I am a wife, daughter, friend and mom to a sweet bug (Boston-terrier/pug) named Oakley. I grew up and currently reside in Toronto, a true city girl at heart.
I love being a student, and probably will be a life-long student, taking training courses and seminars. One thing my master's program has taught me is that there is so much more to learn!
When I'm not busy studying, I am usually at my job as a part-time funeral director's assistant/hostess for the Simple Alternative, a funeral company with various locations throughout the GTA. I have been working in this business for almost eight years, and I love it. There is something very special about being with a family in their most difficult time, and being able to support them through that. I also find funeral rituals endlessly fascinating, and am always learning something new.
My other role is as a volunteer counsellor on the Toronto Rape Crisis Line. I have a deep passion for feminist counselling, and find this work inspiring (but also incredibly difficult at times!). The Toronto Rape Crisis Centre is an amazing place with amazing women working in it. It is (unfortunately) a necessary service for survivors of sexual violence.
When I am ready to kick back and have some fun, I love to hang out with Matt, go to the movies, go out dancing with our friends or for all you can eat sushi- a major guilty pleasure of mine. I also love Zumba and Body Attack classes at Goodlife- I have found they save my sanity when I am nearing burnout.
I also love listening to music. It is a wonderful way for me to unwind, and sometimes dance like crazy! I often will recommend dancing to my clients who are experiencing stress. My favorite band is Pearl Jam- Eddie Vedder has had a big influence on me. Although Pearl Jam's first album, 'Ten' came out when I 9 years old, it had a big influence on me in high school. The grunge-rock era will forever hold a special place in my heart.
I love being a student, and probably will be a life-long student, taking training courses and seminars. One thing my master's program has taught me is that there is so much more to learn!
When I'm not busy studying, I am usually at my job as a part-time funeral director's assistant/hostess for the Simple Alternative, a funeral company with various locations throughout the GTA. I have been working in this business for almost eight years, and I love it. There is something very special about being with a family in their most difficult time, and being able to support them through that. I also find funeral rituals endlessly fascinating, and am always learning something new.
My other role is as a volunteer counsellor on the Toronto Rape Crisis Line. I have a deep passion for feminist counselling, and find this work inspiring (but also incredibly difficult at times!). The Toronto Rape Crisis Centre is an amazing place with amazing women working in it. It is (unfortunately) a necessary service for survivors of sexual violence.
When I am ready to kick back and have some fun, I love to hang out with Matt, go to the movies, go out dancing with our friends or for all you can eat sushi- a major guilty pleasure of mine. I also love Zumba and Body Attack classes at Goodlife- I have found they save my sanity when I am nearing burnout.
I also love listening to music. It is a wonderful way for me to unwind, and sometimes dance like crazy! I often will recommend dancing to my clients who are experiencing stress. My favorite band is Pearl Jam- Eddie Vedder has had a big influence on me. Although Pearl Jam's first album, 'Ten' came out when I 9 years old, it had a big influence on me in high school. The grunge-rock era will forever hold a special place in my heart.
"My bitter hands grate on broken glass of what was everything. All the pictures have all been washed in black, tattooed everything." - Pearl Jam, Black The song, 'Black' resonated with me as a teenager. Pearl Jam was a band whose music I actually felt. At a time when many of my peers were listening to Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys, that meant something for me. |
Eddie Vedder continues to be an inspiration for me. He is an activist, and lets his views be known. In a 2009 interview when asked about his views on social issues in the United States, he said, "People on death row, the treatment of animals, women's right to choose. So much in America is based on religious fundamentalist Christianity. Grow up! This is the modern world!" (Simpson, 2009). And to that, I say, Amen! |
My husband Matt has shown me what real happiness feels like. It is hard to put into words how I feel about him, or how he has made me feel like I have 'come to life'. He is my best friend, my partner in crime and the person I am so excited to grow old with. This picture was taken at our friend's cottage where we go every year. It's our little slice of heaven! The song Eddie Vedder wrote, "Longing to Belong" always plays in my head when I look at the picture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqZ0-PhHsaE&feature=kp. Here is a link to the Youtube video for the song. Enjoy!
Reference:
Simpson, Dave (2009). "Pearl Jam: 'People get that this means something'". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-08-13.