Thursday, February 26, 2015

Family Day

Hello Lovelies!

    I am officially sick of winter. Usually, it's a constant -10 and then occasionally as cold as -25. This winter, it's been the other way around. Every other day has had an extreme cold warning stamped on it. I was talking to one of the girls I work with and we were getting excited that it would be warm this Saturday. Yeah, a whopping "minus seven"! You know you're Canadian when...

    My family shares my sentiments and last week for Family Day, we went up to the butterfly conservatory in Niagara Falls. It was so warm and humid and I decided that I would just have to move in with the butterflies because there was no way I was leaving until spring. They were all so pretty and I must have taken over two hundred pictures. So without further adieu, enjoy the pictures of the beautiful butterflies! Or if you're scared of butterflies, then you might want to skip this post.


I love the little tongue. ^^



This is probably my favourite picture of the set.

Kay, these were super cool. They were
brown on the outside...

And then bright blue on the inside!



This is another picture I love. I really like the perspective
through the little breathing hole.

Feeding time!

Love the colours on this little guy.



Camouflage...
So happy belated family day to whatever other parts of the world celebrate it. I hope you had a wonderful time with your family. 

Oh! Being the wonderfully busy, forgetful person I am, I didn't realize until yesterday that ABOG had it's blogiversary like five days ago or something. So happy birthday to AGOB! Thank you to everyone who's here reading, whether you've been here since the beginning or just recently stumbled across my little corner of the internet. You all put a smile on my face.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

10 Things I Know To Be True

Truth.
What is truth?
It is the little pieces of life
That people try to make sense of
By stringing them together into sentences.
Here are my ten little pieces of life,
Ten things I know to be true.

Each day is a new slate.
No matter how badly
I’ve made a mess of things,
The sun will continue to rise,
And fall
And rise
And fall
In a never-ending circle.
Every day I will wake
To the dawn of a new day
And say,
“Today is another chance.”

Joy is not hard to find.
It lies in the nooks and crannies of
Everyday life.
A comfy sweater.
A hot cup of tea.
The sound of rain
Hitting your window
As you drift off to sleep.
A box of chocolates.
Flannel shirts.
Music flowing through your headphones,
Drowning out the sounds of sorrow,
Hatred,
Anger,
Confusion,
That surrounds us everyday.

I am not a plumber,
Mechanic
Or repairman
Of people’s hearts.
I cannot carry everyone’s problems,
I still fall trying to carry my own.
I can try for a while,
Run the mile,
Sprint across the distance,
But I will fall
And drop all of those delicate problems
You gave me to mend.
I’d rather lend an ear,
Because,
Tell me,
As a friend,
How can I lend a hand if
Mine are full,
Carrying the weight of the world.

Life is a fire.
It rages and it roars.
It is beautiful,
Wonderful,
But sometimes you get burned.
And it hurts
And you sit,
Running your hand under the water,
Determined to never let it touch you again.
Let me tell you,
I’d rather see the wonder,
Experience the love,
Move with the flames
And get burned sometimes,
Than live a life full of
Cold,
Dark,
Dead,
Coal.

I am me.
I’m no one else.
I’m not the person you wish you were,
The chance you have to make things right
Or a perfect girl.
I’d say I’m sorry that you don’t like me,
But the truth is
I don’t really care,
If you think my clothing is stupid,
My music taste is weird
Or that I don’t act like you.
I don’t mean to be rude,
But I’m me,
Not you.
And I like me
The way I am.

People aren’t perfect,
They say things they don’t mean
And mean things they don’t say.
They will knock you down
And cut your heart
With sharp words that threaten
To keep you up at night.
But I am a person too.
And if I want you to
Love me,
Understand me,
And forgive me,
Shouldn’t I give you that right too?
Grace is a two way street.

Life is not a photograph,
It is a series of pictures,
A stop motion movie,
Of our past,
Present
And future.
Don’t live in the past
But occasionally visit when you despair,
Just to see how far you’ve have come
From that last moment that knocked you down.
The present is a gift,
So make the most of every moment,
Flow with life’s river,
Dance with its music
And remember those moments
When you feel like there is no hope.
Look to the future
With rose tainted binoculars
And a heart that is open
To encounter the wonders
That could,
Should,
Would lie there,
If you only dared to dream.

