March Confessions

Just thought I'd sneak it in before the month ended. Here we go:


1. I find it hard to go to our church these days. Yup, started with that doozey. I am yearning for change there, and see it on the horizon but it's just that waiting game that's hard these days.


2. I have a resignation letter to write (School District), and so far I've only gotten to the header. I just hate change you see, so even if it is necessary, good change, I resist it. I know the new chapter of my life needs to begin but it's still not easy. I thought it would be easier to be honest, but these things surprise you sometimes. 


3. I am really bad at being home alone - Matt's back on night shift, and I am really terrible at just spending the evening home alone. I plan a million events throughout the week - like literally every night out. Then I end up feeling super tired all the time. Tonight I finally did it - with the exception of picking up my dinner (one goal at a time here, I wasn't going to attempt to cook too). And I was productive even! So here's to progress maybe. 


4. I totally buy into pop culture phenomenons - and by this I mean, I wish that I were standing outside waiting for the midnight premiere of the Hunger Games right now. Instead I am settling for opening weekend Saturday so we can make a party of it. I guess there are some caveats to this one. I had extreme dislike for Twilight, but I still had to know what's going on. So I read and watched them all. I just hate being out of the loop. I also kind of love being a part of something big, especially if there is a great story behind it.  


5. I really love The Hunger Games - I guess this isn't much of a confession. But what I mean to say is, I have been almost giddy for two weeks about it. I've watched every clip possible, and have just tried to stop thinking about it because I'm too excited. I know this is probably a set-up for disappointment, but I'm hoping for the best. It's just so great when people have read the books and are so keen to discuss, and see the translation to screen. Post Harry Potter, I had no idea when I was going to feel this way again. And sure, its only a fraction of that, but I'll take it. 


6. I really hate it when people use Social Media to advertise - obviously we can't escape it, but the principle of it kills me. It's like they think we're being tricked somehow because the ads are on our twitter feed, or because they have a facebook group. Umm, we get it. You're trying to sell us something.Today I saw someone was at a "How to Use Pinterest for Business" seminar and I wanted to gag. Of course they want in. But I'm going to be straight with you here - the minute I start seeing tupperware or product placement on my boards, you're getting un-followed. I see enough of that everywhere else. I want it saved for beautiful things.


7. Multi-Level-Marketing just KILLS me - while we're on this selling rant, I'm going to go here too. There is one particular product that has been particularly flogged the last couple of weeks - a health product (aren't they all for your health though?) and I've had enough. It goes against everything I fundamentally stand for - using your friends as sales targets. I mean if people want to buy things off their friends, go for it. Let your friends approach you. But just stop "pitching me" - if I wanted that I'd go to my realtor's free Christmas tree event (which I avoid at all costs). Obviously there is always going to be friend/business crossover but I'd just like to see a little more respect I think. Whew, feels good to get that off my chest. I have a lot more observations on this, maybe it'll get it's own blog post one of these days. 


I think we're going to end on that rant. I think its likely I'll chicken out and revise both #6 & #7, but I'm hoping I'll be able to stand my ground. I was talking with a friend this week and we concurred that the best blogs say what they're really thinking. So there you have it. 

Music Review: "Of Monsters & Men"

I just bought tickets for 50% markup for "Of Monsters & Men". Normally that's totally against protocol for me. I am totally committed to only paying the ticket price.  But here's the thing -  I can't stop listening to these guys, and I know I'll regret it if I don't go see them in 2 weeks when they are here.


They've been dubbed "the new Arcade Fire" and the "Iceland's Mumford & Sons" by Rolling Stone. Since those two bands are both in the top 5, I had to hear these guys. And of course, the Iceland connection makes you think of Sigur Ros, another favourite. So take a listen, and if you're really keen, why not buy some 50% mark-up tickets (still only $36) to come see them with Matt & I at the end of March. 


Check it out - their top single "Little Talks". But pretty much the whole "Into the Woods" EP is awesome.

Film Review: Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol

I know - film review is a bit of stretch, but it's for the sake of categorization. I could probably write a whole post just on that poster - I mean look at it, the hood, the smoke...but I digress. I think this is going to be less of a review, and more just a series of observations. Here we go. 


