reminiscing

Going through my old posts is like going through a time capsule.  It's really interesting for me to read back and see what I am up to. It looks like I enjoy just writing down facts. Like what I ate today or what I did today. Things like - day to day life. I used to kind of think that was lame but I enjoy reading the mundane things that I used to do. Those are the things that you don't remember.

Today is Feb 9, 2018. I am currently in Year 3 of my field. I became a permy back in December 2016  - so it's been a over a year since I've been "stable".

How does it feel to finally reach the goals and dreams if my previous posts? Have all my dreams come true. I don't really think so.  I remember during my school days everything felt like a marathon but there was always scheduled things to look forward. For example, spring break, summer break, winter break, the end of exam period. Now it's just a constant flow of work and WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

I am at my proclaimed dream job of 2013. I remember back then how excited I was to get into school, job shadow and to actually get into the field. Let me tell you this field is still hard. So many different random things happen. Like dealing with difficult people, plethora of housing orders, boil water orders, water main breaks, the members of the public who verbally harass you. The stuff that that have a prescribed steps of action are fine but the PEOPLE. Wow, like dude they don't train you for that during school. You either sink or you swim. So the job can be really really rewarding at times when I can tell that I am helping out people. But it can be really stressful and demanding. You need to juggle 20 things at once and you know a few plates will fall. Professional life ain't easy. But I am doing my best.

Other things that happened is that I got married. Which is just the craziest thing when you really think about it. I was always excited about getting married. And I kind of had a vision of my perfect wedding. Did I have my perfect wedding. No I didn't have the perfect wedding. I am not a perfectionist so I am totally ok with that.    How did I go about wedding planning. Well let's say I did about 95% of the leg work. What did people tell me to do during my wedding: delegate. It is just hard to ask people to do things. It was hard to nag the hubs to get things done. It was really hard. So I just ended up doing most of it. If I was to do it over -  I would try to delegate things better. Really I would. Future brides: ask for help!
Really though - I just really felt really bad about asking people to help me do stuff for my wedding. But on  THE BIG day you really need a lot of help. I am so thankful for the people who lent a helping hand for me on that day and put things together. It turned out to be real good party and  I think most people had fun!

How is married life? I don't really know what to make of it. It kind of feels the same as when I was dating and living together.  Although the excitement of being with someone new and exciting is gone, what I appreciate is that I am content. And that I can do things as I please. And that I know that I have someone who loves me for me, and doesn't ask anything of me except to simply exist in his life.  When people say that relationship is a lot of work - boy is it a lot of work. A lot of leg work is required and we both know it. Communication is key. And compromise. But if you both love each other from the bottom of your heart, and work hard I think that it can be promising.  But I am optimistic. And in these things, I am someone who perseveres.

Pondering

It is strange looking at how long ago I last posted. So much in my life has changed, and I haven't even had the time to reflect on it!

Two years ago I was a completely different person than I am today.

It's June!

It's June! June 3rd, 2014.  It's almost crazy how fast time flies. To think, 10 months ago I moved out here in Edmonton. Only two more months and then I am done my academic program. A lot has changed since I moved out here. I made some huge life decisions this year, and I sincerely believe it is for the better.  I'm almost near the end of my last semester of school. I'm excited to finally be out of classes, but I really am scared for change.

School is super pretty stressful, but mostly because I feel so out of focus all the time. I'm feeling a little burnt out from the last couple semesters and it's honestly hard to try anymore. I need to keep going though.. just a little bit more..til I'm done.

One theme that we talked about in my health promotion class in school is the importance of happiness. Although the concept of happiness is easy, why must it be so hard to obtain? To be healthy is to be happy. I only wish happiness upon others,  but some things are beyond my circle of influence.

My parents are going through some stressful times back home and I know it affects their health. My dad had a serious bout of lung infection and was ill for several days. My mom worries me a lot too. It makes me so worried sick about my parents that they're going to leave the world early. I ponder about my life decision to come out here just to breathe a little, and further my education and work on my personal goals.  Maybe I'll have to go home sooner than I thought.

Winter Break 2013

I've been in Winnipeg since December 14th! It's my winter break now so I'm trying to take it easy. Being back in Winnipeg after being by myself (with roommates) is nice. To be honest I miss my family, but I miss being by myself and coordinating my own schedule. I hate working rides out with my family, and not having my own vehicle. Someday when I'm able finance my own car.. I am going to be so happy!!! For now.. I will have to suffer a little bit.

I've been doing a lot of job shadowing lately. I've met up with wonderful mentors and I appreciate the experience so much. Here's a list of what I've seen lately:

• interviewed a hoarding house landlord
• kitchen inspection (high priority) at a bar
• assisted living (children)
• served an order physically (however we require to send it via Registered Mail)
• kitchen inspection in a coffee house (reinspection)
• opening day-care resinspection
• tattoo parlour (inspection)
• assisted living (adults)
• bar/kitchen (for opening inspection approval)

Tomorrow I will be going to a food facility that packages food for major hospitals in the area with another inspector. I am pretty excited! Seriously, I have been learning a lot and gaining a lot of experience from going out job shadowing. It's exciting. I feel like I'm seeing everything through a different lense now that I'm 1/3 through school. 

