Month: November 2024

2 weeks ago I went on a road trip through Oregon and California, to go to Disneyland and Universal Studios. The road trip to California was excruciatingly long, we stayed in Portland, San Francisco, and finally, Anaheim where Disney is located. On our first day in Anaheim, we went to Universal Studios, when you enter Universal there is a red carpet entrance a huge fountain, and many shops with souvenirs, my favorite store was the Hello Kitty store! Universal is split up into 2 sections: 1. Shops, Minion land, and Springfield (the Simpsons) 2. Jurassic Park, Mario World, and other rides with their own separate sets. I had two separate days in Universal Studios so I was able to explore the whole park and even took photos with King Julian and Hello Kitty! Universal Studios was huge so we decided to take a tour of the film lot, we hopped on to a car called a tram and looked at different film sets and filming locations, we were able to see the sets of; The Good Place, Ted, Jurassic park, Jaws, Big Fat liar, Psycho Bates mansion, Nope, and fast and furious. The tour was so cool because I was able to look at the real stage where some of my favorite films and actors were. Overall Universal Studios was so magical and seeing all the sets, rides, and actors was such a fun experience.

Our second day in Anaheim was filled with Disney from 10 am to 9 pm almost a whopping 12 hours at the park and boy were my feet soar. The day started with going off to the right side of Disney Land called Disney Park, Disney Park features things like Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Sleeping Beauty’s castle, New Orleans Square, Toon Town, and Adventure Land. Disney Park was more of a viewing side of the park; you were able to see gorgeous builds of structures from some of your favorite movies. Star Wars was recreated so well whether it be the rides or the actual Star Wars sets everything was detailed beautifully down to the last speck of dust, the rides were so immersive and interactive that sometimes I thought a 3D dark Vader was coming after me on a ride called “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance”. Later in the day at 2 pm, I went to the left side of the park called Disney California Adventure, this side of the park was made more for intense rides with rides like; the incredicoaster, guardians of the Galaxy, Mickey Swinging Ferris wheel, and Space Mountain. If you know me, I’m a sucker for intense and “scary” rides so the incredicoaster which is a fast roller coaster that flips you into a loop was one of my top 3 rides along with Guardians of the Galaxy which is a ride that drops you up and down from very high heights. Both sides of the park were incredibly gorgeous and the second I stepped into Disney land I felt like a kid again getting excited over taking a photo with Mickey and Minnie at the Disney Halloween parade. Both parks were spot on and realistic to all the movies and shows I grew up with and still watch, the parks made me relive my childhood and it was so fun especially since I went with one of my best friends Eva who made it 10 times better to experience.

I had a dream. The dream wasn’t pleasant. The dream was not a nightmare, I wasn’t scared. The dream was not a place or time, it was a dream. The dream was a version of myself in twisted ways, either physically, or maybe that represented the space around. Maybe it was the lighting, but I had a feeling it was more than that. There was a sense of dread, whether with or without the fear, and the absence of danger. There was no dread, only peace in a broken illusion fragmented by woe. Woe is not my friend, she is not yours, nor does she exist either both or neither. Woe had a smile, and Woe was when she existed. Woe was not sad, nor distressed, she was simply there to exist in a circle that defies your mind and your logic. She resides within me.

Woe had long hair, unkempt and messy, but due to her own self because she could not care. Woe had distress, from the first touch and the first thought, and then from the raindrops that littered a clear glass pane. Woe could be the sun, for as much as she is the moon, she should not be seen as such. She wasn’t sad, nor was she happy, but she drowned all the same in a bottomless pit that was not water or air. She knew all the lyrics to nine songs that ring a bell like the grandfather clock that haunts her from the corner of her world. She knows the sound of a dog. She is a dog, there for all, there for nothing.

