#Todaytodaytoday

I haven't seen my best friend since the 23rd of December.

This is the best friend who has sleepovers every night. And the one I immediately tell everything to. And the one who pretty much knows everything about me. And the one who has accidentally seen my boobs. And vice versa. To all of the above.

It has been six sleeps since we slept together. [Like in the same bed, you pervert!]

That is too many sleeps.

So I'm gonna love on her face forever and ever and ever. And I'm never going to let her go!!

Also, I know Christmas isn't about presents, but I got a unicorn. Seriously. Apparently she is named "Rainbow" but I'm renaming her "Sunshine" because I know rainbows are magical, but she doesn't need a magical name to be magical. She does that all on her own. BUT she is the light of my life, I think. Hence, Sunshine.

Also, also, I can't wait to start my new year off with my TWO best friends! FBF and Ray Charles. Sounds like a party, right? Right.

Also, also, also, I have a crush. On a boy. Which is never really news, because I am always crushing on a boy. And like most other times it will probably start getting to where I want it to go and freak out and run. But just in case anyone was wondering the status of my relationshipness - single, infatuated, excited, nervous, frustrated. But mostly excited. And giggly.

Also, also, also, also, I think I am gonna do challenge 365 this new year. [1 picture every day for a year. Check my top 25 before 25 bitches!] With my pretty unicorn camera. And I think I'm gonna document it on here. You're welcome in advance for looking at my year in pictures.

Also, also, also, also, also, I miss my nursies, two of which [M,O] are off galavanting the world, and one of which [K, or K Ruhls] is working too much for my liking. Plus she has a boyfriend, and those are time consuming, I hear.

Also, also, also, also, also, also, I hope you are as sick of reading the word 'also' as I am of typing it. I don't care. I'm not done talking.

Also, also, also, also, also, also, also, I actually wrote this post last night [which is actually today, right at this very moment as I am typing] when I was putting off laundry. I will never grow up.

Also, also, also, also, also, also, also, also, I haven't showered in a while so I am pretty gross right now.

Also, I have been blogging for almost a year. Yikes!

xo. See you in the new year biznatches.

#My Christmas Wish

I know this is a day late, but who blogs on Christmas?

This year my family and I have lost SO MUCH and this Christmas was extremely hard to get through.

But we got through it.

This year we were blessed by someone or someones doing the 12 Days of Christmas for our family. Nobody asked them to. We didn't expect anything like it, but it was there. On our doorstep. For 12 consecutive mornings. I want everyone to know it was greatly appreciated. And it warmed my heart all the way to the chilly little apex.

This year we didn't get a tree up until days before Christmas. The usual Christmas music blaring through the house was muted until the eve. And the lights never went up on the rooftop.

This year we struggled to get through what used to be the best time of the year. 

This year I learned who I can count on to be there through everything. Who pulls through during the hardest of times. And which friendships don't waver at the first sign of trouble.

This year I grew as a person, I grew into myself. I stopped defining myself by the people around me and discovered who I am. I continued my growth in my relationship with my God, and realized I am called to be a lover of people.

And so my Christmas wish this year is that everyone is safe. Everyone takes life one day at a time. Everyone takes a break from the commercialism of western society and takes the time to appreciate the gifts they are blessed with. I pray that everyone stays healthy. That we may all know forgiveness. And that this next year is filled with love, tenderness, humility, understanding, relationships, opportunities, happiness, growth, and faith. 

That is my Christmas wish for everyone. Merry Christmas one day late, and whoever you are, know that I love you.

#My Lucy Goosey

Dearest Lucy,


Thank you for your years of love, service, and dedication. I really loved you while we were together, and will miss you dearly now that we're apart. I know sometimes we got into little arguments but for the most part we were the best team.


I'm sorry I let sharks munch on you. And I'm sorry I spilled ice cream in you. I'm sorry one time I ran you dry and blew you up. You were always there for me, and I was never that good to you.


You have gotten me out of some sticky situations. You took me on many adventures. You warmed me up, and cooled me down, sometimes you yelled at me, but we got through the hard times together. 


You carried me away from my first real broken heart. And you escorted me back the many times I slipped up. You've aided me in going to work, parties, bars, friends houses, hospitals, school, and home. You were there for me, quietly waiting the night I needed you most. And you fled me through the darkness to the hardest hours of my life.


Most think I'm crazy for being this attached, but Lucy, you know how much we've been through together. We've had many heartfelt conversations. You probably know more about my life than anyone else. You've been my only constant in a sea of change.


I'm so sorry for everything I put you through, especially this morning. Nobody deserved it less than you did. I wish we were still together, but I suppose it was for the best. Also thanks for not knocking out my teeth and burning my face.


I'll love you always, Lucy Goosey. 


xo

#The adventures of Jackie and the McDonald's drive thru

*editors note - there is swearing in this post. I'm very passionate about the topics at hand.

Ray Charles is in town.

So I spent part of my Friday night with him and my wifey.

And in typical form we ate greasy food, built gingerbread houses and watched high school musical.

I just sang the words high school musical, by the way.

And I actually only ate greasy food. I got there right as they were finishing high school musical and I laid on the couch doing nothing but demanding icing that tasted like play doh when they were building the gingerbread house.

But this is not a post about ginger bread houses and terrible movies.

This is a post about the best adventure/worst experience ever at a McDonald's Drive Thru.

It all started because we wanted ice cream, and we decided on McDonald's ice cream over Dairy Queen. Biggest mistake. 

We pulled up to the drive thru and the lady says "Welcome to McDonald's..blahblah can I take your order?"

And my wifey (who drove) leans out the window and says "Um yes, can I get a regular smarties McFlurry?"

Drive Thru Lady - "Regular Oreo McFlurry?"
Wifey - "No, a regular smarties McFlurry!"
Drive Thru Lady - "Regular Oreo McFlurry?"
Wifey - "No! Not Oreo!! SMARTIES! A regular SMARTIES McFlurry?"
Drive Thru Lady - "Oreo?"
Wifey - "NO!! SMARTIES!!"
Drive Thru Lady - "Please pull up to the window."

