Posted a day after writing. Again.

I think blogging from work may become a regular thing if I keep working these awkward shifts; there's about an hour in the afternoon where there's nothing to do. I've cleaned all I can clean, updated the records, worked out, and have no clients. Therefore I can, without guilt, type myself up a nice little update on life if I wish to. So, shall I?

Like I said before, I just graduated (YES!) and now it's back to working a bunch and having no plan. However, I sort of do have a plan. Like I mentioned before, I'm hoping to travel. I'm looking at April-May of next year, for both months, and I'm hoping to hit areas in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, and Italy. We'll see how this goes; I may have to cut one country, or extend/shorten my trip, depending on income levels. My savings goal for this trip is about $6000, but if I end up with more money that would be excellent. So far my main incomes are my two part-time jobs, and then this fall I'm house-sitting for roughly 2 months, so that should help out. I'm also starting to slowly accumulate supplies. I have been told that I can borrow a pack from a few different people, so there's no worry about that. For my birthday last week I was gifted a lovely omni-heat, water-resistant/proof jacket that is lightweight and easy to carry, and for grad I received a fantastic iPad, so now I will be able to keep in touch. My main goal now is just to save, save, save. And plan.

I know what countries I want to see, and I have some rough ideas of what cities I want to go to, but is there anywhere in particular I should not miss out on? Having never been further East than Alberta and only as far South as California, I'm not well travelled by any means. I anticipate a huge learning experience, some personal growth, and a wonderful experience; now I just need to figure out exactly where I want to go. Any help?

There's that, then

When I was younger I always had a plan for my future. At first, I was going to be a hairdresser and a waitress, then I wanted to teach. I thought about going into law, and then I came back to the idea of teaching. As it turns out, having a plan is all well and good, but sometimes you have to smash the plan to pieces a little bit. 

I've just graduated University (on Thursday, actually), and I'm nowhere near where I thought I would be. I didn't get a degree in Education, and I'm not moving into Law school in September. Actually, I'm not sure of what I want to do; I didn't even graduate with the degree that I went into school to get in the first place (I have a BA now, not a BSc). For now, I'm hanging out here, at home, and working two part-time jobs, just like I was when I was in school. What this has left me with, then, is a lot of free time; time that I'm not used to having. At first I felt lost; what do people do with all this time, and how do I fill it? But now, I'm starting to get used to it. 


Because I'm saving up for a trip (oh yeah, I want to travel next Spring), I'm trying not to spend too much money. Instead of going shopping I've been attending a Jazzercise class (early birthday present from Mama, and I'm hooked!) and volunteering with a local Historical Society, just doing odd jobs. And you know what? This not having a firm plan, and not being super pressured to do too much is really nice. I don't think I can keep it up forever (I'll have to start a career of some sort one day), but for now it's really nice to be able to sit back when I want to, have a cup of tea, and read a book. Or, if I want to, to spend a few hours doing some typing, or volunteering. I'm still keeping my eyes open for more (local) work, but these days who isn't? 
The point is, I'm not sure exactly what I'm doing, but for the first time I don't have any fully fledged ideas of my future, and I'm enjoying it. I'm doing what makes me (mostly) happy, and things are starting to look and feel bright again.


Also, if anyone happens to know where Summer is, could you please usher is over here for us? Our little Island would like to partake in Summer, sunshine, and a little bit of heat one day. 

One week (and a bit)

That's how much of my summer is left: one week and a bit. Specifically, I return to classes on Wednesday September 7th, and although I'm really excited I'm also a little bit sad. I told myself that this summer I would try to see my friends more, hang out, and do all the things I never got much of a chance to do either as a teenager in the summer or last summer. Guess what? I didn't do that. Yes, I saw (some of) my friends. Yes, I went out. But I have also managed to work 57 of the last 70 days, occasionally for 10-11 hours. This sort of subtracts from the whole 'social life' thing - when your day starts at 6:30 am and you don't get home from work until after 8pm you don't really want to get dressed and go out again. Actually, you (or at least I) don't want to do too much. A trip to the local pub with some friends, a good book with a cup of tea, a visit with a friend, or some television/Internet before sleeping like a rock is about it. But you know, aside from not being hugely social (or swimming very much due to a summer that contained very little swimming weather), I feel like my summer has been pretty good. I've met a bunch of really interesting, super nice people (most of which may or may not be my mother's age and older), I've discovered a super nice bookstore (honestly if you have not checked out Russell Books on Fort St in Vic you totally should!), I've become slightly addicted to Zumba, seen my best friend (which WILL continue to happen until such time as she leaves the country), and just generally recuperated from a very busy 2 terms at school. Now however, I'm ready to return.

I'm ready to go back and see people I haven't seen since April (minus Miss Cammi, who unfortunately for me has returned to England - however, I still wouldn't mind seeing/chatting with her; Hi Cammi!!), meet some new people (hopefully - we all know how good I am at that), see the people that I have seen infrequently through the summer more frequently because we'll be on campus, read lots, learn more, and just generally be a student again. Heck, I'm even sort of looking forward to seeing Biblio full of people, haha. All that being said though, it's going to be a tough year.

My mother and I have been talking, and it has been decided that I need to go to a career counselor when I return to campus - 'What can I do with an English Degree' - I still feel like I want to teach, but I also feel like I really should understand more of my options. I apply to graduate this fall, and apply to Grad School. My mother also told me that I should consider taking a year off between undergrad and grad school and doing something. This evening, Bug suggested something that sounds super neat but may or may not be feasible (work my butt off for half a year, travel and visit friends while they're at school/off the island for a bit, see the world a bit), but I'm also considering the Disney International Program. It's something I've wanted to do for a few years, and if I take time off between schooling, it may be the perfect opportunity. We'll see what happens though; I've still got a week to get my head around returning to school and such.

Actually, tomorrow after going to the bank (I need to see about getting a better interest rate on my car loan with MY bank over the GBC) I'm going to head into town and get school supplies and possibly a journal of sorts. Nothing fancy, but something to write thoughts and such in (the other journal I have is full of stuff lol). Then I SHOULD come home and start my homework in earnest. Oh right, yeah, school hasn't started yet but I have homework. Basically. I've got to read something on Shakespeare before the first class (Histories and Tragedies - what have I gotten myself into?!), and by the second class need to have Titus Andronicus completely read. I haven't started yet. I have though started Dracula, and it is fantastic. I want to keep reading, but keep having to stop and absorb things and piece bits out. It's wonderful. And the Vampires in it are real and ghastly, not sparkly (no offence - well maybe a bit - but sparkly vampires? Not my cuppa tea). I gave up on reading The Wings of the Dove and put it down, and now I've lost it in my pile of books. However, I need to pick it up again soon - term is approaching! I thiiiink that's about all I have to say about right now, and so I leave you with this a) super long blog post [ yay, I've done something to my blog!] and b) two photos.

This first one is my bookshelf as it currently is: three shelves, two completely double rowed (so there may be Archie comics back there on one, okay?!), one over half doubled up. Yeah, I'm out of space. I have a box of Science texts in my closet if anyone's in need - let me know what you need, I may have it (years 1-2 only?).

This photo contains all the books that I have to read for class this term. Not year, term. Before December. There are 26 required texts here (well, 24. I currently have Dracula on my nightstand and Titus Andronicus is sitting in the front seat of my car) and I've read two in their entirety. I've also read Treasure Island before but I was about 10, so I have to re-read it. So I've read The Hobbit and Sabriel so far. I'm hooped. Oh well, I'll get through it... Once I stop procrastinating. Dammit Internet, stop being so alluring!