Reflection « la vie quotidienne

July 27, 2010

Awake and Dreaming

Absolutely the cutest video I’ve seen in a while Thanks @JessicaLo for sharing!

So much is changing, so fast. Finding it kind of crazy keeping up with everything but at the same time it’s what keeps me pumped and excited since everything feels so new, all the time. Sometimes I honestly feel like I’m awake and dreaming, as everyday there always seems to be some sort of news, something that I can’t believe is happening. Feeling incredibly lucky that I landed in a job that I love waking up to and looking forward to everyday. We just moved into a beautiful new space and I have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure it’s all really happening.

So excited to see what we can make of @ImpactOrg this year. It’s happening again. It’s as if someone has pushed the overdrive button sometime overnight. If we were to map out the level of productivity and sense of urgency shared between the team from this week compared to the past couple of weeks, the stats would be off the chart. Seeing so many young and talented students pouring their heart and soul into Impact makes me so proud of all the work that we are doing to further youth entrepreneurship in Canada. The best part of it all is discovering the true leaders that emerge from the tough times, seeing the ones who stick it out, and watching them grow. After 3 years of being on this incredible organization, I hope that my contributions this year will breed new leaders that will someday go on to do some amazing things, whether it’s starting their own start up (it’s already happening now!) or making a real difference somewhere in the world.

I think I was going through a mini quarter life crisis upon graduation and leaving university, thinking that it was all over and now two months later, I feel so silly to have even thought that. There is so much more to be looking forward to. Visiting Paris this October after a long two years after my exchange is going to be unbelievable. Friends buying houses, traveling across the world, marrying the ones they love most. There is so much more to learn, to experience and to enjoy. Can’t wait for what’s in store!

In the meantime.. I’m going to keep dreaming about Paris.

Till we meet again Paris.

June 23, 2010

So long, Waterloo!

After a month and a bit of settling back into Toronto and moving back for good, I spent the weekend in Waterloo celebrating convocation with many of my dear friends. I’m so proud of each and every single one of them. Even though it’s already been a while since I left, I don’t think it really hit me that I’m never moving back to Waterloo again as a student until I went back this weekend. Eating my favourite veggie pad thai at the Vegetarian Fast Food Restaurant, chilling at the girl’s house, partying it up at Caesar’s, post-clubbing food at Bubbletease and finally staying one night in Ron Eydt Village, my old residence just about did it. Not sure what came over me but Bubbletease brought back way long ago memories of everything that used to take place there. Dates, parties, celebrations, the old renovations, the people that I met there, everything. I’m not one to cry much but it hit me like a ton of bricks and once it started, it wouldn’t stop.

First Year. Oh blonde hair.

I feel so fortunate to have experienced all that I did in Waterloo. I’m sure everyone will say this about their own school but it became so quickly another home away from home. Moving away to a completely brand new city with no idea of what Waterloo even looked like when I had made my choice of picking the university for the next 5 years of my life, I entered into the school with a car full of my boxes and high hopes for the future. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.

Azn Pikniq. 10 years later & still going strong.

Over the last 5 years …. I learned how to cram all night before a midterm/exam and pass. I learned how to assemble IKEA furniture – comes with a lot of practice. I learned how to speak French fluently by studying and traveling in Paris, France. I learned how to make new friends quickly. I learned that some friendships are not meant to stay forever. I learned how to be independent, to a certain extent. I learned how important it was to get involved in extracurricular activities (special thanks to all those who made CASA & Impact possible). I learned how lucky I was to have surrounded myself with a strong support system - my girls. I learned how much effort maintaining friendships can be once you move away, but how rewarding it is when you do – my AznPikniq. 10 years and still going strong <3. I learned how to get over a death of a family member - RIP Grandpa. I learned how to move on from the death of one of my closest family members – we miss you everyday Mimi. I learned how to dance, and oh boy did we dance. Willy bounce & Ballin’! I learned how to be a leader. I learned how to work in a corporate environment. I learned about entrepreneurship. I learned how to direct a fashion show. I learned how to get over a broken heart. Most of all, I learned how to open my heart and love my friends, family, boys, coworkers.

My support system. <3

I would never give up the experience that I had living, studying, partying, laughing, crying, working in Waterloo for anything in the world. It will always be a part of me.

May 4, 2010

Welcome to White Castle

Finally back from NYC and settling back into living at home. In desperate need to do a massive clean out from all the hoarding I’ve done over the years. Now with my two rooms at Waterloo and at home combined, it’s hardly what you can call a healthy living space. Need to prepare myself for what will begin next week marking the beginning of a new chapter in my life; entering the workforce. Pretty excited about the upcoming opportunities that will come from this, and especially in doing what I love! The real test will be how I feel after the 4 month mark, when I realize I won’t be returning back to school and that this is the real deal. Crossing my fingers for the best!

As promised, I wanted to continue my highlights and recommendations from the rest of my oh so awesome NYC trip with some places that you really shouldn’t miss out on. Hopefully it’ll give a good ideas on places to visit when it comes time for you to visit the city that never sleeps.

PS. This is a picture heavy post. Please wait for them all to load!

Visit WhiteCastle. At least once, just for the experience of finally understanding what Harold and Kumar were craving for.

Walk along the Brooklyn Bridge. Watch out for crazy wind. Not recommended for the faint of heart.

Check out St. Mark’s Place. Kind of like NYC’s version of Toronto’s Kensington Market, lined with restaurants and boutiques.

Grab frozen yogourt at PinkBerry. $4 or $5 will get you 2 different types of flavours with unlimited toppings that can “fit comfortably” in the cup.

Must have Lombardi’s pizza. Famously known as America’s first pizzeria since 1905. Expect long waits.

Take a stroll through Central Park. This is its reservoir with a running track around it.

Grab a burger at the secret and hidden away Burger Joint. Can be found in lobby of Le Meridien hotel. Expect long lines as well at any time of the day.

Catch an elevator ride up to the Rockefeller Center. Breathtaking view of NYC on a gorgeous day.

A meal awesome for vegetarians and non-veggies alike. Seen here: Junior Maoz Falafels, Belgian fries w/ Sweet Potato Fries & Arnold Palmer iced tea

Ride the free ferry to Staten Island Ferry to see an awesome view of Manhattan’s skyline and Statue of Liberty.

“The Sphere”. This once stood in World Trade Center plaza and was damaged during 9/11 but was used as a temporary memorial site, representing the symbol of hope and indestructible spirit of the nation. Sent chills down my spine. So tragic.

The most delicious cupcakes ever at Magnolia Bakery. Yums!