Your People

People teach you many things as you grow up and you get a lot of advice when leaving home. I think the most important advice I could ever give someone starting somewhere new is to find your people. As I move into my final years of university I get asked more and more about my advice for incoming students and people considering what to do after high school. It is crazy to think that I am now considered someone who would have valuable advice. So here is my advice for anyone starting something new like high school, college, a new job or even moving to a new city...

Find your people. Know who your people are. I promise you, you will need them. No matter where you are, what you're doing or what point you are at in your life... you should never doing any of it on your own. You need to surround yourself with people. 

Especially in something like university, it's the people who will get you through it.The ones close and far, they get you through. When I walk across that stage, there is no way I would be there without a handful of amazing people. I can promise you years down the road I will forget many things about my time at Lakehead, but I won't ever forget the people who helped me and made my time special. 

The reason I think this advice is so important to people starting something like university is because I can guarantee you there will be a point where you need your people. There will be that day when you know you should have stayed in bed. The day where nothing can go right and you're mad at the world. The day when you are sitting alone in a car crying out of frustration and anger. The day will come when you consider quitting, throwing everything away and running. That day will come and it will SUCK. I feel like this is the part people don't tend to tell those starting out. People talk about college and university as an incredible life changing time. And yes, it is, but it also sucks sometimes and is really hard. Juggling everything can push you further than you thought you could go. You will have bad days, like REALLY bad days. Those are the days that you will realize just how much you need your people. 

On those days it can be as simple as a perfectly timed card in the mail from a friend or a funny video from your ride or die. It could be the person you call and just swear like a sailor to.It could be the person who just looks at you and knows you need a hug. It could be your mom who you call a million different times, cry to and get the Bible reminders you need. It could be your roommate that just has a drink with you while making dinner. It could be the person who sends you funny pictures to make you smile. THOSE PEOPLE, YOUR PEOPLE are the ones that make getting out of bed every morning worth it. 

So to all my people, you know who you are, thank you so much. I don't know where I would be without you. You make bad days bearable and good days amazing! You all will never know how much you mean to me.  I will never be able to thank you enough for all you do and for making me who I am. 

I'll end this post on the theme song lyrics from a show I watch a lot while in university. 

I can't do this all on my own, no I know, I'm no superman.

Pros and Cons of Being a Student

This December I officially finished half of my university career. I finished 5 semesters and have 5 to go. This seems absolutely unbelievable to me. It feels like I just started and was incredibly nervous and excited. It seems like just yesterday I met one of my best friends and now we've been basically inseparable for over 2 years. I can still remember hugging my parents goodbye and sitting in the big lecture hall for the first time. Being a student comes with several benefits and drawbacks. Some of the cons to being a student are pretty obvious. 

• You are away from home
• You have SO MUCH homework
• When you go home from a full day of classes you still have work to do
• Some professors don't care 
• You have to balance social lives, school work and other obligations
• The pressure put on students is crazy
• Student debt. Money. Expenses.
• When you aren't in school, like in the summer, you have to work hard to pay for the next year
• You have to live with roommate and be responsible
• TUITION PRICES ARE TOO DARN HIGH
• Your mom is no where near you when you're sick

That last point is one that I think sucks the most. Who wants to be sick and have to cook for yourself. There are many other drawbacks but the positives will always outweigh the cons in my opinion. 

• You are completely responsible for yourself (it's both a pro and con)
• You can watch so much Netflix
• You meet new people (hopefully some wonderful ones)
• You get to be independent and live anyway you'd like
• Weekends and some week nights can be super fun!
• There are so many new experiences
• Universities often have really sweet events (HELLO SNOW TUBING)
• Some professors really care
• You are given the opportunity to learn

To me the best parts of university are the people you meet and the opportunities you have to learn. University is a place of education, whether formal or informal. You have the opportunity to learn anything you want. If you don't like the major you began with, switch. You are required to take a variety of electives, you may find a new passion or interest. Schools often have extra workshops to teach you different things. Most universities come with a gym membership and with those memberships you could take any classes to learn new skills. Schools often have many clubs that you could gain knowledge from. The education you gain from university will be much more than just what you get your degree in.The people you meet can be the ones you learn the most from. I think the most beneficial thing I've learned while in university are the opportunities that are out there. I have learned so much from Professors about the opportunities out there. Professors will often tell you about their past experiences and what opportunities you can have. I have learned about jobs and travel opportunities that I had never heard of before. In high school, you are rarely told about all the careers that are possible. We are often told about the basic, common professions. Professors have most likely had a handful or career experiences that you've never heard of. 

