I'm sitting in bed after completing my online midterm for my Mental Health in Nursing Practice course and have been mulling over a new nickname. I wanted something a bit cuter than 'Cookies and Cupcakes by Cass' but I lack the quick-wit that so many enjoy.
All good stories begin with a history, right? Well, after high school, I desperately wanted to be a home economics teacher. After one semester of post-secondary sciences, I realized I just didn't want it bad enough - or maybe it was immaturity coupled with teenaged melodrama. I don't know if I'll ever truly figure it out, myself. So in 2006, I dropped out of college and went to baking school at VCC. Have you ever taken a home ec class in high school? VCC was like that for me. I was exposed to such an array of ppl I wouldn't have otherwise been introduced to, I learned how to work with ppl, deal with personalities, and learned more about myself. More importantly, no, MOST importantly, I got to bake and eat! At VCC, you either specialize in breads or French pastries. I chose the latter because I loved the finished products and felt that wedding cakes were amazing to create.
All throughout my childhood, I've been a volunteer for St. John Ambulance (this will make a bit more sense later). Through SJA, I've developed first aid skills, learned the value of dedication and volunteerism, and even been able to muster leadership within myself. When I started at VCC, I began working at a medical clinic and continued to do so all throughout that year. I quit to work full time at a catering company. After a series of grueling 12am-8am and 3am-11am shifts, I realized that at 19, I still had no idea what I wanted. I wanted to be nestled in the comfort zone of possessing the title of 'student' - that way, I wouldn't have to begin my life yet, I wouldn't have to think about responsibility to that extent.
So if you're still reading, I commend you and appreciate your attention! So, that takes us to 2007. I quit the catering company, traveled parts of Asia, went back to school and decided I wanted to be a teacher still. This time around, I was a bit more mature in my decision making and truly appreciated the value of an education and was grateful for the ability to go to school. After Asia, I began working at the pastry shop where I did my work experience and continued to do so part-time for a few years. So, got into UBC (which was one of the biggest grievances of non-achievements during my late teen life) and really questioned if I wanted to be a high school teacher. In SJA, I was continually surrounded and while I enjoyed teaching first aid to them once a week, I found that teaching high school still wasn't something I was truly passionate about.
So after volunteering at a few hockey games at GM Place, randomly helping a couple out at a gas station, I realized just how beneficial it was to be there at such a time of vulnerability. I had never thought so hard about a decision in my life. After what felt like a ridiculous amount of deliberation, I applied. I had never wanted something so badly in my 21 years of existence. I remember receiving my letter of acceptance in the mail in October of 2008 and finding out that I was accepted for the January 2009 intake. I cried, I'm not ashamed to admit it. Haha. I believe that experiencing emotions is one of the pillars of living a fruitful life.
So I'm well into my second year of nursing school now and am loving every single minute of it. I don't think I could have picked a better profession for me, have you ever put on a pair of scrubs? Do you know how comfortable they are? I don't think you can truly appreciate how wonderful they really are until you try on a pair. I've been given the opportunity to go to Bangladesh in June to help out at a
nursing school and I feel incredibly honoured - not to mention completely ecstatic about the entire thing! I do need to pay for airfare and since I'm still a starving student who doesn't want to hit up her friends for money, I thought it would be a great opportunity to make some money baking. My two passions - baking and nursing.
You know how they say mothers are always right? It's true. My mom always said to me, 'you never know when baking can come in handy'. I bake for friends, I bake for classmates, I bake for the hospital units at the end of each semester. Who doesn't love baked goods, right? So that's the latter half of my life-story for you. I hope you've enjoyed reading (if you've read up to here) and I hope to see you at the Baker's Market!
I'll be there on April 3rd and May 8th! Come by and say hello! I love meeting new and interesting ppl! :)
"Prepping" the night before....and by prepping, that involved me going on strike and Judy and Crystal making fun of my receding hair line. Friends, can't live with them, can't live without them.
my fundraising sister by day and superwoman by night