1. Have you ever noticed how crazy Tom Cruise looks when he runs? I've thought it looked a little funny before, but in this movie it's a whole new level of hilarity. Honestly, I think it's worth going to see this movie just to see this running. It's like something stuck up the back of his pants.  

2. It seems that we've caught up to the technology of Mission Impossible. Remember when the agents had all these cool gadgets and your mind reeled with possibility? Well now they have iphones and ipads, and we have those too. A countdown clock on an iphone? Really? You can do better guys. 


3. "Your Mission Should You Choose to Accept It" - I also loved this when I first heard it, but when you think about it - it's kind of silly right? What are you going to do? Say no? I know it's from the original TV show and all, but let's all just admit, it's pretty ridiculous. And of course they had to say it about 10 times in this movie to remind us we were watching Mission Impossible. 


4. I love Simon Pegg. Maybe it's because he's British, or because he's in Hot Fuzz, but I really love that guy. I'm glad he was in this movie to provide some good non-Tom moments. 

5. Tom Cruise is just too weird. I thought I would give him the benefit of the doubt and try to forget how weird he was for 2 hours. But I couldn't do it. He strutted around in white jeans. His hair was straight out of the 90's - all colored and flowing. It all felt so "try hard". And this is coming from someone who really loved him back in the day - I remember thinking I would love him forever when he rode into the sunset on that motorbike, but alas, his weirdness is just too obvious now to overlook.


Summation: it's a decent "action movie" for your money. All the things you'd expect - hanging off buildings, fast cars, explosions. And hey, those things are pretty fun. But depending on how you feel about Tom - it is kind of a distraction. In spite of the criticisms above, I did like it - and it provided some excellent joke material on the ride home. And let's face it, sometimes that's the most entertaining of all. 

February Confessions

It's February right? Now I can do a new set of confessions. It's a bit early for it I know, and I may have more to add, but I think I'm going to go for it. 

1. This "Lion King Surrey" joke going around is kind of bugging me. Typically I wouldn't want to give a "reaction" because the angry reaction just makes you look silly. But here's the deal - to me it seems like the lowest level of humor joke, like "oh Surrey sucks" - as if this is a joke we've never heard before. I just think - Surrey isn't so bad, and you can do better than this kind of joke. Reach a little higher. Come on. 

2. I am starting to have "Driving to White Rock" resentment. I never thought it would happen, because I love White Rock so much. But this week for example, I've had to drive there every night and it's kind of starting to irritate me. It used to be the other way around and I resented driving to Langley, but I'm afraid the switch might be occurring. I'm always happy when I get there though, so maybe I'll just try to remember that on the drives.

3. I think it's time for me to break up with U2. Yeah, I said it. I think it's over between us. We had a good 15 years together but I think it's time. When songs come on the radio, I switch them off. They used to be my first answer to "my favourite band", but I'm not sure they are even on the list. I hope this doesn't make me pretentious. It's just crept up on me and I can't deny it anymore.  

 4. One of the reasons I like house hunting is because you get to peek into other people's homes. That's kind of weird right? Or is this true for everyone? I sort of like thinking about who lives there, why they would have chose that sofa, or that colour for the wall. It's like this strange little insight into how people live, and I kind of like imagining their lives. This is either really creepy or a great inspiration for a book of short stories. 

5. I like reading Bestsellers. I'm reading one right now, and really liking it. It's true - probably the last 5 books I have read have been Bestsellers. And sure, they got to be bestsellers for a reason, they're pretty addicting to read. But something about it makes me feel kind of cheap, like I should return to my English major roots and started reading something of "substance". But then I remember - that's just being pretentious and I go back to reading what I want. 

There you have it - the first round of February confessions. I guess they're more statements than confessions, but it's a way to collect some random thoughts together anyway, and isn't that pretty much what blogging is? 

January Confessions

Inspired by a friend's blogged January confessions, I figured I'd do some of my own:

1. I've watched the last scene of the final "Sherlock" episode 4 times already. And it makes me tear up every time.

2. I've been on a low-carb, low-sugar diet now for 2 weeks and the thing I can't stop thinking about is Cinnamon. So I've maybe had a few Cinnamon Swirl cookies along the way. 

3. After watching The Descendants and The Golden Globes in the same weekend, I think I can safely say that my love for George Clooney is as strong as ever.

