1. Fuddruckers
Fuddruckers allows you to literally glance into the butcher and choose your patty. 1/4, 1/2 and a full pound of meat are your choices. Now, if I am feeling especially like I want to put my heart under unecessary strain, I will go for the full pound of meaty goodness. However, the 1/2 pounder normally does me just fine. The buns are fresh and slightly toasted, and with a nice slab of cheddar cheese, that baby is good to go. You get to choose your own condiments so there is no worry about ordering to your likes and dislikes. I slab on the ketchup and Mayo and I’m good to go, because I am firmly of the belief that vegetables just take away from the full effect of the meat. That’s right, vegetables have no place next to my glorious patty of greasy, meaty goodness. Unfortunately, there are currently no Fuddruckers in Alberta, therefore it is necessary to hunt them down when I am in the U.S.

2. In and Out Burger
The wonderful thing about In and Out burger is the simplicity. The menu allows you to choose from a hamburger, or a cheeseburger. Could it be more perfect? The burgers are rather small, so it may be a good idea to request double patties, or to order a second. The buns are warm and toasty, the cheese is melty goodness, and it is smothered in ketchup and special sauce. Oh yeah, that’s as good as it gets. The trouble with In and Out is it is restricted to the western United States. California, here I come.

3. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
This was recently introduced to me. Same general idea as In and Out burger. Minimal choices, maximum satisfaction. Ordering a cheese or hamburger will automatically grant you two beef patties. The first time I experience this, I thought the fellow who took my order had read my mind. There is a great variety of toppings from fresh Jalapenos to bacon. I have the cheeseburger, which is absolutely drenched in melted cheddar. Topped of course with mayonnaise and ketchup. My mouth is watering.

4. Carl’s Jr.
This is your everyday, run of the mill fast food restaurant which is limited to within the United States, however, their burgers are incredible. My weapon of choice is the double western bacon cheeseburger. Two patties, 2 slices of cheddar, onion rings and bbq sauce. It’s paradise squeezed between two buns.

5. Jack in the Box
This is another American fast food chain, found on almost every block down there, however, it is not to be underestimated. On numerous occasions I believe my heart temporarily ceased beating after eating here. Double Ultimate Bacon cheeseburger: 2 patties, 4 slices of cheese, 4 slices of bacon. I don’t even have to order this one without vegetables. It’s like they crafted it just for me.

There you have it. My less than 12 hour fast from fatty foods prompted this outrageously revealing rant about my love for cheeseburgers. I feel both ashamed and hungry.

In Music

2010 was an incredible year for music, here is my top 20 countdown of favorite albums:

1. The National- High Violet

2. Mumford & Sons- Sigh No More

3. Arcade Fire- The Suburbs

4. Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

5. Black Keys- Brothers

6. Beach House- Teen Dream

7. The Walkmen- Lisbon

8. Foals- Total Life Forever

9. Kid Cudi- Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager

10. Frightened Rabbit- Winter of Mixed Drinks

11. The Gorillaz- Plastic Beach

12. Laura Marling- I Speak Because I Can

13. Vampire Weekend- Contra

14. Massive Attack- Heligoland

15. Interpol- Interpol

16. Band of Horses- Infinite Arms

17. Broken Social Scene- Forgiveness Rock Record

18. Tallest Man on Earth- The Wild Hunt

19. Spoon- Transference

20. LCD Soundsystem- This Is Happening

Books

Reading is my favorite past time, therefore it is only right that I share my favorite reads this year!

The Shadow of the Wind
This may possibly be one of the best books I have ever read. It combines romance with adventure, and ties it altogether with the ultimate theme of a profound love of books. The writing was witty and sophisticated, and the plot moved very quickly keeping me reading into the late hours of the night.

Rebecca
This book was obviously not released in 2010, however, I just discovered it this year. Once more I was drawn in by a beautiful love story, but pleasantly surprised by the intriguing tale of murder and deceit!

