#19 - Read Five Books

I have *finally* accomplished #19 (which, in all honestly, I thought would take me forever to do because I was rebelling against reading after finishing school.) On the road trip, "Thin, Rich, Pretty" by Barb Harbison provided that entertainment that both myself and my friend needed.

I'll be completely honest - this book is definitely a chick book, and while it was entertaining and an easy read, it actually touched on issues that girls and women go through every day. The novel is centered on three girls: Lexi, Holly and Nicola. Lexi represents the "rich", coming from a wealthy background, but lacking the love from her family. Holly represents the "thin", battling her weight issues and depriving herself from food because of her boyfriend. Nicola represents "pretty", altering her face to fit into the Hollywood image. The book follows their lives and their struggles to feel like "normal" women and throughout the process learn invaluable lessons about themselves.

Wow - didn't that just sounds like an awesome synopsis?! Ha ha ha. Anyway, it's a good book and if you're looking for an easy read, this is definitely it!

Loves,
Lady S.

#3 Move to Toronto

It's official. On October 6, 2010, I arrived in Toronto with my 4 x 8 Uhaul trailer, my 2 cats and my friend Tara. After being on the road for 4 days, it was both nice yet surreal to have arrived.

The four days were .... long and boring and scary and long and fun and tiring and whatever else is involved in a four-day road trip. We drove through Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. Each state has it's own unique (sometimes boring) scenery (with the exception of Indiana, because I truly don't remember driving through that state.) Chicago was, in a nutshell, the SCARIEST place to drive. Like, holy crap I wanted to poop my pants the entire time. We weren't even driving through rush hour and it was *still* scary. But, aside from Chicago, the trip was pretty chill. The cats, on the other hand.... well let's just say that at one point I wished that animal cruelty was okay (I know, that sounds bad, but YOU try being stuck in a car with 2 cats for four days and not want to ditch them at the side of the highway!)

It was weird driving up my bff's driveway and realizing that, indeed, I was finally in Toronto. I had always vocalized my desire to move to Toronto and my intentions to do so. But, I never thought that that day would arrive. And now, here I am, sitting in my bff's bro's living room in downtown Toronto writing this blog.

I still miss home. I think I always will. Victoria was... the worst and yet the best thing that ever happened in my life and I don't think that any other city will compare to Victoria. I'm happy to be in downtown, but I miss the simplicity that was Victoria. I miss my friends; I miss my best friend; I miss the ocean; I miss my roads; I miss my social life; I miss my home. I don't know if Toronto will feel like home, but I only pray that one day it will.

With all that being said, I hope and pray that this move is everything I need/want/expect from life. I hope a job is placed in my path, I hope that I meet amazing people and I hope that I continue to be happy.

Much love,
Lady S.

#57 - Limited Carbs

Well, I can't take full credit for this one, but at least I accomplished it. I'm not going to go into details on how I limited myself to carbs, but for those of you that do know what I'm doing in regards to my health, then you may understand how I have limited my daily carb intake.

This one should have been crossed off many weeks ago as this is a continuous project. When I'm done, then you shall all know what I did. Until then, this is going to remain a mystery ;)

Love,
L.S.

#9 - Move Away from Victoria

August 1, 2010 marked the day of my move away from Victoria back to Calgary. Two years ago I would have been completely content with this decision. But, after meeting some amazing people in Vic, I made it my home. Unfortunately, things come to end and now I'm counting down the days until I head out east to Toronto.

And really, that's all I'm going to say before I start getting all sappy on you and bringing out the waterworks!

Here's to new beginnings!
Lady S.

It's Quite Bittersweet

After 4 very wonderful (and sometimes very challenging) years in Victoria, my time has come to an end. In 2 weeks, I move back to Calgary for a couple of months before making my way out to Toronto. This post is dedicated to those very special friends that I met while living here. Without you, life in Victoria would have been completely dull.

Stephanita: Well, what can I say other than I love you a ton and some more! I'm so glad we crossed paths and become not only great friends, but roommates. The fact that you and I went through so many similar situations in life made me realize that you would be so vital in helping me move on. And so, I thank you: thank you for being such an amazing friend, for being there whenever I needed somebody, for laughing at my stupid moments, for poetry I didn't understand, for essay editing, for making me love Halo and Rainbow 6, for the countless hours spent on the couches, for nights outs, for indie songs, for songs that made us cry, for staying awake watching too many movies, for The Unit, for being my roommate, for being my best friend, and for being you. Not only will I miss you immensely, but I'll miss the simple moments we had together that made me so happy. I love you tons girl!

Trev: Aside from the fact that you like Satan too much, I'll still miss you! Thanks for keeping it real and for your not-so-girly advice when I needed it. You're such a great guy and I wish you all the best, whether you decide to stay in Victoria or move to Vancouver (ooooor.... Toronto???) I'll miss you greatly my dear. Thanks for being such an amazing friend.

Sterling: Well, don't you and I just have some interesting history together? Remember cat sitting one particular December?! I always will! But with that aside, thank you so much for the endless amount of rides to the airport, for taking care of my kitties and for house sitting. But most importantly, thanks for your friendship! I still distinctly remember the time I met you in Italian, when I said to myself "I'm going to talk to that girl and she's going to be my friend!" And voila - here we are today =) I'll miss you greatly Miss Travers! You're truly a wonderful friend and I'm so glad we went through all the adventures we did.

Sara: Sara, my dear, I just love you! I have to say that the best decision you took in your life was to sit beside me in Poli 317. Can you imagine if you didn't? We may not even be here as awesome friends! So, thank you. You truly are such a vibrant person and I'm going to miss your quirky and loving attitude. What will I do without you, Sara? Thank you for listening to my rants and for my late night study sessions. Thank you for being a true friend; you definitely are one of a kind and I'm more than certain that I'll never find someone just like you. And as such, you will always hold a special place in my heart (besides, who else do I know that shares a fondness for crushing on our professors?!) I love you girl and I *will* be back to visit you!

To everybody else: Rachelle, Nick, Sean, Nico, Shari, Rocco, Leah R, Maria.
I have had so much fun with you guys individually and collectively. I may not be as close to some of you like I used to be, but regardless I am so thankful you guys came along. Thanks for the fun times and for being such great friends. I'll miss you all dearly.

To those who no longer live here: Tara, Leah and Alyshia.
The three of you just effin rock! Seriously. You guys were so amazing while you lived here and you continue to be amazing. Thanks for the help, for the advice, for letting me come over when I didn't want to be home, and for everything else you guys have done. I love you guys a ton and have been missing you since you guys left. Tara and Lysh, I'll be seeing you soon :) And Leah, I'll be making multiple excuses to visit you in Vancouver.

Thanks for the 4 years guys! I love you all and I'll continue to do so.

Cheers to our friendship,
Celenia

#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.