Agustina Bazterrica’s eerie dystopian novel Tender Is the Flesh explores the extremes of social desensitization and dehumanization. The book centers on Marcos, a worker at a meat processing plant, in a world where human flesh is grown and eaten and animal meat is tainted. Readers are drawn into a terrifying world where morality and ethics are forsaken in order to survive thanks to Bazterrica’s unnerving and compelling prose. She implores readers to consider difficult issues regarding humanity, empathy, and the limitations of moral compromise through vivid, disturbing images.

With a detached prose that reflects the numbness of its surroundings, the novel is expertly unnerving. Because it graphically explores violent themes, it is not for the fainthearted, but for those who are prepared to endure its horrors, Tender Is the Flesh is a profoundly impactful and unforgettable book. It is a potent critique of the perils of extreme commercialization and the detached nature of modern society.

The Vancouver trip was a trip where only dorm students that had 15 years or more could go and we had a limited amount of spaces. Since I knew about this trip I was really exited about it because i never went to Vancouver before and I really wanted to go because it would be the first big city that I would visit here in Canada and I didn’t know if it would be like the experiences I had before.

In the first day we gone to the Halloween fair that was really fun and there was many different attractions, my favorite one was the wooden roller coaster that was really fun because of the speed of it and the sharp turns it had, but the extra is that many of my friends were there with me what was really fun.

In the second day I went shopping through Vancouver with my friends and later in the day we went to the Hockey game what was super fun and I discovered a new sport that I liked. The last day was calmer because we did not have that many time left so we went to a shopping mall and that was our last day basically. I loved the trip a lot and I had really nice memories of me and my friends there.

I didn’t exactly have a straight idea on what to write about, so instead I thought why not share my experience on the Remembrance Day Ceremony? To start it off though I was already really damn scared about it because probably like most people, I hate going up and speaking in front of multiple people, it makes me feel my heart in my throat and feel a heartbeat in my head. From the beginning one of my partners weren’t showing and I needed them for a slide and since I was already a bit vulnerable it gave me a heart attack (not actually), and then math marks got brought up, checked my grade and in the moment I thought I got low grades for a test I was confident, later I found out he put the marks on the wrong test (thank GOD), but in the moment that made my day even worse, panicking more.

Then around came the ceremony, my partners were there, all I had to do was walk up there and read but I was so nervous, practically shaking! when I walked up on that stage I was shocked to see how many people were actually there, how many people were staring dead blank at me, how many people were there to see every little mistake, it scared me so much I kind of found it funny how many minion sized people there were. After doing my part I came to the realization that it wasn’t too hard to do but that doesn’t suppress the mass anxiety haha. Once we finished, my god you can not imagine the happiness of being done with that, god it felt GREAT!

I can’t believe that already have been 3 months since I got here from Mexico. Time have past so fast that I didn’t realize how much memories and fun I had until now. Lately the days feel much colder than before, so I have to buy more clothes to not freeze outside. Sincerely I don’t have much to say because everything has been so relaxed and anything interesting have happened right now.

Mushu is a creature of pure leisure. With his rich sandy coloured beard and regal presence, he carries himself like royalty— but with none of the effort. While other bearded dragons run around, chasing crickets or explore new territories, Mushu prefers to lounge in his favourite sunbeam, basking like he’s auditioning for a portrait.

He’s the definition of lazy. But I guess he gets that from his owner..! There are days when I’ll check on him and he’s stretched out on his rock, not a care in the world as crickets jump on his head, as if the concept of movement is beneath him. His most ambitious activity is occasionally shifting to a slightly more comfortable spot or lazily extending a leg when the warmth hits just right. Food? He’ll get there eventually– if it happens to wander by, he might show mild interest unless its a blue hornworm then he’s everywhere. If not, he’s more content to stare off into space.

Mushu’s laziness is almost an art form. He has mastered the art of doing absolutely nothing with such grace, I can’t help but admire it. While the world whizzes by, Mushu remains still, basking in his own quiet, slow-motion kingdom. And really, who could blame him? He’s found the secret to a perfectly spoiled, relaxed life– and he’s in no rush to share it with anyone.

