Waterloo Trip: Delayed Part Two

    Where I left off on my last post was the part where we were headed to the sushi place for dinner. Also apparently I sounded emotionless in my last post...probably because I was tired and just sticked to stating my itinerary during that time. Which is why I don't enjoy writing my blog's tired. Which is actually just a lame excuse on why I haven't been daily blogging lately.

   Alright so putting this blog up to speed. It really was great seeing everyone again and catching up. It was a breath of fresh air. To which Dyan responded with "Literally, because Waterloo air is cleaner than Toronto's." She was trying to get me to write my blog while we had time at her place but I told her I remember details well anyways and I didn't want to work on my blog while hanging with her and others. Live in the moment and all, you know? After dinner we all headed to Conestoga mall, except Steph, who made her way to the shuttle bus to get to Guelph earlier. After walking to Conestoga mall, since it was walking distance from the sushi place, we all browsed around some stores. The others (Miffy, Josh, and Kristina) were headed back home to Guelph Friday night as well to spend the weekend with their families. And Chloe and Isabel live in Guelph. So after browsing around Conestoga mall altogether until closing time I was left with Dyan and Paulo.

   Since it was still early, 9pm, Dyan and Paulo said they knew of this great bubble tea place that they've been to before near their campus. So we bused back to the campus on which I borrowed a sweater first before we headed out again since it was getting chilly. On the way for me to borrow a sweater we actually ran into one of Dyan and Paulo's friend Gabe. We invited him to us on our trip to the bubble tea place. While we were walking there there was actually a good amount of people/students out and about. Then again it was a Friday night and we were in and around the university and residence area. Basically we drank bubble tea and played games such as Scrabble and Jenga there. The bubble tea place is called "Sweet Dreams" and if you're ever in the Waterloo area I highly recommend it. That was my first time trying mint chocolate bubble tea and it was great! My taste buds were enlightened.

Scrabble Scores:

  Paulo: 72   

Gabe: 45

Dyan: 42

    Me: 31

   Anyways we ended up staying up late catching up. I talk a lot, it's one of my flaws. When I first woke up (smart of me to set an alarm on my phone otherwise we might've missed the run), I called Dyan to see where she was and she told me she accidentally passed out in her laundry room while doing laundry. After laughing at the predicament she was in I called Paulo to see if he was still up for the run. He said he wasn't at first. Then as I was getting ready I got a call a couple minutes later saying that he was going to get ready then he would join us. We ran to the halfway point, 3.5k, because we were all tired from the night before. 

Starting Point of University of Waterloo's Annual Fun Run

   Shortly after the run Paulo was the first to pass out. While he was sleeping Dyan and I were doing some covers and she searched up the chords so she could also play them on her ukulele. We covered some Marina & The Diamonds (Lies, Homewrecker, Starring Role), Sam Smith (Stay With Me, Money On My Mind, Leave Your Lover, I'm Not The Only One), One Direction (One Thing), Little Mix (Boy), and NSYNC (This I Promise You). After covering all those songs Dyan wanted to make some mac and cheese for lunch and while she did that she said I should probably take a nap too but I said I didn't feel like it...I ended up passing out as well, at least got in 20mins. And when I woke up Dyan was done cooking so it was time to eat lunch. Paulo went back to his dorm afterwards because he needed to work on some assignments and study more so Dyan and I were just walking around (which I believe made up the rest of the 5k). While walking about we found a Marble Slab and of course we had to stop for ice cream on such a hot day.

  

    Two hours before I got picked up that's when Dyan passed out. Paulo came over an hour before I left to say bye and Dyan was still sleeping. I had to wake her up anyways for her to give my family the directions of how to get to her place. We ended up just meeting my family at the Sobey's near her place since they still couldn't find it. When they picked me up we had dinner at some Pho place near downtown Kitchener. 

   I stayed overnight Saturday in Guelph then took the Greyhound bus back to Toronto Sunday afternoon at 4:20pm since the 2:20pm was sold out. Ended up getting back to Toronto at around 6:30pm then got back to my Ninang's place around past 7:30pm. I was extremely tired but I had to finish up some assignments and attempt to do some review. 

