Next month, I will be turning 25 years old and exactly a week after my birthday I will be traveling across Canada. I love being 24, but being so close to 25 I have been mentally preparing myself for the age. And I get to start off my new year with a solo trip. This trip isn't a volunteer trip or a work-related trip like every other trip I've been on in the last two years, it's a real quarter-life solo trip.
I'll be honest with you. These past three years, despite my best intentions, have been a slew of part-time, contract, temporary and freelance work. I am grateful for what I have and what I've done but I don't think that I could have predicted the trajectory of my career.
The good news? I've paid off all of my student loan debt. I've had many interesting jobs and experiences. I've had the opportunity to travel. I've had a lot of free time.
I have honestly been so blessed throughout my life. I have amazing, beautiful, successful friends. I have friends who have graduated with master's degrees, friends who are working full-time in their fields, friends who have married the loves of their lives and friends who are just doing great things. I am so, so proud of them. Maybe I am not in the exact same position as them, but I do believe my life is just as meaningful as theirs and I am grateful for the freedom and flexibility I have.
I have supportive family members. I have had opportunities to attend fun events, meet new people and learn new things. I am healthy. I also still have my strong convictions and my closeness to God, my faith and the saints.
What's next?
Whether published on this blog or on another website, I promise that I will write about my travel experiences. I will be traveling and staying in Edmonton, Vancouver, Halifax and Montreal with the VIA Rail Youth 150 pass and in each city I will be visiting a church, eating out at a special restaurant and exploring. In particular, I am looking forward to documenting my first fish foot spa experience in Montreal and my first time trying alcoholic bubble tea in Vancouver.
I'm also excited to update my publications list with new stories and pieces once they are published. Stay tuned!
Friday, 26 May 2017
Thursday, 14 April 2016
Almost two years since graduating...
I graduated from university nearly two years ago and, I have to be honest, my post-grad life has not gone exactly the way I expected it to. I helped a friend bring her mother for dialysis treatment for a month, then I got a part-time job as an English instructor which I stayed in for ten months, then I worked for the polls during the elections...
The decisions I have made have all been my own and, truthfully, if I had stayed where I was a year ago I know that would be complacent in that job forever. I saw a former co-worker today, on my way home. I wouldn't say she is better off than me or I am better off than her, but I would say that I made a conscious decision to pursue what I love regardless of the consequences.
Even though I haven't completely followed through on my dreams and goals, I hope before my birthday I can set a solid plan and reach a place closer to where I'd like to be.
2015 brought me many joys. I met and taught wonderful kids in Canada and abroad in Peru. I attended the concert of the Siervas sisters. I traveled alone on a plane for the first time in my life to Kansas City, Missouri and stayed in a hotel by myself. I celebrated the 25th anniversary of my parents.
But 2016 has brought me exciting times as well. From going ice wine tasting for the first time, to attending many auditions and workshops, I have been pushing myself a lot this year, which has resulted in more growth and self-awareness.
I've doubted myself more this year than any other year in my life. The self-doubt has come from the struggles of the past and the uncertainty of the future, but I have reached a sense of peace (this fluctuates) in knowing that no matter what happens in my life, my happiness is not tied to my job or my money or even my health. In the absence of those things - which do have a negative repercussions - I am still a whole person.
I remember almost two weeks ago sitting on my bed with a sprained left ankle and pained right foot feeling utterly useless. I look at myself now, able to move around and walk (though I have occasional pain in my left ankle still) and I thank God for my blessings. God doesn't give me struggles or pain that I can't handle or learn from.
The decisions I have made have all been my own and, truthfully, if I had stayed where I was a year ago I know that would be complacent in that job forever. I saw a former co-worker today, on my way home. I wouldn't say she is better off than me or I am better off than her, but I would say that I made a conscious decision to pursue what I love regardless of the consequences.
Even though I haven't completely followed through on my dreams and goals, I hope before my birthday I can set a solid plan and reach a place closer to where I'd like to be.
2015 brought me many joys. I met and taught wonderful kids in Canada and abroad in Peru. I attended the concert of the Siervas sisters. I traveled alone on a plane for the first time in my life to Kansas City, Missouri and stayed in a hotel by myself. I celebrated the 25th anniversary of my parents.
But 2016 has brought me exciting times as well. From going ice wine tasting for the first time, to attending many auditions and workshops, I have been pushing myself a lot this year, which has resulted in more growth and self-awareness.
I've doubted myself more this year than any other year in my life. The self-doubt has come from the struggles of the past and the uncertainty of the future, but I have reached a sense of peace (this fluctuates) in knowing that no matter what happens in my life, my happiness is not tied to my job or my money or even my health. In the absence of those things - which do have a negative repercussions - I am still a whole person.
