What I've learned this year... as a Writing Student.

• That I am where I am supposed to be. This is my purpose. I love story. And learning the craft of story telling is the most amazing, challenging, frustrating and satisfying experience I've had to date.
• That my most productive hours for writing are the first 4 hours of my day.
• That my least productive hour of the day is between 2-3pm. I look forward to the day when I don't have to caffeinate myself to get through this time, and I can have a siesta.
• That in the evening, after dinner... I'm pretty much brain dead and love to just turn off and be entertained. Not entertain others, big difference. Which is why I have been more unsociable this year more than any.
• That what I am paying for most in school is the deadlines, so I no longer complain about them.
• That not ever idea, thought, story is worth telling.
• That as an adult student, I work harder than I ever did when I was in college twenty years ago. That said, I don't know if I recommend the practice - in general - of kids going straight off to school without any life experience. That said, there certainly are some gifted souls who know their path, and I only wish I had had such foresight.
• That being overloaded with classes is not conducive for quality work. Hence I have reduced my electives, which is unfortunate but realistic.
• That lounging is a luxury. After having only two realities - sitting in a chair writing or laying down sleeping. Having the in between - a couch, or lounge chair is a future goal.
• That you can go to school full time and work, but it is the last thing I would ever recommend.
• That I don't have time to grocery shop or cook when juggling this schedule. Pre-packaged meals are the way to go, (thank God for Deli's), to not break stride or burn up time that I don't have to waste.
• That when in school time flies, when out - it crawls.
• That I can't have a social life while juggling school, homework and a part time job. I really can't, if I am not doing one of those three things, I am sleeping.
• That sometimes I just need a hug, and I am thankful that between school, work and life, there are more than enough people to oblige me :)
• That vitamins are crucial when you don't have the luxury of time to be sick. I tend to be one of those people who stores up my colds. When I have time, I will be bed ridden :{
• That the people who know me well, don't take my absence personally. I am thankful and grateful for offers to connect, but hope they understand that while I am writing my stories for the masses, I can't be the "story teller" I once was. Mostly, I hope they will still be around when I surface from this year.
• That seeing friends when my view of the world is a "glass half empty" isn't good for anyone. I've been on such a roller coaster ride this year that I tend to hibernate when things aren't going well - better for everyone involved :P.
• That shifting gears mid life is not for the faint of heart. This has been the hardest year of my life to date, and I am thankful for my reality of few responsibilities to afford me the opportunity to take on this challenge.
• That though I do not have a home, I will never be homeless.
• That if you ask, you shall receive. I have made so many requests of those in my life this year, and I am still surprised when people have generously been available with their time and spirit.
• That it takes a village. I have several people in my life who have supported me this year - Financially, Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually. Some of who have even been kind enough to share a meal with me, when I've had a rare moment off to enjoy their company. Heaven!
• That the rain doesn't last forever and neither will this reality!

A note to those in my life... I don't know what I would have done without you all. I feel blessed to have you in my life and enrolled in my dream. I hope to make you proud sooner than later, and share any successes that may come. To my friends and family, I thank-you from the bottom of my heart!

Xo P.

Tofino - Surf Capitol of North America!

For beginners, that is...


TOFINO, B.C. — The Canadian Press
Published on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010 3:17PM EST
Last updated on Tuesday, Mar. 09, 2010 4:35PM EST
Tofino, B.C., has been ranked the best surf town in North America by an influential U.S. magazine.

Outside Magazine handed the Vancouver Island locale the top honour as part of its inaugural Editor's Choice Awards for 2010.

Peter Devries, Canada's number one surfer and winner of the 2009 O'Neill Cold Water Classic Canada, says Tofino is a great place to ride the waves.

He says the beautiful town's only drawback is its cold water.

Outside has previously named Tofino's Chesterman Beach, specifically the area around Frank Island, as one of the best on the continent for beginner surfers.

Tofino was chosen from among 20 beginner surf spots the magazine named across North America. (Westcoaster.ca)

Word Play

The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are the winners:

1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
2. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an asshole.
3. Intaxicaton: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high

8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
10. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.
12. Decafalon(n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
13. Glibido: All talk and no action.
14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
15. Arachnoleptic Fit(n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
16. Beelzebug(n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
17. Caterpallor( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.

A Thank-you Note...

Brian Williams, NBC anchor and managing editor.

After tonight's broadcast and after looting our hotel mini-bars, we're going to try to brave the blizzard and fly east to home and hearth, and to do laundry well into next week. Before we leave this thoroughly polite country, the polite thing to do is leave behind a thank-you note.

Thank you, Canada:

For being such good hosts.

For your unfailing courtesy.

For your (mostly) beautiful weather.

For scheduling no more than 60 percent of your float plane departures at the exact moment when I was trying to say something on television.

For not seeming to mind the occasional (or constant) good-natured mimicry of your accents.

For your unique TV commercials -- for companies like Tim Hortons -- which made us laugh and cry.

For securing this massive event without choking security, and without publicly displaying a single automatic weapon.

For having the best garment design and logo-wear of the games -- you've made wearing your name a cool thing to do.

For the sportsmanship we saw most of your athletes display.

For not honking your horns. I didn't hear one car horn in 15 days -- which also means none of my fellow New Yorkers rented cars while visiting.

For making us aware of how many of you have been watching NBC all these years.

For having the good taste to have an anchorman named Brian Williams on your CTV network, who turns out to be such a nice guy.

For the body scans at the airport which make pat-downs and cavity searches unnecessary.

For designing those really cool LED Olympic rings in the harbor, which turned to gold when your athletes won one.

For always saying nice things about the United States...when you know we're listening.

For sharing Joannie Rochette with us.

For reminding some of us we used to be a more civil society.

Mostly, for welcoming the world with such ease and making lasting friends with all of us.

Robson Square - Never Looked SO Good!

Final Medal Count

Olympic Host - Last Day