Love: A Little More than Christmas Spirit

   Good morning dear readers and what busy weeks I'm sure we've all had. This past Sunday was the last day of a 5 day meeting my work and I had organized. Needless to say that we were pulling overtime well before those 5 days, but after every single day, I would get home exhausted, but smiling because things went so well.

   We had a day where we spent it on Parliament Hill, meeting MPs, senators and ministers to discuss the issues the francophone youths are facing every single day. We attended the question period, and hosted a reception in Centre Block. The next day we experienced a blanket exercise which helps understand the hardships aboriginal people have suffered, and encourages the reconciliation with them. We worked through our next 5 year plan for our organization, and had our statutory meeting where we voted for the changes that needed to take place. Needless to say that it was quite the productive and memorable experience.

   Not only was it productive, but it gave me the chance to really connect with our members from across Canada and get to hear them out since I will be starting my newest project alongside them and with them. What was even more encouraging for me is that everything went off without a hitch. Yes, we had a few cancellations and yes, we had to get a little creative but SO much could have gone wrong but it didn't. Instead, things went well and went right, and our membership had the chance to really connect and get their point across; something that isn't always easy. All in all, it was a weekend/week for the books and it was definitely a crowd pleaser.

   Now with another week started, I've settled into a different planning mode: Christmas spirit. This week I have two office parties, the lighting ceremony with Riles, a family Christmas on the weekend, and quite possibly roomie Christmas with Nicole on my return. I decorated our office space yesterday, and I've designated myself the elf of Christmas spirit for the office. I've planned a few surprises for my co-workers and they don't seem to object either. As I was getting their Christmas stockings set-up at their desks early this morning, the sun was slowly making its way to into the sky and it made me think that sometimes, it isn't just Christmas spirit that keeps us in a good mood, but realizing that in small moments, we also have little miracles that help things go right.

   So whether planning meetings on Parliament hill, or planning just the right amount of Christmas spirit for the office, things work out well because we believe that they will. Then, all that's left afterwards is to be grateful for it all. Smile a little dearest readers, and believe.

K.P.H.

Literature: The Click of the Keys

   Good day my dear readers and what a happy day it is. Though it is Black Friday and I plan on getting no shopping done whatsoever (since I value my life) I've decided to post an entry on a new project I'm working on. I've been blessed with a promotion at work which means I'll be sticking around Ottawa for another two years, but this also means that I manage to get most of my weekends off to work on whatever my little heart desires. Lately, I've been drawn to my new typewriter.

   At first I thought it was a lavish purchase (which it essentially was) so that I could feel like I belonged to the greats, but it called to me a little louder than expected and I found myself writing almost immediately. I had finished reading yet another of Charles Bukowski's poetry collections and I was inspired to write something completely different than anything I've ever produced before. In groupings of 4, I composed poems on a variety of subjects and they flowed through my mind easier than any of my other stories. There was something so real and so natural that it still freaks me out a little. My own voice has come through in a way that I never thought I'd be understood. I'm also motivated to try to get some of these newer poems published in magazines, or submit them in multiple competitions since for the first time in a long time, I'm proud of my work and I believe in its potential.

   So keep your eyes peeled for my new poetry collection called THE CLICK OF THE KEYS (a typewriter collection) which will hopefully be available sooner than later. Today's post gives you a sample; it's a poem from the 4th grouping I wrote. Let me know what you think! If you like this one, I could release more on the blog since I find they're all quite different. I would love to get feedback from my readers who have been so faithful to me. I'm actually approaching the 5000 original views mark which is yet again, another milestone for this writer who was often overlooked. I am grateful to have you on board. And without further ado:

There are things I wish you had learned.
Like how you have to
work to get what you
want. Or how
patience is an important
virtue. I wish you learned from
your mistakes instead of
using them as a crutch,
an excuse, a shovel to dig
yourself deeper than rock
bottom. I wish
you learned that there are
other things to life
and that not everyone
is a shitty human being. Or that
you keep finding them
because you act like a shitty human
being sometimes too. I
wish you learned to persevere when things
look bad, but to let go when there's no
way to win. I wish you
learned to have faith in
something instead of denying the existence
of goodness. Or to put your faith in the
thing you claimed that
can give you your answers. Or that it's okay
to ask questions.
I wish you learned that those closest to you
are always there even
if you only choose to notice
every once in a
while. Or that some people
will only stick around because
they want something. Or that
you seek the love of others and lose sight
of what's really happening. I wish you learned
you focus too much and miss the big picture
but that you
managed to worry about the future
when there's nothing to do.
I wish you learned that though
you may not always be liked,
you are always
loved.
There are things in your life
I wish you had learned,
and I guess now
would be the time.

K.P.H.

Laughter: Thanked and Threatened All At Once

   Good morning dearest readers and how the week is simply flying by. I've been blessed with good days, and I can't seem to get out of this wonderful mood I'm in (but that isn't such a bad thing after all). I've been working on my writing and I've managed to find a new voice, and a new side of me that I like quite a lot. It seems as though this is the first time in a long time that I see the potential (the true potential) of my work. Whether its my positive outlook or my skills, this girl is on a roll!

   As you know by now, I am a woman of action, of adventure. This past weekend, I did just that. I had been planning to surprise my mom at her last leadership camp over the weekend to wish her well and give her a proper send off instead of slipping through the cracks unnoticed like she would have wanted. I gathered some of my old friends, and some of the original youth counsellors to meet me at the camp, and take part in this epic send off. I had also managed to get in touch with some of her coworkers to help me orchestrate the whole thing; and yes, I can be devious when I need to be.

   The whole endeavour to actually make it to that point was anything but smooth. I had to lead my mother off my track and managed to get some close family and friends to write her thank you cards for everything she's done for us. While she thought this was her surprise (and knowing all too well I had my hand in it), she couldn't shake her gut feeling that I was just going to show up at some point. It took everything in me not to show up with my dad to help out on the Friday night. No, I had to stay strong and show up with everyone else on the Saturday. However, getting to that point was even more difficult; at least it seemed that way.

   One of the youth counsellor's (who is also my best friend) truck wouldn't start and had to get it boosted before rushing to the camp. We had to hide in bushes in front of the school to make sure we weren't spotted as they searched for my mother, to make sure she wouldn't spot us while roaming the school's halls. Lastly, they snuck us into the school, but since we couldn't be there from the beginning of the ceremony, they hid us in the gym's showers, and we held our breath and tried hard not to laugh when people crept in and chatted amongst themselves, waiting for the last event to finish. Through all of this, my best friend finally showed up, and they rushed him into one of our stalls as we waited for the perfect moment.