I personally have learned so many things since I started university that I know I will never forget. Since starting university I have learned about psychology, media, philosophy, education techniques and many other formal subjects. But I have also learned how to play pickle ball, knitting, cooking, laundry, yoga, drinking games, video editing, rollerblading, and so much more. This year I'm also hoping to learn to snowboard, embroidery, and a new language. 

Nelson Mandela once said "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." So many people are afraid of admitting they don't know something that they miss the opportunity to learn something new. It is amazing to think that our brains are capable of learning basically anything. If you want to cure a disease, you do research and gain knowledge about it. If you want to stop global warming, you research patterns and history. If you want to get healthy, you learn new exercises and health information. If you want to learn a new language, you can take a class or lesson. Anything in the world that you want to change, you must first get a solid education about it. Remember it is never too late to learn something new. I've taken several classes about the capabilities of the brain and it is unbelievable what it can do. It is never too late to learn a new skill or subject. The first step is to want to learn, the second is to ask questions and than repeat the steps until you've learned something new. 

My Voice

Since I can remember I have been told a few things...

1. Don't be so loud.
2. You're too bossy.
3. Watch what you say.
4. Don't talk so much.
5. You have a big mouth.

If you haven't noticed they all have to do with my voice. Now  I am fully aware that I talk a lot and that I can be bossy. Personally it is something I struggle with daily. I don't regret much in my life but one thing I constantly find myself regretting or worrying about is what I said. So when people point it out to me or say one of the 5 things listed above I get defensive quite quickly. I have regrettably yelled at someone I love and made them cry because they told my number three. I have annoyed my family on trips and been told number one. I have been called a gossip and told number five. I have stopped talking to people because I was told number two. I have cried in anger after being told all 5. I feel like screaming when I hear these comments. People say them as if I have never notice this about myself. As if I don't constantly worry and hate this part of me. I have noticed, I do hate it and I am angry,

Did I say too much? Did I let something slip out that I either didn't mean or didn't want to say? Did I say something mean while tired? Was what I just said too bossy? Was I too loud? Did I annoy them? Did I say something I didn't mean to? Is that person mad at me over something I said? Should I not talk anymore? Was my opinion not wanted? Was what I said taken the wrong way? Does that person think bad of me now because of something I didn't mean to say? Should I have not said that?

My life is a constant battle between what my brain actually wants to say and what my big mouth blurts out. I am a person who truly loves who they are and their body. I love the parts of me that make me odd or unconventional. That being said the one thing I find myself wanting to change about myself is my voice. Not the sound of it (although I am among the many who hate how they sound on recordings.) But the volume of my voice. In both the sense of how loud I am and how much comes out of my mouth. I wish I was that person who thought over what they said before they said it. Most of the time I do really try to but than I get excited or uppity as I like to call it. Whether I'm excited, overtired, upset, angry, or any extreme emotion, my brain tells me to stop but my mouth doesn't listen. Half the time I am unaware of what I said. It won't be until the conversation is over or I'm going to bed that I will even consider how bad the things I said are. My brain is yelling "STOP! STOP!" and my mouth just won't listen. I can feel when I've said something I will regret but I just can't stop sometimes. 

That being said I do love that I'm passionate and that I'm chatty. It has both helped and hurt my life. I can be a leader because I am bossy. I can do public speaking because I am loud. I can talk to almost anyone because I don't know when to shut up. But I can also be perceived as a bitch because I am bossy. I can also be criticized and insulted because I am loud. I can be perceived as gossipy or mean because I can't shut up. 

So now you're probably thinking the same thing as I used to: "Hey Shania why don't you just talk less and be quieter? " 

 And you know what that is a really great thought and I've tried that but it lasted only until I got excited a couple of hours later. I have come to realize that it is part of my personality and it's not going anywhere. Just like some people have a bad temper, mumble or are pessimistic. I am stuck with the voice I have and I have to learn to deal with that. 

So as I am learning and working on this please forgive me for the many mistakes I will make. I will probably say the wrong thing, be too loud or not stop talking but I promise I am trying. For all those who in the past I have either hurt, annoyed or offended with my voice I apologize. I am working on it but it is really hard. Maybe someday  I will learn to embrace my voice and use it to benefit me. Maybe I won't be bossy, I'll be the boss. Maybe I'll command an audience with my words not the level of my voice. Maybe I'll ramble my way into an amazing opportunity. Maybe my voice will help my change the world but for now I'm just trying to make it through growing up with it. 

