If there wasn't so much to do, to think about, to have figured out, to accomplish before I go to bed at 2am, there wouldn't be such a need for procrastination. And it's not just me, I know this. Today's society is just so driven toward accomplishing something, getting goals, making money, moving moving moving forward at such a high velocity that if you stand still for just a moment you're likely to get run over. If everyone just stopped for a day and went shopping then at least that'd be a way of slowing down (and getting the economy flowing.)

Hopefully not everyone will go shopping the same day. Then some people might actually get run over.

Look at the state I'm in, bent and broken is all I've been.