Then we had to go on an adventure to FIND the window. Because that McDonald's had about 12. And she was at the last one.

I actually think they had 3.

Details.

So we pull up and the conversation goes like this:

Drive Thru Lady - "What would you guys like?"
Wifey - "A regular SMARTIES McFlurry!"
Drive Thru Lady - "Ohhhhh Smarties!"
Wifey - "Yes. And also a regular rolo McFlurry and a hot fudge sundae with nuts."
Drive Thru Lady - "That costs *insert dollar amount here*"
Wifey - paid for it cause she's our suga mama.

We sat in the car and sang some awful top 40 music (sorry wifey) and danced around like 16 years olds with brand new licenses.

And we waited.

And waited. 

We heard the beeping thing going off inside the window that yells at the staff because we've been waiting for a long ass time.

And no joke 12 MINUTES LATER she walks up to the window with 2 McFlurries in hand. She opens the window and says:

"We ran out of rolo so I made you an Oreo McFlurry."

WHAT IS THIS WOMAN'S OBSESSION WITH FUCKING OREO MCFLURRIES?!?!

Ray looks displeased and says "Um. Can I actually just get another Smarties McFlurry instead?"

And drive thru lady hands us the one smarties McFlurry shuts the window then walks away.

7 minutes later she walks back with a smarties McFlurry. Which is really a cup of ice cream with a few smarties on top. I don't even think she put an effort into making it look like she mixed it.

And poor wifey has nothing so she says "Can I also please get my hot fudge sundae with nuts?"

And drive thru lady says "Ohhh yes." and shuts the window and walks away.

4 minutes later she comes back with a hot fudge sundae - sans nuts. Wifey laughs and says "Can I please have nuts?" Drive thru lady shuts the window and returns promptly with a package of nuts.

We pull away and wifey looks at her package of nuts and bursts out laughing.

"She gave me granola."

Me and Ray were like "go back in!! Get yo nuts Kixy!"

So wifey walks into the McDonalds (where there was nobody by the way. There was nobody there the whole time we were waiting in the drive thru. There was no reason for us to be there for 23 minutes. Literally, I feel like we should have gotten some free nuggets or something.) and comes back out laughing more.

She gets into the car, with her packages of nuts and says that she told the lady at the counter that she was just in the drive thru and asked for nuts but got granola.

The lady got her a package of nuts then turned to drive thru lady held up a package of nuts and the package of granola and said "SERIOUSLY JACKIE! These are nuts. This is granola."

End Scene.

#Sometimes we puke on cowboys and eat brownies.

There's this girl. Who is my best friend.

She sleeps with me pretty much every night. Literally. We have sleep overs every night. And I cuddle her face off. She is literally the only person I can cuddle with.

We're together more than a married couple.

I've known her since I was suuuuuuuper young, because she lived next door to me.

We've been through years of good things and bad things.

She was at the hospital the day my Daddy passed away. And spent the rest of the day with me. And she drank my feelings away with me the night of his funeral.

She's the first one I confess my mistakes to.

She never judges me. Actually, she usually just laughs at me.

Sometimes we say things we don't mean. Sometimes I call her dumb. Sometimes she calls me a willy bum bum. Sometimes she says "don't flash me! You don't have a bra on!!" Sometimes I say "You're not allowed to fart in my car!!" Sometimes we say "You're not my friend!!" then we say "Yes I is!! I'm you're only friend!!"

Sometimes things happen and we get mad or annoyed. But we usually forgive each other before we can even voice that we're upset.

We eat chips and salsa and cheese. And ice cream. And beef dip with cheese. And pizza. And wings. And french onion soup. And calamari. And chicken fingers.

One time her lame boyfriend cried because we were spending too much time together. But luckily for me this girl has a backbone and doesn't bend to her boyfriend's every whim like most girls. So she told him to blow her and we spent the rest of the day together.

We used to walk to 7-11 every day together.

Now we drive to dairy queen every day together.

We used to play at the park across the street.

Now we lay in bed and watch movies together.

We used to have sleepovers every night.

Now we......have sleepovers every night.

Sometimes people ask if we're bi-curious. But we're not. We are literally just the same person.

This is my best friend. My FBF. My non-chines sister.

Don't mess with her or I will squish your head!!

PS you are gonna love your christmas present FBF. trust me. you will.

#Colder Weather

Winter is my favourite.

Kind of.

Well....right after summer....and spring....and autumn.

I know what you're thinking. "Um. Rye. That means winter is your least favourite."

No. No it does not, good reader. It just means that winter is my fourth favourite season.

I still love it. Just not quite as much as the others. But that does not mean I don't love it. Because I do. I'll tell you why.

I love the snow....when it's still white and pretty. Not when it's brown and slushy.

I love skating...it's my favourite date ever. There's something so supremely cute about holding hands and skating. And drinking tea. And having cold noses, and hot kisses.

I love the lights....the Christmas lights up all around the city. Making otherwise bland cookie cutter suburban houses sparkly and glittery and pretty. Setting the one apartment balcony apart from the rest. Brightening up an otherwise dark city.

And with that I love zoo lights....even though they're the same every year. I just love them so much. Too much, even.

I love mittens....especially when they're animals. I have elephant and shark mittens. My elephants are married and they kiss at red lights. My sharks are best friends and do not kiss at red lights. They just munch on my steering wheel.

I love boots....and shuffling my feet when I'm in boots. And having toasty toesies! I also love fuzzy socks inside my boots. Except I get sweaty very very hot toesies when I have fuzzy socks AND boots on.

I love fireplaces....and the smell and heat and look of fireplaces. I could stare into the fireplace for hours.

I love Christmas....because God loved us all so much that He came to earth so that we could know Him as a person and have a real relationship with Him. He humbled Himself in the ultimate way, and for that I am forever thankful.

