Fatal Vision and Bees

Last night, I went to "The Help" with some girl friends of mine, and let me tell you. Great. Movie. It was so emotional and inspiring. To see a writer and how she struggles to do what is right at the same as further her career is something that I would not have imagined. The whole story was quite grounding. The things that the help had to put up with were very interesting. I enjoyed learning about what happened, and I am putting this book on my To - Read list. The one thing that I loved most about this movie was when Aibileen would tell the little girl " You is smart. You is kind. You is important." It made me want to cry because there was nothing wrong with that adorable little girl, and that mother never gave her a chance. Aibileen was the best thing for her.

I think today has been one of the most busiest days, I have had since coming back to school. This morning I took a quiz before that same class before the time that it was due. It was due at 8:30 in the morning. Then going to class, I learned me some knowledge.

 In between a couple of my classes and before lunch today, I helped partake in Fatal Vision. It is a program put on by the Peer Health Educators (which I am now in), and it helps students realize the dangers in drinking. Mostly drinking and driving. To make the experience somewhat real feeling, we made "mocktails" which is basically virgin drinks for anyone to have, then if they so desired, they could drive in a golf cart with a policeman weaving between cones while wearing "drunk goggles". It was a great hit. Meeting so many different people and getting them to walk the line (with the goggles of course) or driving the golf cart was funny. The one thing that made it really interesting though were the bees.

The bees were swarming the grenadine. We needed it for almost every single drink, and no one was volunteering to grab a bottle with five or six wasps on it. And people were asking for those drinks.

Earlier, in one of my classes, we were talking about co-existing with nature or at least trying to deal with certain aspects of nature that we (humans) don't like and decide to kill. Animals or particularly bees usually don't do anything to humans until we aggravate them.

When people kept asking for drinks that needed grenadine, I was the one to pour it. People saw what I was doing and could not believe that I was handling being around 15 or so bees and waving them away like it was no big deal. But it was a huge deal, I was constantly thinking to myself 'animals are more scared of humans, than we are of them. Someone needs to be sensible, might as well be me'. So each time I would grab that bottle, I would pray that what I was taught was right. I prayed that they would not sting me.

There was even a time that a bee fell into this guy's drink, and he told me that if I got it out that he would still drink it. I don't think he thought I would take it out because he got this surprised look on his face. I asked him "Are you sure you don't want another one? Because I can make you one" again, and his reply? "Uh, no thanks. This is good." Everyone seemed in awe of how I was handling the bees surrounding me, and landing on me. In truth, I was freaking out... I didn't show that to them though. In the end, I was satisfied to know that I didn't have to kill any bees, or do anything drastic to deal with them. I conquered something. Well, internally anyway. I coexisted with something I don't like. Victory is  mine!

Then after the rest of my classes, I went to the Root Beer float social gathering with some friends. I had a cherry coke float and it made me happy. It also ruined my dinner since it was 5 pm. But, sometimes you have to ruin your appetite in order to eat with good company. Or at least that is what I tell myself, so that I can break the rules sometimes.

Facebook and Breathalyzers on a Monday Night

What have I been doing since disconnecting Facebook? Going crazy? Some would say so. Even I would probably say so. I seem to go to my computer unintentionally clicking on my browser to get to Facebook. What was really smart of me, was to move where my Facebook button was to a place I usually don't look. Luckily instead of going on Facebook, I am now spending half that time on youtube and the other half doing things with friends. Tonight, I went to dance ensemble practice, to a Peer Health Educator (PHE) meeting, and had the police come to my apartment to give me and my roommates a breathalyzer test.

Hmm, life without Facebook seems to be getting a little interesting. Also just in case anyone wants to know, we all passed the test with flying colors. I do admit that I was afraid that I was going to run out of air but I didn't. Apparently one of the CA's (community advisor) heard one of us talking about not being sober. Anyway, it surely spiced up my night. I just don't understand why anyone would drink on a Monday night. I mean seriously, a Monday? No one should want to get drunk on a weekday unless they are on vacation.

