Here I am at 20 years of age. My parents are no longer able to guide me in any sort of direction as far as career goes, and I am here guiding a young child with small but perhaps influential ideas on how to live her life. I am completely frustrated with my situation
The education system that I was given has brought me to this very important moment in my life where it is absolutely essential to find my passion, my “gift” and to pay thousands of dollars to spend the next 5+ years studying my “gift” in order to receive a paper that says to my future employers that my “gift” now is valid.
Well screw you future employers. My life is not worth your fortune. And my “gift” is just that – Its mine, and it is unique and is valid without the approval of university professors. AHHHH! Why do we do this to ourselves, to our children?
I am not ready to find security, whatever that means. “Get a good job” “Make sure it gives you the financial security you need” “do the creative things on the side”. Why would I want to live my life doing simple nothings for the good of no one, just so I can have those 3 hours after work and the weekend to do what makes me happy?
Why are universities given such prestige? They are just a large manufacturing business like any other. I’m not saying that I wouldn’t want to buy what they were producing… but it’s only because my mind is set to be a consumer…
I remember when I was in a competitive music festival when I was 12 or 13, and I had practiced my songs over and over, and I was truly content with the songs I was singing and the music I was making. When I went up to the stage I took a big breath and sang from the bottom of my heart, carful to make sure that the song would become something on its own. I remember feeling this really awesome feeling after the song was done, music is really cool that way… It hits you unexpectedly with joy.
When I was evaluated I was told that my posture was all wrong and I wasn’t properly shaping my lips. What the hell does that have to do with music? Does the wind blow in straight lines through the trees? Does water hesitate to estimate the fall before jumping off cliffs?
But this is how we function; everything must fit into a box.
Everyone must aspire to live their life in a straight production (opps) productive line.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
my brain feels like scrambled eggs (get ready to read a bunch of scrambled questions)
Let me warn you that if you are not in the mood to listen to my thoughts go a bit crazy like they usually do - then you might want to read this blog some other time. Its not really a "travel post" per say unless you consider "travel" an action that occurs in your mind and not on the ground.
Children are wonderful because they make mistakes. And they make a lot of them. Parents are stupid because they correct their children’s mistakes.
When you do something according to rules or guides or books, it is actually incredibly easy for someone to replicate. Whereas if you make a mistake when creating something, it is almost impossible for someone to create the exact same mistake. Isn't that what creation is about? Making something that has never existed before and perhaps never again?
In my search of my next path to take in life I have considered becoming a teacher. The only thing is if I do that, my role will be to teach people how do think, create or act like someone else. So after I learn the subjects in university I will regurgitate it back to the youth. Isn’t that a backwards motion? What does "educate" actually mean?
What annoyes me about myself and others in general, is that we are all looking for affirmation. As I am doing right now; (look at me - I'm writing a blog that is different and I'm hoping you find my remarkes interesting and witty)
When do we stop? when do we start judging the world for ourselves without the influence of society.
Does an artist truly create for his own pleasure? Or does he create to impress others?
And what value does the acceptance of others actually have?
In what moment of our lives are we truly unique?
Children are wonderful because they make mistakes. And they make a lot of them. Parents are stupid because they correct their children’s mistakes.
When you do something according to rules or guides or books, it is actually incredibly easy for someone to replicate. Whereas if you make a mistake when creating something, it is almost impossible for someone to create the exact same mistake. Isn't that what creation is about? Making something that has never existed before and perhaps never again?
In my search of my next path to take in life I have considered becoming a teacher. The only thing is if I do that, my role will be to teach people how do think, create or act like someone else. So after I learn the subjects in university I will regurgitate it back to the youth. Isn’t that a backwards motion? What does "educate" actually mean?
What annoyes me about myself and others in general, is that we are all looking for affirmation. As I am doing right now; (look at me - I'm writing a blog that is different and I'm hoping you find my remarkes interesting and witty)
When do we stop? when do we start judging the world for ourselves without the influence of society.
Does an artist truly create for his own pleasure? Or does he create to impress others?
And what value does the acceptance of others actually have?
In what moment of our lives are we truly unique?
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Strike!
Today I will write about the strike going on in France;
It’s difficult to feel like my opinion on the strike is valid, being from Canada - a strike as great as the one here is unheard of, and would likely never happen in Canada.
So it has been incredibly easy to judge this situation and say "French people are way too passionate, and they should settle down"
But the strike continues, this week there was no gas available at gas stations from a certain time in the evening.
