Sunday 28 August 2011

#14:Visit England (again)

This was amazing. I visited England as a toddler but obviously can't remember, so it was a place that I really wanted to see and explore. Having done so with my family for 10 days, I can now say that it's now one of my favourite places. It's energetic, exciting, clean, filled with interesting history and has beautiful scenery. This is what I did, along with some of the photos I've taken:

The Great Court, British Museum
We visited the British Museum, which was huge (biggest museum I've ever been in). There, I saw the famous Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies and ancient art from all over the world. We spent a few hours there but only covered 2 of 5 levels. I'll definitely be going back one day to finish the rest!
Rosetta Stone

London Eye and Thames River

We also went on the London Eye, the world's third largest Ferris wheel, which allowed us to get amazing views of the city, including the Big Ben Clock Tower. It went really slow and did not feel like a Ferris wheel at all. It's pretty unique because it has large capsules that hold about 15-25 people.


Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus both reminded me of Times Square with their buzzing energy from the crowds.  They're just great and beautiful places to hang out, take photos or go shopping. Speaking of shopping, Oxford and Regent Street were filled with some of the largest stores I've seen. There was even a "National Geographic" store (1 of 7 in the world) and M&M (candy) World, which had 4 levels of just M&M products!


We took a trip to Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guards. I thought it was really cool to see the band of guards marching along and performing this ceremony for an enormous crowd of tourists. I didn't get a chance to go into the actual Palace this time around, but I admired the flowers, golden gates and statues from the outside.

Buckingham Palace and crowd during Changing of Guards

St. Paul's Cathedral
The Monument, which was built to commemorate the Great Fire of London, was a mission for my sister and I to climb (more so for me). We made it to the top, 311 steps later, to get another great view of the city and the London Bridge. The Great Fire wiped out a Cathedral where the stunning St. Paul's Cathedral now stands. I wasn't allowed to take photos of the inside but it was beautiful; the painted ceilings especially amazed me.


Climbing the spiral staircase of the Monument


Madam Tussuad's wax museum was much better than I expected  (after having just been to a wax museum in Niagara a few weeks ago).  It didn't only have wax figures, but also a very cool ride that shows the history of England and a 4D movie.

Wax figure of Princess Diana

 I did and saw other things, but these were some of my highlights, along with going to Platform 9 and 3/4 at King's Cross Station (Harry Potter lover) and meeting/hanging out with my second cousins. I had a lot of fun and will definitely be going back soon!

Platform 9 & 3/4



Friday 29 July 2011

#53: Ride an Elephant

Riding an elephant 
This was so much fun! Probably one of the best days of my summer so far. I rode an elephant at African Lion Safari! We were really high up but the elephant walked slowly so it was really cool. It was quite the experience. Pretty indescribable; I recommend you try it sometime. Also, the elephant show was amazing. These creatures are very talented. They painted, scored a goal and played basketball.


One of the well-trained/talented elephants I witnessed 

Sunday 17 July 2011

#65: Watch and read every Harry Potter movie and book

I just finished watching the final installment of my favourite movie/book series. It was amazing and I loved it. I don't want to give away anything but I'll just say that it was humourous, heartwarming and action-filled. This is definitely my favourite movie of the 8.  It just ties up everything and shows how relevant everything from the previous movies were. It's great how these movies didn't become lower and lower in quality as they went on, in my opinion. This is one of few series that has maintained itself up to the end. I am definitely going to miss going to the theatre to watch HP (thankfully there's Netflix and DVDs).

The books were great. I started reading them when I was 10. They were the first fairly long novels that I could read in two or three days without putting them down.  J.K. Rowling is a genius at her craft.

P.S. I cannot wait to go to London (28 more days), I'm totally going to platform 9 & 3/4 at Kings Cross Station haha.

