My Goals In Life

I'm finding it difficult to figure out what I want to do with my life.  Yes, still.  Good news, I now have a better part time job.  It will pay for rent and groceries which is great.  I'm very happy about it.  But I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I want to do with my future.  I do have some ideas though.

• own my own bakery
• work in customer service for an animal shelter
• cook meals for homeless people
• get back into web design and do contract work
• go back to school for marketing (and go from there)

See, there are quite a few cool things I could do.  But they are often so different!  And the thing is, I've got interests beyond those things too!  I'm going to write a brief list of my interests

• swimming
• baking
• web design
• going out dancing
• cooking
• helping people
• sewing
• photography
• listening to music

It's so hard to figure things out!!!

Why is life so confusing?

Losing Your Friends

Have you ever just kind of drifted apart from your friends?  I have been lately, in the past few months.  I mean, I have changed a bit, but they just haven't accepted me.  I feel like I've grown up a lot and they haven't.

In high school, there were four of us that hung out like all the time.  The guy in the group kind of ditched us after high school, but no big deal.  Then there were the three of us and we were still pretty close during our first year of university even though we didn't see each other much.  They were really supportive of me when I was having a tough time that year.

After that year, I switched to college.  Since then, my relationship with them has been really downhill.  I don't think they like that I went to college (since university is considered the "smarter" of the two).  But I'm still smart.  I mean, I'm the top of my class here at college.  But I think they didn't really like that I switched (even though I hated and was horrible at my program at university).

Then I broke up with my boyfriend of almost three years.  Then I slept with another guy.  They both like guys and everything but they have never really had serious relationships or anything before (and defintely never had sex).  They thought I was just using this guy to get over my ex.  Honestly he was just using me for sex at first too!  But it ended up going well and I've been dating this guy for over a year.  The point is, they just judge me for this.  Maybe sex is a big deal for them.  It's different for me.  Like it is important but I'm not just going to wait for years or something.  That's not me.

They also seemed upset when I started partying a bit more.  The thing is, I'm maintaining friends at college, I'm at the top of my class, I'm working three part time jobs, and I've got a great boyfriend.  Everything else is going well.  So what if I go out and party every other weekend?  What else should I do?  I could study but I can't do much better than I'm doing now anyway.  And even if I wasn't partying over the weekend, I certainly wouldn't be studying!

I get it, friends drift apart.  But I just don't get why the two of them are just judging me so much.  We were best friends for years.  We supported each other.  We had fun together.  All good!

I guess things change.  I have new friends.  They have new friends.  I keep some old friends of course.  I'm not sure when it's time to move on from them though.

Failed My Work Placement

This past week and a half has been quite drama filled.  I started a work placement, which is necessary to graduate.  The point of the work placement: to get experience and expand on what I learned at college.  What did I do?  Sort through folders and carried heavy piles of folders and boxes.  Definitely not what I have learned at college.  Anyway, so I asked them about it.  Basically said, I was hoping to use my skills, is there something else I could do.  They kept saying I'd be doing data entry later.  But that never happened.  So I asked again.  They basically responded with "all employees do filing".  What I was doing was not really filing.  And there were only two of us doing it.  If I had done a little bit of that and then done something else, that's would have worked.  But no, it was straight moving folders.

This was my cleavage!

One morning I was called down to my supervisor's office (who hasn't even been there for the past couple days).  He gives me two options - 1. Find a new placement. 2. Go home and change.  If you look at the picture, that's how much "skin" I was showing.  I had full pants on, my shoes even had socks in them, and my shirt was definitely long enough to cover my butt and everything!  So my supervisor gives me a copy of the dress code and tells me that I have been dressing provocatively and revealing.  He tells me how distracting it is.  I'm thinking that this is not my problem.  I have worn that combination of tops in my other office positions.  I don't see how this is provocative at all!

I went to see my teacher, who wasn't at the school.  I found myself another work placement.  But it turns out that isn't allowed.  And then I met with my teacher today.  I guess she is upset with me for standing up for myself.  Apparently saying "manual labour" is rude.  Hmmm.  Then the chair doesn't want me to graduate this year or something.  And the whole faculty hates me.  Saying that I am representing our school poorly.  Just for standing up for myself!

It's been a mess.  Now I have to complete my work placement in May.  Ridiculous!

I'm pretty upset with the college.  And the teachers.  And the work placement.  It is rather annoying, and frustrating.  Especially since I have plans for May that involve work and moving.  Not volunteer work placement!  I do have a lead though, so hopefully that will work out for me.  Cross your fingers ... 

