Treasure Beach, Jamaica :)

I will leave from the Toronto Pearson Airport and fly to Jamaica, flying air Jamaica most likely. First class of course. I will travel mostly by foot and use a rental car when needed, hopefully a Ferrari. Since I will be staying mostly at Treasure Beach I will be staying at the Golden Sands Beach Hotel, and have a nice little house right on Treasure Beach itself. I will visit the Pelican Bar probably every day to meet new people and because it is located on a sandbar just off the coat of Treasure Beach and that seems amazing. I would also like to visit the Gourie Forest Reserve because it sounds incredibly interesting. I would love to see inside the caves and hike the trails in the forest because nature and history sparks my interest.  I would also go to the Jack Sprat Café which is conveniently located on Treasure Beach where I will be staying. I would also visit the other beaches in the Treasure Beach Location. Some other museums and historical sites that I could venture out and visit are Dennis Abrahams Boat Tours, Villa Bella Tours, and Marshall’s pen Great House. I will eat at the Pelican Bar and the New Den restaurant mostly eating seafood and Jamaican specialty foods. 

 

Travel Writing Activity

a.) The author hooks the reader by going into a detailed description of where she is and what she is doing. “You are sure with one false step you’ll plummet off the edge.” She also explains why she is climbing to the Kingdom of Bhutan and that she had been there before. The severity of falling attracts the reader’s attention because they want to know why it is so easy to fall and where she is.            
b.) “I’ve got on my thick-soled boots, an ugly long black down coat with a hood, and six layers of clothing underneath.” This quotation not only gets the reader to envision what she is wearing and what it looks like but it gets them to feel how heavy six layers of clothing is by just imagining this.
            “Slight, frail seniors navigate the twists and turns and inclines deftly from memory, in a fraction of the time it takes foreigners half their age.” In this quotation the reader can picture a slight frail senior as she described travelling uphill because of her use of descriptive language.
           
c.) There was no dialogue used in this travel writing piece.

d.) The Bhutanese people live off the land and prosper greatly from their farming. They are of Buddhist decent and have a sacred temple in Taktsang that many people travel to pray/meditate in because it is said that if you go there to pray you will be cleansed and renewed. Taktsang is said to give the people that   visit great blessings for travelling 10,000 ft be foot to reach the temple and   village itself.

e.) I would love to visit Taktsang because I would want to know what it would feel like to be cleansed of your past and given renewal. I would also love to see the Bhutanese’s way of life because it seems very withdrew from modern society and I am interested in how the culture lives primarily off the land. I also think other religions are quite interesting and would want to know more about the Buddhist religion and the people.  

f.) This author is very descriptive when she retells her journey. She touches all the five senses throughout her piece and it is almost as if you are there with her experiencing and seeing the sites she is describing. Her use of word choice engages the reader from start to finish and there is never a dull moment in her story.

g.) Into Sacred Air by: Lisa Napoli:

         

            http://www.worldhum.com/features/travel-stories/into-sacred-air-taktsang-bhutan-20120409/
           

                                                 Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan. Photo by Goran via Flickr

Cheesy Grossness

Cheese Whiz is something that I have only tried once and it was absolutely vomatrocious. It made me incredibly sick and I cannot understand how people enjoy it. I mean eating it on a cracker is one thing but just treating it like it’s peanut butter and gulping down spoonfuls at a time is certainly another. It is disgusting. The texture of it is like rubber almost like you have to chew this creamy cheese mix in order to swallow it, although it is claimed to be ‘creamy’ it is more like a paste…lies. It is just another way of ruining cheese, processing it yet again to mask what a great creation cheese actually is. I bet there isn’t even real cheese in it.