Television

Best Show of 2010:
True Blood
I can admit it to myself, I am obsessed with this show. I have read all the books, and I own all the DVDs, so I can safely say I eagerly anticipated it’s return this past summer. I was not disappointed. The past season was sexy, witty, scary and intriguing. The finale left much to be desired, however, I am fine with waiting another year for the conclusion of all the cliffhanging plots. For now, I will live off my DVDs and mental images of Eric.

Best New Show of 2010
Boardwalk Empire
This new show by HBO immediately grabbed my attention. It had a wonderful, historically relevant story, as well as amazing dialogue. I really loved the time period it was set in, and the performances by all acting parties was very well done. Overall a very promising new series by a network that never fails to please!

Movies
I wouldnt claim my list of favorite films this year to be Oscar worthy, however, I found them in all cases extremely entertaining.

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. I

2. Toy Story 3

3. Get Him to the Greek

4. Hot Tub Time Machine

5. The Other Guys

Favorite Moments
There were many great moments for me throughout this year, but right here, right now, as I type this, these stand out the most.

The Shot
Being part of a buzzer beater three to sweep the #2 team in the nation.

The National Champions
Watching my favorite basketball team win the NCAA championship in an incredible game

The Best Live Show on Earth
Seeing my favorite band Muse, perform live. Twice.

Best Discoveries

Guitar
I discovered all that is guitar this summer and have been unable to look back since. I purchased a beautiful Seagull acoustic guitar and got on my way. Favorite song to play: “Sparks” by Coldplay.

Alcoholic Beverages
No, I haven’t just discovered alcohol this year, that would be weird. I have however discovered some new favorites.
Chat De Oeuf – This Rose wine is something special

Hoegarden – An enormous portion of amazing beer. And the name is not bad either

Dos Equis – This is the worlds more interesting beer

Well folks, that’s all I have for 2010. Hope you enjoyed the year and the first decade of the 21st century! Next stop, 2011.

If you follow soccer at all, or simply watch sports center, or even have any concept of what goes on in the sporting world, I assume that you are aware of the drama that centered around Manchester United this past week. Our dear old friend Wayne Rooney has had a tough year, plagued with media scandal. Of course it is all his doing. When you have an affair with a “high class” hooker you will receive absolutely no sympathy from me. Lets get something straight, I loved Rooney. Last season he was a goal scoring machine and seemed incredibly passionate in his game play. This season, well, the affair did not help his case, but his lackluster effort made it worse. Because of his questionable off-field antics, prior to the events this season, I was already looking elsewhere to place my football devotions.
Unfortunately just ignoring him wasn’t possible. He plays for my favorite club and the England national team, therefore, every match I watch basically involves him. If all this wasn’t bad enough, this week happened.
Here is a quick time line of the events:

TUESDAY OCTOBER 12: Rooney, so often the spark, is subdued and out of form against Montenegro at Wembley. Leaving targetman Peter Crouch isolated, he huffs and puffs but never looks like opening up a disciplined defence.

- After the match Rooney says he is fully fit, contrary to the claims of his club manager Alex Ferguson, who had blamed the striker’s poor form on an ankle injury.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 16: Rooney is confined to the bench as Manchester United throw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with West Bromwich Albion.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 17: United issue a statement rejecting as nonsense suggestions that the striker is to be sold in the January transfer window.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 19: Ferguson holds an extraordinary news conference in which he speaks candidly about Rooney’s desire to quit Old Trafford, sending shockwaves around the footballing world.

- Ferguson says Rooney will not play for Manchester United against Bursaspor in the Champions League on Wednesday because of an ankle injury.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 20: Rooney issues a statement confirming he wants to leave Manchester United, blaming the club’s lack of clout in the transfer market for his desire to quit Old Trafford.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 21: United call for supporters to be patient after a series of meetings over Wayne Rooney’s future at Old Trafford.

- Ferguson meets with chief executive David Gill and Rooney’s representatives.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 22: Rooney agrees a deal that would keep him at the club until at least June 2015.

