New Years Eve – the most perfect time of the year to reflect and reminisce about the past year. 

Sorry I’m a little late with this post… but what sparked this topic was actually from a dinner I had with a couple of friends from University a couple weeks back.  One of them mentioned how much things have changed since work started and I think it’s true too.  But then again, with change also comes many countless memories that will make 2008 a year to be missed.

Here are my Top 5:

5. MESA – As much as I’ve moved on from the madness, there is something magical about being involved in this organization that will always be a part of me.  I hope I’ll be lucky enough to experience this type of togetherness in a team sometime in my life again!

4. Freedom of Travelling – Backpacking in Europe (esp with Belle) was an awesome experience.  Mmmm I miss those pastries and sleeping on the grass in front of the Tour Eiffel!  Oh yes, can’t forget about Vegas either; upgrading to a baller suite, watching cirque, clubbing at Palms… and all with awesome friends too! 

3. Having a summer (enough said) - The kicking-it-back lifestyle, aka sleeping in the AMs, waking up in the PMs and doing anything I wanted whenever. 

2. Volleyball 24/7 – Living and breathing volleyball (5x/wk court & beach) & of course Dream Team (:

1. Some awesome friends living in Toronto -  Above all, what I’ll miss most about 2008 is having some of my closest friends in Toronto (Jo, Car, and soon-to-be John) who has left (and will be leaving tomorrow) to pursue once in a lifetime experiences. I miss you all  ): … and know that 2009 won’t be the same without you… ): P.S. Come back soon.

And there we go, goodbye 2008 and cheers to 2009 - a new year with less swearing, more blogging, more savings, more championships, and the same most amazing friends ever.

People say that “a picture is worth a thousand words”. 

 

What do my pictures say to you?

On the Left: I see an insecure girl who wakes up every morning thinking, “when will I ever” be able to walk confidently outside without make-up and not care about what people think.  Guys can do it, they call it the “waking up look” but me, like many other girls could never.  Some of you may look at the two pictures and think, “you don’t look that different” but get real people, the picture is taken on my webcam and hence falsifies what I really look like when I wake up in the morning.

Regardless, it’s not that I think I’m really ugly (despite what you may or may not think), it’s become more of a routine than anything else and even more a part of who I am.  Without a mask on, I feel genuinely naked, insecure and scared of what the world has to offer me.  It’s a little dramatic, but that little bit of foundation, eye shadow, eye liner and mascara changes how I feel about myself and my superhero abilities.

Whether this is a result of media or not, I’m not going to blame them for making women “feel like they have to be skinny/have to be pretty”  – I think it’s more of a personal choice.

On the Right:  I am the confident woman staring right back at you, ready to fight crime and scrumbags all over the world.  (:

Every good superhero story has a moral to their story

No matter who you meet or how confident you think someone is, deep down we are all insecure about something (and that’s okay!).  As confident as the cockiest person you know is, they are probably wearing a costume to make them feel capable to face the world too. So the next time you feel insecure, just remember that you can borrow my eye liner anytime! (:

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If you’re wondering where the inspiration behind this post came from, it was a result of going out for lunch as Clarke Kent with my boyfriend this afternoon.  He tells me I’m beautiful but inside I’m still overly self-conscious without a cape on.

Sunday’s forecast: “Cloudy skies, windy with heavy rainfall in the afternoon and thunderstorms in the evening. Thanks Hurricane Ike”. Despite the crummy weather and possible 50cm of rain, my friend John and I were determined to play in the NSP Co-ed 2’s Beach Volleyball Tournament, rain or shine.  In fact, everyone the night before doubted we would be able to play but when I woke at 7:30am that morning… it was sunny and clear skies at least until the afternoon.  I wanted to play so desperately that it didn’t matter what anyone said; a cheesy analogy to the bigger picture, but an example of what passion truly means.

Over the past two years I have struggled to say the least with a dilemma between following my heart or following my head.  No, this is definitely not a love story (eww, haha) but a real one that I’m sure many have contemplated.  Over and over again, I weighed the pros and cons of whether being safe or risky was the better option and though I’ll never know in hindsight whether or not safe was good or bad, I know that taking this risk has been awesometastic!

Who said an accountant wouldn’t/couldn’t make it as a marketer? 

Well you’re wrong and eat your words.  It’s been a long journey of many doubts, hurdles, and insecurities but it’s finally a reality.  I did it, I made it, and (if all goes well, I’ll tell you I’ve conquered it too!)  In fact, having an analytical background brings a great foundation for success in marketing.  I think it’s naive and ignorant to believe that marketing is just a bunch of pretty pictures put together creatively with a quirky slogan – our schools, yes universities that students and parents throw 10,000s of dollars into, are definitely not teaching students what the real deal is.  Thank goodness for student associations, (at least the one I was once President of) who care enough to entertain the notion that marketing is much more.  Actually, it’s a real problem, Richard Boire, CMA Vice-Chair shares his thoughts about this major talent crunch issue (Read more).

Passion above all else speaks in many ways.  For me, declining a full-time offer from an established Big Four accounting firm to pursue an ambiguous career in what I was/am passionate about (marketing) is one of my biggest accomplishments to date.  Looking back, the hardest part was being worried that I would disappoint my parents or not being able to meet expextations that so many friends, professors, and mentors had for me.  And although I will never regret starting where I started and the path that it has led me through, it’s a huge relief now that I have the opportunity to prove to an amazing company (and to myself) that I can.

