Good morning dearest readers! With the weather finally cooling down, I feel like it's appropriate to stay inside a little more and cuddle up in my bed with coffee and a good book; that is, at least on those days that I don't have to work. Once I cam back from my holiday break and settled into my new job at work, I felt like it was time to settle on some time for myself again. With my new resolutions ensuring that I get a good dose of my favorite people, and a strong helping of my writing, I figured it was a right time to assemble my reading list for 2017.
Last year I attempted the 50 book pledge and I got close. But with my life in turmoil and half of my year taken by school, it was only natural that I didn't quite hit the mark. So instead, this year, I've decided to aim for that half point, and whatever books I read extra will be bonus! I've got a good mix between fiction, non-fiction and poetry books which I believe will give me a good balance throughout the year. Now I ask that you do not judge the reading list as some of you might be a little shocked by some of them (and by shocked, I mean that you probably assumed that I've already read it but I didn't actually yet). If you've completed any of the below, please do not tell me any spoilers because there's a good chance that I never forgive you. Reading transports me to wonderful worlds and allows me to live out great adventures... don't rip me out of that because you can't keep your mouth shut. So take a look, and feel free to use my reading list as your own; I think you might enjoy it just as much!
1. Trigger Warning; Neil Gaiman
2. Harry Potter (HP) and the Philosopher's Stone; J.K. Rowling
3. HP and the Chamber of Secrets; J.K. Rowling
4. HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban; J.K. Rowling
5. HP and the Goblet of Fire; J.K. Rowling
6. HP and the Order of the Phoenix; J.K. Rowling
7. HP and the Half-blood Prince; J.K Rowling
8. HP and the Deathly Hallows; J.K. Rowling
9. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them; J.K. Rowling
10. The people look like flowers at last; Charles Bukowski
11. The Spawning Grounds; Gail Anderson-Dagartz
12. Percy Jackson: The Last Olympian; Rick Riordan
13. The Death Cure; James Dashner
14. The Kill Order; James Dashner
15. Big Magic; Elizabeth Gilbert
16. The Woman Who Lived with Wolves; Paul Globe
17. The Educated Imagination; Northrop Frye
18. The Weight of Glory; C.S. Lewis
19. The Boy Who Drew Monsters; Keith Donohue
20. Life from Elsewhere; Amit Chaudhuri
21. Rooftoppers; Katherine Rundell
22. The Shack; Paul Young
23. Rumi (poems); translated by Farrukh Dhondy
24. No Matter the Wreckage; Sarah Kay
25. On Love; Charles Bukowski
So now dearest readers you know the list of journeys I plan on embarking on, and I hope you will choose a journey as well; maybe not one of mine, but select one that will suit you just as well. We are truly incredible people, seeking out incredible lives. I don't think I would mind if my thirst for adventure never be satiated. It means I have wonderful things to look forward to.
K.P.H.
Monday 23 January 2017
Tuesday 10 January 2017
Laughter: Joy that Echoes
Good day dear readers and what a wonderful Tuesday it is. As part of my New Year's resolution, I vowed to write for myself at least once a week, and I've kept that promise too. What I like about my resolution is that it doesn't limit myself to once a week either, but simply states a minimal number. Aiming low and reaching high is usually a good way of working for me.
I've been lucky enough that ever since coming back from my holiday break, Riles has started his new job/placement. Because of this, most of his regular classmates/friends have left the city for their own placements. It's not that Riles and I don't hang out outside of school, but it wasn't always as easy because of our conflicting schedules. Now we literally work the same hours, and the same days which makes hanging out a lot easier. Upon coming back to Ottawa, Riles and I drove back down together (since I had been in Stratford to visit Katie during the end of my break) and the night after, Riles proposed two movies we could go see. I agreed right away, and he then suggested another one not too long after. I think Riles was afraid that I'd get overly excited so he felt the need to follow-up saying that he didn't want to monopolize all my time, and that hanging out with me wasn't the only thing he could do, but I just smiled and nodded so that I wouldn't blurt out how happy I was and scare him off like a baby deer.