As you can see Rooney caused a great deal of trouble not only with fans but the whole Manchester United organization. For shame Roon. I cant say I’m happy he signed, I honestly would have preferred him to make for the continent and never return. All he can do now, I suppose, to appease unhappy fans like me is return to form and stay out of trouble. I hate to say it but great athletic performance erases all past infractions. Look at Kobe Bryant. His reputation appeared to be permanently tarnished by his extramarital affairs, but a few rings later and he is back to being the face of the NBA and a heavily sponsored player. Even Tiger Woods which is a much more recent example. The difference being that Tiger slept with upwards of 20 different women, he wins. But other than the consistent cracks and laughable moments in the Tiger scandal it is basically over. Why? Because people don’t want to think about how their sport heroes actually are. As far as many are concerned their play speaks for all aspects of their lives.
I am not saying I am immune to this trend either. If there is one thing that disgusts me most in the world it is a cheating man. I think it is unforgivable. Yet, I seem to have this naive notion that it doesn’t happen as frequently as it actually does, especially among celebrities and athletes. The person they are on film and in magazines or on the playing field is not who they are. There is a real person living behind that disguise and many times they end up being a victim of the lifestyle. If I ruled out every player who had an affair I would have no one left to cheer for. Kobe, Magic, MJ, Beckham, Gerrard etc etc.
So I do condemn Rooney for his off field “affairs” but at the end of the day I am realistic enough to dismiss it and look at him subjectively as a player. However the major issue here is that he’s not much better on the either front.
Basically I don’t condone this behavior from anyone, especially those heavily displayed in the media. They must understand they have the responsibility as public figures to be positive examples. Rooney’s diva behavior distracts from the reason we follow sports. Not for the drama off the field, but the glory on it. Athletes need to smarten up and prove that they have some sort of appreciation for being payed vast sums of money in return for playing a game they supposedly love.

Huckleberry Finn experiences more than escapism and freedom on the majestic Mississippi River. He is constantly faced with obstacles that challenge his beliefs and preconceptions of society and morality. Prior to his escape, Huck faces strong attempts on the part of middle-class white society to make him conform to certain moral standards. The Widow Douglas, who refers to Huck as “a poor lost lamb,” attempts to give Huckleberry an idealistic, middle-class upbringing, however, Huck distrusts the morals and pretensions of a society that treats him as an outcast. Huck’s apprehensions about adopting pre-formed social notions allow him to make unique observations based on his own beliefs and morals. Upon his adventures down the river, his youth and questionable upbringing allow him to establish opinions free of white, southern indoctrination, he learns from his past and is forced to make decisions based on his own logic and conscience, and his developing relationship with Jim leads him to question social values, especially those regarding race and slavery. His journey forces him to make decisions based on his experience, logic, and his ever growing conscience. Huck progresses into an independently thinking individual, forming his own opinions based on what he believes, not on what he has been taught to believe.

