Fight to Entertain

good ol' pun to start us off

This is me eating my words and wishing I had brought my sewing stuff to Stratford. Only a week in and I'm rudely reminded of how boring it can get in Stratford. I have to make a real effort to entertain myself and not just waste my days away on social media. That being said, I did do lots of fun things this week. 
It was Marissa's birthday on Friday, so on Thursday we drove to Kitchener to go trampolining. Mara and I had been to this place before, where they have 6 olympic grade trampolines. It was great fun. I almost did a full front flip (I just can't quite stick the landing and end up on my butt). Michelle however did gymnastics when she was younger and so was doing front flips, back flips, you name it. Definitely got my exercise in that day and felt it for the following two days. I'd like to go back at some point and see if I can't finally land a front flip.
Later that day we had our first SSC event of the term at a local pub. Much to our enjoyment, Thursday is now 25cent wing night. I made a slight misjudgement in how hungry I was and ordered 5 wings and a burger. Way too much food. But the wings were great. And I couldn't get over that it cost $1.25 for 5 wings! I'm no wing fanatic but even I know that's got to be a great deal. I might start making regular trips to the pub for 5 wings every Thursday night.
Friday morning started off great listening to Ed Sheeran's two new singles. I've come to realize that I almost always don't like a song when I first hear it if it's a song I'm expecting to like (i.e. from an artist I'm familiar with). So I didn't form any opinions until later. And as expected, I really like both of them. I'm not sure which one I like better; it might have to be Castle On The Hill.

Last night I had some friends over to play Catan (I won). I also made my new meal of the week: spinach salad with dried cranberries, chicken, avocado, and poppyseed dressing. To be honest I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It might just make it on to my rotation of meals. I haven't decided what this week's recipe is going to be; it will depend on when I get to a grocery store next.

I also made rice krispie squares but they didn't turn out great. I think the marshmallows were past their prime.
Didn't do much today. Watched a sermon from The Meeting House online. I've started doing a daily doodle where I practice my lettering/doodling. It's not much but I'm trying out the concept that doing something everyday will help you get better at it. I'm patiently waiting for 9pm to roll around to watch the next Sherlock episode. I've had to stay off social media since this afternoon to avoid any spoilers, since Britain has already seen it and there are already things being posted about what happens.

I'm Back

Today was the ideal day to relax and go to bed early and get a good nights sleep. And so obviously I blew it. It's harder and harder to go to bed early, even if I want to. I'm back in Waterloo now, because I have training all day tomorrow for being an International Peer Mentor this semester. It's one of the requirements to get the Global Experience Certificate, which I'm going for. It will be interesting to see how it goes, because I am not the most outgoing person and I've never before attempted to communicate with someone who doesn't know English.
Coming back to Waterloo was easier than I was expecting. I was thinking that I would have to get used to my apartment all over again, but I slipped right back into my routine here, which is nice. I'm the only one back so far. My two friends are supposed to arrive tomorrow. The other two roommates I had last term are on co-op this term so I will be getting two new roommates. Well, one of them didn't find a subletter, so there might only be 4 of us in the apartment for a while. That would be nice, just to not have so many people in such a small space.
Well, here's to hoping this year, and more specifically, this term, goes well!

I'm listening to Songza's Reddit 100 Most Beautiful Songs.

298. Do you want your friends to respond to this?
Getting comments is one of my favourite things.

299. Who is most likely to respond to a text from you?
Definitely not my Dad. Probably my BFFLAAT. Or my mom.

300(!). Who is least likely to respond to a text from you?
Ha! My dad ;)

Food Preparations

I've decided that timing the preparations of all parts of a meal to be ready at the same time is a skill that cannot be learned. Also, don't eat spaghetti with your laptop in front of you.

267. Favourite Song Ever.
"Ever" is a very strong term. It's probably Ordinary Miracle by Sarah McLachlan from Charlotte's Web.

Smorgasbord of Thoughts

The "Fund Heather's Halloween Costume Fund" can be found here*.

