Today is Sunday, which means that the weekend is apparently over. Thankfully, tomorrow is Labour Day so I get some more time with the entire family for another day. Plus, it relieves me of that awful feeling I get at the end of a Sunday night where I realize everyone else is dreading work the next day, my elders, and I will sit at home and do basically nothing.

I had a good day. I won't reduce or stretch that statement because it was full without being full of too much excitement or activity. I woke up to my parents calmly discussing my necessity for a higher degree. This usually frustrates me but the house was absolutely still and quiet (my vent was also closed) so I heard my Dad's loud/calm voice approach the matter differently for once. And I came to the conclusion that I should take it into consideration. Krishanu will be busy with his work for the next while, which could posisbly mean years. I am young and I have this opportunitty to ensure that I have a sense of security for the rest of my life. Why should I just drop my aspirations and run the other direction because I feel so guilty? Anyway. Today's entry is not about my sudden desire to actually plan the next year. I simply want to recall the day's events.

Krishanu called home randomly soon after that conversation. My parents were still unaware of my wakefulness at the time. It was a sweet gesture on his part and it really made a difference in the general mood of everyone at home. I'm glad he is patient and terrific at explaining matters that would otherwise be difficult for a person to understand.

I had a breakfast of PB&J, an egg roll (I'm random like that) and french vanilla coffee with hazelnut cream, lots of milk and of course, Cool Whip.

We had mangso bhat for lunch, but it was special because it was "desi" chicken. This means that it was quite flavourful and worth the effort of eating it. But my mom's hand got cut while she cut the chicken itself, which was NOT worth it. :-( I really feel so scared when any small thing happens to her.

I briefly talked to my friend who shall remain nameless here, for today.

I studied French, the least bit.

I cleaned the bathrooms and for once, I didn't take forever to do it. Somehow I just did it and I finished.

I wanted to vaccum but that might happen tomorrow.

I took over my mom and rolled parota for my brother and grandmother.

I just came upstairs after having washed the dishes by hand, but prior to that, my entire family sat in the family room and we talked about a range of topics, from development issues in India to old teaching methods (some violent) in India. My parents and grandparents told us about the stuff they personally experienced when they were elementary students: student life in the village. It's pretty hilarious to hear about how naughty kids can be, but at the same time it's quite sad that so many people are exposed to so much fear and violence in an institution of learning and knowledge. What the fuck is up with that?

Oh, and I almost forgot. My brother drove me to the library. I returned my library stuff at the front. He wasn't in the greatest mood the entire time. He's easily annoyed by me but I can't say I'm indifferent when I'm around him. I deliberately annoy the heck out of him because it's hilarious to see his reactions. But I wish I seemed less annoying while in the passenger seat with him.

Oh, and of course! Krishanu and I got along. We must make note of that. That's pretty good for an entire weekend. I wonder what the coming work week has in store for us. Weekends, for us, is usually excused so that we can just clobber each other with negative energy and words. Not_fun. Speaking of which (well, not really), it's 11:30 PM here and it's Monday there and he should wake up by now. Hm!

Au revoir! A bientot! And thanks... to whomever. Sometimes good days seem like such a paradise lost in the distance.

Fortunately, I had another relatively calm day. I didn't wake up at 6 AM today, as I've done for most Saturdays during the past month and a half. A tense conversation among my family members did arise earlier in the day but it eventually subsided after lunch. We had a good conversation about religion and God. Despite all of the wisdom I've steadily lost over the passed five years, I guess my deep setted interest for philosophical questions and religion still exists as an integral part of my internal self. The fact that I was stimulated by the conversation I shared with my parents and grandparents today really bridged a part of me I thought I lost. I haven't thought about my faith in quite awhile. Apparently, I still have strong beliefs and a load of questions to tackle before I can really give up on the great big endeavour that is my faith. Of course, I also appreciate how calm everyone becomes in pursuit of the bigger questions in life. I like how in this enclosed space, five seperate brains crunch for some type of expression or conclusion to mark their comfirmation of life and the human experience. These same five brains, any other day and in this exact same space, wouldn't be so calm. Yet, there they were and here we are. What else is being OK? I value this side to my family so much. I complain about so many other things that don't exist in my family, but I realize that this attribute isn't existent in all family situations. In a way, it's what makes being Indian and multi-ethnic/religious such a special gift. I've been given space to evaluate my faith and what I want to believe in. Of course, no one will appreciate it if I decide to marry a Muslim or convert to Christianity, but at least there is space in the form of faith. I don't have to blindly accept religious conventions and for the most part, it's OK. I mean, my parents always expect us to pray regularly and attend religious activities, but really, it's upto us. I think it should be. My relationship with God is my own and only I can determine which course it will take.

