It's not just all physical

So, I've been back in Vancouver for a good three weeks and all I can say is - I'm glad to be back. Moving to Vancouver has been the best choice of my life so far, and I'm very humbled to be able to call this beautiful city my home. Even though I'm living in residence now on campus, come summer I will be moving into a townhouse with my sister (also on campus, but much more independent!), at least until she finishes her PhD and goes off to some other corner of the world to continue her research!

Last night was my first real adventure while being back. I headed downtown to the Vogue last night to see Tegan and Sara live for the........FIFTH time! I counted! Since discovering Tegan and Sara way back in Grade 7 (when I was figuring myself out for the first time), I have never missed one of their shows whenever they roll through Vancouver. I would have to say that they are the one and only band that I will see repeatedly, and every single time they are in town I will definitely buy tickets. Their show last night was phenomenal. It's been a few years since they've come out with a new record - since 2009 to be exact...I never would have thought it's been that long, I had to search it...I am so happy to have been there last night. It's their very first show since finishing their new album to be dropped in January 2013, and I consider myself incredibly lucky because they debuted numerous songs that will be on that album! I'll admit that most recently, Tegan and Sara have taken a backseat on my iPod, but after last night, I'm reminded of why I keep coming back again and again, and it's because, without fail, they continue to pump out these amazing songs with such substance and meaning that you can never, ever really forget them. Go check out their newest single, and be prepared for when "Heartthrob" drops in January, because I can guarantee it will be one of the top blowouts of 2013.

Closer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7MNGPmrlW0&feature=player_embedded#!

The Road Goes Ever On and On

I regret not keeping up with stories of my travels, but I think I'm okay with it for now. In the past couple weeks I've had the chance to spend more time with my family than I have in the past year or two - all of us, together, made me realize how important family really is.
I admit that I've been feeling more than a little lost since I've been home from Europe, but as summer comes to a close I think I understand why it's so important to lose your way sometimes. I've come to understand what the important things are in life, and for the first time in a while I can see them clearly without anything else shrouding the way.
I hope to put up a post about my first days in Scotland soon. Though a short visit, my memories from Finavon are very dear to me!

Pause

I know, I know, I'm absolutely awful at keeping up with updates - I've been home in Canada for over a week now and I've still failed to post about the first leg of my time in Scotland and, furthermore, my entire time in Spain.

To keep a long story short and to respect the privacy of both myself and my family, I will very simply and vaguely report that upon mine and my sister's return home, we were given some bad news that has taken an immense emotional toll on us. In all due time, though, those posts will be up, because I care very dearly about recording my experiences in exciting places with new cultures. Until then, please bear with me, and I pray you guys will keep my family in your thoughts.

Keep your family close and your hearts aflame, always.

Central Highlands

So, now comes Part 2 of the Euro 2012 trip report! This post will address the time spent between July 9 and  12.

At the beginning of our trip, we stayed in a small rural area named Finavon. On the morning of July 9, Tiff and I said our goodbyes to the Andrews family (Tony, Alison, and their daughter Jo and her family who also came to visit) and Tony drove us to Perth where we met up with Tiff's friend, Rory. The drive was about an hour and a bit, nothing too exciting to see other than the beautiful Scottish foothills along the way. Rory currently lives in a cabin on his family's land (125 acres), which has hills surrounding it from every angle. Needless to say, it was wonderful to just go out on the deck and have a seat, looking at the lovely view. After Rory, the next somebody that I met was...a cat. Finally. My friends and I are a little obsessed with cats - memes, videos, pictures, etc. So, it was about time that I found a cat. His name is Ginger, and he's honestly  one of the nicest cats I've ever played with! As soon as you'd start petting him, he'd roll onto his side and insist that you give him a belly-rub, and as you did so, he'd curl his paws around you to keep your hands there. Ha!

After getting settled in at Rory's (we had our own rooms, sweet!). we hopped in the truck and made our way to Crieff, a small-looking town that looked very typical European to me. We first went to a tourist information centre to check out what would be good to do around Perthshire. We picked up some brochures and set off to get some lunch, which ended up just being prepared sandwiches from a supermarket nearby. We ate lunch at MacRosty Park - very green and full of life - and then set off to our first destination - Auchingarrich. This place was like a zoo (I guess it was called a wildlife park?), and it was especially satisfying because I finally got to see some highland cows. Rory says that Highlanders aren't worth very much since there's not really a demand for them, so farmers will actually only have them "just because". 

Dinner was quite delicious - haggis, neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes ha!), fish lasagna, and regular lasagna! Veggies and hummus for starters. Meals at Rory's were quite different than the ones we had in Finavon - more low-key and laid back, but I loved it all the same. One thing I learned about being in Europe (again) is that people generally stay up later...that means dinners are later and oftentimes there's time spent after dinner lounging around and talking - not something I'm especially used to at home! Definitely a nice change of pace. 

The next day, Rory's mum and his younger brother and sister - Laurie and Rowan - came to pick us up and we went on a loooooooooooong trip around the central Highlands with them! It was absolutely amazing. We were headed to Glenlyon, which was about 2ish (maybe less, it felt like a long time because I was so tired haha) hours away, and on the way we stopped at Fortingall, at a church where there's a 5000 year old yew tree living beside it. The thing I love about this place is that so much history has occurred here. I mean, a 5000 year old tree?! Imagine all the things it's seen. Phew. After taking all of that in, we got back on the road. Rory's mum showed us everything alongside the road - all the wonderful views of rivers and glens, going over bridges and seeing everything that I would not otherwise see if I were just touring around on my own in Scotland. And Rory's mum is just so knowledgable about the land. We got to drive all the way up Ben Lawers, which is the tallest hill in the Perthshire area, and also got to see Loch Tay, which is a fairly large loch in and of itself. Interestingly enough, Rory's mum informed us that all the lochs and waterways (I think) are all connected to each other with pipes so that if one area needed more water (for an event or something), then it could be pumped from other lochs for that purpose. Weird! Something else that we got to see was "The Crannog," which is an ancient structure that Scottish people in this area used to live in. They're sort of raised structures on the water that had drawbridges attaching them to the mainland, which could be raised in case of attack. Super interesting. Also while driving, she pointed out to us what area the Romans used as a road, and it was amazing because the rocks they used as markers along both sides of their "road" are still there! Along another part, there's a wide and deep crater that was left by a bomb that a German plane had dropped during the war. We got back to Rory's around 6 o'clock, very tuckered out and ready for dinner. On the way back, we stopped at Kenmore to get some firewood, and along the road there was a shop run by a man who turns antlers into decorative things - bought myself a nice British Lion. Dinner was chicken skewers with corn on the cob and tatties 'n butter and basil :) Super modest and delicious! While chowing down on dinner, the fire was up and going and we turned on Rory's hard drive and watched....Trailer Park Boys, which I've never actually really watched before, and it's really funny! 