(I read this out to him and he gave me such a dirty glare I thought he might try to come for me)

If you’ve ever been to Surrey, you’re going to be so confused why I’m writing about it (unless you know me). I know every little corner of Surrey by heart, probably even better than Victoria since the last time I lived here was when I was 11. I already explained that in my introduction.

I honestly I had no idea why I missed Surrey so much until I finally caved in and decided to visit my cousins after four horrible-dredged-tormenting months of not being able to see them (the longest time I’ve been away from them), I understood why. I realized that I missed the chaos of the screaming of my little cousins running around and being forced to take care of them (so no, I wasn’t talking about the shootings). I’m closer to some of my cousins then I am with my siblings. I only say that because I think I know a few of them better than my own brothers since I can connect with them on the same level (while my my age gap with my brothers’ cause some barriers). I am in Surrey right now, and this first visit after moving away, was very… eventful… At the least.

After getting off the most boring and normal ferry ride I’ve been on, we arrived at my cousins’ house. Scratch that. That place is basically mine. We arrived at my house in Surrey (because I’m definitely rich). The moment I came I hugged everyone except my LEAST favourite cousin (she knows very well she is my most favourite person in the world. I WOULD TAKE A MILLION BULLETS FOR HER IF I EVER HAVE TO (let’s pray that’s never the case)! I mean she saved my life a million times, but we’re not going to get on that topic much because she is going to sound like a hero, which she is for my dumb head). Both of us had been arguing with each other for the last 4 months to the point we don’t know what we were arguing about. All I know is that I’m not wrong. Both of us then looked at each other and knew what it meant. We both went to an empty room and kicked everybody out. We talked for hours like I never left, just catching up. Talking about how much we missed each other. Honestly, we could not see each other for 3 years and pick up the conversation right where we left it. Well, if I somehow survive that long without her, but I highly doubt that. Then, my brothers, cousins, and I watched a movie up ’til VERY late. The next day we went to their farm (they’re building a new house so they wanted to show us the progress that has been made). I also got my caramel ice cap after that (I’ve been craving that thing for such a long time). One thing I didn’t miss was the plaza near my Surrey house. They’re are a lot of homeless people and let’s just say your doing your lungs a favour if you avoid that place.

Now it is Monday, and I don’t want to come back because I don’t want to. Also, my cousins have a extra two weeks off (I used to get an extra break) and I deserve it more. Well, see you all tomorrow!

As you may be shocked to read the title of this blog post, in my freshly October mind it is already time for Christmas to arrive! The holiday for laughter and cheer, Christmas is coming fast with no sight of a tear! I love Christmas with its pretty fairy lights, delicious food, and most of all it’s over-the-top celebration. This among other things makes this season the best for showing love and appreciation to everyone you love most or even the people you wish would get out of your life forever. No matter the difference in personality, appearance, or amount of money a person has, everyone can celebrate Christmas with any simple thanks or smile they can give. Christmas however, has not always been a celebratory holiday for me as you may come to find out. Before this year I absolutely hated Christmas with all my might. I hated everything about it even the parts I love and can not image Christmas without. Besides not wanting Christmas to appear it was a consent reminder I didn’t have anyone close to seriously celebrate with. Nonetheless, as this year has already brought me so much new love and joy I am very excited to finally celebrate Christmas this year, as I know full heartly it’s gonna be one I’ll never forget.

the hailstone numbers are so called because they go to very big heights before coming down. I like the hailstone numbers because they are so different. they are very different.

Today I realized that I have already spend so much time in Canada without noticing, it’s been already 2 months. I have already made so many friends and I’m so thankful for that because I had met so great people and makes me sad thinking that some of them will be gone in some time.

My time here has also been remembering to appreciate those how are far away. That it doesn’t matter if they are not exactly at our side, they are on our hearts always. To appreciate the moment because someday they will by only memories.

Of course, I’ve been having a ball here with the incredible people that I have met so far until now. I also been going around the city. Living along people of my age, younger and older people had been great. It had been a challenge to get along with somethings, but I finally did it. All I have left to say is that I’ve been enjoying being an exchange student.