The first movie we went to see was at this local theatre and it was called "Loving". It was quite the interesting story, and I really enjoyed it. Now I must explain to you why this entry is filed under the Laughter section of the blog. The movie theatre we went to is an older theatre. It's vintage, has one large theatre and you have to pay cash (that should give you an idea of how old it is). Now the ideal spot to sit to get the perfect view is right in the centre row, but in the middle of the theatre since if you sit at the back (like you would do with modern theatres) you can't see as well with the slightly smaller screen. So when we got there, we sat down in these prime seats, and talked, and watched the previews. As to be expected (when I hang out with Riles) I laughed, and I laughed loud. And then I couldn't stop laughing because I realized that in this large, old and semi-empty theatre, my laughed echoed because of where we were sitting down. Riles's eyes grew large as he realized what this meant and I could feel him stare at me every once in a while through the movie to make sure that I wasn't going to laugh at inappropriate moments, because it was a sure fire way for everyone, and I mean EVERYONE to hear. I know that my laugh is funny alone, and that I've got a voice that carries, but I've never heard it echo before; it was like I was in surround-sound.
The good news is that I laughed only at the appropriate moments, so Riles wasn't embarrassed (well at least not much) and we left the movie to grab a bite to eat. And because it went so well, I'm sure the offer to go see the two other movies still stand. So I'll leave with you a quote I heard not too long ago that I had to attribute to the situation at the movies. It stated that: "How beautiful it is that we laugh because our bodies cannot contain the joy." That my dearest readers is a wonderful thought, but I must ask myself exactly how happy I must be, since I am always laughing, overflowing with joy. It is a beautiful thing to hear a joy that echoes in the simplest of ways.
K.P.H.
I've been lucky enough that ever since coming back from my holiday break, Riles has started his new job/placement. Because of this, most of his regular classmates/friends have left the city for their own placements. It's not that Riles and I don't hang out outside of school, but it wasn't always as easy because of our conflicting schedules. Now we literally work the same hours, and the same days which makes hanging out a lot easier. Upon coming back to Ottawa, Riles and I drove back down together (since I had been in Stratford to visit Katie during the end of my break) and the night after, Riles proposed two movies we could go see. I agreed right away, and he then suggested another one not too long after. I think Riles was afraid that I'd get overly excited so he felt the need to follow-up saying that he didn't want to monopolize all my time, and that hanging out with me wasn't the only thing he could do, but I just smiled and nodded so that I wouldn't blurt out how happy I was and scare him off like a baby deer.
The first movie we went to see was at this local theatre and it was called "Loving". It was quite the interesting story, and I really enjoyed it. Now I must explain to you why this entry is filed under the Laughter section of the blog. The movie theatre we went to is an older theatre. It's vintage, has one large theatre and you have to pay cash (that should give you an idea of how old it is). Now the ideal spot to sit to get the perfect view is right in the centre row, but in the middle of the theatre since if you sit at the back (like you would do with modern theatres) you can't see as well with the slightly smaller screen. So when we got there, we sat down in these prime seats, and talked, and watched the previews. As to be expected (when I hang out with Riles) I laughed, and I laughed loud. And then I couldn't stop laughing because I realized that in this large, old and semi-empty theatre, my laughed echoed because of where we were sitting down. Riles's eyes grew large as he realized what this meant and I could feel him stare at me every once in a while through the movie to make sure that I wasn't going to laugh at inappropriate moments, because it was a sure fire way for everyone, and I mean EVERYONE to hear. I know that my laugh is funny alone, and that I've got a voice that carries, but I've never heard it echo before; it was like I was in surround-sound.
The good news is that I laughed only at the appropriate moments, so Riles wasn't embarrassed (well at least not much) and we left the movie to grab a bite to eat. And because it went so well, I'm sure the offer to go see the two other movies still stand. So I'll leave with you a quote I heard not too long ago that I had to attribute to the situation at the movies. It stated that: "How beautiful it is that we laugh because our bodies cannot contain the joy." That my dearest readers is a wonderful thought, but I must ask myself exactly how happy I must be, since I am always laughing, overflowing with joy. It is a beautiful thing to hear a joy that echoes in the simplest of ways.
