I was an emotional wreck this week.

This week has been so tough and I’ve already broken down twice. Besides that incident at school, today at work I couldn’t pull myself together.

I barely slept this week because of four major papers. One was already turned in, the other one was revised today with my field instructor and my field professor, the other one has been emailed to my classmates to be revised and incorporate it to a major policy analysis paper due this week.

The only paper left is a theory paper on a really good book I’ve been reading.

It’s almost midnight, but I am glad I have done at least 70% of the workload.

Despite all this weight on my shoulders, I consider myself very lucky to have a strong support system. I am surrounded by amazing people and continue to learn from them every single day.

At work, I got a few surprises that totally made my day and also made me cry a river of tears. I also received so much support from my friend and boss, and from my field instructor who offered to give me an assignment where I have to spend a few hours at local coffee shops doing homework to make up my hours!

Although life has been stressful and sleepless, I am super content to have people who make me smile every single day. I wouldn’t be anywhere without you guys.

Thanks to you all who cheer me up, who cheer for me and who support me and give me hugs when I need them.

Thanks for the Starbucks gift card, Pang. I can’t thank you enough for the kind words I get from you every single day. For the trust you’ve invested in me for this long and for actually making me feel like I’m worth a million! The laughs in our office are simply unforgettable. You’re such an awesome person and I feel lucky to spend my weekdays with you. I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.

Maryan, you’re such a lovely lady and so caring. Thanks for the scone and the hugs, thanks for the kind words and for consoling my heavy heart. I know you totally understand my stress and frustration and I hope you know that I am also here for you when you need me. Like Maribel said, when we’re done with our degree it’s going to be that much sweeter.

Noor, you’re so cool for everything you have done for me, offering your help and putting your needs aside for mine. I truly appreciate the help and all the lessons I learn from you. I miss seeing you everyday, I miss hearing all the goofy stories and all the eye opening and interesting things you say. I’ve learned that no matter the distance, I can count on you. I hope you know you can count on me too.

P.S. This makes my night so much better, my cat is super cool for never leaving alone. :)

The look on her face is priceless! 

I should also include in this post an update about The 1975 (in case some of you are wondering). I ended up not going to the concert. However, my friend Min invited me to see them at StudioC where they were going to perform a few songs. I couldn't go either because of a meeting at work. But he did send me some pictures and footage of their sound check :) Matthew Healey is super cute!

Min in the middle, and Matthew Healy on the right. 

The 1975

I've been stuck inside the house writing papers and reading theories, history, and policies of social welfare. The only thing that keeps motivated is listening to music while I write or read.

I came across a band called The 1975, an English Manchester-based alternative rock/indie rock band from Wilmslow in Cheshire. Their song "Chocolate" has been on replay, the song is super catchy and I love Matthew Healy's accent! (Matthew is the lead singer), what would make them even cooler is if they cheered for Manchester United!... So, I went and streamed the full album online not expecting anything really amazing or good, but to my surprise I liked it! 

After I looked up the band, I realized the theme of the song "Chocolate", is indeed about recreational drugs and deviant attitudes of young people. 

A friend of mine told me Matthew wrote the song inspired by his sister who was a heavy drug user. I don't know how much of this is true, after all the internet is full of public opinion and speculation. But what I do know is that I am really liking this song and some other songs in their new album! Most of the songs reflect the attitudes of today's youth; Sex, drugs, fear, love and hope. Being immersed in the strengths perspective theory, I see the positive in this album, I see them as nonconformist and with a strong desire to explore those attitudes often shunned by society.   

I found out they will be playing at the Varsity this coming Monday and I am very tempted to go see them perform live. But if I go, will I be going against my own ethical values? I want to go because of the art of music, because of the whimsical and mysterious lyrics attached to the catchy and playful beat of the songs... but I can't help to think and I ask myself if their music is reinforcing self destructive behaviors already damaging young people's lives... 

Here's my favorite song of the album:

I shared this song with a friend and the only thing I could tell him is that I think I do have a darker side to my taste in music.