261. 3 dreams you want to fulfill?
1. Work for myself/start a business/company
2. Start a family
3. Be someone's role model

263. Favourite Comedian(s)
Jim Gaffigan, Bill Cosby

Also, check out Ed Sheeran's new music video:

I Did It

I finally told Josh that I didn't have the same feelings that he has for me. I did it over text. Which is probably more horrible than I'm thinking it is. But there was no way I would have been able to tell him in person. And if I did, then it would be awkward, because now he would know, but would we then continue to hang out? Or would it just be a really awkward conversation and then bye? I dunno. I'm just glad to have it off my chest. But I still feel horrible. This is what I sent him: "Hi Josh. I need to tell you before we meet again that while I'm flattered by your feelings for me, I don't see you in the same way. You're a great guy, and you don't deserve to be led on like that."
Is that okay?! Is that acceptable?! I'VE NEVER HAD TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. And then, do you want to know what he sent back? "Oh icic well thanks for letting me know:)" It took me a second to realize what the "icic" meant. And it kills me, because there's usually a minimum of 2 emoticons per text and I could tell in that text that he was hurt/sad. And it's killing me! I'm a horrible person. I feel kind of like this right now:

On the one hand, I'm free from that guilt of leading him on, but on the other hand, I feel horrible for hurting his feelings. Ugh. I don't know how girls deal with this all the time.

On a completely different note, I've been listening to Shane & Shane a lot recently. They're a Christian band and I really like them. I'm not exactly where I got their music from, probably from one of the times I air-dropped with people at camp. But really like their sound. I also recently found out about Lecrae, who is a Christian hip-hop artist. I've only listened to a couple of his songs, but I really like them. I really like the messages in his songs.

257. Are your friends mainly guys or girls?
Girls (and I apparently just destroyed my one guy friendship).

Are you ever really lonely but you don't want to interact with anyone and so you just try and fill the void yourself but it doesn't really work?

111. Do you like bubble baths?

Um yea I guess, I haven't had a lot of experience with them.

We want what we can't have, commodity makes us want it

So expensive, damn, I just got to flaunt it

Got to show 'em, so exclusive, this that new shit

A hundred dollars for a pair of shoes I would never hoop in

Look at me, Look at me, I'm a cool kid

I'm an individual, yeah, but I'm part of a movement

My movement told me to be a consumer and I consumed it

They told me to just do it, I listened to what that swoosh said

Look at what that swoosh did

See it consumed my thoughts

Are you stupid, don't crease 'em, just leave 'em in that box

- Wing$, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

No Angels

Ok and what about this one?

I tried to make the words look like an equal sign...is it too subtle?

104. What are you 5 favourite songs right now?

(Funny this question should be asked now because I am obsessed with "No Angels" right now).

1. No Angels, mix of TLC's "No Scrubs" and The xx's "Angels", Bastille feat. Ella
2. All of Me, John Legend
3. Let It Go, Idina Menzel
4. Same Love, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert
5. Gravity, Sara Bareilles

And I will stumble and fall / I'm still learning love / Just starting to crawl

- Say Something, A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera 

All of Me, John Legend

All of Me

by John Legend

85. Are you patient?
Yes, overall. But my patience is definitely shorter when the thing is blatantly obvious, and people still don't understand.

Sherlock: Scene that made you laugh the most.
***spoilers***
Lots of them. The one that comes to mind right away is Sherlock's drunk deductions.

*images of said spoiler below the fold

No Light, No Light by Florence + the Machine

'cause it's so easy, 

To say it to a crowd 

But it's so hard my love, 

To say it to you out loud

QOTD #66

66. Cheetos or Fritos?
I feel like this isn't even a fair comparison. It's like comparing cookies to cupcakes. While in a similar range of each other, not comparable. But despite this unfairness, I choose Cheetos all the way.

Speaking of food, I went to the mall today. I went first for church. Then I sat in the food court and read a bit while I waited for the stores to open. I got some lunch from ManchuWOK and then went shopping. It was my little treat for myself. I went to the grocery store and guess what. I got two single servings of Kraft Dinner, a raman noodle bowl and a package of donut holes for $3.84. Three eighty-four! If that doesn't make you the happiest person, I don't know what will. I also bought Paper Towns by John Green because I've been wanting to read that for awhile and 500 Days of Summer. It was on sale for $5 and I thought, how far wrong can I go? Basically, I got a lot for very little today, and that makes me happy.