K.P.H.
Wednesday 4 January 2017
Love: Aspire to Inspire
Good morning my dearest readers and Happy New Year! As we welcome 2017 and ready our resolutions I find myself more excited than ever. As many were happy to bid farewell to the ominous 2016 with all of its wretchedness, I like to look back on it and remember the wonders it offered me. As you know, I'm positively positive about everything, so why should one unfortunate year be any different to me.
In 2016, I graduated from university. I travelled to Iceland and made incredible friends. I celebrated my grandparents 55th wedding anniversary in Newfoundland with them as I drove them around. I interviewed for good jobs and worked on integrating myself into the workplace. I got spontaneously hired for one of the largest (if not THE largest) french-canadian youth NGO. I moved into a new and beautiful apartment near a beach. I met incredible people and made close friends from all around Canada. I got promoted at work. Met an incredible author. Started writing for a new blog. Got offered to be a partner on two new writing projects. Started writing a new novel. Completed a new poetry collection on my typewriter. Continued my volunteering on the OAR. Surprised my mom at her retirement party and got asked to be my best friend's maid of honour. With all of that good, I don't think it's necessary to dwell on the few moments that weren't perfect.
Because of this, I've resolved to maintain my resolutions that revolve around me for once. I plan on calling family and friends once a week (minimum) and to write once a week for me. Simple yet achievable. And through it all, it'll push me to keep working on the dreams and goals I haven't prioritized for far too long. I think it's time I let myself be for once.
Doing this, I hope will set me on the right track. I hope that my attitude, and my work, and my writing will then inspire. I will aspire to inspire others, and I will aspire to be inspired by others. It's how I get my best work done, and it's how I get my best ideas. I've come to realize that when I allow myself to let myself through seep my writing, I create works that I am genuinely proud of and can see being successful. I've seen the way I must try to work this year my dear readers, and I hope you have found your sign as well. If you haven't had it yet, then here it is; I'm offering it to you. Aspire to let it inspire you and let this year allow you to do the things you've always dreamed of accomplishing. The time is now, or it is never.
K.P.H.
In 2016, I graduated from university. I travelled to Iceland and made incredible friends. I celebrated my grandparents 55th wedding anniversary in Newfoundland with them as I drove them around. I interviewed for good jobs and worked on integrating myself into the workplace. I got spontaneously hired for one of the largest (if not THE largest) french-canadian youth NGO. I moved into a new and beautiful apartment near a beach. I met incredible people and made close friends from all around Canada. I got promoted at work. Met an incredible author. Started writing for a new blog. Got offered to be a partner on two new writing projects. Started writing a new novel. Completed a new poetry collection on my typewriter. Continued my volunteering on the OAR. Surprised my mom at her retirement party and got asked to be my best friend's maid of honour. With all of that good, I don't think it's necessary to dwell on the few moments that weren't perfect.
Because of this, I've resolved to maintain my resolutions that revolve around me for once. I plan on calling family and friends once a week (minimum) and to write once a week for me. Simple yet achievable. And through it all, it'll push me to keep working on the dreams and goals I haven't prioritized for far too long. I think it's time I let myself be for once.
Doing this, I hope will set me on the right track. I hope that my attitude, and my work, and my writing will then inspire. I will aspire to inspire others, and I will aspire to be inspired by others. It's how I get my best work done, and it's how I get my best ideas. I've come to realize that when I allow myself to let myself through seep my writing, I create works that I am genuinely proud of and can see being successful. I've seen the way I must try to work this year my dear readers, and I hope you have found your sign as well. If you haven't had it yet, then here it is; I'm offering it to you. Aspire to let it inspire you and let this year allow you to do the things you've always dreamed of accomplishing. The time is now, or it is never.
K.P.H.
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