18 THINGS WE NEED MORE OF IN 2018

2017... welcome to your tape. This past year was, you could call it, umm interesting. Devastating natural disasters all over the world, that disgusting Internet guy Jake Paul (never trust a person with two first names) and a weird looking Cheeto as a president to our neighbour down South. Something we should leave in 2017 are robots and any other form of artificial intelligence.. that shit is scary and not needed. Please leave me alone. I'm talking to you, Sophia. Other 2017 no-nos: the Instagram timeline - if it's not chronologically ordered, I don't want to see it. No more spidget finners midget dinners whatever. Also stop making Walmart brands "trendy." Don't get me wrong, 2017 was still a great year in different ways but it was also a weird time for more reasons than one but hey, we got through it. 

This is my first post in 2018.. and my first post in over 6 months whoops. It being already 2 weeks into the new year, and me being the fashionably late person I am to everything, I thought I would compile a list of things we need more of in 2018! WOO! Positivity!

1. FEMINIST MOVEMENTS. #MeToo #TimesUp. Movements like these restore my faith in humanity. I say that like I'm 90 years old watching how badly younger generations have fucked up but I'm only 19. Can we talk about Oprah's speech at the Golden Globes for a second? I was scrolling through my Twitter timeline the morning after the award's happened and came across a 9-minute video.. 9 minutes? Ain't nobody got time for that. But then I saw the thumbnail! The queen herself. I was eating cereal while watching and basking in the glory of her words. I swear the St. Lawrence River heard those words coming out of my little iPhone 5 as the water parted. Feminists are not evil. Feminists do not hate men. I teared up a little throughout Oprah's speech and the powerful message she's spreading. These movements are not acts of rebellion or out of spite, but rather gives marginalized women a voice to speak out and let their voices be heard. WE NEED MORE. 

2. DIVERSE LOVE STORIES. Male and female. Male and male. Female and female. You left your wife of 18 years, moved to Bali and married someone 20 years younger? Tell me more. You fell in love with a 17-year old boy on a summer vacation in Italy when you were 24-years old? (10 brownie points if you know what I'm talking about). If you can tell your kids that an immortal man in a red suit living in the North Pole who travels around the world in one night carried by flying reindeer exists.. I think you can explain to them that two people are in love. Love is love is love. 

3. HARRY & MEGHAN. The prince is engaged! There's something to look forward to. I love seeing what the two are up to on their Sunday morning. @Papparazzi, I know what you're doing is morally wrong and a complete violation of their privacy but I'm loving every second of it. 

4. HUMAN INTERACTION. Talk to someone, and really listen when they talk. Put down your phone. Give that person your full attention. Stop hiding behind a screen. Go out.I spent last summer in Montreal for the first time and I met up with a friend at a park who I hadn't seen in awhile. We were both on our phones, calling and texting to try and find each other and as we sat down to hangout for the afternoon, I noticed she pulled her phone out of her pocket and GUESS WHAT SHE DID?!! Turned it off. Not even just the ringer, nope. She held the lock button for 3 seconds and slid to power off. In today's day and age, cellphones are glued to our hands and often people can't go one full minute without convulsing and itching to check their phone. That small, small gesture meant a lot to me without her realizing it. I still think about it to this day and it really made me cautious about the people I choose to surround myself with. It's amazing to see the magic that occurs when we really connect with one another. 

5. MORE BOOKS. The English language is a funny, silly little thing. How do you explain to a foreigner that cough and rough don't rhyme but god forsaken pony and bologna do??! I was never a reader. One of those kids that SparkNotes'd every novel we were assigned to read in high school. UNTIL my little sister started using words I've never heard before. I couldn't lose my superior older sister status so of course, I had to read the book that taught her those words. But she said it didn't exist??? It wasn't just one, but books upon essays upon articles upon newspapers upon short stories upon poems.. you get the point. I picked up a piece of literature (a book) and my dad's jaw dropped. Ever since, I've become that stuck up noob who says "I've read the book" before going to see the movie. If you're looking for some new reading material and a little inspiration read these boys:- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas- Born A Crime by Trevor Noah- Just Kids by Patti Smith  - The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls- The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (I had to include this one) I swear once you start, you can't stop. I'm always looking for a new book to read. English is weird. It can be understood through tough thorough thought, though. 