4. I've joined a Yoga class, and I find myself looking around most of the time wondering if they are all hippies.

5. I don't like Italy. There, I came out and said it. I know it's not really connected to January, but the cruise ship incident has made me think of that country often. And it's true. The police are mean, people steal things from tourists and the food is overrated. 

6. Since joining Pinterest a week ago, I've checked the boards about 5 times a day. I am totally addicted. As a result, I've also been thinking a lot about crafting. This is unprecedented. 

7. I still watch Glee. And Will's proposal this week may have brought a tear to my eye. 

8. We got the Telus guy to come fix our internet, because it needed to be faster to use our hacked program (Plex) on the Apple TV. We didn't tell him that though. 

9. We just cleaned the Lazy Suzan cupboard in our kitchen for the first time since Matt moved here 2 years ago. 

10. Matt & I have been devising a plan for 3 weeks on how to move the abandoned vehicle parked next to me in our parkade. We're thinking of pushing out in front of the fire hydrant. Any help you'd like to offer would be great. Any takers? Ha. 

And that's it I think. I know - they could have been a bit "juicier". I'll work on it for next month.

Film Review: The Descendants

Well you know me - I can never resist the opportunity to see George on the big screen, even if the movie is terrible. Thankfully in this case, it wasn't. 


The story is about a man living in Hawaii with two daughters, and his wife has suddenly gone into a coma. There is also this secondary (and very interesting) plot line about his decision whether or not to sell "one of the last pieces of unspoiled Hawaiian land" that has been passed down in his family for generations.  


Now I'm going to be straight with you - it moves pretty slowly. You spend a lot of time looking at Hawaiian scenery and watching conversations with a person in a coma. It's from Alexander Payne (About Schmidt, Sideways), and you can definitely tell by the pace in which he tells the story. This man cares about detail more than he does about tearing through scenes. So that might scare you off right from the start, and if it does, well I understand. 


But if it doesn't, you might want to give it a shot. I found the characters and the dialogue to be "real" in a way that is pretty rare to see on screen. The conversations get awkward at times, and you wonder the character would say something so stupid, or inappropriate. The reason it's so jarring is because we're used to things "sounding" nicer on screen. But I found refreshing. The plot line also takes a few turns towards the unlikely but somehow it didn't feel contrived. So if you think you can handle the pace, some tears, and some language go for it. 


I think this reviewer sums it up best:


"And what The Descendants dwells on, better than any film in years, is how, just beneath the surface of that teenager who seems a shrugging idiot or that woman who seems an everyday mom, rustles an undergrowth of pain, or loss, or heartache". 
-Brian Gibson

Let's try something new...review?

I had a realization today, you know what would be great for the blog? Reviews! You can't do reviews effectively on a twitterfeed, or on facebook. It seems there might still be some things for which blogger is the best medium. So I'm going to try this - do at least one review a week. Not because I think my opinion on things counts so much, but because it will bring me back here and who knows I might even end up doing other blogging again. 


Also, I've been toying with a New Year's resolution that goes something like this - "be more than your job". What if, when people asked you what you "did", you answered with more than just what you did at work all day? Because I don't know about you, but I think I'm more interesting than what I do at work, even though that can be interesting too. I think I'm just going to experiment a bit, start answering differently and work on having cool things to answer with. 


So, here we go, my first review of something that I enjoy when I'm not working: 


BBC's "Sherlock" (TV) 


I know your mind is probably immediately jumping to Robert Downey Jr pretending to be Sherlock Holmes, which we both know he isn't and that's a review for another day. But what I'm talking about here is the the brilliant series released last year by the BBC starring the incredibly talented Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman (soon to be Bilbo). 


Obviously it wasn't a very tough sell - being British Literature and all. But they've done something very interesting. They've set it in modern times - but maintained the spirit of the original. And somehow, it works exceedingly well. For example, Dr. Watson has just come back from fighting in Afghanistan in the original story, and same goes for the new modern tale. An old "timekeeper" is now a cell phone. The story is obviously so beloved by the creators, that they know how to make it work today without sacrificing the details. 


