blossom.

Well...hey there Friday.

Spring has always been both my favourite and most hated season (and not just because of allergies).

When I was in university, it signalled the end of school and my structured routine.

Even when I was a kid, I loved having all my ducks in a row and knowing what each week looked like ahead of time. I hated change.

But there are little things I've always loved about spring - the extra couple hours of sunlight, rising temperatures and impromptu social gatherings which creep up more often.

Over the past year, my life has been completely flipped upside down, thrown around BUT actually landed right-side up.

Being my own boss and working with a plethora of different people (and in the social media forum itself) makes every week completely unpredictable. Heck, it makes every single day a challenge.

Throwing my sense of control out the window actually gave me the skills to create the life I wanted, not just what others thought it should be.

Talk about a spring awakening.

Maybe I'll look back at this time as the "spring" season of my life. Maybe not. Either way, I'm running with the transition and stopping to smell the the cherry blossoms along the way.

Just a thought. Have a great weekend!

teaching.

We all know this infamous  George Bernard Shaw quote, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

I don't hate a lot of things, but I strongly dislike this quote. I think it's too broad to be a universal opinion for teachers.

I think many of us can agree that we've had great and not-so fantastic teachers/professors growing up and throughout university.

There are many professions where at a certain age, your body physically cannot take on the demands of your career. As a dancer and morning newshound, people in both my fields have told me they are not sure how many more years their body can take it.

When these people physically can't, many turn to teaching. It's not a downgrade, they are are strong enough to change the course. They can, and will continue, just in a different direction.

leo.

"The way I define happiness is being the creator of your experience, 

choosing to take pleasure in what you have, right now, 

regardless of the circumstances, 

while being the best you that you can be."

— Leo Babauta 

I also just realized today that I am on the cusp of my blogette turning four years old! My oh my, how the time flies. 

Looking at my first few posts brought back a lot of memories of my first year of univeristy - I was in a completely different headspace and couldn't even fathom what the next few years of my life would be like. 

I was doubting everything, but for whatever reason, I stuck with my guy instinct. 

And here we are, four years later. Still infatuated with Toronto, but my scope, work and friend base has grown larger and more vibrant than I could have ever hoped. 

I'm happy to have this little corner of the web to chronicle my path. You've been good to me, blogette. Here's to the next chapter. 

september.

New month, new apartment, new view on things to come.

September always feels like a fresh start. For the last 18 years, this day has been the first day of school. I would always have my outfit laid out, bag packed, lunch ready to go.

Today, I'm running around between an audition, working handling the social feeds, setting up the apartment and tip toe-ing through the raindrops that thundered down on Toronto today.

I thought I would be more sad. Instead, I feel energized. I'm free to put my skills to work (which they are - thankfully) and go wherever I want, when I want, with whomever I want.

It's a cliche that's terrible, but the end of university has meant a whole new chapter of my life has started.

Lots of projects in the works and more to come on the journalism and dance front. Keep your eyes peeled to my Facbeook page, Twitter and blogette for the latest updates!

Thanks again for the support of my fantastic friends and family. By helping me stand on your shoulders, I have been able to reach new heights I would never have been able to touch before.

grad2012.

Two weeks ago, I graduated from Ryerson University's Bachelor of Journalism program.

There are so many opinions and judgements about graduation days, but I have to say that the entire process and aura of mine was magical.

The ceremony was personal, short and sweet and my hair looked awesome when I walked across the stage (clad in sparkly gold shoes of course!)

A few of my close friends who are now living far away came back for the ceremony, and there are definitely few things more special than a real reunion. I've been lucky to make some very dear friends while living in Toronto that I know I will have for the rest of my life.

Thank you to so many who have been my village supporting and helping me get through this phase.

I have some incredible opportunities coming up, and I wouldn't have made it this far without you.

Below are a few shots from the day by myself and some friends. Enjoy!

ryehigh.

Wowza this has been an absolutely insane week where I got to celebrate a couple of major milestones in my life.

I am so happy and pleased to have graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Journalism and will be working for the CTV Olympic bureau during the 2012 London Olympic Games.

What made it even sweeter? Finding out the day before graduation and getting celebrate all of our successes, hard work and the past four years in a jam-packed weekend. I would not have traded it for the world.

Pictures and more coming soon. I just got back into Toronto, wished my parents well at the train station and am back to the grind. But first, time for a good sleep tonight!

Thank you to so many for your well wishes, I appreciate them all!

grownup.

Today, my real, grown up, adult life begins.

Yesterday I turned in my final assignment for my undergraduate degree. I am done school until further notice. Quite possibly forever.

There are countless articles, discussions, tweets and Facebook statuses out there right now mimicking the "what should I do now?" and "I"m lost!" attitude of so many former students also in my position. For some, they are walking into entry-level positions in their fields. Others are jumping on a jet plane and seeing the world.

I feel like Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex and the City movie, where she's talking about her friends moving all over the place (literally and figuratively) but she's staying in the same place.

After moving around so much as a kid, university has been one of the only education experiences where I was in the same institution for the entire duration. As much as everyone as emotional leaving high school, I never was because I had not been there long enough.

Now, I have found my place and know that this is right.

My life has changed (for the better), it's here and I'm ready to take the next step into my career, experiences and more. So why worry? My philosophy is that things are going to play out the way they are meant to.

Someone once told me that life has gifts stored for us...they just don't all come at the same time. Be patient, but live each day like that's it. That may be the gift you bring to someone else.

Just a thought.

Also, my last segment aired this morning on Canada AM. Check it out here around the 12 minute mark.

alicia.

My crown of friends is full of sapphires, rubies, emeralds and diamonds. There's no rhinestone or faux-glitter around me. I genuinely have a fantastic group of ladies and gentlemen that I can count on no matter what.

Today, my darling roommate, journalism peer and friend moved back home to complete her internship in Vancouver. You don't find many people that click with you so well, and I can't even imagine what my university experience would have been like had we not moved in together.

Miss you already girl, all the best! Thanks for believing in me, helping me up when I tripped (literally and figuratively) and the nonstop giggles. I'll see you in B.C.!

blushing.

It's that time of year again.

I'm in the library way overdressed with a scattering of books and notes across my workstation in the hopes of getting a rough draft of my essay done before this evening.

Although I would rather be in several different places than here right now (including sweating the Pacific Ocean at my hot yoga studio) this work has gotta be done.

I find that during exam/study time my peers usually don the typical comfort look of sweats and a hoodie (and I don't blame them! For my friends in very difficult program, this is such a high time of stress). However, no matter how laid back you choose to dress for hours of study sessions, I think that doing your makeup is a really good thing during the exam period.

Think about it: even if you feel not dressed to your best, at least you still feel comfortable that you look gorgeous. And it can be easy, I promise.

1. Rose Silk blush by Covergirl is a universally flattering colour on any skin tone. Swipe across your cheekbones for a dewy and rosy glow. It's under $10 and has a light scent of roses, perfect for thinking and daydreaming of spring. (Shoppers).
- You can also put a touch of it on your eyelids too for a little sparkle.

2. Throw a little mascara on your lashes to open up your eyes - I use two types daily, but if you're in a rush, throw a coat on your top lashes only. This is a product that I really believe doesn't matter what your price point is, I've found some of the cheaper ones work even better than the more expensive wands.
Currently loving: One by One mascara by Maybelline (about $9)
Currently lusting for: Buxom Lash ($18)

3. Squirt on a few puffs of your favourite perfume and a swipe of chap stick.

4. Hair pulled back, and just for fun, tie a square scarf around to make a more interesting headband and keep your bangs out of your face.

5. Happy studying!