Dinner!

Loch Tay

Everything that I got to experience with Rory and his family - the tour around the central Highlands and the smaller areas of Scotland - were so nice and I'm really glad I got to meet everyone that I did, even if I didn't talk all that much because I felt it was my sister's time to catch up with them. But stuff like that - little details about the real Scotland that a tourist might not know just by doing bus tours - is what makes me truly appreciative for my experience in Scotland. I really do love getting off the well-beaten path and just exploring the rough parts. 

Next will be the very beginning of my trip - in Finavon with the Andrews family on their beautiful property - which I will post soon! I am currently in Barcelona right now, so this is very odd for me to be posting from the past...but it's the best I can do! Hope this update is alright!

Day 6 - Last Stop - Edinburgh

For the sake of my fatigued mind (and body), I decided I won't post chronologically. There is absolutely no way I will be able to write a giant post right now about everything that has happened from the day I landed in Scotland until now, my last day here! So, right now I will post about just today.

This morning, we left Tiff's friend Rory's place - where we stayed up in the Highlands - around 10:30ish in the morning to catch a train to Edinburgh in Perth. We managed to catch a train just in time, as it was scheduled to leave in a minute. Once we realized we only had a minute, Rory, Tiff, and I booked it across the station and jumped on the train at terminal 5.
The ride to Edinburgh was very nice - very scenic with the views of the Scottish foothills and, later in the journey, a wonderful view of the coast. We arrived in Edinburgh at about  12:30. We weren't due to meet up with others for lunch until 1:30, so we found our way to Hotel Ritz, our lodging for the night. We dropped our luggage off and meandered down Princes Street (which separates Old and New Town), until we got to a nice place named Henderson's for lunch. Here, I shared the Potato Croquette (w/ chutney!) and the Haggis - which were delicious! I suppose I should mention that this bistro is 100% vegetarian - how they make vegetarian haggis, I don't know, but it was pretty awesome (though I did have the real haggis earlier on at Rory's - more on that later!).
After lunching, we separated from the others and headed off for the famous and majestic Edinburgh Castle, which is now being used as headquarters for the Royal Scottish Regiment. Not surprisingly, it was an arm and a leg to get in, but once we did, it was amazing. To know that I was standing on the same ground that so many royals and notable figures from history have stood before is just beyond me. The castle is absolutely huge, too! We wandered around for about 2 hours before I realized that my feet were killing me! Despite the pain, it was a wonderful experience to look around the castle and see so many different exhibits, such as the Crown Jewels/Royal Honours, the evolution through war times, and the history of the kings and queens that ruled Scotland. I must also add that the view from the top towers of the castle were phenomenal. From there, I could see so many amazing structures in Edinburgh, and in the distance, the ocean.

St. Mary's Cathedral (I believe..?) inside Edinburgh Castle

Right now, I'm just settling into our room at Hotel Ritz and am enjoying being connected to the internet again. I think I'm going to snooze for a bit, so tomorrow (hopefully) I'll post about the few days I spent in the Highlands at Rory's!

Europe 2012 has begun!

It's so nice to be on land again after that nightmarish trek from western Canada to the UK! My experiences here in the United Kingdom have been absolutely amazing so far and were just the right way to start off the trip! I've just connected to the wifi network today - I am currently staying at Milton House of Finavon with my sister's friend David's family - and have been too caught up to really hammer out a post that encompasses everything that has happened so far. I would hate to try to write an adequate post on my mobile, so I'll leave such a task to the morning/afternoon/evening tomorrow, though I HAVE been writing my thoughts down on paper so I won't forget all that I want to mention.
Until tomorrow, dear reader(s)!

Flights are Delightful

My Europe 2012 trip has begun!
Right now, my sister and I are sitting in a restaurant in Heathrow Airport called Giraffe - everything has giraffes on it, it's adorable and a slight overkill. Our flight was about 9 hours - direct from YVR to LHR - and I'm super happy to be off the plane and kind of relaxing for a bit. Our next flight is in about 3.5 hours, and internet is unfortunately not free, so this'll be a short post, which is just as well since there isn't a whole lot to write about anyways! I am tired, in need of a shower, and my back hurts from carrying all my stuff - and I can't wait to Edinburgh. My sister tells me that her friend David's family will be picking us up from the airport and taking us to their place, which is in a smaller town called Finavon. More on this when I get there! My access to the internet will be spotty, but I will update this when I can!

Be well!

Pride, oh, Pride

Stephen Colbert is legendary.

I shared Oreo's new photo supporting LGBTQ love and rights on my Facebook and had a good laugh at many of the comments that were posted by others - the open-minded for their hilarity, and the not-so-open-minded for their lack of logic. Though many claim to now be boycotting the cookie company for announcing their support for gay rights, they don't realize that, to make this meaningful at all, they would have to boycott numerous other companies for the same reason and furthermore cease to give business to others that have anything to do with everything the Holy Scripture forbids in addition. On one hand, I weep for humanity, but on the other, I have a little hope that we will prevail.

Adventures on Foot

I meant to write a post sooner, but, as always, time passed far too quickly.
From Sunday until the early afternoon today, I was back in the city that I love so much and have missed dearly! When I checked the forecast before I left Abbotsford, the weatherman called for rain (not unusual), so naturally I packed pants and a jacket or two. What I foolishly forgot is that the weather here can turn on a dime, and sure enough, when I got into town, the sun was shining brightly and I found myself dressed far too warmly. But enough about "misfortunes" with my wardrobe, and onto the adventures I squished into a mere 3.5 days!

