No Address

Ever write an email to someone, without actually sending it? Well I tried this the other day - and I must say, it was quite successful. What a good way to rant in a million and one different directions, delving into both how you feel and what you think. I should be a therapeutic mentor ;)
But seriously, try it!

LOL Moment

The Scenario: Emailing back and forth with my Mom, Cindy.

Me: "Hey Mom. How's it going? FYI: coming back home from Thursday-Saturday so I'll see ya soon"
Mom: "Hey Jess. Why are you leaving Saturday as opposed to Sunday?"
Me: "I have plans for Saturday night, it's homecoming weekend"
Mom: "Oo party time J!"
Me: "You know it C"
Mom: "OK. Love ya J"

Since when am I referred to as "J"?! And why does my mom think that using initials is cool lingo? Oh Cindy...so silly.

Best Face Forward

I came across a cute and rather optimistic article, which I simply had to share! It reminds me of something from Chicken Soup for the Soul, crossed with tidbits from The Secret. Anyway, enjoy! :)

Unmask the Real You

Clearly Frankenstein and Cleopatra were ruses, but what about the faces you put forward at work or at parties, with your partners, children, mentors and friends? Chances are, you're never the same "you" in any two given situations. You have a demeanor, a role - a personality, really - to match each one. In the course of our lives, we put on a lot of masks, so how do you penetrate your many faces to reach the real you?

Most of us have been asked at one time or another, "How would you describe yourself?" And there are more than a few strategies for formulating the answer. Your professional version probably varies from job interview to job interview and (hopefully) only vaguely resembles the versions you compose for online profiles and allude to on first dates. But that list of adjectives waxes and wanes with your mood. So how do you determine which ones should be strewn together to represent the essential personality at the heart of them all?

Sorry, there's no easy answer here. The "real you" incorporates the entire list - all your lists. Maybe it's more accurate to say that a different version of you emerges under each new set of circumstances. You're a nurturer to those in need, a student of those you admire and a rebel in the face of unjust authority. The contemplative, solitary you is made of the same stuff as the life of the party that leaps hungrily for the spotlight.

Embrace all of you
We are a product of our base instincts and our inherited dispositions, as well as those traits that are learned. We absorb habits and values from those around us, and we teach ourselves to be the persons we want to be. The goal in better understanding yourself is not to strip yourself of these influences - that would leave you featureless, devoid of your life's experiences like a hard drive that's been wiped clean. Instead, acknowledge the influences of your environment that bring out your many facets, even as you strive to better understand what is beneath them.

Inhibit inhibitions
One influence that tends to suppress your true self rather than color it, is that voice that longs to censor your thoughts and actions. Inhibitions have their uses in life, and to do away with them completely would invite chaos and self-indulgence. But if you can temporarily dispense with that little voice, you'll invite the parts of you suppressed by fears, propriety and, yes, sometimes consideration, to come to the surface. Get in the habit of asking yourself: "If I wasn't afraid, what would I do here?" "If no one could see me, how would I proceed?" We only have a certain amount of energy and attention available. Eliminate doubts and questions about what you should be doing and you have more of yourself to devote yourself to expression, insight, creativity and self-exploration.

Choose your company carefully
Our best friends are those who make us feel like our best selves. Surround yourself with those people and collect more wherever you find them. It's nice if you can identify what it is they trigger in you (confidence, sensitivity, leadership, playfulness?) but just by immersing yourself in these personalities you'll find you're more self-aware and self-accepting.

Raise your expectations
We have a tendency to match others' expectations of us. We're more confident, more humorous, more insightful around people who believe in us, and we're guarded or awkward around our critics and those whose opinions are unknown. Assume they are positive. The real you (all of them), are purer and more vibrant when they aren't weighed down by the weight of imagined expectations.

So make an effort to raise your own expectations of those around you - you'll find their best selves emerging to keep your best self company.

