Almost done!

Hello, everyone! 

I am currently freaking out and really excited- both at the same time- because I am almost done school. Today was technically the last day ever in my journalism program, but I still have some stuff to finish up. 

I have to wind up my internship, which was supposed to have ended a week ago, and I also have a big project to wrap up today. So close... but it feels so far. So I'm typing away like a mad woman, desperate to finish this program and never write another news story ever again.

me right now: 

What a great way to come out of a two year post secondary education. Learn how to do something with the training to make it one's career, and on the last day of classes decide I WILL NEVER DO THIS EVER AGAIN THANK GOD. And I wonder why I've never been praised for my attitude.

So I suppose this is a bit of a pre-celebratory post. I'm almost done, but before that happens and before I  can celebrate, I still have a lot of work to do. 

So if you'll excuse me, I have some last minute panicked typing to do. 

This is me.

Throwback Thursday on Friday

I know it's Friday, but after discovering Facebook's new "memories" feature, I'm having a throwback Thursday. Because apparently Thursday is the designated day of the week for reminiscence. I'm poking through ancient Facebook albums, from my University of Calgary days and beyond. 
Care to join me? 

Who is Ross and why are there library books on his project shelf? 

That time my alarm clock told me to have a good day

When I drew Klaus the Nazi goldfish in my German Language textbook...

Patrick and I were toy car shopping at Toys R Us when we found this beaut:

The day I joined the Porn Industry: 

When I went loopy for fruit loops

The worst photo shoot in history...

The day we set up Brad's 80 inch TV

Humiliating Scooter. Again.

When David had to lift the hood of his car and do mechanic things at the worst time

30 Day invisible illness challenge: Day 13

Day Thirteen: 

Regarding work and career: 

It's rough.

There's no other way to put it. It's hard to work and attend post-secondary with a chronic illness. But if there's one thing I am proud to say about myself, it's that I am a hard worker. While studying as an English Major full time at the University of Calgary, I was working 5 to 7 days a week at my job as a supervisor at a pet store.

I started studying journalism in 2013 and it's been so hard to keep up. I had surgery at the end of August 2013, and a couple weeks later started the journalism program. I remember walking around school with a sore, swollen tummy, and swallowing narcotic pain killers between classes. I've found that journalism has been especially hard while struggling with a chronic, debilitating illness. To produce good stories worth reading, I need to be out and about doing interviews and taking photos. So many days I feel too sore and tired to get up, so it's an enormous struggle to keep up on my school work. 

Me, over the past couple years:

I also work at a pet food store, so working and attending school is immensely difficult. I said before that I am a hard worker, but lately I have been feeling utterly defeated. School was especially hard while I was on Leuprolide. The cancer treating drug made me nauseous and sick, and it was tremendously embarrassing to duck out of class to vomit. I had a lot of minty gum in my bag, believe you me. 

I've been hospitalized twice after work got the better of me and my pain increased to the point where I vomited/fainted/felt like death would be a pleasant alternative to the pain I was experiencing. 

I've kept in touch with a lot of women who suffer with endometriosis on the Twitter. I like these women a lot, and I've learned that a lot of them cannot work because their pain is- surprise- debilitating. Part of me wants to apply for disability, because really, some days it's just so bad I can't do much of anything with myself. But in the same breath, I don't want to do that. I feel that if I gave up my independence though work and school, it would be like letting the disease win. I love working with animals, and despite the stress regarding work, I love what I do and I would lose a great deal of happiness if I stopped working. 

So yes, post secondary school work and working is incredibly difficult while suffering from a bad case of endometriosis. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I need to work to be happy. I need to work to survive, and I'm not ready to lay down and let this disease take over my life.

Thank you so much for reading, and I appreciate your support. It means the world to me, it really does.

-Captain Lakie

Writer's Block

I love to write and 99% of the time I have something to say (relevant or not). But now I have a column assignment due today. I've been excited for this assignment because I am enamored with literature. You don't get to do creative writing in journalism, which pains me. Column writing is as close as we'll get to literature in journalism, so I am quite excited. So why can't I think of anything to write??? 

 I'm just staring at a blank word document like:

I got nothin'. 

What's a girl to do? Writer's block is the worst. My pain killers aren't helping the matter either. This period from hell is keeping up, and the cramps are ridiculous. That, plus tramadol (which is supposed to fix the problem) = serious brain fog. 

ANGELS OF CREATIVE WRITING PLEASE COME FORTH AND AID ME IN MY COLUMN ASSIGNMENT!

I'll let you know how this one plays out.

I shall scratch my own eyes out

Guys I'm going crazy, I think.

I'm in public relations class at the moment and it's pretty dull. (And by "pretty dull" I mean I'm ready to repeatedly smash my face on this desk). 

I'm really not all that interested in media releases and things. Oh who am I kidding. For some reason I'm damn good at public relations, even though it bores me. Whoda thunk, I'm good with people? 

I'm really frustrated, for a number of reasons. Beyond public relations and searching for an internship, I'm struggling hard with pain. I had this moment where my pain was really, really bad (it's been bothering me more than usual for the past few days) and I was like, I really want to make a doctor's appointment. But who am I kidding. I already have an ultrasound and a depot booked. Why should I bother with another appointment? They can't make it better, so...... DRUGS AND VIDEO GAMES IS THE SOLUTION. Seriously, that's what it's come to. 

drugs. and video games. 

