Final Blog!

So my final blog, I decided I'm going to write about something that I love! Shoes! Shoes make me so happy, I have a shoe thing. I told myself that when I finally get a "real" job, you know what I'm talking about, a job that I work a 9-5pm, Monday to Friday; with my first pay check I am going to Holt Renfrew, and buy myself a pair of Christian Louboutin. I just want a plain black pair so I will be able to wear them with everything. Louboutin is my absolute favourite shoe in the whole wide world! Ever since I was young, I have had a love for these shoes, and I kept telling myself that one day I will own a pair of these shoes.

Why I love shoes so much is because, when i was younger, about 7 years old, my uncle got married and I was his flower girl. For his wedding he bought me a white flower girl dress so I matched the bride, and my uncle also bought me clear shoes to wear to the wedding. They were my Cinderella shoes. And that was the day I fell in love with shoes. I remember walking around my house in these shoes because I loved them so much when I was about 10 is when I started doing my research about shoes, and this when I came across Christian Louboutin. And this is when I realized that this was my favourite type of shoe, and I have wanted a pair ever since.

One day I will get this shoe, no doubt about it.

Graduation Year!

Sheridan has been a blast! I cant believe its all come to an end. The real world is getting closer and closer. Its very nerve-racking. The years here at Sheridan have been very interesting, I will always have such great memories at this school, I have met some very great people that I will never forget.

Sheridan really knows how to stress you out though, but its a good stress, its stress that will help you in your future; they know how to make you work you're butt off. Because media is not my strongest subject, I spent more of my homework time working on media so I can understand it more, compared to my other courses. The latest I have ever stayed at school it work on project this semester would have been a Sunday till 1:30am. Funny thing was, I wasn't the only one in my media class that was there, working on the last project. So it was great, when I had a question, I would just go ask someone in my class for help. But I know that it will all be worth it in the end.

But now it has all come to an end. I honestly can't believe it. I have had some great memories, that I will never forget. I have learned a lot, that I will use in my future. I would recommend Sheridan to everyone. the teachers are all very helpful, and encouraging, They all want you to succeed in life.Sheridan has given me some memorable moment that I will never forget.

Gala 2013

On Friday April 5th was the Sheridan Advertising Gala. I had a blast! This years theme was Masquerade  I had gone to gala last year with some friends, so I know how fun it is. I do understand that it all depend on the people you go with, and I can understand if some people went last year and didn't like it. I guess i just have better friends then they do!

This year the gala was held at the Holiday Inn in Oakville; down the street from school, which was great. The following years it was held at Le Dome in Oakville, and people had to worry about drinking and driving, that's why this year was great, you could book a room and just walk upstairs at the end of the night.

This years gala was a little different from last years. it was in a different location, and the way the food was served was different. at Le Dome it was buffet style, where this year at the Holiday Inn, it was served to us. It was nice, different.

Because I know a lot of people in both second and third year advertising, this was probably the best gala event, compared to last year. A lot of people who had never gone before kept asking me before the event if it was worth going, of course i told all of them yes, the more people the better. But I also told them it all depends on the people you go with, it depends on you're friends. If your friends are fun outgoing people, then you will have fun, if your friends are not the "going out" type, then you wont have fun. But most of the people who asked me, I saw them there, which was nice to see that those people took my advise.

Over all was a great night, I would recommend it to anyone to go, its a nice night to go out with your school friends.

Portugal to Canada

My family originally emigrated from Portugal. My parents and so on were born in Portugal. But even though my parents were born in Portugal, they came to Canada when they were very young. My mom was 6, and my dad was 2. Because of this my parents are very much Canadianized.

My grandparents came to Canada without a lot of money, because work in Portugal was very slow. When my mom’s parents came here, my grandma was pregnant with my uncle and she was due any day, my uncle could have been born in the air over the Atlantic Ocean. But he was born a week after landing on Canadian soil.

My grandparents moved to Canada to have a better life, for themselves and for their kids. One of my grandfathers was a construction worker back in Portugal, and the other was a mechanic. But the money that you make in Portugal is not as much as you would get here in Canada. And back in Portugal my grandma’s didn’t work. In Portugal if you’re not a stay-at-home mom, you were looked at in a different way. But when they came to Canada, living expenses were more, and because my grandpa’s had to go look for a job, plus they had to support their families and pay house bills, my grandma’s had to work. My dad’s mom became a doctor assistant at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, and my mom’s mom became a house cleaner. My grandparents did very well for themselves. Very quickly they became stable and eventually had the money to get the things they wanted; a bigger house, a nicer car ect.

