remember

Remember when I use to post list of things I love? Well I think it's time to bring back the list.

First of all I have to express how happy I am that Zac Efron is no longer this....

 

 And more like this.....

 

mmmmmm how I appreciate grown up Zac Efron. Also watch the trailer for his newest movie. The lucky one. There's this very awesome scene with a shower, and a muscly shirtless solder/Zac Efron. Swoon.

Second I'm pretty sure this has been around FOREVER, but I tried it tonight and I can feel it's healthiness throbbing through my veins. It's a green shake. Spinach, banana, some fruit and a bit of almond milk. GAH SOOOOOOO good. And apparently very effective with taking the pounds off. I am doing it for dinner, really mostly because I cant bare the thought of cooking after I just spent an hour at the gym.

That's right! I haven't told you...I'm one month healthy! Better diet, 6 days a week of working out. And 12 pounds (15 if you ask me in person, everyone knows you round UP) lighter. On Friday I fit into my Skinny Day jeans. I promptly wore them Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I can't wait for the day that I can tell you those jeans no longer fit.

Third have you heard of Pinterest? OMG get your ass on there. If you are one of those people that love to look at random things, this is the site for you. For as long as I can remember I have found pictures I loved and saved them in a randoms folder in my pictures folder on my lap-top. Now I can store them online, and share them all with you! Also there are some killer recipes, great art, beautiful photography and is in general a place full of creativity. GO get wait listed, that's how awesome it is, you have to be invited OR be wait listed. But it's so worth it. 

Fourth Hunger Games. So the cousin's mentioned a few time that I should read this series "It's good". As the popularity grew my interest did too. So I thought whats $10. And from that moment I was lost in that story.  I can't remember the last time I love a character as much as I love Katniss and Peeta. Together and separately. For serious read this book, don't wait for the movie it wont be as good. It will however have two very dashing young men playing Gale, and Peeta. That will be worth the $13 to see the movie.   

again

I feel like I've spent a lot of time talking about the past lately. And how I've over come it all, I hope by now you've gotten the point. I am happy, I am strong, I am me.
I also feel like I've spent a lot of time talking about all the things I want in the future.
But not so much time talking about my life now. I'm not sure why, maybe if you talk about it there's a chance of it going away. But I've decided to talk about me. My life now.

As most of you know I was living with my cousin's T and her husband KC, for the first while. I'm sure they know, after spending an evening with drunk Cathy, how much I appreciate them. They have been the voice of reason(s) is my life for about 3 years now. And I know that any time I need to go home, their door is open....or I have a key. Or I can throw rocks at their bedroom window until they pay attention to me.

But NOW I am no longer sleeping in the bunk beds of their two youngest sons. No longer do I get a wide variety of lovely home baked cookies, and meals. No longer do I have to endure piles of clothes (socks) in front of my door, or KC's belt left in various places in the house.

NOW I have 5 room mates. I found this house of girls and pretty much instantly knew that this is where I need to start. By no means is the house an architectural master piece. I sleep in the basement...not just in the basement. I'd say Alana sleeps in the basement. I sleep in the basement laundry room, right next to the washer and the deep freeze. Well right next as in on the other side of a wall. But I love it. When I'm done, and want to just be me I go to my room shut the door and I'm in my own home.

My room mates are all great girls. We are all very similar. Three of them go to ACAD. My first thought was "Way to waste your money! You don't need to go to school to be and ARTIST." isn't the whole point of art that it is a self expression? Did any of the greats go to art school? Before Picasso cut his ear off did he endure a long art school critique?
But once I got to know them, I realized that most of them had legit careers in mind. Photographer (a girl after my own heart) and Interior Designer.

The other two girls who do not attend ACAD, are great too. At first I was a bit leery about both of them. But I have found ways to grow close to each of them. As close as I can get. I am happy in this house. There isn't any fighting or crazy drama. We are just 6 girls living our lives. And even though I am the only one not in school, it's crazy how we can all still be going through similar things. If anything it is always nice to come home to a chick flick on the TV and a fridge covered with hot, half naked guys.

Secondly, my job. I am incredibly lucky to have snagged this job. And while I don't have that fiery passion that I did a few months into it, I do still love it. I have learned many things. Most importantly I have strengthened parts of me that I didn't know needed help. And since we are on the topic I met a new friend. Sure I'm friends with everyone I work with. But I feel that this guy is a real friend.
We are just gonna call this friend D.

