Lost in the Rhythm

Music... what a beautiful gift

 I vanish whenever I'm hurt or distraught. Part of it is because I don't want people to see me when I'm down, part of it is because I often try to figure things out myself... since in most cases other's can't do much for me, and a small part of it is to see if anyone will actually notice my absence; an extension of that would be to see who actually notices that I'm damaged somewhere.

For the past while, I've sort of disappeared from everything. Mostly because there are a lot of things I needed to establish and figure out. At the same time, I've come to a realization about the way the world works... that is a little difficult to digest, since it is slightly contrary to how I wanted to live my life. I liken it to discovering that something you didn't want to be true... was in fact just that.

I haven't really gone out lately, except for the few trips to the bars with coworkers. Just staying around home, fixing things up. I had a very good time today, just spending hours with an old friend... whom I only see once a year. It was always nice to see her, and we always have amazing conversations... plus, she is really one of the few people I know who actually has some depth and is going somewhere with her life. She's brilliant. Really. That's the type of people who attend Canada's best business school I guess. When someone you care about gains something that makes them so happy, you can't help but be happy too!

Apart from that...mostly, I've surrounded myself with my instruments... just practicing and learning more. It is somewhat strange, since I'm trying a rather odd approach to my instrument learning. Instead of learning in a linear fashion (as in, one instrument followed by another), I'm learning 4 instruments together at the same time in parallel. The logic works in that piano theory would help in all the other instruments, while violin is basically a fretless guitar, and singing... well helps with learning key and pitch. I expect progress to be slow initially, but improve later on to surpass that of developing these things linearly. If it works, I may apply this system elsewhere too. I'm such a dork. :)

I've been meaning to put my studio back together and finish a song I had begun for my first girl years ago... but I'm not sure I ever want to finish it anymore. Honestly, the tune and melody just didn't work... and the words don't seem to fit properly elsewhere.

I guess, if it doesn't work, then it doesn't work. I'll leave it be.

Gotta love getting lost in the rhythm and melody of music. It makes everything okay.

Track: The Title - Ever So Slightly

What do you want for christmas?

I haven't done a photo shoot for the past few weeks, so I just quickly snapped this simple one to capture the Christmassy feeling I have nowadays. I can honestly say, I can't wait to get to spend time with family and close friends in a few weeks.

I'm sure everyone is asking and receiving the telltale sign that someone is getting you a gift and expecting one in return. The... "what do you want for Christmas" sign that is.

This weekend was the first I had actually spent at home. Oh, I've been home almost every weekend, but it was simply a base of operations of sorts. I'd be out of the house in a few minutes somewhere else. I made sure I had no such plans this weekend, and really spent it at home with family. Being a good Taiwanese boy and helping out my parents, optimizing the computer, setting up the Christmas lights, singing Karaoke with the family, hot pot, and looking after the dogs; checking their joints, fur, and body parts for any sign of health problems or discomfort...

And then my parents popped the question on me. They wanted to know, what I wanted. What I truly needed this Christmas season.

"What I truly needed..."

I drew up a blank then, but now I think I can confidently tell them what I want. I just want... a good Christmas. One that tops all the other ones. I don't need lavish gifts, I don't need a new car, a new computer, or money. I just want to have great memories with family and friends. Something, anything to top last Christmas... the one I spent with my ex and her family. My parents don't know this, but I asked her out as soon as the clock struck midnight on Christmas eve. Flowers, behind my back, and asked her in front of her entire family.

And that smile on everyone's faces, the squeals from her sisters, and the grinning of her parents... her running at me for a hug.

Memories. That I don't want to revisit anymore.

So please? Something better this year, somehow, so that when I think back on my favorite Christmas memory... She won't be in it.

Enjoying Solitude

It is good to be alone occasionally; to enjoy the quiet motion of the wind swaying a branch outside the window, or a just savoring moment where it is acceptable to be selfish with time.

Saturday was one of these days. I finished tutoring my students in the morning, hoping to God that they couldn't tell that I was exhausted from not sleeping well at all the night before. curled up in bed again, threw the covers over my head and dozed for an hour or so before finally getting dressed and having breakfast. By this time of course, it was already noon.

