A Different Set of Eyes

Hi friends :) 

I am quite literally sitting on my bed, chowing down on this delightful Egg Salad Sandwich I picked up from M&S (surprise, surprise...) - I discovered this yummy lunch when I was here last time and the bread (!!!!) Oatmeal bread.  You know me and my obsession with oatmeal ;) so good... 

As promised, this blog post will cover Monday and Tuesday's (i.e. todays) events :) 

Also, I have some good news and I have bad news to lay on you... 

I MOVE INTO MY NEW FLAT TOMORROW !!!! :D :D :D 
#ALLTHEFEELS   

This is still so surreal to me (actually, I passed the building today and couldn't help but smile... it really is such a lovely building!)

Having said that, however, I may or may not have internet.  Amidst all of my errand running and exploring today, I visited a few shops to enquire about internet/broadband etc., and we agreed it is best to see if/what the flat is equipped with first as this will determine whether or not I need a phone line installed, etc.  I asked one of the reps how long (approx.) it would take for an installation crew to set it all up, and she said it depends really, but could take upwards to a week :| UHM.  GREAT.  And I am supposed to plan for school, how?  Guess I will be spending my days in a lot of coffee shops to use the internet... #ugh 

Monday: First Day Back 

Obviously Monday Morning Seflies were in order.  Note that summer has fled.  She's gone, out of sight, no where to be seen.  It is fall time here people and if you know me well, you know how delightfully happy I am about this!  Bring on the leggings, scarves and cute boots. Swoon.   

Between yesterday and today, I tackled some of the important items on my to do list:
I opened a bank account ✓
I paid the remaining opening fee(s) for my flat ✓ 
I located appliance and home essentials/decor store(s) to get a sense of and compare prices ✓ 
and, I managed to write my blog post yesterday evening ✓ !


I ventured the town a lot yesterday, and it was a totally different feel in comparison to my first visit.  My first time in Colchester, it was all about remembering where I was and avoiding the rate(s) at which I got lost LOL. It took me about three days to get a good feel of the place... I didn't really get a full sense of the shops.  This time, however, I feel I'm slowly but surely morphing into a local who can now see everything in a different light.  I'm walking around with a new set of eyes, as I so titled this blog post.  It's not so much paying attention to where I am heading, as I know the streets like the back of my hand.  Instead, I can actually spend time browsing the shops, figuring out what each one holds/sells :)  

Before I forget to mention it, I think one of my favourite things pertains to pricing: tax is already included on the price tag, so what you see is what you pay!  :) 

Not that I thought I would, but I could never go without here.  Every shop I could possibly want or think of back home can be found here!  Funny enough, alcohol is sold in the grocery store.  That was a strange sight... We have a TJ Maxx (which can replace my obsession with Winners), QD Stores is like a Canadian Tire, Debenhams is like Sears/the Bay, I found a Vodka Bar (LOL), many bakeries, a dollarstore (here called "Poundland"), I found the Colchester gym, the movie theatre, Nandos (omg, the absolute best), the Apple store (it's called iStore haha), many drugstores, we have an HMV, WHSmith is like Staples, natural and health food stores, hair salons, dentists, bedding, electronics, furniture, discount stores... WE HAVE A LUSH :D seriously, there is everything and more here! :)  Wilko reminds me of Target... so, again, yay ✓ :) 

I told myself I was allowed to purchase a new book bag for school, as I had to leave my old beloved and well-recognized one at home... 

I love this bag, it has three compartments on the inside and is perfect for my laptop/other school essentials.  It was only £19.99, which comes out to $37.19 CND (which is close to what I paid for my old book bag at home) :) Good snag, I think. 

I also picked up the following.... 

The Go Ahead bars are SO FREAKIN' GOOD.  And, ok, I needed a mug because my B&B only supplies tea mugs equipped for about two sips of whatever you put in them.  Let's be real, I need me some more coffee than THAT.  And so naturally, I needed some coffee .... and hot chocolate :) 

Sooo, I was cravin' me some Subway last night,  I got a Tuna Melt (sans cheese).  Interesting little fact: you can add sweet corn and shredded carrot to your subs here in the UK ! :)  I didn't get the carrot, but as you can see, I added corn - yum yum yum!  

