This is the end...

So I really didn't blog as much as I would have liked to this year, but I guess you could say that I tried to spend more time living in the present, then reflecting in the past. People are starting to leave, Wednesday night will be my last day in res, and then Saturday I'm heading back out West. It finally feels like summer here, and I'm sad at heading home to the prospects of snow (-11 in Calgary vs. 20+ in Ottawa). There is still the odd pile of snow, but it's gorgeous outside, and there are even a few people outside tanning in bikinis. I'm looking forward to going home, but sad to be leaving here at the same time... This post is starting to get a little sappy, which I will save until my last day here.

These last few weeks have been fun, I did the pictures on Parliament, went to the IMAX, studied until I could no longer speak in complete sentences (not fun but necessary) been to a few bars and such. Last weekend was spent soberly keeping an eye on the roommate at Pub 101, and Thursday was my Stampede training @ The Great Canadian Cabin for country night. It was fun to spend a last night with people on my floor on Thursday, as well as catch up with some other people I've met in Ottawa. I still have a lot of studying to do for my exam on Wednesday, but then my mom comes out, so I get to do some fun stuff, hang out with people for the last time and then head back home, where I will hopefully have a summer job (cross your fingers).

What is wrong with the world?

Four school shootings in the United States in one week. What is going on in our world? It scares me, because the one in Chicago today happened in a lecture hall, and if you think about it, how on earth can a university prevent it? I mean, I was sitting in Political Science today and if someone came in with a gun I would have no where to hide, no where to go. I really hope that nothing like that would ever happen at Carleton, and the fact that I live in Canada makes me feel safer, but still. It scares me, because there is no way to prevent these things from happening, guns are not the most difficult things to conceal, and even if you didn't want to you could walk right in with a gun. Campus security has been an issue at Carleton, but a sexual assault, while horrible, is minor in comparison to someone opening fire in a lecture hall. Four shootings, four parts of the United States, is anyone really safe? My heart goes out to all those that have become victim, all those that knew someone, and everyone's families. My belief in the good of humanity is further diminished, and I hope that maybe the next President of the United States will finally do something about gun control, in hopes that in the future these events will not occur.

Winter Blues

I know it's been over a month since I've wrote but I'm kind of boring and school has been/is ridiculously busy. I'm home on the twentieth which is no where near to being soon enough. I have been suffering from the winter blues, especially since I am trapped in my room studying all the time. I feel like I have been the most anti-social person ever lately, but am happy in my little lair. I have been living off an endless supply of tea & coffee, movies, The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos and Facebook -- really a great invention for those of us that go to school out of province, but not so much if you don't want to be wasting away your life. So in order to fight the winter blues, here is a list of the things that have been cheering me up through the cold, snowy days.
1. Tea -- doesn't matter what kind, I have a large variety. I've been drinking at least one pot of tea recently, the other night I had a movie night and ended up drinking 3-4... pots not cups.
2. Jude Law -- I watched The Holiday and Alfie this weekend. While I really didn't enjoy Alfie, I was amused by the fact that Long Duck Dong from Sixteen Candles was in it, and how he looked the EXACT same as he did. Honestly he has aged gracefully, but his characters accent was the exact same. I love Jude Law though, even though he is 35 (happy birthday!) and starting to bald (thanks a lot for pointing that out D) he is still fantastic. The Holiday was probably the best movie I watched all weekend.
3. Project Runway -- Yesterday was the second last episode of the season, and I predicted right, M.G., Biddell and Lucien are in the finale. I really didn't like Lucien's dress this week, but I can see how it would look fantastic on Iman. I was happy to see Stephen go, because although I don't like Lucien, Stephen was definitely in the competition far too long.
4. The thought of Crave Cupcakes -- I will be there when they open on December 21 when I come home! I cannot wait to eat a vanilla Princess or try the Craving of the Month. Kensington when I get home makes me super excited!
5. The thought of seeing my family and friends! -- I miss my friends so much! I am one of the only people in res that hasn't been home at least once this semester and it makes me so sad. I have so much planned when I get home which means I'll finally have lots to write about, as well as lots of pictures to post (sorry for the lack this post). I miss my family a lot too. I get to see everyone at Christmas, because that is really my favourite part of Christmas. Seeing the cousins and aunts and uncles. Plus I miss my puppy, I can't wait to see him and enjoy many nights curled up in bed with him.
6. Constant Facebooking -- I am always messaging someone on Facebook which makes it easier to contact my friends back home as well as arrange events.
7. "Future" Plans (aka alternatives to studying) -- Danielle and I have made a plan to drop out of University, make enough money to support several months of travelling then work our way around the world before finding gorgeous, rich (necessary for this plan), exotic men who we will marry and have babies with. They will also be best friends and we will raise our beautiful children in a beautiful location (with a good ski season for you D) and be happy to be together (but not married together ha!) this plan is very Clueless Two in Second Helpings.
All for now, I'll be home soon and it will be Leah in Ontario (but really in Calgary)

Stories, Round 1

So I was interviewed today for journalism class and it made me think about all the stories that I have that I really should write down. If I don't who knows, maybe one day I'll forget them, and that thought scares me a lot. So this is the first installment of my stories, more to come as I remember them.


