In the midst of all the pain, suffering, injustices, inequalities, poverty, greed, and selfishness in the world, there is still a glimpse of hope and of humanity....
...such fragile beauty.
- - -
I have been thinking...about how privileged I am to have been born and raised in Canada. It's easy to think that we're lucky to live in a democratic country that respects human rights. Over breakfast the other day, my friend and I were talking about how we've never had to see a dead body, or run away from dropping bombs, or live in fear for what would happen from one moment to the next. We never had to fight for our rights, or our freedom. We never heard any gun shots, and we've never experienced a natural disaster. I guess you can say that comparatively, we're one of the few people in the world who have grown up and lived in peace all our lives.
In light of what has happened in Egypt, all the protest and violence that has taken place to fight for democracy, we can consider ourselves lucky. We sit back and watch the news about what's happening - we hear about the violence, the cries for freedom...yet we have never had to go through anything like that. Although many in my Chinese family still remember and mourn the loss of all those soldiers who were killed in Tiannamen, the year I was born, I have never had to experience something like this first-hand. What does it feel like to believe in something so much, that you would fight for it, rally for it, and risk your life for it?
But even though I live in Canada - can I say that I live in complete freedom? My country is consumed in capitalism and commercialism...those who govern the country - though democratic - tip the scale with their decisions on social, economic, and political issues. We have prescribed societal norms and roles to fill - and we are expected to fit into these molds.
We are expected to grow up in functional families, attend school, graduate from university (maybe earn a post-grad degree), find a job, get married, raise a family..... in any world where acquiring the basic necessities are an everyday struggle - this prescribed role, this society, this country - seems more than ideal.
...But what if I don't want to fit into this mold?...
We're in the 21st century now...we can fly to space, we can connect with people halfway across the world in an instant, we can buy all the food we ever need in a store down the road, we can fly anywhere in the world within a day. We pretty much live like the Jetson's Family...we have clothes, food, a home, toiletries, electronics - all the basic necessities, conveniences, and luxuries we could ever dream of....Yet there are people in the world TODAY being discriminated for their race, religion, and sex. Millions of people still live without proper flushing toilets in their homes. Many countries are still fighting for freedom of expression, fighting for their rights....How did this disparity come to be?
We have come so far and have used our intellectual abilities and resources like never before. But how can we still be lacking in the fundamental principles of humanity? How come we still have to learn how to share? How to be loving? Kind? Generous? Compassionate? and Self-less?
...
xx
SC.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
like a dream...
Yesterday was my third salsa lesson with the OLAS at York. I don't even know how to express how much fun this is for me. I really feel like I'm stepping out of the box, doing something that the normal 'Simone' would not do. Who knew that I'd be taking salsa lessons? Going to a salsa club? Trying out new steps with strangers? Accepting invitations to dance? Haha...who knew I had the courage.
I think I have slowly started to creep out of my shell, and I'm happy about it. Sometimes, it's really intimidating - like when you have established with your dancing partner that you're a beginner, and after that, all these complicated moves have you stumbling all over your own feet. I guess it's all part of the experience.
Yesterday, we learned some new moves which I was happy to get the hang of fairly quickly. But when it came to dancing on a real dance floor, I got all confused. After lessons, we went to the Cozzy Corner near Yonge & Sheppard. Although I only danced a few times, it was quite fun. Dancing the Bachata for the first time, and being dipped! was also something I never thought that I was able to do.
This morning, when I woke up, I felt like none of this had happened, and that it was all a dream. Even though I still have such a long way to go, I'm happy that I started these lessons...and I hope one day, I'll be able to dance like that girl with the bouncy curls yesterday - she was so light on her feet, held an elegant posture, and looked so amazing while she was dancing.
Thank you Lisa and Samantha :)
- - -
Though it is Reading Week, I have only done one reading. There is so much ahead of me. March will be a crazy month, full of assignments, presentations, papers, and exams.
I started my reading week with my best friends, Sarah, Hanford, and Titus...we went to the Tim Burton Exhibition at Bell's TIFF Lightbox. I didn't know what to expect, and it was quite a spontaneous decision to go - but I thoroughly enjoyed it. He is so talented, and his work is so unique. I brought them to FRESH, but vegetarian food did not fare well with them. Afterwards, we went to Snakes & Lattes, a board game cafe, and had lots of playing Othello, Battle of the Sexes, and Pictionary flashcards.
