JAPAN!!!
I can't believe I'm only making this post now! At the end of October I travelled to Japan for the first time with my lovely boyfriend. We spent two weeks exploring, having way too much konbini food, walking 20k steps every day, and having the time of our lives. I personally love nature and history, so visiting Kyoto was the highlight of the trip for me. We visited shrines, temples, and beautiful gardens. Japan is unreasonably beautiful. I wish we could have gone when the leaves started to turn, but alas- next time. Some highlights from the trip:
- We went all the way up to the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine in Kyoto, which just about killed me.
- Went to our first sento, which was the most relaxing experience I have ever had in my life (although it did take me quite. awhile to get comfortable)
- Shibuya sky tree was absolutely amazing. Being so high up and looking over the city out in the open air, and being able to lay down on nets and watch the sky above...It was unreal.
- Walking around Toshima city in the early hours of the morning. Toshima was my favourite place we stayed at, because it felt like a very homey area.
- Boat dinner tour in Tokyo. It was a lovely experience with yummy food and a beautiful atmosphere.
- The first time I walked into a Don Quixote in Shibuya...iykyk.
- The cleanliness and punctuality of the subways. It was a pleasant surprise to see how well maintained the public transportation system is.
- Walking at night feeling safe.
- McDonald's there was one million times better than here, also the prices.
- Walking anywhere and being surrounded by trees, beautiful nature, parks, beautiful architecture, small shops, etc.
It's hard to explain how amazing it all was, and even harder to explain how badly I want to go back!
I turned 22!
Today, September 16th is my 22nd birthday! I feel like that number isn't real, and that it doesn't apply to me. In my mind I stopped aging at 16, which maybe has something to do with the fact that the pandemic happened around that time. But regardless, it's as if these numbers are all made up, and i've just been living life as a 16 year old all this time. Even though I graduated both high school and University already, I don't feel the age I am. This year I'm determined to be more sentient and intentional about my life, and that includes recognizing that I'm getting older and that's ok. I'm excited rather about growing up now. Although my mentality isn't always this positive about getting older, i will try to be more appreciative of the fact that getting older is a privilege, so i should enjoy it more. This is the year of being intentional, bettering myself and exploring who I am and doing what I love. This means reading more, writing more, practicing mindfulness and meditating to feel better mentally, going on new adventures and taking lots and lots of photos. It also means spending time with the ones i love and being kind above all else. I created a bingo card for 12 goals i have in my 22nd year of life, and even if i don't complete any of them, i find it comforting to have a game plan for this year (part of being more intentional.
As for my birthday, it was lovely. I have my boyfriend to thank for that, because of how thoughtful and caring he is. I started the day with a great brunch meal at Eggspectation, then i opened my birthday gifts from him, which included the sweetest and funniest scavenger hunt ever and ended with an amazing gift that im super excited for- a fujifilm xt-30 ii. I'm super excited for what we will do with this camera, and I really hope we can bring it to Japan in October. After the gifts we played a video game we both really like, and then headed to a park to paint (although we just ended up eating snacks and taking pictures). We finished then day by having dinner and singing happy birthday and then hanging out opening presents and watching the movie "Battle Royale". Oh, I also got the fujifilm instax mini 12 and i'm soooooo excited to take way too many polaroids with it. I had a really good birthday not bevauee of the gifts but because i got to spend time with who i love and do activities i enjoy. Last year i went outside my comfort zone for my birthday and i didn't have a great time. I think i did that to try and fit into the typical young adult party stereotypes when that's just not me. This year i had a lovely and chill day, which is what makes me happiest- and isn't that the point of a birthday? To do what makes you happy and celebrate life?
Anyway, here's to 22!
Hozier concert 2025
OMG!!! I went to the Hozier concert in Toronto a few days ago and it was the most beautiful experience ever. I've been listening to Hozier since elementary school, and have loved all of his discography since. I think I started really appreciating and understanding his lyrics after listening to 'Swan Upon Leda', which is one of my favourite songs of his. His music is inherently political, which I really admire because he does it in such a beautiful and poetic way. I think almost every song of his parallels human struggle in some way- from the effects of colonialism, love and acceptance for all, the horrors of war, women's reproductive rights, and much more. Going to this concert was surreal because it set in for me that Hozier is a real person who creates art that directly impacts and speaks to so many people. The stadium was absolutely full to the brim with people singing along to each and every song. I saw people hugging one another, crying, saying with their eyes closed...it was beautiful. I even got to see him up close for 'Cherry Wine' when he went to stage B and I ran to get close enough to see and hear him without a screen. My favourite part though was singing 'Take me to church' with everyone. We were all practically screaming the lyrics and the energy was electric. I had such a good time, it felt really powerful and made me super happy to experience that with so many other people.