For many of you who are reading this, you may not know a whole lot about me or some of you have only known me for a short time. Many of you wonder how the hell I ended up in St. Johns doing what I do. Well Im here to share my story.
First of all, people would describe me as outgoing and loud with a snappy attitude. I don't let anything stand in my way and If I have a problem you are sure to know what it is. People say I have a sailors mouth but I think it seems quite fitting. I was once told by a friend of mine that when she first met me she thought I was an English or arts student because I looked " quiet" and "sweet". Well once she heard me open my mouth she knew I was the total opposite.
I was born and raised in Cobourg, Ontario. My dad was a Marine Engineer so you could say I had some Nautical influence in my life. Born on November 11th, I was little Petty Officer Poppy from the beginning. I literally wore a little sailor outfit my Nana had handmade to every Remembrance Day service until I was old enough to join cadets. If you asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would say Hairdresser or teacher, nothing along the lines of nautical.
Growing up in Cobourg, I went to Terry Fox Public School, and CDCI West. I was heavily involved in the Port Hope Sea Cadets. There I was exposed to a marine career. Summer 2013, I went on a summer deployment aboard an icebreaker; CCGS Henry Larsen. While aboard we travelled to the Canadian Arctic including Greenland. I was able to cross the Arctic Circle which is latitude 60 degrees North. After that summer I knew I wanted to have a marine career, and from the start I wanted to attended Marine Institute in St. John's, NL. I completed 7 years with the Sea Cadet Program and left there as a Cheif Petty Officer First Class.
I graduated from CDCI West in June 2014. Instead of moving to NL right away, I took a "victory lap" as well as take online classes. Honestly, that was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I knew right away what I wanted to do so people were confused to as why I stayed back. Back then, I couldn't really tell you. I made some extra money, completed my sea cadet year and basically just had a year to prep myself before moving.
People ask me all the time why didn't I go to the Coast Guard College which is in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Yes, I could get my education paid for but I wasn't sure If I wanted to stick with Coast Guard. I wanted to expand my knowledge and get experience on other vessel types. Now looking back I wouldn't change a thing. I wouldnt have met the amazing people I know now if I left right away and wouldn't have done so well academically. People always told me that my grades would drop once I left high school. Well I had the total opposite experience. The Nautical Science Program at Marine Institute required a passing grade of 70% and a 90% attendance rate. In the 2 years in Nautical Science, I've passed with flying colors (nothing compared to highschool haha).
While attending Marine Institute, I've been heavily exposed to the Offshore Oil Industry. Last summer for my first 2 month work term, I was placed with Atlantic Towing aboard the Atlantic Raven; an offshore supply vessel. It was such an amazing experience that I was even planning to go back with term for my final 15 month sea phase.
I had just finished my 2nd year when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I moved home to Cobourg to battle this with my a family by my side. This blog was initially used to keep everyone in my life updated on my journey. It ended up being an inspiration to others and I found a passion for writing and sharing my story.
On November 30th 2017, I completed my 12 rounds of ABVD Chemotherapy. In January I jumped right back into my studies and moved back to Newfoundland. I am currently taking part time studies and adjusting to life after cancer. Although this blog was initally used for "during" treatment. I realized there was much more to just treatment. Cancer continues to effect my life so I've decided to conitnue to share my story, thoughts and challenges through this blog.
You'll find this blog uses "sailing metaphors". I am a die hard sailor and the only words I cold use to describe my thoughts were with words I was already familiar with. So please enjoy and let yourself learn and be inspired by not only this sailors cancer story but my whole story.
A Smooth Sea Never Made a Skillful Sailor.
First of all, people would describe me as outgoing and loud with a snappy attitude. I don't let anything stand in my way and If I have a problem you are sure to know what it is. People say I have a sailors mouth but I think it seems quite fitting. I was once told by a friend of mine that when she first met me she thought I was an English or arts student because I looked " quiet" and "sweet". Well once she heard me open my mouth she knew I was the total opposite.
I was born and raised in Cobourg, Ontario. My dad was a Marine Engineer so you could say I had some Nautical influence in my life. Born on November 11th, I was little Petty Officer Poppy from the beginning. I literally wore a little sailor outfit my Nana had handmade to every Remembrance Day service until I was old enough to join cadets. If you asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would say Hairdresser or teacher, nothing along the lines of nautical.
Growing up in Cobourg, I went to Terry Fox Public School, and CDCI West. I was heavily involved in the Port Hope Sea Cadets. There I was exposed to a marine career. Summer 2013, I went on a summer deployment aboard an icebreaker; CCGS Henry Larsen. While aboard we travelled to the Canadian Arctic including Greenland. I was able to cross the Arctic Circle which is latitude 60 degrees North. After that summer I knew I wanted to have a marine career, and from the start I wanted to attended Marine Institute in St. John's, NL. I completed 7 years with the Sea Cadet Program and left there as a Cheif Petty Officer First Class.
I graduated from CDCI West in June 2014. Instead of moving to NL right away, I took a "victory lap" as well as take online classes. Honestly, that was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I knew right away what I wanted to do so people were confused to as why I stayed back. Back then, I couldn't really tell you. I made some extra money, completed my sea cadet year and basically just had a year to prep myself before moving.
People ask me all the time why didn't I go to the Coast Guard College which is in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Yes, I could get my education paid for but I wasn't sure If I wanted to stick with Coast Guard. I wanted to expand my knowledge and get experience on other vessel types. Now looking back I wouldn't change a thing. I wouldnt have met the amazing people I know now if I left right away and wouldn't have done so well academically. People always told me that my grades would drop once I left high school. Well I had the total opposite experience. The Nautical Science Program at Marine Institute required a passing grade of 70% and a 90% attendance rate. In the 2 years in Nautical Science, I've passed with flying colors (nothing compared to highschool haha).
While attending Marine Institute, I've been heavily exposed to the Offshore Oil Industry. Last summer for my first 2 month work term, I was placed with Atlantic Towing aboard the Atlantic Raven; an offshore supply vessel. It was such an amazing experience that I was even planning to go back with term for my final 15 month sea phase.
I had just finished my 2nd year when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I moved home to Cobourg to battle this with my a family by my side. This blog was initially used to keep everyone in my life updated on my journey. It ended up being an inspiration to others and I found a passion for writing and sharing my story.
On November 30th 2017, I completed my 12 rounds of ABVD Chemotherapy. In January I jumped right back into my studies and moved back to Newfoundland. I am currently taking part time studies and adjusting to life after cancer. Although this blog was initally used for "during" treatment. I realized there was much more to just treatment. Cancer continues to effect my life so I've decided to conitnue to share my story, thoughts and challenges through this blog.
You'll find this blog uses "sailing metaphors". I am a die hard sailor and the only words I cold use to describe my thoughts were with words I was already familiar with. So please enjoy and let yourself learn and be inspired by not only this sailors cancer story but my whole story.
A Smooth Sea Never Made a Skillful Sailor.