D is the spitting image of Alex (a friend from high school). I think that is why I decided I could trust him. Even though Alex is kind of a jack ass now (it's only because he found out how it felt to have sex. Then he got all crazy about girls THEN he realized he was hot, then throw a bit of alcohol in for good measure... and well it all went down hill from there).

Any ways it's been nice to have a legit friend again. I mean honestly I cut pretty much everyone that wasn't essential from my life. Only those I was 100% sure where not gonna let me down were allowed to stay. I missed the feeling of getting to know who you are with new people. Plus D has a plethora of single attractive friends, so the more I hang around him the better my chances of breaking the single ( and sadly celibate)  trend that is currently running a muck in my life.

I was recently taking inventory of all the good things that have happened this year. I got a new car, I have a job that is stable and good paying ( and looks totally pimpin on a resume). I am going to China this year. Oh right news flash B, my cousin in China. He got married to a Chinese movie star. So they wanted his family to come to China and visit. He later called back and said "Oh yeah BTW's fam my favorite cousin aka best friend also needs to come so get her a plane ticket too". I'm sure he did not say it like that, but ever since I found out he married a movie star I hear less of the deeply profound B, and more of the "Yeah that's right who married a FAMOUS person now beeeotch!!" kind of B. FYI that B doesn't exist except in my head.

And since I'm now on this topic, I'd like to list all the things that will never again happen (between B and I) now that he is married.
1) I will never be sitting in the kitchen drinking milk and see him sit down in front of me wear just his garment bottoms with a pair of boxers over them. THANK GOD! but then I will also never see him burn it up the stair in a panic when he hears the door of his Dad's car.
2) I will never again have a conversation about how many wives he will have. Or maybe I should instigate this conversation with his new wife. I think the women needs to know he wants a 7 wife family. And also to have like 75 kids. One girl to another....someone should prepare her for that shit.
and 3) I may never again be having an emotional conversation with my cousin and have him fart extremely loud in the middle of it. I'll also not get to bug him about the only CD he owns (backstreet boys) or about the fact that he has a man purse and a day planner with tulips on it.
Mostly I'm really happy for B. I love him, and I know he needed to get a wife. I'll always miss him and the year we spent together as friends. But we are family, so we are stuck together ... forever.

The Bucket list

it's 2012.
Usually I would start my 365 photo challenge today, get 2 weeks maybe 2 months in and quit. Instead this year I've decided to do something I can't fail on. I'm making a bucket list. There's no one a day, most likely they will come in batches. For a quick over view you can see them on my "Pinterest" board. But I'll try to keep them up to date here as well. So here is my Bucket List:

 

Saturday Secrets

Hello again blog world! Maybe one day I'll actually post. But until then here is you Saturday Secrets!

Saturday Secrets

Recently I down loaded the Post Secret app for my iphone. I have been a PS fan for a few years now, I never go a Sunday with out checking Post Secret. Since getting the app I've been taking screen shots of my favorite ones. So I thought I could throw them together in a video along with a good song and share them with you each week.And a little fun fact, one of these secrets is mine. Can you guess? I doubt it!

For any one who doesn't know what Post Secret is here's a quick run down. A few years ago a man name Frank handed out a bunch of blank post cards with his address on them, and handed them out to strangers. he asked those strangers to write down a anonymous secret and send it back to him. Every Sunday Frank posts those secrets on his blog www.postsecret.com. Since then it's caught on and they have developed an app. Where people can log on and post anonymous secrets for the PS community to see.

Okay and now for my Saturday Secrets....

