Looking for a piece of shit movie. No, seriously.

Aww, isn't that cute? Leave it to the Asians to make a piece of shit look awfully adorable. Haha, get it? Awfully adorable. Because it's a piece of shit, and it's cute? I'm a comedian in my own mind.

Anyways, after reading this article, I now want to look for and watch this movie. A kids' movie starring shit! Who'da thunk it?! I love you, Haywood for introducing this to me. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I'd definitely show this to my kids (if, of course, they don't actually use the word "shit" in the movie).

What an ingenious way of showing kids that even the worst piece of shits in this world , both human and fecal, have feelings too.

My Big Entry of Grievances

It’s a pity how I’ve somehow lost my drive to excel at school.  I’m not usually a big procrastinator but somehow I’ve managed to leave quite a few things to the utmost last evening before a due date.  I hate it when this happens to me because it leads me to give empty promises (“I’ll have it done for you tomorrow”) and rushing everything.  Usually I at least start a week before the due date, but my head’s been in a tailspin lately.  I’ve lost my stamina to even try at anything anymore.  Right now I’m in the “as long as I get by” mood, which sucks what with one and half weeks of school left.  Someone needs to mentally and physically push me towards December 16 because I feel like I’m slowing down while everything else is pulling ahead of me.

A few disgruntling observances from the past few days that I need to get off my chest:

• This woman with a carriage was trying to get on the bus, which happened to be the old one where you need to climb steps to get on the bus.  Noone would help this woman with her carriage to get on the bus.  Not even the bus driver! “If I hurt my back, I don’t get paid!  This isn’t part of my job” he explained, as he reluctantly got out of his seat to take part in the “back-breaking” task.  To top it off, the people on the bus were laughing at this woman when she couldn’t get the carriage on herself.  I would’ve helped, but I was sitting window-seat next to one of the laughing assholes.  Altruism is truly rare nowadays.


• School kids who feel the need to take up a two-seater by propping their feet up on a full bus need to be tossed off the bus.  You didn’t pay for two seats; you paid for at most, one.  Non-punkass teenagers are truly rare nowadays.


• Uggs are not meant for trudging through water.  Just snow.


• Is really strong body odour transferable?  I sat behind this woman with awful body odour (this isn’t an ethnic issue, definitely a hygienic thing) and when I couldn’t take the smell anymore, I moved.  But I could still smell her.  I finally got off the bus, and I could still smell her.  I smelled her on the subway.  I smelled her on another bus.  I smelled her in class. WTF!  I wonder if her smell was just stuck on me or if it was the memory of her I “smelled”.


• I hate it when people don’t keep their word.  I mean, really hate it.  Those who have crossed me with their unreliability have experienced my wrath.  Don’t let it happen to the rest of you.


• I think one of my professors is randomly marking papers.  He gave my friend a low mark.  When she asked him what she did wrong, he admitted he didn’t know why he gave her that mark and that she did very well and then gave her a higher mark.  Huh?!  It really irks me that he’s doing this and I don’t think there’s much I can do (even though I also returned my paper and got a higher mark too, but what about my others?).

Hmm, I wonder why I’m complaining more than usual.  Must be that time of month.

I Came to Play

I can't decide if I like Natalise's new album. Her sound seems to have changed from her last album, which was poppish/dance. Her second album seems kinda tongue-in-cheek and rock-inspired.

As much as I think it'd be cool for more Asian musicians to make it big here in North America, I listen to Asian-American musicians like Natalise and I can kinda see why alot of them are 'underground'.

I have a love-hate thing with Natalise here. At first, she looks like a typical Asian import model. Nothing against import models or anything but sometimes they're just too much. Too much makeup, too much blonde, too much of too little clothes. And their voices. Ugh. Check out her latest vid (there's even some lesbianism going on!). Her speaking voice is sooo irritating.

But I also can't help but like her music, although I still don't know if I like her lyrics. Her voice is alright, nothing spectacular, just something I'd expect from a girl like her. I'm glad she didn't fall into pop music, like she was advised to. And I guess she is pretty, in an Asian girl sorta way. But she does have a nice body, attributed from the dancing I expect. I'm sitting on the fence about her new 'image'.