By the way, every time I visit Van, I stay at my sister's place, which is empty for the time-being as she is in Calgary for work (: I got into Vancouver around 1:30pm on Sunday, and didn't have much to do until 5:00 when I was to go out for dinner with my aunt and cousin. In definite Tori fashion, I unpacked my few belongings and set up the futon (I never sleep in the bed for some reason). I took a grand snooze until I woke up to my cousin, Jill, calling me, saying they were outside to pick me up for dinner. We always go for Greek food - my aunt LOVES Greek - so for dinner we went to Candia Taverna on 10th and Sasamat. I like this restaurant because it's small and family-owned, so the people are always very nice and make eating there a relaxing experience. So, if you're around the Point Grey area and want a nice, quiet dinner, give this place a go! After dinner, I went to my cousin's place in Burnaby and waited for her to change into her soccer gear because she had a game that night, which I and another cousin (Justin) watched. The soccer game ran from 9:30 'til around 10:45, and I got home at about 11:00. And so ended the first day.

Monday morning, I woke up around 11 (I never wake up early, it's a bit of a bad habit) and ate my Greek leftovers for breakfast (actually lunch). at about 1:30, I left the house and walked down to 4th and Macdonald to meet my bestie, Kirk, to bus to Stanley Park because we were going to the aquarium! I haven't been to the aquarium in quite a while, so this was an exciting venture. We got to the park around 2:15 and walked around a bit while waiting for our friend Julia to get there. We finally got into the aquarium around 3:00 and proceeded to ooh and awe at every single exhibit in the place - jellyfish, octopi, stingrays, sea turtles, sharks, frogs...EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, we seemed to show up to every scheduled show late, so there were always crowds of people surrounding the beluga and dolphin tanks, and being as short as I am, it was difficult to see anything. But the glimpses I saw were wonderful! Also, the aquarium has acquired a new exhibit featuring South African Penguins. The exhibit consists of five penguins, all of which were bred in captivity at another aquarium. They were adorable! We got out of the aquarium at 6ish, exhausted and hungry, so we headed back to Granville for some dinner. We ended up at The Famous Warehouse, which I am quite fond of. Everything on the menu is $4.95, and the food is quite good, too! Since it was Monday, it was all-you-can-eat-pasta night for $6.95, and Kirk and I jumped at the opportunity - me, mostly because I had a small budget to work with for food, so why not?! Both of us went three bowls deep of Mac 'n Cheese, which had just enough spice to give it a kick - delicious! By the time I got home at 9:30ish, I was thoroughly exhausted from walking the whole day and eating a GIANT meal, and fell asleep the earliest I've gotten to sleep in a while - 10:30!

Tuesday wasn't all that interesting in terms of adventuring, but it was a swell time nonetheless. I met up with my friend Elias, who just got back to Vancouver after being in Korea for two months. We headed down to 4th because I needed to buy a GOOD pair of rainboots from a little shop called Gumdrops, but they were closed! I would link their website, but it's down at the moment :/ So, after that fail of a venture, we hopped on the bus and headed for downtown, because, why not? We ended up wandering around Robson, which is a lively place for shoppers, and no wonder - there were TONS of sales going on. It was hard to not go on a shopping spree, but I keep reminding myself that I'll be leaving for Europe in ONE week, and that I need to save that cash! I did end up buying a nice rucksack backpack from Zara for 60% off, though, but I feel like it was totally worth it. After wandering around for a good two or three hours, Elias wanted to stop somewhere for a drink, so we ended up in this restaurant (A Greek one, of all places), and ordered two Granville Island Honey Lagers (one of my personal favourites) and chilled for a while. Eventually, we made our way back to his new place before I went up to UBC to visit with another friend (Tanya) for coffee before I finally headed home around 11:00.

Today, I woke up at 9:00am to finish packing up my clothes and other belongings and to generally tidy the place up before parting ways with it. I left at about 9:45 so that I could make the bus down on 4th at 10:00 to downtown, where I was meeting up with my friend Dominique (who transitted it all the way from Richmond to see me!). We met at Cafe Crepe, where I ordered an Apple Sauce and Cinnamon Crepe with a large coffee for $7.78. The crepe was good, but I'm not sure it was worth that much. I guess it's all in the experience, as I've always wanted to try that place downtown anyway. After much talking and catching up, I left to catch the Skytrain down to train station to finally catch my Greyhound home. Because it was such a beautiful day, I ended up laying on the grass across from the station in the sun to read for a bit before going in. 


Well, that's the story of my past couple days! I really enjoyed my time back in the city and am super happy that I had the chance to get together with friends and catch up! Now, I'm back home, and work the next few days before jetting off for two weeks! More on that when the time comes (:

Work, Workouts, Literature, and Listening.

Since I've been home, it's probably been real "summer" weather for about 5 or 6 days in total. This lack of sunshine isn't the most ideal, but I suppose there isn't much we can do about it, so, let the rain fall. I've been back in Abbotsford just shy of 2 months now, though it sure doesn't feel like it. I've been keeping busy working many nights at the restaurant, picking up every shift I have a chance to take. At times it feels like I'm working myself into the ground, but I figure that since it's summer, I can totally do that. I genuinely enjoy working - I think my co-workers are hilarious and that we mesh together pretty well, which makes coming into work all the more enjoyable. Also, the fact that I get to make money and be with friends is pretty cool! Outside of work, Mondays and Tuesdays are pretty much my only nights off, and I've become more reluctant to give them up for work so that I can get into the pool at least twice a week. Missing so many practices for work has made it difficult to adjust back into the water, but as it's something that comes naturally to me, a workout or two is all it took to get used to the strokes and recoveries. Look at me, throwing out swim lingo like it's nothing!

Other than work and swimming, I can honestly say that I've been doing a lot of sleeping. I guess between running around a restaurant for hours and working out, there isn't a lot of time to not be exhausted. Although, part of that may be due to the fact that I have one of the weirdest sleep schedules, which I'm trying to rectify! When I am awake and fully (or partially) functioning, I have been immersing myself in literature. Besides swimming and the obvious choice of music, books are my favourite escape. Storytelling is just fascinating to me, and being on the receiving end of storytelling, whether spoken or written down, is an honour in my mind. During the academic year, I didn't really have time to read anything for leisure or enjoyment - if I did have the time, I was scared that reading a book for fun would push out all the things I needed to know for finals! That being said, I made sure to make the summer a time for getting through many, many books! I have read, in chronological order, Animal Farm and 1984 (George Orwell), Persepolis 2 (Marjanne Satrapi), The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald), Night, Dawn, and Day (Elie Wiesel), and am currently finishing up The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky). Excluding The Great Gatsby, Persepolis 2, and Elie Wiesel's collection, I have read all of these at least once before. All of these works are incredible pieces of literature, and if you haven't read them, I strongly recommend them! I am especially glad to have finished The Great Gatsby and the Perks of Being a Wallflower because their movie adaptations are due to be released later this year! I would love to do a short review of each book, but I'm afraid I lack both the time and energy to do so, so just take my word on them!

I also have found some music that I think deserves a listen to. I have a wide musical taste (in my eyes), so I'm never sure how to describe the kind of music that I'm drawn to. I think, however, that it's safe to say that if it's acoustic, indie, or easy-listening, then I will definitely like it. Although, I'm most definitely a fan of country, electro, and some top 40. One of the bands I found, via that wonderful corner of YouTube with amazing music, is Paper Aeroplanes, a male-female duo from Wales with beautiful vocals and an amazing sound. Another is a song collaboration between Morgan Page and Tegan and Sara, one of my favourite bands, called Body Work, which I love to turn up when I'm driving around. LASTLY - and I know many people won't like it, but I LOVE it, and since it's my blog, I'll post it anyway - is Springsteen by Eric Church. Yes, it's country, and yes, it's incredible. Maybe it's because it strikes a more than a few chords with me. Maybe I'm too young to be so nostalgic about being 17, but maybe that's what makes it so real. There's definitely someone out there I'd like to show this song to and say "this is everything I want to say." It doesn't speak of anything other than good memories of good times, and admitting that you do think about them - nothing more. Also, coincidentally, the memories I'm thinking about do involve Bruce Springsteen's music, which makes this song all the better. And I do love the Boss, his music is the best.

Well, this is me, signing off to go finish that book, and probably start another. Be well!

Summer, It's Here.

Well, cool cats, it's been a wild ride thus far during my first year at uni, and I'm more than ready to get my summer on. Since I've returned home two weeks ago, I've not done much except work and swim, which has been quite alright in my books! I've enjoyed being back in the restaurant with old friends who both understand and appreciate my dry and more often than not inappropriate sense of humour. Some of them are themselves departing on their own adventures: Heather to Australia and Jenn to England, to name a couple, which saddens me, but I wish them all the best in their travels! In a different sort of way, I've also enjoyed being back in the pool with my old swim team that I left in 2007, though it's an odd feeling to know that I'm the age of the senior swimmers I used to look up to when I first started out as a youngster. Having said that, despite whatever pains that my injuries conjure up during practices, I finally feel at home again, as if I haven't felt completely content without this part of my life. Work has somewhat cut into my pool time, as practices are at night and most of the shifts I work or pick up are also in the evening, but at this point, I've got to save up for school. Still, I hope to make it out to as many workouts as I can - here's to hoping!

And now, onto the latest update of my so-very-eventful life. Today was an absolutely gorgeous day, one of the first ones in a while here in the Lower Mainland where we see a lot of rain, clouds, and dreariness for the better part of the year. Being my crazy, wild self, I took advantage of the beautiful, 26 degree weather and ventured back to Vancouver with my friend Ken to hang out downtown and catch Kina Grannis live at the Rio! Downtown was bustling with hordes of people who clearly had the same idea that we did, as we walked around the Robson/West Georgia area and saw many taking a seat along the steps and benches, soaking up their fair share of vitamin D. One thing I love about Vancouver is that I've never minded walking anywhere because there's always so much to look at and so many things to do, especially when it's not planned! So, we walked around and around. One thing that was definitely on our bucketlist for the day was to eat at Japadog, which I never had the chance to do while I was at school. If you don't know what Japadog is, it's a food cart that was started by a Japanese couple back in '05 who had immigrated and wanted to share their unique take on the classic hotdog. Let me tell you, it's absolutely delicious and most definitely worth every dollar! If you find yourself in downtown Vancouver and feeling adventurous, I highly suggest tracking down one of the Japadog carts! After chowing down, we headed to Pacific Centre to wander and do some window-shopping (being the struggling students that we are) and before heading to the Rio I made a stop at Thierry, a rather modern, posh (in my books), and therefore expensive chocolaterie patisserie cafe to purchase my first decent Mother's Day gift for tomorrow! Hopefully, my mum will enjoy what I picked out for her. Carrying onwards in a rushed fashion, since it's past 3:00am and I am in dire need of some shut-eye before my dad wakes me up to make mum breakfast, I have these words to say about Kina's show: breathtakingly calming, beautiful, and like gold to my ears. 

Some shots of Kina's performance!

How could you not love her?

The tour bus :)

Travels to and From Home (again)

Well, that's all, folks! As my first year of university is coming to a close, I find myself both looking back upon the past 8 months in my new home and forward into the next 4 months. Today, I write my last exam and in two days, I pack up the car and head home. It's kind of a bittersweet kind of deal - I'd love to stay here in Van and take the time to explore every nook and cranny that this beautiful city has to offer, but at the same time, I think it's time to head back to my roots one last time before I make this place my permanent, new home.

But it's not all so bad. I know I've knocked Abbotsford for being ridiculously boring and close-minded, but it's still my childhood and where most of my nostalgia comes from. What's keeping me coming back this summer are good friends and family, and the chance to soak up some good times with them. It feels weird to be growing up, and sometimes I still can't fully believe that I'm how old I really am. So, in hopes of taking back the carelessness of being young(er) one last time before I launch myself into this big, scary world and real life, I'm going to make the most of this summer.

What I'm mostly excited about are chilled, laid-back times with friends I haven't seen since we all moved out and went our separate ways for university. Times to be had at the beach, road trips, camping trips somewhere in the wilderness, and our old stomping grounds. Of course, I'll make sure to keep in touch with all of the new friends I had the blessed opportunities to meet this year!

In just over 2 months, I'll be back in Vancouver for a day or so before my sister and I head off to YVR airport and board a plane to...LONDON! From London, we fly to Edinburgh and will spend about a week traipsing around the beautiful landscape. Are you familiar with Scottish highlanders? They're basically cows with really long fur (hair?), and the babies are absolutely adorable. Though, having said that, my bestie (Kirk) told me that they aren't very nice...maybe this'll call for a sneak attack. Also in Scotland, we are planning to take a train through the backcountry into the Highlands and spend some time up at my sister's friend Rory's cabin! I'm super excited about these Scottish adventures, I've never been to the UK! My sister also mentioned something about falconry...in which case, bring.it.on. I'm SO down for some badass activities like that!

