Micro Fiction Monday: End of Summer (BEDS 019)

I dipped my big toe in first. The water was cold—freezing, even—but so was the air around me. The sun was just beginning to shimmer above the horizon. It was too early to be awake, and far too soon to be leaving.

At least, that’s what everyone said. But summer was ending, and already I could see a yellow tint on the leaves above the cabin. Registration for classes had come and gone, and back-to-school ads plagued the radio that my sister had brought down to the beach every day. Now, the car was getting packed and loaded, and soon our summer home would disappear behind the mountains for another nine months.

I lowered myself onto the dock, easing the rest of my foot into the water. I swung my other leg around and eased it in, too, shivering as I did. There was no time to be slow, no time to get used to the temperature. So I slowly swung my legs beneath the water, hands gripping the dock, and stared off at the horizon as the sun inched its way up. The other cottages dotting the lake remained dark, and the birds and crickets remained quiet.

In that moment, it was just me and the lake. Just how I liked it.

                
Eventually, my peace ended. I was called back to the car, the engine revved, and we pulled out of the driveway for the last time. With my sister already asleep on my shoulder, I watched as our house disappeared out of sight, taking my summer with it.

The Simple Things (BEDS 008)

I like a lot of things. And when I really, really like something, I get very, very passionate about it. When I get passionate, I get excited, and when I get excited, I get loud. And when I get loud, well...it gets really hard to shut me up.

But there are some things I love a lot that I'm very quiet about. These things are simple, small, everyday things that I don't really think about, until I see them and think, Holy CRAP I love this so much!

These things include, but are not limited to:

1. The light of a Christmas tree in a dark room.

2. The satisfaction of having perfectly wrapped a gift.

3. A blue, cloudless sky.

4. The first snowfall of the year, and all the magic it brings.

5. The satisfaction of singing "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from Mulan. (Especially when you imitate all the different voices.)

6. Cheesecake. Just cheesecake.

7. Spinning around the room in a brand new dress, because screw all of you I'll be a princess if I want.

8. Singing in the shower (but only when no one is home, because I'm not very good).

9. The feeling of wearing brand new clothes for the first time.

10. When you look in the mirror partway through the day and your hair is on freaking point.

11. The wear and tear on a favourite book.

12. When you accidentally draw a perfectly straight line.

13. When the pages of a book absorb your very consciousness and you just can't put it down.

14. When the day ends and you can't help but feel proud because of all you accomplished.

15. A really good, really long hug.

16. The smell of a new (or old) book.

17. When you find the literal perfect song for how you're currently feeling.

18. Blizzards and/or thunderstorms.

19. Blankets and hot chocolate.

20. Pumpkin. Pumpkin everything.


What are some of your favourite things?

Until later,

- Justyne

School Year Resolutions (BEDS 006)

My reign of terror freedom has ended. Today, my friends, I return to school.

The start of a new school year, as we all know, is full of hope. Beautiful, sometimes naive hope that, "This year will be different!" It's like the start of a new calendar year, but less depressing, because the hope of Christmas is still on the horizon. I find that making resolutions in September makes way more sense than making them in January, actually, because by the time January rolls around, the freshness of the school year has worn off, everything is dead, and literally all anyone wants is to get back to summer, when they don't have a 25 page term paper due and only 24 hours to get it done. 

Hence, my School Year Resolutions.

I'll be frank with you: these mostly stay the same every year, because I suck at resolutions and could really stand to improve pretty much every aspect of my life, academic or otherwise. But I'll still share them with you, anyway, because who knows--this may be the year that they get done.

(Stop laughing.)

2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR RESOLUTIONS

1. Stop procrastinating, maybe. Somewhat. Okay, at least start the damn term paper more than just a couple days early.

2. Keep regular blog posts going throughout the school year. This includes book reviews.

3. Try and finish NaNoWriMo. Without crying.

4. Keep my room (relatively) clean, so that you're not prompted to go rage-cleaning the day before your exam. (Instead of studying.)

