I'm doing it a different way

Surprise! It's me, your girl, super good at writing once or twice a year and giving updates to all of her invisible, avid readers, the one and only Gelina herself!

I was suddenly given the urge to update this because it's a small season of change in this girl's life, and I want to be able to reflect on this properly. I find that that's usually when I have it in me to give this thing a little pump of life - when things are changing. Good or bad, I think it's important to remember how everything has happened, and though nothing really new has happened that I wasn't expecting, it's still quite an adjustment.

Last you heard from me, avid invisible reader, I was about to celebrate the impending engagement dinner for my two best friends, Donald and Kim. Well, we are more than a year past this event, and about 10 days away from the big day itself. Can you believe it? My best friend, Kimberly, and her long time partner Donald, are tying the knot in TEN. DAYS. I still can't fathom it! And after the big day, the honeymoon in Hawaii is next, followed by a turn-over week where Kim must say goodbye to her family and friends, for she is moving to Ontario for about a year to be with Donald as he finishes med school. Forget about my best girl friend getting married, but she's moving provinces! I've spent almost every day with her for maybe the past two years, was extremely involved in the planning of her wedding, and now it's all going to fall away. I have a feeling I'm going to experience some post-wedding depression. It was all such a rush and really made me appreciate everything that goes into planning the biggest party of your life.... weirdly enough, it made me excited for my future wedding day, and want it very, very badly for myself.

But anyway, it'll all come rushing up again I think, when Amanjyot gets married. That's right, in the time since I last posted, my other best friend got engaged to her partner, and he's amazing! Although her wedding will be much more cultural and traditional than Kim's, I'm really hoping I get to be as big a part of it as I was for Kim's.

I'm watching a lot of things right now that are making me wish for my childhood again. Ready Or Not, if anyone remembers, is one of the 90s greatest programs ever, about two best friends who experience all of life's challenges and rewards together while in their adolescence. I'm in such a trip, seeing it all again. And now, I'm watching Season 2 of Derry Girls which although is produced and airs in present time, is set in the 90s. This 27 year old girl (I still can't believe it), is missing the old days a lot, before marriage and jobs and mortgages. Can anyone blame me? But alas, it's what every person must go through in life, and in fact I think I should consider myself very lucky to have such problems.

It's also been a season of change at work. I'm two years in to this (hopefully) forever job of mine, and my best friend at work who I relied on a lot just for my day to day sanity, has left to pursue the greater calling in our field of work. I worked closely with a student who changed my life, and she graduated. I think I'm going to miss everything about this past year. I spent a lot of time crying towards the end, which is weird because I'm never emotional.

All things happen. I know that this is the way it goes in life, but somehow I'm still never prepared. We knew the day would come that Kim and Donald get married. One day she's going to tell us she's pregnant, and I'm going to bawl my eyes out. What will the next season of life bring us, huh?

I hope I never lose access to this blog. It's too important to me, being able to reflect once in a while like this. I hope no one ever finds it either... yeesh!

Shout out to my amazing Dad who's birthday is today as of one hour ago! Love you forever.

A lot of updates on my friends, but not so much on me - I usually don't mind speaking about me either. Anyway, I think I've gone through a bit of a mental whirlwind personally and need a lot of self-improvement in some areas of my life, but who doesn't, eh? Otherwise, I think I'm really just fine. There's no other way to describe or put it.

The song in this title update is from Derry Girls, from a pretty cool scene. It's called Independent Love Song by Scarlet, a 90s hit song that fell away to the rafters. Listen to it!!!

The next time I update this, life will have changed very much for me. Scary and exciting though, isn't it?

Yours truly,
Gelina

Jealous of the rain

So, I'm not sure I've ever actually posted my age on this thing, but seeing as my first post came way back in 2008 and it's now 2018, we can correctly say that I'm ten years grown - 100% matured in many, many ways, but still very much the same. I went from being a high school girl, to a college girl, a part-time working girl, to a full time working girl - perhaps woman. But there's a lot of changes that come with all of that, stuff that I've skimmed over or forgotten to mention... that's what sucks about never updating this! I forget all the important stuff. I almost forgot one of the more important things - and that's marriage!

