The Holidays are coming...

...and everyone who knows me, knows that I’m a sucker for everything that has something to do with Christmas. I still remember driving my grandfather crazy with my request to play the Christmas CD over and over again while we tucked away a lot of food combined with the best wines my grandparents stored in their wine cellar. And then there were all these presents just to show each other you love them. That’s the true beauty of celebrating Christmas with family and friends, just enjoying life and letting each other know you care!

This year, however, will be totally different for me. Not only won’t I be able to join my family since flying home for a couple of weeks is just not worth the money, but I’ll also have to say goodbye to a lot of people who made my past months here so much better. I never could have imagined becoming friends with so many people from all over the world in such a short time, but I guess it helps if you’re all in the same boat :-)

 

Although saying goodbye isn’t one of my fortes, I became better at it since I know that this isn’t a goodbye but a ‘See you later’. I accepted the fact that many people will walk in and out of my life, but I’m only letting the special ones leaving footprints behind in my little Belgian heart. Guess I do have to make my trip around the world one day in order to meet up with all the true beauties I’ve met.

As of today, my well-deserved Christmas Break has officially started. Hello to 3 weeks of absolutely no obligations, but just doing what I want when I want. I have to admit that I’ll probably spend a lot of time catching up on some sleep, watching The OC (again), running around in my comfy PJs or sweats, and just eat and drink lots. I might hit the slopes too, but that all depends of my mood :-)I love making no plans at all and just going with the flow, because once in a while you’re body and mind just need some time to wander off and enjoy life to the fullest!

 

With regards to my life as a COTR student, I think it’s pretty safe to say that I did a good job. I finished my courses with 2 times an A (between 85 – 89%) and 3 times an A+ (≥ 90%), which is pretty good :-) I worked really hard for it, just to prove that all of this is worth it because I get that going back to College after obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree isn’t something people take for granted. Although I’m not sure yet in which sector of the Tourism Industry I want to work, I just know that this is want I want to do :-) As my parents always said: “Julie, you have to find something in life you love.” and that’s what I did!

Life as a COTR student

After celebrating Thanksgiving, my 25^th birthday, and the Wild Wild West Night at the Residence it was time to focus again on my Tourism and Recreation Management Studies. Not only do we have to finish weekly assignments for every class, but we also had to write some Midterms to prove our knowledge :-) I had to write 4 midterms in total within 2 weeks time, which kinda stressed me out a little. Everyone knows I’m a huge perfectionist and I spend a lot of time and energy on reaching both my personal and professional goals. But I made it!

With 68% being my lowest (and yes I actually was disappointed with it) and 95% being my highest mark I think it’s pretty safe to say that I did a fairly good job. Having the experience of attending the Karel de Grote-Hogeschool in Antwerp before, I have a better idea of how to manage my time correctly right now. I pretty much know in advance how much time I need to finish reading a chapter, finish writing an assignment, etc. This of course means that some people think I’m boring because I’m not taking part in any social activities lately, but I’ve sacrificed way too much to waste my time and money.

 

After finishing the Midterms it was time to focus again on the 5 long-term assignments, which we had to hand in before the end of November. Guess it’s needless to say that my laptop instantly became my best friend and that we spend quite some time together :-) Even struggling with a sinus infection couldn’t stop me from attending the City Council Meeting, writing a full 7-day itinerary for a trip to Alaska including hotels, transfers, restaurants, attractions, etc., presenting the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity, volunteer in the city of Cranbrook, and design my future career path. Thank God I don’t easily get stressed out :-)

Today (being Monday November 24^th, 2014), I can proudly say that I’ve handed in all my major assignments and that I still had time left to look for a part-time job which I can combine with my studies. I also still go to the gym 4 times a week to do some cardio and weight training, my room is clean, my laundry is done, and I still regularly go buy some groceries. So yes, life is great!

Kootenay Ice

Apart from going to school, I enjoyed becoming a Canadian by considering sport of paramount importance. We cheer for our ladies and guys Avalanche volleyball team during the Home Games, and attend some hockey games as well. It’s astonishing how Canadians live to cheer for their favorite player and/or team, and just become one big happy family when it comes to sport. Apart from sport, we also celebrated Halloween, which is kinda a big thing around here. Everyone dressed up and went to party at Shotgun, which was a relief after dealing with a lot of stress.

Halloween!

 

Being only 2 weeks away from the end of my first semester as COTR student, I’ll probably get really busy with studying for my Finals. But after December 15^th I can finally enjoy the holidays. I’m definitely looking forward to spending a lot of time in my bed, or just running around in my sweatpants or PJ’s all day. 

Life can be so sweet when you finally found what makes you happy!

Festivities!

Honey glazed ham - Chef Julie!

