The Countdown to a new Beginning, Begins

The view from my rooftop...not too shabby

One week. 7 days. 168 hours. I've spent 18 years living in a home with my parents, and in 7 short days, I'll be on my own. I'll be living an hour away, moving from a small town to a big city. So many changes are occurring over the next couple weeks, it's hard to pinpoint my exact feelings.
For my peers who are also moving out, it might be easier for whatever reason, whether they weren't always close with their family, or maybe they are just moving 10 minutes away. But for me, my family is tight. I mean, tight. Whether it's vacations in Europe or spur-of-the-moment weekend road trips, whether it's chilling in the living room for a Friday night movie or having serious argumentative debates around the kitchen table...we've always shared our experiences, stories and thoughts with each other. Now one thing is clear...me moving won't change any of this, it just might make it a tad harder. So even though I'm sad about leaving my family and nervous about having to actually do everything for myself (ha, what a concept), there is so much I am looking forward to as I move to Toronto.

Walking down the street, your senses are overwhelmed. There is so much to see, smell and hear, you are constantly occupied even if you are doing nothing. Each bike that passes you sings it's own tune as it hobbles over the street car tracks, just as the sound of the wheels on wagons in Costa Rica gave away the town it hailed from, from kilometers away. Whether it's the high pitched squeal of the breaks, the clunking of the chain or the ticking of the switching gears, the noises echo in the morning stillness of the bustling city as the residents rush their late tushies to work. A simple walk down the street is an adventure in and of itself.

Now I'm not just looking forward to living in a city that is alive with plans, schedules and routines; I'm looking forward to taking my independence by the horns and running with it. I know I am an extremely independent person, so I am not worried at all about living on my own. This summer, I've also been able to develop my responsibility and independence as I worked at a clothing & accessory store, Taya, full time, opening and closing and taking care of the store on my own for a number of days at a time. I loved it, and I know I'll love taking care of my own apartment, shared with my brother and his friend. This responsibility is going to reach new levels as I take on the University of Toronto...I am so ready for the challenge though, I've been looking forward to this for a long time!

The decorating has been ongoing for months now, planning my furniture and room layout. Making my room and the rest of the apartment my own is one of the most exciting parts of moving out, because it gives me a place where I feel at home and comfortable. I'll feel even more at home having my brother there...my family never seems to be too far away from me, and I like it that way.

So, the countdown begins... 3 more days of work, 1 week left in KW, and 2 more weeks of summer. Do the math, and the numbers show that my 'normal' is almost done. I'm trying not to focus on the things in my life that are going to be lost, but instead, what is going to be gained, because with everything negative, something positive will happen to counteract it. Sure, I may see my parents once every week or two weeks instead, but I'll put Skype to good use! All my friends may be going off to different Universities, but when we get together, we will have endless conversations that will keep us laughing even more than we already do. At the rate I'm going, I'm just going to take in the next week for all it's worth...breath slowly, laugh a lot, and spend time with the family. Change is always a good thing, because it inspires growth and learning. Here's to a year of learning lots of new things...from my Biology class, from the people I meet, how to find my own way around town and how to do my own laundry. Now, some things will be easy, and others won't, and I'm ready for the challenge!...Although I might just bring my laundry home on the weekends.

Me n' my mum

I'm going to visit my UW ladies all the time

Going to miss the crew <3

Summer Lovin'

Today, I came to the harsh realization that summer is coming to an end. Gone will be the days of green trees, coral colours, flowers and heat. Approaching us is the rain, chill, changing leaves and dramatic colours. This outfit is an ode to the joys of summer...Oh, how you will be missed.

Coral Dress- J.Crew
Flower scarf- J.Crew
Ring- Toronto boutique
Bracelet- Tiffany and Co.

Victoria

You Learn from the Best

I have never really been a baker, and have never claimed to be able to bake, but I have always wished I've had more time to explore this interest. With a 'surprise' day off before me, I decided to make hay while the sun shone and bake! What easier to start with than chocolate chip cookies from scratch. It was also perfect, because my Grandma was coming home...and my Grandma isn't just anyone...she is the world's greatest baker. No exaggeration...you just won't understand until you try one of her goodies. So, I was going to surprise her with cookies! I found a great recipe, and tweaked it a little, substituting some butterscotch chips for some chocolate chips, and was able to relax while mixing together a batch of sugary goodness. They were a hit for sure! As my Grandma put it, "If you can read, you can bake." ...Thank goodness for my literary skills!

But seriously, these are absolutely delicious...soft, chewy, chocolatey..........
....
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...oh, sorry, just had to go grab a cookie. A classic chocolate chip cookie recipe that will be sure to ruin that bathing-suit figure you worked so hard for...thank God for fall. Enjoy!


Here's the recipe courtesy of Apple a Day.

Some changes:
- Instead of a full cup of chocolate chips, I used about 3/4 and put 1/4 cup of butterscotch chips
- Baked for a couple extra minutes...I found 11-12 minutes was perfect depending on the size of the cookie
- I made smaller sized cookies, because I like to be able to just have a small one if I'm craving a cookie, and it ended up making almost 4 dozen.

