Change

I hate when people say "you've changed" and use it as an excuse to not be friends with other people anymore. This is why most people are so scared of change, that if something is different about you others will leave you. Change is not bad. People need to stop thinking that it is. We are allowed to change. We are allowed to grow. We are allowed to make mistakes. We are allowed to learn from them.

This fear of change keeps us from showing anybody who we really are. We put up masks so that our friends won't say that we've changed and leave us. Chances are they're hiding who they really are for the same reason. Is acceptance from a few people really worth hiding ourselves forever?

VEDA

So, instead of attempting BEDA this August, I`m going to try doing VEDA. Which, I`m sure I`ll be more successful at. Maybe. :P
Either way, I`ve wanted to possibly start vlogging for a while, and I`m sure it will be interesting to document this month because it`s the month before I go off to university. (:
Also, I`m going to McMaster. I don`t think I said that on here, but I am. I`ve started talking to all my roommates on facebook and they all seem cool so far, so that`s good.

p.s. All the apostrophes look wierd because my keyboard switched over to french mode and I don`t know how to change it back. So I just wait for it to do itself. I prolly click something to make it happen, but I never know what I click.

Jogging

So, I finally managed to drag myself out of bed at 6 am to go for a jog and it felt really good. I don't know why I kept putting this off because I really really enjoy it. It's quiet and peaceful at that time and it's just nice. My legs are kinda sore now, but it's worth it. :P
I think what I will do is give myself 3 days of the week where I don't go for a jog and then the other 4 days I will. Or something like that, I'll figure it out. :P
Also, I will finish blogging about Tanzania soon. :P

ps I know the only one who actually reads my blog ever is Kanwal, but yeah this is what I'm following www.wikihow.com/Begin-Running :P

18

So, as an update from my last post; I got into Western! and Mac!
That means I got accepted to everywhere I applied. :)
Also, I turn 18 in like 15 minutes. ^^

Gah

So, Western handed out acceptances on their website today.
Unfortunately I couldn't remember my password or the answers to my questions and I tried logging on so many times that they locked my account.
I can't call them about it until Monday. :/
So, I'm hoping ouac is updated this weekend.
But I feel slgihtly stupid right now.

Tanzania Day 1: Dar es Salaam

There are guests downstairs, I have physics homework to do and 450 pages left to read in my book. So, what better time than now to finally sit down and write a blog entry.

I know I said that I'd talk about my trip to Tanzania forever ago, but I still don't even know where to start when talking about it. I haven't really talked to anybody about it at all, so I guess maybe I should atleast try writing it out here. :P

Anyways, we got to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania around midnight or 1am and pretty much just fell asleep right away. The next morning, the teachers let us have a later start that we were supposed, which still meant that we had to leave at like 8:30 or 9. In the morning we just got to go to an internet cafe to let our parents know that we arrived safe and sound and exchange our money. That was our first time actually seeing Dar es Salaam because when we arrived we were pretty exhausted and it was nighttime. I actually saw a lot of similarities to India when were driving. Of course Dar es Salaam is a major city in Tanzania so, it's not as bad off as some other parts of Tanzania.

In the afternoon we visited an orphanage for disabled children. These children are considered burdens and curses upon their families. They are treated horribly because their parents believe that they will never be able to work and help provide for the family. The orphanage is run by an Italian man, who speaks no english at all. Only Italian, Swahili, and Spanish. He's been running this orphanage for 9 years and he not only gives these children a place to come during the day, but he also teaches them and tries to show the parents of these children that they are capable of a lot and they can do so much in their lives. His efforts have been paying off because some of the parents are actually getting more involved with their children and taking an interest in what goes on at the orphanage.

It was hard to communicate with the children at this orphanage because they only spoke swahili and all of us only knew a couple of words in swahili. It was still fun colouring with the kids and playing with them. They seemed happy just to be able to play with us and with the toys they were getting. It was really good to see the smiles on their faces. The little boy I was with for most of the time was very quiet and when I asked him his name he mumbled it so I never really found out his name, but I still had a good time playing with him.

That evening we got to go for a swim in the pool, which I didn't do, I just sat by the ocean and read for a bit. After dinner we had our very first debrief and it was mostly just our first impressions and what we were looking forward to on our trip. That was pretty much all that the first day consisted of.

I think I'm just going to add what happen the rest of the days later.

