our lives on holiday...

...i'll be there when you fall...

2006-08-01T23:45:00.000-05:00

new month, new pet, new job...

I realize the summer has passed by without me writing a thing at all in here. Lots to update on, but not much worth talking about, minus a few things.
Spending the summer avec moi again, having a great time, hanging out with lots of people, new friends and old friends.
Spent a lot of time at the humane society. Fell in love. See picture that follows.

Not sure how old he is as he was abandoned at the humane society overnight. We estimate around 1 year or younger. He's full of energy, gets into all sorts of trouble, but in the end is a huge baby and loves to cuddle. He keeps me entertained and very happy.

FINALLY quit Sobey's...now working at Rogers Communications, much better deal. I'm liking it a lot so far, met a few good friends already.

Sadly, I had to quit volunteering at the retirement home. It just wouldn't fit into my schedule. I was sad to leave...but I know I'll be back at some point.

Got in to write my thesis at the last moment, so I will be studying some form of depression and/or anxiety within the Laurier community next year. Excited but scared. This is a shot at grad school...

I do plan on writing in here more often from here on out...just wanted to throw out a quick update :)

...attention citizens of Waterloo...

2006-05-03T23:20:00.000-05:00

back when i first started working at the sobey's i compiled a list of things that customers did that i hated with a passion...please find below that list with some new editions :)

[although i have only been working at sobey's for 3 months now, i have mentally compiled a list of the things that people do that just drive me crazy and make me want to slap them across the face. tonight confirmed that this list is getting rather extensive. so i must share:
Rules to Follow if Coming Through Mel's Till:
1. please, please, please, do not, for any reason, ever, sneeze into your change, then hand it to me, and expect me to take it willingly. this happens FAR more often than you may think, especially during cold season...
2. when i ask "how are you today?", please respond, don't just stare at me. this is rude.
3. when i ask "how are you today?", please do not respond with "how much are these hot dog buns?" and simply glare at me.
4. when your debit card won't work every time you come in, please don't take it out on me, get a new card. simple as that.
5. when your debit card won't work, please let me try to make it swipe, don't repeatedly swipe it until the machine freezes and won't let me finish processing your order. why do people take a debit card not swiping so personally? geez...
6. please do not ask if you can fish a lobster out of the tank at midnight. the deli is closed, and the tank is closed for a reason...creep.
7. when your meat is dripping with blood, and you won't put it down on the belt so it doesn't get the till dirty, why do you find it to be ok to drop it into my hands, and then inform me that it's leaking blood? this is thoroughly disgusting.
8. for no reason is it ever necessary to double bag your bread. the bread is not too heavy for the bag, why is this such a common request? why don't you just go out and destroy the environment a little more asshole...
9. when you buy vegetables, know what you are buying, so when i ask you what this is that you are handing to me, you can answer "this is lo bok" instead of saying "i have no idea". you just look dumb if you don't know the name of the vegetable you are buying. thank you.
10. please do not throw your groceries, change, coupons, or anything else at me. i will not be impressed.
11. do not play the "i don't speak english" card with me. i'm onto you, you asian citizens of waterloo. you won't respond to anything i say, and you won't speak a word to me, leaving me to assume you don't speak english, yet you answer your cell phones or turn to the person next to you and carry on an extremely fluent conversation in...you guessed it, english.
12. it is never okay to offer to dance naked in exchange for free groceries, especially when you are over the age of 30. thank you very much. fortunately, i've only had this offer once.
13. quoting shakespeare to me and making me guess which play it is from is not my form of entertainment. go away.
14. calling me "sweetie", "gorgeous", "cutie", "hun" is not acceptable if you are a male over the age of 35. this makes you a pedophile.]