Tuesday was the day I designated to all my lovely friends. I had breakfast with Daphne - finally! - at Cora's and shared our travel stories. I spent the afternoon with Tenzing (whom I am going to India and Nepal with), showing her Pacific Mall and the crazy Japanese cosmetics one could buy there without travelling halfway across the world. Then, we went to a cozy Korean restaurant by Yonge & Finch. I spent the night with Katrina and Jo, my two lovelies, just hanging out and watching TV (eating icing, candy, and drinking Jo's delicious Caesar!) :)
Last night was Salsa Night, and tonight, I'm looking forward to my Hatha Yoga class! I'm glad that I'm fitting in two nights of exercise...no matter how busy I am, it's nice to take a break and get those endorphins up and pumping.
I'm also happy to spend this week with my lovely bf :) I realize that after this week, it'll be pretty rare to be able to spend such free time together, since I'm almost graduating, and he'll be busy with his co-op job...then summer will come - and I'll be off to adventures in Europe and Asia.
Post later -
xx.
I think I have slowly started to creep out of my shell, and I'm happy about it. Sometimes, it's really intimidating - like when you have established with your dancing partner that you're a beginner, and after that, all these complicated moves have you stumbling all over your own feet. I guess it's all part of the experience.
Yesterday, we learned some new moves which I was happy to get the hang of fairly quickly. But when it came to dancing on a real dance floor, I got all confused. After lessons, we went to the Cozzy Corner near Yonge & Sheppard. Although I only danced a few times, it was quite fun. Dancing the Bachata for the first time, and being dipped! was also something I never thought that I was able to do.
This morning, when I woke up, I felt like none of this had happened, and that it was all a dream. Even though I still have such a long way to go, I'm happy that I started these lessons...and I hope one day, I'll be able to dance like that girl with the bouncy curls yesterday - she was so light on her feet, held an elegant posture, and looked so amazing while she was dancing.
Thank you Lisa and Samantha :)
- - -
Though it is Reading Week, I have only done one reading. There is so much ahead of me. March will be a crazy month, full of assignments, presentations, papers, and exams.
I started my reading week with my best friends, Sarah, Hanford, and Titus...we went to the Tim Burton Exhibition at Bell's TIFF Lightbox. I didn't know what to expect, and it was quite a spontaneous decision to go - but I thoroughly enjoyed it. He is so talented, and his work is so unique. I brought them to FRESH, but vegetarian food did not fare well with them. Afterwards, we went to Snakes & Lattes, a board game cafe, and had lots of playing Othello, Battle of the Sexes, and Pictionary flashcards.
Tuesday was the day I designated to all my lovely friends. I had breakfast with Daphne - finally! - at Cora's and shared our travel stories. I spent the afternoon with Tenzing (whom I am going to India and Nepal with), showing her Pacific Mall and the crazy Japanese cosmetics one could buy there without travelling halfway across the world. Then, we went to a cozy Korean restaurant by Yonge & Finch. I spent the night with Katrina and Jo, my two lovelies, just hanging out and watching TV (eating icing, candy, and drinking Jo's delicious Caesar!) :)
Last night was Salsa Night, and tonight, I'm looking forward to my Hatha Yoga class! I'm glad that I'm fitting in two nights of exercise...no matter how busy I am, it's nice to take a break and get those endorphins up and pumping.
I'm also happy to spend this week with my lovely bf :) I realize that after this week, it'll be pretty rare to be able to spend such free time together, since I'm almost graduating, and he'll be busy with his co-op job...then summer will come - and I'll be off to adventures in Europe and Asia.
Post later -
xx.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Yo no se manana....
Yesterday, Lisa and I finally made it out to the salsa classes at Keele!! I had so much fun and now I'm practicing the steps every morning in front of the mirror in my bathroom hahahah....it's so much fun, and I can't believe I missed out on this before!! Finally learning the steps made me wish I had known them while I was in Cuba! Even when our Cuban friends tried to teach us, it seemed so hard! They could dance flawlessly, it was in their blood. Us Canadians, with our stiff hips always made a fool out of ourselves...but it was fun nonetheless. Now I can't wait until I actually use these steps on a dancefloor!
