First of all, I am happy to say that I am officially done my third year of university! It’s funny because I don’t really feel a sense of relief. I just feel like I’m continuing to move forward and that’s that. I also found myself a wonderful summer job where I’ll be leading Science camps for kids! I’m excited that I’ll get to take on a teacher role, will get to learn about Science as I learn to teach it, and be able to work with co-workers that are all around my age! I think that’s what I’m most excited about actually. When you work with people who are much older than you, they tend to listen to you less because they don’t think you are as knowledgeable. But this job will definitely let me be heard! :)

I performed with my Ukrainian dance group last Saturday in a small town and I must say I really enjoyed it! It’s especially fun to perform when the audience is clearly loving it by how loud they’re cheering and with their awestruck facial expressions. I had been thinking about quitting dance for a while because I wasn’t sure if it was really my passion anymore. But in reality, I love to dance, and I love the group I’m in. They’re like a little family. I don’t think I can bring myself to quit just yet!

Juno weekend is coming up in my city and I think I am involved in just about every event except for the Junos itself! Yesterday, I toured around high school students at my university as I was a volunteer for Juno workshops that were going on. I learned a lot myself from being a part of the event (even got to catch up with my old music teacher, Mr. Sax!) and I think I am really going to try and get back into singing. I want to write my own music, I want to record my own music, and I want to one day perform it. I have always wanted to become a rock star and after attending this event, I have gained confidence that I really can do this! I am still going to be a teacher of course, but singing/songwriting could become a side hobby of mine. It has always been something I’ve dreamt of doing. Nicholas could play guitar while I sing. We’ve already been doing some covers for fun! I’ve got nothing to lose! Other Juno events I am going to be attending include JunoFest (traveling around the city to watch various Canadian artists perform), JunoFanFare (getting to meet Canadian bands, autographs perhaps?), and getting to watch the celebrities on the red carpet before the actual Junos!! Eeek!

1. Make the best of every situation; stay positive

Sometimes this can be hard as things don’t always go as planned, but it’s something I would like to really focus on because I want to look at the present in the greatest of ways.

2. Become more environmentally friendly and aware 

I’ve been reading a lot works by David Suzuki lately and I can’t stop thinking about the seriousness of how we need to be more respectful to the environment. The world is all interconnected and there’s changes that need to be made if we want the earth to continue to provide us with our needs. 

3. Learn to make things home-made/on my own

I really look up to people who can make delicious home-made meals, can mend their own clothes, can create masterpieces out of what seems like nothing.

4. Manage my money better (“Is it a need or a want?”, save receipts and keep track of how I’m spending)

Just because I have money, doesn’t mean I should spend it. I want to be more conscious of what are relevant ways to spend my money. I don’t need to buy lunches at school, I don’t need the latest and greatest, I have most everything I need already.

Hope everyone is having a happy holidays, I know I am! Happy New Year’s — Happiness, Health, Knowledge, Prosperity.

Monday morning I had to head over to the dentist and have two of my wisdom teeth removed. I was awake the whole time. Although my mouth was frozen so I didn’t feel anything except for the needle. But after the freezing wore off it got pretty painful. They didn’t give me a prescription at first and it was not fun. Finally two days later I phoned back and complained and they gave me a prescription. Penicillin. Thank goodness I’m not allergic to that! Feeling much better now even though it still hurts a little. 

Had a baking exchange the night before the removal. I baked these brownies I found off Stumbleupon called “Better Than Crack Brownies” haha they were deeelicious!

…Hoping the world doesn’t end! Although I’m pretty confident it won’t :) 

Pretty interesting conversation starter though. I like to hear people’s opinions on the whole thing.

Finals are over, it’s Christmas break, and it feels wonderful.

I’ve been laying in bed all morning reading this David Suzuki book and I just loved it!

Makes me really want to start making more “green” choices in my life and telling other people about it too!

Wishing everyone a happy holidays!

I don’t have a lot to say today except for that I am one spoiled girl! The semester is almost over, I’ve been given gifts galore, good grades, and have received two scholarships in the last week! Hoorah and my goodness I cannot describe how lucky I feel right now.

Ready to reach for the stars*

Due to foot injury, I have to take a break from being in Ukrainian dance. I also had to purchase orthotics and must wear them at all times while in shoes. In many ways I miss dance a lot. Anything that involves music I am very drawn to. But on the other hand, I have extra time now to work out in other ways. I cannot fit my orthotics into dance slippers, but I can most definitely fit them in my gym runners! I’ve been starting to hit up the gym again and it makes me feel so great. My favourite part is this workout class I often go to called “centergy.” It’s a blend of yoga and pilates I believe and I just feel so uplifted afterwards. I am glad that I have found something that will keep me active and healthy that will also let my feet do its healing. I think this injury might have happened for a reason. I think this is my body telling me it’s time to change my path to something new. I still teach Ukrainian dance every Saturday to youth, and I will still help out with events the organization puts on. However, I’m not sure I should be going to Ukrainian dance class for me anymore. I will still dance in my free time of course. Maybe try different dance classes. But I just don’t feel like I enjoy it like I used to. The performing looks amazing and I love to watch. But I just don’t feel the same about being a part of it. Funny how things can change as a person matures and grows.

Wowza. In almost a week I am done my first semester of third year university. I’m just so happy to be that much closer to being a teacher. I’m really starting to feel like I am making the right career choice. “You have to like kids, and love learning” is what my professor has explained to my class and I couldn’t agree more. I do love kids. I do LOVE learning. And teaching lets me show off my creative side as well. I get some leeway on what kinds of things I want to teach my students. As long as it works with the curriculum. I will get to create my own bulletin boards (therefore getting to show off my love for art). I’m just so happy that I have so many options. Maybe I’ll even specialize my education further after I’m done my four years. I wouldn’t mind being more knowledgeable in music and visual arts. It would be so great to be one of those teachers who can bring out the guitar (or for me, ukulele) and just jam out with the class when they need a brain break. Maybe I will eventually move to teaching high school students and help out in the choral program (probably my favourite part of my high school years).

I am so sad that the weekend is already over. It does’t even feel like I had a weekend it went by so fast! My boyfriend is going to school in a different city and can only come back on weekends… It feels like I barely spent any time with him! Hmph!

Having a really hard time doing homework today…