Summer Ender

I realized today that it has been almost a full 4 months since my last entry and it is time once again for an update! As we head into September I am definitely in a different place career wise than I thought I would be for my last post. My experience with Air Canada Rouge did not work out and I was hired later by Westjet to work in the airport here in Toronto. However, the training for Westjet has yet to start as they had told me it would back in July. I ended up coming back to Ritche and am happier than ever with this decision.

My boss has given me a raise and more responsibility as a senior employee. I have also began the Instagram account for Ritche bridal and am now taking on this social media task full force. I have future plans to further my career in the meantime with bridal and gain more experience in the various elements of designers, wedding planning, etc. I realized I really do enjoy this industry and happen to be not bad at it!

This summer I have been working a lot but managed to get away for a couple weekends to friends' cottages. I bought myself a bike and have been motoring around the city like crazy--saving myself money on TTC tokens and getting to see new parts of Toronto that I hadn't before. I love it!
Dad was able to come visit me a month ago and we got away to Niagara Falls for some winery visits, casino and shopping. While I am sad to report that I did not make millions in the casino that day it was a great to spend time with dad and kill a few bottles of wine.

This fall has many exciting things to come, a couple weddings to visit, a crazy busy season ahead in bridal, birthdays and gaining education/experience in my field. I am happy to report that I am nearly fully recovered physically from my previous streak of injuries. After recovering from an SI joint dysfunction that put me out of running for a while I ended up blowing my knee out doing box jumps after taking up crossfit. I was almost completely immobile for a week straight and had my share of going stir crazy before I eased back into some light workouts. I am now able to run again (short distances) and have been focusing on weight training. I do not think I will be going back to box jumps anytime soon though. If you have no idea what I am talking about, just google "box jump fails" and you will likely see how I got injured or could at least imagine it. Not pretty.

For those important people in my life--Amanda Switzer, congrats on your big move to Guelph for a new career and endless opportunities. Kristen Kuzemko, my roommate who has been rocking the Nike job as a pacer and filling our apartment with shoes galore and Nike products in general, Stew who has recently moved to a beautiful apartment in the heart of the city with his little brother Adam--your place has now made me realize how ghetto my apartment is (thank you lol), Iftin my coworker who consistently motivates me to chase my dreams down and keep reaching new heights in the bridal industry I thank you for being my rock girl. Caity, Amanda and mom whose birthdays are in September--love you all and can't wait to celebrate! Megan, my twin and greatest wine-drinking-late-night-chatting partner best wishes and luck to you as you head on this epic journey ahead of you to England for your PHD! My amazing brother who has been living on his own for a while now and is the best dog sitter a sister could ask for, thank you :) Tom, my good friend who has now moved to Toronto--I promise you will love this city soon enough I am glad you're here!

As far as my future travel plans, I am currently trying to convince my mother to go to New York City on boxing day or at least in between Christmas and New Years. We both have never been and could use a girls getaway--mom if you're reading this, I hope you are looking at flights--lets make this happen! I also plan to get a good solid all inclusive vacation in at some point soon as I am seriously missing the sun and am sad as ever to report that I never made it to the beach once this summer, REALLY!? yes...
For all my Aussie lovers overseas, I am so grateful we have kept in such great touch, now get your butts to Canada so I can see you again!

Much love to everyone and hope you all had a great summer :) keep the dream alive
xoxo 

Patience is a Virtue

I have not forgot about this blog but feel the need to wait until some life events happen before writing--when I say life events I mean more than just buying meat at the local Portugese deli for the first time (I think it was meat?) so here goes folks.

Since February and going home for MONSTER JAM which was a gong show btw as per usual I would have to say my biggest triumph of March had to be accomplishing 30k Around the Bay. Not only was this my longest distance ever but something I had to really mentally prepare for for a while. As a hard ass on myself I put in the training hours--at some points doing my 21km+ runs at 4am just to make sure I got my long run in that coincided with work yet I was still extremely nervous standing in the corral of the race that morning. I worked the Saturday before in bridal and then had my traditional routine of music prep and some wine before an early night and early morning with Kris and Adam to head to the race. I was nervous as hell especially entering the corral thinking "what the hell have I got myself into". The race could not have gone better. The first 10k were great and a lot of calming myself down to not overthink the race, the next 10 were a bit more of a struggle as the route quiets down and there isn't as much support to cheer you on. I was told by my fellow run leader Inge "the race doesn't really start til the 20km mark" sweet.....and she was right. From 20km onward, it is rolling hills and the build up to the massive hill everyone warns you about. I hit the hill and yes, it was a bastard and a half of a hill but my running preparations in Thailand had actually made this hill look not that bad. Not to mention my ego telling me that there was no way in hell I was walking this beast I powered through it to the top to see that I had a mere 4km to go. I felt amazing crossing the finish line and I have Kris my roomie to thank for preparing me with when to take my gels and other useful tips, as well as Adam for giving me multiple pep talks prior to the race. I came in smiling and felt the ultimate runners high. my mom and brother came for support and it was possibly one of my favourite races.

