SELF, Day Twenty-One: Silent Reading

The thing is, when you read this, you know about MY life, but I know nearly nothing about yours.

So let's get this straight: when you have a giggle, a profound nod, or a knowing wink, comment on the old blog.

That way, I know you are a) reading and b) responding.

Note: you can do it anonymously so only I know who you are ;)

Just so I know I'm not blogging to myself.

The Mother Hen is off to Italy tomorrow. I'm super psyched for her and Doug. See you in eight days, Mum! Let the European Adventure Abound!

Note: there are some days when I feel
like the most lucky girl in the world.
I thought you should know that.

Papercuts - Do What You Will (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

A little folky, a little mellow, a lot amazing.

I'm having a relaxing night after a short, intellectual detour in Gravesend. I feel like the smartest person alive when I can prove trigonometric identities.

Blue Tulip - Bon Iver

Blue Tulip, since it's not one of their own, isn't a Bon Iver song I'd heard before.

I'm in love with it now.

Enjoy, friends.

SELF, Day Twenty: Snog This

Pic is most obviously mine...taken at Treacle on Columbia Road
Keep Calm and Carry On, shall we?

"Snogging" means kissing here.

I'm just saying.

My head was still killing me and I needed conditioner (after buying two shampoos on my last shop). Solution? A wash and blow out at the salon next door. They give Korea-styles head massages, and I asked for an extra long one. Plus my hair looked way better after she was done with it ;)

Does my head feel better?

Check.

I'll take one.

Thought of today: sometimes when things are so overwhelming, we live in the future to avoid the present. We cling to what will happen later because it's the same sort of thing as what's happened before. We will see our friends, reunite with family, vacation somewhere that has a beach, or eat the food that brings us comfort (need I remind you of the countdown out of Korea that lasted a whopping 156 days? I didn't think so).

Similarly when things are mundane and a little dull, it's also easy to live in the future. When my classes are just annoyingly long, I think of how I'll feel to see my Mummy again in a few days!

I tend to live in the past as well. I dwell on how much fun I had at Katie's apartment in SK...how nice it was to wake up with Michelle or Kara on my plastic couch and lounge on the weekends over umpteen pots of coffee...how special the relationship was that I fostered with Matt over the year: how special he became to me and how important he continues to be (though he never calls me). ;) I think about those things because they are relationships, experiences, a home I don't have anymore. Though the tendency to well up with emotion at the thought of my house on Duke Street has dwindled, it has been replaced with a longing for a different, more recent past, of days gone by.

But I have to grasp the here and now: see the March sun for all it's worth; cold weather and all. I have to see the beauty in the spring blossoms (despite the fact that they make my face hurt) and notice how much more chipper people are when they can shed their winter garb and put on something white for a change.

There are little miracles happening every single day. Today I helped a kid in year seven write a test. I thought he'd give me answers that were garbled and nonsensical. Instead, he floored me with a keen knowledge of negative numbers and a startling ability to use the tools he had around him to help him through topics about which he was not so sure. Amazing, right?

This is an on-going theme for me: the notion that living in the present is an all-encompassing challenge. I'm trying, folks...and really loving the journey.

Warm Kitchens

Since my kitchen here has slugs in it, one can only dream of a better room in a better home. Ah, a better day.

image courtesy of parisapartment.wordpress.com via wherethesidewalkbegins.blogspot.com.

Great blog, by the way!

Daydreaming and Real Living

Pic is mine: Old Street, London

Joanna Goddard is one of my favourite bloggers.

What am I thankful for today (aside from the warm weather, ride to school and Laura's pregnancy photos that made me tear up way more than "just a little" when I was greeted with them this morning)?

Well, while she is Paris Daydreaming, I am actually PLANNING the trip.

This is a good, good life no matter what wakes me up at 11 at night after I've gone to bed early to get rid of a headache.

No matter what.

This might be my new mantra.

More Daily Quotes

This one from Jamie (thank you for randomly remembering these tidbits and thinking of sending them my way...it means SO much to me xoxoxo)

"Oh the door is closed, I'll just walk in" "Oh Alexis is naked, no big deal, finish collecting my clothes for tomorrow"

Scenario anyone? My zia had Jamie and I sleeping in her room while we visited in Genoa. We weren't thrilled since she was the elder, respectable one and we were the backpacking nomads who just drifted in and ate all the cookies ;)

Anyway, one night, my aunt, who had been given "permission" from us (like she needed it: it IS her house) to walk in whenever she wanted, did just that: walked in as I was changing. I was totally naked and she had to get into the cupboard behind me. Does this get better? Oh yes.

