Life in Transition

Ever since I started university, my life has been constantly in transition. Every year I have had to move, apply and look for new jobs, and even transferring schools. You would think that with all the moving my packing skills would improve. But instead I have gotten very good at learning to live out of a suitcase and never really settling down.

Over the past year I have met amazing people and been able to do some amazing things. People come in and out of your life. Some stay forever, some only for a short time. But they all make their own imprint.

Now that I am officially a teacher it's kind of like having 2 passports. There are so many options and choices for teachers all over the world, especially when you have nothing to tie you down. I've never been very good at making decisions. I'm full of plans and ideas, but the hard part for me is deciding on a path and sticking to it. Some people might say that I think about things too much and I should just choose and path a stick to it. It's the choosing part that's hard.

So now, as I unpack all my stuff and am starting to get settled into 'home' life with the family again, my mind can't help but wander to somewhere else. I want to travel to so many different places. The easy way to get there would be to get a job in that particular place of course. But at my age of 26 I feel like I should be starting my career in Ontario. So you can see how hard it is for me to choose what's best!

I'll never be done with school. That's the beauty of being a teacher. But I guess I am officially a grown up. (When did that happen?) I'm not exactly financially independent (the roommate situation speaks for itself - Mom and Dad), but I am emotionally and mentally independent. I'm ready for my career to start and my 'grown up' life to begin. It would be so much easier if someone would just hire me! Or if someone would just tell me what to do or make my decision for me!

I've learned a lot about myself recently having to let go and move on. The best thing I can do is be prepared for anything and to just go forward. Bring on the next chapter...

Accidentally on Purpose

People say to live your life with purpose. Knowing that purpose is not an easy thing to figure out. But, I try to partake in activities that will help my education, career, knowledge or simply help me grow. I surround myself with great family and friends that I love and love me back and that help me be a better person. I'd like to think I live my life with purpose.

Living life with purpose..deep right? But, who has the time to soul search and figure out all that we are. It's a nice thought but I'm more of a believer in the chaos theory. I think random occurances happen which lead us in the right direction. These accidents are what shape us, as long as we find how to benefit from those accidents.

There are so many things in life that are not on purpose or that happen "by accident". Babies, car accidents, breaking a glass, forgetting your anniversary..some big, some small, good, or bad, accidents are bound to happen. The best thing you can do is just roll with it.

Of course there are also those 'accidents' that happen for a reason or on purpose. I like to call this accidentally on purpose.

That waitress that 'accidentally' spilled your drink on you. Was it an accident? Stop being so rude to servers. They have a tough job.


'Accidentally' letting a secret slip out you weren't suppose to tell. Admit it. You love gossip. You can't keep a secret. It's your friends fault really for telling you that information.


Baking a batch of cupcakes and 'accidentally' eating most or all of them. Why did you make cupcakes anyway? You wanted them, don't lie.



My favorite 'accidentally on purpose' moment happens most often during the summer. There is something about the summer that just calls out my name to be drinking on a patio or beach.

On a hot day there is nothing more satisfying than lounging around lazily drinking an ice cold beer or other beverage of choice. Before you know it, you've had one too many drinks and you're 'accidentally drunk.'

So go ahead and live your life with purpose...but take full advantage of those upcoming lazy summer days where you find yourself accidentally drunk on a Tuesday afternoon.

Yoga for Beginners

With school out.. (forever! eek!)..summer just around the corner, and inevitabily bathing suit season once again, I'm am trying to live more healthily. So I've been dragging myself to the gym with my gym buddy and also trying out yoga. I've only done yoga once or twice before, but I found a great deal on a yoga studio here and decided to give it a try.

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the studio is the calmness and quietness of it all. I'm used to intense cardio workouts with pumping jams blasting out, so this is of course quite a departure from that. It's almost eerie to be so aware of how your body is moving and to concentrate on your breath. That is one thing that I acknowledge I need to learn to do. Just breathe. I find myself holding my breath more than once. Holding your breath for too long is never a good thing.

The first pose called savasana is all about relaxation and I never thought that could be so difficult. The first class I did I almost started to giggle. Terrible I know. But I found it so hard to get thoughts out of my mind and just succumb to my breath. In the third class the teacher told us if we have a thought about our upcoming day, acknowledge it, inhale and let the thought out when you exhale. If only everything that stresses you out could leave with a simple breath.

In my relaxation state when I'm trying to have a clear mind, I think this is when most thoughts pop into my head.
"What am I going to have for dinner?"
"Man, I need a job."
"I hope someone, anyone, calls for an interview soon."
"My cheek has an itch. I better not scratch it. She'll know I'm not concentrating. It's getting worse. I'll just scratch it quickly. Maybe she won't notice."

I really hope I am not the only beginner that feels or thinks this way. Otherwise, I'm gonna need more than yoga to help me!

As we go through all the different poses and postures it's amazing the ones you think should be easy are not. And the ones you think "there's no way my body can do that" are easy. It's surprising how very little I am aware of myself and body.

However, at the end of class, the instructor told me my "wheel" pose (which you may know as a bridge), is amazing. I have a flexible back. Who knew? I'm pretty sure it's the only flexible part of my body...for now. Thank you elementary school gymnastics.