Don’t take life too seriously,
Because it really is a funny thing.
We have Robin William movies
And billions and billions of people
With good senses of humor.
Life isn’t always in our control
And sometimes things get out of control,
And we’re left in the river without a boat,
But there is hope,
If you’d just learn to enjoy swimming.
Life throws you punches,
But don’t stop
Or drop,
Just roll with them.
Throw in a little rock
And you might have a pop song,
Ready to top the radio charts,
Telling people how to
Get along with life.

If you’d like to go crazy
By all means,
Analyze every little incident
Until you’re blue in the face.
Assign ridiculous meanings
To every word,
Every glance,
And at every chance,
Tell people their motives,
Because they probably didn’t even know
That they had them.

Lastly, math is from hell.
Its numbers twist
And confuse you
Until you’re certain
That two plus two
Must equal five.
And frustrate you
Beyond the point of no return,
Where your brain explodes,
From trying to cram numbers,
Into places that are meant for
Song lyrics
And movie trivia.
And you wonder
If your brain
Will ever recover
From the evilness
That was placed there.


Wednesday, January 21, 2015

The Soundtrack of My Life Tag

Hello Lovelies, 

So I was doing some looking through blogs recently, just scrolling through the internet. And I came across a blog called "chimera" and she did this tag called "The Soundtrack of My Life" tag. I'm sure you know by now, I love anything to do with music and this looked really interesting so I figured I'd do it! And I'd love to see your guys' answers! Looking at other people's music always makes me really happy! 


1. Songs you listen to when you’re happy?



I have a few songs that are my happy songs that I listen to when I'm in a great mood. A few of those are "Waiting for Superman" by Daughtry, "Mrs. All American" by 5 Seconds of Summer, "Dance With Me Tonight" by Olly Murs, "Don't" by Ed Sheeran, and "Desperate Measures" by Marianas Trench. There are tons more, but those are my happy songs right now. When I'm in a good mood, I love listening to music with a good beat that's pop-y and happy. Something I can dance and jam to and sing loudly with the windows down.


2. Songs you listen to when you’re sad? 


I don't know if I listen to music when I'm sad or mad more. But I think when I'm generally like that, the songs I listen to are "Backseat Serenade" by All Time Low, "Familiar Taste of Poison" by Halestorm, "Don't" by Ed Sheeran (yes, I know that one's on my happy list as well), "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran, and "Don't Let Me Go" by Harry Styles (I know this isn't actually an official song, but I may or may not have downloaded it off of youtube). I guess, looking at this list, lots of songs about being alone. I wonder what that says about me...

3. What was the last song you listened to?


The last song I listened to was "English Love Affair" by 5 Seconds of Summer. I love that song. 

4. What’s the most musically involved you have ever been?

Well, I've been in my fair share of singing recitals and I've been in a few plays, but I think the most musical thing I've been involved with is something I'm currently involved with, which is recording my own EP! Which I'm insanely excited about. 

5. Name four or more flawless albums.


Ooh, this is tough! Hmm, I'd have to say Baptized by Daughtry is definitely one. That album is just beautifulness. X by Ed Sheeran. And Ed Sheeran is flawless too so I love that one. 5 Seconds of Summer by 5 Seconds of Summer (10 points for originalness boys). And their live album, LIVESOS is truly flawless.  Oh! And of course! An album I grew up on, Come On Over by Shania Twain, love that album. Hmm, what else... I quite like FOUR by One Direction, although I don't know if I'd call it "flawless".