It's interesting how the image of Asian-American musicians is different from Asian-Asian musicians. I would never imagine innocent BoA wearing nothing but a fur stole around her neck and saying "get me off!". It's kinda sad how Natalise uses alot of sex, for whatever reason, to appeal to the Asia-philias out there. But I guess that's the only way to get things done around here, huh?

Milton is the land of the gold rings, but no Tim Horton's to be found.

I didn't do much this weekend. On Friday, I went to class for no reason. We were supposed to use the class to work with our groups (i.e. no lessons, waste of time). Since I had so much time on my hands I decided to finally going to Home Depot and find rings for purses I plan on making.

I hate Home Depot. Yeah, I can find everything I need there, but not without the aid of the experts in orange aprons who are either nowhere to be found or conveniently busy with someone else. The place is just so overwhelming. I could only find silver rings (not even the size I wanted, but I would have to settle), so I asked about spray-painting it gold (I really needed gold rings). Turns out I would have to sandpaper, prime and then I could spray paint it in this really cool paint that literally turns things to gold. Alot of damn work just to get gold rings but dammit I cannot settle for less. $15 later, I lugged two cans of spray paint home on the bus and I was satisfied that this was the only way to get gold rings because I checked just about everywhere else. Today I went with Dev to Milton to find a car at the car auction. While we were in Milton I was directed to this store called Ab$olute Dollar that has a good supply of craft goods...and I found gold rings...a bunch for $1! @$#&%~! Let's just say, I hope I can find my receipt from Home Depot.

Thanks to Dev for showing me the fantastic store that is Ab$olute Dollar. And a very special thanks to Davis for spending 3 hours with me looking for the rings when the whole time it was in Milton, of all desolate places. *sigh. That place has no sit-down Tim Horton's but they have gold rings. I hate how Fate works like that.

I made two purses this weekend. I'm really proud of one of them I made. For the longest time I wanted a bag just like the large Gucci Horsebit bag. I didn't want to pay a few hundred dollars, and I hate being a label-whore so I vowed to make my own. How hard could it be? A couple of sketches later, I came up with a pattern and set to work on it. I think sewing/designing is my new therapy. It distracts me from everything else and I'm forced to focus and use my brain on one thing. Plus my determination to finish a project in one sitting instead of putting it off keeps up my stamina.

I think I spent about two hours on it. The toughest part was putting in a zipper pocket on the inside. I hate working with zippers because they always seem to break my needles when I run over the teeth (which I guess I'm not supposed to do) and this time it took me a long time trying to avoid the teeth and getting it straight. Well, I gave up and it's kinda crooked, but what the hell, it's on the inside but it's still functional. The finished product: Let's compare...

Yeah mine looks alot 'saggier' than the actual Gucci one, but that's because their's is canvas and mine is this drapery-like material. I just liked style of the bag and the argyle pattern, except I foolishly forgot to realize that the diamonds should be running vertical, not horizontal. D'oh! I used an old grey leather belt for the handle, and those are the rings I got from Home Depot. I'm actually quite proud of it, though I am still annoyed about the way the argyle pattern is running. Bah well.

I Bid Adieu to You, and You, and You...

I had to bid farewell to some dear friends of mine. We had good times in the spring and summer, and now they have to leave. BUT at least they'll be back in about 6 months and I'll probably acquire new friends then. So that's okay, but still bittersweet.

I spent my evening pulling out my winter wardrobe and putting away my summer. Why now? Bored. And the snow outside is my signal that I can't keep the mini skirts hanging in my closet any longer.

Good bye short shorts. We had some good times and I can't wait till I see you again, thanks for the nicely tanned legs. So long strappy stiletto sandals, we'll do lunch al fresco in May? And farewell to my dear dresses, jerseys and bikinis. It won't be long till you'll be in my arms, my darlings.

Taking a glance at my inventory, I really wish I had my own space. I could really use it (and before anyone goes on a tangent about my "excess" amount of clothes, I assure you they are not being wasted. They're appreciated). I dream of the day for my own walk-in, shoe shelves and boutique-style racks and everything.

It seems that I'm at the age where taking the future into my own hands is a closer reality than it was 3 years ago. It's time to start putting things into perspective. Career stuff aside, where do I see myself in two years? I'll be around 24 (OMG!) and I definitely don't want to still be living in the house I grew up in.

Maybe I'll move on up, like the Jeffersons. "Up to that deluxe apartment in the skyyyyyyyyyy, we're movin' on up!"