It is a strange feeling to be by myself again. For the past term, I spent every moment either at applied at work, madly trying to complete assignments from the online course, or out with friends. My schedule was packed and there was honestly not a moment of reprieve. The term before that? Studying at school, early mornings into the study room and late nights out. Every moment worried that perhaps I don't have what it takes to be in Waterloo Engineering. Perhaps... I should've accepted one of those other university offers years ago.

---

And so, with a moment to myself, I caught up with my thoughts. Flash back to last weekend, picking up my ex from Toronto and driving her to Waterloo so that she could visit her best friend. Honestly, any sane guy wouldn't have done it. She was an ex, we haven't spoken in half a year, and we didn't last very long back then anyways. But I've missed our dynamic conversations and she wanted to see me again, so I agreed.

And such amazing conversations we had.

We spoke of our time together. Her perception of me, mine of her... our dreams, our goals, our shared interests.

And in the end, a hug... her head snuggled in that familiar place by my neck.

---

Fast forward a few days, until I stopped at elswhere and paid another ex a visit. We haven't spoken in a long time, and were once best friends. Our friendship died when the relationship did years ago.

She caught me up with her life, told me about her new boyfriend who happens to be a Waterloo student too... and about how life is now that she was well on her way to accomplishing her goals.

She was always the bright one, amazingly brilliant in school and socially, always destroyed me in any class I dared to compete with her in (except English and anything that had to do with technology). But I was such a cocky little kid back in high school. Such a creep too.

I'm so excited for what she'll become. And it was even better to hear that she was excited for me too. We're still keeping our promises from our high school graduation. But how we've changed.

---

Back to the present. Alone again. No one was home, so everything was silent. The guitar lay beside me, as recipes for dinner flashed across the computer screen.

Spending time on myself is the most assured investment. After all these years, I've realized how sad some people are. How useless it is to waste time trying to impress them. How stupid it is to chase after them.

I will only spend my resources on people with substance. People of value. People who will make a damn difference in this world or mine.

So for now, let me stay alone.

But please don't think I've abandoned you. No, I never abandon my friends. I keep my promises, and I'll be there when you need me. But for now, just a moment, I need this for myself.

Track: Scott Simmons - Umbrella (Cover)

Why didn't you?

Why don't you spend a moment, and explain to me why I shouldn't be angry
Why, we couldn't have talked this through back then
Why, you... of all people, only looked at surface appearances and never gave me a chance to explain.

I would've told you everything.
If only you've had told me that it was a problem.

You WERE everything to me. And I would've gladly changed for you. 

Why didn't you just talk to me?

It doesn't matter, if it's empty.

As we get older, we learn that words don't really mean anything. That, on the surface they may seem to express something, but that their contents may truly be lacking. Actions are the same too of course. If they carry nothing, or can't hold anything... then it's all meaningless, useless.

A lot of times, we say things that are like that. We randomly say something that may seem helpful, but in reality offers little in guidance. Or we say something that is hurtful, with no intention of doing so. We may do something in the same manner. In a way... I think this has desensitized us to words and actions.

If you're too sensitive, people don't like you too much and it's hard for you to fit in. Part of socializing is knowing when something is a "joke" and when something isn't. But what differentiates a teasing comment from an offensive one is sometimes difficult to define, and I think sometimes people just play it safe. In order to not start a commotion on something that may or may not be intended, we just take it as a joke. Our first reaction to a lot of serious matters are: "he/she can't be serious..." or "are you joking?"

So in the same way, our desensitized nature has caused us to not think much into the actions and words someone else may have to offer us. So what if, that little action or that little compliment was meant to carry something important? Like, affection, a little message of love, or a little warning about some impending danger?

Selfless actions go unnoticed. Subtle hints go by unawares.

Opportunities are missed. And what could've been the start of something new, fades into oblivion.

Track: Daniel D - The Truth

In Remembrance, 2009.

