Trip to CANADA!

First of all, that trip was AWESOME!! Although my primary reason was my cousin's birthday I took all the chances I had to freaking enjoy my trip.

So instead of flying up to Canada, I only did up to Buffalo, NY. It was too expensive and plus it is only 2 hours to drive and might as well enjoy the joyride. I had my first plane landed at Detroit, and I realize that they are one hour advance than where I lived. Shoot. I looked at the local time and it is 1:10, my flight was at 1:50. Great, I saw where my next flight and it was all the way to the other side of the airport. I ran and ran, I felt really hot since I did not consider taking off my jacket and my scarf. Well it was honestly a big airport, although Chicago is bigger. Anyway I made it like 5 minutes before boarding time, phew...

On my second plane I got a window seat (woohoo!). All the fun started when my plane landed. I can see flurries coming down already. I looked at the sky and according to my instinct of midwest weather, there is a high chance this is gonna be bad. By the time I got to meet my cousin, we were waiting for my luggage. Guess what? My luggage was 2 hours late! That was the worst start. So we talk to the airline representative and she said the earliest it can arrive would be the tomorrow maybe around lunch time. Great, no clothes for the night and probably the whole day. So my adventure got more interesting... Snow storm.

As you can see, it is considered zero visibility and it just got worst. My cousin's GPS took as all the way to the back roads and it was really bad. We were so glad my cousin just changed his tires to winter, if not I am probably holding my chair really bad. 

When we finally re-routed and got to the highways it was getting better until we reached the place where there were no traces of snow falling down.

Throughout the trip I dozed off a lot, especially after we got through the border. It was a long drive, I thought, then we hit Toronto traffic. Wow, I've never been to that kind of traffic. I wish I took photo of it :/.
I crashed after I got to my aunt's house. I was so tired and still feel the pressure on my ear. My other cousin pick me up early in the morning to start my adventure throughout Toronto. The city looks like any other city but for me, it is more diverse. It was a cold day, my cousin keeps on telling me temperature using Celsius and I have to convert it Fahrenheit to have an idea how cold it is exactly. 

Part of Toronto that looks like Time Square.

CN Tower

Toronto is a big city and considering it was too cold to walk outside, my cousin bought day passes. It was the best idea. I did went outside to see the CN tower, which is btw very pretty with the lights on during night time. We didn't really went inside though.

We met with another cousin for lunch and they let me choose whatever I want. So on the picture was all our food. We made it a family style :) I was so full until like 11PM.

We were supposed to go to the Museum but my cousin decided to go to the Aquarium first. Either or was fine with me. Anyway, this aquarium is huge and pretty. I wish I have a better camera than my phone. The aquariums they have are big and could really see different kinds of fishes. I also love how I can be lazy and just chill while walking under the tunnels. Oh and I touched a "kabuto" like crab, I forgot what it's called but it was sick!. I thought it would be slimy like a others but no, until I discovered it is a crab species lol.

We went straight to the museum afterwards and I've learned some interesting things about Canada, like why they use a maple leaf for their flags.
The museum does not only contain history things but also some interesting field, like minerals. I've never seen one of this before and it was really cool. I saw the names I only saw on the periodic table. They also have a place for precious minerals turned to very expensive, like diamonds. Ooh, I saw a lighter and a compact mirror made with gold. I honestly thought to myself who would want to use that. I mean, really, you are only asking to be rob by someone when you use that out in public. We got home and cousin said he received quite few phone calls and text messages from people. I told him how popular he was, but he said "actually you are," which basically means, my relatives were looking for or asking. We went to my uncle's house afterwards and ate super late dinner. I also met my other cousins who I haven't seen in years, and other cousins who went to the states last summer. It was quite a crowd. It was actually funny how we only have few boys here in the US but up in Canada, we're only few in numbers...
The next day was bummer. We planned to go to the mall but it was ruined by the freaking winter storm. My aunt just decided to went to this other mall and got few things. She bought me a new boots, cause my feet was killing me because of my boots, and a pretty chiffon dress. We got home like an hour before we are scheduled to leave for the party. The snow was still falling like crazy and we expected probably only few people are coming. We left like 2 hours before the party to give us enough time, but we were still 30 minutes late because we got lost. My aunt was worried because she was suppose to lead the prayer. Yet, as expected there were only few people and the snow was crazy. I live in the Midwest and we don't usually get this kind of snow. Also, I asked my cousin if it's cold/ snowing and he said no. So, I wasn't prepared, my boots were also not the best idea to bring for the trip. The party lasted until 1AM and by the time we went home, we were worn out. 
After 6 hours of sleep, my cousins picked me up with my younger girl cousin to start another day of adventure. We drove all the way to Niagra falls for an hour. On our way, I saw how many cars flipped. Gosh, I wonder why the roads weren't cleared. Also, apparently this is not unusual, my cousins' were like "there goes another one" or "that's the 5th one" They were pretty calm about it. Inside I was like, I wonder how the driver was doing. 

