to live is to change

im a graduate :)

2010-07-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

yes, it happened!!

i passed all my exams and did very well!!

therefore i am very pleased to announce that i am now officially a social worker!!! and a uni graduate!

i was so surprised i passed coz i found my finals so difficult! but now that it is over i am so proud of myself.. im so proud that i have finally made it! i have my graduation ceremony on the 30th november! i already cant wait!!

i went for an interview for 3 big agencies in MAlta, i hope i get in! i really really hope i get the job - i cant imagine myself doing something else with my life except being a social worker! im just hoping and praying!

much love!
xxxx

2006-2010

2010-06-14T02:27:00.000-07:00

2006-2010

4yrs of

studying

stress

uneasiness

anxiety

placement

essays

have come to an end

4yrs of uni are over.

it feels WEIRD!

i never have to study again (unless i want to).
These 4yrs have FLEW, i swear to god, i spent 5 yrs in secondary and i could swear not one minute every passed.

but these 4yrs as charles dickens correctly puts it...
They have been the best of times and the worst of times.
It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,
it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity,
it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness,
it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair,
we had everything before us, we had nothing before us,
we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.

these 4 yrs have been so paradoxal. It was FUN but it was STRESSFUL, i met the best people i have ever met and i have found outmy true calling. i now realise what 'i want to be when i grow up'. I know that i have to be a social worker, before it was just soemthing i could do, but now it is something that i MUST do.

I have applied to some jobs... i hope i get one! i really hope i do! We'll see! Until then i just pray i passed my finals, dissertation and get a good classification :) success is all i ever wanted in life, i just really want to see my life fall into place - im excited about this new chapter - i am looking forward to where the wind is going to blow me.

until then,
much love!

reflections

2010-05-15T03:57:00.000-07:00

im updating my blog!
which can only mean ONE thing!
EXAM TIME.

I can not believe it is May (mid may, at that). My university days are drawing quickly to a close, it seems so surreal, it seems like yesterday i started first year and now i'm ready to leave.

All my life all i've done is go to school and study, and now i hope to start workign and making what i wnat most in life come true!

I can't wait for this chapter to draw to a close, i'm so excited to see what this summer is going to hold in store for me. It is truly the end of an era.

But until i get to summer, i have my finals :(, it is the last hurdle of this year. I gave in my dissertation, i have successfully (dont knw the mark yet, but definitley passed) completed my final placement and all that is left is this final! and it's ALL over.

please pray that i get the job i am applying to! after this last placement, it has been confirmed that the only job i can ever have is of a social worker. so i HAVE to get this job.

lots of love.
xxxxx

void

2009-11-11T09:29:00.000-08:00

i feel empty.

I dont know y, but i just do. I feel like nothing is in my hands and everything is spinning out of control.

I'm not depressed. I'm just empty. Can anyone else understand what i mean, it's hard to put into words. It's like I have nothing to live for and everything to lose and nothing to gain.

I miss everything about living alone in Glasgow and then the next second i'm so glad i'm back home.

I miss everyone and nobody at the same time. I want to move forward but i dont want to simultaneously.

in circa 8 months i qualify and enter the working world. I've been in this career for 3 years and suddenly i'm doubting that this is what i want. I dont know what i want any more. i LOVE, LOVE social work... yet i am so doubtful about everything!

I'm usually so certain in my life choices... why is this happening to me? What is going on? is this a phase? Is this what being a final student means?

I need to see the bigger picture.

I need to see the light at the end of a very dark tunnel.

Whatever it is that is missing... i just hope i find it soon...

much love,
xxx

summer is over

2009-09-28T09:31:00.001-07:00

........ and what a summer it has been!!

I knw, i know i havent written ANYTHING about Glasgow.... I loved it so much and it was the best experience of my life (so far... hoping i will have some more good experiences lol)

What can i say? everything worked out, i did brilliantly at my placement (loved it all so much, the colelagues, the kids - they were disabled but the sweetest ever) I just loved Glasgow's atmosphere, i loved the people (ever so friendly) i just LOVED it! I had some downs though... i had some arguments with my room mate (not very bad ones, just regular conflicts) and my landlady was a total nightmare, however overall it was great! Much to my surprise i didnt have any problems what so ever with the accent, in fact i picked it up myself! it went away though as fast as it came!

I came home just a week ago, and i am so confused about being back home, i loved seeing my family, my pets and my house but i am back to the Maltese mentality, doing things to get something in return, and the ignorance of the popolace. I feel so weird here, like something is wrong - i am much more critical of Malta now, and i feel so out of place, like i just don't belong. My mother was telling me i have changed, and i have.. living on your own in another country does something to you, it changes you and really opens your eyes. It changes you for the better... for sure.

OVerall i am glad i'm back with the family and my friends... however i wish i was still in sauchiehall street and in buchanan galleries! haha.

much love to all
xxxx

Malta

2009-06-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

With me going away soon (sniff!) I have come appreciate my home country much more!
Here are some photos of Malta an y i love it! no, unfortunately I cannot take credit for taking these photos... my friend took them.

This an overview of the port (south of Malta).

I love the old winding streets. Mind you, not all streets are like these! but are only found in the really old towns.

I pass by these houses everyday, however when i c them in a photo they look really lovely!

Such a beautiful sun set!

summer!

2009-06-21T10:19:00.000-07:00

ahhh! it's finally summer! the season we await with the such anticipation has finally arrived.

with it brings (and i will probably be mentioning this even more often) the whole Glasgow experience .... in 2 weeks!!!!!

How am i feeling about it?

Oh gosh, i feel like a pregnant woman (yea i knw... how would i know, i've never been pregnant lol)- my emotions seem to be everywhere and i can't understand them.

I have adjusted to Glasgow by going through complete different phases. When i first heard about it, another 4 students were interested so i was really keen on getting in, and when i was finally chosen - i was over the moon happy and excited like you wouldn't believe.

Then when the preparations started i was starting to lose heart and think i will never end up going after all because i couldnt find accommodation, and it was coming soooo expensive.

then once i figured EVERYTHING out, i was feeling totally excited, and really looking forward.

Which brings me to the current phase...

one of complete and utter fear and regret, i can't believe i'm saying this but i don't even want to go now. It hit me how much i'm going to miss my parents, my home life, my friends, my surroundings. Saying that i am completely sad and depressed is an understatment. I am definitely not backing out now, coz i'm sure i'm feeling normal emotions, but i just want everything i guess. I want to go to Glasgow but i dont want to leave my life behind for 3 months. I'm not too sure about my friend, the one who is coming with me, we are very good friends but you know what they say- u see a person's true colours when you live with them! So for this - i am very nervous. Not to mention we are 2 completely and utterly different persons!

Then there is the job... I hope i'll be good. I'm nervous i won't be able to cope and that i would just simply be a BAD social worker.

Then there is the Thesis worry... I'm quite ahead actually but still so scared i won't finish on time or do a good job.

I hope these fears are unfounded. I'm so thankful of the support i have at home and with my friends. I seriously do not know what i would do without them.

And of course to this blog who i actually write my trials and triumphs to... and i'm sure will continue to do so.

much love y'all
xxxx

PS if u read through this rant you seriously deserve a gold medal! :)

exams

2009-05-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

long time no update!

I've been so busy. too busy.

too many assignments

too much to study

SO much stress

A thesis to write

Personal problems to take care of

Shopping needing to be done

Dealing with emotions about Glasgow

... just too much to handle...

so i've been a way for a while.

BUT

I'M BACK!