I love Christmas music....and Christmas movies, and Christmas decorations, and Christmas trees. And pretty much just Christmas. This could have gone under the last one.

I love turkey dinners....this is the last one not the last one about Christmas....I will give you a bit of a break though!

I love tea....I love tea always. Like every single night of the year. But especially in the winter because it warms my belly from the inside out. Big thanks to my Auntie for giving me delicious Holiday Tea last week. It is the epitome of winter tea.

I love hockey....just kidding.

I love ugly sweaters....for real though. They're the best. And they're warm! Who cares if they're ugly, seriously.

I love mugs....to drink my tea out of. Once again, I love this one all the time, but I especially love it in the winter.

I love layering clothes....cause it hide everything I want to hide, and it always makes me feel pretty!

I love New Years....and the chance to start something new. And set myself up for failure by setting resolutions I know I could never keep. Maybe I'll rethink that this year..

I love having a break from school....because even though I love school it stresses me out. And everyone can use a break sometimes.

I love hot dates....on cold days

I love making snow angels....and snow men. And snow forts. And snow balls. Then throwing those snowballs at people and hiding behind my snow fort and letting my snow men and snow angels keep guard.

I love watching snow storms outside....but only if I'm at home and I don't have to go anywhere.

I love television holiday specials.... mostly Community. Pure. Gold.

I love going on outdoor winter adventures....and I really wanna go to the ice caves in Kananaskis. Someone please go on this adventure with me! Like, now.

I love sunny days....and the way the sunshine and brightness contrasts the cold biting air.

I love volunteering....and making someone's day brighter and warmer. Directly or indirectly.

I love winter colours....White and blue and silver and grey. They just always look so good!

I love quality time with family....immediate and extended. Because my family makes me who I am.

I love naked trees....snow kissed naked trees. 

I love red Starbucks cups....because that's when you know it's really winter (ps. has anyone else noticed how coffee has transitioned from being a beverage to an accessory? I'm not cool because I don't really drink coffee)

I love work Christmas parties....especially if there is an open bar.

I love my brother and sister....who were both born in the winter. December to be exact. 5 days short of a year apart.

I love winter.....it's just soqw,,,,,,,,............................rrrrrrrrrrttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt<------Thank you Kinjo, for your input on my blog post.

Take Two.

I love winter....it's just so peaceful and sweet. I love how clean everything looks right after it snows. And I love the way everything just hides under a blanket while it's still chilly, only to come out new and refreshed in the spring. So that's why I love winter, my fourth favourite season. Sigh.

However I do not love driving, or freezing, or static-y hair. Also, Valentine's Day. I know I sound like a bitter single, but I've always thought it was stupid, even when I had a boyfriend to share it with. But look at how much stuff I do love!! There's no way I can't look on the bright side for the 10 month winter that's just settling in now :)

#Less than 24 hours

I am so close to freedom I can almost taste it.

It tastes like candy canes, and cookies, and tobogganing, and tea, and sweatpants, and booze, and best friends, and cuddles, and baking, and colouring, and Christmas, and cleaning, and singing, and tattoos, and BC, and family, and movies, and skating, and wine, and volunteering, and praying, and more tea, and ice cream, and parties, and shopping, and turkey, and Jesus, and lazy days, and snow angels, and ice caves, and leisure reading, and documentaries, and unicorns, and New Years, and sleepovers, and fuzzy socks, and dates, and peanut butter, and music, and movie marathons, and egg nog.

And best of all it does NOT taste like homework, or stress, or papers, or nursing models, or oatmeal.

I hate oatmeal.

#Classic Friday

Twice in one day I had 2 separate friends steal my phone.

One of them changed my settings so that when I type "lol" it corrects to "i am in love with UNICORNS"

The other one changed my settings so that when I type "hey" it corrects to "i love the penis" and when I type "what" it corrects to "THIS PHONE IS POSSESSED"

These friends do not know each other.

I don't even think these friends have met before.

But they BOTH did the same thing to my phone ON THE SAME DAY!

I've decided to leave it the way it is.

So one day you might get a text that says "i love the penis, THIS PHONE IS POSSESSED's up?" followed by a "Ohhhh I forgot about that! I am in love with unicorns."

On a side note - Thursday should no longer be called "the new Friday" because it really is just an excuse to make bad decisions 3 days a week.

On another side note - I haven't showered today so I smell like bar and booze and shame. And I'm going to work.

On a third side note - my phone plays the mighty morphin power rangers communicator sound when I get a text message. And every time I almost pick it up and say "Zordon! Alpha! What's going on!?"

Last side note - less than 2 weeks unit Ray Charles is here! Yay for Ray!!!!!

#I love my life

You know it was a good weekend when you come out with quotes like these:

"Skinny doesn't always mean healthy. Obese never means healthy, but lucky for you, you're not either!"

"Grab the metaphorical bull by the horns, and grab the mechanical bull by the rope."

"I refuse to eat tiramisu until your mom makes me some."

"Why is that guy's light flashing?"

"Because he wants to change lanes...."

"I don't think I'm ready to drive."

"You can literally overcomplicate boiling water!"

"I only know two things for sure: 1 - Denny's is the cure to all of life's problems and 2 - never trust a girl with a nipple ring."

"The Lions winning the Grey Cup is like Ben getting herpes. We all know it's going to happen so nobody really cares when it does."

"For American Thanksgiving I'm thankful I'm not American."

"Skinny blonde bitches....the worst kind of bitches."

"I like your moustache. And when I said 'like' I really meant 'am grossed out by'."

"I'mma bust outta this hospital and wreck a ho...or take a nap. Busting out seems like a lot of work."

"I love when flexidave teaches us useful things like how to properly ride a bull."

"I love to love Dong Lover's dong."

"I just wanna cuddle your face off, then put it back on cause I love it so much!"

"Stop looking at my elbows. Pervert."

"I officially have $3.14 to last me until payday."