I've been in the process of going through and listening to every song in my iTunes library in alphabetical order. That sounds really OCD, but it was just a way to listen to the songs in a seemingly random order. Anyways, I've been paying attention to the lyrics more and I've found some lyrics that I really like. So every so often I might just tag some lyrics on the bottom of my posts.
I was listening to Weight of Living, Pt II by Bastille and I really liked the first verse and was going to add it to my list of lyrics. But then I just really liked the entire song, so here it is.

Weight of Living, Pt II 

by Bastille

The weight of living [x4]

All that you desired, when you were a child
Was to be old, was to be old
Now that you are here, suddenly you fear
You've lost control (You've lost control)
Do you like the person you've become? Oh

[Chorus]
Under the weight of living
You're under the weight of living
Under the weight of living
You are under the weight of living
The weight of living, the weight of living

It all crept up on you, in the night it got you
And plagued your mind, it plagues your mind
Every day that passes, faster than the last did
And you'll be old soon, you'll be old
Do you like the person you've become? Oh

[Chorus]
Under the weight of living
You're under the weight of living
Under the weight of living
You are under the weight of living
The weight of living, the weight of living

(Tell yourself this is how it's going to be)
(Tell yourself this is how it's going to be)

Oh, tell yourself this is how it's going to be.
Oh, tell yourself this is how it's going to be, oh.

[Chorus]
Under the weight of living
You're under the weight of living
Under the weight of living
You are under the weight of living
The weight of living, the weight of living
The weight of living, the weight of living

QOTD #52

52. Do you think musicals are cheesy?
Nope! I love them. Well, maybe not love. I enjoy them. I especially like the soundtracks.

Gravity preformed by Alex and Sierra

originally by Sara Bareilles

My sister is obsessed with this song, and now it's rubbing off on me.


#freemarilyn

Christmas Shoes

It was almost Christmas time
There I stood in another line
Trying to buy that last gift or two
I'm really in the Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me
Was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing around like little boys do
And in his hands he held
A pair of shoes

And his clothes were worn and old
He was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say

Sir I wanna buy these shoes for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see, she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus, tonight.

They counted pennies for what seem like years
And cashier says son there's not enough here
He searches is pockets franticly 
And he turned and he looked at me
And he said Momma made Christmas good at our house
Most years she just did without
Tell me Sir
What am I gonna do?
Some how I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes

So I layed the money down
I just had to help him out
And I'll never forget
The look on his face
When he said Mamma's gonna look so great.

Sir I wanna buy these shoes, for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see, she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful,
If Momma meets Jesus tonight.

I knew I caught a glimpse of heavens love as he thanked me and ran out. 
I know that God had sent that little boy to remind me
What Christmas is all about

Sir I wanna buy these shoes for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If Mamma meets Jesus tonight

I want her to look beautiful
If Mamma meets Jesus tonight

QOTD #14 & SOTD

14. What are you going to spend money on next?
Probably food and/or Christmas gifts!

This is Make You Love Me by some Youtubers, Us. They are awesome! You should check out their other stuff.

Gloves

Today I bought touch screen gloves. (When I say touch screen gloves I mean gloves that you can keep on while using a touch screen, in case that wasn't clear). I didn't buy them because they were touch screen, but because I needed gloves (WHY IS IT SO COLD OUT), and they were only $3. I was skeptical as to whether they would actually work. However, I was pleasantly surprised when they worked and the tips weren't too fat so I could still text.
Also, little bro, I don't know what hot chocolate powder you sent me to school with, but it sucks. Flat out, makes horrible hot chocolate. I don't know if it's because it's old or just because of the brand. Anyways, when I'm home this weekend, I'm stealing the Timmies hot chocolate powder and nothing can stop me.
This is a new song that I started listening to because iTunes was like, if you like Bastille, you'll probably like this too. And I do, so I thought I'd share it with you. It's Dreaming by Smallpools.