   Soon (after Richard's done his part) I'm actually going to be helping fix up a group project for school, should be easy enough since it's a blogging project and Scout already started it off pretty great. After I add in my part then Cameron will add in his. I made our group account with WordPress since I'm already using Blogger. WordPress has definitely been more of a struggle to work with since I'm clearly not used to it. Blogger for the win. 

   Oh yeah before I forget to add in, Chloe visited me again Sunday morning before I left for Toronto to drop off some food and coke with my name on it. Thanks Chloe, that was so nice of you! Also I told you the picture was going onto my blog. ;)

She said she couldn't find a Fatima

   Blogging daily seems to be getting more difficult and difficult. Yesterday I had a full school day. Didn't do much other than attend 2 of my 3hr classes. I even stayed a bit after school with Kirk in the library to work on the same assignment, and then Cameron waited for me since we subway home together. And today I did nothing but sleep in, eat, go on social media sites, and blog, and going to blog some more for my project. I heard from some of my friends while eating dinner altogether on Friday that they've read some of my blogs so that's pretty awesome. Hope to see them all again sometime! It can't be sometime soon though since everyone's starting to get busy with school. Mid-terms will be coming up shortly. Maybe around Thanksgiving when I have a week break (yay), hopefully I'll see some of them. 

   

   I wouldn't mind visiting the University of Waterloo again, the whole place is huge and I felt like I haven't explored enough. Did you know you can go through the entire university and never leave the buildings? There's a map for it and everything. Apparently the use of it is for when the weather isn't great. Although it's not the quickest way to get to places but since Dyan and I had some time we walked in through some of the universities buildings to get across campus.

I actually don't remember where this is, too many places

Until then, Fatima

Waterloo Trip: Part One

   Last Friday, September 26th I took the 11:15am Greyhound bus going to Kitchener. Arrived at the University of Waterloo at around past 1:30pm. I'm just going to list all the friends in the order I met up with and what they do. Also because I don't have the best of memory and can refer back to this when I forget.

   I met up with Miffy first, she goes to UofW (University of Waterloo) - Math, Kristina - UofW for Kinesiology, Stephanie - UofW for Accounting, Dyan - UofW for Chemical Engineering, Paulo - UofW for Computer Science, Josh - UofW for Physical Science, Chloe is taking the McMaster's University joint Nursing program at Conestoga College, and Isabel is at my old high school Lourdes for 12+. That's basically of all my close friends from Guelph that I met up with, minus Henry who also goes to Lourdes for 12+.

   I waited for Miffy because she finished class at 2:20pm. She showed me around the university.

Picture Left: Me at Peter Rock Garden (Photo credit: Miffy)

 Picture Right: View from the top floor of the library window

   We went out for dinner Friday evening to sushi. Which I'm not a fan of but that's where they all decided to go. I didn't mind it, I ate some noodles and shrimp tempura. So Miffy, Dyan, Kristina, Paulo, Josh, Steph and I all met up before going on the bus to the sushi place together. Chloe was driving herself and Isabel to the restaurant to meet up with us. Also we had to go to Dyan's dorm anyways to drop off my bag of stuff since I was staying there overnight and change out of my pants since it was too hot out. Dyan fortunately had a cute skirt that matched my red top.

Walking to the bus stop with Kristina and Paulo (Photo credit: Steph)

Some bus pictures taken on Steph's phone going to Dyan's dorm and then the sushi restaurant

   I've actually been writing this just before I head back. I will update more about last Friday, Saturday, and today when I get back to my Ninang's in Toronto. 

Until then, Fatima

Post Concert Blues

   I've been playing Enrique Iglesias songs on youtube on repeat, Which means I'm having post concert blues. I mean it was only 5 days ago but I already miss it.

   Today Scout, Cameron, Varad, and I went out for lunch at a Chinese restaurant. They didn't enjoy it but I thought it wasn't bad?? I didn't up finishing my Cantonese Choi Mein noodles though, but took it out for takeout. Which ended up spilling onto one of my pant legs. How that happened I do not know and neither do they. Anyways it wasn't obvious since I was wearing dark wash coloured jeans.

