This morning, I was reading Awesomely Awkward and stumbled upon Jamie’s entry, Top 10 Life Events {which was inspired by this post}. Both posts really got me thinking about my top 10 life moments. At the age of 24, here are my top 10 life moments thus far…

10. Graduating high school {June 2005} – When I say this, I don’t neccessarily mean that this was a point in my life where by I knew what I wanted to do for a career or anything. However, it was actually a time where I said a final goodbye to some of my old {not so nice} high school friends {ie, drama queens!}. While most of them stayed in my small sleepy town of just 2,500 people, I moved on to university, a bigger city, with more opportunities. It was nice to finally leave those people behind…

Leaving to go to Prom, 2005

09. Nearly failing university {2006-2008} – I didn’t take school seriously during my first years of my undergrad and I suffered the consequences. However, I am glad that I dropped to this low {I think, anyway}. It was a wake-up call for me. It actually taught me how to work harder and that you should never give up on a dream. If you want something really bad, you will make it happen. Despite my rocky start, I finished off my degree with mostly A’s and was accepted into graduate school.

08. Becoming a human rights activist {2008+} – Getting involved with different human rights organizations at university really shaped the person who I am today. Not only did I meet life-long friends through my human rights work, but I learned that this was something that I am very passionate about. I plan on studying International Law {human rights law} in the future.

At an Amnesty International campaign I organized, 2010

07. Traveling to Europe for the first time {2008} – Participating in a 3 month exchange in England was life changing! Again, I made so many wonderful friends from this program and my heart began to grow a soft spot for traveling.

Sitting on a bench in Bratislava, Slovakia, 2008

06. Meeting my soul mate {December 2009} – After living through a horrible long-term relationship, meeting my current boyfriend was so refreshing and amazing. I never thought I would meet someone that I connected so strongly with. And there he was, sitting in my political science class all semester.

05. Spending our first summer together {Summer 2010} – Our summer didn’t start off so well; his dad was sick with cancer and passed away in June. With the little money I had, I immediately flew to Ontario where his family lived {he flew there a week prior to help his family out/see his dad etc.} and I got to meet his family for the first time, including his dad {who sadly passed away the night I arrived}. Although the summer started off a little rocky, it quickly turned into a season full of walks to the park, a trip to Central Newfoundland, BBQs, and lots of love.

Ken and I at Canada’s Wonderland, 2010

04. Moving to Ottawa, Ontario and starting graduate school {August-September 2010} – This was a big step in my life and my relationship with the boyfriend. I was accepted to do my M.A in Ottawa. We decided that we wanted to be together, so in August 2010 we began to prepare for the “big move.”

03. Getting our dog, Pepper {September 2010} – I’ve always loved boxer dogs {I grew up with four of them!}, so getting Pepper was extremely exciting for me.

02. Spending Christmas together {December 2011} – I’ve never spent Christmas away from my family before. But last Christmas, I decided it was time. I finally found someone special to spend it with and I was just ready. I spent the holidays– with the boyfriend and our dog– at his mom’s house in Ontario.

01. Spending the summer in Russia {Summer 2011} – Getting funded to study in Russia this past summer was a crazy and amazing experience! I learned a lot about the country, society, and myself.

Here I am in Red Square, Moscow, 2011

I really like this idea, it’s a great way to reflect on the things that have shaped you into the person you are today! SO, I’m going to turn this into one of those tagging things…

Tag, you’re it! Amber, Nancy, Erica, Rachie, Stephanie, and Jenni!

If you had to pick 3 top moments in your life, what would they be?