Post-its make life more fun.

My first test is on monday. 

Sociology of deviance. The concept of the class is quite awesome actually. The learning material is pretty interesting, and we only have to take 3 tests. No mid-term, no final. The 2 best marks out of 3 are taken and BOOM! There's your mark. Personally, all classes should be this way. It would relieve the added stress of those dreadful words: MID-TERM and FINAL!

I woke up this morning and told myself: "At 12, I will begin studying." As i opened my cupboard (only to find that my brother finished the Alpha Bits, and I finished my vanilla shreddies, my only option left was rice crispies) I sprinkled some Quik on top and went back to my room. As I flipped through the channels to find something interesting to watch, I found Practical Magic, which was my favorite movie as a kid. Obviously, I watched it from beginning to end. And now, here I am. Blogging, and not studying, which according to my class is a deviant behavior. 

My study habits are quite good actually. As I review my chapters, I write all the important points on post-its and place them above my bed in a categorized manner. This not only helps me study better, but if ever I want to brush up on the objectivist theories on deviant behavior (i.e. statistical rarity, harm, negative societal reaction, and most importantly, normative violation) I can simply walk over to my bed and read the properly marked post-it. I tried this method last semester for my Pre 1600 British Literature final, wherein I had to memorize 50 definitions, supported by 5 examples per definition. This was the outcome:

Each pink post-it marked the category (i.e genre, people, concepts etc) and each yellow post-it marked the definition with the 5 supporting examples. (p.s its backwards, cuz i took the picture with my PhotoBooth so the computer had to face the wall). In any case, I began my post-it strategy for this class on Thursday and have yet to continue it. This test covers chapters 1-3. I have yet to read the third chapter and am 2 post-its shy of completing the first chapter upon my wall. List of things to do today and tommorow and a little bit for monday:

TODAY:

- finish post-its for chapter 1 and 2

- read chapter three

- catch up on post 1600 british literature readings

- make something yummy for lunch with the serious lack of food in the house. be creative.

TONIGHT:

- decide whether or not to eat dinner at home with mommy or at apartment with bf.

- go to bf's apartment.

- go to brutopia tonight for alex's birthday and get ma drink on.

- decide whether or not to sleep at bf's apartment.

TOMORROW:

- do post-its for chapter three

- go over post-its for chapters 1 through 3 again. memorize!

- begin making valentine's gift for bf

- catch up on sociology of cyberspace readings.

MONDAY:

- potentially skip first two classes to cram for socio test.

- refuse to accept a failing mark :)

I have now set a goal for the next few days, it is important that I keep up with these goals and realize it is now 2 hours past the time i decided to begin studying. I am now officially beginning study/post-it time. Wish me luck!

New template and commitment issues.

It seems I have a problem with commitment, not in the traditional, relationship sense. In the 'everything in my life' sense.

I have been a TERRIBLE blogger and have lacked in the writing department for quite some time now. Every time a sudden rush of bloggery hits me, I am without computer or time, which blows. Also, its been slightly disconcerting that no one really reads my blog. And if people do, I don't really know it because no one comments on my stuff. But that's really besides the point. I want to be more committed to this blog and to other things in my life as well.

School deserves WAY more commitment than it has been given. I need to study more and catch up on the cluster-fuck of readings I have piling up every monday and wednesday. On the bright side though, I have been going to the gym at the end of each scholastic day (i.e every monday and wednesday at 4) and I'm feeling quite proud of myself.

On a way shittier note, I frequented the local bronzage (by local I mean I live in ville st-laurent and I drive to st-dorthee in order to bronze myself for $6, any amount of minutes) and being italian and dark skinned, I thought ten minutes would be safe. Also, I've been to this particular salon many, many times, but have not been in a span of approximately 5 months. I left Saturday morning feeling warm and tan. A slight redness occurred on my chest but this is very typical and I thought nothing of it. As the day progressed, the area became increasingly sensitive and began to hurt. The redness got worse, along with the sensitivity of the area. I finally decided to go to the clinic on Monday during my break and alas, I have a first degree burn on my chest from a bronzage machine! I am completely baffled. Today is day 1 of 7 for doctor prescribed cream application. The cream kinda smells and I am unhappy, yay skin cancer :)

On a final note, I began browsing google for pictures of Ms. Dita Von Teese last evening and I have come to a conclusion. I am absolutely in love with this woman. She is everything a woman should be and more. Not only does she represent a time period wherein I believe I should have been born, she screams glamor with every photo shoot and outfit. She is my idol, she is the most beautiful woman in the world. I aspire to double her fashion sense by this summer :)

A New Year, A New Beginning.

