sunday confessions

1) I think Ì'm addicted to blogging. Like seriously. Whenever I don't do it for a few days, I start feeling withdrawal. (I figure this is a healthy enough obsession, so I'm not too worried... but still. I will monitor the progress of the infection closely.)

2) Let's face it, this bathroom stall basically makes me want to go to this university.

3) "Zia is so cool!" said no one ever. Do you ever wish you could just change your personality? Even if it was just for a day? If I could, I'd be so much more confident, so much more calm, think so much less, just be so... different. I like me, but sometimes I just can't stand being in my head.

4) I've been tired for over three weeks now... I'm beginning to become accustomed to the dizzy spells and confusion. (...This is not healthy.)

5) Isn't this the coolest restaurant glass ever?

Plus, the walls were all steampunky. (Another reason I love cities, oh my, décor other than brick walls...)

6)Why are there so many universities I have to love? Right now there are three that I desperately want to attend... and I still have one more to visit. There should be a cloning machine... so that I can go to all of them... but somehow I don't think the world needs any more Zia.

7) I pretend to be so confident about it all, but really I'm so scared... I'm not worried about leaving home, but I'm worried about who I'll be when I get there. I'm so used to being 'the girl who writes' but once I'm in English, I won't be the only one anymore. I won't be the best like I'm so accustomed to. What if I'm just not good enough?

8) This is my current favourite song (so, for a day or two...)

CHILLS.

So yay for angsty, late-night word vomit, right? How are all of you doing?

home sweet home (have I used that before?)

So... I'm home! Well, actually I was home yesterday... but the Van Ride Of Death (yes, captials definitely necessary) murdered my brain cells with a hatchet, so I was unable to do anything other than flop into bed. (Actually, that's a lie. I cleaned my room, because the dust bunnies were beginning to come to life and hop around and I was worried that one might leap right into my nose.)

As for the VROD (that sounds appropriately ominous, doesn't it?)... thank goodness I had my cellphone, because it enabled me to complain appropriately to as many friends as I could about how awful of a time it was. Let's just say it involved mass singing, false British accents, and more air-conditioning than seemed strictly necessary. (Fact: in a van full of girls, there's always someone who's too hot or too cold. There is also, much to our male coach's chagrin, someone who has to pee every five minutes... that was generally me...)

Moving on, though, before I stew too much- better to block it out of my memory altogether. On to happier things... such as, the mad skillz of the girls playing. I was seriously impressed. YOU GO, GIRLS! (So probably none of you will ever read my blog, or know who I am if you do... whatever, just pretend this applies to you, because you're awesome.)

And okay. Admiring the local boys was pretty fun too. (For a town that sketchy, they were quite comely. See how I'm practicing my vocabulary still?) One of the schools we visited to watch a game at (that sentence seems ungrammatical, but it's almost bedtime and changing it seems like too much effort) had the most gorgeous uniforms, though... why is it that we get polo shirts, and they get to look like classy flight attendants? (Life is not fair.)

Best part though? The boys had ties.

LOVE.

This is why it's a good thing that I go to a small school. (Aside from the obvious fact that I wouldn't even be on the basketball team otherwise!) Were I to attend a larger institution (doesn't that sound lovely and prison-like?) I would probably be distracted by the comeliness of the opposite sex and not recieve the stellar scholar results that I do (see, such modesty, too!).

However, our coach (who grew up here) warned us to not even make eye contact with any of the boys... and not to stay out too late at night (in our thrilling expeditions to the grocery store to buy fruit!). I think that speaks volumes for the sketch quotient of the town. (I suppose that's why the girls got to have cute uniforms- have to make up somehow.)

Anyway. I'm home. Sitting in my own bed. Life is good.

How was your weekend?

first day of school

I interrupt August's Photo Challenge (yes, because I was so assiduous in following it, too) to say that... today was my first day back at school. (And I want to complain. Muahaha.)

Really, there isn't too much to say about this. It was basically the same as every other year. Same people, same hallway, same classes... except that this year will be my last. Am I disappointed? Sad? No, really I just can't wait to get out of here. Plus, there are without a doubt some advantages to being a senior.

