Just Stay With Me

While it was rather rainy, miserable-looking, and colder outside, it was actually a good thing, considering that we were all still severely jet lagged and my younger sister was still finding a way to adjust to the time change. We were able to get some more groceries and while that sound perfectly boring and could possibly induce a good nap, it always proves to be an adventure. Why, you may ask? For one thing, there are an endless supply of delicious food. Not only that, but it has Fanta (the good kind, not the chemicalized American version), fresh bread and croissants, chocolate, pastries, dairy product. I wish I could eat all the food that was there! Secondly, the food is written in German and French, so I am always having to brush up on my French in order to know what I'm eating. Needless to say, it's never boring. Afterward, we stopped at a local pastry shop, Stahli, and picked up some yummy treats that made my stomach smile all day. Then, we stopped for some wood-smoked pizza. It was a lovely dining experience and it's no wonder we always eat there whenever we come here.

On a side note, I've been watching videos on YouTube on how to develop a British-English accent and I have received helpful hints on practicing British phonetics. I'm hoping that I'll eventually become proficient in it. If any of you have any tips, I'd love to hear them.

Departure and Arrival

Well, it's about time. The day had finally come and everyone was excited to go. We spent the several hours before arriving at the airport to get everything done, make sure the last things we needed we packed, and organized to make sure it didn't pass the weight limit. To the drive to Toronto, I noticed there was severe-looking clouds, but I figured it wouldn't be such a bad thing. However, when we arrive at the airport and managed to get 2 buggies to load our luggage (5 people with each luggage plus 5 carry-ons) to load in the plane. One problem: our luggage each were at 5 kilos over the limit. We originally thought that the limit was 23 kg, but it's 20 kg. And the alleged charge is $100 per bag per person. So, 25 minutes and another carry-on later, we finally managed to enter our gate. During the short waiting time, an Emirates airbus e380 arrived close to the terminal and it was truly a sight to see. Shortly after, boarding began.

The flight provided edible food and carbonated beverage. However, 40 minutes into the flight, we began to experience severe turbulence for a good 20 minutes. A little bit of turbulence is somewhat expected flying overseas, but when I noticed it didn't stop and it was actually getting worse, I took action (pray) and it calmed down shortly after and I even managed to fall asleep for 3 hours. (Prayer does work, people.)

When we finally touched down in Zurich, it was like visiting an old friend. We retrieved our luggage, got the car, and drove down to Bahnhofstrasse to denumb our legs and bottoms. Walking for a while, we realized how hungry we really were (since none of us really ate on the plane), we decided to eat at Manora. That concept is so smart and the food is delicious, I may never want to eat at another American franchise again. But, that's another rant for another time. Having the orange Fanta, croissants, and Kinder pingu was more delicious than another dessert I've tasted in a long time. With jet lag quickly setting in, set off and left Zurich to drive near Flums to our apartment. It wasn't long before everyone plopped on the bed and fell asleep faster than it took for our bodies to land on the bed.

Procrastination

I have not been posting recently since I need to finish an online course in half the time allotted so I can leave for Europe without struggling to find an internet connection to finish a discussion post or submit an essay. Rather, I figured, that if I finished much earlier, I would have peace regarding the whole matter. Plus, that way, I can actually enjoying my time abroad without thinking of assignment. It's much better that way.

However, because I have essentially committed four weeks to nothing than reading the course material and submitting the assignments at a rapid speed, I have not managed to pack a single thing. That may not be the best thing considering I have to sort out through my wardrobe and decide what pieces I need to bring and what will suffice for a month. This proves to be a laborious process since I have absolutely no idea what I'm dressing for. While a fraction of time will be spent behaving as a tourist, the rest of the time, I'll doing what exactly? Furthermore, the weather is fickle, prompting the wise idea to pack some warmer clothes as well. I'm sure I'll get to it eventually. And by eventually, I mean tomorrow since I leave in 3 days and I haven't picked a single thing.

What I have managed to do is compile a playlist. One is for when I am brimming with energy and am ready to explore and another is for when a more mellow tone is needed.