   When the time came, we poured out of the gym, made a bridge and my mother passed underneath (a symbol of her passing onto the next stage in her life - a gesture that was done for us when we graduated) and she was absolutely speechless when she spotted us at the end of the man made tunnel. It was one of the most moving moments I've ever witnessed, and have been part of. Out of all of this, some of the teachers and other youth counsellors asked me beforehand, how my mother was going to react to us being there (especially since I had driven 6 hours to get there) and I told them that she was going to be so happy, and then that she was going to kill me; all in one moment. And lo and behold, she hugged me tight when she saw me, and immediately followed up saying "I'm so mad at you right now". The last statement merely expressing how she worries about me when I travel by myself, and how jealous she was that she missed out on spending a day and half without me.

   So with the hectic weekend and moment done, I know that I'd do it all again in a heart beat. I realized that my mother knows me extremely well and that sometimes her gut feeling can be terrifyingly accurate. Regardless of it all my dear readers, it was worth being thanked and threatened at the same time.

K.P.H.

Literature: Canada at its Finest

Good afternoon my dear readers! The clock doesn't stop for us, but at least once in a while we manage to get one extra hour; an occurrence which is happening this weekend. It either means more sleep, or more likely, more time to read! For this entry, I wanted to say a little bit about the amazing experience of going to see Jane Urquhart and Margaret Atwood roughly two weeks ago. I can't believe how quickly the time passes by, which is why I never miss a chance (if I can help it) to meet some of the people I idolize the most.

   I have had the chance to meet Atwood over 5 years ago when she celebrated her birthday in Sudbury, but this time, the setting was a little more intimate, and I went with my roommate who's as big of fan of Margaret (if not a bigger fan than I am), which made it all the more fun. I was simply ecstatic to meet Urquhart since I fell in love with her writing during my second year at university. I had just finished binge reading her novel AWAY, and I couldn't get enough of her. I later one freaked out when I fond out that she had been one of the guest Authors that took part in uOttawa Writer in Residence program (even if this happened long before I attended the school). They were both releasing new books; Atwood was promoting her new book "Hagseed", which is her interpretation of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Urquhart was presenting "A Number of Things", her compilation of 50 objects that she found represented Canada for it's 150th anniversary. It was awe-inspiring to see two Canadian women who are intelligent, worldly and witty. They represent everything that I ever aspire to be, which made each night incredible.

   I could have also entitled this entry "What to say when meeting your idol" or rather, "What NOT to say when meeting your idol" because even after 4 years in an English literature degree, both Nicole and I struggled to find the words (or the right words) to express to our heroes how much we appreciated their presence and their contribution to the craft we spent so much of our time studying. Both nights were filled with emotion, and they will forever be burned into my memory. Never miss the chance my dearest readers to meet the people you look up to; it will either restore your motivation, or ignite your next big idea that had been waiting for the spark.

 

(PS. I stole a couple of pictures from my roommate to complete the collection, so props to her!)

K.P.H.

Love: "Love Will Always Be"

   Salutations on this Saturday dearest readers! The weekend has finally arrived and I'm taking the time today to catch up on a few entries for the blog. It seems as though my time is a little more in demand lately, but I'm not really complaining. I'm happy to be writing on more than one platform now, but I will always make the time to write on my own. After all, I've got readers to update and to entertain with the shenanigans I get into!

   Despite my busy schedule, I've finally managed to record one of the two new songs I wrote recently. I realized that I haven't posted one in a while, but writing songs is not as easy as I may make it look. The songs was inspired by a quote I liked from the play "For Life", where an actress said that she wanted to be told she was loved, but at the same time, she didn't want to hear it because nowadays people use "I Love You" more as a salutation than as the declaration it should be.

   Maybe it resonated with me because of my lack of luck in romance in the past, but I found that I needed to find a way to express how I felt about it. And so, I came up with this song. It outlines our expectations of love, what we wrestle with, what we settle with, but that through it all, we always have hope for it.

That my dearest readers is beautiful, inspiring and a little bit tragic all in itself.

K.P.H.

Love: Powerful Lyrics and Skillful Whistling

   Good morning my dear readers!! How I enjoy Thursdays since it's a reminder that the weekend is just one day away. I can't believe how quickly this week went by. I spent Monday and Tuesday at a work retreat, and I've been knee deep in work since. It's hard to believe that almost a week ago tomorrow, I was heading down to Toronto with my friend Geneviève to see one of our favourite bands: Boy & Bear.

   We were fortunate enough to have a spontaneous road trip (and by spontaneous I mean we only planned it a week in advance). Still we managed to get there just in time, have a place to crash for the night and managed to be front row for the concert. AMAZING!!! Gen and I saw them this summer at Bluesfest in Ottawa (always front row) and I was thoroughly impressed. The band has this kind of energy that is completely mesmerizing. They're really relaxed and chill on the scene, and I'm so very proud to state that I locked eyes with the lead singer and he smiled at me.

What's cool about Boy & Bear (other than their amazing music) is that they're still a small enough band to play at these more intimate venues which only adds on to the incredible atmosphere. They had a really good opening act called Kobi, and his sound (though quite different than B&B) was quite cool. He had a blues/classic rock vibe about him. I also locked eyes with him during one of his guitar solos, but that proceeded to be a little bit too long, and a little more than awkward. The overall experience was still super fun.

One thing to know about Boy & Bear (other than the fact that their drummer is this adorable bearded ginger man) is that they have haunting melodies, powerful lyrics and mind-blowing whistle skills. I can usually hold my own, but on their new album, the notes they can hit and the tempo they can keep is like nothing I've witnessed before. Ever since I had the chance to see them in July, I've listened to their music while I write and it sets the perfect mood for my stories. They connect with their audience with their honest songs. I've put their song Big Man on repeat more than once, to remind myself that "if failure don't hurt, than failure don't work"; a saying worth knowing and repeating when you've chosen a career path plagued with rejections letters. Despite it all, I keep listening; I keep writing; and I keep checking their tours dates to see when they'll be back. Maybe one day I'll be able to see them in Australia where they have a live saxophone solo for one of their songs. Yes, you read correctly, and yes, that would be epic to see.

So I encourage you to take the time to listen to them, or to go on a spontaneous road trip to see one of your favourite bands. The experience is incredible; the rush is intoxicating; and the time, memorable. I'm just so blessed to be able to have a friend to go with, and a car that will take me wherever I hear the world calling me to. There's really nothing to lose dearest readers; nothing at all but the tight routine you've weaved for yourself.

K.P.H.

Literature: Brave Enough

   Good morning my dearest readers and what a morning it is! It's Friday!!!! Though most of us still have to work through the day, at least we have the weekend now to look forward to. Not only do I have great plans, but those plans involve a spontaneous road trip to Toronto to see an epic band with my friend Geneviève! In addition to that, I've also officially become part of the writing team for the blog thirtyish.me (yes, I am now a working writer) and I LOVE IT!! But this post isn't a Love post, it's a Literature one; so let's get to it!

   I've been cruising through one book after another since I've realized that my deadline to complete my fifty book pledge is only a couple of months away, and I'm just a little over halfway done. So I've started to read a lot more poetry, and short-story compilations because I feel like it's easier for me to finish those off while on my way home from work, or during my lunch break. And today's post is in regards to the book I finished yesterday, which is a compilation of quotes published by Cheryl Strayed (the author of Wild), and though I haven't had the chance yet to read her latter mentioned story, I'm more excited than ever now to read it after completing Brave Enough.

