Officially Summer

I love reading. I always have. As a kid, I used to camp out in my school’s library [seriously, that is not an exaggeration] reading books during lunch and recess time. During winter break, I would read. During summer, I would read [and watch TV and play random games with my siblings, but those stories are for another day]. Books were –and still are – a way for me to explore new things, learn about new people, and have adventures in my head. I read more than I watched TV.

You know what I like about a good book? Whether or not you realise it, good books always leave some sort of an impression on you. People are born as empty pails, and as they grow the pail starts to get filled with things – water and such (actually, we’re more complex than just a pail, probably more like an elaborate system of tubes and pipes and what not, but let’s stick to “pail” to keep it simple, k?). Everything you experience in life adds stuff to the pail and makes you who you are (ok, maybe not EVERYTHING, but hopefully you get a point). A book, if it ranks high-ish on the “zero to awesome” scale, will add a drop of water to your pail of life. Either that, or, it’ll just make you feel good for a while.

For me, summer always officially begins once I have completed reading my first book [the part of me that is madly in love with reading goes into hibernating during the school year due to the fact that once I pick up a good book, I can’t put it down; all life – fine, almost all life – goes on hold until I finish reading my book]. That day, ladies and gentlemen, was yesterday. And it is for that reason that I am proud to present to you: Sonika’s Summer ’08.

Now, all I need to do is find a job.

Of Bus Rides and Rainy Days

For people living in the city, I imagine that public transit is like God’s gift to humanity. I, however, live in the suburbs, where public transit is one of the crappiest services offered by the town. Public transit in the suburbs is: a) never on time, b) not frequent (i.e. if you miss a bus you’ll be waiting at least 20 minutes for the next one to come. And that’s on the busy streets during rush hour), and c) crazily expensive. I’ve been using public transit ever since I was in grade nine (I went to a school that was 15 minutes away from me by car and 45 minutes away by bus), so I’ve gotten used to the long waits and the unreliability of it all.

Anyways, yesterday morning (rainy, Friday mornings are always the best kind) I was taking the bus back home from a thing at a friend’s house. It was actually a very unique experience. The first bus driver was really nice and smiley with the whole “Good morning” and “Have a nice day” attitude, which is not rare, but its definitely not the norm. [But, then again, my experience with bus drivers is limited to busy rush hour times when all the passengers are either: a) annoyingly loud and obnoxious teenagers that try to hard to look good and fit in, but will never admit it, b) shy teens that quietly show their monthly bus pass and then grab a seat next to the window so that they can pretend to be invisible and hopefully won’t get bothered by group A, c) busy middle-aged working adults, half of which look really tired and have premature wrinkles on their forehead, and maybe, if you’re lucky you might be able to spot d) a senior citizen.]

The second bus driver was… hmm… how to put it… waaaaaay to happy to be normal. There was an elderly Asian couple that got on the bus before me, and he was all like “HELLO!!!! GOOD MORNING! HOW ARE YOU?!”. Seriously, this guy was way too happy for it to be a rainy Friday morning in May. Either he was: a) high, b) drunk, c) popping loads of antidepressants/behavioural meds that make you super happy at first but suicidal after chronic use, or d) genuinely happy to see them. I vote for C. Reminds me of our OCD, overachiever principal last year that was always smiling, but could never sit still.

Walking from the bus stop to my home sweet home (<3)>

Now the same story from the worms’ point of view:

We’re sitting quietly, minding our own business on the nice wet pavement, when this crazy big giant girl pokes us with a log. She then proceeds to “carry us” (more like a dangling rollercoaster) on the log and throws us onto the grass, which is over flowing with wetness, so we drown to death.

Of Being Tagged

So, I was tagged in this meme thing by my homefry Jessica of SoSupercilious. I have to tell seven random facts about myself that not many people know. Hmm.. this shall be interesting (by interesting I mean boring. I could never make seven random facts about myself sound cool):

1) I love snails. Yeah, I think they are really cute. The sliminess definitely adds to their cuteness. Oh and the fact that they are slow. And they have shells. And they don’t have eyes!

2) My “ring toes” are crooked. Both of them bend inwards, underneath the other toes. It might sound weird, but I think it looks ok. Oh, and yes, I was born like that. No crazy science experiments, no vat of nuclear waste, no mother grabbing me by the ankle, hanging me upside down and dipping me into a river of the underworld.

3) Not many people know this, it’s kind of funny if you know me, but if you don’t its completely random and pointless. I own a pair of bright red McGill panties (and no, they are not granny-panties, but the cute ones, thank you very much). My friend from McGill brought them back for me because he thought it’d be funny.

4) People always think I’m a lot older than I actually am. I was out with my older cousin the other day and I was offered a drink. Also, my mom’s friends/coworkers always think I’m her sister or something. It’s happened at a couple weddings, and once when I went to work. I look like my MOM’s sister! Oh good god.

5) I believe that it’s the small things that make our world go round. I think that holding the door open for someone, especially strangers, is a really kind gesture. I say “Please” and “Thank You” to [almost] everyone; bus drivers, people that serve you… etc.

6) This is getting hard. I talk a lot. I guess that one is obvious, but once you get me started I don’t stop. I always seem to have something to say. I hope its not annoying *blushes*. Which is why I’m finding it really hard to do these last two, because most people know a lot about me (or at least, I think they do… I tell them a lot, whether or not they remember it is another story).

7) I am not a picky eater. If it’s edible, I’ll eat it. There are certain foods that I prefer to others, and certain foods that I stay away from, but for the most part I’ll eat whatever.

So, I’m supposed to tag seven people at the end of my post… but, I really new to this blogging thing, so I’m going to pass on that (*sigh* yes, it’s horrible, I’m breaking the chain).