Oops...

Long time, no post. Wowzers.

So, 30 Day Challenge is still going but I have been SO BUSY with my final practicum that I haven't had time to focus on much else.  I forgot what it was like to work full time, I've been a student too long!

In the last week (or so) I've moved a dead body and rode on a virtual rollercoaster.  I plan to start my adventures again as soon as I have some spare time!

Hugs.

First day of my final practicum and it's amazing! I have no doubt that Nursing was the right career choice for me. I especially love the Palliative Care field because it epitomizes what Nursing should be: caring for people. You really get an opportunity to get to know the clients, and it's very humbling because they are in such a vulnerable state. My heart is filled with joy today.

In other news... it's partly sunny today- yay!

Day 11 & 12- Go to the Beach at Kalamalka Lake; Go See a Movie at a Theatre I Haven't Been To

Today has kind of been an off day.  It's been raining and gloomy for almost a week now and it's really throwing my mood off- I am the sunshine girl... I NEED SUNSHINE!

Also, today I got a wake up call from my mother.  As it sits right now I am completely broke.  I ran out of Student Loan money a month or two ago so my family have been giving me an "allowance" (if you will) to help me with rent and such until I graduate.  My program ends on August 19th and I have a national exam to write on September 14th.  Right now I am finishing up my last practicum which consists of me working 40hrs a week on a days/evenings rotation (ending Aug. 19th).  Anyways, I talked to my mom today and she said that I was on my own for rent after September.  I write my exam September 14th, so I am not sure how I am supposed to find a job and get my first pay cheque in just over two weeks to pay rent for October 1st...  I am going to try to find a part time job ASAP (anything just to save up some cash so I don't have to move back to Alberta- where I am from) but I am not sure who is going to work around my schedule when I am already working full time (and not getting paid for it, boo!)  I really don't want to move back to the town I just moved from, that place is honestly toxic for my soul.  I have really been considering Calgary because there is a A TON of work there, but I hate Calgary- haha.  Sigh, maybe I will learn to love it. I just wanted to also mention that I am very thankful for what my family has done for me, I am not trying to come off as a spoiled brat (I am the furthest thing from, trust me) but it's frustrating because the last place in the WORLD I want to go is looking like the place I am going to end up.  Boo.

For now I am going to try my best to find a job, save a bit of money, and do everything I can NOT to return to The Hat.

Now for the FUN STUFF! :)

Day 11- Go to a Beach on Kalamalka Lake

I live in Kelowna so most of my beach time is spent around the Okanagan Lake.  However, there is a gorgeous lake about 40 minutes away in Vernon called Kalamalka Lake and I have always wanted to check it out.  My friend Larissa ended up coming to Vernon for a visit so yesterday I drove out there and we went down to the beach.  The weather wasn't that great (rain, what else is new) but the beach is huge and gorgeous!

Kalamalka Lake, Vernon, BC

After the lake we did a bit of shopping and had a wonderful dinner.  When we were leaving the restaurant we were greeted with the most amazing "double rainbow"- the picture from my iPhone does not do it justice!

Day 12- Go See a Movie at a Theatre I Haven't Been To

Tonight I went and saw the final Harry Potter movie.  I really enjoyed it, and happend to watch is at the oldest theatre in Kelowna, the Paramount.  It's located right by the lake in downtown Kelowna, and from the outside it looks run down, but has a certain charm about it.  I've always wanted to go see a movie there because I had heard it housed the largest screen in Kelowna, and also had huge, comfortable seats.  Mission accomplished.



Myself and Lord Voldemort



Today

Today is sort of an off day. I need some sunshine and a hug.

Day 10 - Drive a Standard

I've had my license for 8 years and have never learned how to drive a standard.  It's been on my "to do" list for quite sometime now, and I am glad to say that I FINALLY DID IT!  My good pal Taisia has a lovely boyfriend named Joel and he offered to take me out and give me the run down.  We met at the empty mall parking lot and Joel moved over giving me the driver's seat.  Honestly, I was so NERVOUS!  I was sweating bombs, haha!

Joel said that I did really well for my first time driving a standard which made me happy.  I stalled it once at the very end but overall it was a success!  Now I know that if there was an emergency situation I would be able to drive any vehicle... which is what I wanted. Yay me!

Wearing My Heart On My... T-Shirt?

I love my new t-shirt.  The colour is great, and it's a nice, light material... perfect for summer.  Plus I dig the quote on it: "Can't Explain Love."  My only gripe is that because the material is so thin you can see my bra, but I guess I could layer a tank under it.  Anyways, I got it at American Eagle.  I don't usually shop there but they were having this crazy, super sale where almost everything in the store was marked down and then they had 35% off of the last ticketed price.  The shirt ended up being like $6- SCORE!  I know I will get a lot of wear out of it.