After yesterday's excursions/busy events, I came home, started to write my blog post, napped, facetimed, continued and finished my blog post, took a shower and then hit the hay.... :) 

Day Two: Tuesday 

I got up early this morning, as I had to return to the bank so as to finalize the account ... I then went galavanting into LUSH as my skin is in some serious need of lovin' (I am suffering prettttyyyyy dry skin at the moment, both in thanks to the plane ride, but also the sudden drop in temperature... ) I left a happy customer with the following items: 

I explained my issue(s) to the girl who served me, and we agreed I should purchase the following items: 

9 to 5 is a cleansing lotion I decided to try, as makeup wipes do me very little service at the moment (the majority are alcohol based, irritating my dry skin to no end!).

Dark Angels is a charcoal scrub I have been dying to try (thanks, Liv! ;) as per our conversation last night, it's her "holy to the grail" and I am so excited to test it out!) 

When checking out at cash, I explained to the girl that I had just moved and was so excited to find a LUSH store.  What a sweetheart, she secretly gifted me an entire bath bomb!!!!  When she came round the counter to hand me my bag, she smiled and said "I put a little gift in there for your new home!" ... I figured it was a sample size of something.  Nope.  An entire, FULL SIZED bath bomb :) (these retail for approx. $6.05 CND, nice free gift, eh?!) I will most definitely go back and thank her!!!! :D

Okay, okay I know I am being a bad girl. LOL.  In my defence, the notebook is for school purposes, as are the pens (I love my colours!!!) 

As for the chocolate... well.... LOL I have a severe sweet tooth and when you are thrown into a plethora of new and exciting sweets what do you expect from me?!  I have to taste test them... 

I also tried a Coffee Cooler for the first time :) the girls at Costa already recognize me, WHOOPS.  So yeah that happened today.... 

As did buying/taste testing this (which, after opening, seems to be as deadly as the pretzels I am addicted to) ... 

Apart from that, the rest of my evening looks like this (school planning and watching Anna's latest vid! :) 

I decided to be smart and download all important emails now whilst I still have internet. 

Closing thoughts... (tips/advice)

I think the hardest thing(s) for me at the moment are: overcoming the jet leg, going through the motions of setting up "new" everything, and getting used to the time differences again.  Obviously a big and obvious one is missing everyone I left at home, but hey that's what technology is for! :) 

If you aren't already a fairly independent person, travelling abroad, alone will definitely surface the art - or at least slowly train you into become a self-sufficient person.  I find, at least in the very beginning when you don't know that many people, you have to be your own best friend at times.  You have to be strong enough to handle things on your own.  Now, that doesn't mean that my BF, best friend, family, etc., isn't there to support me when I need them, but sometimes the time difference is a killer.  There are times in the day when I have a mini freak out or need to talk to someone ASAP, however the ability to do so isn't always readily available as people back home are still sleeping, or at work, or busy on a different time schedule.  Be prepared for that, but don't think it's the end of the world.  I think you need to learn to manage stress, and, like I was saying, rely on yourself at times to push through.  Of course, as time goes on and I befriend more people in town, this will be less of an issue!  :) But it was just some insight I wanted to offer.... I am definitely still training in this department...  

Another thing, and my mother was so right about this one: travelling and living abroad makes me see home in a different light - I am much more appreciative of what I have! Things are just... different here!  But that is okay!  I knew it would be, and I so enjoy the change of pace, lifestyle and culture.  I think you need to be a fairly adaptable person to survive living elsewhere.  My mother likes to call me a chameleon, so for me, the switch isn't too difficult.  Don't expect fluidity between the two countries, cause it's just not going to happen.  I am so accustomed to fruits and veggies the size of my head back in Canada, but in the UK an apple generally fits in the palm of my hand.  A bag of milk just doesn't exist here.  Everything seems to be much cheaper in Canada, so you really need to know how to bargain shop in the UK (I pride myself on how thrifty I can be!), it's the "toilet" not the "washroom" by the way, and there are heaps of public restrooms for you to use (versus having to sneak your way into a Tims just to pee!), fridges are typically "bar" size in comparison to what I am accustomed to at home, washers are typically located in the kitchen, and dryers seem to be a luxury (?), oh my goodness, getting used to the coins here is just embarrassing!  it probably takes me a good 5 minutes to read each one before I hand over the correct amount to the cashier... instead of "how are you" it's usually always "you alright, yeah?" ... it's "trousers" not "pants"! (as pants here mean your underwear!), home bathrooms and spaces are generally much smaller .... I am sure there are so many more differences I could tell you about! 

