Firstly, let me just say that this winter break ended with a bang! Sure, it wasn't as though I was constantly partying the past 2 weeks, but I had a blast spending time with friends, although I still have a few things on my list I'd definitely still want to do.

New Years was pretty mellow. So far, my biggest concern about it is getting used to writing down the new year, otherwise, I don't really know, nor do I have a lot of expectations for the next 365 days.

The last three days, I've found myself constantly out and about, from watching movies (Black Swan) and a very late Pho food trip in Burnaby, to Ramen downtown to Korean hoping (2 separate Korean markets and Korean dinner, yeahp my friends and I are cultured), I would say, over all that it was a good ending to a good year.

Now, of course I've messed up my sleeping patterns from all the sleepless nights watching Korean dramas, that when I went to bed at 9 last night, I woke up at 2 and wasn't able to get back to sleep. So I decided to get up, watch an episode and type up a short blog. *Sigh* Did I mention that school starts today for me? at 8:30 AM nonetheless. I'm not going to lie, but I'm  not ready, for the first time in a long time, I feel very unprepared, and not highly motivated to go back to school. But, I know that I'm going to make it. This isn't going to be like the other times.        

-Elle Are Emm 

People shrinking out of responsibilities. Special circumstances aside, there is NO feasible excuse for ANYONE to be irresponsible. It is both immature and inconsiderate at the same time, especially when one places themselves into that responsibility. I look down on such people. I guess you can say that because of my fair share of encounters with such circumstances, that I have trust issues. I don't trust a SINGLE soul to live up to my expectations, hence I do things myself when I can help it. At least then, I don't have to rely on a second party for anything. Yes, I am both stubborn and commanding, AND I get things done. I think if everyone holds themselves in such regards, that the world would be a better place.

So that I can't be accused of being too bitter, in the spirit of the holidays I shall digress. The past week since I haven't blog has been quite eventful. I shall try to recap the days briefly and as according to my calendar in my phone:

12.23: Ice skating at Robson Square with the co-worker and her brother. I LOVE LOVE LOVE ice skating, even though, admittedly I am terrible at it. Then pub with AA, CB and CB's new man "friend" AJ 

12.24: Christmas Eve, spend the day lounging in the house and watching Star Trek waiting for midnight to roll around. Since I am broke this year, I didn't have the chance to buy the fam any presents, although I got some good ones. Most notably, the very creatively wrapped ipod nano from the Kuya, he hid it in a mixed nuts can, which caused a lot of confusion once I opened it. Plus my dream overpriced pen from the parents

12.27: Was supposed to go ice skating, with CB, JB, AQ, LB but went "ice skating" instead. Ah, the perks of being legal.

12.28:  The much anticipated Year End Party, hosted at my house, it was a good turn out (Approx 40 people), got acquainted with new people and got to see old friends. Even people who I didn't expect to come came. The clean up sucks afterward though, especially since I received no help whatsoever. 

12.29: Pretty much slept the whole day. Still putting off clean up, I loathe vacuuming, it's so obnoxious.

-Elle Are Emm

One thing that you should know about me is that I don't like being put in the middle of things that I don't have anything to do with. Sure, I'll listen to you and give you my own personal opinion. When it boils down to it however, I really could care less about your disposition with respect to the other party involved. Especially if the other said party is also a friend of mine.

Now I am in this extremely awkward spot, for two (or more) completely separate reasons, the group of friends I go around with are splitting right down the middle. Perfect timing you say? Oh, did I forget to mention that I decided to host a year end get together at  my house? Trying to be impartial, I went ahead and informed almost everyone (plus some), now I have a friend complaining to me, and I can't help but get irritated: at her for complaining and for me for being a somewhat of a hypocrite. There are a *few* people I exclusively excluded in my guest list, although it doesn't mean they can't come, I just refuse to send them a personal invite that they will 100% rejected for "better" things anyway. As I see it, I'm just being practical and saving myself the effort and saving them what little face they still have from trying to make a super lame excuse to skip out.