On Sunday, October 12^th, we celebrated Thanksgiving with everyone who stayed in Residence and signed up for the pod luck. On this day you are thankful for the blessing of the harvest, but in general for everything that happened during the preceding year. Everyone had to cook something and bring it to dinner, so we could all enjoy spending some time together while stuffing ourselves with turkey, ham, lasagna, rice, pumpkin pie, ice cream, French toast salad, etc.  Thank God we had the next day off to digest the heaps of food we ate.

Daniela - My Brazilian!

During the same week it was time to celebrate my 25^th birthday, or also called my personal quarter of a century. I spend my morning in class, went to the gym afterwards, went to the liquor store to buy tequila, and then just took it easy. At night, 20 of the best people in the world assembled to have dinner with me at East Side Mario’s. Daniela, my Brazilian roommate, bought me a balloon, a nice birthday card, and some of the nicest gifts ever. Thanks again hun – you really made my day!

I really enjoyed spending some time with everyone, having a lovely dinner… and then it all went wrong when people decided to buy me some random shots. In the end, I drank about 10 tequila shots and ended up being even too drunk to go to the bar. But whatever, you can misbehave yourself on your birthday, right? :-)

Kootenay Ice vs. Regina Pats

The day after I made it to class (although I did had a slight headache) and we even decided to go to the gym. That’s what I like to call dedication! :-) A few hours later, it was time for my first hockey game in Canada ever! The Kootenay Ice were playing against the Regina Pats at the Western Financial Place here in Cranbrook. Daniela and I went on the ice to play a little game between the intermissions and we all enjoyed being far away from school.

Coming back to the residence, it was time to dress up as cowboys and cowgirls for our Wild Wild West night. Everyone enjoyed singing karaoke in the Common Room and just hanging out with each other before we left to town to celebrate Yurie’s last Saturday in Cranbrook. I have to admit that people do stare at you if you’re walking on the street with a cowboy hat on your head, but we decided not to care anyway.

My life over here isn’t all about partying and having fun, but we also had to write some midterms during the past few weeks. A lot of deadlines are coming up, so we’re all back to being good students. This means attending all classes, do your readings in advance, finish your assignments in time, and study. After working for a couple of years, I realize every single day that being a student is the best thing in life! So thanks everyone who made this possible for me!

I love you all! XoXo

My international family!

Although Cranbrook has only been my home away from home for 34 days now, I’ve created so many memories that my heart is filled with love. I love the city of Cranbrook, the country, all the Canadians I’ve met so far..but the most important thing is that I love myself again! My life is sometimes so busy that I lose track of myself, which leads to a general feeling of being unhappy.

Canadian life is so easygoing that you feel a relief every day you’re here. You can take the time to enjoy things without being stressed about deadlines and performing well. All of this made it possible for me to relax and find my natural smile again. It might sound a bit odd to everyone reading this, but I can tell that I’m a happier person over here than I am in Belgium.

Game in  Shoebox Assignment

School is actually still going great! Since I already have a Bachelor in International Management I kind of know what to expect from everything, which makes it a lot easier on my end of course. The Tourism and Recreation Management Program offered at the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook definitely gives you a thorough idea of what the industry is all about. So far we learned lots about leadership styles, time management and sport and leisure in Canada. It isn’t always easy to follow class as an International Student, because most of the information is based on Canada but we’ll get there. As long as I don’t lose sight of my aim, I’ll be fine! :-)

My international family! <3

I know that I haven’t been really active on Facebook, Skype and other Social Media channels. I’m really sorry for that, but I’m quite busy expanding my International Family. Since we’re all going through College together and are in the same boat, we tend to hang out together lots. The COTR’s International Office is trying really hard to offer us a lot of activities so we can mingle and get to know each other.

About 2 weeks ago I decided to volunteer for the International Day of Peace Celebration in the Rotary Park in Cranbrook with a lot of other students. Although we were still super tired from partying the night before, we had lots of fun and enjoyed contributing to the community. I probably don’t have to tell you that partying is a large part of the College Life, so we’re getting pretty good at it. Most of the times we start with a little party at the Residence or just at someone’s house and then we end up in Shotgun.

International Day of Peace Celebration

I love you all!

Cranbrook is nothing compared to Belgium when it comes to partying, since all the bars close at 2AM. But I guess there’s no other option than accept it and make the most of it. As of last week my Ecuadorian friend Stalin and I are going to the gym at the College to make sure that we’re not getting too fat. Although my heart is filled with a lot of memories from my new Brazilian, Ecuadorian, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, Jamaican, … family I want to make clear that I love all my friends in Belgium as well. It’s not because I’m not spending some time with you guys that I completely forgot about you all!

Oh Belgium!

With love!

J.