First off, I'd like to wish everyone a very happy new year. I know I'm a few days late but things have been so hectic lately. Photographed above are my friends and I at my chalet up north in what I believe to be the most amazing bed ever manufactured. It is so grand, not only does it fit 7 people, but it should be featured on How It's Made (which is quite the awesome show!) My new years was very low key compared to years' passed. I've gone to reception halls, a cruise, cancun and so on. But I was very happy with celebrating this new year in a pair of sweats and an AA hoodie.  I am refraining from making a list of new years resolutions I am sure I will not uphold. Instead, this year I am making a mental note to set my mind to things and get them done. However monumental or trivial, I don't want to be a quitter. I want to complete whatever it is I start, and I want to be proud of my completion and of myself. In light of this new year I have been doing quite a bit of thinking...

The thoughts I have most frequently are of those I miss. Certain friends I have lost communication with or friends I am no longer close with have been on my mind. It is very sad to lose someone you once had such a strong connection with. A sense of sisterhood is lost and I believe that to be the greatest advantage of being a woman. We are able to connect with others in such a way that we wonder how this person isn't an actual sister. I have reminisced a lot lately on past escapades, outings and sleepovers and although that's all over now, it's comforting to know they will live on forever in my memories. Also, I am missing my 

father terribly. Every occasion or big event evokes many feeling in my mind and in my heart. I wish so badly he could see how well I'm doing for myself and how much I've grown. My chalet up north was actually his home before his passing and I find it difficult to stay there at times because it feels odd without him there, but in a sense, it connects me with him. I miss him everyday and I can only hope that he is with me everyday, smiling down on me and proud.

This post may seem slightly deeper than past posts, but I have been feeling an overflow of emotions throughout this break and I truly miss writing. It is such a release for me, and even though not many people read this, it's oddly comforting to write to anyone. I must say that for the past day, I have been completely enthralled.

My first movie of 2009 was probably the best movie I am going to see all year. Last night I saw Milk with my mother. If you have not seen, or heard of this film, it is an absolute MUST!! Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk, the first gay man to ever be elected a political figure. Having been openly gay, Milk was criticized and lost 4 elections, but in 1978, he finally won and changed the voice of the homosexual community not only in San Francisco, but around the world. After having spent nearly a year in office, Milk was assassinated by Dan White, a fellow supervisor and disgruntled man. Now that I have completed a synopsis of the film, it is important that I write about the acting. Sean Penn is so compelling in this film. I have never seen such convincing and committed acting in my life. This movie had me laughing and crying, with every emotion in between. Every single actor in this film pulled their weight and did a fantastic job. Josh Brolin portrayed Dan White in the most perfect way. Emile Hirsch and James Franco were also fantastic. I know I have not seen any other movies that have oscar buzz surrounding them (i.e The Wrestler), but if Sean Penn does not win an oscar for this role, I will be incredibly disappointed. I left this film feeling as though I should be doing something more with my life. We all fell insignificant because we are only one person in the world, but Harvey Milk is a perfect example that that type of mentality gets you, and everyone around you, no further in life. Harvey Milk was one gay man living in the Castro in San Francisco and he changed the voice of the gay community all over the globe forever. I am so overwhelmed by this film and this amazing man that he has evoked a sense of change in me. If I cannot make a global change, I can make a change in myself. Stigmas and stereotypes can be fought if we change one mind at a time. 

I guess it's pretty obvious that I loved the movie. I just wish that more actors aspired to be like Sean Penn. His career has yet to be awarded with an oscar and I believe this year, it is his turn. I also wish more films were as compelling and emotional as this. It's hard to see the world for what it truly is. It can be a very ugly place, with ugly people, not speaking physically of course. But those who are closed minded about sexual orientation, religion and race need to realize that there are worse situations and worse people to be worried about. We are only creating a world of hatred and enemies with this mind frame, and I truly believe that this is a year for change. A new year, a new start, a clean slate.  I have faith in this generation, and in the rest of the world that we are capable of this scary word called: change.

Throughout this post I have come to a realization, not only is it incredibly long (lol), but my new year's resolution is to change. In what way, I am not sure, and how big or small this change may be is completely up to time to tell. I've rambled on for long enough, but tell me...what would you change about the world or about yourself (not physical of course), and maybe you too will discover something incredible about yourself.

Until next time....

xox.