And please, don't take any of what I have mentioned/said in a negative way!  I wasn't making comparisons in a bad way, it simply is what it is... and different is exciting! :) Take everything as it comes.  Take it with a grain of salt and be open.  Be willing to change.  You will enjoy the adventure that much more...  

Some food for thought :) 

I don't know when I will talk to you next, but I will keep you posted and will document all the new, exciting and upcoming things! 

Until next time :) 

Cheers,

Steph 

xxoo

Where Did the Summer Go...

Contemplating how to even begin this blog post, I settled on the following: 

HOLY CRUDMOLI. 

Hi friends :) 
I am writing to you from the UK.  Yup.  I moved.  And not your average 'down the street' move.  Not a few blocks.  Not a city, or two, or 10.  Not even a province.  Try country... a different continent entirely.  I hopped onto a plane that carried me and my luggage across the ocean, away from everything and everyone I have ever known.  Kinda scary when I put it that way, huh?  Well... it is.  But it's also quite exciting, exhilarating ... and empowering.  I am 23 years old, and I'm seizing life by the horns.  I have been applauded for my determination and ability to just get up and leave.  "Good for you," they say.  "You are so brave!"  Well yes, thank you, I guess I am.  I also have moments when/where I am still scared $#!*less, but it's an adventure that I take day by day... I am so excited and thankful to continue doing what I love, in a beautiful and lovely country nonetheless!  When I moved to Toronto, I was a mere 61 km away from home.  Try 5,804 km now.  It's funny, when I was a student at McMaster, I found myself drawn to the "Teach Abroad" posters ... it was one of those things that always peaked my interest and always latched itself onto my thought process... but only for a short minute or two.  Well.  Here I am.  4 years later... IN ENGLAND!  Life has a way of placing us exactly where we are meant to be. 

I have SO many pictures stored on my computer (for blogging purposes) from recipes, to items I bought, events I have attended and/or random things/adventures/outings I did this summer but who has time for that right now when I know you are most interested in my move to the UK?!  The others will have to wait, I suppose!  So... let's just jump into this, shall we? (I feel this first portion will make me sad...)

Friday Evening.

Friday evening was filled with many goodbyes ...  I spent the night in Toronto with this beauty, Liv you know I'm already missin' ya, girl (thank god for technology!) :D 

We dolled ourselves up for a mini OISE reunion, as several of us are teaching abroad!  The Sky Yard at the Drake Hotel was pretty bomb dot com.  I really liked the atmosphere and lighting... :) 

Can't believe I met these ladies 50 weeks ago.  Look at how far we have come and where we are all headed... cheers to an incredible year! xoxox

♤♤♤

If you follow me on instagram (stephhhhhhxo) you will probably recognize this photo:

 Poutine is food from the gods.  At least in my eyes (Gosh am I ever my father's daughter...).  Liv asked what I wanted to do my last night in Canada.  My eyes lit up, as I smiled and said, "Can we go to Smokes?"  When I say I love something, boy do I love it. 

Saturday: THE day. 

6:30AM, alarm goes off.  Liv and I slowly roll ourselves into action... kudos to us for surviving on 4 hours of sleep, by the way.  We part at Union Station, and I am Hamilton bound.  Headphones in, I was used to the ride as I frequently travelled between the two cities.  I make a pit stop at Tim Horton's before heading home (HELLO it's my last day in Canada for a year, I had to pull a typical Canadian move at some point in the day...).  5 minutes away from home and it finally hits me.  You are leaving Canada today, Steph.  Tears well up in my eyes.   Crap.  Crap.  Crap.  Don't cry.  I managed to divert it that time, haha.  I get home, and finalize packing.  My luggage was overweight.  At this point, I don't have the time nor the mental stability to sit down once again and decide what I'm leaving behind... guess we're paying for extra luggage (THANK YOU MOM).  My bags are packed, downstairs and ready to go... I run upstairs to do one last round, make sure I haven't forgotten anything... and bam, I hit a wall of emotions.  I'm standing in my room.  A room that is completely emptied and rid of everything I held onto for the past 15 years. That room was me.  It was like we we're congruous at times.  Yes I am personifying my room... I spent WAY too much time in that room of mine.  It was my safe space.  It was my escape at times.  Where I did all of my work.  My happy space, my sad place, my everything in between place.  All that remains are empty drawers, and an empty closet... even when I lived in Toronto, everything that I didn't need stayed there. But because I have permanently moved my life... I needed to decide what to keep and what needed to go into storage (in the event that Mom moves while I am away).  What a strange sight ... 