Day 8 & 9 - Eat Sea Salt Chocolate; Play "Things"

Day 8 - Eat Sea Salt Chocolate

It was 10pm and I was running short on time so I went to the grocery store down the street to hunt for some inspiration.  I was craving something sweet so I started scanning the snack foods and came across the Sea Salt Chocolate... I have never consumed Sea Salt Chocolate.  It was a $4 chocolate bar (gasp!) but I figured it would satisfy my need for a sinful treat.  It was delicious dark chocolate, but I couldn't really pick up on any saltiness.

Day 9- Play "Things"

Last night I went to a party and I really didn't know anyone there. Being in a group of 20+ strangers is a bit terrifying for me.  I am generally friendly and outgoing, and make friends easily, but when I have 20 people's names to remember, and 20 people to make small talk with I get a bit intimidated.  Thankfully I had a few Heineken before I got there and that took the edge off, haha.  I saw a group gathered around the kitchen table playing a board game.  Anyone who knows me know that I love board games, and I am slightly competitive, so I was all over that.  The game is called "Things" (or "The Game of Things" or "Things in a Box") and it is HILARIOUS!  You draw a card and it will say an awesome topic like "things your parents forgot to tell you" or "things you shouldn't do in the shower" then everyone (anonymously) writes their answer on a piece of paper.  The answers are then read out loud and you have to guess who said what, and are awarded points if you are correct.  It's the perfect party game, I totally want to purchase it!

Day 6 & 7- Climb a Mountain +Smoke Shisha; Drink Scotch

Day 6- Climb a Mountain + Smoke Shisha

I've never climbed an entire mountain from the bottom to the very top.  I have cheated before and drove halfway up to climb to the top, but I have never done the entire thing.

My friend Mark suggested that we go for a hike and climb Knox Mountain in Kelowna.  Knox is a popular place for both hikers and bikers and has trails that will cater to most people's fitness ability.  Mark is sort of an extremist, and also quite physically fit and active, so it didn't surprise me at all when he was taking me on trails where I was crawling up on my hands and knees trying my absolute best not to fall backwards and plummet to my death.  I was swearing at him.  I was dry heaving.  I was covered in dirt.  I was hating my life.  I believe that I was actually called a 'Diva'- haha. However, I kept pushing and eventually made it to the top.  It was one of the best feelings that I have felt in a long time.

So once Mark and I were at the top we strolled over to the kiosk to take a look at the view.  Sitting there was an unshaven, shaggy haired lad who was wearing a plaid Grateful Dead shirt, and reading a book.  After some small talk he unzipped his backpack and pulled out a hooka and asked us if we wanted to smoke shisha with him.  SCORE! Another thing that I have never done!  It was quite windy at the top of Knox, but we did manage to get it going, and the flavour was Coconut & Coca Cola- very random but quite delicious!

Day 7- Drink Scotch

Shelly, Moi, Jay

 I've never drank scotch, which is quite surprising because I have ( at one time or another ) consumed almost ever liquor under the sun.  To celebrate our last day of our acute care practicum, some classmates and I went to a local pub on the lake (Rose's) to enjoy some food and beverages.  I know nothing about Scotch, but ordered it anyways, and asked the server to bring me something popular.  She brought me Glenfiddich Special Reserve 12 Year.  Oh, and I got it on the rocks- I felt bad ass.




Having never consumed scotch before I didn't know a thing about it, and don't have anything to compare it to.  However, I thought it was OK and now I know that I can enjoy a glass of scotch when I go out with my faux-sophisticate friends.  Would I drink it everyday? 
Absolutely not.  Am I glad that I tired it? Definitely.

Brandi's Manifesto

1) The only thing that stays the same is change.  Try your best to roll with it.

2) Mistakes are important for growth, see them as a positive and learn from them.

3) If you need to cry, cry.  For me, holding back tears is the worst feeling in the world.

4) Sometimes running away from your problems isn't a bad thing.  Sometimes removing yourself from the environment that harboured the problem allows you to put things in perspective; running away does not make you weak.

5) We're all a little weird.

6) Always be open to trying new things.  As cliched as it sounds, variety really is the spice of life.

7) What you put out into the world you get back- pay it forward.

8) People are born. People die.

9) When first meeting people offer a firm handshake and make eye contact.  Always.  No exceptions.

10) Give second chances, but never thirds.

11) Be kind to yourself.