The V-I-B-E

Everyday we make decisions and sometimes (many times) things go wrong.  But I think if you’re truly passionate about something and are willing to work really hard for it, others will also feel your vibe too!  I know because I’ve been told that my vibe is passion meets bubbly, genuine, and confident.  What’s your vibe?

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So the next time someone tells you that you can’t do it, think again.  Seriously ask yourself how hard you are willing to fight for what you believe in – whether it be in yourself or in others – because I am a true believer and living proof that you can. It’s really not about making decisions impulsively because you’re “passionate” about something, it is however, about making a plan and committing yourself to smart decisions that will make you successful (i.e. use your brain too!). It also helps so much to surround yourself with supportive people that love you and believe in you (thank you) because without them its easy to be a quitter.

Passion “above all else” maybe a bit over-the-top but you get the jist!

It’s been over a month now since my return from Europe and yet almost everything here in Toronto has stayed the same.  Lucky for me though, I feel different (: – new perspectives, insights, and feelings about me, myself and I. On the other hand, I can’t say that my experience was ‘life altering’ either.  I think many graduates go to ‘find themselves’ but for me, the trip has only reassured me about the person that I am.

It’s a big world

I’ll admit it.  I do not know my world history, culture, or language.  Flying from country to country, visiting museum to museum, and (barely) speaking Franglais has confirmed that I am not a worldly individual.  There were so many instances where I would stand in front of a statue and wonder to myself, “what am I looking at?” only wishing that I had paid better attention back in highschool. *sigh*  Nevertheless, the culture was intriguing, and the architecture was stunning; things that were more memorable than any fact could ever be.

Tip: When in doubt, get an audio guide.  They cost on average 4-6 euros, but it’ll be worth it if you’re anything like me.

(Not so) Independent woman?

The answer is both.  Externally, I am an independent woman – I don’t need, I want it.  I don’t complain, I do it.  I don’t cry, I get over it.   But what meets the eye is not always true because at the end of the day I am a Type A that needs to be around people 24/7.

It’s not new information, but it became very evident during those three weeks.  It was nice to have someone to talk to all the time, someone to shop with, someone to laugh and share memories with….  I could never do it alone (without a purpose of course).  In fact, I wouldn’t want to as it would bring me no joy to have personal time half way around the world away from everyone I care about.   Ha, I guess you know you are a social butterfly when times like these remind me of quiet res nights when I would sit in Bran’s room (for no reason) while he played poker. lol

Tip:  If you can’t do it alone either just remember to be selective.  Go with someone who you bond with, trust me. (:

If I could it all over again… (shortlisted)

…I would bring a cellphone that worked!  My Blackberry Pearl failed me as I was only able to receive incoming calls and text messages.  Luckily I never got lost and pay phones and Internet access were somewhat readily available to us.

…I would bring more memory for the camera and a transfer cord.  For all those who complained that no pictures were ever uploaded, now you know why!  Belle and I had poor communication prior to packing regarding camera stuff so we only had a 2GB memory card for 3 weeks. lol

…I would plan our trip itinerary and make reservations earlier.  One of our biggest ‘omg’ moments was when we couldn’t use our Eurail Youth Passes to purchase train tickets from Paris to Nice.  And because we thought in advance reservations were not necessary, it costed us an extra $122!  Although it was worth it for Nice’s stony and sandy beaches, and Monte Carlo’s baller visit… it could have been used towards our shopping escapades!

In the end

Every story has an ending but I think this traveling one is far from over.  I don’t know where I’ll visit the next time I have vacation but what’s most interesting is that as I grow older I only realize that there is so much more to see, learn, and experience. (:  It only gets better from here, just wait and see…

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How about you?  How has your traveling experiences changed you, or what have you learned about yourself that you didn’t know before?

With the sun shining and the Mediterranean Sea surrounding us, sipping on sangrias (carbonated red wine mixed with fruit) by the beach has been the perfect way to end a backpacker’s journey around Europe.

The Magic Fountain

Although not as incredible as the Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas, the Magic Fountain in Plaza Espanya is an amazing centre piece for the city and brings hundreds (maybe even thousands) of tourists and locals together every Thursday to Sunday evening. The fountain is lit with bright colours and entertained by several songs throughout the night. At the background of the fountain is the National Museum of Art which has cascading waterfalls all the way down from the top of the hill. Luckily for us, we arrived in time on Sunday evening to catch the show! But after watching the grand fountain, it was obvious that Toronto seems to lack an attraction so simple but yet so appealing.

All it takes is a large projector screen…

Who knew that watching a movie outdoors on a mountain could be so entertaining! In fact, the experience was amazing and I could only wish that such culture could be brought back to Toronto. In Barcelona,they hold weekly Monday, Wednesday, and Friday screenings of movies on top of Mont Fujic and last night we watched Death Proof with a couple of travellers that we met on the Fat Tire Bike Tour. It was hilarious because the movie was played in English (with Spanish subtitles and we were the only ones laughing during the comedic parts! And although we had to walk up the mountain and back down again, (almost getting lost after the movie) being part of the culture was without a doubt worth every little bit it all!

Beach Bum (even in another country)

The beach here is beautiful and getting a full body massage while tanning for 10 Euros is even better! Not much to say about the beach except that I have gotten so dark that some of you will not recognize me. Belle likes to refer to me as her Indian friend, so be prepared to see a darker but hotter me (haha, I’m kidding)!

Over the past sixteen days of backpacking throughout Europe, I have made quite a few discoveries about myself. In fact, I have tested my tolerance and have learned a lot; both about myself and about different people, cultures, food, and so much more.

Unfortunately, you will have to stay tuned for that in-depth post upon my return to Toronto in a few days!