-Getting to 'rule the school'...all forty people in it.
- Spares!...except that I have eight full classes.
-Getting to see my friends again... but everyone I actually wanted to see, I invited over during the summer.
-More freedom... okay, so I don't know where this actually comes in, this is just something I've heard.

...so okay, maybe I'm not too excited about this. Did you enjoy your first days back when you went to school? (Or if you still do, of course!)

mystification and meat (also, the alphabet is confusing)

It is a sad and little-known fact that I am incapable of remembering the order of the alphabet.

Yes, you may laugh now.

I'm not completely hopeless. I can remember up to about D. If it's a good day, I can even sometimes get all the way to H... but after that, I'm lost and have to sing the alphabet under my breath. (This makes finding books in the library excessively difficult. Sometimes I get lost within the shelves, thinking, "But I'm SURE J came after L! Where'd it go?" until a librarian takes pity on me. And yes, they laugh too.)

Why am I mentioning this? No reason in particular. Mainly because I wanted to linkup to Jenny Matlock's Alpha-Thursday...and I had thought of this great N post... before looking at her blog, and realising we were only at M. (Sigh.) And to add insult to injury, I can't even remember what the N post was about, so I can't even post it next week. (Double sigh.)

Anyway, I will now get on with the photos for PDA! (The title of this post was supposed to be narcissim, as in I am too busy to post pictures and show all of you my wonderful life because I am lazy, and yes that's not really what narcissim means but it's my blog and I can be confusing and change the meanings of words if I choose!)

12- Maudlin clouds

This picture is actually the reason I've been procrastinating on this post. It's been super sunny and hot recently... the sky is completely blue... a bit difficult to take some pretty cloud pictures. Finally, I decided to, once again, simply use a picture I'd taken in Spain.

Even in this picture, the focus isn't really on the clouds... but I thought they looked gorgeous and fluffy, the kind of clouds you might like to eat.

13- A mysterious sign

I went to Ribfest the other day... Yes, I'll just stop there and admit the inherent weirdness of that statement. There are 2 questions that have to be asked here: why would I, a militant vegetarian, go to Ribfest? And why would my town have a Ribfest?... because we're Hicksville, guys. EVERYONE shows up at Ribfest. It's literally the event of the year. (As my friend repeatedly told me: meat brings people together. Oh-kay.)

Anyway, the point of that paragraph was (as usual, close to non-existent) that, while browsing the booths, we saw this sign and it made me laugh:

Really, taking a ride in a police car might actually be one of this town's highlights, just saying.

14- Mischievous best friends


 I think this picture basically speaks for itself. Aren't we cool? 

This one's a little more demure..  but equally as gorgeous.

(Yes, these are two different people, not just one who underwent extensive plastic surgery!) Happy Thursday! I hope your week is going well. What do you think of Ribfest? How is the weather near you?

teen girl searching for the right job

I had a job interview today! Now, my experience with them has not been stellar up to this point. Okay, not that I've had many, but if there were a prize for most applications handed out to unfriendly store people, I would win a prize... probably something like a crumpled receipt written in gold pen.

However, in contrast to my former attempts (like the time the interviewer didn't even look at me the entire time, preferring to stare at some all-fascinating point over my shoulder, or the time I offered my resume only to see the store person stuff into a garbage can) this time seemed to go fairly well! No tripping or awkward silences, and only minor babbling. (Really though, babbling is how I operate all the time... so it's only to be expected.)

Plus, I finally got to wear my new pencil skirt! 

(Mirror photos forever!) I can be fairly confident that, if they were hiring solely on appearance, I'd be a shoo-in. At least I wasn't wearing something like this:

The store I saw this in actually had it in all the colours of the rainbow! (Would you rather look like a blue jellyfish or an orange one? Decisions, decisions.) Ah, the joys of living in a small town. Just think: once I get a job, I could afford to buy ALL OF THEM! If only my school uniform was this glamourous.

What kinds of frustrating job or shopping experiences have you had lately? 

award & confessions

Good morning lovely listeners! Today I am happy to report that I recieved an award from the wonderful Niksie over at Read My Mind. Thank you so much! I feel so lucky!