Ingredients: 

3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened 

3/4 c. brown sugar 

1/4 c. granulated sugar 

1 egg 

2 tsp. vanilla extract 

2 c. all purpose flour 

2 tsp. cornstarch 

1 tsp. baking soda 

1/2 tsp. salt 

1 c. bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.

3.  Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.

4.  Using a standard-sized cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto a prepared baking sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges.  (The tops will not brown, but do NOT cook longer than ten minutes.)

5.  Let cool, on the sheet, on a wire rack for five minutes.  Remove from baking sheet and let cool completely.  Makes approximately 3 dozen.

Victoria

The Art of Getting by...Finding a 'Something'

Teacher: “George, you’re going to have to dig deep in there, to figure out what you want to say”George: “I don’t have anything to say”.Teacher: “FIND SOMETHING!”

I think that’s everyone’s challenge in life. Finding that one thing that speaks to you; that one thing that you feel passionate about; that one thing that sparks emotion in you. If everyone knew this one ‘thing’, we’d all be set. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.  Maybe this idea/person/cause/whatever, will inspire a single moment of expression, like a painting or story, or maybe it will inspire a lifetime of work. Unfortunately, this thing could take a lifetime to discover...or you could discover hundreds of these ‘things’ throughout your lifetime. Who knows. 

I guess I haven’t found my 'thing' yet...or maybe I have, but just don't recognize it. Either way, I feel the urge and need to find something that moves me, that makes me tick and drives me to say something about it. All I want, is to know what I want... Sounds weird, but is true. But at the same time, I guess it's the journey that will lead me to this discovery. Maybe the journey will shape it. Or maybe something random will trigger it. Maybe going into life sciences will shape my passion for medicine and health, or maybe taking a course in Anthropology will set suddenly off sparks in my mind. Maybe there will be one person along the way that changes everything. I guess the quest begins...

As for the movie, The Art of Getting by...I recommend this to anyone who loves a good rom-com. This movie has a story-line that actually makes you think, with characters that are unique, intellectual, and have normal problems. Two 18-year olds with distinct personalities living in New York city struggling with their future in college and their families, trying to figure out where they stand on the fine-line between friendship and relationship. With heart-tugging struggles, inspiringly warm happenstances between guy and girl, mixed with the comedic instances of everyday life, this movie is beyond relatable and very encouraging. I wish that someday, I will find a guy that is as weird, adorable, genuine, smart and charming as George (Freddie Highmore)...ah, that’s my ‘thing’! Freddie Highmore makes me want to scream from a rooftop...just kidding. Sorta.  

Victoria

A Capital City

Elegant, lively, historic and proud. Washington, DC is a city unlike many other. I only spent 5 days in the city, and I could have spent that 5 times over again! The Mall is a gorgeous landscape of green and white, as the bounty of trees frame the stark, elegant structures of the capitol building and the Washington monument. It seems that, day in and day out, the monuments and memorials stand, keeping and eye on all the tourists gawking at their beauty, tirelessly posing for thousands of photographs, yet never getting bored of sharing their story of hardships, patriotism and triumphs. It’s really mindboggling to stand at Abe Lincolns feet and look up into his massive eyes, feeling so small compared to this larger-than-life statue.

One of my favourite parts of the city was Georgetown! What a beautiful little town with great shopping and great food! We started the day off at Georgetown Cupcakes, home of the TLC show DC Cupcakes...and they did not disappoint! After purchasing 4 cupcakes, and actually being given 7, I had the red velvet...absolutely divine! Not too sweet and just moist enough. Georgetown also wins for one of the best compliments I’ve ever received. Walking down the street, a man stops and says, with great certainty and seriousness, “You look famous. Who are you?” I was quite flattered! We stopped for lunch at a great little French restaurant called La Madeleine Bakery Cafe. I had half turkey bistro sandwich and half a mushroom quiche... délicieux! The rest of the day was happily spent shopping and running for cover from the rain, a great refresher in the sweltering heat.

Of course, being in Washington DC, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go the Smithsonian exhibits. When in Rome, right? We got right down and touristy, seeing an Imax movie as well, about the disappearing coral reefs...actually quite fascinating! The Natural History Museum was interesting...but nothing special. It really showed us how lucky we are to have museums like the ROM in our own backyard, which is just as good, if not better. Disappointingly, the Smithsonian gears it’s information to the lowest common denominator; the general “tourist” who may not have any knowledge in the content they’re looking at. Which, for me, was all information that I have already learned just in highschool...goes to show it’s a little “dumbed down”. Also, my brother and I noticed right away it was a horribly set up museum...no flow or direction, just a bunch of content plopped down in a room. After spending 2 months in London, England roaming museums pretty much every day, we definitely noticed how much easier a good museum can be to navigate! I did get to discover the uncanny resemblance between my brother and Neanderthals, as well as examine injured skeletons up close in the forensic science exhibit.

All in all, Washington DC is a place that I would go back to in a heartbeat. The people are lively, the city is beautiful and the sites are plenty. There is a ton more things I’d like to explore and take pictures of. Maybe find some more little graffiti robots on the road...they are like the little rebellious teens getting up to no good in a city under constant watch by guys in dark shades and black ties. They’re kind of refreshing; edgy I guess...they just give the city, that’s always being watched, the tad bit of mystery that makes it unique.  

Victoria