6. What is your favourite movie soundtrack?

Hands down, Anne of Green Gables OST. Hands down, 100%, no debate. That soundtrack makes me feel... things. And I love this gif. :)

7. What was your last musical “phase” before you wisened up? 

Alright, I'm not gonna lie, this is still pretty
hot.
Oh dear, definitely One Direction. And I don't just mean, I liked their music. I mean, I would reblog pictures of Harry Styles' arms or Zayn's pout. I would get chills when they'd sing "Rock Me" because that was the raunchiest song they had. I still like their music, but oh my word, I was truly obsessed. *Hangs head in shame*

8. What’s your “guilty pleasure” that you hate to admit to liking?
Hmm, I actually don't know about this one. I don't really feel like I have a "guilty pleasure". I mean, it's always hard to admit to liking these guys:



Or these guys:


It's just hard admitting it to music snobs, who many of my friends, God bless them, are. 

9. Song that makes you lose your shit at a party?


Pfft, definitely Anaconda. ;) Shaking my little, white behind all over the place. No but seriously, I have no clue. I don't even know what type of music is played at...gulp... parties. I mean, my type of parties are Disney karaoke or Doctor Who fests. So, according to my sort of party, I'm gonna have to go with Make a Man Out of You. 'Cause when that song comes on, errbody better move outta my way because I know all the actions to it and I even know the Doctor Who version. Don't. Mess. With. Me.

10. Song you play on your headphones when out and about?


Usually "September" by Daughtry or some sort of All Time Low. 

I hope you enjoyed that! I know I certainly did.

I'm tagging:
 
Ali from Aliology 
Kat from (Almost) Completely Mad
Andrea from Sempiternal Reader

Until the next time we communicate via our screens!


Monday, January 19, 2015

Throwback to Summer

Hello Lovelies!

I'm currently sitting in my sweater, the snow is falling outside and I am procrastinating to the ninth degree. Oops.

I don't know about you, but when I'm bored, I like to go back and look through pictures: funny pictures I've snatched off the web, fun times with friends, photography sessions, etc.

So I was scrolling through my iPhoto library and I came across a set of beach pictures that I never actually put up on my blog. And I figured, "What a great idea for a blog post! And it's perfect, cause it's freezing out and these pictures are all warm looking." Okay, maybe the second half of that thought wasn't the most logical, because now I'm sitting here wishing it was about 40 degrees warmer. Nonetheless, enjoy some beach-y pictures!

Thistle, clover, pink... things. 

Apparently this fence was really picturesque because there are
tons of pictures of it in my library. 

I love the colours in this picture. 

Again with the fence. 

I like the perspective on this picture and how you can
see the dude relaxing in the car, but he's in the
background. 

Doggy!! I remember this dog had a little, floaty ball and
it would pop up to the surface and then he would attack
it and it would pop up somewhere else and he'd attack it
again. He was adorable. Hence the picture. 

I love Queen Anne's lace, primarily because it reminds
me of Anne of Green Gables. 

I spent five minutes trying to come up with a witty
caption for this photo and utterly failed. My apologies. 

Again with the tilted perspective, I love how the people are
in the background.

I like the level of white and blue there is in this picture. 

You can't see them very well, but there are little sailboats
in the background. 

I really, really, really like this picture. A lot. I might
even write a poem about it one day. You have been
warned. 
I moustache y'all two questions. First, I was thinking of putting a little music widget thing on the side of my blog with the Anne of Green Gables soundtrack. Now, I know sometimes, they're annoying and you immediately go to find the source of the music and shut it off. Do you guys have a preference about music or no music? The last thing I would want to do would be to make it annoying to read my blog.

Second question! Second moustache! Writing. I have a bunch of poems, short stories (may even be starting a fan fiction) that I could be posting but have refrained from doing so because it hasn't really been the style of my blog. But I figure, new year, maybe new types of posts? Not as a replacement of my old posts, but as an addition. What are your guys' thoughts on that? Would you be interested in reading some of my writing or not?

Lemme know in the comments! I really want to hear your input. Si vous play... or something.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Fine

"How are you?"
"Fine."
Fine?
Fine?
I didn't realize 'fine'
Meant crying at night,
While listening to your parents fight
In the next room over,
Hearing their voices rise in anger,
Then fall in silent rage,
While the tears slip down your cheeks.

Fine?
I didn't know 'fine' was when
You lived your life
Not knowing where the next meal came from,
Hoping there would be food,
When you got home,
Praying
Tonight would be the last night
Of hunger
And the first night
Of happiness.