Cheese Whiz is by far the nastiest thing Kraft has ever produced, next to their spray cheese which is just as bad. People actually spray cheesy goo all over their meals! Whether it is a pasta sauce or spread on top of a taco either way they are all quite gross. I can recall the one and only time I indulged in the terrors of Cheese Whiz and it was in kindergarten during snack. Every Friday someone would bring in a treat for snack and boy was in for one that week…. My best friend brought in celery with guess what on top? Cheese Whiz…. Ugh. I was her best friend so I felt obligated to eat it even though my stomach was saying DON’T YOU DARE, but I had to we were best friends. So I decided to reach for the smallest one when she came around with it so that I could eat it all in one bite. To my disadvantage they were all huge. At least 3 inches long I’d say. So I braced myself for the worst took one with a smile and placed it on my napkin.

I didn’t want to eat it at all. I was even going to try and hide it in my napkin and just throw it away but then she came and sat down… I was trapped and so I picked it up, bit into it eyes closed and chewed and chewed until I could quickly swallow it. The worst was over and I opened them to see that my friend had gotten up so I stealthily slipped the rest of the contaminated celery stick into my napkin and bolted for the garbage. I was safe but there was an aftertaste in my mouth that I will never forget. The Cheese Whiz had created a coating around my mouth and I needed to be rid of it fast so I chugged my Capri Sun and was finally at peace.

I can honestly say that I have not tried Cheese Whiz ever since kindergarten and do not intend to for the rest of my life. If you like Cheese Whiz that’s okay each to his/her own I guess, I just find it sickening.

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Bon Cop Bad Cop

     In my Opinion the film "Bon Cop Bad Cop" was quite entertaining. The opening was my favourite part because it got my attention as a viewer, especially seeing the contrast between the two main characters David Bouchard (Patrick Huard) and Martin Ward (Colm Feore). Bouchard is a French detective who is somewhat rebellious and plays by his own rules where as Ward is a detective representing the Ontario Provincial Police who is a by the book kind of guy.



     Bouchard                                                                        Ward

     Their differences clash right from the beginning of the film and when they become partners to work on the "Tattoo Killer" case their personalities annoy the other creating tesnsion between them. The tension gives off a comical feel because they are always attempting to have one up on the other. Through the course of the film they become closer and more understanding of why each of them acts they way they do and the two become closer. They meet eachothers families and they end up fighting for the life of Bouchards daughter Gabrielle who was captured by the Tattoo Killer. The characters were played very well by both Huard and Feore whose acting contributed to making the film a success.
     The plot was somewhat predicatble because from the beginning the viewer could tell that Bouchard and Ward's apths would cross and they would somehow be involved with eachother throughout the film. The plot thickened when they presumed their first suspect Luc Therrien, dead from having been blown up in the back of Bouchard's trunk. Little did the audience know that Luc had escaped and made an appearance at the end of the film.
     Overall the film was enjoyable mostly because of the relationship that Bouchard and Ward developed throughout the  film and they made the film very enjoyable with their acting skills. Bad acting skills is something that makes or breaks a movie and I'm sure there are other out there that share this opinion and in Bon Cop Bad Cop the acting was very well done and made the movie very comical. I laughed a lot but there were also times where I felt sorry for both Bouchard and Ward, the variety of feelings I felt throughout this movie contributed to why I found it so enjoyable.

If you haven't seen it. See it.

Four O'Clock is Tea Time

      Every Friday Gracie and her momma go to tea at Phidellia's down on Peel Street for four o'clock sharp. When they walk through the doors they always creak just a little and the floor creaks a lot. They always sit at the same spot by the window on the far right side with the old chandelier with the paint chipping on the sides. Glenn the owner brings out cookies freshly baked from the kitchen and sprinkles then with icing sugar to give them that extra sweet flavour.
     Today Glenn handed them a new menu! He said that they were going to test the new dishes on their best customers. Gracie was glad to know that they were considered one of Phidellia's best customers and happily looked through the new menu. She saw that they had crepes! Crepes was hands down her favourite meal ever and she just had to try them here.
       Glenn returned to take their order and drop of their teas. Gracie ordered her crepes and Glenn told her that that was a good choice and there was a special ingredient that they just added to them this morning. Gracie smiled and wondered what the secret ingredient could possibly be... hmmmm.
       When the crepes came out, they looked marvellous. Two beautiful  crepes with ice cream on top and little whipped cream swirls then of course- icing sugar. As she was eating them she thought to herself about the secrect ingredient. What could it be? They were extra sweet so it must have something to do with sugar she concluded. When they were finished Glenn returned and gave them two swiss chocolates syaing "There's always room for chocoate" as he always did at every end of every meal.
     As they were leaving Gracie asked Glenn what the secrect was and he replied with a smile, "It's a secrect so I guess you'll have to come back and try them again, see you nect Friday at four o'clock sharp!" And with that Gracie and her mother skipped out of the shop and down the street, looking forward to next Friday at Phidellia's.