Now, onto the 11 facts/confessions about moi! (Just realised I used several exclamation marks in a row. I apologise for the morning enthusiasm.)

1. I have a phobia of earwigs. Just the thought of them makes me feel sick... and yesterday I discovered one crawling on my chocolate bar.

THIS IS SERIOUS.

I may never eat chocolate bars again.

(I thought about posting a picture, but just the thought of looking at earwigs again made me shudder a little and I decided not to inflict this on you.)

2. I'd like to try wearing coloured contacts. I want to see how many people actually notice... plus I've always wanted to have green eyes.

3. I have been known to eat spoonfuls of peanut butter (like, six) as a snack.

Just look at that. How can you resist it? (I like the crunchy natural kind best. Putting things other than peanuts in it is just WRONG.)

4. Writing is an addiction for me. (By writing, I mean my stories, novel, etc. This blog is for fun/procrastination!) Sometimes I don't even enjoy it... but I have to do it, otherwise my heart starts racing and my brain goes into overflow idea mode. (Is this totally weird? Probably.)

5. I really want to try fencing, except the only classes in my area are on Saturday mornings. (Now, this is not an impediment because I'm too lazy to get up then, but because it's often the only time I can hang out with friends.)

Doesn't this look fun? Yet another reason I can't wait to move out!

6. Reading the newspaper is a special treat in our household. The three of us (moi plus parentals) get all excited whenever we remember to buy it, then spend the day passing it between us and discussing the latest events.

...ok, so we're lame. Don't judge.

7. I have stuffed animals all over my bed and I bring them when I go on trips. (One of them even got a special post about him/her here!)

...What? They might get lonely without me!


8. I check my email way too much, but take a super long time to answer. (I need to work on this.)


9. I NEED A JOB. I have literally applied everywhere but fast-food places in my town, and am the only person in my class without work. 
(I know, I know, I shouldn't be picky... but the thought of being around that much meat makes me want to vomit.) 


10. I'm incapable of going more than a couple of days (sometimes not even that long) without face-to-face conversation with a friend. I need social contact, and Facebook just doesn't cut it.


Plus, you can't do this!

11. I'd like to be able to play guitar better but I don't practice enough. I just never seem to have enough time for everything I want to do. 


Now, for Niksie's questions...

1. What's the lesson you learnt most from your parents?

Ooh, this is hard… maybe to realize that, sometimes you don't enjoy something, but you still have to do it?

2. What's the hardest situation in your life? How did you deal with that?

When I was younger, I skipped a grade (2, in case you're wondering) and it was a huge readjustment; I had to leave all my friends and join all these people I didn't really know (and, to be honest, didn't really like). Where my 'old' class was easy-going and everyone got along, my 'new' class was super cliquey and filled with drama. To be completely honest, I still don't feel super close to any of them- we just don't share the same interests- but I've learnt to make friends with other grades and outside people now.

3. What's your favorite sport? (if you're American, are you into soccer?)

Right now I'm going through a fencing phase! (As mentioned above.) Other than that I love dance and basketball. (And I HATE HOCKEY. So what if it's the 'Canadian sport', it's bloody boring.)

4. If you met Snooki, what would you say to her?

I have no idea… I've never watched Jersey Shore, so I'd probably walk away super awkwardly.

5. What's your favorite reality show?

Vampire Diaries? Hahaha, I don’t actually watch reality TV.

6. What's your guilty pleasure?

CHOCOLATE. (Although after the earwig thing…) Also shopping.

7. Do you believe in ghosts?

YES OH MY GOSH I THINK MY HOUSE IS HAUNTED. (A post for another time, perhaps?)

8. If you were a movie character, who would you be?

Cathy from Northanger Abbey. No contest.

(This might also be a little bit of wishful thinking. Tilney + gorgeous dresses…)

9. What is your favorite moment of the day?

Early in the morning, when I'm the only one awake.

Or, just any time I'm alone in the house.

10. What's your childhood memory that you're most embarrassed of?

I once bit a girl because she was really annoying me. (I don't even remember what she did.) (And this may not seem that embarrassing, but I was in grade 3. I should have known better.)

11. Mountain or beach?

Mountain! Yay for hiking! Here's a picture of when we went to Spain… we walked all day, it was lovely.

