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! :)
my fundraising sister by day and superwoman by night
