As I write, I am snifflying and hacking and coughing and sipping tea. I know. On this ridiculous good looking Saturday, I was at home, slaving away at a term paper and nursing whatever sudden sickness has come over me. On the plus side, I've had more than enough naps today and that (combined with the endless mugs of green tea, peppermint tea, blueberry tea...) have been enough to keep me conscious enough to make it half way through my paper.

ALRIGHT GANG!

I had a meeting today with the rest of the organizing crew for the fundraiser I'm doing for child soldiers. Officially, the event is called... "I GOT SOUL BUT I'M NOT A SOLDIER". Amazing, right? Okay, here's the part where I need help.

Does anyone know of any organizations based out of Vancouver or the surrounding areas that deals with or works with child soldiers, children living in war torn conflict zones, children in general.... I'm looking for any sort of community group that works with issues surrounding war OR children. Example! A friend of mine gave me a contact for a group that works with Mobilization Against War and Occupation.

So I'm a part of a "College and Career" fellowship group at my church, right? Anyway, together as a group, we decided we wanted to do a monthly service project... pick something and stick to it. So we decided we'd head out to Main and Hastings on the first Wednesday of every month to serve food. The first time we did it was the first week of March. The next time we go is in one week on April 4th.

So you know what's really exciting? Being a grown-up. Well, I guess some of you will argue otherwise... but for me, this is HUGE!

 I turn 20 in May so it's nice to feel like I'm doing something important. Case in point: on Wednesday, I have a meeting with the youth development workers of Richmond to start some concrete planning for this Youth Week show... the benefit show for child soldiers that I keep talking about? Yep, that's the one. Also, earlier that day, I have a job interview with a local community center. The job up for grabs is the position of NightShift Coordinator. NightShift is a youth program that happens on weekends, late-night. Usually, there are local shows and activities going... well, that might be me! And I'm stoked because the two guys interviewing me, I've both known for years. One of them is the guy who posted the job listing and he was worried I wouldn't apply, I've been told. So I'm going to take that as a good sign that he wants me for the job.

As a kid, I was taught my manners. Of course, not every child absorbs those manners as well as their parents would like. I'd like to think that I was a pretty good sponge, though.

Anyway, my point is, I always make sure to hold open doors. And if someone holds a door open for me, I always say thanks. Sometimes, I don't speak loud enough and I hope that the person holding the door open didn't think I was an ungrateful loser or something like that.

That's it. I'm quitting pop. It sucks, kind of hurts in your tummy, and makes my teeth feel gross. So no more pop. Not even once in awhile.

How did I come to this conclusion, you ask? Well, everybody knows that pop isn't the greatest choice of beverage in the first place. But then, you go to a concert and you're thirsty, right? So you go and you get something to drink. I bought a Coke (even though I'm more of a Pepsi person). I had half and my friend had half and then we got back into the concert (ie. mosh pit). That stuff does NOT sit well in your stomache.

I don't know about you other girls out there, but I grew up a tomboy... it's kind of stuck. Even today, I'm still friends with majority guys, can't really put together a girl outfit to save myself, or even apply make-up properly. More often than not, I end up wearing a ripped hoodie, jeans, and sneakers instead. Comfort is so key.

But then I was at True Value Vintage the other day and I saw a bunch of really cute tops by Zachary's Smile. I ended up buying two that were on sale. One is blue and is flouncy, had puffy sleeves, a cap collar and just looks really classy. The other is red and has a plaid collar and waistband and ties in the back and it's super 70's and girly.

My life is a movie.

 Every occurrence is over fuelled by independent thought and subtle meanings. Even when I sit on the bus, I feel as if Mr. Braff is about to appear and deliver some speech about how we never really get the things we want in life but the only thing we can do is to try and change for it.

 How I love Mr. Braff. Note that I call him Mr. Braff and not by his first name. (Simply because I"m unsure as to whether it's a Zack or a Zach. Hang on... yep. It's an H. It's Zach.)

So I hosted a local show this past Saturday where I provided food and bottled water for the bands. At the end of the night, when we were cleaning up, I couldn't believe the amount of water that was left over! I mean, a lot of people don't usually think about it (including me before Saturday), but at huge events, concerts, sporting events... imagine how many bottles of water a person goes through. And imagine how many of them are only partially finished by the end of the event!

I guess I should've posted this Valentine's-related post BEFORE the actual Valentine's Day... but nonetheless!

 I had a fantastic discussion with another SINGLE friend of mine the other day. She said, "Why is it that so often that us women expect to receive a gesture of love from a GUY on Valentine's Day? Why can't we just turn to our fellow females and just hug someone?" This is a very good point. I'm not gonna lie... I get caught up in the hokey-dokey romance of this Hallmark holiday as well. I mean, how could I not?! I'm a hopeless romantic... and just something about seeing fuzzy stuffed animals holding boxes of chocolates makes me really happy.