Congratulations, America, you did the right thing.

There's something exciting about watching a country decide it's future. There's something about participating in it as well. I'm 24 and this is my second election. I'm proud to say I voted Obama and will support him no matter what happens. 

I never before got into politics as much as I did this year. Yes, I voted Obama in 2008 and yes, I voted Obama mainly because I was raised liberal and have liberal family and friends. While I knew it was the right choice, I couldn't tell you my point of view on any of the issues. I don't even think I could even tell you any of the issues. So this year, as the early months passed, I made a point to educate myself.

It all started with rape. It did, it really did. I woke up one morning to find Todd Akin all over my Facebook and Twitter feed. I remember thinking, 'is this a joke? is this guy joking?' But he wasn't. Then I started reading. And the more I read, the more horrified I became. Funny how educating yourself can be horrifying at the same time.

I have vowed something to myself over the past few months. I vowed that I will be politically engaged in the future. Where I live, I will read up on the local issues, I will understand how the community around me flows, I will keep up on national and even international events. I want to take an educated and positive stance on my future.

On that note, I would like to say congratulations to my fellow Americans. It was really a close race. I was quite nervous at time, I must say. Being in Canada, where the election wasn't the the most important thing on the news, it was interesting talking with people about it and getting a completely different view. I feel like I'm more in tune with how I feel about my country now.

We will move forward, not backwards. We recognize that things change and cannot thrive staying the same. 

Why I choose 4 more years.

I choose 4 more years because I want my country to move forward,

not backward.

I choose 4 more years because I want my country to change and grow,

not stay in a 1950's time warp.

I choose 4 more years because I am a woman,

and I deserve to choose what I do with my body.

I choose 4 more years because I, too, want a better future,

not just for me, but for my children.

I choose 4 more years because I don't know we are the best country in the world,

but I know we can be.

I choose 4 more years because I thought for myself, I educated myself on the issues 

and made my own decision.

I choose 4 more years because I know it's the right thing to do.

Projection.

You know when you've been through something traumatic and you start to get over those feelings. Then out of the blue, something brings those emotions right back up and you're suddenly swimming with your feelings again?

That just happened.

I just watched a group of tight friends having to say a rushed good bye to their friend who's moving away for good. They came rushing out of class to give her big hugs and they all burst into tears. I was full unaware of what was happening and why there was a gaggle of half crying teenagers in my lobby.

Then the father said their friend was moving away. For good.

It literally took all my might not to collasp in a heap of tears and throw my arms around these girls I don't know. I felt ever little pang, twinge, tear and guilt that I did when I moved away. I felt every emotion that I pushed away. Every hug I pulled away from. Every good bye I shyed away from.

See, for a person who says a lot of them, I'm horrific with good byes. I can't do it. They make me so uncomfortable with them. I'd rather blow it off and tell you over the phone. It's ridiculous.

The morning my family took me to the airport as I started my journey away from home, I smiled and hugged and said I'd be fine. Everyone handed me envelopes, letter they had written to me. I was told to read them on the plane.

But I didn't. I remember taking them out of my purse and holding them on my lap. They sat there the whole plane ride and I put them back in my purse at the end. It took me a good two weeks to read those. Then I ended up bawling.

I only read those letter once. I know exactly where they are, I just haven't read them more then once. I very much dislike the pain I feel when I think of all the loved ones I left behind. I know I'll make new friends and develop a new 'family' to not replace my family but to substitute while I'm away. It just takes time and during that time, I can't seem to bring myself to move on yet.

Saturday Drink: Coffee Nudge.

It's officially November. It's officially c o l d. Do you know what this means, you guys?

 

It's time to graduate to hot alcoholic beverages.

 

While I'm at work right now and cannot endulge, I was thinking about alcoholic coffee beverages. There are a lot out there! My favorite cocktail website gave me a great recipe for a Coffee Nudge. And, boy, does it sound delicious!

 

Coffee Nudge:

3/4 oz dark creme de cacao

3/4 oz coffee liqueur

1/2 oz brandy

6-8 oz coffee

Whipped Cream

 

Combine all ingredients together. Top with whipped cream.

 

I could totally go for one of these right now. I've never really experimented with hot alcohol drinks before. To me, it was always something my parents drank after dinner. But now, as it's getting colder and I'm getting older, they're starting to appeal more.

 

Imagine sipping one of these by the fire (or for me, the fireplace channel on cable) or in the snow while sledding.

 

Do you have a favorite coffee drink??

Illegal Aliens.

I will give you this, Canada. You seem to be one friendly place.

Not as in, everyday life is overly friendly. I do encounter a few rude people now and again, like anywhere else in the world. It's the overall feel of the country that I've noticed.

Source.

Canada seems to pride itself on accepting others. Not in a 'citizens of the world' aspect, but in a you want to live here, then live here, kind of way. The United States, on the other hand, I believe to be a very selfish country. Below are my top three observations on this: 

1. Canadians seem to be okay with the fact that other people want to live here, and they show it: The subway cars are lined with signs advertising immigration lawyers, immigration hot lines and immigration support. There's a sign I always seem to look at that tells you all the reasons why you belong in Canada.

Would you see advertisements like these in the United States? I don't think so. I don't know why, either. Shouldn't we brag about the fact that so many people want to leave their countries to come be with us? If I had to choose between moving to Canada or the United States and I wasn't already from the United States, I probably would choose Canada. Yeah, taxes are high and it's bloody expensive but damn it could be worth it.

Source.

2. People are okay with diversity: I have never lived somewhere where my friend group consists of so many different races and languages. The best part? All of these people are from other places and recently moved here too. 

I am going to be totally honest right now and say that I was a little shocked at first seeing so many Middle Eastern, Asian, Africa, South American, etc people. There have been times when being white has been the minority. I am not racist or anything but growing up in an environment where "the token black kid" was a normal thing (because there wasn't much diversity even though we were open to it) and winding up in a location where roles are reversed was a bit shocking at first.

I'm used to it now and I really love it. It makes conversations a little more then 2 sided. With all the different opinions, backgrounds, languages and beliefs, it makes for some interesting dialogue.

3. The different languages are so prominent: Through the course of my lifetime, I've heard many people say many times "If you live here, learn English!" Yes, most schools require some time spent studying another language but it's mostly, well almost, never practiced outside of those classes and certainly almost never required anywhere else. Comparatively, Americans know nothing about other languages.

During my (so far) short stay here in Canada, oh the languages I've heard! I've heard more languages on a morning subway ride then I think I heard living in Oregon. So many interesting ones too! And I have never heard or seen or read anything derogatory towards those who speak multiple languages. I love the idea of a French immersion school, too. Mainly because I think kids that learn a second (or third or forth) language are so ahead of their game.

The world I'm used to isn't like this. We want uniformity and everyone to be like us. But we don't see the beauty behind the different.

Summer 2013

I can't lie to you. There's something that I'm planning for that I'm really excited for and I have to share.

 

 

 

 

231 Days. All the music. All the heat. All the people. All the love.

 

 



Happy November!!

I'm back from my hiatus! I'm not sure if I've sorted out everything I set out to, I didn't even write any posts as I had planned to. But I'm back, none the less.

I just couldn't stay away!

But in all seriousness, it was really nice to be able to turn my brain down. I just need to find a good balance between hectic work, blogging and real life. In reality, it'd be to free up some friggin TIME. But I can't do that for another 24 days (When my internship is over)!

I've been working on developing some cool things for here and replenishing existing creative pools. It'll probably be a little while before I get back in full swing, but I don't care. As long as you don't. ;)

I hope you all had a great Halloween! I did, but I'm ready for November and the holiday season!