excusez-moi

Do me a favour and stop talking.

Sincerely,

Tiff

well it's cold outside and the lights are low

Don't be surprised if i'm walking and you suddenly hear me sing.. "I wanna be the 12 days wrapped in 1
I wanna be your drummer boy, burrum bum bum bum
I wanna be the eggnog in your rum." Yes, I do find it odd to be singing that I wanna be someone's drummer boy but drummer girl just doesn't work. trust me, i tried it. But no, it just isn't the same.
I recently started listening to my ipod again. I'm serious, I think it makes me at least 50% happier listening to happy christmas music.
Now, here's some encouragement for the day.
I know sometimes I feel like giving up too, but the successful ones are the one that confronted adversity and never gave up. Here are some examples:

Albert Einstein did not speak until he was 4-years-old and did not read until he was 7. His parents thought he was "sub-normal," and one of his teachers described him as "mentally slow, unsociable, and adrift forever in foolish dreams." He was expelled from school and was refused admittance to the Zurich Polytechnic School. He did eventually learn to speak and read. Even to do a little math.

Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because "he lacked imagination and had no good ideas." He went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland. In fact, the proposed park was rejected by the city of Anaheim on the grounds that it would only attract riffraff.

Beethoven handled the violin awkwardly and preferred playing his own compositions instead of improving his technique. His teacher called him "hopeless as a composer." And, of course, you know that he wrote five of his greatest symphonies while completely deaf.

Thomas Edison's teachers said he was "too stupid to learn anything." He was fired from his first two jobs for being "non-productive." As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, "How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?" Edison replied, "I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps."

A million people can tell you that you're not good enough. Only one person's opinion matters-your own.

love story

33 years ago was the first time they met.
It was the most innocent of romances.
She was young and beautiful.
He was fun and intriguing.
They led separate lives until the day
They became a part of each other's worlds.
The rest, they say, is history.
A real-life portrayal of Grease is how I would put it.
33 years later, they still joke about first impressions.
33 years later, they still love each other.
33 years later, I'm 18, and I believe in love because of them.

time for a recap

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin

venti

10pm

"I really want starbucks right now."
"Now?!"
"Ya, right now."
"Okay, let's go."
"What? really?"
"Ya"
"Okay!"

So, being superrr smart, I completely forgot to get decaf anddd got a venti gingerbread latte. Oops. And we also got pizza...feeling superr healthy right now :P I kinda love these spontaneous outings, oh and skyping for a record 8.5 hrs. Okay, okay, i took a nap while skyping and left it on while i was out, but it still counts! But tomorrow I'm definitely going to be healthy. Getting up early to hit the gym with my bestiee:) I don't know if I'm just excited to go gyming or if the caffeine's just getting to me right now. I somehow don't think the giddiness is normal at this hour.
I like it when we talk about our pasts, and futures, fears, failures, and grand plans for the future. The 10 minute breaks always turn into hr long conversations. We fall asleep skyping and never get tired of talking about the same things over and over again.

hey there

The snow just makes me sing, sing, sing.
I can't stop singing.


the show-lenka

"i'm just a little bit caught in the middle. Life is a maze and love is a riddle."

marry you-bruno mars

"It's a beautiful night,
We're looking for something dumb to do. "

once-glen hansard and marketa irglova

"here the sirens call me home"

falling slowly - glen hansard (LOVE)

"Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black"

ultraviolet-the stiff dylans
she's so lovely-scouting for girls

mmmm replay.

Knew you'd come back and show 'em.
Don't lose faith.
You got this.

postsecret sunday

Now wouldn't this be something. I always wanted to do that: make a time capsule and bury it, put a note in a helium balloon and just let it fly away...
Actually, I write on rocks on the beach and hope people will find my messages.

there's a world out there that we should see

"What are you thinking about?"
"Oh. Nothing."
"You're reminiscing, aren't you?"
"Actually, yeah."

Decisions. Uncertainty. It's like a game of chess, except I play with no strategy. I might lose, but hey, win or lose, it's only a matter of perspective.

11:11

I'm sorry I ever thought this was real.

Get it together. Please, be strong.
This kills.

"...as I gazed on the cloudless blue sky, I seemed to drink in a tranquility to which I had long been a stranger." - Frankenstein

fearless is living in spite of all those things that scare you to death

Another thing that UBC has that PA never had: a beautiful mountain and ocean view. On a nice day like this, it is absolutely breathtaking. I officially found my favourite place in UBC. On the ledge overlooking the rose garden, the mountains and the ocean. It's just me. I just need alone time right now.
The sea looks so calm from here, but I know that if I was really sailing those seas, it'd be a rocky and tumultuous ride. That's the kind of facade the sea puts on. Nothing is what it seems. Nothing seems like it's that difficult until it hits you like breakers on the jagged edges of cliffs. The funny thing is, you'll never get to the other side unless u steer through those storms. Steer through it, not around.
An old lady just came. She's been here for a while now, just staring out into the ocean. Oh, and she's humming. Several people have come and gone. Sometimes I wonder what each person is going through right now. What makes them happy, sad, loved? Even though we're all going through different things, we can all come here and enjoy the view. No man owns nature. That's the beauty of it. We all have our struggles, but nothing's too big to handle. I know this because nothing is too big for the Creator who intricately made the vast oceans, grand skies and towering mountains.
It's getting cold. Gotta head to class.

