11 Years Later

When I was a little kid I used to ~LOVE~ flying home because we'd get off the plane, get through customs, get our luggage and walk out into the arrival area and my grandpa would be standing there waving. I'd run up to him give him a big hug, get my kiss and he'd drive us home. It was always my absolute FAVORITE part of any trip.

When I was 8, and in grade 2, my grandfather had a heart attack in his sleep. I never had the chance to say goodbye and I've recently made my peace with losing my one and only grandpa. Along with his passing, our airport pick-ups became nonexistent. To this day every time I walk through those doors to the arrival area there's a slight pang of loneliness and longing for my grandpa.

Over the years I've returned to Trudeau airport only to have my parents waiting in the car just outside, no friendly faces in the swarming crowds of the arrival area. To be honest, I'm always a little disappointed, there's this huge loving feeling that just happens when there's someone, any friendly face waiting for you after a plane ride home.

This year was different... Sis and I got off the plane, ran through customs, got our bags and made it through the doors... The usual pang of longing for grandpa crept over me, as I momentarily mourned the man I loved so wholeheartedly... It was short lived however because I immediately saw a face in the crowd, a familiar face, a friend. Emily was there, although not on my behalf, it still felt nice to have a warm homecoming. So thanks Em, I've waited for that moment for 11 years.

Life is Good, No Longer Just a Motto or Store Name

"The important thing is not to be bitter over life's disappointments. Learn to let go of the past, and recognize that every day won't be sunny. And when you find yourself lost in the darkness of despair, remember, it's only in the black of night that you see the stars, and those stars lead you back home."

Lately I've been having these intense conversations via BBIM with a certain someone. Who shall remain nameless for obvious reasons. Either way I find myself constantly reminding this person that they are fabulous and when I read this quote I thought of them. Ironically, I didn't think of myself which should have been the logical thing to do. But for once in my life, I'm stable. I know where I'm heading and despite a few hang ups (hello 63% in neurobiology) I know that it wont throw me off too far and I don't let them bring me down. This is my life, this is what I've wanted for the past 3-4 years, and I'm determined to be happy doing it. So here's to that.

Case in point: Emily came over tonight and I actually had all my homework done at  a reasonable hour, I can't even complain about my work load. It's ridiculous. Nothing to complain about except for lack of sleep and that's just my own method of personal-sabotage.

Barack Obama Says: "Yes, We Can"

Although I am no political savant, I like many other world citizens am capable of forming opinions in regards to our wonderful politicians... Now, the Oct 14th Canadian elections really do not impact my life whatsoever except for the typical piss off over not being able to see whose walking the crosswalk due to the ridiculously ugly posters of Rafael Tzoubari and Irwin Cotler blocking my way... but I refer to, rather, the American politics of Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin. Now, I know jack shit about McCain other than he's an old fart and I'd much rather see some young vibes from that big ass White House. Palin is some chick from Alaska who apparently is godly because she's a woman who can actually compete with these men (did we all really forget about Hillary Clinton THAT quickly? C'mon!)... Biden pisses me off too, but probably cause he's old and most likely smelly... but Obama, now that's a character I'm enticed by. He's captured my attention so many times that if I was American, I'd be voting for him, surely.

As with every election, the celebrities and multi-millionaires step up to support their favorite candidates in a who's-who fashion. Now, normally it would piss me off that everyday Americans are blindly following their favorite athlete, celeb or musician's vote pick but recently I stumbled upon a youtube video that changed my mind about all that:

Now the famous celebs shown in the video are impressive. Who knew that Bryan Greenberg could play guitar that well and that Scarlett Johanson could sing? I mean really, that in itself is fascinating for those celebrity stalkers and those enthralled with the World of the Rich and the Famous... but for me it struck a different chord. Not only did all these famous people who quite frankly, for the most part, dont need any exposure or the hell that comes with certain political ties, come together to support a single individual. But rather the words that were said. I'm not talking about the positive "Yes, We Can" mantra, which by the way, I think is fabulous but the line in Obama's Kansas speech (which by the way is the foundation for the whole video):

"We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." 

Now I've always been a huge sucker for deep, catchy and poetic lines but that one struck me like nothing else. I can't explain what it is about that line that makes my heart leap into the palms of Barack Obama and wish that he becomes the next President but really, it just is that way. Due to my newfound love for this man I've researched a few of his other speeches and have come across several other lines that make believe this man is truly great:

"It's a story that hasn't made me the most conventional candidate. But it is a story that has seared into my genetic makeup the idea that this nation is more than the sum of its parts -- that out of many, we are truly one."

and

"Unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction -- towards a better future for our children and our grandchildren."

