Midlife Crisis

Although I learnt in my psychology class that there is 'no such thing' as a midlife crisis, I still feel there are many sets of mini crises that hit you along the road of life.

I know...who am I to be talking? I’m young.

But that doesn’t mean that I haven’t made tough decisions, fought through emotional turmoil, and hell, I survived the teenage years. It’s just dawning on me that life likes to hit you with some crisis every once in a while, keeping us all on our toes.

Most of my friends are highly educated and, like me, still lost. Many are fighting to find a job that doesn’t consist of selling coffee, or ‘add on sales’, and I’m in the search with them. It reminds me of being on an excavation – you sift through layers of crap and every once in a while find a gem. You hold the gem, analyze the gem, and sit there in reverence. Who did it belong to? What was it used for? How could I be the one to study it? And then someone comes along and takes the gem away, and you continue sifting.

Job searching is similar: you sift through the many placements that you either 1. Don’t qualify for, 2. Don’t fit your schedule, 3. Are not within your interests, and occasionally find a posting for a job that you can see yourself doing, and potentially enjoying. You hold onto that figurative gem, studying it, analyzing it. Who will get this job? What will they be doing? What is the office like? How could I be that lucky person? And after a couple of months, that position is filled, and the search continues.

Don’t get me wrong – I am very content right now. I have signed up for a Professional Dog Training course and my High School science and math credits. I feel like life is moving forward at a terrifying pace. I am scared of the high standards they hold to pass the dog training course, as well as my inability to do science and math, but I know if I work hard, I will get through it. Still, I am watching my friends search, and I am tired of getting snide remarks from people who don’t understand that ‘just getting a job’ isn’t as easy as it sounds. We are too qualified for retail, but under qualified for the government. Recessions hurt. Especially for young graduates. So please take a moment to think about that judgement you are making and remember the qualities of the person you are judging. In all likelihood, they are trying, and frustrated, and just need your support. It is anything but lazyness.

So I’ve resigned myself to the idea of going back to school. It’s going to be an interesting ride, and an intense competition and I look forward to it.

So take that life. I have jumped that hurdle, avoided the bullet, and crawled my way under your mini crisis! Your move.

Awesome 4

When you drive up to the "always red" set of lights, and for the first time you can remember, it is green. Go car go! Awesome.

Awesome 3

When something you were hoping for doesn't go as planned, but later in the day something even better happens. Thank you life! That's just awesome.

Museum of Classical Antiquities

I was asked to write a short (250 words) thing about how my time at the Museum of Classical Antiquities (I spent 3 years there!) made a difference in my life. The current TA for the museum is organizing a fair to promote the Museum to schools and the University of Ottawa itself. So I thought it would be nice to also promote it here, on my blog. Here's what I wrote:

(Audrey giving a tour)


The three years I spent at the Museum of Classical Antiquities at the University of Ottawa gave me unique experience in my undergraduate degree that is unparalleled in most universities. I was able to handle artefacts, give tours in both official languages to school groups, and work with professors in a one-on-one setting. This experience was noted by both my dig director in Rome (Darius Aria of the American Institute for Roman Culture, Villa Delle Vignacce excavation) and the faculty at Newcastle University where I completed my Masters in Greek and Roman Archaeology. I credit my time at the Museum for my acceptance into each program, as well as my scholarship in the United Kingdom. The Museum helped me see the past in a way that most students don’t get to experience in Canada. My understanding of ancient cultures, and social history changed while volunteering there, and the practical experience I gained was invaluable to my future education. The Museum of Classical Antiquities provides unique opportunities for all students, whether looking for practice in communications and management, or the chance to handle an object made during the time of great empires. I loved my time at the Museum of Classical Antiquities, and I hope that many more students will become involved to bring their passion for the past to the future.

Awesome 2

When you think you are out of money and find 10$ in a secret compartment of your wallet. Awesome

That's Just Awesome!

For Christmas my Mom got each of her kids a book. Shane got something complex, Lisa received something about someone famous, and I got "The Book of Awesome".

