Uh..Wow.

I meant to start writing in this blog again when I started my practicums. I am now 6 weeks down, with only 2 more weeks to go. Oops.

I can't believe I'm almost done. I would laugh when people used to tell me that time goes faster as you get older. Now I'm standing here wondering what happened to the last two years of my life! So much has happened since that first day in Kelowna: 16 months of school, 16 weeks of practicum (almost) in 3 different cities, 3 different houses/sets of roommates, gained some new friends, lost touch with some old ones, numerous friends have gotten married and/or had babies, I finally found myself a new boyfriend (and I could go on). It amazes me to think of what might happen or where I may be two years from now!

I have a phone interview for a job in Penticton this week. I've never had a phone interview, and it's also my first interview as a new (almost) graduate. Nervous as heck! But it's in the middle of my work day so I won't have time to stress about it (much) prior, which is probably for the best.

I'm loving my last practicum placement. I've done one in long term care, an acute hospital, private practice and now in full on rehabilitation. There is so much for me to learn and take part of. It's super rewarding to help patients work towards maximizing their independence, versus teaching them how to compensate in order to get by. Time here moves quickly and my day is over before I know it. I feel lucky to have gotten the opportunity to go to this facility, and plan on taking away as much as I can!

Graduation in T-minus 24 days. Wow.

Year In Review (2011)

A little late getting around to posting this, but here it is. Thinking I may need to get back into blogging. It's been awhile!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

Travel alone to the Island.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

No. I vowed to go to the gym at least twice a week and that only lasted until Reading Break. This year my resolutions are to go to Yoga and to keep up with my flashcards!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes! I had two different friends each give birth to a beautiful boy

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No, thank goodness.

5. What places did you visit?

Edmonton, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Kamloops

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

I would like to feel comfortable in my own apartment. So far so good!

7. What day from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The days my friends had their babies, the day I found out one of my besties is pregnant and was getting married, and also the day two of my highschool friends got married.

8. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year?

Passing practicum and moving on to my final year in school

9. What was your biggest failure?

Failing to hold on to certain friendships. It’s always sad to lose certain people in your life even if it is probably for the best.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing major

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Some used furniture for my new place. Couches, coffee tables, etc.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

My good friends. They’re always there when I need them.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

My old room mate. I also lost a good friend this year due to “time constraints”. Note the quotes.

14. Where did most of your money go?

School, living expenses, and my trip to the Island

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Moving to my new place in December, my friends having babies, finding out one of my best friends is pregnant and finally got married

16. What songs will always remind you of 2011?

Adele – Rolling in the Deep

Lady Gaga – Born This Way

Katy Perry – Last Friday Night

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier.
b) thinner or fatter? About the same. Trying not to get fatter haha
c) richer or poorer? Still broke.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Camping, catching up with people I’ve sort of lost touch with

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2011?

My family (minus Adam again) went down to Vancouver to spend it with my cousins. We put the fireplace channel on the 70” TV (on loan) in the living room and spent the morning exchanging gifts and eating a big breakfast. After Christmas dinner we had our traditional Walnut Boat Race while we ate Christmas pudding and I won.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?

Once again I was single the whole year, but two wonderful little boys stole pieces of my heart

22. What are your three favourite photos of 2011?


Melanie and Steve
(November 12, 2011)

Gabriel & Amanda
(September 2011)

William & Sarah
(October 2011)

23. What was your favourite TV program?

This year I was back into reality TV big time! I watched Survivor, Big Brother, Jersey Shore, and Teen Mom.

24. What did you do for your birthday in 2011?

I went out with a couple friends to the bar on the Saturday before. On my actual birthday I drove back to Kamloops with my friend so I could get my eyes checked and then we had dinner with my family at the Mongolian Grill.

25. What was the best book you read?

Once again I was slacking in the book department this year. I re-read the Harry Potter series which I always enjoy.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Adele was a favourite of mine this year, as well as Lady Antebellum. Neither of them are new artists but I didn’t listen to them before this year.

