Challenging Myself for October!

01 October 2014

30 days

Challenging Myself for October!

It is the first day of October, so happy October anyone! The other day, I was really looked into the upcoming months. My birthday is next month, and I really wanted to go to a different city with the girls and Jay's guys to just party it up. And because the party would be for me, I really want to look good. So this month, I am challenging myself to legit go all out and make my body a priority.
I'll be first to admit that I am definitely not happy with certain parts of my body. For example, my arms. I feel like they are just big flab that I will never be able to get rid of. So, instead of bringing myself down about my body, I decided to enhance some of my favourite parts of my body - yes this is the positive way of doing things.  Personally, I like my ass, and legs. So I definitely want to create more of a shape to them. I also want to have a tinier waist.
So what am I doing? I'll definitely be participating in those 30 day challenges. In fact, below are the ones I will be sticking to for the rest of the month. I think next week, I'll even write up a legit workout schedule to share with everyone! 

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Yes, all of these challenges won't create DRAMATIC changes in over a month. But, the way I see it, if I stick to something for a month, I will be more motivated to continue my progression in order to get where I want. Are any of you guys challenging yourself to get in shape? Let me know!

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Heartwarming Westjet Christmas Video

11 December 2013

30 days

Heartwarming Westjet Christmas Video

Can you believe it is already Wednesday? Wow is the week going back so quickly! In just a few short days I will be writing two exams and celebrating Jay's birthday. If only I can get myself to studying more effectively at the moment.

Anyways, as I was going through youtube during my study break, I came across this heartwarming video involving Santa Claus and WestJet passengers.  In the video you see that the WestJet staff installed a booth in the shape of a present at Person Airport and John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport where these passengers would be heading towards Calgary.  They were asked to share what they wanted for Christmas with the "virtual" Santa. 

What the passengers didn't know was that their request were recorded and their gifts would be waiting for them upon their arrival.

Hope you all enjoy this video just as I did!

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The Thankful Project: Free Day

28 November 2013

30 days

The Thankful Project: Free Day

Wow, today is officially the last day of The Thankful Project hosted by Kenzie.  There's so much I can talk about with the free-reign to be thankful for anything.  Although I am Canadian and already celebrated thanksgiving here, I don't see the harm of being thankful for another day.

As Christmas is now fast approaching, soon than later we are all going to realize that we've all got to start getting used to writing 2014 on everything do we.  Yes, that's right… A new year is quickly approaching and that means I have to start figuring out a new list of my New Years revolutions… o with that being said, I think it is a great time to be thankful for the friends and family that stuck by my side in 2013, who made this year memorable and worthy for me.

Day 28: Free Day

I think it really is important for me to thank all of those people who really helped me this year - whether it was through my personal struggles or striving to reach that personal goal.  I am thankful that I had the love, care and support from others to keep me motivated to live every day. 

These are the people who make me me, and quite frankly, without these people in my life, I would not be here today being exciting to start a new year. So thank you to all the friends and family for keeping me on my feet to share my life with you all.  It is a great feeling knowing someone is always there. 

Catch up on my previous posts!

Although today is American Thanksgiving, take time to read the post I wrote on Canadian Thanksgiving! I wrote about someone close to my heart and I would love for you to all take the chance to read what I was thankful for during that time. 
Thankful for You.

Thanks for stopping by!

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The Thankful Project: A Book

19 November 2013

30 days

The Thankful Project: A Book

Day 19: A Prompt About "A Book"; hosted by Kenzie from Chasing Happy

For today's prompt, I decided to pick a book that I am currently reading to make my thankful post more meaningful.  So today, I am thankful for Righteous Dopefiend by Philippe Bourgois and Jeff Schoenberg.
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I am currently reading this book for my Socio Anthropology class; so as you could imagine, this book takes an anthropological approach to do an ethnic study of the daily struggles of survival of homeless people with a physical and emotional addiction to heroin.
Although I do not live in the states, this book is based off a group of people who live in San Francisco, I think this is a great read for anyone to look into the day-to-day lives of those who are homeless.
I have yet to finished reading this book as I am currently on chapter 7, but just by reading the stories of the lives of different people just makes me so thankful for the life I have.
People usually take for granted the homes that we will in and the food that we eat, and just reading this ethnographic study is a great wake up call that I shouldn't be taking my life, and every thing in it for granted.
I am just thankful that this book is opening my eyes to also see that homeless addicts do actually have feelings and their own social lives.  It's astonishing to me that they are just like us, the only difference is that they are either doing heroin or crack, and struggling to keep up with their daily demands.
Ultimately, I have learned so much by reading this book - stuff about what life is like on the other side based on the researchers spending 12 years with these group of people.
I've said it many times already, but I am thankful that this book has found its way into my hands and mind for me to be really appreciative and thankful for what I have - parents, food, and a home.

