15 January 2018

One Year Later: Braces Update

15 January 2018

One Year Later: Braces Update

So, it has been one year since I've got metal put on my teeth. This was something I've been wanting to do for so long, and when the opportunity presented itself, I took it.  I remember I literally went in for a consultation, then the next day I went back to set up a payment plan, and then made an appointment for the very next day to get the braces.

It all happened so fast.  I didn't start nursing yet, and so I was working a lot. My friends literally saw me one day without braces, and the next day with a full set of braces.  They were shocked, yet knew what sort of pain I was going through, and were great with advice.

So, what's new?


Firstly, I want to say that when I first got them, I genuinely thought my teeth were okay. I only wanted them to fix my overjet bite. However, looking back at my old post, I CLEARLY SEE A DIFFERENCE.

Second, my teeth are officially straight. A couple months ago, we took another panorama x-ray of my teeth and saw that my roots were parallel to one another, which was perfect. They all kept commenting that whoever placed my braces on my first appointment, did an amazing job. So, all that's left to do is wear them elastics, all day - every day. This is supposed to help the main reason I decided on braces -- the overjet.


Third, the only time my braces did become a problem was when a brace would come off loose causing the wire at the end to also come undone. It was actually annoying. Over the course of the past year, I believe I had to go back to the dentist to get the brace reglued and the wire put back in place over 4 times. I was never eating anything chewing or sticky or hard enough to cause the brace to fall off.  So, I hated when they asked me questions about what I was eating or tried to remind me what I can and cannot eat... It felt as if it was my fault or something.

However, on my most recent visit (just the other day because I had to go in and fix a loose brace... again), someone new was looking at my teeth and realized that I've been biting off my braces this entire time. Remember in my first post I mentioned getting these blue things on my molars? Well, they were no longer helping, and she decided to put these cushion rubber things on my molars to cushion my bite and to ultimately prevent me from biting off my braces... Let's see if this actually works!


Lastly, I do have to say that I have finally embraced my braces. When I first got my braces, I remember being so self-conscious every time I opened my mouth. I remember wearing more and more makeup, and I even got lash extensions.  When I am with a customer one-on-one at the jewelry counter at work, I felt I needed to distract everyone from looking at my teeth.

However, things are different now. I don't think twice when I talk to others. I used to do this thing where I would use my upper lip to hide my top set of teeth while I spoke. I also don't care about laughing with my teeth (and braces) showing.


I do have to admit, the one thing I'm still having trouble with is smiling in pictures. I haven't quite mastered that yet. When it comes to selfies, I smile without showing my teeth, which is actually hard because growing up, my mom always told me to show my teeth in pictures. So, it's like learning all over again how to look good in a picture, if that makes any sense.
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05 January 2018

My 2018 Goals

05 January 2018

My 2018 Goals

Happy New Year friends!

Can someone please explain to me how 2017 went by soooo fast? I feel like just yesterday I decided on my word of the year, and now here I am, trying to figure out how the heck I want to approach 2018.

I decided to come back this year instead of leaving my blog radio silent. In fact, I had this post ready for a few days now... Had to take a sick day from work to decide to come on here to actually publish it. But, this blog has been part of my life for so long, and I really wanted to give my blog a proper chance before parting ways. Besides, I did decide a few months ago that I was going to continue this for me. Even if the blogging-world has switched gears and went to a completely different directions... I just wanted this space for me.

So, with a new year beginning, why not set me some goals for myself. I know, it's such a cliche type of post, but hey, these were the types of posts I loved reading back when I first started my blog; therefore, these are the types of posts I will continue on my blog. Also, I just find that posting my goals makes me 100% accountable. And, this time around, I am more serious than I've ever been.


SCHOOL
  • Graduate with GPA > 4.0
  • Get into the Nursing Bridge Program 
  • Get my RPN liscence  
  • No more procrastinating 
FITNESS
  • Lose 10 lbs
  • Lose 20 lbs
  • Lose 30 lbs
  • Complete 28 Fit Girl Guide 
  • Drink 2L of water daily 
FINANCE
  • Complete a no spending challenge
  • Pay off credit card #1 
  • Save for Bridge Program 
  • Save for BSCN program 
  • SAVE in general 
PERSONAL
  • Smile more
  • Relax more
  • Get regular hours of sleep 
  • Be present 
  • Stay positive 
  • Get out of my comfort zone
EXTRA
  • Use my bullet journal all year round (more on this in future posts)
  • Blog as often as I can 
  • Find a new job 
  • Redo my hair... maybe
2018, let's do this! 