Not only was I saying goodbye to people... I was saying goodbye to my safety net and all the memories housed within it... (lol, pun intended). 

Last selfie in my infamous mirror (hahaha)

Pictures in front of the house were just mandatory...

I believe that one can never leave home. I believe that one carries the shadows, the dreams, the fears and the dragons of home under one's skin - Maya Angelou. 

Shortly thereafter, the car was packed... and we were ready to hit the road! :) 

The Airport. 

It started raining on the way to the airport.  I thought it was pretty fitting, if I do say so myself ;) 

These pictures make me laugh....

Everything that passed the "I can't live without you" test is pictured below.  That's my life right now (apart from the items I stored at home awaiting my return to Canada!) Can we also appreciate how much I'm reppin' Canada right about now...?! 

I then attempt to drag these bad boys over to the check-in counter andddddd she tips over. LOL.  I couldn't fit anything else in there if my life depended on it... 

If I could offer any advice/recommendation(s): opt for Option Plus or whatever the equivalent is with the airline you intend to fly with.  You bypass the huge lineups because you have "priority" check-in, as well as priority seating! (I.e. you get to choose your seat) and personally, I will always want an isle seat.  No sandwiching me between strangers thank you very much!  It also gives you perks (such as additional weight restrictions - which, as I mentioned I went over, but YOLO), but if anything, for me, the stress of not having to wait in those god awful lineups is worth it all :) I literally go up there, hand over my passport, put my luggage on the scale, off it goes, and they hand me my boarding pass.  Easy peasy :) 

Goodbyes and multiple hugs (accompanied by tears) followed, and I crossed the point of no return.  That being the line-up to get through airport security.  Everything ran smoothly, I don't think I need to recount any of that... what I presume you do wish to know about is the upgrade to first class business, eh? 

WELL.  I am standing by my gate, awaiting the call for Option Plus members to board early (perks!!!) and the attendant at the desk makes an announcement.  Swaying from side to side, half listening, half anxious to just sit my butt on the plane, I await for her to finish the announcement when I catch the tail end of it: "Also, could the following two passengers come up to the front desk please.... (name of other person) and Templeton."  Oh. My. God.  Pretty sure my heart was racing a mile a minute, because all I could think to myself was FUDGE, did they just ship my luggage to Timbukto by accident or even better: Am I in trouble, did they need to rip apart my bags...  So I head on up to the counter, and to my delightful surprise, the attendant smiles and says: "Hi Stephanie, you have been upgraded to first class, can I please have your boarding pass?" I probably looked like a little girl as happy as a lark on Christmas morning LOL.  So they handed me a new boarding pass, and I waltzed onto the plane as if I had just won the lottery.  HAHA.  I was so happy, not that I regret my decision to move, but I had just gone through a few hours of "lasts," "goodbyes," and sadness, so this was definitely an upbeat to my adventure :)  

Yup, that was my seat!  The one closest to you/me: 

There were 12 available seats in first class, a set of 6, to be exact (seats were paired).  Each of us had a personal TV - hence the built in remote pictured above - on which you could access movies, tv shows, play games, and follow the plane on a virtual map (which also told me the time in both Canada and UK, our altitude, how much travel time was remaining, temperatures, etc.) Pretty neat, eh? :) I must say, I was also lucky enough to sit beside the sweetest woman.  We chatted the entire flight, except of course, when we took a two hour "nap" as I like to call it.... 

