Island Girl

Sometimes I forget I live on an island, as weird and unusual as that may sound. But I have never gotten used to the fact that I am surrounded by a body of water and that it takes a 2 hour ferry ride to get to the mainland.

Last weekend, I went to Victoria with my sister to vist my brother for the day. On a spur of the moment desition we decided to take a walk by the ocean. And in that moment, I realized how lucky I am to be an "island girl" and to be able to take in these views everyday!

University Apps...

I have successfully procrastinated this dreaded process for the past 4 months.

At the beginning of my senior year I had it all figured out: I knew what I wanted to be and where I wanted to go. However, and I don't exactly remember when or why, I had a complete change of heart. This lead me into a complete worry. I had never doubted that I wanted to be a journalist until then; I was always the one who never really had to contemplate the cliche "what do I want to be when I grow up?".

Where, was also an issue that has arisen frequently. I live on an island, go to a private all-girls school (which I have been to for my whole school career!) and I am LDS. To say I live in a bubble would be an understatement. I am ready for a change and an adventure, but it is going to take the next 7 or so months for me to gain the courage and confidence to do so!

Despite the stress these questions had brought, the experience was quite liberating. I realized that there are countless opportunities and paths that I can take in life. And after a number of visits to my guidance counselor and talks with family members, I am back to having that same feeling from the beginning! A feeling of excitement, wonder and assurance!

But now I have to face the REAL challenging part... the applications!

Highlights of 2010

2010 seemed to fly by! It was a year of hard work, but filled with amazing moments.

On May 1st I had the special opportunity to perform in the Temple Youth Celebration (TYC) in which all the youth in the Vancouver temple district practiced and performed a show. The highlight of this highlight, was that Thomas S. Monson and Elder Uchtdorf were there to watch! The spirit and strength that was felt that day will never be forgotten.

In May I also ran for my school's position of Head Girl. It is the highest leadership position and I had some heavy competition consisting of some of my best friends. I had to prepare a speech to give in front of my school and they would then vote for the winner. My family all helped me write my speech and at the final assembly they announced that I had won! I still remember that moment like it was yesterday! I felt so much joy and relief ( I was even doing a happy dance backstage!).

I had my first job in the summer, I was a tutor at a summer camp. Those kids really changed me. They varied in age from 5 -12, and they inspired and taught me so much. They allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and realize that teaching is something that I could see myself doing!

In the midst of that summer job, I also managed to get my N! It was quite the journey... as I hadn't really driven till about a month and a half prior to the test! First try however, I managed to receive it! Now I am the proud owner of a Yaris, and as my brother would say, I have "Yaris Power"!

In September I started my last year of high school! Grade 12 has proven to be a daunting task, filled with university applications, decisions and lots of work! I am enjoying it though, and looking forward to that bittersweet day of graduation!

Yes, 2010 was a year of accomplishments! However, I have this slight feeling that 2011 is going to be a year of celebrations and adventure! Graduation is just around the corner, along with my brothers return and let's not forget the beginning of university!

New Mantra

A new year means new possibilities! Unfortunately my new year's resolutions are often forgotten or put off within the first month. I am hoping however that looking at the image above will motivate me! It is quite harsh in my opinion... but it is just the kick in the pants that I need!

Stay Still!

I have countless memories as a child sitting on the floor half asleep as my sisters tackled the daily duty of doing my hair. I would restlessly sit, as my sisters attempted to remove my knots, make the perfect ponytail, or french braid my hair. And when I thought I could be stealth, I would practically roll my eyes to the back of my head as I tried to catch a glimpse of "Arthur" to ease the pain. However, each attempt was shot down by a quick "stay still" and a readjustment of my head.

I am very grateful for each of those mornings. My sisters (and mom) had helped me through the infamous "spike", numerous "rat's nests" and thick enough hair to make one's arm tired by simply brushing it! Thank you ladies! Believe it or not, "Seventeen" is not why I am able to do my hair today!

Leftovers

The problem with there being fewer bodies at home, is that although there are not as many mouths to feed, the portions have not changed!

My mom has noticed this however, so she is testing the amounts. Resulting in some night of having too little potatos or too many peas! I think she is getting close to the perfect mark though!

The silver lining in all of this you ask? Well on those nights when my mom still cooks for 9 with only 5 at the table, not only do you get a great feast... but the next day you can eat the leftovers for lunch!

It's that time of year again...

The time of year, when there is so much chaos and excitment, but still such peace and contentment in the world.

Christmas; simply typing the word puts a smile on my face. Growing up in such a large family has supplied me with many memories of Christmas! Memories of trying to fit into one photo while putting our stockings on the stairs, and squishing into one room on Christmas Eve and finding myself being one of the last to fall asleep. Receiving new PJ's on Christmas Eve and always knowing that they are coming, but still feeling excited and unknowing. And my favourite; finding a little gift on our plate each Christmas dinner, and it being an ornament which shows what we have accomplished in the last year.

I am so greatful to have such memories. However, my siblings are growing up, some are even beginning to start their own family traditions, and I am starting to notice the gradual fading of dedication to these old ones. I am still going to grip onto these traditions with all my might though! And I can not wait till I have a family of my very own to start the magic all over again and introduce these memory builders to the next generation!