Additionally, after Scotland comes España, which I'm of course also really excited about. Spain, from what I've heard, has one of the richest and exotic cultures out there, and I can't wait to experience it from the inside! Weeee!

Oh, let the rain fall down and wash this world away

Yesterday, I was in a healthy sort of mood and decided to accompany Riley on a run in the evening, after I had already did a run of my own in the afternoon. For the first time in a good few days, the sky was pouring with rain like I haven't seen for a while. We didn't really have a concrete plan of where to run to, and I think that sometimes those are the best kinds. Well, I actually just think that sometimes it's more fun to not know where you're going, because then you don't know where you'll end up - it's the in-between, instead of the destination, that matters. We ran down NW Marine Drive, which is a beautiful road to begin with. When we reached an intersection, we decided to turn and run down to the Spanish Banks, one of many beautiful beaches here in Vancouver. The run down was strangely serene and gorgeous, even as the rain came down over our heads hard. One part on the way down to the ocean where there's a clearing in the trees and you can see the ocean stretching far. Despite such rainy weather, the ocean looked beautiful covered in fog. Barely able to discern between the mountains and ocean, I was lost in the sight and found it hard to keep looking forward. When we finally reached the beach, we went down the trail and all I could do was stare. Mind you, the rain was still relentlessly coming down, and I was more than okay with that. Sometimes, it just needs to rain to remind people that nothing's the way they want it all the time. And, in that regard, I think rain is hugely misunderstood and needs to be appreciated more. So, that being said: Rain, I appreciate you, even though you make my socks wet and get me sick. (:

The Things I Do at 2:00am...

As my first year at university is winding down, I've realized that for the last month or so, my sleep patterns have been entirely off. I've had two final papers due so far this month, with one more to go, so it's really no surprise that I'm awake at such odd hours. What this time in the night gives me, though, is a chance to just be alone with my thoughts (my roommate is gone for the night, wheeee!).

For some odd reason, I felt like going for a run, which never happens, so I figured I should take advantage of such a fleeting moment. I was a little sketched out, as is natural, because who is outside, let alone goes for runs, at two in the morning? But I stayed in well-lit areas and all seemed to go well - we'll see how I feel in the morning. While on my run, something hit me that I've known forever, but it's on nights like this, in complete solitude, that I'm so aware of it. This place that's called Vancouver, that I now call home, is so breathtakingly gorgeous, even in the nighttime. I love this campus, and every time I go out, there's always some place new that I discover. While taking a breather in Koerner Plaza, I thought it would be an awesome idea to lay down on the ground and stare at the stars for a while, which is a luxury I never had the chance to do very often in Abbotsford. It's nights like this that remind me that there's an entire world out there to explore, that though in the moment I feel incredibly worn out and stretched thin, it will pass and new things will come.

Speaking of exploring the world, I'm so, so, so, so, so very excited to announce that I will be traveling to Europe once again this summer! It'll be a short trip - two weeks - but I'm sure as hell going to make the most of it! I will be traveling with my sister as she attends, what I like to call, a "Conference for Incredibly Smart People" in Barcelona, Spain. What she's actually doing is attending and presenting research at a neuroscience conference (she is so smart, seriously) and she invited me to tag along for the ride! She told me about the trip back in December, but I was hesitant to commit to going because of the fact that I need to think about being able to afford my next 3 years, if not more, of my undergraduate degree and the cost of living in Vancouver. But, of course, the prospect of rich experiences won out in the end and hopefully this trip won't break the bank too badly! On July 5, I'll be flying out of Vancouver and arriving in London to catch a connecting flight to Edinburgh, Scotland, where we will be staying for a few days with my sister's good friends. From Edinburgh, we fly to Barcelona, where the conference is. We plan to travel around the northern parts of Spain, but haven't quite figured out the logistics of the trip yet. Even so, I'm so excited to be able to see Europe again! I'd love to write more, but I feel as though it would just be a completely unorganized rambling of thoughts...perhaps I should do some reading for class tomorrow...

Thoughts from inside the Horn of Africa

I'd like to take a break from the controversy surrounding Kony 2012 and share a little bit about my time in Ethiopia. It's been almost a year since I boarded the plane that would take me to another world, but I can recall every vivid detail. I've written and spoken about Ethiopia so many times, about our group's experiences in the different communities and some of our reactions. What I haven't done (and I'm very excited about this) is post my journal entries from the days I was actually in Africa that express, in real time, my thoughts about the things I saw. Ladies and gentlemen, for the very first time in the public eye, my reactions to Africa!

**Notes: I have changed nothing in the transfer of my journal entries to this post; what you read is exactly what I have written in my notebook! Also, anything in square brackets is additional information that will help put my writing into context (:

March 13 - Day 1

"Flight was late. Tanya needs a tissue. My ears are popping. We have to start Harry Potter over again [we had to restart the movie 3 or 4 times because the plane's entertainment system was being glitchy..]. FML. Where is my passport? The screen is yellow (they had to reboot the system). Armrests fold up so we can sleep! This is our seating arrangement: 

We found the bathrooms + finished HP. 6 hours to go. I think we're close to landing (PS, most uncomfortable sleep of my life). I actually wish I could understand/speak German [we flew Lufthansa airlines]. Maybe one day (PPS...not even close to being prepared for AP exams).

Frankfurt to Ethiopia [layover in Frankfurt]

The food on these flights are surprisingly good. I'm incredibly full. One hour until we land in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Saw the horizon outside the window. Beautiful."

Monday, March 14 [day we arrived in Ethiopia]

"Got to our hotel in Addis (Ras Hotel). Rainbow, Tibebu, and a couple other people met us at the airport and drove us to our hotel. Kdey [my friend Kristen] and I are rooming together. Driving to the hotel already revealed the cultural differences. 10pm + people are walking around the streets. There were slums on the side of the road. Tomorrow we take a tour of the city in the morning + then visit an orphanage. It's hard to think we're here already. I feel anxious and nervous about everything...what we're gonna see and feel as a result. I'm very excited to work with all the people here with us and I'm trying not to think about everything else going on in my life/mind. This is about water now."