But now, I'm playing scenarios in my head, but really worst comes to, people just aren't going to show up. I don't think a riot will break out in my house. Right?

-Elle Are Emm

I admit that I may just be the biggest stalker you'll ever have the opportunity to meet. However, since deactivating my facebook 3 months ago, my level of stalking activity have obviously been dwindling. It still doesn't stop me from taking interesting pictures of random people off the streets and sending them to my text buddies to share.

That fact just ties into what I'm going to be blogging about. I'm pretty sure I am not the only one who has this experience, in fact, a few friends of mine as well as myself, have decided that seeing someone you are acquainted with is very awkward, especially once you have to get started on the small talk.  But have you ever seen someone you know in a public place, but the acquaintanceship isn't mutual?. Well, to top that off, how about them turning to you to ask you about something, without the knowledge that while you respond, all you're thinking of is every inconsequential details that you know about the them?

YEAHP, pretttttyy darnn awkward if you ask me.

You know what else is awkward? Thinking that you're flirting with a very cute half white- half Japanese genius, with a very gorgeous set of eyes and killer smile, when all it is, is you making tongue-tied, very ungraceful conversation.

How  does one acquire wit?

-Elle Are Emm

Yet another cold, gloomy day. But it's okay, it's actually have been a very pleasant day since somehow I think the weather, plus the impending holiday has been putting everyone around in a very good and generous mood. Which brings me to what I've been meaning to blog about.

Today, I truly understood the concept of the saying "never judge a book by its cover". We're guilty of it subconsciously or consciously, at one point or another in our life. First, let me just set the scene by saying that I was waiting for my ride at a bus loop exchange in Surrey Central, which has been condemned, time and again as a very dangerous place, where one can get mugged, shot and or stabbed at any given hour.  So there was this woman sitting behind me who was talking to a friend, (call me superficial and judgmental but I have to state, for the purpose of this anecdote, that she looked very....unkempt to say the least) I wasn't trying to eavesdrop but since this friend was talking very loud, I was able to hear all the messy, private details of her life which she recounted very casually, almost as if there was nothing to it. Out of nowhere, the lady this friend was talking to turn to the people on the next bench, who looked more able than she did, and handed them 10$ because "they needed it". Of course, these people were very hesitant and was very unsure. The friend then went off to say that she'd "take the money" and that "[she] need it more than they do", that "[her] fiance left her, social service took [her] kid" and that " [she] hasn't eaten in three days". The friend then turn back to the strangers, took back the 10$ bill, hand it over to her friend, then proceeded to give the stranger a solid 20$ bill in lieu of the 10. This got me smiling. Not only that, but soon after the strangers left, a lady handing out fliers approached them to advertise whatever it was she was representing, she was shaking from the cold and this nice lady noticed right away, she then offered to help her out with giving away the fliers so that she could go home as soon as possible. My ride arrived just as that was happening but it really got me thinking how pleasant people have been. I mean just between this and the man who held the sky train door for me this morning so that it wouldn't close before I can safely get in, it really got me pondering the magic the cold weather is bringing.

The only (very small) bummer to my day is loosing my brand new, pink fluffy earmuffs that I highly anticipated for since I ordered it online 2 months ago. Guess you can't have it all.

-Elle Are Emm

It's 4 in the AM, school is about to commence in exactly 5 hours, I haven't studied for my first finals happening next week and I would rather blog or read my online manga.

For the sake of blogging, I shall recount the last 24+ hours, nothing very significant happened of course, but just bear with me on this one okay?
For the past 4 weeks or so, every Tuesday mornings, I have been having massage sessions with a very talented Term 7 European Man. Get your head out of the gutter, I've been getting my injury (circa April '08) treated since I've decided that I've had enough of this very treatable/manageable problem. I know I joke with my friends a lot about how sexy this man is (kudos to accents), but in all honestly, the treatments are anything but pleasurable. It may not look like it but in my head I'm screaming/crying from the amount of pain this intern therapist inflicts on me. Yes, it's that intense. However, the amount of respect I have for him and for this profession that I shall be a part of, just can't get any higher. It's amazing how he is able to facilitate my betterment in such a short period of time.

