In the end I'll be okay.

It seems like every year around this time, a switch is flicked on. Lights are strung, traditional boxes are pulled out and emptied, bank accounts are left hollow and a little Christmas spirit is ignited in every one of us. For the past couple of years, my heart full of ice has melted and doused the burning flame. (Can I get a 'Bah Humbug?) This year though, I'm stoked for Christmas, and even though I might be spending it alone, I'm positive that I'll have an amazing holiday.


Today I had one of the best mall visits EVER. Why, you ask? Pop quiz! Is it a) I spent it with two of my very best best friends, b) Calgary transit was actually on our side for once, c) Although the cold was bitter and biting, it was strangely bearable, or d) My purchases weren't over the top and we got what we came for? I can't fool any of you, of COURSE it's e) All of the above! I can only describe our afterschool adventure to Market Mall as stupendous and one mall experience I know I'll never forget. I've decided to depict a little play-by-play of our trip, partially to re-live the spectacular moments and to see if I can actually remember them all.

We had decided to gather our belongings and collaborate in the mall. Students were milling about, and the usual gossipy chattering teenagers were doing their usual gossipy chattering thing. The three of us; Steven, Maggie and I, were joined by the two Matthew's who eventually departed for their homes. We decided on a plan of action and followed through. Trudging through a field of snow, Maggie gets a bright idea to run to the side door of our hallway to see if she can grab mitts from our locker. It's locked. So is the door fairly beside it. Steven and I had a jolly laugh at the idea of someone walking out of the door and smacking Maggie in the face ... It was really quite humourous, I swear. To no avail, Maggie trotted back, and we continued across the 'tundra on the plains'. Eventually arriving at Steven's house, we entered and associated with the Evanik's. His Reddeerian Aunt was visiting, and she offered to drive Steve up to the bank to cash his cheque and Dylan up to Co-op to buy some milk. Maggie and I awkwardly chilled in the car with her, then we were dropped off at the loop. The wait for the 20 wasn't too bad, and when it arrived it left right away. Bonus!! I got a little phone call from my mommy at Brentwood, and it was really sweet. I love those special phone calls, the ones who's only purpose is to say hi or to check up or to say I love you. I'm so lucky, and I don't even realize it. Yeah. So. The 9 didn't take long either, only five minutes or so, and we were rolling along to ze centro comercial in no time at all. I had to pee, and we were all feeling the call of the stomach, so we took a left and ended up in the food court. ..etc, etc, I downed fries and chubby chicken, Maggie inhaled a 6'' turkey and tomato sub on italian cheese and herb bread and Steve msg'd a plate of rice and ginger beef. We had a flavourful conversation on rice, and the real meat inside ginger 'beef'. We're insisting it's pork in disguise. Washing it down with water, apple juice, and coke; respectively, we headed out to browse. I'm not going to meticulately outline every store we went into and the exact things we picked up and looked at, even though I do have the ability to (just not the time). I do recall stopping by HMV first though, and Steve contemplating which CD to buy. I picked up a little addition to Taryn's ho-ho-horde of gifts heading her way this year, and I would mention what that was BUT she does have the potential to read this and that would spoil things a bit. Ha. I phoned her to tell her this tidbit of info, and we had a lively chat in Old Navy. Steve fell in love with a gorgeous coat, Maggie and I wandered about, then we ambled onwards to the vast Mall de Market. The real reason that we even travelled AAALL that way was to find Steven a new backpack, (or knapsack or backsack or knappitysackybagpacksack) and we were starting to lose hope in West 49, some fancy-shmancy store, Sportcheck and a few others. Walking by Below the Belt, a few cheerful notes of a Motion City Soundtrack song hopped over and greeted our ears, beckoning us inside. We took it as a good omen, and soon enough, Steven had purchased a gorgeous backpack. Imagine that. It really does suit him well though, I must say. To our relief, we skipped to Starbucks and pigged out on a Jones for the Saint, a bear-claw to share, and two 'tall' chai tea latte's for the ladies. At the pick-up end, the employee confirmed our order. Here's a little snippet of the conversation that went down:

Man: So that's...?
Maggie: Two tall chai tea latte's.
Tesla: No no no, that's when you say two VENTI chai tea latte's, haha!
Man: I really don't care.
Maggie and Tesla: ....really?
Man: Sure. Do you want venti's?
(did he even have to ask?)

We were delighted! I did feel a tad sick after sipping at that monster but hey, free tea is free tea. Exhausted, the three of us sunk into Market Mall's lovely chairs, and collected our thoughts. I've seem to have forgotten lately how much I love my friends, and this fifteen minutes or so of just chillin' made it all come back to me. I love you guys! ..er. anyway. Steve bought his BEAUTIFUL coat, and then I grabbed a couple of CD's: Speak For Yourself by Imogen Heap and First Impressions of Earth by The Strokes (finally), and Steven bought the new release from This Providence. I had a nice little talk with the employees of HMV, a really fast one, and I have a feeling that it was only understood on my end. We paused to bundle up before embracing the cold again, and we only waited at the stop for the 9 for a minute or so. At Brentwood, the robotic 'next bus in twenty-nine minutes' did not sound pleasant, so we took shelter in the train station. Spotting the 20, we ran for it, and made it. What a comfortable bus ride home! That seriously never happens. It's either cramped or smelly or boring. This particular one was filled with fun stories and laughs and warm fuzzies. We made it to Steven's humble abode and took off soon after picking up our things, and Larry drove me home. ..Larry is Maggie's father. Then I had broccoli rice with dinner, and it was a wonderful thing.

So all in all, today was not only productive but also an outlet for self-discovery. It shovelled me out of my slump that I've been in for the past week or so, and gave me a new perspective on life as I thought I knew it. Oh, and I feel like I've been handed a new sense of sight. I bobby-pinned my bangs back and I can actually SEE!

I loved today. There's no way that we can repeat such an amazing evening, but we can sure try. I love you Maggie McDonald and Steven Evanik, and thank you for today.

love always, xo.