Week Two: Pizza Night

Pizza night. Week two. Yeah, I love pizza night. So much!
Really. Especially this week, because my girls were super giddy talking about their cows, and we had a major dance party.

All of my girls (minus two that went home sick). 

Week Two

Are you ready for this? EFY week two. Finally!
So, week two. After one week of the craziness, I was ready for more -- though the fifteen or so hours I slept on Saturday didn't seem to be enough. But, despite that I was ready for another amazing week. And of course, I was not disappointed.
For the second week, I was just in a two-some, but with twelve girls and twelve boys, my group was nearly as large as the first week. So, once again I was blessed with an amazing group of girls (two of which are in my stake), and group of really sweet boys (though they did try to push my buttons now and then). And even though Vanessa and I couldn't be roommates again, I got to be roommates with Kelsey, which was fab. We had some good nights in the hall, waiting for the girls to go to sleep. Fifteen year-olds make funny noises at night.
So, again all in all, I had such a great time. I learned so much, felt the spirit, and loved (almost) every minute!

Playing some games on Monday night. Thankfully no rain this time!

Inspiration

Before I head for dreamland tonight, I just wanted to do a quick post to share one of my new favourite quotes. I heard this at EFY (second week, I believe) and found it to be the exact words I needed to push me through. I hope it can do the same for you.

"Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Week One: Friday

Just one last post about my first week at EFY. It was an amazing week and I loved (mostly) every minute of it! My first week was kind of my 'practice' week almost. I learned a lot, and figured out some things to work on and do better the next week. I just felt so privileged to have the opportunity to work as a counselor this summer. It was really amazing!
Most of my picture taking happened on Friday while the kiddos did their service project and before the dance, so I felt the need to dedicate a post to that. Enjoy!

Posing while the kids work on their blankets. 

All of the counselors.

Me and my girls. Oh, I had SO much fun with these ladies! I will always have a special place in my heart for these girls. 

We attempted a very large dog pile. It kind of failed. 

Had enough? Come back for a few posts about week two. 

xo

Week One: Pizza Night

So, apparently I am really bad at the "I'll post that tomorrow" thing. I apologize!
EFY week one. One of the most important nights of EFY is definitely Wednesday's Pizza Night. I love it! I feel like that was the time that I really got to connect with my girls. Pizza, music, dance parties, talking about each girl's cow ("crush of the week").

Having two groups of girls made for a super fun party. I love being a fifteen year old again. It's definitely more fun when you're really twenty-one. 

Week One

EFY. Week one. Are you ready?

So, on the 2nd of August, I began my adventure (this seems to be my new word, eh?). The day began with early morning breakfast (no eggs for me!), a short business meeting with all of the counselors, and going over the ever popular EFY dances. After that, I had some issues with my room, so I had to run over and get my new room key and I had more issues with that -- let's just say I was not very smart that morning.
I was so excited to finally meet my girls that afternoon! I had the privilege of spending the week with nine wonderful girls who made my week so awesome. Plus, I had two co-counselors, so with Dana's nine girls and Devin's eight (then nine) boys, we were quite the group.
It was definitely an eye-opening experience and I feel so blessed and privileged to be able to spend the week with those kids and helping them to build their testimonies.
Oh, and a bonus: I had an AWESOME roommate! We may have spent a few too many hours talking at night, but it was more than worth it. Talks about everything (and I mean everything!), YouTube videos, sleeping noises. The best.
The week flew by and when it came to Saturday morning, I couldn't believe that a week had already passed!
So, to sum it up, I loved my week, I loved my girls, I loved my co-counselors, I loved my boys -- I even loved them on Saturday morning when they crowded around me proceeded to do the cheer that I had grown to loathe that week.

Devin, Dana, myself. We're pretty tough. 

The whole group. "Greatest of All". 

That's all for now. I don't want to overload you with pictures, so I will do that later. 

xo

Countdown!

