7 Things to Do With Your Day Off (Besides What You Should Be Doing)

Hello dear readers, if you are still out there.  If you were ever out there.

Long time, no see.  I realize that this is my first blog post in quite a while.  

Almost a month, actually.  I always meant to write something, but life kept getting in the way.  

Honestly, my lack of bloggage is probably not a huge issue - the only person who really reads it is Mckenzie, who just spent the entire weekend with me in a car and probably never wants to speak to me ever again.

But, there is good news.  I have the day off of school today!  What am I going to do with it? Well, if you're practical (re: boring) like me, it will be spent cleaning, doing homework, filling out scholarship applications, and practicing the various things that most people would call "hobbies", but what I call career options. I really know how to live it up. Since "routine" doesn't make for a very interesting blog post, I thought I'd take a cue from my friend Robin and create my very own list!  I'm not nearly as creative as she is (and lazier, too), so I have seven things instead of ten...but it's close enough for me.

So, without further ado, here are 7 things to do with your day off (besides what you should be doing):

1. Bake an extravagant, delicious cake and share it with your friends. Seriously, doesn't this look absolutely divine?

2. Alphabetize your book/movie/music/sock/vintage ugly sweater collection.  Because your beloved junk might as well be organized.

3. Go on a road trip less than 100 km from your home and check out something weird.  When else do you have a chance to check out the World's Largest Red Paperclip?

4. Write a letter to your local political representatives and complain about the lack of kittens in official government documents. Wouldn't filing your taxes be more fun with kittens?

5. Watch reruns of Doctor Who in preparation for the 50th Anniversary Special! A choice that requires no deliberation.

6. Work on your fabulous Halloween costume.  Like these.

7. Dance to polka music in a public place.  Because you can.

Bonus: Throw it on the ground.

That's all, folks!  I hope you have a wonderful, unproductive day!

Personal Best

The second day of grade twelve is finally complete.  Aside from a few philosophical quandaries , I think I’ve got this year under control.  I haven’t totally lost my mind yet, so that’s a good sign.  Between classes and extra-curriculars and being a genuinely fantastic human being, my days are pretty jam-packed.  Maybe I’ll try to squeeze some sleep in before the semester is over.

Today also marked my first cross-country practice of the year.  Yes I’m actually participating in a sport on my own accord.  It’s taken me seventeen years to figure out that I don’t dislike sport; it’s the teams that I’ve never been crazy about.  Not to be misanthropic, but team sports just never agreed with me – to much pressure, too many people, too much competition.     What I love about running is that you’re only really competing with yourself.

We met after school on the front lawn.  Despite being the oldest person there, I didn’t tower over anyone.  Most of the other participants were grade seven boys, with whom I share a similar stature (five feet or less…).  I didn’t let the age division deter me – I was there to run.  After some quick stretching, we laced up our shoes and set off.

So, I consider myself a pretty decent runner.  I won’t be winning any marathons in the near future, but I’m no greenhorn either.  But wouldn’t you know it, after the first few minutes of the run, I found myself at the very back of the group.  In fact, I was the slowest runner there.  

In the past, this would have really discouraged me.  I’d be angry and confused at my inability to live up to the achievements of everyone else.  My entire self worth would have been questioned by one perceived “failure”.  But not this time. 

I remember back to a time when I could barely for a minute without being in pain.

I remember times when I was so weak that I couldn’t run at all.

I used to spend so much time trying to be the best, instead of what I should have been aiming for: my personal best.  In the end, that’s all that really matters – how we measure up to our own expectations. 

            I may have been the slowest runner, but I ran the farthest of anyone else.  Maybe I wasn’t the best person there, but I gave my personal best.  And that’s good enough for now.

On another note, I'm hoping to prepare a recipe post within the next few days!  Keep checking back for all kinds of new things on Emily Untitled.  

The Beginning of the End

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the end. 

It’s full firsts and lasts, constants and changes.

It’s my last first day of high school.

It’s my first day of grade twelve.

It’s the last time my mom will take a zillion pictures of me with my backpack by the front door.

But maybe, it’s the first day of the rest of my life.

Tomorrow, I start grade twelve.   It’s less exciting than you’d think, but I’m still bizarrely excited.  I actually like learning things.  I’m excited to see what this year brings. 

Well, an end of summer walk is calling my name – I’ll fill you in on the first-day details tomorrow!