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The Thankful Project: A Choice

18 November 2013

30 days

The Thankful Project: A Choice

I know yesterday I didn't make a post about yesterday's prompt, but I had a good reason that I choose not to share until the time is appropriate…
But on the bright side… Tomorrow is my birthday!

Day 18: A Prompt About "A Choice"

This one I had to think long and hard for… I really wanted to make this prompt meaningful by actually reflecting on my choices and what I am thankful for… and I've come to a conclusion for what I am to talk about today.
I am thankful for choosing the school I currently go to - University of Toronto - Mississauga.  If you are wondering how this is a "choice" that I am thankful for, it is because two years ago when I was applying for universities, I have to admit I was pretty scared of the entire process.  I didn't know what programs to apply for and what universities to apply into.  I was especially nervous about not getting accepted anywhere...
Eventually after a few weeks after my application went through, I got accepted to York University.  As excited as I was, there were stories going around about this school not being the greatest, and that basically it was a "shitty" school. (NOTE: Others words, not mine).
Then a few months later, to everyone's surprise, I got accepted into University of Toronto.  UofT currently ranks #14 in the world, and #1 in Canada. (For more info, please visit this website: http://news.utoronto.ca/tags/rankings).
So knowing the statistics of this school, you could imagine how many parents living in Canada would LOVE to have their children attending this school… so I was extremely happy I had the honour of being accepted to such a prestigious school.
Now back to the present, I am currently in my second year of university and I am just so thankful to be apart of a community that takes education seriously.  I am just honestly thankful that I have the opportunity to receive an education.  Therefore, this choice of choosing to accept the offer at studying at this school, is what I am thankful for today.  

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The Thankful Project: Something I Own

16 November 2013

30 days

The Thankful Project: Something I Own

Today's post is a combination of my retirement last night in the Air Cadet Program and the today's thankful project prompt.  Warning there are pictures and a lot of words written… but it means a lot you're taking the time to read it! Thank you

Day 16: A Prompt About "Something I Own"; hosted by Kenzie from chasing happy

I think today's prompt is perfect as it ties into the events of last night that  I wanted to blog about.  So without further ado … This is something I am thankful I own.

These are my Warrant Officer First Class Badges that I earned and received last year.  I am so thankful for this promotion because throughout not only the past year, but my 7 years in the cadet program, I have honestly learnt so much about myself as an independent woman.  I used to be so shy and timid, and now I am able to stand in front a crowd to talk, teach, or even cry (in the case of last night).
I am absolutely so thankful to have had the opportunity to be the WO1 of 700 David Hornell V.C Squadron and serve as a role model and inspiration for not only all the younger recruits and cadets; but the females in the cadet program.
After receiving my 3rd bar for my Air Cadet Service Medal, and my cadet retiree pin last night, it was such an honour for me to hand over my drill cane to my sister, who last night was just promoted as the next Warrant Officer First Class.  As weird as it is to have the sister take over from the sister in this position, I didn't mind because if the officers knew I could do a great job with the squadron, I am absolutely sure they are 100% confident in my sister as well.  

To my surprise, after "handing" over my Chief title to my sister (my successor), she and a group of friends surprised me with a song they made to one of my favourite song What Makes You Beautiful - One Direction.  Once I figure out how to add videos from the video camera, I will definitely post about it later on! But for now here are some pictures of the pictures they gave me as well as signatures about it and the group of friends who sang to me in the front of the squadron.

That was just amazing; and after crying from the surprise of roses and chocolates they gave me, I was saying my speech.  And before I knew it, I was an emotional wreck.  I tried very hard not to cry, but it was hard because this is something I have been apart of since I was 12 years old.  I spent 1/3 of my life here in this program giving my all… and you just wouldn't understand how thankful I am that I was forced 7 years ago by my parents to join.  It is just amazing how much I accomplished and how much I did for this family in just 7 years.

