LOOK UP

i've been a bad blogger. i realized my blog has turned into a collection of photographs from my disposable cameras, trips around the world, and old memories i thought i'd locked in the vault. maybe you enjoy this? i don't know. but i do apologize for my lack of effort and imagination. i finally bought a canon slr and i have yet to play with it (when you get what you want, you don't want it anymore?)

i said good-bye to an old friend, farewell to old love(s), adios to my negative attitude, and hello to a new beginning of (what i like to call) "claughing"

i hope you're still with me...

†††††††††††††

i enjoy grain. very much.
so much, i might start using my point and shoot again.


(June 2009)

DROWNING

Femme Fatale (2002)
(CREDIT: livejournal film_stills)

YES, CAPTAIN!

(Photo: Debbie Santelli)

THEY'RE ALWAYS WATCHING...

WHITE BALANCE

“i like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells. fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living; it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of the telescope, which is what i do, and that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.” - Dr. Seuss

ALL HALLOW'S EVE

DO YOU STILL PRETEND TO BE SOMEONE ELSE ON HALLOWEEN?

UNE FEMME EST UNE FEMME

(CREDIT: livejournal film_stills)

BIFTEK - no one was invited, everyone showed up

BIFTEK - mel shtevi's birthday

BRAZIL - happiness, at last

BRAZIL - magical

BRAZIL - Ponta Negra

BRAZIL - buggies everywhere

BRAZIL - Pirangi beach house

BRAZIL

I'M BACK WITH TONS OF PICTURES.
STAY TUNED.

YOU SAVED MY LIFE

BRB

(picture: Google images)

THE BIRDS ARE BEGINNING TO FLY SOUTH
AND I'M FOLLOWING THEM.

BE BACK OCT 1ST.

- 3 +

JULY 30, 1987
07 - 30 - 87
(7) - (3) - (1)
3


JULY 30, 1987
07 + 30 + 87
(7) + (3) + (15) = (25)
(2 - 5) =
-3

THINGS THAT HAPPEN

READING "CDM" JOURNALS...

(pictures taken by Daniel Dumas from Bad Tele.)

punk da periferia

SAMMY SOSA

SANGRIA & CHICKEN WINGS

the essence of summer


(pictures taken by Daniel Dumas from Bad Tele.)

WHEN OLD FRIENDS GET TOGETHER

Winner's Walk of Hope

In April 2008, my grandmother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. Because it was diagnosed at such a late stage, she could not be cured and died 7 months later. If she had been aware of the many symptoms she had been facing throughout the years and its relation to the disease, we might have caught it sooner.

On September 13, 2009, I will join thousands of others walking to fight Ovarian Cancer. I am inviting you all to pledge me in the Winners Walk of Hope. Please, help me raise money to find a cure for and promote awareness of Ovarian Cancer. By raising money, we can reach women who unknowingly have this disease and prevent them from dying.

"All funds raised through this event support Ovarian Cancer Canada's mission to: support women and their families touched by ovarian cancer, educate well women and healthcare professionals and to fund ovarian cancer research. For more information on Ovarian Cancer Canada's many programs, please visit www.ovariancanada.org.

You can donate now - it's fast and easy! Secure online donations can be made with your credit card and an official charitable tax receipt will be sent to you by email within five minutes. Please click on the link below to make a difference:

HERE IS WHERE YOU CAN DONATE.

For more information, please visit www.winnerswalkofhope.ca.

Thank you for your generous support!"

HIGH TIMES AT LAFONTAINE

JOSHUA, HARD AT WORK

RESPIRO

HOT MTL

we're mid-august and summer is almost over. yet, summer had not even begun until last week, when we got a glimpse of what we had been missing. Montreal was dreadfully hot for a good 6 days. i'm sure i was not the only one who appreciated the sweat and heat.



(pictures taken by Daniel Dumas from Bad Tele.)

SLEEP! SLEEP! SLEEP! (part 2)

"dawn: when men of reason go to bed" - Ambrose Bierce

WATER CHRONICLES - PLAY

BAD TELE

this is daniel dumas' video. it has received my stamp of approval.

(Bad Television.)

LEO

"If you really knew how much you were loved, you would never cry again. A sublime relaxation would flood your nervous system, freeing you to see the beautiful secrets that your chronic fear has hidden from you. If you knew how much the world longs for your genius to bloom, the peace that filled you would ensure you could not fail. You'd face every trial with eager equanimity. You would always know exactly what to do because your intuition would tell you in a myriad of subtle ways. And get this, leo: a glimpse of this glory will soon be available to you."

THANK YOU for sending this to me.

MIAMI, YOU ARE MISSED

i want to be in you again.

WATER CHRONICLES - RAIN

i can't really explain the feeling of being in the water when it's raining. it's something i cherished while in miami. it rained for the first 4 days we were there and i took the advantage of going for a swim every time. it's the most relaxing thing i've experienced in awhile.

i blame the blurriness in these photos on the rain. i think it adds a little something though.

Koyaanisqatsi: Life out of Balance

22

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

SISTER SISTER

FOOGDUS

WISHLIST

my birthday is coming up...

INCENSE


DOCS (FINALLY!)


ONE-YEAR FLICKR PRO ACCOUNT


CANON SLR


TATTOO
(i've been waiting to get it forever. pictures below sort of give you a hint.)