Wax figure of HP at the Niagara's "Movieland "
(taken on my visit there in 2011)

Thursday 14 July 2011

#133: Make lasagna

Today I made lasagna with the assistance of my mother. It was fun making my favourite food and it turned out great! It's actually pretty simple to make. Now I can definitely survive living on my own haha. There are hundreds of recipes for it online. I used a basic one from allrecipes.com that included ground beef, tomato sauce, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, eggs, lasagna noodles and water. I'm enjoying learning how to cook these days, it's really fun and useful.

My lasagna: Before


...And after (tastes better than it prob looks)










On another note, we (fam and I) are booking our flight to London, England! We're leaving on Aug. 14th. I've been to London when I was a child (about 3 years old) so obviously I don't  remember and would love to go again. I'm soo excited! :)

Friday 1 July 2011

#120: Climb to the top of a rock climbing wall

This was pretty spontaneous. I went to a Canada Day festival at our main city park to just hang about and to my pleasant surprise there was also a rock-climbing wall! So of course I took the opportunity. It was cool and fun. Climbing that thing a few times would definitely be a full arm workout!

I think I'm almost over my (minor) fear of heights by doing this and going on Dropzone too.

Hope all the Canadians had a fun day!
Me at the top of the wall!

Thursday 30 June 2011

#80. Go on “Dropzone (Drop Tower)” at Canada’s Wonderland

CWL Entrance (photo by me)

Before I say anything else, please refer to #138, my latest addition. Yes, my life list has changed once again. It changed a few months ago when I added 36 things to it, and it changed again today when I replaced half of one thing with a new one.  I think that it should change from time to time simply because we as people change (even in minor ways) from time to time, and so our goals and desires change.  This is not to say that I will start changing everything on this list, in fact, I plan on keeping it very similar to what it is now (with more additions, of course)and will definitely try my best not to delete anything completely (ie. I will attempt everything at least twice). 

That being said, yesterday I went on Dropzone, the 240 ft tower, at Wonderland finally!! What an experience! We slowly elevated, and I felt that the top would never come. It just kept going up and up, while my eyes were closed of course. I finally opened them near the top to see the whole park below me and suddenly we dropped at 16 km/s, and I screamed the entire 3 seconds or so. This has always been a ride that I was terrified of. Today, I conquered that fear and I must say it was quite liberating.  It was an amazing adrenaline rush and I would definitely do it again. I had a blast at Wonderland yesterday, great place to visit as always!  (Most photos, incl. the one of me on dropzone, were taken with my friends' cameras so will be up later).

Dropzone as seen from a distance (photo by me)

Saturday 25 June 2011

"Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd rather have been talking." Doug Larson

I was inspired to write a blog on people in my personal life whose words and stories have impacted, influenced or inspired me (3 very good I’s). I love talking and listening to people when they have the time. I really do believe that everyone has a story with some sort of lesson. Even though the lessons may be overstated, cliche, or something I already knew, it's nice having living proof or an example sitting right in front of me. It's just so much more inspiring and real. I’ve been fortunate to be able to hear the advice and stories of some very intelligent and amazing people and would like to share a couple of them.


Yesterday, I had a very interesting day. I am currently shadowing my optometrist, as it is a career I would like to pursue. It’s really great hearing the patients’ reactions when they can finally see clearly. That’s probably my favourite part, and the reason I want to pursue it. 

Anyway, we talked about our lives basically. He’s a very accomplished, interesting and extremely intelligent man.  He is not only an optometrist, but an eye surgeon as well, among other things. He told me of his life in university and his love for reading.  He said if school ever feels like work, that’s not good. So very true.  One thing I definitely realized in university is that I did very well in the classes I am genuinely interested in without trying too hard, but had to “work harder” at the ones that bored me and didn’t do as well. I guess the lesson is to really find out what it is that you have a passion for. Also, if it’s something you need to do in order to get where you want, start liking it. Easier said than done, but it can still be done. He also said to reach for the top. In this case, he was referring to medical school.  However, his advice applies to anyone else regardless. No matter what you want, the goal should always be to aim as high as you could.  Not as high as you think you “maybe…possibly… with a lot of hard work” could or as high as you have to just to get by, but as high as you really could: 100%.