We finally reached our destination and I got to use my phone as my phone have signal on certain place. It was freezing outside! We walk out the van and gosh, the air just whooshed on you and I already want to go back inside. But we still walk and took a quick look of the other side of the falls. It was so pretty... 

We drove a little bit more where we finally reach the parking garage (thank goodness). We ate a little bit of breakfast and took our boiling hot coffee out in the cold and continued to walk to see the falls itself.

The walk was pretty much the same, it got colder and my coffee turned cold really quickly. Oh, I almost slipped twice lol. The four of us just talk, once in a while I was the last one, of course. 

We got near the water and I can hear the rushing sounds of water. The first thing I saw were the icicles, then I saw the trees covered in ice. Wow. The falls was breathtakingly amazing... It was a new experience for my 3 Canadian cousins as they have not really gone to the falls during cold season. 

I honestly don't want to go inside and you, just stay there and admire the falls but it was impossible. I couldn't feel my legs lol. We went inside, and we roam around the candy factory then went upstairs. There were some history things regarding the falls. Then, souvenir store! I already 2 items downstairs but this owl toys were also cute.

We went back to our city and had a quick lunch over at my other relative's house. We spent at least a good hour and took tons of picture with every body. I got to see my grandpa's sister whom I literally haven't seen for a long time. After that, we went to this amazing mall they call Pacific Mall. This is one of the places I want to go back to went I go visit them again. I bought  few Korean skin care and some few more souvenirs for my younger sisters. We had some Bubble Tea and an ice cream wrap with pancake (get the idea lol?) We were so full by the time we went outside and to our next destination.

Skating was our last activity for the night. I was starting to feel the anxious because this is the last time I would hangout with these peeps. I never skated in my life so I know for sure I am going to fall, which I did. It was really hard. My cousins tried to teach me and all, I was getting it but it was so cold that I have to give up :(. I didn't have the chance to take pictures but that's ok.

We ate some Vietnamese noodles on the way home but I was too full. I ate the amount I put on my bowl but man, I had too much food that day. I had to stop and stand up so I wouldn't throw up... (I know that was disgusting for some)

It was 11PM when they dropped us off and I said goodbye and hugged my cousins. I wished we live super close, like we are living in Buffalo, NY or just around there so I can just drive there and see them whenever I want to...

I packed my things like on the picture. I literally was so tired that I just care about closing my suitcase.

We left the house around 6:30AM. My cousin brought a friend with him as my other cousin can't come. He decided that he would go shopping after they dropped me off. I arrived fairly early at the airport. I get to have a window seats for all my flights back home. The only horrible thing I had to experience was the 4 hours delay for my last flight. Boy, I am a not impatient but that was really not a best time. I was already waiting for a 2 hours layover and that 4 hours delay added to that. I was so hungry and so tired that I just want to crash on my bed and sleep. I finally got home like around 11:45PM and rushed to the kitchen to find something to it. My ears were also bothering me because of the pressure from the plane.

This trip was so much fun. I hope I can go during the summer time to hike with my cousins and enjoy an amazing weather :)

Life balanced itself again

So much things happened for the past months since I last updated. I had a lot of big things that happened and is very thankful for all of it. Yet, even though I thought I was taking a very smooth road, nope! I had numbers of bumpy encounters. It was awful and upsetting but I always want to think the positive side of these crazy, negative, painful things. Reminiscing about them made me think and realize it is NOT THE END OF THE WORLD! All makes mistakes and we just have to learn from them. That is life and how it is suppose to be. I also thought of it as a new opportunity, new road has been opened up and it is up to me what I have to take.

Good things are always the best, right? Of course! 3/4 of my year was showered with happy things. I can consider this year my happiest one, despite the fact that it has the ol' 13 number on it. I met amazing people along the way, well let me say some odd and eccentric ones too (literally). Anyway, as part of my view of life, I believe all people meet for something. No matter what. They may bring happiness, sadness, lesson, or guidance.

Despite from falling from the very peak of my happiness and will probably stay on the plateau state of life for some time, I know something is in-store for me. I just have to find a way to keep on looking for it. Taking a step back as I literally was rolling-on-the-hill with my young life, it is a good opportunity to rest and observe what I missed (which are definitely ALOT!)

Another good thing is going to happen and it will keep on happening! Speaking of it, I am leaving for CANADA and will surely enjoy the next 5 days. Hopefully it is not freezing there, Midwest is awful...

PASSED!

So today was the last day for my L&D class and that means we took our final test. The test was freaking hard. I really thought I was going to fail the class because of that final. I went home with a sick stomach due to nervousness. I was like a zombie staring at the clock and hopefully would not receive a call from our instructors. My wished was granted! A friend texted me and said grades are up and I immediately went online and signed into my account. My heart was pounding and my hands are sweaty. Then there it is! A simple number that made me through this class.