Actually I doubt I'd want to live in an apartment. I've lived in a house my whole life. It's ground-level or nothing. Hahaha. Besides, I've heard many horror stories about living in an apartment. 5am fire alarms, cockroaches, the permanent smell of ethnic food in the hallway. What I really really want is just to buy my own house. Once you've purchased your own abode, you'll know you've made it (that, and owning an Hermes Birkin bag). I don't know much about investing or real estate but buying a house is where it's at!

How ridiculous would it be to convert one of the bedrooms into an Oprah-fantasy-like closet! *lightbulb goes on*

Excess Food for Thought

I came across an interesting article today.

For anyone's who has eaten out with me, they know that I hate wasting food. I used to work at a hockey arena where I worked in the box suites, and I worked in a restaurant in the summer. It is so disgusting the amount of untouched food that is thrown out, seriously. This crime is usually caused by both the kitchen and the consumer. Shame on all of you!

Now, I don't want to get into the "kids in Africa" speech, but really. I think us North Americans have forgotten the meaning of food. We've grown to be so used to excess food that we don't even realize why we we eat. Are we eating to live, or living to eat?

This is probably the worst time of year where excess of waste is at its peak, and really saddens me. Sure, I could give to a charity to help the less fortunate, blah blah blah (but let's not get into my issue with charities), but I really don't think giving away my hard earned money to help a "supposedly" unfortunate family will make me feel better. In fact, I think I'd be a little more sad than before giving the money. I'd still feel so guilty that I have what maybe 90% of the world does not have: shelter, food, family, an education and a credit card.

So how am I going to do my 'part'?

Well, I don't think I'd take the "freegan" route. I mean, I give props to those who do it and stuff, but there has to be a more convenient (and less barbaric?) way to get food like that. Like, just asking the restaurant or grocery store for "wasted food" instead of waiting with the raccoons in an alley for the garbage run.

I look around myself and I see that I really do have too much stuff. Looking at my expenses, there are frivolous things that I can avoid buying that can turn into waste, like anything disposable or "one time use". Yes, I'm going to start advocating. In fact, I think this Christmas I'm going to wrap all my gifts in newspaper, and why not? Newspaper is recycled paper and I have plenty of it lying around. Wrapping paper is just paper with some fancy and meaningly patterns. Besides, by using newspaper, it'll keep in theme with my "homemade gifts" this year. I also encourage everyone else who is planning on giving me a gift, to either wrap it in newspaper or don't wrap it at all.

So this is how I'll do my part: instead of donating to a charity to help the less fortunate, I'm going to undonate to the most fortunate. My way of balancing out the universe, I guess.

This entry is nothing special...

...I'm just looking for something to distract me from an essay I should be working on.

Today was an 'eh' day, as in nothing special really happened and nothing bad happened either. Got up around at around 11, made a pizza, lala-ed around the house, went to Humber Law Association meeting and then class. Just an 'eh' day. I also 'test drove' that purse I made on the weekend. I think I'll test run it all week just to make sure that it is durable enough to give away. Day 1: it held two notebooks, a wallet, cd player, a pen and it didn't break. *whew.

Is it odd that I have two real-life crushes and I don't even know their names? They're both strangers from the bus, and those are the best types of strangers because you see them more than once every week. The first guy is this cute "quiet" Asian guy who I see on the bus to school. I say quiet because it seems like he would be. He's not hot in an obvious way but he's hot in a fobbish way. And with my luck, he likely doesn't speak English and is likely in the ESL program at school. Or likely I'm just prejudging. The other guy is an obviously hot Asian guy with a tattoo and bald head. Now, I usually hate tattoos because I never seem to find any that look good on anyone. But this guy happens to have a tattoo on his neck and it looks quite hot.

Will I ever act on these crushes? Hell, no. These are just the kind of crushes that make me look forward to taking the bus to school everyday. I don't think I'll ever get the balls to go up and strike up a convo with them or anything. "Hi, I like staring at you on the bus. Can I have your number?" (Although I'm pretty sure they're aware that I stare at them hardcore whenever I see them). No, I can't do that. Well, I can. I just won't. It's funny how I can't practice what I preach. I'm always lecturing girls to take action and ask the guy out because it's super sexy. I always brag that I'd ask a guy out if I really wanted to. And have I? No. Truth be told, I am a wuss like the rest of you gals (I can hear my credibility as a reliable source to go to for advice go down the toilet). But you can't really blame me, what with my track record of rejection and odd couplings (of which I will fleetingly not go into).