Huck’s youth and upbringing are important factors in his moral development throughout the novel. He was not brought up in a stable home, nor was he educated thoroughly on common white ideology. Because of this, he is very open minded and forms conclusions based on his inner convictions. The Widow Douglas tries in earnest to reform Huckleberry by introducing him to Christian ideology. He has obvious convictions about her teachings. His hesitation is obvious when he questions her devotion, stating, “[h]ere she was a bothering about Moses, which was no kin to her, and no use to anybody, being gone you see”. His practical view of religion discourages any interest, instead he determines that he should be encouraged to enjoy activities he deems worthwhile, such as smoking. The Widow’s strong attempts to change Huck are viewed unfavourably when he explains, “she would sivilize me; but it was rough living in the house all the time, considering how dismal regular and decent the widow was in all her ways…I couldn’t stand it no longer, I lit out”. Her attempts are in vain because, as Huck describes, her ideologies did not correspond with his. In contrast with his friend Tom Sawyer, it is easy to see how free thinking Huck really is. Tom is a wonderful portrayal of a white, middle-class upbringing. Tom does not take time to question morality or consequence when making a decision. Although he is completely aware that Miss Watson has died and Jim is free, he allows the charade of Jim’s rescue to continue for completely selfish reasons, exclaiming, “Why I wanted the adventure of it; and I’d a waded neck-deep in blood to”. Upon Tom’s confession, Huckleberry asks himself, “how he could help a body set a nigger free, with his upbringing,” and concludes that, indeed, Tom would not have had a moral reason to release Jim. It is apparent that the absence of a strong moral influence in Huckleberry’s youth has encouraged an ability to form his own beliefs, whereas, Tom Sawyer, a boy with a stable upbringing is unable to form unique opinions. Huckleberry’s youth gives him an open mind, just as Tom Sawyers youth makes him susceptible to the indoctrination he was raised on.
A factor in the development of Huckleberry’s character and moral conscience in the novel is the experience that he gains from the adventures on the river. His time spent with the King and Duke has the greatest impact on the formation of his concept of common morality. Initially, Huck allows the two con-men to have their way and swindle town after town. Huck is very aware of the nature of the men, stating, “these liars warn’t no kings nor dukes, at all, but just low down humbugs and frauds,”however, he does not let on that he is wise to their game merely because, “then you don’t have no quarrels, and don’t get into no trouble”. When the King and Duke proceed to con the young girls out of their uncle’s estate, Huckleberry feels he may no longer feign ignorance. He realizes he has allowed these men to take advantage of too many during the course of their acquaintance, saying to himself, “this is another one that I’m letting him rob her of her money”. His failure to intervene in the preceding events has made him feel “so ornery and low down and mean,” and as a result, he decides that he will “hive that money for them or bust”. Another important choice Huck makes due to experience is the decision to turn down Aunt Sally’s offer of adoption. He is aware that living with Aunt Sally will not differ from his time with the Widow Douglas. His time on the river and the experience he gained through his many adventures has allowed him to establish his own set of opinions and moral guidelines; therefore, any attempt to conform to Aunt Sally’s ideologies would be in vain. Huckleberry’s adventures granted him the ability to learn from his experiences and apply his observations of morality and social infractions to new situations……….

So there you have it. Hope you have enjoyed my scholarly (most likely boring) analysis of Mr. Twain’s masterpiece. It is my sincere hope that I can engage in some recreational reading soon so I can post some more book reviews up on here.

So Muse started off my musical year with a definite bang. And after their show I knew I needed more. As I discovered through research and a keen following of the musical universe, there are a great deal of music festivals during the summer. Many were slightly far or lacking in great artists, but I came across Sasquatch. It was located in Washington and starred the likes of Mumford & Sons, The National and Vampire Weekend to name a few. My sister and I made and plans, and before I knew it, we were making a 12 hour drive to Quincy Washington!
Any plan I had of getting drunk and fulfilling the the intoxicated ideal of the festival experience was lost soon after the first night. I was tired, cold, and hated the idea of any form of hangover affecting my musical experience. The first day of the festival was the best. It had about 80% of the shows I wanted to see. When we entered the venue, I was struck by the beauty of the setting. It is located right in a majestic river valley. The sun was shining and reflecting off the surface of the valley walls and rushing water. I don’t think any setting could every compliment a live music experience as this had. More than almost an other band, I was hoping to see Mumford and Sons, and fortunately for me, they had a 1:00 set time. Before they came on however, I was surprisingly treated to Laura Marling. Incredible voice, and seriously trendy.
As good as Laura was, I came there for Mumford. I described the setting earlier, and if you are familiar with their music at all, you can imagine how perfectly it complemented the show. The band came out, dressed in 30s type clothing, equipped with acoustic guitars and a banjo. The played a set list full of uplifting, toe stomping tracks, which in many cases had tears in my eyes. I am not ashamed to admit I was tearing up for most of the set, they are just too beautiful. So need I say, Mumford and Sons was an absolutely unforgettable musical experience, and I can check off seeing one of my favorite bands live.

