Wanderlust

Being struck with wanderlust. Typically, I should have been hit with the desire to travel the summer between high school and university; you know, done the typical 'backpacking across (insert country here)'. Instead, just as I'm getting settled into a routine, with jobs, a new major, and somewhere to live, I'm developing this intense desire to be SOMEWHERE. I've been looking at something as local as switching to Ottawa U (no point in that) to something as far-off as volunteering at a preschool in Swaziland for a year. I really have no clue why, where, when, or how I want to travel; I just know that I do. Does anybody have any suggestions??
In other news, I got a job at Counterpoint Academy, as a behavioural therapist for a little boy with autism. I'm pretty stoked. Start on Tuesday morning.

This Is Why It's Hot

Has anybody noticed how hot it's been?
I'm not kidding you. It is September 20th, and the current thermometer reading is 25 degrees. I don't know if you realize this, but today is hotter than the last two weeks of the summer. All is fine, but for those of us who were really looking forward to breaking out our new sweaters and beautiful (grey, tweed, stiletto-heeled, ankle) boots, it is somewhat disappointing. Don't get me wrong, I love the warmth. But I left all of my summer clothes in Barrie. So either the weather starts acting like September, or I melt.
On the positive side, there's no snow.
That is all.



PS. For those of you who don't get the pop-culture reference in the title, don't worry about it. You're probably better off not knowing.

Give Me a Boost(er Juice)

So, a few weeks ago, on one of my rare trips to Booster Juice, I submitted a ballot for a contest. I couldn't, for the life of me, remember what the contest was for. So, imagine my surprise when today, I get a phone call from Goodlife Fitness, saying that I won a membership. That's pretty exciting, even though I'm not crazy about exercise.
So, I went, to the Goodlife Fitness overtop of Loblaws, and had my orientation. I got a week-long membership, and can go to any class, use any of the equipment, and I get free tanning for a week. That's exciting.
Went to my first class tonight. It's called Body Flow (does that sound rude to anyone else?) and it's pilates, yoga, and tai chi. Unfortunately it was more yoga and tai chi than pilates; it was all 'become one with the earth' and 'feel your soul float into your lower left calf', etc. etc. So, there are a couple of other classes that I might want to try out, but it's too expensive to bother with a permanent membership.
So I'll stick with my Aquafit, and relish the fact that I WON SOMETHING!

Freedom!

Thinking that perhaps it would be interesting, I signed up for LALS 2203 - or, Linguistic Theory and Second Language Acquisition.
After precisely one week, I have been assigned one paper to write A WEEK from now until Christmas.
Add that to the four other courses I'm taking, which also require mass reading/writing.
Plus, I don't even NEED Linguistics (PS. I switched my major in April).
So, condemning myself to academic stress (I picked up an extra class next semester), I dropped LALS 2203.
Now, I have reclaimed my Tuesdays, and have time to eat dinner on Thursday nights.
I don't have two papers due this week. I don't even have ONE.
And, I only have 12 hours of class a week from now until Christmas.
And only 2 exams.
PARRRRTAY!

The Saddest Bus Ride

So, as you know, I spend a great deal of my free time on the bus. Well, this weekend, on my way home from work (PS. I got a job), I saw the saddest thing that I have ever been privy to on the bus.
Saturday was cold. VERY cold. So, it made me smile when the bus driver stopped at the side of the road to pick up a little boy (maybe 12) who was flagging the bus down. He stepped onto the bus, and held out his hand. This is what happened.
"You don't have enough," said the bus driver.
"I know, sir, I dropped a dollar." The boy was clearly distraught.
"Sorry," the driver said, opening the bus doors.
"Please, I'll get money from my mom when I get home." The poor kid.
I was digging in my bag for a dollar, when I realized that I have absolutely no cash. Maybe a penny.
Much to my disdain, the bus driver motioned to the doors, and said. "You don't have enough."
The little boy got off the bus, and stood back on the side of the road.
Sad. Sad sad sad.

Back in the Ott-Dot

Once again, the summer has flown by, and I'm back in Ottawa. My schedule isn't terrible; though I no longer have a single day of the week off...one class on Fridays, one class on Tuesdays...and numerous on the other days. On a positive note, I have time for Aquafit three times a week, time to hang out with friends (I have some!!) and ample time to do my homework. The bus isn't terrible either this year....seems a lot shorter. It probably is. Felt like I should update quickly, but there isn't a whole lot to report. It's my cousin Natalie's 15th birthday on Sunday, so I'm off to their house for the weekend. Tomorrow night is the THIRD ANNUAL PEPPERRALL CRESCENT BLOCK PARTY!!!!!! See last year's post for exactly how I feel about this event. It involves a terrible tribute band, many MANY loud kids and adults, and a whole lot of festivities that we avoid. Hence my weekend at Auntie Ro's.
I'll update next week, once I find out about my job (if I got it) and my school (if I like it.)
Ta!

Miss Meka Mischief McLeod

After eleven and a half years of companionship, loyalty, and endearing (but sometimes annoying) habits, Miss Meka Mischief McLeod, known to friends and family as 'Meka', 'Flufferbelly', 'Puffer', or 'hey, dog!' has left us, and gone on to doggy heaven. She is greeted with open paws by all who have gone before her, and the treats and belly rubs are in abundance. Whether you were a close friend, relative, or acquaintance, Meka probably touched your life; regardless of if you liked her or not.
Topping off at a staggering 10 pounds, our slightly-obese puppy struggled through degenerative disc disorder, diabetes, and Addison's disease. While her habit of eating ANYTHING left ANYWHERE (especially undergarments or chocolate) was a nuisance, her adorable face was enough to make us forgive her in a second.
This obituary was lovingly written to gain some closure...for the family, as well as myself.
We love you, Meka...your life touched us all.