I can talk all I want, I can put pretty words in a row to inadequately express my appreciation.

For those who gave their lives, are giving, to a cause much greater than any single individual can hope for alone.

For those who took up arms when they were needed.

For those who realized that there are battles, other than their own, that need to be fought.

For your selfless sacrifices, the bravery that I can only dream of having, and for reminding us of duty and honour... Thank you.

I will not forget my term in Ottawa, working with the department that is in charge of procuring gear and equipment for our forces. They always spoke of them with pride, and worked hard to get them what they wanted, needed. I underestimated their devotion, until the day another one of the "boys" was lost in Afghanistan. They were silent. No professional banter, no playful jokes, no gleaming smiles. Just a solemn, empty face... eyes looking at the ground wherever they walked. In some way, they felt they had failed. That they had not done something, purchased something, provided something, that could've saved that soldier's life. I didn't understand what devotion was, until then.

I did not have a chance to pick up a poppy this year. I hope you'll all forgive me. But this boy will never forget the gravity of your accomplishments, nor waver as he strives to do his part. For those of you in the forces that I've had the privilege of meeting, thank you for treating me as one of your own, thank you for showing class, and thank you for showing me that you are some of the most human of any of us. The most emotional, logical, disciplined, and down to earth individuals I've truly met.

My Respect. Always.

God bless the Canadian Forces.

A Memorable Blip

The little things, the little blips along life... often over looked, often ignored, can really be so significant. This is precisely why I pay attention to the little things the most. The little things can give you away, can show what someone really feels, or make the difference between perfection and mediocrity.

The past few weeks has been interesting to say the least. A series of small events, little blips, has resulted in great changes in my life. I see the world differently now. I've grown a lot more.

It should be no secret now, that I've met the most interesting girl I've ever come across in person. She was different, from a world that was foreign to me, spontaneous, shy, beautiful, dangerous, adorable, a mixture of good and bad... carefully exhibited at just the right moments. Then, there was me. The typical nice guy. Gullible, naive, always too prompt to offer help, hoping for the very best... still clinging onto the idea that there was justice in this world... even though I'm well aware the world is anything but fair. I had many dreams for her and me. But, in the end, it was the same thing... from every girl I've had. Lies, lies, lies, mixed actions, serious moments that I didn't want to have... etc. I forgive a lot. Just not lies.

For a brief period of time, she was my everything. She changed me. I became different around her. I became... better. So as short as our encounter was, I'm grateful. I anticipate we'll go our separate ways now. I'll do well I'm sure. I hope she will too.

---

Things are returning to normal. I'm back on my work out schedule, I'm reading again, I'm focusing myself at work once again and loving it. I've found a good place for me to break at the University. I've selected a concept for a marketable product. I figure that establishing myself should be my number one priority right now. Since only then can I take care of those I love.

A small but memorable blip in my life. Getting back to work, since I cannot afford to waste anymore time. Living for the moment like her was great for a while, but I have a future that I need to create.

I'm going to miss her a lot. But I'm happy with the choice she made, since I can't take care of her right now.

Track: Owl City - The Saltwater Room

Circle of Life

Ferris wheels always depress me for some reason. No, I've never ridden one before, but it's one of those things that I see as a representation of the cyclical nature of life. You go up, and the view is great for a while, but then you come back down again. You start low, reach a peak, and have to return to the lows again before you can get off.

Like: growing up, establishing yourself, getting old and rotting... before moving on. It's the circle of life, just not as poetic as Disney would have put it. Well, circle in the sense that the ride is circular. Whether or not you make another circular trip is another story.

Niagara is a beautiful city. The lights, the noises, the beauty, the winding roads...oh they're amazing. I'm thankful for all the experiences this term. For the people I've met, for the laughs, frustrations and tears. I've continued to grow.