My last exam is on Thursday

and then i plan to:

Swim,
Relax,
Have fun,
Catch up with my friends
AND
work on thesis (the down part, i know)

Until then i'll cu later!

much love!
xxx

beauty

2009-05-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

Every one who knows me knows that i like to watch the top model series, especially the australian and canadian versions. I dont love the show, but i like to watch it because it is interesting to understand other people's perceptions on beauty.
This is just a composition of my thoughts on what beauty means to me.

What is beauty?

BEauty is the look of happiness on a young child's face when she finds her doll
Beauty is the sound of laughter
Beauty is the taste of an exotic food, delicious and beckoning
BEauty is the feeling of love
BEauty can change
It isn't fixed
It is in the eye of the beholder
Beauty is who you are
Beauty is art
Beauty can be the face of a lady, seen by a lover
Or a well run sewer system, seen by a worker
Or even the purr of a cat, heard by a lonely woman
Beauty can be anything to anyone
It can be the sound of music, ringing in the ears from a soprano's melodius note
Or the beat of a rap star
beauty is who you are
It is what you believe
It raises you above the world
It is something even greates
It is the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr.
It is the declaration of equality
it is the sound of prayer
Beauty can be simpler, too
A little girl on the playground, watching a crowd taunting her
But standing firm as a rock, solid, strong, not afraid of anything
It is a smile
Asqueeze of the hand to say 'I'm here, it's alright'
Beauty is who YOU are
When you don't let anyone push you down
and when you can say " I am me, I can see the beauty of the world
I am the beholder
I am beautiful"

Just some thoughts. What does beauty mean to you?
much love y'all
xxxx

what were you doing at 2:30am?

2009-05-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

that is what i was doing. fun, fun, fun!

21st bday

2009-05-03T03:42:00.001-07:00

So i am now 21! and legally an adult everywhere in the world. I can drink, party hard and generally have no restrictions what so ever!

How do i feel?

Pretty much the same as i felt 2 days ago lol. I guess the whole 21 business will hit soon.

How was my bday yesterday?
just one word:

FANTASTIC!!!!

Just a sum up of my bday weekend:
Friday i spent with the family at my mum's school (they had their summer fair going on and i was selling tea and coffee from 10.30- 3)
In the evening we went out to eat chinese.

Saturday morning i went to Sliema (the major shopping town in Malta were all the brand named shops are; Zara, Topshop, BHS, MArks and Spencers etc etc) To spend my bday cash and so that my sis buys me a bday gift. I got a ton of clothes and things i totally need for Glasgow.
In the afternoon i just chilled and took a longggg shower and did my hair.
In the evening i went out with my best friends from a great meal ( and a surprise cake - chocolate with the best icing EVER!) I was so touched by their actions and their words on the card that they gave me and the presents. They moved me to tears. I was just so grateful that i had friends as great as them. Thank you gusy so much, for a great evening and a great bday! really one of the best!

Sunday - Well lol it is kind of slow today all i did was vacuum our house and mop the floor. But my dad - being the greatest chef that i know- is preparing a meal for my and my family, which i really can't wait to eat!

All in all, i was expecting this bday to b a downer and totally quiet. But i was so surprised that it wasn't! It was actually one of my best bdays, and definitely one i'm gonna remember!

xxxxx
much love!

Questions!

2009-04-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

65 Questions You've Probably Never Been Asked Before.

1. First thing you wash in the shower? My hair, it takes so long because of its length, better get it out of the way!

2. What colour is your favourite hoodie? Red, but im not going to see it until next winter it is already quite warm here!

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? well i gave my mum a birthday kiss, so if she counts Of course!

4. Do you plan outfits? usually whilst im in the shower in the morn i try to plan. When im out with friends i try on a zillion outfits before returning to the one i originally picked.

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? stressed, anxious and guilty lol

6. Whats the closest thing to you that's red? a ribbon i had tied round my cat's neck at christmas time

7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having? lately i seem to be dreaming a lot more than usual. the latest one involved to uni lecturers and a plane. lol.

8. Did you meet anybody new today? No - i stayed at home 'working' on my assignment grrr

9. What are you craving right now? summer and glasgow. i wish it was july!!!

10. Do you floss? No - i dont think we even have floss over here in MAlta, either way i've never seen it in stores.

11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? the smell. and old people. I know, i know, very politically correct.

12. Are you emotional? not really, although i am much mor ein touch with my emotions than i ever was before.

13. Have you ever counted to 1,000? No, y wud i want to?

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? I lick - i have very sensitive teeth. (xtina, i could do with that cookie ice cream we had last friday! yummm)

15. Do you like your hair? i love my hair. now that it is trimmed and its one colour, it looks healthy again. Right now it is a right state though lol!

16. Do you like yourself? i have learnt to give myself a lot more credit than i used. So, yea i do like myself :)

17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? No, y would i even want to?

18.What are you listening to right now? the extraordinarily loud hum of my laptop charger.

19. Are your parents strict? Not at all. They were very strict with my older siblings but by the time i came, its like they really relaxed.

20. Would you go sky diving? I would want to, but i have to be realistic coz i knw i wouldnt!

21. Do you like cottage cheese? i love cottage cheese! only 3 calories. haha.

22. Have you ever met a celebrity? No. Not up close and personal anyways. I have seen will smith though, on the premier of Men in Black when i was in Leicester Square in London one time.

23. Do you rent movies often? Not really. I am youtube junkie.

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in? Lol no. I'm looking around and i am suddenly aware of the lack of sparkly paraphernalia in my bedroom. Pity!

25. How many countries have you visited? Well ive been 4 times to Italy, once to France, twice to London and i was born in canada. so really 4.

26. Have you made a prank phone call? No. of course not (totally sarcastic)

27. Ever been on a train? yep. I love trains they are so relaxing.

28. Brown or white eggs? Im not a fan of eggs. they gross me out a bit.

29.Do you have a cell-phone? After my pink v3 motorola drowned in a pool of orange juice (i was stupid enough not to close my juice bottle properly) i acquied a Samsung white slide phone with purple buttons. I have grown to like it, but i loved my motorola!

30. Do you use chap stick? Not really, my hair always sticks to it lol.

31. Do you own a gun? No.

32. Can you use chop sticks? I tried but failed miserably.

33. Who are you going to be with tonight? My friend the computer and my best friend - the probation act :(

34. Are you too forgiving? Soemtimes. People say i am.

35. Ever been in love? Yes, but im not at the moment. and not looking either (at the moment)

36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow? xtina probably is gonna relax with her family (am i wrong? lol), tess probably has to work. and theresa always eats a humongous lunch with her family and then sleeps it off lol.

37. Ever have cream puffs? Don't think i knw exactly wat they are.

38. Last time you cried? can't remember. I suppose it has been a while then.

39. What was the last question you asked? if my dad was going to cook dinner or am i.

40. Favourite time of the year? Spring. i LOVE spring!

41. Do you have any tattoos? No although I wouldn't mind one. im thinking a butterfly on my foot.

42. Are you sarcastic? Sometimes. When people ask me something stupid usually.

43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? Yes i did, and i really liked it!

44. Ever walked into a wall? oh yes. lol. it happens often especially if im texting and walking at the same time.

45. Favourite colour? green! it used to b pink, but now it shifted to green and purple.

46. Have you ever slapped someone? Im not a violent person.

47. Is your hair curly? it kind of is. lol - more wavy really.

48. What was the last CD you bought? its been a while ever since Ares and imesh came into the world lol.

49. Do looks matter? Yes and no. u have to b attracted to someone u r going to marry, but it definitely can't be the only thing coz looks do change.