One person who has greatly influenced me personally is my grade 11/12 religion and philosophy teacher.  This was not a conventional teacher at all. I loved his classes though. He made us think for ourselves, argue, stand up for what we believe in.  He made me truly think about my beliefs; I actually re-considered the existence of God in that class. Main point: in our lives, we’ll hear things constantly from others and may be inclined to believe them, but it’s much wiser to do the research and try to think for ourselves before coming to a conclusion about anything. I live by the rule of always being critical of what I read or hear for it may not be the truth. On top of this, he also sees my potential and believes in me and I have a certain respect for people who do so (I think they’re very smart haha). Honestly, I wish everyone has or had a person like that in their lives. It should not be to validate your own abilities but for peace of mind and that extra push in tough times. 

I could probably list ten more people, but the final one I will write about is one whose story somewhat surprised me.  It was the pastor who guided my family for years. He told me that he was once a drunk, who constantly got into fights at bars.  He had also lived in an abusive home and in places that weren’t sanitary; on cold concrete floors with rats crawling around.  At one point he thought his life was over. It was hard to believe all of this, as I looked into the face of a kind man who, since then, had completed numerous years of education, now gave marriage counseling to couples, owned his own church and had a beautiful, happy and successful family.  It just proved to me that no matter where you come from or what your past is, you can always make a brighter present and future for yourself with some faith, strength and motivation. This is why it annoys me to hear people use their rough childhood or past as an excuse to not move forward. It’s one of the lamest excuses I’ve heard.

Have an awesome day!

Sunday 22 May 2011

“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them”-Walt Disney


Dreaming and setting goals is something I find very important.  Once you have an idea of what you want, it is much easier to get it.  One of the best teachers I’ve had was my grade 9 English teacher. He taught us the power of the human mind.  You can create your future with your thoughts is what his lesson was.  Once you’re in a good mindset and dreaming, you have confidence, strength and passion.  The next step is acting on the dreams and remembering not to take anyone’s negativity too seriously.  There are very few things that are impossible. 

Below is my life list. I have crossed out the things I have accomplished so far (36/139) and indicated the date I accomplished it.  Keep in mind I was 13 when I originally wrote most of these goals so one or two of them may sound silly (ex. “Do not watch television for four days in a row”. That was actually a challenge for me at the time but now I can go months with no television). 

What do you think of life lists? Is there something that you’ve always wanted to do?

Visit:
1. New York-Times Square, AMNH, Empire State Building  (July 30th, 2010)
Times Square photo I took on my NY trip

2.  Las Vegas
3.  Florida-disneyworld (July 30th, 2013)
4. Hawaii
5. California
6. Bermuda
7. Mexico
8. Every province in Canada
9. Chile
10. Jamaica
11. St. Lucia
12. Spain
13. France-eiffel tower, louvre museum, st. tropez
14. England (again) (Aug. 14th, 2011)
Big Ben and the Parliament Buildings in London
photo taken on my trip in 2011
15. Scotland 
16. Ireland
17. Denmark
18. Sweden
19.  Switzerland 
20. Greece
21. Netherlands
22. Romania
23. Italy-the Coliseum, Vatican
24. Turkey
25. China-great wall, mount taishan
26. Japan
27. India-city of Varanasi, taj mahal
28. Cambodia-angkor wat (to watch a video of the beautiful city:
 http://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/ancient/lost-tombs/angkor-wat-video.html)

29. Sydney, Australia
30. Nigeria
31. Zimbabwe  
32. Egypt-kayak down the Nile, great pyramids, sphinx
33. Explore the amazon

Photograph:

34. Snow lepord (August 3rd, 2008 at T.O. Zoo)
35. Macaw (August 3rd, 2008)
My macaw photo 

36. Golden Lion Tamarin Monkey (August 3rd, 2008)
37. Chimpanzee
38. Liger
39. Ocelot
40. Taj Mahal
41. Eiffel Tower
42. CN Tower( August 16th, 2007)