I remember almost two weeks ago sitting on my bed with a sprained left ankle and pained right foot feeling utterly useless. I look at myself now, able to move around and walk (though I have occasional pain in my left ankle still) and I thank God for my blessings. God doesn't give me struggles or pain that I can't handle or learn from.
Sunday, 29 November 2015
Peru
I just got back from Peru and I already miss it. I really do feel that people make the experience. When I first arrived in Lima, Peru with the Siervas sisters, it wasn't what I had expected. I expected to see llamas and guinea pigs everywhere. Some people in Peru weren't familiar with guinea pigs. When I showed them a picture of my guinea pig, they thought it was a rabbit...
Also, I didn't expect the misting in the morning, but I soon became accustomed to it, as I realized that it meant that it would be sunny in the afternoon. The traffic was the biggest surprise. Let's just say, even though I have been driving for seven years in Canada, I would probably never feel confident driving on the streets of Lima.
Every weekday I went to Colegio Alegría and spent time with the students. I had my own special class (shout out to 2A grado!). I ate with them, I played with them, I learned with them, and I learned so much from them.
My favourite day was when I explored the center of Lima. After going to St. Rose of Lima's house I realized why I was there in Peru. Jesus wanted me there, St. Rose wanted me there, St. Martin wanted me there, Mama Mary wanted me there. Jesus wanted me to encounter Him in Lima.
I met so many beautiful, exceptional people with such open and trusting hearts. Some people would say that I was brave to go to Peru on my own, but the opportunity was open for me and I was never alone. God was with me every step of the way.
Also, I didn't expect the misting in the morning, but I soon became accustomed to it, as I realized that it meant that it would be sunny in the afternoon. The traffic was the biggest surprise. Let's just say, even though I have been driving for seven years in Canada, I would probably never feel confident driving on the streets of Lima.
Every weekday I went to Colegio Alegría and spent time with the students. I had my own special class (shout out to 2A grado!). I ate with them, I played with them, I learned with them, and I learned so much from them.
My favourite day was when I explored the center of Lima. After going to St. Rose of Lima's house I realized why I was there in Peru. Jesus wanted me there, St. Rose wanted me there, St. Martin wanted me there, Mama Mary wanted me there. Jesus wanted me to encounter Him in Lima.
I met so many beautiful, exceptional people with such open and trusting hearts. Some people would say that I was brave to go to Peru on my own, but the opportunity was open for me and I was never alone. God was with me every step of the way.
Friday, 25 September 2015
In honour of my 25th publication...
Today marks a small a milestone in my publication history...I have officially published twenty-five written works!
I've decided to publish this on the 25th even though the article is already available online (for The Catholic Register subscribers) and the print publication is for September 27th because of the number 25. Also, five years ago I had my first piece published that I ended up making money off of. So, I would say that five is a meaningful number for me.
This milestone is encouraging for me as a writer because, right now, where I am is not necessarily where I had hoped to be. I graduated from school over a year ago, which feels so strange. While I was still in school, I tried to enjoy and take advantage of everything that school offered me. But I never expected to graduate and find myself "in transition."
Nevertheless, I am still excited about the prospects of where I am going. As long as I am still breathing, as long as I am still writing, there is still opportunity for more growth and success. I am still figuring out how to put myself out there as a writer and as an artist. I am tenacious and enduring, but I know that slow and steady wins the race. I am confident that everything will add up. It's hard to think that maybe I wasted time, or missed opportunities, or made the wrong decisions but I am where I am. There is still more that I can do, and that makes me excited.
I've decided to publish this on the 25th even though the article is already available online (for The Catholic Register subscribers) and the print publication is for September 27th because of the number 25. Also, five years ago I had my first piece published that I ended up making money off of. So, I would say that five is a meaningful number for me.
This milestone is encouraging for me as a writer because, right now, where I am is not necessarily where I had hoped to be. I graduated from school over a year ago, which feels so strange. While I was still in school, I tried to enjoy and take advantage of everything that school offered me. But I never expected to graduate and find myself "in transition."
Nevertheless, I am still excited about the prospects of where I am going. As long as I am still breathing, as long as I am still writing, there is still opportunity for more growth and success. I am still figuring out how to put myself out there as a writer and as an artist. I am tenacious and enduring, but I know that slow and steady wins the race. I am confident that everything will add up. It's hard to think that maybe I wasted time, or missed opportunities, or made the wrong decisions but I am where I am. There is still more that I can do, and that makes me excited.
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