"Know what you should buy with it? Pi."

"Sometimes I just grab my pecks and wish they were boobs."

Dear all of my friends,

Please don't ever leave me. And thank you for making it so easy to be the happy, bubbly person I am!

Love, Rye. xo

#You Can Put It In My Video

Today someone called me a 'sexy beast'.

And it completely took me by surprise. I haven't been called that since...high school.

'Sexy Beast.'

It doesn't sound very pleasant to me.

And it's definitely not when I think of when I think of me.

When I think of 'sexy' I think of:

- long hair

- lingerie

- dancing

- rockin' bod

- petite

When I think of 'beast' I think of:

- hairy

- fangs

- claws

- angry

- huge

There are a couple contradicting items on my lists. Hm.

Let's see how I do on this list of beastliness

- hairy - I am for an asian!

- fangs - not too out of control.

- claws - kind of. Enough to be a safety hazard I guess.

- angry - rarely. 

- huge - that's a matter of perspective.

Okay - so I didn't do too bad on the beast side let's look at the sexy side!

- long hair - check. 

- lingerie - I wear underpants. Their rank of sexiness is yet to be determined.

- dancing - hip hop abs. check.

- rockin' bod - it's hiding under there somewhere..

- petite - this, again, is a matter of perspective. But I'm asian sooo...

Alright, so maybe not so much of the sexy over here.

Here is my defence - winter is coming and hair/fat keep you warm. I don't want it to go away until the spring. Then we'll work on my beast-y half.

Final verdict on the accuracy of the title: 65%

#The Upside of Being Down

Every cloud has a silver lining......or something like that.

I'm not good with all those fancy pretty dressed up quotey things.

Idioms. Or cliché's. 

But your life seriously is a trillion and one times better when you look at the bright side.

Here! I'll show you!

Hour and a half commute to school today

- got to listen to the new Childish Gambino CD 1.5 times. 

                     - crush on Donald Glover was exponentially heightened from                                   engaging in this activity.

- drank tropical fruity tea from Hawaii that reminded me of warmer days.

- was blowing the heater in my car on my face pretending it was a warm wind, and I was laying on the beach with a Mai Tai in my hand.

There are a million trillion projects due for school in the next 3 weeks

- I get to colour code A LOT of things

- I get to go Christmas shopping on my study breaks.

- Christmas break is exactly 18 sleeps away.

- Next semester consists of cuddling babies and taking care of children.

-20 degree high for today

- Hot dates are prefect for cold days!

- high of +9 by next Tuesday.

- Cold makes me appreciate the warm more.

- I absolutely do not need to worry about my bikini body right now.

Seeeeee!!! Everything is so much better when you look at the bright side!

So smile today! Cause someone, somewhere loves you.

#It's like the sister wife version of 'Night at the Roxbury'

The weirdest thing happened tonight.

I was at an open mic night with my sister wife, my FBF, my Garden of Eden, and........the prettiest hippy in all the land [tag to come] when this guy comes around the corner with his computer.

I've been to a few open mic nights in my time, and never have I ever seen someone pull out their mac before. (I wonder what his computer's name is..)

Because this was a DJ. At our open mic night. DJing. Kinda.

He defs just played some of his mixes that he had been working on....and walked off the stage while they were playing (I mean seriously?! At least fake it like you're doing it on the spot!!)

ANYWHAYYYYY!

What do you think I did??

Shimmey'ed obviously. And rolled the dice. Pulled out my special ed. dance moves. And then it happened.

Right there. I did it in broad daylight. 

With my sister wife joining in.

It. Happened.

We did hip hop abs.

We tilted. We tucked. We tightened.

We made Shaun T. proud.

Yep. That is my life.

Stay Tuned - Saturday night is the sequel to our hip hop abs adventure.

PS that is exactly what we look like when we do hip hop abs. You should be ultra super jealous.

Fingers and Toes

You have to hold on.

Please don't let go. 

Hold on.

Just hold on.

Please

Please

Please

Hold on with everything you have.

Stay strong.

Muster up some T cells. And B cells. And FU cells. 

Just please hold on.

Don't you dare give up.

I need you to stay with me.

I need you to keep building my faith.

Please do it for me.

I am ridiculously selfish and need you to hold on.

Because I absolutely cannot let you go.

#Simple Math

Calgary is cold.

Hawaii is not.

The high for Calgary today is 2 degrees Celsius.

The low for Honolulu today is 22 degrees Celsius. (Yes Wyatt, I thought of you.)

Calgary has icy patches on the roads.

Hawaii has beautiful beaches.

Half-assed winter vs. Tropical goodness.

....sorry Calgary, this is an easy choice. I'm going to Hawaii, see you in a week!

Love you, blog world! Have an awesome time creeping the internet while I'm tanning my face off!!

PS - RyGuy, you better take care of yourself while I'm gone. I don't want anymore of your monkey business!!! I want to come home to a healthy (somewhat) guy. Pleasepleaseplease be good to yourself. Also - GO COLTS! Love x

#In the past 6 months

It's crazy to look back on the past six months of my life.

The things that have changed.

The things that have remained constant.

The decisions I've made.

The decisions still left to make.

The people who have entered my life.

The people who have left.

The people who have stayed.

The places I've been.

The things I've seen.

The insight into new situations.

The irrational emotional situations.

The fears.

The anxieties.

The laughs.

The cries.

The smiles.

The heart-to-hearts.

The quiet nights.

The rowdy ones.

The coping mechanisms.

The school work.

The new illnesses.

The love.

The adventures.

The discoveries.

If someone had told me that morning, six months ago, that I would be here today, I wouldn't have believed them.

Because at that time I felt like I had just lost the world. Like the constant winded feeling of being punched in the gut.

Today I stand stronger. And hopeful for a day when I can think of you and not cry. Not feel like my insides are all twisting up. A day when I can look to other people and help them go through what I've gone through.

So much has changed in the last six months.