Is Education Necessary For Success?

Is it?  That's a question many people wonder.

I know so many people who go from high school to college or university just because they feel that's the "right thing to do".  Just because "that's how you get a job".  They go through college or university, not necessarily in something they enjoy, and then have no clue what they want to do when they graduate.  I have just seen that happen to a lot of people and I'm not sure if that's the right way to go about it.

There are some jobs where you don't need an education.  Some jobs that you may be good at.  But a lot of jobs still require education.

I think the right way to look at it, when you're in high school, is to see what job you want to do.  Then figure out the education path from there.  Do you want to be a doctor?  Well then, determine the education you need from there.  Doctors can't start work as a doctor without education.  Do you want to be an accountant?  Figure out what you need to learn and then go from there.  Do you really need six years of education or is two or three all you really need?  Do you need the theory behind it or is the practical part that you really need?

Sometimes people will go to school for years and years then find out they only needed school for a couple years.  Frustrating?  I'm sure it is.

Don't just go to school for the sake of going to school.  Figure out what you want to do first.  If you don't know right away, try doing some work and then perhaps taking some part time courses to find out what exactly you're interested in.  Diving into something when it isn't what you want?  I wouldn't recommend it.  Researching, getting experience, then doing some schooling?  Definitely what I'd recommend.

I definitely feel like I have wasted some of my life doing school that I just don't need.  I am a bit tempted to just do some more schooling but I don't think that's the right idea.  I'm not sure what I want to do.  Going to school for something that I am unsure of is not what I should spend my time doing.

Instead of being pressured by parents and teachers or just thinking you have to do one thing specifically, step back and take a look at everything.  What do you really need?

Graduating From College

Right now, I'm at the stage where I'm only three months away from graduating from college. It is a very intimidating experience. Right now, I'm just thinking "what am I going to do?" I'm realizing the expenses of graduating. Right now, I'll be honest, my parents are paying for my rent. It is really nice to save that $400/month. Right now, I really only have to pay for my groceries, bus pass, tuition, books, Internet, and cell phone. Those are the main things. It really isn't that expensive when you take rent out of it. But I have a few part time jobs (yes, multiple ones!) and I'm making it through.

I am calculating how much I expect to make at a future job and the amount is just barely greater than my expenses. I cannot believe the expenses that I'm going to have! I know my rent will increase (because I plan to live in an actual apartment instead of renting a house with roommates). But besides that, how much m ore expensive will it really be?

I was actually thinking about getting a pet. A pet cat, to be more precise. I'm realizing, with the amount that I am making, that I will likely not be able to afford a cat unfortunately. Perhaps I'll be able to work up to it. I may stick with a pet fish (I already kind of have one) because they are nice to have. There are lots of other pets available though ... maybe a hamster? I used to have a hamster. That could be nice. They are not as expensive as cats!

It should be nice not to have to save up for tuition and books though. That can get fairly costly (it was over $3,000 per year for the past two years). Then books are about $100 per class ... on term, I had nine classes. The books added up!

There is just so much to deal with once I graduate. Unfortunately, my parents aren't being supportive. They don't really want me to follow my dreams. I think they just want me to stick with something basic and boring. They also expect me to earn $20/hour immediately after graduating which I really don't think will happen (okay, I guarantee it!). Perhaps they just don't understand the market out there right now. They haven't done the research on jobs ... I'm the person who has!

Anyway, I am thinking a lot about my future. I just get so nervous about it! But in three months, I will officially be a college graduate. Scary, especially since I'm only 20. Although I am looking forward to it. I might as well start working and gaining experience at this age anyway. And who knows what will happen!

Back To School!

So this is my last term before I graduate. Wow! I'm only 20 years old, can I really graduate college now? It is hard to believe, really. I have no clue what I'm going to do after this. I mean, I'm obviously going to get a job but where? What will I do? I still don't know.

I know that I want to stay around my boyfriend but, at the same time, we haven't gotten to the point where we think about the distant future together. I can definitely see him there but it is not guaranteed or anything. And we're not *that* serious yet. Nothing is guaranteed. So I don't really have any basis to go on anymore.

I'm kind of freaking out. I'm still not sure if I want to stay in my program and get a job in it. Of course I'm going to graduate in April but I just haven't found what exactly I want to do. I'm really good at it though. I'm the top of my class and I get straight As (except for a business law course!) but it isn't challenging or fun all the time. Some things are fun. But it's rarely challenging.