I think I also have too much pride. Although it's not totally a bad thing, especially in the legal field, but it has caused me to hold back from moving on from my last amour and I think it's even made me cynnical. Me, cynnical? Pah!

I guess what I'm trying to say is... I should really get back to writing my Ethics essay and stop wasting time ranting about my lack of balls (both metaphorically and man-wise).

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Man, November is the birthday month. Such a burden on the wallets around this time of year. hahhaa... Went to Ein-Stein last night. We orginally decided on O'Grady's and I was so looking forward to drunken karaoke. Unfortunately, their website decieved me. So we ended up at Ein-Stein. I'll let the pics speak for themselves...

^Now, was that necessary?

^Why is this called an 'Appetizer Platter' when it's clearly a meal?

^Crazy Face and Whitney

^Drink up...

^...and up!

And Justin found out my ears are pierced so he decided to have a lil fun with that:

5 girls + shopping addiction = good day

I can't sleep. I think it has something to do with the Peppermint Mocha I had from Starbucks late in the afternoon. Dammit. Oh well. My evening hasn't been unproductive. I finished a skirt and a bag, instead of going out and spending my money on clubbing. Yay, me. I chose to stay home tonight also because I spent too much money today.

Went downtown, had the group meeting, went to the new Winners on Bloor Street (absolute pandemonium), made off with shoes and a pair of nude, seamless underwear. We spent 10% of our time at the library befor we got too anxious to go shopping and shopped for a good 3 hours. Whew!

Today it finally snowed. And I mean, really snowed. The kind of snow where it doesn't melt away immediately. Lovely snow. I didn't mind it too much because I prepared for the weather: Uggs, legwarmers, armwarmers, layers. Shopping bags, cup of coffee, warm clothes, snow falling around me, crowds, noise. Perfect. Downtown will now be my home away from home. Sorry, clubdev, you've been replaced.

*sigh. I really need to get out of the suburbs. I recall driving around with a friend of mine last week. We didn't want to go home, and we really wanted something to do. But eventually he had to drive me home because we realized there's aboslutely nothing to do around here but cause trouble. We need to have more places here opened at ungodly hours of the night, not just crummy (yet reliable) Timmy's.

Remember the days of late night bbl tea at Chat & Tea? Sure, we also have our 24-hour pho place. Too bad we don't have all-night hocker stands, just like they do in Asia. Nothing beats the foods you want whenever you crave it.

Speaking of which, my stomach is growling.

Move over, Martha. Domestic Diva Lil coming through.

Week's...almost... over!

I don't have class tomorrow, but I'm meeting with my group tomorrow downtown to work on our Immigration project. This time we've got a great group, because we're all friends, and we all love shopping. After lunch, we're gonna check out the new Winners on Bloor Street. A perfect end to a school week, if you ask me.

Lately, I've reminded myself why I hate shopping at malls. Everything is oh-so-generic and everything that's oh-so-unique has been oh-so-marked up in price. Gotta love retail during the holiday seasons.

So, inspired by a request from a classmate to make her something, I've decided I will do that with the rest of my Christmas gifts. Because frankly, it's fun for me, a thoughtful gift for my friends and a lot easier than walking around a mall silently reminding myself that I'm not shopping for myself.

So I dug around my box of fabrics, the box of which I've tucked away for months since I haven't felt inspired to sew anything in the past few months. I managed to waste a good 3 hours (I really should've been starting my Ethics essay) and made a "test-run" and came out with this:

Okay, so for now, I can make skirts and lil purses. And I can make some pretty decent cupcakes. So now I've got almost everyone covered on my list. The dilemma is now time. I have three more weeks left of school, in which I have to squeeze in a couple more assignments and projects, plus studying time for exams especially now that they will all be in a span of one week.

Before I had so little ideas, and so much time. Now I've just got so many ideas and not enough time. How did that happen?

I am just too much.

Six more weeks till Christmas break! Can you smell it? Can you feel it? I definitely do. Who here is sick of me counting down the weeks till then? *raises hand.

Where's the goddam snow?! I want that luscious white gold gliding under my board come December!

