108. More Pink Trees

Pretty blossoms before it started raining again... and procrastinating is great.

But really, how is one suppose to study for a course that they know they'll never get over a 90% because of how grading at the University works? It's so demotivating, and even more so when only the top three students can get over 80%. Like, seriously: What are we? I mean, aside from what universities see students as cash cows with a tree growing on our back just sprouting out money all day, everyday.

I bet it's all just a game to them.


It could be finals talking, but I doubt it.

106. A Dilemma

My personality is one that tends to keep everything bottled up inside instead of talking it out with someone, which is why around winter time in December, I explode. But, only once per year at that time. I realized that this was not good for my health and started to release some things that I usually keep bottled up to trusted good friends. However, sometimes instead of feeling good about it afterwards, I feel not so good.

I'm not the type of person to talk about people behind their backs. I find it dishonest and immoral. I also feel like a horrible person when I do. But, I usually don't do it unless they really burst my bubble and go to the extremes beyond what is accepted as a good and respectable human being.

When I do complain about them, I feel like a big, fat weight was lifted up from my shoulders. But, afterwards, I feel bad that I complained about them... even though I usually have very good reasons to!

What are you suppose to do in these kinds of situations? Where if you don't tell someone and just keep it bottled up, it distracts you from doing other things and messes you up, but if you do tell someone, you feel bad afterwards nonetheless?

What a dilemma.

105. Worst Nightmare

One of my worst nightmares came to life today.

My first class was cancelled so that made the beginning of my day pretty good, but my second class of the day was when it all started.

I walked to the building using a different route than usual because I wasn't rushing from class to class today, and as I've basically just gotten out of bed and still wasn't quite awake yet, I walked up three flights of stairs to reach my class. As I got to my destination, the doors to the hallway were closed. I tried pushing and pulling on the doors, but they both didn't budge. Suddenly, someone from behind me asked "Do you need something?" Startled, I turned back and sheepishly asked, "Isn't this the third floor?" And this man replied, "No, this is where the labs are... on the fourth floor." So, I basically walked up three flights of stairs thinking three flights = third floor and embarrassed myself first thing in the morning. Lovely, just lovely.

After that mini incident, I walk back down to the right floor this time, and go to the washroom seeing as I still had some time left before class started. And it was a good thing I did because just when I was done washing my hands and throwing out the paper towel, the fire alarm went off. This is the first time I have ever experience a fire alarm going off inside a building (first year residences don't count).

Once I heard the alarm, I bounced. I bee-lined for the door and walked back down two flights of stairs to get out. I started seeing other groups pouring out and found my classmates. Shortly after, a firetruck came. It wasn't anything serious, in fact, it was probably a prank seeing as how none of the firefighters were in their full gears and uniforms and just took their sweet time.

This whole incident took around twenty minutes. The lecture still went on, I still walked up five flights of stairs and down three flights of them before class even started, and one of my worst nightmares came true: having the fire alarm ringing when I'm in the washroom. Well, it was a good thing that I went first, I guess.

73. Rant of the Day

A new mall opened up near where I live today... or rather it was renovated. Apparently, a lot of money was invested into renovating this mall and now it's the biggest one in the area. So, a lot of the shops were doing promotions, but I only restocked on Clinque's Acne Solutions (clearing concealer) from Sephora. The price went up for it again... before it used to be $17 and today I bought it for $19 (not including tax). At least I got a free Sephora tote with it. After that, my mom and I just walked around the mall, looking for the food court because we left before eating anything. We got to the food court and because the stores were pressed for time, some of them weren't even open yet (like Fresh Slice and Qoola). However, there was KFC, except their light wasn't open yet, so I asked one of the employees for when they would open and they said around thirty minutes. After waiting for at least twenty minutes, I asked again and they said twenty to forty minutes. By now, all I ate was three pieces of cracker I brought along just in case for situations like these. So, we gave up waiting and KFC lost a lot of customers that day. A lot. Especially because it was opening day as well. Too bad for them. So, we headed off to Walmart because I remembered that usually at every Walmart there is McDonald's. And joy to the world, there was. I got in line, ordered my food (it was a pretty quick queue), and waited for it to arrive. The people that ordered after me got their food already and I was still waiting, so I asked an employee that I think my order might have been cancelled because I waited for a long time already. And this other girl overhears me talking and says that my order was on the OTHER SIDE of the cashier when usually (and for the other orders), it's placed on the side where I was waiting. Stupid customer service. I hate places with crappy customer service. It was a horrible way to end off the day. Although the mall is close by, some of the stores had really bad customer service. And you'll think they'll be at least somewhat decent considering it's now the biggest mall in the area and it was just renovated and on top of that, on opening day! But no. It's like they don't even want to keep their business open anymore.

