Word by Word

Finishing an enthralling book always fills me with elation. The rush to devour each chapter is over. A million and one ideas swirl through my mind; a million and one perspectives and experiences to digest. So much to learn from: people's reactions and interactions, different life styles, healing wounds, breaking hearts, humour in spite of hurt, and always an obstacle to conquer. The intoxication subsides after awhile, and I wonder at the journey through someone else's imagination. Fifty thousand words, maybe a hundred thousand, weaving an imaginary plot in an imaginary world.

Int'resting Life

Like Marigold says in Magic for Marigold, "Life is so int'resting!" This past weekend was particularly "int'resting," as it was spent with about two hundred people between the ages of fifteen and twenty-three in Ohio, U.S.

I had no idea how much I valued originality until this past weekend. At one service centre, forty percent of the people were wearing the same type of sandal. It made me want to go buy a pair of my own right away! Gag.

And that is only one of the many thoughts rumbling around in my head that started at this gathering. Another one is my thankfulness for being back in the country where people understand my humour. Quite a few times, after spewing a random comment, I would find myself sitting in silence while the rest of my group would look at me as though they didn't know what to do. Just laugh, ding-dong! Vocabulary is another source of difference. Oh, the poor people who don't use words like serviette, courier, and toque!

I have a feeling that this weekend's experiences will strongly affect me; its influence will pop up all over my blog. Only you probably won't recognize it. I will, though, and so I'll chuckle to myself as I write.