I've Moved!

Since this project is over and we're moving onto the next one I'd like to throw out just another HUGE thanks to everyone that followed me through 2011 - this blog would be nothing without each and every one of you.  It's helped me realize that my writing means nothing if I can't share it with others and that I've got a long road ahead if I ever want to get officially published in the future.

So with all that in mind, I'm posting the link to the new blog, Project 52.  The first post went up on my birthday and I'll be posting at least one new blog a week which is a bit more realistic than once a day when you consider what my schedule is like sometimes!  I hope that you enjoyed 365 enough to give Project 52 a chance =)

Countdown

It's New Year's Eve and I'm not quite sure how this past year went by so fast!

I'm sure for those of you following, it was apparent quite a few months ago that I wasn't going to make my goal of of posting one blog every day or reaching 365 posts. Even though I didn't make it, I'm still proud of getting past the 250 mark. It's been a busy year full of ups and downs but I can't really say I'd change much. Each bump in the road is just another opportunity to learn something about myself.

As the minutes tick closer to midnight, and this blog comes to a close, I'm already looking forward to all the great things to come. Thanks so much for following me this past year and look out for the new blog starting next week: Project 52

Happy New Year everyone!

Finding Time

People keep asking me what I've been up to lately and I keep having to explain that all I've been doing is working which is pretty sad.  In an attempt to reignite the creative juices that have been suffocating beneath my pile of work, I've gone back to be the beginning of the blog.  What I've realized after reading the first couple of months is that I owe quite a few updates on things I've failed to follow up on.  Mission accomplished - I hope you all (if any of you are still following) don't mind heading back for a bit =)

7 Weeks

What was supposed to be a brief break from blogging accidentally turned into a seven week hiatus.  I'm not quite sure where all the time went - I'm sure most of it was spent working in the park as I was managing the annual Stanley Park Ghost Train five nights a week.  As for the rest of the time, I can't really say I know exactly how it passed so quickly but I have a feeling most of it was spent sleeping since not much else went on this month. 

It's actually quite sad to see that in writing - clearly my hopes of finding a better work/life balance have not been realized at this point and I've put myself that much further away from achieving my goal of 365 posts this year.  As always, I've managed to discover a bit of a silver lining out of all of this - the blog has managed to continually draw readers even throughout my extended absence.  Yay for Google searches! =)

The past seven weeks have been very tiring, somewhat thankless, and even slightly lonely at times.  I've missed having a place to come express myself, even if it was only for a few lines.  Being away for so long has reminded me exactly why I started this blog in the first place and how much work there is still to be done before I reach some of those personal goals.  Absence has made my heart grow fonder and I'm looking forward to the rest of the ride.

Forced

I fell asleep last night before I could write a post.  Because I've already used up all of my 'missed day passes,' I guess this means I lost the bet.  Truthfully, I'm surprised I made it this long by sheer will some days as many of you can attest to.  I put in the 'bunk' comment option for good reason.  I knew that in the course of 365 days, there would be a number of bad days, hopefully out numbered by the good ones.

I'm still going to keep plugging away in hopes of reaching 365 posts by the time December 31st rolls around. While I may have lost my initial bet with a friend, who clearly doesn't know how to make a bet since there are no consequences stipulated should I lose, I still have a promise to keep to myself.  After all, I'm never going to get published if I quit at the first speed bump now am I?

Deadlines

Coming, going, missing, meeting - I'd love to be without them to regain my sanity, but things would get too insane.  Something needs to be done in terms of deadlines for this blog because content under the current agreement sucks lately.  It's my own fault but you're the ones suffering which is unacceptable to me =)

Out of Touch

Looking through the posts this past month is a bit sad.  It really goes to show just how much I let myself get lost in work.  There have been so many missed opportunities to relax, unwind, and generally catch up with everything else in my life.  More time lost to work and sickness than actually spent enjoying it.

The worst part of drowning in work comes at this point, when I emerge and realize just how much I've missed.  It's almost like coming home after being away for an extended period of time.  Most things haven't changed drastically, but all those little changes add up after a while and you're left trying to find your footing.

Note to future self: remember how you feel right now and try to avoid it at all costs!

Apples & Oranges

It's different being on the other end of the event process. For the last 2 years I've really only experienced the event day - usually coming in just as the event starts and staying through to the bitter end (unless it's one of my own events).

Tonight was one of my few experiences with being involved with the planning and it's really difficult to compare the two experiences because they are so different. All I can really say is I love this one more and am looking forward to more =)

Done

Stick a fork in me, because I'm done.  Passing out fully clothed, on top of the covers (or in the armchair), with the lights on isn't something that is unusual for me to do.  Falling asleep like this for almost a consecutive week - now that is unheard of.  Clearly it's been a busy time with the new job but this is just getting ridiculous!  Off to drag myself into my actual bed for the rest of the night =s

Routines

I'm trying to get into one but it's proving difficult as my schedule can change from week to week depending on what events we have coming down the line and what meetings are scheduled at the start and end of the day.  The only thing certain at this point is that I find myself passing out between 9 - 10:30 pm most nights and this one is no exception.  Looking forward to having the weekend off to sort myself out!