50. Could you ever forgive a cheater? no.

51. Is your phone bill sky high? (Iam VERY jealous of your system rebecca!) i have bought over 6 top up cards this month (each worth 5 euros)

52. Do you like your life right now? Yes i do. I have finally reached a time in my life when i am happy with what i have acheived and that i can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

53. Do you sleep with the TV on? No, I dont have a tv in my room.

54. Can you handle the truth? yes. I have thick skin and it's always better to know, than not to know.

55. Do you have good vision? YEs and no. i can great up to 1 meter, but then i need my specs. I dont mind them though!

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? i dont think so!

57. How often do you talk on the phone? Im always on the fone with my family members. My mobile is reserved for my friends. and MSN!

58. The last person you held hands with? well my friend grabbed my hand coz she was gonna fall lol. i dont think that counts though.

59. What are you wearing? stripey green t shirt (which is way too low cut for uni lol my mum had bought it for me!) and blue track trousers.

60.What is your favourite animal? I love my black cat. i love him SO much. but i love monkies and elephants too!

61. Where was your default picture taken at? my cousins wedding! which was actually held tomorrow of last yr!

62. Can you hula hoop? Yes. we always used to in primary school during PE

63. Do you have a job? No. Students in Malta get paid to study haha. it's not a lot but it's definitely better than nothing at all. i get 85 euros a month (for 10 months) and 400 euros a year for books and stationery.

64. What was the most recent thing you bought? shoes and a handbag because it's my mum's bday today and that's wat she wanted.

65. Have you ever crawled through a window? several times. I used to get locked in my room (my bro had broke the door knobs) and i used to jump out of my room into the yard and run around the house to get in from the front door.

i got inspired by her to answer these questions, that and i am procrastinating. I have to finish 2 assignments and i dont feel like. :S.
U can tell it's end of semester time. Exams, assignments, presentations. U name it, im doing it. yuck.
today week, it's my 21st bday! wow! im gonna enjoy that weekend, that's for sure!
the grass IS much greener today, metaphorically speaking!
much love,
xxxxxx

dreams

2009-04-24T14:55:00.001-07:00

This week whilst i was surfing on youtube, i found the clip of Susan boyle (of Britain's got talent) singing i dreamed a dream. It reminded me of when i saw the musical in London 10 yrs ago. Susan was so heart warming that i almost cried.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da9Hwt8yT7A&feature=related

These lyrics a lovely, and in my opinion, so truthful.

I dreamed a dream

There was a time when men were kind
When their voices were soft
And their words inviting
There was a time when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time
Then it all went wrong

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untasted

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame

He slept a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came

And still I dream he'll come to me
That we will live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.

My dreams have certainly changed since i was young and many were killed by the everyday lives we lead. i dreamt to be a pianist, a writer or an artist and life spoilt them.
This week wasnt a great week, i had a bad stomach flu and i just plain wished that i could disappear and come back next week. Today i heard some vry heart breaking news and im saddened for this person, yet i cant do anything about it.
Lately people who i hang around with (not u tess and xtinangel!) are just plain making me feel as if im a rotten person, or that all i ever say is wrong. they make me feel as if everytime i open my mouth i say something bad. It's quite sad seeing that i see these ppl everyday. I'm also having problems with my sis. Ever since she got married it's like she changed into a complete different person. I feel as if i dont know her anymore and that she doesnt know me. This is really a pity bcoz i considered her one of my best friends. Sometimes i feel as if time is flying by, yet i'm stuck where i am unable to move forward. I feel so alone sometimes.

I cant believe im 21 next week! It looks like it will b a quiet b'day, but i dont mind i just want to spend it with my family and close friends.

On the plus side xtina got that job!!! IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU LOVE! u deserve it soooooo much! you have been so patient, waiting for your opportunity and u got it! well done!

Until next time readers, hopefully with a more cheerful update. I have lost my perspective on things, i need to see the bigger picture.
Some one once told me the grass was much greener.... on the other side.

much love
xxxx

holidays!

2009-04-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

So now it's April!
the last time i wrote i was amazed at how quick life can be taken away from u, literally, in the blink of an eye!

I started easter hoidays this week! wiii!!!!! I need them badly because i am horrendously busy. i have so many assignments and so much coursework to do, i am feeling overwhelmed. So much for holidays.

But i am getting more and more excited for july!i know i mention this in EVERY post, but it just shows how EXCITED i am. i want change and an adventure and a challenge in my life... i just need ERASMUS to get back to me.. lol.

In the mean time i will concentrate on all my assignments and final semester exams, which are coming up soon.

Befor signing off i want to give a huge shout out to xtinangel for at least getting a trial at a new job! i knw u can do this girl! u are gonna rule! lots of love xxxxx miss u!

take care everyone and have a blessed Easter!
xxxxx

Sadness and surprise

2009-03-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

I am supposed to be reading this article for one of my classes but i just can't. Thoughts keep infiltrating my mind and i just can't concenrtate on what i am reading.

This weekend was so ordinary, too ordinary and too quiet. One of my friends (M) from Canada had introduced me to one of her friends (B) (over MSN) years ago, and we had been chatting on and off. This morning M chats to me to let me know that B (along with 2 other young girls) died in a car accident on the highway.

This totally freaked me out because i had just chatted to her 3 days earlier and she had told me all her plans for her weekend. and she's dead. I have her on my msn contacts and her nick says "3 months till summer hols". and she's dead. She is one of my facebook friends and her status update still reads - finally the weekend. and she's dead.
My god, she was SO young, this wasnt supposed to happen. She said bye to her parents for the LAST time. She had fun for with her friends for the LAST time on saturday.
And now she is gone.
And she is dead.
What an awful tragedy.

How the heck can i think about the future when everything can change in the blink of an eye?

None of this makes any sense.
And i am too shocked and freaked out to make any sense of it.

till next time y'all

Good bye March!

2009-03-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

March has been a relatively good month. Quiet, warmer weather, busy certainly describes March for me!
Now that March is over, it means that july is one month closer (duh! i knw lol) and Glasgow awaits me! i CANT wait!

At the same time I cant believe That March is over, it has passed SOOOO quickly! i can't believe 3rd yr is almost over, it seems like yesterday that the year just started, time is passing and i can't seem to catch up with it.

April is going to be VRY busy, I have to finish a lot of assignments which i have let pile up, with the excuse of doing them over Easter holidays, i have to study for my end of semester tests. As u can tell, a lot procrastination is going on here.

But after Arpil comes my 21st B'day in May! I can't wait, unlike most of my friends who DREAD their bdays, i quite like to grow a year older because i often look back and say wow, im already ____ years old! and look what i have accomplished. Besides that i love pressies and celebrating with my closest and bestest (i knw thats not even a word!) friends!

Moreover, i cant help wonder y there seems to be SO many nursing students who blog, and i cant seem to come across any social work students! I guess nursing students have funnier, better tales to tell than us social workers lol! I am glad that i have some other people reading my blog though and leaving me comments!

That's all from my front,
keep well and i hope allergies dont attack u!
xxxxxx

Feelings

2009-03-12T09:39:00.001-07:00

Today i have a lot on my mind and i am trying to put all my thoughts in order. So if this seems disjointed, i'm sorry.

feelings...
For me is a strange concept. One minute u r over the moon happy, the next u can be totally down. U can have one day full have discontentment and frustration and the next u can be very excited and full of emotions.

This past week has been a good week, and im looking forward to a packed weekend. But even though i had a good week and generally was happy, there were things going on outside my own little world which made me wonder and shocked me into realising how one day things can be great and they can turn awful in a second.

This week in Malta a fostered 16 yr old Russian kid was found dead, he drowned, police say that they don't think it is suicide but the autopsy shows otherwise. What could have made this kid think that the last viable solution was death? why didnt anybody talk to him? what went on inside his head when he was jumping into the cold, cold february sea?