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12 December 2017

ONE-YEAR UPDATE: 101 Things in 1001 Days

12 December 2017

ONE-YEAR UPDATE: 101 Things in 1001 Days

It was literally one year ago when I turned 22 years old and decided to take part in this challenge. I wanted to do it for myself - accomplish little things and long-term goals. So, I decided to write it all down and put it out there into the universe... you know, that way I'm holding myself accountable. 

The last time I provided an update about my progress, I completed 24 items as of March 8, 2016. It seemed so long ago, so I'm curious to see how much I've accomplished since then.

One year later... 

I've completed 49/101 things! Not too shabby if you ask me! 

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09 December 2017

December Goals

09 December 2017

December Goals

Oh how it feels sooo good to start writing on the blog again. I mean, I know I only ended up writing 3 posts last month, but hey.. writing those 3 posts have never felt better. I wrote without feeling pressure to impress readers, or felt like I needed a certain number of views. I wrote for me, and for myself. And, I loved it.

And, here we are. It is officially December - the last month of the year. But, you already know this. Anyone else feeling some sort of way that 2017 is coming to an end?

I am. At this point, I just want to end off the month (and year) on a high!

I would revisit my goals from last month, but I'll be honest, it didn't go so well. So, let's not dwell on the past, and set myself some new goals. It's a new month, the last month of the year. Let's do this! 


December goals 
  • Finish my Christmas shopping (find the perfect gift for my dad)
  • Finish buying and wrapping secret Santa gifts 
  • ACE and finish the semester strong
  • Do a final declutter of my room and bookshelves 
  • Take more photos 
  • Start looking into a trainer for Rosie (just little behaviours I need to fix)  
  • Start creating a set of goals for 2018 
  • Read a book!
  • Work as much as I can (and save) 
  • Look for alternative part-time jobs... 
  • STAY POSITIVE
  • ENJOY THE REST OF 2017
What are your end of the year goals! 
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23 November 2017

Twenty-Three

23 November 2017

Twenty-Three

I am officially twenty-three years old. (Well, technically since Sunday... but I took my sweet time writing this post).

WOW. That is actually sooo crazy for me to say that, especially since the past year flew by extremely quickly. And, in all honesty,  I actually regret not playing Feeling 22 by Taylor Swift more often... (I'm lowkey listening to Feeling 22 right now as I write this... sooo, I guess it's all good.)

But, this year I wasn't too hyped for my birthday. I'm not exactly sure why... I just wanted to keep cool, stay in, and have a lowkey night. So, you could imagine that my birthday weekend was just exactly that! And, I couldn’t have been any happier. 



FRIDAY:



I was off from work and no school (because of the ongoing strike), so I decided to just have the day to myself!  I like having my alone time, and I genuinely think it is important to have time for yourself, you know, enjoy the day, do what you like. So, why not? I already made plans for both Saturday and Sunday… so, why not? 


SATURDAY:

I actually spent the majority of my morning attempting to get some more school work done (although the teachers are still on strike, the government is trying to pass this bill that allows us to go back to school this week while the negotiations are still occurring). Anyways, long story short, we actually might be going back to school as early as Tuesday - yay! So, like I said, I was attempting and just trying to get my motivation back… 


Other than that, I had plans with Jay, who wanted to take me out to dinner at a restaurant I've never eaten at before - Copacabana. I was so hungry early on during the day that I actually finished getting dressed super early. I was clearly excited about going to this restaurant I've never been to. Plus, I was super hungry... did I mention that already?


Jay picked me up a little late, and I was kind of annoyed, only because I was hungry and was scared we would miss our reservation! And, the drive up there was just terrible. Waaaay too much construction going on... c'mon let's get it together Toronto. 

When we got there, I was surprised to see my sister! And, she got mad at Jay saying we were early. I couldn't believe. I rushed to my surprise birthday guys!  



The food was served via waiters who brought meat (steak, lamb, chicken, etc.) to the tables and cut it into pieces for us. There was non-stop meat coming and going. It was delicious. 
I was actually sooooo surprised that I actually got anxious. I was wondering about who was attending if what I was wearing was okay, what we were doing after... a lot of "whats" were running through my head! And, since the traffic was super bad, the guest start coming in slowly, and so it was actually kind of exciting to see who would walk through the doors next. 


It was more definitely a surprise - thank you, Jay and Ash! 

And, it was such a surprise that I didn't take any pictures. I did take a few snaps, but I was sooo smart that I didn't save them. Opps. But, hey, I was having so much fun that I was just living in the moment (for once). 