How to Consume a Pizza Pop Without Completely Burning off your Tongue

          I'm sure I am not the only one who has managed to singe their tongue on a beautiful cheesy, saucy,soft, meat filled pocket of goodness that has just been freshly microwaved only a few seconds before it is shoved into ones mouth. In fact this happens quite often to not only myself but others I know. Though there are ways of preventing it and they are as follows:

          Firstly I advise you to microwave them in stages- for instance heat it up for one minute and then remove it from the microwave, take a fork and puncture it a few times with the ends so that it can release that hot air trapped inside. Then place it back in and heat it up for another minute.
         
          DO NOT SHOVE IT IN YOUR MOUTH RIGHT AFTER THE LAST MINUTE IS OVER.

        Shoving the Pizza Pocket in your mouth only sets you up for failure and pain. As hungry as you are you must think It just came out of the microwave.... it is going to be hot. Not only will it be hot it will be BURNING HOT. So give it a chance to cool off a little. Pour yourself a glass of chocolate milk because really what better beverage is there? Take a few sips and then fetch a fork and knife.

         With your fork and knife you can slice the pocket in half and then into quarters, possibly sixths depending on the size- this way you will not have the mouth watering filling surprisingly explode in your mouth when you sink your teeth into the pocket. This has happened to me many a time and it ruins the rest of the experience because your tongue is too burnt to even taste the rest that the pocket has to offer you.

        Next you should venture through the fridge for some cheese that you can shred- preferably mozzarella to be melted on top. If you have the luxury of having pre-shredded cheese then be sure to use to use it to save time. Sprinkle the cheese gently over top of the nicely cut pocket and then choose a nice comfortable spot to seat yourself while enjoying your pocket. I usually choose my basket chair because it is the most comfortable seat in the house, it is like sitting on top of a cloud.

        Don't forget your utensiles and chocolate milk! Now you are ready to successfully eat your much anticipated meal of a Pizza Pocket. Indulge and love it. You will find that having pre-cut it eliminates the possibility of burning your tongue and letting it cool was also another contributing factor. That extra cheese is quite the addition and makes your mouth water just that much more.

       You are satisfied and can consume the pocket without the fear of harming your poor tongue.

Success.

    

      

This will not be you.

France Bound

     In less than six days I will be boarding a plane to France! I am so excited it's crazy, in fact it's not even real yet. Only when I touch downin the Paris airport will it be real. Not when I arrive to Pearson airport, not when the plane takes off, only when I can see the Eiffel Tower from a birds eye view up in the sky will this trip be real to me. It's probably going to be around 7 AM when we arrive because of the time difference.
     I'm so happy my best friend and I are going together because it's going to be the best thing that has ever happened to us both in our lives to date.
     Jeeze I have to pack but I don't even know how! I mean I want to bring nice clothes but I don't want to bring too much because of shopping :):):):)! Oh golly jee that's going to be the best thing, SHAPPING and seeing the beautiful sites of course. We're going to see all of the historical sites from Wolrd War II and I am bringing my beautiful Canon Rebel t2i so I can document every moment of it.
     I wish I had a fisheye lense but I'll make do with the ones I've got. I think it would just be amazing to take photos of France with a fisheye lense because they're amazing. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I can't pack. I'm just to pumped. You know that feeling when you can't think about anything because you're just too excited? Well that's me right now until next week. vhdipgh isd ghiosd[a. - That's my brain attempting to explain my excitment.
     The worst part is next week I have SO MANY projects due. For English mainly and Writer's Craft.... I have my essay outline for my ISU due on Monday and then I have my ISU presentation and an Interview due Wednesday! Good thing I'm done my presentation... except the bibliography. Oh well that's not too hard. Wish me luck!
     In the meantime here are some beautiful photos of two of the many sites I will be seeing in France.



BUFFERING = THE WORST

     One of my biggest pet peeves is buffering. It is so unnecessary and always happens at the most inconvenient times. I hate it. For instance when I am on the computer or my phone and I am listening to a song on YouTube and then all of a sudden it freezes and the evil highlighted circle pops up and gives you grief. It has happened during in class presentations when I have shown a video and it was the best part of the whole presentation! Guess what? I had to stop it and then re-start the whole video because there was no other solution. How inconvenient!
     Another time my music was playing and then right as my favourite part was coming up it stopped and it was rather annoying because I couldn't get it to play without skipping! Skipping is almost worse than buffering because you only hear tid bits at a time and they sound terrible. There was a time when I was driving with the windows down and singing along to my C.D. and out of the blue it stopped and started to skip. The worst part was I was stopped at a stop light and I was still singing as it skipped...... everyone was looking and it was quite embarrassing..... ooopps :S
     I'm sure that other agree when I say buffering is one of the most terrible things that happens on a daily basis and if there was a way to stop it that we would.

This is the expression my face ttakes on when buffering occurs.......Amen

Where did V-Day even come from anyway?

     Well Valentine's Day was like it has been for the last three years.... me my best friend and the movies. Oh and last year we went to Build-A-Bear hahahaha. This year I almost did nothing for Valentine's Day but then last minute my best friend and I went to see Safe House and we're both in love with Ryan Reynolds (WHO ISN'T?!) so it was perfect.
     I think the idea of Valentine's Day is cute but it was originally to remember St. Valentine who was executed on February 14th way back in the day. He was sent to jail for his religion and the jail guard got him to teach his blind daughter because he was a very intellectual being and could help her. One day when they were together she claimed that she could see light and then that she saw and was no longer blind. The day that Valentine was sentenced to to die came shortly after that and he gave Julia a letter and signed it as "De tu Valentino" - from your Valentine and this is where the whole Valentine's Day card thing came from and that it was an act of affection.
     what i find funny is that the whole thing means something totally different now. The whole day has been modernised so that couples buy eachother expensive lavish gifts and go out for nice dinners and singles like me hangout with their friends. I dont mind it at all I just find it funny how a day that marked someone great's death can be turned into a day of love and expensive gifts and chocolate.



     I'm not complaining though he he he.

Today is Not my Day

     day I am particularly bored and unenthusiastic about doing anything active, and yes I'm counting sitting in a chair inside a classroom as being active. I don’t really understand why I am so dead today but you know sometimes you just have those days when you are TOTALLY OUT OF IT. I am most definitely totally out of it. I don’t understand it either because I got a good sleep last night, a whole nine hours! Most nights I kill to just get six! Anything less than six hours and I am not a real person for the next two days at least. It’s like I turn into a Zombie and my mind is on autopilot for the whole day.



     Then there is work……………………………… eek. I have to be alive for work so all the energy I have goes into being an amazing swimming instructor and coach. Sometimes when I’m guarding I want to fall asleep (but I don’t). Plus today is a Wednesday, the middle of the school week. Half of me thinks the week just started two days ago dreading that there’s still two more to go and the other half is having a party because there are only two more days left!
     I’m also not very focused today, my brain is like mush and on sleep mode. Every time  I try and focus I get into an interesting conversation with one of my friends. For instance on my spare this morning I was supposed to finish my English paragraph due tomorrow and goodness I’m lucky if I’m going to get it done in time because lo and behold I work tonight. Big surprise there. But that’s life right? I am happy with it I’m just super tired and today is going by at the pace of molasses being poured out a carton- nice and leisurely.

