Mmmm Whatcha Say!?

Guess who finally has her N? That's right, I DO!! It's about damn time too. So nice to be able to drive myself places without having to rely on a family member to come with me. Been doing a lot of errands, which I'm guessing can get irritating, but right now, I don't mind because I like going out on my own haha. Now, my plan is to save up and buy myself a car!

The Gator's challenge that I'm a part of wraps up today after 4 months. We'll find out which one of us gets the $500 prize for losing the most weight/inches. My fingers are crossed. $500 would be really helpful!

Things with Richard and I are going well. It's been almost 3 months now, and I'm so happy. I've never felt more at home or comfortable with someone before. He makes me laugh, gives me incredible butterflies and even challenges me, which I love. We both know things won't always be chipper and happy-go-lucky, but we're committed to each other and to making it work in the long run. He makes me feel so good about myself and that's something I will always hold dear to me.

I took Abbey over to Victoria last weekend to visit some friends and have a fun day out. Had to be up at 6am to catch the 9am ferry and we didn't get home until 10pm. Such a long day, but it was really fun. So glad the weather cooperated with us! We were all able to go to Beacon Hill Park and have a mini photo shoot which was a ton of fun. Abbey loved being able to hang out with some kids her own age. She's such a great kid and I have insane amounts of fun with her. Her innocence is so refreshing at times.

Figured I'd make a quick update before I go and do what I need to do. Hope all is well with everyone!

Update as per Trina's request!

So, indeed it has been a while since I've posted a blog entry. Over a month! Yikes!

There's a lot of things to post about, where to start!?
Actually, come to think of it, there really isn't a ton of BIG things to write about.

I'm still waiting to hear back from Brookside Lodge. I'm really hoping I get the job. I hate seeing my bank account dip! Haha. If they haven't contacted me by the time they open, I'm going to apply elsewhere. In the meantime, though, I'm going to enjoy the rest of summer.

My balloon ride has been cancelled 3 times now. So much for being spontaneous! Re-scheduled it for September 16th. Oiy!

I've been going to the gym and working out a bunch. Down about 30lbs now and 12 inches or so! I feel fantastic! I love putting on clothes that I feel confident in! People are noticing the difference too which is really good validation for me. I'd like to lose maybe 40lbs more and see where I'm at. Numbers aren't too big of a deal to me. So long as I know I'm healthy and FEEL healthy, the scale isn't too important.

Um, I just found out (tonight, actually) that a long time friend has been diagnosed with breast cancer. It's early and the lump is very small, so there's no reason to worry too much. I think it's just the word "cancer" that's shocking. Her attitude about it is amazing and I know that will take her far.

My Uncle Jay, Aunt Sharon and cousins are moving back in for a bit to save for a house of their own. My uncle has been doing a bunch of renovations which helps my grandparents out immensely. I helped him install some light switches the other week! I did it all by myself and only got zapped once! I was pretty proud of myself. Felt so efficient! haha.

I'm dating the most amazing man in history. I can't say enough good things about him. I'm so so excited to see where time takes us. It's incredible. We had a really amazing weekend just over a week ago. He gives me butterflies so so much! We're going to playland/the PNE tomorrow! I haven't been in a couple years, so I'm sure we're going to have a blast.

Anyway, I hope this suffices, Trina!
NIGHT ALL!!
<3

Ups and Downs! Embrace Em'!

2 months. Oiy. I procrastinate too much with this blog.
So much has happened. I'm almost tempted to just list it all out.

-The Canucks did infact get kicked out of the playoffs - LAME
-Dane Cook show - AMAZING!! Got handed front row tickets randomly. He's so sexy
-Joined Cloverdale's Biggest Loser - lost 22lbs and 9 inches in a month and a half!! Feels so good!
-Been hanging a lot with Phill - tons of good times.
-We're going on a hot air balloon ride in just over 2 weeks! Should be good.
-Got a rejection letter from Kwantlen's Nursing program - sucks, but I have other schools I'm looking into. Just gotta get my applications out!
-Had an interview at an amazing facility being opened in September! I have a good feeling!
-Failed my road test - so bummed, but I have another one booked!
-So much more confidence in my body lately, meeting more people, going on dates once in a while. I love it!
-Got a year membership to the gym! feels so good to go and workout for an hour each night!

ummm, not sure what else to write. Life for the most part is going awesomely. I just need a job!! haha

Let's reflect a bit, shall we?

First off, the canucks lost tonight and are down 3-2 in a best of seven series. I'm hardcore bummed. If we lose on Monday, I think I seriously might cry.