5. Stop zoning out during my lectures. This is very important.

6. Maybe talk to people at school for a change. I don't know, something to think about.

7. Take better notes, so I can actually understand what I wrote down three months from now. (Also: saying, "I'll definitely remember what this means" does not, in fact, make it true.)

8. Consider studying for exams earlier, so that I'm not tempted to sneak a peek at my notes at work. (Not like I've done this or anything.)

9. Stop spending so much money on food.

10. Just try to survive the school year relatively unscathed.

So how many of you are going to school, and what are your school year resolutions? Comment below and let me know!

Until later,

- Justyne

Micro Fiction Monday: The First Leaf

At exactly 3:42 on a Tuesday afternoon, the first leaf of autumn fell. Everyone knew it was coming—the leaves were all shades of golden and auburn, and the sun was beginning to set early in the evening. It was only a matter of time before one gust of wind carried enough chill to pluck the dying leaf from its branch, lowering it gently to the ground.

This moment of contact, the first of many, marked the official End of Summer. It was the point of no return, the first preparation for winter. The moment you know that there will be no more warm days on the forecast, and that every risk of rain would quickly become a risk of snow. It’s the moment everyone finally packs away their shorts and tank tops, dares to put the sunscreen farther back in the bathroom cabinet. It’s the moment every child finally accepts that school is back for the long run, and when every parent realizes that Christmas is just around the corner.

The first leaf marks an end, a beginning, and the beginning of a larger end as we enter the final quarter of the year. It holds all the memories of a summer gone, and all the possibilities of a year yet to come. It’s not only the essence of change, but a reminder that some things never do.

New York, New York

I have always, always, always, always, always wanted to live in New York. I am entirely aware that this is a notion spurred by movies, and television shows, and books that romanticize this idea of living in the "greatest city in the world". I'm not even sure I ever want to follow through with this desire, because there is no way it will live up to what I envision it to be

And yet, today I watched You've Got Mail for probably the hundredth time in my life, and found myself wishing once again.

I've always loved that movie. Maybe it's the books. Maybe it's the romance. Maybe it's the fact that it's always had a very cool, autumn vibe, because that's when the story starts off. Or maybe because, just like Mr. Joe Fox, I love the idea of New York in the fall.

It was fourteen degrees today, as we packed up the car and headed home after a visit in Regina. It's the coldest I've seen since spring faded into summer over three months ago, and the second time I've chosen pants over shorts in the last week. Two weeks ago I did my back-to-school clothes shopping, picking up sweaters and jeans and other clothes suitable for chilly weather. In another seven days, my birthday will be here, and school will follow shortly after.

Summer is nearing an end. Even though the temperatures are set to climb high once again in the coming week, and will very likely stay that way for a while yet, the sweet, sweet freedom of a student's summer will soon be over.

It kinda sucks, sure. I'll be sad to hide away my sundresses, of course. But I love fall, and the winter that follows. I love curling up under blankets, having a warm cup of hot chocolate to accompany a movie. I even love the fresh start a new school year brings--y'know, before the assignments and exams start. 

When fall comes, I will gladly welcome it with open arms.

Until later,

- Justyne

Micro Fiction Monday: Sunken Memories

The smell of campfires hit me in the face as I turned the page. Not literally, because I was in my room in the middle of the afternoon, and in no way remotely close to a bonfire. But this slightly dented hardback, its pages already creased from the dog ears of another read-through, was one I bought last summer. The first time I read it was by the light of the fire pit outside our tent, and the smell came back to me now, as though the pages had absorbed the smoke when I was reading.

~~

The next book I read brought a cool breeze to my cheeks, and though the air was silent, I could hear the jingle of holiday songs. I closed my eyes and saw soft yellow lights among thick green branches, could feel the satisfaction of wrapping paper tearing beneath my fingers, revealing the cover that I was now holding in my hands. The first time I read it was that afternoon, during the peaceful quiet of a holiday.