I guess good reviews should be balanced.One downside is that elements of Sherlock's brilliance can sometimes be missed because he speaks quickly. Sometimes its a bit hard to follow, but then I'm not as quick as I could be sometimes. There is also an interesting "BBC visual effect" that shows writing on the screen when the character's receive texts. I found it a little distracting at first, but now I'm into it. And maybe a little too much makeup? That's all I've got.


So if you like mystery stories, cleverness, and British things, this show is for you. Even if you only like two out of three, you'll still like it. And you're in luck. The first season has three 90 minute episodes and you can find it on Netflix. The second season just started, and I've got them if you want them.   

I heart Mumford...

Well friends - it's been a while hasn't it? It feels like I'm always saying that on here. But the truth is, as much I disdained the thought of it - I've started to Twitter a lot. I'm not going to lie, it's pretty quick to post a photo and do a little 140 character post. Nevertheless, I still do value this blog. I've not forgotten about this fine medium. I promise I'll try harder.


As a reward for showing up - check out all of these videos for unreleased Mumford & Sons songs. I can't not even wait for the new album in February. It's a rare thing for me to sit and put "Youtube videos" on repeat, but Mumford merits that kind of idiocy.  


Home
Lover of the Light 
Ghosts That We Knew
Lover's Eyes
Hold On to What You Believe
Feel The Tide
Hopeless Wanderer

I can't even tell you which one is my favourite, because they are all really fantastic. But I have listened to "Hold On to What you Believe" & "Feel the Tide" about 30 times each on Rdio. 


Brandon & I have bought our tickets to their Seattle show on the first week of December. I cannot wait.


Enjoy. 

Fireworks

I really love fireworks.

I will go to great lengths to see them - drive long distances, sit in the rain, wait for hours to get a good spot.

I'm not sure why exactly. I think might be one of those things that still inspires wonder in me. I've seen them so many times. Yet, I still can get caught off guard by a new kind that I haven't seen before, or the way they shimmer against the sky. Then if I tire of that - I watch the way they reflect on the water - suddenly the ocean lights up with green, blue, red.

If I'm really lucky, there is music too. And one lone firework shoots up into the sky during the opening chords of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". It's just so magical. And it just kills me.

I guess it's nice to know I can still get caught up in wonder - put all my cynicism and irony aside for a few minutes.

Last night we stumbled upon a wonderful spot by Peace Arch border, along the rocks and enjoyed the American's 4th of July offerings. There were fireworks going and there were trains passing. It was pretty amazing.

I can't even wait for the symphony of fire. Summer is here my friends.

This could really be a Good Life...

Yes, I might be in danger of becoming that heavy-handed blogger who you don’t want to read anymore because every time you come here I’m ranting about some other social ill.

Hey – at least I’m thinking right? I promise I will write some ridiculous silly post soon that will remind you that I think about nice things too. Ha.

But today I’ve been thinking about entitlement – how we all have some of it in us, and how that comes out in what we think, what we say to each other, how we act.

It’s like when someone says to you, or you think yourself “ahh lame, you have to work tomorrow” when the weekend is ending and you start to feel bad for yourself for having to wake up and go to work on Monday morning. If I don’t watch it, you might escape the most obvious thought of all: I have a job to go to. Sort of like how our generation (namely me) is constantly on the hunt for a job that will give us meaning, purpose and satisfaction. I’m not saying those aren’t good things to pursue, but some days shouldn’t we thankful we have a job at all?

It’s like when you tell someone you can’t afford something (a trip, a night out with them, a new house) and they seem genuinely shocked, like they have never before encountered in their life the experience of not getting exactly what they wanted, when they wanted it because of some external circumstance. And hey, I’m not judging here. I’ve been privileged enough to rarely have been on the “wanting” side of that equation. But just when I start to feel bad for myself, I need to remember how many places I’ve been and things I’ve done already. Who’s to say we deserve all this endless “entertaining” we provide for ourselves anyway?

I guess sometimes it’s easy to lose perspective – to feel like we deserve a good life with education, work opportunities, inspiring travel, delicious meals on the table, and friends to enjoy it all with. And when I start to get the “woe is me” feeling, I have to be pretty careful how far I take that. Obviously it’s good to yearn for more, and to be passionate about moving beyond where you stand now. But I guess, like all things, it might also be good to also balance those thoughts out before we get bitter, or angry, or feeling entitled to more than we have.

