35 months, 910 weeks, and countless hours....roughly

That's how long I have been in post secondary school, and in just a few short weeks....13 to be exact, it will all be over. Graduation is approaching, but unlike my high school graduation, and my college graduation, my graduation from the University of Lethbridge is sure to be the most important.

Once again I will be surrounded by friends and family who love and support me, who have seen my progression and growth from a quick learning toddler, to shit disturbing teenager, to an adventurous and inspiring young lady.

 “People aren't born good or bad. Maybe they're born with tendencies either way, but its the way you live your life that matters.”   
 - Cassandra Clare, City of Glass

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it's all that matters.”    - Audrey Hepburn

Ask anyone who has been around for any part of my almost 25 years and they'll tell you that is defiantly has not been easy. There were times that I am sure some, if not some but most people wanted to kill me. But instead, they have all stood beside me.

 OH THE HIGH SCHOOL YEARS!! GR. 8-12.

All was almost good come gr. 12.

This was my High School Grad!!

They have all stood beside me through the ups and downs, not just through the struggle of being a post secondary student, but also the struggle of life in general; the financial stress, and the emotional and physical stress. They've all been through it in one way or another, and they did their best to help me as well.

“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”   
- George Bernard Shaw

In the fall of 2006 shortly after moving to Penticton, I was accepted into Okanagan College and enrolled in the Criminal and Social Justice Diploma program. It was a new program that seemed very interesting and seemed as if could provide a good future. So I jumped at it.

First year of College, 2006.

However, when I became unsure if I wanted to continue with post secondary school, I had support when I decided to take a break from post-secondary schooling, and do the one thing I had wanted to do since I could remember; travel. One of my many dreams had been to go to Europe, and in the fall of 2007 that dream came true. Instead of returning to school, I decided that a break was needed in order to truly decide what it was I wanted in life.

 “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
― Mae West

While in Europe, I was met with the unfortunate news that my grandfather had passed away. A wonderful, caring man who wanted nothing more than to see my dreams come true and hopefully succeed in life.  Therefore, when I returned from Europe, I soon began planning one last trip. This time I was off to Hawaii.




                                                                                                  

One of my favorite pictures of my grandfather and I

                       “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.”  - Robert Frost  

“If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.”   
- Lewis Carroll

When I came back from Hawaii, I finally knew what I wanted. I wanted to finish what I started, and therefore was determined to finish my Criminal and Social Justice diploma and graduate. And I did. It was a struggle beyond belief, but with the support of friends and family, I did it.

It was shortly after that I decided to attend the University of Lethbridge, to obtain a degree in History. I moved to Lethbridge in the fall of 2009 and have been here since (well despite the summers) and have enjoyed every moment of it. Coming to UofL was a change, and defiantly a challenging one, but once friends were made, and knowledge of the school and encouragement from the profs were known the struggle disappeared.

 “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.”   
- Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-time of the Soul 

And because of this, I am now 13 weeks away from finishing my last semester at UofL!

Every choice that I have made throughout my life has led to me this moment. Whether they have been the right or wrong choices doesn't really matter. They are all in the past, and it's only the future that I am looking forward to.

**For those who choose to read this, I shall not mention names in regards to those whom I speak of. They know who they are. They are the ones that have always been there, through thick and thin, and who will continue to be there no matter what.