My October iCal

Come Wednesday, October 1st...I mean business. Serious business. Just look at my iCal! Okay...so the picture is a little unclear; so to get a better look, just click! Ya viewing? Okay...just look at this Friday for instance. Talk about jammed (ya ya I included the gym and nails, so what). I did however leave Friday night open, just in case something good comes along if what I have in mind pans out. I'm so ridiculous. Anyway, behold the month of October!

The Library

The library; a quite, peaceful, and motivational place. Well, not exactly. Cellphones go off (oops, even mine vibrated loudly on the table not too long ago), snacks are munched, and apparently whispering is okay. Okay, so your cellphone goes off once, no biggie (and no, I'm not only defending myself). But chomping on an apple, munching on some chips, and whispering?! NOT OKAY. It's actually annoying as fuck.

And those with computers...is it really necessary to type with such force and hit the space bar as if there is no tomorrow? No, it is definitely very unnecessary. Please consider those around you and type like a normal human being instead of a crazy-psycho-maniac. Thanks.

Sunday Ramble

Despite the beautiful weather, walk around town with my other-half, and delicious dinner with my roommates...I feel like shit. I went for a run, napped, cooked, bitched to my friends...basically, I had the ultimate bad mood relief therapy. Alas, I'm still...bleh.

I hate feeling "bleh" - It's not quite sad, and it's not quite mad. It's a confusing combination of the two, enhanced with a slight hangover fatigue. It's a million things on your mind, minus the plan of action to articulate them. It's the drone of "well, tomorrow is a new day". It's over thinking to yourself, oh-fuck am I only making things worse?!

The absolute peek of frustration is that I didn't do anything, nor did anything terribly major occur. I swear, my horoscope describes it best:

"If any difficult issues arise today, rather than trying to talk things through, you might be inclined to become a little moody or withdrawn and want to keep things to yourself. Just be aware that if you don't change this approach, you could end up experiencing some real conflicts in your personal relationships right now"

UGH! Fuck feeling like shit when A) I shouldn't have to and B) I don't deserve to. Moody, check! Withdrawn, check! Pissed off, check! Wanting to shake it off immediatley and indefinately, double fucking check!!!

It's lame and it's frustating; but hey, that's life. Moods happen. Shit happens. At the end of the day, you simply gotta shake it off. So despite the cheesy "tomorrow is a new day" line. Literally, tomorrow is a new day. And I have a really good feeling that it will be a much, much better one.

Besides, smiles are much more attractive than frowns. And I, for one, prefer smiling.

:)

Gotta Love the Hormones

I live with four girls; four brilliant, beautiful, and talented women. We party together, respect one another, and genuinely all get along. The tricky trouble is, hormones...crazy female hormones that is. When it's that "time of the month", things can get a tad wacky around the house. At least once (or twice) someone cries, freaks, or bitches...it's the damn hormones, I swear! Thank god we can deal with each others holly-fuck-I-am-female tendencies and essentially laugh it off later.

The Grey's Premiere

Grey's Anatomy season premiere was more or less lame. What exactly did the writers do on their so called "writer's strike"? Sit around and draft cheesy-bullshit-drama? If so, they certainly succeeded. Like someone please give Meredith Grey a backbone, so she can make a fucking decision for once in her life. Derrek I love you...nevermind...Derrek I love you...nevermind...SHUT THE HELL UP your thirty plus years old, deal with it already!

I hope the season shapes up or ships out...fast. It's quite upsetting seeing as I am was a big Grey's fan.

Evian To My Rescue

Feeling slightly very hungover due to shots, drinks, etc etc. Ugh. I hate it. Yet love it.

Thank Jesus for Evian water. It saves me every fucking time.

Till tomorrow night...when my other half comes into town :D

XO Jess

...Sick

Sneezing and Wheezing is my middle name, someone please wear it out! Monday afternoon I had a slight tickle in my throat and then BAM by Tuesday morning I was suddenly on my death bed. Oh woe is me.

