Skulls

Those who know me also know that I have a thing for skulls. And if you did not know this about me, now you know :)

Here are some shiny pieces that I wish were mine:

Tron Legacy:

Is it all that it's hyped up to be? Apparently it's a big hit. Hm..

Music is a visible thing. Just close your eyes, you will see.

I came across a very neat video this afternoon. It's a story about a deaf and mute girl who struggles to play the violin not because of her disability, but because of social stigmas. 

It's actually a Pantene commercial in Thailand. It has little to do with the actual product itself, and some people talk down on this video because of this, however I view it sort of like Dove's campaign for beauty. This story sends out an inspiring message: that you can do anything you want if you set your heart on it; don't let anyone prevent you from doing what you love or what you believe in.

"This is a story of boy meets girl, but you should know upfront, this is not a love story."

I have just finished watching the movie '500 Days of Summer' with  Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. It was absolutely wonderful. Although the narrator warns the viewers upfront that this is not a love story, it's a beautiful film that portrays everything about love: inspiration, passion, how it starts, and how it ends. 

The movie presents realistic turns of events that make you feel good and warm and leave you feeling good and warm as well as OK in the end. By 'OK', I don't mean so-so or emotionless. I mean, a feeling of just and acceptance. Time after time, Hollywood and media have and continue to instil in us misrepresentations of life and love. The film speaks subtle hints of this several times throughout the movie. For example, when the main character, Tom, rants about greeting cards: "It's these cards, and the movies and the pop songs, they're to blame for all the lies and the heartache, everything."

The cinematography was wonderful and dynamic as well, incorporating a variety of 'non-traditional' elements, especially for a romance film. This includes presenting a series of events in a non-linear sequence, which is appropriate because the movie is basically Tom's recollection of events, and people in the real world never think linearly. Furthermore, 500 Days of Summer is neither a super-serious film nor a full out romantic comedy, though I did appreciate the brief comic relief.

This is ultimately a story about two unlikely people who fall in love, their at-times disconnectedness, and their very different discoveries of how life unfolds. I highly recommend it :)

Today calls for sunny weather

regardless of whether the sun is out or not. Today is the last day of my exams and after I rock this Abnormal Psychology exam (@ 7pm), I get to kick back and relax and go home to Ottawa soon!! 

So, I made myself a nice sunny-side-up breakfast for some morning cheer in this cold, grey winter.

Wish me luck!

These photos go out to my good friend CANDICE SO who has been long awaiting my frying an egg.

Exam #2 of 3: Children and Their Development

The third post of a photo at the library, and the second with coffee in hand. Only two more exams to go. The next one is PSYC251: Children and Their Development. This is happening tomorrow at 9am. 

Goshh this material is ridiculous. Did you know that there are 5 types of grandparents (influential, supportive, authority-oriented, passive, and detached)? Wow who knew!... 

Man studying about how children tend to play with those of the same sex and at which stage of aggression at what age is really not my cup of tea when I have an Abnormal Psychology exam coming up shortly after this one. I'd rather be reading about something cool like.. schizophrenia or sex disorders.

Source: Children and their Development by Kail & Barnfield

Seriously PSYC251.. you have done little to stimulate my intellect.

Well, study/procrastination break is up. I should get back to studying about kids and their grandparents. 

Bye for noww.

Espresso-self

Just having a cute lil' cuppa in preparation for my Cognitive Psychology exam later tonight. These cute espresso sets belong to my housemates Alex and Christina. Are they not the most adorable little sets?

She's My Babylon

This is an absolutely wonderful and beautiful song and video by one of my favourite bands - Angus and Julia Stone.

Take a listen.

Babylon - Angus and Julia Stone

So rest your head-

you’re all mine.

And I stay awake,

I won’t go home.

Let’s go on a holiday.

To burn this town

She’s my Babylon.

So rest your heart-

you’re all mine.

Because if you walk away,

I fall on down.

And bleed, red as blood-

Red as wine.

She’s my Babylon.

No I don’t want to

see you go.

No I don’t want to

be alone.

So rest your hand -

you’re all mine.

I can’t stay awake,

my eyes fall down.

Said I dreamed a dream

that you walk ‘round

She’s my Babylon.

No I don’t want to

See you go.