Tonight, I blew my first breathalyzer right after talking about the signs of alcohol poisoning at the PHE meeting. Tomorrow night, I will be going to the movie "The Help", and the night after I will going to a meeting about a Belize spring break trip. This weekend is Homecoming, and my lust for life is starting to trickle back into me.

Newspapers and Aliens

I am back home in Morris, my little itty bitty vacation at my hometown sadly came to an end a little too soon for me, but what can you do? I have classes that I need to go to, and I have to face the music. After my drive and I settled in, I saw my roommate's newspaper called "The University Register".

The UR is a newspaper written by students for students. It has important subjects that are going on in the world, on the campus, as well as the not so important things that are just fun to read. Don't forget to do the crossword puzzle and the sudoku.

However, it's the Horoscope section that I always turn to. Such as this week's reading. "When Neptune is in the final stretch of its orbit, you can be sure to make a self realization. Your life is a conspiracy set up by the government to protect your alien parents."

If you were a Libra, then apparently, your parents are aliens. It's true. But don't worry, that means that you're an alien as well.

Maybe that is why my family is so close! We keep contact with almost all our family members, normally families don't usually do that, do they? I wonder if because I am an alien, that would mean that I have super awesome powers. I wouldn't mind having powers that could help me with stuff like cleaning, or doing my homework.

But, alas, I am not an alien, nor are my parents, or any Libra. This horoscope reading is just one for fun. It is nothing serious; however, I do enjoy reading it. There are ones out there that are completely serious, but this one is not it.
(If you still think you or your parents are aliens, then maybe you should go get yourself checked out. If you still think I am an alien, then I guess I would have to use my alien powers to make you think otherwise.)

What's up Buttercup?

So, what has been happening with the infamous Taylor? Well, actually I am not quite sure, and even if I was sure, I don't know if I could actually write about it. So, what does this even mean? 

This past week or so has been very interesting. Not always a good interesting I admit, but interesting none the less. Being back in college is kind of hard. I feel so restless. Like I should be doing more with my life. If probably could be that last year was so amazing and it was the beginning of something new while this year, I am used to it. However, I would never think of quitting college because I know deep down that this is something that I need to do and is right. When I am there, it feels like home. Even though it is tough, with the homework, exams, and sometimes the roommates. I know that I belong there for the rest of my college career. I love it there. I guess that I am going through some hard times with questioning what I want to do anymore and if trying to become a published writer is even worth the very hard work. Is the English degree that I am spending so much money to get really worth it? And in the end, I say yes. Only because one must experience the world to write about the world. I know I am not the best writer in the world, but I do try really hard and I am always ready to fix my mistakes. But most importantly, it is one of the things I love most to do. Writing has gotten me through a bunch of crap, it's even pulled me out of a depression. I mean, who wouldn't want to spend all day in your amazing imagination? Well, I guess most, but oh well. 

Lately, I have had to write in a nature journal for one of my classes so by the end of the day, I get worn out of writing my thoughts. All of my classes this year seem to be very time consuming. But then, so is talking to my friends on Facebook. Which reminds me, I disconnected Facebook a couple days ago because I have been feeling like I am becoming obsessed with it. I decided that my obsession with Facebook needed to end because I want to live my life, not create it on Facebook.

 And let me tell you, this is torture. I feel as if I am going through with-drawl. But I said that I would disconnect it for a month or two and I am going to do it. Everyone is doubting that I will stay off it for even a week! One of my friends even stated that she doubted that I would do it. So, just to show everyone that I am true to my word and that I could do it, I did it. 

For some odd reason, everyone seems to be doubting me, and I will not have it. So anything that I say I will be doing, I will be trying my hardest to do. 

Lately, my angst seems to be also coming from the fact that I have been having some boy trouble (boy shall forever remain nameless). In the past while, it seems we've been playing this game of 'tug of war' with our hearts and I told him officially that I was tired of our games and that he needed to make his decision now basically. He didn't choose me, and that was when I told him "no more". He said that he doubted that this cycle that we were in would end because I said it would and that I was ending it. There it is again, that doubting! Anyway, I told him that this time was different. And this time, I will make sure that it is different because I want my heart back. 