I kid you not, as soon as we took off and the seatbelt sign came off, the flight attendants did not rest until we landed in the UK.  There was constant service!  Wine, champagne and various liqueurs.  We were served a mini plate of hor d'oeurves (which I failed to document, sorry guys!) consisting of 3 mini pastry-type foods. YUM.  One was like an egg roll, another was filled with cream cheese and the third was filled with meat (I didn't eat that one!) 

The starter salad, dinner and dessert: 

• Freshly sliced tomatoes, a large chunk of feta (omg nomnomnom) and a cucumber-lettuce salad; 
• Olive oil salad dressing;
• Crackers and brie cheese;
• Roasted Veggie Pasta in a rose sauce; 
• Key lime pie. 

Breakfast: 

• Assortment of fresh fruit; 
• Orange juice;
• Glazed cinnamon roll (they even warmed them!); 
• Coffee. 

Just to even experience the difference was such a blessing.  I texted everyone and their dog that I had been upgraded, and my Aunt told me it was the workings of my dad and gram-cracker... they hooked me up with first class ;) hehe.  I must say, being able to actually recline my entire seat in the attempt to sleep/nap was lovely!  

I was also supplied a toothbrush/toothpaste, socks, earphones, an eye mask, ear plugs, as well as a sample size of moisturizer and lip balm - especially handy, as my skin dries right up on an airplane... anyways, I thought it was pretty cute :)   

SO that delightful fun came to an end, and I landed in Gatwick.  This time, for a longer time period than two weeks.  This is it.  This isn't a holiday or a little getaway.  No sir, I am permanently here for a year, baby!  Having trained in the UK already in July, coming back to it all was so easy.  I had done this already :) I knew what I was doing as I had done it all a mere month ago!  Everything was smooth sailing.  Lugging my bags off the conveyor belt was a bit of a mission, but luckily I didn't knock anyone out... nor did I fall over myself, so that's an accomplishment ;) ... the taxi service met me in the lobby of the airport, yes he was holding my name on a sign - aren't I just famous LOL ... I hopped in the cab, jet-lagged as hell and ready to just get to Colchester. 

As my flat won't be ready until Wednesday, I took up lodging at the Little Crown, an adorable B&B that I just so happened to stay in during my July training.  Again, coming back to the familiar!  The owner's husband brought my bags upstairs - god bless him - and I took a good three hour nap.  I was too tired to function!  I left Canada at 7:40 PM and arrived at 7:40 AM.  It's like I skipped the nighttime entirely and had to endure another day!  After my nap, I decided to venture out and pick up a few food items seeing as it was Sunday, and everything usually closes at 5/5:30.  That's another thing about my town, everything closes early.  And not just on Sundays, but everyday!  Also, in case you were wondering, I live in Essex!  I promise to take pictures later, it really is the most adorable little town....

I headed into my local M&S - which if you follow my insta, you already know is my favourite shop!! Very vegetarian friendly!  And what I love most is the pre-packaging.  Mind you, near-well everything is packaged here... I don't mean to say it isn't fresh.  It's just their way of doing things.  You will see in the pictures below what I mean.  But even with bags of chips... you buy a bag of 6 mini bags.  Imagine Costco everything, everywhere lol... 

Another favourite luxury: NUTRITION INFO IS PLASTERED ON EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE YOU GO.  On the overhead menu behind cashiers.  On the back of every food item you purchase.  On the little food description sign in bakery-type shops.  Literally, everywhere :)  

The foodie in my inspires the following pictures haha... some are from my first trip to the UK back in July, I just never got around to blogging/posting then... so I'll slip 'em on in now. 

See how apples are pre-packaged?  And the raspberries are covered by a plastic film that needs to be peeled off... nutritional info for both items is located behind the sticker, too! 

I fell into an obsessed love with these pretzels when I was here last, so obviously I needed my fix... :) 

I LOVE the pre-packaged salads they have at M&S.  SO much selection, and every single one appeals to me/my diet/my tastebuds!  This is a smaller version, they have a size up from this!  Note, again, the nutrition info on the front.... 

The back... with more nutrition info. 

NOTE: We understand the kcal value... :) 

Confession, I usually eat this whole package of raspberries... LOL OOPS. 

So, I snapped this picture back in July.... 

I repurchased the mint one today ;) 

As I mentioned above, there is a "larger" size in the salad section of M&S ... sooo goood

 Yea, I told you I'm obsessed... no shame. 