I look at my grandparents, and I don’t know how they did it. Just pack up everything and move to a completely different country where they don’t even speak the language. It must have been so touch for them. For anyone actually; anyone who has had to make such a huge change to their life. I’m not sure if I could do that myself. It’s like packing up all my stuff and moving to China. I would be way too scared, I couldn’t do it. But I give credit to those who can, and they should pat themselves on their back for being so brave. Good for you!

More like a sister

When I was in elementary school I always saw this girl walking in the halls. She was 2 years older than me. I knew who she was but I never really spoke to her. Her brother and my brother were; and still care best friends. Then high school came around and again I use to see her everywhere. Then in grade 10 she ended up being in my math class and sat right behind me. Because we knew who we were, she used to bug me in math class. She used to tell her friends that I was her brothers, friends, sister. And because I was very quiet in high school I didn’t really respond back to her.

When I was in grade 11, she had graduated already. And I was Amanda-free for about 2 years! Then you will never believe it. I then came to Sheridan to take the Advertising program, and in my first year, second semester I saw her in one of my class! We were in the same program! Can you believe that! All throughout high school I thought this chick was so weird! And now she’s in my program. Well believe it or not, during that second semester we became very close. We started taking the bus together and started working on project together. Within those few months we became best friends! Then the summer came around and we saw each other a lot! At least 3-4 times a week, we did a lot together.

Rihanna Concert!

Getting ready for Rihanna!

After hanging out with her, I noticed we are the same person, and we have so many things in common. But we will have our fights. She’s like the sister I never had, we actually do everything together. The most recent thing we did together was go to the Rihanna Concert in Toronto at the ACC on March. 18^th. I had gotten 2 Floor seat tickets for my birthday and Christmas from my uncle and aunt. And what I did was, we bought valentines gifts for each other, and inside the card I put a Rihanna ticket. She loves Rihanna so much that she actually started crying when she opened the card. She was so exited

Canada Day With my Bestie!

I love Amanda with all my heart, and I would never let anyone hurt her, she is actually part of my family. And I could never imagine my life without her in it, because she’s a big part of it.

Cooper

My family has always loved dogs, and I myself have grown up always having a pet. I was 4 years old when we got our first dog Trixie, and when she got sick at the age is 15 and we had to put her down, we were devastated. The house wasn’t the same without her. It wasn’t the same having a member of the family come and meet you at the front door every day. We went about 2 years without having that extra family member.   My family missed having that extra family member, so when we were ready, we went out to find that extra family member; and that’s when Cooper came into the picture. Cooper is a mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, he’s called a Golden-Doodle. He is so sweet and so loving; he wouldn’t even hurt a fly, my family and I are convinced that he is a big scaredy-cat. I had to baby sit my little cousin a few times who was only a few months old at the time. This was before Anthony would crawl, we just had him lying on the floor on the carpet, and Cooper would lay right beside him. It looked like Cooper was protecting him. It was the cutest thing. When Anthony was a little older, he would crawl near Cooper, and Cooper would get scared and get up from where he was and move to another place of the house. It was really funny because it’s like Anthony knew that Cooper didn’t like Anthony crawling around him, so Anthony would follow Cooper everywhere he went. And every time, Cooper would get up, put his tail between his legs, and move somewhere else. It was funny to watch, but I’m sure Cooper didn’t find it very funny.

Cooper just had his 2^nd birthday in February, so he is very young. But I know one day (hopefully in many years), it will be very hard for my family when Cooper passes away because he is such a big part of my family. But it’s very early to be thinking about that, we just enjoy every moment we have with him.

25 years together

Statistics show that 4/10 1^st marriages end in divorce in Canada. My parents have beaten those odds. It’s hard to believe that in September my parents will be celebrating their 25^th anniversary. To celebrate this special occasion they are planning a second honeymoon to the beautiful island of Hawaii.