Just a quick little countdown of my future adventures:

Hope Classic 5K - 10 days
Gaslight Anthem - 22 days
Fall semester - 27 days
Justin's one year mark - 43 days

And as always, I am lacking in the patience department. Just a smidgen though! (or more)

Missionary update

I realized yesterday that it has been quite a while since the last update on the adventures of our favourite missionary. So, here it is.
As of last Monday (transfers), Justin is still serving in Hemet, but he has a new companion, Elder Shaw. And, he's training! I am so excited for him! I had a feeling that he would be training this transfer and I am definitely excited for this new adventure. He says that he and Elder Shaw are getting along really well and working well together -- which is definitely music to my ears.
Oh, and other news! In just over a month, we will be at one year! That's right. One year! I can't wait!

Summer Nights

I know that I promised a full report on my adventures from the last two weeks of efy, but I am going to share my wonderful night instead.
Tonight, I spent the evening with my mom, sister, brother-in-law, Granny, Papa, cousin Sarah, cousin Tracy and their adorable little munchkins. It was fabulous.
When I was little, we would spend a lot of time at that park having picnics, wading in the chlorine saturated pool and chasing the seagulls. I loved it. And I still love it fifteen years later -- especially when I got to share the time with some of the best people in the world.

Oh, Jakey. There's no way your heart isn't melting right now for this boy. 

Tyler. Always smiling. Always posing. He's a ninja -- just ask him. 

Bailey. There used to be a time when she would run from the camera. Apparently those days are passed. 

Riley. Oh, I could spend hours taking pictures of this beauty. Love her!

Cammy. This girl is a treat. And you can't see it here, but she is also missing two teeth! 

So, yeah. It was a good day. 

Quick update

Yep, I am still alive. Somewhat. I don't have time (or the proper thought processes) to really share any details from my life from the last few weeks. But, I will tell you that I have absolutely LOVED my time at EFY and wish I didn't have to go back to my real job on Monday.

Here I am on my first day last Monday. Oh, how young and naive I was back then!

Come back sometime this weekend or next week for a full report.

xo. 

"Alright, alright, alright-alright-alright-alright. Hey!"

It's finally here. The event that I have been talking about for... nine months now? EFY. I guess I officially started today since I had my training this afternoon, and got my shirt (who picked the colours this year? Burnt orange?), my name tag, and lots of nerves. I get to meet my co-counselor tomorrow night and then the fun truly begins on Monday afternoon when I meet my group of girls. Even though the nerves are taking over right now, I'm pretty excited. I hope I remembered everything, and am prepared. We'll see.
So, since I will have my hands full for the next week or so, I will be taking a short hiatus. But, I promise to share everything when it's over.

xo

Sounds of Summer

I think the fact that I love music is well established. So, today, I have decided to share a few of my favourites this summer. These are the songs I have had playing in my head before I go to sleep, the ones I sing in the shower, the ones I have rediscovered, the ones that make my legs run.

1. "At Or With Me", Jack Johnson
2. "Miles Davis & The Cool", The Gaslight Anthem
3. "If It Kills Me", Jason Mraz
4. "Brooklyn Boy", Kevin Devine
5. "Piazza, New York Catcher", Belle & Sebastian
6. "All You Ever Wanted", The Black Keys
7. "Going Away to College", blink-182
8. "Against the Grain", City and Colour
9. "The Way You Look Tonight", Ella Fitzgerald (AMAZING!)
10. "There is a Light That Never Goes Out", The Smiths
11. "I Woke Up in a Car", Something Corporate
12. "Ten Ton Shoes", Straylight Run
13. "Hanging On the Telephone", Blondie
14. "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot", Brand New
15. "Blueside", Rooney
16. "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?", She & Him
17. "Cue the Sun!", Daphne Loves Derby
18. "Fireflies", Owl City
19. "The Window's Peak", Dashboard Confessional
20. "Faithfully", Glee Cast (Journey cover)
21. "Cath...", Death Cab for Cutie
22. "So Says I", The Shins
23. "This is For Real", Motion City Soundtrack
24. "Addicted to Love", Florence + The Machine (Robert Palmer cover)
25. "Suffragette City", David Bowie

Happy listening, friends.

ps. EFY starts in FOUR days! Eek!