I guess that's what I have to do. Set my focus on the future right? I haven't hit the peak yet, and I want to make sure that peak is as high as possible so that the coming down part is just as breathtaking as the going up part of the ride. I've pretty much decided that I'll try really hard to get that job at CRA next term, since that's the engineering firm I'd like to have a contract from after I graduate. They're a good company, I'd learn a lot from them, and would have the opportunity to travel between their many office locations all over North America. Or perhaps SNC Lavalin. But that'll be a toughie. Maybe I'll be able to schedule everything so that I'll have four months to complete Reservist training.

Maybe I'll continue with grad school. Maybe I'll return to the federal government. Maybe I'll settle down somewhere with someone.

So many maybes. I've been taking every opportunity to speak to older people. My boss, my boss's boss, Canada's senior scientist on urban water and infrastructure whom I met this week...etc. If there is anything I got from the mixed responses, is that no one really honestly knows how they got to where they are today. They can rationalize and come up with a logical explanation, but when it comes down to it, they've got nothing. Their 20 year old self was every bit as lost and confused as every other 20 year old, regardless of how they tried to act otherwise.

And so, I'm torn between planning for the future and living in the moment. What good is planning for the future if it is no use? What good is waiting and holding back on moments for some other moment that could happen? Why not just party hard now, and play?

For example, there was really no reason why I've held back so many experiences from my past relationships. A friend had once told me how disappointed she was... that her boyfriend, who she thinks is the one, and her will have no real memorable "first" experience. I didn't remind her that marriage would probably count, but I know what she meant. First kisses, first time sleeping with someone of the opposite gender, first relationships... all mean that no matter what you'll be remembered. That you're special. And I guess I wanted to make sure each of the girls that shared their lives with me would have a first too.

But for all my planning, that's probably the stupidest thing ever. I don't know how many girls I'll have. I don't know when I'll ever finally meet someone that fits me well, will stay with me, and wants to be a part of my life. So that's it I guess. No more holding back.

Track: Paramore - Playing God

My Sunshine Turn to Rain

Everything's a two way street. For the longest time, it wouldn't matter to me. I'd do things regardless of return. But now, this is how it's gonna be. I've worked hard all these years, I know that my talents are worth something now. When strangers begin to raise their eyebrows at my work and offer me contracts, I know it's time to stop working for free.

So that's how it'll be. Two way streets. Meet me halfway, and we'll be good. Otherwise, no more freebies, stay out of my life. I neither have the time nor patience for those who try to take advantage of me anymore.

---

St. Catherines was my reprieve for a while. A chance to get away from all the dramas and watchful eyes of my parents, a chance to feel refreshed. When things started getting complicated here, I found refuge in work. Having something to focus on truly helped.

That was until a coworker fell for me, and I told her it'd never work. Then ensued weeks of emails back and forth, conversations in person, frustrated words. I... don't want another long distance relationship. And I actually dislike her character, but put up with it in our professional setting. So what she fell for was an act, or her own fantasy.

I'm also aware of the underlying drama's that float around within the office. I'm thankfully not involved in any of it since I've been told that everyone loves me and that my reputation around the office is the constantly enthusiastic, well dressed, and helpful Chinese Waterloo student.

Then there was the coworker I've been helping for the past few days. I enjoyed the field work he got me to do, and loved racing around fields and lagoons on the six-wheeled gator, but he's a broken man too. My sunshine always turns to rain after being with him for a while. He lost his son to a lung infection a few years ago. His son would've been my age now. He's also extremely considerate and helpful, and it is easy to see that he gets taken advantage of. He constantly says things that brings up my supposed "girlfriend" (I never told him I didn't have one, nor gave any hints to imply that I did have one). Stuff like, "oh this is a good place to take your girl, she'd love it". Or like, "work that pump harder, pretend your jerking off, oh for the love of God, think of your girlfriend."

I actually can't wait to be back in Loo. 2 more months. I love my job. But I miss my little sister, and the only time I'll see her is then.

Anyways, I can feel myself getting antisocial again. I do this every time I become an emotional mess. Shouldn't even be getting so worked up about all this crap, don't know why it all bothers me so much. I just want to be alone for a while.

Run Away

You know how when you look off into the distance, sometimes all you can see coming for you are the bad, the horrible and the worse? It's like going down this conveyor belt or down a slide, and at the end finding the jaws of some creature open and waiting to great you.