The desperately-seeking-modesty dance I subsequently performed is most likely what solidified the memory in my friend's brain.

I'm not known for my grace and talent on the dance floor. This time was no exception. What a tool. So there you have it: dancing naked in Italy. Yet another fond memory and classic quote. Thanks, James. oxoxo

Just One Thing Sound Clip and Quote

The Mother Hen leaves for Italy in two days. Count 'em...TWO. I'm sure she's busting at the seams waiting to get out of The Great White North and head to the Mediterranean.

She's given me a piece of advice that "came from City Slickers", but I think it was a little injection of cluckery.

Just One Thing Sound Clip and Quote

My Mummy ended this quote with,

"You are spectacular."

Isn't that what parents are FOR? To tell their children how FAB they are? Did I luck out or what? It's all in the minor details, folks. Thank you for being so fabulous, Mum.

Talk to you tomorrow, Mum. SEE you in just over a WEEK.

Ask and you shall receive

Since everyone (and everything) could use a love letter once in awhile...

image courtesy of Sunday is for Lovers
via Good Vibe Coach
(though I can't seem to find it there...sorry)

I suppose there is a reason for everything, right? After complaining about finding nothing that motivated me, I found this adorable love note-slash-request form to the universe and couldn't help but think it was just perfect. I especially love the, "I'm ready" part.

Two awesome quotes from today (spoken to me and written to me):

1. "I just can't wait to see you." I'll take it.

2. Madrid's lookin' good so far... Ciao ciao. See you in 14 days :) " I'll take one of those, too.

I'm heading to bed. It's 8 pm, the sun has just gone down, some birds are still saying their goodnights, and I'm ready to put my face out of its misery.

SELF, Day Nineteen: Face Time

Ah, there I am in all my glory. Charming, non?

I don't know what is happening.

Is this a migraine?

Do I have allergies (though I doubt their existence)?

Or does my FACE really just hurt this much?

I feel as though I've been pummeled. Facially pummeled.

Ow.

There are only two things keeping me mildly entertained to the point that I'm still awake: butterfly-enducing conversations and this I heart NY sweatshirt I basically live in when feeling poorly.

Let's hope your days are going mildly better than my own.

Original Sin ♫

What a sad day for all of Hollywood when Elizabeth Taylor passed away. Here she is depicted in more recent years and again as the young glamour queen that she was in a video to a song I've been humming since finding out about her passing last week. I just feel that Elton John knows how to commemorate right, you know?

Fodder

From the start of Chapter 54 of Great Expectations, here is Charles Dickens...

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.

Thank you to literature.org for not only providing the fodder for my inspiration, but for also reminding me that on my wishlist from home are the following items:

* Tom's shoes (as in the brand name, not those belonging to a man named Tom)
* an all new Kindle...lighter, more memory, larger display screen. The thought of lugging around books is getting daunting given the size of my teeny tiny backpack
* Chewy Chips Ahoy Cookies. Because we can't buy them here.

All that from a little quote about March. Who'da thunk it?

Gotta go!

A Misty Background

image courtesy of Everything Fabulous via Everything Fab's Photobucket.

Hair shmair. I can't get enough of the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Paris, here I come :)

SELF, Day Eighteen: Inspiration

Hi-ho Readers,

I've had a lovely weekend and am easing back into the second to last week before The Big Trip to Italy and Spain. I've only 9 more school days left before I close the doors for good (well, for a fortnight at least) and visit with Mummy and Nathan. Ah...two weeks off work. THAT is something to get excited about.

So I usually have a gay old time visiting websites and blogs, getting inspired by what other people have posted, but as of late, I've been feeling a bit lackluster about material coming from the world wide web (with the exception of Cupcakes and Cashmere. She always delivers). What is the deal?

Is it the terrible winter weather that won't let up back in Southwestern Ontario (my current weather is pictured above...that's a park at the end of Columbia Road, yesterday)? Is it the fact that everyone is baby-crazy and won't write about much else (not that there's anything wrong with that: I'm just not there)? Is it that spring has sprung, but that we still aren't out enjoying it? What is the deal?! Even the morose blogs that usually give me some great emo music to listen to aren't doing the trick anymore. Do I have to be the next blog that people read? I don't anticipate that happening, friends.

I don't even have many stories to tell you from the land of teenage angst and whimsy. They've been pretty tame as of late, since the field has been open, the sun out, and allowances made to ensure they shake all their willies out. There haven't been any classic one-liners to make you giggle.