Every day for the last week I see riots going on around Paris- picket signs and fires! I have to admit it’s kind of exciting.
Yesterday I was on the train and I made it 2 stations away from arpajon and the train was terminated. Apparently there was a riot going on at a station in Paris so they had to cancel the trains. The funny thing is that there were about 1000 people waiting at the strain station, and every few minutes the announcements would tell us the next train was at a different platform. So hundreds of people would sprint from one platform to the next, only to hear that "oops the next train was actually at the first platform we started at". Great fun! I’ve included a picture...
So this is my personal experience, And before I say anything conclusive let me just say that I need to spend more time talking to people and understanding why this is so important to them. I will be on the search for more information and explanation on what is happening over here, because it’s no longer possible to ignore.
I have a feeling that this strike is not only about the retirement. Although increasing the age of retirement will affect everyone, not only those retiring.
I've noticed that people here are so resistance against the government and they will speak up when they feel there is a problem, where as in Canada I feel the majority of us have little to no idea what the government is actually doing. This leads me to my discovery of the importance of passion:
Passion makes the greatest stories. Nobody is interested in hearing stories about people with no passion, or people who thought passion was childish and unnecessary. Passionate people make the greatest heroines, lovers, debaters, leaders, rulers, enemies, and survivors. Passion makes you great. But perhaps passion makes you difficult. It’s not very easy to tell a passionate person how to behave.
So for hundreds of years we have labeled passionate people as a nuisance, because industrialism became our main purpose in life. - Work - work hard - don’t ask questions. But now it is absolutely necessary to be passionate. We need to find the best solutions for our future, and if we continue to feel uncomfortable with passion... our voice will never be heard and our collective ideas will never manifest.
Yes it’s a simple discovery, but it’s an important one. So no, I don't think French people are too passionate, and should settle down - I think they are just as passionate as they should be. Protecting your rights and ensuring that our society improves for everyone isn't such a bad idea.
I would love to hear your opinions on the strike in France; perhaps my opinion is a bit bias. lol
VIVE LA FRANCE!! VIVE LE MONDE !!
Friday, October 8, 2010
I don’t know if many of you know this, but I love to dance.
Big surprise, I know!
But I never knew I would love dancing to live funk music in Paris so much!
My host mom took me out last night to this funk club last night with all her work friends… who just happened to be a bunch of young, smart, funny, well dressed French men! Yay for me! Haha
Long story short, Tass and I went to the club around 8:30 and came back home at 3:30am! I love my host family! This last week has been CRAZY!! My Birthday party ended up being an entire weekend of meeting the friends of my host family. I have never experienced a party like this. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
After the party, we had a ton of great food and champagne left over, so our meals this week have been somewhat indulgent.
My family’s philosophy is to live for pleasure. It might sound selfish, but in fact they are some of the most generous people I know.
- Dance, Sing, Eat, Laugh, Speak with your heart. Be sincere in the actions you do and the sense of euphoria will be contagious.
I was on the metro yesterday, and a young guy was playing classical guitar, and it was good! But not a single person on the metro would even acknowledge the music. But it was something really special. It was kind of funny because I was on the opposite side from him, so I couldn’t compliment his music, so instead I gave him a thumbs up, and he gave me a real smile and said Merci. It was good. It was like a “ O wait! I am human and so are you, and I like the music you make” kind of moment. And believe me that is rare in Paris.
I hope that in every chance you get in life, you will choose to LIVE and screw what people think is “acceptable”. Being acceptable is way too predictable and incredibly boring. We have so much potential to be something much better than average. Try and live like a human today, let me know how it goes!
Big surprise, I know!
But I never knew I would love dancing to live funk music in Paris so much!
My host mom took me out last night to this funk club last night with all her work friends… who just happened to be a bunch of young, smart, funny, well dressed French men! Yay for me! Haha
Long story short, Tass and I went to the club around 8:30 and came back home at 3:30am! I love my host family! This last week has been CRAZY!! My Birthday party ended up being an entire weekend of meeting the friends of my host family. I have never experienced a party like this. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
After the party, we had a ton of great food and champagne left over, so our meals this week have been somewhat indulgent.
My family’s philosophy is to live for pleasure. It might sound selfish, but in fact they are some of the most generous people I know.
- Dance, Sing, Eat, Laugh, Speak with your heart. Be sincere in the actions you do and the sense of euphoria will be contagious.