15. getting upset with ME that we do not carry a certain product you are looking for will not make it suddenly appear. neither does repeatedly telling me that you bought it here before. i am a cashier, not a fucking magician.
16. your lottery ticket did not win. the computer tells me so. i am not trying to steal your money behind your back. just accept the fact that you lost and buy another $50 in lottery tickets. addict.
17. the store is currently being renovated and being made almost twice as big. you notice the construction signs, dust in the air, the sound of power tools, and the construction workers. then you come up with the most genius question of all time: "is there something going on here?" i will respond with "oh shit! i didn't notice that before!"
18. yes, the sound of power tools for an 8 hour shift does drive me crazy and i often leave with a migraine. when every customer comes through and asks if it annoys me, please realize that you are annoying me even more. i am capable of blocking out sounds, unless you consistently point them out to me. if only i could ignore your voice then we'd be set :)

that's all for now folks...

...100 questions...

2006-04-27T23:26:00.000-05:00

SIMPLE QUESTIONS:
1. Name: Melissa
2. Nicknames: Mel, Melis, Newman, Mongo #5, Melinder
3. Shoe size: 8ish
4. Height: 5'4
5. Hair: brownish blondish
6.Siblings: none!
7. Do you like to sing in the shower? not really...unless I have the stereo playing...sometimes I talk to myself haha, is that weird?
8. Do you like to sing? Sure do, and I suck at it! :)
9. Birthday: December 28th
10. Sign: Capricorn
11.Lefty or righty? Righty
12. Shoes or sandals? Sandals
13. Coke or Pepsi? Neither really
14. What do you want in a relationship?: Happiness, trust, laughter
15. Have you ever cheated? Nope

"FAVOURITE" QUESTIONS:
17. Song (right now)? anything by The Agony Scene
20. Number? 28, 56
21. Card game? Kings!
22. Radio station? Edge 102
23. Sports? Hockey
24. Food? Vegan Perogies from The Cornerstone
27. Cartoon: Family Guy
28. Character: meh
29.Colour? Red and Black

A LITTLE BIT O' THIS, A LITTLE BIT O' THAT :
30. Do you plan on having kids? Undecided
31. How many do you want? None really...
32. What's something you can't wait to say? "I quit" - to Sobey's
33. Get married? I hope so!
34. Would you have kids before marriage? I don't think so
35. You have a b/f or g/f? Sure don't
36. Do you have a crush: A little...
37. What hurts you the most? Guys and their bullshitttttt
38. Music/TV: Music
39. Guys/Girls: Guys
40. Green/Blue: Blue
41. Pink/Purple: Pink
42. Summer/Winter: Summer
43. Night/Day: Night
44. Hanging Out/Chillin: whats the difference?
45. Dopey/Funny: ? Funny?
46. You know I'm around when you hear: laughing, stupidity...
47. What school do you go to? Wilfrid Laurier University
48. Do you enjoy what you do? I used to...
49. What's a major turn on for you? Smile
FRIENDS
50. Who Are They? There's lots!
51 Most blonde: Kel
52. Nicest: Sonal
53. Funniest: Kel and Erin
54. Tallest Friend: hmm, I'm not sure
55. What's the worst thing you could do to your friend: Lie
58. Is it right to flirt if you have a g/f or b/f:? Nope

