Six months.
Twenty-six weeks.
One hundred and eighty-two days.
Four thousand, three hundred and eighty-two hours.
Two hundred, sixty-two thousand, nine hundred and seventy-four minutes.
fifteen million, seven hundred and sixty-eight thousand seconds.
Time is a wonder. So much of it, but so little at the same time. Why do hundreds of trillions of minutes soar past us so quickly? Already today marks the half year time stretch since my last birthday, yet I remember everything as if it was yesterday. Finishing dance class and getting hugs and birthday wishes from everyone before putting on my dress and going for dinner. Six months since I sat at the Italian restaurant and tried to decide over a dish for my dinner. Six months since my little sister surprised me with a copy of The Hunger Games and I was exploding with astonishment and happiness. Six months since I sat on my Aunt's couch and opened what is now my favourite hoodie. It's incredible how long ago it is already.
I've been going to high school for one month exactly as of tomorrow, but in reality it only feels like two weeks. Already we are eleven months away from summer and only a little less than three months away from Christmas. Why time? Why are you going so fast? Stop for a little while won't you?
People have asked me, after reading one of my first blog entries, why it is that I cry on Christmas. It's true, every Christmas Eve for the past few years has brought me to tears. This is the reason. I cry because time has slipped so easily through my fingers, it has gone away forever with no way or hope of ever getting it back. It's slowly, day by day, minute by minute, becoming a little farther out of my grasp and disappearing from my view. I can go through my life smoothly, shallowly and without concern but every once in awhile it hits me like a rock again, how far I am in life and how much I've been missing.
It makes me upset and truly, scared to think that each day is all I have. I wish so badly that I could freeze where I am now and live in it forever, where there is no tragedy, heartbreak or hardship. Where all of my relationships are good and everything is perfect. Coming into September was extremely hard for me because I was terrified that I would lose every good thing that had happened over the summer-friendships that had become one hundred percent better than they already were.
But looking back, I see that all of the worrying was pointless. If anything, the friendships have become even stronger and the good things have grown into positive experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life. Yes, time does fly past us and no amount of wishing or begging can slow it down, this is sad. But the one thing we can do to make it last, is live to the fullest in every single moment. As hard as it is, forgetting tomorrow, putting aside next week and thinking only about the present minute, that's what we should do. No matter what happens today or any other time in the future, take what you're doing right now and rejoice in it because it's a beautiful gift from God, no matter how short it is.
Much to my delight, autumn has been exceeding my expectations. Today we took a pleasant little trip to Puddicombe Farms, a cute area just a few minutes from here. It's actually quite surprising how much they have there, not only is it a Pick Your Own orchard-where you can currently harvest pumpkins and apples-but it also has several different kinds of animals, all of which have been rescued. From pigmy goats to peacocks and a cow that has a liking for snuggles, we had a lot of fun meandering around. They also have a little train with quite the history that takes you on a tour of the farm all the way to the back of the escarpment. It's actually fun, although we didn't go this time around.
Today I broke down and bought some fudge for the family, I'm looking forward to indulging in the chocolate caramel sensation later. Apple picking was really a lot of fun too, but then...who doesn't like picking their own fruit? The best part about it by far is snacking on the job-empires are delicious this time of year-and biting into a juicy, crunchy, delight. Whenever we pick our own fruit, for some bizarre reason, I always eat more of it. Maybe it simply tastes better knowing how much fun went into the experience of it all.
I'm an animal lover, so of course, the petting zoo was my favourite part of the day, especially since they had two ponies. You can assume I was ecstatic when the little one just kept sticking its head through the fence to let me stroke his muzzle and give him a scratch between the ears. The cow, believe it or not, was begging for attention! He pushed his head right up against the fence and held it there while we massaged his forehead and every time we stopped, he nudged the fence for us to continue. I have never seen a cow do that before. It was completely, entirely entertaining and adorable!