I was on the metro yesterday, and a young guy was playing classical guitar, and it was good! But not a single person on the metro would even acknowledge the music. But it was something really special. It was kind of funny because I was on the opposite side from him, so I couldn’t compliment his music, so instead I gave him a thumbs up, and he gave me a real smile and said Merci. It was good. It was like a “ O wait! I am human and so are you, and I like the music you make” kind of moment. And believe me that is rare in Paris.
I hope that in every chance you get in life, you will choose to LIVE and screw what people think is “acceptable”. Being acceptable is way too predictable and incredibly boring. We have so much potential to be something much better than average. Try and live like a human today, let me know how it goes!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The happy traveler(s)
Leave your home, your family, your job, your school, and your friends, and become a happy traveler!
When I was leaving to France, people told me that this trip was an opportunity to be whoever I want to be. And I guess I interpreted that to mean I could be somebody else for a year, and nobody would know I was pretending. But now I understand what they meant. It’s not that you get the opportunity to be something different, but you get to me exactly who you are - With no exterior influences. I don’t have to be more “manly” to fit into my job or more “responsible” around people I respect. I can just be!!
Steph and I work amazingly well traveling together. Because neither of us ever know what we are looking for, and we always find something amazing!
I saw my Aunt and Uncle this past weekend in Spain. What an incredible opportunity! They are on a 5 month voyage around the world, and they just happened to be in Spain last weekend.
Steph and I found tickets through Ryanair for 50 euro return!
( I would defiantly use Ryanair again even if we were herded like cattle, and the plane was 3 hours delayed… it was only 50 freaking euros!)
I am so inspired by my Aunt and Uncle, not only are they traveling around the world, they are also bringing their 3 sons with them so they can experience it together. The boys are just as excited as their parents. And it was so great to see what the boys were interested in.
We spent all of Saturday in the town of Girona, which is a small city in the Catalonia area. There is a beautiful cathedral there, possibly my favorite one so far. The ceiling is incredibly tall and it is decorated in many forms of Spanish art. There was a garden surrounded by tombs beside the cathedral that had a very peaceful but eerie ambiance. After that we drank some wine, then some more, and then decided to watch some local jazz band perform in the town center- it was awesome! Grandpa would be pleased.
The next day was a beach day. So Steph and I took the bus to the beach and we met our family there. The country side was beautiful, with the Pyrenees in the distance and the colorful and lush shrubbery… It was better than I could imagine! We ate paella and drank chardonnay on the beach, while beautiful Spanish men walk by and served us our drinks. I couldn’t stop smiling! Ah I love it here! Haha
The plane ride home was really interesting. Because of the strike in France (the 3rd one since I came here) Our flight was delayed for 3 hours. But the Pyrenees were incredible to fly over. Stunning black mountains… I’ve never seen anything like it. But when we flew into France it was super cloudy and the fog made it really difficult to land. Finally we made it back home to France, and I was so happy to see my host family again!
My next adventure is my birthday party this weekend! I think there will be around 20 or 30 people attending. So I have some work to do with my French. But I’m getting there, and I’m enjoying the process!
My plan for the future is to continue to do what makes me happy, to discover new things that can improve my life, to learn languages and to listen to my intuition, because so far that works really well!
When I was leaving to France, people told me that this trip was an opportunity to be whoever I want to be. And I guess I interpreted that to mean I could be somebody else for a year, and nobody would know I was pretending. But now I understand what they meant. It’s not that you get the opportunity to be something different, but you get to me exactly who you are - With no exterior influences. I don’t have to be more “manly” to fit into my job or more “responsible” around people I respect. I can just be!!
Steph and I work amazingly well traveling together. Because neither of us ever know what we are looking for, and we always find something amazing!
I saw my Aunt and Uncle this past weekend in Spain. What an incredible opportunity! They are on a 5 month voyage around the world, and they just happened to be in Spain last weekend.
Steph and I found tickets through Ryanair for 50 euro return!
( I would defiantly use Ryanair again even if we were herded like cattle, and the plane was 3 hours delayed… it was only 50 freaking euros!)
I am so inspired by my Aunt and Uncle, not only are they traveling around the world, they are also bringing their 3 sons with them so they can experience it together. The boys are just as excited as their parents. And it was so great to see what the boys were interested in.
We spent all of Saturday in the town of Girona, which is a small city in the Catalonia area. There is a beautiful cathedral there, possibly my favorite one so far. The ceiling is incredibly tall and it is decorated in many forms of Spanish art. There was a garden surrounded by tombs beside the cathedral that had a very peaceful but eerie ambiance. After that we drank some wine, then some more, and then decided to watch some local jazz band perform in the town center- it was awesome! Grandpa would be pleased.