Yesterday in Germany another tragedy happened, another young person shot out at several students and the police ended up shooting him. Again y did this young person do dat? what did he feel? what was the intention?

So when i was feeling so happy and glad about all my great 1st semester grades, there was a kid who drowned himself, another one who shot out at others and ended up shot himself, a kid was diagnosed with childhood cancer and an adult died before his time. In the midst of this, somewhere a baby was born into this mixed up world

One never knows when his/her last day on Earth may be. You could have a terminal illness or else you may just drop and die. The thought that i could be saying good bye to my mum, dad, sister, brother, friends etc for the last time freaks me out. I know there is an after life, but where would my family and friends be?
The thought that one day i could actually die, actually stop breathing makes my heart quicken and makes me think of all the things i haven't yet done, all the things i haven't yet said.

in hospitals they say you know, you know when u r going to die. some doctors say that it is a look patients get in their eyes, some say there is a scent, a smell of death. Some think there's just some kind of sixth sense that when the great beyond is heading for you, you feel it coming. Whatever it is, it's creepy because if you do know, what do you do about it? forget about the fact that you're probably scared out of your mind.

If you knew this was your last day on Earth, how would you want to spend it?

Well these are my thoughts today.
much love
xxxxx

i'm backkkk :)

2009-03-02T12:49:00.000-08:00

I am back from my holiday in italy! and it was SOOOO great! i had NEVER, seen snow and now i've seen it, touched it and froze by it lol. I like snow but i LOVE sunny Malta. All in all it was a great trip with no bumps or anything.

I am back at uni now. Finally our first semester results are coming through, so far so good but im still holding my breath for the other 2 which are left. hopefully everything will work out just great.

I met the scottish lady who will be supervising me in Glasgow whilst on placement there... she seems really nice! and gave me such great info on the agency im working with and general advice and tips.
Now i am more excited than ever! i just can't wait to goooo. i wish tomorrow was July and i'll be leaving. I'm going to miss all my best friends sooo much and my family too but im positive it will be worthwhile in Glasgow.

March is one of my favourite months. My favourite season is in march (spring!) and i celebrate 3 important birthdays in MArch.. My sister's (she will be 25), My brother in law's (he will be 35) and my best friend's (she will be 21). So as you can see it is going to be a pretty busy month! but definitely worth the business!
That's all from my front
have a great MARCH!
much love
xxxx

PS... do u like my new background? it is SO me, very girly and flower-y lol.!

roller coaster

2009-02-14T09:02:00.000-08:00

lately i have felt as if i am on a roller coaster ride, up and then down.
My week in a summary and the roller coaster ride:

Thesis proposal finished ..... UPPPPPP

Find out i have an extremely long form to fill out .... DOWNNNN

My tutor was super nice to me ....... UPPP

Ther participants for my research study did not remember to submit their consent letters ....................... MAJOR DOWN

Finally tutor gives thumbs up on the the thesis proposal and the literature review .................................. UPPPPPP

Finally i try to print the whole thing out for tutor to sign, and the printer refuses to work ........... DOWNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Finally receive all my letters, i print everything, everything is signed and ready to be posted on Monday .............................. HUGE UP!

I guess all's well that ends well!

On a different note my tutor, who is really, really kind and helpful to me made me say something personal which i didnt want to say, but it did come up. And now i dont knw how to face this. She knows something about me that only my very close friends and family know. Quite honestly i don't know how I feel about this or how to deal with it. I just hope she won't think of me any different than she already does.

I'm looking forward to next weekend because i won't be here in Malta, I will be in Italy! oh yea!!! lol.
till next time!
much love,
xxxxxxx

a holiday??

2009-02-10T11:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Monday, was a BAD day. You know the kind when u just wish you stayed in bed? well i'll tell you a bit about my day yesterday...

Well since my parents and my brother are all teachers, they get up at 6am to get to work on time, I, on the other hand, get up much later seeing as i just went to sleep at 3 or 4am. My family are NOISY and when i say noisy, i dont just mean chitter chatter noisiness, but i mean NOISY. Anyway i get up to close my door. 2 seconds after i get back to bed my cat starts crying to be let in, so i get up again. back to bed. The cat starts knocking down my JEWELLERY boxes because he is hungry, ok i feed him and after i get back to bed. The cat INSISTS on sleeping on my pillow right next my face... my cat, incidentally weighs almost 10kilos, he is a BIG cat and takes up a lot of room. Somehow i sleep. at 7.15 my brother bangs, not knocks, bangs, on my door to tell me good bye... go figure! And i fall asleep again.

At 9 o clock i have to get up after 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep, to wash my hair which takes a good 45 minutes. After my shower,i get dressed and decide to prepare some lunch (seeing as now it's 11) after i have it ready i realise that one of the ingredients was expired.. forget lunch. I get ready to leave for a meeting with my horrendously busy tutor, thinking that an hour is plenty of time to get to a destination 15 mins away. right?

... WRONG! i left at 12.15 to catch the 12.30 bus for my 1.15 appointment. Well, 12.30 comes along, 12.40, 12.45 and NO bus! needless to say i start panicking as this meeting was so hard to schedule and i DONT want to miss it! to top it all off, the tutor didnt want to give me her mobile number so i have no way of contacting her aaaa. Therefore when 1.00 comes by i decide to give my best friend (who drives) a ring to ask her if she can give me a lift, thankfully she accepts in a heart beat (she's just so great, isnt she? :) ) and comes for me and i make it 10 mins late.

At the meeting i discover that i still have SO MUCH TO DO! i thought i was finished with my thesis proposal and literature review, i was so, so WRONG!

Today is a public holiday for all us maltesers because it's St. Paul, the patron saint of Malta. Usually on this public holiday we go out as a family and genuinely have some relaxing fun... i bet you can guess how i spent this holiday! yes! i spent it working on my thesis. and i am STILL not done and it's already 8.30 pm :( another long night a suppose :(.

So much for a holiday...

Anyway bye for now.
Much love y'all
xxxx

My Mummy

2009-02-05T08:37:00.000-08:00

yes i know! 2 posts in one day!
But i want u to get to know a very special lady in my life! My Mummy :)
here is a pic!

This was taken on our recent holiday in london (Im on the left and my mum is on the right) . My mum is already 57 years old, and she is so very special to me. We used to clash completely, but now that the teenage years are over i have found a friend in her and i feel as if i have truly gotten to know her as a person. I feel very blessed (even when we do have our infamous disagreements) that i have her as a mum. I am her youngest child and she used to worry that she wouldn't be 'young' enough to be a mum, but i can confirm that i never ever felt disadvantaged. My mum is a great religion teacher to 13-16 year olds she holds 2 university degrees, one in philosophy and another in religion and her teacher's diploma. She is a very funny lady, and can even get a conversation out of a wall. She is patient, kind and would do just about anything for her children's welfare and happiness. She is quite self less in that respect. She has worked hard all her life and is very proud of what she has accomplished (and she has the right to be too!) My mum has taught me to chase your dreams and really get to know what you want to do in life and understand your abilities and talents. She taught me how to live a life without debt and also how to cook several Maltese dishes! I love to spend time with her and I love her so much, i honestly don't know what I wouLd do without this fantastic lady!

During next week ill post all of my family. They are so special in their own way!
much love
xxxxx

25 things about me

2009-02-05T08:14:00.000-08:00

I received this on facebook and decided to paste it here too

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. i am 20 years old and i think it's the best age to be - old enough to be considered an adult, yet young enough to still wear pig tails.

2. i was born in canada and would do anything to go back again to see it and to meet my parents' old friends.

3. I am a social work student and love,love, love the profession and can't wait to work full time in about 2 yrs times!

4. i have a huge bedroom but my most favourite thing in it is my shelf which is full of presents my best friend gave me!

