Random Channel Surfing

This is a picture of the last plane ticket I used. It was for my return flight from Frankfurt on December 28, 2015. In 2015, I took a LOT of trips. I flew to Orlando with Tamara, Sean, and Joe. I flew to Vancouver to spend some time with Mel. I flew to St. Louis to visit Cristiane, Brad, Patrick, and Claire. I flew to New York City with Tasha to explore the city. And, finally, I flew to Frankfurt to spend Christmas with the fam. In total, I took 23 flights that year to take me from Point A (YEG) to Point B (my many destinations). Eek. I took a picture of this ticket because I wanted to commemorate it. I wanted to commemorate it because I swore to myself that I wasn't going to fly in 2016.   I made this promise in order to be more conscientious about the environmental strain my many trips was putting on the planet.  Since this flight, I haven't boarded a single plane and, while I've missed flying and exploring, it's been a good break.  Today is Guatemala...

And how these two things are related. This year is interesting. And I don't mean interesting the way people use the adjective to describe something indescribable or suspect; the way people use the word when they're trying to be polite and give voice to a feeling or emotion they feel is offensive; the way the characters in the book Room use it. I mean "interesting" in that it's given me a lot of food for thought. This year has been one of growth and self-exploration. I've learned a lot about myself in terms of what I want and need, and the thing that's really struck me the most is that a lot of my creativity is dependent on my travels. Ergo, if I don't fly, my imagination won't soar. (Cheesy. Yes.) I have a theory for this: I do a lot of people-watching when I visit other cities or countries. I think my favourite part of traveling is probably waiting at the terminal before boarding my plane. And it's not because I'm not looking forward...

This year, I was very lucky to be able to take several trips. I went to Orlando in February. Vancouver in April. St. Louis (and Chicago!) in July. New York City in October. And, next month, I'm going to Frankfurt for Christmas. So, after a someone on Twitter posted an article on the impact of carbon emissions from planes and jetliners, I was appalled at how I had contributed to the carbon emissions in the air. I factored in all the flights that I took (over ten throughout the year!) and, after some soul-searching, realized that I couldn't -- in good conscience -- take any more flights for a year. It was a hard choice to make. I love traveling and had already made plans for trips I could take in 2016. There was Prince Edward Island in June. Possibly Las Vegas in the fall. And, if I was lucky, a trip to see my older sister in the States again. Sure, it was only three trips, but three trips I had already semi-decided on taking. Now, after realizing that all the fligh...

It's a new soundtrack  I could dance to this beat  Forever more  The lights are so bright  But they never blind me  Welcome to New York  It's been waiting for you  Welcome to New York

Tonight's the night before I fly out to Montreal with the girls and their fellas. Half of me is restless and anxious and fighting the hiccups, while the other is blissfully aware of how blessed I am to be going on this mini vacation. Seven days of mischief and laughter. Seven days of music and feasting. Seven days in the one other place on the planet where I truly feel at home. I can already smell the rain on the pavement and I can already imagine how wonderful our time there will be. How did I ever get so lucky?

I've made a list of cities I want to see next year. Montreal, Toronto, New York, Flores, Guatemala... I think it's doable, too. If I go see Mel in Ontario for my birthday in March, and I go to Montreal with the girls and guys in August, I could potentially go to New York after our stint in Montreal. Cut to October/November 2014, when a trip to see the old familia is doable. Yes. Yes. I quite like this plan o'mine.

I will actually achieve my dream of going to Brazil. That is if the world doesn't end this year. ;)

I mean, NBD. Not like anything will come of it... but still. I iz excited.

I MISS BRISBANE

Scary hostel, deadly mosquitoes and dingoes. Those are a few defining things from the Isa. That and creepy Swedes...

I'm obsessed with mountains. And also trees.

Holding a koala is like holding a sleeping baby. You hold it lightly, as though you're afraid of waking it, but you can't help but feel awestruck by how adorable it is. Koalas are my newest obsession.

Going to Australia has always been a dream of mine. Watching Wicked LIVE has always been one of my "secret hopes". Having realized both of these things...? It feels like I accomplished something life altering. Y'know?

So, in my hurry to post on Muse, I forgot to mention that I've finally bought my ticket to Oz! :D Hahaha! Yep. I'm officially going to Australia with Tamara and Sean. It will be amaze-buckets. Une autre chose, le "gars" est en traîne de décider s'il va faire un voyage au Costa Rica, à l'Australie ou en Europe. Moi j'espère qu'il n'ira pas à l'Australie.

Having worked at a theatre, I'm exceedingly spoiled when it comes to movie prices. I'm not used to paying... AT ALL. So, last Thursday when I went to watch (500) Days of Summer , I was elated that my former manager let me in free of charge. Oh, how I love freebies! Anyway, this quirky, insightful and deep movie has been added to my list of favourite movies... Joining movie greats like Lars and the Real Girl, Little Miss Sunshine, Juno, and Little Miss Sunshine. It's one of those movies that has a million-and-one meanings... that is to say, that while certain themes are more prelavent to you, the person next to you might see others. It's one of those optimistically realistic movies that make your heart smile. In short, I found that it was believable and true. Even if I had paid $12.50 to watch Zooey Deschanel work her cuteness and Joseph Gordon-Levitt charm his way back into my heart (10 Things I Hate About You, anyone?), I know that I would have adored this movie. In ot...

... maybe. Today is my nephew's sixth birthday. He was so excited--opening presents, barging into the guest room that I'm occupying, to show them off. I took great pleasure in seeing his excited face. Why can't I feel that exhilaration whenever it's my birthday...? I miss the anticipation I used to feel for my birthday (and the one I once felt on the first day of school). New years made me excited... But now I'm full of dread over what this year will bring. I'm done school (...yay?), and I'm BROKE. Broke, educated and young.  Because of my youth (though I really DON'T feel young at all... I'm turning 23 in less than two months... *BARF*), I know that this year should be focused on growing up. I am way too immature for my own good--too shy, too stubborn, too prideful--and I know that with maturity, these not so stellar qualities will diminish (at least that's what I'm hoping). Therefore, I have decided that the best way to grow up is to go on ...