I'm so confused. What am I doing with my future? I'm back at school, I have three and a half months left. I don't know what to do, I don't know where to go. I want to have something in place for a bit, but I'm just not sure!

Why Stay With Her?

This isn't a story about me (finally), but a story about a friend of mine. He's been dating this girl for like, four years or something ridiculous. A long time, especially for people in their early twenties and in college.

Anyway, the girl he's dating is, to put it nicely, psycho. She gets mad at every little thing he does. She has broken up with him more times than I can count. She gets jealous if he becomes Facebook friends with a girl. He has to hide any type of friendship with a female because she would freak out. He's not cheating, he just has female friends like just about everyone in the world. She is also depressed. So I do understand that he wants to help her or something. But she has been saying that she's going to get help for years. And has she? No.

About a month ago, they had a huge fight. I thought it was finally over. But no such luck there. He went back to her.

What I don't understand is why he goes back to her all the time. I understand that it has been a long time and all but she is just crazy. I would not be able to stand someone like that. He is never happy with the relationship, yet he stays in it. Does he want this to be his whole life? He want sot be with this miserable girl forever and ever? Sounds like a happy, satisfying, and fulfilling lifestyle ... sarcasm!

I feel like, if I were in his situation, I would dump her and be over with her forever. But everyone is different. I have been in a serious relationship and broken up with him. It is hard, yes. But when you know it's the best thing to do, you should just do it. What is he going to accomplish by staying with her? Nothing.

Anyway, I'm just rambling. I can't see why he's still with her. Have you ever been in a situation like this? Been with a psycho? Broken off a serious relationship? Tell your experiences!

Hey there, 2011!

Welcome to 2011 everyone! We all made it here ... I have to say that's a good thing! How did you ring in the new year? Did you make any resolutions? As for me, I had a great time at a party with some friends. And as for resolutions, I don't always make them. I mean, I always have goals for myself. New years is just a time to re-evaluate them. But in the spirit if the new year, I will list them in typical new year resolution style.

1. Lose weight. I know, typical. But I have a plan. I'll go to the gym three days a week and go swimming once a week. One of my part time jobs involves walking so I'll keep that up. I have a feeling my three day per week gym goal will go down to two, but it is a start anyway. And I will keep eating healthy. I am taking a course on healthy foods so I will put that to good use!

2. Get straight As. Not even out of reach. Actually, it is expected. I've gotten very few marks lower than an A in my time at college (I think only two marks ... Possibly three ... Under an A). For me, it is a probable goal and the same goal that I always have at the beginning of every term.

3. Find a full time job by September. I graduate in April so I'm giving myself four months to find employment. I hope to get one sooner. The thing is, if I don't find something by September, I'll probably have to move home with my parents. And, as much as I love my parents, I do not want to move back home!

4. Be a good person. You know, give money to charity and stuff like that. I've been trying to find a place to volunteer but I can't really, no one is looking for volunteers. But even ensuring that I'm doing basic things like recycling, throwing my garbage away, using less water, etc. is a good way to start, I think.

5. Be a good friend and a good girlfriend. I am almost always a good girlfriend. I'm the type of person who puts a lot into a relationship. With friends, not quite as much. I'm going to work on being a good friend. And spending time with my friends outside of school. It is hard to find time for everyone but I'm going to put away some time for my friends now!

I'm sure everyone is asking what your resolutions are. I'm asking what they are AND how you will implement them. Most of the time, they aren't magical!

Happy New Year, everyone!!

My Favourite Class

Have you ever had a class where you just wonder why? Why are you there? Why is it necessary? Particularly 8 a.m. classes ... perhaps you know I have an 8 a.m. class that I'm just not fond of ... thus the sarcastic title.

I went to class earlier today and we learned about English. Not bad, except it wasn't English class, it was a completely different class! The even more annoying thing is tha tI know this stuff already. It is stuff that I learned in high school, years ago. Totally unimportant. I have yet to figure out why my professor was talking about it for that dreaded hour of class. Why was I there?

There are often classes like this. I actually have two of them which is very annoying. Sometimes I just feel like I'm ahead of everything and everyone here. I mean, the people here are great, but I feel different. I am way too excited to graduate in five and a half months.

I don't really have any advice for those in a similar situation. Stick it out? I don't know. I just try and keep myself busy. I write (hey, when do you think I have time to write my blogs?). I do other homework. And, most of the time, I just daydream ... and, for those 8 a.m. classes, wish I was asleep!