Seriously?

Two weeks ago it was strep throat and now it's an outbreak of hives!  I'm pretty sure it's an allergic reaction to the strep antibiotics but have no time to actually see the doctor to find out.  Needless to say, the past few days have gotten progressively worse - is this what it feels like to have poison ivy (or any other ridiculously itchy ailment)? Going to attempt to put myself out of my misery now =(

10 Years

Today has been full of special reports, commemorative stories, and remembrance.

It seems redundant for me to add another memorial to the mix but when an event happen on a scale like this, it is impossible to not be affected.

I wasn't in New York when the planes crashed but I remember almost everything about that day. I remember the fear, panic, and the realization that nothing would ever be the same.

Today isn't a day to talk about blame, politics, or the business of war. Today is the time to remember all of those that were lost, to be thankful for those that were saved, and to share our collective wish for a better future.

I will never forget September 11th, 2001, and I'll never stop hoping that we never have another day like it.

Take a Gamble

It's Vegas night at the Italian Cultural Centre for a staff party tonight. Roulette, poker, blackjack, raffles, trivia, and slot machines are all on the menu with some pretty sweet prizes on the line. Photos will show up somewhere in this post - it's my first time using the brand spanking new blogger app so apologies if this turned out weird =)

Milestones

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

~ Lao Tzu ~

This weekend is all about milestones as my grandmother turns 85 on the same day the world commemorates the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy.

Of course this also happens to be an extremely busy work weekend for me between a staff event on Saturday, the We Love Vancouver Festival on Sunday, and a number of family events throughout the weekend, most of which I'll miss =(

First week of work down, 23 more to go before I can (hopefully) take a vacation.  Be back tomorrow with more (possibly exciting, probably entertaining) news!

Happy Weekend Everyone =)

Hitting the Fan

Remember when I talked about the end of your intro period at work?  Well mine is pretty much over which I discovered today.  If I had to find one word to sum up what my life is going to be like for the next few months it would be hectic!  Off to get some more work done tonight =(

I Do

"Love requires a willingness to die; marriage, a willingness to live."

~ Mignon McLaughlin ~

Almost 2 months ago, the first of my friends got married.  July 16th was another rainy day here in Vancouver but nothing could dampen the sense of celebration and joy felt by Kristal, Ben, and their friends and family.  We're at the point in our lives where weddings are going to be our main reason to reunite as we're partially scattered right now.  I've been without a camera for months now so we'll have to rely on my ever present phone and the photos of others for your glimpse into this day.


Post Shower/Birthday Party the week prior

 

Ceremony @ Queen Elizabeth Park

Maid of Honour Julia & Gee

Jamie striking a pose

Cake cutting!



Bridal party bouquet



Dancing the night away



Photo Booth Fun for the OAMC =)

See everyone at the next wedding! =)

First Days

As is usually the case, your first day at a new job or in a new school is never as bad as you think it could be.  Your worries are mostly proven to be unfounded and you find yourself hitting an unexpected groove.  You're feeling confident as you walk in and that's when it happens - it hits the fan and you're left scrambling like a chicken with your head cut off.  That false sense of security you lulled yourself into just a blip on the distant horizon.  It could happen as early as your second day or even as late as your second month but the day will eventually dawn when you are welcomed to your real first day.  Just something that popped into my mind as I get set for my very own day 2 tomorrow =)

Nerves

Labour Day always bring back memories of back to school jitters; not knowing what the new school year would bring, wondering how classes would go, and hoping it would all be better than the previous year.


I'm not in school anymore but this weekend is bringing all of those old nerves back as tomorrow is my first day at my new position at work.  Even though I've been with them for almost a year, there's still that sense of nervousness that accompanies any promotion.  Wish me luck!

Between the Lines

One of the only nice things about being sick is that I've had a lot of time to catch up on my reading.  Way back when I was struggling to find a path in university, I contemplated going into publishing or even being a literary agent (being an agent for authors).  I figured I should try to find a profession that had to do with something I loved.  This also happened to be a point in my life where I was even less confident in my skills as a writer and couldn't find any sort of motivation to help myself improve.  I figured, since I probably didn't stand any chance of getting published, I might as well help others do what I could only dream about.  Looking back at a lot of my early work from high school and the first few years of college, I can't say I disagree with my original assessment.  Thankfully, that was many years ago and I (hopefully) have become a better writer since then.

