I've mentioned to you that D and I broke up in February. It was a really hard time for me since I was living with him, I was 27, I was supply teaching, and it seemed ALL my friends were getting married. UGH facebook can sometimes be a cruel thing to a single girl!!
I had plans to move in with my brother and those fell through and I was just down about life. I was living with my parents and decided I needed to be on my own but knew I could not afford a place on my variable income. What to do? Post an ad to kijiji of course! Kijiji is basically like a Canadian version of craigslist (although I've heard less creepy).
So 4 people replied to my ad. One was very nice man but then turned creepy...out!
A girl who was 19 and couldn't afford anything more than $400 all inclusive...impossible here...out!
Another girl who was my age and wanted out of her place since she didn't like the pets her roommates had, sounded perfect but she fell through....out!
A guy who was close in age, had a full-time job and was looking to move closer to his work, had great grammar...maybe?
This last guy and I started chatting through e-mails since I was working in Toronto for 2 weeks. He seemed very proactive in searching for a place but every time I came home during that time period he was too busy with family obligations to meet. Finally he found a place he loved and I checked it out separately and also fell in love with the place and we decided that we should probably meet once before signing a lease and moving in with one another.
We met up in a local coffee shop the day I came back from the city and we hit it off immediately, we quickly sipped our drinks and raced to the apartment to sign the lease with the landlords.
For the first month we had no cable or internet since we lived in a location that was difficult to get regular high speed internet. So what did we do? We hung out with each other!! I started dating another guy at this time but found myself ending dates quickly to go home to hang out with my ROOMMATE!!
People teased me about dating my roommate and I was adamant that I would NEVER! However over the course of a couple of months he totally won my heart with canoe rides, bon fires, chasing waterfalls, roasting smores, movie nights, road trips, BBQ cooking, and making me laugh every day until I cried.
He admitted to me that he had a bit of a crush on me and I said the same to him and we started dating in June. I've never experienced happiness this way with anyone else, and I am pretty sure he feels the same. It's just...awesome.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Counting Change
I have been saving up my change for 2 summers working at a restaurant.
I try to get rid of a lot of my change while at work because honestly I prefer the bills (especially the red and brown ones), but I do accumulate quite a bit of change as well. I bought a change jar and have been filling it up with "snowflakes" as Jolie says and calculates monthly.
After buying two bags of coin rollers and trading a few with my parents I was able to roll $1026 in change! I had planned on using that jar money toward a vacation one day and I think that is exactly where it will go! Already starting to add to the jar again!
I try to get rid of a lot of my change while at work because honestly I prefer the bills (especially the red and brown ones), but I do accumulate quite a bit of change as well. I bought a change jar and have been filling it up with "snowflakes" as Jolie says and calculates monthly.
After buying two bags of coin rollers and trading a few with my parents I was able to roll $1026 in change! I had planned on using that jar money toward a vacation one day and I think that is exactly where it will go! Already starting to add to the jar again!
Monday, November 25, 2013
Off Track
I've gone off track in my tracking of spending....I was doing SO good until March of this year. Then I quit blogging and quit tracking...December I NEED to get back on board.
Where is my money going? I have a general idea since my spending habits are pretty much never changing, BUT it's nice to know how much you've been saving and exactly where you are spending your money. So new years resolution starting a month early, I WILL track my spending again.
Ugh December is the month I SPEND the most, but things can only get better from there right? Christmas is only 30 days away according to EVERYONE on facebook. I have only MOSTLY completed one gift so far. More on that soon...
How is your Christmas shopping going? Any ideas on what to get for boys in their mid-twenties that don't really need anything?
Where is my money going? I have a general idea since my spending habits are pretty much never changing, BUT it's nice to know how much you've been saving and exactly where you are spending your money. So new years resolution starting a month early, I WILL track my spending again.
Ugh December is the month I SPEND the most, but things can only get better from there right? Christmas is only 30 days away according to EVERYONE on facebook. I have only MOSTLY completed one gift so far. More on that soon...
How is your Christmas shopping going? Any ideas on what to get for boys in their mid-twenties that don't really need anything?
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Oh just the last NINE months
I can't believe it's been NINE months since I last posted.