Bye 2015 Hello 2016

So I know what you're thinking "Girl where have you been?" and that is totally fair. I haven't posted in forever and that really sucks. My only excuse is life. Life gets busy. But now I am back at school and have a bit more time on my hands to reflect on life and my thoughts! So lets start of slow with my first post back with a review of the year. 2015 was a pretty good year and a lot happened. Not as many big events come to mind as they did in 2014 but lets give this a try...

The year started off with me rockin' my "don't moose with me" onesie! Basically telling you it's gonna be a good year!!

In January my adorable parents took a well deserved vacation to Las Vegas! I can't think of anyone who deserved the vacation more. They work so hard and are the best people who will always help someone in need. 


I went to two semi formals with a great group of people!! Danced the night away and had so much fun!

 Ashleigh and Tyler got married and had a kick ass stag and doe!

In 2015 I spent a bunch of time with this weirdo! Couldn't ask for a better brother and friend. 













In April I finished my first year of university and moved out of my dorm room! Moving was not easy, saying I have a lot of stuff is an understatement! (Thanks mom and dad!!)

 I went to the second prom of my life and was transported back to the 70s and 80s! I busted up the dance floor with my Aunt Kim!! I was blessed to be my Auntie B's date to her first                                                          prom!!

Kristin and I turned 19 and enjoyed lots of                                                         laughs and ice cream!

Erika looked gorgeous at her prom!! Such a beauty inside and out!!













My summer project turned out amazing! I love how perfectly unique and imperfect it is. 










My incredible parents got me tickets to see Shania Twain and completed my life long dream!! Such a fun time with my cousin!

This kid graduated college!! Couldn't be more proud of him!

The Van Dusen's hosted our first annual Van Dusen Barn Dance!! And then decided it was so much fun the first time that we had to have another a month later!! Nights I will never forget!! (They also produced some amazing go pro videos!! "I don't even like alcohol!" 

This lucky crew got to meet Brett Kissel!

 Meisje turned 6! and Opa turned 84? (83 or 84 I think... who knows he doesn't look a day over 25)

My most memorable purchase was made summer of 2015. I bought My very first truck and named

him Alan! Alan and I are having wonderful adventures and a great ol' time!! 

WAYYY TOO MANY FUN AND MEMORABLE THINGS HAPPENED OVER SUMMER 2015. SO Here's a few pictures from some amazing times with even more amazing people! Thanks for all the laughs and memories! Here's to the days and nights that we captured the fun in photos and the ones we didn't.

 Isn't she adorable!! #lovemesomedanielle

 How friggen cute are they!!

He's a special one!

Our road trip in Alan to take me back to Orillia to start my second year!! (By the time I graduate mom and dad are going to be SOOOO done with moving me!! )

I moved in with these cuties!

I was an orientation leader for the incoming first years and it was one of the best experiences. I can't wait to do it again!

 I had some wonderful times with this odd ball! Such a cutie!! We had so many fun adventures.. one which landed us in the little town of Rugby... doing an impromptu photoshoot and learning about the history of the cutest little place. 

In October we braved the cold and extreme hunger we had (should have eaten before) to walk through Fort Fright! I got chased my a chainsaw, Mitch got scared by people who weren't even working there, Johnny decided "It wasn't even scary... but No NEVER AGAIN". We found out daddy and I are the two in the family who love being scared!!

I finally fulfilled another one of my dreams when I was Sandy from Grease!! Such a fun night, even though I was beyond sick with a cold!! Didn't even make it half way through Hocus Pocus.. :(

Christmas was amazing!!! From Christmas parties to just watching netflix with mommy and daddy! Best break from school!

AND I TOTALLY DON'T HAVE A PHOTO OF THIS BUT IT IS WAYY TO BIG NOT TO INCLUDE...

UNCLE DAVE AND KIM GOT ENGAGED!!!
 I couldn't happier for them!! CONGRATS!!! Now I can officially call you Aunt Kim (even though I have been for years!!)

Lastly I rang in 2016 with this cutie! What a night it was!! Thanks to everyone who made 2015 special and can't wait to see what happens in 2016!!

Wow was I ever wrong about not many big events happening!! Don't realize how much happens in a year till you go back through it!