Haunt (Demo) - Bastille

We'll make our agreements,
About when to meet,
And I'll leave you in the doorway,
The cold evening aches,
As it leaves in its wake,
All the memories left by the day,
And I'm questioning why,
As you look to the sky,
That it's cloudless up above our heads,
And thoughts come to mind,
that our short little lives,
Haven't left the path that they will tread,
They will tread

I come back to haunt you,
Memories will taunt you,
And I will try to love you,
It's not like I'm above you,

The wisdom we learn as our minds,
They do burn'll,
Entice the naivety in youth,
As adults will grow and maturity shows,
The terrifying rarity of truth,
As you turn to your mind,
And your thoughts they rewind,
To old happenings and things that are done,
You can't find what's passed,
Make that happiness last,
Seeing from those eyes what you become,
Well you become

I come back to haunt you,
Memories will taunt you,
And I will try to love you,
It's not like I'm above you,

I will see you there,
See you there,
See you there,
I'll come back to haunt,
Memories will taunt you,
And I will try to love you,
It's not like I'm above you

The Enemy - Andrew Belle

The Enemy by Andrew Belle, from Black Bear

My heart gets lost like a message 
My head is on the clouds 
And I don’t get it 
And so I’m fashionably numb 
Sometimes it helps to forget 
Where we come from 

Out of the mire we were torn from 
Remember 
Out of the fire again 
But I’m an ember 
I hold a banner for you 
But it’s upside down 
You got a question or two 
But I’m tongue tied now 

Don’t try to follow me 
I would 
Hold you down if I could 
Make you the enemy 
I would 
Let you down 

I took a ride on the champagne 
You took a flight over San Fran Bay 
We washed misunderstood 
Your heart was warm like a brother’s should 
But then the gallow gave way 
Sometimes they call after you 
But you say 

Don’t try to follow me 
I would 
Hold you down if I could 
Make you the enemy 
I would 
Let you down 

I hold you down 
I hold you down 
I hold you

Carry On My Wayward Son Lullaby

Apparenlty this has some fangirl-heart-crushing-relationship to Supernatural. (All the feels, as they would put it), but I don't watch Supernatural. I just like the song.

GIF and Covers

Ok, so we have to make a GIF (which is pronounced "jif' (!)) for my GBDA 101 class. I was working on it this evening. Here it is:

Now, I took about as many as three times as many photos, but stupid photoshop can't handle a file that big so I had to cut a lot out. And make it really small. I feel so limited right now. I might end up doing a different, a simpler one since photoshop can't handle a lot of frames. But I want to know what you think of this one. And be honest. I'm an adult, I know and can handle criticism.
Also, I found this group on Youtube and I think they're really great! You should check them out.

Sad Song

Today I'm gonna write a sad song,
I'm gonna make it really long
So that everyone can see,
That I'm very unhappy.

I wish I wasn't always wrong
I wish it wasn't always my fault
But the finger that you're pointing
Has knocked me on my knees
And all you need to know is

I'm so sorry it's not like me,
It's maturity that I'm lacking
So don't, don't let me go
Just let me know that growing up goes slow

I wonder what my mom and dad would say,
If I told them that I cry each day.
But it's hard enough to live so far away.

I wish I wasn't always cold
I wish I wasn't always alone
When the party is over,
How will I get home?
And all you need to know is

I'm so sorry it's not like me,
It's maturity that I'm lacking
So don't, don't let me go
Just let me know that growing up goes slow

If all the rules were made to bend
And you swore you were my friend
Now I have to start all over again

Cause no one's going to take your place
And I'm scared I'll never save
All the pieces of a love we made

And I'm so sorry, it's not like me
It's maturity that I'm lacking
So don't, don't let me go
Just let me know that I can slip and fall
And you won't let me go
Just let me know that growing up goes slow

And I'm so sorry
It's not like me
It's maturity that I'm lacking
So don't, don't let me go
Just let me know that growing up goes slow.

I am in no way using this song as a way to reflect my feelings right now, I just want to make that clear. However, when it came on on my ipod I couldn't help but think how it has applied to some times I've experienced over the past month. (wow, a month already...guess I should probably wash my bed sheets...) I actually had a really good day today.