What's happened in 9 months? Well D and I broke up. I broke up with him just a couple days after my last post. I told him I was not happy with our relationship and he promised he would make it better. I just wanted to hang out with him more, for him to want to spend time with me. However the very next day he decided to sleep the day away, not do anything around the house (he was unemployed at the time) and I was done. It was so hard because I was really in love with him but I knew that I deserved better than that.
I moved in with my parents and went on a trip to Florida with them. Florida was absolutely amazing! We went for about three weeks and although the weather was awful I had such a nice time. I became closer with my parents and brother by going and spent a lot of time with them. I met a few new friends from the States while there too. Went swimming, saw Winter (a dolphin with a prosthetic tail), went out a lot, spent time reading and just relaxing. When I returned I started looking for a new roommate and put an ad on kijiji (more on that soon). Found an awesome place and an awesome roommate!
Now...I have a new apartment that I LOVE, friends that I LOVE, a path toward a career that I LOVE, A new boyfriend (since the beginning of summer) that I haven't actually said those little words to yet but are just about BURSTING out of me. Life is good :)
Now...I have a new apartment that I LOVE, friends that I LOVE, a path toward a career that I LOVE, A new boyfriend (since the beginning of summer) that I haven't actually said those little words to yet but are just about BURSTING out of me. Life is good :)
Monday, February 18, 2013
Vacation!
My parents have been going to the same place in Florida for the past 4 years or so. They took us kids when I was in grade 12, and I haven't been back since. They wanted to go with another couple this year and none of their friends could take time off. So they asked us kids! I said I would be interested, D said it's too much for him. It will be so weird not seeing him for over two weeks since we live together!
So my brother said he would come. My youngest brother has a new girlfriend who I think is great but he has really changed since getting together with her, and especially moving in with her. Unfortunately NOT for the better. Without getting into details, he has really made my life difficult in the past couple of months just by not thinking of how his actions will effect others (typical boy) and thinking only of himself. But he has also decided to come. I'm sure it will be fine, we have always been pretty close.
I am excited for the trip. We leave March 15, and come back April 2nd! My brother is coming back earlier. We have no plans and we are in a fairly low-key part of Florida on the gulf coast. I was really hoping to do one scuba diving trip but haven't been able to find anything near where we are staying. Hopefully I can find something once we get there! I watched the movie "Dolphin Tale" this weekend since we will be staying close to Clearwater, which is where the dolphin Winter is kept. My mom has said she is interested in seeing that aquarium.
I reimbursed my parents for the flight ($580) and gave them extra money ($500) for the condo they are renting. My dad did not want to accept it since he had mentioned he would be paying for it but I insisted. I will help them with groceries and travel once we get there as well.
Less than a month now!
So my brother said he would come. My youngest brother has a new girlfriend who I think is great but he has really changed since getting together with her, and especially moving in with her. Unfortunately NOT for the better. Without getting into details, he has really made my life difficult in the past couple of months just by not thinking of how his actions will effect others (typical boy) and thinking only of himself. But he has also decided to come. I'm sure it will be fine, we have always been pretty close.
I am excited for the trip. We leave March 15, and come back April 2nd! My brother is coming back earlier. We have no plans and we are in a fairly low-key part of Florida on the gulf coast. I was really hoping to do one scuba diving trip but haven't been able to find anything near where we are staying. Hopefully I can find something once we get there! I watched the movie "Dolphin Tale" this weekend since we will be staying close to Clearwater, which is where the dolphin Winter is kept. My mom has said she is interested in seeing that aquarium.
I reimbursed my parents for the flight ($580) and gave them extra money ($500) for the condo they are renting. My dad did not want to accept it since he had mentioned he would be paying for it but I insisted. I will help them with groceries and travel once we get there as well.
Less than a month now!
Friday, February 8, 2013
She's Baaaackkk!
I'm still around. I've been reading your blogs and keeping up-to-date with you! Let's get to the updates!
December was great. Finished all my Christmas shopping on time, I think everyone really enjoyed their gifts this year too. I was underbudget with the Christmas shopping too! We had so many Christmases to attend this year, but it's always nice to see family. One of my good friends had her baby just before Christmas and I recently was able to complete and send off a baby quilt, and matching taggie I made.
