University is a GOOD thing.

There have been lots of philosophical posts going on, and they’re usually Dina’s / Dawn’s forte, but I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, so I thought I’d give it a go. :P

As you know, I went to go see Andre in Toronto this weekend. It was fabulous :P We watched BOTH Camp Rock movies (I’m telling you, this boy’s a keeper :P ) and he cooked me dinner and helped me with my chemistry homework, among other activities ;).

As I was driving home, both in an excellent mood after spending time with my boyfriend and in a sad mood for having to say good bye to him for now, I was listening to the radio, and I realized I really liked a song that had just come on. “I Hope This Gets To You” by the Daylights. I made a mental note to (illegally :p) download it when I got home. It was at that point I realized that I never used to listen to that genre of music before. Kind of like an Indie/Rock sort of thing. It got me thinking about other artists that I now enjoy, Neon Trees, Rock Mafia, Mumford and Sons, etc. Now these groups are all relatively new as well, but they’re not exactly something I would have listened to in high school (ummm, Jonas Brothers?).

So then I started thinking, what else is different about me? Well for one thing, my taste in food has gotten drastically more varied. :P I still can’t stand mushrooms/tomatoes, but I have developed a fondness for peppers and onions, something you couldn’t pay me to even touch just a couple years ago. And I’ve decided that I really enjoy cooking too (and I’m not all that bad at it).

So what brought on all these changes? I like to think its come down to the new environment of University. Even my personality has changed. In high school, I was generally pretty shy, and not all that outspoken (unless, of course, I was just with you fabulous ladies). But now I find myself talking to people, and making new friends, and not being nearly as self-conscious as I was before.

University gave me a chance to be someone new. Someone that no one could judge me for, because nobody knows me (with the exception of a few people). But I found that I was brave enough to be someone new, because I kept telling myself that there are so many people here, chances are you won’t see them very often, if not ever again. So even if I do end up making a fool of myself (intentional embarrassment is unlikely, I’m still a self-conscious person :P ), I can just avoid that person for the rest of my university career here. Thankfully, that hasn’t happened. Yet. :P

All these mental changes, I think, have brought about a physical change in me. I’m more confidant, and I like to think that other people can sense that confidence, and it makes me more approachable. I like this new me, and I’m excited as to where it will take me. I’ve already snagged the most awesome boyfriend in the world (did I mention we watched BOTH camp rock movies together? Yep. He’s awesome :P ), so what else could be coming for me?

I don’t know, but I do know that although I am growing and changing and maturing as a person, I am still holding on to those things that are dear to me.

I have my family, who love and support me, no matter what, and spoil me when I really shouldn’t be. :P

I have you wonderful ladies, of course. ☺ You’re always there when I need someone to “squee” to, or bitch and complain to, or if I need some cheering up ☺

And of course, I’ll always have the Jonas Brothers. ☺ As a reminder of the things that I may have grown out of, but will always be a part of me, and I will always think are incredibly hot and will always squee over their awesome, albeit corny music/movies (no matter how much you guys complain about it)

And now I also have Andre (I apologize for this little bit of corniness you’re about to get). Even though I’ve only known him for a short period of time, I feel like he’s already such a significant part of my life. He’s kind of what was the beginning of this “New Me”. We met just as I was starting to figure out this new life I’m living, and he knows me as who I am, not who I was (although I still think that person was pretty awesome ;) ). He never knew me before university, and he clearly likes me for who I am. This tells me that I must be doing something right, and I’m so lucky to I have Andre to hold on to and to support me, and to tell me that I’m beautiful and tease me when I’m in a goofy mood. :P

So even though I have a new taste in music and food, and a new personality and boyfriend to keep me grounded, I’m still the same old me that you know and love ☺ Just a new and improved version of me ☺

I love you all, very very much ☺

Michele <3

PS,
That phrase “new and improved” drives me crazy. I mean, I feel like something can either be brand new, OR it’s improved. It can’t be both!!! :P

But maybe that’s just me…. :P