Summer Skin

I love lotion. A lot. My skin tends to be dry most of the time, so I always have loads of lotion to combat. Over the past year, I decided not to purchase any more however, because I needed to lighten my stash before I added to it. So, now with only a tinsy bit left, I decided this week that it was time to stock up again. Luckily, Marni was willing to take me to Market Mall tonight so we could have a little sister time while I purchased a few of my favourites at Bath and Body Works. I am so glad mom got me hooked on this stuff a few years ago. 

I love, love, love the "Summer Vanilla" line. So wonderful. Vanilla plus lemon. Two of my very favourite scents. I will most likely be smelling my hands all day for the next month. 

300

Guess what, friends? Today, I have officially reached 300 days since my missionary entered the MTC way back when in September! Sometimes it feels like it has been that long (and longer!) and others it feels like it has actually gone by quite quickly. I am pretty excited that in two months, we will reach one year! I have been waiting for that moment for... well, a year! I can't wait! I feel like every day I am realizing more and more how much I love Justin, and that it is completely possible for me to still be here at the end of these two years. It has not been easy, but as evidenced in the letter I got from my extremely mature and sweet missionary today, it is worth it!

The next 430 days, I hereby give you permission to go at lightning speed, if you so wish. 

Twenty

Since I was in Magrath all weekend with no internet, I was unable to post a happy birthday to Justin on his birthday. So, here it is a little belated.

Justin's birthday was the 24th (Saturday). He is now twenty! I always tend to forget that he's a year younger than me. Most of the time I just think we're the same age, or that he's older than me (because he is definitely more mature than me). I am really sad that I couldn't be with him on his birthday, but I told him that I will make up for that on his twenty-second birthday (I think the summer of 2012 will be our best yet!).

Happy birthday, Justin! I love you!

ps: we will reach ten months on Friday! Wahoo!

The '59 Sound

I love, love, love going to concerts. There is something about standing there, listening to a band play live that just warms my soul. Maybe it's the collective experience of it, or the true sincerity of a live show. Whatever it is, I love it. But, due to a lack of funds, and my concert buddy being in California, I haven't been able to go to a show since last summer.

But, last night when I found out that a new favourite band of mine, The Gaslight Anthem, will be in town in September, I knew that I had to go! So, I immediately told my good friend, Chantelle, and we are going! I can't wait!

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Ideas, please!

I start EFY in just less than two weeks! Eek! I am pretty excited, but really nervous too! I will be working both weeks (first and second weeks of August). Oh boy! I know that it's a lot, but I am way excited!
So, friends, I need advice! Whether you have been a counselor or just a participant, I want your ideas. What can I do to make this a good experience for me and for my groups that I will be looking after?

Part of my group my last year of EFY (as a participant). Three years ago. 

Classes

Finally! I am now officially registered for my fall courses (that start in less than two months!). I was able to register last month, but because the department of Psychology puts a blocker on their courses so that non-majors aren't able to register until a certain time, I had to wait until today. So, now I just (im)patiently waiting for September 14th so that I start some learnin'!
So, my classes for this next term will be (if I don't make any last minute changes):

• English Literature of the Romantic Period: Revolution (writers such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Blake. Some of my favourites!)
• Elizabethan Poetry and Prose (writers including Edmund Spenser and William Shakespeare).
• History of Early Modern Britain (covering the time between 1461 and 1714).
• Sensation and Perception (this will cover the psychological and physiological basis of sensory and perceptual processes). 

So, it will be a good, though full, semester. I am definitely looking forward to it! 

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This will be me until December. Nose in the book. I can't wait!

On the Run

On Saturday, I competed in my very first 5K race (in support of FASD). Luckily, a very good friend of mine, Megan, came along with me and enjoyed it together. I had difficulty with it because of a very intense cramp that started about halfway through (which was weird, because I usually don't get cramps while running -- maybe it was the nerves?), but I was determined to continue and run the entire way (I would have been pretty upset with myself if I hadn't). So, I did. I was expecting to finish within forty-four minutes (that was the length of stellar playlist), so I was completely surprised when I got to the finish line at thirty-six and a half minutes. And that feeling that I got as I crossed that finish line was amazing! Amazing! I really felt like I had accomplished something, plus that runners high was pretty good too.
I know that for some, running a 5K is not a big deal at all, but it was for me. It was a big deal for a few reasons. For one, during my high school years, I struggled with my weight a lot and lost interest in running (which I did casually in junior high) so much so that when I would try to go running, I could barely make it around the block. So, now being about twenty(ish) pounds lighter than I was three years ago, that race meant a lot to me. To me, it symbolizes my new found love of my (mostly) healthy lifestyle. And, it was a good experience for me to show myself that once again, I can do hard things!
I am looking forward to doing at least two more races this year (one on August 28, anyone want to join?) and continue next year, possibly working toward a 10K for next summer. I love that my legs let me run!