SKYDIVING


VESPA

WATER CHRONICLES - ATLANTIC OCEAN

L'AMOUR PART 2

WATER CHRONICLES - SARA

MIAMI - PALM TREE

what i miss most about driving down collins avenue,
all the way to south beach,
is seeing palm trees everywhere

SLEEP! SLEEP! SLEEP! (part 1)

may sleep envelop you as a bed sheet floating gently down,
tickling your skin and removing every worry.
reminding you to consider only this moment. - Jeb Dickerson

10 INCHES

ONE DAY
ALL OF MY HAIR
GONE
FOR
CANCER-DONATION

(something i need to do)

MIAMI - THE PIER

MIAMI - CLOUDY BEACH

ANNA WINTOUR

MIAMI - THE FAREWELL

GOOD-BYE MIAMI,
it's been nice. it's been hot.
but it's time to go back
to crappy weather and stupid obligations

MONTREAL,
be ready for new posts

MIAMI - 3's EVERYWHERE

(1. the address # of our condo
2. the floor we stayed at
3. the floor my cousin's stay on in their condo building)

MIAMI - STRAW HAT

MIAMI - SAMIA LIAMANI

while in miami, i met up with another Montreal resident/blogger, Samia Liamani (aka GOLDZMINE). we started our journey in South Beach and walked literally EVERYWHERE. times are rough when it pours in Miami but we found shelter in a salon that offered to give us free haircutz. problem here? none, except for the fact that i'm TERRIFIED of letting anyone i don't know touch my hair.

(see the horror in my face.)

RESULT: they did a little damage to my hair. must fix it when i get back to MTL

RIGHT NOW:

12:34:56 07/08/09
(happens only once over the course of history.)

L'AMOUR PART 1

"Better than anaesthetic, cocain, high purity cocain, reefer Indian hemp, LSD, hallucinogen
Better than sex, blowjob, rave party, complex sexual relationship
Better than the butter on the peanuts
Better than Lucas, end of The dance of Marylin, and Schtroumpfette
Better than Lara Croft
Better than Jimmy Hendrix, than Armstrong
Better than the walk-around by Santa Claus
Better than Bill Gates, than the trances of Dalai-Lama
Better than the collagen on the lips of Pamela Anderson
Better than the drugs of Rimbaud, Morrison
Better than freedom
Better than life."

MAYBELLINE COUPONS

Matchstick has given me the opportunity to try Maybelline's new Pulse Perfection Mascara. Stay tuned for more information about my experience using Maybelline's Pulse Perfection Mascara. In the meantime, visit www.livethepulse.ca to receive three $5 Off coupons for your very own Pulse Perfection Mascara. They only have 3,000 of these coupons packs available, so sign up asap, and they'll mail your coupons within 1-2 weeks.

MIAMI - TIE DYE BEACH TIME

R E L A X A T I O N

"You live like this, sheltered, in a delicate world, and you believe you are living. Then you read a book… or you take a trip… and you discover that you are not living, that you are hibernating. The symptoms of hibernating are easily detectable: first, restlessness. The second symptom (when hibernating becomes dangerous and might degenerate into death): absence of pleasure. That is all. It appears like an innocuous illness. Monotony, boredom, death. Millions live like this (or die like this) without knowing it. They work in offices. They drive a car. They picnic with their families. They raise children. And then some shock treatment takes place, a person, a book, a song, and it awakens them and saves them from death. Some never awaken." — Anais Nin

hipócrita! hipócrita! hipócrita!

MIAMI - ARRIVAL

maybe i'm crazy but i don't think i was the only one on the airplane marveled by the gleaming clouds.

TRIP TRIP TRIP

M I A M I
JUNE 27th
TO
JULY 12th



N E W-Y O R K
END OF
JULY

EMBRACIN' MY FOREHEAD

AND THE BEGINNING OF MY LOVE FOR THICK EYEBROWS

"you overestimate men's expectations"

ALI MICHAEL

Last magazine
Spring 2009

(photos taken from: LJ)

PHOENIX (LIVE)

TONIGHT

(+ HERE + HERE + HERE + HERE)

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENING LAST NIGHT?"

....okay, but seriously. what happened?

....AND SUMMER BEGINS

WAR IS OVER!

"The Peace Ballad of John and Yoko" Exhibit
Musée des Beaux-Arts


(none of these are the originals. pictures were taken by me of the original work.)

GIRL'S NIGHT OUT

http://www.inbflat.net/

CHEAP BILLS / CHEAP THRILLS

i guess it's all about the simple things. lately, what excites me the most is buying anything for a small fee (or getting it free?). call me cheap, because that is exactly what i am. the thing is, i'm not so much a cheap-o, as i am a bargain shopper (plus, i'd much rather spend my money on getting out of MTL). the thing is, i'm not a fond believer in buying things that might cost you a couple of bills because the label reads "Chloe". let's face it, money is valuable and i want to save every penny (especially in the economy we live in today). however, i do enjoy buying fashionable clothing at an affordable price (i.e.: 5$ heh). i don't remember the last time i stepped foot in a mall and i don't really care either. what i do remember is the amount of cash i spent 2-3 years ago on clothes alone and the disappointment i felt when i realized i blew more than half the money i made that year. it was a waste! my argument: why pay tons of cash for something you can pay under 10$ for/get in your grandmother's closet/make yourself (DIYs)? am i right? i'm pretty sure this is nothing new to any of you; you know all these tricks.

i'm in the process of learning how to sew. the sewing machine has become my frenemy.