I had my interview with Air Canada Rouge and hey, what do you know I got the job as a flight attendant on Air Canada's new fleet of airline that is starting up this July 2013. I had to wait a long time to get the official results but officially landed my dream job. The day I found out I was about to head out for an 8km run, headphones on when I checked my email one last time and saw AC ROUGE in bold. I only told Kristen first (sorry parents!) because I was so overwhelmed. I hyperventilated and ran out the door to the gym. It took me a while to let it sink in but I could not be happier.

I began training this week and while the first day was overwhelming to the point of tears in terms of material and reading I managed to survive the first week of flight attendant training. The highlight for me was definitely learning the safety demo (laugh all you want but I'll be your woman pointing out your emergency exits). The people in my classes are amazing and so friendly. one of the guys in our class gave nicknames to everyone today and mine is officially "Sporty Spice" which I still haven't decided if that is a compliment or insult considering Mel C was the ugliest spice girl.
Training will commence until May 31st and then we have been told that June 12-17 we will be flying somewhere for our customer service training yet we have no idea where yet. I don't even care where I am just so excited to go somewhere!

I left Ritche bridal but have been kept on as temporary employee so I may work on occasion when I am not flying. It was probably one of the hardest jobs to leave as leaving my girl/rock Iftin was brutal but we've kept in touch every single day since. Iftin and Jess and I went out my last Saturday at Ritche to hemmingways here in Toronto and had plenty a cocktails and they surprised me by celebrating my belated birthday!

Let's see, well since ATB which I boasted previously about I have been injured and not running for about 3 weeks under my chiropractors orders. I have been treated a few times by Dr. Ali at East Liberty Medical Clinic who has changed my life. while I haven't been able to run I have been able to strength train and increase my use of weights (and when I say increase my use I mean start lifting more than 10lbs). While I think I might die when I start running again I have been appreciating the strength training for good measures. I have forfeited running the sporting life 10k which Nike Run Club has been training our runners for for the past 10 weeks or so. I am sad that I am unable to run but am so happy for all my amazing runners who have worked so hard for this race. I would love to be running it but have realized I need to listen to my body (and chiro) and wait til I'm fully healed. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!

I went home last weekend and got to see some great friends and have some good chats about life, careers and getting our ducks in a row. I am happy to report that while some of my ducks are still trying to line up with broken legs or missing wings I think they might be happening. As most of you know I feel that happiness is the most important thing despite money and status. I have never wanted a job that makes me important or rich I just want something that makes me happy and something I can work around. I think I have found that. I also am planning to train for a triathlon this summer and have been studying up about training techniques for when I am healed and ready to go.

Okay, I apologize for the novel but you guys know what you signed in to. Toronto has been amazing, my roommate is amazing and despite my current physical set back from running I am still confident when I say I am still living the dream.

Now, please enjoy your in flight entertainment brought to you by air Canada rouge and yours truly

xo

It's been almost a month since I've been home and I am so happy to be able to lounge on the couch with my pup Ollie and enjoy the luxuries of cable TV for a weekend. This year has been crazy busy so far so any chance I get to unwind a bit feels like a million bucks.

January started out strong as it has been mayhem in the world of bridal with all the summer weddings this year and the need for brides to get their dresses asap. Late nights, long weekends, and endless appointments have been my life but sales have been at an all time high! We've had a couple trunk shows and the bridal sale which brought lots of business and was great entertainment as employees. I am happy to say I am really enjoying the sales world so far and genuinely getting better at my job. While I am still looking for the big career change, so far this is a pretty good gig!

Nike has been awesome as per usual. We've had our defeat winter program running since before Christmas and just wrapped up in January. The program consisted of goal setting and challenges to encourage our runners to keep running through all winter ailments and battle the cold. There were 3 challenges that consisted of running tracks, trivial games and obstacle course-like missions that brough out lots of new faces and awarded runners with free Nike swagg (who doesn't love free swag??!). I am proud to say my run club North Toronto were the undefeated champs of all 3 challenges! We had our major final event at the end of January that brought out over 300 runners down at the docks in Toronto for a battle royale type atmosphere of hurdles, wall climbing, tires, balance beams and probably one of the coldest days of the year. The whole thing was filmed and Nike pulled out all the stops making it a really awesome event to wrap up the defeat winter program. We're now focusing on smaller goals for February and helping our runners work towards race goals like the GoodLife Marathon, 30k Around the Bay and the Sporting Life 10k just to name a few.