You're fine?
I'm sorry,
I didn't think that 'fine'
Meant your life was a broken down house,
Full of promises
You're still waiting to see fulfilled,
Full of dreams
You desperately hope will come true.

"How are you?"
"Good."
Says the girl
Whose makeup covers the pain
From the insults,
Taunts and
Names
Drawn across her face,
Like a knife drawn against soft flesh.

"Good."
Says the boy
Who has everything but happiness,
Whose parents' dreams for him
Stretch to the sky in their minds,
Hell in his.
His dreams are labelled as failure,
Insignificant,
Not important,
Stupid.

"Good."
Says the teen,
Whose white and red scars marked
On his arm
Stretch from his body
To his mind.
His value,
Nothing.
His status,
Nothing.
His dreams,
Nothing.
He wants to be
Nothing.
He doesn't even want to be here anymore.

"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just tired."
No,
'Tired' is when you
Stayed up to late watching movies.
'Tired',
Is when you go to bed
At 3 am,
Just finished your assignment.
'Tired' is not
Living everyday numb,
Watching the world go by,
Not caring,
If you're there to see it.
'Tired' is not
Working so hard,
Trying desperately to prove
You're worth something,
Trying to show the world,
You're not what they called you
In high school.
Idiot.
Failure.
Screw-up.

"How are you?"
"Fine."
"Good."
"Just tired."

Lies.

Monday, January 12, 2015

Hello Again!

Hello Lovelies!

     I am dreadfully sorry for my month long (gasp!) absence. And I am dreadfully sorry, Ali, for not completing the 12POC tag! :( I entirely planned to finish it, and then big school projects before Christmas were due, and then Christmas break started and then I was away so much and I just hadn't the chance to actually sit down at my computer and write anything that didn't have to do with Philosophy or The House of Mirth or something dreadfully academic!

     I'm here now though! I have returned! And although exams are this month (yikes), I'm hoping to be posting a heck of a lot more. I shan't bore you with a play by play of my holiday, but I will share with you a few (yes, a few, I only took a few this time) pictures. Ooh! And I have some news that I'm super excited about that I want to tell you at the end of this post!

I think I must have had only about four days at home this winter break: Christmas Eve, Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. One of the places I went on my numerous travels, was to Niagara Falls, which is a beautiful city that has a falls that is right at the border of Canada and the United States. I'm not sure if it's a world wonder or not. Part of my brain is suggesting it might be. Hang on, to the Google. Nope, it's not. My bad. Although it is one of the seven wonders of Canada... anyways, I'll shut up now. Here are pictures.

View from the 39th floor of our hotel was pretty sweet. 

I really like night city pictures, with all the
pretty lights. And I love the sun setting in
the background.

*Insert sigh of contentment*
My sister Rebecca had never seen this classic 90s teen movie,
so I decided the only thing to do would be to grab the pjs,
chips and lie down on our luscious queen sized beds to
watch it. Isn't my plaid covered knee beautiful?

On New Year's eve, eve, we went to this
really neat restaurant called The Rainforest
Cafe. They set up the restaurant
like a jungle with moving animal statues.
Every half hour, the lights would go dim and
there would be a "thunderstorm". Yes, the restaurant
was meant for kids. Yes, I loved every moment of it.
Yes, I asked for crayons and a kids' menu to draw on.

Just chillin'.

Am I the only one who finds this sign amusing? ^^

This was Jonathan's favourite animal. 

The "sky". 
Love this boy.

Like I said earlier, I love the lights in the city at night. They're
all so bright and pretty. However, I was freezing my tiny
behind off taking this picture. It was -25 and super windy and
I was in a thin leather jacket (stupid). But it's pretty!
How were your holidays? Did you go anywhere or do anything fun??

Oh! My news! Drumroll please....


Thank you Ashton.

I am going to be crossing an item off my bucket list this spring...

I'm going to be releasing an EP!! My own!! With my own songs! Like a professional studio EP!

I'm just, I just...



This has been a dream of mine for so long and it's finally coming true! I need to come up with a name for it...