For those of you with classes like this, just stick it out ... and look forward to the end. It's there!

Ready For Finals?

It seems like we have just finished midterms and now we have finals to study for? Ridiculous ... I know!! The school year tends to go by sooo fast! I'm never sure if that's a good thing or not.

My biggest piece of advice for finals - start studying NOW! They are going to come sooner than you think! Make sure you know your stuff now. Don't keep putting things off. I've been there and done that and it just doesn't work. Studying early pays off!

What I like to do to study is dedicate one day a week to each subject. It should work okay. You might take an extra day for a difficult subject or something but it should work well on average. For example, I have four subjects this term. So on Monday, I'll study for Subject 1. On Tuesday, I'll study for Subject 2. On Wednesday, I'll study for subject 3. On Thursday, I'll study for Subject 4. Friday is my "make up day". So that's used to study for one of the days that I missed. Saturday is my break day because I don't have time to study on Saturdays. And on Sunday I'll study for Subject 3 because it is the toughest class that I have. Good schedule. You can really make it work for you.

All in all ... final exams may not be starting right now but they'll be done in just over a month. So start studying, all! You can do it. And good luck!

How Do You Get Around The City?

When I moved away for college to a “big city”, I was very excited about the public transportation. I could just hop on a bus and go anywhere! I found (and still find) it exciting and convenient. It seems like if you personally are driving, you always have to know your destination, and you just don't get to be as adventurous.

So many times, I have just gone on a bus and ended up somewhere. Or tried to get home using a different route. It is just fun to explore.

You don't even have to go within the city. You can try intercity buses such as the Greyhound or the Go Bus or Train. I love knowing that I can just hop on the bus and go to Toronto or almost anywhere! I feel like public transportation gives me so much freedom.

Sometimes public transportation can be a bit irritating. It seems like it takes longer to get anywhere on Sundays. The bus that goes by my place only runs every hour on Sundays instead of every half an hour. And the bus that's a short walk from my place doesn't run at all on Sundays.

I also wish that the buses ran later. On Fridays, the bus near my place runs until midnight. I like to go out and party and it is always later than midnight. I feel that the buses would be used better if they ran until two or two thirty so that people are able to get home. Sure, taking a taxi is an option, but I definitely prefer the bus!

If you have not used your city's public transportation – I definitely suggest taking a look at it. You can usually find some information and bus schedules online. Happy bussing!

How To Make The Most of Your College Year

A lot of students are preparing for school right now, specifically, going to college!  It is a very exciting transition.  The whole summer before I started post secondary school was filled with a combination of emotions - excitement, nervous, anxious.  It was incredible.  Sometimes I would be completely ready to move on and other times I just didn't want to leave.

Through my experience starting at two very different post secondary schools, I have come up with ten tips on how to make the most of your college year, starting at the very beginning!

1. Meet everyone you can at the beginning of the school year. At this point in time, everyone is looking for new friends. There are very few first years who don't want to meet new people. You can usually tell that type right after you start talking to them anyway. But meet all sorts of different people. Don't just stick with the same types of people you hung out with in high school. In college, it's time to expand your horizons! Meet everyone and make sure to stay in contact with many of them.

2. Attend every class and do not fall behind. One of the biggest mistakes made in college is forgetting about the actual schoolwork. Sure, it's not that exciting. There are plenty of more fun things you can do instead of going to class. But the truth is, you need to pass. You should always be trying your best. Just because college is different than high school, you don't get in trouble for missing class, doesn't mean that you should miss class. Studies show that the students who attend class will get higher grades. Besides, if you go to class, that is a lot less time you have to waste trying to figure out the lectures by yourself!


3. Decorate and tidy your room. Before you move in, plan your room. Figure out the dimensions. Make a list of what you need to bring to college with you. Then make sure you have some room to decorate it. Buy a few cool decorations. If you have certain passions, use those to decorate your room. Some ideas: photos of you and your friends and family, famous athletes, celebrities from your favourite movies, pieces of art, maps, animal pictures, etc. There are endless ideas. Make it look comforting and inviting, not plain and boring. You are probably going to be doing your homework here and you may have some friends (or a significant other) visit, so you want to make it organized but cool looking! And keep it clean. You never know when you may have an unexpected guest. Make sure you can always make your room presentable in five minutes. You never know when you may need it!