But through everything. Through things that have changed or stayed the same, I have always known You would be there, and You would not change. And I am so thankful for that.

You are my ultimate constant. You are my ultimate comfort.

And I know You are taking good care of my Daddy until I can see him again.

Six months of the journey of my life without you has gone by. 

And I will always love you.

#Open Mic Night

Have you ever been to an open mic night?

Yes? No?

Cause it's pretty much an amazing experience all around.

I haven't been to one in a while. And I forgot how much I absolutely love it.

It makes me feel weirdly poetic. Or something.

Sitting in a room full of people, all wanting to be heard, all willing to listen. A room full of acceptance, a room without judgement.

Just sitting there, legs crossed, defences up, outside my comfort zone. Knowing one person in a place filled with unfamiliar bodies. A decision to push myself. It was the best decision I've made in a long time. I could feel the worries and anxieties of my life melting away with the warm fruit tinged tea sliding down my throat. The decisions that loom in my near future were put on a back burner to a few hours of ease and music.

Feeling the guitars, the vocals, the keyboards pulsing through the air, the floor, the walls and seeping into and around my body in a warm blanket of pure happiness. Smiling at strangers and making new friends. Seeing a whole new side of people, and society.

Genuinely loving to watch the people genuinely loving to play. Enjoying the gifts given to others by God to give the world. It's something I could do all day everyday.

And what I love the most is the atmosphere. The way everyone is brought together by the supernatural tie of melodies. The low murmur of voices as people quietly socialize and appreciate the music. The intensity on the musician's faces as they get lost in a sea of notes and chords. The smiling barista's, the lively hosts, the buzz of an excited audience. It all gets my heart pumping and blood rushing.

It's a little piece of heaven.

It's why I'm going to go every week. And that's why you should come to open mic nights on Thursday evenings at The House with me.

#You have stolen my heart

To the boy who holds my heart,

I'm sorry you're going through this. I'm sorry you have to lay in a hospital bed. I'm sorry you don't have your old life. But I'm so thankful for you and your strength. I'm so thankful for the friendship you've given me. I'm so thankful that you are who you are, and I love you for being that person.

I have so much faith that you are going to overcome this. You are such an inspiration to me. Listening to the way you talk, and the way you can laugh through anything makes me believe that there's hope. You are restoring my faith in the medicine I've come to doubt. You are rebuilding me and you don't even know it.

Stay strong. Know that you have the support of many. Know that my prayers and my thoughts and my heart is with you. And never trust a fart on chemo.

Lovelovelovelove
xoxoxo

#Grade 7 Science

Problem: Is the fact that Rye spends most of her time watching nature documentaries affecting how long it takes her to get her homework done?

Hypothesis: If the time spent watching nature documentaries directly affects the completion of Rye's homework then Rye's homework will be completed in a more timely fashion if she stops watching so many documentaries.

Materials: 

- Nature Docmentaries (Wild China - BBC)

- Homework (written assignment's for clinical)

- Laptop

Variables:

Independent - amount of time watching nature documentaries

Dependent - amount of time it takes to complete homework

Controlled - amount of homework to complete

Procedure:

1. Watch nature documentary for X amount of time.

2. Complete half of homework.

3. Record time results.

4. Watch nature documentary for 1/2 the amount of time in step 1.

5. Complete second half of homework.

6. Record time results.

Results: It took the same amount of time to complete both halves of homework. Rye found other ways to be distracted for the second half of homework completion (ex: writing a lab report about nature documentaries and doing homework)

Conclusion: Does the amount of time Rye spends watching nature documentaries affect the amount of homework done in a specified time period? The watching of nature documentaries is not directly related to the completion of Rye's homework. The fact that she likes to dick around, that she went to Bishop Carroll and perfected the art of procrastination, and that finds literally any excuse not to do work is the reason it takes her so long to do homework. The End.

#364 days a year....

......I am myself.

And lately I've been dreaming of an escape. Just a temporary one.

Escape from my reality.

364 days a year I am myself.

But for tonight, the opportunities are endless.

The choices are infinite.

Tonight I can be anything I want.

Tonight I'm going to a sweet party.

Tonight I'm going to an awesome show.

Tonight I get to be someone who is not me. Just for a little while.

I get to check my life, my problems, my stresses, and my anxieties, with my coat.

Tonight I am a lost boy.

And tonight....we dance.

#Just Another Thursday

3331 words of misery.

First Zumba class ever.

Wine.

David Attenborough narrating my life. But mostly nature movies.

New Community. Old Community.

More wine.

Possibly tequila?...yes.

Fatty Pizza.

Fattier Ice cream.

Sick boys licking their lips.

Sister wives.

Yeaaaahh, boy. Thursday is the new Friday.

#Color Wonder

I love to colour.

More than the average person, I suspect.

Well, the average person with an age that has 2 digits, anyway.

I just love it.

I could colour my life away.

Because colours are like music to my eyes. It never ceases to amaze me how much satisfaction I feel when I colour a picture really pretty.

Sometimes I wonder if that's how God feel's when He finishes one of His masterpieces.

Sometimes I also wonder if God threw me together and looked at me sideways then said "Well, that'll do."

Because sometimes I do that with pictures I colour.

Just kidding. About the God part.

Green is my favourite colour. When I think of green I think of life.

Pink is my second favourite colour. When I think of pink I think "Yeah, I know it's a chick colour. And I'm a chick so OBVIOUSLY I would like it. Duh. Stop judging me. Maybe you should worry about your own favourite colours rather than my second favourite colour, thank you very much."

Then blue. Like the sky, and the ocean, and bubblegum ice cream. Which is actually pretty nasty, but whatever.

Then white. Which is NOT the absence of colour. Black is the absence of colour. In my humble opinion, anyway. Which means white is the opposite of that, meaning white is EVERY COLOUR! Yep. Think about that for a second or two.

On the topic of black have you ever checked out blackle? It's like google but black! And it saves energy because it's NO COLOUR instead of EVERY COLOUR.

