Okay, okay. This isn't really an 'ode' to road trippin' because in order for it to be an ode, it would have to be a "lyric poem with complex stanza forms". Truth be told, I ran out of neat subject titles.

Anyway, inspired by a recent post from the super cool Dylon from Current Thoughts, I decided to write a little sumthin' on one of my fave things to do. You guessed it....Road Trippin'!!! Of course, now that I'm married and live on a farm and run a little business, we don't have time for many road trips. I will, however, revisit some old memories....

Family road trips were always big with my family. Ma and Pa would pack us into the car and we'd drive and drive and drive. We'd go to New York to visit family most of the time. Then there were the many trips to Florida- Cape San Blas, Orlando, Miami, Cocoa Beach...ahhhh, such is the life. I could never tire of the beach and Disney World has got to be one of my fave places on this planet. We also drove to Virginia Beach just to go camping (Cherry Stone National Park is a cool place- if it's still there! That was ages ago).

I always felt guilty for not seeing more of our own country, so we also went on trips to Algonquin Park, Gatineau, and even as far as New Brunswick...just to go camping. Good times.

I outgrew the family road trip thing when I was in high school/college and ended up making some trips of my own (with friends). Some of the more memorable ones are the ones that were so spontaneous and not planned at all!

1) My friends and I had just gotten our drivers' licences and we thought we were the coolest kids on earth. We decided on the spur of the moment to go for a road trip to Ottawa. Four girls, great tunes, road snacks, and less than $50 between all of us, we went to the nation's capital. To do what? No idea. I remember us all singing "I saw the sign" from Ace of Base (omg, I know!) full blast and every single Red Hot Chili Peppers song we knew. I think there was some drinking at an Ottawa pub, but how we got in, I have no clue. We were all underaged. Crazy things you do when you're young.

2) My friend Fran called me up one evening (we lived in Toronto at the time) and she said, "What are you doing?" "Not much, you?" "Nothing. Hey, pack your bags and I'll pick you up in a few minutes!" "WHAT? Where are we going??" "I don't know. Just pack your bags." "Okay." We ended up driving to Montreal late at night, had breakfast at Chez Cora's and then drove back to Toronto. It was an insane thing to do, but the journey together was fun. I miss Fran. She now lives in Newfoundland and has four kids! She was my Lilith Fair and all things cool buddy.

3) My friend Kelly and I used to drive to Vermont and NY for some cross-border shopping. Yeah, bad girls. I'll never forget the time we took her grandfather's old boat of a vehicle and when we went to fill up on gas, we didn't know where the gas thing was!!! Who would have known it would be behind the licence plate!?!?!?!

4) I also did a road trip to visit friends in the US. I went to Kansas, Missouri, and when I got to Philadelphia to see an old teacher friend of mine( from when we taught in Japan), we (along with a bunch of his friends) took a little trip to ATLANTIC CITY!!!! Now that was fun! Did you know that the streets there are all the same names as the streets in the game Monopoly??? (Boardwalk, Park Place...)

5) There was that bittersweet trip a bunch of us took to New Brunswick for a friend's funeral. It was a crazy road trip, but one of the best ones ever. 13 hrs in a car with some of my very fave people, the soundtracks from the movies Reservoir Dogs and Studio 54 , crazy antics, pit stops in the middle of nowheresville, and eventhough we spoke French, it wasn't the same kind of French people spoke near the border of Quebec and New Brunswick. Once we met up with all the others who took the trip to NB for the funeral, we all shared laughs, love, and memories of a very special person.

6. Oh, who amongst my friends would ever forget the time Hailey and I drove to Sandbanks for a camping trip? We got up super excited, ready to go and hit the open road. We got stuck in traffic and being the geniuses we were, ended up going 8 hrs in the wrong direction!!! What was only supposed to be a two and a half hour drive, took us nearly to the United States! I kept saying that I thought we were going the wrong way, but buddy insisted that we weren't. After much arguing and b*tching, we went for hours driving in silence. We both cracked and started laughing our heads off after, swearing never to tell a soul how challenged we were when it came to directions! We ended up at our campsite at 1AM! Luckily, the guys were working late and told us they'd meet us there early the next morning. Thank goodness they didn't arrive before us, because Hailey and I told them that everything was fine and that when they arrived, the beer would be chilling in the cooler and the tent would be set up. Imagine the two of us girls pitching the tent in complete darkness at 1 in the morning? LOL!