God's Roadblocks and His Plan

Today I decided to go for a hike even though no one wanted to go with me. I think it was one of the best decisions I have made this week. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I got to pet a beautiful dog, making me miss my puppy even more. The forest was wonderfully quiet and peaceful that it let me think and talk to God. I am amazed by the beauty he creates everyday. The way the sun shines through the trees onto a lonely bridge is breathtaking and could only be created by someone as powerful as God. I started to think about how God had meant for me to be hiking by myself. He meant for me to find a perfect little bench where I can study. He meant for me to feel in touch with nature and at peace. This lead to me thinking about times when God purposely did things that went against my plan. How upset I could get about my plans not working out exactly how I planned them. This is so silly considering God is the only one who really has a plan for my life. I must make him laugh daily with my plans. I remember last year about a couple months into school I had chosen the tattoo I wanted. I was so upset and irritated that things kept coming up not allowing me to be able to get my tattoo. Now I think about it and I would have totally regretted getting it. I think now that what I wanted to get permanently on my body was unrealistic and not something I would love ten years down the road. God kept putting up road blocks so I wouldn't make the mistake of getting that tattoo. Don't get me wrong I want one, but now I trust that when I have the right one He will let it happen. It's funny how much God stops us from doing the wrong thing or make a mistake and we are angry that we were stopped. We have to remember He has a plan for each of ours lives and we have no idea what's in store for us. It is a reminder I know I personally could use quite often.

Beautiful.

Only 4% of women in the world see themselves as beautiful. FOUR. How sad is that? Lately the topics of weight, clothing and beauty have been on my mind. In the past weeks I have seen and talked to women in my life about these topics. Whether they come right out and say it or imply it, it comes across that they don't see how truly beautiful they are. Now, yes I may be biased but trust me they are beautiful.

Being a young women with a bit of extra weight can be hard. Heck, being a women can be hard. Lately I have realized just how lucky I am for the personal view I have. I have seen a beautiful women wear layers of clothing on a hot day because she doesn't feel pretty in shorts and a t-shirt. That for me is hard to understand, I have always dressed for weather first. If I want to wear shorts, I wear them. I have seen another beautiful women not see how perfect her figure is. Women have so many people telling them how they have to look. The idea of how you should dress stops you from how you want to dress. I have been told that my shirt that shows off some of my stomach is too small. I have been told that I shouldn't wear a bikini because I have extra weight. I have been told so many things about how I look and dress. Oddly enough I don't care. I wear what I feel pretty and comfortable in. I dress for me and no one else. People may not like how I dress or think its right but it's not their body, it's mine.

I will admit it, yes I want to lose some weight. Is it so I can be skinny and beautiful? No, I AM beautiful. Is it so I can fit in my clothes better? Yes. Is it because I want to be healthier? Yeah it is. I want to be able to do whatever life brings me. Some people think they should lose weight to be someone else's idea of beautiful or acceptable. Some people say they will dress how they want when they lose some weight, No matter how much weight you lose, you will always find something wrong with yourself. You have to learn to love yourself no matter what. Don't ever lose weight for someone else, don't ever change you for someone else. Do it for you.

The women in my life are beautiful. I don't think they see themselves how I see them; I really wish they did. It is hard to describe just how beautiful they are, but i'll try, My grandmother has the gentlest heart, loving eyes and the most infectious laugh. She is so beautiful. My cousin has the best humor and is so young at heart. Her just being in the same room as me makes me instantly happier. The look she gets when she looks at her husband is amazing. You can tell how much love she has in her heart. She is so very beautiful. And my mom, my favourite person in the whole world. She is so beautiful. She is drop dead gorgeous! She has the biggest heart I know and the best smile. When she is having fun, she is just so beautiful.

As you can tell beauty is more than just skin deep. It comes from within. Women are most beautiful when they are being themselves with people they love. So wear what you want and be who you are. Women have so many people telling them who they should be and what they should look like. Not everyone will find you beautiful, but I promise you someone will. So wear whatever you want. Lose weight for you, if you want to. You only have this one life, why spend it being how others want you to be and not how you want to be. Don't wait for someone else to tell you you're beautiful; wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and tell yourself. And if others don't like it, screw 'em. You do you boo, you do you!

I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar

Okay so I have no idea why I want to spend my Friday night writing, after I just spent 10 hours researching and writing a paper. (Which is DONE!!) Yet, here I am sitting in bed, typing. It might be because I finished my paper, finished my workout and feel on top of the world. But hey I say when you feel like writing, write.

This may be because I have just spent 10 hours researching and writing about women's rights and why men should get involved in gender equality. But it is still very true....

Women are amazing, magical creatures!

