I KNOW ARISTOTLE

Taylor Swift has dropped a double album to commemorate her breakup with Joe Alwyn, and of course, I think it’s a fantastic album with great music. So Long, London, and Down Bad are a couple of my favorite tracks from it so far, although I’m still in the thick of my semester-end finals and I haven’t quite had the time to explore the 31 new tracks fully yet, and so my answers may change, a couple of weeks later. Five weeks ago, I met a man called Garrett for a first date in Vancouver. I stepped out of the Skytrain station to meet him, and at that moment, the sun was setting on the Vancouver skyline, so we saw the prettiest sight. It was so pretty that, within a few minutes, Jeremy had texted me to look at the sky. Garrett and I joked that we’d made the gorgeous scenery happen for the other person. We then walked around asking each other questions to get to know each other. On the way to have drinks and dinner, we found out that we had the same birthday, verifying by looking at the other person’s ID. After some mediocre buns and drinks, he got us ice cream, matcha for himself and carrot cake for me, although we shared both pretty equally. The ice cream was fantastic, but the banter felt much more comfortable. For the next two weeks, we called each other pretty much everyday, and then we had another date. On that date, he made some pretty good tacos (that I rated 8/10) and got me a tub of matcha ice-cream, on the lid of which he’d written “4 my penguin”, because penguins are his favorite animal. I met his roommates, a pretty sweet couple, before they left for a party, and then Garrett put on a little bit of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour for us to watch, before we shared our life stories with each other. I stayed over at his place, and the next morning, we walked around the Mount Pleasant area. In keeping with our tradition, he got me a carrot cake cupcake, because I hadn’t had carrot cake in Canada (which is my favorite type of cake, I know, how uncool lol), and he was making up for lost time, maybe. He also got me an earl grey donut from Cartems, which I really liked, even though I’ve never really liked donuts very much. Since then, we’ve also been calling and FaceTiming, once, twice, three times a day, every day. We’re currently on FaceTime with each other while we’re studying together. We’re both going through our school finals in the next week or so, and then he’s coming over to Nanaimo to stay with me for half the week. He goes to therapy once a week, and is studying to be a therapist. Whenever we’ve run into things that may turn into issues, we talk things through very calmly and thoroughly, and we’ve said how safe we feel with each other that we’re able to bring things up to each other to talk about, instead of letting things sit and fester. I don’t know, it’s small things so far, and nothing major has happened, but the past five weeks have felt so pleasant and lovely and easy. So… We’ll see how things go.

LIGHT FOR GOOD VIBES

Day 92: What is the last trick you fell for?

Alessia asked "why is the word 'gullible' written on our ceiling?" and I looked up. 

Day 93: What annoyed you or made you cringe today?

Forgetting that I had meetings scheduled.

Day 94: What scent makes you happiest?

Lavender, Chanel No. 5 EDP, Taylor Swift's Incredible Things are all scents that make me happy. I also love the smell of caramelizing onions. 

Day 95: What is the formula for success?
In this world? Be born rich.

Day 96: What is the last thing you searched for?
Love. I think I might have found it, too, although it might be early to tell. It's a lot like love right now.

Day 97: What did you forget to do today?

I forgot to bring my copy of Karl Marx's Selected Writings for Garrett.

Day 98: What surprised you today?

I had a donut I liked, from Cartems Donuts. I'm not usually the biggest fan of donuts, but Garrett got me an earl grey one. 

Day 99: What is the quickest way to your heart?
Caring about social justice issues.

Day 100: What is one thing you've never done?
Scuba dive.

Day 101: How soundly do you sleep?

I fall asleep pretty easily, but am quite a light sleeper and am sensitive to noise. 

Day 102: Whose phone number(s) do you know by heart?
Jeremy's. It's the easiest phone number to remember, tbh.

Day 103: Whose heart have you broken?
I have broken up with a few people but I don't know that I can say I broke their hearts.

Day 104: What was the last vacation you really enjoyed?
I think when I went back to Singapore in December 2022. So strange to think that going back to my home country now counts as a vacation for me.

Day 105: What is your mantra?
If you're not depressed, you're not paying attention.

SAWMILL CREEK

Day 64: Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
My family in Singapore.

Day 65: What are you most proud of?
That I'm still a good person who advocates for humanity even when life gets tough.

Day 66: What outfit would you wear every day if you could?
For comfort, a hoodie and sweatpants. For appearance, my pink suit.

Day 67: Do you feel blessed or cursed?
At this very moment, I think I lean more towards feeling blessed.

Day 68: What is your biggest fear?
Dying without having done everything I want to.

Day 69: What was the last courageous thing you did?
Run for Director-at-Large with the BCFS.

Day 70: Who always has your support?
Maybe Sara Kishawi.

Day 71: What friendship has grown deeper?
My friendship with Alessia.

Day 72: What is the last movie you went to see?

The Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert movie.

Day 73: In what position do you sleep best?
On my left, slightly curled up.

Day 74: On which topic do you consider yourself an expert?
Taylor Swift, maybe anti-capitalism - at least I'm more of an expert than the average person.

Day 75: What TV show always makes you laugh?
Parks and Rec.

Day 76: What is your dream car?
I don't have a dream car.

Day 77: What is your good luck charm?
I don't think I believe in one???

Day 78: If your life had a theme song, what would it be?

You Get What You Give by New Radicals.

Day 79: Appetizers, desserts, or both?
If I could have both, why would I pick one?

Day 80: What hasn't changed about you over the years?
How much of a romantic I am.

Day 81: What did you do exactly right today?
I cooked the right amount, for my meals today.

Day 82: What is on your bedside table right now?
A bedside lamp, my school course texts, a vibrator, Lush Twilight body spray.

Day 83: What makes you feel like a kid again?
Swinging on the swings, running and playing in heavy rain.

Day 84: Who is your mentor?
In different capacities for different aspects of life: Art, Warren, Kaia, Lauren.

Day 85: Who owes you an apology?
Probably the person who was trolling me with mean comments a few years ago, not that I'd expect one. And also my real dad. Also not expecting that one either.

Day 86: What is the last compliment you received?
Someone calling me exceptionally beautiful.

Day 87: Which year of your life has been the most enjoyable?
I believe it was 2012. I went to see Spring Awakening (one of my favorite musicals), Jason Mraz's concert, etc.

Day 88: How many cups of coffee did you drink today?
One.

Day 89: What is your idea of a great evening out?
A really good movie, or a musical, or a stand-up comedy show, followed by a delicious late night supper.

Day 90: Truth or dare?
??? Who will dare me to do things??? Or ask me questions????

Day 91: City, suburbs, or country life - Which suits you best?
I think the suburbs? IDK, they all have their perks and disadvantages. I like all three for different purposes.