Monday, December 20, 2010

It's Christmas time!

It's the time to be around family and friends. I always love getting together with my family but some parts make it extra special. Our stockings are filled with lots of little gifts. A few years ago my mom sewed us all new stockings with our names on the toes. Every year we receive a new set of pyjamas in our stockings. We've done it since I was little and it's one of my favourite things about the holiday because I love pyjamas!

When we were young, my two sisters and I went to our friends' house and they had this salad out on the table. We didn't know what it was and had to ask our friend, “It's apple salad”. It was delicious! It was chopped up apples and whipped cream. We got home and my sister kept telling mom how she should make apple salad. My mom does make apple salad but she only makes it Christmas, making it my favourite Christmas dish.

There used to only be five of us: my parents, two sisters, and me. Over the last seven years it's gotten bigger. We have more family and that's what I love most about Christmas.

Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

About Me!

Who am I? My name is Shawna Mattinson, I was born in Grande Prairie and grew up in Airdrie. When I was eighteen I moved out of my parents house and into Calgary. I enjoy being independent and making my own decisions. I would love to purchase my own home one day. I have loving parents and two wonderful sisters, one is older and the other is my twin. I love spending time with my family, they are a big part of my life.

I am an active person who loves meeting new people and experiencing new things. I enjoy going out with friends, movies, reading, and television shows such as Big Brother, Survivor, and Glee.

I have worked very hard at learning how to use a computer and am proud to say I am quite good with one now. I cannot use the mouse, but have learned how to navigate the tool bar to complete what I want done. My entire book was written on a computer and now I have a laptop which I take with me everywhere I go.

I have recently graduated from the Web Design program at Academy of Learning.
Before I took the Web Design program I volunteered in positions where I used computer skills I had learned during school. These positions were in a variety of settings such as an office, golf store, book store. Now I happy to say that I am working at E-Debit Global Corporation.

I am writing a book about my life and living with cerebral palsy. This book is taking me a long time to write and includes my thoughts and feelings about my life and having cerebral palsy. It's in the final writing stages and I'm hoping to get it out soon! Check out the “My Book” link for an excerpt and publishing information when it's available.

I enjoy travelling and have taken trips with my family and friends. We have visited relatives in British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Our last family holiday was to the Dominican Republic. I also went to Mazatlan, Mexico with my best friend. I enjoyed touring around looking at various sites and spending time on the beach. My list of places to visit includes Denmark, Paris, and London.

In the future I would like to open a coffee shop that is wheel chair accessible, making it easier for everyone to get together. People could sit and read magazines while drinking their coffee. Of course my book would be available for purchase too! I would also like to publish a magazine aimed at people with disabilities, focusing on their accomplishments and goals.