OTHER RANDOM QUESTIONS...
59. What was the last thing you cried over or got teary about? I was incredibly homesick and had the flu
60. What's something about guys/girls you don't get? Their entire thought process haha
61. What do you want right now? Besides chocolate peanut butter soy ice cream? umm...I want to have the best summer I've ever had
62. What's one thing you can't live without? My friends/family
63. Love or Lust: Love
64. Silver or Gold: Silver
65. Diamonds or pearls: Diamonds
66. Sunrise or sunset: Sunset
67. Have you ever gone skinny-dipping? Nope
68. Do you sleep with stuffed animals: Sometimes Nigel crawls in next to me...(Nigel is my stuffed penguin for those of you who don't know...)
69. Do you have any piercings: 4, in ears
70. What color underpants are you wearing right now? Umm...none...:S lol
71. What song are you listening to right now? Nothin
72. What are the last 4 digits of your home phone: 0380
73. Where would you want to go on your honeymoon? Paris
74. Who do you want to spend the rest of your life with? How should I know
75. What are some of the first things you notice about the opposite sex? Smile, eyes, how kind they are, whether they listen when you talk
76. What makes you happy? Going to the humane society
77. What's the next CD(s) you're going to get? I don't really buy CD's
78. Do you wear contacts or glasses? Nope
79. What was the best advice ever given to you? "There's another bus around the corner" - Nikki :)
81. Do you like Funny or Scary movies better? Both
82. On the phone or in person? In person
83. Hugs or kisses? Both are good
84. What song seems to reflect you the most? Oh there are many, none I can think of right now though
85. If you died tomorrow who would you leave everything you own to? My friends, whoever wanted it
86. Do you have any enemies? Not that I know of!
87. Who was the last person to hug you? My friend Jamie. I hadn't seen him in soooo long!
88. Would you rather be rich or famous? Rich
89. What time is it in Albania now? I don’t care
90. What time is it where you are now? 12:39 am
91. Have u ever met Santa? Of course, haha
92. Name something or someone pretty: Wow, lots of things...
93. When did you last talk to the person that you like? A little while ago
94. Do you have any pets? No, I want a puppy!! Or a bunny...
95. Who was the last person you danced with? Umm...I can't even remember!! A Phil's adventure is needed!
96. Last time you were stressed: Exam period. I am now stress free!! :)
97. Are you an alcoholic? Some days I question it
98. Who sent this to you: My cousin Nikki
99. What do you think of this person? She's awesome, I love her to pieces!
100. Do you want people to send this back? Nope haha.

you'll never live up to me

2006-03-14T19:15:00.000-06:00

...it's amazing how someone can break your heart...but you still love them with all the little pieces...

...thought for the day...

2006-03-12T21:45:00.000-06:00

I found this online and thought it was something interesting to share, it really makes you think about how we treat/think of other people. I first saw it in my Community Psych class, and due to a lack of time I'm only posting the version I found online. My actual hardcopy has more on it, maybe someday I'll add in the missing parts, but this will have to do for now!

Heterosexuality Questionnaire:
1. What do you think has caused you to be heterosexual?
2. When and how did you first decide you were a heterosexual?
3. Is it possible your heterosexuality stems from a neurotic fear of people of the same sex?
4. If you've never slept with a person of the same sex, how do you know you wouldn't prefer it?
5. Isn't it possible your heterosexuality is just a phase you may grow out of?
6. Isn't it possible that all you need is a good gay lover?
7. If heterosexuality is normal, why are a disproportionate number of mental patients heterosexual?
8. To whom have you disclosed your heterosexual tendencies? How did they react?
9. Why do heterosexuals place so much emphasis on sex? Why are they so promiscuous?
10. Do heterosexuals hate and/or distrust others of their own sex? Is that what makes them heterosexual?
11. If you were to have children, would you want them to be heterosexual knowing the problems they'd face?
12. Your heterosexuality doesn't offend me as long as you don't try to force it on me. Why do you feel compelled to seduce others into your sexual orientation?
13. The great majority of child molesters are heterosexuals. Do you really consider it safe to expose your children to heterosexual teachers?
14. Why do you insist on being so obvious, and making a public spectacle of your heterosexuality? Can't you just be who you are and keep it quiet?
15. How can you ever hope to become a whole person if you limit yourself to a compulsive, exclusively heterosexual lifestyle, and remain unwilling to explore and develop your homosexual potential?
16. Heterosexuals are noted for assigning themselves and each other to narrowly restricted, stereotyped sex-roles. Why do you cling to such unhealthy role playing?
17. Even with all the societal support marriage receives, the divorce rate is spiralling. Why are there so few stable relationships among heterosexuals?
18. How could the human race survive if everyone were heterosexual like you, considering the menace of overpopulation?
19. There seem to be very few happy heterosexuals. Techniques have been developed that could help you change if you really wanted to. Have you considered trying psychotherapy or even aversion therapy?
21. Could you really trust a heterosexual therapist/counsellor to be objective and unbiased? Don't you fear he/she might be inclined to influence you in the direction of his/her own preferences?
22. How can you enjoy a full, satisfying sexual experience or deep emotional rapport with a person of the opposite sex when the differences are so vast? How can a man understand what pleases a woman, or vice-versa?