The rest of the day was filled with great bands and exploring new music. Local Natives and Tallest Man on Earth left me extremely satisfied. Throughout the rest of the two days I saw a memorable array of bands.
Ok Go, Broken Social Scene (delightfully surprising), Vampire Weekend (Just as good as I always imagined, and very cute in their oxford shirts), Kid Cudi, The XX, LCD Soundsystem, Massive Attack and finally the National. The National was the second band that made me endure the long winded drive to Washington. I was unsure how their live show would stand up, especially in that type of venue. They are generally very melodic and emotional. I imagined them playing in a small venue while pretentious listeners with cocktails in hand bob their heads ever so slightly. I was proved wrong. Even though Matt Berninger walked on stage in a three piece suit, he rocked harder than any other lead man I’ve witnessed. He looked so emotional up there, so affected by his music. He screamed into the microphone, lept into the crowd, and chugged from a bottle of wine with every free opportunity. He had everyone singing along and dancing to music that had no right causing that type of reaction. Once more, an incredibly memorable experience of seeing a favorite band for the first time.

After Sasquatch, I saw One Republic and also attended Sonic Boom where I watched Wintersleep, Mother Mother, Tokyo Police Club and Weezer to name a few. All those shows were well done, but definitely could not compete with those earlier in the year. The last concert I went to (and as far as I’m concerned if its the last of the year I will have no regrets) was Arcade Fire. Once more, the show was made by the charisma of all the components on stage. They danced in questionable manners and continuously explored the stage for different instruments to play. They also had myself, and the remainder of the crowd dancing and singing non stop, especially when they played songs like “Rebellion”.
My year was made by live music, and hopefully it continues into the next. I’m hoping to see some of the bands again, and possibly explore new ones. So many artists, so little time (and money). I also hope to return to Sasquatch again this summer and possibly make Coachella if it can fit in my exam schedule. Regardless, Muse, Mumford and National, I am coming for you again.