5. Something i can never, ever get tired of eating are chocolate chip cookies. I LOVE THEM SOOOOO MUCH!

6. I cannot function unless i shower first thing in the morning. I can take up to 3 showers a day coz i love the nice clean feeling.

7. I cannot live without my laptop and my mobile.

8. when i was 3 i got an awful burn on my knee coz my car seat seat-belt buckle was so hot, it burned a whole right through my skin. it took almost 6 months to heal completely and i still have a scar today.

9. When i was 4 i developed a bad lisp due to all the language confusion in my little brain, english, Maltese and French too. This is about the time when i moved back to Malta. By the the time i was 6 i was cured though.

10. i can raise my right eyebrow on its own, but for some reason i cant do the same with my left. this makes it hard when it comes to plucking my eyebrows because they almost always coem uneven.

11. My mum is a complete red head with bright green eyes, however this did not translate wat so ever to me as i am the typical mediterranean - dark hair and dark eyes.

12. i have a huge passion in helping the poor, as soon as i graduate i want to go to Kenya to do some volunteering.

13. I love to travel, but i only go around European states.

14. I live on an island so i love the beach and the sand and i learned how to swim when i was 6.

15. I am used to very warm weather, so i hate it when it is too cold. Then again i hate August temperatures!

16. I am a very fast typist.

17. I love anything technological.

18. I have never touched a playstation in my life.

19. I can be horribly bossy, but not intentionally, it's just coz i dont want to see a person doing somethign wrong when i know i can help put it right.

20. I really enjoy watching good movies with great company.. including my mummy!

21. I have incredibly long hair, yet i dont know how to style it properly and always end up plaiting it or straightening it with my hot iron clamp.

22. I love chicken and lamb... mmmm and rosemary potatoes

23. I am a great cook!

24. I help people a lot and try to treat others as i would liek them to treat me.

25. I am a good leader and i stand up for what i believe it, including standing up for other people.

That's me!
much love
xxxx

exams are over!

2009-01-26T13:37:00.000-08:00

aaa! that's super great news!
I'm so glad now! i do have to write my assignment and i do have to do my literature review for my thesis, but i dont have to study anymore! which is great, great news! Now i am anxiously waiting that i do well and pass, fingers and toes crossed!
Also i'm looking forward to february because i get to go on a 3-4 day vacation to italy!!! YEYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! im super, super looking forward.
Anyone who sees this blog probably thinks i'm really lucky to go abroad a lot (which i am btw!), but what they don't realise is that as americans go from state to state with no problem, we in europe can do the same! Being in the EU has tons of adcantages, since we live in what's called the Schengen area - we dont need passports to fly to other EU states, we just go through with our ID cards. Also now that Malta has the Euro currency, it makes it even easier.
I'm trying to take photos of what Malta really looks like to post up here, so maybe the people who DO read my blog can get an idea of where i'm from and my culture.
Anyway, the first month of the year is drawing to a close, we'll see what the other 11 months have in store for me.
Much love everyone, and stay safe!
xxxx

another post!

2009-01-20T05:33:00.001-08:00

Yesterday after my exams i was just thinking about totally random stuff. Since i had an 8am exam and therefore had to wake up at 6 in order to get ready for the 7 o clock bus and to face the horrible, horrible morning traffic, I didn't get much sleep at all. So i was horribly tired when 2 pm rolled around and i was ready to leave uni. NB, when you are horribly tired you may (or may not!) think of totally random 'stuff'.

My first thought was about languages, upon uni admission all undergraduate students have to sit for a basic english test which is fine i mean. But what many students ask is why aren't lectures in Maltese? This seems easy enough to answer as in, English is a global language and MAltese is just spoken here in Malta and mostly spoken in the homes. Most Maltese can speak as many as 4 or 5 languages; French, Italian, English and Maltese as well as sometimes Spanish, German and Arabic. I love living in Malta for several reasons; it's small, i know where everythign and anything is so i never get lost, the warm weather all through out the year (ok, ok right now it is pouring) but temperatures never get lower than 9 degrees Celsius so... pretty ok. Also Maltese are really nice people if you cen get over their LOUD voices, exaggerated gesticulation and ignorance (i dont mean that in a bad way it's just that since we live in a small country, we don't have as many opportunities) u will find MAltese to be kind, generous and unique.

what else did i think of? well as i was riding the bus from uni i stopped to try to look out the bus window from an objective point of view, if i was a tourist what would i think of Malta? In this way i spotted more garbage on the curbs, the broken down walls, the abandoned houses, the weird looking shops, the outskirts of major towns. It is very interesting that you only spot this when u r truly looking for it.

mmm I also wondered why my parents ever returned to Malta after spending 20+ yrs of their life in canada, i find it interesting how they Canada neevr felt like 'home' and that returning to Malta was a breath of relief, this made me very curious at how i will feel when i leave for Glasgow in July. I am very very excited for July to come fast. :)

In the mean time, i am getting ready for my final exam of this Semester, all in all it has been an okay semester, it was very relaxed and i enjoyed having more time to myself during term time! Anyways until next time everybody!
cu and tc!
lots of love
xxxx

PS I have finally seen some Americans on my blog! waaahhhoooo! lol i am glad! Do leave a comment, i woudl lvoe to hear from u guys!

Exam stress

2009-01-16T14:30:00.001-08:00

You know it's exam time when:

People who never update their blogs, are in fact updating their blogs

People start using facebook in a scary stalker-like way

On a Friday night, everyone is on MSN

Disney films and old cartoons start to be watched obsessively

New TV series are found

Inordinate amounts of chocolate are consumed

Wikipedia is visited 9126740783654 times a day to look up totally random info

Find a lot more teenagers at Mass on Sundays

You suddenly see people praying at odd times of the day

When you catch the bus to uni, every student on it is studying

The uni library suddenly becomes VERY full

And the number one reason how someone knows there are exams:

I have updated my blog twice in one week (shock! horror!) instead of once a month.

haha

Have a great weekend! and keep warm, although i have nothing to complain about!
lots of love
xxxxxxxxx

the art of procrastination

2009-01-14T08:39:00.000-08:00

so it is the 14th of January and it's almost 6pm (CET) already!! aaaaa! this means that my 1st semester exams are drawing closer and closer. AFter 2 weeks of wondering if exams will actually be held (lecturers strike) they have confirmed that they ARE going to be held! That means Monday at 8.30 i will have my first exam - Ethics! Im not TOO worried about this one but still have to study coz there is quite a bit to remember. Then on Friday 23rd i have my last exam - Development in industrial societies... o gosh i hope i pass that one lol. Well we'll see i have to study, and not procrastinate, so best of luck to me. Let's just say i can't wait till friday the 23rd arrives so i can go party with my friends, coz i am missing them :(.
Other than exams, the new year is going ok, it could be better but i'm not complaining. Still excited to see what is going to come.
I keep seeing these reports on TV about the freezing temperatures the world is experiencing, cant say the same for Malta. Although we have rain and thunder every other day, the temperatures are still quite high like around 60F, which is quite warm considering it is january. Im not even wearing my jacket lol, only sweaters!
Hope you all have a good week,
Lots of love
xxxxx

happy new year!

2009-01-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

wow! 2008 is over, and 2009 is a whole day old. 2008 was one of the best years i've had in a longggg time, it was perfect in every way. now i am so excited to see what 2009 has in store for us! for me it's definitely gonna be a growing experience since i have never lived on my own before. I am so excited for this year to get a move on, i hope it will be as good as the last! i am so thankful that i am so blessed and i have everyone i love around me.

more over, xmas was great too! i spent xmas in london, and had a great time, i truly enjoyed spending time with my parents since i dont really have time to sit down and talk when term is in session. i'm just a bit sad that christmas is over, because it is my favourite time of the year and it has passed all too quickly! ahh well! that's life.