Lisa posted this song up - and now I can't stop listening!
I'm feeling so blissful today - I just had a really stressful week with a test, a seminar, an exam, and a paper due in the same 2 days...but I managed to stick in a class of salsa and crossfit (which by the way, is a class I won't do again!!) At first, I was really hesitant about going to salsa class, since I hadn't even studied half of the material for my exam...but now I'm so happy I did. You know what? If I didn't go, I would have missed out on so much. I feel that although it is my responsibility to do well in my studies, work to save money, etc... I would miss out on a lot of good things in life if I didn't let go once in awhile. Afterall, I don't want to spend my whole life buried in books! Somehow, this tiny inspiration from a dance class has made me realize again that I need to live my life, and not just sit back and watch it pass me by.
xx
Lisa posted this song up - and now I can't stop listening!
I'm feeling so blissful today - I just had a really stressful week with a test, a seminar, an exam, and a paper due in the same 2 days...but I managed to stick in a class of salsa and crossfit (which by the way, is a class I won't do again!!) At first, I was really hesitant about going to salsa class, since I hadn't even studied half of the material for my exam...but now I'm so happy I did. You know what? If I didn't go, I would have missed out on so much. I feel that although it is my responsibility to do well in my studies, work to save money, etc... I would miss out on a lot of good things in life if I didn't let go once in awhile. Afterall, I don't want to spend my whole life buried in books! Somehow, this tiny inspiration from a dance class has made me realize again that I need to live my life, and not just sit back and watch it pass me by.
xx
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Come with me to the sea of love...
As I was walking home today, I could feel the warm rays of the sun through the bitter cold. There was little snow on the ground and I realized that it was actually bright and sunny. There was no one walking on the street, and no cars passing by. A sense of calm overcame me and for that one moment, I felt really content.
Have you felt this strange feeling before?
Have you felt this strange feeling before?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
my travels: Havana, Cuba
Check out my new travel post about Havana, Cuba!
I think the thing that sticks out to me most about my trip, is how much Cuba isn't what you think it is...and I think that was the basis of my post. To see more here (and really, about how much Cuba isn't just a resort), go watch this short video here.
- - -
I finally get a day off today, and I'm not sure I can afford slacking off. But what the heck. Studio launch party tonight? Sounds good.
A few of my friends have now gone abroad. Joyceline just left for Switzerland for her half year exchange, and it sounds like she is already having a really amazing time. Karin is currently in Malaysia and soon to be in Australia...I miss her so much already!! Hopefully, I'll have a chance to meet up with her in Malaysia in August. My friend Eleni has been in France for awhile now, teaching English to elementary school kids....and I'll be going to visit her in May!! I'm super excited...my first time in France! I'm always wondering when my adventures will start...when I'll start teaching...when I will finally gather up the courage to get my butt off this chair and apply to different countries to go and teach.
People always think they can go teach English anywhere, as long as they have some kind of degree. I get sort of offended by this, as I know that you actually have to know your English and know how to teach it...it's not enough to go just because you speak English fluently. How are you going to explain to a kid who doesn't speak any English, what the difference between "on", "at", "in", "around"? It's not as easy as it looks or seems - as I have learned in my D-TEIL class.
I haven't decided where my first destination will be - when I figure things out, I'll let you know?
- - -
xx, muchos besos
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Il faut danser!
So I just got back from Zumba class...which also turned out to be a bit of salsa, merengue, and belly dance!! It was SO much fun...and I sweated buckets!! It was so amazing...and even though I still can't really move my hips well yet....I hope I'll be on my way :D
Interesting Fact of the Day:
Did you know that the oldest person in the world is currently 126 years of age? An elderly woman from Cuba. Apparently, it's not recorded in the world records (maybe because it's Cuba?) ...the world record is at 116 years of age - also a woman. They must be doing something right in Cuba...they have over a thousand people that have lived past a century. Sometimes they have so little, but still they are rich in other ways. People in Western society are dying left right and centre...we have money, but we are also plagued by disease. In essence, we should learn to be more carefree, more open, laugh more, dance more...and fill our lives with music, dance, and love. Viva Cuba!!
xx
Interesting Fact of the Day:
Did you know that the oldest person in the world is currently 126 years of age? An elderly woman from Cuba. Apparently, it's not recorded in the world records (maybe because it's Cuba?) ...the world record is at 116 years of age - also a woman. They must be doing something right in Cuba...they have over a thousand people that have lived past a century. Sometimes they have so little, but still they are rich in other ways. People in Western society are dying left right and centre...we have money, but we are also plagued by disease. In essence, we should learn to be more carefree, more open, laugh more, dance more...and fill our lives with music, dance, and love. Viva Cuba!!
xx
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
starting over.
So, I'm back.
I stopped blogging...I think the last time I blogged was before I headed off to Cuba for my teaching practicum. And after I came back, things were just really crazy...so I guess I had forgotten about the joys of blogging.
I'm thinking of starting another blog just for documenting my travels. If any of you are interested, you can check out http://sweet-fixations.blogspot.com/
Right now, I've settled down and am preparing (more mentally) for the next chapter of my life. In 3 months, I will be done my undergraduate and will be graduating in June. I am awaiting for my acceptance (or rejection letter, I suppose) from OISE at the University of Toronto...at first, I was thinking of applying to both UofT and YorkU...but I decided that I need a change, though a big reason for not applying to York was because I didn't want to go through the tedious application process. Even so, going to another University looks good on the resume. I was also thinking of what I could possibly do if I don't get accepted into OISE...I could work and save a lot of money, take some cooking classes, and Spanish classes. I've had enough with French - if I want to actually learn how to speak it, I'll have to live in Quebec, France, or Switzerland for awhile...otherwise I think it'll be impossible. Originally, I was thinking that it wouldn't be such a big deal if I didn't get in because I actually want to take a year off just to breathe. But after thinking about it for awhile...I think I would be slacking off more than anything else.
So please pray for me.
This summer, I'm excited for my big adventures! First, I have to get piano out of the way...I'm sort of beginning to enjoy it, but still...only after 15 years of it?! My ARCT needs to be done by June...or else I'm stuck with it until January. Either way - I am not going to let it disrupt my travelling; it's just not worth it.
So here's my big itinerary:
France & Spain
I'm going to visit my brother in Salamanca with my parents, but before that, I'm going to visit Eleni (one of the chicas that went to Cuba with me) who is currently teaching English in La Roche-Sur-Yon, Nantes, in the southwestern part of France. Needless to say, I'm super excited!! I've been to Europe once, to Cologne, Germany when I was 16 (I think) but that was for World Youth Day. It was a fantastic experience, but now that I'm more consciously aware of my life and have a better sense of self, I feel like these travels will be different.
Eleni will be teaching classes during the weekdays, which means I have a lot of time to go wandering by myself. Although I can be spontaneous at times, I still like to plan ahead and be super organized. I can guarantee that I will be boarding that plane with everything mapped out and a full itinerary! This is the first time I'm travelling by myself - I'm a big girl now.
After my time in Nantes, I will be busing it over to Madrid, where I meet my parents and we'll be off to Salamanca - the city of scholars, apparently. I don't even remember the last time I saw my brother...it must be almost a year now.
India, Nepal & Malaysia
SO very different from my European trip. I'm so excited for this because I'll be going with my friend Tenzing - an amazing girl I met in the first class of the first year of my undergrad. She was born in Nepal and went to boarding school in India, so I'm going to count on her to show me around! We haven't booked the flight yet - but this trip is definitely going to happen. She has family in both Nepal and India, so I'll be staying with them. We're planning to fly into Delhi and take the bus to Nepal. I'm a bit worried about documentation, but hopefully, everything will be organized and planned before we fly off. Our destinations include: Delhi, Rajasthan, Goa, Agra, Jaipur, and Nepal - is that too much for a 1 month trip? I think I'll have to go back in a few years! Either way, this will be a trip of a lifetime. I hear many say that people either love India, or hate it. I'll just have to see for myself.
Two awesome points to remember: I MIGHT be able to meet the Dalai Lama...and I WILL be visiting the Taj Mahal. This leaves me speechless.
My friend Karin (another muchacha from Cuba) will be in Malaysia for a few days after her 7 month long trek around the world! Hopefully, I'll be able to meet her there. I can't wait until all my adventures begin!!
-
I forgot how much fun blogging (and writing, really) can be!
I stopped blogging...I think the last time I blogged was before I headed off to Cuba for my teaching practicum. And after I came back, things were just really crazy...so I guess I had forgotten about the joys of blogging.
I'm thinking of starting another blog just for documenting my travels. If any of you are interested, you can check out http://sweet-fixations.blogspot.com/
Right now, I've settled down and am preparing (more mentally) for the next chapter of my life. In 3 months, I will be done my undergraduate and will be graduating in June. I am awaiting for my acceptance (or rejection letter, I suppose) from OISE at the University of Toronto...at first, I was thinking of applying to both UofT and YorkU...but I decided that I need a change, though a big reason for not applying to York was because I didn't want to go through the tedious application process. Even so, going to another University looks good on the resume. I was also thinking of what I could possibly do if I don't get accepted into OISE...I could work and save a lot of money, take some cooking classes, and Spanish classes. I've had enough with French - if I want to actually learn how to speak it, I'll have to live in Quebec, France, or Switzerland for awhile...otherwise I think it'll be impossible. Originally, I was thinking that it wouldn't be such a big deal if I didn't get in because I actually want to take a year off just to breathe. But after thinking about it for awhile...I think I would be slacking off more than anything else.
So please pray for me.
This summer, I'm excited for my big adventures! First, I have to get piano out of the way...I'm sort of beginning to enjoy it, but still...only after 15 years of it?! My ARCT needs to be done by June...or else I'm stuck with it until January. Either way - I am not going to let it disrupt my travelling; it's just not worth it.
So here's my big itinerary:
France & Spain
I'm going to visit my brother in Salamanca with my parents, but before that, I'm going to visit Eleni (one of the chicas that went to Cuba with me) who is currently teaching English in La Roche-Sur-Yon, Nantes, in the southwestern part of France. Needless to say, I'm super excited!! I've been to Europe once, to Cologne, Germany when I was 16 (I think) but that was for World Youth Day. It was a fantastic experience, but now that I'm more consciously aware of my life and have a better sense of self, I feel like these travels will be different.
Eleni will be teaching classes during the weekdays, which means I have a lot of time to go wandering by myself. Although I can be spontaneous at times, I still like to plan ahead and be super organized. I can guarantee that I will be boarding that plane with everything mapped out and a full itinerary! This is the first time I'm travelling by myself - I'm a big girl now.
After my time in Nantes, I will be busing it over to Madrid, where I meet my parents and we'll be off to Salamanca - the city of scholars, apparently. I don't even remember the last time I saw my brother...it must be almost a year now.
India, Nepal & Malaysia
SO very different from my European trip. I'm so excited for this because I'll be going with my friend Tenzing - an amazing girl I met in the first class of the first year of my undergrad. She was born in Nepal and went to boarding school in India, so I'm going to count on her to show me around! We haven't booked the flight yet - but this trip is definitely going to happen. She has family in both Nepal and India, so I'll be staying with them. We're planning to fly into Delhi and take the bus to Nepal. I'm a bit worried about documentation, but hopefully, everything will be organized and planned before we fly off. Our destinations include: Delhi, Rajasthan, Goa, Agra, Jaipur, and Nepal - is that too much for a 1 month trip? I think I'll have to go back in a few years! Either way, this will be a trip of a lifetime. I hear many say that people either love India, or hate it. I'll just have to see for myself.
Two awesome points to remember: I MIGHT be able to meet the Dalai Lama...and I WILL be visiting the Taj Mahal. This leaves me speechless.
My friend Karin (another muchacha from Cuba) will be in Malaysia for a few days after her 7 month long trek around the world! Hopefully, I'll be able to meet her there. I can't wait until all my adventures begin!!
-
I forgot how much fun blogging (and writing, really) can be!
I just started using Skype...I made an account long ago, but never figured out how to use it. But anyways, skype me! This is weird - I'm still used to using MSN Messenger.
I was distracted and now I lost my train of thought...or train of writing (?)
xx
Simone
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