Love,
Tiff

should've found this earlier

Well, why didn't you tell me earlier?

life lesson

don't feed me violins
just run with me through rows of speeding cars

'cause none of us were angels

There there baby
it's just textbook stuff
it's in the ABCs of growing up
Now, now darling
oh don't lose your head
'cause none of us were angels

dare to be different

when they tell you you're different, just smile and say, "yeah. i'm one of the lucky ones."

funny things

the more i think about it, the funnier it is.
i swear i look like a retard when i smile randomly in public.
oh the ironies of life.
why are things so complicated sometimes when they can be so simple?
Oh right, because that's life and life's hard.
Bittersweet, i'd say. Just like the taste of black coffee on your lips on a cold monday morning.

red cups

mmm pumpkin spice latte and ginger molasses cookie. although the wind is blowing furiously, the sun is shining. it feels like a good day today.

and, when you're not strong

Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things.
The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.
- Louis E. Boone

There is no greater sorrow than to recall in misery the time when we were happy.
- Dante

pick-me-up

However long the night, the dawn will break.

nts

when did i lose the ability to chill out?
even so, there's no white flag here.

raise your glass

"5 am turn the radio up, where's the rock and roll?"

"so raise your glass if you are wrong in all the right ways"

not gonna lie, kinda wanna hug a white baby seal right now.

and then we'll say...

one day, i know i'll never grow tired of telling these stories to my kids. and i know they'll just roll their eyes at me and tell me times have changed, but right now, the time is now and i'm living this moment.

how's your day, i'll say crazyy

No one said it'd be easy. They just said it'd be worth it.

Hold on, make it last. Hold on, never turn back.

breaking the rules

Who says we can only make resolutions during new year's? I say you can change the way you're living anytime of the year. If you're not satisfied with the way you're living your life, stop complaining and simply change it.

A couple of things I'm going to try to do:

-be healthier (e.g. exercise, eat at least a whole fruit a day, etc)
-focus focus focusss on academics
-sleep earlier
-read my Bible every night
-pray for passion in atlanta yeaa :) (still have the bracelet on!)

What do YOU guys want to change? Whatever it is, make it happen.

"Be the change you want to see in the world"-Ghandi

all my love,
tiff

just listen

Sometimes, I just close my eyes and hum to calm, piano music. It helps when your mind is streaming with thoughts, never-ending to-do lists, issues...
Close your eyes and take the wheel.

no regrets. just love

because none of it was ever worth the risk.. right?

sundayy morninggg. OK, not quite morning anymore, considering it's 12:30, but it still feels rather early to me. It's sunny right now, kinda just want to go for a drive and clear my head. It's kinda a chilly morning, one of those brrr-it's-almost-winter kind of days. These are the perfect days to be wrapped up in a blanket or big wool sweater with a black coffee.
You know what I love? I love being spontaneous. I like getting lost and having to find my way. I like not knowing where the next moment is going to take me. I like ditching the map and just going exploring.
Because those are the adventures that you can't predict. When you don't know what to expect at all, you'll definitely be surprised.
Today, when I finished going over my student's festival songs, Joanna just started playing Hallelujah. I taught her that song a couple weeks ago, and now she already knows it by heart. I just let her play as I sat listening. Then, I just ended up singing along. It was actually a lot of fun. We started talking about all the songs we liked, and it didn't take too long for me to realize that she loved all the songs I loved too. I whipped out my laptop and we started going through my iTunes. We got so excited, breaking out in song. Like A G6, Just The Way You Are, Just A Dream, 2012...I knew then that I couldn't give it up. I just couldn't. Deep down, I knew I never wanted to.
I am so happy that music is a big part of her life now, that she can play for her own enjoyment and share this with other people. Music is so powerful and that's what life is about, finding a passion that transcends the mundane routines of life. I have no idea what it's like to be a parent, but I know that watching someone grow up and change is so amazing. I don't want to change the world, nor can I, I just want to make someone's day, make someone smile and show them that even though life has its ups and downs, there is so much to be happy about.

Be the person you aspire to be.
No regrets.
Just love.

so apparently there's scientific evidence for it

"Hugging has been proven to have health benefits. One study has shown that hugs increase levels of oxytocin, and reduce blood pressure."

i so knew it all along :)

and i don't care that "one study has shown" doesn't sound very reliable and prob doesn't fulfill the replicability thing andd i'm probably guilty of confirmation bias but who cares. i love hugs.

and if our God is with us, then what could stand against

Passion was absolutely amazing yesterday. It was exactly what I needed to remind myself what I was missing in my life. I needed that foundation that's going to anchor me despite the strongest winds. I know that even though times may be tough and I may be shaken, God will always be there, and He will never be shaken. It was incredible to see so many people in Rogers arena just praising God.