Cantonese Choi Mein noodles

  When I got home I noticed my face had more blotches of pink than usual so I guess I got a little sunburnt as well. This weather has been on and off cold and warm. Anyways planning on going to STC on my own tomorrow before my one class in the evening so can't sleep in much.

Until then, Fatima

Neglected Blog + Enrique Iglesias

   Goodness, I've already begun neglecting my blog. So let's get this updated. On Saturday, September 20th my family came over for a visit. I haven't seen them in 3 weeks since they dropped me off early September, which I believe is the longest time up to date.

My (not so) baby sister and I

   I went to an Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull concert with my Mom and her boyfriend that night. I helped my Mom buy the tickets early August. We commuted then went to a Sport Bar and Grill for dinner before the concert started (I had a ginger ale #underageproblems). Unfortunately I don't own a camera and neither did my Mom so I had to use my cellphone to try to get some pictures at the concert. But the quality isn't too great but nonetheless believe me when I say everything looked and sounded incredible at the ACC for the Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull concert.

One Of Enrique Iglesias' Concert Tour Buses

Near the end there were large balloons falling from the ceiling

My Mom and I

  You see that circle of light? Enrique Iglesias was set up on a mini stage sometime during the concert near the back of the ACC where we were seated because he wanted to connect with his audience more. I could actually see his face!! It was a beautiful moment.

   The following Sunday morning my family left to go back to Guelph. While coming to Toronto they also dropped off my warmer clothes such as sweaters, jeans, and two jackets which I will probably need to wear soon.

   One of my best friends Dyan called me sometime Sunday evening to catch up but then also to invite me to join her in the 5k run at her campus on September 27th this coming Saturday. 5 other people that I made friends with while in high school either go to the University of Waterloo or is around that area. I decided I wanted to join in so I plan on commuting to Waterloo sometime during Friday because I have no school that day anyways.

   My Mom called me sometime earlier today and I explained to her my plan and she added in that if I don't want to go straight back to Toronto after the run Saturday, that they can pick me up and I can stay the night back at home, in Guelph. Plus I've got to get the other items I need so I agreed and will be in Guelph Saturday night then will be coming back to Toronto Sunday morning.

Until then, Fatima

P.S. Yesterday after class Varad, Cameron, and I jammed out for awhile again while Richard recorded. Varad wants to do another take of our cover of Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day mixed with Radioactive by Imagine Dragons. It could sound great if we practice more. The audio for this video wasn't very good being the reason why I didn't share this onto my Facebook page.

Screen shot thumbnail of the video on Facebook and erased our last names because this blog is public

Mobile Blogging

   So right now as the title states I am mobile blogging for the first time (downloaded Blogger app) because I've gotten lazy beyond belief. Also my family texted me an hour or so ago with very short notice saying that they are coming over tonight and staying over so I was scrambling to get their sleeping areas ready. I was suppose to see them tomorrow afternoon. Still waiting on them, almost 11:30pm now. Everyone who's here has gone to bed already. And I'm just reading a book that I took out from my campus library while I wait.

Until then, Fatima

Book I'm reading, and those are my cool Snoopy pj's

Scavenger Hunt Downtown

    Scavenger hunt?! Cameron, Scout, Richard and I created our group of 4 last Wednesday for an assignment for one of our classes. The assignment consisted of a shot list of places to go to downtown and to take pictures of certain places in different areas. It's so we can "blog" about it (made a flickr account for it) and provide information about the places we went to for marks. But before I do that I'll blog onto my own blog first. So after our only class today, political economics ended at 6:20pm, we headed down to Pape station so we could commute to and transfer to get downtown. Scout knew the way best out of all of us so we followed her.

First time taking the Southbound platform Subway

   That was my first time commuting to downtown Toronto with friends, and first time strolling about downtown since I moved to Toronto just a mere 2, almost 3 weeks ago. I was thrilled by everything I saw, all the buildings and lights looked glamorous, especially when night fall came. There were so many stores and restaurants as well, everywhere we turned. So we didn't have too much of a problem looking for the locations on our list.