Who here is sick of me ranting about the lack of snow? *raises hand.

Speaking of Christmas, I encourage everyone to create an online wishlist. Trust, it's much easier for everyone. You don't even have to create an entire list in one sitting because not all of it will come to you (unless you've just run up an entire wishlist all year, you greedy bitch). Whenever something pops into your mind just jot it down or race to the nearest computer with internet connection and plug it in. Easy as that. And let's face it, noone really gets you what you want unless you explicitly say so or get it yourself. The beauty of this site is that whenever someone gets you something from your list, it'll be checked off so you don't get the same thing twice. Although that isn't entirely a terrible thing.

And you can conveniently find my wishlist on the list of links on your right or right here. Please note that I don't discriminate on colour and whatnot so don't concern yourself with that. I love all gifts that come my way, especially the ones I lavish on myself. This is basically just a compilation of things I want and plan on getting when the appropriate funds come my way and also so people can stop bugging me with the bi-annual question of what I want for Christmast/birthday.

Happy window-shopping, everyone! And post your wishlist links in the comments or something for mine and everyone's, convenience.

Happy Birthday, Bubs!

Last night was the first time in a long time that I've gone out in a long time. And what better reason to go out than for one of my bestest, Vicki. We went to the Old Spaghetti Factory in Toronto. Hellooooo unlimited bread, soup and salad. Good byyyye flat stomach! Oh well. I'd gladly sacrifice an evening of carbs for my girl anyday. An of course, because I haven't gone out in awhile and it is her birthday I got dressed up, despite being overdressed at a 'rustic' family restaurant. Oh well. It's better to be overdressed than underdressed, right?

^Michelin Man, Birthday Girl, the Queen and Lil Miss Fancy Pants (check out our gift bag!)

^Par-tay!

^Ooh, cake!

^She definitely loves her tickets to Cats

^...and now to open the big one!

^...Heys luggage! Now how many friends do you know who are that thoughtful? ^_^

We were supposed to go to Bier Markt after but somehow plans got shifted and everyone ended up at Vicki's house to get drunk and play with one of her presents, Mario Party. A pleasent ending to a fun evening.

The next morning I woke up to an awesome stomachache. 10lbs of carbs rid later, and I'm still recovering from the "benefits" of overeating.

I'd also like to give a special shoutout to another one of my bestests, Dev. Thanks for being available at 2am to come out and pick me up from Vicki's while everyone got tanked! We need to have more chats at the good ol' coffee house (Tim Horton's) just like in the summer, bro.

I don't think I'm cut out for being a Revolutionist

Keeping in theme with my last entry, I'm gonna start another trend. Actually it's already begun. Suddenly everybody (mainly a few girls in my class) wants to wear thigh-high boots, like the ones I wanted for over two years and finally got a couple months ago.

I don't know whether to feel flattered or annoyed that while I'm trying to not look like everyone, everyone may be trying to look like me. I'm in a class with 90% chicks, so I'm actually more flattered when girls compliment me, rather guys. Okay, before you start saying to yourself, "What a conceited, self-righteous bitch", shut up for a second.

To all those people who scoffed at my idea of thigh-high boots as being cool not trampy, a big kiss-my-ass to them. They're hot, not slutty, especially if you can wear it correctly. And for all those people who said legwarmers would stay in the 80s even though I desperately wanted them in the millenium, a warming "I told you so" to you guys.

Anyhoo, it also brings me to a little, tiny pet peeve I think will soon grow into a rather huge one. I think I first pin-pointed this realization when I went shopping with Sarah at H&M and found this gorgeous tiered "tulle" skirt and definitely reminiscent of Carrie's 'tutu' from the opening of Sex and the City. I really wanted the skirt, not because Carrie wore a similar skirt, but just because I love tulle. What stopped me? The fact that Carrie wore a similar skirt. Alot of people say I remind them of Carrie from Sex and the City, because I wear a lot of ridiculous stuff but "somehow pull off different looks". Yes, I take that as a compliment. Thank you. But I don't want to be her.

