Subways

I'm talking about the mode of transportation, the subway.

A couple weeks ago, I moved to an area where there is a subway.  There are some amazing things about the subway.  For one, it is incredibly fast!  No stopping every two seconds like on a bus!  I love that part of it!  It is really easy to use too, once you get a hang of it.

I had my first 'real' subway experience last weekend.  It was ... well ... interesting!

There were these two people who looked like a couple waiting for the subway.  Cool.  They got on the subway at the same time.  Then they sit in two completely different spots!  There were quite a few seats together that were available but they sat as far apart as possible!  So I figured, okay, they must have just gotten on at the same time.  But then they get off at the same time and walk next to each other all the way out!

The next group of three people was probably high school age - two guys and a girl.  One guy looked like a nerd.  The other guy looked like a stoner.  And the girl looked like a party animal tough girl.  (I know, I shouldn't judge by looks, but that was my first impression!).  So they get on the bus and sit together.  And the three of them are talking as loud as they possibly can while eating pop tarts (which happens to be the only thing they have with them).

I heard a funny story from a friend's friend about the subway.  I guess he was on the subway when there was a guy, across from him, holding a bag.  Okay, people hold bags, not a big deal.  Then the bag started meowing!!!!  Oh wow!!!  I'm definitely against animal cruelty but you've really got to wonder what was going on!

The last interaction I saw was this young woman (mid 20s I would say) stand up to get off the subway.  The older guy (late 40s I'd say) stood up as well.  The lady seemed surprised and was like 'oh are you getting off here too?' And he just smiled (relatively creepily) and said 'no, just wanted to say bye to you.'. So she was awkwardly like 'bye' and he gives her a kiss on the cheek!  I felt so sorry for her!  That guy just seemed really, really creepy!

All in all, the subway is great for transportation and amusement!

Losing Your Friends

Have you ever just kind of drifted apart from your friends?  I have been lately, in the past few months.  I mean, I have changed a bit, but they just haven't accepted me.  I feel like I've grown up a lot and they haven't.

In high school, there were four of us that hung out like all the time.  The guy in the group kind of ditched us after high school, but no big deal.  Then there were the three of us and we were still pretty close during our first year of university even though we didn't see each other much.  They were really supportive of me when I was having a tough time that year.

After that year, I switched to college.  Since then, my relationship with them has been really downhill.  I don't think they like that I went to college (since university is considered the "smarter" of the two).  But I'm still smart.  I mean, I'm the top of my class here at college.  But I think they didn't really like that I switched (even though I hated and was horrible at my program at university).

Then I broke up with my boyfriend of almost three years.  Then I slept with another guy.  They both like guys and everything but they have never really had serious relationships or anything before (and defintely never had sex).  They thought I was just using this guy to get over my ex.  Honestly he was just using me for sex at first too!  But it ended up going well and I've been dating this guy for over a year.  The point is, they just judge me for this.  Maybe sex is a big deal for them.  It's different for me.  Like it is important but I'm not just going to wait for years or something.  That's not me.

They also seemed upset when I started partying a bit more.  The thing is, I'm maintaining friends at college, I'm at the top of my class, I'm working three part time jobs, and I've got a great boyfriend.  Everything else is going well.  So what if I go out and party every other weekend?  What else should I do?  I could study but I can't do much better than I'm doing now anyway.  And even if I wasn't partying over the weekend, I certainly wouldn't be studying!

I get it, friends drift apart.  But I just don't get why the two of them are just judging me so much.  We were best friends for years.  We supported each other.  We had fun together.  All good!

I guess things change.  I have new friends.  They have new friends.  I keep some old friends of course.  I'm not sure when it's time to move on from them though.

How To Get A Date

This is something that many people find difficult.  Now, I'm aiming this at young adults.  College aged, mostly.  But you can use some of these methods if you are in high school or college graduates.  So here are some basic tips to getting a date.

1. Be confident.  If you don't think you're any good, it makes it a lot harder for you to find someone.
2. Just ask him/her out.  He or she is probably scared to ask you out.  So if you go for it, it might actually work!  You have to just go for it!
3. Do not obsess over one girl or guy if you aren't with her or him.  This just makes you seem desperate.  There are other people out there too!
4. Go out, meet people, have fun.  Do not stay at home and do nothing.  Do something!  Anything!  It will make you more interesting.
5. Nothing to talk about?  See #4.
6. Keep yourself healthy.  Eat healthy and exercise.  You don't have to be a body builder or personal trainer or anything, but being healthy is attractive.
7. Have your own interests.  You will always have stories to tell and things to talk about.
8. Don't be mean.  Making fun of people or anything else is not the way to get a girlfriend or boyfriend.  Being nice and respectful IS the way!
9. Go for a kiss!  Even if he or she isn't ready, at least he or she will know what your intentions are!  If you play along as "just a friend" for too long, he or she could just move on.
10. If he or she has told you he or she doesn't like you, move on.  There are tons of other people out there.  So if you have been rejected, find someone else!

PLUR

PLUR - what is it?  What does it even stand for?  PLUR stands for Peace, Love, Unity, Respect.  It's the motto of ravers.  I think it should be the motto of everyone.  The motto of life.

Ever since I heard of PLUR, that's how I've been living my life.

What is peace?  Peace is when there is no fighting, no arguments, and no hostilities.  It is when people are together in harmony.  It is a lovely feeling, to be at peace.

What is love?  Love is a very strong feeling or emotion.  It is an extreme liking feeling.  It can be used as a term of endearment.  It is a great affection for someone or something.  It is an amazing feeling, to love someone, and to be loved.

What is unity?  It is being one, being completed, being together.  Unity is being united into one.  It is when you are not out for yourself, but everyone.  It is not being selfish.  It is being thoughtful and thinking of everyone.  If you are in unity with someone else, you care about his or her well being.  Being in unity as a group is caring about everyone's well being and making sure that everyone is happy and satisfied.

What is respect?  It is a positive feeling towards someone else.  It is being honest and positive towards someone.  It is regarding someone else highly or as an equal person.  It isn't thinking of someone else as "worse" than yourself.  It is courtesy.  Being respectful means being polite.  Being respected is being honoured.

Why are these things so important?

Who doesn't like being loved and respected?  Who wants to stop living selfishly and with constant fights?  You need to give out PLUR to get it.  If you don't love and respect others, if you aren't peaceful and in unity, then how can you expect it back?  If you want to start this, you have to start it with yourself.  And then show others what PLUR is.  You don't have to be a raver to know what PLUR is or to act on it.  Anyone can!  And why not start it off with you?

Happy One Year!

Just wanted to say ... as of today ... my boyfriend and I have been dating for a year!  And, I can truly say, it has been the best year of my life.  I have never been happier.  I have been able to grow a lot more with him.  I feel so much more like "myself".  It isn't just because of him, but he has given me lots to think about.  I'm going to write a better post on this later!  But yay - one year! :)