No I don’t want to

Be alone

No I don’t want to

Be alone.

No I don’t want to

Be alone.

Everyday Sexy

Hilarious founder of American Apparel Dov Charney promotes his line and makes everyday sexy!

"I absolutely REFUSE to wear anything from American Apparel...not just because of their stupid advertising, but also because it's boring fashion for no-style hipsters." -- 'Syntox'

Come on, "Syntox" from YouTube! You evidently failed to fully grasp the message of this video! 


Love.  

Screw Winter I'm Ready to Move on to Spring

It's getting so cold out! Just got home from a little shopping outing and dinner with Rachel. It was a cold outing wandering down Princess Street, but a delicious After Eight specialty coffee at Windmills warmed me up!

It is basically winter now, but I'm so over winter already, I want to just move on to spring. So I got a little vintage spring jacket from Phase 2:

It came with shoulder pads, but I cut them off :)


PS 

And a $10 top from Urban Outfitters (on sale, obbbviouslyy).

One Ring to rule them all.

New lip ring weeooo.

CFL: Grey Cup 2010

 Thank God for TSN Live online! I don't have cable at my place here in Kingston but thanks to TSN Live I am currently watching the Grey Cup 2010 playoffs: Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Montréal Alouettes. 

Man I wish I was home in Ottawa. I am an Als fan, and it was always a fun time watching at home with my dad as he's a Riders fan heh. At least I get to watch it, I have been worried for a while now for how I would watch the game.

This rematch should to be intense and quite interesting actually. They played against each other in last year's playoffs. The Als were the 2009 Grey Cup champs, which I was happy about, but not ecstatic... I must admit that Saskatchewan ought to have won last year's playoffs but did not because they had too many players on the field! It was just a technical mistake. But it was a very silly mistake! That cost them the championship! How could one overlook that detail. Well, I can see how actually as I was once an extra player on the field when I played touch in high school and my coach called me on the field. But hey, that was no Grey Cup playoff; it was girls' touch high school ball.

Anyway, this pair of teams seems well matched and I ought to get back to concentrating on the game!

May the Montréal Alouettes win with teamwork, good sportsmanship and skill.

[images from TSN & CFL]

Top Ways To Creep a Stranger

According to Cosmopolitan Magazine, these are their top fearless ideas to help you meet a man. Depending on the circumstances, I'd say these are my top ways to creep a stranger. [photographs taken from the Cosmo article] 

If you've used any of the following advice before, please share your success or failure stories in the comment box. I'd love to hear them! 


Join His Cheering Section 
Hit a sports bar the next time a game is on. Wear a tee with the logo of the team you’re cheering for, and sit near a guy rooting for the same team. You can connect over your shared fandom. 

This is great advice, especially for the kind women who actually need to seek out advice from Cosmopolitan. Statistically, the majority of these women are huge sports fanatics who always watch sports, have much to say about the matter and own paraphernalia of the sort. 


Ask Him to Be Your Style Expert 
Go to a men’s clothing store, and start browsing the racks near a cute guy. Flash him a smile, tell him you’re looking for a gift for your brother/cousin/dad, and ask if he’d help you pick something out. 

Then shoot all his ideas down in the end because most likely, you're not actually clothing shopping for your cousin. Great strategy. 


Volunteer Your Time
Studies show that performing altruistic acts can make you more sexually attractive—all the more reason to put on your do-gooder pants. Check out opportunities at volunteeringamerica.gov, and search your zip code to find a place to volunteer (and guy scope) near you. Once you're there, strike up a convo with a guy by asking how he heard about the organization and if he’s been involved for very long. 

The way through which this is achieved here is somewhat immoral and insincere...

Take Him Out For a Drink 

Order two different drinks at the bar. Take one over to a cute guy, tell him the bartender messed up your order, and ask him if he’d like it. Then use the opportunity to strike up a conversation. 

The subheading is good advice. Why not just actually buy a guy a drink instead of blaming the bartender and giving the poor guy your leftovers? Maybe you'll leave him flattered in the end, though I don't know. 

Ask Him to Unleash His Inner Emeril
Notice a cutie while shopping at a fancy food store? Lightly touch his shoulder and say "I’m working on a cheese platter for a little get-together at my place tonight. Any types you’d suggest?" Even if he’s not a connoisseur, he’s bound to have a few favorites. Keep the convo going by asking what he’s up to tonight.

