Home Is Where The Heart Is

Hi again! So I was also thinking about, not only the people in our families, but the places that we live. That contributes to how we grow up as well. Above is a photo of a watercolour painting of my house that I made. I love where I live. The street is quiet enough to play road hockey in the fall, make snow forts in the winter, bike all over in the spring, and entertain the little kids in the summer without worrying too much about getting hit by a car. Our house itself is small, old, and somewhat messy but it is the only place I have ever lived. It holds all our history and I am proud to call it home. My brother was even born here, with me sleeping in the next room (not sure how I managed that)! As they say, and I totally agree, "Home is where the heart is". Sincerely, Sam

Family Fads

Hi, friends. So I've been thinking a lot about the tech-savy age that we are living in nowadays. Families used to sit down for game night once a week. (I'm assuming thats what families used to do, didn't they?) Now, we sit on the couch to watch the family television show every week while eating spaghetti on those TV trays. And the technologies that kids have to play with these days! Even as I type (on my fancy new Macbook Pro) I'm texting my friend on my phone, listening to music on my iPod, my brother is on YouTube, and my mom is using my dad's iPod to find a recipe for dinner. Now, I'm not saying we should all start riding around in horse-drawn carriages and dressing our kids up in itchy knickers and corsets but getting back some of those good old-fashioned family values might be good for us.
Speaking of back-in-the-day, I love the 60s, 70s and 80s! A lot of old fads are coming back from these epic decades. For example, Fleetwood Mac (my favourite band) is from the late 60s. Rubix cubes, from the 70s, are coming back too. And the shoulder pads from the 80s are becoming popular again– just kidding, I hope those never come back. Anyway, my brother is obsessed with solving Rubix cubes (along with many other obsessions). The picture above shows him trying to solve his new 5x5 cube along with his speed 3x3 cube, 4x4 cube, and 12x12 cube. Crazy, right? He's a 12 year old Rubix cube genius. Anyway, if you have any crazy old fads that are coming back or stories that parents have told you about their childhood memories, please feel free to share! Sincerely, Sam

Gossip and Relationships

Hello, wow you are gorgeous! Has anyone ever told you how absolutely beautiful your eyes are? Well whoever has the privilege of getting to look into those eyes every morning is incredibly lucky. And if you haven't found that special someone yet, don't lose hope! So today my family and I went to a friend's house for dinner and afterwards I was listening to the adults' conversation on gossip and relationships. They began by talking about a marriage that had just ended and how one half of the partnership was blindsided by the break up and how devastating it was for everyone involved; family and friends. Getting a divorce, I have learned, is a complicated, scary, emotional experience. There are financial issues, children to worry about, social awkwardness, and possession battles. Now, being 15 and barely part of the relationship/gossip/teenage drama loop in high school, I didn't really understand the mature concepts that they were discussing, but the whole time all I was thinking was "Wow, it never stops, does it?" In high school, there is always talk about who's dating who, and who's 'wheeling' with who, and who likes who, and who just broke up with who. It's very confusing. I thought that once we got past the hormones and all the "figuring out who we are" crap, it would be a lot less complicated. You find the person you want to be with, you find a career you're happy with, maybe have some kids if you're up for it, and then grow old together. Now, you may be thinking to yourself right now "How stereotypically, close-minded she is." And yes, you're right. You don't need a significant other to be happy. Being single definitely has it's perks. But, being a hopeless romantic, I look forward to finding someone and having that fairy tale wedding and spending the rest of our lives together.

Another topic of conversation that I had the privilege of listening in on, was gossip. One of our friends that we were visiting is an emerg doctor and from her stories, which are always entertaining as she is a great dinner-party-story-teller, I learned about how little the gossip of the adult world changes from the teenage world. Apparently at the hospital there are suggestive looks, and secret conversations, and little cliques that some people are a part of and some people aren't. I know you know what I'm talking about. At this very moment, as you are reading this you are thinking about the people at your school, or class, or place of work, or planet, or other social gathering, and all the gossip that goes on. Am I right, or am I right? Now, I won't be the first to admit that I'm not really a part of it all. I don't notice if people are giving me 'suggestive' looks, or if people are talking about me, or if someone likes me. I usually find out two people are dating, after they've already broken up! I like to think I'm pretty intuitive about how people are feeling and what they're thinking, and I've been told I give pretty good dating advice, but all the superficial, shallow gossip that teenagers are so into does not appeal to me. Neither does the drugs or alcohol, or excessive partying, now that you mention it. So maybe I'm not the typical teenager. Adults are wrong to stereotype teenagers as being rude and disrespectful and hormonal because adults can be that way too. Just on a generally more mature level. Teenagers take everything to the extreme, and have a tendency to overreact. We feel things more strongly, but as we grow older those social tendencies, like gossiping and relationships, never really go away. We just learn to handle it differently.