(i will probably regret writing this once i start looking at christian louboutin shoes again. my feelings are bipolar. wtv.)

MIDRIFF

i've recently developed an obsession with the term "midriff" and everything that goes with it. i realize this is really 80's-90's but i like it. actually, i LOVE it. i've been cropping my tops and getting ready to show midriff left and right. get on this bandwagon, NOW.

I GOT MY DRIVER'S PERMIT
I GOT MY DRIVER'S PERMIT
I GOT MY DRIVER'S PERMIT
I GOT MY DRIVER'S PERMIT
I GOT MY DRIVER'S PERMIT
I GOT MY DRIVER'S PERMIT

...can someone say FINALLY?

NIGHTTIMING

i want to go on adventures. lots and lots of adventures. i'm sick of the boring ol' lifestyle i've been livin'. we all complain about how everything sucks but no one ever does anything about it. JUNE 2009 marks the beginning of self-reflection and hopefully, some revelations. TO-NYC-MIAMI. this needs to happen. what also needs to happen (soon, might i add) is the posting of final exam schedules so i can arrange my adventures outside of MTL around this one LAST exam. this exam marks my freedom from Concordia University for a good 7 months. 7 MONTHS! how good will that feel? very good, i predict. yeah, i've been predicting a lot lately.........

"The fact remains that getting people right is not what living is all about anyway. It's getting them wrong that is living, getting them wrong and wrong and wrong and then, on careful reconsideration, getting them wrong again. That's how we know we're alive: we're wrong. Maybe the best thing would be to forget being right or wrong about people and just go along for the ride. But if you can do that -- well, lucky you." - Philip Roth (courtesy of Deborah)

GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY?

the line is blurred between the two, isn't it? we are all entitled to our own opinion, yet the only opinion worth anything is of those sitting in that jury stand. scary how some of those whom are guilty escape with just a slap on the hand, and most of those not guilty are turned away from freedom. such a shame. such a bloody shame.

i've been watching a lot of documented court cases (or should i say, replicas of court cases?? - i'm not quite sure if all of them are the real deal). it boggles my mind and pretty much traumatizes me that any one of us can be picked to do jury duty. any one of us can decide the destiny of those convicted of any crime. i think that's pretty scary. don't you?

speaking of justice, no one believes me when i say that i hear gun shots in St-Michel. i have about the same affect on matters as the boy who called wolf. i got laughed at the other night when i ran out of my room freaking out that i just heard people screaming and gun shots. "it must be firecrackers!" WHO ARE YOU? i know what a gunshot sounds like. this aggrivates me, especially when i am right. an hour later, my father clarified that there were 10 cop cars down the street and a body on the ground. REALLY? interesting....

STYLE PROFILE

work has been such a drag lately. but the other day, i spotted these three individuals who made my day a little brighter.

1) this precious gem was so sweet and angelic looking, i could not help snappin' a shot of her. she is actually a fellow blogger but of course, my absent-minding self forgot to ask for her blog link. hopefully, she sees this and can provide me the information so i can post it on here for the rest of the blog world.

2) the picture is not too good (due to the lighting and my crappy digi cam) but these two get the best dressed couple award. i mean, when do you see two people dressed like this strolling hand-in-hand down your street? never? i know.

also, both of the girls below are wearing platform sandals. at first, i was not a fan but it definitely has been rubbing off on me. conclusion: wedges get one big YES from me.

GLICKMAN THROWS PARTIES....

.....and we attend.

(click to enlarge.)

for some odd reason, it does not feel like summer just yet. this is probably because most people are still in school/starting summer classes and i am just here, working, waiting for something to do on my days off (which happens to be the day everyone else is working). however, i'm enjoying my time alone snappin' pictures, dog-walking, reading (4th time on Unbearable Lightness of Being-i just can't get enough. this reminds me, i need to stop at chapters to get myself a new book). lately, i find myself adventuring through the plateau. something about walking from , door to door, street to street, calms me down.

speaking of adventures, debbie and i went hunting at value village/friperie and we hit the jackpot (look forward to post about our purchases).

ALSO, i had to reboot my PC, which resulted in all my music being erased. i'm in the process of re-establishing my iPod and i'm in serious need of new music suggestions considering i only have 93 songs at this moment. PLEASE HELP!

most important meal of the day? BREAKFAST

favorite meal of the day? BREAKFAST. i don't even need to explain why i love this meal so much. the eggs, the bacon, the coffee... i mean, what more can a woman ask for, really? well, there are many other things a woman can ask for but you catch my drift. although, you know what's better than breakfast? breakfast in bed. and what's better than breakfast in bed? a mile-end breakfast with these lovely ladies:

speaking of lovely ladies, my super talented manager, LISA, was in a short film. she looks so great in it and it's such a cute story. you should definitely check it out:

