La vie d'une étudiante: Tu me manques bientôt

Dans environ 4 semaines, je vais graduer de cette université où j'ai passé 4 années de la vie. Je me rappelle pendant mon premier année quand j'étais une étudiante inexpérimenté, beaucoup de choses étaient nouveaux. Il est difficile de croire que je serai indépendant. Pourtant, je suis enthousiaste de l'avenir. Cet été, j'irai aux nombreaux lieux dans le monde. C'est un occasion que j'ai voulu depuis longtemps.

Les jours de liberté vont me laisser bientôt. Beaucoup de gens ont me dit avant que les années d'université sont les meillures années de la vie. Mais, j'espère que les années prochaine seront mieux.

Starbucks sur la rue de Bloor

Fill me with Positivity

The start of anyone's day can be affected by so many things. It could be as simple as how rushed you are, if you eat breakfast, if catch your bus on time, the bus driver's friendly nod, and oh yes, the weather. Whenever I take the really early go bus (I go on the 6:50am bus on Wednesdays), I always catch the sunrise while I'm on the highway. The feeling of seeing the sun rising, the morning rush hour traffic representing people hustling and bustling another day, and the music I listen to is the perfect recipe for me to think about things and life. Those alone times I get on the bus are actually quite enjoyable--it's a time for me to just wind-down and have some space to myself (even though I'm surrounded by strangers). I think most of you would agree that it's really important to have this alone time to yourself. Imagine if you never had the chance to just stop and reflect - I think a lot of us would be living life quite blindly and aimlessly.

And you know what just makes my day sometimes? The waitress at Timothy's/Tuchners that just can't seem to contain her positivity and cheerfulness. She honestly could make anyone smile, even if they are having a bad day. We definitely need people like that around more! :)

Stickers on my bedroom window

This was my birthday cake - green tea mousse :)

I think this is what Mind Speak is about

Here's a string of random thoughts on an early Wednesday morning:

One of the things we regret the most are the things we never say.

In our lifetime, we only really connect with a handful of people even though there are billions of people in this world. That's why you should always cherish every single meaningful connection you make.

People's character never change. The only thing that really changes is their lifestyle and maybe their attitude. I usually call these changes "phases".

Is anything definite? What we can't be sure of we can only trust and believe.

We are the main characters in our life. Everyone else is your supporting actors and actresses.

Do feelings follow actions or do actions follow feelings? I think this was discussed before in my psychology class but I forget what the theory was...

I believe in change--for the better. Those who stay stationary fall behind because the world is always changing.

That's all for now. It's time for class!

Below are pictures I took from "Rock the Runway" Charity Fashion Show put together by the students at Woodsworth College. The benefiting charity is War Child Canada.

Transition

I feel like blogging today...because I tend to think more when I am a little sad.

There are certain things I want to do when I'm young - like travelling around the world, sky-diving, going on a hot-air balloon, being in a film premier, going to art shows, and many things of the sort. Then I wonder, what if I never get the chance to do these things? What if I'm only able to do these things when I'm too old to have the same enjoyment? This is definitely nothing new but that thought of not being able to accomplish these things suddenly made me feel really afraid of growing old. I don't ever want to grow old. The older I grow, the less time I have to achieve these things. The realization that I may not do everything I want in life is daunting, although it is a blatantly obvious fact. My religious friends may look beyond what we do in our life time and strive for life in eternity - a practice I fully respect, although I do not comprehend entirely. On the other extreme are those that live in the moment and make the most out of present life - a perspective that I relate to more but not to its full extent. What I seem to strive for is something in between: I want to make the most out of my life right now but I am also interested in finding something beyond that - things that will answer the bigger questions like our purpose (as corny as it sounds).

It's the fourth year syndrome - I seem to be thinking more and more about this stuff as graduation inches closer. The future is full of excitement, challenges and new things. This summer will be the first expedition in this new chapter in my life.

Photoblog update: I meant to have moved this blog to a new host during reading week, but didn't get around to doing that. I am in the process of determining if I should go with wordpress or tumblr! Please stay tuned!

A New Avenue

Writing is a liberating feeling. Although it does take some time to gather my thoughts and put them into words, I really enjoy the process and the being able to share these thoughts is almost therapeutic.

I heard/read somewhere that people nowadays are so eager to expose themselves on the internet via many social media channels such as blogs, twitter, facebook, youtube, flickr, and various others, that they are willing to divulge almost anything about their life on it. Are we now in a age where we can never get enough attention? Do we really need the world to know what we did last Friday with our friends with 100+ photos to prove it? Do we need minute by minute

updates of where you are at? What is it that we are all seeking? I cannot answer you right now as I only have a bit of the answer and still trying to find out the rest. I am in midst of this frenzy, although I consider myself a mild form, I too, likely, have the same desires as all those people out there. This is not meant to conclude on anything but rather, I am throwing things out there for you to think about.

Hence, I have decided to start a new blog - one that is dedicated to something just like this entry - to writing and expressing my random thoughts. Will you, dear reader, return the attention that I am seeking? :) Stay tuned.

Photoblog update: I am very sad that I haven't had time to take pictures. Instead, I have been taking some event photos, and the above is one of them. I absolutely intend to keep Mind Speak alive, but please be patient with me as I try my best to keep up with school work and everything else. Thanks for following me - it really makes me smile. :)

I believe in music therapy

And the strength that a friend can give me. Thanks Nancy. :)

Therapy playlist: Metric.

Nuit Blanche '09

Taken on Nuit Blanche back in early October. I miss taking photos - been going on a hiatus! I can't wait till this semester is over so I can take some pictures again. Oh, and I need to get my camera fixed before I do that. Oh the joys and frustrations of life.

Life is a Maze, Love is a Riddle

These are long overdue! But I hope it was worth the wait. :)

From the St. Lawrence Market and The Distillery District.

More to come

I went on a photo-day recently and took lots of pictures! But no time to edit yet, so I will just post one pic for now as a preview. :) I should be able to post this weekend. I went around St. Lawrence Market and The Distillery District and discovered many awesome spots for picture-taking. :D

The Elgin Theatre

Such a pretty theatre - it reminds of an opera house! The workers there all had these maroon-coloured uniform vests on and they would guide you to your seat with a flashlight. I LOVE the 40s 50s feeling.

It's September

My goal for Mind Speak is to update monthly at the bare minimum. I should not have slacked off so much this summer. I am going to try my best to post more often and hope that I am improving slash exploring new styles along the way. Thanks for your patience. :)

A Dustland Fairytale (The Killers)

Trinity College

Spotlight.

Trapped.

Liberty.

Age.

Rediscovering U of T, part II

I meant to post this a lot sooner, but only got around to editing the pictures today. I also need to go take new pictures. I want to try out some portrait photography. Anyone interested in being my model? :) If you are, let me know!

The chapel was empty and someone was playing on the organs - I felt like I was walking into a foggy dream.

there is something very intriguing and calming about this place...

I can't believe people actually get to live here.

Having some good Mexican food on Baldwin Street

With some delicious virgin margaritas!

Rediscovering U of T part I

I can't believe I never explored these places... Definitely coming back here many more times! The campus actually makes me feel like I'm in a university and not in the middle of nowhere (York!).