HELLO BLOGGERS! :) 
Ohmy, ohmy! I am actually the worst at keeping my blog updated! Given, my dear Delly  (its a Dell laptop, that I named Delly) is broken and my brothers computer is so complicated, that I can't upload any new photos, I should still have made more of an effort to keep updating! However, I have to start somewhere and today is the day! 


 ¤ Anyways I hope everyones blogging has been excellent! Canada has finally been greeted by summer weather and I can't be any more happy about that! It's given me the opportunity to go to the Beach, the Park, sit outside on my patio either reading or enjoying a nice BBQ and just being filled with all the Vitamin D that the sun provides!


Although these last few months have been busy with ups and downs, finishing up the school year, and all of life's twists and turns,  I would like to share something that I was involved in during the month of March.
While I was considering which Universities to apply to back in September I came across a Contest that Brescia University College, an affiliate to Western University was holding. It was called: "Take the Lead"
As a young woman and contestant you were to choose a woman from your life, a celebrity, a woman from the past etc. that to you, represented a catalyst of change. Of course this involved public speaking and making a speech. Although I was SUPER nervous and had butterflies flying from every direction in my stomach... I delivered my speech and was one of the 2 ranked from my group to go on to the Semi final round.
I didn't make it to the 6 finalists but it wasn't about that. That day was about listening to girls, their experiences with life and how they view the world and just feeding off of their positivity to be better people. There were speeches about celebrities like Oprah, about women in the past that were able to overcome huge adversities and make history. My topic was my mother and even though not everyone has been exposed to my mother so she can't be everyones catalyst of change, my speech also focused on being someone's inspiration, someone's role model. Even though it may seem insignificant since my mothers messages and changes aren't posted on billboards or talked about on talk shows, they have made a huge difference in my life and have made me a better person and from that I can move on and be the best that I can be. This experience has taught me that you should take responsibility of your actions and treat people the way you would want to be treated. It taught me that regardless of how the world looks at relationships, morals and values you should always remember what is right and have compassion.  It reopened my eyes to the devastating things that happen everyday around the world to young women and people in general but that I, as a young woman can be different. Being in that room with the other 30 young women, from all across Ontario, it was a competition and yet it didn't feel like that at all. Everyone was supportive, everyone clapped after a speech, everyone gave encouragement, everyone smiled at you and took the time to say hello. It was then that I realized that it isn't hard to be respectful and kind. It comes from the heart and it's a beautiful thing.


Here are some memories from that day!

Take the Lead! 

My Support System! <3

My brother who has shown me that he will always be there for me! 

Meeting a Judge and Guest Judge, Natalie Lovie from London's Fresh FM radio (103.1) 

My Certificate, name tag and Speech!

With my Mama <3... and a few sections from my speech:

"Margaret Meed once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." This quote is very dear to my heart because the honesty that it holds. I believe that change happens one person at a time and sometimes it happens fast and sometimes it happens slow and sometimes, you don't even expect change to happen at all. For me, it started at birth and is still building as I stand as a young woman about to embark on my own life journey. I am here not only because I was born but because of the person that has inspired me and impacted me so heavily and deeply. This person, to whom I am forever thankful for, is my best friend, my catalyst of change, my mother, Margaret Fior-Gicala. I have been blessed with an amazing mother and regardless of some faults that she may have, she has always guided me with all the right intentions. There are three things that I value and will embrace as my philosophy of life that my mother has taught me. The first, to work hard and go beyond. Going beyond is working hard, but then working some more...The second thing that my mother has taught me has been displayed through her ongoing fairness and compassion to people and the society... the last thing is to always believe in yourself and your worth...From a young age I have seen my mother overcome struggles like abuse, unfaithfulness and alcoholism in her husband, she was my ambassador to life beyond painful times and from them has taught me that your self worth and respect for yourself is much more important than the judgement that people may cast on you...  My mother truly captured my attention and my heart and I know that without her, I would not be the woman that I am today. I still have a lot to prove but I know that I am on the right path in pursuing true happiness and a sense of leadership due to the values that have been instilled in me, like working hard, showing compassion and believing in myself, and it is all thanks to the woman that has done so much and doesn't even know it.
Thank you Mom. "

*Remember: Sparkle with everything you are ♥••*´