One of many CN Tower
photos taken by me

43. A Great Pyramid
 44. Victoria Falls
45. Sphinx
46. Machu Picchu

Accomplish:

47. Ride in a hot air balloon
48. Learn to speak French
49. Learn to speak Spanish
50. Learn to swim
51. Read some works of Shakespeare, Plato, Aristotle, Dickens, Twain and Thoreau (May 2nd, 2009)
52. Read the whole bible (in progress)
53.Ride an elephant (July 29th, 2011)
Riding an elephant!
54. Explore the ocean in a submarine
55. Dig to find a fossil or bone
56. Get on a game show
57. Get driver’s license (2013)
58. Graduate high school with honours (June 28th, 2010)

59. Get Bachelor’s or Honour’s Degree from university (2014)
60. Apply for optometry (or med) school
61. Learn to use a sewing machine  (January 28th, 2009)
62. Make chocolate (July 10th, 2009)

 Chocolate truffles made byLDWondertwin #1 and I 
63. Invent or design a product
64. Attempt a Guinness World Record
65.Watch every Harry Potter movie and read every Harry Potter book (July 17th, 2011)
66. Do 200 sit-ups or crunches (with minor breaks)
67. Adopt an animal and raise funds for an endangered animal
68. Try parasailing or paragliding
69. Attend a masquerade ball or party
70. Paint with oil on a canvas (March 20th, 2009)
71. Hula hoop for 30 minutes (non-stop)  (July 18th, 2008)
72. Talk to a scientist about life

73. Make a list of 100 questions I want answered and attempt to find possible answers (in progress)
74. Ride an ostrich
75. Catch a fish (August 30th, 2009)
76. Watch all the 'Best Picture' Academy Award winners from 1980-2005 (August 14th, 2012)
77. Don't watch tv for 4 regular days in a row (February 28th, 2006)
78.Write to a famous person and get a reply

79. Retrace the steps of Alexander the Great
80.Go on “dropzone” at Wonderland (June 29th, 2011)
81.See the aurora borealis
82. Walk and raise money for a cause (Terry Fox Run-September 29th, 2006)
83. Memorize Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I have a dream” speech (March 14th, 2006)
84. Learn to play a song on the piano (Summer 2005)
85. Go through the John Muir trail, US.
86. Own a dog
87. Watch a fire walking ceremony in South America
88. Get a song recorded
89. Learn to juggle (August 2007)
90. Learn to play the recorder (May 12th, 2006)
91. Locate all 12 zodiac constellations through a telescope
92. Plant a tree
93. Become familiar with compositions of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin
94. Go to a live comedy show
95. Learn to read hieroglyphics
96. Experience zero-gravity
97. Donate blood
98. Ride a cable car to a mountain top
99. Attend a major sporting event (ex. Wimbledon, Olympics etc.)
100.  Try oysters, clams, or octopus (January 26th, 2011)
101. Go to a legit concert  (July 2, 2012)
102. Learn Esperanto
103. Visit a chocolate factory
104. Go skydiving
 105. Go whale-watching
106. Type 50 words a min.  (July 2nd, 2006)
107. Learn to photoread (July 18th, 2008)
108. Own a house with huge yard space and personal library
109. Go zip lining
110. Write a book
111. Get a book or story published (Short story published in anthology) (September 23rd, 2013)
112. Collect 100 books (~70/100)
113. Collect 50 bookmarks (July 5th, 2011)
114. Have a lucid dream
115. Write my autobiography
116. Swim with dolphins
117. Visit and/or have cake made by Carlos' Bakery
118. Donate at least $1000 to a non-animal charity (see #67)
119. Face and get over my fear of spiders and mice
120. Climb all the way to the top of a rock-climbing wall  (July 1st, 2011)
121. Have (or adopt) children
122. See cirque du soleil or a similar show (Apr. 27th, 2012)
123. Be good friends with someone on every continent
124. Help someone abroad in any way I can (Dec.- April 2013)
125. Make it a goal to thank at least 10 people who have helped me more than they realize
126. Create an amazing collection of photos from all my travels (in progress)
127. Be in a parade
128. Participate in a medical research (May 2015-present)
129. Run in a marathon
130. Give an inspirational lecture to a crowd of over 100 or have an inspiring article published
131. Own a red convertible or sleek black or silver car
132. Ride a mule across the Grand Canyon
133. Make lasagna (July 14th, 2011)
134. Go on a train journey through a beautiful scenic place
135. Host a large dinner party (preferably in my own house)
136. Be featured in a newspaper or magazine
137. Stay in a uniquely themed hotel
138. Attempt the "Behemoth" at Wonderland for a second time (August 21, 2012)
139. Pay for someone to go on vacation


