Real, Not Ideal

       I am a serial collector of memories. For years, I have kept a “Happy Box.” It has an assortment of items that meant so much to me in a moment in time. They were moments that I wanted to freeze forever, hoping to freeze with it the feeling of bliss. The ribbon that was on a birthday gift from my best friend that we couldn’t get off and we laughed and laughed at the restaurant table. The hockey tickets from the first official date with my boyfriend. The shorts I crafted and got people to sign on a band trip. Play bills from every play I’ve been to in the past ten years. Confetti from Walk Off the Earth concerts. Bracelets, trinkets, letters. Every now and then, I feel nostalgic and go through my Happy Box. Sometimes, it lifts my spirits and reminds me of a time when I was so happy, I didn’t think life could get any better. Other times, it is a hurtful reminder of things that have come and gone. The once fulfilling letter from the friend that stopped talking to me. The pictures

 I had SUCH a hard time narrowing down my choices for this month. It has been a month jam packed with some very exciting things. I’ve started working an actual teaching job again which now has me working weekends, but I’ve also been filling my time with some amazing personal things. No more blabbing – here it is! 1.       Dance This is something I’ve been doing for a couple months with my sister, but it isn’t until this month that I really started feeling good about it. I danced for years and then stopped seven years ago when I started university. Brianne never stopped, so she wanted to start it again when I got home. At first, it was really hard. My body wasn’t used to moving this way anymore. After the first few classes, I found myself in tears because I felt like I was doing horribly. Well, I’m happy to say I’m getting better and it’s getting easier. I truly look forward to going every week.  2.       Thanksgiving It was Thanksgiving this month! Things were pretty up in the