Driving in, I would press my face against the car window as it slowly revealed itself in the distance. The anticipation always began building days before, however, just upon arrival the excitement is palpable. The closer you get, the more noticeable the landscape is in contrast to surrounding areas. Street names resemble childhood friends, landscaped areas are immaculate, and the streets are free from any trace of rubbish. It is here, in the heart of Southern California, that a princess lives in a castle, waiting for a daring Knight to rescue her, where pirates raid the coastal shores and spotting a gang of hungry lions on a jungle safari is the norm. It is here where all your dreams come true. The Disneyland theme park is a place which offers an escape from reality and a taste of childlike naivety and joy which we so desperately cling to. It is not a single thing about the park which makes it memorable, but the combination of the atmosphere testing all of your senses. The total experience leaves an everlasting impression on your memory, and regardless of your age, leaves you coming back for more.
The walk toward the front entrance evolves into a skip in most cases. I believe the hop in one’s step is encouraged by gay mood of all those around, and most likely, the familiar Disney tunes blasting through the air. Do not feel ashamed to sing along, no one here will judge you, in fact, most will probably chime in. Entering the park is undoubtedly the most exciting part of the experience. Regardless of the number of times I have visited, I find myself overcome with anticipation and the desire to feast my eyes and ears on all that surrounds me. Before you even make it to Main Street, cameras are flashing, children are screeching with delight and ordering their parents directly to their first point of interest on the map, and workers are greeting you with unbelievably heart warming and genuine smiles. It is Main Street that defines the park. It is the first place you see upon entering, and the last memory you have when leaving Disneyland. Trolleys bustle to and fro on the street, jingling bells and honking horns, and music continues to diffuse through the air. The buildings along the street are modelled to portray a picturesque small town America setting. Each one is a vibrant pastel ranging from blue to pink to yellow, trimmed with banners and flags of red white and blue. The buildings are not just a display; they are filled with stuffed figures, mouse ears and delighted consumers. There are other shops which reveal themselves through smell alone. The ice cream parlour wafts the gentle scent of vanilla into the air, and the small café on the corner emits the mouth watering aroma of juicy, plump hot dogs. And those are just the shops. There are also a variety of vendors along the street advertising with scent. As appealing as all this may sound, it is not the music, the buildings, nor the incredible scents which cause the most immediate joy. For when you glance beyond Main Street, your eyes fall upon the iconic Cinderella’s castle. When glancing at the castle, I always felt as if I had been thrust into a fairy tale. One moment I was walking through small town USA, the next, I found myself in a mythical land with a castle and moat. That is the wondrous thing about Disneyland, you can find yourself in a fantasy in a matter of mere moments.
As wonderful as the sights and sounds of the park are to experience, in reality, it is the rides which most look forward to. Unlike many amusement parks, Disney rides show great care and attention to detail and establishing a unique setting for each attraction. Each ride you approach transports you into that world completely, and consequently, it makes waiting in line a rather enjoyable experience. One of my favourite rides in the park is Indiana Jones because of this very reason. Once you stray from the main road toward the entrance, you immediately feel as though you have left the world behind you. Rising up in front of you there is a grand stone temple hidden beneath rich vegetation. Rusted oil lamps light your way towards the mouth of the entrance, and big band music breaks the silence. The journey to the ride is not over yet, however. The temple passage is long and winding, the walls are filled with mysterious symbols, and the roof appears to be overwhelmed by the vegetation above. It is dimly lit by lamps, and the air is cool and damp. If you look carefully along the walls, you can see visitors who were not so lucky in manoeuvring the passageways, their bones doomed to rest there forever. By this point I truly feel as though I am a daring archaeologist traversing the tunnels of a lost world. When you finally reach the beginning of the ride the transformation is complete. There is a distinct feeling of excitement, partly due to anticipation of what is still to come, and partly due to what you have just traveled through to get to this point. The ride itself is the culmination of the experience, combining the setting and the atmosphere with the high speed thrill of a jeep ride through the depths of a lost temple. After the ride is over and you have removed yourself from the area back to the main walkway, it is almost necessary to stop and take purchase of your surroundings. So quickly in the park can you travel to another world and back, and the resulting feeling of deprivation can be troubling. In this case, I recommended multiple visits to regain the feelings you so treasured on that particular attraction.
Disneyland is a completely unique theme park experience. It is beyond a plot of land where thrill seekers overeat and overexert their body’s threshold for speed and velocity. Disneyland transforms you into a different world, and a different time. It encourages you to release your inhibitions and meet experiences with youthful delight. It is not just the rides but the sights and sounds and attention to miniscule detail. It is the music, smells, and the friendly workers greeting you with genuine enthusiasm. It is children’s laughter, and the sight of families forming new memories together. The park offers an escape from reality, a chance to see fairytale lands, a glimpse into the world of tomorrow or the past, and the promise of fond memories. It is at Disneyland Park where I can remember some of my happiest moments. Where I have always been able to release my inhibitions and travel to the worlds I so treasured watching on the big screen as a child.

Nationals marked the end of my first collegiate basketball season, and basically the end to my year at U of A. But before we wrapped up our time together, a few of us went out to the mountains to shred it up! We got a great hotel in Canmore and boarded, shopped and partied like there was no tomorrow. Probably one of the worst hangovers in my life, but definitely worth it…to give you a picture of what the trip was like for only six girls, look at only this photo:

Now that I was finished school and finished basketball I was ready for summer break and travel. My mum and I had been planing a huge trip to the UK for when i had finished high school, unfortunately I went to Spain the summer before and that kind of interfered (tough break hey?). Now that i was done school and had a lot of time, we thought it would be the perfect time to finally go on our trip. The trip consisted of about 4 days in Paris, 3 in London, and 5 days in the countryside sewing our roots and drinking plenty. In Paris we discovered the Louvre in a day, climbed the Eiffel Tower, explored Versailles and ate plenty of baguettes.
After our all to brief visit to France, we were once more on the train headed back to England. Over the course of our days in London we visited Buckingham Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Parliament, the Tower of London and a few Marks and Spencer’s in search of nickers and canned macaroni and cheese! Soon enough it was time to leave London behind and make for the countryside. We drove straight from London to Lyme Regis, a beautiful sea-side town in Devon. There we visited the sea and explored the town. We stayed at the most incredible Bed and Breakfast named the “Hedgehog Inn”. The bathtub had an enormous clawed tub, and unlimited sherry to boot. The area around the inn was incredibly green and rich with hedgerows lining the rows and sheep hopping along the fences. Somehow on our first evening there we navigated through a maze of hedgerows into a town of about 8 houses and had dinner at the local pub. Hands down the most incredible meal of my life. The pub was originally built in the 13th century and was very lovely. After a night at the Hedgehog we left for Somerset, the province where my mum grew up. We visited her hometown, and went on a tour of her old house and the fields she played in as a girl. After that we headed to Bath, famous for the Roman architecture and hot springs supposedly unique for their healing qualities. It was also where Jane Austen had once lived, in fact i visited where her flat was. Her being my favorite author, this was quite a treat, standing on the doorstep of a woman who wrote the stories i admire. Unfortunately Bath was the end of our journey, it was time to return to London and ultimately Canada. On our drive back we briefly visited Stone Henge which is an extraordinary sight to be sure. Seeing the airport looming in the distance, and the idea that i was to return home was extremely disheartening. My trip was unforgettable and was the most amazing two weeks of my life.

A return back to reality meant work and basketball once more. But my summer went by quite easily. I quite enjoyed the time to relax and read. I read countless books this year, the most enjoyable of which were all of Jane Austen’s novels, particularly Emma. One of things i most looked forward to this year was the Coldplay concert in Calgary. The tickets caused me unrelenting stress to purchase and the wait was excruciateing but in the end it was worth it. It was the most amazing performance i have witnessed (so far….*muse*), and Chris Martin is an absolutely incredible performer and person for that matter. Coldplay is a remarkable band, and seeing them in the flesh was more than exciting (i have never screamed so many times in my life).
Besides work and basketball, i found some time to go away a couple more times over the summer (the perks to being a westjet child). In June i went to Disneyland for what i believe was the eighth time. It never gets old, every time i go there is just as fun as the last and always brings new memories. I also visited Hawaii at the end of the summer with my cousins and grandparents. We got a house on the North Shore which overlooked the ocean and was far away from tourist pests. It was amazing going for runs on the beach in the morning, waving to the fisherman and dodging the morning crabs. Not to mention warding off the unparalleled heat. We got in some great shopping, and especially some much need beach time. The snorkeling was sub par but i did see a few turtles which is an unbelievable sight. It was my second trip to Hawaii, the first was for basketball, so seeing the state on my own schedule was very relaxing. Hawaii ended my summer, and it was time to return to school once more.

The first semester of my second year hasn’t seen anything to spectacular so far. I have my own place this year, and some new team mates to love. Basketball is better than ever, and Im going to carry this momentum into 2010.
Finally, the most remarkable thing that happened this year…the release of The Resistance. Thank you Muse for releasing such an outstanding new album. Typing this right now i am listening to it, and it never ceases to strike me as outrageously over the top, yet incredibly beautiful.

Plans for 2010 then….Well it is tough to guess where the year will take me. My ultimate goal is to make it to Scotland by the end of May. I would also love to travel to New York and yes, i would most certainly love another Disney rendezvous. I am going to see Muse live on March 29 and 30 which pretty much fulfills my number one life goal. Aside from that there’s books to read, food to eat, music to hear, drinks to drinks and people to love! 2009 was spectacular and i feel so blessed for all the experiences i had, I’m hoping to continue my great fortune in my twentieth year.