Figuring out how to pose for the pictures with Scout and Richard

Smiles all around for the group selfie

   Although at one of the gardens where we were required find a monument to take a picture of, Richard got a drunk middle-aged man shout obscene things and throw crazy gestures at him...We, and Richard included, thought the man was just going to be asking him for directions but Richard said he could smell the alcohol in the man's breath while he was shouting and flailing his arms. The rest of the time we were joking around on how he cursed him and how he should probably have a rosary on him from now on and that we need to keep an eye on him in case something else happens to him. I couldn't stop laughing. It was hilarious! But he is alright. Just a little freaked out at first, but it was good to laugh about it a lot afterwards.

Me in the pretty and not sketchy Courthouse Garden (Photo credit to Scout)

Richard, Scout, and I

This view was lovely (Photo credit to Cameron)

   After finding all the things on our list and taking pictures of and with the places in the background we headed down to Eaton Center mall for their food court food for dinner. I wanted to go into Eaton's from the Dundas Square area so I can get some pictures in.

Cameron photobombing Dundas Square like a child

There's me in Dundas Square! And Cameron awkwardly standing by, lol

   All in all it was a fun time and a cool assignment. I was finally able to go downtown with friends (because they had no choice this time) but I would like to go back there again with them and others as it seemed to be the place to be.  

Until then, Fatima 

Radio Talk Show

   Today we got our second radio talk show done, we're not live yet. I think we go live in a couple weeks once we've gotten the swing of things down. We made up our own scripts and everything for the first time so that was different and interesting but it turned out alright. Our group was the first to go and we were going against technical difficulties and time. Each group of 4 needed an producer, an anchor, a sports and entertainment announcer.

   So here's some pictures of my radio talk show group, Varad, Cameron, and Justin.

View from outside recording room

Me looking over my script (Photo credit to Justin)

 My other group members Justin and Cameron

   I wanted to take a selfie with my radio talk show group but they just weren't having it (next time).

Until then, Fatima 

Kill Alex Cross

   So I started and ended the thriller novel "Kill Alex Cross" by James Patterson today. I do in fact plan on reading his other Alex Cross related novels since it was a well written read. I would describe it but you could easily find a summary of it online so it's redundant. When I was 11-14 years old I remember reading a lot of the Nancy Drew novels and comic books, I suppose I was always into the mystery genre. And yes I would like to play pretend and be a detective/spy to "investigate" on a story I made up myself.

   Unfortunately I still haven't been able to get a public library card yet because you need an addressed piece of mail to you to prove you reside in Toronto in order to register for a library card. And I don't plan on buying more books, because I read a lot, and I tend to go through books fast, especially when I get into them. All the books I do own are either bought from a used bookstore for half the price or was a gift to me. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy browsing for books in any type of bookstore though. And whenever I get books as a gift it feels more sincere because they had to think up of what kind of book I'd like to read.

   I'll just have to take out library books from my campus for now, which I haven't checked out yet so I will check that out when I go to school tomorrow...and I just remembered our professor said last week that we don't have a class tomorrow morning. I just texted Varad and Cameron to confirm whether or not they are going to our morning class and they are not so I am not either. Guess it's just my afternoon class I'm attending tomorrow. And to think I already set my alarm to wake up early tomorrow for a class I didn't even have. Thank goodness writing my blog helped me remember.

   An article from Buzzfeed's website shows a TVD (The Vampire Diaries) Season 6 Promotional Poster came out today. The new season airs Thursday, October 2nd. I think this is the best promotional poster up to date. Last season's promotional poster looked like they all were separate from each other and looked out of place so really happy with how this one turned out.

"The Vampire Diaries" Season 6 Poster

   

   I'm really scraping the barrel here for a blog entry, but to those who still check daily for my blogs, since I don't post my link onto facebook unless I actually go out, thank you. Also sorry for boring you, I'll try to come up with something better to write about.

Until then, Fatima

Slow Day

   Okay, I'm legitimately writing today's blog post half asleep. I did make it to school today to attend the classes I had. When our professor asked how the Terry Fox run interviews went, I told her it went so great that I even ran 4k with the person I interviewed. After I told her this she said something along the lines of "Hold on, I want the whole class to hear your story, that's crazy." So after the break we all went into a little semi circle and told our stories about how our Terry Fox interview's went. I shared a condensed version of my story as did everyone else but they all were amused at the fact that I ran it when I wasn't originally planning on running it (was just going to lightly jog/walk it honestly), and with the person I had just interviewed.

