The last month of my life has literally been one of the worst that I have experienced. There's a little bit of back story that needs to go with this story.
In June 11, 2008, my Aunt Brenda was diagnosed with terminal cancer called adenocarcinoma. When they found it, the cancer had spread but they were unable to find the source of the cancer. The doctors gave her four to six months without palliative treatment and eight to ten months with palliative chemo. She decided to proceed with the chemo until she felt that her quality of life deteriorated.
On April 1, 2009, the Doctors said that she was cancer free. For those who are not familiar with cancer, being cancer free is different then remission. Remission means that there is an absence of active cancer and there is the possibility of it to return. Being cancer free means that there are no cancer cells and it is not expected to return. As you can imagine, we were over the moon excited about this. We believed it to be truly a miracle and thought that our worries were over.
The Winter of 2009, my Aunt fell ill again and went into the hospital. In February 2010, my mom told me that the cancer was back but was treatable. My aunt then went on chemo again and responded to it well.
InSeptember 2010, my Aunt got a blockage in her stomach. Upon going into the hospital, she was told that the cancer had spread to her abdomen. The cancer cells were creating a blockage that was not allowing food or drink to get to her stomach. The doctors said that they could put a stint in that would allow her to eat and drink again but the cancer would only create a further blockage. They also said that the cancer is untreatable. This was on September 14, 2010. For a week, she was getting nourishment from something called Saline Solution through an IV. They have since taken her off the IV and now gets her nourishment off of needles. As you can imagine, she cannot survive off of this for much longer. She is now in a Hospice where she will spend the reminder of her days.
To say that the last two and a half years have been a roller coaster for her and our family is an understatement. My Aunt has been so strong through all of this. While she is significantly weaker and sick beyond words, she continues to be strong for our family.
Seeing someone that I love in this kind of pain and suffering leaves me to question so many things in my life. One thing that I have not questioned is the bond of a family. Through all of this, I have seen my family come together and truly be there for each other. We are already a very close extended family and without each other to lean on, I don't think any of us would be able to get through this.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Change Your Mind ...
The average Generation Y'er changes their career 29 times throughout the course of their life. Maybe I am about to embark on that journey. I've been thinking a lot about what I want to do in life and what I want to accomplish. When I was a little girl and all throughout elementary and high school I've wanted to be a teacher. Then I went to University and at some point in my first year, I decided that I didn't want to do that anymore. I didn't really have any reasoning behind it - I said I didn't like kids but in reality, I love them. I also said that I didn't want to deal with the kids that have no desire to learn but I truly think that is where I would derive a lot of my passion. In reality, I think it's because I was afraid. I knew the competitiveness of getting into Teacher's College and I knew that I didn't have the greatest grades throughout high school and really did not think that I could do it.
Lately, I've been thinking about it. I've been thinking about how much I yearned to be a teacher and make a difference in children's lives. I always wanted to be that teacher that Mr. Tabone was to me. So influential and one of the reasons that I believed I could get into University.
I made a decision today after talking to my friend, Nicole. We sat down and talked about how difficult this year has been for me and how I need to make a radical change and do something that I want. I mentioned to her that I always wanted to be a teacher while I was growing up. Once I got past the whole wanting to be a vet so I could play with animals, it was always teaching that I wanted. She told me that she thinks I would be an amazing teacher, that I would be great for kids who struggle and kids who don't want to be there. That I won't put up with shit but I will make the learning fun. I started crying because I realized how badly I really want it.
I feel like I'm at this crossroads now. I really love the HR field. So do I apply for Teacher's College in Decemeber? Meaning it would put off a full time job for two more years? Meaning I would be 27 before I found full time employment? That's not even including the time I would put in as an Occasional Teacher. Do I want to put up with another year of shcool? Or do I suck it up and stick with the HR field? Stick with something that I will be content in. I mean, I may not even find full time employment in HR for another two years. It's already been over a year for me and I haven't found the right fit.
I told my mom today that if I don't have a FT HR position by December that I am going to apply. So we'll see what happens.
Lately, I've been thinking about it. I've been thinking about how much I yearned to be a teacher and make a difference in children's lives. I always wanted to be that teacher that Mr. Tabone was to me. So influential and one of the reasons that I believed I could get into University.
I made a decision today after talking to my friend, Nicole. We sat down and talked about how difficult this year has been for me and how I need to make a radical change and do something that I want. I mentioned to her that I always wanted to be a teacher while I was growing up. Once I got past the whole wanting to be a vet so I could play with animals, it was always teaching that I wanted. She told me that she thinks I would be an amazing teacher, that I would be great for kids who struggle and kids who don't want to be there. That I won't put up with shit but I will make the learning fun. I started crying because I realized how badly I really want it.
I feel like I'm at this crossroads now. I really love the HR field. So do I apply for Teacher's College in Decemeber? Meaning it would put off a full time job for two more years? Meaning I would be 27 before I found full time employment? That's not even including the time I would put in as an Occasional Teacher. Do I want to put up with another year of shcool? Or do I suck it up and stick with the HR field? Stick with something that I will be content in. I mean, I may not even find full time employment in HR for another two years. It's already been over a year for me and I haven't found the right fit.
