Birfsdays Princess

It's that time of year again. Time to break out the tiaras and princess dresses and celebrate my BIRFSDAYS. I know ya'll are VERY excited to celebrate it and to buy me pretty presents. I know I'm excited to buy myself some pretty presents that I can't really afford with student loans, but it's my birthday and I don't care. You're only 24 once so let the celebrating begin!

This list is mostly for my dear Maman et Papa who will likely ignore it and buy me the iPad they've been trying to throw at me for months now. Instead of that glorious hunk of metal, I would like a few of the following items (Lynn - I'm looking at you).

1. A generous donation to the Future Group so I can have some more funding this year to develop new initiatives for our university chapters. Please and thank you.

2. Frye boots.

See Lynn, here's the deal. I will pinky swear to throw out the slouchy VINTAGE brown boots I've had since first year, if you promise to buy me this pretty new pair. Size 7. They're rustic. I like.

3. Fall means scarves and I want this scarf. Wilfred's - Aritzia.

4. That scarf is going to need a home and look how cute it would look with this jacket. Black, please.

And would you look at that! You can get it from Aritzia too. How fantastic.

5. Texas makes my face parched. More moisturizer s'il vous plait. Lynn, you don't want all those early mornings spraying me with Evian to go to waste, do you? I didn't think so. Gotta keep the money maker looking presh.
6. Speaking of boots...oh, wait? We weren't talking boots? My bad, well I want these boots too. How cute would they look with my Habs jersey and tights? Very cute. I'd be the prettiest puck bunny around.

7. And just because, I'll take a new Habs jersey. The limited edition classic ones. I was going to ask for tickets to the Heritage Classic, but I've just been informed that they decided Canada wasn't cool enough for an outdoor game this year. Your loss, NHL.

http://shop.nhl.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3789622&cp=3176612&clickid=body_bestsell_txt

Merry Christmas, Darling

As the song goes: Merry Christmas, Darling. We're apart that's true. But I can dream and in my dreams, I'm Christmas-ing with you (and by you, I mean my 7R girls).

I haven't blogged in ages and my apologies for that. Things have been crazy. I've spent more time on a plane these past few months than anywhere else. But, as always - Christmas comes far too soon and I'm highly unprepared. Thank goodness we did gifts already, it gave me motivation to shop before the masses hit the mall.

And the Whittaker Family Christmas will be a bit different this year. Normally, we're already in Orlando sipping mimosas by the pool and eating a delicious lobster dinner. But, after the year I just survived - all I wanted was family time. Since my sister and I live far away from the nest, we tend to fly in and out of Orlando - never really spending any time at home. As amazing as Orlando is, I never get to see my mom's side of the family (or my dad's really) so I decided to stay home (and by me, I mean work did). Since I was staying home, my sister decided to stay as well and next thing you know, the whole family was staying home for Christmas. It's weird to see all the lights in Ottawa and be in the office with Santa on Christmas Eve, but I'm SO happy to be home. My parents weren't quite ready to give up Disney and the two of them will be heading down on the 27th to spend NYE there. Such big kids at heart, but it is their 25th anniversary so I'll let it slide..this time.

I'm at work today and then will be catching a flight from Ottawa home to Toronto later today then a quick hour drive to Niagara to see my Memere and Pepere. We'll spend the night at Queen's Landing and then have the Perreault Christmas celebration tomorrow. I'm BEYOND excited. I've never actually been more excited about anything before. My parents are already in Toronto since my Dad's parents were supposed to be flying in from London to visit. Their flight has been delayed indefinitely so the family is just wandering the streets causing mayhem. They'll meet me in Niagara tonight where we'll all reunite for Christmas.

I hope everyone has a fantastic and joyous holiday season. Wish I could see you all during the break, but just know I'm Calgary-bound soontime and Vancouver-bound even sooner (February even). Happy Christmas et Joyeux Noel.

Lots of love

B

ps. Can't. Stop. Watching. Love. Actually....this happens EVERY year.

On Repeat

I know I can't take one more step towards you
Cause all that's waiting is regret
And don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most

I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time

And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are

I hear you're asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms

I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time

And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are

And it took so long just to feel alright
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed
Cause you broke all your promises
And now you're back
You don't get to get me back

And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?

X-What?

We all know I love British television. I grew up watching it and it just makes me smile. It's so absurd and offside - just like me!

I stopped watching American Idol seasons ago. The last memory I have of me watching it was with Teira on our couch re-naming contestants because we couldn't remember their real names. I thought I would never get behind another reality talent competition...that was until I discovered X-Factor. It's basically everything Simon Cowell wishes he could have done with American Idol, but wasn't allowed because it's in your face and would upset far too many conservatives. The songs are unique and upbeat and the contestants? Gosh, what can you say about them that would adequately define their characteristics. The costumes and dance moves are out of this world, but in a good way. It doesn't seem cheesy at all, which I love.

I started watching it because I was one of five Girls Aloud fans in Canada a few years back when they were thrown together through Pop Idol (I think..) and I think Cheryl Tweedy is fantastic. She handled the demise of her marriage with Ashley Cole in a way I never could (too much information? probably). Anyways, I'm a fan and with her, Simon, and Dani Minogue on the judging panel - I knew it would be a good season.