And that was Steph's first day back in the UK.  I spent the evening looking up appliance and home essentials/decor type shops so as to venture out with purpose tomorrow (i.e. today since I am writing this late).... Before I went to bed, I also made a "to do" list... 

And that concludes the first instalment of MANY, MANY upcoming UK posts :) 

I plan to blog today's activities, as well as tomorrow's ... well, tomorrow. Haha. 

Oh, before I forget, now the coffee lover in me is requesting I post this... 

Anna Sacone is one of my favourite Youtubers.  Originally from Ireland, SHE RECENTLY MOVED TO THE UK, can you imagine how over-joyed I was with that news!?  Anyways, her and her husband always talk about/drink/eat at Costa.  Basically, it's like a Second Cup when compared to Starbs... anyways, I just love their coffee.  And obviously needed to snap a picture.  I usually order a Caffé Latte.  So good... :) 

Having said that, I think a free points card was in order, don't you? ;) 

Andddddd now I am finished... stay tuned for more updates and thank you so much for reading. 

Steph
xxoo 

Heaven Couldn't Wait For You.

I knew I was going to write this particular post.  I have an on-going list of posts that need tending to, and I know I've let you guys down.  To say this past week has been crazy hectic is a bit of an understatement.  I am usually organizing/packing up my room, as well as all my belongings in the basement from 10/11AM until about 11PM.  The details of moving I will save for a later post as today I am dedicating my time to the most remarkable man I have EVER had the privilege of sharing a good laugh (and cry!) with: my father.  I can't predict the length of this post, nor can I promise she'll be short and sweet, so bear with me! ❤ 

Today marks 8 years since the passing of my very best friend.  8 years since I last saw your face.  Heard your voice.  Felt you here... I don't think you ever truly "heal."  You just learn to live on... because you would have wanted me to.   

Of all the pictures I could have selected (and let me tell you, I have a well documented childhood!) this one is an absolute favourite.  

 Look at me in all my glory, eh?  Harry Potter specs and a missing front tooth.  Golly gee.  But let's look past that.  Let's consider how tremendously happy I am.  That is a genuine smile, and YOU are to thank for the endless smiles and laughter that accompany every memory I can recall from childhood... ALSO, can I just say that dad mastered the whole "take our own picture" before selfies and front facing cameras were invented?  #kudostoyousir.  

But on a more serious note... when I look at this photo, all I can think to myself is god did you ever love me.  I was the lucky one.  To have been blessed with such a gentle, smart, funny, caring and protective soul.  You saved me from the harshness of the world, and knew what I needed more than anyone else in this world. 

Our relationship was very unique and very special.  Shedding some personal light on my childhood: after the divorce, my father was granted primary custody (a rare occurrence, I'd say!).  It was you and me against the world... and given the opportunity, I wouldn't go back to change a thing.  The only thing I wish I could change was the silent, ticking timer that suddenly clamped down on the time we had with one another. 

I won't sit here and recall every memory I have of you.  Those are both personal, and I don't think you - the reader - has enough coffee or popcorn to sit through all that (LOL).  What I do want to remember for the rest of my life, is how much my father loved me, the lessons he instilled within me, and the woman he [probably] hoped I would become.  I hope I give him a reason to be proud of me every single day.

Okay, maybe one memory: because you always have to dance on new and freshly paved concrete! :) 

   I go back, and I read through some of the condolences that were left for the family after Dad passed away... especially the ones that were dedicated to me, and the ones that simply show how much of an impact he had on other people: 

"You were the apple of his eye and always will be as he looks down and watches over you from heaven. Dad`s big smile is a great memory that we will always have"

"He would talk about his beloved daughter Stephanie all the time. I even saw your picture on his bag he carried to work. Paul`s heart and soul was pure, he was always helpful and kind and had that wonderful smile." 

"He taught me how important it is to keep smiling." 

"He was a real gentleman who always had a smile for you.  He was proud of you...you could tell by the way he talked about you." 

"I was astounded at the fact that he could just keep smiling and his happiness just blazed out of him like the sun that day.  Paul was one of those people that you could honestly say that you were better, for having known him."

"Stephanie, so often I watched your dad escort you into school, especially when it was new to you. His caring for you was so evident." 