I also like yellow. It's sunshiny, and reminds me of my Asian self.

And red, because even though Asian's are yellow, red is "the" Asian colour.

Orange is pretty rad. I always tell people not to munch on me because I'm not a carrot. Carrots are orange. Orange = awesome.

Purple is probably one of my least favourite colours. I feel like it represents nothing.

I live in a purple room, by the way.

Anyway, I feel like I should finish writing that stupid long paper instead of this post. Or maybe I'll just go colour..hm.

*having a picture in black and white emphasizes the colour in the rest of this post I think.

#Frog Legs

So I found this super awesome picture that is now the background to my computer.

Because sometimes life gives you situations and objects that seem to be holding you back.

But you have to roll with it, and use it to push you forward.

Basically this is a blahblahbepositiveblah post.

Boring. Awesome.

Change of pace for a second maybe?

This frog is see through and you can see it's organs!!

That is a real alive frog, people!

Eeps. Between this guy, and the teeny frogs on the reptiles episode of BBC life, froggies are fast becoming my favourite animals.

I feel like I can really relate to them.

They also look gross and slimy like me when I don't shower! And have big eyes on the side of their heads except mine a slightly more centred and Asian. And they have long sticky tongues, like me!! And they have webbed feet, which I do not, but I think it would be super cool!

Anyway, back to things that are not frogs, here's the quote and the picture I was talking about earlier. 

"If we see the exact same event from a different perspective we will see an entirely different event.

We can not control the wind.

But we CAN control our sail as it catches the wind.

Learn to set the sails of your perspective and use the winds to move your forward, forward to your goal."

Thank you picture, for making me realize this 3000 word essay is not holding me back from sleep, a social life and happiness; it is merely teaching me that I should learn my lesson about procrastination. Or that I should drop a class the second I hear the words "3000 word essay" at the beginning. Either or.

#It's a little bit funny...

....this feeling inside.

So I have this thing where I'm super not romantic. 

I cringe at PDA, gag at love letters, and roll my eyes at romantic songs. Ask me to sit through 2 and a half hours of a romance movie and I will laugh in your face. Then fall asleep.

I just don't see the appeal.

And yet I attract romantic guys like world of warcraft attracts fat kids.

Guys who want to write me love songs, and sing them on stage, send me love letters with sappy words and update their Facebook status to tell me how they feel.

Dear God.

The thing is, most girls would love that. Most girls would absolutely be lost in the affection and love being poured down on them. But I don't like it. It's all just a little too fake to me.

To me, love isn't about showing the world how much you love that one person. It's about showing that person. And not through superficial things like words and songs.

To me, people who feel the need to tell everyone every second of every day how in love with each other they are, aren't really in love. They just want you to think they're in love. People who feel the need to grope each other in public aren't happy, they're insecure. It's like you're trying to convince the world that you're happier than you really are. And worse, the people who bombard you with sweet words ALL THE TIME are probably trying to convince YOU that they like you more than they really do.

Think about it. You wouldn't tell someone you just met "Hi. I'm a nice person."and you definitely wouldn't tell them in every day conversation like "These socks are really warm. I'm a nice person." No. You would show them you're a nice person by being a nice person. And they can come to the conclusion themselves. Unless you aren't a nice person. Then you would have to find another way to convince them that you're a nice person. So why would you feel the need to constantly reassure someone that you like them, if you could just show them?

To me, romance is knowing someone's coffee order off by heart. It's being able to tease each other and not get mad. It's silly. It's about knowing what makes that person tick, what reaction they'll have in a situation, and how to calm them down. It's wanting to tell them everything about your day. It's being goofy together. It's acceptance. It's knowing the good and the bad that goes with someone and loving them because they aren't perfect, not in spite of their flaws. It's a decision. It's knowing that person loves you without being told. It's familiarity. The spontaneity mixed in with the routine. It's knowing someone for who they really are. 

It's the everyday love.

So the next time you want to post a public status telling the world how happy you are with your significant other, stop and think about why you're doing it. And maybe just show the one you're posting about how you really feel.

ps. I don't see anything wrong with a few status updates about the hubs. Just don't clog up my news feed with things that really do not need to be shared.

#Faith And Philosophy - The 2 F's

Know what I love?

When I spend my entire day sitting in meetings, and lectures and mostly stressing about my philosophy midterm.

Eating ice cream then immediately regretting it.

Leaving my midterm praying I passed.

Ending my day with super low self esteem.

Then coming home to three boys who make me laugh, and build me up.

One of whom probably gave my whole house mono.

Another who lets me wear his sweatpants.

And another who only likes tall, blonde haired, blue eyed, girls.

I've decided I like having three brothers. 

Going on late night adventures to Wal Mart with my Momma.

Looking up pictures of places I want to be.

And remembering that tomorrow is a new day.

My days are so much better when filled with the people I love!

#African Cats

Meow.

Pray for me.

Because there might be some big things happening soon. 

#Chunkers

Sooooooo funny story.

Yesterday I was bored at home and not wanting to do homework. So I decided to go to a movie!

My brother wasn't feeling well and everyone else was at work or school so I went by myself.

And I felt super liberated going to a movie by myself!

50/50. People kept telling me it's super good and funny and heartwarming. It was on early enough that I could go to work after. So I went.

So I handed my ticket to the 16 year old high school drop out who rips tickets and he looks at me and says "I'm going to need to see some ID miss." 

Um. Excuse me. This movie is 14A.

"It is 1 o clock on a Friday afternoon. I am here alone. How do you think I got here?" I said, super offendedly.


"You could have walked. Or stolen a car. ID please."

"Seriously. You're gonna make me put down all this yummers fattening food for me to pull out my ID when I am clearly older than 14."

"Yes."

So I struggled for 20 minutes trying to wrestle out my driver's license without spilling popcorn.

Then, when he got the satisfaction of a quarter second glance at a picture of me looking like a native man, he let me go see my movie.