I'm sorry

Sometimes I torcher myself.
I go on my friends facebook and I look up Bryan.
Not becasue I miss him and want him in my life.
Becasue I spent 2 years loving him, and even though he is an ass hole. I want him to be a happy ass hole. Actually I want him to be a good, honest, happy, loving man.
Not for me, for him. Yes he was a douche to me, but he was also my best friend. He taught me how to be strong.
I went on facebook to look him up today.
And I saw his profile picture was an image of him and brinae and a little girl. Brinae had her hand on his leg, and they looked so happy.
And for the first time since I took them out of my life, I didn't feel mad. I didn't feel betrayal or even a little hurt.
I thought maybe this was why I had to go through so much with them. So that they could be happy together. I want both of them to be happy. Seeing that picture it made me feel like something good came out of those two years.
I doubt that either of them will ever know this, but I am extremely happy that two people who I loved so much, are that happy together. And I hope that they both get every good thing that they deserve.
Yes they both picked the worst possible way to do it.
But I am a strong belever in doing whatever it takes to be happy. Even if it mean that someone gets hurt along the way. Because lets face it, the people we love are the people we hurt the most.
I'm sorry it had to go the way it did, thank you both for teaching me things I needed to learn about myself.
Good luck Brinae and Bryan.

Two feet.

I see my life one way.
At times it doesn't seem like it really matches. But then one day I sit down and take a look and realize, I ended up were I wanted to be.
I think my entire life I have take the road less traveled. Actually the road less traveled is probably the road most traveled. I know more people who forge their own paths than ones that walk through life on a pre-charted road.
Taking your own path is hard.
Some times there's no one who thinks your doing it right. But how can you ever be doing it wrong?
If life is not predetermined then you're never a screw up. Then you never make the wrong choice. You never fail. Even when you fail.
Learning is one of the most important parts of life.
Nothing is failing if you learn.
If you can take nothing with you after you die, but family and what you have learned then only two things matter.
Love and knowledge.

Even when the worst things happen.
I see my life one way.
I've always found that comforting.
I've always known how my life would be.
I think everyone who knows me, has too.
Maybe they saw it differently.
But I don't see how you could really know me and not know.
How could you not know?

You rarely get what you deserve out of life.
But that's ok.
I know people who deserve nothing.
I know people who deserve every thing.

When bad things happen it takes a long time to recover.
People don't understand that.
When bad things happen it takes a long time to recover
Not even I myself understand that.
When I can't recover quickly and keep up I feel like a failure.
But if you never really fail, if everything good or bad, long or short, rich or poor, is part of your path then I'm still moving forward.

Eventually I can see things clearly.
It feels like I closed my eyes and heard everything fall apart.
I waited until the noises calmed, and opened my eyes.
When I opened my eyes I was safe.
I know what it sound like when my life falls apart.
I know what it looks like when I make it through.
And now I'm learning what it feels like to continue on.

Life is lived with two feet.
Your heart changes.
Your mind wanders.
Your eyes see the new.
And your two feet go forward.
Forward on a path I made for my self.
One I've always known I would take.

52 weeks... round two

We all know I love photography. We all also know that I try to do photo challenges. AND we all definitely know I have never finished a challenge! But I'm doing it again! Starting now.

Week One

May 1st, 2011

"While we are postponing, life speeds by".
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca, 5 BC-

The work and timing

Since I put a stop to my friendship with Bryan, life has changed a lot. Actually I have changed a lot.
But the biggest problem I have been running into is timing.
I spent almost two years thinking of what would happen once I wasn't on pause with Bryan.
Once I left him, I was about to graduate. There were things I needed to work towards that were coming up fast.
Finishing my practicum, graduation, moving, getting my brother settled.
I felt like my life was going forward.

Then it all stopped. I finished everything that needed to be done and nothing else was working out. I think I was expecting things to just happen. Like the universe was going to just give me a break and align everything.

B use to tell me think two steps ahead, then take one step.
In this case I was thinking 8 steps ahead and trying to take 6 steps.
When I realized that wasn't going to work out I got a bit upset. I am so sick of not having money, a car, or being able to rely on just myself. I didn't want to do the work, once again I just wanted the end result.

That's how I am.
I don't want to build a relationship. I want to be swept up in a furry of romance and find my one true love. I don't want to start at the bottom and work my way to my dream job. I want to get a phone call offering me a job with a top ad firm. I've never enjoyed the work. So I have always looked for the easy way to get the end result.

The end result when skipping the work, is getting less than what I deserve. But I guess if you don't do the work then you end up with what you deserve.
Falling in love doesn't just happen. You meet someone, you build the foundations, you get to know someone, you support them and they support you. But when you don't want to do the work, you end up with people who are usually looking for someone to save them. They are fine with you supporting them, getting to know them, and even letting you love them. But they aren't okay with doing the same for you, because they can't. They can't love you becasue they don't know you, but they can need you and that is almost the same.

being needed is not being loved. Being loved is so much more than just that.