In order to counter my cold aka be rid of it for the weekend, I am drinking liquids and popping vitamins as if my life depends on it! I'm currently on my fourth tea of the day - and counting! Vitamin water, Starbucks teas, and vegetable soup broth are my new bestfriends. Not to mention I'm taking benadryl before bedtime...mmm benadryl. That shit knocks you right out, it's fantastic. They should make a smaller dose for children and or crying infants.

My sky-high amounts of work only worsen the matter. Ugh. Brutality. I want to do nothing but lay in bed and watch re-runs of Friends and or Sex and The City. Oh what a life that would be. Instead, I have the biggest To-Do-List of life ahead of me! Wish me luck,

MIA

This past week, I have been MIA aka missing in serious fucking action. I feel like a kangaroo, bopping all over the freaking province...London, Toronto, Edmonton, Toronto, then back to London again. I'm grasping to establish a solid routine, let alone a regular bedtime. Thankfully, I think my duffel bag can finally take a rest - I think. Hopefully once I ease into my much needed routine I can relax and rest myself. Mmmm...resting.

Unfortunately, after missing a full week of classes, I have some serious catching up to do. Reading, writing, and reading some more...here I come! Today I ventured into the library, to tackle my sky-high amounts of reading, and cringed. Luckily I had my Starbucks to keep me warm sane.

Currently, I'm taking a quick study break from reading Business and Administrative Communications - Chapter 2, "Adapting to Audiences". It's really...really exciting. Thus, I'm taking a break. But only a quick one.

According to my textbook, the correct and professional way to talk about people with disabilities and or diseases is as following: instead of "the mentally retarded" use "people with mental retardation". And instead of "cancer patients" use "people being treated for cancer".

I now move on to read "how to choose bias-free photos and illustrations". Break time is over.

...my friend, the one who "loses" everything

Today he did the following...
(oh how I love him)

Scenario 1: The Bank 11:57AM

Friend: "Jess, meet me at the bank. I have to deposit a check"
Me: "Cool, sounds good."
(I approach the bank)
Me: "Deposit your check?"
Friend: "I forgot it at home"
Me: "Oh Jesus..."

Scenario 2: After lunch - Picking Up "The Forgotten Check" 12:45PM

(Me and Friend #2 parked outside...waiting for Friend to run inside and get his check. Before running inside, Friend leaves his computer bag outside..in the middle of the street, in front of friend #2's car...why?! We aren't too sure)

Friend: "Sorry guys one sec, I forgot my key!"
Friend #2 & Me: "ARE YOU SERIOUS?"

"...you had me at hello"

After watching both Jerry Maguire and Ten Things I Hate About You, two movies that I have hands down seen well over 50 times. But, seriously. And yes it's Saturday night, I am well aware (FYI it's pouring rain...I feel rather stranded). Anyway, I whole heartily adore these films; not to mention, I laugh-out-loud despite knowing the joke inside and out. I am a tad ridiculous like that.

But what truly gets me about these films...is that both women get their hearts stomped on...yet, they give in. They forgive the guy, are swept away, and the rest is history. Bam. The credits roll. Ya, ya, I know it's a film, with a written script, etc, etc. I deconstruct plenty of sappy Blockbuster films in media studies to know that sadly...fairy tales do not and I repeat, do not exist. Sadly.

Uh...ya ready for the ironic punch-line? The not so deconstructive-nonfeminist-twist?! Because what truly gets me even more about these films is that, I feel them. I fall for the passion, love, and cheesy lines such as "SHUT UP. JUST. SHUT. UP. YOU. HAD. ME. AT. HELLO!". Wow. Talk about true, raw, heart-achy love. lol, kidding. But it's still a great fucking line.

In all sincerity, I just really like the romantic detail. I think both directors manage to capture the romantic bliss of detail. Perhaps in Jerry Maguire it's a little less prevalent since well, Tom Cruise can be a little awkward at times. But it's there, when you look for it.

And in Ten Things I Hate About You...the ending scene, when he gives her the guitar. The witty romantic banter..pause..hair graze..kiss on the forehead..banter again, is simply genius. My feminist professor would say "Women subject themselves to men. Women place themselves in a role of the other..." and so on and so forth.