Tuesday, March 15

"Mah burfdaaay. We visited two museums and the palace that the emperor lived in. We're now eating lunch at a place called 'Blue Tops'.

"HOLD MY FREAKING HAND!" - Tanya and I almost died crossing the street. People drive crazy! We visited 'Save a Life,' run by Frehiwot, and they help support orphans affected by HIV/AIDS. They also teach prevention of HIV/AIDS and run programs for guardians of the orphans, such as income generation. One thing that stands out to me is that she said that they 'cannot really help these people to live...to exist is more accurate'

The family we visited was rough. Two girls are supported by the SALE [Save a Life Ethiopia] program and live with their aunts. They have been living with their aunts for 7 years, since their mother died. The vibe was harsh. Their home is 200 birr a month [$11-$12 Canadian], and they barely afford to pay. And theirs was not the worst of it. There are slums everywhere; I wonder how they found these kids in this slum chaos. But the kids, they appear happy, given their circumstances. I won't ever forget their faces, nor the tone of their aunt's voice when she was asked about future plans.

'I'm suffering and I will keep suffering.' Her eyes reflected her future - hopeless.

After, we went for dinner @ Yod Abyssinia, a traditional ethiopian dinner. There were dancers + live musiv. The women are stunningly beautiful, I couldn't take my eyes off of them all night. They were so talented and elegant. They sang me happy birthday + gave us a cakeee. Good 2nd day. Still gotta video blog. Tomorrow we jeep it to the South; I tried to get on Facebook today but the connection was too slow that I gave up. Goodnight."

Wednesday, March 16

In the jeep to the South now. It's hard to take everything in around us. Dogs + cats fend for themselves on the streets, much like everyone else. A tarp is basically all people have to shelter from the rain.

...

We just jeeped almost 12 hours to the South. The first 7 hours was fine, the last 3 had half paved roads that did not treat the stomach well [just realized that 7+3 does not equal 12...must have miscalculated somewhere...]. I didn't sleep for any of it because there's too much to see. We passed through many villages and a common sight was kids pouring water from puddled on the side of the road into their containers. Opaque water (orangey brown). Some people didn't have shoes and my heart broke. Mostly kids were happy to see us. Women/girls didn't smile too much, and some boys weren't happy to see us at all. Spitting at the vehicle, etc. However, when we went through the villages. families smiled and waved.

At Swayne's hotel now [it's more like an eco-lodge]. Ate dinner + discussed the trip and HOPE. Lightning storm outside.

In the field tomorrow, in a village that started construction two weeks ago. Will help build well [actually a spring-water system, clearly I was tired...]"

Thursday, March 17

"Woke up + went outside. So peaceful and serene. Mountains in front of us and the lake beyond (Abaya). Huge spider in our room. Windy, but nice. Saw a baboon!

The ride to the HOPE field campground was about two or three hours. I've never seen such an amazing landscape. I don't even know what altitude we're at. After settling into our tents, we went to a village [Bojiga] to see its completed water project. 12 water distribution points. Our welcome was too much for words to describe. Everywhere we went, we had a crowd of locals with us. I will honestly say that seeing these people and their reactions to us and just smiling/interacting with us was amazing. These people are so incredible.

We also visited HOPE's office where the regional director told us about the organization of building a spring line for fresh water. I wish I could remember everything, but so much has happened today. Meeting two families and their homes really reflected how HOPE is trying to convert traditional homes into more healthy environments through education. Tomorrow we will visit the village that just started construction."

Friday, March 18

Went to Fishito village. Greeted w/ immense hospitality. I'm so amazed with how warmly we are greeted when we have done nothing to deserve it. Tanya and I were talking yesterday about how people would think they'd initially feel pity for these people, but being here in this moment makes me realize that I have so much respect for them. They are so hardworking and determined in their work. While we were in Fishito, we helped their spring with carrying rocks for the wall, mixing cement, and bringing cement to the retaining wall. After a while, people started gathering around and Madi and I made friends with a couple girls (one named Dior I think) and they're all in grade 5. Walking down the mountain made me realize that they walk this path every day. It changed my whole outlook on Ethiopia and I'm only here to learn their ways and do whatever I can to help. The girls were so excited to guide us down the mountain, and even took our bags for us! I don't want to forget their smiling faces or the way they acted around us. So much to think about. The coffee we have @ every meal is amazing. 

Back at the campground, the locals all came and Tanya, Kdey, + Madi danced for them. They sang for us and when we had to do for dinner, they all crowded around and spoke with us. That connection is what I will always remember. Baraket [Bereket?] has been telling us the technical parts of each project; the amount of planning and what to consider when they commence a project. Not only do they take into account the source of water, but also the amount of people, the growth rate, the social status of the people (in terms of where to put distribution points) and the benefits of the women, children, and users. Much examining takes place before a project is to be started. 3 projects in the region serve 15 000. 1 town = 27 pts [distribution points]"

Saturday, March 19

"Packed up + driving to another district (G). I will never get used to how intrigued people are by us, especially kids. Everything about this place, with its rough edges and majestic landscape, is so beautiful. The people, the villages, the view from the mountains. Each day takes my breath away. Seeing poverty, especially on the ride down to the South, didn't just tug on my heart strings, it ripped them out and threw them on the ground [as if to say, "and you have the nerve to complain about your life?]. I feel so ashamed/guilty for having what I have at home, but these people are so warm to us in spite of it. This is why I feel such a strong sense of respect. Even when we were just driving on the road, when we pass people carrying heavy loads, I feel as if they resent us for having such a luxury. But once in the villages, they are excited more than anything.

We visited the village that is in the "Thirst for Africa" video, where Tayo and her family live. We walked a kilometre to their water source and got the chance to fill water containers for them. The hole we descended into was unbelievable. A rock sits at the bottom where the women stand on and water surrounds it. The water was a dark gray - water that I would never dream of drinking or using for anything. I carried a 50lb container of water back up the hill. I can't believe how these girls + women are able to do this multiple times a day. I'm glad we were able to make them laugh and it was so amazing that the whole trip up, I had a group of girls following me to make sure I was okay. I've said it before and I'll say it again: these people are amazing. At the Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge now. It's dark out and the rest are sleeping. It's too hot to sleep + there is a huge spider somewhere in our hut. I hear loud music playing in the distance. The moon is full and so bright that I can write this without any other light. I never see this view @ home. Everything is so clear."