27. What did you want and get?

I wanted to do both of my practicum placements in Kamloops, and I did.

28. What did you want and not get?

A free trip to some beach destination!

29. What were your favourite three films this year?

Crazy Stupid Love, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Help

30. Did you make some new friends this year?

Yes, through school and also through some people I met last fall.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Better living situation. I moved so hopefully that will make this year more enjoyable!

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Mostly jeans and sweaters. Comfy and warm.

33. What kept you sane?

Caffeine. My friends in the program who understand my stress levels.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The occupy movement was a big thing this year. I can’t say that I paid much attention, but it was definitely a topic of conversation everywhere.

35. Who did you miss?

I miss my friends who live in different cities then I do. I don’t get to see them enough!

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I met a boy in December who is both ridiculously good looking and incredibly nice.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

Happiness isn’t something to search for or strive towards. It’s all around us if we choose to accept it. Stop looking for it and realize that the things and people we take for granted are usually the things and people that make us happy. We just need to stop being miserable long enough to recognize it.

Everythings Amazing & Nobodys Happy

Year in Review 2010

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Moved out of my parents house & live on my own.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

My last years: paying off my credit card, to take more chances, and to go on a nice trip somewhere.

I did pay off my credit card, I took a chance moving as well as with getting to know some people and both paid off, didn’t make it anywhere on a trip really. Unless you count Fernie. Oh and Edmonton. I think I meant a place like Mexico or Europe haha

New resolutions: eat healthier, get back in shape, and I'll repeat one from last year: take more chances.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No but I know some people who are pregnant and ready to give birth for next year!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My Grandma passed away this year, but I wasn’t close to her.

5. What places did you visit?

Fernie & Jaffray, Edmonton, Kelowna, Vancouver and once I moved, Kamloops

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

Money!!

7. What day from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

My friends wedding, some days with my friend & her kids just because we had so much fun

8. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year?

getting into school, moving, and now getting good grades in most of my classes

9. What was your biggest failure?

I can't think of anything I failed at.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing major, thank goodness

11. What was the best thing you bought?

my education... I couldn't afford anything else after that! haha

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

My parents

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

one of my aunts. Some people never grow up. And some people will never get it.

14. Where did most of your money go?

School, nights out with friends

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

moving to ktown, but I also was super not excited about it, if that makes sense.
I was also really excited about going flying with my brother

16. What songs will always remind you of 2009?

Taio Cruz – Dynamite

Flo Rida – Club Can’t Handle Me

Katy Perry – California Gurls

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? I think about the same. Should be fatter from the amount of crap I eat!
c) richer or poorer? Still broke.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Camping!! I didn’t get to go at all this year

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2010?

The first Christmas in years I haven’t had to work! I just spent it with my family minus Adam who now lives in Ontario. It was the first year the 6 of us weren’t together. My aunt and two cousins also came to town for dinner.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

nope. Same as last year, I didn’t even have a boyfriend

22. What are your three favourite photos of 2009?

The first picture is of "my kids" and reminds me of all the good times I had with them. The second picture is of my brother heading towards the plane he flew us around in. The third is of the burnt toaster oven. It reminds me of all the good (and not so good) times I had in rez this fall.



23. What was your favourite TV program?

West Wing, Sex & The City (DVD sets), Big Brother, Jersey Shore (guilty as charged!) I didn’t really get to watch much tv this year.

24. What did you do for your birthday in 2010?

I went home for the weekend before my birthday and had dinner and went dancing with a bunch of my friends. My actual birthday, I wrote my first biology midterm, and then went out with some of my room mates and some girls in my program.

25. What was the best book you read?

I didn’t read any new books this year I don’t think! Dang. Should do something about that.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I already loved her last CD but Sara Bareilles – Kaleidoscope Heart was my favourite CD this year. I also really like these girls Jill & Kate. They just put out an acoustic CD with all the songs they have been playing on you.tube.

27. What did you want and get?

to get into my program!

28. What did you want and not get?

my sanity back.