Anyway, this morning, I pulled a complete asshole move and did not show up for my allotted appointment. You may or may not think that's a problem, but as an intern therapist myself I get extremely frustrated with no-shows as it is COMPLETELY rude. Therefore, I really  should have known better that is why it is about 5x worst that I did what I had done. I felt terrible to say the least. Explaining myself wouldn't really make a difference, but let's just say I was up really late last night watching a movie and uselessly browsing the web. However, I was very fortunate to be able to rebook for an hour later, when I phoned the clinic to inform them of my inexcusable absence.
I eventually made it to school, with the help of Kuya dropping me off at a sky train station (by the way, by far the most random occurrence of the year, Morning Porn Guy happened to be in the same ride)

Side Anecdote: Apparently, this guy was watching porn on his PSP one morning in a Biology Class my friends were in a couple of year back, hence the name.  

Much to my chagrin EM was insight as soon as I walked through the door and throughout the time I stayed in the library to pass the time. He didn't look upset at all when he saw me but I bet he must have been pretty annoyed. In any case, we got on with the treatment, I went to my afternoon class then headed to Metro Town to meet with JB.

As soon as I stepped in to that mall, I realized, with a bit of pride, that I could still get lost in that place and that I still need the aid of the mall directory to find specific stores.  JB and I met up and proceeded to cheat on our respective pets by eying and cooing at very cute, and cuddly canines who are obviously being exploited within those crates behind the glass cages.  Soon after, we went to Sephora so I can claim my free birthday gift, in all honesty I only wanted it because it was free. And me, having issues with transit fares, I made us stay at the mall until 6:30pm in which time, transit fare is cheaper. We utilized that 2.5 hours or so, going in random stores, talking about random things, and trying on random shoes (side note: never trust shoes that indicate their size by "S, M, L, XL" especially when it's from an Asian store), and of course trying out Godiva Chocolates ( I WANT TO WORK THERE!).

Somewhere in  that 2.5 hour, we bumped into two of my classmates, whose name I completely forgot for a good couple of seconds making introduction very awkward and panicky in my head. I guess my school and personal life is just so separated that having them mix is too overwhelming for my brain to process. I've also officially decided that Cucumber is very good looking with his amazing eyes and girly eyelashes. Next time, I shall tag along in their Tuesday movie excursion.

We then made our way back home. We got off our respective stops and walked towards our respective abodes in the frost bite inducing cold. I promptly looked for my dog to have a cuddle with to steal his body heat then fell asleep.

-Elle Are Emm

Note to Self: Wear stockings underneath pants

The not so big 19 has finally arrived! YYEEEYYYY (??). The question mark is there for a number of reason. First, from all that's been happening around me, I was half expecting an epiphany of sorts to happen with regards to all the shenanigans that I could finally get myself into. Second, because nothing like that happen and third, in fact today/yesterday was/is as ordinary as an ordinary day could have been. Apart from spending the whole day in school and having a quiz I most probably did not pass, and seeing a very remarkable test result from a class I was very worried for, nothing too eventful occurred. In fact, with as small amount of bitterness as humanly possible I could muster, I only received around under 10 greetings not including my immediate family of course (only trying to prove a point). Which I find very odd (the feeling of lack of resentfulness that is). Not going to lie, but I went through a phase where birthdays is just the most depressing time of the year for me. Something about people commemorating the day of my birth only with reminders (ie: facebook) really hit me right where it hurts.Although, close to midnight I suddenly received a few more late greetings, and a very amusing phone call from MH all thanks to CB spreading the word virally via Twitter.