So, I found this song an hour ago, and I fell in love with the music video. It is perfect! It has dancing, singing that sounds happy but really isn't and some humor. It made me smile through basically the whole music video.

Where Did All My Time Go?

As I am procrastinating with my British Literature reading, I had a thought. I would write a blog about the rest of my trip since it was very exciting and eventful, but then I had another thought. It's kind of old news and who really cares? I mean I know I care. But does anyone else? And it kind of is a daunting task at hand to talk about a whole week of adventures and I am only on day three is it? Holy Crayola! That is more writing than I have time for these days. It seems all I am ever doing is either reading and writing ALOT or doing math. I am not complaining about the first two, because I already love doing that. But math is a totally different subject. Literally. I mean it. Math and I are mutual haters. I hate math and math hates me. So in the end, the relationship isn't just one sided. Then another thought popped into my head about the week of adventures. My brain tends to jump from subject to subject and then back again. Anyways, I thought about how I haven't written about here a.k.a. Morris and me starting college again. Well, I guess there isn't too much to say since I am always studying. Okay that was a lie. I am not ALWAYS studying but most of the time I am.

So, last friday I went to some friends campfire (and had lots of yummy s'mores!) at their house. Three of these girls are English majors and I am an English major. You probably don't understand the relevance to this, but wait, it's coming! We started talking about our British Literature class and our man Geoffrey Chaucer who wrote the Canterbury Tales. Which led to William Shakespear talk. We got to talking about how we all love Shakespear and his plays and which ones were our favorites. Mine happens to be "Twelfth Night" or the other name for it is "As You Like It". It's the play that the movie "She's the Man" is based on which so happens to be my favorite movie! Well, other than Jurassic Park. I think that one will always be a classic to me.

Later that night, I started another conversation with my gal pal BJ and asked her why I haven't seen her since school started. She blames it on too much studying as well. Anyways, we chatted about how we both want to do so much while in college and join so many groups, but that we're always too busy to find more time to be in them. We shared our interests in wanting to study abroad and be a C.A. (Community Advisor- Morris's version of R.A.) but that since I am already a Sophomore that poses a challenge for me. You see, being a C.A. and a senior isn't very fun and it isn't really fair to your residents because you're always so busy and really can't create a small and tight community on the floor you live on. So, be a C.A. my junior year? Ha! Nope, because then I can't study broad. Only because studying abroad when you're a senior is plain crazy. I think I would go crazy. Then that leaves only one option. Study Abroad during spring semester when I make all my money. Hmm... decisions, decisions. What to do? Honestly, I have not one clue. Anyone want to help?

People think that four years in college is too long. I can most certainly say that is incorrect. I am a Sophomore, and I am already running out of time here. There is so much to do, and I can't help but think that I am missing a lot of opportunities.

Note: I will be trying to post the rest of the road trip sometime soon. Thanks for being patient!

Toronto Day 2

The next day, Lissy and I started out bright and early so that we could get to the CN Tower before the crowds got there. Turns out we came at the right time because we only had to wait maybe a half an hour to get to the top.
We ended up taking a ton of amazing pictures and stood on glass! We were wearing skirts so everyone could see up them, or could they? We were so far up that we could barely see the cars!

Aren't views from the CN Tower amazing?

Here is our feet standing on the glass.

From the CN Tower, we explored on foot to the Royal Ontario Museum, or I think that was what it was called, and realized well into our walk that it was a lot longer than we though it was. During the walk, we went through China Town,  and a market along the way. Halfway there, we found a very cool restaurant, I believe called The Red Door. However, the name wasn't written any where other than the menu. The place looked small and homey with the patio open all the way and the indoors and outdoor seemed to flow together. The walls had interesting artwork and bookshelves all over the place and the chairs looked vintage.