If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it's the only thing you are sure to keep for the rest of your life.
2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called "Life on Planet Earth". Every person or incident is the Universal Teacher.
3. There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of experimentation. "Failures" are as much a part of the process as "success."
4. A lesson is repeated until learned. It is presented to you in various forms until you learn it -- then you can go on to the next lesson.
5. Learning lessons does not end. If you don't learn easy lessons, they get harder. External problems are a precise reflection of your internal state. When you clear inner obstructions, your outside world changes. Pain is how the universe gets your attention. You will know you've learned a lesson when your actions change. Wisdom is practice. A little of something is better than a lot of nothing.
6. “There” is no better than “here.” When you're “there” has become a “here”, you will simply obtain another “there” that will again look better than “here.”
7. Others are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself.
8. You always get what you want. Your subconscious rightfully determines what energies, experiences, and people you attract -- therefore, the only foolproof way to know what you want is to see what you have.
9. There is no right or wrong, but there are consequences. Moralizing doesn't help. Judgments only hold the patterns in place. Just do your best. Your answers lie inside you. Children need guidance from others; as we mature, we trust our hearts, where the Laws of Spirit are written. You know more than you have heard or read or been told. All you need to do is to look, listen, and trust.
10. You will forget all this. You can remember any time you wish.

Written by: Cherie Carter-Scott. Photography by: Lina Scheynius

Socks Up & Get Down

Kasia Struss
Dansk #21 Spring 2009

3333333333's

T
TY
TYP
TYPE
TYPE!
TYPE!!
TYPE!!!

keep those fingers movin', the clock's tickin', and there's no time left.

time has been on my mind lately. how little of it we have, to be more precise. i'm constantly stressed about getting things done on time, being somewhere on time....pretty much embracing the essence of "being early" or whatnot. this "early" thing...well, i hate it. it's not me. i hate the pressure. i think time takes hold of our entire lives, it controls it in a way we don't even realize and lately, it's been sickening me. also, i hate the word "sickening".

i'm addicted to the idea of not being in the same place for too long. melissa wrote a blog post recently that stole the words right out of my mouth. i'm restless to be anywhere else but Montreal. however, once i've been anywhere else for too long, i become restless to come back. it's a vicious cycle....

nothing stays interesting for too long. everything becomes boring after awhile, doesn't it? and then you want something new. i know i'm not the only one who feels this way and i'd be ashamed of myself if i couldn't admit to the same. there's always a need for change, a need for excitement, adventure... one can't stay locked up in the same old house, with the same old room, and the same old bed. a house which harbors the same people, who eventually become old and die. or can you? and if you can, are you boring? or do you just like the routine you've been reduced to for months, and/or years? i'm not being cynical....or am i?

STYLE PROFILE:
below you will find the lovely madeleine and deborah. they make stripes and beige trenches look better than mayonnaise on your McPoulet chicken burger. i'm serious. boys, get on that. (i just realized i'm selling you both on my blog. $$$). immediately following, you will find a regular on this blog: daniel dumas. i urged him to buy that blazer. you can't see it, but the buttons are beautiful. they stole my heart. daniel also has a new blog now: Bad Tele. check it.

CHLOE FALL 2009:
don't shoot me now but i've never really been a fan of Chloe. however, the colors, the shapes, the makeup, the shoes, the texture, EVERYTHING is so good about this line, i want to give it a big hug and bask in its array of comfort and simplicity with a touch of chic. i think i've found my inspiration for moving outside the realm of the color black. and i know it's already summer, but i can't wait until fall. ideas, ideas, ideas are flowing...

"i want you to be weak. as weak as i am."

i would like to thank everyone who offered positive vibes on my last post. i hope you are all still going at it and that school hasn't killed you yet. as for me, i have finally completed all 3 essays due this semester.....successfully? HA. my quantitative essay was anything but successful. however, it is done and i'm happy. NOW, on to more pressing matters like, the two finals i have yet to start studying for... OH BOY! i can see this turning out well. to be honest, i've been completely distracted with planning all the things i want to accomplish this summer.

below, you will find a video of melissa and myself on an airplane flying to chicago from san francisco. i am so giddy that you cannot understand a word i'm saying unless you listen really carefully. this is how i sound when i get really excited/have had one-too-many drinks. beware: uncomprehensible mumbling ahead:

Keep Candles Handy

Alana Zimmer
iD, May 2009

ESSAY-WRITIN', EYES-POPPIN', FINGER-DROPPIN'

2 ESSAYS
36 HOURS

i have faith that i can do this!
but will my body let me do this?
stay tuned!

please provide similar stories of why you are stressed
so i don't feel completely alone
AND i'm provided with something to help me procrastinate

I WILL RESUME POSTING
ONCE MY FINGERS HAVE RECUPERATED

all my life i've been looking for someone to fix...

...who would have known i'd be the one needing fixin'?

i can feel myself going through a transition phase. the transition phase categorized as the most emotionally, psychologically, and mentally tiring part of winter. it's when you collect all the thoughts and ideas you've come up during (what i like to call) "the death of all that's alive" and you make a final decision. it's the beginning of the end. the end being the light at the end of the tunnel. the light at the end of the tunnel being spring. hello and welcome.

APOLOGIES:
my mother must have read my blog because she gave me a huge lecture tonight about how i shouldn't voice my opinions on the internet because "you never know who's reading" and "its dangerous". ahem, mother... aren't we living in 2009? doesn't Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights state that i have the right to freedom of opinion? i think so. anyway, i figured i'd apologize, out of respect for those hurt in the process of stating my opinion. no hard feelings.