Having to do the work is hard. But it's not harder.
So even though I hate doing the work it takes to deal with my issues, to make money, to be happy, to find love. I am going to because I would rather work hard and get what I deserve, then skip it and have my life end up the same.

Sometimes dreaming about my life makes it hard to wait.The more I think about travel, the more I want to just go. Especially on days when I'm just sitting around. It's so hard to wait for the things that I want so much. But I have never been able to work my way around that.
Usually I  just get fed up with trying to save the money it takes to travel, or get a car, or have nice things, and I give up.

Once my Mom asked me when I was really broke, "What do you have to show for all the money you've made?" I think the list went like this: my ipod, my laptop, my living expenses. At the time I was working full time at IGA and could help but hate my life. While my room mates were all driving cars, paying for their educations, and affording their living expenses.
That is how it's always been, it's to hard to save and work my way to a car. So why bother? I can live, and I'll have fun with what I make.

Timing and the work. Those are my biggest weakness.
That's why I've decided to start doing the work and not letting the timing stop me from getting what I want. If I end up being 30 and just barely getting to where I want to be, than that's okay. It's okay not to have it all together right now, I'm 22. And maybe accomplishment wise I won't be on top for a while. That's okay. This is me accepting that. And this is me changing.

Chapter four

Well I have been out of Lethbridge for about 3 weeks now.
Being gone has had its joys and hardships. Of course it's pretty hard to hold anything in when I'm living with my main go-to people. All it takes is a "So how'd it go?" and I suddenly am spilling my guts.
Mostly moving has been a wave of emotion.
I had issues that needed some attention I didn't even know about!
At first being here was great. I was motivated, excited and optamistic.
Soon I was discouraged, bored, and verging melt down.
Then I realized maybe instead of throwing myself into another situation that ends badly, I should deal with myself. I have always had issues being alone with my self. Of course T is here all day long too, but it's not like I sit by her side all day long listening to her witty one liners (I know shocker!) But being alone with myself mostly involves having nothing to distract myself with.

So I started dealing. There has been a lot of plots about how to get back at Bryan. A few run in scenarios with various people who I know live in Calgary, but don't keep contact with. There's been many why-the-hell-did-I-waste-my-time-at-school-if-I-can't-even-get-a- f-ing-job-with-this-damn-degree moments. Even more this is what I want to be doing with my life dreams.
In the end, I'm here with T and KC (and the occasional mass of children) working at the mall, trying to deal with my core issues before I get into a full swing new life.
It feels kind of like I'm building a bridge. I'm saving money, dealing with problems, building new friendships. I can see the other end (the end where I am getting on a plane to go to see B and Thailand) but as of right now I'm building the supports so I don't fall through half way there again.

So this is Chapter four of my life. Chapter one being ages 1-15 and all the dramas and hardships in that age range. Two is 16-18 a much shorter chapter but a glimpse of my first crash-and-burn, falling in love, being independent and broke. Chapter Three is 19 - to leaving Lethbridge (I think it can be appropriately named the rise and fall of Bryan-ism). And Chapter four. This chapter I hope will be much happier than the last few. Mostly I will be looking back at the last three chapters of my life, making a what-not-to-do list, and dealing with unresolved issues.

But this chapter is already full of good.
So there it is, Chapter four. Stay tuned for plot twists, climaxes, comedy, tragedy, and success.

friended

It's been a pretty boring week. Boring weeks lead to boring activities to pass the time. I was looking at my profile pictures, reading the comments, see who liked what, when I came across a old picture of me. I have been over my pictures so many times I can recite the comments in my sleep. But this time something was different.

A small picture appeared next to an old comment left by Cody. If you know the story of Cody then you should also know that after I convinced him to not be my friend anymore he blocked me. So for three years there has been that little FB guy next to his comment.

I clicked on the link to his name just to see if it was a mistake. Nope no mistake, he un-blocked me.

Now it's been three years. I am totally a different person now then I was then. But now that he wanted to opened up the communication with me again, suddenly I felt like that 19 year old girl again.
I HATE that 19 year old girl.