Not my marriage, you crazy people! My best friend's marriage - Kimberly and Donald! Frequent mentions of them crop up on this blog in many past posts, and when I was reading through them, I was reminded just how crazy we've come... literally, these two met in high school, I remember it all so acutely,  and now they're getting ready for the big old union! I can't believe it.

It's their engagement dinner this Saturday, just the first joint celebration of their family and friends since getting engaged in December, and I can't wait. It's the first real taste of adulthood (other than my job), that has me realizing things are getting serious. We're at that age, where we can get married sensibly, have children, buy homes.... I'm 100% not ready for any of that, despite already having bought a home with my sisters, but this one is just another thing on the list that makes me, forevermore, an a-d-u-l-t. I still feel like I'm in high school. It's crazy!

It's also the first wedding where I will be heavily involved, since Kimberly happens to be one of my best friends, and for better or worse I have been part of her relationship with Donald both on the sidelines and the front line! The things we have been through -- I think if I'm her maid of honour, I know what I'm going to say. I mean there's also a good chance I won't be her MOH, since she doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but if I am -- oh, boy, I better start writing.

I wonder more and more about what's to come, when things like this happen, and I read my old posts and see just how grown we all are. This blog is like a freaking time capsule sometimes, I swear. I look at my old posts where I had lists, wrote my homework down, and just detailed my day-to-day life. I think I'll try and do that now, just so that a future Gelina can look back on this time and vividly remember how she used to live in this particular moment!

On A School Day:

• I set my alarm for 6:15AM. I try to wake up and turn off the alarm before it goes off, and usually I do. It's not a big deal when I don't. Then I lay in bed and contemplate the meaning of life for 15 minutes, and eventually roll out of bed at 6:30AM. I always need those 15 mins to situate myself.
• At 6:30, I head to the bathroom to take my morning poop. Then I wash my hands, face, brush my teeth. Then I pick my outfit for work (usually I know what it'll be the night before, so I can just dress right into it, but sometimes I still look through the closet). Brush my hair, take my Vitamin gummy, my apple cider vinegar pill, and get to packing.
• All of this is done by 7-7:15AM. After that, I have the next five or ten minutes to pack my lunch (which is usually already prepared from the night before, I just need to stick it in my lunch kit). I pack my lunch container (usually a salad), my recess snack (yogurt or granola bar or crackers, whatever), and my breakfast for that morning (instant oatmeal). 
• I'm out of the house by 7:25AM to scrape ice off my car or warm it up. I'm always finished first because Genina takes 20 million years to get out the door.
• We roll out, no later than 7:30AM, sometimes earlier than that. On days where Genina is already prepared for her day or doesn't need to be at school before 8AM, we can even sometimes leave at 7:35AM. What a treat!

Then we have the school day which starts officially from 8:30-3:30, and it's rinse and repeat for the next four days unless we have a long weekend! After school, if Genina is already prepared for her next day or we have nothing else to do, we tend to have plans with Kim or Amanjyot, usually Kim, and we either go out for pho, do our grocery shopping at the mall, have a wedding movie marathon, or work out. Genina and I try to work out 3-4 times a week, thanks to the Planet Fitness newly opened near our house! I've lost 15 pounds guys. I should feel accomplished but I don't, mainly because I'm starting to plateau, and until I reach my goal weight, I'm still gonna feel like a piece of poop.

On a weekend, don't get me started. I tell my coworkers, I absolutely live for the weekends. I work so hard during the work week, I load up the weekends with fun things to do so that I always have something to look forward to during a gruelling work week. I can be up to anything, from being a mall rat, going to the movies, having a foodie adventure, pretty much anything fun you name it, I'd be down for it. I have FOMO and like to make the most of my free time, which is partially why I feel so broke at times, haha. Oh well, it comes with the the territory of a salary pay, I feel like I can spend when I probably shouldn't be! Lololol.

Speaking of doing fun things and spending when I shouldn't, I have planned a Whistler weekend getaway with my college girlfriends (worthy of mention - Britt, Liz and Tanya), and I cannot wait! We booked an Airbnb, it looks so beautiful and cozy. We are really just going up there to have a *wink wink* good time, but we're also going to possibly go tubing and try out this forged axe throwing activity, which has really good reviews and sounds fun. The first night will be us just having a relaxed girls night in, cooking dinner, drinking wine and playing board games, while the next night will be dedicated 100% to that *wink wink* good time. I teach students now, so I feel very hesitant to even describe or allude to it in anyway, but it's obviously what any young adult would do on a young hip vacation, lmao.

