#54 - Go a Week Without Wearing Make Up

Wearing make up is like wearing underwear: an essential. To go out to town without mascara or eyeliner takes a lot of courage, and not because I feel hideous without make up, but because I know I look better with it on, so why the hell would I leave the house knowing that I could look better?

I live by MAC. Plush Lash, Studio Fix, Mineralize Skinfinish - I have it all because it's amazing. So to put it aside for one week and go natural seemed impossible. Alas, I accomplished #54.

Let me explain how #54 was accomplished. Plain and simple, really: I got Bell's Palsy. For those that don't know, Bell's palsy temporarily paralyzes one or both sides of your face. In my case, it was my left side. It was discouraging to go out because I was self-conscious of how I appeared to other people. In all honesty, I didn't want people thinking that I had a permanently paralyzed face. As such, I avoided going out and opted to stay inside instead. Besides, I couldn't really drive because my eye couldn't blink, therefore causing my left eye to become very dry and me having to close my eyes for a period of time. This doesn't work to well on the road! So, since I had nowhere to go and nowhere to be, I stayed home and was make-up free for a week.

Now, for the gals that may be reading this, please note that going a week without mascara does wonders for your eyelashes. Mine were full and long and amaaaazing!

Now that the Bell's palsy is almost gone, I'm back to wearing make up because I'm back to going out. Would I do it again? Probably, since I liked how my skin felt and looked. But I hope that the next time I go without make up it's because I don't have Bell's palsy.

Love,
Lady S.

#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.