Anyway, i have to go now to go to mass to thank god for this wonderful year, and to pray for the coming year

happy new year!
xxxxxx

one month till xmas!

2008-11-25T13:59:00.000-08:00

seriously when i started this blog, i was dying for xmas to come and for winter to arrive, and it has!!
today month it will b xmas, and that week i wont be here in Malta but celebrating in London! yipeee!! cant wait, i havent been to london in like 10 yrs so i'm sooo looking forward to this!
i was told that my application to a hospital setting in Glasgow was rejected :(:( but was offered a place with children and adults with learning disabilities, i have no idea if i'm going to accept this or not yet, so we'll see what i'll end up doing. it does interest me, but it wasnt my first choice, i still have to do some more thinking and reading about this.
i have so much to do right now! and one super super hard assignment to tackle! and one ethics presentation and writeup, i have to film myself practicing being a social worker! sooo much to do, xmas break is going to come as such a godsend. im totally looking forward to it.
on the home front, everything if fine and everyone is looking forward to the holidays!
stay safe (who ever reads this blog anyways)
much love
xxxxxxx

november!

2008-11-06T08:50:00.000-08:00

what already november?? seriously?!!?!
so october is over already, and in comes november thus bringing about my favourite time of the year, christmas and winter. although the latter doesn't seem to have arrived yet seeing as its november and we are still wearing t shirts and flipflops! lol.
so wat has been up since i last wrote? wellll...
ok so i applied for my internship at glasgow's hospital or some other health care setting.
i went to sicily this last weekend and had a great time and really relaxed, it was much needed.
started writing some of my assignments, but really have a ways to go on the presentation and thesis fronts. hopefully i'll get there!
november also had some important birthdays and celebrations! my brother's 30th and my dad's 58th! and my sister's 1st year anniversary! it's so amazing how fast just a year goes by and how many changes happen.
i almost forgot! we celebrate my grandmother's 85th birthday... wow, she has lived to see so much and i hope i can live as long as her and see the changes the world goes through.
on the same note, i can't be anything but happy that the americans have chose Barack Obama as their president. i am speechless and so glad, because he has some fresh and great ideas. Almost every country in the world depends on America for some reason or other, therefore it is important that the USA have an excellent leader which can bring stability and perhaps end the economic crisis we are in. Well done president Obama!
ok so i know that absolutely nobody reads this blog, but if there is someone, anyone at all, just post a comment.. please? thanks!
well its already 6pm and i have to get ready for tomorrow's lectures - yuck!
much love and tc!
xxxxoxoxoxoxoxoooo

eek!

2008-10-19T01:03:00.000-07:00

already almost one month of uni has passed! EEKKK!!! i can hardly believe it!! in 10 days i'm going to sicily! i cant wait coz i really need a break from all this stress that i have been feeling!! goodness!
this week will b quite quiet i think, im getting over a bad attack of what has been dubbed the 'UoM (university of Malta) cold' and so i had to stay in all weekend :( boohoooo :(. oh well next weekend should be fun - chinese on friday and a birthday celebration on sunday and then on the next friday we go abroad! yey! well its not really abroad - i mean we go to sicily via a boat and it's only 3 hrs a way so its like we'll still b at home- I DONT CARE! im still excited haha.
yesterday one my parents' friends from canada phoned... my mum was SO excited - over the moon excietd. she made me want to immigrate to Canada here and now. i find it stange though when my parents talk of canada... its like a completely different life to the one they lead now. it kind of freaks me out a little how all their canadian friends know my name, and all about me when i have no clue at all who they r. but WOW this lady who phoned was like my mum's closest friend there, and my mum has been looking her up for ages... how bizzare is that?
anyways have a great week to whoever reads this (although im pretty sure noone does! lol)
much love
xxxxx

update

2008-10-09T12:05:00.000-07:00

wow its been a while since i've written an entry properly!
well i've started back at uni - only twice a week so far though but it seems as if im going in every day for some reason or other lol.
I got accepted for glasgow which i am pleased about :) but im scared too. but i think its a good kind of scared u knw? i knw im going on an experience of a life time and experiences ARE scary! no matter at wat age you experience them! i'm waiting for all the formalities to be processed and then i'll be on my way.
On the thesis front i have to get down to reading volumes and volumes of material and infomation but i'll get there i hope.
Third yr so far has been uneventful, but i know i have to stay on top of my work so i know as the weeks go by i'm going to have to really knuckle down and concentrate on my studies and thesis work... im still taking it quite easy!
take care now and until next time!
much love!

update

2008-09-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

i decided i would not update until i have some news! and some waiting is over!
i got my exam result and i passed! im sooo happy! coz so manay people failed, unfortunately.
i still don't have a reply about glasgow! hopefully next week! i hope it soon comes coz im sick of WAITING!
Tomorrow i start 3rd year... i have some mixed feelings... i hope all goes well and i manage to settle down and everything. There is some strike going on at the moment so we will see when we actually will start.
Well that's all the news on my front - i am a mixture of happiness and confusion lol.
till next time y'all.
xxx
much love!

still waiting

2008-09-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

well today was a good sunday. my parents, bro, my grandma and myself went out for a nice lunch at the radisson hotel (there are 3 in malta)and we enjoyed our last weekend before school starts. Although i don't knw exactly when im going to start uni because there is a lecturer dispute going on over salaries. we'll see.
I'm still waiting for my exam result.. im soooooo nervous :( i just want to pass (please god) and move on with my life. i also want to know if i'm going or not to glasgow. i just want to know taht too. i soooo hope i go. :( im hoping and praying i go. i know that if this is for me, then it will happen. i'm trusting in God here. we'll see though.
much love
xxx

waiting

2008-09-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

hey all
this week wasn't the best of weeks... it was full of anxiety and waiting ... and it is STILL full of anxiety and waiting. maybe i should explain myself better.
ok so remember last week when i said i can go to Glasgow? well today had a meeting with the erasmus chair man and i find out that at the last minute 2 people applied ... now i'm back to square one because i don't knw if im going or not!!! and i just want to knw! PFFF i hate waiting for these things! not to mention this means i am now in competition with my best friend ... which is something i wanted to avoid! well we'll have to see i guess. i really hope i go... i really, really hope i go! but i know that if i don't get chosen.. it would be for the best, yea, ill be upset for a couple of days but life goes on. either way i have an equal chance of getting in then i have of not getting in.
Ok so i made those phonecalls finally! i actually met one social worker today - she was SO NICE! i loved talking to her! tomorrow im supposed to meet someone else so we'll see if he is just as nice.
I'm on my way to finishing these formalities.. im actually really looking forward to writing this thesis! i hope i'll feel the same way when im half way through lol.
Anyways enough for today.. hopefully by th time i next write i will know if im going to glasgow and if i passed from my exam (the one i took last week)! we'll see!
much love
xxxx

wow!

2008-09-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

WOW!!
this week has passed in a surreal blur. i cannot believe tomorrow is friday!
ok so on the thesis front i have to make a couple of phonecalls - probably tomorrow - i can't put it off anymore! but i have a feeling i will! ARGH! i'll do my best! i just want to get all these formalities out of the way and get started on the real deal!
Next - i got accepted for ERASMUS!!!!! this is a student exchange which i am very excited about it mean that i get to go to university of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland UK for 6-8 wks! i can't wait! It means a summer away from home but that can't be helped! i will be doing my placement (practice in a social work agency) there, which i think is a great experience! WOW! this is something i really wanted.. and what more - my best friend is coming with me.. say what!?!?!?? yes i knw, im one lucky girl! now i'm just praying all the formalities go smoothly! really i have to thank my mum coz she is funding all this for me... thanks mum u r the absolute best!

on tuesday i had my exam.. i dont think i did absolutely fantastic, but neither do i think i did horribly... i'm just a bit pissed off that i didn't do as well as i wished coz i studied sooooo hard, but the questions aren't very direct so i'm not sure i included everything the lecturer wanted... but i'll wait and see and PRAY!

