thursday nights best spent

this little man is some of the best company there is. I feel like I have been really blessed with the opportunity to have such an incredible little boy be such a big part of my life. we have been hanging out and getting to know one another for three years now. last summer, we were together 9-4pm, monday-friday; it just might have been one of the best summers of my life.

however, this summer I am coordinator of the integration program at the y; so we won't get the one-on-one time as much. but luckily we can still share nights like tonight, cuddling on the couch with movies and giggles.

sushi party

Nessy and Ev hosted a sushi soirée at their place last weekend. the left-over rice was transformed into this lovely snowman curtsy Ev and Oli. 

let the games begin

what better way to spend my summer off school than studying for the GREs? I take the exam august 4th, and the studying begins today. I do not believe I have ever been so afraid for an exam in my entire life. this exam has the power to deny me access to grad school, if I mess it up bad enough. oh, and it has also cost me $200 US just to register; not counting the amount I had to spend on the study materials (books, etc.). fun!

dear mom and dad

"So much has been said between my parents and me over the years, but it doesn't matter. In the end, the ways in which we betrayed each other aren't relevant anymore. My parents may never be who I want them to be. I may never be loved the way I want to be. My scars may never go away. My parents may never live outside their realm of self-involvement. But I will always long for a time when we can be close again. It's a secret type of longing, like an old lover you can't get out of your head. My parents' spirit will always be with me. Like a dream I will always have. Maybe one day it will be our time again. And when that day comes, I will feel at last that they forgive me, as I do them.
     Perhaps freedom will finally come when I stop hoping for a different childhood, different parents."


this was taken from the book Playground by Jennifer Saginor. I read it last summer, however current events in my life bring me back to this particular passage; it could not be more fitting.

as per request by andrea silver

picnic party not too long ago. had been lazy on posting, but andrea got on my ass about it (asked nicely and complemented my photo skillz); so here they are!

                                                                                                       

super stoked for summer hangs. it is going to be all about picnics and bbqs, free pools and quebec fake beaches, mooching off peeps' cottages and going camping, taking bike rides and getting joke tatts, sitting around at tams and lounging on the stoops of all those who have stoops to be lounged on; just to name a few leisurely activities that I am looking forward to. 

from east to west

despite my fb bashing, it is where I found my source of inspiration for this post.

this is what Zoë Lagasi had for eats today, up in ottawa. take note of the beautifully crafted sandwiches: they are in the shape of hearts. no big deal.

meanwhile on the other side of the country, in vancouver; this is what Mikey Slack was snacking on. equally amazing. ps I miss him very much and hope to go visit soon since he is the best. 

sunday afternoon

Matt and I were pseudo tourists for a day, and it was pretty sweet.

                                                                                        

went up the mountain.

watched the game at biftek.   

had fresh baguette & pastries for late lunch.
                 (au pain doré, on st-lo)

it was dave's birthday

                                                                                



David Adams is the man. no but rly. this dude is as legit as they come, in all facets of life; he just rules. for sure makes my top 3 of most incredible people I have ever met in my entire life. and no one could ask for a better friend. he is always there for me, despite all of my fuckups and shortcomings, and even when I had H1N1; this bud right here always sticks by my side. love him to death. ps check out his band dig it up. 

and this little lady right here, Lyndsay; she has really been a life saver lately with bringing up my moral. this is her getting messy with a baked treat curtsy Mel Rai at dave's birthday party. I was apprehensive about going out this night, because it was going to be my first encounter with my ex in a social setting since we broke up. but this gal saved the day, and the rest of my weekend for that matter. I am pretty blessed with good buds! 

Caroline

again, excuse the bb photo quality; but this is Caroline Keating at her show this past Wednesday night. her music is beautiful, and so is she, inside and out. check out her tunes, they are worth the listen; they have gotten me through many tough and lonely nights. I count myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to meet such a wonderful lady, and I wish her all the happiness with her move to Halifax.

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.