12) Be a good friend, be there for them when they really need you.

13) You are responsible for your own feelings, others are not.  You have a CHOICE in how you feel, so CHOOSE to feel good.

14) Spend money on experiences instead of possessions.  Objects get old, broken, lost... memories last forever.

15) Be the first person to say sorry, but don't say it unless you actually mean it.

16) If you wake up in the morning and say to yourself "today will be a good day," it will be a good day.

Day 5- Pull a Hemovac

Today during practicum at the hospital I got to do something I have never done before: Pull out a hemovac!

Hemovac: A catheter (drain) that is inserted into a surgical wound and is used to suction out fluids, such a blood. It can be inserted fairly deep into the body- the one I pulled out today was probably out 15"... Pretty exciting, I love getting the chance to utilize my skills at the hospital! It is probably one of the easiest things I have ever done, you just pull it in one fluid motion and then apply pressure to the place it's removed from (this will stop the bleeding) - here is what a hemovac looks like... so cool, haha!



















Photos Courtesy of http://bevnscott.blogspot.com

Day 4- Wear Hot Pink Lipstick

Although I have owned hot pink lipstick for some time I have never actually worn it. When I go out and get dressed up I always like to put more emphasis on my eyes, so I usually opt for a nude lip... Today I decided to bust out the hottest pink I owned and here is the result:

The colour is Fuchsia Fusion by Revlon and I bought it at Walmart for super-duper cheap.

I think I might like it.

Days 2 & 3- Take a Pic in a Bikini, Post It on Facebook + Drink a Whiskey Sour

Day Two: Take a Picture In a Bikini. Post it on Facebook.




So I decided to do something that I never, ever imagined that I would have the courage to do: take a picture of myself in a bikini and post it on Facebook for hundreds to see.

For some this may not seem like a big deal, but for me it is. For most of my life I have stuggled with self confidence at honestly believed that I was ugly and disgusting because I wasn't a size two. No matter what my friends or family said I felt repulsive.

That all changed about a year ago.

I don't know if it's because I am getting older, or just growing more comfortable in my skin, but I stopped obsessing. I stopped looking at myself in such a negative way and started to see myself as others did: smart, funny, kind, beautiful.

Now I know that I am not what society would consider as "sexy" but I feel sexy, and I feel good about myself. Sure some days I dislike my body and wish I had Beyonce's abs (damn!) but as soon as I start doing that I STOP MYSELF.

Self hate is NOT OK, and women are especially horrible to themselves. Posting this is taking everything I have in me, but I really want everyone to know that they are so much more than the size tag on their dress. Don't let society or ignorant people determine how you feel about yourself, please. You are amazing, you are beautiful.


Day 3: Drink a Whiskey Sour

I never drink whiskey, but this is my new favorite drink. Delicious!

Day 1 of The 30 Day Challenge- Paint a Picture

I've decided that I am going to take one some time off dating. Thinking back to the last 6 years of my life (ah, the early 20s- the glory years) I haven't spent much time alone. Maybe a month or two here or there but that's it. Pathetic, hey? I have gotten so used to being 'with' someone that I have horrible issues doing things by myself, awful!

Also, I've decided that I am going to do my own "30 Day Challenge." I feel like I am in a funk lately and really need to find a hobby so my plan is each day for the next month I am going to do one thing that I have never done before (or perhaps haven't done in a really long time)- just something outside of my normal routine... FUN!

Today, Friday July 8th, I decided to paint. After I was done my practicum shift at the hospital I came home with full intentions of taking a nap (I hate getting up at 5am, and by early afternoon I am totally beat). However, I spent so much of the last week sleeping (I was sick, and feeling sorry for myself) that I really didn't want to waste a Friday afternoon sleeping. I decided to paint. I haven't painted since I was about 14. I was never really great at it, but I did take Art in school for easy credits and remembered enjoying it. I drove over to Michael's and picked up my supplies. This is what I came up with:

So it's a tree.... with a quote by Keats. I am quite fond of Keats and have been since my high school English Literature class. Actually, I am quite fond of any of the poets from the Romantic era. Anyways...

I guess I am sort of proud of it, I mean I know it's off centre... and the font is sort of fucked up... but I did it. Also, my friend Jolene said that she wanted it to hang in her apartment and that sort of made me feel good. To be honest it probably just would have ended up in my storage bin, so knowing that she wants to put it up makes me happy.

So, that's what I did today: painted.

I enjoyed it but I can't see it being something I would do that often, my ADHD is far too bad to sit there and paint. That stupid picture took me HOURS and you'd never be able to tell...

On to day two tomorrow!

Fuck.