Moving. Done and done! Oh thank goodness it's over! The morning after convocation reality was back and the task of moving all my personal possessions from Ottawa to Sudbury (about a 6 hour drive) began. A gigantic thank you goes out to all friends who came out to help in the afternoon heat. Thank you to my mum and dad for carrying boxes when they really shouldn't have (and loading up their respective vechiles to the max). Thank you to Charles, his father George, Danny, Aaron and finally Jason and his brother. Couldn't have do it without you. We managed to fill the 17' U-haul truck, a suv and a toyota corolla - just barely. Thanks to my cousin Kierstan who helped make the u-haul experience less painful than last time - not to mention the "dubblestyne discount." The newer truck with a/c was lovely! The $104 gas fill-up in Mattawa (about 2/3 the way there) sucked though.
It's been almost two weeks since everything got dropped off for me to take care of. Unpacking may just be as horrible as packing but it's almost near its completition. Next goal is to find a roommate (who isn't crazy) to fill the second bedroom.

On June 14th I walked across the stage at Carleton University and received my Bachelor of Engineering! Sure it's a lot of fuss but I think I deserve some moment for fame for the last five sometimes good sometimes brutal years. My mum, dad, Fiona and Charles came out and cheered me on for my triumphant walk (which apparently was a bit on the fast side). Mostly I was thinking something on the lines of "smile....walk....don't trip....shake hands....smile....don't trip....walk more..." After the ceremony I got a great congrats from one of my profs. Then the picture taking began. Too bad my friends and I couldn't be more organized and set a time to take a group photo. Instead I would move about 10ft, see someone, chat it up a bit and then the picture. To wrap up the day - my gang was joined by Charles' parents and my cousin Kiersten at the Greek Souvlaki House for a literal mound of food.

Crazy week.

Today I accomplished mission impossible - I found a dress for graduation. Charles picked up his graduation gown today and its open in the front in the middle about 2-3 inches so it does actually matter what I wear.

Tuesday morning Charles will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science!! Which means I'll basically get a sneak-peak at how my grad is going to go.

Wednesday my parents are coming up from Sudbury. I'm meeting up with a friend before they get into town. It's also my last full day to finish packing and cleaning the apartment. Most of everything is finished. It's just the millions of little things left.

Thursday is my graduation!! I'll receive my Bachelor's of Engineering! Very nice expensive piece of paper. It will also be nice to see all of my school friends together before everyone goes their separate ways.

Friday is moving day. Assuming U-Haul comes through with the truck they promised I hope that everything goes smoothly.

Saturday is moving day part two. Unloading the truck in Sudbury. We figured loading the truck, driving 6 hours and unloading in one day would be too much.

Jog #7. Yesterday I changed it up and went for a jog around the block at my boyfriend Charles' parents' house. It was one of those days where I didn't feel much motivated to go out and was plagued by side stiches for the last half for the distance. I hope tomorrow will be better.

Woah. Got ready for a run today and turned around and went back into the comfort of my air conditioned apartment. Check out the stats:

Ottawa ON
Temperature: 30C
Feels Like: 38C
Wind: 19km/h
Wind gusts: 33km/h
Relative Humidity: 55%

I'll jog in the rain, in the cold, even in the wind. Feels like 38C with a Severe Thunderstorm watch later on today. Screw that.

Money in the Mail. Today I recieved a cheque for $63.07 for recycling ink and laser cartridges with Funding Factory. I will continue to with this type of program through a Canadian Company called Think Recycle.

Jog #6. It was great weather for a jog today. Other people must of felt the same because the canal trail was packed today. Including the two large groups I must have seen about 40 joggers. Plus the people walking, roller-blading and biking it was quite an event.

I felt stronger today; my lungs and legs didn't give up on me as fast as the previous times. After the madness of graduation and moving is over I will begin to increase the distance and time of my jogs. Until then I think I will stick to short jogs, walking and stairs.

Jog #5. I jogged to the halfway point, 1.5km, without stopping today. Progressing. After I was done jogging I attempted the stairs and did all 25 flights. I rock. Endurance here I come.