Rude.

Anyway, so I was sitting in this theatre, waaaayyyy at the back, in a theatre alllllll alone and excited to watch some Seth Rogen. Then another couple walked in and sat RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! There is a whole theatre! Nobody else is here!! Seriously!!!

Whatever. I got over it. So I started watching this movie. In a dark room alone. Then I found out that stupid movie was about cancer. So I spent the next hour and a half crying like a baby. Like, sobbing. Seriously the people in front of me kept turning around and I wanted to punch them in the back of the heads because they should have sat somewhere else.

So, yeah. That was my movie going experience.

Now I'm going to go eat some peanut butter before the world runs out, and head on down to occupy Calgary. Hope to see you there!!

#A message for the entire world..

Please stop eating peanuts. There is a shortage and I would really REALLY appreciate if the cost of peanut butter did not go up. It is a staple in my life and I can not afford to pay more than it already is.

-Sincerely, Rye

#If you wanna be my lovaaaa

I have Mad Cow Disease.

Legitimately. Mad cow. Not Creutzfeldt-Jakobs (look it up. or head on down to wikipedia), Mad Cow.

Reasoning

#1. I can't focus.

#2. My lips are chappy.

#3. I talk to myself a lot. 

#4. I have six stomachs.

#5. I have a runny nose.

#6. My left eye is itching right now.

#7. I am angry. But not really. I think I am more mad than cows though, I feel like cows don't get mad very often. I think they like to forgive.

Okay, before you go off on me, I am aware that none of those things are symptoms for Mad Cow. Except the last one. I am pretty sure it is vital for you to be at least as mad as a cow for you to have Mad Cow. And number four. Because cows and I have that in common.

I just really don't want to get up early for school tomorrow.

BUT I get to throw balls at people's faces all morning. Which will be nice I think.

Maybe I'll put off having Mad Cow for a day when I don't get to throw balls at peoples faces.

Yes. That's what I'll do.

I no longer have Mad Cow.

#Reflection in the mirror

Thanksgiving came and went like a whirlwind.

My long weekend is already over.

And I'm back to the day-in day-out of every week.

I had a lot of time to think about what I was thankful for this weekend. And in the midst of my anxiety, depression, and dark thoughts I was able to come up with an abundance of things I'm thankful for.

Here's a short list because I could go on and on in detail about why each of these things is important to me but that would bore you into never revisiting my blog..

- My little brother
- My ballerina sister
- My artistically inclined sister
- My amazing mother
- My strong Daddy (RIP) - and the opportunity to know what it means to have a Daddy
- The relationship that my whole family has with each other
- The rest of my extended family
- My awesome friends
- Mostly my FBF who is pretty much my third sister..
- My God, my Jesus - and the freedom to express my love for my God
- The house that I call home
- The food I know I can eat
- The clothes that I wear
- The education I am privileged to indulge in
- And all the little extras...I could be here for hours.

We live in a sweet little corner of the world. I don't need one day to be thankful for all of those things. But it's a good habit to get into to look at your life and know how well off you are. Because despite the "crap" we have to go through, we have so much more than 97% of the world.

#Expect the worst, hope for pie

It's a list kind of day. 4 top 10 lists. Wooooo!!

Top 10 things you learn when you hang out with teenage boys for an evening:

1. It has become socially acceptable for your younger brother to tell you you're "wheelin'"

2. Teenage girls are a lot more......outgoing than back in my day.

3. In pie we crust.

4. It doesn't matter how old you are, you always fear the wrath of the mom, even if she's not your mom. And hiding in the basement under the stairs is a never fail option for avoiding that wrath.

5. 3 teenage guys can down an extra large pizza in 8 minutes or less.

6.  I need approval from my brother AND his friends when I like a guy.

7. Teenage boys are another great distraction from annoying stupid things like homework.

8. TyTy-WyWy-Matt-RyRy

9. Listening to music you grew up on is the fastest thing to age you ever. That, and knowing who Mick Jagger is.

10. Teenage boys revert to young children when surprised with NFL tickets.

Top 10 things you learn when you're trying to write papers:

1. Everything is a distraction.

2. You can read a 3 text message conversation about 50 times and not get bored of it. *note - you must really like this person for this to be valid.

3. You can't tickle your own toes.

4. Even things like working out don't sound so bad when you have to write a paper.

5. Having painted nails is vital to existence.

6. Same with toes.

7. Spoof rap battle videos on youtube are super entertaining...kinda.

8. You don't have to be hungry to eat lots of food.

9. It's fun to look up tattoo designs on the internet.

10. When you drink a lot of water in a short period of time, you have to pee lots.

Top 10 motivational quotes for the day:

1. Do not be afraid of tomorrow, God is already there.

2. The key to happiness is: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, give much. Fill your life with love. Do as you would be done by.
- Buddha

3. Every single person who's drifted in and out of your life is part of your divinely chosen experience. So, give thanks for all of these people, and take serious note of what they brought you.
- Dr. Wayne Dyer

4. What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.
- Ralph Emerson

5. No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch.

6. Nothing's gonna change if we only rearrange the furniture and call it home.
- Andrew Allen

7. The difference is Jesus loves you, I don't.
- Danielle Peck

8. You're my silver medal.
-Peter Griffin

9. Reach for the stars, climb every mountain higher.
- S Club 7

10. ...You're pretty.
-Mama Marji

Top 10 songs of the day:

1. Come Together - The Beatles

2. Alone With You - Jake Owen

3. Hands Down - Dashboard Confessional

4. Two Worlds - Phil Collins

5. Barefoot Blue Jean Night - Jake Owen

6. Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

7. Let It Rain - David Nail

8. Strange Disease - Prozzak

9. I'd Rather Be With You - Joshua Radin

10. God Gave Me You - Blake Shelton

Another great way to put off doing papers? Watch Modern Family and write blog posts with lots of lists. Lists are my kryptonite.

