Caged Freedom

Land of the free,
yet I am required to fit myself into a box.

"Tick here to fit yourself in this box of colour."
"Circle here to fit yourself in this group's box."

Land of the free,
yet there is no bubble to be me.

Why can't I just be me: My name, hobbies,
where I was born....

Why is me, as I see me, not okay?
Why is me, as defined by you, the correct me?

Land of the free,
but you must take a stand.

Take a stand?
I thought free also meant free not to?

Why is my stand, to not take a stand,
not one of your acceptable choices?

Land of the free,
check here for the freedom criteria.

Facing Fears: Paddle Boarding + 100 Days Rekindled

Today, I went paddle boarding.
For those who don't know, that is basically kayaking on a surf board.
For those who know mi, you reaction right now is very appropriate: Really?? Where?? Are you kidding?? On the ocean??
Yup.
I didn't know what it was when I signed up (note to self, always ask before you say 'yes'). For some reason, I assumed it would be some version of kayaking, and on a lake.
Needless to say, it was a scary experience.
The moment we arrived at the harbour, I kept asking myself 'why'. I spent a lot of time praying and begging God (for what, I can't tell you right now).
Looking back now, I can see how and why people will and do enjoy the sport. If you are one for the ocean, it is pretty calm, a version of free falling if you will, if you let the gentle waves take you and your board calmly. Unfortunately and sadly I think, I was too scared and focused on my fear to enjoy the experience.
I did well, in the sense that I didn't fall, and I paddled out and about for an hour fifteen minutes total. But unlike my friends whom I went with, it felt more like P.E homework or a dare (where the alternative was much worse) than a fun activity. I was focused on getting there and getting back.
I did learn that I have a lot more phobias and restrictions than I thought I did. Makes me feel high maintenance, which I've spent a majority of the day struggling to convince myself that that doesn't denote a 'bad' thing.
Added to that, is the 'complaining' factor. Because I was terrified, I spent a lot of time talking about my fears and concerns. Apparently, at one point, it started to come off as mi saying my fears were more important to others (not once did that thought cross my mind), to which, at one point, a friend sarcastically commented saying 'yes you're fears are more important than others'. That was never my intention - making anyone think that way. But then I also realised, maybe I have gotten too comfortable/'trusting'. Complaining to anyone usually meant I have known said person for years, and I am at the point where regardless of how I phrase things, I have a higher chance of not getting misunderstood because he/she understands mi that well. I don't think I can successfully convince myself that being high maintenance and complaining a lot don't denote 'bad' things. So I've decided to rekindle the 100 days.
In general, the day was quite exhausting - physically and emotionally. I intentionally put myself in a terrifying position, and no, I was not comfortable. But I am glad I was able to complete it successfully.
Would I do it again, very very doubtful. Maybe in a lake lol.
xo

New State, New Life, Changes

So I finally moved....drum rolls.....lol
While it's a new city, I am not really feeling the 'new town' vibe. Maybe cause I've moved around so much its not so new to mi.... But I love the place already.
Went to Japan town today, which made mi home sick/nostalgic....odd child that I am of course lol.
Have a really sweet room mate. She is quite unconventional, but not in a way that pisses mi off which is good.
Orientation starts tomorrow, and I am not even sure I am ready for the amount of work the school year seems to entail. I guess taking it one day at a time would be a fantastic way to start.
On a sadder note, I still have absolutely no idea on how to curb my spending. I mean I know I have no money, at the back of my head, but then I still find myself buying stuff/swiping my card, which frustrates mi afterwards. I need a job to balance it out lol....or an accountant lol.

Kinda tired so would have to do a proper write up some other time. Just felt like checking in and giving the highlights.

Cheers
xo

Mad at it All.

I'm tired of shedding tears.
I'm tired of writing tributes.
More so, I am sick and tired of doing both for people so young.
A parent shouldn't have to bury his or her child, neither should a child have to bury his or her parent without the grandchild by the side. God's promise says we would live to see our children's children.

I'm tired of hearing of cancer.
I'm tired of hearing of how lives so precious, so promising, are cut short as a result of it.
Coming without notice. Causing pain, grief and harm; giving a false hope of recovery, then snatching the hope and replacing it with a gut-wrenching agony.

I'm tired of the dread.
I'm tired of hearing a friend/school mate has 'the virus', then round of 50/50 that follows.
I'm tired of hoping, praying, wishing and stressing, while a terrifying shadow of the grim reaper hunts my view.
With no preventive recipe and no full proof treatment, its a fight between the devil and the deep blue sea, both one and the same, with only a faint distant ray of help.

Its not a person so one cannot hate it.
Its not a person so one cannot yell at it.
Its not a person so one cannot call a jury, find guilty and pass judgment upon it.

I guess I'm just tired today. Maybe because I just wrote two tributes to a very promising life cut short. Maybe because its the third time in less than 3 years. Maybe because I'm in the mood to dwell on the fact that life is such an unfair little b at times.

In the morning I'd feel better. In the morning I'd hope and pray again, because there is really nothing else to do.
For now, I am tired. So I'd just sit here and cry myself to sleep.

xo
 

Family Affairs

     Going 'home' is always a batch of mixed emotions. And the longer I stay, the more the sad emotions overwhelm. 

Before leaving in the beginning, I understood that I would has to sacrifice family to leave so far. With the ones I knew, it wasn't so bad. It's the ones I don't know that sort of hurt. 

Which is basically my dad's entire family line, save a few. 

    

Family issues and etc made it so we never grew up together like mum's side. So meeting them is like meeting strangers. We are all grown up with different works/paths in life. Do you know how freaking awkward it is to go see family and firs be introduced as family, then have nothing to say and get 'thanked for coming' when leaving?? Try doing all that when an 'uncle' (technically speaking) passes away. So the first time you meet the family is to say 'sorry for you-our?? loss'/nice to meet you. Of course we don't know what said uncle looked like so there's that. 

It makes sitting in the room with all that family the loneliest place on earth. 

Then there is the funny aspect of the siblings not being close, to the point that they keep calling each other to get directions to the house of the late brother. How don't siblings know where each other live?? In the same state. It's so weird. 

The entire family is weird. 

Afterwards, I'm just exhausted, have a progressing migraine, and in need to sleep. 

But there's no one to tell this all to, so of course we smile and fake it. 

Mi