Story #1: July 9, 2005
While this picture shows me, Derek, Brittany, Danielle, Jeanne, Nicole, Jazel & Danny, at Calaway Park, that is not the day that the story occurred. July 9 2005 I met one of the people that will have a lasting impact on my life, Jazel. Calgary Stampede, with Rooney playing a free show ad the Coca Cola Stage, Danielle and I were waiting for the show and ended up near this quite attractive pair who were sitting down as well. The boy (later known as Danny) was making a pile of dead grass and Danielle stuck some on it and he said hey you put grass on my pile! but then me and D went back to talking and out of her mouth came "We can be imaginary lesbians together" and Danny responded with "But I already have a girl" and me, D, Danny and Jaz got to talking and instantly clicked. After the concert we were dehydrated and shared a massive root beer, with four straws in it our heads in close, looking up once to laugh at the ridiculousness of the image.

Cupcakes, Halloween & Then Some

These last couple weeks have been crazy. Hardly have a moment to breath. Been finishing a lot of work, having a lot of fun on weekends and just trying to stay a float. Dad was here this week which was so good, but made me homesick at the same time. We went out for dinner 3 times (Johnny Farina's, Pub Italia and The Arrow & The Loon) which were all very good. We also went to the Canadian Science and Technology Museum which was pretty fun, and a good way to kill an hour without walking around the mall. Mom sent me Crave which has pretty much made my week! I'm eating my last one tonight!
Yummy! Anyways... I'm in the process of finishing my Canadian Essay, on page 8 of a 10-12 page essay. This weekend was eventful, with Megan, my roommate's friends here for the weekend. Friday night we went to Hull, and ended up buckets of rain while standing in line. Everyone bailed because people in the line were being ridiculous, but I ended up with a few acquaintances of mine and ended up having a blast despite feeling like a drowned rat. Last night was a frat's Halloween Party so the gang(most of us anyways) all got dressed up. I was a punk pirate, complete with a swashbuckling sword. It was alright, but the getting ready and taking pictures was the best part of the night.The last few weeks consisted of a graffiti party, a floor sleepover, essays, and the most amazing walk in the world.

I wish I was... Coming Home

I never thought I'd actually miss Calgary, but watching everyone pack up and prepare for a trip home, makes me wish I was going home as well. I am dying for a crave cupcake (my mom is bringing me some when she comes out in November!!!!), among other favorite places in Calgary. Late night talks at Higher Ground, Rooney group picnics at "the stage", good bars, local shows and much much more. I wish I new Ottawa inside out the way I do with Calgary, hopefully within my four (at least) years of living here, I will be able to feel as much a part of this city as I do at home.

Part of the problem with being a poor student is not being able to go out as much as I did this summer. I am really hoping to get to try some restaurants around Ottawa, as I've been here for over a month (sans parents) and have yet to really go out for dinner (food court doesn't count). While taking the shuttle out to Ottawa U yesterday I noticed a really cool looking vegetarian restaurant on Main St. (this is my best guess), it doesn't seem to compare atmospherically to The Coup, but I'm curious about the food. I took the shuttle to Ottawa U yesterday, not to find out what the fuck a gee gee is, but instead to take some books out of their library (took forever!) the bus took a very odd route, but as for most bus trips I was able to see parts of Ottawa that I eventually want to explore.

I miss everyone at home, but I think I would feel rushed and unsatisfied if I was only home for 4 days. Not to mention not everyone is at home now either. I'm going to be between Steph and Courtney's house this weekend, so it will be a nice break from res. Looking forward to seeing my big brother as well this weekend. I'm so happy to have a break from campus, as at times I feel restricted and trapped within this bubble. Will post at the end of the weekend with my updates about my time away. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, feel free to post me comments or send me messages.

Weekend Adventures

It's Monday now, and the weekend is sadly over. Good news is, that this is a short week, which means no MCOM on Friday!! Also, Rob is coming up on the weekend and I'm very excited to see him, as I really didn't get to say a proper goodbye to him before I left. This week will be consistent of attempts at researching for my Political Science and History essays, as well as just getting ready for Thanksgiving. I'm definitely looking for a much needed break from campus, and am excited to be able to stay somewhere other than my res room, and consume food that is not on a tray! I'm also hoping to further explore parts of Ottawa that I have yet to see.
This weekend was rather enjoyable. Although our Friday plans failed, I still managed to donate blood, and enjoy a sober night of Batman Begins. Also, Megan and Courtney went and bought fish (Jack & Daniels) so our room now has a pet (pictures to come at a later date). Kind of an uneventful day, but still enjoyable. PLUS I aced my first MCOM quiz, with 19/20 :). Saturday morning consisted of breakfast at Denny's and food shopping at South Keys with Courtney and Danielle. Following my return I went to Billings Bridge to pick up a few additional items. Saturday evening, was our floor Toga party! (see above for a picture of me and Andrew (Uganda) in our lovely togas. I became the expert toga maker, with the help of trusty safety pins. Many drinking games played, and much alcohol consumed, to make the night quite random. (tossing around a rugby ball at 3am? in Dan & Matt's room anyone?). Sunday morning was difficult to get up, so it was quite the lazy day. Went to South Keys again in search of a coat, but had no luck and purchased more food instead. That's about all that I have to update on now, hopefully will be getting some mail in the near future (feel free to mail me things!) Now to leave you, I will post one last picture of my amazing toga making skills.