6. ALIENS. Unidentified Flying Objects? All about it. Mysterious action in the sky? Give me more! I'm terrified of the dark and refuse to believe in any sort of paranormal activity, but whatever those alien dudes are doing up there on planets or universes we don't know exist.. I want in.

7. TIMOTHEE CHALAMET. That's all. 

8. GLUTEN-FREE MENUS. This is to you, chef at any restaurant ever, us Celiac kiddos just want a chance at that really good looking pasta dish with a side of garlic bread. I always ask my friends or family to smell their food because it looks so good and I can't have it. Weird, I know, but that's the closest way I'll ever get to enjoying some gluten. So, to restaurants, cafes and any other dining option.. please, I just want to be included for once!!! GENERAL INCLUSIVITY 2018!!!

9. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS. Educate yo'self! Read that pamphlet in the doctor's office. It's easy to tell someone "It will get better" or "Don't be sad" when you have no idea what they are feeling and why. Even though you might not experience mental illness first hand, I guarantee majority of the faces you see everyday suffer. It is so so so important to put yourself in another individual's shoes when it comes to their mental well being. On the other hand too... more self care! Take a bath. Skip class (just once though). Meditate like you're a super yogi master and workout like you're John Cena. It's okay to say no to Friday night plans. It's okay to cry. And it's okay to sleep until 3pm and then cry again because you wasted the day. Your feelings are valid. The well being of yourself comes first. Choose people who choose you. The people you surround yourself with are the ones who’ll be there for you. Focus on the most important things in your life. 

10. GENUINE MUSIC. 2017 was an amazing year for music - Foster the People, Pheonix, Harry Styles, Portugal. the Man, SZA, Khalid, Daniel Caesar, Cardi B, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde... the list goes on. My personal favourite? The kinda music that makes you feel something. If you believe in the lyrics of a song then that's usually a good thing. Listen to the words. If 2017 was that good for the music industry, I can't begin to imagine how good 2018 will be. I have high hopes. I'm talking to you, PJK. Buuuuut often times we forget that singers, musicians, songwriters, performers, etc. are ARTISTS before they are celebrities. Music is an art form. Appreciate it! Worship it! Bow down to it! 

11. AND MOVIES. I don't really watch movies just because I can't sit still for a long time. The movie theatre is not my ideal date. In the comfort of my own home, with streamed movies off the Internet with an audio lag and Chinese subtitles is how I watched most movies in 2017. This past year blew my mind in the film industry. And guess what? More movies are coming! They never stop! I'm so excited. Ocean's 8, Love Simon, Mamma Mia 2... I've been waiting 14 years for Incredibles 2 and I have a good feeling it's going to be incredible. Thank you if you laughed. 

12. DOGS. WE DON'T DESERVE THEM. Mom, I'm sorry but most of the time when I FaceTime you, it's because I want to talk to Ace. I don't even pet dogs anymore, I always hug them. They are the most purest, loveliest, sweetest things to ever exist. My favourite thing to witness is the change in a person's voice when they talk to a dog. Everyone becomes a better person when there is a dog involved. The world simply needs more!Like are you kidding!!! This guy just posed for me on the street. I didn't know him. He didn't know me. You bet I gave him a hug. 

13. SUPPORT. I need it. You need it. Boobs need it. We all need it. Social media is a toxic, toxic, toxic thing. Did I say it was toxic? Instagram, for example is one of those platforms where there is a skewed perception of almost every individual. BUT the internet should never be a place that we are hesitant or reluctant to share our talents and interests. Share it, I wanna see it. If you are fortunate enough to have a killer bone structure and luscious locks, I will actually hate you if you don't post that selfie. I will comment heart eyes on every single one. If you love fashion and post clearly posed "candid" photos to show off your outfit, I will definitely tap your photo to see details and swipe up on your Black Friday sales.You have a SoundCloud? I will listen to your acoustic cover of Bodak Yellow. I will call my grandfather and tell him to listen to your acoustic cover of Bodak Yellow. Put your judgement aside and support that acai-bowl loving white girl with an infinity symbol on her wrist. Let's be nice to the girl. Use your internet powers for the greater good of mankind! Whether it's online, in person or overseas, the least we can do as human beings is support each other. We are our own worst enemies, yet we're all the same species at the end of the day. 