...i'd rather die than give you control...

2006-03-10T21:49:00.000-06:00

For those of you who don't know. Last Monday I attended the Nine Inch Nails concert in London. By far, one of my top 3 concerts I've ever attended. Number one would have to be Marilyn Manson for sure, closely followed by Mudvayne, then Nine Inch Nails.

So I dropped everything: school, work, etc. and took off to London for the evening. The opening act (Saul Williams) wasn't so great. For those of you who have never heard of him, he does "jam poetry" I guess is what it's called, and it's basically poetry but with a beat. His lyrics were really good, however, the music was not my type at all. And he was definitely playing for the wrong crowd...
Nine Inch Nails was as amazing as expected. Nothing out of the ordinary to report. May I report on how gorgeous Trent Reznor (vocalist) is? *drool* I recently found out, however, that he is 40 years old. I'm in love with a man twice my age. Le sigh...

As soon as I figure out how to put sound clips on here I can put up the clip of Hurt that I recorded with my digital camera, it's not great sound but it's decent and it gets the point across of just how amazing the performance was. (I'm looking in your direction Michael for help with that one!) All in all, great night and for those of you who are lacking in quantity of Nine Inch Nails in your life, I would recommend: Hurt (for a more mellow tune, friendly for those of you who aren't a big fan of rock music), Only (my favourite song at the moment), Closer (a classic), and Terrible Lie (always an awesome track).

Anyone know of any good concerts coming up?? Do inform me :) I need a little more concert-going in my schedule!

...i set myself up for the greatest fall of all time...

2006-02-24T02:51:00.000-06:00

Ha! That was the biggest joke ever. Was I really that naive to believe it could have worked? Do I really trust in people that easily? My life is getting pretty ridiculous. I don't even know what to believe anymore, who to trust, who to turn to.
All I know for sure is this: I'm done with boys. I am done with the male species...no this does not mean I'm turning to lesbianism haha. Far from it. In the words of my roommate: You need to steer clear of boys. No more for Mel.
True that.
Time to put things back in order. I need to break this horrible pattern I've gotten myself into.

Needed pronto: time with my friends.

...a story of love...

2006-02-08T00:03:00.000-06:00

March Of the Penguins -- by far one of my favourite movies.
it was a good study break and a good way to come back down to reality.

for those of you who don't know, march of the penguins is basically a documentary about the life of the emperor penguin in the antarctic. and it catches their quest for survival and successful reproduction of their species. this task entails a gruelling, unimaginable travel from the sea closer to the centre of the continent where the ice is thicker, and therefore, safer. all penguins meet up there in the spring, find a partner, mate, then the males are left to take care of the egg while the female travels back for food. the female then returns with food for the now hatched baby, and the male takes his turn to go for food, etc. etc.

sounds boring for all of you who are not quite the animal lover/nerd that i am. however, the journey these penguins go on just completely amazes me. they endure the coldest and stormiest winter weather in the world, walk for miles upon miles, with barely a rest, just to ensure that their offspring have a fair chance at life.

not only does watching this documentary make me feel less bitter towards are recent winter storm (trust me, we have it easy), but it also made me realize how simple life can be. are you ready for this cheesy moment? it all comes down to love and compassion. it made me realize that a lot of things in life are not worth stressing over, not worth getting upset over, that there are greater things to be concerned about, like the well-being of those around me, to demonstrate loyalty and care to my friends and family, to love freely and not worry about what others think.

i do realize i am probably reading into this movie more than most, but that's just my nature.

i recommend that you all watch it, if not for the great life lesson i have extracted out of it, at least because baby penguins are possibly the cutest things on the face of the earth. :P

2006-02-07T17:15:00.000-06:00

1)spell your name backward: assilem
2) story behind your name: there isn't one
3) whens your birthday: December 28th
4) where do you live: Waterloo

