#96 - Be a tourist in my own city (Victoria)

May long weekend came and went with one of my favorite friends visiting me from Calgary: Miss L (I shall not disclose her name for privacy reasons.) Miss L had previously lived in Victoria for six years, but relocated to Calgary. However, who can resist this *beautiful* city and everything it has to offer? So, she returned for a much-deserved visit and as her "tour" guide, I was able to explore my city like a tourist!

We ventured to Government House to see the pretty flowers and dream of what life would be like living in a beautiful mansion! See the gates in the picture? Let's just pretend that's my driveway ;) I had been to G.H. once before for the pumpkin carving show they held there, but I never had the chance to go during the day time to explore the grounds. Well, the grounds are amazing *and* I got the chance to see one of the magnificent chandeliers inside the house. So pretty =)

The breakwater was another destination, and who wouldn't enjoy walking along a cement barricade high enough to cause damage if you accidentally fell?! Thankfully, luck was on my side and nature did not attack me! You can't beat being out in the middle-ish of the ocean, enjoying that fresh smell of salt water!

Sax Point and Hatley Park made the list of places to visit, but on the last day Miss L was here, I had to visit the one place that makes me too happy: Mount Doug. Words can't really describe how gorgeous the view of Victoria is from Mount D, nor how relaxing it is after a stressful day.

#96 was one of the more important items on the list because I needed to remind myself of why Victoria isn't always such a bad city. Yes, I love cities like Toronto and Montreal because they're so vibrant and fast-paced and filled with culture. However, sometimes you can't beat the sense of community one gets when they live in a place like Victoria and neither Toronto nor Montreal have the beautiful scenery that we have here. I've managed to take it for granted, but thankfully that weekend made me realize how lucky I am to live here.

All in all, I highly recommend to take a day off and explore your city like a full-on tourist would!

Much love,
Lady S.

#38 - Finish my B.A. in Poli Sci

Four years ago I moved to Victoria because I needed to escape Calgary. Why I escaped is something only a select few people know, but nevertheless I needed to move and start over again. I had already been in school for 3 years, taking random courses because I had no idea what I wanted to do nor did I have the motivation to figure it out.

When I arrived in Victoria, I went to Camosun for a year because I didn't know what to do with myself. The 2006-2007 year was horrible in terms of school and trying to meet new people. With the exception of one person in my French class, I hadn't met anybody else. By 2007, I was at UVic, determined to figure out what I wanted to take in school. I was stuck between wanting to do languages and doing Poli Sci (as I had always mentioned to my parents.) Before the summer of 2007, my parents asked the dreaded question - "when are you going to graduate?" Unable to answer it, I just picked a year - "oh, I should be graduating by 2010." WTF, I thought, you have no idea if that's when you're graduating. But the pressure from my parents finally made me choose: Poli Sci would be my degree.

I had 2 years to fit in as many courses as I could to graduate on time: 5 courses for the Fall 08 semester, 4 for Winter 09, 2 for Summer 09, 5 for Fall 09, and just recently 5 for Winter 10. 22 classes in 18 months = stressed out like fuck! However, regardless of the amount of stress I had to endure, they were the best 18 months ever. I discovered my love for political economy and international development, I met an incredible group of people who I adore and appreciate, and I had some of the most amazing poli sci classes (with the greatest profs.) Yesterday (the 24th) was my last final and walking out knowing that I was finished was so surreal. Today, I'm sitting here with a huge smile on my face because I'm finally done! In 2003, I never would have thought that I would be in Victoria finishing my degree because I was such a lost little girl. Thankfully, that's over now.

And now, for the challenging part. After 4 years of being in Victoria, of becoming a different (for the better) person and realizing my potential, it will all come to an end soon when I move. My exact moving day is still unclear, but I may be gone for sure by August 1st. It's bittersweet knowing that I have to move soon - I love everyone I know, but I'm ready for a new experience.

With that, I tell all of my friends "thank you"! Thank you for being there, for your support, for the fun times, for the stupid, crazy times, and whatever else! I love you all dearly. And cheers to what is going to be an amazing summer!

Much love,
Celenia.

#46 - Buy something from 5 different stores that I didn't know existed in Victoria or Calgary

Yesterday (Sunday, April 18, 2010) was absolutely gorgeous outside. I mean, I could have stayed downtown the entire day, sitting at a patio and taking in the sun. Sadly, that did not happen. However, the roomie and I had planned to go downtown to Russell books to see if I could find some poli sci related books.

Before I tell the story that relates to #46, I actually did find two books at Russell's. First, Globalization and its Discontents by Stiglitz and A Theory of Global Capitalism by Robinson. Dork, I know, but they're books on my wish list and I *had* to get them.

Anyway, enough about that. Since we were in downtown we decided to walk around and check into a bunch of stores. For those that live in Victoria, please go to Oscar & Libby's - I have been there multiple times and I love it. One of the stores we walked into is called "The Papery". I had never seen it before nor heard of it, so what better way to work my way through 46 than by buying something from there.

Mother's Day is approaching and I wanted to get my mom a card that wasn't a Hallmark card or a card that didn't take me forever to make. So, if you look at the picture, that's the card I purchased from the store. It's a really cute place - lots of cards, stuff for scrapbooking, and much more. Go check it out!

Loves,
Lady S.

#40 - Spend $200 on only one item as a splurge

The fact that I even have this item on my list only encourages me to buy something of that amount so I can cross it off my list. However, when I bought my item, I had no idea that I was about to cross #40 off.

#40 is related to #7, as I bought the Coach bag at the outlet mall in Tulalip. This Coach bag, however, has quite the peculiar story to it!