Interesting what you learn when you listen to your parents' conversations, huh? So next time you're at a family dinner party, pay attention! You might gain some enlightening insight into the adult world that, if you are a teenager reading this, you will soon be joining as a VIP member. Also, please don't be scared by what I've told you. Adulthood is an exciting, wonderful, stressful, chaotic, complicated experience, I'm sure. Okay, that didn't sound as encouraging as I'd hoped it would... Just take life one day at a time! Enjoy the relationships you have now, always be open to new ones, and stay away from the hurtful gossip that could get you in trouble. Sincerely, Sam

Song of the Day

Good morning, beautiful! Do you have a favourite song? Me too. I think everyone one should have one or two songs that they have an emotional connection with. Music is a very important part of our culture, and finding that specific mix of notes and melodies and beats that ignites a feeling in you is important too. Now I, personally, have different favourite songs for different reasons, but the song that I've picked for this edition of "Song of the Day" is Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. Now I hope most of you have heard of this song or have listened to it at least once because it is considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time. So go listen to it so you know what I'm talking about, right now. Just to prepare you, it's about 8 minutes long. But it'll be 8 minutes well spent! Anyway, I guess I should give you a background story as to why I picked this song, because, well, there is always a story. I like it because Stairway to Heaven has sentimental value to me. I agree, the lyrics don't really make any sense, it's long and bit all over the place in terms of tone and melody. But I don't care. It's one of my favourite songs because my mom says it was the last song that played at my parent's wedding. Of course my dad says he doesn't remember but I think he still appreciates the song because of it. I was also introduced to it by one of my very good friends, who can also play a bit of it on the guitar. Which I find impressive because I really wish I could play the guitar, but am not motivated to actually learn it. So every time I hear this song, I think of my parents at their wedding, and of my friend, and the way I felt when I first listened to it. That's what I think matters the most about music. Sure, the lyrics are very important because they tell a story or send a message that you can relate to. The melodies and instruments are important because thats what makes the beautiful flow of sound that ignites an emotion in you. So the moral of the story is: listen to more music, be open to new kinds of music, share it with your friends, create it with others or by yourself, find that one song that makes you feel better when you're down, recognize the songs that mean something to you and share these stories with the people around you. And if you have a special song that is near to your heart, please comment below with the title and artist, and I promise to listen to it! I'll probably like it too, because your taste in music is spectacular, just like you. Sincerely, Sam

My Book Of Awesome

Hey lovely person! How are you doing today? Did you have a good day; full of laughter, friends, and ice cream? Me too! It also came to my attention today, and for the past few days, how awesome hugs are. Have you ever thought about that? How much you've needed a hug and then having someone wrap their arms around you in a warm embrace? It feels so good! I've also realized that some people are better at giving hugs than others, so if someone has ever told you that you give good hugs its probably true and you should take that as a huge complement. And you should go share your gift with as many people as possible in one day. Unless you're sick, then that's a health concern and you should probably stay away from people, and wear a medical mask. Anyway, as you've probably guessed, my Awesome thing of the day is.... hugs! People are more reluctant to touch each other these days, especially with hugs. Unless they're dating, then they have no problem making out in the halls. Like seriously, PDA! I know I'm not a very physical person so if I don't know you very well, stay on your side of the personal bubble. But I've found myself opening up more to my friends and starting to crave the physical contact and close proximity to them. Now I know hugging can be a complicated, confusing affair but I have some tips for the next time someone comes at you with their arms spread open.