Okay all you men out there don't think I'm forgetting about how undeniably awesome you are but you got to admit women are AMAZING. I honestly do not believe women are better than men. I truly believe men are amazing magical creatures too. Like the sixteen year old young man in Kenya who started a whole campaign when he noticed the number of girls in his class decreasing. His campaign is called ‘Keeping Girls in School’. When talking to his female classmates he discovered that they were missing school due to their periods. The young women were unable to afford sanitary towels and were embarrassed to attend school without them. The young women missed great amounts of school, and fell behind in class. This eventually resulting in them dropping out. ‘Keeping Girls in School’ raises money to provide free sanitary towels to young women so they don’t miss school. Within one month of providing towels, the girl’s grades were increasing significantly and in some cases surpassing their male classmates. Now isn't that an amazing young man! A marine competing in a race, came in last to help a young boy who got separated from his group. A young boy probably around 12-13 catches the ball during a baseball game and is extremely excited. He runs to show his friends and dad. Than he stops when he see a younger boy who was trying to catch the ball too looking really disappointed. The younger boy was simply to little to compete with the older boys trying to catch the ball. The boy who caught the ball quickly left his friends and dad to go and hand the ball to the little boy, leaving the biggest smile on the young boy's face. Really you don't have to go far to find a story of an amazing man. 

Now, onto those magical creatures I mentioned before...

Women are absolutely amazing, just stop and think about it for a second they are amazing. Women can make a CHILD and carry them for 9 months and GIVE BIRTH. Already women are amazing. Women can tell their best friend how much they love and appreciate them and act all relationshippy without it being weird. (yes i'm talking about you Kay) Women can toss on a dress and look fancy in seconds! Women can multitask like it's nobody's business. Women's intuition.   There are so many wonderful amazing things about women, and so many amazing women out there. So let's give out a few "You go girl"s to some amazing wonderful women who enforce that females are in fact majestic creatures. 

Malala Yousafzai : Seventeen year old who was kidnapped while on a school bus, got shot in the head and lived. Not only did she live she spoke out. She talked about the importance of feminism and education. She is the youngest person to ever win the Noble Peace prize. When she was asked what she would do next she said study for her chemistry test because school doesn't stop for Noble Peace prizes.   YOU GO GIRL!
Queen Elizabeth: Well first she is a QUEEN! Second she handles herself with such grace. She is amazing. She is also the longest serving monarch!(she must be pushing 100 soon, but still looks great!) YOU GO QUEENY!
Sarah Reilly: My freakin' awesome cousin who flawlessly takes care of her three year old and one year old twins. If you have ever watched her take them into a store or anyplace for that fact, it is truly amazing! YOU GO GIRL!
Hillary Clinton: While I may not agree with everything she stands for, I do applaud her. She decided when she was little she wanted to be in government and when someone told her women couldn't she said 'watch me'. She deals with people criticizing her outfits and personal life in ways they never would the male candidates. YOU GO GIRL!
Ellen DeGeneres: She is so caring and funny. She gives to people that truly deserve it and need it. She has an extremely long running successful talk show. She helps out with animal shelters! YOU GO ELLEN!!
Michelle Obama: She is trying to make America and healthier, better place to live. And she looks flawless while doing it! She also went to both Princeton and Harvard. She is not just the president's wife. She is also super witty, which I love. YOU GO MRS. OBAMA!
J.K. Rolling: She wrote one of the most well known series. She wrote her first book as a struggling single mother trying to make ends meet and now has a whole series of movies and books. She also created Ron Weasley, and the twins who I personally love! YOU GO GIRL!
Miss Sherri: If you do not know Miss Sherri, she is a super sweet lady up the road from my house. She has done so much for her church community and is such a sweet, caring lady. She is super special! YOU GO MISS SHERRI!!!
Tamera Mowry-Housley: Not only did she stay completely grounded throughout her whole career as a child star, she made a name for herself. She is a caring mother and christian. She has overcome insecurities and is a very well rounded person. YOU GO GIRL!!
Beyonce: Queen Bey. She speaks out for gender equality, race equality and so much more. She is active participant in the government. She is a role model for many young girls. She is a strong independent woman. She has a sense of bad-ass-ry while still being classy. She does not need to bring other women (or men) down to build herself up. YOU GO QUEEN BEY!

There are so many more I could go on and on about. My gramma that raised three kids and helped start a business. My mom who dropped everything to help the family business and juggled owning her own business and raising kids. My aunt who inspires me to be creative and kind. My other aunt that shows me fun does not stop because you age. My other other aunt who showed me you can start over and be happy. My cousin who is caring for people and still can be a big kid. My friend who showed me to stick with something you love, even if you have to sit on the bench for a while. The lady at the grocery store who is always in a good mood and remembers so many customer's names. I could go on and on because I know so many wonderful, inspiring women but it's almost 1am and I am super tired.

All of these women are women who should be applauded. These women are extremely inspiring for a young lady like myself. I like living in a world knowing that power, independent, strong women are surrounding me. So any time you think you can't do something or don't want to get out of bed, remember you are amazing. You are woman, hear you roar!