For the tattoo inspection, I gave some recommendations about how the sterilized packages should be stored. I noticed they were not really stored properly because they were folded and stacked upon each other. In addition, I found that inspection was a bit frightening because the operator was angry about some bureaucracy issues. All in all, it was a great experience and I'd like to write some notes on it! I feel like this career path is definitely tough but I enjoy the challenge in my work. I realize that I need to be a lot more organized in the future in order to succeed in my field. I will definitely try and I WILL MAKE IT.

Currently I am sitting in the most awkward position possible at the Kenaston Safeway. The chairs are right beside this cashier so as people pay for their groceries, they get to stare at my face while I type away. Seriously. Who the hell designs this seating? I feel so uncomfortable but alas, I have no choice since i have nowhere to go right now. And, its -40 below outside. I'll just sit here and enjoy my overpriced Starbucks drink :)

Life in Edmonton & Completing a Second Degree

Hi everyone,

I haven't been able to update my blog very much. I guess I've lost touch with the blogging world. My last blog entry (which I reposted) are my goals after graduation that I had written near the end of my degree. Well I did graduate with a B.Sc in HNS!  Which is absolutely great. Here is a wonderful picture of me.



Afterwards I went to school at Concordia University College in AB for the Environmental Health After Degree Program. It was really nerve racking applying for school here but I got in! Now I am living in downtown Edmonton in an apartment. I started school on September 1st and so it has just been under two months living here.

Being away from home and being on my own (not really though, I have two roommates) has been a very different experience. I don't have my family to rely on. Things like food and transportation were things were things I relied on them for. Now I have to share groceries with my roommates and I either go with my roommate to school (Car pool) or take the bus to where I need to go. I feel like my life here is similar to my life at home in Headingley. I often spent time alone, studied at coffee shops, went to shoppers drug mart and did my own thing.

The major difference is that I don't have as many responsibilities to my family. I had to work at the family restaurant. I also don't have to experience the mental frustrations at home because of the restaurant. I no longer feel the guilt of not spending my time at the restaurant. I can be free and relax and not feel bad about it.  Another difference is that in Headingley, I did not have my own transportation and had to carpool home everyday. I had to collaborate with my family so that I would have a way home. Now I can just take the bus where I like. In that sense, I feel a lot more freedom here. Another difference is that I now cook dinner twice a week! It's not that bad, I actually enjoy cooking. I think at home I didn't give it much of a chance. I'm glad I get to experience that here.

My program here is definitely intense. I feel like I need to study and work even harder. I got a part time job in a vitamin supplement store which requires extra learning as well. I believe there is an online course which I need to complete within a month.

I never really thought I'd move away from home. Everything just happened suddenly. I just take it day by day. I miss my family and friends and of course my bf. But I know I'll be back soon, and that I am here to better myself as a person and learn as much as possible. I will be trying to update as much as possible. :) Welcome back to me blogging!!!!!! ^^^

Pondering life after university.

This a previous post that I'd like to share. It was probably near the beginning of second semester of my last year of my degree.

Life after university. Scares me. I don't know which path I'll take. Here are the options I've paved for myself:

1. Find work, Volunteer for a dietitian apply everywhere later
take a year off, volunteer for a dietitian then apply for internship everywhere
pros: I think this type of position fits my personality, its public health
cons: high cost of moving and living and doing an 8 month internship outside of the province, cannot be home for a year or so

2. Bachelor of Environmntal Health Degree
- apply for environmental health degree and pursue health inspection
pros: study in a new city, learn independence, obtain a job that is secure once you secure it, working in public health
cons: might be too stressful for my personality, high cost of living in another city, cannot be home for 15 months

3. Masters Degree in Community Nutrition
 complete a masters degree in community nutrition
pros: its at the uofm, pursuing more education is always a good thing, I can still complete my RD later

Cell phone company woes

My cell phone plan ends February 7, 2013. Not sure if I should stick with rogers because I pay $80 a month and I feel like I am being ripped off. I feel frustrated and don't want to deal with them. So when my plan ends, I want to make a wise decision to which carrier I want to stick with. I think I should write a wishlist on what I want my plan to have.

• text messaging
• picture messaging (preferred)
• voicemail, caller ID
• data for email & google maps
• minutes for calling (minimal because I don't really call)

If I can get this plan for 40-45 dollars a month, I'd be the happiest person in the world. I'd like to get a samsung note 2 if possible, but I feel if I got that, then I'd need a lot more data. I just need a phone that works and functions.