And after my speech, just like that, the new Squadron Warrant Officer took over and gave me my final march past… It is definitely different being on the other side of this march past.  But it was amazing and I am thankful for these cadets appreciating all the work I've done.

 After the march past, my CO gave me the honour and privilege to promote my sister to Warrant Officer First Class… something no one will ever whiteness - A sister promoting her own sister to follow into her footstep.

So end off this thankful post; my badges are so valuable to me as there can only be ONE WO1 in each squadron.  That is a something I am so thankful for, having the faith and the encouragement from the staff of Officers and the cadets themselves.  Those badges that I received symbolized the amount of work and heart I put into this squadron in just 7 years.
I guess the only reason why I cried so much last night was because saying good-bye and letting go is the hardest part of this whole thing.  So I wish them the best of luck, and I really hope they don't stress my sister out too much… the officers kept emphasizing to her how she has huge shoes to fill.
Although many Officers congratulated me on having the best annual they've ever seen since the 60s, I know my sister will do a much better job than me and I will always be here to support her and help her when she needs to… but thats because we will in the same house so I won't be able to ignore her. JOKING!

 Have a great weekend everyone! Thanks for reading!

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The Thankful Project: An Annoyance

15 November 2013

30 days

The Thankful Project: An Annoyance

Today's prompt I think is very difficult… What is an annoyance in my life that I am thankful for? hmm… I could talk about my sister, but that wouldn't be too nice as I was thankful for her being in my life in yesterday's post…

Day 15: A Prompt About "An Annoyance"; hosted by Kenzie from chasing happy

I've thought long and hard about this one… and I figured it out. Why not talk about the annoyance that is right in front of me!!  That's right, I am talking about my Macbook Pro.

Lately, it has been such an annoyance and a use inconvenience to use my laptop.  Macbook pros can usually last up to 8 hours without charging, and that was the primary reason why I spent all my hardworking money on this laptop.  There aren't a lot of outlets available at my University in the classes, so I figured charge this laptop once and easily use it in class.

But literally just a few days ago, when I was charging it, it said it would take around 14 hours to charge! And I knew that was for sure WRONG.  It should take like the most 2 hours if I am using my laptop at the same time while it is charging.  Anyways, it has gotten worst… when I was in class with a battery of 79% my laptop shut down, and I couldn't turn it back on.

Now, my poor baby won't even turn on unless the charger is connected to the laptop and an outlet… and onto of this, its not even charging when it is plugged in. It says: "Battery is not charging" but "Power source: Power Adapter"…. are you kidding me. 

Going back to the thankful part of this whole situation… The reason I am writing about my laptop being an annoyance because I should actually be thankful that I have a laptop.  Like I was thinking about it today and in all honestly I am just happy that I didn't lose any of my files and I am able to essentially still use my laptop for my classes and for personal use.

So when it come to the laptop charger accidentally falling off, I do get annoyed as the entire laptop shuts down… but I am just glad that I have my warranty left and I am extremely happy I didn't lose my important files that I have on here… Thank you Jesus!

Jay bought me the pink Macbook cover and keyboard cover!

Going to the apple store soon to get it checked out… wish me luck! and happy Friday!

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The Thankful Project: A Blessing

14 November 2013

30 days

The Thankful Project: A Blessing

Count your blessings is something I definitely live by.  It is something that we all tend to forget to do because we are all just so preoccupied with just having everything go in a specific direction.  Then all we are left with is disappointment, which ultimately leads us into complaining about almost everything.

Day 14: A Prompt About "A Blessing"; hosted by Kenzi from chasing happy

A blessing that I don't say too often is someone who is definitely close to me, and is just more than my best friend.  Today, I am thankful for my sister, Ashley.  Even though people often mistake her for being the elder sister, she is my little sister and it is such a blessing to have someone like her in my life.

We may look like, and often talk very similar to one another, but we are very different in almost every way possible.  She is a blessing in my life, because if she was never born, I'd probably be very lonely at home without her.

She is someone who will always 100% have my back, even when I am wrong; and I can honestly say that I love being there for her when she asks for my advice.  We listen to each other, we advise each other, and most importantly, we just joke around with each other.  Although we may have disagreements here and there, she is my best friend and I am so thankful my parents brought her into my life when I was just a 1 year old.

What blessing are you thankful for today?

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