Playlist 1:

1. Up in Flames -- Coldplay
2. Towers -- Bon Iver
3. Darlin' It Ain't East -- Zee Avi
4. All I Need to Know -- Thousand Foot Krutch
5. Tomorrow Will be Kinder -- The Secret Sisters
6. Say (All I Need) -- OneRepublic
7. A Far-Off Hope -- Josh Garrels
8. The Resistance -- Josh Garrels
9. Smoke and Mirrors -- Gotye
10. Sailor's Waltz -- Josh Garrels
11. She's Always Singing (Yellow) -- The Dear Hunter
12. Dirty Paws -- Of Monsters and Men
13. The Cave -- Mumford and Sons
14. Can't You Tell -- Vetiver

Playlist 2:

1. Young Blood -- The Naked and Famous
2. Moving in the Dark -- Neon Trees
3. Midnight City -- M83
4. Diet Mountain Dew -- Lana Del Rey
5. Brokenhearted -- Karmin
6. Lonely Boy -- The Black Keys
7. Cracks (Flux Pavilion Remix) -- Freestylers
8. Radioactive -- Imagine Dragons
9. Diplomat's Son -- Vampire Weekend

What I have managed to pack (albeit meagrely) is the reading material, a handful of shoes, and my Gilmore girls collection to provide an oasis from the long car rides. At least it's a start. It's better than nothing, right?

Sinn für Mode

With less than 17 days left until my voyage to Europe, it's beginning to show in everything I do, from the way I think to the way I see food. While America has its benefits, I truly see New York City and Toronto as the heart of European cities in North America. Because of this, I plan to submerge myself in the European culture the moment I step foot in the Zurich airport. Then again, I don't really see another option considering that I have to spend a great deal of time...which I am not complaining. One of the things that I particularly take note of the fashion. I make it my goal to not succumb to the fashion-less sheep of Barrie, Ontario fashion, so I take notice of what is trending in the heart of Zurich, Milan, and Bucharest, and with those notes in mind, I can bring that fashion over the pond, back in Canada and America.

With that frame of thinking in mind, I've already fallen in love with several brands. APC is a French fashion house, taking over several different countries, Canada included. With its clean, sharp lines for French class and sophistication, I've already began drooling the Spring and Summer collection. I highly suggest you visit their website.

Pulls merinos fin raye

Chemise legere 

Sweatshirt chic

I've known long about c'est masion de mode, but it's only recently do I realize just how magical Simons is. Located in Quebec, the French region of Canada, the exclusivity elevates its enchantment. Boasting and lavishing in Euro-like styles, it's like a francophile's dream come true. Located only in Montreal and Quebec City, it truly captures the heart of the beautiful city of Quebec and metropolitan of Montreal.

pleated chino pant

Nautical stripe sweater

Joe Fresh is a Canadian fashion brand, but it is rapidly expanding past the border, with its first store in New York. With clean European designs, affordable prices, and excellent quality, it is not a surprise that the moment I want to come home from school, that is one of the first places I want to shop.

Nautical tee

My tumblr and pinterest addiction has a good use: I'm always discovering new brands, new ways to amp my style, and different ways to do my hair. However, when I was tumblr several months ago and I stumbled upon this lovely bag, my heart almost stopped. Genuine leather, the right size, a lovely color...it's like a match made in heaven! While it may not be from France, Quebec, or Canadian (with a European influence), this company from Massachusetts makes its American roots alright with me

Frank Clegg Tuscany Shoulder Bag

(Psst! If you're reading this and wondering how 3 weeks passed by so far, relax. I didn't time travel. I get to go to Europe much quicker than we originally planned. Which is okay by me!)

Here Comes the Sun

With 6 and a half weeks left until I leave for Europe (I'm still fangirling as we speak), this gives me ample time to assemble a massive wardrobe suiting for the occasion. In the past, I've scoured magazines for the sole purposes of collecting a large collection. (Fat good that did me.) However, while stumbling upon various websites, they serve as an excellent examples that not every celebrity dresses directly from the runway of overzealous designers who make the most elaborate designs.

Besides, in Europe, it's all about looking good as if you rolled out of bed. With the warm weather and beautiful scenery, I don't want my amazing wardrobe to distract tourists from the lovely places. Dry humor aside, Europe, particularly those in more Western European countries, such as a France, Italy, and Switzerland, the people truly take pride in the labels and the image they convey.

On a side note, Taylor Swift never fails to amaze me. Just when you think that her girly-girl, vintage-esque look gets old, she revamps it in a way that's old-fashioned but still fresh.

Freshman < Sophomore

I am officially done with my freshman year of university and am currently working my way up as a sophomore! The sensation is rewarding but bizarre to say the least. In a moment, feelings of last year, of things I did at this time, and the people that I saw last immediately flood my mind. When people say that university flies by, boy, they weren't kidding! So, with the growth, maturation, and development I've encountered in nine months, let me share what I've learned and the epiphanies I've received since coming back home for the summer.