Megan and I (at Crescent Road) before the race, and the dog that belonged to the nice lady who took our picture. 

Posing with Megan, and her brother and his girlfriend. No post-shots this time. (No one needs to see that). 

So, who wants to join me on August 28? 

Twenties Girl

In my last post, I mentioned that I had been reading Kinsella's newest novel, Twenties Girl. Yet again, I found a best friend in book form. I am in love with this book. I laughed, I "aww"ed, I even came close to tears. Kinsella has such a talent for creating amazingly vivid characters who I either want to be, or have them be my best friend. Lara Lington was no exception.
It has been a really long time since I have sat down with a book for hours, and with this one I did that last night polishing off the last few hundred pages into the wee hours.
Also, I had the great desire to find myself a flapper dress, some beads, a cloche hat and do the Charleston. Yep, I loved this one.

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Now, I am just counting the days until I can read Mini-Shopaholic! 

Slurpee dates

I have mentioned before that I really miss going on dates with Justin. We had so much fun, no matter what we did. We never went on super expensive dates (because he was saving for his mission, and I am a poor student), but every moment we spent together was wonderful. Today I am thinking about and missing our slurpee dates. It all started the summer that he graduated high school, and since then it had become a lovely tradition that when the heat became a little too much to bear (or I was just getting a craving) we would have a slurpee date. Oh, how I miss those days and long for them again!

439 days. 439 days. 439 days. 

Golden Years

Nine hundred and twelve days. Thirty months. Two years and six months.

Today, Justin and I are celebrating two and a half wonderful years together. When we met three years ago, I never imagined that we would end up together or that I could be this happy. True, we are not in the same country today, but I still feel that we are celebrating together, because my heart is always with him. 

Two years ago on our six months anniversary. Just a couple of kids in love. 

The Postal Service

I think that Canada Post needs to begin a type of "frequent mailers" program. It would definitely help me out, since they seem to be taking a lot of my money. I sent a package for Justin's birthday this morning and had a mini disagreement with an employee about how much it should cost, and how long it would take. Really, Canada Post? Why do you feel the need to take away my money?

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The only reason I don't completely despise the mail system is the letter that they brought me today. This is definitely a  love/hate relationship that we have. 

Story time

It's that time again, friends!
I think tonight, I need to share the story of the day I realized I loved Justin Marshall.
It was sometime in March of 2008, and I was really enjoying my time with Justin. We had been dating officially dating for nearly two months and things were going better than I could have every expected. I already knew that Justin loved me and I knew that I could love him, but I wasn't there yet. There were many moments throughout those two months that I knew it was coming closer and closer, but that "aha moment" did not come until one morning while I was on my way to class. After work that morning, I was on the train to school when I got a text from Justin informing me that he had just hurt his knee pretty bad while playing soccer in his gym class (he was in grade twelve that year). So, anyhow. I still remember that feeling I got. The kind where my heart is bursting out of my chest while my stomach is spinning and spinning. At that moment, I wasn't sure how bad his injury was (it wasn't too bad), but I imagined that it was awful and I knew immediately that if I had a car, I would be on my way to Edmonton (man, long-distance dating sucks!). I knew in that moment that I was really falling in love with Justin.
Sorry for sappy stuff, friends. But, you'll just have to deal with it. I love the sap.

Yep, still in love. 