~~

I crack open my new book as I exit the bookstore, the rush of a new addition to my collection still fresh in my bones. The air has a chill to it, and I quickly zip up my jacket, tugging my silk scarf farther up my face. My eyes drift over the new, unfamiliar words as my boots crunch through the dead, fallen leaves.

And like every book I’ve read before, this memory will soak itself into the pages of this book, only to be released when I start the story anew. 

Micro Fiction Monday: Seasons

When the year began, the trees looked dead. They weren’t dead, of course, but with their bare branches stretching out against the grey, sunless sky, they sure looked like it. By January, everyone was done with the holiday season, and the noticeable lack of cheery lights and jingly music made everything look dull in comparison. It was like the magic of Christmas had disappeared overnight, forcing us back into our dreary, everyday lives. “You had your fun,” the season mocked. “Now, back to work!”

When the kids shed their winter coats, the sun was warmer. The snow melted away as the rain returned, growing the grass greener and sprouting flowers up between the cracks in the pavement. The trees regained their livelihood, and the seasons bled together as the temperature rose. The sun stayed up longer, and campfires began to dot the town, keeping the same fiery light alive long into the night.

When the school bells rang once more, the seasons were distinct again. The air was brisker, the wind sharper, cutting through sweaters like a paper edge through skin. Footsteps crinkled and cracked as boots shifted through beds of fallen leaves, the wind picking them up and blowing them across the pavement.

And as the year came to a close, it looked about the same as it had at the start, and entirely different. A certain excitement buzzed in the air, held tight with jingle bells and happy tunes. Lights twinkled in the sky, flickering and shimmering like artificial stars. It felt like magic, supercharged by a large bearded man and held strong by the smiles of children on Christmas morning.

~~

Until later,

- Justyne

Falling into Autumn (BEDS #9)

The title was so cringe worthy that I had to use it.

Now I know that, according to the calendar, it's still technically summer. And I know that, in some places, it still feels like summer.

But here, it does not. Today, it was 11 degrees (Celsius), and cloudly, and overall about as far from summer as you can get without adding multi-colourful leaves and six feet of snow piled on the ground. It was cold, and miserable, and all in all not the day I would typically enjoy.

Maybe it's because I just got back from Florida, where it's a humid 40 degrees every day and 95% of my time was spent outdoors, but for once, I welcomed this lower temperature. I love summer, always have and always will. I adore winter, too. But I always forget how much I appreciate fall until it comes around.

Again, I love summer. I love the heat, and eating ice cream and drinking iced capps. I love wearing tank tops and shorts and sundresses and flip flops--my cutest outfits are made for summer. Even now, when I'm not in school, there's this special feeling about summer that I can't help but love, even though the humidity makes my curly hair go crazy.

Winter, on the other hand, is magical. The snow is absolutely beautiful--especially in December, when everyone has their multi-coloured Christmas lights up and they sparkle against the snow with the street lights. I love the excitement of the first snow fall, how I still run out to taste the fresh flakes on my tongue in the middle of the street. I love curling up inside, with sweaters and blankets and hot chocolate. I love surrounding myself with a zillion blankets at night, and taking a nice, hot shower in the morning. Just the very thought of winter makes me happy, even though I look terrible in hats and the wind makes my face go numb after being outside for ten minutes.

Fall is always the season I overlook. I always view it as an "in-between" season, along with spring. I never liked spring, because the snow melts and makes everything wet and muddy and thus hard to walk around in. Whenever I think about fall in the heat of summer, it always makes me depressed--no matter how much I love winter (and Christmas), I still never want summer to end. The idea that the days will grow shorter (they're already short enough, thank-you-very-much) and the temperature will drop is significantly less than appealing.

But fall is almost a comfort. Fall feels like new beginnings--it's when school starts up again (even though I may no longer be attending), and when all of the television shows kick back up for a new season, with brand new ones joining in alongside them. It's new pencils and new notebooks and new stories and a new year--January will never feel as fresh or as new as September does to me.