I was glad that my other friends passed also. Now, I can finally shift my mind to a harder class... I heard bad rumors about it, but hopefully they'll remain as subjective opinions. I know I will be busier but hopefully, have time to do some stuff for myself.

Car trouble again...

So my normal Friday routine is meeting up with my study group. Unfortunately, this morning my normal routine and plans was ruined thanks to my amazing car. I did have problems with before, but today was the worst. Anyway, my study group mate picked me up, and our study session went well. I was really grateful I have an understanding friend like her :). I was suppose to run some errands after my study group but was canceled of course. Also, I was suppose to drop-off my younger sister somewhere in town, and that was also changed. My dad checked my car along with his friend and waited for it to charged up again. After a while, here we are getting ready to down stairs and buy groceries, then I heard my dad my freaking car isn't working! I am pissed off. I was already ticked off as how my dad keep on saying I forgot my lights since last night, I told him no, cause I checked them when I first try to start my car. They were turned-off.

Glad they decided to buy a new battery and HOPEFULLY that will make a huge difference. I don't want to worry every morning wandering if my car is working or not. I am fine with taking the bus and the train but not when I'm heading to work and of course my clinical shift.

Updating

So far I am proud to say I am loving this semester! Clinical shifts were so breathtakingly amazing. Even if we need to 12 hours, I feel like I don't get enough of it. Test were also great. Lessons were taught very well, although materials was tripled.

At work there's nothing really above normal, still the same peaceful place around this time of the year. So peaceful, that I can do study time throughout my shift, of course after available work are done. Yet, sometimes a nice cup of tea or coffee really help me. Since it's all quiet, I still get bored and can't help it but yawn. Speaking of coffee, I am still disappointed that they removed our tiny cafe in the building, since Starbucks is now open. I don't want to go outside freezing and dark just to walk and get a hot nice cup of coffee.

Anyways outside of school, nothing much, still the same old me. Only one friend, outside my program. I also noticed I talk too much "gruesome" things nowadays, which in fact noted by little sister. It is quite amusing how I see things while I learn more and more, and want more. Also, I went to the mall with Sephora's freebies stuff, perfumes! I badly need one but since they are giving it for free (tiny sample) I will go for it.

Ready to Roll

After accepting the agonizing fact about classes starting early in the morning, I am almost ready to roll for next week's hectic schedule. I got all the necessary things I need, like finally buying my own stethoscope. Clinical starts next week and I'm pretty sure I will be lost on my way to our locker room. Our teacher showed where it is, but all I remember was 'passed the pharmacy...' Lol, hopefully there will be someone down their early in the morning. Also, first test is next week, and it's the next day after my first 12-hour shift, how exciting. 

I kept on reading and writing notes from the ppt my teacher posted and from the books. I just hope they'll sink into my head on time. I have a study group scheduled tomorrow, so I think that'll help somehow. The important thing is I read the lectures and the almost all the chapters properly. Just have to fully absorb them on Monday.

Officially Starting

One of my classes officially started today, and I was not late! Since yesterday morning's an ugly start, because of warming up the car and everything, I made sure to go downstairs and warmed-up my car early. I also had a good parking spot. 

Today I wasn't late, and that's my intention btw. One of my classes officially started today and it wasn't bad. I honestly felt I was a bit prepared because of all the time I spent reading the night before. As expected it lasted at least 2-3 hours and I have no compplain about that. We have 2 instructors for that class, which is reasonable. We are quite many, just half of all the students in the program. So after explaining the syllabus and all those stuffs, we gathered and talked to own respective clinical groups. I was glad that I was assigned to the same instructor last semester and in the same facility. She explained pretty much what we need to expect. One of it are lockers (thank goodness) and scrubs ( hopefully it will fit me). We are assigned for touring the facility on Thursday, and since I am scheduled for the first group every week, I have to be there at sharp 7AM... I have a mixed feelings about having my clinical shift for this part of the semester as I haven't really experienced that stage of being a woman. Then, I remembered about my name pin. I forgot where I put it. Thank goodness I found it later at home and decided to ordered another one, just in case.

After the meeting, my clinical instructor left so the other one would start his lecture. It was a bit different because I haven't had him more neither of my classes last semesters, but I do like how he explained things. I don't know if applicable for the others, but I think reading the books ahead before the lecture day really is helpful. I find myself thinking constantly. Quite surprisingly, I think my brain is getting onto it also.

Class finished on time and I went to the office then ate my burger. I planned to stay in the library longer but I couldn't helped it, my eyes were closing and brain's shutting down. Oh well, I just have to take a nap to re-energize and at least finish the last half-portion of the lecture for tomorrow. 

Started another chapter, hopefully finished this and 2 more  by tonight.

At least slide numbers aren't on the 100's yet.