Also, I've been thinking of starting a vlog. Not now, but when I get my new camera. Thoughts? I think I might also put up a few videos of me playing guitar and singing.

That's all for now.

ps. the orphanage was called Kituo Cha Watota Cha Baba Oreste Day School

Pointless Post

That was short lived.
Maybe I'll just blog more often.
Also I feel like crap right now.
It sucks.
Kinda like this blog post.
Expect longer more cheerful things soon.

BEDA

omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg
BEDA starts today.
Technically yesterday, which ended 21 minutes ago.
But yeah, this one will just be really short. Expect longer ones this month. And maybe I'll actually blog everyday. :P
Soooo, I went to Tanzania, and it was amazing. Expect super long blogs about that.
I got accepted into University of Guelph which isn't my first choice, but it's nice knowing I have somwhere to go come September. ^^
And that is all for now, I shall blog again tomorrow!

In my head, you fulfill my fantasy.

I don't particularly like Jason Derulo, but that song has been stuck in my head for the longest time, and I actually kind of like it. :P

Well I don't think I have much to talk about. So, I'm prolly just gonna blab on about random stuff. Oh and exams are done for me! So I'm officially halfway done grade12. ^^

So, have you ever wanted to tell someone or talk about something, but felt like you couldn't? Like you felt like the person you wanted to say something to had too much of their own stuff going on that you couldn't talk to them about it. Or that they were so happy and you shouldn't be doing talking to them about stuff that will upset them. Or you just feel like it's your own problem and you should be able to deal with it on your own.

Well I feel like that all the time. It kind of leads me to neglect myself quite often, I think I've gotten better at expressing myself. Idk, where I was even going wth this. :P
But yeah, I guess I just wanted to point out that this was one of my major character flaws. Which I think is good if your major character flaw is putting others before yourself. :P

That is all I have to say for now I supposee.

So, my weightloss is going pretty good I think. It was really good the first week, then with the business and stress of exams it wasn't as good, but exams are over in a few days, and I will be back on track for then.

But I'm so excited for the end of exam, I get to hang out with my friends! :)
And possibly go look at dresses for prom, not buy or anything, but yeahh.
That's pretty much all I have to say for now I guess. I really should be studying for my exams, since they're tomorrow and I'm really not ready at all. (n)

So back to studying for me, a longer blog can prolly be expected for sometime after exams.

2010

Okay, so I'm not really big on new year's resolutions, just cause, what's so special about new year's, why can't you do it during the year?
But this year, I've decided I'm going to be healthier. I certainly want to lose weight, but the main part is adapting to a healthier lifestyle. This means eating better and exercising more often. I've been wanting to do this for a while, but now I'm going to fully commit to it. I'm going to start waking up an hour earlier to exercise because I like to exercise in private. And the morning is a good time, it works for me. Also, I'm trying to cut junk food out of my diet and replace it with more fruits and vegetables. And other food substitutes that are better for you. I'm replacing all drinks with either water, orange juice, or if i have to diet soda.
I think part of what is motivating me as well is that Alan Lastufka has made the goal of losing weight this year and is going to be talking about it in his blog. He's also been brave enough to post his weight on the internet, which I know personally, I'm just not comfortable enough to do.
Also, prom's in May. And I want a dress, that will actually look decent on me. So that is part of my motivation as well.
But my biggest motivation is that I just want to be healthy.

I'm not alone.

You're not alone
There is more to this I know
You can make it out
You will live to tell

I love my best friends so much.
Thanks for never leaving my side.
I look forward to another year with you guys.

Are we alone?

So, I feel like being slightly philosophical today, or atleast what I consider philosophical. Really, I just want to talk about this because me and my friend had a short conversation about it the other day and I started to wonder. Also, I really like to thoroughly explain myself because I feel like it's extremely important to understand someone's point of view as much as possible, even if you completely disagree with them.

Anyways, what we were talking about is whether there is a reason behind everything or not. It's a pretty simple question, and everybody either thinks one way or another. I think most people believe that there is a reason behind everything, but I'm part of the group that thinks there's not a supernatural reason behind everything and that we, as human beings, are what cause everything to happen. There's a reaon for everything that happens, and in my opinion all the reasons are Earthly and can be explained without involving supernatural forces.