BREAK FROM SCHOOL:
as of April 28, 2009, i will be taking a 8-month break from Concordia University. oh yes, my friends; one semester off. i don't feel like explaining, nor do i need to justify any of this so let's just skip the negative and go to the positive. i've made a list of all the things i need to accomplish during this break. this list contains things i've had no time for (due to school), things i've been afraid to do and things i've added as challenges. i'm going to share 1/3 list with you (i suspect it will be 3 times the size of this one as i finish off exams). this will also serve as a reminder to yours truly to keep at this list until it is finished:
1) learn how to sew
2) get my permit (and buy a vespa)
3) start ballet again
4) go to new york city twice: 1) to visit 2) for a specific week in september
5) learn how to speak portuguese fluently
6) read more
7) plan trips to iceland, cuba, and possibly prague
8) take more pictures
9) sky-dive
10) fashion shows (may)
11) go on adventures with my grandfather. he's been so sad since my grandmother's passed away and i want him to be happy again. (plans: trip to Botanical Gardens, helping him with his own garden, possibly adopting a pet??)

WELOVECOLORS:
WeLoveColors was kind enough to send me a pair of new tights (just in case there is confusion, tights are not to be associated with leggings-thanks melissa for clearing that up for me). now, for anyone who doesn't know me, i wear tights all-the-time. i wear them so much that wearing pants apparently looks weird on me (quote: Aleasha). that's why when WeLoveColors approached me, i was more than thankful to accept them. please check out their website, WeLoveColors.com for a variety of nylons, tights, leggings, and other hosiery items.

STYLE PROFILE:

there are never enough hours in the day

i find it increasingly difficult to concentrate in the library when there are two girls in back of me lurkin' on someone's fb profile and laughing their heads off. distracting? you tell me. however, the guy in front of me is having absolutely no problem studying. oh no! his strategy? he's reading everything OUT LOUD... IN SPANISH! it seems as though i'm not doing something right....

anyway, i've been slackin' with my education. i haven't been able to function properly since i've been back from san francisco. my limbs and head are being messed with and this is the sole reason why i need some time alone. some people might categorize this as "running away". maybe they are right. but sometimes, i need to keep my distance from people. this has nothing to do with who the people are and what they mean to me; this has everything to do with me just wanting some space. i realize i sound like i'm breaking up with you; and i guess, if we want to go down that route, i'll be cliche about it: "it's not you, it's me".

BLOGLOVIN':
i heard about this site a couple of months ago but haven't had the chance to get on the boat until now. BlogLovin' is a site where you can follow all your favorite blogs and are notified when they are updated. i'll admit, one thing that attracted me to this website was Danny Robert's art (Igor and Andre), which is featuring as one of the icons for BlogLovin'. anyway, below is a link to follow this blog on BlogLovin' (for those who use it) and a tiny preview of Danny Robert's art (for more, check out his blog: Igor and Andre).

BACK IN NEW YORK:
this picture is photographic evidence of the first time i fell in love with new york city. it was taken in 2004 with a disposable camera and it's still one of my favorite pictures of all time.

i sometimes regret not going to new york this spring break but then i wouldn't have gone to san francisco (win-win/lose-lose situation). however, i plan on taking a trip to new york for a couple of days after my final exams. i will figure something out and when i do, you know i'm lookin' at all you people...

STYLE PROFILE:

GOOD THINGS ABOUT TODAY:
- clean room
- deleted memories from photo archives
- making appointments for things long over due
- taking chances

FACERCISE!

this week was long (too long!) it was filled with good and bad (none of which are worth mentioning). however, i will spill my guts to give you something to read because i was informed by a copious amount of readers that i've been slacking and need to start posting daily. i apologize! i didn't realize i had a reputation to uphold! here's a bit of what's been going on/what i've observed the last two weeks:

1) STM: i succumbed to the demon that is STM and finally got my OPUS card. yes, i am not happy about it but i shall live. however, i'd like to offer a suggestion to the employees at the OPUS station: considering this card is advertised as being SO special, you should have at least 10 people working so we could get our cards on the FIRST day we line up, not the third. also, how's about a smile? it's bad enough i just waited an hour and a half to take a bloody picture, i need to look at your ugly mean face for 5 minutes while my card is processing? come on!

2) CONCORDIA: love/hate relationship. i don't even know what to say about you. at least you're better than McGill, right?

3) ITALIAN MEN IN CIVICS: God must have appeared in the dreams of these men and told them they were God's gift to women because there is absolutely no other explanation for them. the truth is, most of these idiotic losers have no chance in getting the women they want; their lack of respect, along with their peanut-sized brain are no attraction (i'm speaking for myself here, but i hope i'm speaking for you too). "MA! me i duno dat girl she don give me attention oh! ma, what a bitch dat one!" here's a hint: LEARN ENGLISH! it's bad enough your cologne is stronger than a room of ten grandmothers, now i have to suffer by listening to your horrible grammar! really. i wish you could see my face right now. if it were an emoticon, it would be described as: disgusted. anyway, here's a story involving said topic: i was walking to school, minding my own business, when two italian losers in a civic pulled up next to me. i got yelled every name in the book, was followed for 3 blocks and literally cornered (they would not let me pass and kept moving their car back and forth to keep me from crossing). i pulled them the finger but what i really wanted to tell them was: i hope you get into an accident. i meant it too.

4) STINGY TIPPERS: bad, bad, bad, BAD, and WORSE! i don't even need to go into this; it's self explanatory. if you fall in this category, i need to ask you why. and then, i need to persuade you to try to look at it in a "pay-it-forward" way; tip well, and it'll come back to you one day (and just in case you didn't know, 15-25% is appropriate when tipping). speaking of which...