I'm not really sure where my love of literature came from as no one in my family is as obsessive about it as I am.  If I had to pick some sort of trigger, I'd have to say it was probably because I was painfully shy as a kid.  Everyone at my elementary school already seemed to know each other, growing up in the same neighbourhoods and attending the same pre-school.  Then there was me, fresh of a plane from the Philippines, unsure of pretty much everything at that point.  So, instead of pushing forward and making new friends, I retreated into the safety of books, getting lost in their stories, finding characters I wish I could be like.  Even today, sometimes I'd rather revisit some of my fictional friends rather than go out with my real ones.  I just read that back and it seems a bit pathetic, but I can't deny the truth - everyone needs a bit of a break once in a while!

One of the reasons I always seem to have so many new books to catch up on is because I love re-reading the ones I've already been through.  I tend to read through novels extremely fast the first time around, especially if it's a new installment in a series (i.e. Harry Potter), sometimes getting through thick volumes in mere hours.  The reason I read books multiple times is that I always find details I missed the first few times around.  I love finding new details that enrich the story, deciphering the intricacies of foreshadowed clues and discovering the exact moments the plot shifts.  Simply put, I read not just for the pure entertainment, but to learn.  After all, who better to learn from than those that have already paved the way?

Writing is something I just don't know how to stop doing.  We all have various outlets in which we can channel our emotions - whether it is sports, music, dance, art, or even destructive addictions.  I can honestly admit that I would be lost without my ability to write.  I may not always find the right words to speak at the right time, but I do like to think given some time and a blank page, I can create something meaningful that probably won't change the whole world, but maybe just one person's world.  I used to write letters because I was too scared to say the words out loud - it was just another way for me to stay anonymous.  Now I write because I've realized my voice isn't insignificant; what I say can have depth, meaning, and weight.  I write because it's a part of who I am, and I'm not afraid to let people see the real me anymore.

I know this post is a bit long winded and scattered as per usual, but that's mainly because I'm racing the clock once again.  I used to write just for myself, but now I write for all of you too.  The fact that anyone reads this blog at all was more than I could've hoped for, but knowing there are strangers around the world taking the time to see what I have to say is staggering.  All I can say at this point is thank you for reading.  You all have given me hope and courage to continue on this path, but mostly, you've given me a voice.  Even if my literary dreams never come true, at least I have this to look back on to see just how far I was able to go, which is already much farther than I used to be able to imagine. 

Crazy Little Things

I noticed an interesting trend that came to light after watching the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love.  Quick summary for those that haven't seen it; Steve Carell plays an ordinary middle aged father who just found out that his wife, played by Julianne Moore, had an affair and wants a divorce.  He eventually meets Ryan Gosling, a self-assured playboy, who decides to help him find his lost manhood.  Now before you think this is a typical chick flick, keep in mind, the principal characters we are focusing on are the men. 

It's an interesting perspective to watch a man go through the transformation process in an attempt to make himself more desirable to the opposite sex.  Yes, at the core, this is a love story, but it is one filled with heartache, comedy, depth, and soul.  It looks at the different forms love can take and the different ways we try to capture and keep it.  For me, it was about the ways love can change us as we fall in and out of it.  Personally, I haven't really encountered many stories like this, and I have to admit, even though the themes explored aren't gender specific, I was enthralled.  The change of view was refreshing and it felt like the genre was getting a much needed breath of fresh air.

Soon after watching Crazy, Stupid, Love, I read the book Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby.  This is a great book by a best selling author who always manages to surprise me in so many small ways.  Juliet, Naked brings us two people who have settled for what was comfortable and the reclusive former rock star who unknowingly changed their fate with his music. 

Annie is the female protagonist and even though she was written by a man, she was a character I had absolutely no problem relating to.  We are similar in many ways and I can safely say I knew exactly how she was feeling throughout the book because I had come to similar conclusions about my own life even though we are completely different in that regard.  This is a story that speaks of loneliness, regret, and the consequences of our choices to run away or settle down.  It's amazing how your entire perspective can change just by stepping back and looking at things from a different angle.

*~~* SPOILERS UPCOMING! *~~*

There are quite a few parallels I could draw between the two stories but the thing that stayed with me long after they were over was the fact neither of them had a defined ending.  The outcomes were implied, but the audience was left to construct their own versions of the journey that would take these characters to where we think they will end up.  Most viewers or readers will assume that the characters end up together, happily in love, but as is the case in reality, there are no guarantees that is what actually happens.  See what I mean about new life and surprises?

These stories were more than just about falling in and out of love.  They were about falling down and learning how to get up and keep going; how to overcome the roadblocks in your life and become better people for it.  Most importantly, it was a reminder that our own happy endings are out there somewhere, we just need to go make them happen.