New years was spent watching The Trews with some friends in the city. Such a great Canadian band.
I received my passing mark for my latest ASL class in January. I've decided to forego the weekend ASL trip I have done for the past two years, but will likely sign up for it next winter. Instead I signed up for a photography class for the end of February. It was originally $229, on for $39 with a living social deal. It looks pretty good, and I'll get to learn some new tricks for using my camera on manual.
Yesterday I had my trial date for the accident I was in last June. I was incredibly nervous, and D came for moral support. We showed up early and were filed into the courtroom with about 20 other people. Signed in, and I was called up third. My friend (whose car I crashed into) did not show up (she didn't even receive the subpoena) so the case was dismissed entirely! Wooooohooooo!!! That saved me $490 in fine, 6 demerit points, and A LOT of insurance money! That friend is getting a good birthday gift this year!
For Christmas my parents got me a blender (I asked for it), so I've been making blended drinks a lot lately. So good! I love trying different variations, even adding spinach to some. I also have been making it out to the gym fairly regularly since the beginning of January. I got two months for $60 on a wagjag online. I am actually enjoying going to the gym now.
We had THREE snow days and a PA day last week. I was supposed to work this morning too but it ended up being another snow day. I found out once I got to the school since the job was never cancelled (supposed to cancel it before 7:30am) and no one was answering the phone at the school. Frustrating!
I've been doing respite work 2-3 days each week. The kids are pretty good, they get in silly sibling arguments sometimes but they are nice kids. Last night, the oldest kid (a 12 year old boy) taught me how to KNIT! He knows all about it, the terms for the stitches and needles. This is a kid that can hardly focus on anything other than videogames for more than 5 minutes, and he was knitting! I was very impressed, kids are always full of surprises!
December was great. Finished all my Christmas shopping on time, I think everyone really enjoyed their gifts this year too. I was underbudget with the Christmas shopping too! We had so many Christmases to attend this year, but it's always nice to see family. One of my good friends had her baby just before Christmas and I recently was able to complete and send off a baby quilt, and matching taggie I made.
New years was spent watching The Trews with some friends in the city. Such a great Canadian band.
I received my passing mark for my latest ASL class in January. I've decided to forego the weekend ASL trip I have done for the past two years, but will likely sign up for it next winter. Instead I signed up for a photography class for the end of February. It was originally $229, on for $39 with a living social deal. It looks pretty good, and I'll get to learn some new tricks for using my camera on manual.
Yesterday I had my trial date for the accident I was in last June. I was incredibly nervous, and D came for moral support. We showed up early and were filed into the courtroom with about 20 other people. Signed in, and I was called up third. My friend (whose car I crashed into) did not show up (she didn't even receive the subpoena) so the case was dismissed entirely! Wooooohooooo!!! That saved me $490 in fine, 6 demerit points, and A LOT of insurance money! That friend is getting a good birthday gift this year!
For Christmas my parents got me a blender (I asked for it), so I've been making blended drinks a lot lately. So good! I love trying different variations, even adding spinach to some. I also have been making it out to the gym fairly regularly since the beginning of January. I got two months for $60 on a wagjag online. I am actually enjoying going to the gym now.
We had THREE snow days and a PA day last week. I was supposed to work this morning too but it ended up being another snow day. I found out once I got to the school since the job was never cancelled (supposed to cancel it before 7:30am) and no one was answering the phone at the school. Frustrating!
I've been doing respite work 2-3 days each week. The kids are pretty good, they get in silly sibling arguments sometimes but they are nice kids. Last night, the oldest kid (a 12 year old boy) taught me how to KNIT! He knows all about it, the terms for the stitches and needles. This is a kid that can hardly focus on anything other than videogames for more than 5 minutes, and he was knitting! I was very impressed, kids are always full of surprises!
Monday, December 3, 2012
December this and that
It's December!! One more month until 2013!!
November was a pretty fast month, I felt really busy. Teaching a number of days. I was accepted onto our school board's LTO list. They are trying to make it more fair. I am terrible at interviews and felt I did awful but somehow I passed!! I am number 270 on the list...ugh.