You could panic and scramble backwards, or you could hasten the event by rushing forward so that you wouldn't have to wait for the unanticipated moment. Or better yet, simply jump off the slide, off the conveyor.

When we speak of individuals who "run away" from their problems, it is only because it is a temporary thing. They physically move themselves from the problem... only having to deal with it again later, in which case the individual can choose to "run away" again. Eventually though, he won't have the strength to do so.

So what happens if you can't run away from your problems, and can't jump off the slide? The boat is sinking, you could jump off it, but the water is filled with hungry sharks. This is a dilemma.

We have to make a choice to do something. We could stay on the boat, or jump. But how about a third option? We could attempt to fix the problem. Perhaps we could fix the leak?

And I guess that's what I've noticed in those individuals who are successful and seem to have some control of their lives. In trying times, they don't freeze up, they make a choice. Where the choices aren't good and all end up badly, they find an alternative and solve the root of the problem. Kind of like pulling out a rocket launcher and blowing the bejeebers out of that creature at the end of the slide. You sold the problem for yourself, and for others.

The moral of today's story? Always have a rocket launcher handy.

Straighten Everything Out

 When you try to do too many things at once, things can get pretty messy. It seems like a pretty basic lesson that everyone should know, but when you're caught up with the excitement of finally finding your path... it's hard to remind yourself about the importance of caution.

Things get jumbled and tangled. Sooner or later, you realized that you can't sort things out anymore. You can't find the time to do the things you really want. You can't find the right words to say or actions to do. You can't identify which of your feelings are real, and which are the result of mere fantasy.

I've resigned from my internship position with the American media outlet. I was humbled and surprised when they embraced me with such enthusiasm. But it only served to satisfy a mild curiosity and to fluff up my resume... which, to be honest, wouldn't have made much difference.

Now that the internship is out of the way, I can finally focus on making myself better. I've got my instruments to practice, need to work on my tennis swing, experiment with some more cooking recipes, and restart my workout program in earnest.

I can sort of feel myself begin to shut people out again, especially after this weekend. I'm ashamed of what I did, and disappointed that I still can't sort out my feelings. But perhaps, I'll let her take the lead on this one and see what she wants. When the time comes, it'll come.

It's hard to sort out illusions from truth when your feelings get in the way.

 Track:  A Rocket to the Moon - 54321

Time to Move On.

I've heard it a million times, seen it through countless dreams.

They've all told me the same thing. To forget about it all, and move on.

To forget the way you'd hold my hands to cup your face.

The way your hands would always find mine.

The mischievous smiles you'd flash as you bit my lip gently and wouldn't let me go.

Then there are those who remind me that I'm getting older.

That it is time for me to focus on the rest of my life.

So perhaps it is time for me to move on. To move out on my own.

I can empty my investment accounts, and it'll be enough to purchase that loft I've been looking at.

I can accept my current supervisor's offer to extend my contract.

Then I'd be fully independent.

But is this what I want? Would I be happy? What would my parents think if I bought a house without consulting them?

Choices.

Sick & Rainy Days.

It was all gloomy and rainy this morning and I had a pounding headache, but I managed to get to work on time. One hour in, I decided that I wasn't going to last, excused myself, went home, and curled up in bed instead.

It was a little difficult to sleep, so I did some reading and just thought about things.

I realized just how much I enjoyed working in the public sector, for governments and such. My current work term, and my last one with the federal government have made me realized how much more rewarding it is to be working for an organization whose priority is the quality of it's product and service, and not it's bottom line. Both my terms have been in the public work's departments, so taking care of the infrastructure that our society and cities rely on... but yet are taken for granted so often.

The jobs are stable, the tasks interesting, and you feel like a part of a community. Working for the federal government made me feel at home with practically everyone. My term here in the Region of Niagara made me feel like this region is my home. You take every person's smile and joy as payment for your hard work. Likewise, you use every person's sadness and anger as motivation for you to work harder.