          My parents have a great relationship, even 25 years later they still do everything together. They go grocery shopping together every week, Friday nights to be specific; my mom still helps him pick his clothes in the mornings before work. My dad loves when my mom gives her opinion when it comes to clothes, like this he knows that his wife thinks he looks good. At least once a month they go out for “date night,” which consists of dinner, and sometimes a movie. The last time they went out for date night, they treated themselves to The Keg. It’s really cute when they get ready for their date night; my mom always has to go shopping a few days before to find the perfect outfit to wear, which is usually a nice cocktail dress she finds at one of her favourite stores.

          My parents have been planning this vacation for 2 years now, since their 23^rd anniversary. Especially my mom is so excited. They love going on vacation, but who doesn't.  They had two decisions, they were either going to book a Hawaiian cruise and visit all the islands, or book a resort, and just stay on the beach. But they finally decided to book a resort because on a cruise it’s always go, go, go, where on a resort, you can relax a little bit more. They just want to go and enjoy each other’s company on their second honeymoon.

I hope that my parents have many more happy anniversaries to celebrate, and in my opinion my parents still have a very strong relationship, and I can only hope and pray that one day, my husband and I will be as happy as my parents on our 25^th anniversary.  

Next Vacation

This summer, 2013, one of my best friends, Melanie, her sister, Melissa, is getting married. Let alone the vacation part, I love weddings! I love seeing everyone, and dancing! Dancing is my thing! Ever since I was a little girl I've loved weddings.  I have known Melanie and her family for quite some time, since high school. From the day we met we just clicked. She is basically a part of my family, as I am hers. We tell each other all the time. We have the kind of relationship that we don’t even invite ourselves over, we just say we’re showing up, or passing by.   

Anyways, this summer I will be going on vacation to Portugal with my best friend Melanie for her sister’s wedding! And let me just add that this will be the first vacation I take without my parents! I’m a bit nervous, but mostly excited. Not that I don’t like going on vacation with my parents, but it’s time that I start going with friends.

          The wedding is on August 10^th, so I will most likely be going to Portugal from August 3^rd to August 17^th, like this I’m not rushing before or after the wedding. Before meaning arriving in Portugal on the Friday before the wedding, and after meaning, leaving to come home on the Sunday after the wedding, like this the wedding is in the middle of my trip, and I have lots of time to prepare myself.

          I am so excited to be going on vacation with my best friend and her family. I will be flying with them on the way there, but because they are staying for a month, and I am only staying for 2 weeks, I will have to fly back by myself. I’m a little nervous to be flying back alone. BUT, I did find out a few days ago that one of our friends will be coming with us to the wedding and he is also visiting for just 2 weeks! So I will be flying back home with him, so I’m not as nervous as I was, but still nervous. All in all, this will probably be a vacation that I will never forget! I hope it’s as fun as I’m hoping it will be! 

Younger Years

When I was younger, my brother and I use to spend a month of our summer at our grandparents house, 2 weeks and one, and 2 weeks at the others. It was always very different at each one. At my mom’s parents’ house we didn’t do that much because my grandma worked in the morning to the mid-afternoon, and my grandpa had to drive her because she didn't drive. My grandma was a house cleaner for “rich” people. My mom use to drop my brother and me off at my grandparents’ house on her way to work. So even during our summer we had to wake up early. So as soon as we got to my grandparents’ house, we wouldn't even take off our jackets because in a few minutes we would have to leave and drop off my grandma at work. Every day was a different house, so some days it wasn't a very far drive, while other days were an hour or more drive (because of rush hour) considering most of the houses were downtown. Because she usually only finished work around 3 o’clock, we would usually stay downtown and run some errands with my grandpa. He doesn't speak that much English so there were only certain places we would go where he knew the people who worked there would speak Portuguese. By the time we finished all our errands, it was the afternoon and there was no point in going home because it was almost time to go pick up my grandma. Sometimes we would pass by my grandpa’s brother’s house and spend some time with them. My grandpa and his brother would play cards, while my brother and I watched TV, and occasionally fell asleep. This was a regular thing; this is what we did most of the time at my grandparents’ house.

The other 2 weeks at my other grandmas’ house (my dad’s mom) was a little but more fun, she always had plan for us, and she always use to make us laugh with the funny things she use to do. The funniest memory I have with my grandma is when she drove through the Drive Thru at McDonald’s, and I had to order myself because she didn't know how to pronounce what we wanted to order. So I ordered and my grandma drove up to the window to pay, and the way my grandma drive’s is really funny. She was so far from the window for me to pay and get my food that I actually had to open the door and get out of the car. My brother and I couldn't stop laughing, but we love her so much. She also used to take us to Woodbine Mall, and inside the mall there was a mini amusement park. My brother and I use to loving going there, my grandma also used to bring our friends when we were younger. My brother and I love spending time with the family, and we used to spend a lot of time with our grandparents when we were younger. 

