Dear Journal,
To this day, I still cannot quite understand how some ponies can be so incapable of getting along with each other. I mean, I like to think that we're a mostly peaceful and friendly sort, but some ponies just seem to be determined to prove me wrong in that aspect.
To the surprise of nopony, today was quite busy. I've been forgetting dates here and there, so I hadn't realized until moments after I woke up that it was time for the Canterlot Origami Expo, and whenever that time rolls around, the city gets very, very hectic. I'm afraid I'll never quite understand why either. Yes, the works that the ponies display are very impressive, but the COE draws more and more attendees every year and ponies seem to get more and more rabid over it with each passing expo. Perhaps it's one of those things that is best understood by those ponies of this generation. I was certainly interested in things in my youth that my mother was never able to understand. In fact, she still doesn't get some of them.
Reminder: Write to mother soon.
Anyway, as I was making the rounds and judging the pieces for the big competition, I ran into two ponies in the midst of a very heated argument over the pieces. And they weren't even the creators of any of the pieces! This genre certainly invokes feelings in ponies that are far stronger than I would have expected. Their argument stemmed from which folding technique was better, and I had barely a clue what either one of them was talking about. I've considered asking the committee if they would like to find a judge who knows more about the subject matter, but they seem to take pride in having royalty judge the competition. I enjoy doing it anyway, so it all works out.
It took some cajoling to stop the argument before it caused a scene. Ponies tend to bow in my presence–and I've told you before how unnecessary I believe that is, but ponies will be ponies. These two were so embroiled in their debate that they did nothing of the sort. My voice could barely get through their quibbles. I must admit that I was beginning to get a bit flustered, but it was then that I remembered the breathing exercises that I had worked on with Tree Hugger the night before. Taking deep breaths and hearing her calming voice in the back of my mind allowed me to center myself and find the ability to mediate the ponies' argument. It took a little talking, but cooler heads eventually prevailed, and the two ended up shaking hooves by the end of it.
The rest of the expo, while very busy, went rather well. I think I picked some good winners, if I do say so myself. As is tradition, the winners will be coming by the palace on the 14th to display their works and have brunch, and they seem like a pleasant bunch, so that should be nice. My entire day was taken up by the expo, but I still had time to meet with Tree Hugger at night. I told her how her breathing techniques helped me relax, and she told me how proud she was of me. It's odd for me, a Princess of Equestria, to have one of my subjects speak to me like that. Usually it's me telling other ponies that I'm proud of them. Even if they are proud of me for something, ponies tend to be a little too...reverential to think of speaking to me like that. I may be a Princess, but I am a pony too. I wish more ponies would realize that. Thankfully, Tree Hugger seems to understand. This little flip of the script felt rather good.
I think this arrangement with Tree Hugger may actually be working out. I may wish to wait a bit to tell Luna, though. I can already envision the satisfied smirk that would adorn her face were she to know that she may have been right.
Another busy day tomorrow. Wish me luck!
-Celestia