Anyway, as with any person – I’m sure – I have certain songs that make me all tingly inside; my favourite songs, you might say. Even if you aren’t musician, I still think that listening to music like this is seriously important. So take some time when you have some time, and just sit. And listen. And enjoy!

Julie-o by Mark Summers – my momma practices this all the time, and as much as I critique her intonation, I still love to hear her do what she loves, playing her instrument. It’s also a fabulous song!

Alleluia by Eric Whitacre – as a singer I have to say that Eric Whitacre is possibly one of my favourite things in the world. I’ve never quite found anyone else who can make music sound full like this guy can. (My sister is probably cringing in her seat at my terrible, non-music perspective writing on this!)

Symphony No. 4 by David Maslanka – there is a part in this that reminds me of little angry dwarves or trolls running off to battle with their axes. You’ll know where I’m talking about. This is my happy song. It makes me happy when I yam saaad. It’s worth the 30 minutes of your time.

Ocean by John Butler [and perhaps his trio?] – this is a very recent addition to my list of “guuuhhh” songs. I’m not sure it’s a favourite quite yet, but it’s on it’s way there… methinks… I played classical guitar for 2 years [and let me tell you, I actually practiced! Ask my mum - that's not something I do regularly], and I can’t ever imagine my fingers moving this fast. In my life. Ever.

Anyway, I thought I’d share these hilarious Oatmeal comics about planes, because in only 35 more days (and 40 after my last cross-country flight), I get to do it all again! [Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy travelling, and I am stoked to do it, because that means in 35 days I get to be back with my parents again!].

The middle seat situation actually happened on my last flight! Best day ever.

I concur.

This is the reason I’m glad that I’m short.

An homage to my beloved friends back in my hometown. It was great to see you all [on Skype] on New Years!!! Maybe next year I’ll be there in person!

WOW! I can’t believe it’s been a year since this day a year ago… And at the same time it feels like it’s been a million years since then. I think that 2011 has definitely been a year of change for me – the most change my 18 years has ever seen!

I graduated high school, adopted my two baby kitties who I love so so much, got my first real job; I moved across the province with my parents, then moved across the country to go to my first year of university [which, I would like to point out] I have half-completed with major awesomeness]. I’ve made some really ballin’ new friends, learned way more than my brain can retain for any amount of time, and picked up a goofy accent [according to my parents, who keep trying to get me to say "bar" and "car"].

I have to say that 2011 is a special year for me. So many hugely wonderful things have happened in the last 365 days!

A question:

How do you let someone know that you are there to listen, and to support them – particularly if they won’t let you?

Having posed that question something comes to mind:

They don’t want to open up to you.

Having thought of this, there is another question to be posed:

How close is your friendship? Really. 

And if I can answer that question with “well it’s been said that we’re very close”, then it’s cause for worry.

Keeping things inside won’t help them, and no one should have to go through things alone. That’s why we have friends.

Because really you just want to make sure they’re happy. That’s all. No hidden agendas, no secret plans for conquest, no plotting in dark rooms after midnight. You’re just worried is all.

Because honestly they make your life a whole lot brighter than it would be without them. And you want their life to be bright too.

So you smile a little, and laugh a lot, and make sure they get home okay – so they know that you care. Because for some reason, you have this unshakeable, unexplainable trust for them. And you honest to God, really, actually, truly… care.

Hey everyone! So it’s that time of year again – the end of the year, in fact. So I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve never been one for making resolutions. I know that lots of people make them, and never keep them, but I’m don’t even make the resolutions. I guess that way I don’t neglect any?

I think that this year I’m going to make a blanket resolution, though. It’s pretty obvious, and maybe everyone makes this one subconsciously, well, I would expect everyone to, but I’m making it out loud so it’s extra real, and extra important.

This coming year, 2012, I am going to live my life to the fullest I can live it! At the top of the list of ways to live my life to its fullest? Planning a trip to Paris with my roommate! We’ll get there, Em, we’ll get there, even if we have to sell our kidneys. Just kidding, I like my kidneys… the only catch is that if I go to Paris [her dream city] with her, she has to accompany me to South America [my dream!]. Rough life, right?

I think a healthier way of making a change in your new year is to set goals, instead of making set things that you are going to do. My main goal is to have a successful second term of school, and boost each of my grades one point higher than they were this past semester (ex. my B in Global History pre-1500 will be an A- at least in Global History post-1500). My second goal is to finally get my passport [yes, I'm a super procrastinator and just haven't done it yet!]. I feel like once I get that, I’ll feel more motivated to actually get my act together to start planning trips to all the places I want to be! Of course, to do any travelling, I’ll need to complete my third goal: getting another great job for this summer! I’d love my old job at the affordable housing organization that I had this past summer, but if that’s not available I’m willing to do new things! Another goal of mine is to dress like a lady. In other words, I’m going to stop wearing sweatpants out of the house, and hoodies every single day. I’ve already begun! I got two cute tops, and two new pairs of pants yesterday! I’m on a roll!!! My last goal is to [again] finally start exercising [more than once and a while yoga and walking up the hill to meal hall]. I’m sure my roommate will motivate me to go to the gym with her – her puppy eyes are terrible, but it might be the only time we get to spend together this term, what with her starting up practicing piano [she had tendonitis this last term] and her crazy busy schedule!

What are your goals for 2012?

Remember when you were a kid and your parents would take you to a store, and you’d look and touch stuff for a few minutes, then you’d get bored and it would seem like an eternity before you finally got to leave? Honestly, you thought you were going to die there. The end is never in sight. Yup. Me too. I remember that.

Thankfully, these days we have smartphones to keep us occupied during those long, boring hours is furniture shops that smell too heavily of old lady perfume.

Casual table dog at the diner.

Funny story: they aren’t kidding when they say BC is the best place on Earth! Happy to call this beautiful place home.

Just me and the disco lobster at Halifax International.