The public works agencies of cities and nations really strive for one thing, to improve the standard of living for its people. Without a doubt, this is an area that I wouldn't mind finding myself in many years down the road.

But for now, I'm still set on continuing with the family businesses. Next term should be relatively light, so I plan to be in the student shop a lot trying to make something marketable. Hopefully I'll meet some professors doing some interesting research that I can apply to my work. My brother is likely heading back to Waterloo to do his masters, so when he's finished in 3 years time, I should have something established.

It's a good thing that the school has so much resources to help students commercialize products and ideas. I'll have to consult with a few of my friends who've already started their own endeavors, draft a business plan, get loans, get good partners, and go forward with unending devotion and passion.

A lot is riding on this. At least my back ups are in place now, soooo lets do this.

Track: Augustana - Boston

Snagged

It's kind of funny where we find ourselves sometimes. Without suspecting it, I'm snagged on something, but I'm liking it here right now. Life is interesting, exhilarating, and I'm seeing the limits I've imposed on myself breakdown.

My coworker, another co-op student from Brock and I have been running around. We've explored a few hiking trails, talked a lot, and tried a few restaurants. The trails were my favorite. I love being outdoors. She made it pretty obvious that she liked me, but I didn't feel the same in return. So, I made it clear that I wasn't looking for something. She seemed disappointed, but she cheered up after wards and said that we could still be friends. I'm glad that went well.

---

I guess it has been an interesting few weeks. All the girls from my original social group are now happily with someone special, so I don't expect to hear from them too much. It's been pretty nice observing how their relationships are forming. The beginnings are always so cheerful and so full of hope. They better all do well, I trying to put those days of me taking care of broken girls behind me. I've learned. They come, I help them, and then they leave. I won't hear from them until they need help again.

Things have been busy. We've been experimenting with a new polymer at work, so I've been busy pouring over the data. I love what we're doing, it's like real science. :)

I gotta get working hard on the projects from my American internship. I don't think they're really impressed with my progress so far, but I really haven't had much time to devote to it. Gotta get on it, can't give Waterloo a bad name now can I?

On another note, we've got a new Karaoke machine at home, like any good Taiwanese family, you've gotta have a piano and a K machine. At least this one has new songs and has actual KTV songs. Although, to be honest, it is just a linux box, so I probably could've made it myself if I had the time.

Back to singing, and playing with my doggies. Damn I've missed them.

Another One Off the List

If you ask someone what they'd like to be like in the future, where they'd like to find themselves, they'd probably tell you that they want to be successful. I have no doubt that most people have some image of what "success" looks like. But of course it isn't the destination that really matters right? I mean, the trip is usually the longest and most interesting part of any adventure. Arriving is simply the garnishing at the end of an epic journey.

After a conservative childhood that has lasted all the way to... last year, life has been a mad dash to cram as much into every moment possible. It is exhilarating, and eye opening.


I guess, after this weekend and another spontaneous drive to Waterloo, I can finally cross another first off my list. Getting Drunk.

Everything was just right. I unexpectedly found myself surrounded by good friends, who helped me enjoy the night safely. Special thanks to: the girls who kept a lookout for me so that I didn't run off. To the girls that let me pass out on their shoulders and to those that kept giving me water. To the guys who took my car keys, drove me to their place and set me on their couch. I'm glad to hear that I was quite entertaining intoxicated, but yeah... don't expect it to happen again. I didn't think those shots would hit me quite as hard as they did.

Overall, it has been a great weekend. Juliana jumped on me while I was semi-passed out on bed, and was half hugging me and slapping me at the same time. I managed to walk into a door twice, and bent my glasses out of shape. I think I actually told someone I didn't like that I'd try to stop being a jackass to him. Got some practice playing tennis on Sunday, and got to spend more time with a very special girl.

Speaking of which. She's surprising me every time I take her out, and I've been trying to spend time with her as often as I can. On the surface, she seems like an anti-social individual who lacks opinions. But in the right conditions, you can see that she does have something to share. There's much more to her than what appears on that simple and calm demeanor of hers. I wonder what I'll see if I keep digging. If I'll find what I'm looking for.