Don't get me wrong, I love the show. But to me it was more than the clothes, it was talking about a way of life, alternative to a traditional one. And I couldn't help but wonder (haha, yes a common phrase from the show), how much longer will the facade of "being a Carrie" be a symbol of individualism and soon into just a term people coin as a "trendy person"? I've read alot and I've heard from women all over the world from forums who claim they're "a Carrie" but you really have to wonder if they are. And if everyone's a Carrie, who is the real Carrie Bradshaw? A character on a popular TV show, or a woman who embraces all things odd, yet luxurious? Pretty soon I can foresee adding "a trendy girl" ("trendy" meaning what seems to be different, really isn't) to the list of definitions of "a Carrie". Instead of a generous compliment, it'll be an irony.

So what I'm trying to say is, I'll milk the compliment of being called a Carrie for what it's worth now, but in another 5 years I'll kick your ass if you label me as that anymore.

I'm reviving the mullet, y'all

I've decided my next new hair cut will be courtesy of BoA. I love her, I do. I wish I was young enough to shamelessly admit how I profoundly idolize her.

Anyway, I've been inspired to mimic her 'mullet' hair cut from her latest Japanese music video, Dakishimeru. At first I didn't like her mullet. So I can't really say if it's her hair, or the fact that I really like the song and video that makes me want to get her hair. Hm.

Comments? Anyone wanna talk me out of this? Yeah I know, I don't have the same face shape as BoA but bah. I need to find a decent pic of her with the cut to show the hairstylist(what, I'm gonna show her caps from music video? Those viet girls think I'm weird enough).

Let it snow, let it snow...

For the longest time I've been trying to figure out how I can incorporate my legwarmers with my Uggs. I just love how someone else, even if they're not on the same continent, thinks like me. Even if it's the most oddest, uncommon thought. Me and Sienna Miller are fashion soul mates, yo.

Today it snowed. Yippee! It didn't last for very long, and I don't even think you can count it as the 'first snowfall' but fuck. It was solid evidence of frozen perspiration. Good enough for me. It's a sign that snow will come, and hopefully, soon. Snow = snowboaring. *Swoosh swoosh!

It's amazing how my spirits have lifted and my mood has changed a complete 180 degrees over the past couple of days. There's like, this flutter in my stomach that I haven't felt in an awfully long time. I hope it lingers a lil longer because it's a wonderful feeling.

I went shopping with Sarah today at Yorkdale. Yeah, I went back. And I found a whole bunch of things I want really bad. "After Christmas, after Christmas" I kept repeating to myself. It's a good thing with my lighten spirit I didn't go credit card-crazy (I couldn't, Vicki's bday gift was cha-ching), otherwise my spirit would plummet like an iron balloon at the end of this month when the bill comes and all these unjustified purchases are staring me in the face.

Shit it's late. Lates.

RIP to a dear childhood friend...

...Mr. Pillsbury Doughboy

The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71. Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours. Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded.

Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he was a crusty old man and was considered a roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart. The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

Xmas is coming and there's no sign of the Grinch

Man, I can't believe there's only 5 more weeks left in the school semester... WOO HOO! Fuck, time flies by fast. I still think I'm in the beginning of the semester and still getting my bearings after the summer break!

As I've mentioned before, I'm not a fan of snow and the holidays, but I am looking forward to this year's snow and holidays! Hit the slopes, get out of town, dinners, parties, shopping, presents, CRAZY! I know alot of people can't wait to get together during the break (as do I) and I'm having a great time filling up my calendar with things to do after the 16th of December. Keep 'em coming, guys!

I finally got some Christmas shopping done over the weekend at Pacific Mall. 3 ppl off my list. Check, check and check. This year's list is gonna be extra long. I think because I'm just putting more effort into it and there's just many people I think who deserve a gift for the wonderfulness they've been in my life this year and remind me how fortunate I am. And just getting into all that Christmas shopping got me excited about the holidays (plus, there wasn't a Christmas rush to bring down my mood).

Anyway, I'm off to meet Jez for lunch before class and finally give her her birthday gift. Yes, her birthday's in August. -_-

Retail Therapy: it doesn't work.

I think I have a problem, and I'm taking the first step by admitting that. Lately I can't leave a mall without purchasing something. Something that will give me some temporary comfort in filling a void in my life. They say when you're upset you shouldn't rely on things like smoking or drinking because you tend to rely on it everytime you're upset. I think the same can be said for shopping.

This month I intend on finishing my Christmas shopping before December. I can't stand the Christmas rush during the holidays. I hate rushed shopping and even more, I hate the crowds. So I've made a resolution to start now. How many presents have I bought for others so far? 0. How many presents did I buy myself? Um, well where do I begin?

