"I get so distracted by some peoples reactions, that I don't see my own faults for what they are...for what they are. At times so self destructive, with no intent or motive, but behind this emotion, there lays a sensible heart…a sensible heart..."

This week has been quite interesting, and it’s only Wednesday. Yesterday, as sometimes fortune would have it, one of the morning GO trains on my route was cancelled. Of course this means twice as many people on my regular route. Standing on a 45 minute train ride crammed up against a bunch of strangers is not the best start to the day, but it happens. However, when our train trudged on to Bronte and more people tried to file in, a gentleman (and I use that term loosely) was standing at the door with a few lingering others, obviously trying to make his way on. To this end, he started yelling things like ‘move people, come on’ etc. Nothing beats getting yelled at before you even get to work! But what killed me about this guy was when he said ‘come on people, don’t be like cattle and just stand there, MOVE!’ Ironic that he compare us to cattle, but then try to get us to move at his will…well just like cattle you could say, no? While the morning started out more balls than I would have liked, the remainder (post-work of course) ended up being pretty great. I was fortunate enough to see Dallas Green perform a few songs from his album live, which was fantastic! Afterwards I met up with the lovely Dana Williams for dinner and we had some trouble and hilarity making it through the snow.

Today was another crazy series of events. My little Ford Focus, Duncan got stuck at the end of my driveway. Again. Luckily, I was able to dig myself out, and being the dutiful friend I am, picked up Dana to accompany me to the GO station, so we could both make it to work on time…which did not happen. We missed the train, and were stopped mid-way to Toronto ‘waiting for trains to pass’ and were 25 minutes late getting into Toronto, making me an hour late for work…but what can you do, and without these things, what would I have to go on about? : )

I got another e-mail about China this morning; I’m getting really confused with the way they do things over there. I signed and mailed back my contract for the summer, and they’ve sent me another one that (from what I can see) says the same thing as the first. But my accreditation and all that jazz have all been sent in and taken care of, so I’m slowly getting closer to making this thing a reality…even though I’m still having an impossible time trying to believe it.

City and Colour’s new album, Bring Me Your Love came out yesterday and it’s awesome. Give it a listen kids.

"My biggest fear will be the rescue of me, strange how it turns out that way. Could you show me dear, something I've not seen, something infinitely interesting..."

This weekend I met with my Uncle to discuss China and beyond. To say this coming summer will be a change is a drastic understatement. After Beijing, my Uncle is getting married in Greece and I will be going from working the OLYMPICS to GREECE. I just can’t imagine it. As it gets talked about more and small details start to be decided, the reality of the situation, that I’ll actually be doing these things we keep talking about, is escaping me. I’ve only ever been to Vancouver, Florida and New York. Definitely not international traveling by any means.

My Uncle asked me if I’d like to stay with them in Beijing until they fly to Greece for their wedding or since I’ll have the time, go over early without them and travel some of the islands. Crazy. Obviously I want to see and experience as much as possible, but to do so much traveling on my own is scary and somewhat daunting. I wouldn’t consider myself very direction savvy in any country, nevermind one where I don’t speak the first language. I’m definitely being thrust out of my element here.

Part of me is scared, and wondering if I’ll be able to do it without causing myself the world’s largest anxiety attack. But the other part wonders in a way, if this was what I’ve been supposed to do all along. Be put in a situation where I have to face change (I mean, after all, how long have I been complaining that I’m ready for change) and experience things that will no doubt change myself as well. I do wish I had at least one other person taking this ride literally around the world, with me, but maybe it’s for the better that no one is. Maybe I will grow more confident, stop apologizing for myself, be who I am more than I’ve ever been before, and not be so concerned with others opinions. But then again, maybe I’m romanticizing the situation and will come back basically the same, who can say.

Another thing that my Uncle suggested, (time allotting) is to consider traveling to areas the Easy Jet (some excellent form of cheap European travel apparently) to places like Italy, London, etc. Suddenly I’ve been granted a lot of travel options, and I have no idea where to go or what to do. I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland, is this the time to be going? I know a vacation will be welcomed after working intensely for a month of long/hot days during the Olympic games….but where should I go? I welcome any suggestions for locations and/or traveling tips, especially to those who have traveled alone. I’m having a really hard time believing this is my life...wow.

"See the world in green and blue, see China right in front of you, see the canyons broken by cloud, see the tuna fleets clearing the sea out, see the Bedouin fires at night, see the oil fields at first light and see the bird with a leaf in her mouth, after the flood all the colors came out...It was a beautiful day..."


So 2007 has come and gone…and I don’t think I’ll miss it. It wasn’t that it was particularly horrible, for the most part I have only good things to say, but there’s something about the allure of a new year and a blank slate of possibilities that’s so appealing. I don’t make resolutions, no one ever sticks to them but I do have a few things in mind I’d like to accomplish this year. At the top of my list, working hard and proving my worth in Beijing this summer, I want to impress the crap out of people so they want to hire me (and perhaps even get to do some more traveling!)

Work stuff aside though, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to friends lately. I don’t know, I just feel like I met some great people this year, or even in years passed and for whatever reason never took the time to know them all that well, and that’s something I’d like to change. I think I’ve been wasting too much time worrying about negative things, like relationships/dating etc. and not enough time having fun. I rang in the New Year with some fabulous people, some I knew before and some I didn’t and I just had a great time for the first time in a while. I hope that party will serve as a prequel to the excellent company I hope to keep for the coming year.

But one thing I really want to make certain I do this year is to see Conan! After being flouted the first time by the writer’s strike, my resolve has only strengthened to get in that audience and see him live. The problem with this being, I have no idea who (if anyone) will want to come to New York with me. I’m thinking a shorter trip this time, maybe only a few days, but I just have to see him! Whether I make it to New York or not, traveling is inevitable for me this year and I am so excited. I’m slowly (verrry slowly) starting to get information about Beijing and afterwards Greece for my Uncle’s wedding. I never really thought I’d get to see either of these places, and I can’t wait! Also, please note that my Uncle has given me permission for guests in China, so if there’s anyone with a desire to visit, let me know now and start saving your pennies!