September, wha?

It seems like the last part of August and September has flown by so fast.  I was planning Orientation 2009 for NUS, then I was running/biking my Triathlon run as a Duathlon.  Then I was back into class and trying to get back into the swing of school.  Now, before I know it, it’s part way through October, and I’ll be celebrating my birthday in about 15 days.

I can’t believe it.

So here’s my highlight reel of the last little while:

• finishing my Triathlon in under 2 hours (1:51:36)
• having a super successful Orientation 2009
• celebrating Jody & David and Steve & Christy’s wedding
• going back to Sick Kids for clinical
• having one day off a week
• successfully making some awesome falafels (more to come on this)
• setting up a Dare to Remember (more to come on this)

Some friendships never die

Over this past weekend, my best girlfriends from Queen’s and I got together to celebrate our 10 year friendship anniversary.  We can finally call ourselves “old friends”, which is awesome.  We spent the weekend camping at Emily Park and spent most of our time relaxing at the beach or around the camp fire and chatting about our lives then and now.  It was great.

I really have to say there is nothing better than getting together with people who know you really well.  These girls are like sisters to me.  We met in residence in first year, and lived together for the three years after that.  Can you imagine?  There were 5 of us girls for 4 years, and although we had some rough times, we were always super tight.  It was a total blessing for my school years, and I’m so happy that when we get together, it’s like we’re still just as close. 

Needless to say, I had a really good weekend – even a little bit of rain couldn’t put a damper on the fun.  I love you girls! 

An awesome weekend!

This past weekend was one of those awesome relaxing summer weekends that are just all around good. M and I traveled to Sarnia for a long weekend at the with the parents-in-law. It was an easy drive down – I even practiced driving stick without freaking out! All weekend, we were able to relax, sleep in or get up and watch the end of the Tour de France, or go out for bike rides. There were no schedules and nothing specific to do, except for a family BBQ on the Saturday with my side of the family who were visiting my sis. It was perfect.

Today I had to work, but generally, I felt refreshed, happy and all around in a good mood because I feel so good after this weekend – hope this next real long weekend will be just as good.

An awesome summer day

Yesterday Toronto finally saw some sun – it was warm and lasted most of the day- and there was even some humidity.  As I wasn’t working, I decided to take advantage of the day.  In the morning, I went for a run with two of my classmate, A and K.  It was fun because we went though the ravine area near the Brickworks factory and it was nice and cool.  In the afternoon, I took myself to the beach, read my new book.  It was awesome to finally get another dose of sun!

Last night, M and I went searching for new bike shoes for him, then went to have some beers to celebrate Dave G’s birthday – totally worth it because it was really fun just to hang out.  I really am enjoying having time to just relax this summer.  It’s probably the best remedy against school stress there is!

Good news!

I came downstairs after writing my last post, only to discover that my long lost Timmie win seems to have fallen out of my jacket pocket and on to the floor near the door to my kitchen!  I have since added it to my little pile of wins – ok – it starts my little pile of potential wins, but it’s a start.

By the way, I’m now 1 in 6.

A change is in the air

Tomorrow the free world will change.  The very first African-American president will be inaugurated in the United States of America.  Although I may be be feeling the anticipation in the same way as many, I can definitely say I am excited that this change is on the horizon – well, even a little bit closer than the horizon.  I don’t yet know how things will change, but I just know that the U.S. won’t be the same after tomorrow.

God bless and God speed Barack Obama.

bad day/good day

Yesterday, I totally had a rotten afternoon. I go to leave for class, and I discover that my Metropass which is basically always in my jacket pocket was not there! I couldn’t get on the streetcar. Luckily the diver was super nice and let me get on the care without it so I could look – when I didn’t find it, she let me stay on and I go to school ok. But, I was of course super pissed about losing the pass 4 days before the end of the month! I don’t want to have to pay for tokens when I’ve already paid for the pass.

Crap.

Then I go to pay for my December Metropass, only to discover that my debit card had been canceled by the bank without anyone advising me. Seriously! I had to call them, get crusty and go in to get it replaced. It was canceled due to suspicious activity somewhere I used the card. Good to know – but thanks for not telling me that my card has been out for a week! GAH!

I can seriously say I was pissed when I got home!

Today, was better. I got to clinical, and was taking a moment to get out my frustration over the pass when my friend, B, said she found an extra one the night before and that I could have it! YESS! That made my day. Then after a decent clinical day, I headed to the gym, I rocked out the work out. That made it a so much better day too.

Word.

BT and me

YESS!

I made my mark on Toronto BT today.  Kevin Frankish asked us viewers to email in dating “dos” and “don’ts” for a first evening out together.  I have some good ideas on it so I emailed in saying:

DO – Think of something creative to do.  Like ice skating or seeing a ball game or a comedy show, rather than just dinner.

DON’T – Expect anyone to eat wings on a first date.  Seriously, that’s just mean, because most people don’t have enough comfort level to have a saucy face in front of a new crush.

Guess what?  I got read on air!  I was the first email they read, and they joked that because my name is Felicity that I must know everything about dating.  HA!

Really, I’m just super excited I got to hear my email read out.  :)

Extra day-off

This morning was day one of my new clinical placement in long term care. I was frustrated because most other people were allowed to sleep in and not have to show up until around 9:00. We had to be there at 7:00. And the most frustrating part is that I had to take the first train out of Broadview station to get there. GAH!

But guess what? It turned out for the best. We arrived around 6:30, met at 7:00 and because one of the girls didn’t bring her scrubs, we couldn’t spend much time orientating ourselves on the unit. We had a quick post-conference meeting, and we were out of there by 8:00. Excellent!

So, my new pal Shera and I decided to go for breakfast together near her place – a super fun greasy spoon type place on the Danforth, then I walked over to Broadview station and headed home. Now I’ve got the whole day to get some school and house work done.

I love spontaneous days-off.

Rock the Barack!

Like most people in Canada, I too have been following along the U.S. election for a long time now. I was watching the tv last night as CNN projected that Obama would be the next president.

Yess!

I wish him the best of luck, and God speed as he undoes the evil web that George W. Bush seems to have woven. But I also wish him grace and understanding to know that it will take a while to make all the changes that the world wants to see.

Either way, we’ve got hope for change!