   Cheryl Strayed has a very honest and straightforward way of writing and reaching out to her audience. Her words ring true with the reader, regardless of the age. I found myself relating and nodding along to quotes about parenting and marriage (when I've lived neither of these things yet), but it's the promise of the future, and of the reality of it that resonates. After only a few pages in, I had to stop and read a few of the quotes out loud to my mom, and proceeded to tell her that I'd like one of the quotes framed and gifted to me at Christmas because it was just that good.

   The things with quotes (and especially this book) is that we relate well with other people's words, because they express things we feel but have been able to vocalize until then. We all express ourselves differently, and writers are the ones we turn to to find the outlet we are unable to fathom. It's to make sense of the little voices in our heads, and to identify them by putting a tangible voice to them. It then echoes in the words of another. The best part of this book, is that it gave me the boost I needed without even knowing that I needed it at that moment. Sometimes you just need a complete stranger to tell you how incredible you are, and to keep pushing through whatever it is your struggling with, and to shoot high because that's the only place you should be aiming for.

   So I hope that you will be Brave Enough my dearest readers to go after the life you've imagined, because you honestly deserve it. And if ever you would need a little encouragement (which we ALL do sometimes) let Cheryl Strayed be the one to give it to you!

K.P.H.

Laughter: It's All About That Game, 'Bout That Game, No Pressure

   Good afternoon and welcome back my dear readers from your wonderful Thanksgiving. Yes, this past weekend was that time of the year where Canadians get together and are grateful for what we have and who we are. Most people drove home, or had guests show up on the Friday to get the chaotic weekend started, but I postponed my departure until Saturday morning because Nicole and I had something really important to attend... a football game.

   Now for those of you who are oblivious to the fact that Canadians actually have their own football league, just know that the game is just as incredible, and our athletes are WAY less paid than the americans. We have just as many crazy fans, and just as many team rivalries, but we're just a little nicer to each other when it comes to our sportsmen like conduct. So the game we went to see was the Ottawa RedBlacks versus the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Those two teams are long-standing rivals which makes the match that much more intense. Furthermore, the Roughriders were having a pretty bad season so far, while the RedBlacks we doing pretty well for themselves.

   Now since Nicole is from Regina, Saskatchewan, naturally her team is the Roughriders (which I've adopted as my own since the last time we went to a game and the Riders won), but we weren't the favourite to win. We were mentally preparing ourselves for some friendly heckling, while Nicole called for a "nail-biter" of a game. That's exactly what we got. After a big lead, the RedBlacks caught up to tie the game and forced all of the exasperated fans and energized teams into overtime. As a last-ditch attempt to win, the RedBlacks overshot their field goal, but when Saskatchewan tried the same move, they manage to land it, thus winning the game. It was super intense, and every time I go see a RedBlacks versus Roughriders game, it's never easy on the nerves.

   Aside from all of this, throughout the game, Nicole and I kept our spirits light with jokes and funny cheers. Now you probably all know how ridiculous my laugh can be (especially when it morphs into other demonic laughs), but despite the roaring crowd, two younger girls who were sitting next to us couldn't help but listen and laugh along to my boisterous chuckle. They would quite literally stop their conversation when there was any indication that I would laugh. They proceeded to tell me that they loved my laugh and that they were laughing with me (and not at me) which made me less self-conscious. They were rooting for Ottawa (which was losing) but they didn't seem to care anymore.

   So another day, another game, and another explosion of laughter gone by, and Nicole is still nowhere close to recording my laughs to put them as her ringtones on her phone. I'm just happy that my carefree attitude and contagious laughter can brighten up anyone's day. Just know dearest readers, that if you go see a Canadian football league game, they can apparently be a lot funnier than one expects!

K.P.H.

Literature: The Things Stories Are Made Of

   Good morning my dearest readers! With the weekend fast approaching, it is time to look back on the one that just passed. I've been feeling a little under the weather lately but I'm looking forward to going home this weekend and visiting my family and friends for Thanksgiving. It might not be too relaxing since there's always something to do, but a change of scenery could be just the thing I need.

   With that being said, that is exactly what Nicole and I did this past Saturday. We've taken walks on the beach to talk and get some air, and I met up with Riles for dinner last night to catch up on what we've been up to. But sometimes, I find myself needing to go a little further away, and a little more secluded. So Nicole and I headed to Gatineau park and went to the site of the ruins of an abandoned building. Not only was it really interesting to stand there in the midst of it all, but I couldn't help but wonder all of the stories that place could have inspired. My imagination was running a million miles an hour just exploring upstream from it.

   I've always been someone to see unconventional things in plain sight; to notice things that others don't, and imagine things that people wouldn't. I count it as a blessing more than a curse. I've had morbid plots develop from sunny settings, or a remarkable touching moment from an abandoned site. With that, I guess I don't always want to see things as they are, but imagine them as they could be. Maybe that's why I'm always so optimistic about things.

   So if ever you find yourself exploring, or even just walking down the street, turn off your music, open your eyes and look around you. See things not as they are, but as they could be, and you will notice the magic that lingers in all things my dear readers!

K.P.H.

Laughter: I've Got Mail!

   Good morning dearest readers! With a little bit of coffee in my system, I feel like I can finally take on the day. I've been working on a new song to post very soon to the blog since I haven't had the chance to put one up in a while; so please stand by for that one!

   Other than that, I've been busy at work ever since I completed one of the most busy weekends of my life. The things discussed and resolutions adopted were inspiring and I can't wait to see what the future will bring. I am blessed to be part of an organization where I get to witness first hand the change we are working towards. So as I settled into my work routine once more, a most happy occasion took place yesterday. Though I am one to get excited about the little things in life, I do enjoy every moment of my job. One of the things I like is getting the mail. I know, it may seem a little odd, but I like getting mail (whether it's at work or at home) because I find it a more thoughtful way to communicate with one another. Though sometimes it's good to leave a paper trail, it shows me that you took some extra time instead of simply clicking a button.

   With that being said, yesterday was the very first time ever that I received a letter in the mail at work addressed to me! Though it was just a promotional invitation, I contemplated framing it and putting it on the corner of my desk. It isn't much (and might seem a little silly to most), but to me, this officially shows that I'm part of the office. That I'm an employee at the FJCF. That I belong here. Once I stopped laughing to myself and taped the enveloppe to the side of my desk, I continued my work with a smile playing on my lips. Sometimes my dear readers, it only takes a little to make a big difference!

K.P.H.

Love: En amour avec ma francophonie!