Krishu and I got along today. I should mention this for the record.

Early in the day, I decided I'd structure my day a certain way. I wanted to devote my energy toward studying and planning, but I spent my entire day doing other things instead. I looked up a lot of music, spent time with my parents & my brother. Was any of the time productive? Not really, but it was time well spent. I like being with my family because I realize how easily all of this time will pass and (unfortunately) this love won't be so readily accessible. Sure, there are webcams and awesome phone plans but there's nothing like going randomly to my brother and mother and doing a crazy monkey dance, at which they give make the most embarassed faces (amusing). That's a whole other type of love I will absolutely miss if and when I leave home. Let's not forget my father's talkative moments (it's funny in retrospect) and my grandparents' weird love for each other.

The feelings I felt last night are still there. I understand if people are busy but honestly, it doesn't take much to send a text or give a quick call. I want to be resentful but I can't be. I will lose all of my friends if I become upset over this. Everyone else is busy and quite honestly, I'm not! I can deal with this. However, I must note that at some point or another, my friends have to realize that I'm not a scapegoat that is pushed aside and pulled in when it's required. Of course, many people have stopped scapegoating or pulling me in, which hurts all the more. Nevertheless, this can only bother me as much as I let it. I really need to focus on a plan and make excuses to meet new people to become friends or acquaitances with. This loneliness that comes with adulthood is unbearable sometimes but I'm only going to remain an adult for as long as I live. I have to accept it and transform it to solitude when I can. Otherwise, I have to reach out with great effort and assume that all friendships won't be picture perfect. I wouldn't know, but I doubt friendships really are picture perfect.

Music helps. I'm suddenly ambitious to access a bunch of music I would've otherwise not listened to five years ago. It's hard to weave out music that fits my preferences though because I'm so picky, but after so long, I'm able to have fun with music. I spent a good portion of my night sat in bed with music blaring through my broken head phone as I tried my best to dance with half my body. When I'm left alone in the night, I'm left with all of this guilt I can hardly withstand. I want to go to sleep absolutely dead and heart broken by my own failures. If I willed it, I could easily cry myself to sleep night after night. I have for months. It's not worth it though and music helps a lot. Music can drive out the noise inside my mind and it can release my frustration built inside. I never thought of music as a way of escaping my anxiety disorder. The fact that I can actually rely on you and other forms of art to cope makes me smile a little. Maybe simple things are not easy for me sometimes, but it doesn't mean I can't be my best person.

Tomorrow might not be another today. I know that. For whatever today was worth though, I'm grateful for it. And seriously, although no problems got solved, we're OK. Tomorrow is another day without any mistakes in it yet (L.M. Montgomery).

It's quite late. I'm incredibly tired. I decided I would write entries as much as possible so here I am.

I had a good day. I spent my entire afternoon outside with my two favourite people: my mom and brother. We accomplished a few errands, but what I loved most was our time spent together. I'm glad that we didn't spend as much time at home during my mom's day off because I think she needed a break from the unnecessary drama that occurs here on a regular basis. I wish I had enough energy to share the tid bits of the day, but I'm completely drained. It was outrageously humid outside today and there were a few times when I wanted to complain but this heat will be gone soon. My father's mood was also calm. I had pizza for breakfast, a McFlurry after years, bubble tea for the first time and pitae once we reached home. I later made myself some ramen with shrimp balls. It was good, but now I feel sick for not having eaten an actual meal all day. I will easily remember this day in my memory bank for years, simply because it was calm. I'm truly grateful.

