Here we meet, there she goes

Out in the open rugby field behind the Alumni Hall, I witnessed first hand as first year students greeted their potential peers. Despite the drizzly, and chilly weather, I was bubbling with excitement as I watched two strangers, striking up a conversation and potentially becoming friends. I was standing beside a lecturer briefly sharing my first year experiences with him. It was extraodinary and mind-provoking; that I have been given the opportunity to replay 'first-year experiences' once again, it's like I own a time machine! Only this time, I get to be audience, instead.

I headed straight from campus to quickly pick up my luggage, and off to the terminal to bus my way back home for Eid. Originally hoping to catch the 1pm bus, I missed it but ten minutes, and was forced to wait an hour and a half for the next bus to Toronto. Needless to say, I did enjoy spending a bit of time watching the people around me. A chestnut haired girl in a pink sweater stood in line with her boyfriend. They both wore the expression of sadness, and I remember the two embracing each other until moments before the girl stepped to the door to board the bus. She's probably leaving him for university. I watched the boy pulling out his phone after, probably to text her (I smiled to myself, probably because this has happened to me). Oh...I can relate.

I admit, I am a bit of a creep watching people as a hobby.

With this, I conclude...

beauty is the bond of two strangers created. And beauty is the realization that the very same bond still exists despite physical separation

...I am such a pathetic corn-dog

Green light

My laundry spilled on the floor with my pair of checkered green shorts hiding visibly. I probably kicked the bag out of frustration last night. Two green post-it notes on my wall stuck above my purple-flowered monthly calendar. Written on them are last minute errands for today. There's a steel coffee mug with green rubber wrapped around it sitting beside my favorite photograph of us. My green mug that matches your black mug, I got it just so it'd remind me of you. Staring out busy Bronson Avenue, and the streetlight just turn green.

I'll take that green light as a sign-

The Crappiest Day

Funny how I had a super amazing day less than a week ago, and today, I woke up completely on the wrong side of the bed. It was terrible weather out. The kind of day I should just snuggle in bed and cover my head. But I was stubborn. Seeing how my laundry basket has overflowed, I decided to head out and do my laundry.

So I stuffed my dirty clothes into this huge blue Ikea bag, along with a plastic bottle half-filled with detergent and the box of fabric softeners. The second sign that my day was about to go bad was when my umbrella disappeared. I couldn't find it anywhere, so I decided to walk out in my hoody instead, which was a bad idea.

So I waited at the bus stop for what seemed like forty-five minutes. Calling OC Transpo twice and the automated voice at the other line reassuring me "Route 4, Rideau, next trip in five minutes". Well the robot lady on the phone lied, it wasn't five mins. So I gave up and started walking. Just as I walked 10 metres out the bus shelter and headed towards Bronson and Carling, oh what were the odds that I missed the bus I waited forty-five minutes for.

In the rain, I walked. It wasn't so bad, a few splashes of filthy water caused by passing cars sobered me up a little, I guess. From a nuclear explosion that was about to happen inside of me. So I arrived at the coin wash, stuffed my clothes into the washer and took a dollar out of my pocket. And just as I hit the start button, something went terribly wrong. The stupid monster of a washing machine ate my only dollar. I was ready to kick that stupid machine to the graveyard, when I spotted the camera above and decided to behave like a woman, less like a criminal and quit having such violent thoughts.

So back out I went in the rain to the gas station a block away and asked this cashier if I could break my $5 into a loonie and two toonies. But mean ugly old man told me, "you have to buy something, but here's two toonies and four quarters." I kept persisting and he kept telling me he needs his "one loonie, it's all that's left". I'm a student, and I'm trying to make ends meet with my tight financial budget...can I REALLY spend more money? Seriously, a washing machine just ate my dollar, so do I really want another dollar to disappear and spend on something unnecessary?

So alright, I walked out of the gas station and exploded, and burst into a terrible fit on the phone with Omar. I started to rain cats and dogs, worst than the thunderstorm outside on my way back into the coinwash. All that fuss to do my laundry. So in my flip-flops (oh yes, I misplaced/haven't unpacked my running shoes), I picked up my stuff and took the next 4 Hurdman bus back to my house....

I got home, soaking wet. With a headache, and now I'm sneezy. Maybe I'll do laundry tomorrow. Or I'll just wash my clothes in my bathtub.

I wish to be prettier.
MORE than anything, I wish to be prettier on the inside that you'd be blinded by whoever I am outside.

Shaf's "Splendidly Groovy" Goals for Second Year

1. Dean's Honor List
2. Higher GPA than last year. (90% in Courses)
3. Finish assignments a WEEK in advance
4. 2 hours of reading every night.
5. *READ every assigned course materials before classes
6. Dedicate time for CSAS & make it the coolest and awesomest group on campus
7. Be the coolest and grooviest ever Arts One Peer Helper
8. Be in touch with the family, friends & boyfriend as much as possible
9. Save money in the bank by December (for future loan debt payment purposes)
10. Stay fit, polish up cooking skills, be organized.

Hilfiger & boycott

I watched Oprah debunked the Tommy Hilfiger rumor about his "racist-comment" on youtube. I was slightly amused at how the man took 10 years to stand and clear up his name. Maybe he didn't care. He certainly lost billions of dollars from the chains of emails that circulated, calling out to boycott his products in the name of white supremacy and racial discrimination.

Now, if only we could start something like this to eliminate modern day slavery...

Problem is, that people are not directly affected by 'slave-labour'. An individual's race and ethnicity is more personal and sensitive than the essence of humanity at large. Plus, the issue of slavery is practically veiled. Pervasive and clandestine in nature. Nevertheless, it is still impressive how people willingly boycott when an issue hits the right soft spot.

Short Sweet Surprise!

I have the bestest boyfriend ever. :)
Visiting me days after I left Ottawa, leaving me not enough time to miss him. He just left and despite the busy schedules we both had (he came for work and I had work to deal with), we found time to make his short trip sweet. Next time, I'm taking him to the Aviation Museum, Preston St., Campus, the park behind Parliament Hill & the best dessert cafe in town (Oh So Good).

Loved that we couldn't decide where to go for dinner and ended up in a 1950's diner eating breakfast which served us 3 drinks (coffee, juice & water) each. All these, after a drink of Bubble Tea from Byward Market at sunset to break our fasts.

I feel complete, there's no division left between Ottawa and Mississauga seeing as he has seen what my life here is like. Two worlds have combined together, and things are definitely looking up. I enjoyed discussing flatulence humor with you. Love you!