Summer 2012

It all started on May 19th, 2012 when my family and I experienced being in a city on water. The Oasis of the Seas was the thrill of a lifetime. It wasn't only amazing, but miraculous and exciting. i will never forget these 7 days when I was floating in the middle of the ocean.

Who sleeps the night before going on vacation. No one. I maybe got 3 hours of sleep, max, the night before going on the cruise. Our flight to Florida took off in the early morning. I had to be up at 4 am. We all know we have to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight. I am not a morning person, but not when going on vacation, I woke up with a huge smile on my face.We drove to the airport at the crack of dawn, and checked into the park and ride. Because we were so excited to get to Florida, none of us slept on the plane. 4 hours later we had landed in Fort Lauderdale. It was the early afternoon. We were all so excited. First time on a cruise, who wouldn't be excited? We were quick to get our luggage and head to the taxi's to take us to the Ship. The taxi ride was not even 10 minutes, and you could see the ship a mile away. It was huge! Considering The Oasis of the Seas houses over 6,000 passengers for a whole week, they were very organized. We were checked into our rooms at no time.

When you first get on the boat they take your picture and you're handed a card. This card is with you at all times during this trip. With this card you can purchase drinks, food, souvenirs,  and its also your ID when getting off the ship when docked at different ports. This card allows you to get anything on the boat, but of course you have to pay for it, just not at the time, you get a nice big, VIsa/Mastercard bill once you get home.

The first place we docked was in Nassau, Bahamas. Here we got off the ship and headed to a smaller boat which took us to a reef where we could go snorkeling. I had never been snorkeling before, it was amazing! It should be on everyones bucket list! It amazing seeing the different types of fish, and so many different colours! The instructors were with us in the water, and one of them handed me some bread, and he said "just hold your hand under the water watch what happens." More than 10 fish came swimming to me! They weren't scared at all. It was amazing to see. After an hour of being in the water, we headed back to land, then had a few hours to do some shopping. We walked around town looking at the different flea markets they have. Everyone wanted our business, and everyone wants to give you the better deal. Very different then shopping here, that's for sure. Few hours later, we boarded the boat and it was off to our next destination.

The second place we docked was Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas we docked early morning, about 9am. I remember being in the dining room eating breakfast and looking out the window and seeing the mountains of St. Thomas. It was beautiful. Imagine waking up and seeing the bluest water you've ever seen, the greenest grass. Feeling the warm summer air. Nothing I've ever experienced before. In St. Thomas we booked a tour of the island. Our drivers name was Justin. He was so nice; I spoke to him the whole tour. He told me about his work, and how he loves his job because he gets to meet nice people like me every day. He also told me about his wife and his son. He told me how his son was born during a hurricane that hit a few years ago. He and his wife were in the doctor’s office at the hospital while his wife was giving birth, and the doctors told her to hurry up before the water came to the hospital. I was shocked when i heard this story. I could never imagine myself going through something like that. So we continued with our tour, Justin was a crazy driving, then again everyone there was. And I thought it was funny, their car's steering wheels are on the same side as ours, but they drive on the opposite side of the road, they drive on the left side rather than the right side like we do. After a few hours of driving through St. Thomas' winding roads it was time to board the ship once again and off to our next destination.

Our third and final stop was Philipsburg, St. Maarten, we hadn’t booked any excursions for St. Maarten. St. Maarten is known for having the best shopping, so that’s exactly what we did. We spent most of our money in St, Maarten. This is where we bought most of our souvenirs for friends and family, and including ourselves. Everyone in the shops were so nice, a lot of them sold jewelry. I went to one shop where a lady was looking at earrings that were over $3,000! Who spends that much on earrings! I thought it was ridiculous. After doing a little bit of shopping we went to the beach and just relaxed and enjoyed the view and the weather. Then it was finally time to board the ship again and head back to Florida and go home.

All in all, it was probably the best trip I've been on. I would recommend it to anyone! I had a blast, and it’s a great vacation to take with family. Enjoy each other’s company, and enjoy different parts of the Caribbean. I would definitely go again. Great trip!