After a month and a bit of settling back into Toronto and moving back for good, I spent the weekend in Waterloo celebrating convocation with many of my dear friends. I’m so proud of each and every single one of them. Even though it’s already been a while since I left, I don’t think it really hit me that I’m never moving back to Waterloo again as a student until I went back this weekend. Eating my favourite veggie pad thai at the Vegetarian Fast Food Restaurant, chilling at the girl’s house, partying it up at Caesar’s, post-clubbing food at Bubbletease and finally staying one night in Ron Eydt Village, my old residence just about did it. Not sure what came over me but Bubbletease brought back way long ago memories of everything that used to take place there. Dates, parties, celebrations, the old renovations, the people that I met there, everything. I’m not one to cry much but it hit me like a ton of bricks and once it started, it wouldn’t stop.
First Year. Oh blonde hair.
I feel so fortunate to have experienced all that I did in Waterloo. I’m sure everyone will say this about their own school but it became so quickly another home away from home. Moving away to a completely brand new city with no idea of what Waterloo even looked like when I had made my choice of picking the university for the next 5 years of my life, I entered into the school with a car full of my boxes and high hopes for the future. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.
Azn Pikniq. 10 years later & still going strong.
Over the last 5 years …. I learned how to cram all night before a midterm/exam and pass. I learned how to assemble IKEA furniture – comes with a lot of practice. I learned how to speak French fluently by studying and traveling in Paris, France. I learned how to make new friends quickly. I learned that some friendships are not meant to stay forever. I learned how to be independent, to a certain extent. I learned how important it was to get involved in extracurricular activities (special thanks to all those who made CASA & Impact possible). I learned how lucky I was to have surrounded myself with a strong support system - my girls. I learned how much effort maintaining friendships can be once you move away, but how rewarding it is when you do – my AznPikniq. 10 years and still going strong <3. I learned how to get over a death of a family member - RIP Grandpa. I learned how to move on from the death of one of my closest family members – we miss you everyday Mimi. I learned how to dance, and oh boy did we dance. Willy bounce & Ballin’! I learned how to be a leader. I learned how to work in a corporate environment. I learned about entrepreneurship. I learned how to direct a fashion show. I learned how to get over a broken heart. Most of all, I learned how to open my heart and love my friends, family, boys, coworkers.
My support system. <3
I would never give up the experience that I had living, studying, partying, laughing, crying, working in Waterloo for anything in the world. It will always be a part of me.