DESCRIBE YOUR...:
5) wallet: blue Roxy
6) eyes: greyish green
7) toothbrush: green and white
8) jewelry worn daily: earrings
9) cell phone: something...i don't feel like checking right now
10) pillow cover right now: blue
11) Car: none
12) bedroom: between neat and messy, a nice balance
13) sunglasses: none
14) cologne/perfume: i have a few...
15) cd in stereo right now: chimaira? i think
16) piercing: 4 in ears...i'm actually quite happy i just discovered that my 2nd holes have not closed over yet *thumbs up*
17) what you are wearing now: pj pants with some funky crazy design on them, and a pink tank top, oh and my socks are green with turtles on them...the turtles are wearing glasses
18) wishing: to find happiness in life
19) wanting: to not have the flu right now
20) after this: watching the oc, maybe go out for dinner
21) if you could get away with it and murder anyone who would it be: the worst animal torturer in the world
22) person you wish you could see right now: my mommy...
23) some of your favorite movies: wedding crashers, the boondock saints, super troopers, the notebook, march of the penguins, winged migration, etc.
24) something your looking forward to in the coming week: relaxing this weekend, getting better
25) something you just ate: lentil salad
26) something you are deathly afraid of: failure, going nowhere in life

DO YOU...:
27) like candles: yes
28) like incense: meh, it makes me sneeze if it's too strong
29) like the taste of blood: not particularly...
31) believe in lust: yup
32) believe in love at first sight: nah
33) believe in heaven: undecided
34) believe in god: undecided

SOME THINGS...:
35) can you eat with chopsticks: nope..i've never really given it a good try though
36) whats your favorite coin: quarters are rather enjoyable
37) what are some of your favorite candies: sour patch kids
38) whats something you wish you could understand better: the male species
39) are you shy around your crush: not so much
41) would you sacrifice your favorite possession for your best friend: yes
42) what kind of shampoo do you use: marc anthony (no, not the singer...)
43) what are you listening to right now: neverending white lights/the grace
44) what are essentials in your life: friends, music, animals
45) random thought: i feel nervous and i'm not sure why

...in and out of doubt...

2006-02-06T23:43:00.000-06:00

tobogganing on cookie sheets down a steep hill = the best idea ever
seriously, i cannot describe how much fun i had tonight. i haven't done that shit since i was at least 10 years old. needs to be done more often...wish i had brought my camera so you all could see the ridiculousness that was present, but i didn't want it to get broken/frozen.
the night ended rather early due to kelly's bruised tail bone and me taking a rather forceful, but accidental, kick to the box. ya, that's right, i said it.

if you haven't been down a hill on a cookie sheet, you need to give it a try...

...red is the new black...

2006-02-06T13:38:00.000-06:00

i'm sure we looked pretty ridiculous digging our recycling bins out of the snowbank with shovels.
mission only half accomplished. who needs 2 recycling bins anyway?

i love: staying inside on cold days
i hate: that i have to walk to work in the winter storm soon

...got a case of the mondays...

2006-02-06T09:37:00.000-06:00

i hate: not being able to sleep in
i love: that i only have 1 class today

...i'm so used to being wrong, so put me back where i belong...

2006-02-06T00:08:00.000-06:00

3 things i do every day:
-check my e-mail
-take a moment to relax
-clean my room...le sigh, it's neverending

3 movies i could watch over and over:
-wedding crashers...ridiculously funny
-super troopers...same reason as above
-the notebook...i'm a hopeless romantic, what can i say...

3 tv shows i enjoy:
-the oc
-family guy
-desperate housewives...yes, that's right...

3 things i miss:
-home
-my bunny
-spring weather

3 places you'd like to travel:
-france
-italy
-australia

3 songs you listen to repeatedly:
-neverending white lights/the grace...download it, you will not be disappointed...
-to burn the eye/trivium...just discovered them, good anger music
-red is the new black/funeral for a friend

3 things you did tonight:
-drank 2 coolers
-organized my sock drawer
-had a good cry

3 things you are going to do tomorrow:
-write a letter to a community organization
-go to work
-be sad that sheebs is leaving for egypt in 4 days

3 things you love:
-receiving mail, especially random cards
-my bed...you can't understand unless you've laid in my bed...
-new socks

...the events of friday night...