 I think this was my favorite restaurant out of the whole trip and I am heartbroken because I have no idea how to get back there. We had just stumbled upon it, and the food was fabulous.

When we finally got to the Museum, we were so hot from the weather that we couldn't wait to get inside. And what did we find? Bollywood and Dinosaurs! Yay! I absolutely love dinosaurs! My favorite movie and book is Jurassic Park so go figure.

And here is our faces from seeing the T-Rex!

By the time we left the museum, it was dinner time. So where did we go? To the Distillery District where the old part of Toronto is.

The cobble stones made me stumble quite a bit and the artwork inside was quite modern, but the old time charm was still there.

It was probably because cars can't drive through the streets or that the street lamps were candlelit as well.
We ended up eating at Mill Street Brewery and Pub. It was amazing food and the local beer was great too! Yes, I can drink in Toronto, last I remembered I was almost twenty, and the drinking age is nineteen. After dinner, Lissy and I decided to go to this restaurant that was voted best patio in Toronto (which was next door to Mill Street, and that so happened to be the best local beer or something in Toronto) to have dessert!

It was quite lovely and we enjoyed our secluded space.

Both the dessert and the atmosphere were amazing! Both Lissy and I agreed that if we could live in the Distillery District, we would in a minute. I have found that even though I am not a big city girl, Toronto has made me want to be one. I have officially fallen in love with Toronto.

The 1st Day in Toronto! (from Road Trip)

Note: this was written a couple days into the trip. This starts on the second day of the trip, when Lissy and I are still in Sault Ste. Marie. Sorry for not posting sooner!

This is the route we took!

The next morning, we came to find a HUGE mouth watering breakfast in the dining room made by our cute german hostess.

This is in front of the B&B we stayed at! So cute!

 Everything was so good that we stuffed our faces. We weren't hungry again until we reached Toronto. The route to Toronto was the scenic one and boy was that gorgeous! There were multiple signs showing moose crossing; however we did not see any. I was really hoping to see some because Lissy said "If we see a Moose, I will seriously shit my pants!" She was so freaked out about it that it made me laugh very hard. 

Halfway through our drive, we stopped really quickly to stretch and to switch spots since I was done driving for the day. When we were talking and laughing about something, a group of people our age started walking towards us. Most of them were guys, and all of them were wearing preppy clothing. It wasn't really a happy walking toward us, it was more of a intimidating and menacing walk toward us and only one guy continued it as we hopped in the car and was driving away. These people would not have struck my interest if we would have been in an actual town or city; however, it was more a restaurant and a gas station, one on each side, there were some other people around but they were mostly on the other side or in the restaurant. Right away, their behavior stuck me as very odd, and I couldn't seem to get it out of my head when we drove away. It was at that moment that I became inspired with a story plot to write. So in the long haul, those creepy preppy almost adults helped me out.

 Soon after we entered Toronto, or at least it seemed like sooner rather than later because time flew by so fast. An eight hour drive tends to feel like nothing after a ten hour drive. We decided to explore the city right away and not check into our hotel until late into the night. We found parking right next to Second City, a stand up comedy place. We walked around multiple blocks, getting lost a couple times, but in the end it was all good because in all seriousness we wanted to be lost in this amazing city. I mean how can you find original places if you don't get lost. Anyways, we ended up going to a chain pub to eat dinner at, it was called Elephant and Castle I believe.

 Soon after it was time to go to the comedy show. 

Second City is so amazing, the entertainers there are so funny that if anyone has the chance to see them in either Toronto or Chicago, I highly recommend it. I don't think I have laughed so much in such a long time. My sides hurt so much from it. Not only that, but the tickets were reasonably priced. Since I am a college student, I usually can't afford high priced things. We were on a budget, and we were very determined to stick to it. 

After the show, we met up with friends from Minnesota who were in Toronto around the same time as us. This wasn't planned, but it was really nice to see them. After the show, we all walked to Toronto's version of New York City's Time Square. It was gorgeous during the night!