BIG NEWS!!

Well folks, it is official… I BOUGHT A CAR!!

I am finally growing up a little bit. I was apprehensive to buy the car as I have had limited financial responsibility thus far in my life, and I had NO IDEA how to drive a standard. I decided to face these two fears and buy the car anyway.

Although I had never driven a standard, I was determined to drive the car off of the lot myself, and I did. I drove it all the way home, and didn’t make out too bad at all, everyone survived, and there is only a slight chance I gave my mom and I whiplash. I must admit I get very angry when I am not good at things, and it has been a rough couple of days learning how to drive, mind you yesterday I made it to soccer and back stall free. I did however have a slip-up on the way home from work, but I survived. This has been a huge learning curve for me, but it seems each day it is getting easier and easier, and everyday I am loving my car more and more.

I spent Sunday afternoon cleaning out my car, making it smell and look fresh, I changed my wipers, I put a lot of love into it and I was so very very proud of how it turned out… I woke up Monday morning to bird poop on my car, possibly karma for all of the times I have taken my parents car to MSVU and brought it back covered in bird poop. Nonetheless I was unimpressed.  I guess it is all part of owning a car; another part of owning a car is naming the car. Usually I would turn to my friends for help on a project like this, however this was a simple decision.

You might ask what I decided to name this car of mine, I must admit before I even picked the car up I had it named; Vonda. Vonda the Honda is a gem, and when it came to naming her there was only one option, I knew right away my new ride was a girl, and there is nothing like a rhyming name. Of course I could have gone with Ronda or Wonda but they would not have showcased my love for Ally McBeal. Figured I could name the car after Vonda Sheppard, the lady who lent her voice to the music of Ally.

I am looking forward to the many adventures Vonda and I will have, and I am certainly looking forward to the freedom of having my own car… I am not so much looking forward to the bills.  Although I am nervous I am hoping in the end it will all be worth it, as this is something I have wanted to do for such a longtime.

Family Day – My Therapy

Today, or I guess technically yesterday, was Easter. I must say I had a FANTASTIC day. My parents spoiled my sister and I, which is silly of them and not needed, although very much appreciated. After we broke into our baskets, saw the loot, and even snuck a few pieces of candy, we sat down to enjoy one of the best meals I have had this year. This alone would have been more than enough for me. However my lovely and amazing sister decided to hangout with us the rest of the day.

This day was the most beautiful weather we have had yet this year, it was close to twenty degrees, the sun was shining all day, I was beginning to forget what the sun was like. I don’t think anyone could have a bad day in whether like that.

My sister and I started our afternoon by listening to my favourite Jay-Z album, and trying out the un-decorated Penny Can for the first time. We discovered that we are not too great, however we are also not too bad. It was hilarious, and we had a blast with it, I can see it becoming my addiction this summer.

I then proceeded to pester my entire family about what they all wanted for their birthday, as birthday season in our household is fast approaching and I have an obsession with finding everyone the PERFECT gift. When I finally got bored of making lists, my sister and I moved on to watching a few episodes of Ally McBeal. I have officially gotten her hooked now as well. Furthermore watching it this afternoon with her made me want to start watching it from the beginning again. I might start it again when I find some spare time.

We ended our night off with a few hands of cribbage; Dad and I did not end up victorious. As usual we got out butts kicked; we ended up getting skunked!! I am not happy about this, and I am looking forward to redeeming myself in a re-match someday soon.

All in all today was a day I really needed. It was simple, it was carefree, it was full of laughs, and just what the doctor ordered for all of us. We all seemed to be going full tilt lately, we all seemed to be stressed, and I don’t remember the last time we had that much fun together in a while. Those are the days I really look forward to, I love my family, and I don’t know where I would be without them. It is nice to spend time with them and not have to worry about anything else, or anyone else. Everyday I spend with them I feel lucky, they make me a better person, the keep me honest, they keep me humble, and most importantly they keep me sane.

Oprah always preaches about being your best self, by doing what makes you happy, by being with people who make you better, by striving to be better, by living honestly, and most importantly by maintaining a positive outlook. I think it is days like today, far beyond other days, I am the best version of myself.

Today I was happy, I was comfortable, I may have been a goofball, but I felt re-energized. I felt ready to take on the world, I felt re-motivated. After a deflating week, I felt like I was myself again. I instantly had that drive and motivation for success again that I seemed to be lacking as of late. I talked in a recent post about the fact I seemed to be letting life happen, today I readied myself to change that. Today I started looking forward to tomorrow, and the many tomorrows I will face.  School is almost done, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I am most certain it is not a train, and I am looking forward to my future. I put more pressure on myself than anyone else does, of that I can be sure, and at times it is a huge asset to my successes, however can occasionally make things more challenging. Lately I feel I have been a little too hard on myself, and my family over the last week or so, unknowingly pulled me out of a rut I seem to have been stuck in for quite sometime.

Days like today seem to be my therapy.

Quote – Forgiveness

These words on forgiveness have been used by Oprah, and a variation of these words were actually used in an episode of Ally McBeal (one of my favourite shows) a number of years ago. In fact the episode of Ally McBeal was the first place I had heard these words. I really don’t think there is a perfect way to understand or define forgiveness, but these words help me to keep things in check.

Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different, it’s accepting the past for what it was and using this moment and this time to help yourself move forward.

– Oprah