So although I hope that Manitoba still has a few warm days left in store, I will be content with my sweatpants and hoodies and big fluffy socks. I will turn off my fan and curl up under my covers, and spend an extra five minutes in the shower because holy moly do I love hot showers. I will enjoy this.

It is, after all, just a new beginning.


QUESTION OF THE DAY: what's your favourite season? Comment down below!

Until later,

- Justyne

Season Premieres (WFMAD Day 14)

It's that time of year again. School is up and running, the temperatures are cooling, and my favourite TV shows are starting to return at last.

The time for season premieres is upon us.

Last night was the first in the line of many returns and new arrivals on television this fall. Down in the States, the second season of The Legend of Korra premiered, and while I couldn't watch it live on television, some kind soul uploaded it online for us poor non-Americans to watch. I've been waiting over a year for the return of this show, and I REALLY enjoyed it!

Next up, this Monday, is the premiere of Dancing with the Stars is airing. I don't normally tune into this show, but Bill Nye the Science Guy is going to be dancing this season.

You heard me. Bill Nye the Science Guy. My childhood is screaming at me to watch this.

A week after that, on September 23rd, is the Castle season 6 premiere; which, after the finale back in May, I am absolutely FREAKING OUT about, you have absolutely no idea. (Unless you know me in real life, in which case yeah, you probably do have a pretty good idea.) I sincerely hope I don't work on this date because I'm 99% sure I will die in the prolonged wait a closing shift at the restaurant will cause.

A week after that, on September 29th, is the Once Upon a Time season 3 premiere. While I didn't enjoy the second season as much as the first, I'm still SUPER excited for its return. They're going to have Ariel, guys. Ariel. She's, like, my favourite princess ever.

And finally, on October 10th is the series premiere of Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, a OUaT spin-off. This is a new show, and one that I hadn't originally intended on watching...until I saw the trailer.

I mean, come on. It's a love story. This is ME we're talking about. I'm tuning in if it's the last thing I do.

Of course, there are also going to be new episodes of Phineas and Ferb airing occasionally, which I will DEFINITELY not be missing, because I love that show to death. The season finale of The Amazing Race Canada also airs the same night as the DwtS premiere, which I am equally stoked for.

What shows are you looking forward to watching this year?

Until later,

- Justyne

That Time of Year (WFMAD Day 4)

That's right, folks. My birthday has passed, which means....

...it's time to start counting down the days until Christmas! :D

(For those of you who don't already know, I love Christmas. Like a lot.)

It's also, however, the beginning of the school year.

For many of my friends, school has already started, and for my sisters, it begins tomorrow; which means that summer, as we know it, is over. I've always loved summer, but I've never been quite so sad to see it end before.

Okay, I'll be honest for a minute: after hearing about everybody heading back to school, and starting a fresh new academic year, I do feel a little bit left out of the excitement. I enjoyed the year I spent at UPEI--I loved the school, the city, the people I met. Even though English class was the bane of my existence, I did thoroughly enjoy most of my other classes. And if there were enough of those classes for me to take, I'd go back in a heartbeat.

But that's the whole reason I took a year off, now, isn't it? There wasn't any program offered by that school that I felt interested in enough to take full time for four years, or make a career out of. I was spending my time on something that I didn't like and wanted almost nothing to do with.

It's one of those "absence makes the heart grow fonder" things, I think. I know that if I went back, I'd be happy and excited for a total of five minutes before reality sets in and I'm stuck with five hours worth of homework every night. I'd be slightly annoyed with myself for going back, and I know that, which is why I decided to stay home this year.

I don't regret this decision, nor do I regret the year I spent at UPEI (regardless of how much I may have hated English class). I'm happy with where I am now, how I got here, and what I'm working towards this year.

So good luck to my friends beginning the school year! Whatever school you're attending, whatever grade you're in, I hope that you manage to keep your locker clean, your notes neat, and your homework finished before 2 am.

Until later,

- Justyne