72. Interrogation from the Police

Okay, it wasn't as dramatic as I made the title sound, but it was somewhat of an interrogation! Talking... quick chat... same thing. But, first things first, an important note to keep in mind is that both my parents are not fluent in English. My dad is alright (more like mumbles with Chinese and English mixed together) and my mom is just... barely passing. Anyways, I went to do a little back to school shopping at the Outlet in the States with my mom (my dad just drove us there and slept during the time we shopped) and on the way back, because of my dad's weak English, he couldn't say what he wanted to say properly so Customs Canada guard got suspicious and had us go inside.

Once inside, we were sat down outside with phones taken away. First, they called my dad in and asked him some questions. I could hear bits and pieces from outside and although his English was broken, they could somewhat understand him (or what I assume). Then, after around three minutes or so, they called me in.

I walk in pretty calmly because I know I have nothing to hide because I didn't do anything wrong. So, the guard lady (woman guard?) asked me to empty out my pockets and pull them out, and I followed her instructions. I asked her if I needed to show her my back pockets as well and she said no (I wanted to make sure). After that she asked for my little bag and I passed it to her to inspect. And of all things, the first things she pulls out is my little pouch where I keep my sanitary supplies. I was wide eyed and whispered "that's where I kept my pads" because right in front of us was a male guard!! Then, she said loudly "Oh, I'm not scared." Inside my head: "Obviously you wouldn't be. But, I'll be embarrassed!! Geez." Whatever. It's not like I'll be seeing them again and if I didn't, they probably wouldn't remember something like that (hopefully). But, basically, she was searching for receipts and when she asked me for the receipt for the new sunglasses I bought, I told her I threw it out. She asked me skeptically "you threw it out?" Well, obviously I would have. It's highly unlikely I'll drive this long way back just to return something that's final sale?! Of course I didn't say that so I just said "Yea". Then she confidently claimed "Well, these must have been at least $100." And I said "No, I remember they were less for that because I had gotten a 30% coupon from the store." And she retorted back saying "But you don't have the receipt to show that." Damn.

Then, she continued to ask my questions and asking me when I arrived. Well, if I wasn't sleeping, I would know. Of course, I just said "I was sleeping so I'm not sure." Then she checked my wallet and counted my money and just asked some really rhetorical questions. I don't even. Like, seriously? This is a waste of both her and my family's time. As well as the tax (which I also pay for like the rest of the hardworking Canadian citizens who expect it to be used accordingly for useful purposes) that goes into paying for the facility, the equipment, and their wage. But I didn't want to get hurt by their 150 pound bodies (no idea, just guessing) so I kept my mouth shut; I value my life and goodness knows what "right" they have that they can pull up to use against me. Anyways, the whole point of this little "interrogation" was to scare me a bit hoping I would reveal something. But alas, I was not scared. Maybe if I was in middle school or early high school and have not been exposed to the real world/working society, then this little scaring trick might have worked. Unfortunately for them, I kept my cool. I have had to break out of my shy shell many times while working, talking to strangers (mostly adults and elders) and of course I have had the chance to talk to those with authority because I have volunteered for the city I used to live in as part of the Youth Council (where we associated with the Mayor of the City, various people working for the Government, which includes the police force). So no lady, you did not scare me. She even tried the old "we can seize your vehicle at anytime, but we won't today. But just know that we can." Inside my head, I was just thinking "who would want our sad, little, old caravan??? What would be the point??? Your superior probably would have been very disappointed."