Emmah and I also got to pick a pumpkin, it feels like forever ago since we did last! There were quite a few to choose from and you should have seen the way my face illuminated at the sight of a perfectly round pumpkin sitting in a ray of sunlight. I insisted it was the perfect one because of the cuteness factor...if it's possible to find that in a pumpkin-which I believe it is. But after a few minutes, we agreed on a another one instead. It was smaller than some, perfectly round, and Emmah was able to carry it with not more than a little struggle which means it was just the right weight. After plopping it onto the scale and paying the 'man' we climbed into the car with our harvested crops and fudge and began the five minute journey home.
All but one family member home, cool, crisp, weather, no homework, leaves starting to change and one amazing day after another...yes I think the autumn odds are in my favour.
I love fall. There's something about the way that the breeze breezes that summons me. It's not like a summer breeze, which is still warm, but Autumn breezes are cool and almost chilling and they always put me in the mood. The mood for sweaters and jeans and pumpkin spice lattes. For apple picking and cinnamon sticks and leaves and being outside. It puts me in the mood to write, which is good, because hopefully I'll be posting more.
It was a couple weeks ago sometime when I woke up, and felt the air coming through our window. When I went downstairs the first thing I said was "Mom, it feels like Fall!" As if by instinct I dressed warmly, socks and a sweater, but unfortunately for me, it was still August and twenty-seven degrees outside. Thankfully, wonderfully, now it's September and the cool days have given me the liberty of dress.
On Friday, Mom and Emmah picked me up from school and the first thing they asked after I climbed in the car was, "Do you want a pumpkin spice latte?" Those are my favourite! So, to Starbucks we went and I indulged myself in the nutmeg-sprinkled whipped cream and half pumped coffee. Fall also puts me in the mood for reading, and if you didn't know this already, I'll tell you. I am the person that you keep away from the book store. No matter the season, I will go into the library or Chapters and fall in love with the place. Just the smell of paper does something to me. Paperbacks are like Sirens in the ancient Greek Myths for me; they distract, tempt and pull me in and during this time of year, it's ten times worse!
I go into the bookstore telling myself, "Laurel, you don't need anymore books. The chance that you'll read them is slim..." Still, there are few places I love going to other than the book store.
I look forward to watching the leaves change on our view of the Niagara escapement. It'll be absolutely beautiful. Even now, the more I write, the more I can't wait for Autumn to really set in.
Although I can't say that this is my favourite time of year, it is a season that has been well awaited and I intend on living it to the fullest!
This is something I've been meaning to get out for a long time. My apologies to the owner, I know I said I would blog about it when it was "New News" sadly procrastination has been poking at me.
I'd like to present the cutest guinea pigs I've ever seen, Peanut Butter and Jelly. Also known as...The Sandwich.
I remember having a conversation with the owner once, saying that my gerbil was the epitome of cuteness. She had asked me what epitome meant and I responded saying, "It means when you look up the word in the dictionary, my gerbil's picture will be there." She countered, insisting that she was sure her guinea pigs were there, and not my gerbil. To resolve this serious issue I explained that her guinea pigs are the epitome of adorable. This is true.
Peanut Butter's name was picked perfectly because she reminds me of a Reese's Cup. Her black, silky fur has caramel coloured ribbons throughout. She's the cuddly one and while it's impossible to pick which I like better, her or her sister, I love that she's content to be stroked and sit in your hands.
Jelly, if there's one thing I love about Jelly it's her fur. Spiked tufts stick out in every direction and are all kinds of colours from black, to white to grey. She likes to snuggle too, but she's also more of the adventurous one. She likes to explore the room and find a nice cozy corner to sit in.
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| Snuggling. |
The funniest thing is how much these two rodents love their owner. The second she walks into the room the rodents start to make noises. Clicks and squeaks and noises that remind me of Chewbacca. When they know they're going to get their vegetables the come out of their wooden house and wait patiently for celery and other yummy treats. Once they get fed, it takes seconds for the little mammals to devour the greens and after they're finished they're happy to be petted on the noses. Then they crawl back into their house and snuggle up to each other to sleep.
Although you can't eat it, this Sandwich is one sweet sensation.
Six months. 
