Volunteering Fun

Yesterday was the worst day of volunteering eva! We had gone to this youth group last week and they were a huge challenge, so we knew today was bad, but I actually ended up shouting at the children this week. BTW, my volunteer job is working for a charity that in the UK goes into youth groups and talks to the kids about human rights. Usually the kids are challenging, but at the end I'm overwhelmed by how bright they are. They usually win me over by the end, making me hugely impressed, not these kids. These kids were awful.

Basically, they were awful. Yea. Awful. They held views so radical that I think that's how they actually felt, not like just statements they were saying to get a rise out of us. I won't get into specifics because of privacy and stuff but wow. My coworkers and I ended the session after an hour and stumbled to a delightful pub, shellshocked and numb. We shared a bottle of wine and like couldn't even talk. It was RIDICULOUS.

Luckily today I have lunch with some new friends, class and then FROYO to make up for yesterday. Also, I gained a pound since my last weigh-in. UGhhhh I need to get back on track! I want to lose five more pounds by the time Lianne gets here.

Three Wolf Moon T-Shirt News

Hahah I can't believe this news story is real. Apparently the state of New Hampshire is going to try and harness the power of it's most popular export (most likely). I <3 my Three Wolf Moon t-shirt!

Guardian article about 25 things to be happy about (in the UK). My favorite is number 15, about the days getting longer.

Rochester hairdresser to do hair for the Armani Collection at Paris Fashion Week.

"This sort of Recognition puts Rochester on the map, I think." I love that he included the "I think."

I think it was a sign that my course has made me cynical towards my country when I started reading this article and figured it was going to be about American imperialist motives in Haiti. I was wrong. Instead it was an article that reminded me that the United States can do some wonderful things. It also made me want to watch Band of Brothers....

Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal;

This poem has been in my head for a while now. I think it pretty much is my life philosophy. Nice work, Mr. Longfellow!

A Psalm of Life Tell me not in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou are, to dust thou returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each tomorrow Find us farther than today. Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave. In the world's broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act, - act in the living Present! Heart within, and God o'erhead! Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sand of time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o'er life's solenm main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again. Let us then be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

My Lunch

Oh.Emm.Gee. Beef Sunday Roast at the Marquis of Cornwallis. Amazing. I recommend the pub in general to anyone in the Bloomsbury area, it has a great tap selection (including Old Rosie!) and fabulous food. While the Sunday Roast's are a little pricey, they're definitely a nice way to treat yourself every once in a while. My roast came with mash potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, roast vegetables, kale, horseradish saucy, cheesy cauliflower and delicious gravy. A really magnificent meal. mmmmmm. I can't wait to go again when Lianne visits.

And then I ate three cookies for dinner. YEY.

WHY IS THE WORLD SO CRUEL? DOES LOVE EXIST? WHY WHY WHY WHYYYYYYYYYYYY!