A letter to my future self

Hi thirty-something Janet,

At this point in your life you are almost into your late thirties (34..maybe not that late). I hope you can look back be proud of the things you've accomplished and be proud that you've stayed true to yourself.

I know there are two directions you're life could have gone in, so let's play out both scenarios.

1) You are more than likely working as a special education teacher, if not as a guidance counselor. You know that everyday you see a child smile, and progress and you know that you are helping them, even if it's only in a small way. You might have kids, might be married. Maybe you eventually decided that it is something you wanted.

2) How is your life in France? You managed to survive the distance I see. How is Aurélien? Have you guys been to Ireland together finally? I'm glad this worked out for you. I can see that he makes you so happy and you've never regretted the decision to move. You have a stable job there, teaching English, working with translation. It's something you enjoy doing! Planning any trips back to Canada?

Janet mostly I hope that you have really grown into yourself. You've conquered that pesky anxiety, you don't get migraines anymore, you've put your faith in the friends that deserve it and that you're happy. Whatever continent that happens to be taking place on.

You only deserve happiness, everyone does!

Love,

twenty-something Janet

Get your vacation on

I don't think there has been one trip I've been on that I could consider the worst. If you aren't enjoying it then it really isn't a vacation at all!

While I did some travelling in europe, I guess none of them really count as "vacation", but they hold some of my greatest memories.

I have been reading all these posts and now all I want to do is book another trip somewhere. The closest place I'll be going is Halifax I imagine.

Anyway, I'm gonna go ahead and just post some pics of my favourite vacays!

Florida 2013

(oh the days of pajama wine)

Ottawa/Montreal 2011

(realizing i didn't really take any pictures of the cities.. sorry. spent most of the trip shopping and drinking and seeing Katy Perry.) 

Parliament Hill on Canada Day

And finally, Barcelona.

This picture pretty much sums up that trip:

It's not too bad to look at either.

I really hope none of you have bad vacation moments, but if you do, just take another one and you'll believe once again that vacations are just magical.

What I'm gonna be

I can't tell you how many times in my youth I changed my mind about my dream job. I don't think I really have ONE job in particular I would want to do because I get too bored to quickly to be doing the same thing everyday.

But my current dream jobs also vary. let's have a look shall we?


Beyoncé

Being queen Bey would be the best job in the entire world. I mean she can do no wrong. I feel like if you don't want to be Beyonce your life priorities are a bit out of wack. I'm just being honest.

I also wouldn't mind being a backup dancer. I have taken classes for about 16 years now, and it's so fun. While I'm not the best, I would be lying if I said I don't imagine myself dancing to choreography in my head when ma jam comes on. Likely to be walking down the street like this:

Back to the real world, I really want to do something that helps people. I used to want to be a teacher, but I think I could only be a special needs teacher for a guidance counselor. I want to do something that will let me the difference I'm making in people's lives everyday. I guess that's a good thing to aspire to.

But you know since I love eating and all, being a food critic, or a host of ANY show on the food network is the ideal place for me. Feed me and pay me at the same time? Two things that I love more than anything.

What do you wanna be when you grow up??