*WHOOOOSSSSSSHHHHH*

Huge leap into future!

I have not abandoned this...I'm just busy living the life instead of writing about it.

Since I last wrote, I have had a birthday, and so it follows, turned 23, found a job, been working for the last 2 months, moved out of the triple-love-nest that was my first home in Toronto, moved into a bachelorette all of my own, moved on ever so slightly from the heart wrenching crush I had and am now EXACTLY where I planned to be when I set out for this country two years ago.

I am a fresh graduate, struggling, making just about enough for rent, food and entertainment, living in a city I love with close friends still close and new lovers on the horizon.

My boys Marc and Andrew left for home (London, ON) over a week ago, to go back to school for another year and while I feared it would crush me, I've survived and so has our friendship, so far.

Old college friends drive in from the far suburbs once or twice a month and small reunions keep us connected. A new, older suitor keeps me smiling, although I've refused to take it further than the close friendship we now share.

I'm loving every bit of my life, I'm in a good place. I have a date or something to do most Friday and Saturday nights, I have a home I love and two of my best friends, David and Ella, live 15-20 minutes away.

I'm healthy, I'm gaining weight and muscle and glowing both inside and out. I've been told there's an ointment for this.

Last stand of the Foursome

Warm fuzzies...

Everytime I try to disconnect, he PULLS me back in!

Also, I'm a cuddle bug and cant resist a good cuddle-nap. GARGH.
But the disconnection attempts will continue. For the sake of my own sanity.

In other news I am officially the most spoiled child ever - not spoilt - SPOILED - pampered by my family that just wont quit.

A week after graduation I recieve THIS in the mail:

After much screaming and hollering I read the card and jump online with my mom and discover that it's my graduation present. I say GRADUATION WHAAA? Who gets graduation presents for completing a diploma when I have already celebrated Uni grad and various other academic achievements?
It was my sister's master plan all along apparently and she has been scheming and plotting with both Ella and Shikha for a while to get this to me, in part to make up for the fact that I was upset that ma couldn't make it on time. It comes inscribed with the most articulate "La la la...toing!" - as in silly girl skipping down the street singing, trips and falls.
My sister and infact my entire family is the most supportive, wonderful, unconditionally loving unit ever and it took me a while to stop crying when I opened the package. Not because of the gift and the material aspects thereof, but because they have been unrelentingly supportive and wonderful throughout these two years in Canada. Not only was a graduation present NOT expected, it was wholly unnecessary. But they did it anyway. Why, I ask my ma, she says simply "For you to be happy". I am happy - I have a family whose constant presence and overwhelming back up to get me on my feet is more than anyone could ask for in several lifetimes. *touch wood* *anti-jinx*.

And it doesn't stop there - since a week from today will be my first birthday away from home, two other parcels are in the mail, one from Bombay and one from London, where my sister is currently on a business/pleasure trip, to ensure I have new duds and presents for the occassion.
They are just non-stop.

I know...I dont know what I did to deserve them either.

*Touch wood*

Thats that.

Just as schools and colleges start back home, I completed my two years at Fanshawe.

Yesterday was our graduation/convocation ceremony - and even though it shouldnt have been, it was my first. I am now officially done my education in Canada, and my life here is just about beginning.

More on my life and my amazing exploits in TO later.  For now, GRADUATION DAY FUN!

Ma couldnt make it down in time. I teared up more than once at the ceremony, but made it through fine. My best friend and adopted big brother (who is 2 years younger than me) David's parents filled in as Ella and my family. They really have become part of my family here and I was thrilled to bits that we could drive down with them and have the whole proper graduation thingy, with his mum having us do a pre-grad photoshoot in the back yard, racing to get a picture of me just as I got off stage, dinner at a nice restaurant after and much hugging and congratulations.

It was the loveliest summer day and for once we didnt have to cover up nice outfits with bulky jackets. David, Ella and I made a grand entrance- each of us on one of his arms- to much hooting and whistling from the classmates. Much fun!

Gowns were fitted, lines were made, photos were taken, seats were taken, lines were made, walks across stage were taken, photos were taken, food was eaten, photos were taken, hugs were had, photos were taken, food was eaten, wine was wasted.

After the ceremony I went back to David's to allow the tinkling sound of the mini waterfall and pond in his yard sooth and unwind the nerves. His family has just literally adopted us and its a second home now. After a relaxing evening, much chatting and a restful sleep, David drove me to the bus stop, we said our ALWAYS tender goodbyes and I was home in an hour.

I wish I had more poetic prose to write on the ending of an era and the beginning of a new chapter. It really is both. I'll start work soon and my MUCH AWAITED 'life in Toronto' (TM) will begin in earnest. But I dont. Graduation was just a fun way to see everyone again, dress up, look fabulous and goof around like 12 yr olds while we sat impatiently waiting for our names to be called. School ended with internships and I dealt with that then with good food, a bottle of wine, a starbucks cup cake and good conversation. As I continue to live with school mates, things dont feel final or over yet. They probably will in September when some of them will go back to school for another year. But I'll repress that for now.

Heres some pictures from Graduation...

Back yard photo-shoot

David and his women

The man I'm bound to have twins with

Ella and I in our graduation gowns

Receiving my diploma. Courtesy: Lee Mann

The Graduates

B.A. + Diploma! woohoo!

And thats that.

Shave and a hair cut, two bits!

Weight

Two words

FRIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE