Friday Cannot Come Soon Enough

Or can it?

I don't know what's going to happen on Friday. Nobody does. I'll just have to wing it as I so often do.

I pledge to not embarrass myself or others, but I can make no guarantees. I'm an emotional person who thinks a lot (too much); the personality test mumbojumbo confirmed as much last week.

I do know life will finally have a chance of getting back on track after Friday. It'll be the definitive end of a chapter, one way or another.

You Can't Please Everyone

Seemed like everyone I talked to at church today had an opinion on my new look. Cut it. Keep it. Drug dealer. Gullit.

Seriously, I couldn't care less if you don't approve of it. I will not conform to your standards. It might not be popular, but it's my style. It makes me unique. And that's what it's all about, taking a stand for individualism in the midst of a sea of trend-followers.

It almost makes me laugh that people in church tell me to cut my naturally-grown hair short when they say nothing about artificially coloring hair through highlights or dyes. Or guys getting their ears pierced. Or, heck, the simple use of hairgel.

If they thought this was shocking, they got another thing coming next week.

What I've been up to...

*yawn* Seems like I've disappeared ever since coming back. Just that there's been so much to do helping dad out with house repairs. But it feels good to be working alongside my parents trying to get that house back in decent shape so we can get rid of it this summer. Spent three freaking hours trying to put the shower door up today.

Finally splashed the cash today on the new pair of football shoes I've had my eyes on for months. Well, not exactly. I wanted the Predator Pulsado in Beckham colours (white/blue), but I bought the silver/red Predator Pulsion instead for the same price. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Went to fellowship on Friday, worship and Sunday school today. Life seems to go on as usual, passing me by without so much as a glance. Only I understand the anxiety and uncertainty that embroil my life. Lord knows how much longer I can hold up this facade before I crack.

The plan for now is just to finish up my degree and find a decent job somewhere. Calgary, Toronto, it doesn't matter. I'll leave that up to Him. But I've made up my mind: I'll remain unattached until after my convocation. That's right, it'll be just me and my friends at my convo.

One thing to be thankful for: my dad actually sang in worship today. Granted, he's not much of a singer, but he gave what he had. I was impressed.

For the Last Time...

First my parents, then my uncle and aunt, then my friends... I've had it.

For the last time, I'm not getting a haircut.

To me, this is more than just a fashion statement. It's about my identity as an individual and as a man. As an individual because I can make decisions on my own and not aim to please anybody. As a man because I believe manliness is better expressed through a little natural messiness than what Gillette or Schick promote. And if I lose opportunities with girls because of how I choose to express myself, so be it. Like I said, I don't aim to please anyone anymore.

Not yet, anyway.

First Taste of Life After

I'm not sure exactly what compelled me to take a stroll around Superstore, considering how many uncles and aunties from church do groceries there on a regular basis.

So I looked through the books section, found nothing interesting other than the Douglas Adams collection of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (all five books of which I already have), then went over to the ice-cream aisle and made up my mind to settle for nothing less than two bucks a liter. Yes, that rules out No Name ice-cream. Gonna try Breyers or Foremost or even Lucerne from Safeway.

Anyhoo, the real hammer blow came when I casually walked into the produce section. I stopped dead in my tracks when I glanced over and saw her dad from afar, then turned on my heels and left quick as I could, wondering if he saw me too.

I guess I just wasn't ready for it. Not in a public place like Superstore anyway.

Toronto, Part Two

So my time in Toronto has come to a pleasant end. Was worried for a moment that the taxi/limo drivers blockading the airport would throw my plans out the window, but fortunately their blockade only started at noon today.

Finally back in town at noon local time after a year's absence. Went out to tea with my folks before heading home, where I used my own key to open the front door. Got the rest of the day to relax, but starting tomorrow it'll be hard work trying to get that house in Hawkwood in decent shape for sale later this summer.

So anyway, back to Toronto. Monday will always be a treasured evening to me. For reasons that I will keep to myself.

My aunt in Toronto keeps pushing me to move there for two things: jobs and girls. And I'll tell ya, it's tempting.

Toronto, Part One

So I spent a few days in Toronto prior to taking the Greyhound here, so perhaps I'll summarize first before I fall further behind. Arrived Tuesday afternoon around 3pm (an hour late, an impressive feat given our departure was delayed by two hours), didn't really do much the rest of the day, just dinner with my uncle and aunt.

Wednesday, went for tea with uncle and aunt, strolled around a mall for a bit, then went to dinner (Korean BBQ for freaking $10.99!!!) and dessert with John and Laura. Thursday, went to lunch with them again, but not before checking out his wonderful flat at Yonge and Finch.

Then I took the subway downtown to see the Hockey Hall of Fame, had my picture taken with the Stanley Cup, then rushed all the way over to the University of Toronto's St. George campus in half an hour to see Aby on her convocation day. Vivian was there too. Had to leave early cuz of the coach ride, but I'll see if they'd like to meet up again when I get back from Waterloo.

Which brings us then to the little university town of Waterloo. It's been nice catching up with Ray and especially Shek. Dude couldn't recognize me with my hairdo, er, mane though. Ray probably thought Shek picked up a lady when we walked back to the car.

Anyhoo, lecture's coming to an end here soon so I better get ready to pack up. Going out to hotpot tonight, maybe more multiplayer gaming afterwards.

Feels good to be home. Well, not quite.

So behind, so far behind

Sorry about not posting much of late. I've been travelling around Switzerland first of all (and of course I had no internet after May 31) and then to France (where I had internet but not on my laptop). Now I'm in Waterloo, visiting Ka Shek and Raymond. Actually, sitting in a lecture with Shek right now. I do have a few entries on my laptop that I will add as soon as I get home (next Tuesday for all of you who asked a thousand times yet can never remember). I also realize I still have to write about my Italian trip. Like I said, so behind, so far behind.

Here's my story of the day: I actually answered a question (correctly too) in Shek's thermo class this morning, thermo being something I hadn't studied in years. Oh, and saw Shannon in the next class with a guest lecturer.

Until next time.

Auf wiedersehen, au revoir, tschuss, ciao, tschuss!

Well, I can't believe it's at an end. I'm writing this on the TGV from Zurich to Paris. That's right, the Swiss chapter is over, for better or for worse.

I've travelled to many places, I've seen many things. From London to Edinburgh, from Berlin to Vienna, from Prague to Budapest, from Rome and now to Paris. I've been to the British Museum, the Berlin Wall, the Vatican, and the Matterhorn. I've seen statues, sculptures, paintings, mosaics, and architectures far beyond my wildest imaginations. I've taken trains, boats, and planes. I've spoken German, French, Italian, English English, and even Scottish English. I've had bratwursts, cordon-bleus, fondues, raclettes, and goulashes. I lost a camera and and a girlfriend, but more importantly I lost a few pounds and not my sense of humour.

I realize I'm quite behind in jotting down what happened the past few weeks, as far back as my Italian trip. I hope I'll have time to finish it all over the summer, in between going to classes and playing football.

Bis bald, tschuss!