   Bon matin mes chers amis et je vous remercie encore une fois pour être là pour moi. Vous êtes réellement des gens dédier à mon blog et je vous le remercie. Ce matin, je pensais écrire un entré au blog dans ma langue maternelle, et celle que j'utilise le plus souvent dans ma vie de tous les jours. Il est vrai que j'ai graduée de l'université avec un bac en littérature anglaise, mais vous savez sans doute que mon français ressort dans mon parler (et dans mon écris) peut import comment souvent je me pratique. Je suis franco-ontarienne pur et simple.

   La raison pour laquelle je voulais faire un entré au blog en français c'est parce que je viens tout juste de vivre une fin de semaine incroyable, entouré de jeunes absolument inspirant. Cette fin de semaine était l'assemblée générale annuelle de mon organisme et on a accueillis des jeunes de partout au Canada pour discuter des enjeux qui nous affectent tous en tant que jeunes, et en tant que francophones. Encore aujourd'hui, il y a de l'intolérance envers l'identité que nous approprions à nous même, et lors de AGA, c'est la jeunesse qui développe des initiatives, des comités et des mandats pour inciter du changement dans notre communauté. C'est bien notre futur qui nous attends après tout!

   J'étais épaté par les propositions et la détermination des jeunes de 16 à 25 ans. Ils s'entraidaient tous et s'appuyais. Le tout me rassurais énormément puisque je ne me sentais pas autant seule dans mon vouloir pour du vrai changement. Avec eux, le tout semblait possible au lieu d'être un rêve simple. Ces jeunes travaillent pour changer l'âge de vote à 16 ans. Il propose des conférences et assiste à des réunions pour assurer que la voix jeunesse est présente et entendu. C'est pour ceci, que malgré que je ne me trouve pas immédiatement dans mon emploi de rêve, que je me sens réellement chez moi chez la FJCF puisque je contribue à du vrai changement. Il y a un aspect tangible dans ce que je fais, et je crois que c'est très beau tout de même. Je vous invite à découvrir les initiatives de la Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne française, et d'y voir combien vous en appartenez et bénéficiez aussi! À la prochaine!

FJCF - Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne française

K.P.H.

Literature: Adventures in Merrickville

   Good afternoon dearest readers! With all the happiness from this morning's pleasant comment, I forgot to tell you about the amazing weekend I spent with my mother! Friday, I moved my furniture into my apartment with my father who was visiting. Sunday, I had breakfast with my mother and a friend of ours before she headed back on the road. But Saturday, oh Saturday... that was reserved for a delightful small town full of charm and possibilities!

   After a morning of errands and chores, we headed on the road for about an hour out of Ottawa, to a town called Merrickville. I had come across it once doing research for things to do in Ottawa and I stumbled on to this small town. We drove and talked until we reached the small town. The first thing we did was stop at some local venders for some fresh organic honey and pickles (it's a weird combo I know but they were both so delicious that we couldn't help ourselves). We then proceeded to have lunch with some blueberry ale (sooooo good), to then walk through the town and shop a little.

   The whole town is laced with boutiques and artisan workshops. New things, antiques things, and old things made new. It was definitely a place I'd consider moving too since it's not too far, and the atmosphere within the community is so inviting. We found a few wonderful pieces, explored an amazing book store (because you can't go into a small town that has one and NOT go see it unless you are truly mad), had a great dinner at one of the hotel, and we even took part in the launch of the fall/winter collection of Wick Witch (a candle and scents store in the town). It was a great event; it was a huge turn out and we even got a complementary Tarot reading with our purchase. There a things in life that only small towns can offer you and I think that may be why I keep looking for them.

   So if ever you are in the neighbourhood my dear readers, it is worth the trip, and even a stay, since the hotels and B&B are quite original and quirky. It is a gem that not too many look for, but is precious nonetheless!

K.P.H.

Laughter: Pulling a "KYLA"

   Happy hump day dear readers! Another Wednesday announces another week half over already but boy, there is still so much to do! Whether it's finishing off a projet by the end of the week, or getting all of your plans straightened out for the weekend, it seems as though we cannot always keep up with the ticking minutes.

   With that on my mind, I woke up this morning, mentally preparing myself for yet another busy day when I got a text from Riley in our group chat with Katie. He simply stated that he had just pulled a "Kyla" as he so stated it. The first thing I thought of was that he said one thing but meant something else, or that he laughed strangely and people looked at him like he wasn't all that sane. I thought maybe he tripped on a flat surface, but that would be pulling a "Katie", so it couldn't be that. I then asked him to explain what he meant by pulling a "me", and he replied that a homeless man had asked him if he could buy him a chocolate bar to eat, and Riles proceeded to do so, AND gave that man a Tim's card too. The man was very grateful and replied "thanks man, just trying to get through the day".

   I was and am truly touched that pulling a "Kyla" is doing a good deed for someone who needs it. If I wasn't sure what my purpose in life would be, or if I ever felt like I hadn't accomplished anything, I feel that if I were to die today and the only thing I would leave behind is that, I'd be one of the luckiest people. I guess I've been living my life right this whole time, and I just didn't necessarily know I was making such a difference. Today is a good day my dearest readers!

K.P.H.

Love: For the Love of all Things...Vegetarian

   Good morning dear readers! What a week it has been, but lo and behold, the weekend has arrived. I'm sure you've all been quite busy with everyone settling back into their routines and all (as am I), but it's good to find some time to step back and let go.

   Yesterday I had the pleasure of taking my great aunt Madeleine to dinner at a cute little restaurant/café I had never heard of before. We had gone out to dinner together once before (during my first week on the job), but the restaurant that we wanted) which was the one we had the pleasure of going to last night) was closed, so we decided on this great Mexican restaurant near by called Pancho Villa. Though yesterday, however unfortunate our first attempt to eat at this café was, was well anticipated and did not disappoint.

   This vegetarian café is called Blossom; and it is absolutely delightful. It is intimate and cozy, and has something for everyone. Even if you're not a vegetarian (like me), it's definitely worth it. I had an amazing burger made out of Romano cheese and sweet potatoes, with some tangy coleslaw and BBQ sauce. That in itself was one of my top 10 burgers I've ever had, and though I not too proud to admit (or maybe I am) I've had my fare share of really good (and really bad) burgers.

   What's cool with this place is that they also have vegan and gluten free options. When a place boasts about being able to cater to such specific needs, I'm always skeptical about the taste. Often we don't necessarily associate healthy with tasty, but I couldn't have been more wrong for this great place. If I could guarantee that I could eat food like that every day, I could easily become a vegetarian, and have no regrets. What's also really cool is that with their amazing menu, they also try to use local produce when they can. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, it's always good to support local businesses.

   So if you're ever in the neighbourhood, check out Blossom on the corner of Elgin st. and Gilmour st. my dearest readers. And if not, try to find fun new twists on classic meals you enjoy before going out to local shops and supporting your community. Investing in yourself and your community will be the best ways to spend your money!

K.P.H.

Love: Quarter of a Century

   Hello dear readers! Today's entry will be a short one but important nonetheless since someone very important to me is turning a quarter of a century today. Yes, my older brother Nicholas has officially turned 25 today.

