Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Success!

On the inside of my T-Ring the word "success" is engraved. A lot of people chose to engrave their initials, or the very touching "HCH Forever," but I chose this word not only to have something different but because I felt as though I had (or was about to) accomplish something huge.

Success, not in the sense that I am successful in life as a whole, but I have succeeded to complete one of the goals on my long checklist of to-do's. Two days ago I officially completed my four years of university and walked across the St. Thomas Courtyard to be hooded and welcomed into the St. Thomas Alumni. Oddly, I was not as emotional as I expected to be, (which greatly disappointed my mom, who was doing everything in her power to make me cry), but I have mixed feelings about this transition. The friends I have made will be missed more than I can say, and the beautiful campus of St. Thomas and city of Fredericton, a place I've called home for four years, will be missed as well, but the sadness of this era ending is somewhat balanced by the excitement of what is to come for me.

The checklist continues and I say goodbye to St. Thomas with a smile on my face because I know the four years spent there have prepared me for the next step in my life. Four years ago I went to the University of Calgary campus to see if I wanted to go there for my BA, but I was overwhelmed by the size of it. It seemed like it was the size of Kentville! Now I'm ready for it, and I have a lot more confidence moving to Calgary after having adapted so well to Fredericton. Now, if I could find a way to pack up all of my friends from STU and take them with me, I'd be set! Luckily my friends are hicks and the Calgary Stampede will lure them out to visit me...Schlee.

Now that graduation is over and I have received, as a coworker called it today, a very expensive piece of paper, I can enjoy my last summer at home with my friends and family before I move out west to the big city of Calgary to complete the next goal on my list.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me and supported me for the last four or more years, and who will continue to do so throughout the rest of my travels. I appreciate everything and take nothing for granted. I know that I have earned everything I have achieved, but it would be a lot harder to get where I am now without my friends and family helping me through the harder times and celebrating with me when moments like this last weekend happen. Thank you doesn't even seem like enough.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Summer in the Valley

Never thought I would ever say this, but I'm actually enjoying my time at home in the Valley.

I've been home for a little over a week and I'm not ready to leave... who would've thought! I'm entering my fifth year working at Save Easy and so far, it's not quite as wonderful as it has always been. They've trained me for the deli and it's brutal. I get off work at 7 most nights, which is nice, but I also smell like I've just crawled out of a deep fryer. Like I've been saying all week, though, I have a new respect for anyone who works in the deli. Holy Moly is it ever a load of work. I don't stop from the moment I walk in there, there is so much work to do.

Graduation is in a couple weeks! The official end to a four year journey. Heading on the bus for the last time everrr to Fredericton to stay with Schlee and Solak for a couple of days and take part in the grad events. Family drives up on Saturday and Ryan flies home for 10 days!

It's been a fantastic start to my summer :)