Track: Kill Paradise - Couplet

Kids

Today was day one of the Region of Niagara's water festival. It is supposed to raise awareness about water conservation, and so we've had schools shuttle students in all day long. It began with me picking up my coworker and classmate Olivia who was going to be my partner. Then a moment fumbling with my GPS, only to learn that the conservation area we were supposed to go to wasn't on it. So, we relied on good old physical maps and made our way down country roads, over old bridges, and winding through vineyards.

Tents, signs, and even breakfast was already set up when we arrived. We checked in, threw on our shirts, and headed to our station. A sizable white tent with tables and seating.

For the next 5 hours I was "mad scientist Dan" and she was "mad scientist Olivia." Together we demonstrated the tests we did on water in the lab, albeit in a much simpler sense, and taught grade three and five students about water quality analysis.

They were so full of energy, so promising, so bright, so enthusiastic. It felt like frosh week again, except with frosh that were hyped up on caffeine.

The highlight of the day was as we were packing up and about to leave. Two little boys came back to our tent to wave goodbye to us, and yelled out "goodbye mad scientist Dave!" to me. The expressions on their faces and flailing waves, were just awesome. I didn't even bother correcting them about my name.

A full week of this, it's like being a camp counselor. This job just gets better and better.

Life here is comfortable. Ottawa was nice, I still love Mississauga... so that leaves one more place to visit before I decide where I'd like to be for the next few years... Vancouver (:

Recall.

A block or so away from my house in St. Catherines is this lake. I pass by it every morning on my way to work, and so I've always been curious about it. Olivia, my classmate and coworker, met up with me during the corporate orientation. We grabbed lunch together, got caught up a bit, and then decided to kill the last thirty minutes of our lunch with a walk on the boardwalk. It was quite a sight. It was sunny, but cool. A light but steady breeze blew over the surface of the lake, and we tried to point out features that we knew and attempted to judge the quality of the water (it sucked). It was a nice reprieve from work.

Halfway through September already.

Do you ever get those random flashes of memory? You know, the fuzzy images of lost hands finding each other, nights spent tangled up with her, holding her as close as possible, leaving flowers and little notes at her doorstep... six months already. I hope she's doing well, wherever she is now. Oh sure, I'm still mad at her, but that doesn't mean I don't still care.

Anyways, for the rest of this week, Olivia and I will be demonstrating to grade three and five students how we do analysis on water samples. We're supposed to act like mad scientists. It's been a while since I've done improve and drama, but this should be interesting.

Going to be in Hamilton with the McMaster Taiwanese Student Association this weekend, so hopefully that'll take my mind off things.

Track: The Secret - I Wish

Just for something familiar.

 

Lately, its been trips back to Mississauga, and excursions to Waterloo and Guelph... all for the sake of potentially finding something familiar. One on one hangouts with friends, photo shoots, random adventures, laughs, and conversations that go on for hours. St. Catherines has been wonderful to me, work is engaging and interesting, and people are amazingly open and friendly. But I don't know this city, I don't know these people. In the end, it is still a little lonely here.

Not that this wasn't expected of course, I enjoyed Ottawa because I already knew people there. So I could explore it with friends, but it is different here.

It's been nice seeing everyone these past few weeks and getting caught up. I doubt I'll be hearing from many people from now on, since it looks like everyone is busy with their relationships. I don't blame any of them, I disappeared during my last relationship too. Best of luck to all of you. :)

Kinda sucks that most of my photo shoot partners are in that group of friends too. Looks like I'm back shooting solo for a while.

Track: Kill Paradise - Beautiful Colors

New Beginnings

I really only set this up to follow everyone who has either:
a) Started blogging and have decided to use Blogger's service
b) Migrated here from one of my other blogging communities

I do not know if I will be using this site to blog, as I am unsure of which niche to fill with this one. I'll figure it out later.

Why hello Blogger community, I'm delighted to meet you all.

Track: A Rocket To The Moon - Baby We're Invincible