Wisdom and Motivation

He speaks my mind...

"I think the most important thing for me is to keep setting new goals. Only then will you have the momentum to keep going. Bring challenges to yourself and work hard to defeat them. When you defeat them, you get the feeling of success," he says. ""It's difficult but that's what sparks your life. For me, that surge of excitement, that surge of challenge, if that didn't occur to me, life wouldn't be as interesting to me as it is."

--Allen Zhang, in today's Toronto Star (Emphasis added)

Status Report.

Still here. Still happy.

Hopelessly devoted to my new academic focus. It is my love and passion.

And it is all-consuming. I'm so busy I can barely breathe. I'm so passionately in love with what I'm doing, and what I'm becoming...I can't get enough.

To anyone I ever liked, loved, or cared about prior to my immersion into academia...

I'm making many new friends in residence and in my program. But something's happening to my prior relationships.

I've contacted all of my friends in the city. People know I'm here. But when it comes to arranging to meet...?

It hasn't happened yet.

I got away with one party earlier this week. But as for the rest of my time, I don't know. Sometimes I think I'm not going to get to see an old familiar face until Christmas. And that's if I'm lucky. :(

So if you're reading this and you used to know me, and I haven't seen you yet...If we don't have the chance to get together within the next eight-and-a-half months...

Miss you. Love you. See you when I'm successful. :P ;)

I know I'm doing the Right Thing

This is my finest hour. This is my Alchemist moment.

You know that book, The Alchemist? There's something about living the way you're supposed to...When you're doing what you're meant to do.

I feel beautiful and happy and free. I look forward to growing. :)

Because I'm so damn happy...

I've come to a decision. My official theme song is "Golden" by Jill Scott. You can find it here. I would love to have her new CD, but Beautifully Human is among my list of wants as opposed to needs.

I came back earlier tonight after a wonderful evening. I was out among friends. We were talking, and laughing...And even singing. :) (Happy Birthday Joanne!!!)

Somehow my soul felt inspired. I never thought I'd feel I had the right to make "Golden" my own. I used to listen to it and say, "I want to know that feeling."

But sooner than I imagined, the time has come. I can't resist sharing the way I feel...

"Golden" expresses a bliss and satisfaction and a love of life that I thought I would never find. Yet somehow, piece by piece, my world is coming together. That, and I adore Jill Scott's bright, bold, lush voice. Her phrasing is exquisite. She does more than sing. She claims every note. In "Golden", she's proud of every word. (The teacher in me hopes to use her work for a unit on poetry and/or listening. ;) )

I'm in a program I love. I have amazing professors and classmates. I live in a great neighborhood, in a city I adore. I love my friends and family, although I miss them to death. And I couldn't have asked for better roommates.

I feel incredibly blessed. :)

If anything bad should happen, at the very least, I will have had...This.

Something intriguing.

Today yet another online quiz creeped me out with its uncanny way of capturing my personality. Consider the one I just took. (Results are posted below.) And remember this one?

I can't deny that I long for love. I believe in it--deeply. Sometimes I even dream about it.

*sigh*

And then there are times when I wish I wasn't a romantic. Longing without having can be difficult.

The Psychoanalysis Continues

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Your first homework assignment.

Attention Readers!

One of the things that I love about my program--no boring readings. If you're in Canada, and you're wondering what's really wrong with multiculturalism, Neil Bissoondath hits the nail on the head.

Closing Remarks:

If I wake up early enough tomorrow, I'll be able to get some reading done.

*sigh*

You've gotta love the academic life.

Who needs WalMart

when there's Chinatown and Kensington Market?

I tell ya. My eyes have been opened. Today I bought veggies for my weekly feast*. I spent about $3.00. And I swear, if I'd gone to The Great Canadian Rip-Off--I'm looking at you, Dominion--my wares would've cost at least twice as much.

*I'm the kind of person who likes to cook her main lunch/dinner meal once a week--preferrably on the weekend. It saves plenty of time, especially when you've got a bizzaro schedule like mine.

Mini-Mom

Much to my surprise, chagrin, horror, and delight(!), I have come to a conclusion:

Slowly but surely, I am turning into my mother.

I mean that in the best way possible. Mom, if you're reading this, I love you.

*bigfathugsandkisses*

It's just that...I never imagined I would be striving to be so organized. Yet here I find myself on a Saturday morning, doing laundry, and in the meantime attempting to complete readings for class. Never mind that I have categorized lists of items that I have yet to buy. (Oh. shut. up.)

It's amazing. Yet scary.

Now if only I could clean my room....

I'm ba-ack...

It's been a while. I'm online, on time, feelin'...dare I say...fine?

I'm back in school, blissfully happy, and dirt poor. :P ;) Thank God for my campus' free ISP service.

Flip-flops. Not just a pair of shoes...

Hi All,

By this time next week I'll be on campus. Up to my ears in orientation. Or poutine.

Funny how when your life moves in new directions, you realize that you're probably going to change as well.

A few weeks ago, my blog took a religious turn. I figured it was only fair, as I am a spiritual person.

But in the aftermath of my burst of passion, I have questions. I have concerns. Above all else, I'm looking forward to growing. I haven't have enough life experience to know who I am in many realms, including the spiritual. And yes, I know I'm in my 20s. But to give you a picture of my development at this point: Just think of any normal person in their late-20s--and consider the fact that I, la maestra, have been far, far more sheltered than your average 20-something.

That isn't to say that I have any intention of giving up on God. Far from it. But I don't want my spiritual views to overwhelm me to the point that I become some sort of screeching, legalistic harpie.

Cuteness o' the Day!

Parents, remember. Keep an eye on your kids.

(Am I the only one who gets pissed when I see folks in public walking a mile ahead of their toddlers?)