#12: Attend 4Floors

4Floors is a McGill tradition usually fulfilled in first year, but for some reason I was off doing other things... I do remember having a midterm November 1st that year. Totally scarred me.

Anyways so the concept is that they turn our four-floor student building into a giant Halloween bash with a different dj on every floor. And lots of candy. And drunk people.

So this year I lined up early and got my ticket before it sold out, procured myself a costume, and I attended! One more thing done!!

I love: bows

Anyone who knows me knows I adore bows, so I'm not even sure why it took me so long to make this post...

Forget me not rings are the cutest, most romantic notion to me.

This is the most subtle bow ever.

Love this.

Booties.

Seasonly plump... all year round

First off, I have to mention I should totally be studying right now, but of course it's in those life-or-death moments that I get my best inspiration. So I am just not to be held accountable for what happens tomorrow. When I become a famous writer, it'll look cool, I swear mom!

Anyhow! The initial inspiration for today's little talk is from a poster I saw around McGill today, mentioning a "fat talk free zone." Basically McGill is now creating areas where stuff like "I hate my body", "I look pregnant", "I'm on a diet, I can't eat that" and the likes are forbidden. At first I thought, "well with all these _____-free zones, soon we won't be able to speak AT ALL", but then actually I changed my mind.

The freshman fifteen didn't hit me until last year, when my courses got seriously intense and my social life seriously diminished. Like Miranda in that Lizzie McGuire episode, I felt like food was the only thing I still had control over. And then somehow I used that control to lose control? Anyways. This year I'm trying really hard to get back on track, but it's tough because I'm so busy I have to make decisions like gym vs. sleep. I got my gym membership. I just have yet to make it there. AT LEAST I'M HONEST ABOUT IT. So it's been tough, I got all weight conscious for a bit, and then I began seeing it a lot around me. From sick gym obsessions to eating, like, one carrot per day, I see it all in my program. There's also the weird diets like only eating soup, or thinking water is a meal.

Then on top of that people are constantly talking about their bodies, like how they gained 0.000001 lb and their size 00 doesn't fit anymore and the world must therefore end...  It just drives me nuts. If I didn't like food so much, I would have definitely developed some eating disorder by now. Unfortunately lettuce and me are not on the best of terms, so that's never gonna happen.

Ok I got slightly side-tracked here. My point is fat free zone = warranted. And tell me where it is, I should probably make that my new living space.

But what I'd like to get at tonight is that I've noticed it's all a sham. People are Miranda, they try to control their weight, but there's other, bigger issues.... 100% of the time. For someone who doesn't really believe in endless complaints when there's a solution, I'm not a fan of avoiding one's problems. If you're overly stressed, see someone about it. If you're tired, take a nap (Josh reference from Project Runway). If you're lonely, get involved. There's an easy fix for most of the problems people have. And for some reason everyone chooses to go and take the difficult route, make themselves miserable over it, and focus elsewhere.

So people, let's shed the pounds..... by shedding the dead weight. Whatever the issue, I swear there's a solution. But you have to want to fix it permanently...

...not just diet for a while.

The poster that inspired this post!

#21: Have breakfast at Beauty's

In 1949, this cute little newlywed couple started a lunch counter slash supply store. Eventually, customers got used to eating lunch there that they came knocking on a Sunday around lunch time. Brunch was served, people raved, and Beauty's was born.
Now it's a Montreal landmark, with a mega long waiting line outside (we showed up juuuuust before it got crazy).

Cute fact 1: It's named after the husband's bowling name.
Cute fact 2: It still looks like a 50's diner.
Cute fact 3: The husband was still definitely there when we went. All 80 years old and stuff.

Delicious fact 1: Best hash browns I've ever had. Ever.

Why, thank you!

Last year (and many times before that/since then), someone called me a bitch. For some reason, that time I got very upset. It's tough work being a woman with a big personality. Anyways at that moment, my roommate marched in with a quote that completely changed my perspective on the whole thing and every time I read it again, it makes me want to speak a little louder, express my ideas/thoughts a little more, and overall just stand with my head held a little higher. Yeah, it's tough being a woman with a big personality. But it sure beats sitting on the sidelines.

"Whenever anyone has called me a bitch, I have taken it as a compliment. To me, a bitch is assertive, unapologetic, demanding, intimidating, intelligent, fiercely protective, in control - all very positive attributes. But it's not supposed to be a compliment, because there's that old, stupid double standard: when men are aggressive and dominant, they are admired, but when a women possesses those same qualities, she is dismissed and called a bitch.

These days, I strive to be a bitch, because not being one sucks. Not being a bitch means not having your voice heard. not being a bitch means you agree with all the bullshit. Not being a bitch means you don't appreciate all the other bitches who have come before you. Not being a bitch means since Eve ate that apple, we will forever have to pay for her bitchiness with complacence, obedience, acceptance, closed eyes and open legs. "

- Margaret Cho

So now when I get called a bitch, I answer, "why thank you!"

A little bit about nothing

Remember The O.C.? I boycotted that show for YEARS based on precisely nothing. Then I got to university, got sucked in and watched all four seasons. They now also sit proudly on the mantle of my fake fireplace. Now why am I talking about The O.C.? Because at the moment I have absolutely zero inspiration/time to write, but I wanted to post something (also give a shoutout to whoever is following my blog from Germany).

So here is my all-time favorite scene from the show. I should point out I fully plan on trying it one day. I already make Grey's Anatomy-worthy speeches in my head while dramatic music is playing.

#28: Have a fancy dressed up outing

Lovely partner in crime Madison and I selected Cavalli, an upscale Italian-esque restaurant. Note to self: should have probably photographed the food maybe? Anyways my food was delicious, my drink was pretty much the best thing I've ever had, and the company was lovely.