Can it be believed that I've updated this thing so soon since its previous post? I think I'm just feeling nostalgic for the writing, and am once again, giving future Gelina something to read and reflect upon. She will thank me for this, one day! 

I've written too much already, though I know I could simply go on. I think my fingers deserve a break.

Goodnight sweet world! The lyrical title of this post belongs to the song Jealous by Labrinth. Such a beautiful and heartbreaking tune. Give it a listen!

Yours always,

Gelina

Now it's gonna be me and you

I only have two words...

Holy. Crow!!!

It's been ages - and really, ages - since I last wrote on this, my invisible blog! I am feeling so nostalgic and excited at the same time to even be writing here. I don't know why I suddenly feel the need to do so, but seeing as I've literally had this since some time in high school, I guess I like to look back on the small stuff with the big updates. Just for posterity's sake.

I always have to start with what's new - because let's face it, so, so, so much of my life has changed! I can't even begin to go into detail as to how and when these things occurred, but they have. So, for the big three, I'll start them off in chronological order of when they happened.

What's New With Me - The 411

1) I got my first ever big girl job - salary position and all. I'm an EA at a private Catholic school!
2) I got my driver's license FINALLY. (This one was a real game changer folks.) And...
3) Me and my sister's BOUGHT and now CO-OWN a freaking house!!!! (Okay, it's a town house, but a house all the same!!!)

The job comes first, because it's the first thing that has truly made me feel like an adult. I know I've had previous jobs doing the whole 9-5, but this one is the real deal because I've got benefits to go along with a salary! Can you believe it? I love it there. And I get along with my boss, who of course is the Principal! And although having a work family is nothing new to me, since I've been at other jobs before and gotten close to the staff, this is a really constant work family that for the most part, I really like! My day to day is working like a TA in the classroom but also pulling aside those students who really do need the extra help. Some days are more frustrating than others, but mostly they're great. I have a heart full of love for all the kids I work with, and today (to be explained later) was extra special with them!

After trying and failing for my license, I am now the proud owner of a Driver's license and a nifty 2004 Toyota Echo! Driving was a huge obstacle in my life, it made me feel inadequate and like a crappy friend because I had to bum rides everywhere, but now I drive everywhere! To work, to my friends', to the gym, you name it (as long as it's in Surrey - ha). This one really has changed a lot for me, because I can be relied on for a lot more and I'm not as limited as I once was. Of course it also means I have to deal with car payments and fix other car problems that come along with the territory, but so far so good and, if you can believe it or not, I still pray everyday for a good driving day. Haha!

Finally, a HOUSE. The most recent change in my life. It almost happened so quickly that I forget the details, but my parents' and sisters have all been thinking about it. We never really acted until this great place so close to our current home was on the market, and it was too good to pass up. We went back and forth for a bit about whether to take the plunge, but it's happening, and I can't wait. We take posession in May, and the best part I hope, will be the moving in and decorating and just finally having a little independence. It's close-quarters right now, so I need the space! Whew.

So beyond those three things, life's just been dandy. Straight forward. Going with the motions. What else can I hope for? I'm blessed to work at the school I do - it's brought me closer to a bunch of great people, and most importantly to God. I thought it would be tough getting back into the religious swing of things, but it in fact has been quite easy and very refreshing. I like starting off my day with prayer and really seeing the students do that too.

Today was the last day of school before Spring Break. It was AMAZING. We ended it with a hip hop performance for the whole school, and the staff even did a dance as well! I was part of it and like to think I had a good amount of rhythm. The main thing is that I didn't embarrass myself, haha. There were some parts of the whole hip hop assembly, as each grade performed, I felt truly in awe of the situation. Every student was laughing and having the best time, all the parents were so proud of their kids, I just couldn't believe how lucky we all were. It's so cheesy, but I actually felt like crying (tears of happiness), just because it was all so freaking happy in that gym.