Yes, there are blatant flaws in Hollywood film. Yes, I think the majority of women need a stronger backbone. Yes, I will continue to watch and adore these films; and or, perhaps fall slightly into a category of "sucker" when in the face of romance. Wew, it's a good thing I have a backbone, a media-literate eye, and am aware that fairy tales are simply written by people with good vocabularies.

...but sometimes, I'm still a sucker.

Priceless

Back in London with my beautiful roommates

WH "By The Numbers" Fact

According to the new issue of Women's Health Magazine...

A "by the numbers" beauty fact reports that:
"$25 Million is the amount that lipstick sales increase for every 1 percent rise in unemployment. Women may turn to cheap luxuries during tough economic times" Source: Kline & Company

WTF. I seriously wonder who-what-where-why-and-how certain statistics are even complied in the first place. I mean, talk about a random correlation. Besides, I think if I were broke, unemployed, and with bad credit to-boot...I would still shop at Sephora. But, seriously. Sad? Maybe. Uneconomical? Oh, definitely. Alas, WH will just have to exclude me from all beauty vs unemployment stats.

The Way I See It #26

Currently hanging out in Starbucks - obviously - I once again get the same cup as I always do..."The Way I See It #26". I don't even have to read the wise words of wisdom, printed on the back of the cup. I know it off by heart..."Failure's hard, but success is far more dangerous. If you're successful at the wrong things, the mix of praise and money and opportunity can lock you in forever." - Po Bronson.

First of all, my latte is delicious (ah thank you Sbucks). Second of all, this "Way I See It #26" is written by an Author, which is strange since he fails to use a comma and instead decides to insert two "and"'s. Public note: commas are helpful people. However, despite the lack of comma, I do both like and agree with his quote. Too add my own note, "if you don't have true friends then sharing your success is truly impossible".
Way to go Mr. Bronson.

I Know UWO Campus Like the Back of my Hand

...NOT
Okay so apparently, I'm still unfamiliar with half more than half of the buildings on campus...awkward, especially being in my third year and all. A first year student lost and confused first year student approached me and asked where a particular building was on campus. I stuttered, stammered, and sadly was unable to provide an answer. In other words, I had no fucking clue. Poor kid. He was probably late for his class thanks to a dumb-dumb-third-year who has zero navigational skills. Aw well..I tried..and wished him the best of luck..as I left him..stranded..on a busy intersection corner.

From now on - for the sake of myself and innocent strangers - I'm going to carry around one of these...

The Calculation Countdown

Being in my third and final year at The University of Western Ontario, I'm feeling and experiencing both the need and urge to whip myself into shape (or in the words of my mother "get my act in gear"). And I don't mean, work extra hard to get good grades (that's already a priority); nor do I mean, whip myself into hard-core physical shape (I already go to the gym everyday thus, another priority). What I mean is...is to plan for my future in order to ensure and magnify my happiness, success, and stability. And for the first time in while, I'm neither scared nor worried for the highly-anticipated-sometimes-dreadful "future". Instead, I am excited, anxious, and optimistic for everything that is to come. From here on out...planning, mapping, and calculating exactly what I both want and need (in every aspect of life) is a top priority. Despite my obsession with "fate" and "astrological forces" I believe that we can make our own luck, which is exactly what I plan on doing.

GG CRISIS

OMG Moment:
Our Rogers cable box has just malfunctioned thus, we (the roomies and I) are unable to watch GG also known as Gossip Girl. We are pretty upset slash uh...planned our night around it. Shitty...so fucking shitty. Rogers Life Wreckers would fail us. They are getting a nasty phone call in approximately 30 seconds.

Lost & Never Found

A good friend of mine somehow always looses his belongings, rather notoriously. Here is a detailed list of things that he has 'lost' and or 'misplaced'...some of which are legit, while others are downright unjustifiable. Prepare to LOL.