Still not working (waiting on some woman to go on Mat leave) so that sucks, BUT, I've been enjoying doing some yardwork with my gramma. I'm having a big backyard party for my 20th if everything in the yard gets done, so that's my incentive. Hurray

Now that that's out of the way, let's move on to better things. I'M GOING TO BE PUBLISHED IN ONE OF KWANTLEN'S ENGLISH TEXTBOOKS!!! I got an email from my professor the other morning. It went as follows:

"Hey Melissa:
I was wondering if you would mind if I used your ad analysis in the course manual for my future sections of English 1100? Of the ad analyses I graded last term, yours definitely stood out as a strong, well-developed study, not just in your class, but in both my sections of English1100. On reflecting on ways that I might better help my future students, I thought that I might offer them instructional models of successful essays that we could talk about in class. Yours would serve very well. I made a photocopy of the essay because you did so well on it. I'd really appreciate having you back in the fall for English1202 as well. The strength of your analytical skills was clear to me in 1100; you have a skill for depth of interpretation that will serve you well in 1202. Do try to relax this summer, though; I know you've been busy.
Cheers,
John"

This made me so so happy! I worked my ass of in that class and it's paying off. My work will now be immortalized in a Kwantlen textbook! My whole semester was awesome. I got all B's and A's in all my classes. Makes me feel really good!

I've been on a couple dates lately and am enjoying getting back into the dating game. Last date I went on was 2-ish weeks ago. We went for dinner in Vancouver and then went and watched the Canucks game. After that was over, we just sat and got to talking for a while. It was decent. We'll see if a second date transpires.

Going to see Dane Cook with my sister innnnn..../counts....25 days!!! I'm ridiculously excited about that. "SOMEONE SHIT ON THE COATS! SOMEONE HAS SHIT...ON THE COATS!"

With the exception that the Canucks might be out of the playoff run come Monday night, life is going pretty well!

RELIEF!

Finally, I have a weekend that isn't weighed down by a ton homework! It feels good!

I had an english class today until 2pm which was quite dull. I think my prof was in a grumpy mood. He's told our group to be quiet twice in the last 2 classes haha. Maybe it's because he has a crapload of marking term papers to do or maybe it's because his wife isn't putting out enough? Who0o0o knows!

I got my tax return back which was pretty sweet! I gave a nice chunk of it to my grandparents to go towards the money I owe them for school, put some in savings so I can pay my credit card/phone bills for the next little while and kept $150 in my spending account for those random coffee outings or something. I think Phillip and I are gonna go to metrotown sometime in the next week. I wanna buy myself a new purse and get my uncle something for his birthday!

Speaking of which, my uncle was able to get tickets to the Canucks game on Sunday, so he's letting me take my little cousin Nathan. That kid is so into hockey, it's nuts. He knows more stats than I do! haha. I'm pretty excited. I was hoping to be able to go to the canucks/flames game, but colorado will have to do! We're lower bowl too! Row 20, I think!!!

Anyway, I'm off to watch some movies and relaaxxx!

K-K-razy Times

So, it's the last day of March! HURRAY! Let's hope the weather turns around!

3 more weeks until I'm done my semester! These last couple weeks, I've been silently stewing in a big pot of stress. So much homework and studying to do. So so glad I haven't been working or I'd have probably hurled myself off a bridge by now. I called a couple facilities a couple weeks ago and got a call back for a full time job at Zion. I'd told them I'd be able to start as soon as my semester is over (April 17th...too many finals and papers to write before then), so hopefully they can hold the position for me. I'll be so glad if it all works out. It's a union job that pays $21.37/hr and then benefits after a short "probation" period. I worked it out and I'd be making $1,700+ every 2 weeks before taxes, which is the going rate for care aides right now. My immediate goals are to pay off the $6,700 I owe for schooling and get myself a decent car in 6 months.

I applied for the Bachelor's of Science in Nursing Program about a month ago, and I find out if I've been accepted or not in August. It's gonna be a long 4 and a half months, but I'm confident I can get in. I'm probably going to apply at Douglas College for the same program as well to heighten my chances. After 2 years of that program, I'd be making $27/hr and when I finish, I'd be making $37-40/hr starting wage with room to go up. I'm really excited about my future in nursing. It feels so good to make something of myself! I'm the first in the family to graduate and move on to post secondary, so it's really, really fulfilling.

I recently got myself an iPhone which I totally love, got the highest mark on an english paper, scheduled my road test, hung out with some friends I haven't seen in a while, had a pretty awesome weekend house/dog sitting for my aunt and uncle AND watched the Canucks jump into first place in the northwest division. I'm pretty content with how things are going right now!

Blah

I'm in a rut. How do I get out!? Life is dull. It has no surprise or suspense. I'm a boring person with a boring life. Somebody hold me!

I'm gonna go immerse myself in chick flicks so I can live vicariously through the love stories.