Usually I don’t like pictures like the one below. They remind me of the kind of things I used to show my suburban high-schoolers to instil a sense of erm…gratitude? I’m not sure what we were trying to do exactly. Usually they’re just a guilt device. But given my recent thoughts this week, I saw this one a little differently. Maybe sometimes we do need to take a moment to just stop and be thankful for what we have – even if things might be more difficult than you wish they were. So just attempt this with me (it’s outside the box for me too) – try to just take it as a thankfulness reminder, one that helps you put things into perspective then next time you have one of those “woe is me” moments.

Good fonts too right? And yes, I am listening to OneRepublic right now. It's might be cheesy to say it, but maybe this really is a "Good Life".

Who are we?

What a week it has been. As Wednesday approached, I knew there was some potential for sadness - after all, I had gotten pretty into it, and I wanted to see the Canucks win. But I don't know if there was a way to prepare for what actually happened.

As the days have passed, I've started to read the reactions to the Riot. It's very interesting to see the way the "blame game" has played out. Some of the reoccuring ones I read were

1. Intoxicated hooligans looking for a reason to behave badly.
2. Lack of police presence

3. The encouragement of violence in corporate hockey culture
4. Vancouver's unrelenting hedonism which promotes selfish agendas.
5. "Anarchists"

All of these things might have had some role, but it seems like we are always quick to find the "other". Someone we can blame for the dark and awful things happening out there.

I'm wondering if maybe we need to consider it from another angle. At least for me, I've been thinking - it's not as if I'm watching some atrocities that are happening thousands of miles away. They are happening here, in our city, in the culture that I live in, and I have helped create in some way.

A social media culture - where everyone wants to be a star, and will go to ridiculous lengths to do that. The "I'm in front of a burning car" facebook profile photos and the "couple in love in the middle of the riot" have all gone viral, and that just kills me.

A "violence" culture - in which we are constantly exposed to acts of violence in film, TV, sport etc. (warning, I might go all fundamentalist on you here) and its hard for me to believe that isn't affecting us somehow.

A culture of denial - it seems like we're so afraid of the violent and angry impulses that in exist in all of us, that instead of facing them, we push them deep down until we think they're gone. It feels like this is especially true for men, but since I'm not a man, one can only conjecture.

Obviously there are a lot of contributing factors going on. And I do hope justice is served for those involved. But I feel like this might be a lot bigger than that. I wonder if this might be one of those crisis moments for this city, where we start to ask the bigger questions about who we are.

I am proud to see that one of the things we are is hopeful. I woke up so sad on Thursday, feeling my love of "solidarity" and what we can do together might have been damaged forever. But then I started to see the images of the thousands of people that went downtown to clean on Thursday morning, of the "citizens pride" wall that started at HBC. And then there was the "#thisismyvancouver" tweets all day that celebrated what this city meant to be. And I'm not going to lie - it moved me to tears. There is some light breaking through the darkness.

So who knows, I would love to see this start a conversation, a re-evaluation of what we are and what we can be. Watch out - because I'm probably going to want to have this conversation with you.

"This is What We Live For"

Last night was quite the game wasn't it? I've taken my seat on the bandwagon and it's a good seat. It was waiting for me from last year. Yup, I'm that kind of fan.

I've been thinking about this year's slogan:"This is What We Live For". It struck me the first time I heard it. I thought - how many people does that really apply to? How many people are waiting all season long for the playoffs, because this is really what they live for.

Now don't get me wrong. I was really into the game last night. My stomach was in knots. I really wanted them to win. I knew how sad I would feel today if they had lost. But then I started to read the status updates, and hear some "superfan" conversation and I realized - if the Canucks lost this game, it would crush these people. And I just wasn't sure what to think of that. I mean, I'm a superfan of a number of ridiculous things. So, on the one hand, I understand. I would be lying if I didn't admit I won't be crushed after July 15th when the last Potter film is released. I mean, it'll be the end of something huge for me. (Did I just compare the Canucks to Harry Potter? I sure did)

But then I realized something today. I'm kind of blue today anyway. Just one of those days where you feel the weight of things more heavily. And the thing is, at least today, it doesn't have anything to do with the Canucks. It has a lot more to do with what I really live for - and one of the biggest things is the relationships I have with the people around me.