This week

Oh, what a week it has been! On Sunday, mom and dad left for camp (Young Womens and Scout camps respectively). Rather than staying at home all alone (which I do love during the day), I decided to spend the week with my sister and brother-in-law, since James was leaving for the Scouts camp on Wednesday anyhow.
It's been a pretty good week. Monday, my brother David came down from Edmonton and we had a really fun night over at Chantelle and Candi's. Oh, the laughter! I'm not sure if I have laughed so much in one night, or played such a long game of "Phase 10". I have the best friends.
I have really enjoyed this week. I have had the opportunity to spend time with my siblings and cook more, which I love to do. Also, a bonus to staying with Marni and James is that they have a great bike path nearly across the street that has been perfect for running this week.

Bows and stripes

I am a huge fan of nautical inspired pieces. Mostly because they are so fresh and navy. I love navy. We're pretty much best friends.
Exhibit A: Navy. Stripes. Bows. Just a few of my favourite things together at last.

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Oh, ModCloth how I love you.

Progress

Remember way back in January when I was thrilled with the progress in hair growth? Well, it has continued. Apparently, I am doing something right. I am almost past the awkward medium between short and long hair.

See? It's actually a tiny bit longer than this though. This picture makes it look a little shorter. 

Heart smiles

 I have a really, really good life. And here are just a few things that made my heart smile this week:

1. Wearing my brand new hot pink pumps to church today. I would wear them every single day if I could. They're pretty amazing.
2. Running just over 5 km on Friday. As I have mentioned, I am planning to run my first 5K race next Saturday, but I have not had much luck with getting back in shape. Friday, that changed. Thank you legs for working!
3. Reading a very, very sweet letter from my dear missionary boyfriend. He is the best. The best.
4. Realizing that my hair is actually a lot longer than I had thought. I love my long hair.
5. Finding a super cute hat. With a bow. I love bows. (And it was on sale. Love!)
6. Finding a picture of Justin on facebook posted by a member from his last area, and a comment from another saying that he was a great missionary. I was definitely beaming with girlfriend pride.

Love

I don't have many words to share tonight, but I do want to share a picture. A moment. Love.

This is why (among other things) I am the luckiest girl alive. This is true love. "Love, twue love". 

Matter of Time

It's the 30th already! And you know what that means! Another month has come and gone and I am closer and closer to being with my guy again. Today, we have reached nine months since Justin entered the mission field -- we have a "mission baby" as mom said today. In some ways, it feels like it goes by painfully slow and in others it seems as if it has flown by. The last three months have definitely been better than the first six, but I think that that is mainly to do with the fact that I am just accustomed to Justin being on a mission. I am used to the weekly e-mails and letters and the lack of daily communication (which took me a really long time to get used to). I do have really hard days where I feel like there's no way I'll be able to make it another day but then there are other days when I see something that reminds me of Justin, or read his letters and realize that I can do this. We can do this. Our motto for this experience has always been "We are tough people". We got that from a quote that my dear Granny has on her fridge: "Tough times don't last. Tough people do. We are tough people!". So, we are tough people, and we will last.

June 30, 2008. Hanging out with our pal, Winnie a few days after Justin's high school graduation. 

Dear months ten to twenty-four, please speed by!

One shoe, two shoe

Converse has just released a Dr. Seuss line. That's right. Two of my very favourite things together as one. Check out the entire collection here. They even have some made for little feet. If I had kids (or nieces and nephews), they would definitely be wearing a pair!

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I need to own these. 

Mini-Shopaholic

Currently I am reading Sophie Kinsella's latest Twenties Girl. But that's not what I am here to share with you today. I'll do that when I finish. While I was reading today, I flipped to the back to see how many pages I had left to read and found an advertisement for Kinsella's next work. Mini-Shopaholic. That's right! Becky is back!

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Oooh! I am so excited for this one! 

Story Time

I think it's time for a short story time today. Sound good?
In the last few months, I have had a few people comment on the fact that I do not look or act my age. I have continually been mistaken for being at least three or four years older than I am, which I am not too thrilled about. Anyhow, while applying for my irewards card at Chapters, the clerk asked me if I was a teacher (because they get a discount on the card). I was surprised that I looked old enough or mature enough to be a teacher. I was kind of happy about it, because I have always wanted to be a teacher, and was a little tickled that I had that look about me. However, my slight elation took a quick turn when minutes later while walking through the mall, I was stopped by a man who looked to be about thirty (ten years my senior) and this man proceeded to ask me out for coffee because I had "caught his eye". Really? Who does that? I was very relieved to reply that I was not single. I love not being single. It's pretty fabulous.
Anyhow, that is as exciting as my life has been in the last nine months.

