Mwa ha ha ha!! It's been exactly one month, I believe, since my last post about "female stuff", so... I know some of you guys (literally guys) read on, even though I warned you, so maybe you'll take me seriously this time. =P I'm not going to talk about it nearly as much, or be quite so graphic, but yes, you have been warned. (I'm going to talk about other stuff afterwards, so feel free to skip ahead!)
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So yes, I've mentioned that this has been a year of bad firsts (my first 60-something on an essay, my first late essay), and that trend seems to have continued even into my period. I've never had cramps before, but today, along with the start of my period, I got them. They're not really serious, but they are pretty annoying. xP So that's all I'm going to say on that topic this month.
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In other news, our course calendars came out today, and next year looks like it's going to really suck! I need to take at least three English courses, and most of them are Monday, Wednesday, Friday courses, so no more long weekends!! =( On the bright side though, I think I'm going to be able to pull off my first ever 3-day schedule. AND, if I can get in, I'm planning on taking Intro to Czech (language)!!!! We don't have Swedish, so this is the next best thing!!! Unfortunately I can't, well, won't be continuing with Japanese because it conflicts with my English courses AND I'd have to come to school on Tuesday just for Japanese, and I don't really want to be doing that again.
What else? Oh, I got my tax return already!!! It seems like a lot of money when you're anticipating it, but now that I've transferred a good chunk to my savings account and have mentally subtracted my offering, it's not looking like a lot. ^^;; Steph has pretty much convinced me to buy only the Sakic All-Star jersey (if this was Japanese, I would've used shika for the "only"). I've got to admit, that about all I can afford anyway. I dont' want to be in dire financial straits again!!
Anyway, I said in the last post that my next list would be a list of blessings, so here we go!!! (It's going to be long! Oh, and they're not in any particular order either.)
- Steph living with us: It's just been so much fun this year! Plus she's been picking me up from Kipling and from the Go Train station after school, which has really helped to reduce my "dead time" waiting to come back home with my parents! Plus we have so much fun together!! ^_^
- my Sunday school class: I love my kids. They're so fun and bright! Even though they don't really discusss or answer questions when I teach, at least they're not rowdy or anything. Teaching them is a real joy.
- small group: Our topic this term has been money and giving, and it couldn't be more applicable or appropriate for me right now!! Just this past Monday we decided to put into practice what we've been learning, so we went out to Food Basic and bought a bunch of groceries to donate. I always love spending money, but it was especially satisfying that night.
- working at Scotia: The pay is good, the hours are flexible, and my coworkers are great! I couldn't ask for more from a part-time job!! As much as I'd love working for the ACC (Air Canada Centre) or HHOF (Hockey Hall of Fame), I'm 99% sure the experience wouldn't be nearly as relaxed as my job at the bank!
- parents: They've been really supportive of my hockey mania, even though they don't understand it. I mean, they paid for my flight to Vancouver and the games I watched there. And for Denver, they paid for the flight and hotel for Steph and I, and gave both of us spending money! (I paid for the game myself though). Also, they didn't complain too much about my shelling out $200 for the Avs @ Leafs game, even though I'm sure they didn't really think it was worth it.
- Nathan (my brother): I'm glad I've got to see a bit more of him this term than in past school terms! It was really fun when he came down for the weekend and ended up coming to the Roadrunners' game.
- car: Having free use of a car is just so convenient! I've really been quite spoiled in that respect--I've never really had to take the Mississauga Transit. And I don't even have to pay for my own gas, which is quite a big deal considering gas prices.
- classes with Prof. Arntzen: After next year she's leaving U of T, so I'm really fortunate that I was able to get into both of her half courses this year! She is such an amazing professor! I love her classes! Not just because the marks I've gotten in them are my only saving grace this year, but because I truly enjoy the material, and I really respect her as a professor.
- all the hockey games I've been able to go to this year: Last year I went to 1 game, this year I went to 5--only 2 of which were even in Toronto!! There're people who have been fans for all their lives (compared to my two years) who have never attended a game, so it's really a blessing that I've been able to see so many in such a short period of time!
- health: I've been pretty healthy this year, which is pretty amazing considering how many of my classmates were sick. And when I think about all the difficulties my mom's been having with her knees, I'm especially grateful that I'm able take myself wherever I want, at the speed I want, without any problems.
- friends: My friends at school have been really great. I've had to borrow notes SO many times, but they don't mind. Anna and Sam have been really sweet about letting me use their computers to complete my last minute English essays! I don't think I've appreciated it enough, but my church friends have really been solid for me in all the little things--asking how I'm doing with my essays, Sunday school, etc. , and commenting on my blogs and stuff. Oh, and I appreciate everyone humouring my hockey obsessiveness. I know it probably gets really boring, but they still put up with me.
- NHL Network: I really love the NHL Network!! It's great to know that I can always watch hockey related programming on tv whenever I feel like it! And it's the best thing for scores and highlights--SO convenient!
- hockey blogging gals! : Being in the pool with them has been a lot of fun this year! Plus I've been commenting more on their blogs, and they've been commenting more on mine, so I really feel like our friendships have been growing. ^_^
- L.: As always, she's been a constant source of love and encouragement for me. There have been so many "God things" in our relationship, whenver I think about it I just have to say a prayer of thanks to God for his amazing blessings in our friendship.
- HNIC Nights: Hockey's always more fun to watch with friends! Alex and Keith are our "regualrs". ^_^ Steph and I can always count on them to drop by and to stay for the late game! It's great! I can't wait until playoffs start!
- anime/manga industry growth: The industry's really grown since its Sailor Moon and Polémon days! There are so many titles licensed and available in English now that I thought would never be picked up! And the prices have been getting more and more reasonable!
Phew. Okay, I could go on much longer, but it's getting late, and I should be sleeping! ^_^