• a Cole Haan wallet (which was left in an unlocked locker...and where was the lock? Well, he probably lost that too.)
• a cellphone
  
• one espadrille aka a flat fashion sandal (he drunkenly cartwheeled and as a result, his sandal flew into a near-by garden. But surprisingly, he found it a few days later)
• his best friend's winter coat (he was in deep shit for that one)
• a new Blackberry 8830 (In his "defense", he was wasted)
• a Birks watch (which was a 16th birthday gift from his parentals. Again, very wasted)
  
• his other best friend's J. Lindberg belt (he was unable to explain this one...and I agree, it makes no sense)
• the furry hood to his Elie Tahari coat (??? uh...wasted?)
  
• an Armani suit-jacket (...wasted?)
• his camera (he lost it in Madrid and claims, "no idea what happened to it")
• his house keys (which he has lost on numerous occasions aka well over 20 times...idiot)
• a Goyard credit card case (again, numerous "disappearances")

I feel better about my life when I hear his 'oh-so-wasted-guess-what-I-lost stories'. And believe me, I can never guess. He gets me every single time.

All The Small Things

A big night of over the top gushy-cheesy-expensive-lavish romance is overrated. I believe (and actually prefer) the small, subtle, and consistent details mean much more than a Valentines day style evening. Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for "romance" and often shed a few tears during heart-achy films; not to mention, during sappy Master Card commercials. But in the face of romance, I can't help but conclude that the little, unexpected, and perhaps seemingly insignificant details leave both a bigger and longer lasting impression. Without a doubt; at the end of the day, it really is all about the small things.

A random "thinking of you" text message - his hand grazing the small of your back as you order a drink at the bar - adhering to "ladies first" and opening the door - remembering the details from your most random stories - a cute kiss on your arm, tummy, and anywhere but your lips - a call for no particular reason - acknowledgment in bed, and I don't mean sex (i.e. cuddling 101) - warm and thoughtful body language (eye contact, openly facing you) - an honest and unexpected compliment

If you grin from ear-to-ear and essentially feel just right over something such as these, than you probably understand the very effect of "all the small things".

Look Out For "15 Minutes"

As I mentioned before, fall is all about the hot new TV shows. Some successfully grasp a loyal audience and make millions; while others, flop miserably and are never to be heard of again. Specifically (and historically), it's a struggle for most Canadian programming. Most Canadian series are produced by the CBC and are inflections or sometimes hybrids of American genres i.e. Laguna Beach becomes Falcon Beach (filmed at Winnipeg Beach), The Zach Files (filmed in Toronto) mimics The X-Files, and the list goes on.

Bottom line: most Canadian programming struggles against steep US competition and if and when a show does make it big, an American network usually buys it out. However...

An up and coming show - 15 Minutes - is about to take the test. I've had the pleasure to view to pilot, which had me 'LOL' on more than one occasion. The filming is sharp, the cast is entertaining, and with various networks already interested, 15 Minutes actually has a shot to become the next, yet-not-as-shitty, Laguna Beach TV series.
Check it out here: http://www.15minutestheshow.com

Autumn in all Its Glory

When I think fall I think...warm sweaters, leather gloves, suede boots, spiced lattes, leaf crunching, pumpkin carving, turkey eating, and new TV show series to become religiously addicted to. Fall is my favorite season (next to Christmas break..and the first week of Spring aka-Gemini-power-birthday-month) I absolutely adore the month of October. The smells, the eats, the fashion attire & accessories...everything is extra warm and extra cozy. I mean seriously, how can you not love Autumn?

PS apparently the first week of Spring is March. I beg to differ.
PPS apparently I'm also a bitch. I also beg to differ.

Free Stuff Alert

Ladies,

FREE STUFF ALERT!!!

Sorry guys, but the freebie is O.B tampons thus, a "ladies only" invite...unless, you fancy tampons? lol, didn't think so.

So ladies, click here: www.mightysmall.com/mightysample to receive your free gift!

PS O.B Tampons are small, compact, discrete, and environmentally friendly - it's everything, and more, that you expect from a tampon.

Enjoy!
xo Jess