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"You're my favourite deputy!"

This past Saturday in celebration for my birthday, I went with my family and a few friends to see Toy Story 3. After watching the first two the night before, I was definitely stoked to see it. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Not one bit. I laughed, I cried. It was wonderful. It was the perfect way to spend my birthday. Friends, if you have not yet seen it, go now! I promise, you will love it!

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The Gift

Have I mentioned lately that I love my boyfriend? I do. A lot. Especially today.
When I got home from work, dad handed me my credit card bill, which is not my idea of real mail and then casually mentioned that there was some other mail too. A package. A package from California. A package from a really cute missionary in California. I was not expecting to get my birthday present until next week, so it was definitely a very pleasant surprise.
Inside, I found a very sweet letter in which Justin promised he would make my twenty-third birthday worth my two missed birthdays (this year and next) and I also found this:

I love this shirt. Not only does it speak my true feelings, it smells like Justin. 

I love it. 

On this day in history

Even when it feels that time is moving more slowly than turtles and snails, a new day comes and I realize that time actually is moving. Do you remember this day last year? I do. I can remember exactly what I was doing at about this hour. I had gone out for lunch that afternoon and had my phone out waiting for that special call. On my drive home with Megan, I got a call from a very nervous and excited guy. Then I had to get home and wait for Justin to call back to tell me what the news was. It was a year ago today that Justin received his mission call. One year ago today, this current phase of our life began. Man, things have changed a lot since that day! But, one thing hasn't changed. I still love my missionary. A lot. Oh, if only the next three months would speed by. I am definitely looking forward to counting down the months!

465 days. 465 days. 465 days!

Dressed Up & In Line

I love, love, love, love, love this dress from Anthropologie ! Love. Simple, yet elegant. Timeless. Imagine this with bright coloured flats or black patent pumps. Amazing, right? 

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Note to Self

If you know me, you know that I love lists. I love paper and pens. I love post-it notes. White boards. Magnetic boards. I love writing down everything. So, of course I would love these wonderful notepads and post-its from Knock Knock. They sell them at Chapters, and I absolutely adore them! Not only are they a genius idea, they are quite comical.

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Awesome, right?

Happy Fathers Day

Before it gets too far from Fathers Day, I just wanted to write a quick note about my dad.
I love my dad. In many ways, I'm a lot like him. He gave me my blue eyes, my curly hair, my love for music and creativity. My dad is a gentle man who cares deeply for his wife and family and would do anything for us. He has definitely demonstrated that in the past twenty-one years that I have known him. My dad has taught me to put family first, be a hard worker, and that sometimes taking a moment to laugh is most important to get through the day.
Thank you for everything, dad! I love you!

ps. It's the first day of summer, friends! Let the fun begin!

Twenty-one books

Ready for another list, friends? Well, here it is. After spending some much needed time with the lovely books at Chapters on Monday, I felt a list of my favourite books was needed.