Young Wild and Free... at 27 Years old.

     Jeeze I DO NOT want to think about how old I am going to be in ten years! Basically twenty-eight years old! I am going to be ancient. My goodness, well at least I’ll be successful. I plan to have my life going quite well by the time I’m twenty-seven. I’ll be done school and hopefully I will be working for a corporation of some sort as a Journalist. I will already have been to many places around the world and will be continuing travelling for my job and most likely not in a relationship, just because I will never be home. I’ll settle down later, and maybe have kids? Being a teenager I don’t really think about my wedding or having a family and children. I see all of that as sort of a thing that could happen in my life but I don’t think it will for a while.

     I’ll still have long blonde hair and it will be all natural still (I have vowed to never dye my hair). I will hopefully be tanned for the better part of the year from all of my travels. I want to make it big, and what I mean by that is having a successful career and making people want me to work for them. I already know that I will be very passionate about my career and this will definitely help my status as a Journalist by being good at what I do. I think I’ll be visiting Greece as often as possible because it’s beautiful. I will still be really close with my family and visit them as much as I can and hopefully I’ll be close with my sisters as well. J   ]

Oh the Places I Would go!

     If I were to be famous I think I would choose to be in the shoes of a famous writer such as J.K. Rowling or Stephen King. I would choose to be a writer over an actress or singer because writer's get different publicity than actress' and singers in my opinion. The Paparazzi tend to try and get the dirt on many celebrities to show every side of their life and I feel that they leave the writer’s of the world have their own life but still be famous for their work. I would choose to be famous for being an undercover journalist in foreign countries reporting on worldly events. I’ve always had an eye for an exciting job and I think that being an undercover journalist would be the perfect occupation. (I don’t even know if “undercover journalists” exist).

     With my new found fame I would educate the public on what’s going on in other countries so that people can know the facts and then base their judgements off that. I wouldn’t call it fame but more so just being known for doing something great. I would associate myself with people who share the same views as I do, well actually anyone who was interested in knowing something about my travels. Being a journalist is what I want to be and I am going to school for it so I think that this was probably based off of my interests. Heh. J

I want to go everywhere. :):):):)

Soundtrack to my Life

"I'll miss the playgrounds and the animals and digging up worms I'll miss the comfort of my mother and the weight of the world I'll miss my sister, miss my father, miss my dog and my home Yeah, I'll miss the boredom and the freedom and the time spent alone." - MGMT (The Management)

MGMT- Time to Pretend (photo from the music video)

     These lyrics describe what I feel I am going to sometimes be thinking about when in university next year from time to time. Even though I'm so pumped to be out in the world alone (well not alone but you know what I mean) making my own decisions and finding my own way, I think I'll for sure find myself missing all of the above, especially the comfort of my Mother <333. I already do miss my childhood where nothing mattered all that much and I in fact did go dig up worms in my backyard and then made mud homes for them. hahahaha.

                I also interpret that the song is saying that life is short so go make it the best by saying;

"This is our decision, to live fast and die young. We've got the vision, now let's have some fun."

     If you know what you want to do go out and make it happen so that you can accomplish something in your life and be proud.

 

"Yeah, it's overwhelming, but what else can we do. Get jobs in offices, and wake up for the morning commute."

     This line just makes me think of getting old and what adulthood is going to be like... so routine. But I guess it's like being a kid and going to school everyday, in the sense of having a routine and then again it's so much more. This song is like my life because I was young once and didn't have a care in the world and then I started growing up and let go of my childhood and having dreams and visions about my life to come. Then one day I will wake up and go to work but I'll enjoy ever second of it because it'll be something I love to do.