Either way, it was quite an experience and although more happened, it's mostly just the "nod your head and go with what they say". Oh, and my poor mother with her poor, poor English skills. I was in the room for what felt like more than five minutes (but definitely longer than both my parents because of my English skills and they could probably get more out of me than trying for two hours pulling out their hair with my parents) and my mom was in there for less than two. Truthfully, it was quite funny (my mother that is) and the experience itself is definitely rewarding and one that I'll be able to pass along to my children and their children.

I will do a haul on what I bought sometime soon!

67. Freedom and Pumpkins

I finally finished my summer course two days ago with the final exam, so now I'm just waiting for the results to be out. Ever since I finished my exam and course, it feels like a heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders. There was no more bringing the textbook wherever and whenever I went out, no more writing notes, no more racking my head to remember all the details, and most importantly, no more will I not have a life anymore! Now, my summer has truly started. And what happens the day (and the rest of the week) after my exam? Why, of course some summer rain. Of all things. Of all days. Of all places. I can't even laugh about it.

And that is why I haven't been really enthusiastic in sketching, much less doodling. Hence, the lack of art on my blog. However, I am getting an interest in taking pictures with my Vivitar Ultra Slim and Wide since I finally bought some film for it! I can't wait to finish the first film up and print out my pictures so I can see what my first attempt look like!

(Credit: Pumpkin)

To make up for the lack of art here, here is an amazing and pretty cool friend of mine whose art and photography are pretty darn awesome. Definitely check her out! She goes by the cute nickname Pumpkin, and here is some of her art pieces that are my favourite.

 

As you can see, she has a lot of skills and works in different media. These are simply some of my favourites! Head on over to her Tumblr and her Blog for more! You will not be disappointed!

61. Rant

I had a great start to my day, then it all went downhill from there.

We first went to get a quick snack at a bubble tea cafe, then walked to the beach. At the beach, we had a lot of fun, but it was the dinner at Sushi Town that was a total flop.

We arrived at Sushi Town and finally got a seat after god knows how long, then when we were finally seated and had decided on our food, we had to call the waitress over. Normally, or at least it's common sense in the service industry, that you have to check back with your customers often to see if they need anything. Anyways, after our food began arriving, one of my friend's food need a soup stock and they had ran out. So, they told her that it will be around a fifteen minute wait and asked if she was alright with that. She replied that it was fine and continued to wait. After twenty minutes, her food still didn't come, and by then, the rest of our food came and we all started eating, except her. When we all finished our food and started paying, her food still has not come. By now, it has been forty minutes. Obviously, she was outraged. So, another friend and her went up to ask the waitress what was happening as we all started paying. And of course, she made up lame excuses saying that she did say it was "around fifteen minutes", but obviously that's not acceptable and there is a big difference between fifteen minutes and forty minutes. However, she retorted using the excuse that it was what the kitchen told her. And, again, unacceptable, because the service and the kitchen are suppose to communicate to give their customers the optimal experience if they want them to be regulars. By now, the friend helping out said that he wanted to speak with the manager. But, the girl at the cashier said rudely and coldly, that her manager wasn't here. So, he asked for the person in charge. And, of course, she said it was her. So, the debate continued. While this was happening, my friend flipped all our cups over, which were all filled with water that were at least half way full, and left the place and waited outside. The waitress that went to clean up our table discovered this and was mad. But, if you think about it, I think my friend had every right to do what she did. She waited over forty minutes, and this was just at the table, for her food after a long day out, barely eating anything. A friend defended her saying that if he had to wait for his food for over forty minutes, he would be pretty damn pissed as well and would have done that. I mean, wouldn't you?

Now, I ask you this, would you want this kind of service to happen to you? Your mother? Your father? Your children? No, I do not think so. This kind of service can't even be called service because it is just a disgrace to the other restaurants that work so hard to please their customers and treating them as if it is their first time eating there. Businesses have to know that they have to work hard to earn their keep, and obviously, treating their customers well and providing even the basic service is not in their handbook. Either way, they lost quite a lot of customers today as I am spreading the word.