I can't say it enough. So much has changed - so much has happened! I'm not doing this entry justice. I just think it's worth knowing that I've been through a lot and even though I don't always document it or remember it, I'm happy with how things are and am always hopeful for what's to come. I hope the invisible reader can understand me - I feel so blessed. That's really the main thing I want to convey through this update.

Even though I've been listening to some great new music lately, the title for this post is from an older track that's been playing through my mind lately! Call Your Girlfriend. Message is kinda weird, but the song makes me happy!

Always here, and always yours --
Gelina

Love Yourself

Hello old friend. Wow... it's been much, much too long since I've been on here to recount my life and sound board all of my thoughts. I know that nobody reads this (and thank God for that), but still; it's nice for me to come back to this thing and recollect. Looking back on all 95 posts I've had thus far (dating back since 2008 - I cringe), is like getting to know an old friend, even though it's really me. So here I am, back again, to let you the invisible and silent reader, know what's been going on.

My old posts seem to talk a lot about work and school, and nothing has changed, except everything has changed in a sense. For one, I graduated from school this past October surrounded by the greatest people I know, and that happens to be one of the hugest milestones in my life! Secondly, I now have different jobs (three jobs really), none of which are in the retail sector - bet you never thought I'd leave that dirt hole XXI behind, and now, four years on, I truly have! What's even better is that we're in the Christmas season, and I am coming into it with the knowledge that I no longer have to work another Boxing Day again, and with a significantly larger bank account than I am normally used to! Now that I'm out of school and no longer paying tuition, all my days have been dedicated to working as much as possible, working towards that far away future in which I can put a down payment on a house. I'm not quite there yet, but being in the double digits in one's bank account is a real pleasure to behold.

Funny that I've returned to this in the Christmas season. It seems that whenever I take a break from this, the time that I come back or am most active in is during this time. I talk about presents, make lists, show everyone what I've got, and all of the other hullaballoo that makes me happy. It's one of my favourite seasons and one of the only times I do get a break, so I can see why.

I get a break because Friends of Simon (yes I still work for that tutoring program, for now at least) because the students will have Winter Break, so there'll be no need for me! My other job at another private tutoring company will also be taking a break for the same reason, since my pupil there won't be in school for two weeks or so! And finally, one of my better jobs because of proximity to my home + pay, my Program Assistant job with the City of Surrey takes a break for the exact same reason as well. So, even though I don't want to be a teacher, all of my jobs surround kids and I get to have a nice little calm and relaxing few days before I'm back in the swing of things with them.

Speaking of my graduation day, which I wasn't, I just want to touch base on that. Most of the days leading up to my Convocation at SFU were stressful and unnecessarily irritating. I relied a lot on my best friends to make the day tolerable, and they pulled through magnificently (entertaining my family as they sat through me and Genina's long ceremonies, doing our hair, getting us presents and so much more). I was stressing about the weather too, what with our ceremony taking place outside, but it turned out to be great. But at the end of the day, the mood, all of that electricity, the pipe band playing and making me feel so alive - it all just came together to create the most perfect beyond perfect day. I tell everyone that graduation day was one of the happiest days of my life - better than my Prom Night, which I used to call one of my favourite days ever - and it just was. It was the culmination of all my sleepless nights, hard and frustrated work, and sacrifice. Any weekend I didn't get to have a social life was either because I had papers to write or tests to study for, or work to do so that I could pay my way through school. Now that it's all done, I'm glad to have walked through that fire. Because now I'm free to do what I want, without the hassle of thinking about deadlines. No more deadlines for me. Just open road and limitless possibilities. I feel like I'm writing a graduation speech. This is all so corny and uplifting. But it's true. I just want to look back on that day and remember it exactly how it was - perfect and full of love.

I have a full mind right now to just let loose and explore in great detail everything that's happened and changed in my life since my last post, but I won't. So I'll do what old-Gelina used to love doing when she wrote in this frequently, and that is write a list. I'm just going to write a list of all the important and unimportant things that have happened, and even if it was a milestone or a molehill, if it meant something to me, it's going to be on there. So here it is.