   Through everything we've been through, (though not always easy) we've stuck together. My parents have always told us that in this world of ours, we only have one brother (or one sister) so it's important that we take care of each other. I think we've managed to do that over the years. We've definitely kept each other laughing, kept each other smiling and have always tried to be there when it matters (even if it's not physically being there). Our lives have brought us to different corners of the province, and sometimes, to different corners of the world, but we always make sure to meet somewhere in the middle. Just like when I skyped in a phone call with my family last night as my parents, and all four of my grandparents went down south to celebrate my brother's birthday.

   So as he starts his new life in Oshawa, and I tackle mine in Ottawa, he officially enters the adult life with the support of his family, and the love of those who matter most to him. And though I only met him 22 years ago, I'm sure that I've made up for lost time. Donc mon cher grand-frère, je te souhaite une merveilleuse fête, et plusieurs autres dans le futur!

K.P.H.

Love: One Simple Act of Kindness

   Good morning to all and to all a good day! Yes dearest readers, we are approaching the end of another month and the time won't stop ticking. I thought I'd start off your day with the wonderful little act of kindness that set my day off right.

   I got everything ready so that my morning would go off without a hitch. I got up, got dressed, made my lunch, breakfast and coffee (in that order) and then I headed out the door with music in my ears, and a couple of books in my bag; this was going to be a good day. I got off the bus, but low and behold, I did not see Riley! Things were starting to go downhill because not everything was absolutely perfect (but when are they ever really?). Anyways, so I go sulking into the mall, because I know I'm not late, and then  I notice all of these kids running around because apparently, school is back in session a little earlier for some of them. And see, I don't mind kids, just when they're not being obnoxious or loud. The several I passed by in the mall were both of those things.

   So I kept walking, knowing that I'd get to eat my breakfast and drink my coffee once I was at work, and I thought that that was going to be the only thing that would be able to put me in a good mood, but it wasn't. As I was getting ready to exit the mall to take my connecting bus, I was weaving past slow walkers and readied myself to push open the exit door when it was held open for me; by a young little girl who was about 6 or 7 years old. She smiled as she held onto the heavy door to let myself (and everyone behind me pass through) before she continued on her merry way.

   That my dearest readers is doing a small act of kindness, and turning everyone's day around. I will do the same today to pay it forward, and I hope that something wonderful happens for that little girl today since she took a little bit of her time to do that for me.

   So with that, I leave you my dear readers, with one of the poems from the book I wrote about in yesterday's post, because this little girl made me think back on it, and it's called The Moths Arrive in Black and White.

     The bad news is, people are crueler, meaner and more evil that you've ever imagined.
     The good news is, people are kinder, gentler and more loving than you've ever dreamed.

K.P.H.

Literature: I Wrote This For You - Just The Words

   Good evening dear readers! You have survived another Monday yet again. After a relaxing evening with my roommate, I'm slowly but surely getting ready for bed. I know it may seem a little early for some, but I get up at 6am every morning, and I thrive on a solid eight hours of sleep, so shhhhhh; I'm doing fine. As the academic year is gaining some scary ground for some of you, I can't help but smile knowing all too well that I do not have to set foot on campus again. I've done my time (and I could do a little more) but I'd rather try to reach some of my goals before I settle on plan C or D.

   Now I wanted to mention to you all a very interesting book I picked up recently that stood out to me at the book store, (it's title is that of this entry). Ever since I've allowed myself to read more than the narrow pretentious selections I deemed fit as literature, I've learned so much, and loved so much of it. I'm not a hopeless romantic, but I do enjoy a good rhyme and verse. This strange little book I picked up divided into small poems,(almost like a mind in fragments),  has different sections that the reader is free to read at his own leisure, depending how they feel at that given moment. It's structured in such a way that you don't need to read it from cover to cover, but rather flip through different sections of it and it might actually be better for you.

   What's truly incredible about this book is that it is not addressed to anyone in specific, and its author is anonymous. It is a book that speaks solely to the reader at that present moment, because no one same person reads a book (not even the same reader re-reading a book). We change and we evolve. We grow and we learn. And this collection of poems, of reflected moments, can speak to you in a way you were not expecting, and you tend to discover something about yourself. Pick up a copy of it my dearest readers, read it and let yourself know the words. Don't just glance over them, but really see them, and then, you might just really see yourself.

K.P.H.

Laughter: Morning Meetings

   Hello to all of you dearest readers and happy hump day! Yes it is Wednesday and we are forever inching closer to another glorious weekend. Some people might think I'm too much of a morning person, or that I'm always in a good mood, and those people would actually be right for a change. You've no doubt learned by now that I'm a positive person, but what helps out my great outlook on life is a good start in the morning.

   I always make sure to get enough sleep when I can. I make myself a cup of coffee and often pack myself breakfast if I don't have time to eat at home. I get dressed, put on some music, and have a calm bus ride to work as I contemplate all of everything. You can maybe guess why this seems to put me in a good mood; there's no stress to veer me off track. But another thing that always makes me smile in the morning is that I get to see Riley. We both head over to the mall for work; him to catch a bus to work and me, arriving there to then walk to work. We cross paths almost every morning and simply smile to each other as we pass by one another. It's a little awkward sometimes when we slow down and say hi, especially with other people walking near us, because those people sometimes think (and maybe panic a little on the inside) that we're slowing down to talk to them. It's like that awkward moments when you see someone waving and you wave back, just to realize that they weren't waiving at you the whole time. Yeah, it's like one of those moments.

   What made me laugh this morning is that ever since I've officially moved into my new apartment, I get to the mall a little later than usual therefore I meet Riles at the transfer station instead of crossing paths down the street. Yesterday however, my bus was a little later, and I had just missed him. This morning, I was right on time and was able to smile, and say hi as I passed him by on my way to work. He then proceeded to text me saying: "You were way too excited, Kyla. But hi! Hahahah." I went on to explain that I hadn't seen him yesterday, so my enthusiasm was just a double dose since I didn't get the chance to smile and wave as we passed each other. So even if Riles and I aren't living together anymore, it's basically like we still are! I think I've seen him more this summer than the entire last semester in the apartment with Katie.

   It doesn't take much to start your start your day off right. Sometimes it's a good cup of coffee, and other times, it's a "good morning" from a best friend. Find what puts you in a good mood and add it to your morning routine. Then maybe, just maybe my dear readers, you'll become a little more of a morning person too!

Love: The Type

   Happy Monday to you all and let it be a beautiful day! My dearest readers, I thought I'd start you off this week with a little video that I cannot get enough of. It is a spoken word poem done by Sarah Kay. She's a great poetess that has a memorable way of speaking the truth plainly, yet eloquently. She discusses themes that many people think about on a daily basis, and the one for today's entry is about the type of woman either we, or others expect us to be.

   This is not a rant, or a cry for justice, but rather an acknowledgment that we are the by-product of the choices we make. We are not a mistake, nor an answer, as she clearly states it, but  we are rather independent people looking for the place where we belong; even if that place is only temporary.

