I'm in one of the happiest places on Earth!

Hello, Hello!
I'm writing from our hotel room in Anaheim, California. My dad and I flew in on Wednesday, and we fly back out of LAX next Wednesday. After a long day of travelimg, I was up at 5:15am and we didn't get to our hotel until 7:30 LA time, so 9:30 central time, I was exhausted, and had a migrane going on. Regardless, I got a goodnights sleep, and we headed off to Disneyland yesterday bright eyed and bushy tailed feeling great and ready for park opening. To be honest, regardless of being 20 now, Disneyland was still magical feeling to me. I had an absolutly awesome day, we went on almost every ride, watched the amazing firework show, and watched the awesome Fantasmic show. We were at the park until from 7:45 am until about 11:00 last night, so a long day, but so worth it! I think my favorite part of the day was space mountain, meeting Mickey, and the Indiana Jones ride. Tonight after my dads finished we are going to California Adventures, and I couldn't feel more like a child, and more excited!

-EAG
p.s.- Here are a few pictures from our day! I'll be sure to attach some pictures with my Minnie Mouse ears soon!

My Bucket List

So I had a bucket list that I keep on the bulletin board in my room, and I updated it a while back, but I thought I would post it. I've been able to check a few things off in the last little while, and hope to keep doing so.
-Spend new years eve in Times Square.
-Touch every ocean
-Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower
-Visit where family is from
-Spend rememberance day in Ottawa
-Ski in Banff
-Go to Australia and New Zealand
-Go somewhere tropical (Check)
-Live in another country for at least 4 months
-Go to Vegas
-Go to France, Germany, and Greece
-Graduate university
-Take at least one foreign language class in university
-Fall in love
-Get married
-Stay in touch with good friend
-Make parents proud
-Bungee jump
-Sky dive
-Swim with a dolphin
-Go zip lining
-Scuba dive in ocean (check)
-Run a half marathon
-Audition for rainbow stage/ semi professional theatre company
-Be in a professional play production
-Learn another language
-Buy my own car
-Buy my own house
-Be on tv (check)
-Pet a kangaroo
-See a Broadway show live in New York
-Go skinny dipping (check)
So I have alot to go still, which makes me excited. So much to do, places to go, people to meet, things to experience. Just thought I'd share my little list.
-EAG

Spring time for Hit... ok, I'm not gonna finish that one

Hey,
Today was an absolutly beautiful day! I walked home from work this afternoon and enjoyed the beautiful spring weather. That's right, Winterpeg has finally melted into a muddy, puddle fest, with an abundance of potholes, but warm none the less. I'm so glad I went tobagganing on Saturday night with a few friends, it was literally the last chance I'll have in a looong time. Yes, I am an adult, and I very much enjoyed this classic winter activity, lugging a tobaggan up and down a steep hill to slide down in less then 30 seconds and wipe out a few times. Definatly worth it! I'm super excited, I leave for California one week from now. Watch out Mickey, I'm coming for ya! As exciting as that may be I need to get through a statistics test first. Statistics is by far the most boring class I have ever taken in University, and almost every degree requires you to take at least one or two stats courses. To put it lightly, my stats text is as dry and boring to read as a burnt piece of toast with no butter. Regardless, I will persevere as always. O to be a drama queen persuing a bachelor of business, just wait till grad school. Le Sigh...
-EAG
p.s.- 10 points to whoever got the title of this post. O the Producers, how I love thee.

You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile!

"Who cares what you're wearing from Main Street, to Saville Row! It's what you wear from ear to ear, and not from head to toe. That matters."
A quote from the song "You're never fully dressed without a smile," from the musical Annie is how I chose to open this post. After a shift at work yesterday as a cashier, I realized how many people need to live by this. Of course I was my usual cheery self, greeting the customers in a friendly way, starting up a little small talk, and ending with a "Have a great day!" However after a while I felt discouraged, some people were way too grumpy. Now, I worked for Tims for 3 years, and believe me, I've dealt with my share of grumps, but it's still discouraging. Other people smiled and talked back, others didn't even bother to ackowledge me. What a way to live, to be bitter, or rude all day long. I get it though, we all have our share of bad days, but it's really not fair to treat everyone you see that day rudely just because someone peed in your Speciual K. O well, I won't let it get me down, I just kept on smiling, and laughing, and some people really made my day today. The point of this little rant is, no matter how crappy you are feeling, don't take it out on others, we're all just trying to do our jobs and get  by. Try to wear a smile, I guarantee it'll make you look and feel better. Also, when someone does a good job, let them know! I always had my day made, and felt more confident when people told me my happiness or friendliness made thier day, or that I did a good job.
O also, unrelated, I made St. Patricks Day sugar cookies today. They look super cute, well I think at least. It's actually been a while since I've done any baking. I think I want to start making my gourmet cupcakes again, even if I refrain from eating them, and just share them like usual. Baking makes me so happy, so much work, especially for a perfectionist when it comes to these sort of things, but I love the excitment when people see what I've made, and the look on their faces when they take their first bite! Simple joy.
Toodle-Loo
EAG

Who I am is defined by....