So then I texted Lauraj and she tells me oh yeah Cody is turning his life around again. And he is looking for something familiar to cling onto again... Well thanks for telling me exactly what old Cathy likes to hear. WHAT!? There's someone of the opposite sex who needs my help!? Well okay let me throw my entire life away to help him! DUH-DUH-DUH DUUUUHHHH!!! You think after 6 years of being my best friend the woman would know what NOT to say.

So I spent 15 minutes staring at his FB page. Internally struggling once again wither or not to friend him.
I thought about how awful the past two years have been with Bryan. About the times I wished Cody would do what he promised and save me from this man. This man who completely destroyed who I was.
He never showed up.
I never heard a whisper, or saw a glimpse of this guy who told me even if I didn't want him in my lief he was there for me.
I was alone again.

The thing about me now is that I am not old Cathy. Bryan took old Cathy and stomped all over her, and then ripped her down over and over and over.
I'm not the girls anymore.
I didn't click the add as friend button.
I don't care if Cody needs some one, I needed someone and he wasn't there for me.
I'm not mad at Cody, I'm not still in love with him. I'm just not going to take a step back into the shittiest 4 years of my life.
Cody started something, Bryan brought out the worst in it, and I'm stopping it.

Hi my name is Cathy Coppin, and I am happy. For the first time in years, and I wont let anyone Cody or not take that away from me.
I hope Cody's life work out for him. But I'm not going to take the chance and see if he really has changed. Because it doesn't matter.

12.Some pictures you love

Well I love pictures so this could be a long one. So instead of showing you a bunch of random photos that are cute, I'm going to feature some of my favorite photographers!! Spread the Photography Love!!!

My photo. Lets face it you've all seen this before, but this photo remains a favorite.

 

This Photo was taken by Peter Fiorino. He was in my first year classes. Great guy, lots of fun, fantastic photos. Once his site is finished you can see Peters work here ... 

FRESHphotography this photographer is based out of BC but I have totally fallen in love with her photos! you can find FRESHphotography here ... 

Sarah Novak aka the big sister of Bryan is one of my favorite photographers. Or maybe it's just her subject matter I love! either way you can find Sarah Novak here...

Ruthless Photos is an Australian based photographer, she does animal photography. Mostly dog, love her stuff love those puppies! You can find Ruthless Photos here ... 

Bobbi-Joe Grunewald Photography aka my cousin! I have always loved Bobbi's work (this one is particular, as this cutie belongs to Kendra . And has the most crazy blue eyes!) You can find Bobbi here ... 

This Beloved Life by Danielle is based out of Red Deer, I love her stuff and I also love her website layout (thats the design nerd in me) You can find This Beloved Life here ... 

Now I don't know if Andre Dupuis of Departures counts as a photographer, but seriously this man has got some talent!Read about Andre's travels, and his photography here.

Last but not least, my photography partner in crime, KC Roberts. Case and I share a common love (other than his wife/my cousin) we both love taking photos. You can see KC's work here (if he ever updates it!) ... 

11. Goals

It's very fitting that 2 days before I leave the topic is goals. Hum goals, well up until about a month ago my only goal was to survive. Now life is more optimistic, and since I am about to start a new chapter in my life I think writing some goals is just about right.

1. Men. My first goal is to find a balance. I've never really been concerned about finding the one, until a guy casts me a tidbit of attention. Then suddenly my calm, cool, collected self, becomes a anxious, jealous wreck. My first goal as a college graduate, is to remain cool, calm and collected until I find someone who is actually worth the stress. But then if he's worth it I dont think there will be a need for Cathy psycho-woman to emerge.

2. Second goal, get a car. Before the beginning of the summer. It's literally been 3 years since I first said, "I'm saving up for a car!" Some car I should have by now. Yeah, I think my wardrobe can take a hit until I can afford a little rust bucket and the insurance for it.

3. One thing that I should do a lot more is give more energy to those who give it back. Stephanie and Stephen, Tiffany and Casey, Zach, Jessica McCrea. That's just the short list. No more energy goes to the Bryans of the world.

4. SAVE MONEY! Like seriously why is this so hard to do! I would like to save $2000 this year. For no planed reason, other than having a surplus of $2000.