Gelina's List of Things That Happened Since Her Last Post in 2014:

• I graduated in Fall 2015 from the best school ever
• I quit XXI in April 2014 (took me long enough)
• I got two new jobs (with a private tutoring company, and City of Surrey, and a minor summer stint at the PNE)
• I got people back in my life after short separations
• I've been irritated and gained distance with some people in my life
• I got a new laptop for my last birthday (Mac Air!), and my parents gave it to me through a prank!
• I finished my 50 Book Reading Challenge resolution from way back when (it was overdue but I still finished it!)
• My love for Justin Bieber may have risen ten fold (judge me not)
• I became stupendously obsessed with Downton Abbey and Orphan Black, aka my top two favourite shows of all time; what the heck is a One Tree Hill?
• I got an Instagram, yahoo! (@gelinareads)
• I post on Facebook much, much less than I ever have before, despite using it daily for news and updates from friends
• I've re-arranged the bunkbed situation in my room so that it creates the illusion of space and makes me and Genina's living quarter a bit larger!
• Sadly, I do not have a new phone - but I plan to soon, hopefully!
• I really am, trying my darndest, to not just be a writer, but to. be. a. writer.

And that's about all I can think of... I told ya, it would have some actually important things, and some truly unimportant ones as well. I feel as if I could be missing a thing or two, but I've pretty much covered it all. I wouldn't dare explain any of those more ambiguous points, I'm not quite one to air my drama to a non-existent platform, but you never know! Gotta keep private things private, and let loose only your happy thoughts so they spread wildly to others.

Alright, I'm tired of this now. I'll be back again, for another post that will probably be far in between. It always happens with this blog. I always come back. You're like a lover I never have time for, and when I do, you always take me back, no matter how long I've abandoned you. I'm a bad diary keeper like that.

Enough of my metaphors for one night. I bet you rolled your eyes on that one up there, didn't you? I sure did, ha-ha-ha.

As I once used to day - goodbye, for I am off to save the world.

Before I forget! The song in this post is from, you guessed it, my boy now turned half-man ('cause he's not quite there yet), Justin Bieber and his song Love Yourself. Does that song really man "F" yourself, like it's a silent but meaningful diss track, or does it really mean he wants a mystery girl to learn how to love herself? I don't know! You tell me!

All the best,

G.

Make love your goal

Something is wrong with me.

It could be anything, but I know it's just... it's taking up too much of my mind, and I can't get any work done whatsoever. To be superficial, I know that it's about me. Plain and simple. I'm not doing very much with my time or my life. I go to work and I go to school. I don't really know what I'm working for, and it's bugging the hell out of me. Something is seriously wrong with me.

It's because of Breakfast at Tiffany's. A week and ago or so, I watched it on Netflix, hoping that a movie at 1am would help me fall asleep but instead I got so wrapped into it and the idea of Audrey Hepburn - who is by far the classiest woman to ever grace this planet besides Mother Mary - and I began to wish I'd be half the person she was.

She's the epitome of sophistication. Her entire film career as far as anyone is concerned had no blemishes or mistakes, whether they were box office hits or not. And her work later on in life with UNICEF is mind blowing. Why can't I do anything like her? Why can't I just be like this woman?

And every day I watch Breakfast at Tiffany's. Not all of it, but 80% of the entire movie. I can't get Moon River out of my head. I'm so confused by all of this, I wish it would just leave me and I can admire the actress and the film from far away. Because I honestly have so many papers to write and tests to study for, it's kind of ridiculous how I'm putting it all off just so I can keep watching Breakfast at Tiffany's.

I sound half insane. I need some freaking help.

I have to use the bathroom. Then I'm going to do some homework.

I know this wasn't much of an update but there you have it. I just needed to express what a weirdo I've been these past few days, and all because of one movie, and one actress. But damn, Audrey Hepburn is everything right now.

Post title is from the song Power of Love, by Gabriel Aplin or something of that sort. Her name is difficult to spell.

Aur revoir. If you're a normal person and not as weird as I am, I highly suggest you go and watch Breakfast at Tiffany's right. now. Okay bye.

Wait till you're announced

Hi again.

I know it's been forever, and I really have been meaning to update but things have been crazy. Hell, they're crazy right now. But I had to take the time to write something. I just had to.