It is the perfect bus book because each story is a maximum of three pages long. The author, Neil Pasricha, decided to write a blog and post little things that make life awesome. Some examples: wearing underwear just out of the dryer, intergenerational dancing, seeing a cop on the side of the road and realizing you're going the speed limit anyway,and high fiving babies.

The book is silly and fun, and teaches the reader to see the simplistic in a new way. So I thought it would be fun to write tiny posts of things that are "awesome".

My post for today: Seeing a group of cops enjoying a donut at Tim Hortons. Awesome.

10 things

When I was a kid going through what I perceived as a ‘rough time’ in my life, I used to write a daily list. The requirements? The list had to be 10 items long and always positive. Usually the list was about 10 positive things that happened that day, or 10 positive things I saw, or 10 wonderful smiles and gestures from friends. It didn’t matter, as long as it was focused on that day. The wonderful thing about this habit, which I maintained daily for about 3-4 years, is it taught me to consistently think in a certain, positive manner, even when life seemed negative. Eventually, I didn't need to write these lists to think positively about my life. And this mindset has carried with me and flourished in a way that no psychiatrist could mimic in treatments.

I love everything about life, even the things that depress me, because in some way they make me a better person. They push me to a new goal, throw me in uncomfortable situations, teach me about people and cultures, and make great stories. That’s why I see every ‘misadventure’ as an adventure. You never know where life will take you. Some things are easier to see in a positive way than others, but that's what keeps it challenging and rewarding.

In honour of this habit I had as a kid, I decided to write a list of 10 things I’m thankful for this birthday. Funny how birthdays always make you look back, even when life hasn’t been lived yet.

So here goes!

10 Things I`m Thankful for on my 24th Birthday

1.A family that loves and supports me and is functional in its dysfunctional way
2.A relationship that will last a lifetime with the man I love, who would throw himself into a puddle if only to prevent me from getting wet. And who, only yesterday, put a tiny plastic sword that skewered a cherry in a drink inside my boot so I would have a `boot knife` to protect me. So silly.
3.Friends that I can rely on and love dearly. Especially those that make me feel better about myself after each hangout
4.An education of my own choosing and that I loved
5.An outlook on life that is positive
6.The means and ability to continuously learn
7.A positive self image
8.Good health (except the genetic disasters, of course!)
9.A safe, welcoming and friendly neighbourhood
10.To have been born in Canada without many needs

Who knows? Maybe I’ll make this a yearly birthday list :) .

HELLO 2011!!!!!!!!!

I have a philosophy about each year. Well, not really a philosophy so much as a belief. You see, I’m the kind of person who favours even numbers. I don’t know why. It’s the same tick that makes me take 2 of everything when eating a snack, or compulsively clean certain areas. The wonderful part about loving even numbers is I’m born in an odd year. So with odd years like 2011, I will be turning 24, an even number. This ensures that each year begins with promise. Each year is wonderful in its complete, even state.

I’m excited about 2011. I am anticipating a lot of changes in my life. Hopefully a job, although not necessarily a full time one. Maybe even school. I can’t wait to see where it takes me, but I’m also not in a rush to get there. I’m here to enjoy the ride. One minute at a time.

I’m so excited to share these minutes with my family, friends, and Yan. I am beginning this year on a happy high that I intend to keep throughout the year.

My resolutions?
1. Continue looking on the bright side of life
2. Look for the silver lining
3. HUG whenever possible
4. STOP CANCELLING ON VAL! That’s a biggy :P

A bit ambiguous, and perhaps ill defined, but I think this makes the best resolutions. Especially in a year that will see a lot of change. My resolutions will evolve with that change to take on new meaning throughout the year. This prevents me from breaking them, but also ensures that I gain new understanding with each step I take.

So... I’m excited, I’m bouncy and I’m ready to see where this year takes me! It can only be good, because each year gets better and better.

LOVE AND HUGS TO EVERYONE!