carry.

My first day and first class of my day twelve year is one of those that completely changed my life. I remember what I was wearing (a nipped-waist blazer with a summery dress) where I was sitting and knew absolutely no one around me.

A man came into the classroom, scribbled his name on the board. "I'm Marzio Manderioli," his voice warm and kind, "But you can call me Mr. M."

Mr. M then proceeded to have us all interview a few people sitting around us. I remember most of them were in grades eleven and ten, and were either feisty or couldn't carry on a conversation.

What had I gotten myself into?

We were now supposed to all work together and create the school newspaper and keep track of the school news. We had to be dedicated, but not insane. We had to be aware, but also flies on the wall.

What had I gotten myself into?

Little did I know that week to come I would meet a few really important friends that I still have in my life (who are from all age demographics - friendship has no number), worked and created relationships with much more tech-savvy people that I to create Photoshop magazine covers we had never done before and changed what I wanted to do with my life.

Before it had all been about pursuing dance or history...but I applied to a journalism program because I couldn't let go that there is a world that could be as much fun, and challenge me as much as that hour and half class every other day did in high school.

Looking back on the past four years, I had no thought that I would do any of these things in 2008. It's good to slow down, look back, and carry on forward.

Just a thought.

Have a fantastic weekend! I'm looking forward to spending and entire day off - what a treat!

things.

Have you ever caught those little moments just by chance?

Drawing open my living room curtains this morning revealed a man in the parking lot across the street throwing bread crumbs for the bird.

Looking up after a loud sound in a coffee shop, I saw an old woman being pushed in a wheelchair down Front Street in Toronto. She was holding a little dog, and leaned over to give it a kiss.

In the line to pick up books from the library, someone got a text in front me and had their phone out obliviously far enough for people behind to read the "I love you" message.

When life gets busy, I try my hardest to remember those moments. Yes, this essay that I'm writing about Morocco is pivotal for my mark (and actually fun to research, believe it or not)...but the most important thing in the world are the small details of life.

Keeping that close to heart today.

oiled.

Over this last week and this past weekend, my life has felt like it was in overdrive and I was running a thousand miles per hour.

After changing our topic of our television documentary (long story, will explain later) and having someone steal my phone on Monday, it's been stressful to say the least. Mix that in with dancing for a group of people you don't know (and want to impress for auditions) and one is men ally and physically exhausted.

I keep telling myself that things could be so, so, so much worse. In the grand scheme, this is all cupcakes...none of my friends or family are sick, I don't have cancer or any bad illness, I have a roof over my head and food to eat.

Breathe Portia, just breathe.

The past 24 hours have been the most calm in relation to the rest of the week and really made me reflect on what I have and have experienced lately. Maybe when we have so much good in our lives, the hit of bad is really that much harder. However, we can't control everything.

I think I have finally learned how to let go and not let things get to me. I'm at a really happy place in my life where things are together and it's a well-oiled machine of routine and challenges. True, I didn't expect (or want) someone to steal my phone, but in the grand scheme, it's just a thing. I'm happy with the important stuff - being able to dance, work on an important journalism assignment, be with my girlfriends - those are the most valuable things to value above all.

After this nightcap I'm off to sweet dreams, this whirlwind weekend ended with my team and I hanging out at Canada's Wonderland shooting background footage for our documentary. Details and sneak peeks to come!

Happy Halloween and hope you get a chance to sport a costume tomorrow!

PS are you following McClung's Magazine on Twitter yet? (Psst we also have a new Facebook page...don't worry, I'm just doing my job!)