In any case, CB, AA, MF took me to Wings for a small, spontaneous dinner and CB got me my first ever legal drink, consisting of a mixture of tequila and strawberry, which I didn't even get I.D'd for. Since they were already with me and the family wasn't going out for dinner, I decided to invite them over for some Filo style spaghetti and cake. CB had to leave for a while for a family dinner since her parent's are celebrating their wedding anniversary but she did come back with  JB  and MC after. Meanwhile MF played chauffeur for mother and I , since we lacked hot dog, cake and I was supposed to play the lottery (apparently lucky on birthdays) but of course, the lotto machine was not functioning so I bought a "black jack" instead and lost. 

The night ended with a lot of laughs, gossip and snow. First birthday I've ever had in which it snowed. Hard. I see it as a blessing from Him; a sign that everything will turn out better this year that it has in the past.

-Elle Are Emm

I really don't understand this whole business of being "legal". It baffles me how many of my friends are changing once they hit the "magic number". I'll let you know how I turn out in a week.

In any case. SUPER  long weekend for me albeit it still very busy. Tomorrow I shall go to my 5th (??) blood donation after my eye exam THEN volunteer in the evening. Work actually called me. And here I was thinking I've been fired. The Sunday's a rest/study day, since Monday I have my practicum. Please let this be a productive one.

-Elle Are Emm

Thursday evening was spent at AA's after my class and after going with CB to find her sword thing for her costume. Afterward, they brought me to their Uni's Halloween party, so THAT's how college/university party looks like *rolls eyes*. It was so obvious that many of the people on the dance floor were high school students who came to crash the party. Seeing as the alcohol was outside and even just the way they dressed very provocatively gave it away. After witnessing that party, I thereby swore that I shall never be caught dead wearing a very typical slutty halloween costume that consists of ears, tails, or wings. Also, I ended up calling sick for my volunteer work on Friday just so I can go to AA's pre-birthday party. I feel slightly bad but that didn't stop me from ditching. Funny how it was supposed to start at 6 but when we got there by 8 it was still pretty dead! The variety of costumes (for those people who actually bothered to dress up) was actually pretty amusing. I went as a Hawaiian girl, CB went as a ninja, Ate LA was dressed as a traditional korean, AA was a Persian.. then you have your very cliche, minimal effort "nerds" etc. The night was spent playing charades, wii just dance (?), dancing, and drinking. Of course CM, JF, DJ, JW  and the cousin left before the clock strikes 12 (which actually demarcates AA's official birthday) to go clubbing. Man that habit of theirs is getting annoying real quick. I swear if I decided to have a birthday party, I don't think they're going to be welcomed. There's no point of them being there, I wouldn't want them to make the oh so very difficult decision of staying for a supposed dear friend's party for ONE NIGHT or going out to hook up with guys they JUST met.

Saturday was my last clinic shift, as expected it was very empty seeing as it's halloween weekend. Good thing there was a walk in patient, who, by the way I manage to book with me for the Tuesday. I'd rejoice for my first EVER subsequent (even if I sort of persuaded her into it) but I soon realize that I was supposed to have TWO paying clients the same night. Oh well. In any case I'm anticipating this coming Monday very much. Not only will that free my weekend but the switch in environment should be fun.

-Elle Are Emm

Since I’m in school and I really shouldn’t be using the school’s computer to leisurely browse the internet I shall do a really short update

Tuesday:

-School in the afternoon
-Helped out Bis Sis to prepare for her exam the next day
-She fed me dinner. Chinese yummah!
-Stayed in school til 7ish PM and realized that I haven’t stayed that late in SO long! And that I sort of missed it

Wed:
-School in the AM
-Write my quiz in the PM then left to catch up to Kuya’s grad
-Rode the Canada Line for the first time (officially anyway)
-Was very touristy and call me a geek but it was super exciting
-Especially with the tour bus like bus in Richmond
-Found my way without getting lost was a divine intervention for sure
-Ogled at Kuya’s Venezuelan classmate *UGHH SUPER WANT HIM!
-Pictures! Pictures! And awkward pictures
-Ate cupcakes
-Met up with Daddy
-Had All You Can Eat
-Home bound
-PROCRASTINATED!
-Slept
-Woke up at 2 am to study for a test I had for this morning

And now here I am.

Later
-Elle Are Emm