I'm sure we all rave about cheese. Hah this reminds me of the line in the movie She's The Man (with Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum) when Channing is on an awkward date and doesn't know what to say so he says awkwardly, "So... Do you like cheese...?".  

Invite Him to Escort You


Tell a cutie on the street you’re lost, and ask him how to get somewhere (in the direction he’s heading). Ask if he’d walk you there. Then before saying bye, suggest you thank him with a cup of joe.

Need I comment on this?  


Mistake His Identity 
Tap a cute guy on the shoulder. When he turns, feign surprise and exclaim "I thought you were [insert random boy name]!" Then bond over the fact that you fake-know his back-of-head twin. 

Okay, I thought the other ones were pretty desperate, but this advice has just sunk to a whole new low.


Write Him an I.O.U. 
Is it just us or are hot waiters the new men in uniform? Next time you’re out for dinner with your girls, smile and make eye contact with a cute server. When the bill arrives, leave your number on the tip line and write that you owe him a drink. 

Seriously? I think I'd much rather a good tip than a beverage.  




Here's the actual article if you're interested in more.

We All Wish We Were Beautiful

at times both inside & out.

We all want compliments.

Beauty.

Attention.

Reassurance.

 

Imagecreds: Matt Innis

And sometimes, even when self actualization of our potential is realized, we still long for it. Beauty and reassurance, reassurance, reassurance of it. Like recidivism in a disorder; like a relapse in drug dependence. We all return to this way of thinking. With ups, downs, and regressions, ups downs, and then regressions. A never ending cycle that the world, seemingly relentlessly, throws at you.

How does this reflect what we & society value? Most certainly it is not, although it should be, in accordance with the philosophy that one's outward beauty does not measure one's worth. 


"Let the beauty we love become the good we do." -- Rumi

Note To Self:

Clean room.

Wash dishes.

Go grocery shopping; Eat some real food.

Do laundry.

Soon!!!!!!

Don't judge my catastrophe of a room and lifestyle. I'm still undergoing midterm exams! Thank the Lord my last midterm is on Friday. This Friday shall be henceforth known as Freedom Friday and I will be looking forward to Queen's Players and a weekend of relaxing! And bars.

It's Mid-November.

It's an odd day for mid-November. During this time of affliction, the freakishly blissful summer-like weather and the strong rubbery smell of new pavement elicits sweet and longing memories of my youth. But my crave to relive them proves futile as I stand alone and the complications of adulthood presses on.

Kingston: Not Just A Student Town

Though Kingston, Ontario is  a small city, commonly identified as a city for just the schools and penitentiaries, it really is more than that. There are three post-secondary schools, one of which I attend (Queen's), and seven federal correctional facilities, and on this side of town, all you really see are students and young people.

Yeah, there are obviously normal Kingston residents and your average middle-class families. But what I have come to realize is my lack of awareness for those who come from problem areas, in particular children from low-income families. Through my youth fellowship, I volunteer once a week to hold a fun event called JAM (Jesus and Me), where we share Bible stories with children and preteens and do activities, crafts, play games and have a good time. JAM takes place in Rideau Heights, a not so reputable neighbourhood just about ten minutes north of Queen's campus near the highway.

After the first few events, I began to notice the drastic demographic change. You could tell that a fair portion of these children come from low-income family homes with single-parents and/or dysfunctional family systems. I once came across a young four-year-old boy who constantly isolates himself from others and sometimes alludes to his unhappiness with his parents. When he gets upset or frustrated, he strikes himself on the head. Also, In some instances, you can suspect that some parents don't go out of their way to minimize their child's exposure to second-hand smoking. Some children as young as seven years old are sometimes also expected to walk back home at night by themselves. Even we students, as young adults, have a WalkHome service on campus! 

Some children are also very easily aroused. I've seen this expressed through high temperament and aggression. One night, two sisters' dispute had gotten so out of hand that I had to physically hold them back to prevent them from kicking and slapping each other. Later that night, as we walked them home, they would come across other kids that they know, just walking the streets at night, and would start going at them with aggressive name calling, threats and everything. I was not completely certain of where the line of intervention was as an authoritative figure as we were no longer in JAM. Well we broke them up and finally got them home where cop cars were there waiting for them for questioning. These girls were only about 9-12 years old, too. I do not know what they were in questioning for, however that is not my affair. 