   So I encourage you not only to listen to her, but to try to understand the point she is making. Because we so often try to play a certain type, and we lose ourselves more often than not in the process. It's time to realize that we all deserve love; that our choices do not define us but rather mould us into the person we are meant to become. Therefore dearest readers, start off your Monday with a little self-appreciation and motivation!

The Type - Sarah Kay

K.P.H.

Laughter: Technology at its Finest

   Good day to you all my dearest readers! One of the things that I am not amazing at (but am learning regardless) is the ever developing technology at our disposal. I know I've mentioned a few times how I'm not tech-savy, that I have an old soul, and that I'm not good with change, but sometimes, we learn despite our best resolve. I've learned that first hand with my bilingualism. It doesn't matter if French is my first language, I learned how to speak English young since I was always surrounded by it in my every day life.

   But the post this morning isn't going to be a rant about the ever-decreasing human interaction we all have with one another, but rather of a fond memory I had growing up. I stumbled upon the picture below last night when I was looking over some of my social media and laughed hard (maybe a little too hard) thinking back on the struggle I faced talking not only to my relatives, but mostly to my dad every night when he travelled for work. Kids nowadays will never know how difficult it was to find a comfortable spot to have a long call, or the need to not get distracted as you attempted to jump rope with the cord without ripping the phone jack off the wall. You had a limit to your line, so any material you wanted to share, you needed with you because there was no way the line would reach your room. Not only was it a pain for the caller, but for the others in the house trying to manoeuvre their way around you without literally being clothes-lined by your conversation.

   With all the awkwardness of it, those long calls with my dad are interwoven in a big part of my childhood, and my future kids (should I have any) will never wrap themselves in the phone cord, or twirl it around while talking to their grandparents. They could run outside while talking, feeling limitless in their conversations, but forever subjected to distractions along the way. They will never be tied to one spot; never forced to stay still and talk for a moment.

   So if you've lived the struggle (or remember fond memories) of those good 'ole phone cords, let it be known that no other experience will allow talking on the phone with your own attached entertainment.

K.P.H.

Literature: Sifting Through the Madness for the Word, the Line, the Way

   Good morning to all of you my dear readers! Yes, it is Wednesday which means we are halfway to the weekend! What else could we want (other than for it to actually be the weekend)? On this fine day, I thought it would be fun to write about a writer who is often not well understood. Not that he needs to be, but I've found that he, as a writer, is very much an acquired taste that not many seek out. However, the few who do, are profoundly inspired by his honesty and crude humanity.

   Charles Bukowski is an uncensored writer and poet who writes about life and how it is. I stumbled upon his works after having been inspired by a few of his quotes. Because he is rather crude and brutally honest in most of his works, he is obviously not a writer for everyone, but rather for himself. He offers up his life, and what he sees around him for what it really is. Sometimes he shows his success, and other times, he shows the utterly crushing poverty he endures to pursue his work as a writer. His passion for writing is more than that; it is a necessity. I feel that I can relate to Bukowski on the level of being a writer. The necessity to write is stronger than anything, and eventually, it must be put down on paper. In his poem Neither Shakespeare nor Mickey Spillane, he writes:

"sifting through the madness for the Word, the line, the way, hoping for a check from somewhere, dreaming of a letter from a great editor;"

   There's this hope to be recognized, but knowing that ultimately, our words are for us. We read and we write to express something we cannot exactly say, but feel. We read and we write to be inspired and to inspire others. We read and we write to be transported to other places in which we feel more like ourselves than we do in our everyday lives. It's what's so maddening about it all to begin with.

   But even with his inspirational quotes and his "real talk" about life, there is none of his works that have spoken to me more than his poem: So you want to be a writer? You can read it below and I encourage you to, because if you're making excuses about your time or money (or the lack thereof), some of us don't have the luxury to debate it. Some of us can work around it, but the necessity and desire to write what has not be said already will be stronger than anything else. And that is what Bukowski continues to teach me, my dearest readers.

so you want to be a writer?

   if it doesn't come bursting out of you
   in spite of everything,
   don't do it.
   unless it comes unasked out of your
   heart and your mind and your mouth
   and your gut,
   don't do it.
   if you have to sit for hours
   staring at your computer screen
   or hunched over your
   typewriter
   searching for words
   don't do it.
   if you're doing it because you want
   women in your bed,
   don't do it.
   if you have to sit there and
   rewrite it again and again,
   don't do it.
   if it's hard work just thinking about doing it,
   don't do it.
   if you're trying to write like somebody
   else,
   forget about it.

   if you have to wait for it to roar out of
   you,
   then wait patiently.
   if it never does roar out of you,
   do something else.
   if you first have to read it to your wife
   or your girlfriend or your boyfriend
   or your parents or to anybody at all,
   you're not ready.

   don't be like so many writers,
   don't be like so many thousands of
   people who call themselves writers,
   don't be dull and boring and
   pretentious, don't be consumed with self-
   love.
   the librairies of the world have
   yawned themselves to
   sleep
   over your kind.
   don't add to that.
   don't do it.
   unless being still would
   drive you to madness or
   suicide or murder,
   don't do it.
   unless the sun inside you is
   burning your gut,
   don't do it.

   when it is truly time,
   and if you have been chosen,
   it will do it by
   itself and it will keep on doing it
   until you die or it dies in
   you.

   there is no other way.

   and there never was.

-Charles Bukowski

K.P.H.

Laughter: I Have Too Much Sh*t!

   Good morning dearest readers! Hope your weekend was good and your adventures plentiful. As for me, I spent the weekend preparing to move, shopping for things for my new apartment, to then finally start the move yesterday. I honestly think that I'm fated to live my life in a state of perpetual packing. Living out of boxes and living out of a suitcase are two VERY different things and I'm also learning that I prefer the latter over the former. For some, it's the other way around.

   Now what I find so funny (and this could very well be because I'm just so exhausted after carrying everything I own over and over again), that every single time I have to move my things to a new place, I feel like I have more things than when I started. But that doesn't make sense since I basically get rid/donate a minimum of two bags of things every single time I move my things. It gets tiresome heaving all of everything. But somehow, I always end up having too much sh*t!!

   Nicole managed to move her whole life in one day, and I, basically having the same amount of stuff brought in that she did, only brought in a portion of my life. And now I don't want to bring any more. I think I'm content with living on a mattress on the floor, with a box of linens, a few kitchen items, and using my floor as my closet, book shelves and desk. I think I will resolve to do that (though I don't think my mother will let me go through with it).

   And though we are trying to set up our lives a little bit at a time (but in a quick and orderly fashion since we're having a party at our new places this weekend to celebrate Nicole's birthday), there are just so many things to do and so little hours in a day. I start to understand a little more now why some people don't like to travel that much; most likely because of all the packing and unpacking they're dreading. But it's like I said dear readers, suitcases and boxes are very different things, but I'm learning that they both lead to amazing adventures!