Maybe one day I'll post about world travel. I really feel guilty that I've seen more of the world than I have my own country. Maybe one day I'll be able to go on a cross-Canada trip. Maybe.

In the meantime, I'm aching to read The Bad Girl's Guide to the Open Road, as recommended by Dylon.

The gorgeous and talented MsMamma tagged me to do this really fun meme on movies. Here goes :)

1. Popcorn or candy? I'm not a fan of either, but when at the movies, I have to say that there's nothing like movie theater popcorn with extra butter. lol!

2. Name a movie you've been meaning to see forever. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). My Dad always talks about this movie and I'm a Paul Newman and Robert Redford fan. I've just never seen the movie for some reason. Hmmm...

3. You are given the power to recall one Oscar: Who loses theirs and to whom? Nothing outstanding comes to mind. I hate to admit, but I haven't seen the Oscars on TV in ages *gasp*

4. Steal one costume from a movie for your wardrobe. Anything Charlize Theron wore in the movie Head in the Clouds. She was great as Gilda and the wardrobe was great too!

5. Your favorite film franchise is...Lord of the Rings or the original Star Wars

6. Invite five movie people over for dinner. Who are they? Why'd you invite them? What do you feed them? Charlie Kaufman for sure, because he is a genius. I love Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I'd also invite Robin Williams just because he'd be the life of the party. Michel Gondry would be there too, along with Sofia Coppola and Meryl Streep. I love Michel Gondry's artistic view and Sofia Coppola is just so talented. I'd invite Meryl Streep because she's always been one of my favourite actesses. What would I feed them??? I have no idea!!! A buffet of Indian cuisine and lots and lots of wine???

7. What is the appropriate punishment for people who answer cell phones in the movie theater?Immediate electrocution in their seat. (Sorry for being so un-creative, MsMamma, but your answer was a good one!)

8. Choose a female bodyguard: Miho (Sin City) or Aeon Flux (Aeon Flux)

9. What's the scariest thing you've ever seen in a movie? The scene in Seven where this pervy guy is forced to kill an exotic dancer/prostitute(?) by wearing this gruesome looking, sharp, phallic contraption and when they 'do it', she gets the sharp object through her stomach. Gross. There's also the scene in Texas Chainsaw Massacre where the creepy guy kills Jessica Biel's boyfriend and puts his face (or the skin off his face) on his. That is creepy!

10. Your favorite genre (excluding comedy and drama) is? I absoultely love foreign films. Amores Perros and House of Flying Daggers are among my faves.

11. You are given the power to greenlight movies at a major studio for one year. How do you wield this power? I'd give more money for independent films and try to get more female producers and directors in there.

12. Bonnie or Clyde?Bonnie because she is the epitome of cool!!!

13: Who are you tagging to answer this survey: Jill, Dina, and Dylon. MsMamma sent this to Curiosity Killer too, so they're both out and I don't think Wiky Lion nor Stephen and Elisabeth would do this :)

I called my cousin, Jey last night. No real reason. Just because. We are twelve cousins on my mom's side, and Jey and I are the only girls. She's like a little sister to me and I sometimes worry about her.

We had a great chat and she told me she's got a year and a half left of university.
Me: Enjoy your time now while you can, because once you get a full-time job, that's it. It'll be work, bills, work, bills, responsibilities...
Jey: Yeah, I know. I am looking forward to my time in school.
Me: Yeah, I know what you mean. I really miss my university days. They were so much fun. Make the best of your time in university, because those will be the days you remember for life.