 

My roommate Kristen has had an epic year already starting a new role as a Nike Pacer for a full time job. She made the big leave from Sears to Nike just a couple weeks ago and is now living the dream of sweet sweet Nike swag and running. She was also featured on the cover of Cycling magazine for her big ride across Canada this past September. So yes, yes, I am living with a celebrity and to be honest it is a challenge trying to get to the front door of our apartment with all the papparazzi these days but hey, we're makin it. I am so proud of her and she has many more big goals ahead with her first Half Ironman ahead in the fall of this year as well as some major pace goals for upcoming races. We'll be running the 30k Around the Bay together in a month and I am so excited because I know I'll have her there to drag my lifeless body across the finish line if I can't make it.

Our roommate Melissa has decided to move out in March so it'll be down to the 2 of us in little Portugal. We'll be sad to see Melissa go but it'll mean another new change for me having my own room and not sleeping on futon in our living room haha. I've been looking for decor ideas and have been inspired by my travels with artistic elements.

This weekend I am home for family day and MONSTER JAM here in London. This epic event was introduced to me years back but unfortunately I haven't always been able to make the event due to work or other commitments. Last year we were in Oz so obviously missed it which makes this year that much more exciting. I'll be dressing up in my finest trailer trash attire and hitting the JLC to cheer on Gravedigger with my two besties Kyle Little and Mark Stewart in one of the trashiest, messiest, drunkest nights of the year. It ain't gonna be pretty folks but it sure is a riot.

I've had some down in the dumps moments in the past few weeks often feeling like I need to be progressing with my life but have decided to make some changes in my life which has brought my life to a complete turn around. For one, I've been writing more and working on little projects in my free time. I have continued writing to my Nana traditional letters as well as writing to my best pen pal of life, Sean Markle who puts a smile on my face every time I receive anything in the mail. Most recently he sent me the most amazing picture of Paul Newman knowing my love of this actor and the movie, Cool Hand Luke. I can't wait to frame the picture and thank you again Sean for making my day! Other goals I've been working on are my personal fitness; still running and have incorporated more weight and circuit training to get toned and stronger. I've been eating more lean meats, vegetables and what Kris and I call "balanced" meals as opposed to skipping meals and eating snacks to meet calorie intake for the day in things like popcorn and crackers. I feel a lot better and though I often feel like a rabbit with the amount of vegetables I go through in a week my body has thanked me for a cleaner eating regime. I've kept up with running and been focusing on my weekend long runs working towards Around the Bay. Long runs aren't easy folks with my latest being a 23km run right before the snow storm. it was tough and a few times thought I may need to bail out but made it home in the end. While I still can't imagine doing a full marathon the ATB will be my biggest challenge yet. This year I plan to focus more on strengthening my mucles and hitting some pbs in pace and generally just entering more races. Career is my eye-on-the-prize this year and will be my biggest achievement if I can land the position of my dreams which has been to be a flight attendant for a while!! I also plan this year to speak with some publishers about the book I wrote while overseas. I have been dabbling with the idea as my book is very personal but it is something I wouldn't mind looking into if not just to get ideas and quotes of the possibility.

I got a new tattoo as well! I decided to get the pattern of a bracelet I bought in Cambodia on my arm done by Scoot at FYInk. He was awesome! I love the new ink and while it was a painful 3.5hours of work I am thoroughly impressed with his work and the piece in general. This bracelet is meaningful to me not only because of my journey but because of the luck elephants bring and the reminder of the challenges I overcame taking that year to myself to travel. Cambodians are awesome people who appreciate life and are happy despite some of the challenges of their living conditions. These people really opened my eyes and made me think about how lucky I am to have what I have and enjoy the finer things in life. So Cambodia, you will forever be a part of me, quite literally.  

Last but not least, I am currently reading 'The Book of Awesome' which has put a smile on my face on my commute to work on the subway. While this book is just a light read its been a great pick me up and has allowed me to appreciate the smaller things in life. Often times the book has made me laugh that things the author considers awesome I truly have thought about many times. For example, seeing the waitress coming around the corner with your food before it hits the table--so awesome. Or entering a lane at a grocery store just as a girl is coming off her break and you are first in line, awesome. Or even random things like high-tens (rather than high-fives), new socks, or having exact change--awesome. I definitely recommend this book!

I look forward to the next few months of races, getting a bedroom, possibly finding my dream job and of course the continuous possibility of me winning the lottery and  vanishing off to somewhere fabulous at any given time. To my readers and followers, I will put this in writing that if I win the lottery, you will get a vacation for reading my jibber jabber and having some faith in me haha.
Looking forward to many more changes, achievements and events of 2013.

Happy b-lated Valentines day, happy early St. Patricks day and more importantly happy monster jam day to my red neck peeps! I'll end this by leaving you with some epic music to check out that I have been embracing so far this year: The Lumineers, The Civil Wars, Fossil Collective, Ryan Adams and getting back to my country roots with the newest albums from my faves!
Have a great weekend folks, chat soon!
much love,

Court
xo