Current mood:	accomplished
Current music:	Human - Brandy

my reflection...
So although it’s only the beginning of December, I found myself sitting in my placement the other day reflecting on this past year. I couldn’t believe that this year was going to be over so soon. It honestly feels like January was just yesterday. I look back and think of all the things that have gone down this past year and I can only just sit here and be like “wow”. This year, as like most years, has had its ups and has had its downs. My life had many high points and low moments. I felt like writing this would have been a type of release therapy. Letting out everything one last time. So here is my reflection on this past year...

January, ha-ha I still remember kicking off the New Year at that great party Lisa Wong had at her place. January was laid back. My father’s big birthday party was one to remember, you can even ask Andrew and Andrea, I’m sure they have lots of jokes to tell from that night. I still remember all that shopping and money I spent on my unborn niece. The baby shower was so much fun and I just remember being so excited to soon meet my niece. February, that was one Spicy month. I will never forget seeing the Spice Girls return to the stage and seeing them twice when they came to Toronto. All that money spent, those million pictures and videos taken, and those memories I will never forget. By the end of February and through to the starting of March, of course I had to have some type of drama with a really good friend of mine. Although there was drama in my life, the morning of March 15th really did change my perspective on things. On March 15th, my beautiful niece Sierra was born. The new life changed the way I thought of things. All that drama didn’t matter anymore. And over time that drama disappeared and all was well again. April came around, and well, I don’t really remember much of April. I had a lot of time to myself, due to not finding a first year placement for school. I was off from school from like January to September. BIG VACATION. May was all about Melanie C. I got to go on Much on Demand while she was there (I yelled “I love you” and she said “I love you too”) and I then got to go see her live in concert (she touched me!), that day was really fun, the adventures shared that morning. Waiting in that line with them freaks was something special. The month of June, brought me to my Aunt June’s 50th birthday celebration. That was so much fun. June also took me to the Zoo and I can’t even wait to go back next year for the polar bears. Those same people who went to the Zoo with me also went to Casa Loma in July (and I’m still waiting for all of us to go to the ROM). This summer was full of activities and many trips to Starbucks. Well I’m still making those many trips to Shoppers Drug Mart and Starbucks today. The summer got even better when August rolled on in. GIRLICIOUS & NYC were all up in my August. Girlicious was so much fun, being hot gets you so much in life (i.e. Front of line, right by the stage, Andrew getting to ask them a question). They were amazing and so nice. I knew like all the lyrics, so I was just jamming, and Nichole noticed and fully talked to me! I also got to go on a vacation within my vacation. I got to go to New York City. That city is the best city in the world. I had the best time, got to see so many famous sites, was driven around in the hottest rides (limos every night), so much shopping, and I made some of the best memories with Andrea. I simply cannot wait to return to NCY in the future. This summer I had so many jokes with Laura. All our adventures and trip to IKEA! Only Laura & I can do stuff like that and make it so much fun! I always look forward to when she comes down!! September saw my return to school, after a very long time away from school, I was actually kind of excited to see familiar faces and get back on track. Of course there has been so many fun times with Lo Toya and Leo; who doesn’t love getting in some trouble for talking to much and joking around with our Subway subs. I still miss Sheanna so much, were not complete without her. And luckily by this time I had already secured my placement for the following semester. I got my very first and probably late credit card! And I have to admit bussing with Zohra & her sister again was too much jokes. Playing all those games, gossiping on the train and waiting for Zohra's friends who were always LATE! I also, as sad as this is, got my very first job in September. I managed to get a job at Loblaws in their photo lab. That job has been very interesting till this day and thanks the Lord for Shellyanne. She has probably heard all my horror stories and endless calls from me about quitting this job. I now get to enjoy work with Andrea, which is always fun whenever she and I are there together. Finally, by the end of September, I got a new cell phone; a BLACKBERRY CURVE! My like child, it's so addictive, but has been the best phone I have ever owned! October, well, this was a very interesting month. I turned nineteen and had a very big dinner with like 18 of my close friends. We went to Mr. Green Jeans in the Eatons Center downtown and I got to order my very first LEGAL drink. I had such an awesome time and can’t wait to do something big for next year. Maybe not another sleep over, even though we barely slept, I gottta admit, I truly love spending time with my family (Andrew, Andrea & Ashley!) I’ll never forget that night, as all that laughter is imbedded in my head. October also saw a lot of drama with this one bitch. That is a whole big time story in itself and I’m pretty sure, if you’ve been tagged you’ve heard and know all about it. People in society can be the biggest backstabbers in life and they’ll sell you out for money and are willing to loose all there friends. I am a forgiving person, but I will never forgive or forget what this person did to me. I believe that karma is true and she will have it coming to her in life eventually. Life goes on though and even through all that drama, it made my friendships with others so much stronger. And Ashley, Chantal and I got some pretty good pictures of each other on Thanksgiving Day. I’m still very thankful for what I have in life and I loved spending that day with those two people. Even the police couldn’t bring me down for that day with them. OH! And how could I forget the Halloween Party! That was so much fun. The smoke machine & endless drinks were amazing, despite falling down the stairs! November was a lot more toned down in comparison to October, but none of the less fun. Ashley and I had yet another successful photo shoot at Andrew’s house. November was also the month for bringing family closer. The last week of November was wonderful. I had family from the States come up to visit us and stay with us for a week. That was so much fun and was so hard to say goodbye, not knowing whenever I would see them again to have this much fun again. Every night was a party and I’ve made so many new inside jokes with my cousin Cody. Finally, I’ve reached December. Even though it’s only the beginning of December, I’m sure this month will be filled with more eventful things. Well one amazing this month brought back was Britney Spears. Her new CD is amazing and we got tickets to her tour, which will be seeing next year!!! SO EXCITED! Hoping to end this year and start the New Year with a bang. Hopefully no rehab for me in the next year, sorry Brendan and Andrew it just wont happen anytime soon. Placement is almost over, which is a good thing cause that can have enough ups and downs in itself. I’m looking forward to my holiday break, whatever that may bring.

I’m sure this is long enough and I’m sure I’ve left out so many things, but I really don’t want to be here for another year typing this out. It’s still so surprising to think of how much I’ve done this year. From going to New York City to all the small endless trips to Shoppers and Starbucks, I don’t forget any of that. I do not forget those special conversations I may have shared with each of you. I do not forget the jokes we may share and the many sleepovers we might of had. The trips we have made and the memories that will last forever. I have made many new friends and friends I still can’t wait to share new moments with. Even though I’ve made so many new friends this year, I have still lost a few. But as I once heard (from Madea), if someone wants to walk out of your life, then let them go! For those of you still in my life, I cannot wait to make new memories with you all, whether it is next year or even in 2010 and on. I treasure you all and cannot thank you all so much for making me the person that I am today. This has probably been the best year of my life. I also finally feel like I have that best friend in my life. You know who you are and I can cry writing this, cause you have no idea how much you mean to me and I am so grateful that you are in my life. You get me through everything in my life and you have no idea how much that means to me; can’t wait to get that apartment of ours soon! To Andrew & Andrea, what can I say? You guys know how to put a smile on my face every time I see you guys. You two bring so much joy into my life and I love that I’m related to you two. I feel like I’ve grow as a person and I just feel like I’m in a better place now, then I was a few years ago. I have my whole life to live and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. To all my old friends & new friends, you all really mean the world to me. I learned this year that family and friends will be there for you forever and for that I am very grateful. I love all of my family and friends and can only wish the best for them in life.

XoXo
Nicholas De Souza