29. What were your favourite three films this year?

Inception, Due Date, Social Network

30. Did you make some new friends this year?

Yes I’ve had to make new friends since I moved cities!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A vacation on a beach to recharge my batteries!

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

whatever my work dress code was hahah I spent so much of this year working. Now I’m back in school I usually stick to jeans, sweaters, boots. But I’ve also gotten a couple dresses I actually wear once in awhile.

33. What kept you sane?

Caffeine.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

I can’t think of anything major from this year.

35. Who did you miss?

I’ve missed all my friends back home since I’ve moved. I also miss my friends who moved away before I did!

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I’ve met some great people since I’ve moved, they’re all the best in different ways.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

Don’t be scared to go ahead and reach for what you want. Most of the time it’s only yourself holding you back.

Allow me to introduce...

So I've been at school for about a month and a half now. Maybe it's time to start writing about it?

First topic of conversation: roommates.

I live in the dorms and share a pod with 4 other girls. We're the "older" bunch with ages ranging from 23-27. First up we have the Austrian. I don't see a lot of her, but she's very nice when I do catch a glimpse of her. She makes me hate her by cycling for about an hour and a half every day. Yes, you read that correctly. Every. Single. Day. I can barely drag my butt to the gym once a week. And by once a week I mean I've been twice this semester. She's only here until December so we will most likely be getting a new roommate for next semester.

Next up we have our youngest coming in at the ripe age of 23. She has more piercings than I have teeth. She's into gaming, addicted to coffee, and likes the same music I do. Everything in her room is pink, which she claims makes her look more like a girl then she actually is. She'd be my drinking buddy if she were ever here. She goes back home to see her bf and to help her parents with their business pretty much every weekend.

Third up is my little country bumpkin. She looks so sweet and innocent, but your impression changes after you listen to some of her stories from her "wilder" days. She's my go to girl for normal conversation and outings. She's a health food nut, but will cave into ice cream every. single. time. She always has a smile on her face, and I'm glad she shares this end of the pod with me.

And finally my last room mate. It would take more words then I have to describe her in one paragraph to you. To sum it up, she irritates the crap out of me. I feel bad because I know she has good intentions and it's not her fault she's severely lacking in the social skills department. Her entire night last night revolved around debating whether or not the expired cake mix powder gave her food poisoning. And today it is if the no name brand cheese sauce tastes the same as KD. She just discovered the other day that we have double decker buses here. I will take this time to inform you all we have lived here for a month and a half. On a bus route! If she's not attempting to burn down the place with my two slice toaster or butting into other peoples business, she's adding multiple bookshelves in the living room for all of her stuff. Because she has stuff. Lots of it. How many jumbo bags of uncooked noodles does one really need? And do we really need every cooking utensil and contraption on the market? I'm just sayin'...

Anyways, time for me to go study some biology. Tune in next time where we will (most likely) discuss my program!

3 things.

Today in class we had to do this exercise where we had to write down 3 of the things most important to us in our lives, all on a separate little piece of paper. Then my instructor asked us to pick one and give it to her. We couldn't have it anymore. Which of those 3 things were we willing to give up? Then she read them all out. There was a lot of variety to the answers. People had written down things like happiness, health, education, their house, somebody gave up their mom... which we all laughed at.

Then we had to give her another one. Which of those 2 things were we willing to give up now? Which one was more important to us? Most people gave up their friends or their family.

And then we had to give up our last one. And of course, like I knew they would, so many people had written down their dog. One girl nearly sent me to tears by saying, "Do I have to give you my piece of paper? I just can't give up my dog!!!"

That is the exact conversation I've been having with the universe these last few days. But in the end he made me give up my piece of paper. He made me give him my dog. And I really hate him for that right now.

Mac...

My mom called me today. Mac couldn't even stand up today. He was just in too much pain and they had to make the decision to let him go. I cried all last night and kind of came to terms with that fact I would not see him again. It still didn't keep me from crying today though. I just miss him like crazy already.

Goodbye baby, I love you so much.