2006-01-30T16:11:00.000-06:00

in short:
-left the bar early, unsure why (crazy drunken me)
-got almost to my house, slipped on the ice
-fell backwards
-no worries though, my head broke my fall
-woke up a few moments later on the sidewalk
-made it inside my house and found some frozen corn for my head
-discovered i have a minor concussion and minor whiplash
-also, 2 ribs popped out of place
-it hurts to move, and i have a consistent headache
-my chiropractor told me to wear a helmet when drinking...haha

...thank you for an amazing weekend...

2006-01-30T00:19:00.000-06:00

it is possible that when a strong bond is severed, that it can be fixed, put back together, but in a way that makes it so much better than the way it was constructed the first time around. because in putting it back together, you carry the knowledge of why the bond was broken the first time. you know what wore away at that thread before and you know how to avoid making the same mistakes again. you've learned. you've grown up. you are ready to start again...

...this is great...

2006-01-19T22:03:00.000-06:00

Natalie says:
we had lesbian moms come into our family class on wed
~mel~...whatever... says:
how was that?
Natalie says:
it was interesting
Natalie says:
they have a group that is called dykes and tykes

...now you've got something to die for...

2006-01-08T13:45:00.000-06:00

retreating into my own isolated social world.
no one can hurt me here.
it has become apparent over the last month or so who i can consider to be my good friends and those who i cannot. i'm tired of giving and giving and giving and receiving nothing in return.
time to look out for only me now.

...spooky story...

2006-01-05T23:22:00.000-06:00

so last night i'm sitting in my room just talking on msn. all the lights are on in my room. 1 roommate is sleeping, 1 is out at the bar, 1 is in his room on msn, and 1 is studying. so the house is dead silent. it's 1:30 am.
i hear the sound of a car radio outside. is someone in my driveway? i hear voices talking. but it's 1:30 am. i wait a moment and no doorbell. at this point in time there is a scratching noise at my window. my window is also like a fire exit, you can climb down into the window sill sort of, cause it's big...(i'm in the basement if this helps). i sit still for a moment, my heart pounding. i don't hear any further noises...
so i get up out of my chair and decide to open the blinds to look outside. what i see is a hunched over figure dressed in black clothing. i close the blinds and run out of my room, not quite knowing what to do. but i still hear no noises. this figure is not moving. so i turn all my lights off so i can see outside better without anything seeing in. this proves to be useless as it is just as dark outside as inside.
so upstairs i go..."greg...someone is in my window sill". he accompanies me downstairs along with mark. they see nothing outside of my window so i start to feel ridiculous and realize i'm going to be made fun of in a matter of seconds for over reacting. but wait, i still see this black figure. so we go outside...
upon closer investigation we determine it is mark's snowboard in it's case. he was waiting for it to be delivered from the airport. i guess 1:30 am is a good time to do this, and to not ring the doorbell when all the lights are on is clearly the way to do it as well. oh, and my window sill? clearly a mail delivery box.

...the hero will drown...

2006-01-05T23:16:00.000-06:00

new plan: i'm going to be in the best physical condition possible for myself. i'm going to start going to the gym more often...aiming for 3 times a week. i'm going to walk to school more often, get rides less often. the only liquid i plan on consuming is water...exception: my phil's adventures...alcohol must be consumed haha.
but i do plan on drinking alcohol less often...my organs will thank me. i also plan on being a better vegan and not eating so much junk. i just feel like shit, and i don't want to feel like shit anymore...good enough reason i think!

...mmm green day...

2006-01-04T19:40:00.000-06:00

"Take away the sensation inside
bittersweet migraine in my head
it's like a throbbing toothache of the mind
i can't take this feeling anymore
drain the pressure from the swelling
this sensation's overwhelming
give me a long kiss goodnight
and everything will be alright
tell me that i won't feel a thing
give me novacaine

out of body and out of mind
kiss the demons out of my dreams
i get the funny feeling and that's alright
jimmy says it's better than here
drain the pressure from the swelling
this sensation's overwhelming
give me a long kiss goodnight
and everything will be alright
tell me jimmy i won't feel a thing"

-green day/give me novacaine

...raindrops running through my veins...