I'm in the Coach store determined to walk out with something. Everything looks so pretty, so to walk out without anything in hand would be such a sin! I'm walking around the store, eying every purse that I want, when I come across a nice, big, beautiful purse. Then, a lady approaches me and asks me if I need help.

"Well, I would really love to get a purse that can be used for school, but that's also great for travel because I fly too much and I need a reliable bag."

"Well, the bag you're looking at is *perfect* for your needs!"

So, she grabs the bag and opens it up and wooooow - it's SO big! I'm automatically in love it with. She's letting me know that there are tons of pockets and compartments - even a laptop compartment too! Well, I'm sold and I walk out with my Coach bag.

I get home and I'm just stoked to stuff this beauty with my stuff. And then I think, "oh! I should try to fit my computer in the compartment!" Well, the compartment comes out of the bag.

"Strange," I think, "this compartment seems way too little. And why is it folded into three? Shouldn't there be a zipper around here?"

This can't be right, I think. So I grab my computer and right I was - my computer didn't fit in it! So what the hell was this 3-folded, rectangular, padded mat for?? I look inside the bag and see elasticized compartments and think "wow - definitely can hold a lot of drinks!" And then BAM - it hits me!

"This isn't a travel bag - it's a MATERNITY BAG!!!"

Stupid me spent $200 on a maternity bag! Let's talk about how embarrassed I was when I realized what I had purchased! Not only did I not pay attention to the bag itself because I was so caught up with how pretty it look, but the lady actually lied to me about it being a school/travel bag! Yeah, not impressed!

Anyway, I'm stuck with the bag because I can't return it. Granted, it makes for a good school bag, but how embarrassing!

Lady S.

Note: the picture of the Coach purse isn't the exact one that I have. It's similar, except my has a white stripe instead of a brown one and it's a bit bigger.

#7 - Take a mini road trip

This road trip is pretty effin mini! I mean, to the point that we did it in one day! Nonetheless, it's a road trip.

The roomie and I decided that we had to go to Van for the Olympics and partake in the festivities. I mean, it was happening next door - why *wouldn't* we go? We hopped onto the ferry and enjoyed out Thursday in downtown Van. Feb 19/10 rolls around and at 8:30am, we make the journey to Tulalip, were some hardcore shopping is ensued.

It's a ritual of mine since I moved to Victoria to head to the US and do some major outlet shopping. When I say major, I mean it's rare to walk away with less than $300 in goods. I know, pretty bad, but whatever!! It's only once a year =)

We only had time to spend the afternoon in Tulalip, with a stopover in Bellingham because I wanted to do more shopping!

And that was the road trip! Sorry to disappoint, but nothing extravagant happened during that time!

L.S.

#46 - Buy something from 5 different stores that I didn't know existed in Victoria or Calgary

Okay, so this part is split into two sections, as I have purchased two things in two stores I didn't know existed.

To start : Calgary!
Now, if my memory serves correct, this occurred during Christmas break 2009 (I know.. many months later, and I'm finally posting on this!) I was with my girl friend T in downtown Toronto and we had just finished eating some pretty amazing hot dogs at Tubby dog (if you like hot dogs, you'll love this place!) Of course, eating a fattening hot dog just didn't cut it for us - we needed dessert! We stood outside of the establishment and looked across the street to see a cute cake shop called "Crave". Now, for those that know me, I love love love love cupcakes and it was only suiting that I try out the cupcakes at this place.

Well.... wow! By far, the best cupcakes I have ever tried are at Ooh La La in Victoria. These cupcakes *almost* matched that amazing quality at Ooh La La. So for those that live in Calgary and need a sweet fix, try Crave - it's amazing!

Second : Victoria
Because I love Ooh La La so much, I avoid driving by there because not only is each cupcake loaded with calories, I can't stop myself at just one! However, on a particular day, I took my friend Lysh to try out these amazing cupcakes. The cupcakes, though, is not the different store. Beside Ooh La La is a beauty salon/tanning salon/we-sell-purses-and-jewelry-and-clothes salon! So we decide to enter when I see Coach bags hanging on the windows. Naturally, I can't resist walking away from purses, so I had to buy myself a Coach clutch. Was it necessary?! Well no, but nothing is necessary in life other than food, water, and air!

And there you have it! 3 more stores and #46 is done!

Lady Sovereign <3

#80 - Help a homeless person at least once

I think this is something that everybody should do in their lifetime, not as a project or out of random sympathy, but because as human beings, we always need help. I'm sure there are those that will disagree with me, and you're entitled to your opinion. But I would like to believe that humanity is more compassionate and more caring than that.

This took place a few weeks ago (actually, many weeks ago) and it isn't until now that I write about it.

I was driving to pick up roommate after my violin lesson. It was a perfect lesson - everything had gone well and I was in such an incredible mood. At the lights on Blanshard by the mall, there was a girl, around my age, asking for anything - money, food, etc. She was right beside me, and while I couldn't stop smiling because of my lesson, she didn't smile at all. And between the moment that I saw her and the moment that I helped her, I couldn't stop thinking about how fortunate I am.

Everyday I realize how lucky I am to have the parents that I have, to have the life circumstance that I have, the support, the encouragement, etc. And while I always realize that I'm lucky, I don't think I ever fully understand *how* lucky I am until I see girls my age asking for help. To me, that's so unfair. What did I ever do in life to deserve this middle class status? To have my entire education paid for? To wake up in my *own* condo? To walk out to my own car? To never have to worry fully about money problems? I didn't work for it! But how did I get that circumstance and she didn't?

That question will never be answered. I can only hope that she'll get on her feet and find hope in something or somebody.

That day I gave her what I had - my $5 bill that was going to by my Starbucks drink and the change in my change purse. Starbucks, I thought, can wait for its profit.

Lady S.