Peter Pan Syndrome

I don't wanna grow up.

So many of my friends are having kids, getting married, moving in together, starting their careers, etc etc. Sure I'm 25. Sure, if this were 20 years ago I'd be married, with a job (or not) and have probably 3 kids already. But this is 2011 and that's just not the trend. Not that I think one way is right or not.

As of recently a lot of people have been telling me I need to get ready to join the "real world". Am I not living in this world already? And who says I have to. Taxes, mortgages, c-sections, divorce...doesn't sound all that great to me.

I think going to school for longer just sets us all up for disappointment and failure in the long run. Sure we may get a better paying job, learn more about the world....but we're also forced to be "teenagers" for much longer than ever imagined or meant to be. No job, few responsibilities, drinking throughout the week....tough one. I blame society.

It's true, in about 4 months I will graduate. I will be a certified teacher. So will thousands of other hopeful Canadians. In truth, the odds of finding a job right away are mostly nonexistant. Our professors tell us that. They are basically trying to scare away people from the program because there's so many of us.

I have no idea what I'm going to do upon graduation. Move back home? Get a waitressing job to tie me over? That doesn't sound like growing up to me.

I'm not sure if I'll ever fully mature to what people may think is a functioning adult. I will always find Family Guy hilarious and relevant, among other cartoons. Cereal is appropriate at any time of the day. Spending all day Saturday in your pajamas is completely normal. Some words will always be humourous and make me giggle....'seamen' (the Navy didn't quite think that one through did they?)

I don't think paying bills and taxes is a way to measure our maturity level. I like to think you're only as old as you feel. I should be coming up on 18 any day now...

You laughed didn't you?

Resolutions, Veganism, and other challenges

I am not a vegan, but one of my roommates is. It's not my personal choice of course, but I respect her decision and commend her for sticking with it. I've also been introduced to new foods that I've always wanted to try on my own but been too 'chicken' to attempt to make. I've had spaghetti squash, homemade falafels, and seitan just to name a few. All delish and all meals vegan.

Now my new year's resolution is not to become vegan, or even vegetarian for that matter. But, as most people resolve to eat healthier, get in shape, lose weight...blah blah blah...I thought I'd do my own take on it. At least one night a week, I am going to try to have one meal that is completely vegetarian. I know that probably doesn't sound like much, but I thought I'd get more veggies in this way. I can't do the vegan thing though because I can't give up dairy. I really like my cheese...I mean hey, it's even in my name right?

So tonight I made a delicious vegetarian Mediterranean wrap and here is the recipe. (Sorry I kind of just eyeball stuff so there are no measurements).

Vegetables I used:
eggplant, zucchini, red pepper, mushrooms, red onion

Homemade pesto ingredients:
basil
romano cheese
garlic
goat cheese
pine nuts
extra virgin olive oil

Whole Wheat Tortilla Wrap

Directions:

Slice each vegetable and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar to taste. Roast in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, pulse basil, pine nuts, and garlic in a blender. Drizzle in olive oil and pulse to form paste. Add goat cheese and romano cheese. Blend together.

Spread the pesto on the tortilla wrap and top with roasted vegetables. Enjoy!

Note: Later in the week I used the pesto and leftover veggies and stirred them all in with pasta. Another successful vegetarian meal. Aren't you proud of me?! Except, now all I'm craving is a steak....this is gonna be interesting....

A Year Gone by

I did it. I made it through another year. Although it has been by far, my craziest, most random, wonderful, memorable year to date....some things are definitely a fuzzy blur. This may or may not be due to some overindulgence on my part.

Starting from the beginning I thought it would be appropriate to take you through my little journey of 2010 to the start of 2011.

2010 started with new friends in Taipei, Taiwan watching Taipei 101 "explode" and walking hours upon hours trying desperately to find a random hotel party. (Which we eventually found, and partied like rock stars till the morning light).

Shortly after our "Western new years" we were able to celebrate Chinese New Year. With weeks off work, we set off for Boracay, Phillipines. This beautiful white sand beach is a tiny island and is magnificant. If you ever have the chance to go...do it! Parasailing, snorkeling, go carting in the mountains, giant bats, corn in the streets, hookah on the beach, horseback riding, and bartenders on fire - literally...oops! The bartender was a good sport about it all though.

About a month later I turned the big 25 and had a minor quarter life crisis but realized I'm still young and that whining about getting older while still in my 20s is absolutely ridiculous. I've seen things at 25 people will never get to see in their lifetime. So I decided to live in the moment and just enjoy what comes my way. Which often includes cold beers and happiness. (No need for sadness and warm beers right JPD?)

*Note: There are very few pics from this night because I needed to go home early and have a little birthday nap. Whiskey shots are not my friend.

Sometime after my birthday many things happened around April and May. I was accepted to teacher's college, my friends and I competed in a flour fight (yes that's right), Menace and I got into a little scooter accident, Menace turned 25 in toga style, and we put into motion our travel plans. Which meant our last day of work happened on June 30. Those last few months in Taiwan happened fast and furious.

We commenced our month long journey of travelling through Laos, Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia. I hope to someday be able to go back to these places because there really is such beauty left undiscovered and so much to do and learn. Menace and I really did not have sufficient time to immerse ourselves in the culture. Some highlights of the entire trip for me would have to be riding elephants, Thai cooking, getting my second tattoo, rafting, monkey forest, and of course the Gili islands. If you want to read more about Menace and Cheddar Bob's trip our old blog is still up at http://menaceandcheddarbob.blogspot.com/

August was my return to Canada and things happened quickly. I moved into a new place at school and started school again. I like to keep myself on my toes.

Teacher's college is definitely it's own culture and it's a little like high school again. You have classes with the same people everyday (or in my case Monday - Wednesday). It's a weird feeling of balancing both being a student and a teacher. Although I can't wait to be finished with school again, I have no clue what's going to happen when I graduate.

The new year brings new resolutions, a new age (26! eeeeek), new friends, and no doubt some new adventures.