The magic of a vacation

I know that it has been almost two weeks since I've been back from Cuba, but I feel that now is a good time to bring up the whole thing and how greatful I am that it happened.

On March 6th, 7 friends (James, Melissa, Alex, Katlynne,Rob, Kate & Jenia) and I headed to Cayo Coco, Cuba for the first time. Not knowing what to expect, we made sure to do our research before departing and brought a medicine cabinet full of cures for a tummy ache. That being said, we needed none of it and the week went smoother than smooth. We spent a week at the Iberostar Daiquiri where we became friends with the staff- the chefs, the receptionists and the bartenders (who soaked us with alcohol all week.) We lazed by the pool, only to get up to apply sunscreen, take a dip in the water and eat at the buffet. For a week, this place became our home away from home, making it harder to leave on the last day. We did everything together, and getting back to reality where we had to live our separate lives was a challenge once we were back in Montreal and had to split up at the airport.

It amazes me how spending one week with the same group of people can make a friendship grow stronger. You learn so much about one another.

The days we spent lying on the beach, with the sand in our toes and our skin soaking in the sun. The pina colada and strawberry daiquiri orders. The endless buffet: pineapple juice & potato balls. The shows and our sexy-walk. The discotheque and dancing with cupid. The random movies and cartoons. Waking everyone up in the morning. Eating coconut by the pool. The walks on the beach finding shells & topless women. The quote book. Getting dressed up every night for dinner. The sandy remains in our beach bags. Pilar Beach (Paradise <3). The Iberostar staff & Star Friends. Speaking spanish. Laughing uncontrollably. The drama night that made us closer. The slow internet connection. The expensive phone call home. The crummy courtesy room. The last night that wasn't supposed to happen. The airport and flight home. The souvenirs from the vendors. The starfish, sand dollars and sea cucumber/penis. The beach chairs. The smell of the ocean breeze. The nights on the balcony. Stolen wine & cuban cigars. Rum & coke?. Sun stroke. Sun burn. Aloe Vera. Pictures. Drawing hearts in the sand. Cuba 2009 <3

Squeaky swings and tall grass
The longest shadows ever cast
The water's warm and children swim
And we frolicked about in our summer skin

Ever since this trip, I have been keeping in touch with everyone more than ever before. Last night we went to Dairy Queen (for the first time this season) and the gang gave me an amazing card to congratulate me on my acceptance to John Molson School of Business at Concordia. I am so incredibly thankful to have them all in my life and I don't know where I'd be today without them keeping a smile on my face. Already last night we were talking about planning our next trip, and I am already excited to see where life takes us next. Until then, we will always have the memories that this trip has brought us...

Click HERE to confirm University Application...

It's so offical, it intimidates me... but I did it. I just finished the online part of my university applications to Concordia and McGill. I must say that I felt like Santa Claus "making a list and checking it twice", as I revised my application OVER and over, but it's done. Now I just have to wait and see if I got in... Oh the fear of the unknown, what a powerful thing.

There is no better feeling than laughter

After a difficult couple of days of losing my iPod, and one of my favorite coworkers and being alone once again on Valentine's day, I had a good night on MSN with my best friends. It's amazing how such a crazy bunch of people can mesh so well together. From our idiotic jokes to our inabiity to type, we've got it all! Hahaha

Anyway, I'm off to bed! I'm working at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning and I couldn't be dreading the sound of my alarm clock more.

On the bright side, I am heading to Jenia's tomorrow night to celebrate! We're going to be having a romantic single "ladies" dinner. As always, should be a good time!

In the meantime, here is a hilarious video (thanks Jenia)! Seems like I've started a collection of Ellen videos on this blog. What can I say, she makes me smile!

Hahahaha

This made my morning. Gotta love not having school just so I can watch Ellen at 10am

Chapters: For me, like a day at the spa

I am always amazed how going to Chapters manages to put me in a good mood. I bought three new books today, and I can't wait to read them!
- The Chocolate Lovers' Club by Carole Matthews
- Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup
- The Gatecrasher by Madeleine Wickham (who is surprisingly Sophie Kinsella. I had no idea that that was her pen name)

I spent a good two hours just walking around and I didn't even look at the books on the second floor, hahaha! I love going there so much and I envy Melissa for having such an awesome job!

I then continued my adventure to a health food store to buy some tea. I know that sounds ridiculous but it's good tea and I can only find it there. Despite my relaxing Chapters trip which ended with a Mezzo Moka Frappacchino, this errand ended with me getting frustrated with the cashier not doing her job properly. I dunno but customer service seems like such an easy concept to me, but somehow people just can't grasp the idea of acting in a humane way with the public!

I also made a pitstop at Walmart to see if they have received any summer clothes for the trip. I found a couple of things, tried them on, got discouraged and left. Although I have lost 7 pounds since my last post, I still have some work to do.

Live, I want to live inspired.

Never have I been the skinny kid. I've always had the chubby thighs, the love handles, the ghetto-fabulous toosh, the jiggly arms...I've always hated every little bit of my body and I think this has a lot to do with my overall confidence in life when it comes to looking nice, caring about how I look and relationships (definitely).

I've tried diets, and none of them have worked. I've tried going to the gym before and nope that didn't work either. I think I've finally pinpointed the problem though... It's fine and dandy to try and eat the right foods and combine that with excercise but if you don't have your mind in a place where you are determined to lose weight, you never will. My optimistic attitude is starting to kick in (slowly but surely) and I am determined this time around to make changes.

With my Cuba trip coming up, I know that I am going to look like a beached whale on the sandy beaches, but I don't care. As long as I start losing weight before the trip and I keep working towards my goals after the trip, I'm okay with that.

I went to the gym with James today and I had forgotten what the muscle pain felt like after a work out... I love it.

I've got my life in the palm of my hands and it's up to me to take it and live it to the best of my ability or throw it away and continue living like an over 200lbs slob. I'm clenching on it tight this time, and I am not going to let my dreams slip away. I'm going to work hard, push away temptation and most importantly be happier with myself.

I'll be updating this more often and logging my progress too, and I promise... This time, it's going to happen!

Cuba, here we come!

Wow.
8 days into the new year, and already I have a vacation lined up. We booked our seats today for a vacation to Cuba in March, I couldn't be happier. I mean, it'll be more than perfect to lie on the beach with a good book and drink in hand, but it'll be even more amazing to be with my best friends. It has been over 3 years that I have been trying to organize a vacation and finally, and I've done it! We're going to eight people, relaxing in paradise and I couldn't be more excited!

Here are some pictures of our upcoming vacation hot-spot:




En plus...
Anberlin concert on Tuesday! Life is good...