SUNDAY: 

Sunday was the day of my actual birthday. In the early hours, I actually opened a few presents I received! Jay got me red converse (yessss, I needed a new pair of everyday shoes), and a, very, expensive pair of Nike tights. Thanks boo!!! My friend Kimmie got me make up. And, I got more gifts that I am all sooo grateful for.

For my actual birthday, my family and I went out to lunch to their favourite buffet.  It was fun and it was much-needed family time. We've all been so busy with work and school (well, my sister has been busy with school). So, this time together was perfect.


The rest of the Sunday was beautiful. And, I wanted to spend as much time with Rosie. I took her for a really long walk and took her to the park to play around. I wanted to spend as much time as I could before going back to school. And, I was happy I did. I love spending every free moment with her. 
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16 November 2017

Confessions of A Nursing Student: College Strike

16 November 2017

Confessions of A Nursing Student: College Strike

How do I even begin this post?

I'm honestly so frustrated and angry that I'm no longer frustrated and angry. At this point, I'm just annoyed?

The Ontario colleges faculty are currently in week 5 of their strike. Let me repeat that one more time... week #5. Yes, the teachers have their valid reasons for striking, and I am 100% on side for anyone having their right to strike. However, I am not okay with both parties to use us, the students, as pawns in their games of negotiation.

The teachers say this is for the "benefit" of the students. How so? After sitting on my a** for the past 5 weeks, I am not benefiting at all.  In fact, I have been waiting patiently to even hear an UPDATE as to what is going on. Even so, as middle parities in this negotiation game with no control, we aren't even given the respect with any sort of updates from our schools. 

We are completely in the dark. And, we cannot do anything.

Let me give you a rundown of the last 5 weeks:
  • The first week of the strike, I caught up with a lot of my readings
  • The second week of the strike, I lost motivation to do any work 
  • I spent a lot of time with my puppy
  • I've searched for any updates on the strike
  • I've worked but, also given up ample amount of shifts with the fear that I should be doing studying instead of making money (for school btw) only because classes could resume at anytime 
That's all I've done. Literally. 

And, very recently, the school sent us an email saying they might extend the semester into our Christmas holidays.... like, excuse me? First I am being held from my education, and now they want to take away our holiday vacation for a strike that I did not ask for? How is this honestly fair? What about the students to pre-booked holiday flights? What about the international students who want to go home for the holidays? 

What makes me mad the most is the amount of money my parents worked soo hard to save to send me to school to help me become a nurse. And, I've been sitting at home for the last 5 weeks. Money well spent... nope. Money was well stolen in my opinion. 

It's absolutely not fair. 

Another option the school has was that if the strike persisted over x amount of weeks, we would just resume the semester to JANUARY 2nd. The day after New Years... seriously?  So technically, this other option pushes all our semesters back. Possibly graduation is pushed back then? 

URG. 

I'm sorry guys. I'm so frustrated, I honestly wish I knew how to organize my emotions into words so this post can actually make sense. I know I'm all over the place. But, that is exactly how I feel. I am confused about the entire situation. I just want a simple answer as to whether or not what is happening to MY education that I am paying for? 

Is that really hard to ask? 

Oh, and an apology would be nice as well... you know, for putting us through this bullsh*t.

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01 November 2017

November Goals

01 November 2017

November Goals

Hello, November! 

I seriously (and I really mean seriously) cannot believe it is already November. Like, NOVEMBER guys. Wow. Next month is already December, and shortly, it will soon be 2018! How crazy is that?

I didn't originally plan on being out of the blogosphere for this long, but, it was needed. And, from this moment on, I'm gonna take notes from a few of you who read my latest post and just blog for me. Not focus on blogging a certain amount of posts per week/month. I'm just going to blog when I please, and take breaks when I please. 


Besides, November is the month of me! It's my birthday month, and I just want to get through this month (and the rest of 2017) with a positive note.

It's been quite a while since I've created myself a few goals for the month. Actually, come to think of it, I think not writing goals for myself has made my life such as mess.  My head has just been all over the place. I really need to sit down, create a list of goals, and FOCUS. Prioritize. 

November Goals
  • Prep meals (for me and Rosie) 
  • Practice, practice, practice
  • Complete a 30-day challenge 
  • START CHRISTMAS SHOPPING 
  • Plan a low-key night for my birthday weekend 
  • Keep up with my readings
  • Reorganize my bookshelves + desk 
  • SAVE! 
  • RELAX and take it easy

What are your November goals?

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