I told my mom today that if I don't have a FT HR position by December that I am going to apply. So we'll see what happens.
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Politician In Me ...
When I was waiting to pick up my mom from St Joe's today, Jack Layton was doing a tour there. It was surprising to see him there so close to me. I could've easily walked up to him (through the media) and spoken to him. He seems approachable enough to be able to do that. It got me thinking about what I would like to see from our Government.
* More Resources for New Graduates - Upon graduating from my post-secondary education, I noticed there was a lack of resources for new graduates to find employment. Many of the people that I went to school with (in many different industries and professions) have struggled finding full-time employment in their specialty. Whether it is provided through the post-secondary institutions or through the government, there should be something more concrete in place to assist these students. We spends years and thousand of dollars to attend school and then struggle to find a well-paying job so we can begin our future.
* Better Healthcare - Yes, I am aware at the "wonders" of our Health Care System in Canada. That being said, I have never had to worry about healthcare as I had full benefits all throughout my education. However, what about the people that do not have insurance. Medications can cost hundreds of dollars. In fact, when I was still in school (and thus insured), I was on a medication that cost $110 each month. Thankfully, I did not have to pay this price because I was covered. However, what about those who are not covered. It's unfair to make people who already struggle to make ends meat pay for these kind of medications. I understand that there may be other venues that can be taken but I think they should be more widely publicized.
* Unemployment - I guess this one kind of goes hand in hand with New Graduate Assistance and in a way it does not. Has anyone else noticed that our unemployment rates went up again in July 2010? Granted, many of the full time jobs have been converted to part time jobs so it hasn't been a complete loss of jobs but there is still a hit. Something needs to be done about this. I understand that we're in a recession and we need the economy to bounce back but at this point, we're not going to get a band-aid fix. We need to do something that is going to help us in the long run so we don't see this again in the near future.
That being said, is anyone else aware at how difficult it is to get Unemployment Insurance? It's a headache and I've only just looked at the application. Yes, I am aware that the Government needs to be thorough. Yes, I am aware that there are restrictions and guidelines in place. But it's a pain - something needs to be done so people can easily apply for this. People who have lost their jobs are under enough stress and don't really need the additional stress of this application. Not to mention the waiting time is ridiculous. They say it takes up to twenty-eight days for it to go through, however, I have seen many people wait even longer than this timeline for theirs to be processed. In fact, I know one person who was approved and never received a payment. She was out of work for four months!
All of this being said, I am aware that there are probably gaps and biases in my opinions. I just think that the Government needs to change and it's time for that change.
* I will be the first person to admit that I am neither well-versed or experienced in politics in any shape or form. The opinions of this blog are that of my own and do not represent any specific political party.
* More Resources for New Graduates - Upon graduating from my post-secondary education, I noticed there was a lack of resources for new graduates to find employment. Many of the people that I went to school with (in many different industries and professions) have struggled finding full-time employment in their specialty. Whether it is provided through the post-secondary institutions or through the government, there should be something more concrete in place to assist these students. We spends years and thousand of dollars to attend school and then struggle to find a well-paying job so we can begin our future.
* Better Healthcare - Yes, I am aware at the "wonders" of our Health Care System in Canada. That being said, I have never had to worry about healthcare as I had full benefits all throughout my education. However, what about the people that do not have insurance. Medications can cost hundreds of dollars. In fact, when I was still in school (and thus insured), I was on a medication that cost $110 each month. Thankfully, I did not have to pay this price because I was covered. However, what about those who are not covered. It's unfair to make people who already struggle to make ends meat pay for these kind of medications. I understand that there may be other venues that can be taken but I think they should be more widely publicized.
* Unemployment - I guess this one kind of goes hand in hand with New Graduate Assistance and in a way it does not. Has anyone else noticed that our unemployment rates went up again in July 2010? Granted, many of the full time jobs have been converted to part time jobs so it hasn't been a complete loss of jobs but there is still a hit. Something needs to be done about this. I understand that we're in a recession and we need the economy to bounce back but at this point, we're not going to get a band-aid fix. We need to do something that is going to help us in the long run so we don't see this again in the near future.
That being said, is anyone else aware at how difficult it is to get Unemployment Insurance? It's a headache and I've only just looked at the application. Yes, I am aware that the Government needs to be thorough. Yes, I am aware that there are restrictions and guidelines in place. But it's a pain - something needs to be done so people can easily apply for this. People who have lost their jobs are under enough stress and don't really need the additional stress of this application. Not to mention the waiting time is ridiculous. They say it takes up to twenty-eight days for it to go through, however, I have seen many people wait even longer than this timeline for theirs to be processed. In fact, I know one person who was approved and never received a payment. She was out of work for four months!