4. Find a gym buddy and hit the gym a couple times per week. This is the time. You have always said you were going to start going to the gym, right? Well find someone else (or even a group of you) who have always said this. Then start going. You don't have to go for two hours every day. But start off by going a couple days every week for a half hour and try to make it up to an hour. Having people to go with gives you more incentive to go. And they will most certainly get on your back if you are not going to the gym.


5. Talk to your parents once or twice per week. You don't have to call them every single day and talk to them for an hour. That is not fun! But try to give them a call at least once a week, they will be very happy with that. Let them know how you're doing in school. Fill them in on some of the friends you have met and have been hanging out with. They might be interested in some events that you have been to. Also, try and send them a couple emails throughout the week. Just a quick email letting them know how your day went or something will make your parents very happy that they are still somewhat involved in your life. It is time to stop being so dependent on your parents but you need to maintain a good relationship with them!


6. Figure out your city's transit system. Figuring out the transit system is extremely important if you are planning to go anywhere besides your house and your school. Those are generally pretty easy. But you will probably need to go grocery shopping. You might want to go visit some friends. You might want to go out at night. You might want to go to a different part of the city just for an adventure. Not that many people have cars in college! So you should definitely figure out the transit system so that you do not always get lost (although getting lost can be fun). It can be scary for someone who is from a small town and has never had to use public transit before, but there are usually lots of city people around who are willing to help.


7. Don't get on the wrong side of your teachers. They are there to help you and to teach you. Listen to them and take their ideas. If you have a question, ask for help. Do not make them dislike you. Then it will be terrible going to their classes each day. It will likely lower your mark because they will be much more critical of your work. It will not make your classes enjoyable. Try to stay on the good side of all your teachers by attending class, handing in your assignments on time, and staying out of trouble in class.


8. Befriend some of the “smarter” students in the class. Obviously, it's good to have some smart friends for school. But keep in mind that smart students will want people who will work hard on projects with them. Even if you aren't a natural genius, as long as you will work hard, then they won't have a problem working with you and helping you. That can always be used as an advantage. But smart people are often social as well. Many people are intimidated by smarter students and don't always try to meet them. They can be just as outgoing, fun, and friendly as the average student. Being friends with this type can benefit you in many ways.


9. Eat healthy. You want to feel good and look good in college. If you are stuck with a meal plan and eating in the cafeteria, make sure you are eating proper food and not all junk food. Save the junk food for when you are just hanging out with friends. Grabbing a slice of pizza with friends is okay. But try to have real meals on regular days. If you are able to make your own food, learn to cook! It is very important! You do not want to be buying fast food all the time.


10. Get involved in events. Go to orientation or frosh week and then join a couple clubs or activities. This is the best way to meet people. Getting involved. People who join clubs generally want to meet people as well. It will give you more to do during the day or in the afternoons or evenings. It'll also help with your resume when you graduate and are looking for jobs (it will show that you can handle doing multiple things at once). Getting involved is a great way to have fun and meet people.


These tips will make your first year a very fun, successful, and memorable year!  Keep checking back for more college stories and tips.

About Me

Hey everyone!  I thought I'd just give a quick little introduction about myself after the first post.

I am currently a college student in Ontario, Canada.  It's the summer right now so I have a full time job at home and, in less than a month, I get to move back to college, which I am very excited about.  I have a couple part time jobs for when I am at school.  I am the type of person who enjoys being busy (thus why I'm a full time student, have two jobs, and have a volunteer position that I think will be about as much as the jobs!).

Some of my interests include friends and family, computers, current events, music, college, decorating, fashion, health and fitness, and food.  Quite a variety, yes, and I do plan to post about all of these!  Because it's August right now, I think I will stick to some posts about college and current events for now and then gradually move on to other topics.  I'll see what my readers would like!

I am very close to my family and friends. I feel very lucky actually to be so close to my family. I always keep in contact with them when I'm away at school. I just have one sister and she is awesome so I don't want to lose the relationship with her. I have some great friends. I will likely mention them in future blogs as well, perhaps without names, but they will be referenced. But friends and family are important to me.

I am always open to opinions - comments, compliments, criticism - whatever you have to say.  You can email me personally at blog.llama112@yahoo.com or comment on any of my posts. If you make a comment that I feel would go well in one of my blogs, I may use it. I will respond to you and ask if you would like your name attached to it. If not, I will reference you as Anonymous. If you would not like something posted, just let me know in the email, no problem!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to ask. I think this works for an introduction! Happy reading!