This week has been hugely busy - getting ready fot the 1st semester which starts on october 1st! WOW! ill b a third year. in the mean time im helping my family get ready for their first day bak too. my mum and i went shopping for some new clothes, and den my brother and i went shopping for some new clothes too! it just brings reality to me that things in malta are SO expensive! oh my goodness! for jeans, a sweater and a shirt and socks my brother paid over 100 euros! that's quite a bit considering!

today i went to the beach with my friends - it's still excruciatingly hot here - heat rash in odd places hot! LOL. In fact i better go coz i'm cooking tonight for my sister and her husband and my brother. And i still have to have a shower coz im full of salt and sand. lol.

Have a great weekend everyone! i know i will :) lol.

much love
xxxx

keeping it simple

2008-09-07T06:01:00.000-07:00

when i talk to my friends and family they are always clamouring for more. More money, bigger house, better jobs that pay more etc. It seems to me that people forgot how to keep things simple, and enjoy the simple things.
I lead quite a simple life, i live in a small appartment with my parents and brother and my cat, my parents both work, but it hasn't always been that way, and i am just a student. And i really wouldn't want to live any other way, right now, this is perfect :)
10 years ago, when cable first came to Malta, I was hooked on to this cartoon - Hey Arnold! and a couple of days ago, when i was at my grandpa's mass, some of my relatives wer complaining on how little money they have to spend etc. It really made me think of how we don't appreciate the things that we do have - enough food, clothes on our backs and a roof over our heads and people to love us - there are so many people who dont even have those basic needs... and we are always complaining for more, bigger and better stuff.
how is this related to hey arnold? well i remembered an episode where this song - the simple things - was sung and i decided to look up the lyrics because i feel as if they are very relevant to our lives at the moment. We need to take time to appreciate the things we have - not complain about the things we don't have.

"The Simple Things"
You can offer me a diamond-plated pearl;
You can send me all the riches in the world;
You can tempt me with the palaces of kings;
I'd give 'em back in a big ol' sack and keep the simple things

I've got the simple things; I've got the rain in spring,
Got spicy chicken wings, and French-fried onion rings

You can line me up a mile of limousines;
For me it don't add up to a hill o' beans;
I got no hankerin' for grabbin' your brass ring;
It's crystal clear - I'll stay right here and keep the simple things

I've got the summer breeze, got 16 cans of peas,
A two-speed window fan when it's 93 degrees,
So forgive me for not grabbin' your brass ring;
It's crystal clear - I'll stay right here and keep the simple things

much love
xxxx

this is what happens in Malta

2008-09-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

When one watches the news or reads the newspaper they expect to hear bad news or good news such as russian troops withdrawing from georgia or else abolishing hunting. In Malta, expect to hear GROSS news.
Some background information before you read the article down below. On november 5th 2007 Malta opened the second ever hospital run by the governemnt and called it 'Mater Dei'. This hospital is a state -of - the - art one. it literally is the best of the best and the best thing is all health care is free to maltese citizens. Anyway this is the article... warning those of you with weak stomachs STAY AWAY!.

Nurse finds part of mouse's head in her plate - caterer destroys supplies, may sue supplier(Adds caterer's comments)

The Health Department said this afternoon that prompt action was taken after a nurse yesterday reported finding part of the head of a mouse while eating vegetables at the hospital canteen.

Health inspectors were on the scene quickly to verify the report . Since the vegetables had been imported from Belgium after being processed in the Netherlands, the Public Health Inspectorate informed the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed to investigate this batch on the European market.

Contact was also made with the supplier, the stores were inspected and the remaining packets of that consignment were sealed.

The inspectorate will be taking action against the person responsible, in terms of the law, the Health Department said.

The canteen caterer in a statement said that the vegetables served in the meals were frozen packed in the Netherlands and imported from Belgium.

All stock coming from the supplier concerned had been destroyed, all ties had been cut, and legal action was being considered.

The caterer explained that health inspectors happened to be making an inspection of the canteen on the same day of the incident. They had found the canteen and kitchen to be up to all the catering standards required by EU legislation.

The caterer said he was completely confident that the incident did not arise in-house.

The Health Department in a second statement said the caterer at the Mater Dei Hospital canteen who provided meals for the workers was not the caterer who provided the patient meals.

*************************************************************************************

All i can say is GROSS and poor nurse! Besides that i seriously doubt that this was the Benelux's fault it is clearly so Maltese for this to have happened in malta! everyone knows that the hospital food can kill u!
Till next time!
xxx

new month!

2008-09-01T06:52:00.000-07:00

i can't believe it is september! like OMG! where did the summer go? I knw, I knw, i usually start my blog entries with utter disbelief about how fast the days are passing!but i cant help it, i can't believe summer 2008 is going to end in 1 month
:(.

Ok so this week is going to b very quiet. Today was spent studying and when i wasn't studying i was watching re runs of America's next top model (ok, ok i know i'm lame lol) i don't knw y i like that show! i mean it's dumb but i still love it. I cant wait till the new season starts on wedsnesday. actually i can't wait till grey's anatomy season 5 starts either. From reading this u might think i'm a TV junkie, but seriously i'm not! I watch these shows on youtube anyways because it takes forever for them to come on cable here in Malta.

Also this week will be quiet because my best friend is in scotland :( come homee! lol. if i didnt have to study i would have gone with her and we would have had a blast ... oh well. I applied for ERASMUS (student exchange) in glasgow, and she applied aswell so maybe we'll go together! we'll see. I have other friends to go out with, of course, but nothing beats ur BEST friend!

On Friday it will be my nannu's 1 yr anniversary of his death. I can't believe a whole year has passed (there i go again!). it just really goes to show how many things can change in just a year. Last year my dad didn't have a job, my grandfather was alive, my sister wasn't married, my cat was alive... and that's just to name a few! Anyway on friday my whole family (aunts and uncles and cousins) are going to hold a mass in his name with my nanna. I don't know if this is such a smart idea because it would be stirring up past emotions of my grandfather's funeral... well we'll see how my grandmother will react. on the plus side, I haven't seen my aunts, uncles and cousins since my sister's wedding which was last november, so it will be nice to catch up.

Ok that is all on my news front! catch y'all later!
xxx

summer heat

2008-08-27T12:33:00.001-07:00

hey!
these past 2 days have passed in a flash u wouldnt believe how fast!
today was SO hot and SO humid i thought i would die! i went to sliema today (shopping town in malta - the brand named shops eg, Zara, maxmara, mango, esprit etc are there) anyways whilst me and my friend were running around buying the stuff we needed, we died of heat! and we also discovered that contact lenses only exist in packets of 30 (15 pairs) for 40 euros! expensive when all she needed was about 7 pairs!
anyway later we went for lunch and i met one of my old flings... it had been a while since i last saw him adn i invited him to come with us for a drink! we enjoyed catching up talking and what not. it will b nice wen we start uni again so i can see all my friends again, summer separates us!
anyway tomorrow i'll probably b off to the cinema and friday probably swimming! we'll see.
good night! i have some work to do

good weekend!