This post is not meant to criticize the superfan, because there is one in all of us. There is one in me that will get louder as the playoffs go on. But sometimes it's just good to ask - what do we live for? Is it playoff season? The weekend? Our families? Our jobs? I went to a memorial service two weeks ago, where I was admonished to examine my priorities, and to re-align them if things had gone awry.

It might be crazy to say it - but I think every time in playoff season when I see that slogan I'm going to try and remember to ask myself: "What do I really live for?"

Day 27 in "30 Days of Blogging"

Day 27: your day job versus your passion

Well almost three weeks have gone by, so I guess I have to admit that the 30 days of blogging did not in fact occur in 30 days. Ah well, I'd like to finish it anyway.

It's funny, because this topic is at the forefront of my mind most days, which you would think would make it easy to post about, when in reality it almost does the opposite. The thoughts are very fresh if you know what I mean, just coming to the surface slowly, and I'm not totally sure I'm ready for all of them to be public yet, but I'll give it a shot. So there's your fair warning, this will be pretty long, and still in pretty rough around the edges.

When I just told Matt the topic, he said "I guess at one time you thought your day job would be your passion" - meaning that I would bring my knowledge into a classroom full of beaming students ready to discuss the wonders of literature. Yeah, that didn't really happen. The full story is obviously more detailed, but that's more of a conversation for real life, or at least not for right now.

As my dad notably pointed out to me in a Las Vegas taxi this Christmas, sometimes its hard to determine how the things we love translate into the things we do. He told me he always loved cars, and is great at figuring them out, but doesn't want to be a mechanic (although he considered it). The same is true for Matt, who loves preparing food, but decided being a chef wouldn't allow the life he wanted (thank goodness!).

So now, I'm navigating the space beyond the obvious (loving English, and loving teaching, means you have to be an English teacher). I am integrating my passion for "education" and knowledge into my current job and I am finding spaces for growth and improvement there. I am considering what type of training might help me along in this "translation process" as I learn to combine my skills, my prior education and goals for the future. To be honest, it feels a lot less "determined" than I'd like it to. But, I want to take some time for the journey, and not just rush into another degree because it'll make me feel like I'm doing something.

I've just started reading "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller. It's been a long time since I've picked up a book by this guy. The book is about the process of making "Blue Like Jazz" into a movie (don't worry, this had me scoffing too), and how he started considering his life as a story. It made him wonder what kind of story he was living. I've heard this kind of premise before (DCLA anyone?) but it's been hitting home with me, given the context above. So now I'm starting to do the same.

Here's what I figured out so far:

- I'm passionate about people - I always have been. When I consider the situations I have loved most in my life, it's almost always to do with who's there.

- I'm passionate about growth - both in myself and in others. Although I'm usually afraid of change, I long for it, and I want to look back and see how I've overcome obstacles and grown from them.

-I'm passionate about ideas and learning - I love the process of learning. I love how new ideas can spark in us and cause us to imagine. I also love what good teaching can do, and having people along side to facilitate the process of learning.

-I'm passionate about relationships - with my friends, with my family, with my co-workers. While this might seem similar to my first point, I stress here the "relationship" part, meaning a long-view of what we're meant to be for one another, not just a one-off moment here and there.

-I'm passionate about stories - no, I just didn't write that because of Donald Miller. Although maybe a bit (credit where it's due) I wrote it because I hesitate to narrow it to "literature" or "books". I'm more interested in how what we read and what we imagine and that interacts with how we live.

So that's a start - maybe a vague start, but a start nonetheless. When I read the beginning of this post to Matt, he said he wasn't sure I really addressed the topic, and maybe I haven't, but the truth is, it's because:

I'm working on it.

Day 26 in "30 Days of Blogging"

Day 26: list 10 things you are thankful for

1. Having a Job: not only having a job, but having a job where I can wake up in the morning, and be happy that I'm going there. I also get to see people I love there everyday. Not bad.

2. Health - I used to think this was a very abstract thing to be thankful for. And it mostly only appeared on lists of people over 45. But since last fall, I am very thankful for a functioning, healthy, recovering body. It's a scary thing when that is taken away from you even for a few weeks, so I'm glad I have it back.