F yeah health care, right? 

Anyways. 

I've been enjoying the new Donkey Kong game lately. It's pretty awesome, and I recommend it. See, I bought my beloved a Wii U game console and some games for his birthday. Of course he loves his present so we've been accumulating lots of games and keeping entertained. Really, this Wii U thing is a fucking blast. We use it for Netflix (SO MUCH TRAILER PARK BOYS OMG) and of course our games. Donkey Kong is hard but I've been loving it. My boyfriend even calls me Cranky [Kong]. 

These grouchy owls are my favorite part of the game.

It's been a long day and I am stuck in yet another boring class. My friend is currently talking at 100 miles an hour while drinking coffee. I wish I could share this sight with you, he's a mess.

This afternoon our Opinion Writing instructor had a guest speaker come in, a political cartoonist. Very interesting, this guy has some good work. It got me thinking about artwork, and how much I miss producing it! When I was in High School, I was super into art and I made lots of digital paintings. I used a bamboo tablet and photoshop elements to do my art. Oh, good times. 

I painted my own Christmas cards one year

I like drawing horses. Horses are the best.

A tapir (he has a balloon tied to his nose).

Anyways, this cartoonist. He was brought in so early as my instructor's response to the Charlie Hebdo incident in Paris, France. (Rest in peace. Je suis Charlie). It was interesting what this man, Wyatt Tremble, had to say in regards to his job. He said that political cartoons aren't fair. They're taking an politician's shortcomings and mocking them, blowing them out of proportion. He said it is amazing that his work sparks emotion and debate in a number of people. And it's true, these images do spark emotion and debate. And, unfortunately, shootings. Because that's how Islam deals with things that offend them. cough. I digress. 

The closest I'll ever get to a political cartoon.

Everyone, take some time to do some art. Even you boys! Draw something, it's fun, and it feels good. ;)
Take care!
-Captain Lakie (the Silly Mallard)

Adventure Time! (soon, very soon)

Hello, everybody! How are you beautiful people doing?

I'm excited to share with you a really cool little piece of news. *ahem* are you ready to hear it?

That's right- I'm going on an adventure!

Allow me to elaborate. 

I am currently studying journalism in college, and this semester I've got a theme for all of my news stories and articles. Because I love animals so much, and because I'll be studying Animal Health Technology following my graduation in 2015, I'm writing most of my articles on animal and pet related topics. Originally, I wanted to go on a cattle drive for the Live Blogging portion of my class. Apparently, city folk book these cattle drive vacations 15 months in advance, so it was impossible for me to get in last minute, even though I have over 10 years of horse riding and handling experience. So with that idea out the window, I was deflated and at a bit of a loss. 

I did some digging around, and ended up finding a company that does guided rides deep into the Albertan North Western wilderness. I called the company right away and some grumpy cowboy answered and told me that he was doing his last ride of the season. Lucky for me, he was willing to make an exception and take- get this- just me out on a guided ride. I just about died. I was so thrilled! 

So its absolutely last minute (my favorite!) and I'll have the most amazing project (assuming I actually take pictures, shoot video, and do work on this trip). 

I leave for my trip on Wednesday. It's a 7-hour drive to the ranch, and from there we'll trailer the horses further up north. Our ride will last 3 days, and in that time, we will likely see a bunch of wildlife (including wild horses). 

OH. MY GOD. I CAN'T WAIT.

   

  I was super stoked about this whole thing. Just me, pack horses, and my cowboy guide. My teacher, who is lovely, was concerned and frowned deeply and was concerned that I would be raped and told me to please for the love of god be safe. I am less than concerned about that, and more concerned that I may perhaps freeze in the unpredictable Canadian wilderness. I will be packing plenty of Under Armour warm tech clothes, Helly Hansen under layers, my North Face lined winter jacket, gloves, mittens, a toque (so Canadian, eh?), and my riding boots. 

looks cold out there...

I really feel that this will make for a most epic final project. The countdown is on!

I've been a very bad girl...

I know, I know... I just posted. But here's the thing- it's Saturday morning and I'm trapped at work. I've been open for one whole hour and I've only had 3 customers come in. See? I'm bored. Plus, I like to write (and talk). I talk when I don't even have anything to say. I guess I do the same with writing. And there's no better place to dump my rampant thoughts than on my own blog. So here we go. 

I start up my final year of Journalism school on Tuesday. I am less than enthused, as I find balancing work, social life, and school to be very stressful. Throw a chronic illness into the mix and the whole thing can get a bit overwhelming. There is however one thing that I love about back to school.... And that's back to school shopping. I just love to shop, period. Funny habit for a girl with no money. 

The other day I discovered the Tide Store (www.tidestore.com) and they have some seriously cute clothes. And I was in bed and on some pain killers so I was feeling a bit whoopsie. And I may have bought some things. I'm a bad girl. Here's what I got! 

I got the white one 

My only concern with my purchase is that the models they have wearing these clothes are these tiny skinny little Asian women. I am not a tiny little Asian woman. I mean I have a tiny little waist and bony ribs, but I have a butt, hips, and thunder things. So naturally I'm seriously concerned that the jeans won't fit. 

I'll be sure to post when my clothes come in and give you all a review on the Tide Store. In the meantime, maybe cross your fingers for me and pray that my jeans will fit over my ass. 

Until next time (likely later today if business keeps on being this slow...) 

-Captain Lakie