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God you are higher than any other

And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against

no one like you

You are more beautiful
Than anyone ever
Everyday You're the same
You never change, no never

And how could I ever deny
The love of my Savior
You are to me everything
All I need forever

How could You be so good?

There is no one like You
There has never ever been anyone like You

Everywhere You are there
Earth or air surrounding
I'm not alone, the heavens sing along
My God, You're so astounding
How could You be so good to me
Eternally I believe that

There is no one like You
There has never ever been anyone like You
There is no one like You
There has never ever been anyone like You

You, You, You, You, You, You

How could You be so good to me?
How could You be so good to me?
We're not alone, so sing along
We're not alone, so sing along, sing along, sing along

one fine night

if i had the answers then i know where i'd be.
nothing is certain. all we have is this moment, so let's link arms and make the best of it.
i want this kind of forever

when they tell you i love you, believe them. when you say i love you back, mean it

I think it's the caffeine, but I'm suddenly really excited about everything. Got a little excited about the underlying meanings in Shakespeare, VFW, and Christmas. I realllyyyy want a Christmasy drink from Starbucks right now. Can't believe christmas is almost here! It's seriously my most favourite time of year. I never like to go on vacation during Christmas because, to me, spending Christmas not at home just doesn't feel right. I guess i'm weirdly traditional like that. Actually, you'd be surprised I'm actually a really traditional person.
Looking at pictures of Christmas last year just makes me that much more excited for it to come. My dad's always like.. "do we REALLY need to put up the tree this year?" Me: "OF COURSE, DAD! WE CAN'T HAVE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT A CHRISTMAS TREE!" I know that Christmas is Christmas even without the tree, but I mean, how can we not take the opportunity to put up an artificial evergreen and strangle it with lights? I like coming home to that, listening to the robotic, repetitive Christmas songs play from the lights. It's kind of soothing, to say the least. You know, when I was younger, I just wanted to unwrap the presents. I guess all kids were like that. I used to be the youngest, so I obviously had the most presents. Now, I watch my little 5 year old cousin act the same way. It's interesting to see all of us go through these phases. Christmas means so much more than that now. I still like the candy canes, the stockings, cool wrapping paper, but more than that, spending Christmas with the people that mean the most to me is what makes it so special. Every other time of the year, we all seem to be doing our own thing. Sometimes, we're too caught up running the race that we forget that getting to the finish line isn't what's most important. If we didn't have passions, hobbies, family, friends, love, God, life would be so meaningless. I go through each day thinking to myself, there must be more to life than this. There must be.
I guess what we have to do is be thankful for every friend, every moment that has made us smile, every stupid joke that has made us laugh, every sign that we've been given.

When friends tell you they love you, believe them, and when you say I love you back, mean it. xoxo

If

I know I'm supposed to be writing my paper, but I'm almost done anywayyy so I guess I deserve a mini break, though I do have to stop giving myself these breaks that last longer than the working times :S
But for now, time to let some fresh air in and blast some music :)

Fate. I believe everything happens for a reason. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if some events hadn't happened, or if I hadn't met certain people.
I guess today was a pretty good day. I was walking to psyc this morning, and this random old prof-like man came up to me and asked me what class I had. I had to think about it for a second, then I told him I had psyc. Then, he just said good luck, smiled and walked away. My initial reaction was pretty much: huh? random much? But then it really did start my day right. I know it SOUNDS creepy, and I guess it was borderline creepy, but he sounded really genuine. I appreciate when people go out of the way to make people's days. I know I always say this, but somehow, the little things really do make me happy. Sometimes, it's just a hug. It can be an i-miss-you, and sometimes, it may be so small that others may not notice it. But I notice.
I feel incredibly blessed to have had my days "made" this year. It's a little unfair. Why do I seriously have the most amazing people in my life?

i would walk a thousand miles and one more

"I'm always going to wanna go the extra mile for them because I know they've gone the extra thousand miles for me." -Taylor Swift

fragile

I'm really not that tough. I really want to be.

911

i could really use a hug right now.

p.s.

Don't you know, you're really gonna be someone
Ask anyone.

i believe in forever

It feels so good to be connected with you guys again. I feel like we're leading different lives, but that's the exciting part about it, that we can share those different experiences with each other. I love that you guys can come to me with your problems, even if I should really finish reading Shakespeare. It's great to know that our friendships have lasted beyond the boundaries of high school. I miss those hugs every day in the morning, the study blocks, cramming sessions, timmy's donut breaks... I miss everything. When you cry, I just want to hug you and tell you that things are going to be okay, and I truly mean it. The only thing I can do is listen and do the best I can to give you good advice. I'm experiencing these things too. We're never too old to grow up because we're constantly learning. "Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood." Things are going to be okay, trust me on this one, okay?
Just remember, hakuna matata.