"Even though we had only met Gerard a few times, we immediately were drawn to his wonderful charm. His beautiful smile everytime we saw him glancing at you. We were one of many I`m sure that were fortunate to have met him. He will always be remembered for his happy-go-lucky demeanour." 

"Stephanie: Your father is an amazing man who loved you more than life itself. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. We were blessed to have him in our lives and will never forget the wonderful man we called our friend."  

Source 

I sometimes tear up reading all of the above comments .. they make me SO proud to be the daughter of such an outstanding man.  I think what I love the most, however, is realizing that I continue your legacy... even if in the smallest of ways.  That smile and happy quality that everyone noticed about him?  I have come to realize people think the same about me.  My nickname at work a few years back was "Smiley Miley" ... no matter where I go, people are always commenting on the smile that is forever plastered on my face.  I hope people remember me just as happy as they do you, Dad. 

I was watching The Bachelorette the other evening, and it got me thinking.  Perhaps not the happiest of thoughts... but I realized that no man will ever be able to tell my father how head over heels in love with me they are (if I'm lucky enough to encounter such a guy, haha!).  I was 15 when my father passed, and until then, I hadn't dated anybody.  Dad, you didn't even have the chance to threaten a guy with a baseball bat! (Haha, kidding).  In the time that you have been away, I graduated not only from high school, but two universities.  I am now launching myself across the world to kickstart a career.  I so wish you were here... to share in the moments, to offer a hug when I stress out over packing this sweater or those pants, to go on more lunch dates with... or to offer life advice on the stupidest of problems I seemed to have (LOL).  But I know, given the choice, you would give as much to be here, as I would give to hear your voice/see your face again.

Finally, as this post comes to an end... the teacher in me wants to impose a lesson on all of my wise and impressionable readers... What.  I can't help it... I was born to teach!    

This quote forever remains to be one of my favourites from the series. (For those wondering, it was said by Mark Sloan on Greys): 

My dear friends... life is too short to let a moment pass without telling someone how much you care about them.  Things change so fast.  Life changes, and fate sometimes gets in the way.  We aren't always in the drivers seat, and next thing you know, the unexpected happens.  Don't leave yourself unprepared.  Take each day as it comes.  I remember my grade 8 grad quote was "Live each day as if it were your last."  Oh the irony... just short of 2 years later, we lost my father... Don't let the anger from a fight fester.  Go back.  Reflect.  Make things better, when you can.  I love hard.  When I love someone, I cant help but tell them every single day.  Sometimes it's hard to open up and be vulnerable like that... how do you expose your feelings while the fear of getting hurt is lingering?  Sometimes, it just needs to be done... because I would rather leave this world with a few scuffs and scrapes, knowing I did everything to reach all the important people in my life... then depart unscathed and untouched by the best possible moments, memories... and people.  

Never forgotten... and always in my heart. 

Love you Dad! 

xxx 

1958 - 2006

The world lost an incredible man, and heaven gained one of it's best. 

Update: Where Did She Go?!

Hi everyone, 

I know, I know.  I make a big "to do" about the blog, throw it a huge coming out party only to leave ya hangin' high and dry.  What gives.  LOL.  I apologize in advance, I have been extremely swamped with life.  For starters, as of Thursday..... I GRADUATED !!!! 

Let us all please ignore the HORRID lime green sash they subjected us to.  Seriously?  That thing was not bound to match anyone's shoes ... and it had white fur on it.... it didn't sit on anyone's shoulders properly, which is just a sad day for me, seeing as I have no shoulders as is.  It was just a nightmare.  If it wasn't choking the living daylights out of you, it was falling down on either side of your arms... Okay, I am done ranting about it LOL.  The fact of the matter is, I am DONEZO and finally a certified teacher.  I have dreamed of being a teacher for the longest time, and I am so excited to enter such a remarkable and rewarding field :) 

*I will probably post more pictures later on, let me proceed to the explanation of life events...* 

So apart from that, where have I been?  Sorting out my life, to be honest!  I am trying to wrap up so many loose ends before I move to England, and if you don't already know, I fly out a week today for my two week training session. AHHHHH.  I have been collecting things to pack, I made an ONGOING packing list, I am trying to figure out cell phones and banking ... I have to make sure I'm enlisted with OCT (Ontario College of Teachers) so that I keep my teaching status here in Canada while away... getting criminal record checks, spending time with friends/family ... amongst a whole whack of other things...  Soooo, I'VE BEEN DOING A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT. 