5. Okay I know realistically this is a lot of money saved but I will leave North America this year. I don't know where, or how long. BUT this year I will finally conquer one of my life long dreams and step foot in a different continent.

6. Be stable. I would like to feel stable for once this year. I want to get an apartment and not know in one year I'll be moving. I want to decorate it, make it my own. I want to buy things and not think "actually why get this, it's just going to be a pain in the ass to move." And who knows maybe get a dog!

7. I want a good job, in my field. That I make over $10,000 a year at.

10. What you believe

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. -Dr. Seuss-
Be the change you want to see in the world.
That's what I believe.

9. Favorite TV shows

Okay this is a fun one. I have about a hundred favorite shows, like I said earlier I get a little TV obsessed,  probably because my life in general is really dull. Okay so here they are, my current favorite TV shows!

I just started watching Prison Break, so far so good. Though it doesn't have the addictive quality the rest of my shows have had on me.

This is the first season of the Apprentice that I have actually watched. But you gotta love watching classic celebs go head to head....

 I could talk about Departures forever! or say log on to CityTV's website and see for your self why I love this show!

 Who doesn't love Glee? It's a whole hour of good songs, and good looking men!

 This show is my 2nd all time favorite show! I mean come on....It's LEGN...wait for it....DARY!

 My life as Liz is an MTV show about a girl just out of high school, surviving New York, heart break, and life with out her Nerd Herd. It's kind of "the Hills" esk. As it's her actual life (but I'm pretty sure most of it is scripted) Regardless Liz reminds me of my BFF Laura, and well is just addicting!

 Even though I lost the bad guy, I still watch Survivor. No decision on wither I'll watch once Rob is gone... But I can't deny Boston Rob my weekly love.

I LOVE TEEN MOM. I'm a bit of a reality TV junkie. But this season is just as good as the last. And the Babies are So CUTE!

 Number one all time favorite TV show. I'm not a big Vampire fan, but seriously there's something appealing about these Vampires.....especially Eric Northman. Can't wait for season four to start!

8. Put your iPod on shuffle, first ten songs

So you want to know what songs will come up on my iPod humm? Well brace yourself....

1. Don't Panic - Coldplay
2. Get Crazy - LMFAO
3. The Fixer- Pearl Jam
4. Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus
5. Drown- Three Days Grace
6.Never Leave Lonely Alone - Ben Harper
7. Don't Rush - Teagan and Sarah
8. That's Incentive - Death Cab for Cutie
9. Second Go - Lights
10. Hard to Concentrate - Red Hot Chili Peppers

There you have it. The first ten songs that come up on my iPod.

7. Favourite movies

Okay so my list of favourite movies is always in the works. It changes from day-to-day, but there has always been three movies that stay on top! So here they are....







There you have it, my top three favourite movies of all time!

6. A song that makes you cry

There has never been in the history of music that I heard (while not in an extremely irrational emotional state) that has made me cry. BUT I am going to share a lovely song with you all. Actually I am going to share three, because I can. This is my blog get over it.





Okay so this one in no way makes me cry but I just really love it!

5. Things that make you happy

Oh man this is going to be a good one. Things that make me happy, here we go! Hold on to you socks guys cuz there's a TON that makes me happy.

Overly attractive vampires

Legen.........dary TV shows

 Cute babies! Actually only this baby and his Mommy.

 Kaleb!

 Pictures of Asland.

 Cute kiss pictures.

 Audrey Hepburn everything

 Ed Westwick.

 Blaire Waldorf

 When Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf kiss.

 Hedgehogs (I mean really they are cute)

 Comic book art.

 This beautiful man. (Aaron Johnson)

 Looking at Jacob Hoggard (still, I haven't out grown him!)

 Sex and the City, and Carrie Bradshaw in general.

 Dogs in wigs.

 Ok so he doesn't make me happy... let is swoon and emotion?

 Peonies my favorite flower.

 These two strapping young men. And their travels.

Corgis, look at this puppy!!! Look at his short, mini legs!

 OH MY GOD... BUNNIES!

And last but not least anything that has Seth Rogan in it. What would I do if this guy got me pregnant? REJOICE! 

There you have it, the things in life that just make me happy (please note this isn't my serious list. Except for the sexy vampires, Shia LeBoef and Seth Rogan. I don't joke about attractive men.)