I'm Here

In Montreal for my fourth day. First Quebecois hangover courtesy of my first Quebecois party where I drank my first Quebecois beer and "vodka and a pickle."

How to Say Goodbye

A friend of mine moved today. He visited me at work to get one last coffee before he left. He hugged me tight and told me that out of all of his friends, he's known me the least longest, but he'll miss me the most.
I cried. No, weeped. One last hug and he was gone, leaving me in a puddle of melted mascara and discarded espresso grounds. It's not that I'll never see him again. It just won't be soon, or often.
I hadn't realized until that moment just how quickly we're all moving.
I'm leaving in 13 days. Time has been slipping past and it still hasn't felt like anything's changing.
Very soon I'll be hundreds of miles from everyone I know. I wish I wasn't such an ugly crier.

Uncommon Sense

I've been having a lot of people come to me with their problems recently. I like being the shoulder that gets cried on and I'm glad that my friends trust my opinion, but lately it seems like everyone's problems are less problematic and more idiotic. Maybe I'm just extremely self-aware and in control of my actions, but there's a few things I've been having to tell people that, to me, just seems like common sense.
1. If you don't want people to use you, don't let them. Say no.
2. If you don't want to be taken advantage of, don't get naked around drunk men.
3.If you want men to respect you, don't sleep with them before you know their name.
4. If you don't want your friends to hate you, don't sleep with their boyfriends.
One thing I need to learn: Be a friend, not a therapist.

Like a rock.

I've been learning about being strong. By strong I mean independent, self sufficient, and confident that you can fulfill your own life until someone who is perfect for you comes along. By learning, I mean having moments of frustration and hysteria where you cry in Tim Hortons or at work (twice) because you know what you are worth and what you deserve and you know you're going to have to hold out for a while until you get it. Meanwhile, people around you are rubbing your face in the fact that they have it (or think they do) and you're just going to have to listen to that and not let it bother you because when you get it, it's going to be eight thousand times more magical than it is for everyone who has it now, but for the time being, you've just got to stay strong.
Learning is messy business. Mascara doesn't like learning.

All You Can Do Is Laugh

Not to sound like a 15 year old girl, but I had a moment last night where all I could think was, "This is so my life." For those of you who like to laugh at others' expense, you're going to love my autobiography. Apparently I've learned how to skip past being upset and go straight to seeing the hilarity in circumstance. Or maybe I'm just in shock.

Things I found on my run today:

1. A woman in a bikini laying spread eagle on a picnic table at a sports field nowhere near the lake.
2. A black thong in a ditch along a road less traveled.
3. My sweat glands.

What A Week

I've experienced so many emotions this week, but the ups have outweighed the downs.

I've lost something, but gained a good friend.

I got accepted into a school.

I got a kick ass tax return.

I've spent time with people I miss and love.

One day I'm on the floor boards, and the next I'm dancing on the ceiling.