Walt Disneyland, Florida


Saturday 21 May 2011

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”- Confucius

Stepping into the lake (photo by me)
I feel like my first blog should basically define me; who I am, what I stand for and what I'm doing with my life (summarized).

I can throw out random things about me such as my favourite movies, books and interests.  But that’s not me and you can easily click on "view my complete profile" on the top left hand corner of the blog to view that fun stuff.  Basically, I’m someone who is aware of what I want and how to get it. I value my life and don’t want to waste any of it. I think that the world is a truly beautiful place and is filled with lots of interesting people.  In fact, everyone has a good story to tell. The problem is that there’s either no one willing to listen to it or in fact the person  is too caught up in their self to tell it.  

While the world is beautiful and the people are great, sometimes things get out of hand.  I think that alcohol and cigarettes (along with every other thing there is to smoke) should not exist.  I hate the thought of getting drunk, smoking weed and having mindless sex with random people.  It annoys me when people don’t realize their own potential.  It annoys me even more when people just blindly follow others and don’t think for themselves.  Low self-esteem is my biggest pet peeve.  Coming at a close second is when people use their rough past/childhood as an excuse for everything. Like, get over it. I can almost guarantee that about 90% of the  world's adult population had a rough childhood but there are those who choose to not let that stop them from having a great future. These are just my personal beliefs and I won't "hate" on anyone who partakes in these activities, I'll just be annoyed (not that it should matter to them because it is a free world after all).

Besides losing my family and friends, my greatest fear is losing myself.  That is, losing my desire for adventure and knowledge.  I dread the thought of becoming a workaholic who has no time to enjoy life.  I also don't like the thought of having no one fun and understanding to share life adventures with.  I don’t think there would be anything sadder than traveling the world alone, for example.  “Happiness isn’t real if it isn’t shared” a friend pointed out to me once.  It’s so true.  

There are so many things I want to accomplish in my life.  I created this life list after reading about a brilliant man named John Goddard in a school textbook once. I needed that inspiration and it came just in time.  I was bored with life. I was only 13 but already school had become the most boring routine in which I felt like I learned absolutely nothing day after day and was just wasting my time even going.  During class sometimes I’d talk so much and do random nonsense that the teacher would have to stop and stare at me to shut up and pay attention.  I just wanted to learn. It was the one and only time in my life that I felt like life had no purpose.

I just read and read. I read things I was actually interested in; things that made me feel enlightened.  I began reading philosophy (particularly Confucius’ Analects, Aristotle and Plato) and National Geographic articles online.  One day I brought home the textbook from school and just opened and started reading that too, when I stumbled upon the great story of John.  He was 15 when he created his life list of 127 items.  He had completed 109 of those amazing things which included climbing mountains, flying aircraft, exploring the world, writing a book and much more. (see his list here http://www.johngoddard.info/life_list.htm ).

It was then, back in 2005, that I was inspired to create my life list (see next blog).  Making a list, some would say, is a set up for disappointment but that’s not how I see it. I see it as an adventure, it keeps life exciting. I’d have fun doing it and wouldn’t be disappointed if I didn’t accomplish it all, but I probably will accomplish it all. :)