14. FRONT BANGS. I used to rock meeeean front bangs from the age of 3 to about 6. I was going for a subtle Dora the Explorer look. WHY DID IT STOP! Huge supporter and advocate for front bangs. They're like curtains for your face. Could I still pull it off? Who knows! But hair grows back so why the heck not. I really want front bangs. 

15. THE REMOVAL OF DISMISSIVE MASCULINITY. Okay hear me out. We have robots, self-driving cars, people living on Mars but there are STILL gender stereotypes and misconceptions? PISSED. It's 2018.I've seen those viral posts about a proud mom letting her 5-year old son be a Disney princess or any other deemed "girly" costume for Halloween .. said "Awww that's so sweet" but never thought anything more of it. Until this past Halloween! I was in a Value Village looking for a shirt for my dog (as one does on a Saturday morning), when I walked past a father and his son, who looked about 4 or 5 years old in the costume section. He was kneeling down to face his son and I overheard him tell the mini-him, "You can be a freaking fairy princess butterfly for all I care and I'd still love you more than anything in this world." Maybe it wasn't the nicest way to put it, but I got what he was trying to say and the kid did too. It was a lovely sight to see. Later I saw them walk out of the store with a Elsa costume in hand and a beaming smile on the boy's face. If a little boy wants to be Elsa for Halloween, I don't wanna hear about other kid's moms whispering about his parents letting him do that. Your kid probably chose to be Spiderman.. how basic.. calm down Lisa. If a boy likes to dress up nice everyday, it doesn't mean he's gay!!! If a boy wears nail polish, it doesn't mean he's not masculine!!! If a boy doesn't want to play sports, it doesn't mean he can't do anything else!!! Men have feelings too you know! Men, when you are emotional it does NOT mean you aren't "a man." You are allowed to be soft. You are allowed to be vulnerable. In fact, if you didn't tear up every once in awhile I would just assume you don't have a heart. A lot of the time in the media we're always sticking up for girls (which is great!) but show your local boy some love too. 

16. HAPPY TEARS. Cry because you're so happy you can't contain your emotions! Let your eyes leak. Cry because you passed that exam! Yes, that's a happy thing. Cry because you love your family and friends so much! That's happy too. I love seeing people happy cry. Are you proud of something? Did you just watch Forrest Gump? Are you just really tired? LET THOSE HAPPY TEARS STREAM DOWN YOUR FACE BECAUSE YOU ARE ALIVE. 

17. ART. Go to the museum and look at some art. Make some art. You don't have to be good, that's what abstract's for. The dictionary definition of art is literally self-expression and imagination. Doodle all over your notebooks. Decorate your room. Draw on the walls. Draw on your friends. Heck, make a micro-sculpture out of your chewed piece of gum. I love Montreal because it is COVERED in public art. Most buildings are commissioned for artists to create murals and paintings for no reason at all but to bring colour and life to the city. Amazing.A few friends came over to my apartment a few months ago to eat nachos. During clean up after they left, Em, my roommate and I discovered sticky notes and cue cards that were on our kitchen table covered in weird sketches and drawings. Innocent little doodles and phrases that were mentioned throughout the night, like a random chair and a chapstick tube or "no it's not" and "huge snot rocket" in fancy calligraphy because someone probably said that once at one time. So weird. But we loved them so much that we taped them up on our walls. Art. 

18. LOVE. You didn't think I was going to end a post without getting a little deep in the feels, did you? Love makes the world go round. Life is tooooo short to be bitter and hateful. I don't mean you should confess your love to everyone you meet, but maybe walk with your head high on your morning commute instead of burying your nose in your phone.. your snap streak can wait. A simple smile to a stranger could go a long way. The world needs a group hug! 

Okay that's it for now. I've said my peace. Hopefully it won't take me another 6 months to write a post. I'd like to say I had writer's block for awhile, but honestly I just forgot my blog existed. Till next time!