The next day was a beach day. So Steph and I took the bus to the beach and we met our family there. The country side was beautiful, with the Pyrenees in the distance and the colorful and lush shrubbery… It was better than I could imagine! We ate paella and drank chardonnay on the beach, while beautiful Spanish men walk by and served us our drinks. I couldn’t stop smiling! Ah I love it here! Haha
The plane ride home was really interesting. Because of the strike in France (the 3rd one since I came here) Our flight was delayed for 3 hours. But the Pyrenees were incredible to fly over. Stunning black mountains… I’ve never seen anything like it. But when we flew into France it was super cloudy and the fog made it really difficult to land. Finally we made it back home to France, and I was so happy to see my host family again!
My next adventure is my birthday party this weekend! I think there will be around 20 or 30 people attending. So I have some work to do with my French. But I’m getting there, and I’m enjoying the process!
My plan for the future is to continue to do what makes me happy, to discover new things that can improve my life, to learn languages and to listen to my intuition, because so far that works really well!
Monday, September 20, 2010
one month in
This month has changed everything.
I don't know what I will do in the future.
I don't feel pressured to come up with some wonderful plan for success either. Right now... in this very short period of my life... I just want to live. When i come back there will be bills to pay and career plans to make. And I'm not really in a hurry to do that.
Why is everyone so concerned about the future, Its not like any of us can control it. So why do we pretend we can?
I guess the problem with planning for the future is that you make expectations. But I've learned this month that as soon as I stop making expectations - something really awesome seems to happen. And when I expect something really awesome to happen, it might still happen... but its so much better to be surprised.
For example. I went to Paris on Saturday, to see the city hall and was completly taken back by how grand it was. Steph and I had no real plans... so we had some indian food... then decided to go on a quest for maccaroons. We ran into a poster that read "Chopin" and decided we should take a short break from our quest.
This concert ended up being perhaps the best piano concert I've ever been to. The music was so good. Magical actually; To listen to Chopin, Brahms and Debussy in this beautiful little church in le Quartier Latin- With an audience of 15 or 20 people. The young guy was truly creating music, and the music was very much alive. I don't think i've ever felt so inspired after leaving a church.
So after that, steph and I continued our maccaroon quest. but to no avail. but instead we found a festival down by the river, serving free tastings of wine and armagnac and live samba (i think) music. We then decided to buy some wine, armagnac, cheese and baguette- and have ourselves a little picnic by the river.
Then after talking about love and life by the river, two guy passed by and said "bon soir" steph and i said "bon soir" and then they ended up joining our "picnic". They were new to the city as well, but were from France. Three girls that they new ended up joining us and we enjoyed the rest of the night with a group of very interesting people from Germany, France and Canada. It was awesome.
Oh and when we did finally find some maccaroons, they were dry and gross.
like eating chalk with some glue.
I don't know what I will do in the future.
I don't feel pressured to come up with some wonderful plan for success either. Right now... in this very short period of my life... I just want to live. When i come back there will be bills to pay and career plans to make. And I'm not really in a hurry to do that.
Why is everyone so concerned about the future, Its not like any of us can control it. So why do we pretend we can?
I guess the problem with planning for the future is that you make expectations. But I've learned this month that as soon as I stop making expectations - something really awesome seems to happen. And when I expect something really awesome to happen, it might still happen... but its so much better to be surprised.
For example. I went to Paris on Saturday, to see the city hall and was completly taken back by how grand it was. Steph and I had no real plans... so we had some indian food... then decided to go on a quest for maccaroons. We ran into a poster that read "Chopin" and decided we should take a short break from our quest.
This concert ended up being perhaps the best piano concert I've ever been to. The music was so good. Magical actually; To listen to Chopin, Brahms and Debussy in this beautiful little church in le Quartier Latin- With an audience of 15 or 20 people. The young guy was truly creating music, and the music was very much alive. I don't think i've ever felt so inspired after leaving a church.
So after that, steph and I continued our maccaroon quest. but to no avail. but instead we found a festival down by the river, serving free tastings of wine and armagnac and live samba (i think) music. We then decided to buy some wine, armagnac, cheese and baguette- and have ourselves a little picnic by the river.
