It's Been Awhile

Well due to laziness, lack of motivation and a busy schedule I haven't posted for awhile. And once again my sister gives me the encouragement I needed to get over here and write up a post. I also started another blog for my girlfriend who is living overseas, for us to communicate easily, and I wouldn't be happy if I left this blog unattended while putting up posts on the other private blog. It would feel like I was paying more attention to one aspect of my life and not the others. So here I am ready to blog.
But what to blog about? Well there have been quite a few changes in my life since my last post and I guess I'll write about those.
Change #1: I got into teacher's college! After waiting an agonizing four months I was informed that Ottawa U accepted me into their program. I had applied to both Ottawa U and York U in hopes of getting into both schools. In the beginning I wanted to just get into one school so that the choice would be an easy one to make. However, after being rejected by York U I realized that I really did want the option of both schools so that the possibility of moving back home could become a reality. In the end my choice was easy, I got into one school so that's where I'll be attending teacher's college in September 2008. Atlhough I was really excited about the idea of going back to Toronto to be closer to my family and my friends. Now I am just trying to adjust to the realization that I will be going back to school after being off for two years. Me...back in university. I am excited but apprehensive at the same time. However this realization of living in Ottawa for another year or so prompted the next change...
Change #2: My bf and I bought a condo! That's definitely the biggest change and and also the situation that has consumed my life since the beginning of April. Once I found out I got into Ottawa U my bf and I began looking at our housing options. We began to discuss the pros and cons of renting versus owning. After quite a few lengthy talks we decided, if we could afford it, we'd like to buy. If rent and a mortgage payment were going to be comparable, it'd be a better idea to invest our money into something we could sell later as opposed to just giving our money to a landlord every month with no hopes of monetary return. So we began our hunt with the idea of living downtown so I could be close to the campus. After checking out a few places and looking at the listing prices for condominiums downtown we quickly realized that wasn't going to happen. Too expensive and too small; such is the way with downtown properties for the most part. So we started the hunt again this time in the east end of Ottawa. We went out with our real estate agent a few times and after looking at townhomes, row houses, and apartment style condominiums we found one that is perfect for us. A two bedroom condominium - apartment style. It faces a forest and right behind the forest is the Ottawa River. We are surrounded by walking/running/biking trails, wildlife and the river. We are in four storey walk up that makes the whole thing feel more homey as opposed to a gaping 15 storey apartment building. We made our offer to the current occupant and after a few bartering sessions got the price we wanted. It was definitely a learning process. The whole house buying process had some ups and downs in terms of the bf and I discussing our budgets, our preferences and our ideal situations but in the end we talked everything through and realized we could definitely do this. Going through a major decision like home-buying really teaches you a lot about your relationship. So now we've got everything in order and are waiting to move in on June 30th! While we wait, we also shop :) We are being very careful though, I made some lists (yes I am a list maker) of things we have and things we need. Of the things we need we then ranked them in terms of importance. We're pretty lucky and we'll be using a lot of old furniture for the most part which is a-ok with me. I don't need brand new everything...I like the history and memories that come with older furniture. When our budget can allow for furniture spending then we'll tackle buying new things.
Change #3: My best friend moved half way around the world to Dubai. As mentioned above, my best friend, Jacks, got a job working for Emirates Air after being with Air Canada Jazz for three years. She left in March and is on a three year contract. Three years is a long time. But this is nothing we can't handle. The phone calls are less frequent as are the text messages (I can only receive hers and cannot respond for some reason). We have called and missed each other, called and been able to talk for two minutes, and called and been able to chat for extended periods of time. I've already had a few moments of sadness. Times where I am so frustrated about something (big or insignifcant) and all I want to do is call Jacks to talk things over - but I can't because it's 3am in Dubai or something along those lines. No phone card, not near a phone, at work etc etc. I have cried at my desk at work because I miss her and just want to talk to her. I have told my bf everyday how much I miss her. These reasons prompted me to start a private blog for the two of us so that when I need to vent and cannot get ahold of her, I have an outlet. But even though I know I'll be okay and she'll be okay and the months will start flying by, I still miss her on a daily basis. Once someone is removed from your daily life and speaking to them becomes more difficult it really gives your perspective on what they mean to you. And Jacks means more to me than any other friend. She has been around since the beginning and will be around until the end. And in the meantime she is living a three-year stint in Dubai, travelling the world as a flight attendant and getting emails and phone calls from her bestfriend living in Canada. Even though I selfishly miss her, I am so happy for her and so excited to hear about all the exotic places she will visit...Delhi is her first flight this weekend.
And so those are the updates for now...lots of changes...lots of emotions...I am doing my best not to worry or overthink on any of it. Mostly I am excited for the changes, moving out, going back to school, starting a new path. And I'll just keep plugging away until the time comes to get moving on something. I can already think of another new post but seeing as I'm at work, that will have to wait.