Remembrance Day

I sing for a local hockey team called the Lasalle Vipers. Every Wednesday I have the honour of singing O’Canada for them. Today was an exceptionally special and emotional day for me seeing it was Remembrance Day.

Approximately two weeks ago my uncle left for Afghanistan. I’ve been praying for him every night for his safe return home. Today at the arena they had a young soldier from Lasalle do the honours of the ceremonial puck drop. This soldier spent September 08 to September 09 in Afghanistan. He had his entire family with him there tonight and you could see the happiness in their eyes when they looked at him to have him returned safely.

Seeing him with his family really touched home for me. It made me very emotional to think of my uncle and my family especially his wife and two children. I can’t even imagine being in their position not being able to call their dad/husband and not knowing what he’s doing or what’s going on over there. My heart goes out to those families like mine who are in the same position. It takes an extreme amount of courage for the soldiers to risk their lives to fight for our country, but it takes an even larger amount of strength to be the families left behind only to pray and hope.

This Remembrance Day is even more personal to me than any other year, and I cannot wait until I have the safe return of my uncle.

Pet Shop

The other day I went into a local Pet Store with my siblings to look at the animals. I’ve never liked going into these stores, even as a child, because I always felt so bad for them sitting there in their cages, crying out to you to pet them and take them home. I used to avoid going to those stores to save myself the heartbreak, but with the persistence of my brother and sister they got me to go in.

 I’ve always loved animals so I couldn’t resist but take out an adorable little puppy to pet. She was so excited to be out of her cage that she kissed and jumped all over me. When the time came to put her back I felt horrible so I got an idea.

Socializing

On our way out of the store I asked the storeowner if it would be possible for me to stop by once a week to pet and play with the puppies. He was all for the idea, and apparently there were a few people who do so occasionally. Also there’s a name for what I thought was just generically playing its called socializing

Socializing consists of taking one dog/cat out at a time, and playing with them. Because they are so young they don’t realize what feet are and that they should stay clear of them so you must be very careful not to step on them when they’re out. Many of them are also teething so they try to chew on any body part of yours they can (hands, fingers, toes, arms etc.) so you must teach them the word NO.

Monday

Monday is the day that I go to the store to visit with the animals. They are so cute I just love them! My favorite thing to do with them is to take them for walks outside since they don’t get to go out very much. Some puppies do great and love it while others are really scared and uneasy. It depends for the most part on their age. Another reason why I love taking them for walks is because while I’m out and about so many people stop to goggle over the adorable puppy. To me I see it as an opportunity to advertise them saying how they are for sale, this is their age, they are so cute, need a good home etc. I like to advertise them because the sooner they find a good home to go to the less amount of time they have to spend cooped up in those kennels.

I love volunteering at the Pet Store and would recommend to anyone who loves animals as much as I do to go offer your time at a local pet store. They could always use the help.

I didn't get the opportunity to take any pictures yet but I will soon and post them onto here so stay tuned! <3

Another Year

Tomorrow is my first day back at school. I will be entering my second year of University. Looking back at where I was in life last year; I’ve come to realize how much can happen in one year’s time. Knowing what I’ve accomplished from then until now makes me excited to see what this upcoming year will hold for me.

Continuing what I’ve started

Although I will be giving up my title of Miss Teen Ontario-World this upcoming December I will continue to volunteer, and bring awareness to my platform.  I look forward to continuing to help others and most importantly this year I look forward to being able to assist in a grade school.

School

My program offers to second year students the opportunity to work first hand in an elementary school setting with children. I am enthralled at having this opportunity this year seeing as being an elementary school teacher is my future employment goal. Not am I excited to gain the experience, but I'm excited to work with these children.

 Childhood to me is the most important time in a person’s life. It sets the foundation for who they are to become in the future. I’m excited to be able to incorporate what my program offers as well; as what I have to offer, into a classroom setting. I’m excited to incorporate various energetic activities from my platform into the drama activities in the classroom. I’m sure it may be difficult at times, and some students may not want to participate in certain activities. However, I’m looking forward to these obstacles as well as they’ll help me grow and learn how to adapt to these situations.

This Year

I have goals set for this year that I look forward to meeting. I’m eager to see how this upcoming year will play out; as I’m sure it’ll be amazing. I’m very optimistic starting this school year as I know I can, and will, do anything I set my mind out to doing; as long as I believe in myself and work hard for what I want.

Miss Teen Canada-World

Over a month ago I was able to experience one of the most amazing weeks of my life. 54 girls competed for the title of Miss Teen Canada-World and the overall winner was Sierra Bearchell from Saskatchewan. She moved on to compete in the Miss Teen World Pageant held in Texas, where she finished 3^rd overall. 

I finished 5^th overall at the Miss Teen Canada-World pageant, an accomplishment I am very proud of.  Having competed in this pageant I met some of the most amazing girls from all across Canada. Spending a week with 53 amazing girls was a life changing experience that I will never forget.

The pageant was so well put together that throughout the entire week we were able to attend a variety of events and social gatherings, as well as practice practice practice.

The Final Night

The final night... I don’t even know to describe it. Thinking back I still get an overwhelming wave of emotions. It was amazing to feel on that night all the work and dedication that was put into the event. I spent months and months preparing for this pageant and it all came down to that one single night.  The emotions I felt on that night were unexplainable. Knowing how much hard work was put into that night and feeling proud of everything I had accomplished to get there made me so happy.  As the elimination to get to the top 5 contestants preceded every cut that I made, made me want to cry. I wanted to cry because I couldn’t believe it, I wanted to cry because I was proud, I wanted to cry because I was happy, and I wanted to cry because I was excited.  

Sierra

Sierra is an amazing girl who will do a fantastic job of representing Canada. She is such a kind, humble, girl who is not only beautiful on the outside but on the inside as well. I am so happy for her and wish her all the best.

As for myself I am continuing to make appearances and volunteering my time at events throughout Ontario. In December I will give up my crown to the next successor. I am not done competing in pageants and am sure to compete in one within the next year.

Thanks

I would like to thank everyone who made this experience possible: My friends, my family (especially my mom), my sponsors, my town, and most importantly everyone involved in the MTC-W organisation especially the director herself Michelle Weswaldi.