I accepted a respite job in town. Three kids, one has some pretty major health issues, I go a couple of times a week bi-weekly. It's not a lot of income but it's something! The kids are pretty good too so I don't mind at all.
Today I applied for a new passport. My pictures are AWFUL. Does anyone ever look good in their passport photos?? Ah but they said it should be back in 2-5 weeks. My mom asked me if I was interested in joining her and my dad on a Florida trip this year, perhaps with my brother. I could end up doing that so I will now at least have the option with a passport.
I finished my final exam for my American Sign Language course. I think I did fairly well. After the exams we went out for a drink and appetizers and chatted. It was so nice. The teacher was good friends with my grandpa as well and told several stories about him. I miss him a lot but it's nice that people remember him.
I made a BIG purchase for myself recently. On cyber Monday I bought a DSLR camera. It's a Canon Rebel T4i. I have never used a digital SLR so it will take some time to learn. I'm excited about it though. I ordered it through Best Buy (It was over $500 off) and I STILL have not received it, according to my tracking it hasn't even been sent! I would like to learn how to do a few things before Christmas so I hope it comes soon!!!
I went to a Christmas party at my university roommate's house this weekend. I did a TON of baking for it!!! Gingerbread men (wearing ugly Christmas sweaters), snowman cupcakes, Grinch cookies, marshmallow butterscotch squares, peanut butter blossoms in red and green, Christmas rice krispy squares, Christmas brownies, and candycane bark. It all went over well at the party and I have a lot of leftovers I've been giving out to family and friends.
At the Christmas party I got the new T-Swift CD, a couple of books, a hoodie, a beer mug haha, chocolates and a candle.
Yesterday was my best friend's birthday. She came over and we went out for dinner and ate Christmas treats. Today she called me and told me that she was given T-Swift concert tickets for June in Toronto from her boyfriend and wants to take me! AHHHH I've never been to a concert that big, I am sooo excited!! I'll have to do something nice for her BF. So cool!!!
November was a pretty fast month, I felt really busy. Teaching a number of days. I was accepted onto our school board's LTO list. They are trying to make it more fair. I am terrible at interviews and felt I did awful but somehow I passed!! I am number 270 on the list...ugh.
I accepted a respite job in town. Three kids, one has some pretty major health issues, I go a couple of times a week bi-weekly. It's not a lot of income but it's something! The kids are pretty good too so I don't mind at all.
Today I applied for a new passport. My pictures are AWFUL. Does anyone ever look good in their passport photos?? Ah but they said it should be back in 2-5 weeks. My mom asked me if I was interested in joining her and my dad on a Florida trip this year, perhaps with my brother. I could end up doing that so I will now at least have the option with a passport.
I finished my final exam for my American Sign Language course. I think I did fairly well. After the exams we went out for a drink and appetizers and chatted. It was so nice. The teacher was good friends with my grandpa as well and told several stories about him. I miss him a lot but it's nice that people remember him.
I made a BIG purchase for myself recently. On cyber Monday I bought a DSLR camera. It's a Canon Rebel T4i. I have never used a digital SLR so it will take some time to learn. I'm excited about it though. I ordered it through Best Buy (It was over $500 off) and I STILL have not received it, according to my tracking it hasn't even been sent! I would like to learn how to do a few things before Christmas so I hope it comes soon!!!
I went to a Christmas party at my university roommate's house this weekend. I did a TON of baking for it!!! Gingerbread men (wearing ugly Christmas sweaters), snowman cupcakes, Grinch cookies, marshmallow butterscotch squares, peanut butter blossoms in red and green, Christmas rice krispy squares, Christmas brownies, and candycane bark. It all went over well at the party and I have a lot of leftovers I've been giving out to family and friends.
At the Christmas party I got the new T-Swift CD, a couple of books, a hoodie, a beer mug haha, chocolates and a candle.
Yesterday was my best friend's birthday. She came over and we went out for dinner and ate Christmas treats. Today she called me and told me that she was given T-Swift concert tickets for June in Toronto from her boyfriend and wants to take me! AHHHH I've never been to a concert that big, I am sooo excited!! I'll have to do something nice for her BF. So cool!!!
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