Feel Like a Lady of Leisure

You know those days that just seem to lovely and relaxing? My day started out as one of those, which was lovely. Today I finished physio at 9am (yay, knee swelling is disappearing!); treated myself to coffee at the wonderful Drumroaster where I sat and read for about an hour, also where I spend possibly far too much of my free time; took a quick nap as I didn't go to bed early enough last night; and had a luxurious soak in a tub to ease aching bones. All before noon. Doesn't that just sound like a lovely way to start a day? And not a day too soon, either.

I thought that when I finished with school my schedule would calm down because I would no longer be taking 5-6 classes five days a week, commuting to them, working 20-26 hours over the course of 2.5 days, and still trying to eat, sleep, and be social. Turns out I was wrong? I mean, my schedule isn't too super crazy; I'm only working about 30-45 hours a week between my two jobs, trying to stay fit/build my fitness (hence the reduction of the swelling in my knee), do a bit of freelance work when I can, arrange and create Christmas and birthday presents for the next few weeks/months, help my great-aunt out with her house twice a month (or more as necessary), and get ready to house-sit for six weeks. Oh, and of course be social, eat, sleep, etc. That's not that much, now is it? Especially since I'm trying very hard to save my money.

Have I told you yet, internet? I'm hoping to travel! I'm in the midst of forcing myself to save roughly $10,000 so that I can head over to Europe for what I hope will be about three months of adventure. Three months. Adventure. Doesn't that sound alluring? I think it sounds both totally enticing and exciting, and absolutely daunting; especially as I've never been further away from home than Alberta, where I have tons of family, or California, where I was accompanied by either my parents or teachers/classmates/chaperons. It's not the being alone I think is daunting; I enjoy spending time on my own. Travel arrangements, however? Now those are a daunting idea. Mostly because I'm just in the very basic and rough planning stages. 

Anyhow, I'm off to waste about 4 hours before I go off to work, so I'll try to keep you updated? I always say that sort of thing, don't I? Oh dear, I fear I'm not very good with this whole "keep people people informed" thing. Hm. If you are inclined to Tumble, you can follow my adventures (reblogs, basically) on Tumblr if so inclined? Just here then. Otherwise, I guess I'll leave you with a few images of my misadventures since fall started. 

Breakfast for one :)

Sending letters to some lovely ladies

Homemade pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving! First attempt went well :)

I live in a gorgeous area, by the way. 

Old skating props are always a good way to provide light. Careful, this lantern gets HOT! :)

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?

Someone once told me that it takes a certain type of person to write, but the more I think about this the less I believe it. Yes, it seems to take a literate person to write unless they're copying something and don't understand it, but that's not the point. To me anyone can write, some are just better at it than others. Just like some people have better resumes or better interview skills or are better at sports, some people are better writers. For me, it depends on my mood. Tonight (this morning?) I write in a slightly disappointed, pensive mood. I didn't get accepted into the WDW CRP thing I applied (and interviewed!) for, so I'm trying to figure out my future.

Next year was supposed to be my time to do that - look into some internships, meet new people, have a ton of fun, etc - so now I have to find a new way to do that. Should I travel? Ought I to stay where I am and just research the year away, trying to figure out what to do with my life? Should I go to grad school? And most of all, what do I want to spend the rest of my life doing?

This last question is a question I'm not sure we can ever truly answer, because not only does the world continue to change, but we are forever changing and evolving, so we're forever changing our minds and discerning a new path for ourselves. With this new path comes new options, and new doorways that we may never have thought existed. Example: two years ago I was on track to graduate this year with a BSc and then I was going to go on and get my BEd and teach. Since then, I've completely changed my major; I'm now getting a BA instead of my BSc, and I'm going to have a major in English instead of Biology (can't tell by the way I type, can you?). I'm also not going straight into a BEd program like I originally thought I would. Instead, I'm drifting. I don't know what I want to do, and with this program falling through, I kind of feel like I don't know where I want to go. Should I apply again, or should I just leave it? Oh well.

I'm sure I'll figure something out, but I really started this entry because I just needed to write. Like I said, everyone can write (given exceptions, as above). I write when I need to; sometimes it doesn't make sense, sometimes it's really depressing, sometimes it's overly happy. Tonight, I think I just need to write, to sort things out, and to put words to paper so that I can sort through my emotions. The emotions I'm feeling aren't new, they're just... Complicated. They're not the things I'm used to feeling well up, and they're not the type of thing that just goes away, they're the type of emotions you work through. Sure, I'm disappointed; I really did want to do this program, it sounded like so much fun, everyone at the interview was super nice, and I absolutely adore Disney. However, life moves on. I can't continue to live in the past because the past, present, and future all play into each other and if I get stuck in one the others become stuck as well, and the last thing I want is to be stuck in a negative frame of mind right now.

The question is, which direction should I go? "Is there anybody out there" that can help me? (Also, if I do go to Grad school, what should I do? What do you suggest I do without Grad school when I'm done my degree?)

Sleep tight lovelies, everything will look brighter in the morning :-)

Lots of Rambling, or, Why People Should Come to the Gym More

Wow, am I actually posting a second blog in July? /there must be something wrong with me! No, really, there may be. But there probably isn't, I'm just tired and cold - but that's because I just finished a workout with the A/C on. So there!