2008-08-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

it was quite a good weekend! I'm a little disappointed that i didn't get everything i had in my mind done but oh well! there's always tomorrow.
Well yesterday i went to the cinema with my friends and we watched mamma mia! and omg how we laughed! it's a pretty dumb film with a practically non existant plot but it was such fun to take the piss out of it with some good friends!
today was a quite sunday as most sundays usually r! i woke up late and had a late lunch, i studied, watched a DVD, went to mass and had fun with my sister!
quite a good weekend overall!
lets see wat the week has in store for us!
much love!

summer lovin'

2008-08-21T12:42:00.000-07:00

today has been such a great day.. it started off really slow but picked up momentum.
i realised that i have so much to be thankful for! my lecturer accepted to be my tutor so that is a load off my mind!
i went to the beach straight after that news! i HAD to celebrate with some of my greatest friends in the world! we had such a fantastic time and the sea was beautiful because now all the tourists and the students who come here to 'learn' english, left and the sea is clean and clear and just lovely.
today was truly a great day. i clearly have so much to be thankful for and i believe that with every bad thing that happens to me, a good thing will happen! i need to b more optimistic lol.
anyways i have some stduying to do so i'll just sign off here and now! good night
xxx

quiet day

2008-08-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

well today was relatively quiet.. my family and i just cleaned the house from top to bottom and enjoyed some just plain family time.
On the thesis front i am very glad that i finally have a plan! thank god! now i'm just waiting for a final reply from one of my lecturers and if she accepts i'll be home free.... and VERY glad!
ahhhh! the joys of being a student! but i must say that this is the best time of my life and i am SO thankful that i passed my a'levels and achieved my matriculation certificate! sooo thankful i am at uni and that it's free and i actually get paid to study.
Tomorrow shoudl be fun because i get to go swimming with some friends and just enjoy beign young and being in the sun!
and the moment life is looking really great hopefully it will remain that way lol
lots of love!

tired

2008-08-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Today was another good but busy day! first i went to university to study with one of my best friends :) and i'm very glad to say we got a lot done in spite of the noise other students were making whilst drinking and eating in the library (even though food and drink are strictly prohibited... the librarian was fast asleep so she couldn't stop them!) one sounded like a blocked gulley when he was drinking! but after moving around we finally found a quiet spot and got to work and accomplished 2 hrs worth of work!
When i came home my mum felt like walking to the shops on our street (we live on the main road of my town) so we went and we found some great bargains and a suit for my dad! it was a very successful shopping trip. on the down side i was wearing 2 inch high wedges and my feet are now KILLING me! but they looked so cute on my feet and i love them lol. i loveee shoes :D similar to these:

lol except mine wer Y shaped!

Anyway that was my day! tomorrow will probably quiet helping my mum clean the house!
good night!

university

2008-08-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

well another day just flew by! i can't believe how fast the days r passing!
today i went up to uni to check some notices and some formalities for 3rd year! i can't believe i'm going to be in third year as of october! it seems like yesterday i was in 1st year.. and all the emotions new places bring with them!
Anyway wher as i got things done i didnt manage to speak to the thesis co ordinator regarding my tutor coz she wasnt around! oh well i mean it is august and it was a holiday weekend seeing as friday was the assumption! oh well i'm just praying and hoping she answers my email.... fingers crossed!
At uni the faculty was filthy! i mean im glad that they are renovating it but come on! there was a pool of water and students kept stepping in it and sliding across the hall.. actually looking back it was pretty funny!
Tomorrow i'm meeting one of my very close friends for a good studying session at the library and hopefully for lunch filled with girly gossip and giggles. lol!
Wait we had a funny episode during supper tonight.. my dad was making us spaghetti with octopus (we LOVE sea food and fish) and my mum kept giggling at the shapes of the cut octopus.. i was like mummmm you r 57 years old! i did dat when i was 13! and she was all oh well i'm young at heart! and dis made us all laugh hysterically. At the moment we are just trying to enjoy wat's left of our summer! seeing as both my parents are teachers and my brother is a school librarian and i am ofcourse a student we all find october much more as a new year than january!

Anyway i better get some sleep seeing as it is already 11 and i have to wake up early tomorrow!

my family

2008-08-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

this is my family :)we are quite a bunch and although sometimes i feel like bashing their heads into the wall i love them all dearly: from left: my brother in law, my sister, dad, mum, me and my bro.
i can't believe that it is already the 18th of august! time is passing by tooo quickly and summer will be over soon! tomorrow i have to go up to the uni to see some lecturers and some notices.. hopefully i will get things done!
today was a quiet day, i did some studying, napped went to church and then out for some ice cream with my parents since they have just came home from their holiday in Belgium. They got me some great stuff: 2 pairs of shoes (shoes r SO expensive in malta and they got me two pairs for 25 euros! yipee!) 2 winter tops, slippers, ear rings, several ornaments and chocolate of course! hehe. I find it weird when they leave me and my brother in the house alone since we r not used to them not being here! my sister still finds it strange that she doesnt live wit mum and dad so i expect when my time comes to leave i will too find it strange! luckily in Malta no where is far so i have that as some kind of consolation! even though i think Malta is too small at times, i find comfort in its size and familiarity. I like it that when i meet someone knew somehow he/she would be friends with either a relative of mine or else with another friend of mine! ok i kind of went off topic here lol wher was i? o yea the family...
Family is a huge issue here in Malta, almost all fmailies are huge which go back several generations. My mum has 4 brothers and 1 sister still living but originally she had 5 brothers and 3 sisters so u can imagine how many uncles and aunts and cousins i have!
My dad on the other hand only has 2 brothers but his mother (my grandmother ... in Maltese we call her Nanna) is still alive and is 85 years old! my grandfather (nannu) died almost a year ago at 87 so as u can tell Maltese live to be quite old!
It is a custom in Malta not to leave home until you get married ... which people overseas would find strange i think! but in Malta it is strange if u leave before u get married! go figure!
My family (nuclear lol) is different because both my parents left Malta in the 70s (these were BAD times for maltese... more detail some other time) for Canada, and there they got to experience a different life... a life which I am very grateful that they led as because of it they have taught me about unity in the face of diversity. they inspire me to venture out of Malta to learn more about myself and to broaden myself .. to become more independent. They have different ideas to the majority of other Maltese and for this I am eternally grateful for!They have encouraged me to go to university and to follow my dreams! where as the mentality here is changing it still definitely needs improvement!
Ok i think I'm rambling lol. anyway i'm going to call it a day and get some sleep! bye guys!

my cats!

2008-08-16T07:11:00.001-07:00

this is my cat ophelia! yes we love shakespeare!

this is my other cat Nero ... he is helping me study :) lol.

new blog

2008-08-16T06:51:00.001-07:00

ok so i am new here... i've had a blog before but i was quite immature about it lol! but now i'm gonna use this blog to document my life experiences and events
so i guess i should introduce my self?
I am 20 years old and i live in Malta... very small island in the mediterranean sea for more information go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta but i was born in Canada.. we moved to malta when i was about 4 so i really don't remember much! why did we move? welll my parents are both Maltese and they were missing their families!
I am a uni student studying social work at the University of Malta, but since Malta is SO small (it only takes 1hr 30 mins to get from one end of the island to the other and back) i commute and therefore I still live at home with my mum and dad and brother and of course my 2 cats! I have a sister too but she got married ! :(.
Basically I'm a small town (well country lol) girl who gets impressed veryyyyy easily by small things .. for example when i went to england for the first time when i was 11, i was very impressed that soft drinks came in plastic bottles and aluminium cans.. in Malta (up to last feb) they came in glass bottles.
I want to use this blog to basically look back at my student days and remind myself of how much i worked for my degree! but also of how many friends i made and how much i grew as a person. i love studying social work i really feel as if it is my calling and i would love to meet other social work bloggers!
that's all for now!