K.P.H.

Literature: Revelation Reading

   Good morning dearest readers! Let the weekend approach with its scorching heat and immense possibilities! I've got quite the weekend planned myself as this is finally the weekend where Nicole and I are getting our apartment. Watch out adult world, we are one step closer to understanding your complexities!

   One thing I'm looking forward to the most is actually living with Nicole! I've been blessed before, and seems like the Fates are looking down on me again since I'm going to have another great roommate. Nicole and I share lots of things in common and we were bonded with our love of books (which just so happens to be the strongest bonds out there). Not only do we both like to read, but we like hiking (the outdoors), going to concerts, bad jokes and writing too. As I've maintained this blog for roughly over two year now it seems, Nicole has started her own blog. I guess my french expressions and funny stories have inspired all of my roommates to start expressing themselves too! The only difference this time is where I write about my life and all of the great things about it, Nicole has decide to focus on one aspect (and this one being a big part of her life), and that one thing is books.

   In her new blog that titled the same as this entry, she reviews a number of books with insightful close readings and funny little twists. And who doesn't love a good meme every now and then? It's worth checking it out if you're a reader like I am (which I've assumed at least a few of you are since you're still reading my posts), and maybe, just maybe you'll find your next favourite book too! In the end, we all have to support each other; readers and writers alike since this beloved industry of ours is not an easy one and people seem to think that it's slowly going down, but I think that hogwash. That's right, I said hogwash.

   So I suggest you subscribe to her blog and read as much as you read mine. Try to see if our roomie life seeps through the lines as we share common interests. Because whether we intend it or not, life has a way of showing itself so that we can take advantage and bare witness to the little good moments it has to offer us.

Revelation Reading

K.P.H.

Love: Into the Wild

   Good afternoon dearest readers! I've come to a point where I've managed to write the majority of the bigger adventures of my summer, so now I'll post current entries until I remember other fun things I've done. And I'm starting with today!

   My new roommate Nicole and I have agreed to do something every weekend, and one outing outside if possible. Even if we're not officially roommates yet (since we still aren't moving into our new apartment until Sunday), we are starting our weekends together early to get into the grove of things. Today, we went around the outskirts of Ottawa to go walking in some of the trails. It wasn't exactly hiking yet since there wasn't much altitude (or any for that matter) to overcome. We walked roughly 4-5 kms and then went to lunch to cool down. It was a nice start and a good pace to set for the rest of our adventures.

   I look forward to our fall adventures and winter adventures because there are always great things to do outside, as long as you're prepared for it. We want to live in the city and take part in everything it has to offer since this time around, we will actually have a little more time for it. It's not like I have a second job to go to (well not really at least) and I don't have extra homework to do once I get home. I just have my regular job, and my evenings and weekends are mine to decide what I want with them. And I've got lots of ideas and don't worry, you'll hear all about it my dear readers!

K.P.H.

Laughter: Distance is Subjective

   Good afternoon my dear readers and I hope your Saturday is just as great as mine. I've spent the day lounging around and relaxing, and I've come to the realization that it was well deserved. Now one thing that I've been doing a lot this summer is travelling, and with travelling comes long distances. But, distance is subjective to the one travelling it.

   In my family, we are natural travellers. My father travels every week for work and drives long hours so that we can lead the life we have. My mother also travels for work and for leisure. It's no surprise that I do the same, but many other people do not have the same thoughts on travelling. For me, travelling six hours for an interview is something that I've done more than once this summer. Relocating at a moment's notice for a new job isn't always so easy for everyone. And driving down one weekend to have 45 hours to pack up your life, sleep and start fresh isn't the ideal everyone looks for. However, this is the life I'm leading. I've had people gawk and gasp when I tell them the summer I've been living and the life I'm creating since not everyone understands it; and I don't expect them to. But when you're born and raised in a life of travel, and the conviction to do what needs to be done, distance is but a number. It is a path that gets you from your point A to your point B. So sometimes, even though other people think I'm a little crazy, I think it's funny how little they are willing to venture off in the world.

   This is what happened when I came back from Newfoundland. I had an interview in Ottawa on a Tuesday afternoon, and I was coming back from Newfoundland to Toronto on Monday night. My mother picked me up to give a break and let me prep for my interview while we drove to the capital city early Tuesday morning. We got there with plenty of time, and half an hour after the interview itself, I learned that I had gotten the job, and that I started Friday. I had two suitcases with me, no car and no place to live, but I had a job for 8 months, and a great adventure ahead. These past two weeks have been quite the learning curve, but with all the hustle and bustle, I've managed to crash at my aunt's house while I found myself an apartment, got my car back from Toronto, moved the first load of my stuff from back home, and prepped myself for the adult life I am starting to lead.

   So distance for me is a very subjective thing, like time, because I do what needs to be done at the time it needs to be done at. Things happen for a reason, and believe it or not, even greater things are on the horizon for me, and in the field that I aspire to work in. Had I not had this attitude on life, and made the choices I did, none of these great things would be happening. The world is a funny place sometimes and I'm laughing along with it, and so should you dearest readers!

K.P.H.

Literature: Found New Land in Newfoundland

   Hello again dearest readers! Are you ready to hear about my trip to Newfoundland? Well I'm ready to tell you all about it! Where my usual habit is to highjack my parents' anniversary, this year I accompanied my grandparents to Newfoundland for their 55th wedding anniversary. This was also my graduation gift from them. Newfoundland was the only Canadian province (other than the territories) that they hadn't seen yet, and they wanted to go badly. And I love to go on adventures, so it was a perfect match.

   I was their personal driver and we spent 5 days exploring St. John's and the surrounding area on our own and with the help of some locals and friends. We each got to pick a day where we chose what we did. We found some local restaurants and ate like kings and queens. We visited the Colony of Avalon and checked out one of the most prosperous archeological digs in this part of the country. We went to a local dinner theatre and laughed until our stomachs hurt. We went to mass at the beautiful cathedral where the priest called us to live our lives for the moments that matter, and not for the material things we think that do. We went to The Rooms, and saw local history and art (some about travelling and identity) and had lunch with an amazing view. We saw Signal Hill, and went to the most Eastern Point of Canada. I put my feet in the water while looking at whales and distant icebergs. I realized even more how much we live in an awe-inspiring, wonderful country. I thought the weather was nice (not too hot, but a little windy) and we even took the time to rest. What I really loved about the whole trip was that we took the time to rest up between our visits, and that allowed me to write more than I had had the opportunity to do all summer.

   There's just something about islands that kick-starts my imagination and allows my mind to flow with ideas. I let my Bluesfest bands serenate me my while my two new characters (Eli and Mayvell) told me their long awaited story. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since, and I crave each opportunity that I can read and write again. Whether its the people, the place or the overall vibe of it, islands are magical places. All the traditional lore suggests it, locals endorse it, and I believe it.

 

K.P.H.