1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Fabulous, fabulous book. Oh, how I love Francie Nolan. She's pretty much my best book friend.
2. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I have been reading this gem since I was about eight years old. I still love it just as much now.
3. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. I'm pretty sure that I was the inspiration for this one, though I have not ever been in quite the financial quandary of Becky Bloomwood, I definitely sympathize with her love of shopping.
4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Elizabeth Bennett is another one of my best book friends. If you have yet to read this one, do it now!
5. Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster. I remember when my mom read this book to me a few years ago and it was like reading something out of my journals. Another best book friend.
6. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The first time I read this novel, I was fifteen and had been grounded during my Christmas break so I stayed in my room and read this all week. It was a good week.
7. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Great, great book. I recommend this one to everyone!
8. Audrey Hepburn: An Elegant Spirit by Sean Hepburn Ferrer. I love Audrey, as you know, and am in love with this bio written by her son. She really had a beautiful life.
9. Charly by Jack Weyland. Such a beautiful story. Get your tissues for this one!
10. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling. I love every Harry Potter book, but I think this is my fave. Mostly because the Weasley twins have a bigger role.
11. The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank. If you have not read this, you must. Right this minute! I remember the first time I read this. I was in elementary in grade four and picked it out at the library when we were choosing a book from each section according to the Dewey Decimal system. Tissues needed for this one too.
12. Eleanor Rigby by Douglas Coupland. Pretty much the only Canadian author I can stand (Margaret Atwood, yuck!). He is so, so talented in his ability to tap into the human mind, especially writing from a woman's point of view in this one.
13. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. I'm not sure how many times I've read this one, but I know I have read it many, many times.
14. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella. Becky Bloomwood in New York. Love!
15. Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe by Stuart MacLean. Not a novel, I know. But his short stories are definitely work a mention.
16. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. I love the Seuss. No life is complete without a little Sam I am.
17. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Definitely worth a read.
18. Wicked by Gregory McGuire. Ever wanted to know the story behind the Wicked Witch of the West, now you have it!
19. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Such a powerful novel! Every time I read it, my heart breaks a little more.
20. On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder. When I was younger (about 7 or 8), I used to read these books all the time. I loved them, but Plum Creek was definitely the favourite.
21. Night by Elie Wiesel. A hard topic to read about, but definitely an amazing book.

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Now go read! Now!

Posters

With all of the wet, wet weather the past few days has put me in a bit of a funk and I haven't felt very motivated to blog. Sorry, friends. Anyhow, I had to share my new find, courtesy of Melanie from You Are My Fave who did a guest post on A CUP OF JO.

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This poster (from Keep Calm Gallery) is definitely the perfect reminder for a day like today. My fingers are crossed that tomorrow brings some sunshine because I need to shake this funk with a good run.

I'm So Excited

Tomorrow is Wednesday, which means that I get to register for my classes this fall! I am pretty excited, just like a kid on Christmas Eve. Yep, I'm a nerd.

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And this is how I feel inside right now. 

Wrapped Up in Books

I have neglected my other blog for a while, so I figured it was time to get back to it. So, if you are in the mood to read me more and read more about my literary obsessions, you need to check out Wrapped Up in Books.

The Last Song

After a brief hiatus, I am back and ready to gush about one of my greatest loves: literature. So, to begin my summer of writing, let's start with my most recent finish.
Last week I finished reading Nicholas Sparks' The Last Song. I have always enjoyed reading his novels, and was not disappointed with this one. Though there was the usual predictability that you find in a Sparks novel, it was still a good read.
If you need an easy summer read that will tug at your heart strings, this is the one for you.
Happy reading, friends!

 

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Hope

Waiting for Justin while he is on his mission is really, really hard! It is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done in my short twenty years of life. Although I know that I want to keep waiting, and want to marry Justin it can still be super discouraging to be here alone while he is gone. Luckily, I am surrounded by amazing family members and friends that help me along the way. Another thing that really helps is hearing success stories of other girls that waited for missionaries and married them, like my parents, my (distant) cousin who just married Justin's friend, and even people that I don't personally know, like Lauren at busy bee lauren. Read her sweet love story here.
Reading or listening to stories like that give me hope and make me realize that I can do this, and if it's what I want, I can make it happen. It also helps that I had a really good dream about my missionary being home this morning before I woke up.

I am quite positive that sixteen months from now, when I see this boy again, my smile will be even bigger. It may not look possible, but I will show that it is!

476 days. 476 days. 476 days. 

Twenty-one pet peeves

If you have known me for a while, or have been reading this blog at all you probably know that I am kind of weird. I have a few quirks about me, which includes my pet peeves. I have a lot of pet peeves, and have a few to share with you today. Sounds fun, right?