I should video myself in Bums and Tums. THAT would make you laugh your a** off. THAT would be a classic hit.

Oh, I guess I could tell you that I've recently booked a trip to Paris. I'm headed there on May 31 and will be staying at One Room in Paris. I have yet to talk to Nathan about it because though Sheila will be coming with me for the trip out there, she is only staying for two days, after which I'll be alone. If you or anyone you know ;) are interested in coming out, please do let me know. I'll be there from May 31 until June 4, and the room is 400 metres from the Arc de Triomphe. I'll take it. Flight was £71 return. I'll take one of those, too.

I will tell you this: I'm getting awfully excited about that Air Transat trip back to the Great White North. Erin and Jeffrey are also headed back to Toronto and I am SUPER excited to reconnect with them. Erin's so sweet: says she reads the blog all the time. I just can't get enough of that. I just feel like so many things are on the cusp of happening...it's hard to explain. It's like I have no emotion other than anticipation right now.

I'm beside myself with glee FOR the Mother Hen and Doug. They're off to Europe for a whirlwind adventure in Italy. Who does that? It's so cosmopolitan. I'm super stoked that I'm going to be in the HOT sun (not just the springy sun) in a few weeks, soaking up rays, eating paella, having a romp on the beach. That's wicked, right? I'm stupid excited to meet these munchkins that Laura and Jesse have put together. I just can't get enough of thinking of them in onesies and hearing them burp. I mean, who thinks about this stuff? I suppose their parents do, but there you have it: myself and their parents. We're psyched.

And now that I'm ever more comfortable in my role at school, I'm calm as a cucumber and don't have much out-of-school work to do. I know...woe is me, right? I'm not complaining...please know I'm not complaining.

I just wish someone would send me something tantalizing to look at and scintilating to read. Oh! Thanks to Erin for thinking of me and posting this ridiculously entertaining article about the one and only Anna Wintour on my Facebook page. Whoot whoot. It's long and involved, but the Empire of Anna is so worth the read. There is something about her that makes me feel MORE fabulous, not less fabulous the more I know about her. As if she's rubbing off on me ;)

You having a good day out there? Finding things to keep you fully entertained? I'm going to shake my tailfeather tonight at that class I keep mentioning. Bums and Tums...who names these things? I love Dartford for clever things like that ;) I might just stick around for some yoga afterwards. With all this nighttime sunshine, who needs to get to bed?

xoxo

Marketing: Columbia Road Flowers and Brick Lane

twas a beautiful day in my neighbourhood
so I decided to get out of it.

to london i went
off at london bridge
up the northern line
off at old street
to hackney road
and onto columbia road

(note: in an effort
to be far more artistic
and less autobiographical,
I will present this blog
in a different fashion today.
you might not notice much of a difference,
but there are not many capital letters.
ah, artsy life)

street scene: old street

not exactly window shopping



moroccan styles



get 'em while they're hot



magistrates court

making progress

making less progress

the old and shut down

the beauty beyond



i've arrived. columbia road flower market



euro tour



home cookery and whatnot



going somewhere

ha!

solid 70's

fiddlin'



street scene: columbia road

lillies

treacle: cupcake highlight



keep calm and carry on

a bit funeral-esque, non?

wind in the willows

tulips

flora: a spectator sport

the screamer: "a FIVE-A! Any one for a five-a!"



i can't get enough of london's buildings



second floor window embroidery. swoon.

street scene: columbia road

best columbia road backyard

market man

market mu-mu

market greeting



mother's day: different dates on different continents



bike lane



mr. soffee?

a couple of couples

soma

street scene: columbia road

calamari master

best menu ever




best. calamari. ever.



Laura, I couldn't resist. Expect parcel in mail soon. So nice to talk to you yesterday xoxoxo

best direction-giver ever.

I was later quoted as saying,
"you look great, by the way"

peeling paint, locks, rust

then I was off to little Bangladesh






breaking up in an alley



patio season starts here

wall etching. giant.

sing it, brother



this is home for one very lucky human



hilarious. joker.



surprise green space



street scene: canoe (?) street



the first day on the lawn



wall art



throw backs to a life gone by

and finally, wrapping up Sunday

I'll tell you, I've had three lovely conversations today:
one butterfly-in-the stomach
one reassuring-that-it-will-all-work-out-just-fine
and one full-of-laughter

can a day get much better than this?

nope ;)