Sunday, March 20

"I've seriously lost track of time. So much has happened today, it's insane. We left this morning from the eco lodge at 8:00am and travelled to the Darashe district where water projects are complete and 90% of the people have access to clean water. After clean water, HOPE puts Income Generating programs in place and one of the ways they help is by giving loans. With loans from HOPE, the interest goes topeople (ex. need 1000 birr, people give you 900 + last 100 is your responsibility). We visited many families today that went to HOPE for loans, using that loan to start a business (buy a sewing machine, fruit to sell, pingpong tables, cattle, etc) and kickstarting a new life, learning how to save money, and plan for the future.

One woman told us that she loves us from the bottom of her heart, and many said 'God bless you' and 'Thank you' for encouraging them and stuff like that, as if we personally had anything to do with their life improvement. The significant amount that these people's lives have changed from something as simple as a loan. It forced me to think that these people in the forgotten corners of the world are treated as equals and as human beings and not being discriminated, as it should be. Her words are so heartwarming. With these loans, people are able to make enough money to send their kids to school, support their businesses and families. Many people mentioned that they felt free + confident now that they own a business. Seeing these programs made me realize that life from nothing can grow into everything with some help. Again, kids followed us everywhere and guided us, smiling. I want to bring these kids home with me. When we weren't paying attention, they were grabbing our hands and spoke to us, trying to use their english. I'm glad these kids are in school and will have the chance at a better life. Last family we went to had the wife elected by the community as treasurer; trust + respect [I think I was trying to say that this demonstrates the trust and respect that the community has for this woman, despite the fact the she is a woman]. Reveals the sustainability in having the community be a part of the project, keeps them together and builds strong relationships + respect after water projects or other developments have occurred. 

Women = hold community together = give info = they will spread change"

Monday, March 21

"Rainbow's b-day, went on safari in national park and saw zebras (lots of them). Did discussion questions and went to dinner in town (w/ ducks + cats!) [Okay, admittedly I was really excited whenever stray cats were around, which happened in restaurants in the rural areas]"

Apparently missed some days of writing...

Thursday, March 24

"I can't believe our trip is at a close already. I knew it would pass quickly, but it still shocks me when I think about it. On the plan heading back to Vancouver from Frankfurt. During our layover in Frankfurt, we trained to the city and walked around a bit. It was a bit hard, and made me want to come back and live here. I don't know what the future holds, but I would love to see more of Europe, if not live there [this refers back to when I traveled to Germany the summer before...which I'm sure I will also write about sometime!]. Last night as we departed from Addis, we said our goodbyes to Bereket, Tibebu, and the drivers [Endeshaw and Atis]. At the start of the trip, I never thought I'd remember anyone's name, and now I find myself wishing to go back. When we were shopping in the market yesterday, Endeshaw + Atis helped us communicate and barter with the shopkeepers. I'll miss their friendliness on the bumpy roads of Africa. Madi, Kdey, Curtis, and I decided to get tattoos for this trip. If anything, this trip has changed my life and I want to honour it and all Ethiopian people. Mine will say "life within" in Amharic, in a circle with a dot showing where it starts + where it ends. The story behind this is that Bereket told us that we are the life within ethiopian people, and we have become their ambassadors, their voice for change. On a further note, I feel as though they are the life within myself as well. They will always be on my mind whenever a toilet is flushed or whenever I take a shower [and realize how lucky I am to have clean water at my fingertips]. They have become my heart. I will always speak up for them and tell their stories to everyone that will hear.

I am so incredibly grateful for being able to travel to Ethiopia this year. It was more than I ever could have imagined. It was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. One image that illustrates this for me vividly is seeing the most gorgeous sunset in Addis, and then shifting my sight down to the street, where the slums and beggars lie. Such a contrast will always stay in my heart and mind."

Photos

Slums outside Ras Hotel, Addis Ababa 

Tanya, myself, Kristen, Madi (Swaynes)

Fishito village - three grade 5 girls

The tattoo (:

It always comes down to the money...

One of the biggest criticisms of Invisible Children seems to be about how they allocate their money. To me, and I'm sure many others agree, how an organization decides to spend its money is extremely important. The thousands of dollars that are donated every year to non-profit organizations should be spent wisely, but how many people really know what their donations are used for?

Here is a copy of IC's 2010 Annual Report:

http://c2052482.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/images/135/original/InvisibleChildren-2010FinancialStatement.pdf?1285008974

Page 6 of the report shows a rundown on all of IC's expenditures in its programs, administration, and development. The amount of money being used for travel and transportation alone is an enormous figure, and  the film and production costs are no better. In my opinion, an organization's primary focus should be on actually delivering aid to the ones in need - in the IC's case, this would be providing resources to the people of Uganda. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on films, production, and promotions, I believe that IC should refocus and start to pour more resources into its programs on the ground in Central Africa, whatever those programs may be. That being said, and judging by how quickly the Kony 2012 video has spread,  it is very evident that using the media to raise awareness is highly successful - but is it really worth spending over $750,000? I honestly don't think so. Furthermore, there are criticisms about the fact that IC is spreading the wrong message through its slick-edited videos, and it's very possible that the content of the video plays on human emotion far too much and turns viewers away from the truth. Does IC support military intervention in dealing with the LRA? Yes. This blog http://whitthef.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/kony-2012/ makes shocking arguments and challenges IC's honesty in their Kony campaign. For example, they support armies that engage in rape during war. Do we really want to support something like this, and if not (which I'm hoping is your answer), are there other ways that IC could try to bring Kony down? Unfortunately, I'm not sure there is an answer. The problem with hunting Kony is that his army is comprised of child soldiers, and who really wants to kill children in order to bring Kony to justice? Are their lives worth sacrificing? That being said, I think IC's mission is noble, but it might be focusing on all the wrong areas. This goes back to the neo-imperialism and white man's burden argument. What is our place in Africa, if any? Do they really need Westerners coming in to "save" them from their dire situations? To an extent, I would argue, yes - but they don't need to be "saved"; they know what they need to do, they just need the resources.

