Adventures to be had #1.

Sometimes I feel like there are so many things in the world that it's overwhelming - so many places to visit, things to experience, emotions to feel, books to read, skills to learn, so many people to savour every moment with... This post is the beginning of my stream of adventures to be had.

The architecture, the art, the food, the fashion... Paris, France.

I have visited Paris in the past, when I was only young. The experience always changes when you grow older; there are new things you want to see and do. When it comes to places such as those beautiful spots in Europe, I don't believe in site-seeing. I would rather spend a long period of time in a beautiful place living like a local than a short period looking at the things we're told we "have to see" when we visit.

Qui peut résister? Paris est magnifique!

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Things that win my heart #12.

Books by your favourite author that come autographed!

But more importantly, books that can make you laugh and cry in the same sentence; that you finish overnight for lack of power to put them down, delving into your fears and hopes through them. Ones that you forget are fiction because they're too wonderful, daring, terrifying, poetic and honest not to be part of the real world.

Thank you John Green.

"I believe the universe wants to be noticed. I think the universe is 

improbably biased toward consciousness, that it rewards intelligence 

in part because the universe enjoys its elegance being observed." 

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Holding our grudges.

I don't know why I haven't been able to complete any of the different drafts I have saved to this blog in the past few weeks. Sorry for the absence; I guess it's really been a challenge to get my thoughts in order. And there has been a lot to think about.

The one thing that has come up the most in this time has been grudges. They've popped up in conversations, situations and contemplations on end! Perhaps this is because of the whole "new year, new beginnings" thing and people want to begin the year without bitterness, but in saying this, I don't understand it.

I don't think we should be getting over our "grudges" just because we've suddenly decided to have a clean slate ahead of us. We have to clean that slate ourselves, not just dump its contents on the ground and expect everything to be okay.

A grudge is "a persistent feeling of ill will or resentment resulting from a past insult or injury." People say we should let them go because there's "no point holding onto the past," but really, these past insults or injuries change the way we see the person who had caused them. We are given the chance to learn a new side to their character. By suddenly letting go of a grudge without reason, we're ignoring that part of who they are.

Now I'm not saying we should hold onto our grudges forever; I'm just saying perhaps we're better off figuring them out. Has the person changed? Or do we simply wish to imagine they have changed? There's a vast difference.

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Happy holidays.

Happy holidays everyone. I hope it's been splendiferous!

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Ars longa, vita brevis.

"Ars longa,
vita brevis,
occasio praeceps,
experimentum periculosum,
iudicium difficile."

– Hippokrates of Kos (460 BC - 370 BC)

"Art is long,          

life is short,          

opportunity fleeting,          

experiment perilous,          

judgment difficult."          

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Mismatched meanings.

Just like every other word in every language, "Sorry" seems to have different meanings to each person across the world. To some it may mean "I wish I hadn't done it" or "I wish you hadn't found out." Perhaps "I know you don't approve, so I'll just apologise to get off the hook." Maybe it means "I regret it and I won't do it again."

Whatever "Sorry" means to a person, the definition is created by the mix of experiences they've had in life. Were you ever forced to apologise to someone, or did you have someone say it to you and really mean it? Did someone say it a million times, once for evey time they repeated the mistake, losing the meaning of the word?

Every word has a connection with something within our lives, or will possibly have that connection in the future. What do you think of when you hear the word "dad" or "summer" or "illness"? We all have different relationships with our parents, all have had different summers throughout life, and all know illness in different ways.

So then we string together sentences expecting others to understand what our minds comprehend of them, when all these words will never mean the same to another person. I wonder if anyone ever completely understands anyone else.

And I wonder if anyone else thinks "Sorry" means that the person regrets their actions and doesn't want to do it again. Saying it without meaning can be worse and even more hurtful than not saying it at all. Don't apologise if you know you're going to do it again. Don't apologise if it's just because you think it's what the other person wants you to do. Don't apologise if you don't understand. And don't ever apologise if you're not sorry.

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Across the world.

I'm trying to figure out how (and I'm really not sure) I forgot about the posting challenge I took on aaages ago. Compilation of challenge posts available here and will be updated. Can you believe I started in August LAST YEAR?! Oops.

Well, today it continues...

Challenge Post 07- Something you miss

My Canadian family.

Photo by Blink and You'll Miss It

I'm not sure if I'm able to write too much on this topic without getting myself upset, but to try and make you understand how I feel about them, try thinking of someone you love greatly, and then send them across the world, and then multiply this one person by so many. Minus the growing up together, and just dropping past their place whenever, or celebrating all our birthdays and Christmas together every year.

But do add late night board games and junk food, and add getting to know each other despite the distance. Then add the occasions we did get to spend together, and the snowmen we built. Add whispered conversations that went much too late into the night, and add all the experiences we shared in the past and will share in the future; moments we won't forget. Then glue it all together with great memories and love.

I really can't wait to see you all again. ♥

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