Miracles, deaths, and stuff like that it's all just a result of life. Miracles are exceptions to the rules and they always happen, you have to consider that there's also the other end of the scale where people aren't as lucky and that's why these instances are called miracles. It's just a matter of situation and I suppose luck. Then there's death. I don't think that everybody dies for a reason, and it's foolish to believe that when someone goes it's "their time". What about little babies who die everyday. There are people of every age who die everyday and sometimes it's natural causes and sometimes they're killed, but either way it's something that can be explained that causes them to perish, not fate or anything like that. Also, if you think about it, it will never really be anybody's "time" to go. Nobody will ever finish everything they want to do.

I also think that so many people choose to believe that something happens for a reaon is because it kind of makes life easier. It gives life a purpose, and it sort of lifts off some of our responsibility because there's some external force controlling our life for us. My way of thought is kind of scary. I'm pretty much saying that we're on this world alone and have to fend for ourselves. Of course we have family and friends, but we're left to face all the decision in our life and if we make a mistake it's all on us.

I don't know if I completely got across what I wanted to say, but this is just my opinion, and everybody is entitled to their own. I'm not saying that people who believe that everything happens for a reason are wrong, for all I know they could be right. I'm just saying this is what I choose to believe in.

So, comments?

Not ready.

Sometimes I wish I could just tell everyone the truth about what's going on, but I'm not nearly strong enough to do that. I can't deal with the consequences of that. Sometimes I think it would make things easier, I wouldn't feel like I'm hiding something from my friends, but they don't need to know. I'm pretty sure they don't want to know. There are very few people that know and there's no way I can tell anybody else. I love them and they're great, but I don't think they're ready to hear it, or atleast I'm not ready to tell them.
I don't know what the point of writing this post was. I just needed to say it somewhere I guess.
And expect a longer post sometime soon. I hope. I'd really like to write a blog sometime soon.

--Rishem

Chachingg.

First day and I already have homework, and not just a little, it's decent amount. Well it's not really a whole, lot it just seems like it's a lot cause I'm tired and don't wanna do it and I'm still slightly sick. I have first period spare, which I didn't really want, but whatever I'll deal with it. English and Bio seem like they're gonna be super hard this year. Indivuals and Families in a Diverse Society seems interesting, I don't really like some of the people in my class, but hopefully they're slightly more mature this year. *crosses fingers*
And second semester is gonna kill me for sure. Chemistry, Calculus and Vectors, and Physics all before lunch. And then French.

However I am still determined to make sure grade 12 is the BEST year ever. :)

School Tomorrow!

^ That is pretty awesome. Most people may not think so, but I'm super excited, I know it's gonna be stressful, emotional year, but I'm totally ready for my final year of high school and everything that lays beyond it. Well maybe not completely ready, but I'm excited for it. Of course there are nerves and fear there as well, but for some reason the excitement is overpowering everything else.

Yesterday I was looking at the school website and a friend pointed out they updated the calendar so I checked it out. I don't think I realized I was gonna be a senior until then. Of course I knew, but now it's little bit more real. I'm gonna be the one who they're selling the class rings to, I'm the one going for grad photos, I'm the one applying for university. Seeing all the dates for this stuff on the calendar and realizing I'm the one that this stuff is gonna happen to was the first time it really seemed real to me. There's gonna be a whole lot of lasts and a whole lot of first, it's gonna be a wonderful new adventure and I can't wait for it.

So that's all for now, I may go into detail later or I might not, we'll see. :P

Cousin's Wedding

OMGSH TWO POSTS IN ONE NIGHT!!!
Yes, I have some time, well not really, but I got started and now I wanna finish. This blog will most likely only be about my cousin's wedding, then the next about books I've read/am reading and then possibly I'll finally discuss that speech by David Foster Wallace. :P

But my cousin's wedding was awesome. She's beautiful to begin with and she looked absolutely gorgeous at her wedding. Well for a week beforehand I was at her house almost everyday to help decorate and it looked awesome when we were finished. :)

It all started with the mehndi, which is when the bride and the female friends and relatives of the bride get henna applied. The bride and the most henna and much more beautiful design, the others just get their hands done whereas the bride has hands, legs, and arms done. The lady we had doing it was pretty good, but one thing I noticed is that it faded pretty fast.