1. When people use the term "aka" incorrectly. AKA means "also known as" and that is all. It actually drives me a tiny bit crazy when people use it in a sentence when in fact they should say "i.e." or "for example".
2. Dog-earred pages. To me, books are sacred. Yes, I do have some well worn books that have experienced a lot, but they have never experienced a turned down page. That's what bookmarks were made for.
3. Double negatives. My ears cry every time someone says something along the lines of "I ain't got nobody".
4. Spelling errors. I do not profess to be spelling expert, but I do know how to use a dictionary and spell check.
5. Loud chewing.
6. Discovering a new band and feeling like I found something special that is just mine only to hear them played on the radio. I dislike the radio and most mainstream music (though I do make exceptions).
7. Parents who do not watch their children when they are in public. Even though you are in a public place, you are still required to keep an eye on your children (maybe more so!)
8. Finding something I really, really love online and then finding out that it does not ship to Canada. Devastating.
9. Wet socks. I think having wet socks is one of the worst feelings ever.
10. Telling somebody about a fear or phobia that I have only to have them tell me I should "get over it".
11. Having plugged ears. Whenever I get a bad cold, my ears tend to become very tender and often one will become completely plugged. Trust me, it is awful.
12. When I explain my occasional frustrations of being a girlfriend waiting for her missionary and having people tell me they know how I feel because they had a sibling go on a mission. It is not even close!
13. I work in a clothing store, and one of my biggest pet peeves that comes from that experience is when people leave things in a fitting room on the floor. Really? You would think that grown women know how to clean up after themselves.
14. People that smoke with children nearby. I think it is an awful thing when smokers choose to smoke in front of non-smokers, but I can't explain how much I hate it when people smoke near children and babies.
15. Other people's feet. I don't mind my own feet (as long as they are clean) and Justin's feet, but I really don't like it when anybody else's naked feet touch mine.
16. Bad hair days.
17. Another one from work: in my store, our cash desk is in the middle of the store, and there is another counter behind it. It drives me crazy when people walk through that space right behind our cash desk.
18. Insincerity.
19. When originals are not given credit. For example, nearly every Gwen Stefani song from 2007 had a tune that came from another song. Tevye wondered what it would be like to be a rich man before she sang about being a rich girl.
20. Writer's block. Evil, evil.
21. The term "I know exactly how you feel". Nope, you don't. You may understand, or have experienced a similar situation, but you do not know exactly how I feel.

So, there it is. Looking back on the list, I realize I may come across as quite sinister and picky, but I'm not that bad, I promise.

"This is what I want, this is what I need..."

Friends, I just watched the new video for the iPhone 4 and think it needs to be shared. Check it out here. Oooh, I so, so want one!

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I am looking forward to the "FaceTime" capabilities so that when Justin is home, we can talk and see each other at the same time (because we have a lot of face time to make up! Genius!

More shoes?

You might already know that I love shoes. A lot. And I love my vans. A lot. So much that I think after four (or maybe five?) years, they need a new friend. Like these or these or these. I think one day I will have to buy another house to store my shoes. Hopefully my future husband still loves me then!

Love.

Twenty-one pieces of wisdom

On Monday night, I started to feel a cold coming on and since then, I have been living in a cloud of my sinus cold. Hence, I have not felt motivated to put words together. But, I will attempt tonight. I need some blog time after a very stressful day at work (dearest Friday, come soon!). Today, I will share a list of wisdom.
Twenty-one things I have learned from my parents:

1. When you are sick, take vitamin C. Drink water. Rest.
2. Don't borrow something unless you can afford to replace it, and if you can buy it yourself!
3. Always wear clean underwear.
4. When you are staying as a guest in someone's home, always make the bed.
5. Loud music is required for cleaning.
6. Take care of what you need first, and what you want will be taken care of or you will realize you can live without it.
7. Family is most important.
8. Trust in the Lord. He knows best.
9. It's okay to show emotions.
10. Be prepared.
11. Ice cream may not be the cure for the grumpies, but it sure helps!
12. Air guitar is an art
13. Music is meant to be listened to and enjoyed. Loudly.
14. You should treat your family like strangers -- as in as kind as you would a stranger.
15. Don't worry about the things you can't control -- which includes pretty much everything.
16. Good things come to those who wait.
17. What may seem hard today will be easier tomorrow, and if it's not, it will be easier the next day.
18. If you really want to accomplish something, do it! Don't wait for opportunity to come to you.
19. Happiness is being married to your best friend.
20. You should always treat your spouse with respect, no matter what!
21. Your parents actually know what they are talking about.

I should have started that list by saying that I have not always embraced these lessons, and that each lesson has not necessarily been verbalized as such, but I have learned these from my very wise parents (and more!).