I mean it's fairly obvious that the guy's black, and that only like 60 years ago, black men, women and children were all slaves of white Americans, but in spite of that, this man wants to forgive all that and move forward and make this world a better place. Now I know it sounds like a bad Michael Jackson song (seriously, what is it about black guys wanting the world to be a better place). But it touches me in a way I cant bring myself to describe.

Either way I think Obama is fabulous, and wish that he would become the next President of our Southern neighbors.

To see the music video in its entirety and all the relevant info and support it's received click here

Follow-up:

Saw this video and thought it was quite funny...

Also, Em sent me this link a few days ago and she deserves some cred (even though it's been all over the TV):

Scandalous Secrets and One Really Big Lie!!!

Clearly not a secret, I'm in love with PostSecret.. now it isn't an ordinary obsession - it's practically a way of life... as a member of the PostSecret Community (PSC), a tight knit community that for the most part, is supported by diehard PS fans like yours truly... Last Sunday's non-English secrets forced me to find explanations and translations in the PSC, like every other week, however, once I've ever enterred the PSC there's no turning back for several minutes and sometimes hours. Long story short, after reading a few typical threads I stumbled upon the "Text a Stranger Your Secret" thread, an idea that was started on the MySpace PS page several weeks back. I decided to participate and posted my cell phone number for the PSC to send me their secrets. An hour had passed by and Emily had joined me for our routine study sessions. 

About 20 minutes into our session my BlackBerry started doing its enerving vibrations against the hardwood dining room table. To my surprise and Emily's jealousy :P, I had received a secret: "He used me for about a year and i didn't mean anything to him, i can sense it. Now he just wants to be "friends" and i feel so broken.." I dont think I could possibly find the words to describe the excitement that rippled through my body as I read the word's that this girl poured into me through her Secretified Text Message. Naturally I responded and we had a few messages back and forth. I then received a second message from another PS fan: "I'm hardly ever sure that my girlfriend loves me anymore." After I replied, he also sent the following: "I've always had thoughts about other guys and am still too afraid of the opinions of others to really publicly admit it." This secret obviously ruffled my rainbow feathers and my heart went out to the poor boy whose stuck in a relationship with a girlfriend who doesn't love him and feelings for boys that he can't express. We spoke back and forth for a few minutes, helping each other with the secrets we each released into each other's inboxes... the feelings of relief overcoming me like wave after wave hitting the boardwalk... 

I received a third text message: "I told everyone I quit smoking but I didn't. I feel almost guilty enough to quit. Just not enough". I tried to help him realize that until he wanted it for himself, it would be more than an impossible challenge, he agreed and moved into the abyss of the real world. Now... these were the three PSCers whose lives intercollided with mine that fateful Sunday night... and I thought the joy of PS text messages would end but I was in for a real treat...

While sitting in my Research Methods class this morning I received a text message from Mr. Gay and Has a GF (as his cell number is so aptly listed in my BlackBerry). It read: "I really want to make a (somewhat vandalous) post secret wall in my school bathroom but i know none of the boys at my school would get it and respond." Naturally I told him that he should do it for the simple reason that he has no idea whose life he might touch by doing it. So 5 days later, I am still receiving wonderful secrets in my phone's inbox, and I'm LOVIIIIIN' IT like Mickey D's. 

Amidst all this I do have a confession to make. I, Lauren Shapiro, was deceitful and hilarious. Emily, in all her jealousy :P, listed her cell number on the same thread in the PSC in hopes of receiving some of her own scandalous secrets. After about 20 minutes of non-excitement (and after much prohibition of my doing homework-ness) I ran upstairs to my computer, and used Bell Mobility's online-to-cell texting service posing as a PSCer with a secret to release to only one special individual. You guessed it... I fabricated a phone number and a secret and sent it to Em. See... Emily doesn't know this, and I'm sure right now she is reading this and her red hair is turning brighter and more red with smoke flaring from her nostrils (hahahah pause for funny visual)... but really, it was for the sake of my education. I NEEEEEEDED to study and Em, you really just wouldn't shut up. I love you though and I meant no harm. (Perhaps that's why you never received a reply?)

Anyways, glad to get that off my chest. :). 

514-923-8052 is the number to send any secrets to (and Em - no hate messages, please?!)