AHHH!!! Has it already been a year since I woke up singing Taylor Swifts "I'm Feeling 22" 80 million times. I remember that day like it was yesterday. My amazing roommates and friends from High Level had planned brunch with our "crew". We then spent the afternoon laughing and having the BEST time! The good times continued into the evening as we hosted a fiesta party. I'm really glad to say that the year has stayed as amazing as that day! High Level was the greatest little adventure and I am so fortunate to have met and made wonderful friends.
I recently read an article discussing that in todays society we never express what we are grateful for. Reflecting on the past year I have way too much to be grateful for. Here are a few reasons I smile:
- First, and foremost, my family. My mom and dad are ALWAYS there for me. They always choose me and are the reason I have had the most amazing experiences in my short 23 years. I can't thank them enough for where I am today. I love them to pieces and miss them terribly! Our christmas vacation cannot come soon enough!!
- Secondly, my spectacular friends, from my hometown friends, Lethbridge friends, Europe friends, High Level friends to my now added Australian friends I couldn't be more grateful. Too many great times have been shared and I can't wait to spend another year making even more memories! Anytime I get homesick I can always use a memory to make me smile!
- Then of course there are the families who are like my second family! You all know who you are and I am VERY thankful for the consistent support over the years! I'm really lucky to have an "extended" family!
- The University of Queensland! I am very privileged to be attending one of the worlds' top university and Australia's best University for Speech-Language Pathology. From the greatest lecturers to the amazing 28 classmates I am the luckiest!
- My current roommate! She is honestly the greatest! It's nice to come home to someone who is not just a roommate but also a friend. P, alway listens, gives great advice and is always up for a good time! I look forward to many more years of friendship!
- My pets, Paws & Ditch! Even though Ditch may want to eat Paws I love both of them. They are both great cuddle buddies and always a guarenteed best friends! I'm so thankful my parents have thus far been able to keep Paws alive and that Ditch is slowly accepting another pet into the family! May he live through the next couple years! Secretly, I know my parents love having Paws, especially without us girls at home! Someone has to keep mom and dad on their toes!
- My semester abroad. I can't begin to describe what those few months in Australia did for me. I grew as a person and found lifelong friends. They are my adventure team and it has been so wonderful staying in contact with them even though we live thousands of miles and timezones apart.
- Technology!! Without it, I would not be able to stay as close to my family and friends around the world! To whoever invented Skype! I owe you a ton!!
- My vehicle back home in Canada! You forget how wonderful and privileged it is to have transportation! Relying on public transit is quite a change (and a good one for me) but I do miss my vehicle dearly.
- Growing up on a farm! Even though growing up all I wanted was to live in town, I now can't imagine growing up differently. I appreciate farming and the love that it brings to my family! Life on the farm has taught me many responsibilities and an appreciation for hard work and dedication!
- Growing up in a house that had rules and responsibilities. From those tough moments of hard love to those long [LONG] never ending chore lists! I am now grateful because I can take care of myself, cook and clean! What's that saying, "mothers always know best"...
- Suppers around a table. Growing up supper was always a family event and mom never let it slide. Supper was family time, EVERYONE sat down, ate together, no one answered the phone and technology was not to be brought to the table. It was time to listen about everyones day, good or bad, and you didn't leave until you were excused or everyone was finished. I am so grateful mom and dad held strong and kept these rules and that it still occurs when I go home. Its the little things that make all the difference.
- Running! Oh how running changed my life, my health and mental wellbeing. Running is my outlet, my comfort and my "me time". I look forward to challenging my half marathon time and creating new goals this year!
This is just a few of the things I have to be thankful for! I'm sure the list could go on forever! May the coming year be as amazing! Cheers to 23! Let the year and weekend festivities BEGIN!
I recently read an article discussing that in todays society we never express what we are grateful for. Reflecting on the past year I have way too much to be grateful for. Here are a few reasons I smile:
- First, and foremost, my family. My mom and dad are ALWAYS there for me. They always choose me and are the reason I have had the most amazing experiences in my short 23 years. I can't thank them enough for where I am today. I love them to pieces and miss them terribly! Our christmas vacation cannot come soon enough!!
- Secondly, my spectacular friends, from my hometown friends, Lethbridge friends, Europe friends, High Level friends to my now added Australian friends I couldn't be more grateful. Too many great times have been shared and I can't wait to spend another year making even more memories! Anytime I get homesick I can always use a memory to make me smile!
- Then of course there are the families who are like my second family! You all know who you are and I am VERY thankful for the consistent support over the years! I'm really lucky to have an "extended" family!
- The University of Queensland! I am very privileged to be attending one of the worlds' top university and Australia's best University for Speech-Language Pathology. From the greatest lecturers to the amazing 28 classmates I am the luckiest!
- My current roommate! She is honestly the greatest! It's nice to come home to someone who is not just a roommate but also a friend. P, alway listens, gives great advice and is always up for a good time! I look forward to many more years of friendship!
- My pets, Paws & Ditch! Even though Ditch may want to eat Paws I love both of them. They are both great cuddle buddies and always a guarenteed best friends! I'm so thankful my parents have thus far been able to keep Paws alive and that Ditch is slowly accepting another pet into the family! May he live through the next couple years! Secretly, I know my parents love having Paws, especially without us girls at home! Someone has to keep mom and dad on their toes!
- My semester abroad. I can't begin to describe what those few months in Australia did for me. I grew as a person and found lifelong friends. They are my adventure team and it has been so wonderful staying in contact with them even though we live thousands of miles and timezones apart.
- Technology!! Without it, I would not be able to stay as close to my family and friends around the world! To whoever invented Skype! I owe you a ton!!
- My vehicle back home in Canada! You forget how wonderful and privileged it is to have transportation! Relying on public transit is quite a change (and a good one for me) but I do miss my vehicle dearly.
- Growing up on a farm! Even though growing up all I wanted was to live in town, I now can't imagine growing up differently. I appreciate farming and the love that it brings to my family! Life on the farm has taught me many responsibilities and an appreciation for hard work and dedication!
- Growing up in a house that had rules and responsibilities. From those tough moments of hard love to those long [LONG] never ending chore lists! I am now grateful because I can take care of myself, cook and clean! What's that saying, "mothers always know best"...
- Suppers around a table. Growing up supper was always a family event and mom never let it slide. Supper was family time, EVERYONE sat down, ate together, no one answered the phone and technology was not to be brought to the table. It was time to listen about everyones day, good or bad, and you didn't leave until you were excused or everyone was finished. I am so grateful mom and dad held strong and kept these rules and that it still occurs when I go home. Its the little things that make all the difference.
- Running! Oh how running changed my life, my health and mental wellbeing. Running is my outlet, my comfort and my "me time". I look forward to challenging my half marathon time and creating new goals this year!
This is just a few of the things I have to be thankful for! I'm sure the list could go on forever! May the coming year be as amazing! Cheers to 23! Let the year and weekend festivities BEGIN!