   At the end of our last class Varad, Cameron, and I went over to the piano in our campuses hallway so that Varad could play some nice tunes before we all headed out in the rain to go home. Varad was trying to figure out what songs we knew, and when we knew we all sang together. It was a pretty cool.

 Today just seemed like a really slow uneventful day compared to yesterday. I was suppose to read the mystery novel I bought from a used bookstore just the other day but I wouldn't have been able to focus on the story because I am still exhausted from yesterday. I don't have school tomorrow though so yay for sleeping in. I was actually considering just sleeping now and forgetting about my blog but hey, I'm trying to make this a daily piece. It would be interesting to look back on these in a year and see what progress I've made in my life.

Until then, Fatima

P.S. I realized I didn't take any pictures pertaining to anything I did today, mostly because I didn't actually do anything today or was just too tired and lazy to think up of something to take a picture of. So here's just another picture of the view I took yesterday at Woodbine before Terry Fox's Marathon Of Hope began.

Marathon Of Hope

   Today was the 24th year of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope. As I was saying in the previous blog posts I had an assignment today to go down to one of the many Terry Fox run's throughout Toronto for one of my journalism classes to interview a runner. But first I'm going to start off with how my day started and add on from there.

   I only got 5 hours of sleep (pre-interview day jitters). Shortly after my Ninang (godmother) Precy told me that I should start getting ready since her and my Ninong (godfather) Felix were going to drive me there before he went to work. So I pulled myself into the shower and got dressed warmly since it was only 8°C out there.
 
   After we left the house at 6:30am, we arrived at Woodbine Beach at around 7:10am. So I was there an hour before registration even started at 8:15am. The Subway opens at 9am so that was actually my only way of getting there on time. The volunteers were already there as well setting up their stations. I may be volunteering next year if I don't run it. What I didn't mind was watching the beautiful sunrise.

Encounter With A Strange Stranger 

 
   After sitting down and waiting awhile for registration to open, there was an old guy on the beach named Roger with his large 2 year old guard dog named Boss. He came over to where I was sitting and introduced himself. He talked about his son and how he's a a police officer that's living in Mississauga with his girlfriend and newborn child. He also said that he can't believe he's a grandpa now, that it was only just yesterday he remembered his son was in a police officer training school.

    He asked for my phone number to keep in touch before I left, but I told him sorry but no because he was a stranger I had just met. He exclaimed it wasn't like we were getting married, he was an dramatic old man. He's said that with his dog he just sleeps on the beach benches some nights for fun...You would think that would freak me out, which it slightly did, but I did enjoy listening to stories about his family and his knowledge of the various things he's seen on the beach. 

Registration

   I was still a bit early for registration but it was opening soon enough so I just stayed in the registration area until it opened. And when it did open I was one of the first to register and make a donation. I had asked if one of them could spare a moment for me to interview for school but they were all busy which was understandable. So that meant I actually had to make an effort to single out a runner to interview before it began. Come 8:30am, half an hour more until the run began, more people started filing to register and waited in front of the designated areas for the run to start.

Finding My Runner

   I didn't really want to single out a person to interview, nor did I really know how to. I was just awkwardly standing alone and looking around to where everyone was waiting for the go to start. I heard some Tagalog dialect being spoken and I, almost instinctively, turned to where the conversation was coming from. There was a Filipino father and his daughter standing just a few feet away from me. I kept debating whether or not I should head over there and ask the daughter who looked around my age if she was able to be interviewed. A lot of the people I've seen in the waiting area are with family or friends in groups and I didn't want to single out one group member so she was a good candidate to ask.

   As I started to head over they went towards the refreshments area so I thought guess I'm not interviewing her. So I walked around a bit, but when I got back to the spot I was in before I saw that they had returned to their spot as well. So it was do or die and I headed over there. I told her it's for school and she immediately leaped at the chance to help me out.

   A man saw that I took a picture of Eve in front of this sign (he didn't know if it was required for school) and offered that he could take the picture of the both of us on my phone. I said sure if Eve doesn't mind and she didn't. She was very sweet and helped me plenty on the interview. I'm not going into what I asked and what she answered in the interview as it will all be edited and uploaded onto my college's blogging website sometime by the end of the week for marks. 