People are often asked the great question "Who is the greatest influence on your life and has helped make you who you are today?" I feel like answering the question, not on a scholarship or university entrance paper, but here. I think it's extremly difficult to pinpoint one person who dramatically influenced my life. I believe that everyone in your life affects who you are as a person in some aspect, weither that is positively or negatively, but regardless helps in shaping who you are. To quote a song from the musical Wicked, "Who can say if I've been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good." I believe this is true, and often we don't realise how our life has been influenced by a person until long after, but regardless people, places, and experiences change us.
Now to answer the question, I don't think I can narrow it down to one person. I would instead have to answer that both my mother and father have had the largest influence in my life today. Being the youngest child, and only daughter, my parents of course wanted so much for me. My parents taught, and continue to teach me so many valuable lessons. My parents taught me to be sensitive and caring, yet still strong and determined. They taught me to be empathetic and understanding, yet independant and strong willed. They've shown me that with hard work and dedication, anything can be achieved. Although we have differant views and opinions on so many things, we dissagree and argue like any young adult and their parents, and I sometimes take for granted having such amazing role models and parents, I truly do appreciate all they do and have done for me. Thankfully for me, I have inherited so many great traits from them. My sense of humour, outgoingness, singing ability, blue eyes, and leadership skills I can thank my father for. My sense of empathy and ability to cry at anything remotely sad, positivness, generosity, curly hair, and zest for life I can thank my mother for.
The moral of my story is, even though at times we get frustrated with eachother, I couldn't have asked for two more outstanding and amazing people to have raised me. I am so so lucky to have parents who care so deeply, are able to understand my craziness, have invested in my education all the way through, and drive me to be the woman I am today, and who I will be in the future. I love you so Much!
-EAG
p.s.- I'm really tired, and I appologize for the grammar/ spelling/ and run-on sentences in this post.

A new outlook on life

I refuse to be a victim of life. I vow to take everyday head on, making mistakes and facing challenges with a smile on my face. I refuse to be sad and regret what used to be or could have happened, but instead look forward to where life will take me. Life is an adventure, and I refuse to sit around and let it all just pass by me. My life will now be fueled by passion. There are so many times I've wanted to try or do things, and I've stopped myself because I've been too scared. This happens no more, anything worth doing requires energy and effort. Watch me take on the world, little challengse at a time. Be fearless, we only live once! What brings this on? Well I've been thinking this way for a long time, but I've decided to finally make it reality. It's a newish year (March 1st) but still, newish hair cut, same old sunny outlook on life. I've never accepted simple answers for anything, and I've always been my parents travelling-bug drama queen child....Life doesn't just stand still, and I don't like to either...
-EAG

p.s.- this is what I look like, in case you were wondering. ;)

Hola!

Hey,
It's been a while, and a lot has certainly happened. First of all my trip to Punta Cana Dominican Republic went amazing. I had a ton of fun, the wedding was beautiful, I met some really cool people, and learned some cool stuff. The weather was absolutly perfect, one couldn't have asked for better. It was about 30 the whole time we were there, coudy on most days which is a relief from the hot sun. It rained for about 15 mins the second day we were there, and that was it. Perfect. I made a few friends from Winnipeg that Ken knew, so that was really neat as well. I miss the ocean and sunshine and I want so desperatly to go back soon.

Also I've bounced back from vacation with a viggor for life. I've started a lifestyle change. I am eating only lean meats, lots of vegetables and fresh fruit, and no sugar. I've also limited bad carbs. I also am working out, mostly eliptical and cardio dance, and it's actually been a lot of fun to dance off the pounds! I am also doing some yoga, ab crunchs, and pushups. It's hard work, but I'm doing so well! I officially started last sat and I'm already down 4 pounds. Lots more to go, but if I keep up with the hard work I know I'll reach my goal in no time!
Toodle-Loo!
EAG