It made me think of the words of Robert Frost's poem. Jey and I chatted for a bit longer and then we said our goodbyes. I had the urge to end the conversation with "Stay gold, Jenn", but at risk of sounding like a romantic, literary egghead, I refrained. *sigh* I feel old! LOL

my husband asked me to marry him. To read about our cheesy, sappy, romantic engagement, click on this :)

A few years ago, my friend Tarah and I had the opportunity to see the film Lunch With Charles. I hadn't heard about the film before, since there wasn't much publicity or hype for it. Thankful that this was not a high end, mega-buck Hollywood production, I sunk into the chair of a not so packed movie theatre, and enjoyed the film. We saw it at the Carlton in Toronto, where at the time, we were able to view movies for less than 5 bucks and hardly anyone ever went there because the movies were either ones which had been out in theatres for a few months already or small, low-budget, independent films...like Lunch with Charles. Like Tarah and myself, most people who go to the Carlton are attracted to independent movies and ones which take the path less taken. Don't get me wrong, as I sometimes do enjoy some of the bigger name movies! Boy, was I ever happy that Tarah discovered this film! The cinematography was pretty good, the plot was appealing, and what surprised me most was that Bif Naked was one of the main actors in the film and she did an amazing job in her role as Natasha! I just love a good 'ol Canadian (okay, it's Canadian/Hong Kong) film. The film had all the elements of suspense, adventure, love, excitement, drama...and it's just worth checking out. It's refreshing and just a neat look at the complexity of love and relationships.

Here's a review from The New York Times:

2001-Canada/Hong Kong-Psychological Drama/Marriage Drama
PLOT DESCRIPTION Tong (Sean Lau) is a struggling Hong Kong musician who half-heartedly sells real estate in his spare time. Tong is married, but for the past three years, his wife, April (Theresa Lee), has been living in Canada, where she works as a publicist for a music management firm in Vancouver and waits for her husband to work up the ambition to join her. While April has been faithful to Tong, he's certain temptation lurks around every corner, and in time he finally decides to bite the bullet and head to Vancouver. However, Tong's timing turns out to be a bit off; April and her assistant (Francoise Yip) are working with the owner of an Irish brewery (Tom Scholte) to sign an up-and-coming Celtic rock band to an endorsement and sponsorship deal, and April has headed out on the road to track down the band. Tong loses April's trail while trying to catch up with her, and ends up spending the night at a bed and breakfast operated by a married couple, Matthew (Nicholas Lea) and Natasha (Bif Naked). When Tong tries to explain his dilemma to his hosts, he discovers that Natasha used to be the lead singer of the rock band April is trying to flag down; as fate would have it, the group's manager soon calls with a firm offer to rejoin the band, and soon all parties are headed for Alberta, where everyone is to take a meeting with a wheeler and dealer named Charles. However, as Tong and Natasha make the long drive to Lake Louise together, he finds his fidelity to April challenged for the first time. Lunch With Charles was the first feature film co-produced by firms from Canada and Hong Kong; it also marked the dramatic debut of pop singer Bif Naked. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Just thought I'd share :) There's something so special about these paintings.

The Accolade by Edmund Blair Leighton





Lady of Shalot by John William Waterhouse

when I first saw you. Your sweet baby smell and your soft baby cheeks, just made my heart melt. I wanted to hold you forever and never let you grow up. I wanted to freeze time and lock you in that moment--afraid that you'd grow up and afraid that you'd slip away one day.

You were an angel sent to us and you added so much joy to our lives. Everywhere we went, people commented on how "bright" your eyes were. You always had a way of making people laugh. You were so outgoing, even as a baby. You're still outgoing and friendly!

Being so much older than you, I was your sister, but also your second mom. I brought you everywhere with me, and read you stories before bed. I selfishly recanted the words of Shakespeare, Orwell, Salinger and other great authors, hoping their words would leave an imprint on you as they did me.

From a sweet, chubby-cheaked, drool monster, you turned into a hardworking, intelligent, handsome, friendly, outgoing, fun, funny, loving, thoughtful, caring, talented, respectful young man. I love you so, so very much, little brother. I miss you and can't wait to see you for the holidays.