 It was 8:50am and we still had time to kill so we both headed over to the area where a crowd of runners were doing warm ups the announcer was telling and showing them how to do. There was music playing and I was alongside Eve following the same exercises as everyone else.

Marathon of Hope

   Just before we headed out to the front of the start line Eve asked me if I was jogging alone as well. I said I was and she said if I was jogging I may as well join her. She said this was her first time running a marathon and said her Dad was just there to take pictures and of course for moral support. So the horn went off and off we went to run the 5k Marathon of Hope together. We ran 4k then walked the remaining 1k. I wanted to walk during the 2k mark but she didn't let me. She said "Come on girl, you can do it!" and I responded with "Um...you can go ahead please. I may start walking from here on." but she wouldn't leave me to it so we ran and we ran until we both had to stop to catch our breaths and drink water. 

Eve wanted to take this closeup picture of the names we're running for

   Eve said we finished our 5k in just 45 minutes, I didn't believe her until I checked the time. I just couldn't believe we made it that fast. Afterwards Eve and I still had some energy in us but not enough so we decided to do it again, but this time jogging first, then speed walking, and then slowing it down into a walk. We even took some detours the second time around, and even saw monarch butterflies. Eve told me that I should blog about the story that I told her about what my Mom told me about monarch butterflies so here's an aside. 

   My Tito Manny died of cardiac arrest on August 9th, 2014. It was near the end of August and my Mom found a monarch butterfly and usually you don't see much of those. Then I heard her say "Hi, Tito Manny! Wow! How are you? I see you're passing through and checking up on us. Thank you, we love you!" And I was confused and asked "Mom, why are you talking to that butterfly like it's Tito Manny, are you ok..." She told me that when you see a monarch butterfly it symbolizes the deceased passing through onto their next lives.

   Eve and I got told the 2nd time we went around the 5k route from the volunteers that a whole bunch of monarch butterflies were spotted just a turn away. We turned and we saw plenty of them! A whole bunch were perched in two trees beside each other and just flying freely all around that area. It was an unreal moment. I told Eve it may be some of the runners deceased loved ones, that seems poetic in it's own way. Speaking of poetic I haven't written a poem in awhile so when I've got the time I should get back to that. 

 We also went by a little spot where the boats were, although for some reason it wasn't easy to find the 2nd time around, but you can even see downtown a little farther down from it which was a pleasant view and while taking a break we even took some selfie's on her phone. Afterwards we bused back and took the Subway together since we were both heading Eastbound.

Part of the picture collage she made for her instagram

   Thanks so much Eve for helping me out on my very first interview for my college's journalism program. I appreciate you sticking by me the entire time today and giving me some pointers on the differences between life styles and choices and how I can keep them in order, I'll keep all you said to me in mind. You have a kind heart and I hope that all of your future plans and goals fall into place. Again a sincere thank you for helping me out.

   Since I've been blogging I've been getting nothing but positive feedback from many of you, even from those who I haven't necessarily spoken to in awhile. I am filled with love for each and every one of you who support me and wish me luck and my endeavors. Thank you. Never be shy to tell me you've read my posts and if you have any questions or comments then please do message me. 

   Today gave me a lot of hope. And I hope that with every year, Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope will have yet to inspire another person to run, pledge, or donate towards finding the cure for cancer.

Until then, Fatima 

Soup Weather

   Call it what you will, hoodie season, pumpkin spice latte time, or soup weather, although Fall officially begins on the 22nd it seems to be already coming to us full speed ahead. Soon enough you'll be seeing many of us wearing over-sized sweaters, cute scarfs, and beanies, seeing Halloween decorations being sold everywhere, and from what I've seen at Starbucks they've begun selling their wildly popular pumpkin spice latte's.

   Today I didn't do much. I opened my textbooks from the plastic wrap and read over a bit. I've listed several questions to ask my Terry Fox runner during my interview tomorrow morning at around 8:00am because the Marathon of Hope starts at 8:15am. Going to be listening to some more interviews done at last year's Terry Fox run on Centennial's blogging website so I can get a good idea on how it's going to go.