Hmm, what's been going on lately? Well, I could tell you that I've finished another book, but that'd be a lie. Basically since I wrote last I've done a lot of the same sort of stuff I've been doing for months: reading (a little; if there were more sun I may read more and be out enjoying it-today was nice though!), working (both at the grocer and the gym), sleeping (my bed may be my current best friend.. Sorry Ray-Ray, but sleep is heaven), working out (which I should start doing less maybe.. I think my body's hitting exhaustion), attending Zumba (which is not only super fun, but one heck of a workout), and basically subsisting.

Thursday (like, a week from today!) Bug leaves for Honduras for her missions trip, and a few days later my parents head off on their duo vacation in the Mountains and plains of AB for 3 weeks. Am I jealous of everyone going away? Heck yes. However, they're leaving the dog home with me this time, which is like, a super upgrade. The only down side of this is that he's on prednosoln (sp?), and has to be given his pills everyday, which will become my responsibility. That and brushing his teeth, but that's not such a bad deal; I get big scary looking pet to stay with me (well, SOMEONE must think he's scary looking, right?), I give him what he needs. Seems fair. So there's that.

I'm considering maybe going to Seattle for like, a few days at the end of the summer, maybe just like, "2 nights" on the Clipper, so yeah.. Maybe give myself a vacation with that? But I'll have to see. I don't want to go on my own, but I know Ray-Ray is hoping to go to Europe in the fall and Bug can't go with me, she'll be just getting back into life in Canada. I dunno, it just seems like summer's going by super fast and I'm, well, working. Which isn't a bad thing, I'm rather enjoying my jobs (and one's giving me ample opportunity to do stuff like this AND get fit), but wow. This time next year I'll (hopefully) be a University grad. And at this rate I'll be back doing the same things I've always done for the summer - back to the grocer.

That sounds bitter, doesn't it? Well, I'm not trying to be bitter, just realistic. With the job market the way it currently is and the rate at which my luck seems to go, I'll be working in grocery stores well into my career teaching. So if anyone knows of a super great summer job I can get with a BA, English Major next summer, let me know? I'd love to expand my horizons! Hmm, what else have I got to say today?

I don't think that there's really anything more that I can add. I'm hoping maybe to have a day off coming up, and I might head into town this weekend after work to hang out, but until then there's not mu-

OH! I'm going to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 with a friend Sunday! I know, I know, super nerd. However, it has been such a huge part of my childhood! I can still remember picking up PS in the Fourth Grade, reading it avidly, and asking Mrs Allen if she had any more (which she didn't yet). I can remember receiving copies of the books for my birthdays because they were released around that time, or going out to camp and having to pick up the latest book in Costco halfway through a camping trip. Being jealous of my little sister's going to a release party without me because I had to be up early. Daddy spoiling the book for Grandma because we were passing it through the family on a camping trip and he forgot she hadn't read it yet (yeah.. 6 people, 1 copy of HBP... Bad mix). I can remember seeing the movies with my family, and sometimes going again with my friends. Although the films aren't my personal, perfect rendition of the Potter series, they really are great films in their own right, and so this last film, the eighth installment, is the close of something huge. It's not just the end of a chapter of my life, but a whole part.

That being said, it's not something that I'm leaving behind. It simply means that there are no new films and books to come out (that we know of.. Jo better not be holding out on us!), so I have a "complete" frame of reference. However, there is still Pottemore (though I've not signed up for early entry or whatever - no free time for that lol), there's still a huge following, and I've still got my copies of the books. That being said, it may be time to get a new copy of PS. It has not only been read by multiple people, but chewed by my dog, cried over, and read amongst colds/flues, etc. It's falling apart, but it's the book that started it all. My little soft-cover, battered version. It's the only book I have in paperback, actually. The rest I got either the day they came out (my grandparents actually pre-ordered me  a few for my birthday!) or shortly thereafter, and though they're destroyed the hardcovers have saved them. So yeah, NOW I think that's about it...

I'm off to finish a bit more workout now that my stomach's settled and then wash floors and remember to turn off the A/C at the end of the night.. Have a wonderful evening, and remember "Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home." - JKR <3

Words!!

Look, it's Wednesday night and it's 'W'! I'm excited! Lol, but really today I've decided that I'm going to talk about words. They're wonderful and they help us to communicate. We all use different words and we all use them in different ways, but we can all communicate in some manner; even if you don't go into a place knowing a language you'll know at least a few words by the time you leave (even if they're cusses or things like 'washroom', they're words!).

And there are so many great words. I'm going for a short post tonight because I've put basically no thought into what I'm going to write as I relaxed this morning, looked up some skating stuff, went to work, hung out with some friends, and ended up here. However, I can share some of my favourite words with you today it you'd like. (hears no replies).. I'll take that as a yes!

So, I love the word 'awesome'. I know it's over used and fully girly sounding, but it's a nice sounding word; it rolls off the tongue nicely. I'm also a fan of the word 'skookum'. If you've never heard it you're obviously not from the West Coast of Canada, but basically it's another word for great. The word 'whisper' is also pretty great; it's one of those words that sort of comes out sounding like what it means.. If you have ever said it in the right tone you'll understand what I'm talking about.

But really, I think that's all I'm going to get up to tonight; my brain has stopped functioning fully so I'm going to go catch up on watching the vlogbrothers, then it's off to bed. G'night!!