Mind you, JAM is not always like this. JAM is actually really fun, especially when harmony is maintained and kids are enthusiastic, and the kids do have fun doing activities and playing games. These are only some instances (few quite extreme) that just show what kinds of environments some kids live in, and the long-term consequences can be quite grave. In taking part in JAM, I'm just hoping to bring them some peace, harmony, inclusion, and friendship and my prayers continue to be with them.

Pursuit of Happiness

One's happiness should not be solely dependent on other people. Nowaday, there's too much of "what will they think of me?" and not enough of "what do I think of myself?". Or rather, the former is causative of the latter. What others think of me should not, and I hope eventually will not, influence what I think of myself. 

Happiness is often superficial, disguised and masked. And even when uncovered, it is difficult to let go of it due to dependency on it. A lot of the time, people feel like they need constant appraisal and acknowledgement from others. Appraisal and acknowledgement for what? For being noticed by the guy across the room? For wearing the latest Prada collection? For being "the one that did it" - whatever that means? For getting great marks? For being wealthy?

But what do I truly value? What do you truly value? I value what my real friends think about me. Am I a good person? Am I good to them? I value effort, integrity and progress, procrastination aside. Can I learn from my mistakes to do better next time? Do my efforts yield fruit, or more relatively, does it reflect my academic grade? I value my faith in Christ. Does my life reflect Jesus? "...Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." - Matt. 5:44.

It's things like these that I try to focus on during times like these. Yes - examinations. But examinations among other things like relationships with others, anxiety, stress, insecurity, et. cetera, which are all at interplay. 


Know who you want to be. And by that, I mean really know yourself. Know what kind of person you want to be and go for it. Know what will make your happiness last and do it. Know what is important to you and guard it.  

Wave 2 of Midterm Exams

Welcome to Clube Stauff, where the partying never stops and the fun never ends, where 'partying' means 'studying' and 'fun' means 'stress'. Good God these posts used to be so much more interesting before exams kicked in. Goooood luck everybody. 

Just Useless.

Where did the day go? 

So all I did this weekend was spend money shopping on 3 different occasions and watch a few movies at James', passed out, and had a useless day the next day (today). I did get to see Candice though as she came down to visit from Ottawa weeoo. 

My horrible diet in the past 24 hours consisted of: beer, goldfish crackers, bacon, eggs and english muffins fried in bacon grease, and Nestea at James', then for lunch: poutine, coffee (18% cream [didn't even know they produced those] + 5 sugars), and a waffle immersed in jam with Candice, Jon and Merry. I need some fruits and vegetables in my life :P

Soon I shall end this headache and end this day with some glorious REM sleep to get ready to get through the next week.

Geese

All the leaves turn green in the summer


All the roses bloom in May


All the geese fly home for the winter


High above our earth now paved.

All the stars gleam for the night time


And the moon reflects its adjacent sun
Its so hard to find real answers 


When no real side has won.

Prechorus:
Well the grass covers up my body


And the river taught me to hear


Well trees have served as my refuge


And the dark it taught me to fear

Chorus:
All the men that live to burn


All the arms that love to hurt


All the hearts that have turned their worst..


We’re so cold.

All the leaves soon loose their color


And the roses begin to fade


Crying loud I hear our mother


For just a few of those geese that were saved.

Prechorus:
Well the grass covers up my body


And the river taught me to hear


Well trees have served as my refuge


And the dark it taught me to fear

Chorus:
All the men that live to burn


All the arms that love to hurt


All the hearts that have turned their worst..


We’re so cold.

The World Spins Madly On

Slept for ten hours yesterday. Woke up an hour ago. Been having no appetite lately :( And it doesn't help that there is not a lot of food in the fridge hm.. Basically starving myself out right now, which isn't really what I need considering how underweight I am. Don't know why I have zero appetite, especially in the morning when I've just woken up. Perhaps I'm undergoing a lot of stress. Maybe if someone made me an exact replica of one of those amazzinnggg smoothies I had from La Mucca in México, I'd go for that.

Mmmm que bueno. $10 MEX ~ $1 CDN