Let me begin by stating that high school is completely and totally over-rated. My apologies to those who laud high schools, the memories one is tied to, and the people you've encountered, but seriously, high school is only a precursor to the college life. Which, by the way, is far better than high school life. Not only do you get more freedom and liberty, but you are propelled in the real world and you have to put what you've learned in twelve years in practice. That is, assuming that you are not commuting from home. The things you learn in high school is minimal compared to the material presented in university academia, the people in high school are so utterly juvenile that likely, they are not going to be your friend for years to come (unfortunately), and being in the same town and place long after high school is draining to the human soul. How, you may ask, am I so certain of this? Well, all throughout senior year of high school, I wanted it all: the exams, the stress of applying to college, and prom. I honestly thought that that was all there was. I didn't care what university had if I couldn't experience the typical high school experience. Fast forward 365 days later, I've realized that high school is nothing but 4 years of a person's life, a chapter in one's story, but I digress when people say that it's the best 4 years of a person's life. It's just 4 years.

Being in Virginia for 9 months, living there for 3 more years for college, and possibly settling down there, I've adapted to the American way of life quite well. That being said, when I came back to Canada for the summer, I had a culture shock! You would think that I would experience one when I moved down there in August, but no, I had one when I relocated back to Canada for the summer. And trust me, that took me completely by surprise. I didn't expect it, and quite honestly, I surprised myself. The things I've seen, the things I've experienced, and the things I've tasted has given me somewhat of a baseline. One of the things that struck me immediately is that people in Barrie (my hometown)--men and women--dress laxly. They have a very sporty, laid back, and putting-no-effort-in-my-outfit attire. Women dress the same, like fashion sheep. They all wear the same sporty jacket with the yoga pants. There is no effort put in appearing put together and display carelessness towards their appearance. Men, on the other hand, have lost any respect I've had for them. (And I am referring to 13-21 year old guys.) They have the same shaggy hair, low-slung pants, skater shoes (which went out of style in 2008), and a hoodie. Gentlemen, I believe it's time that you took some fashion cues from the men from the South. They not only know how to dress, but also display respect in their appearance and comportment. On the same token, Canadian guys just don't have a charm. They dress the same and have no ambition or drive (or perhaps that just happens to be the case in my town?). Regardless, American men and women know that even if they're just going out to Target or Best Buy, they don't look as if they rolled out of bed and slapped some clothes on them. People don't judge you solely based on looks, but they do say a lot about the person. On the other hand, it truly is only a geographical nuisance. Had I live in Toronto or Vancouver or study in Quebec, that certainly would not be case. That only amplifies my decision that lest I decide to settle down in Canada after graduation, one of the places I would like to live is near Toronto and Quebec...but that's another post for another day.

Something that I took a deep and personal interest in when I first arrived is the spiritual temperature of Canadians. Now, I cannot and will not speak for the majority of Canadians, but I am referring to the people I know back home and the people I see, whether via Facebook or in my home church. Let me first say that people at Regent are a special group of people, but what they represent to me is that I am not the only person who believes in this or that in Christian theology. They exercise their dominion in the spiritual world, they do spiritual warfare, and they believe that Jesus Christ purchased healing, freedom, and prosperity on the cross. So that was reassuring to me, knowing that I am not crazy for believing in that and living it. So then why is it that the moment I come home, I feel out of my element? There is a spirit of apathy of Canada. People are very concerned what their peers think about themselves and do not live in the freedom Christ bought them. Also, very few operate in the supernatural realm. Maybe they speak in tongues, but do they receive visions, words, and grow slain in the spirit. Back at Regent, if you're feeling sick, people will lay hands on you and speak agains the illness or ailment. I would love to see that mentality back home, but sadly, it's rare, if existent at all.

This could be a representation of the people in the north (Canada and northern states), but this doesn't change what is true and a tangible reality. I'm not condemning what I see or the people I associate myself with; I'm simply making an observation based on what people say, do, and act. I sincerely hope that my observation isn't rigid and remains this way forever. However, just because people back home don't think the same way I do doesn't make me a freak. Back at school, this is the norm.

Captured Memories

With respect with the year ending, I've collected my favorite memories, beginning all the way from August to April. It is still unfathomable to think that I am finished with my freshman year of college and that chapter of my life is finished and others are beginning. Quite frankly, it's a precursor to the amazing things that is going to happen in the future, the people I'll met, the man I'll eventually marry. Life certainly is an adventure...

But at the same time, it's still so hard to imagine that 9 months ago, I was a doe-eyed college freshman, naive, and so hyper to start this chapter of my life. Along the way, I've met some amazing friends that will remain in my life far past graduation, memories that will form part of who I am, and so many inside jokes that forever changes the way I look at an otherwise simple and meaningless thing. From orientation week, the Regent regatta, Christmas Ball, Iron Chef: Regent style, Spring Break, Catch the Fire, and the simple memories I will treasure always.