2006-01-03T23:13:00.000-06:00

Still excited for a new start for a new year...
Things I resolve to do in the new year:

-spend less time procrastinating, more time having fun with my friends
-take lots of pictures
-watch more movies
-be more patient with the customers that i deal with at work
-be more organized
-spend more time outside
-go to the beach more often
-read...lots
-do nice things for my parents
-spend more days sleeping in

...i'm not sick, but i'm not well...

2006-01-02T23:38:00.000-06:00

A 70 year old man came through my till today at work. When I asked him how he was doing, he replied "much better now that I've met you, Melissa." Then he continued on telling me that I am his favourite cashier and that I deserve a raise for being so pleasant, etc.
It's people like this that make my day. Most people are usually bitchy and angry about something or other.
My favourite customer also came through. How are you doing today? I'd be better if I were drunk!! Me too, Sir...Me too...

...a year in review...

2006-01-01T21:45:00.000-06:00

January 1st...another year gone...I must say I'm kind of glad that 2005 is over. There were some good times, but there were also a lot bad times as well...January-April brought some rough times at school, lots of drinking, and not getting the grades I could have achieved...I worked 20+ hours a week at the dreaded Sobey's...along with volunteering at retirement home and a soup kitchen...plus school. It was a lot to handle and I wish I had spoken up and relinquished some of my responsibilities. But it was a learning experience, and I made it through in one piece.
The summer was an interesting time...I spent the end of April through until the first week of September entirely alone in my house. All my roommates went home for the summer along with about 90% of my friends from school. I must say I was absolutely terrified at the thought of spending 4 months with myself. I would get bored, I would get lonely, I would miss everyone like crazy, I would spend most of my time alone. Well, turns out only the part about missing everyone came true. I made a ton of new, awesome friends at work and became closer with a few friends from school. I worked almost everyday and I took a distance ed course, which I aced and brought up my GPA. Yay for the tiny hope of grad school in my future...
I got a lot of things done that I've always wanted to do, no matter how stupid or insigificant they seemed.
May brought amazing times when my cousin Jason won a trip to Amsterdam for the weekend and invited me to come along. This one weekend was by far the best weekend of my life. It was my first time going to another country, my first real time on a plane...we barely slept, we drank a lot, we visited the "coffeehouses", walked around the entire city, took tons of pictures, went to the wax museum, sex museum, and took an adventurous tour through the red light district at 3am. I could not have asked for a better weekend. I now have a passion for Europe and NEED to go back...but I also need money to do that...
The summer also brought many adventures to Phil's...a dirty bar in Waterloo that I love with all my heart...cheap drinks...awesome rock music...cool people...a bit of a funky smell...but hey, you win some you lose some...
I think I went almost every weekend...but I had some amazing times! The summer was definitely all about relaxing, sleeping in, partying, and hanging out with friends. Went to Warped Tour in August. Amazing times there as well...the highlight of which was seeing Fall Out Boy. Also went to Sounds of the Underground in the summer...an all day event of the best rock and heavy metal bands...best concert I've ever been to for sure.
So the summer ended and school began again...this semester most recently gone by proved to be challenging. I had to face my anxiety and panic attacks head on, along with an eight year battle with depression. So far so good...*thumbs up*. Working my ass off at school does not seem to be good enough anymore, as I'm getting shittier grades than ever before while putting in more work than ever before. I need a new plan in life as going to grad school for Clinical Psychology or for Forensic Psychology is becoming a far reach.
I'm still volunteering, only at one place, and my work hours have been cut back to about 12 hours a week so I don't lose my mind completely. Had an amazing last 2 weeks of the year. I booked 2 weeks off of work and went home for the first time (for a period of time) since last Christmas. It was so good to see my friends and family and just relax and have a good time. Check out all the pictures from my holidays: http://spaces.msn.com/members/awakeanddreaming28/
as I am FAR too lazy to post them all here as well.
So this year was full of new experiences, lots of good times, a little bit of heartbreak, some ended friendships, lots of new friendships, and constant challenges. All in all...a decent year...and plenty of hope for just as many good times this year coming up!