Then after talking about love and life by the river, two guy passed by and said "bon soir" steph and i said "bon soir" and then they ended up joining our "picnic". They were new to the city as well, but were from France. Three girls that they new ended up joining us and we enjoyed the rest of the night with a group of very interesting people from Germany, France and Canada. It was awesome.
Oh and when we did finally find some maccaroons, they were dry and gross.
like eating chalk with some glue.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
my day in Creteil
Before i begin this post, I want to remind you that I'm having a really great time here and France is beautiful and the people are wonderful.
The day began early this morning at 6:30 am when I heard the taxi horn honking outside my house. Apparently the taxi wanted to come half an hour earlier than it was booked... fine... sure I can get ready in 30 seconds.
Taxi ride was pretty good, the driver was pretty good looking... (strange I know - but its France). And the guy was asking me a bunch of questions which I just happened to understand, AND respond to! - A proud moment
Then everything went completely downhill. I got to the Immigration office and it wasn't open. I had to wait an hour, in the parking lot, without a jacket...
Then when I got inside the lady directed me in a very general direction and told me to wait. So I wait... 30 mins pass... nothing happens, finally a nurse calls Mademoiselle Gogal? and Some other girl gets up! ummmm non... C'est moi. I said.
Lucky me! Its time for my X-ray! And nobody speaks English! but they think they do. "You muzzt taake uff all of clothing and juste" .... "just what?" ... "yes. juste" mmmmm okay. So to be safe i decide just to take of my shirt and pants. when I came out she says "Non, not your pant - jet zee bra" ( o god this is fun )
After the nurse scanned me, she told me to go up stairs to the right, then she was used her left hand and pointed left and said "to the right". So i went left, and found a bunch of people in a waiting room. We watched a movie about immigrating to France. then I waited for 2 HOURS, and nothing happened. Finally I asked a lady in very broken French if I was in the right place, and she looked at my papers and started laughing.
She showed me were to go and I finished my medical exam- After a total of 3 1/2 hours.
O but that is not it! Then it was time for legal stuff. And of course i didnt have the necessary papers or a photo of myself. So the lady was nice and told me what bus to take in order to get to the shopping center to get my picture taken. Then i could come back at 2pm and complete the Visa process.
So i took the bus. and I couldn't figure out how to pay, because everything is digital So I just didn’t pay at all. It’s easy to be a rebel when you can’t understand anything. Got to the mall… and the photo booth is broken. So I finally find another one and it works
Then I got my Visa completed. And took the train home in time to pick up Anais from school
the end.
The day began early this morning at 6:30 am when I heard the taxi horn honking outside my house. Apparently the taxi wanted to come half an hour earlier than it was booked... fine... sure I can get ready in 30 seconds.
Taxi ride was pretty good, the driver was pretty good looking... (strange I know - but its France). And the guy was asking me a bunch of questions which I just happened to understand, AND respond to! - A proud moment
Then everything went completely downhill. I got to the Immigration office and it wasn't open. I had to wait an hour, in the parking lot, without a jacket...
Then when I got inside the lady directed me in a very general direction and told me to wait. So I wait... 30 mins pass... nothing happens, finally a nurse calls Mademoiselle Gogal? and Some other girl gets up! ummmm non... C'est moi. I said.
Lucky me! Its time for my X-ray! And nobody speaks English! but they think they do. "You muzzt taake uff all of clothing and juste" .... "just what?" ... "yes. juste" mmmmm okay. So to be safe i decide just to take of my shirt and pants. when I came out she says "Non, not your pant - jet zee bra" ( o god this is fun )
After the nurse scanned me, she told me to go up stairs to the right, then she was used her left hand and pointed left and said "to the right". So i went left, and found a bunch of people in a waiting room. We watched a movie about immigrating to France. then I waited for 2 HOURS, and nothing happened. Finally I asked a lady in very broken French if I was in the right place, and she looked at my papers and started laughing.
She showed me were to go and I finished my medical exam- After a total of 3 1/2 hours.
O but that is not it! Then it was time for legal stuff. And of course i didnt have the necessary papers or a photo of myself. So the lady was nice and told me what bus to take in order to get to the shopping center to get my picture taken. Then i could come back at 2pm and complete the Visa process.
So i took the bus. and I couldn't figure out how to pay, because everything is digital So I just didn’t pay at all. It’s easy to be a rebel when you can’t understand anything. Got to the mall… and the photo booth is broken. So I finally find another one and it works
Then I got my Visa completed. And took the train home in time to pick up Anais from school
the end.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)