Today was my 'day-off' from packing. I'm so incredibly sick of packing. It's taking longer because I've been organizing at the same time. I have been feeling a bit materialistic with all this packing - I really have way too many things. The u-haul truck is booked and I've arranged people to help with the move. Less than 2 weeks...

Week 2. The plan is to stay with small distances until I feel like my endurance is kicking in and I can jog much more than walking and having it not be to mentally painful. So in good fashion I did the usual jog from one lock to another along the Ottawa canal yesterday. A very humid day, it wasn't very busy - the way I like it but wow humid. I cooled down in the lobby of my apartment building on my return and then decided something silly - "I should walk upstairs." So I did 15 flights of stairs and then took the elevator up to my floor - the 25th. It was definitely a good workout. Now I feel determined to do all 25 flights before I move (in 2 weeks).

Jog #3. I seem to be progressing better than I thought. This is definitely better than the first time around. I'm no speed demon that's for sure but I'm moving faster than sitting on the couch so that's something.

I found this great quote on the web today:

Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day Two. I kicked it into gear again and did a short jog today. I plan to take it easy for the first 2-3 weeks to build up some endurance and get into the routine. I read somewhere it takes 3 weeks to develop a habit - so that's the goal.

Out of hibernation. On Wednesday I gathered up my courage and set out my first jog in a very very long time. Okay, I admit - my first jog since well the 10km race in Iceland last August! I pretty much figured that I lost everything I gained last summer training and that I would be starting at square one. My expectations were low, very low - I remember only being able to jog only a small amount before having to stop completely out of breath. I remember the nauseous feeling associated with breathing too hard. I remember the sore muscles that follow. Yes I wasn't feeling too optimistic. Surprisingly it was okay - all things considered. I could jog much further without stopping than the first day of training and I didn't really get the feeling like my lungs may explode. I'm still a complete beginner but I'm glad that at least I retained something from last year whatever it was. Now I must summon the courage to go out again and make a lifestyle change. Oh dear.

Plans for the future. I've been accepted for a Masters in Physics at Laurentian University for the fall. I think that this is a good step for me. The research directions of the university is in line with my own personal interests. In addition the major experiments are on site in the SNOLAB. I believe I will receive excellent experience from both the theoretical and experimental components. This means that I will be moving to Sudbury for at least 2 years. I will be moving after my convocation on June 15th. I have met with all of the Particle Physics professors at Laurentian during a recent visit to Sudbury. It left me feeling very optimistic: each professor was very easy going, each seemed passionate about their research, and I didn't get a sense of the politics and ego that can sometimes be associated in an academic environment.
So that nagging question I've been getting for the last year "what are you going to do after you graduate?" has been answered - more school.

Exam season is over! It started out with a bang - I handed in my 140 page final report for my 4th year project. I think all the not sleeping or eating thing got to me because wow did I ever get sick. At least it didn't start before the project deadline. They actually isolated me during the exams because all the coughing and such was bothering the other students. I had a proctor periodically check in on me instead of sit with me because no one would volunteer - being afraid of catching the 'plague.' I was determined not to deffer my exams since doing so would push back my convocation which would a) suck and b) make life complicated.

Today I finished my last exam of the semester. And if all goes well - I have finished the last exam at Carleton FOREVER! You think I would be jumping for joy but I don't think it's set in yet. When I get my grades and that very deserved piece of paper that say "you have met all the requirements and you can graduate" or something of the sort - then it will hit me. Done. Done done done.

Officially worst Easter ever! Originally my 4th year project (a.k.a honours thesis) was due on Good Friday until the deptartment figured out it was indeed Good Friday and the school was closed. Ha! So the duedate got pushed back until Easter Monday. Holiday-wise I'm not sure it's that much better, however the school was back open. These extra three days is perhaps the only good thing to happen over the duration of the project and well it was needed. So I spent all weekend (and the last 2 weeks...) working on my project.