I have to admit something though. I'm still awake because a feeling emerged earlier this evening. Loneliness. I felt driven to change my phone plan after I helped my brother find a new phone today. I figured that I should put more intiative and faith in the idea that I have people to actually interact with. Sometimes, my problems feel less self-absorbed and more common when I can actually talk about it or hear someone else out. So I paid my bill and I changed my plan to accomodate more discussion with others. Instead, upong trying to send a few text messages, I realized how enclosed my friend circle really was. I'm mostly friends with people I can't see in person easily. And even then, I'm afraid of interfering. I don't honestly know how they feel about me. I miss what I used to share with certain friends who were so much closer once. Now, I just feel alone. And for a few days, I was under the impression that this could all change. I could at least have a sole person other than my boyfriend to reach out to. It would help lessen his load to, if I reached out to others for once. Really though, there's no one there. I know about everyone's lives. I know what's going on and  don't want to interfere. I just wonder sometimes if any of them wonder about what I'm upto, genuinely. I wonder if anyoen else other than Krishu ever wants to poke any questions or understand me better. Sometimes I feel that my family doesn't even care. And Krishu and I are polar opposites so discussion about common interests fall absolutely flat. I look to Tumblr for some kind of stimulation and sometimes to books, when I'm in the mood. Now, I have wanted to turn to music. Yet, for someone so obsessed with the human experience and others, why am I so empty and alone here? Stranded. You know, when I write in second person, I have the same people in mind again and again. After years, my love has not wavered. I don't know though, if I was seen then or if I'm seen now. And it's a horrible feeling because I shouldn't care to be seen by anyone else through the eyes of "love" other than my boyfriend -- sorry, fiance -- right? Maybe my presumptions have always been wrong. Love isn't so confined after all. Emotions don't simply adjust themselves to social conventions.

Another person is in town today and a part of me wants to make a gesture but another part of me is scared. I don't want to have to lie to see this person and I also am afraid to see them. The last day we saw each other, I left him in so much pain. I know we could be great friends. I know a lot of things as much as I've regretted. Perhaps it's best to swallow my pride and let everything take its own course. I don't want to cancel people out of my life simply because I'm "supposed" to get married. I also don't want to fool myself into thinking that I'm not engaged.

 Well, all of this is in a day's work. The happiness earlier and the tears that have just passed. After such a long time, I can sit in the dark and in a quiet place in my mind and actually talk to myself. Quite honestly, I don't know if anything will turn out as expected. I don't even know what I actually want when anyone asks me that question (in any way). I just know that everything has its time. Maybe I'm a slow person. Maybe these things unfold slowly. Maybe I'm even being irrational, but I love you. I can say that. I can love graciously. I just wish it was acknowledged. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful partner. And yet, I wish someone outside of myself would tell me I'm here for a reason, I was purposeful to them, or that I have some redeemable quality.

Maybe tomorrow. Until then, good night.

Perhaps the point of making sure a personal blogs works has a lot to do with the length of the posts. I can write non-stop if time and energy permitted. I don't admit this because I claim to love writing that much. My mind just functions at hyper speed at times. I can subject hop a lot. As a student, my biggest difficulty after procrastination is my inability to remain focused and consistent with my ideas. I find that most people joke about their inability to concentrate on certain tasks or thoughts, but I write about it very seriously. I've suffered a lot because I can't stay consistent on paper/screen or in real life. I survived an entire school year with decent colours because I treated every single week as a challenge. There were times when I would've found myself defeated for the 5th time, but I sought help and followed through for once because I put a lot more energy than ever before in the belief that I can succeed. Of course, I could've done better. Nevertheless, I passed and I can only take it slowly and positively from where I last left my quiet ambition.

I finished the requirements for my first degree, my B.A. in General Arts in April. I've not officially graduated, however, because I have yet to pay the remaining $3000 of my tuition from last year.

Since April, I've looked steadily for work between April and July. In the middle of July, I started to fall apart and you can say I gave up. The last month and a half have been calm in the way boring and pointless days spent at home, on the internet, ect. are. My high point were my Level 2 French classes which required a four hour commute (to and from) every Saturday. Every Saturday morning, I'd muster up the courage to wake up at a ridiculous hour and happily attend my six hour class that I (I won't lie) thoroughly enjoyed after what were normally 6 days of absolute boredom and anxiety. Weekdays have been spent in worry and anticipation for that grand moment when a potential employer will call with my name in mind. Somehow, I will turn into this wonderfully confident woman who has a lot to sell. Everytime I am rejected and everytime a week goes by and the phone doesn't ring after what has now been months, my aparent confidence breaks down even more. And I will not lie here: since mid-July, I've not spent a lot of my time and energy looking for work. On average, I will probably accomplish 1 application a week, where as I previously would accomplish four in a single day. I could take the pressure associated with being unemployed with such a huge financial burden on my chest if I had some sort of encouragement from home. My father is worried about my situation, but instead of pushing me to continue trying, he only pokes at how incapable I am at basically everything. So I feel so inexpressably stuck. Here I am, all anxiety ridden about every possible thing one can imagine. I have anxiety disorder and it's not treated in anyway (partly because I can't afford it). And here is this atmosphere at home, in which fights occur every fucking day. Often, I am the topic. Most of the time, it can be anything, from the imperfect food to the weather and especially his seemingly incompetent family members. I can never explain the situation in a way that others can actually empathize because it's impossible to give words to the kind of anger he shows to such simple and trivial matters. No one can be right against him. And what hurts most is that, in that anger, he really cannot identify with anybody, his wife, his flesh and blood, my grandfather. I want to be more compassionate but I've lived far too many years in fear of what the next day would bring. I can clearly remember the days in my earlier childhood when my father didn't express some sort of frustration overtly and take it out on my mother or us. I still remember because those were the days that were actually entirely happy. I know my words about my father and his mood swings express my anger towards him but really, I just want him to be OK. I love him a lot and I love the rest of my family as a unit even more. I want there to be peace and I've always wanted this, ever since we moved to Canada and lived together. I never expected family ties to come with no pain but being 23 and still experiencing some of the emotions I feared as a child is a bit ludicrous at times.