It works pretty much the same as American Idol, but the contestants are chosen by the judges through a stage known as the Judges' House. Basically, everyone's thrown together in one house and the judges decide who they want to mentor. Simon took on some absurd artist and Cheryl took on this 16 year old girl named Cher Llyod who could be her twin. Big hair, big lashes and an even bigger personality. This girl is going to be a star. As much as I want her to win, part of me wants her to be booted now so she can start recording her record. She reminds me a bit of Lady Sovereign, with some Cheryl Tweedy (Cole) and Britney Spears mixed in. I don't even think I can explain this girl. She's out of this world talented and has even gotten the attention of Jay-Z. He already wants to work on her record, promising Beyonce/Kanye/Rhianna as collaborators. How insane is that? She's 16. A few months ago she was thinking about working in a supermarket and now she's HUGE. Little Chezza!!!

Anyways, here are some Cher Llyod clips. I have the eps saved if you want them. Watch and be amazed.

http://perezhilton.com/category/cher-lloyd/

my fave performance: http://perezhilton.com/2010-10-24-cher-lloyd-performs-no-diggity-and-shot-live-on-xfacto

Do you?

Do you smell it? Can you see it? Christmas is in the air. Oh, how I love this time of year.

Last year, I really missed out on Christmas because of some pretty traumatic events, but this year I'm prepared to soak everything in. From the lights to the gingerbread houses to the decorated trees - nothing will be too much Christmas for me this year. I'm determined to make-up for the ball of sobs I was last year and I'm already off to an excellent start. I started my fireplace tonight and can't stop listening to Christmas music. I'm also frantically searching for my copy of love actually to really get in the festive spirit. It's even getting pretty chilly here in Dallas (well, as of last night), which makes it feel a little like home.

I hope y'all are as excited about Turkey Time and Christmas as much as I am. I'm going to get back to attempting to learn how to bake and cuddle in front of the fire.

ps. the picture is Macy's at Christmas. The displays are already up. Eek so beautiful.

Really?!?

Dear America,

Change doesn't happen overnight. Nor does it take place over a two-year period. Two years that were filled with cleaning up the mess of the last office. I really thought you would prove me wrong, you would make the right decision and let the current administration finish what they started.

Instead, you're halting the change you campaigned for - the change you BEGGED for. I really thought you would make the right choice and stand by a President who has offered you the necessary alternatives. I'm left questioning the sanity of this nation and dreading Election 2012.

Yours Truly,

A concerned Canadian citizen

Belonging

Have you ever felt like you belong in two places at once? Like you should be here and there?

That's how I feel this morning. I love Texas, don't get me wrong. It was the perfect destination to revitalize my spirit and just become me again. But, a part of me isn't sure this is where I need to be. I miss the city and fall weather and hot chocolate in the park. I miss downtown strolls and trips to the market and brunch at Chateau Laurier on Sundays. But, I don't know that Ottawa is 'home' to me either.

I'm probably confusing the heck out of you, but I've always been an older spirit. Even at a young age, I knew who I was and where I was headed. I was going to live in a loft in the city and stroll the harbor before church on Sundays. I would window shop on the weekends and jog through the park instead of hitting the treadmill in the gym. Maybe growing up in the city turned me away from that lifestyle, but now it's all I can think about. It's all I could think about last year too, which leads me to believe that maybe I just haven't found that perfect city just yet.

Dallas is amazing, but I feel like it's a transition city. Filled with recent college grads, it's an amazing city to start your new grown-up lifestyle - maybe not the perfect place to start a family. I love the South, I really do. It has everything I've ever dreamt of - I just wish I would have discovered it maybe five years ago. I love going out and meeting new people, but I think I love staying in much more.

Thinking about it more and more, I live for the rush of the race. The government race that is. If Ottawa isn't where I see myself, DC is. Is it where I need to be tomorrow? Absolutely not. But, it's where I'm headed - that I know. It has the benefits of the home I'm looking for and my career can only flourish in a city catered to my work-driven needs. Last year, I was so close to where I needed to be. But, far enough for me to feel as if I was being held back. I want to make a change in the world, but I can't do that without the proper resources.

We all know I have issues believing in myself and holding things in. I get down on myself more than I can even explain. I don't accept that making mistakes is part of growing up and I get that. I'm trying every day to see past that and take responsibility for things I can change. Sometimes, I think that hanging out with my friends and having a beer is a mortal sin - but, I'm doing better. I took Saturday for myself and just had fun. It was a nice change here. I always feel like I need to act ten years older, but I don't. I'm 23. I just wish my heart and my head could be on better terms with each other. Though she may not know this, but my past roommate (well, only roommate) Teira was a huge inspiration when it came to this. She really helped me see that I can be a responsible adult, but still let loose sometimes. I've always found it hard to see the difference and chose to just forgo hanging out with my friends instead. But, I'm learning. Like, tonight before studying - I went out for Happy Hour and dinner with the crew. See? Multitasking. I guess, I just don't know where I belong and that hurts me inside. Aren't we supposed to know where we belong? I just guess I don't know and heading back to Virginia next week isn't going to help. Ugh..