1) Don't shy away or do that awkward thing where you shake their hand as they try to put their arms around you. That's rude and you might offend them. Just go through with the hug and it'll be over before you know it!
2) Don't hug someone for too long, or too short. Short hugs don't mean anything. You have to allow enough time to settle into the hug, for you to actually enjoy it. But hugs that last longer than they should are awkward and uncomfortable. Don't make anyone feel uncomfortable, so if they start pulling away. just let go.
3) Don't worry about putting your arms the wrong way. Apparently there are rules about how you are supposed to hug a girl if you're a guy, and guy if you're a girl, and if you're two girls who are just friends, or if you're best bros, or if you're short, or if you're tall, or if you're an alien with 6 arms, or something. Don't listen to them. I usually just go with the one arm over, one arm under because its the easiest and you don't feel like you're dominating someone, or being dominated. Or crushed. But it really doesn't matter, it's a casual hug after all. Not a martial arts move that requires intense precision!

I hope that helped to clear up any confusion you had over the subject of hugging. But if you have anymore questions about it please leave a comment! And the next time you see one of your good friends, give them a nice big bear hug! And some chocolate too 'cause everyone loves chocolate! Sincerely, Sam

Let Me Be Your Everlasting Light

Hey, how was your day today? Did you learn anything new? Teach anyone something new? Try anything new? I think you should do these things at least once a day. Do something once a day that scares you, tell someone something that you don't say very often, be open to new opportunities, make new friends, connect with your old friends, be that one person who everyone can trust with their deepest secrets. Do things that make you happy, laugh all the time, surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you, not the worst. Make others feel valued and loved, apologize for your mistakes, and appreciate the little things in life. These are just some of my thoughts from the day, which has inspired a new segment for this blog: Song of the Day. So my song of today is... Everlasting Light by The Black Keys. There aren't very many lyrics in this song but I think they ring true for how I'm feeling right now. So please be kind to one another, and be someone's Everlasting Light in the darkness that can creep up on us when times get rough. Thank you, and sincerely, Sam

Got no plan? I got ideas

Hello there! How are you? You look just fabulous today. Is that a new shirt? Well, it looks great on you. So what is your plan for today, Sunday, the day of rest? Don't have a plan? Well, it looks like you've come to the right place! This weekend I have a minimal amount of homework so I pretty much have the entire weekend to do whatever catches my fancy. So yesterday I went out and I volunteered. Ok, that might make me sound like some kind of saint but I'm really not. I went out to a local hockey arena and helped by shining the spotlight on the little kids as they skated out onto the ice one at a time before the game. It was a long day with a lot of waiting around, but I got to spend some time with my friend and got watch many hockey games. So if you're not sure what you want to do today, like I am, I've gathered together a list of some ideas:

1) Volunteer.
2) Do yoga.
3) Bake something. And bring me some.
4) Hang out with your neighbours or some little kids.
5) Build a fort, then defend it from some imaginary dragons.
6) Plant a tree. Unless you live in Canada and there is a foot of snow on the ground. You should probably just plant a flower in a pot instead.
7) Walk a dog. Or a llama.
8) Make a sock puppet. Then have a casual conversation with it. Put on a puppet show. Then take your show on the road. Las Vegas, anyone?
9) Try to figure out what your pets are thinking. It'll probably be "Why is this person staring at me?"
10) Watch a really cheesy movie. Then make fun of it by pretending you are a hoity-toity movie critic.
11) Paint, or draw, or doodle, or sketch, or take pictures, or write, or journal, or do anything that you find creative and artistic.
12) Dance. And sing. Like no one is watching.
13) Paint your nails. Even if you are a guy. I'm thinking a light magenta would look good on you.
14) Make a smoothie. Then drink it.
15) Text, call, email, message, write to, or visit your friend. Why? Because you can. And because you could be dead tomorrow, you never know.
16) Tell your family how much you love them. Even if you don't like them all the time.
17) Play a sport. Any sport. Could be ping pong, or cricket, or water polo, or ultimate frisbee. Whatever catches your fancy.
18) Get really dressed up and pretend you are walking down the red carpet as you come down the stairs. You could even practise you poses for the paparazzi. You look fabulous, darling!
19) Ask someone out. Like on a date. Even if you are just friends. Go to a nice restaurant for the evening, eat some nice food, and talk about all the fun times you've had together.
20) Do anyone one of these things then leave me a comment telling me what you did and how it went. And most importantly, have fun!

Sincerely, Sam