3. Matthew - I'm not sure how I got so lucky, but I really love that guy.

4. The Lower Mainland - We're an Olympic city. We have beautiful cityscapes - mountains, valleys and ocean views. I love having so many options - so many places I can explore without ever getting tired of it.

5. Friends - I've always known it, but it became very clear to me again last year how great my friends are. So many people helped out us out with various aspects of the wedding, and then continued to support us all the way through the crazy fall we had. I feel extraordinarily blessed by our friends.

6. Travelling - sometimes when I consider how much travelling I have already done at the age of 26, I feel a bit silly. It seems like an embarrassment of riches. I feel very fortunate to have seen so many places already. I am also thankful for people around me, who help make these dreams possible.

7. Education - I had the very rare pleasure of doing an undergraduate in something I love very much (English). If I didn't have to worry about paying the bills, I'm pretty sure I would be a student forever. That's the great thing about studying something you like. You don't ever really have to regret it - because you loved it while you're doing it. Hopefully I'll get to do more in the future.

8. Family - I've said in this blogging list already, but I sure do love my family. I see them every day and I still like them - that's pretty good right? But seriously - I am very blessed to have supportive parents (on both sides).

9. My Straightener - yep, I just put that on the list. It was starting to look a little too "canned". Like I typed "thankful list" in google or something. So I thought I'd throw this one in to keep you awake. Sometimes when I look back on photos from the past (as I did with Lavonne yesterday), I wonder how anyone was ever friends with me pre-straightener. That little device is a fantastic invention for those cursed with wavy hair.

10. Matt's Roast Beef & Yorkshire - or pretty much anything that man cooks. He made that delightful meal on Sunday, and I'm not sure it could get much better. Somehow, I found someone to make up for my vast deficit in cooking skills. It's a good thing I have other qualities to make up for it.

Well it started off a little slow, but at least it got a little crazy at the end right?

I'm going to get through these 30 days yet!

Day 25 in "30 Days of Blogging"

Day 25: what would we find in your bag

1.Altoids - Matt has convinced me that Peppermint can cure many ailments, so I always like to have it on hand now

2. Moleskine Journal - I like smaller size with the elastic on the side, no other journal has really ever compared.

3. Vanilla Frosting Lipsmackers - been going strong with this flavor for a good 12 years

4. Coupons - this one feels a little silly to admit, but I usually have a good number clipped out, and saved in my purse for when the occasion arises. It's just such a satisfying thing when you pay less for something you were going to buy anyway.

5. Pens - I love having a good assortment of pens in my bag. It's pretty much a panic situation if I need to write something down and I haven't got one in there. Right now, I am loving the "Seven Year Pen" that I got as a gift from my friend Aimee.

Day 24 in "30 Days of Blogging"

Day 24: your favourite quote and why

Favourite? It always seems to be "favourite" with this blogging list doesn't it? Such pressure all the time! Let's go with: "quotes I like". Yeah, I can deal with that. How about "top five quotes I like" - even better.

“All experience is an arch where through gleams that untravelled world, whose margin fades, forever and ever as I move”

– Alfred Lord Tennyson “Ulysses”

“I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of stars makes me dream”

-Vincent Van Gogh

"Friendship needs no words - it is solitude delivered from the anguish of loneliness"

- Dag Hammarskjold

"The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours"

- Alan Bennett from "The History Boys"

- Oscar Wilde

Day 23 in "30 Days of Blogging"

Day 23: something you crave a lot

Okay, so maybe I have failed here. It hasn't really been 30 consecutive days exactly. I was hoping to finish within the month, but it looks like we'll be a few days over. It should have been pretty easy to keep it up on vacation, but it turns out blogging isn't really the top priority when the beach is a few feet away :) But alas, now I am back in snowy/rainy Vancouver and I'm going to finish this thing off!

So when I asked Matt what he thought I should write, he immediately responded: "company". As in, I always crave the presence of other people. This was an excellent answer, and very true. I am rarely able to spend 4 or more consecutive hours alone without needing some human contact. But I sort of already went into that in the last post, so we'll leave it there.

So then I started thinking of food, and while I might have chosen chocolate a few years ago, that craving comes and goes now. I think the most consistent food craving I have is: butter chicken.