To argue my point of aid, not save, I'd like to contrast IC with HOPE International, the organization I worked  and traveled with to Ethiopia last year.

Here is a copy of their 2010 Annual Report:

http://www.hope-international.com/about-us/annual-reports/2010-annual-report/2010-financial-summary.html 

First of all, the report is extremely simple and easy to understand. The sources and uses of their budget is very clearly laid out. The most important thing I would like to point out is how little is used for administrating and education in Canada - 2% and 3% respectively. These are impressive figures that demonstrate HOPE's commitment to their programs in target countries - 83% of their budget is allocated to these causes. Specific to their spring systems project in Ethiopia, much of the money is used to educate the local community about the importance of clean water and how to achieve it. A committee composed of representatives from the community plans out the spring system and once these plans are made, the community builds the spring system itself. The purpose of allowing them to build the system themselves is two-fold: first, having built it themselves, they will know how it functions and when something breaks, they will be able to fix it, and second, constructing the project with their own hands will give them a sense of pride and ownership over it, ensuring that it will be cared for many generations to come. In essence, HOPE simply provides some education and the building resources needed to get the job done - these communities will become self-sustainable and independent. When the spring system is built, it means a number of things: clean water (lowering the risk of disease), opportunities for children to attend school (children, especially girls, spend much of their time walking long distances to bring water back to their homes), and opportunities for the communities to flourish. After ensuring that a community has clean water, HOPE stays in the community and begins a second phase of their program: Income Generation projects, which basically help the locals start businesses and become sustainable. That is the gist of HOPE's current work in Ethiopia, and I believe that they are doing it in ways that IC should consider. What truly matters is how an organization engages with the local residents - dependency as a result of handouts is more harmful to a community than helpful. 

In short, I do agree with the criticisms against Invisible Children, but what are the alternatives or solutions? 

The Question of Africa

In light of the viral video "Kony 2012" uploaded by the Invisible Children group, I would like to voice some of my opinions and thoughts about this movement. Two years ago in a morning leadership class, my peers and I were shown a video that introduced to us for the very first time the conflict between the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the Ugandan state. The leader of the LRA rebels is a man named Joseph Kony, the world's most wanted war criminal. You might ask yourself, what does a man have to do to become so sought after? In a world full of many evils, it's hard to imagine that a prioritized list of the most wanted criminals is possible - how are such decisions made? I can't attest to that process, but I can tell you what Kony has done to get to the top. For about 26 years, this man has used his rebel army to move into vulnerable villages and abduct children - both boys and girls - from their families. The boys are turned into child soldiers, forced to kill on command, while the girls are forced to become sex slaves in the army. Ask yourself this: is this any way for a child to live, if "living" is in fact what these kids are doing?

A friend of mine introduced me to this blog post: http://ilto.wordpress.com/2006/11/02/the-visible-problem-with-invisible-children/, which presents very valid arguments as well. I am not very well-versed in the current affairs of Uganda, but I understand the author's points well enough. I think that although LRA forces have retreated, the question of Kony's capture still remains. While rebel attacks may have ceased on Ugandan territory, other problems have arisen instead - problems that we must understand at the core before we mindlessly throw money at them. I will, however, try to address these issues in a later post.

The Kony 2012 campaign proposed by Invisible Children is simple: purchase action kits (which include posters, flyers, t-shirts, bracelets, and stickers), gather in a public area, and plaster your city with them. Some may argue that this will contribute nothing to the cause, that defacing buildings with these posters is disrespectful. And to these people, I will tell them that I understand their point. After all, who's going to clean up after we post Joseph Kony's picture everywhere? But my counter-argument is that everything needs to be put into perspective. Nobody knew who Kony was before this video went viral. The US government never sent aid to Uganda because it wasn't economically or politically beneficial to the American state. Now, after much support has been witnessed, the US sent 100 advisors to Uganda to aid its army - this is a start. The purpose of spreading Kony's face around cities and streets is to raise awareness - Kony has lived in the shadows for too long, eluding arrest and continuing to strike terror into hearts. We need to let our governments know that we will not stand idle while our fellow members of the human family are suffering deeply. Abducting children from their families and forcing them into harmful situations is most definitely a violation of human rights, but universal human rights mean very little if the most powerful nation in the world - the United States - will not stand behind it. We need the US, and other governments, to join the fight. But the fight cannot stop here - I urge the masses to contact their local representatives and let them know that we want Kony, and hopefully other war criminals in the future, caught and reprimanded. Above all, I want every person who has watched, shared, or commented on the video to take away at least this one thing - we hold the power to change the world if we truly want to. Maybe before you watched the video, you had never thought of anything going on outside North American borders. Many will accuse this generation of "jumping on the bandwagon" of international aid simply because everyone seems to be doing it. And you know what, maybe that's how this thing started out for many of you. But this can become so much bigger than any of us - I hope that the video inspired a change within each and every person who's watched it, or in the very least, opened their eyes to the brutal realities of the world. I hope that, in the wake of this phenomenon, you have been pushed towards a genuine desire to help the ones in such need.

I decided to shed light on my views towards the Joseph Kony issue because of a personal connection I have with Africa myself. Last year, I was blessed with an amazing opportunity to travel to Ethiopia to learn about the water crisis and how the organization I was traveling with (HOPE International) engaged with the communities to create brighter futures. Now, I realize that my time in Ethiopia has little in common with the conflict in Uganda, but the point I'm trying to stress is that, no matter how far away somebody lives, they have just as much of a right as I do to a fulfilling life. The people of Uganda deserve security in their homes and children should not have to be subjected to such terrible treatment. When I went to Ethiopia, it finally dawned on me just how lucky we are to live in North America. It's something we are all told when we grow up, but it will never solidify in your mind until you witness the hardships that others elsewhere in the world must endure. In spite of impoverished (by North American standards) circumstances, the people I met had an appreciation for life. Where I visited, there was no fear of political instability or attack. The children I spent time with were some of the happiest kids I've seen, and their happiness came from being able to attend school and live relatively healthily. The child soldiers of the LRA are denied these opportunities.

I wish I could write more, but I really need to stop staying up until 2:00am. In the coming days, I hope to post more detailed stories about my time in Ethiopia, but this topic just couldn't wait any longer.

If you haven't already seen the video, take some time out of your day and watch. It's a little lengthy, but it's worth looking at.