The next day was the ladies sangeet and maiyan, there are some traditional stuff, and a party. It was pretty fun, and everyone left at a decent hour cause the wedding was the next morning. We got home late and then I had to wash and dry my hair before bed cause we were going over early the next morning to get hair and make-up done. I think I got 2 and a half hours of sleep that night. >.<

My cousin looked amazing in her wedding lengha and jewellery and make-up, I was about to start crying the moment I saw her. I was a bridesmaid along with her 2 best friends. The wedding was great, except the groom started to go the wrong way for the first round they're supposed to make. :P
There were a few tears during the wedding and there were definetely tears when she was sent off from her house.
They had a pretty good photographer who took pictures before and after the wedding. Of course he was taking pictures during the wedding too, but the before and after we were posing. :P
And when we send her away it's tradition for the girls in the house to make it as difficult for the guy as possible, and he's also sposed to pay us to be let in the house we got $500 total and i think there were about 8 girls, so you can do the math. :P
Instead of cutting the ribbon, like they were sposed to, they just charged in cause they had like 50 guys with them, but we got them with silly string.
Also my cousin ended up feeding him soap that looked like sweets and then sweets that had been rolled in salt. Somehow they found leftover silly string and got her with it, but it was worth it to see him eat soap. :P

The next day was the reception and she looked gorgeous again, also the hall was gorgeous, everything was beautiful and planned greatly and overall it was just amazingg.

I sposed that's all I shall say for now, if I think of anything else I'll update :P

Long time no blog.

Sorry about that, it really has been a long time. I kept meaning to write a blog but never got around to it 'cause I've been so busy. As soon as school ended summer co-op started and I became really busy with that, but that's over now and I ended up with an 86% in that course, so yeah.



Omg, we're in the middle of the second thunder storm today. This makes me happy; I love storms, as long as I'm inside that is.



This summer has been pretty good so far. Canada Day was pretty awesome. Went to ching as usual, but what was different this year? Karl Wolf was performing. Why was he performing in Brampton? And for free? I have no idea. All I know is that he was pretty awesome. Now I wasn't even that big of a fan before I went and saw him live. I liked the song Africa and all that, but I didn't really LOVE it and I thought his video was stupid just a girl in a bikini what a great idea, but after seeing him live I really liked him. He's a great peformer. The fireworks this year were the best that I can remeber seeing as well, so it was a pretty good day. ^^



And then there was Summer Rush. Which was AMAZING. I had sooo much fun. I absolutely LOVE Marianas Trench. All the other performers were great as well. Got rained on 3-4 times, was freezing, and was pretty far from the stage, but still managed to have an awesome time. There's something about being part of that crowd and just letting go and giving yourself up to the music that's so magical.

Kay so I wrote this a while ago and then for some reason never came back to it, whoops :P

But yeah so after summer rush there was also another performance and ching park by Danny Fernandes and that was AMAZING. We were pretty close and he had such an awesome performance. There was a lot of pushing though, oh well.

Last week my cousin got married, but that shall be a blog all it's own.
Today however I went to see Inglorious Basterds and it was awesome! I loved it, 2 of the people I went with didn't, but they're just wierd. :P

And I sposed that's all for this blog, another one soon about the wedding. ^^

Until next time.

Ps. School in 3/4 days! (depends how you count :P)

Last Day!

Okay, so yes I forgot to post the last few days and the posts from before haven't been so great either, so I'm sorry. But I've had no time. D:
School work gets in the way >.<
But yes, so it's been good, and I'm finally on blogger :P
I will continue to blog, but only when I have the time, so it may be reallyy random. :)
It's raining. :) I like rain, I may have mentioned that before, but I can't remember. :P
I finished Peeps! And I love it! :D It's really cool, especially the info on parasites :P
And now I'm reading Catcher in the Rye. :)

Day 26:

Hello all, I'm tired. D:
And I have a research paper due Friday, cept I didn't realize it was due Friday until yesterday and I've been super busy all weekend.
But yesterday's interview went well I think. Anyways I have to fill out an app to get into the program at the hospital, who only pick 3 people from my school board for the summer. >.<
So hopefully I get in. Otherwise it'll be at a clinic where I'll pretty much just be doing filing.
So yeah.
And Henry's party was cool. Chuck E. Cheese was different from what I remember, but it was still pretty cool. :P
And there was the nagar kirtan for Vaisakhi today and it was awesome, like it is every year. I love going there. :)
Gah, need to do more bio, byee!