5) PAY-IT-FORWARD: last thursday was long and hard. my last stop of the day was Tim Horton's (for my regular bagel with cream cheese). as i was waiting, a woman at the counter ordered and then realized she only had interact and couldn't pay for her order (Tim Horton's doesn't take interact-something they should change). the woman in back of her, poked her and said, "just put it on my bill. i'll pay for it!" whoa! WHOA! when do you ever see that happen? i was suddenly filled with positive energy; i seriously wanted to hug a homeless man.

6) STEALING CLOTHES FROM D: the only good thing about having a man around is the fact that you can steal clothes from his closet and make them look completely different by wearing it as your own. moral of the story: take a trip in a man's closet (see picture above for proof)

7) HEELS: i wore heels 6/7 days this week and i loved it. i think everyone needs to embrace the heel. i mean, come on! who cares if you're just going down the street to get some milk, or going to a party. EMBRACE! and enjoy!

speaking of which, i've been slackin' on the picture-taking. i know, i know! i just haven't been impressed by anything these days. however, i have high hopes that the warm weather will inspire someone/something to inspire me. also, i'm looking for some new style-profiles and hopefully, i'll be taking pictures of some beautiful people very soon (meaghan kelly, jenny morris; i'm lookin' at you!)

AND NOW A MESSAGE:

"Matchstick is looking for feedback from anyone who may have seen my posting regardind L'Oreal Beauty Tubes Mascara. If you click on the link below and complete the survey, you will be helping them by donating $2.00 to Shelternet, so please Click Here to take their short feedback survey.

For every survey that is completed, Matchstick will make a $2 donation to Shelternet (shelternet.ca), which is a Web-based Women and Children’s Crisis Support Center that provides aid and financial support to locally based women’s shelters across Canada.

Your time and feedback is greatly appreciated."

WHO ARE YOU, FASHION WEEK?:
here are some of my favorites from this year:

1. Nina Ricci 2. Alexander McQueen 3. Ann Demeulemeester
4. Missoni 5. Rag & Bone 6. Isabel Marant

SF - 7, 8, 9, 10 + home sweet home

i'm too lazy to write about the rest of my trip, but i will say that the last few days were the most exciting part of the trip. lots of beaches, lots of sushi, lots of partying (minus the drinking) and a mystical adventure in the forest. an idea of what went down: Burning Man Party, Santa Cruz, Haight Street.

nothing beats getting home from a long trip in another city. it's so relieving to see my family and my dog. it's probably the reason why i can't move out any time soon. my family is too good to me. also, sleeping in my bed with my dog last night (for a whole 15 hours) was the best feeling in the whole world. AHHH!

A CONVERSATION WE HAD DURING THE TRIP:
on the airplane going to TO, in order to waste 4 hours, i started to put on nail polish

Mel: wow, that smells really strong
Me: really? *continues...*
Stewardess: WHO HAS NAIL POLISH? DO YOU HAVE NAIL POLISH? (points to girls 3 rows behind me) WHO HAS NAIL POLISH?
(mel and i just look at each other in shock. i slowly put it away.)
....
(5 minutes later)
Stewardess: WHO HAD NAIL POLISH? I STILL SMELL NAIL POLISH!

this woman was obviously on a mission. only yesterday (in class) did someone tell me you can't apply nail polish on a plane because it's toxic! understandable. i could have killed half the people in that confined space; I GET IT! but to my defense, it was my first time flying; i didn't know!

TWITTER:
during our delicious sushi meal, we spoke about twitter. i remember us bringing up a whole lot of negative things about using it but to be honest, i've never really tried it and it's just dumb to say you hate something you never really tried, am i right?. so i decided to give it a chance and see what it's all about.... (just like the Twilight books, that i've decided I am reading JUST because i need to say i read it and hated it, instead of hating it for no reason. LOOK FORWARD TO A REVIEW ON THE BOOK SOON-ISH). in the meantime, add me on twitter:

http://twitter.com/christinadmtl

SF - 4, 5, 6

rain on, rain off - means of transportation: Caltrain, walking, the Bart, cable cars & trolley - pier 39 - the bay bridge - fisherman's wharf - In&Out Burger - peanut butter fudge - kissing seagulls - an honest homeless man - "are you guys sisters?" AGAIN - "the bush man" - Ghirardelli, the chocolate factory - cupcakes - sea lions - china town - bubble tea - paper lanterns - 5$ chinese shoes - union square - f21 - all the stores we wish we could afford - Lombard (the crookedest street in the world) - sketchy mexican market - fish tacos - Hogie's - finally finding face cream (i was forced to throw the one i had out before i got on the plane) - political debates - walking through mud (sad sad suede moccasins ruined? perhaps not?) - Stanford Mall - Christian Louboutin - searching for a pay phone - Godiva chocolate ($2 for one single open seashell? it was worth it) - big man, small head - starbucks - 2$ smirnoff (since when???) - mardi gras beads - police/firemen dressed in uniform partying with civilians? (only in the states) - freezing weather? for us, yes (it's 15 here, and -15 in mtl. poor you!) - chocolate chip pancakes - abandoned asian mall strip - starbucks AGAIN - Painted Ladies (Full House) - Ms. Doubtfire's house - Shoe Garden - getting lost - Japanese Tea Garden - more mexican food - Lost - sleep time