Well, enough about me. Now I award this lovely award (can you say that? lots of 'award' in a sentence) to...

• Aly at The girl with blue glasses
• Aeri at Aeridescent
• Flyergirl at Drizzled In Awesomeness
• Lilli at Hopeful Laughter
• Bianca at Bouquet of Bee
• Hima at My Musings

And here are my questions for you:

1. Favourite band?
2. Do you like travelling?
3. What's the item you always have in your purse?
4. What makeup do you use?
5. What's something that makes you happy?
6. Can you climb trees?
7. What can you spend hours doing?
8. What kind of blogs do you like?
9. What celebrity would you like to meet?
10. What's your favourite dessert?
11. What's a random fact about your town?

This is also my contribution to the wonderful linkup over at Alyx's super cool blog! Go check it out if you haven't already, it's quite hilarious. 

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend! (And that you're not about to die of the heat like I might. If you don't hear from me again, assume I've melted.)

upcoming movies i can't wait to see

...yes, there is a long list. (Of course, by the time they come out at the theatre, I'll probably have completely forgotten their existence, and will only remember a year later when everyone else has already seen them. That's what this list is for!) It's in chronological order, just so it's less confusing (...for me).

1. Spiderman- July 3

I'm going to go see this on Tuesday (cheap night) with the wonderful Kori! I'm sure it'll be great... and that we'll be the loudest ones in the theatres and everyone will tell us to shut up or they'll throw things at us. (That's what we were told when we went to go see the Hunger Games... you know it's bad when the other friends you came with are frustrated.)

2. Step Up 4- July 27

DANCE MOVIE. I'm pretty excited! So it probably won't have any plot... whatever, I can simply be jealous over their amazing skills and that'll be satisfying enough.

3. Celeste And Jesse Forever- August 3

I saw the trailer for this on Skunkboy and thought it looked adorable! (Although it probably isn't even coming out in my small-town theatre... as so often happens.) 

4. The Bourne Legacy- August 10

I'm iffy on this one. I loved the original trilogy... so I'm just hoping that I won't be disappointed in this one! (And that Matt Damon will pop up somewhere.)

5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower- September 14

Teen classic? I'm in! It looks quite darling, I think I'll have to read the book before then. (Well, I do have plenty of time.)

6. Looper- September 28

Action with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. How could it not be good?

7. Skyfall- November 9

50th anniversary of the James Bond movies! (As I mentioned in my last post, blame my father.) Hopefully that means this'll be the best one yet.

8. Anna Karenina- November 9

Another one that probably won't come out in my hole of a town... but totally worth a drive or wait. Keira Knightley! In gorgeous ball gowns! (Ok, so I never finished the book. Maybe this'll prompt me.)

9. The Great Gatsby- December 25

I know I'm not the only one waiting for this one- I've seen it on several blogs recently! Again, this one is filled with gowns, glamour and history (couldn't think of another g word)... what's not to love?

What movies are you waiting for? Do you have similar taste to me?

one of the reasons i can't wait to move out

There are a few advantages of living in a small town (...I'll get back to you on what they are) but shopping? Definitely not one of them. The other day, my friend Kori (over at The Musings of an Awkward Panda) and I went to the mall, hoping to discover some exciting finds.

Why we expected this, I have no idea.

We have a security guard at McDonald's and a hurricane simulator (pay two dollars to mess up your hair! Yay!) but we don't even have a photobooth. (We also have security guards around random piles of rocks in the countryside, so go figure.) What kind of mall doesn't have a photobooth? (Probably the same one that keeps a 'Now Open' sign on for six years after its actual opening...)

After that initial disappointment, we decided to simply wander around the stores, a process that took about fifteen minutes since there's only really three. (Unless you count the sketchy restaurant where people find chunks of metal in their food...) However, in the last store, we saw something that made the entire trip worth it.

Isn't this gorgeous? Apparently someone saw an old garbage bag, decided to paint it fluorescent orange, and put a price tag on it! For only eight dollars plus tax, it could be yours forever!

Oh, and the worst part? I went back the other day, and it was gone. Yes, you read that correctly- someone actually bought this monstrosity.

There are no words.