Easter Sunday I joined a nice meal of 'Greek on Wheels' because I thought I deserved something more than just cereal. I worked on my project until it was finished at 6:12am!! Charles was a big help, went over the code with me and provided the much needed emotional support. Felt like throwing my laptop off the balconey once or twice.

Monday morning, I scurried around trying to figure out how to print two copies and get them bound. The 24hour staples, who I called several times over the night eventually picked up and quoted 3pm as the time to pick up....humm the project was due at noon. I finally ended up at graphic services at school who didn't have a huge line as I expected (I went there when they opened, the huge line developed while I was waiting, and I was in the front, excellent) and I got it done and handed in by 9:45am. Wahoo! Officially done my project.

Easter Monday afternoon was the silver lining. I spent the afternoon with some extended family that was in town. I have another cousin in town and I never knew it until Sunday. The marvels of facebook I tell you! Yay Kierstan!

The Iron Ring

Last night I got to be part of a ceremony called "The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer" where I received my iron ring. This happens several times a year across Canada to obligate new engineers into the profession.

The ring symbolizes "the pride which engineers have in their profession, while simultaneously reminding them of their humility. The ring serves as a reminder to the engineer and others of the engineer's obligation to live by a high standard of professional conduct." - www.ironring.ca

....countdown to graduation....

last exam: April 25

convocation: June 14

STAND UP FOR CHARITY - an evening of laughter in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Thursday March 8th '07, I co-hosted a fundraiser at a local comedy club, Absolute Comedy, for my Team Diabetes Campaign. We pre-sold close to 50 tickets for this event. Most of which was last minute. As expected, no one under 30 can plan anymore than 2 days in advance. The club was packed with other members of the public, I'm guessing 150 in total. The 50-50 tickets sold well and I even got rid of some diabetes wristbands. I was happy that everyone I approached to talk about diabetes and the 50-50 tickets was very receptive.

Altogether, we raised $427.92!!!

But we also raised awareness about the CDA with the use of brochures, posters and cards.

A very enjoyable evening. My second fundraiser at Absolute Comedy and I would do it again.

Taylor, where are you? Good question. I suppose it's time for an update. I've taken quite a hiatus from blogland and maybe it's time for my triumphant return. I took a bit of a break from fundraising and training as school started to get serious. My last year as an undergrad has definitely been the worst. I am definitely counting down the days until it is all over. God I hope I pass everything and graduate!! Updates might be a bit slow until after April 25th (my last exam) but I hope to not be so distant.

update: Most exciting - a new website! Check out http://www.taylorshantz.com/

update: My boyfriend Charles has decided to join with me in the fight against diabetes. Together we hope to raise more than $12200! Oh dear.

update: Fundraising event scheduled for March 8th 2007 at 8pm at Absolute Comedy, check out www.taylorshantz.com for more info.

News from Dublin! I recieved word from the Ottawa CDA office about my fellow participants running the Dublin marathon on Oct. 30th. Here are some of the highlights;

Team Diabetes Canada was well-represented at this year's Dublin Marathon by 82 participants of whom more than a quarter were TD Alumni. The race kicked off with some sunshine and strong winds, but thankfully none of the rain that Dublin is famous for. Over 40 friends and family members were on hand to lend their support.

For the third year in a row, the Dublin Marathon had over 10,000 participants and Team Diabetes was again one of the largest foreign contingents at this year's race. Tammy Hackett of Halifax, NS finished first amongst the Team Diabetes women and was 16th overall in her category. Team Diabetes' own 'Marathon Man' Greg Andreas of Cranbook, BC completed his 100th Marathon in under 4 hours; Team Trainer Lise Edwards of Sudbury, ON also illustrated her staying power by logging over 26.2 miles to ensure that each Team Diabetes participant was well-supported and encouraged on the course.

The trip to Ireland and the successful completion of the race are a fitting end to the months of dedicated fundraising and training by these participants. In total, the Dublin team has raised more than $450,000 for diabetes research, education, service and advocacy. In addition, they have demonstrated a commitment to changing their lifestyles and themselves for the better while raising awareness about diabetes prevention and management.

Well Done Team!