   Today I headed out with my godmother Precy and Katie to get some Pho soup (Vietnamese type soup) for dinner, since it was chilly out it was definitely soup weather. Afterwards Katie and I went to a Starbucks where I got a cafe latte and Katie got a cake pop and a sample pumpkin spice latte.

The Pho we had tasted great

   Shortly after getting home and just messaging some friends I got caught up with the latest MTV's Teen Wolf episode online. That finale was crazy... ***Spoiler Alert*** My heart stopped when I thought the character Derek Hale got killed off. Fun fact I share the same birthday as Tyler Hoechlin, the actor who plays Derek.

How do you kill off this face?? (You don't)

   Now I'm just going to be prepping myself for tomorrow. Hopefully I do alright for my first interview assignment. Going to be writing some notes pertaining to Terry Fox and saving directions of how to get there and back on my phone. I feel like I need to end all my entries with some type of goal for myself so my "Until then, Fatima" sign off makes sense. I want to help carve a pumpkin.

Until then, Fatima

Keep walking, Fatima

   "Keep walking, Fatima." That's what I told myself several times today and I partially listened. Like I've said in the previous blog I had to go to my school today to pick up a voice recording device for an assignment this Sunday and also to purchase the textbooks I'm required to have for my classes. After having done my errands for today you would think I'd go home to my godmother's because I had 3 textbooks and my laptop in my backpack I had to carry, not to mention the recording device in a separate bag.

  Well I didn't. I decided I'd walk down to Pape station and decide where to go from there. On my way there I passed by this lovely flower shop where this employee was helping an old lady pick a flower. Then I thought why not just look at the flowers up close, they look real nice. I walked over into the flower viewing section right outside the shop and of course I got suckered into buying one.

  Afterwards I kept walking on Pape Street until I hit Carlaw Avenue and then Danforth Road. Chad, this Turkish guy I met on the Subway awhile back told me that the area around where my campus was is a highly populated with Greek people and culture. As soon as I turned onto Carlaw and Danforth I noticed this to be true. But oh just before I went further down the street to explore more there was a Baskin Robins at the corner that I just had to go in and buy ice cream to eat. So I took my one scoop ice cream in a waffle cone and sat outside and put down my bags in the chair beside me and my plant in the table in front of me.

Pralines and Cream will always be my favourite at Baskin Robins

Glad to have a rest from holding onto all these

   
 The further I walked down Carlaw onto Danforth there was a lot of restaurants and some stores mostly pertaining to having something to do with Greek culture. So I kept walking down Danforth street. I believe somewhere before the corner of Danforth Rd and Playter Blvd there was a fountain and some seating areas around it so I thought it looked cute and took a breather there before walking a bit more down Danforth.  

Cute little hangout place

Shortly after walking a little bit more I decided to head back to Pape station. On my way there I stopped by a Shoppers and a Bulk Barn. I couldn’t find anything of interest to me in Shoppers but I went into Bulk Barn and got the chocolates I almost always purchase whenever I go there. Actually it was Katrina (family friend) who introduced me to these awhile back.

I really tried to walk past Bulk Barn

  As I was getting nearer to Pape station, just before I crossed the street to where the station was I saw this quote on a sign in front of a used bookstore. And I was like huh, that looks tumblr worthy I’m going to take a picture of it. So I took a picture of it and started walking to Pape, I even told myself “Keep walking, Fatima.” 0.1 second later I turned around and went into the bookstore to search for a mystery novel. So there I was in the store gawking at all the books and I found one and purchased it. I told the cashier that I was suppose to be at Pape by now but I kept getting distracted and that I would definitely be back to shop at this store. And then me being as forgetful as I am almost forgot to take my purchased book so the lady called me back and said not to worry and that she’s done that several times as well.

Saved $8.50 buying this used

  Anyways after commuting I finally got to my godmother's place and unloaded all my stuff. I found a place for the plant to be put and I glared at my textbooks I purchased, I have 2 more textbooks I need to get and the nice old man who's in charge of selling in the bookstore said that they'll be coming in sometime next week and to come by again then, and that if they aren't he's going to have a word or 2 with the people in charge of delivering them.

