Healthy Eating - Pizza Days

I remember having Pizza Day and Hot Dog Day once a month in elementary school.  My parents would always give me money so I could get a slice of pizza one day and a hot dog one day each month.

It has been a few years since I've been in elementary school.  I'm not even sure if they do this anymore.

But with everything saying how kids should be healthy these days, shouldn't that be eliminated?  How about rice day?  Maybe that doesn't sound appealing, but it could be done!  Or 'fruit and veggies day'.  Well, it sounds good to me.

Things like pizza day and hot dog day, they don't promote healthy eating.  With the education in health class, with the activity in gym class, pizza day is just counter productive!

I'm not sure how many schools have things like Pizza Day but I would definitely suggest that the idea be reconsidered.

Earning Less Money Than Your Partner

Do you earn more or less money than your partner?  Are you married, serious relationship, or starting to date?  My boyfriend and I are in a pretty serious relationship - we have been together for about a year.  I've just finished college so I don't have a full time job yet.  He is on co-op at college though so he's making quite a bit more than me right now.  During the school year, he was doing full time co-op and I was working two part time jobs making minimum wage.  So, really, he's always made more than me while we've been dating.

Sometimes it does make me feel a bit insecure.  I don't want to be with him just for his money (okay, I'm obviously not).  But I feel bad when he is the one often paying for dates and stuff.  I do try to still pay for dates on occasion, but he definitely does more often.  For me, I try to do little things that don't cost money that kind of make up for it.  But I still feel bad when he is paying for most things.

But he will be done co-op and back in school in September.  As long as things go well, I will be paying for more starting then.  We are both still students so our salaries will fluctuate quite a bit until we get settled.

I feel like even if we got married and everything and he earned more than me, I wouldn't feel too bad.  I would help more with cooking and cleaning if he had more income.  But if we were working the same amount of hours then I'd expect him to do some of that too!  It also might depend on the difference.  If he's making $5,000 more than me a year, that is different than making like $40,000 more than me a year.  But still ... hmmm!

I just read about this on a forum that I frequent, I thought it seemed interesting.  I don't feel too insecure about it now but I guess a lot of people do!  Tell me what you think about this.

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 ... 

I've Been Away :(

So ... I have been away ... I have missed almost two weeks!  I try to post regularly on Mondays but I completely missed it this Monday!

An update on what's been going on in my life

• I've gotten extra shifts at work which is great because it means more money!
• School has decided to give me lots of assignments recently
• I had an interview for a three week work placement (which went really well! and I hope I get!)
• I competed in my school's Skills Competition (I will find out in two weeks if I won - I think I did!)
• I've been house hunting as I move out at the end of April

So essentially - I've been busy.  I would love to say that the weekend will be a break but I'm working tomorrow morning and afternoon.  Then going house hunting in the late afternoon and early evening.  Then going to a huge party that night.  Then after the party, I'm going to an after hours club with my boyfriend.  So I don't expect to be home until Monday morning anyway.  It will be exhausting!  But fun!!!!

I will have another post for Monday - promise! :)  I have some good ideas - just have to get them typed up!!!

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!

“I’m 40, I Know Everything”

Do you find it insanely annoying when your parents (or any older adults) think that you know absolutely nothing? And that they know everything because they have more experience ... or something?

Everyone has their specialties. But no one knows everything. I will never say I’m the smartest person in the world. I’m not. I am a smart person, sure, but not the smartest. I think things through and I make decisions based on fact. If I don’t know much about a topic, I’ll ask someone who knows more than me. Or I will do some research. I won’t pretend to know it all.

Being smart is knowing when you don’t know everything.

My mom went to purchase a new computer last month. That’s great, except she knows nothing about computers except how to turn one on. So she essentially got a random computer at the store. So she comes home with her new laptop. She was able to turn on the computer, but that was about it. Now she’s having trouble connecting to the printer, connecting to wireless, using the operating system, etc. Well, she could have admitted that she knew nothing about computers. I would have happily helped her find a computer that would suit her needs. And, instead of spending as much money on a computer, I could have found a simple computer without the extra add ons. I probably could have found one for half the price that was easier to use.

Just because she's older does not mean she knows everything. And it certainly doesn’t mean she knows more than me, just because I’m only 20.

Another thing that irritates me is that she claims I think I know everything. I am constantly getting this from her. “You think you know everything because you’re 20.” Of course, I have learned more as I’ve grown up. And it makes me more confident in what I do know. But I am tired of people looking down on me because of this. I’m not a child. I’m almost a college graduate. I live on my own. I don’t report back to people and I’m doing just fine on my own. They may be knowledgeable but they don’t know everything.

Teachers or professors will sometimes do similar things. Sometimes a teacher will tell you a lie. Not necessarily on purpose. They think because he or she is older, he or she knows more than me.

No one knows everything. It is perfectly fine to say "This isn’t my area of expertise" or something along those lines.

Don’t look down on anyone, older or younger. You may not know what they know. They could be smarter than you seem. Have experience in something else that you never expected. People who have a PhD are not the only smart people in the world. Experience is useful as well as education.

It’s rude to just look down on someone. Try listening to someone for once. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.

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!!

Welcome, September!

It's the start of a new month.  I have mixed feelings on this.  You can take it as a new start or you can take it as the end of something great.  It often depends on how your previous month was.

My August was exciting.  I was working, in school, and enjoying time with friends and family.  It was a very busy month for me.  But there are lots of things to be excited about for September.  I am excited about starting school and moving into my new house up at college.  I'm looking forward to having freedom again (not living with my parents).  I'm also looking forward to seeing more of my friends.  I'm still not sure whether or not I'm excited about it or not.

I think the transition from August to September is one of the biggest ones.  Many people start school in September.  It's also the start of autumn and it means no more summer.  Often it is when people have to start getting serious and back to reality.

What are you looking forward to in September?

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.