If you know me, you know that I am devoted to lists and agendas.  I think I have a million lists with the likes of England preparation ... but I have also been working on a set blogging/posting schedule (which I will post here shortly once I put it together on the computer!).  Each day will be dedicated to a new topic!  (i.e. food, beauty, health, life etc.)... I haven't decided if I want to blog 5 days a week, or just 3 with an odd day on the weekends... I suppose time will tell when I ease into the swing of it again. 

Another heads up: as mentioned above, I will be in the UK for two weeks and I HIGHLY DOUBT any posts during that time period will be 1) consistent 2) related to anything other than England!!!  I may post short little things here and there, and do one big massive post when I get back home... honestly, I haven't thought about it too too much!  I will most definitely keep a food journal of all the tasty meals and treats I eat while over there!  But just know, I am there training for September ON TOP OF finding the flat I will be renting during my year in the UK.  

That's all for now.  I just wanted to let you know where I was :) I haven't dropped the blog or forgotten about it!  Just a little busy at the moment!  I have so much planned to post!  I have been clothes shopping the past few weeks and want to show you my cute summer finds.... My goodness, SO MUCH BLOGGING TO DO.  I actually have a blogging notebook that I keep nearby to write all my ideas in! :) 

Chat soon loves! 

Steph.
xxoo

PS.  Today is officially the first day of summer.... HAPPY SUMMER!  Enjoy the lovely weather :) 

Refreshing Foods

Summer, for me, has always screamed fresh fruits and veggies.  And what better way to indulge in both by combining them in a kick ass salad?  Kick... butt... salad if that offended you :) LOL. 

Can we just admire how scrumptious my salad looks...

I love foods that are rich and vibrant in colour.  They just look so appealing, am I right?

Don't be afraid of fruit and veggie overload!  There are very few combinations that wouldn't work well together.  I mean, you also have to keep in mind the type of dressing you plan on using.  But seriously, you can do ANYTHING with a salad.  Don't stick to same ol, same ol.  I bet there are enough combinations to have a different type of salad every week of the year!  Heck, I'd accept that challenge ;) 

Anywhos, we all know how much I love to document every thing I produce in a day LOL and I thought tonights salad was worthy enough of a snap/mention on Naked Canvas. 

In case you were wondering....

Base

Freshly washed Baby Spinach

Freshly Washed Mixed Greens

Shredded Carrot

Sliced Mushrooms

Sliced Cucumber

Sliced Pepper 

(I used an orange pepper, it's the sweetest and my fav, but feel free to use whichever colour you prefer!)

Add-Ons

1 tbsp of Crumbled Feta Cheese

Sliced Strawberries

Chopped Apple Slices

1 tsp of Crushed Walnuts

1 - 1.5 tbsp of Sweet Baby Peppers

Gourmet Balsamic Croutons (I used 7!)

Dressing

1 tbsp of Roasted Garlic and Shallot Cuisine Oil

1.5 - 2 tbsp of Red Wine Balsamic Vinegar 

I literally made up the dressing.  LOL.  I opened the cupboard, badda boom, badda bing. There we go! :) 

There are soooooo many alterations you could make.  I honestly throw together what I'm craving and make something magical out of it, haha.  Sometimes it works wonders, other times I wonder what on earth I was thinking.  But hey, c'est la vie!

Chat later, loves :) 

Cheers, 

S. 

xxoo

Early Morning Musings

It is 12:11 AM, and this is what my night has looked like.  Cappuccinos late at night because why the heck not.  Still in the process of re-constructing this baby (i.e. the blog). I just love how I let myself get stressed over these little things ... blogging is something I should enjoy!  I mean, I do enjoy it.  I am just so uptight and anxious-ridden that I get so overwhelmed planning out what I want to post, when, how to go about it... Not to mention the fact that I am leaving the country soon for a whole year.  I've never mentioned that here.  Surprise.  I suppose I should turn in now....

Night loves, 

xxoo

S.