The only solution I have is to fake it until I make it. I suppose this includes the dilemmas I have to deal with at home, although, mostly the challenge with my family feels impossible. I have stupid traditions that no one (not even in India) follows anymore being thrown at me like I was actually raised in a village. My father can be really difficult at times and my grandparents don't help in those times but only contribute to whatever the problem maybe. No one feels comfortable with me wearing certain clothes, being out at night, leaving the city or house at night, or doing anything that tickles my fancy just for fun because they don't understand the concept of fun for fun's sake. To them, and by them I mean the older patriarchs, making crude comments about other people who could not give two fucks about our family and discussing their familial troubles. There is the occassional racist slurr being swung. And evidently, there is also religious "slurr" that is also swung from time to time.

Most people I know who come from South Asian families (first-generation) simply rebel. I totally surpassed that phase in my life at 14 when I decided that I was in the wrong. I also realized my father would never understand my cultural language. The biggest problem I have now though, is that they expect me to suddenly be OK with myself. Like, I get criticized for not being social or more approachable at events. I'm compared constantly to other people my age, who were actually given the privelege of hanging out with other people when they were growing up as teenagers. The second most important time for an individual to develop their social abilities is during the time of adolescence and he totally stripped that away from me. Now he expects me to be a diplomatic diva. Fuck, I would love to be diplomatic and my true soul with people around me. But let me remind you, I have anxiety disorder and it fucking sucks to communicate to people who I don't see everyday and feel absolutely comfortable with. It doesn't mean I can't do it, but it does mean that it takes a shit load of more time for me than it does the random odd ball who's developmental processes occured perfectly fine! Dear Lord, save my soul. When do I get a little compassion here? Is that the consequence of being born into a totally impoverished family to having 24/7 access to Canadian water? Was the entire process far too easy? If life wasn't like this, would I have somehow been different and ignorant? I honestly don't think that would've been the case, but some force out there certainly believes it.

That was the angry part of today's entry. So I conclude that I need to fake it. The only problem is, and I seriously wish someone would just hear me out, I don't know if I can. I'm scared. I sit in my room sometimes and I want to die. I actually can't breathe properly at times because the pressure just builds and  I find myself nowhere and alone, constantly. I have very few friends and none that I could've relied on for so long. I have one but I'm not comfortable with personal expression anymore. In high school, it was so easy until my best friend blatantly told me I was weak and I realized that was uncomfortable feedback so I withdrew from expressing my home life to her. Now I rely on Krishu but he can't take on the additional worry. I get upset because I'm supposed to be able to discuss things with him and he ought to be able to discuss these matters with me. But can I blame him? He's under pressure constantly. His relationship is supposed to be his paradise. I feel worse when I can't provide that for him anymore. I've officially become weak, like my friend said. Alone. An island. And I know some of the things I want but I can't have them.

So really, one has to "fake" it. In other news, this entry was supposed to be focused and short. I was supposed to write about my new plans associated with my job search and filling up my schedule. Instead, I've just crashed into my emotions. Even talking to a good friend makes me feel anxious. It's really pathetic and unhealthy but there are only about 5 people in the world that I feel comfortable around. And my father is not one of them. In fact, he's at the top of the list when it comes to people I encounter but don't feel comfortable around at all. That recurring feeling makes me so sad. I want my dad to be what I call him, my daddy.

What a rant! Good night, reader.

I think that is as far as I'll go for tonight after all. It's quite late. I just spoke to someone very dear to me and I guess I should crash too.