OUTFIT OF THE DAY:

SF - 1, 2, 3

SO FAR:

dog park (mytai, toktok, tippy, etc) - "you must be from canada because you're wearing shorts!" - home cooked meals - organic yogurt (yum yum) - Crissy Fields - Sausalito - Golden Gate Bridge - "you look like sisters!" - native american jewellery - stealing free salt water taffy - marina - trees that obviously get trimmed daily (look for more examples of this in future posts) - neverending stairs - mexican birthday bus (followed by speed dancing) - free chips and salsa - 90$ cab rides - cooked lasagna - target specials? maternity clothes? what? - photoshoots in white room (family portrait style) - melissa's broken leg - cats that act like dogs - oscar party (sushi + too much wine. yay for slumdog millionaire?) - everything is so esthetically pleasing

OUTFIT OF THE DAY:

SF - arrival

"7:30" vs. "10:30": a story about 3 hour differences

we almost missed our first plane (my fault). we got there during last call. this is how our trip started. i'd like to remind everyone that this was the FIRST time on an airplane. it wasn't what i was expected to be honest, i was hoping for some turbulence or something because i felt like i was on a school bus....a magic school bus?

SAN FRAN

i will be in you in t-minus 12 hours.
GET READY!

today was a good day! i finished my last midterms (and it went well!). i got an assignment back ... grade: A! things are looking up in regards to school. this week was very motivating....maybe i can find my way around the negative aspects of school after all! if people are still studying for midterms, don't give up just yet! good things come....

i haven't packed yet and i have to leave my house in 3 hours to get to the airport. i hate packing. i wish i was able to travel light or had the capability of coming back home empty handed (without the stuff i came with). is it weird to want to leave all your belongings behind and coming back with nothing? i'm not really sure.... winter's been here far too long and i think it's getting to everyone. the weather is teasing us with glimpses of spring but winter always finds a way to bring us back to reality. speaking of which, it's incredibly cold in my house right now and i have no choice but to assume it is 50x times worse outside. mmm this is making it extremely difficult to pack. i've forgotten how to dress up in warm weather! AH!

anyway, i found this video and i thought it was hilarious. i sure some of you can relate...

STUDY STUDY STUDY .... not

it's becoming increasingly difficult to study when i keep getting text messages asking why i'm not in new york. i don't know? maybe because i am in the library studying my brains off for midterms? i am, however, taking 15 minute breaks to watch the shows online and my spirit is there partying with you. (sigh) maybe next season.....

for future reference: studying with d is a no-no. except for the fact that he brings me mcdonald's cheeseburgers (yum yum)!

also, how BEAUTIFUL are these? HOW? (long siiiiiiigh)

happy birthday S!

it was my beautiful sister's birthday so i'd like to wish her a big
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

(love you)

FASHION OVER FUNCTION?

when is too little too much?

anyone who lives (or has lived) through a montreal winter knows that it gets rough! rough enough to almost call in sick because you don't want to brave the winds and freezing weather to get to work. what they don't know is that montreal is also inhabited by individuals who are BFF's with winter and have an agreement that as long as they wear nice outfits, they will remain in a heat bubble. apparently, i am not hooked up with the right people because my toes and fingers still freeze. if anyone knows winter and can put in a few words for me, that would be much appreciated. until then, toes and fingers may freeze, but winter is not getting the best of me yet...

a couple of weeks ago, i spoke to you guys about L'Oreal Paris' Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara. i know a couple of you have already went out and bought it, and i apologize for this arriving to you so late but you can use it the next time you purchase one (and i know there will be a next time-it's that good). for the others who haven't purchased it yet and want more information about it, you can go here or here. also, i would like to inform you that they are now available in canadian stores and i have a coupon that offers 5$ off your next purchase. HOW AWESOME? yes yes. just print it out and show it at the cash and enjoy your brand new L'Oreal Paris' Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara!

my new favorite thing in the whole world right now is drapes. by drapes, i mean: clothes that just hang off your shoulders, arms, etc. i've been having fun with the whole concept lately and i've realized i'm in love. drapes. drapes. MORE DRAPES!

what really inspired me was Robert Geller's Autumn/Winter 08 collection (boys, get on this tip right now. robert geller makes amazing clothes for men):

BLACK EYES

at the moment, i am mac-less. i sent my macbook for repairs and can only imagine what they're going to find. the tech-man performed a stress test and everything seemed fine but i have this really bad habit of thinking horrible things are going to happen when i have no reason to think that. for instance, i feel like they're going to call me and tell me the insides of my computer are completely fried or damaged beyond repair...but i've had it for less than a year? i guess the fall it took this week doesn't help my imagination either. anyway, we'll see... i'll let you know.

right now, i am stuck in the library and i'm forced to use a PC..... ew? yeah. this coming from the girl who 5 years ago HATED macs and only used PCs. my prejudice against good looking things started very young.

i should be doing my research assignment but alas, I AM NOT! procrastination has got the best of me! i wish i had a study buddy for motivation. i do work when others around me are doing work. i almost feel forced. this is a good thing!