Today I went to Yorkdale, intending to at least start Christmas shopping. I left the mall with Christmas gift ideas, a belt and a pair of earrings. Good job, Lil. I don't feel too bad, though. My shopping buddy, Ishara bought over $200 worth of stuff. So ha.

We traversed the entire mall because she wanted similar thigh high boots like mine (I know, I'm such an inspiration :p) and amongst the hundreds of Mukluks and cowboy boots, we finally found some at Zara ($50 over her intended budget). Her mission accomplished, my feet hurt like a mofo. At least I finally got to explore the newly renovated mall for like, 3 hours! It's nice to have friends who don't mind shopping for hours on end without complaining! Thanks, Ish!

I know all the shopping I've done in the past two weeks will be all in vain. Afterall, after all that retail therapy I'm still back at square one (hopefully, not the mall!) and I still have to face the next day. So they really shouldn't call it 'retail therapy'. It should be called "Retail Tylenol" because although quick-acting and extra strength, needless shopping only gets rid of the pain for a few hours.

Who Loves BoA?

Clearly this person does. A lot.

The Kids are ALRIGHT.

I know I speak enough about how I'm disappointed in the younger generations. They never to cease to disappoint me, honestly. Not to say that I wasn't a prime example of disappointment to the future of our world at some point in my adolesence, but I've grown up and wised up (in a sense).

Everyday when I pick up the newspaper, I can't go a day without reading about some gun violence or murders committed by young'ns. I'm not even gonna begin to criticize parenting and role models in the media these days, for this entry is not about the disparing state of our future, but the promising future I see in a few kids I've met. They give me hope that the future of this planet is not completely doomed.

During the summer, I met kids. I met bad kids. I met noisy kids. I met crazy kids. I met funny kids. And I met good kids. I admit, I do take them for granted. Afterall, I don't interact with them on a daily basis. So after this summer, I realized by actually getting to know some of them, they're not so bad. Sometimes. Haha.

I'd like to showcase a couple guys I met while working at the drop-in. They were volunteers and surprisingly they were 15, the same age as kids who'd normally drop in. So right there it shows integrity that they want to make a difference (and make up their 40-hour volunteer requirement to graduated, lol). It's really not everyday that I meet people (of any age!) who actually have the willpower to get off their asses and go for what they want. I admire these guys because they're starting at such a young age, something I'd never dream of doing when I was 15. What was I doing when I was 15? I believe I was mostly concerned about having parties and chilling.

One of them, Hugo, is trying to break into the hip hop industry. I actually know older guys who are currently doing that, but I admire this guy because he's humble, down to earth and hilarious. Most of the guys I know who are trying to get in "the game" are money-driven and on an ego trip. Hugo's not arrogant or 50 Cent-like, which I think is a relief because I'm so frustrated with the amount of young kids who look up to "fitty". He goes by "T-Rox" and you can check him out here. No, I'm not selling out. Noone's paying me to advertise him. I just think he's pretty good, and he's a friend so here's me helping him out. Ha. (but if I see a sticker plastered to the window of a bus advertising his 'new joint', this is coming down)

The other guy really impresses me. Jeff's starting a hip hop clothing company with a couple of friends and it looks promising. When I first met him, he said he liked shopping. At first, I'm thinking "gay" but I got to know him and he's pretty cool. He seems to love shoes (!) and I don't think he's gay. And he's Chinese. So he deseves a shoutout here. In fact, I think he's in this with this another guy I know, Sydney, because he's on the website. Sydney's a lady's man, from what I gather. The guy's had a lot of girlfriends in his young life, lol. I think Jeff's in the middle, Sydney's far right. What impresses me the most is that these guys aren't starting a business as a 'get-rich-quick' thing, they're actually quite studious from what I've learned about them. That's a lot more than how I was at 15.

So there you have it. I admit it. Not all kids are that bad. They're alright. They aiiiiiight. With the exception of a few, some, most bad apples, I'm not completely put off by adolescents these days. They just need a little work and their parents need to be slapped around a lil. And that's all I'll say on that.

More pics from Halloween

Props to Sarah for the additional pics.

...and the costume that I am sad I missed seeing:

...wow, that is quite a cock.