In Loving Memory

Today, when I felt the need to look up a friend I hadn't talked to in a while, I found out that she passed away on December 15th. It wasn't a sudden passing - in fact, the last time I talked to her was the day I got the email that the cancer she had so courageously fought was back and too formidable to operate on.

Meredith was my best friend at Briercrest Bible College. I met her the very first day, and we spent the year together sharing laughs and stories. She was someone that I could always be myself around and we had so many laughs together. She was the one who introduced me to MSN (which, of course, is how we kept in touch after we both went back home, her to Ontario and me to Alberta). There are so many songs that I never would have listened to without her introducing me to... "Maybe Tomorrow" by Nouveaux and "Bucket Seats" by Cake are two that come immediately to mind.

A few years ago, she came to visit and we had a great time together. I always intended to visit and always assumed that if I ended up living somewhere near Toronto, we would become great friends again. It is amazing what happens to our intentions when life gets in the way.

Life is so very short. It is a tragedy that hers was stripped away so early, and yet I envy that she is in heaven, hanging out with God face to face. I hope that I never miss the opportunity again to say goodbye to someone and tell them what kind of impact they had on my life.

Meredith Hamilton

September 16, 1980 to December 15, 2007

Another Year in Review

Somehow it feels as though I were just reflecting on 2006 and anticipating 2007. But here we are in 2008 already!

2007 was a relatively monumental year, although in hindsight it was rather anti-climatic. The big news of 2007 was the transition from full-time student to full-time career girl. After what seemed like forever, I completed my Bachelor of Commerce degree (with distinction, I might add!). About two weeks after writing my last exam, I started a job as a business planner for an engineering firm. Working has been a great experience. I've been able to learn a lot about the daily operations of a business in my role. This will prove to be a huge asset no matter where I end up in my career.

So what does 2008 hold? If I am learning anything, it is that we can never say for sure. Some goals that I have for the year are to ace the GMAT and figure out which MBA school to apply for (with the current plan being to start my degree in the fall of 2009). I think most schools don't extend acceptance until January, so I guess the big mystery of where I go will have to be an adventure for 2009.

On the lighter side, I am heading to Cuba in May with a bunch of friends. Other adventures include hopefully a trip in fall to New York and Boston (to visit the Harvard campus and attend a lecture!).