I'm watching Pearl Harbour right now, and it's definitely not my first time seeing it, but I'm at the part where all the action and bombing is going down and it's making a fist out of my stomach. It sucks. I don't know why I'm even forcing myself to watch this, I could easily turn the channel, but I guess I'm trying to do it out of respect. I don't know, I just wanted to say how sucky I feel watching this, and that no one's about to forget that day. Yeah.

Aside from all this (and it's easy for me to take a break talking about the movie because it's commercial now, thank God), guess what I'm gonna be talking about? School. Duh.

The last time I posted, I was in the middle of my final exam of the Fall 2013 semester. Guess what? All my grades are back and they were great! B pluses and Bs across the board, absolutely nothing lower than a B! I know it doesn't sound like much, but that is a real and true accomplishment in these hard ass times for students. When I consider a C+ a decent grade, then y'all know it's a big deal to get a B+ in something. Especially in one of the classes where I almost failed the midterm and hardly participated in class lectures. I was expecting a C at most. BUT I got a B freaking plus! So ha. Take that.

Christmas was great by the way. And New Years Eve. I got an amazing ton of books, and clothes, and some movies. My sisters really got the best things for me! I now own all of my favourite books, and I've even started myself this nifty reading challenge I found on tumblr. My goal is to read 50 books, as a sort of NY resolution, but it's also just me wanting to expand my horizons and read more. Right now, I'm currently on Book 18/50, which is called The Invisible. It's a Swedish book that was translated into English. It's pretty good so far, I'm kind of getting lost 'cause the dialogue isn't entirely too specific but I guess that's just me reading too fast.

Now I'm in the middle of my spring semester, and reading break has come and gone. Even though for me, I've still missed class. 'Cause I'm sick. I really wanted to go back to school, I feel like such a lazy bum blowing into tissues and what not here at home, but I really can't move when I get dizzy just from turning my head. I really hope this semester goes by fast. I kind of hate how I'm approaching that final speed bump before starting my final year of school, but at the same time I just need it over with. So as is usual, I'm rolling with the punches and trying to get this semester over with.

I always have so much to say, whenever I think about updating this. But when I get started, I just have so many distractions. Pearl Habour is back from commercial, I have a 1800 worded paper to write (currently on 1100 words), and just a shit ton of things on my mind. I can't wrap my head around it when I'm all congested and sick and shit.

Maybe I'll come back to this later. I really did want to write a lot. I always plan to write a lot. Sigh.

Sorry for the short update, you invisible person who reads this, although I know nobody does, which is also somewhat of a relief to me.

Talk later. Ciao.

Oh yeah. Post-title is from my girl Lorde, and her song Team. It's got dat sick ass beat ya knowwww. K that sounded wrong but you know what I mean. Byeeee

Sipping from your cup till it runneth over

Holy Grail.

Jk, I just couldn't help myself. That's the following lyric continuing on from the post title, which I'm sure you all know, but in keeping with the last few posts, I'll tell y'all where it's from and why I picked it when I've reached the end :)

Today was a major buzzzzz. And by buzz, I mean buzzkill. Nothing new to report. It's still exam season here in the life of Gelina, but yay me because I only have one exam left! It's in my CMNS 240 class which unfortunately I haven't been paying much attention to so I wrote about ten pages (possibly more) of notes in the span of about four or five hours. My hand kept getting crampy, so I had to take a break every now and then for like ten minutes, in which I would watch TV but then promptly go back to note taking. Speaking of crampy, I of course have my time of the month during already one of the most stressful times of the season, so once again my body is doing everything it can to fight against me when I'm trying to do well. Good job, body. Good job.

I'm all in a tussle because I actually watched and enjoyed the movie The Host. It finally came on the free movie channels and so me and my sister recorded it in HD goodness. I mean yeah, 80% of it was boring, but the 20% that I did enjoy are the ones I've been fastforwarding to during my study breaks, because of all the crazy hot scenes with Max Irons. Is it sad that I actually enjoyed this movie? I'm almost mad because legit, I detest Stephenie Meyers (for a whole host of reasons - haha, get it? A whole "host" of reasons? Okay anyway), but the plot was so stirring and Melanie and Wanda were played so extremely well by Saoirse whats-her-name. I think I spelt her name right, btw. I just can't help but actually enjoy the film. And no, I haven't read the book. But whatever.

