cannot escape the Canadian mtl climate

thank you gmail, for reminding me winter is back full-force. 

I might not be the biggest black sabbath fan...

but these lyrics sure are speaking to me right now. 


"...They say that life's a carousel
Spinning fast, you gotta ride it well
The world is full of Kings and Queens
Who blind your eyes and steal your dreams
It's Heaven and Hell, oh well

And they'll tell you black is really white
The moon is just the sun at night
And when you walk in golden halls
You get to keep the gold that falls..."


-Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell

ymca bebs

just another reason why the ymca is my fav place in the world. 

I love and adore these boyz with all my heart.

pic cred Jenn's fb mobile uploads.

when things start to look up, the ymca must be behind it

am officially working at the Y again as of today. I have only been a sub since september, due to school/working in the lab as an RA taking up all my time; but being a sub simply does not due justice to how fun and rewarding it is to be a full-time staff. so yep, from today until the end of august, I AM BACK! I love it there. I am especially excited for summer kamp to start, with the return of all the special needs kids I have not seen since last summer! ah, so excited, it just brings tears to my eyes; the good kind.

this summer will mark the beginning of my fourth year working at the ymca. I cannot bring to words how much working there has changed me and my life, of course for the better. I have met there some of the most caring, compassionate and extraordinary people I have ever known. I have learned there what no book or class on the planet could ever come near to teaching me... including matters on every kind of diversity, acceptance of peoples differences and shortcomings, and the importance and impact that even the most simplest of actions can have on someone else's life (to name a few). the children, the staff, the center, and everything else in between; have made for me some of the best experiences of my life, and will surely make for some of the best memories I will ever have to look back on.

often times, just generally speaking in my day to day life, I feel like I do not fit in and am just different; and have a lot of difficulty relating to most people around me. when I am at the Y, all of that disappears. it is my family, my home, and everything in the world that makes me feel warm and happy inside, not to mention safe and confident. here is to an amazing summer!

a pic of us walking down the kids from school to the Y this afternoon. 

ball of charisma

most definitely a solid reminder as to why I am friends with this dude.
this was his pool-side attire during a vacay in vegas. 

from his blog.

I present to you Gizmo

  he is my newest friend.

background art cred to my bud bfour.

tra la @ Ashlee's

credit to the chef, Nessy

memo from the author

life has had some pretty significant downs lately. though I try to "like, pretend" that everything is swell (very special quote here from a sweet bud of mine), the night still has its way of creeping back in there at the end of each day; and with night fall comes pouring down what feels like all the pain in the world. sorry if I am being dramatic, but if you know anything about me at all, well, you also know that I have essentially never outgrown this characteristic, nor have I had a life that has allowed for this outgrowth to take place. but truth be told, I like to think that there is something relatively romantic about being dramatic. either way, it is simply far past what should be my bed time, and I have indulged in too many late night snacks. on another note, I have started using my bike again; biking in the plateau really lifts my spirits (I do not care if you think this is cliche). also, I have finished my last psychology paper ever as an undergrad tonight, just sayin.

goodnight.

because I currently have no actual pic of my bike. 

this is essentially what it looks like, plus a basket and bell.

again, do not care. 

a little visitor

for more on this little bundle of joy, see here.

that time Jamie threw a martini bash

                  

Jamie is a grad student in my lab, and he rules because he invited a couple other undergrads and myself (and all of his other friends, of course) to come celebrate his birthday with him. these are but a few pics from the evening, as the camera had to go down the messier the night got. weee to being done my thesis and finally being able to party with these guys! 

stumbled upon while researching Asperger's Disorder

Introspection


"Locked in a body that knows how to function,
This mind knows the rules, but not how to speak.
Rehearsed interaction is laboured, but managed,
Learning language and actions, but still feeling meek.

Fragments of knowledge are processed and filtered,

To sift out the right way to smile and to cry.

Emotionally barren and socially awkward,

Avoiding eye contact, mistaken for shy.

Hang on to a pattern, a routine, a ritual,
To feel safe with existence, to know how to live.
Avoid changing backgrounds and unknown encounters,
From anxious to full fearful panics, they give.


All manner of subjects researched infinitum.
Obsessive behaviour is par for the course.
First one then another thing learned to its limits,
All referenced and noted to every last source.


First learning then working, to the exclusion of friendship.
One minded and narrow, to a depth never seen.
A gulf holds me far from the mind of all others.
Confused where I fit in; somewhere in between."

- by Adrian Flynn

I am currently writing a paper on Asperger's Disorder, and found this poem somewhere along the way of my research. it is written by someone who has the disorder, and though I do not know what it is like to feel this way; I find this poem to be particularly accurate. or well, I just like it a lot. working with people who have Asperger's, especially children, has grown to be something I feel pretty passionate about. perhaps I will pursue grad studies along these lines; thinking about it. 

to coddle, and other related likes

Coddle: To treat tenderly; nurse or tend indulgently; pamper; baby; spoil; cocoon. 


and cannot wait for this movie to come out:

instead of writing my paper

so ever since I handed in my thesis last wednesday, I have pretty much done nothing at all. well. I have been partying and sleeping, and eating veggie chili every meal since I made a huge batch the other day. had the intention of starting a paper that is due at the end of the week, but instead have been wasting my time figuring out how to add a blog counter to this thing. I used to have one then it magically disappeared. anyways. so, semester almost done, one paper, two exams to go.

thank you Matt Foster

greatest late birthday present of life.

best

I love you new-brunswick peeps, and promise to visit soon. it ruled to have you in mtl this weekend. oh and obvi special shout out to Andrea, Dave and co., but I see you all the time, ya know ;)