Love: Let The Music Take Me Away

   Good afternoon dearest readers and happy weekend! It may have felt like you have been waiting for your Saturday for a long time and I can tell you that you're not the only one either. This is my first official weekend where I have absolutely nothing to do, and I couldn't be happier. With my summer being full of adventures and excitement, I've barely had a moment to catch my breath (let alone sleep in); and don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change it for a thing, but I'm glad to finally get a small moment of peace, and a good night's rest.

   With my writing, I've been granted the opportunity to reminisce about all of my adventures, and sometimes, I'm stunned by how much I actually got accomplished in such a short amount of time. Another of the big moments of my summer, was when my friend Gen and I drove down to Ottawa for Bluesfest. This was my fourth year at the festival, and I was just as excited. It brought me back to the first year I went with Riley and Katie since we were only there for a few days, but it was just as good. This time, I went with Gen and Nicole. We went to see Boy & Bear, The Head and the Heart, Noel Gallager and the High Flying Monkeys, The Tallest Man on Earth, and of course, The Lumineers. The energy at the festival was incredible, and the days were good. Most of the stages we were at were smaller, and we managed to get front row for some of the shows. I'll admit that I haven't been able to stop listening to their music since I've been back but I've used it as the soundtrack to which I'm writing my newest story.

   It was a great weekend, and I know that the coming week was calling me for my next adventure, but the songs I heard spoke to me on a level I needed. There are moments when it's like we hear a song for the first time even though it's been playing on repeat on our iPods for the longest time. It's amazing what the world will choose to tell you when you least expect it. It speaks often to us, but we seldom listen. It's mind blowing when we finally do, and it inspires us too. Festivals are both a letting go and a reconnecting with who we are, and the world we come from. It seems simple enough, or even a little far fetched for those who go for all the wrong reasons, but the world has some pretty cool things to tell us if we just stop talking for a moment, and listen to it instead.

K.P.H.

Laughter: I Caught a Fish, Now What Do I Do?

   Good evening my dear readers! I am proud to say that today only, I am nearing a 100 original views on the blog, which means that this blitz of entries is really catching people's eyes. And why wouldn't it; I'm funny right? Well that's what a few of my friends thought a weekend when I went to camp with them. We travelled to this remote island where three of her family's camps were built. We settled in to the rustic ways, read the morning away, boiled lake water for our dishes, and played cards by the candle light. Her and I had a whole day to ourselves, and then her boyfriend and his friend showed up the next day. They were settled on fishing and we joined them!

   We took the boat to many different fishing spots, but it's when we went back later in the evening after dinner, when the sun was cooling off and the fish were closer to the surface, did I manage to catch my first real fish! It was a kind of sucker fish, and when I felt him on the line I kept asking my friends in the boat what I should do? They kept telling me to reel it in, but I kept asking what to do while I was reeling it in. I hesitated to bring it in the boat, but they placed it in the net, and put it in a bucket. They moved it over, because I didn't want my fish next to me, but I still named it and talked to it (as if it would stop it from fidgeting around) and then it unfortunately died. It's name was Freddy, and he was my first official fish.

   I've come to realize that sometimes, I'm more entertaining than the actual entertainment, and I'm okay with that. I've got a good attitude on life, and sometimes, it's okay not to want to touch the slimy fish you just caught even if you love it and named it. Love comes in all sorts of shapes and ways (as you've hopefully noticed with this blog) but it's how we decide to look at it that makes it matter.

K.P.H.

Love: The Tassel was Worth the Hassle

   Good morning dearest readers, I hope you are all getting ready for a great day because it is after all Friday! I'm keeping my promise of writing daily just as I hope that you'll keep on reading daily. While I was organizing what I would post per day on the blog, I realized this morning that I hadn't included a milestone moment in my life on the list. And that is the day of my graduation!

   It was a long day, and we had the ceremony in the morning. I couldn't have asked for more inspiring speeches and fellow classmates to graduate along side of. It was amazing how quickly the three hour ceremony went by because I feel like we were all caught up in the moment. On the plus side, I didn't trip, and I got to graduate at the same time and day as Katie (my old roommate) and Nicole (my new roommate). My parents and my grand mother were there, and more of my family came to celebrate afterwards. We only got three tickets the day of, because that's what you get when you study at a popular prestigious school.

   Anyways, after the ceremony, Katie and I met up for lunch and who shows up to celebrate with us...Riley! We spent the afternoon laughing and planning the futures we were going to have, even if it didn't involve each of us being part of it every single day. We learned that it's okay to be apart as long as you make the effort to keep in touch. After lunch, my family and I relaxed a little before heading to dinner at this amazing little Italian restaurant near my old apartment. My godfather and godmother came down from Montréal to spend it with me and it made the whole day that much more special.

   I went to bed, slept soundly, went to church the next morning to see my aunt, uncle and cousin, and after a short lunch, my mother and I headed back home. Everyone went their separate ways waiting for the next opportunity to meet up again. It was a momentous day that seemed frozen in time, yet passed by much too fast. At first I didn't want to go, but now I'm glad that I took the time to live in the moment, because after all, it was quite the achievement I accomplished. Life is made up of moments that map out the good in our lives.

K.P.H.

Laughter: Less than 5 Minutes

   With my last post for the night, I thought I'd leave you my dearest readers, with a story that happened to me when I came back from Iceland! Once I came back from the beautiful island, I found myself feeling restless at home all alone. All I wanted to do was travel and wander about, discovering and exploring. To look at things as if it was the first or the last time I would see them. My bedroom (that was cluttered at that time) was not the best view for this kind of thinking. So one day, I set off to my favourite place on this earth, to clear my mind and get some perspective. I filled up my car, packed a picnic lunch and headed off to Manitoulin Island!

   The drive was great and peaceful. I had made mix CDs the night before (since that's the only kind of music my 2006 CRV can have) and I sang my heart out on the open road. I know I probably looked a little crazy to some people, but the only ones who could hear and/or care were myself and my car Glen. I made it to the island around noon, stopped at the local coffee shop for a refill and drove to a perfect spot. It was close to a boat launch, and it had a few picnic tables and benches. I settled myself down, took out my lunch to tackle that first, and in less than 5 minutes, two adorable dogs parked themselves right behind me. They appeared out of nowhere (probably from a neighbouring camp) and just sat in my shade, giving me pleading eyes for a bite of my lunch. I caved in a few minutes later because they were simply too adorable, and then they proceeded to keep me company for the rest of my day, knowing all too well that I had no more food. With every new family stopping by the boat launch to spend their day on the water, the two dogs stayed faithfully by my side and their steady breathing set the rhythm to which I wrote out a chapter and half of my newer story.

   I had set out that day to spend it by myself, to get some space when apparently that wasn't the thing I really needed. I just needed a different kind of companionship. I wasn't alone, but I wasn't feeling lonely like I may have been before. The world works in mysterious ways and what we want isn't always what we need; but we have to be open enough to see it, and let it happen. Sharing is caring my dear readers and that's how we make great friends!

K.P.H.