yesterday, i had this huge urge to search for this particular ring i've been huntin' for. i have never been able to find it in montreal so i gave up. today, for some weird reason, i felt like i would find it. i stumbled into this jewellery story i walk into every now and then. looking... and looking... and BANG! it was there. just staring at me! i immediately asked the girl to see it. it was a little small but the girl told me to come back and that she'd fix it for 5$ (woo!). anyways, here's a picture.. i am now a proud owner of this huge silver piece:

(ignore my big ugly fingers. winter is not good to them.)

speaking of jewellery, i find myself wearing more and more these days. this always happens. there comes a point during the year when i wear all my jewellery and parade around the city with it (i recently discovered that (not only do i get this habit from my nonna-who is queen b of jewellery; i get it from my grandmother's sister from portugal-she does the same...except she wears all of her jewellery every day of her life). woo for genes!

today is going to be another long day of studying in the library. i want to die. the good thing about today is that it is BEAUTIFUL outside! enjoy the weather, and hopefully you're not suffering indoors like myself :( good day.

why can't we be friends?

bffl.....yes?

JUST SAYIN'.....

I GOT MY BLACKBERRY BACK. (ahhhh!) thank goodness! texting was hell on my old phone. i couldn't stand having to click three times to get one letter. such a waste of time! once you go crackberry, you never go back?

NEW BBM PIN: 20973F53

this clip from Gossip Girl reminds me how we are so dependent on cell phones. their head mistress gets rid of all their cell phones and they have withdrawal and go crazy. normal? i'm having doubts...

in class yesterday, we spoke about human explosions. not really how humans explode per say but how a human explodes internally. apparently, humans explode because of a lot of unresolved emotions/issues and dissatisfaction with their everyday relationship(s). i've been exploding left and right; why?

this brings me to an ongoing topic/discussion that i've been unable to solve. it's not really a mystery; i just haven't been able to put my finger on the correct/intelligent reason for it all. but i came across this and i think that whoever wrote it was clearly on the right track.

"I have learned that happiness is a choice, the people who complain about their woes yet do absolutely nothing about it are actually happy in their own weird way. Don't be fooled for a second. They have gotten so used to the situation that they're in, that *that* becomes their "normal" and their comfort level. They just can't imagine anything else and the thought of actually going out and changing something actively and consciously in their life, in reality, terrifies them. So they use any excuse in the book, the kids, the mortgage, the debt, whatever, but they're just crutches which allows them to stay in that same situation. Don't think you can make them happy. You can't."

if you haven't noticed, i've added some music to my blog. i found that little gadget randomly and stumbled across this song. my mother was in the room and just sighed. "you loved that movie so much! remember?" yes, i remember.... (two thumbs up if you know where this music comes from-except for jav because i KNOW he knows).

RIP blackberry #1

i am a clumsy idiot! i spilled a large cup of london fog on my precious blackberry. my precious little blackberry curve (sad face). the people in the metro must have thought i was crying over my boyfriend. well, my blackberry is sort of my boyfriend? (sorry d). and i don't care how lame i am for crying over my blackberry. it's MY effin' blackberry curve! and if you have one, you understand. i think what made things worse was the fact that i'm pmsing. yeah, i love how i am so open about crying and my menstrual cycle. whatever, who reads this anyways? brad pitt? i didn't think so.

ANYWAY, i am receiving a new blackberry in the mail in 2-3 days and i can't wait. this is torture. i will be posting my new BBM pin when i receive it.

BURST OF MOTIVATION..... or something like that.

today, after drinking an XL cup of amazon coffee, i had a sudden burst of energy. the caffeine had taken over and i could not stop shaking. to make matters worse, my professor asked me to speak in front of the class...................pressure + caffeine rush = MIND-BLOWING EXPERIENCE. i still feel the rush now. how am i supposed to go to bed? i wish someone was here to hug me to sleep.

after class, i went for tea with the 330 gang (melissa, whatever you bet on me not showing up, you owe to me! haha). it was nice talking to all of you - about yoga and other 330 stuff (shhh). i had about 5 glasses of tea and a bagel. later, this resulted in the longest pee of my life. i apologize if this is too graphic for you.

MUST-BUY:

i've recently had the opportunity to try one of L'Oreal Paris' new products: Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara. after using this mascara for a week, I can honestly say that I have grown to love it. There's a two step process to applying the mascara; the first is a nourishing base coat that protects and strengthens the lash and the second is the ultra-lengthening top coat that lengthens your lashes up to 80%. and GET THIS: forget about spending 10 minutes trying to get rid of those raccoon eyes; this mascara comes off with water. just jump in the shower and it literally falls off your lashes; it's incredible! it makes me think twice about spending that extra few dollars to get the lashes i want. i'm sold! it will be on the canadian market in a couple of months so look out for it, and take my word that you will love it as much as i do. if you have any questions about this product, visit the L'Oreal website or watch this video which explains everything you need to know about the Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara.

STYLE PROFILE:
this is Sydney.
skinny legs and (real) raybans are cool but what we need to be looking at in this photograph is the coat. THE COAT! (sigh)

upside down feelings + thursday special

this picture reminds me of the freedom i had this winter break. i want that freedom back. school is a drag. when i said thursdays were brutal, i meant it. the only good thing about thursdays is that i get to hang out with melissa (and occasionally jason, when he decides to get out of bed) on my 3 hour break.

this is what i think about school.
this is why: I NEED A STUDY BUDDY, anyone up for the position?
(ps: i bring candy, you bring brain.)