1) Spending time with Hubby, just the two of us :)
2) Going for walks in the woods and sharing a quiet moment with the deer
3) Listening to my sleeping puppy as he snores
4) Watching the kittens chase each other around the house and playfully attack each other
5) Spending time with my family (especially at Christmas)
6) The wood stove heating the house and a mug of hot chocolate in hand
7) A warm bowl of soup on a cold day
8) Sunshine and fresh air
9) Being with my close friends
10) Quiet moments to just think and appreciate how good life is

1) I were just a little bit taller
2) My grandmother lived closer to me
3) My little brother lived closer to me
4) My parents didn’t smoke (I really worry about their health)
5) I had paid more attention as a child to my music lessons in class and actually learned how to really play the piano
6) I could teach myself to play the acoustic guitar
7) I weren’t so self-conscious about showing others my art work
8) I weren’t so shy about letting people read my short stories and the novella I never finished writing
9) I didn’t have verbal diarrhea sometimes
10) Hubby and I had kids of our own right now, but that I could bypass the actual giving birth part. That terrifies me!
11) My grandfathers and my Aunt Zenaida were still alive
12) I didn’t have such horribly uncontrollable hair!!!
13) I were better at math
14) I didn’t have to be so nice all the time
I could be a little tougher and even a bit mean sometimes- you know, to be able to just say things are they are and voice my opinion and not always have to worry about how the other person feels.
15) I wish I didn’t always feel I need to be careful of others’ feelings, or be 'diplomatic' and 'politically correct'...or feel like I always need to be "Switzerland", the peace maker amongst feuding friends.

I woke up this morning and the first thing I saw were some light, fragile snowflakes dancing in the wind outside our big window by our bed. I had the odd feeling of 'deja vu'- a feeling I get every now and then. It was a strange feeling of 'I've been here', 'I've experienced this very moment before', 'this all seems so familiar'. I sat up and looked out the window, and to my surprise, the ground was completely white! We must have had a big snowfall last night, because everything is covered in snow.

My mind reeled back to that moment when I woke up and saw the snowflakes dancing in the wind. It brought me back to a time when I was a university student. I woke up, looked out the window and the first snow had fallen. I sat up in bed only to see my dear friend N smiling back at me. He and I had been great friends. We shared a love for literature, the arts, history, and the environment. We were both vegetarian, both active in environmental issues, and both loved to write. We always seemed to have a great time together and he honestly was one of the most special people in my life. He had a shy sense of being, was quirky in an 'artsy' kind of way...he was kind, gentle, soft-spoken, and he was so very handsome in a Clark Kent kind of way. I used to tell him he looked like Superman.

N smiled and asked me what I wanted for breakfast. We decided on heading to 'The Butler's Pantry' for some scrumptious waffles loaded with fresh fruit. It was also a place where artsy people hung out on a Sunday morning. Still half asleep, I wondered how long N had been sitting at his desk while I was sleeping. I'm kind of self-conscious when I sleep. I hate it when people watch me sleep. (Am I drooling? Snoring? Foaming at the mouth? LOL)

"Just writing you a poem", he smiled. "But you can't read it while in my presence." I still have that poem tucked away in one of my boxes of memories. I sometimes go back and revisit my former life as an early 20 something year old.

That was years ago and I went to Japan to teach shortly after that. We kept in touch through e-mail and letters, but that shortly ended. I haven't been able to contact him since and I sometimes wonder what he is up to and where life has brought him. He used to be a guy with all these visions of a Utopian world, though he was realistic at the same time (if that doesn't sound too contradictory). There was so much I admired in him. There are so many people that come in and out of my life, and some I don't care much that we've lost touch, and others, I wish we still remained in contact. Of course, this is a chapter of my life that I cherish. I sometimes miss my youth, my university days, my naive view of the world, my unjaded view of life and people, and most of all, my freedom from responsibility. Ahhh, how nice it was to be young...

Then I look at my sleeping husband, so sweet and adorable sleeping under the warm fleece covers. I am a lucky girl to have such a wonderful life :)

PS. Let us not forget all the soldiers and veterans on this Remembrance Day.
PPS. Happy birthday, Jonathan (JP)!