All of this being said, I am aware that there are probably gaps and biases in my opinions. I just think that the Government needs to change and it's time for that change.
* I will be the first person to admit that I am neither well-versed or experienced in politics in any shape or form. The opinions of this blog are that of my own and do not represent any specific political party.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
A lil' Country
So it's been awhile since I've updated. I have even set this site on my bookmarks page to update regularly. I just don't seem to have much to blog about lately. Let me tell you about an artist that I recently fell in love with, Luke Bryan. He is a country artist from Georgia. He originally caught my eye with his song "Do I" and I knew that I had to listen to the rest of his music. I picked up "Doin' My Thing" and fell in love instantly.
Here's my favourite song from his album, Doin' My Thing.
Check out his site at http://www.lukebryan.com
Here's my favourite song from his album, Doin' My Thing.
Check out his site at http://www.lukebryan.com
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Eat Less according to Urban Outfitters
I've worked in retail for the last year in a women's store that caters to girls that are 14-16 years old. Many of the girls that come into the store are very tiny, of course, most of them are pre-puberty. In this age, they're also very influential. I can only imagine the store I used to work in carrying this "Eat Less" t-shirt and the uproar it would have caused with the girls that work there. However, in recent weeks, Urban Outfitters has released a shirt with the cursive writing "Eat Less." Sure, maybe Urban Outfitters caters to older girls, however, at any age women are extremely influential. Being a bigger girl, however, confident in the person that I am, this shirt makes me extremely disappointed in the fashion industry. I'm not completely sure on how many people it takes to approve a design but this design clearly went to an incompetent group of people. To know that between 5 and 10 million people in the USA suffer from some sort of eating disorder saddens me. However, to know that people are PROFITING on this sort of disorder is sickening.
From my understanding, Urban Outfitters has pulled this item from it's website after cries of outrage. I'm not sure if it is still available in stores.
My only hope is that people of all ages, shapes and sizes realize that each person is beautiful in their own individual way. We do not need to conform to the image Hollywood projects. Be healthy and happy!
xoxoxo,
SC
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Social Networking
In my opinion, social networking has far surpassed the "fad" status it was given when it first began. Of course, like anything in the world, it does have its advantages and disadvantages.
Obviously, it is much more convenient then anything we have ever experienced before. How many of us have completely planned a get together or event through Facebook? I know I have, many times.
Twitter, on the other hand, I still cannot grasp the purpose of. Are we supposed to obsessively update our daily happenings? Because I sure do. It's an addiction I cannot shake. I even update via text.
Myspace seems to have disappeared. I don't even know if it actually exists anymore. What was once the hip place seems to dissolve once Facebook entered the realm.
Tell me, what are your thoughts on these addictive sites?
Obviously, it is much more convenient then anything we have ever experienced before. How many of us have completely planned a get together or event through Facebook? I know I have, many times.
Twitter, on the other hand, I still cannot grasp the purpose of. Are we supposed to obsessively update our daily happenings? Because I sure do. It's an addiction I cannot shake. I even update via text.
Myspace seems to have disappeared. I don't even know if it actually exists anymore. What was once the hip place seems to dissolve once Facebook entered the realm.
Tell me, what are your thoughts on these addictive sites?
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Reality Television
I'm definitely guilty of falling into the reality television trap (Big Brother, anyone?). I love it and it's definitely a guilty pleasure of mine but can we really distinguish what is real and what is fake on these shows?
The series finale of the Hills summed this up perfectly. Cue tear jerker ending with a video montage of things that had happened seasons past. All of a sudden, we see Brody and Kristen leave the set leaving us with the question, was it all fake? Lo Bosworth assured us on her website, The Lo Down that is in fact real.
Recent magazine articles on this season's Bachlorette have left us wondering what the producers have fabricated and what wasn't. I mean c'mon, is Frank really that paranoid if he just left Ali for another woman? I don't think so.
I guess the beauty of something called "Reality Television" is that we need to realize that it is television. Television means Hollywood and we know nothing there is ever real.
The series finale of the Hills summed this up perfectly. Cue tear jerker ending with a video montage of things that had happened seasons past. All of a sudden, we see Brody and Kristen leave the set leaving us with the question, was it all fake? Lo Bosworth assured us on her website, The Lo Down that is in fact real.
Recent magazine articles on this season's Bachlorette have left us wondering what the producers have fabricated and what wasn't. I mean c'mon, is Frank really that paranoid if he just left Ali for another woman? I don't think so.
I guess the beauty of something called "Reality Television" is that we need to realize that it is television. Television means Hollywood and we know nothing there is ever real.
New Blog!
Well, I figured it was time for a blog that I can write about things that are not as personal about my LiveJournal. This will give me a little bit more freedom to write about anything and everything whereas my LJ is a spot where I write about the personal things in my life. This one will remain open for anyone to read and comment. Leave your thoughts and opinions for me to read, questions for me to answer and subjects you want me to touch on!
Can't wait to get started.
xoxo,
SC
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