#When the sun shines, we shine together

Because we were the chubby girls playing at the park;

Because we paced the path to 7-11 every day;

Because we put garbage in mailboxes;

Because we could go years without talking and pick up like nothing happened;

Because we ran away from bears;

Because we can poop at each other's houses;

Because you hold my hair when I puke;

Because you make me smile no matter what;

Because you held my hand through the hardest of times;

Because you make me ugly face laugh on an every day basis;

Because you are there for me to ugly face cry to;

Because I can just make ugly faces and you still love me;

Because you're the first person I come to when I screw up;

Because you laugh at my screw-ups and respond with a casual "sh!t happens."

Because we watch disney movies, usually 4 times before we both stay awake through the whole thing;

Because you are my very best friend;

Because of all that -

I will not judge you.

I will love you.

I will support you.

I will stand by you.

I might say things you don't want to hear.

But know it's because I care about you.

I want the best for you.

I look at you and see someone so beautiful, smart, funny and worth it.

And I just want you to know that no matter where you are, who you're with, what time of day it is -

 You will always have someone who loves you and thinks the world of you.

#Crazy girl, don't you know that I love you

I feel like everyone around me is under attack from the enemy.

I feel like satan is wedging himself into people's heads in the form of insecurity, guilt, shame, hatred.

I feel like I'm helpless to the attacks on the people around me.

I want to save you, I want to take it from you. But I don't know how to help.

Please let me in. Let me be here. Let me help you in any way I can.

I'm praying for all of you. Don't give into it. Stay strong.

God loves you.

And I love you.

#A smile, a kiss, a sip of wine

Sometimes you get home at 1:30 in the morning and you can't help but blog because you're so smiley and happy and giggly.

And it's stupid because you spent the whole day crying.

Sometimes you get mad at God because it seems like He gives you hope, then snatches it away.

Sometimes it seems like it won't ever change. Or get better.

Sometimes you're put in situations where it seems He will work in your heart and instead He just breaks it.

Then, sometimes, something happens that blows your mind.

Sometimes you feel your complete sense of loss, but at the same time feel you're angel smiling down on you.

Sometimes God drags you into situations that you think are going to be stupid and annoying and pointless.

And He smacks you across the face for being so self-righteous.

He knows what you need. At all times.

And even if nothing comes from this, I needed it tonight.

Sometimes all it takes is a smile, a kiss, and a sip of wine to change your perspective.

And sometimes, something happens to make you realize that the change has to start with you.

#100 things you may or may not have known about Riah. Part 3

You're in the homestretch! Almost there! I believe in you!!!!

73. I once was a little chinese seamstress.

74. I love adventures. Of any kind. Take me on an adventure. I will be yours forever and ever and ever.

75. I am the worst at working out. But I need to do it because if I don't I will be 1970389520982123 pounds.

76. I have the maturity of a 7 year old boy. This is why I get along with kids so well.

77. I have a pacing issue. As in I pace all the time. It's a good time to ponder life, or talk to people on the phone. 

78. I want to learn how to DJ. But please don't tell anyone, that is a secret secret. (This is also on my top 25 before 25, in case you were wondering. Which I am sure you were peeing yourself a little bit with anticipation for this piece of knowledge that you didn't know was coming.)

79. I love going to live music shows. They get my ticker ticking.

80. Homework makes my eyes sleepy.

81. I could live the rest of my life off of peanut butter. No joke.

82. I'm going to marry a pilot. I told my ex-boyfriend to become a pilot so I could marry him. He said no. That is why we're not together. I told my 14 year old brother's friend to be a pilot and he said "I can be a pilot." See? That is commitment right there. I am a little bit worried about waiting for him though, because obviously it is wildly inappropriate for us to date right now. And the whole point of marrying a pilot is for him to fly me everywhere all the time and we can go on adventure central together. I don't want to do that when I'm old. Back to the drawing board then..

83. I want to be a gypsy. And sell you gypsy tears. And dance. Like Esmerelda.

84. My FBF is the bestest sweetest wonderfulest awesomest person ever. And she makes me laugh like nobody else. And she has a bubgina. She's pretty much my sister.

85. I didn't know if I really wanted to be a nurse when I first started nursing. But I'm sure now that it is what I was meant to do.

86. I think awkward situations make life worth living. They are usually super funny and awesome. 

87. I enjoy carbs more than the average person.

88. I am allergic to cats. This makes me not like them. And they love me. I swear, this is not a drill. I should have been allergic to parakeets or something. Because I clearly was meant to be a cat lover. 

89. At any given point in time I have lip chap with me.

90. I have never used a whole eraser. Except the ones on the back of a pencil. But those don't count in life because they don't even really work.

91. I'm a lover not a fighter.

92. Every time I see a girl with bigger boobs than me I think to myself "I bet they're fake." Clearly I'm just jealous.

93. I have a unicorn camera which automatically makes all of my pictures more magical than yours.

94. Eden.

95. I love honey nut cheerios more than I love almost anything ever. I would fight a bear for honey nut cheerios. Which is a realistic situation, because bears like honey. Duh. 

96. Tequila and Rye is never a good idea.

97. I have a sister wife. She is super pretty and is rockin' the boat. I loves her very much.

98. Spring is my favourite season, because everything is coming back to life!

99. I self diagnose myself with every illness, disease, and disorder ever known to man. Ever. I have everything. I am a walking mess of yuckyness. You should probably stay away, or wash your hands after coming in contact with me. 

100. I talk to myself a lot. Like A LOT. Especially in my mirror. Usually when I'm drying my hair so that nobody can hear me talking to myself. I have full conversations with people, and I play both parts. And I say things exactly the way I want them to go down. They rarely ever happen like that, but I still do it. I yell at people a lot in my mirror because then all my anger is gone and I can have a reasonable conversation with the actual person in real life.

So there you go. 100 things you may or may not have known about me. I also just reread this list ad realized I mostly describe myself in things that I love. And I love that! Seriously, I love to love. What a life!

Muah!!