Cinco de Mayo Celebrations

May 5th all over North America and I'm sure other places, people celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Our little household celebrated the glorious day with fresh food. We had an array of fresh salsa and dips and a delicious vegan enchilada recipe. I found this recipe from the Oh She Glows website, and I love meat, but let me tell you, it was AMAZING!



Mine don't look nearly as pleasing as the ones on the website, but I highly recommend them!









A meal this good has to be washed down with some festive drinks of course. We decided to make and enjoy some frozen beverages. I'm not exactly sure Cinco de Mayo is celebrated for, but I'm not one to turn down a drink! Margaritas would have been the more obvious choice but with no tequila on hand, only rum, we made do with Pina Coladas! mmmm


Note: Beware the sugar hangovers that are bound to follow after drinking these all day!

Like...seriously!

Here's a few basic facts about me. I am generally a happy person. I'm not moody or dark or even that bitchy around certain times of the month. I like to laugh and joke around. Life's too short to complain or be angry at things you can't change. I'm also short. It's no secret. If you've ever stood next to me you've probably felt giant because I'm 5 foot 3, basically miniature. I also have a quiet voice. I don't like to yell. It takes a lot of effort for me to speak loudly. And, I'm a natural blonde.

I'm not sure if it's a combination of these things in particular or something else, but people tend to not take me seriously. It could also be the fact that when I tell stories or try to explain things, the word 'like' seems to take over my vocabulary. And I know it's not just me...it seems to be a trend among young people. Whether this came from the 90210 days or somewhere else but it's definitely something I am much more aware of after teaching. I am now very aware of the way I speak and I try very hard not to turn everything into a simile.

One of the reasons I really enjoy teaching is these little imperfections come out and you are forced to fix them. One of my other favourite parts of teaching is the kids take everything you say as the word of god. They take you seriously. To them, you know everything and even if you make a mistake, they forget about it 2 seconds later. Kids are the best. We could really take some pointers from these little guys.

Closer to 30

Tomorrow is my birthday. I will be 26 and I have to say I'm not sure how I feel about it. There are so many things I have yet to accomplish or points in my life I thought would be complete by now. As a young girl around the age of 10 or so you have big dreams for yourself. You think by the time you're 25 you would be married with a couple of kids and your career on the go. Not so much. And so, as I speed past 25 I realize none of these things that little girls dream of are even close within my grasp.
I'm not married. Not even close. Not even a proposal looming. And I'm in no rush.
I don't have kids. I'm not a mother. But let's face it, that's probably a good thing at this point in my life.
And definitely no career started yet. I can't wait to be a full time teacher someday but who knows how long that will take! It's not exactly in high demand right now. I am instead a student.

A long time ago, in high school I made a pact with my friend Billy. We share the same birthday - and I am exactly an hour older. He's my oldest friend...since birth, literally! Our pact started as a marriage one but from what I can remember it morphed into a children pact. We said if neither of us was married or had kids by the time we reached 30, he would father my children. (Don't worry Jamie...it's stricty through artificial insemination!) I love the guy, but he's like my brother. Yuck. This pact was laughable when I was 16, but now 10 years later (wow!) it's slowly creeping up on me. We may have to renew and rewrite some of those terms.

As people so lovingly tell me, I am now closer to 30 than 20. Somewhere along the way, those little girl dreams have changed from marriage, kids, career into something else. I have a bucket list for myself, and although those things are included on it. There are about 30 other things that are unrelated to the traditional dreams. But as I've said before, age is merely a number. And I don't feel 26. I'm told I don't look 26. Even though I'm slowly starting to notice some laugh lines. (I'm not so against botox anymore).

There are some things I am sure of. I will ineveitably get older and those laugh lines will deepen. But, I'm also sure there is so much more to life than living for what is 'supposed to be'. I'm sure these things will happen for me someday, but I'm in no rush. I'm enjoying living in the moment and making the most of what I have now. And what I have is no money and no job...but I've got great family and friends. Even some that would make a very generous donation....


PS...Just a little update on my no eating fast food. It's been 2 weeks and I'm proud to say I have not faltered! (Although I don't include Subway or Tim Horton's under the fast food category).

Give it up

Lent. Ash Wednesday. I'm not Catholic nor am I religious in any way. I like to consider myself more spiritual than anything. But, as most attempt to give up something for 40 days and 40 nights at this time of year, I am following suit. I just hope this goes better than my New Year's resolutions. Those quickly were tossed to the side a day after making them.



What I am self denying during this time is fast food. That's right, no McDonalds, no Wendys, no Harveys, no Burger King, no Taco Bell, etc. They will just have to learn to live without my money.

But I did learn something new yesterday. Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday, or Fat Tuesday is special because you are allowed and encouraged to stuff your face with paczis (sp?). From what I understand they are jelly filled doughnuts but better than the regular kind because they are fatter. Who knew? I didn't partake in this jelly-filled heaven because I'm not a fan of regular sized ones so I assumed I also wouldn't enjoy the fatter version.

So I wish you all well on your journey of self denial and hope you don't kill anyone in the crossfire.

Hands off!