Christmas time is upon is as you are all already aware, and I've been buying presents left right and centre! I should probably take a picture of my Christmas tree just to show all of you how nicely the presents are looking underneath and the crazy amount me and my sisters have been piling there! It's really looking like we've practically finished Christmas shopping when I'm not even close. I still have to buy at least one or two more things for my older sis, and then a lot more for Genina. Unfortunately, my wallet is going to have to take another beating but it's okay. I think I'll break even with the next paycheque I'm expecting, so after that, it's back to saving for me. Why must Christmas be ever so expensive.

It's completely worth mentioning by the way, that a dear family member passed away yesterday, whom I didn't know very well at all and in fact only just met this passed June. She was my grandpa's sister-in-law, married to his brother, and absolutely one of the sweetest women I'd met on my trip to New Jersey. She was so hospitable and so much like my own grandma, I can admit that's why I took such a huge liking to her when I first met her - she is very much just like my own family member whom I love beyond words. And so when I heard that she passed, it hurt me to think that a woman as close to health and strength and beauty to my wonderful grandmother was no longer with us. Tita Pat, I love you and I pray that you rest in peace with the Lord like you deserve. I will think of you, always. Thank you for showing me kindness on a day of the trip that I was actually quite grumpy on, but you made me smile because of how welcoming you were to me and my family. I really do wish I'd known you so many years earlier. God rest you, Tita.

Anyway.

Winter Finale's are coming up for all of my shows, which means Reign and Revenge and OUAT are going to be left on cliffhangers. I'm particularly choked about Reign because I really just can't get enough of that show, but other than that... I hope I find a way to pass the time once they're all gone, because Lord knows that once exams are over and all I have is work three times a week, I'm going to need something to do.

I think three or some days ago, I finished my latest book. The Secret Life of Bees. It's safe to say that it was amazing. I mean, I think everyone's already known that about the book, everyone knows it's already been made into a movie and might've seen it. But I'm serious enough about the book that I might actually consider it one of my *favourites* and no you do not understand how rare that is. Because I have legitimately read hundreds of books in this life so far, and only two have made it up there my own personal favourites list. Besides the entire HP series (and if I had to choose only one HP book, it would be HP7 so that's no biggie), A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and To Kill a Mockingbird are the only books to have found their ways and stayed in my heart. After reading those books, I've felt an indescribable stillness, and it just makes me feel good to think about. Well, after reading The Secret Life of Bees, I felt that stillness again, that quite calm and awe out of having knowingly read an amazing book. So while I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I consider the book one of my all time favourites, I know that I do want to own it so that it can have a space on my shelf and I can re-read it. And I am happy that I have read another book to take my mind of things. Books are amazing for that.

The next ones on my list are Sarah's Key (reminiscent to The Book Thief apparently, and if that's the case, then it's going to be amazing) and The Help. For some reason, I'm on a WWII/race relations kick. I like to read about the chaos of those periods in time and how female protagonists dealt with all of those obstacles. I like the sophisticated novel that actually opens my mind to everything. None of that bohemian crap that all the girls have ruined for me. If I read one more book that turns into a Hollywood fad I'm going to slam my fist on the table.

Anyway, I thought I had more to say but I'm really sleepy. Funnily enough, sleep is like the one thing I love most these days. I effing cherish it. I look so forward to mornings where I can sleep in... I never realized before I had to wake up every morning for stressful work and school, how much I really need and love being rested. What with studying taking up all of my time and work forcing me out of bed at ungodly hours (okay, not so ungodly, but detestable all the same), it's really rare that I get to sleep in. When I do get that opportunity to sleep in however, that's usually when I'll find the time to post in this. So, as you would have it from that statement, tomorrow morning (which is a Monday), I get to sleep in until whatever hour, and just wake up to study! I'm actually very excited.

Anyway, even though you already know, the post title comes from the song Holy Grail by my man JT and Jay-z. I was really thinking it should be from one of the more folk-y songs that I've been jamming to these days but this song was on repeat all darn day so I had no choice but to use it in this post. It was out of my hands, really.

Thinking of you, Tita Pat.

Love and hugs,
Gelina