This is actually quite a shocking conclusion for me. As a kid (and maybe even now), I was what most people would consider a pretty picky eater. I ate from a very limited menu. The thought of eating Indian food was way out there for me. Then one day, Matt got a gift certificate to Vij's downtown, so I went with him. I tried it, and was blown away. True - I started with the best, but after that I wanted more. I know Butter Chicken is pretty much the most basic you can get, but I love it.

We have a delicious local place (Ashoka Indian Cuisine), so I try to hold off as long as possible before I have to go pick up some delicious butter chicken and naan. Mmm. It's a good thing it's 11 pm right now, or I'd be driving there right now.

Day 22 in "30 Days of Blogging"

Day 22: what makes you different than everyone else

This is sort of a funny question, and I've never really gotten on board with the "I'm sooo unique, look how cool my uniqueness is" thing. Especially when I was a teenager, and that was all the rage. I was usually pretty aware of how similar I was to everyone else. But as I get older, I have noticed a few things, and they are mostly in my bizarre personal paradoxes.

1. I am English Major who loves books, but also loves being with people (bookworm socialite): Maybe these things don't seem contradictory to you, but they seem to be for me. I always want to embrace a night of "at home reading" but then somebody calls me and I rush out. I come home and see my book lying on the table and feel regret.

2. I am easily paranoid and worried, but I crave adventure (anxious optimist): I worry about the future a lot. I constantly ask Matt questions about what will come. I worry about every potential eventuality about the choices I make. But at the same time, I want to take on new adventures. I want to backpack and travel. I want to meet new friends. I want to take courses and learn new things.

There are probably other things too, but I have trouble identifying them for myself. Any additions?

Day 21 in "30 Days of Blogging"

Day 21: a picture of something that makes you happy

I am in Hawaii (right now!)

I am on a beach.

Yup, that makes me pretty happy. I don't when it happened, because I know it wasn't the case when I was younger, but now, beaches just make me so happy. The sound of the waves crashing and the feel of sand in your feet.

And I'm not a fair-weather beach lover either. Oh no! I will go to the beach in the cold, and sometimes even the rain. In fact, I sometimes even like winter beach better, because you have it all to yourself.

Two weeks ago, I was driving into White Rock, and I caught sight of the water. I don't know what it was, but it almost brought tears to my eyes. (Okay, it did) Somehow living in Langley, I had forgotten how much that view just kills me. And it just caught me off guard. The sun was glinting, and I was just affronted by beauty.

And on that note, I think I am going to go down to the beach right now and do some tanning. I heart vacation.

Day 20 in "30 Days of Blogging"

Day 20: write a letter to someone

Dear Nick Hornby,

So I have just finished "How to Be Good". Excellent work, as always. I am not sure why it has taken me this long to read it, since I seem to read just about everything else you put out within days. It had so many truisms, and so much look-you-in-the-face honesty about what it means to be good, and how we attempt to answer those questions for ourselves. Thanks for being willing to take that on, and doing it with humor.

I've always wondered - what is the genesis for these characters? Are they people you know, made into a fictional form? Are they aspects of your character, or those around you, put into a more understandable and readable context? I always feel that they are so bang-on, and that makes me wonder how you develop them. I guess that is the age old question to the author isn't it? Yet, I still wonder.

About a year ago, I heard you speak in Seattle. Someone asked you if you were an optimist, and you talked about how you think redemption is in the little things - the situation doesn't necessarily change, but maybe the way we react to it can. You said that sometimes people criticize you for having that kind of "hope" in your art, but that you'd rather be criticized than be hopeless. Maybe it's weird for me to summarize your own words back to you, but they stuck with me.

I think about those words often, and especially as I read this book. Moments of hope are sometimes hard to come by - so we need to hold on to them when they do, even if our circumstances don't change. Sometimes I feel like it's impossible to beat back the cynic inside me, and it seems like that is true for a lot of your characters too. Cynicism is usually "first nature" and often pretty funny. But, sometimes they also realize that the cynicism is kind of poisonous to themselves and their communities.

Thanks for putting that all into words, and into characters. I doubt I need to say it after a letter like this, but I really appreciate your work. Thanks for doing it.

Sharelle

*For some context, and the reasons why I love Nick, and the time I met him, check out this post.