Blue Aster Hybrid plant has a home :)

3/5 College Textbooks

So that concludes my Friday, I've just been editing this blog post and listening to Kina Grannis' Elements album as per usual. I believe tomorrow I will making my way down to Woodbine beach just so I'm sure on how to get to it for my assignment Sunday morning. Also I've been having technical difficulties on editing this blog so if some things are out of whack that's why, hopefully I won't have the same problem as I had today tomorrow.

Until then, Fatima

P.S. Thanks to the 138 views on my last blog post?? Pretty sure more than half of those are just from me editing and rechecking though...but to those who actually did read my last post thanks! That's cool of you.

First Post + Happy Birthday To Me

   How do I start one of these? Never mind I'll just go with it. It's my 18th birthday today and what did I do? I'll write about it but first I'll give a little update about my life. I moved to Toronto on Monday, September 1st, 2014 because I accepted my acceptance at Centennial college (Story Arts center campus) for journalism. School started on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014. 

     Moving day was two days before school started and I probably should have moved in sooner than that but my friend who shares the same name as me, Fatima, visited Guelph from Winnipeg and after four years of not having seen her I obviously had to stay a little longer to. So come September 1st my family dropped me off and I moved in with my godmother Precy and her two children Katie and her older brother Kevin. I share a room with Katie. And I am grateful to them everyday for allowing me to stay here for a little while for school. My godmother Precy even made pancit (Filipino noodles) for dinner today and Katie helped her pick out a birthday cake for me which was really sweet of them to do.

   Before moving I actually made one friend named Varad from the facebook group for Centennial college. On the first day of class I met him, and then made another friend named Cameron. Varad introduced himself to Cameron and then Cameron introduced himself to Varad and to myself. Now me being the ever so social person that I am (sarcasm) forgot to say something. So after Cameron introduced himself there was some silence until I realized the right thing to do is to introduce myself as well. So I introduced myself by just saying "Fatima.". Varad made fun of the way I introduced myself to Cameron later on. Oh yeah, and Varad and Cameron's birthdays are in September as well but they're a year older.

    Classes were chill. I have a pretty easy schedule. My commute is less than an hour, 40 minutes was the quickest time. I get Tuesdays and Fridays off. Also I have classes with all the same 21 or so people except for one class where a majority of us are split into 3 different classes. Varad, Cameron and I are actually part of the youngest people in our class demographic, many of the others are a few years older. As the days go on I made some other friends as well, their names are Scout and Jasmine. Scout, as I guessed, was named after Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird so I thought that was pretty cool. 

    Now that I'm basically up to speed on how things are going. I guess I can say what I did today. Which was... nothing. Practically nothing, just went to my one 3 hour class in the evening I had today, political economics, fun stuff. Also I was going to wear a dress today but the weather foiled my plan because it was chilly out. Afterwards I made Varad and Cameron walk with me to the nearest RBC bank before heading home since I wanted to withdraw some money. But before then we stopped by some shawarma place and Cameron bought a shawarma wrap. And I don't remember why, I was probably bugging Cameron and he was complaining but I said "Deal with it. You're both stuck with me for the next 3 years." and one of the customer's heard me and laughed. 

    I don't actually have class tomorrow but I'm going to anyways (never thought I'd say that) since I'm going to be buying textbooks from their bookstore and picking up a voice recording device I'm renting out for the weekend for my Terry Fox Run interview assignment this Sunday. Our assignment is to interview any runner in our designated placements for one of our classes. I didn't get my first choice place because 4 other people in my class are from Scarborough so got my 2nd choice which is at Woodbine beach. 

   Today I was spammed with a lot of lovely birthday messages mixed with some good lucks in Toronto, thank you all. I'm expecting some skype calls later on from friends so will be waiting on those (hopefully I don't fall asleep since I'm kind of already tired) also going to reply to some more birthday messages I've gotten on facebook. Well that ends my first blog post. It's a bit long but that's because I wanted to update a little. Plus I write like a talk, so a lot. Hopefully this will be a daily thing which will require me to actually go out and get a life. 

Until then, Fatima 

Me. Varad on piano. Cameron on laptop

Thanks to my Ninang (godmother) Precy & Katie for the cake