Saturday, March 31, 2012

happy friday!

This isn't a typical "Happy Friday!" post, but more of a brain dump. It's Friday though, and I'm happy, so I'm gonna roll with it. 

Right now, I feel lighter than I have all week. I'm not sure why, but this week was tough. Nothing bad happened, my mind has just been whirling with thoughts. Unfortunately, most of them have been negative and self-doubting. 

I'm confused and feeling awkward about friendships. I feel out of shape even though I've been getting exercise every day. I have no idea what I want to do with the rest of my life. I'm tired, feeling overwhelmed, and questioning everything. 

I actually called my mom Wednesday night and burst into tears as soon as she said, "Hi, honey!" When she asked what was wrong, a jumble of words, thoughts, and emotions fell out of my mouth. And that's what I need to focus on; I have people to call, people to talk to. 

And I have myself. I'm able to reframe my thoughts. Make a cup of tea. Curl up on the couch. Watch TV, read, write. I'm able to go for a walk or run. Listen to music. I'm able to be positive or at the very least, try to be. 

I started this blog back in August, and eventually got into the habit of posting at least every weekday. And I enjoy it. It makes me more observant of what's going on around me, I've connected to a lot of people, and I think it's helped me to learn more about myself. At the same time, it takes a lot of time and it creates more questions. I compare myself to others and end up putting more pressure on myself. Not cool. 

So, this is what I'm thinking: I'm still going to blog. And I might post something every weekday. But I don't have to. I'm going to relieve some of the pressure I put on myself (or try to, at least). I want this space to be authentic and I don't want to post something just for the sake of posting something. I haven't yet and I want to keep it that way. (Confession: I feel guilty for even writing this. I don't know why. I'll still be posting frequently, maybe even as often as I do now, but I feel like a failure. And like I'm letting people down. Which is silly. Ridiculous, even. Sheesh, the pressure we put on ourselves!) 


Anyway, I know that there were things that made me happy this week, I just wasn't as aware of that happiness as I usually am because of my mind being tricky. The happy things I was aware of include: 

+ The sky. I've gotten in the habit of looking up at the sky often while walking somewhere. And I love whatever I see. If it's grey, I feel safe and cozy. Blue, I feel carefree and hopeful. I snapped the picture above Thursday morning and couldn't stop smiling. Clouds are magical

+ The same elderly gentleman I mentioned last Friday waved to me again this week. 

+ Going to bed at 10 last night and sleeping in until 6 this morning. 8 whole hours of sleep. 

+ Drinking a Tim Hortons coffee this morning. It's been weeks since I've had any and I enjoyed every gulp. 

+ My interim evaluation was fantastic. (Which leads to more questions, but that's okay.)


+ Talking to Melissa Wednesday night. We talked for a long time, about school, family, our hopes and fears. Sounds kind of silly, but I really appreciated it. 

What made you happy this week?

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

march photo a day 18-25.

I'm participating in Fat Mum Slim's March Photo a Day Challenge. Here are my photos from days 18 through 25:


18. a corner of my home ("be classy" original by Kal Barteski
19. funny
20. before/after (first day and night of spring)
21. delicious 
22. kitchen sink
23. moon (Didn't get a picture of the moon, just a star. At least I could make a wish.)
24. animal (Alfonzo the Lion, a gift from my nan)
25. breakfast (Forgot to take a photo before I ate. I assure you, it was delicious.)

Click through for days 1-7 and days 8-17

(Find me on Instagram)

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

make your bed and then sit on it.


While making my bed Sunday night, I found myself thinking, "I cannot wait to sit here tomorrow." When I woke up yesterday morning, my thought was more specific: "I can't wait to sit here after school, reading blogs and drinking tea." I looked forward to it all day.

Think I'm silly? That's okay, Summer and a few others will understand.

To quote Summer, "There's something thrilling about sitting on top of a bed that's neatly made; perched on top of the covers with a quilt on my lap. It's one of my guilty pleasures."

Until I read her post, I had no idea that I wasn't the only one who enjoyed this simple act so much. I had no idea it could be considered thrilling, but upon reading Summer's words, I realized that that's exactly how I feel when I have some time to myself to sit on my bed -- thrilled!

So, make your bed and then sit on it. Let me know how it feels.

Monday, March 26, 2012

hello, monday.

It's Monday (already!) so I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello.



Hello to a date with Annie at Coffee and Friends. I ordered a Raspberry Truffle Mocha and a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie. The cookie was hard at the edges and chewy towards the center -- perfect, and I'm fairly certain I've found a new go-to drink for when I'm downtown. By the time I returned home I felt so refreshed; I think that had more to do with the company and less to do with the treats. 

Hello to seeing The Hunger Games with Melissa and Sara. I devoured the entire trilogy in about three days this past summer and I was a bit skeptical about the movie's ability to do the first book justice. Aside from a few details that were missing, it was fantastic! I was enamoured by Katniss, held my breath for entire scenes, was wracked with sobs, and fell in love with Peeta. If you haven't read the books or seen the movie, what are you waiting for?! You should be on your way to a theater right now with your nose stuck in the first book!

Hello, supper date with my mom. We enjoyed a delectable meal of Chinese and seafood. We lingered over coffee, tea, and dessert. We laughed and laughed while reminiscing about old memories.

Hello, waking up at 8:30 yesterday morning and spending the next few hours doing laundry and watching The West Wing. I'm on the sixth season now and all I have to say is... nothing. I have nothing to say because I was left speechless. Except for the times when I was yelling at the television. Which was a lot of times. There were also a lot of gasps. And a lot of tears.

Hello, falling asleep in a bed with freshly washed sheets and blankets, in a room that was dusted, swept, and mopped. I always sleep so much better surrounded by the smell of clean.

Hello to the third week of my internship. I'm getting into a routine and really enjoying it. These kids are worming their way into my heart (not that they had to try very hard).

Hello, Monday! What are you saying hello to this week?

Friday, March 23, 2012

happy friday!

I can't believe it's Friday! I'm so glad it is though; it was a long (but very good!) week. In no particular order, here is what made me happy:


+ Walking downtown from my school and meeting Alex at Read's, where I enjoyed a cookie dough latte. (The exercise, sunshine, company, and drink were all worth the giant blister I now have on the bottom of my left heel.)

+ The walk to and from school continues to make me smile. Especially now that I am beginning to recognize the "regulars" that I pass:  the woman in business attire who always smiles at me, the mom and two kids who arrive at school at the same time I do, and the gentleman dressed in a suit who waits at the bus stop.

+ Seeing a guy run by me at the bus stop, his huge, white dog barreling along behind him without a leash.

+ An elderly gentleman smiling and waving at me through his window one morning.

+ Watching Gilmore Girls with Melissa. I'm so glad that she likes the show. I keep telling her, "Just wait! It gets even better!"

+ Celebrating the first day of spring!

+ Getting good news from the doctor.

+ Receiving a "thinking of you" card from my grandparents. It was so sweet, and they included a scratch ticket!

+ Taking a short 15 minute nap with the window open, a cool breeze playing with my curtains and caressing my cheek.

+ Going to Snooty Fox for half price apps with Sherry and Kathleen, friends from my BEd program.

+ Going out for lunch with some of the teachers from my school.

+ Record-breaking temperatures! It was so warm (like summer!) the last couple of days that I wore sundresses!

+ Students dancing on the playground. The Phys. Ed. teacher blasted music and the kids loved it! They did the Chicken Dance, the Cha Cha Slide, and the Limbo.

+ Receiving a card from Cara. She always sends the best mail.

+ Going for a run outside last night after 7PM -- and it still being light out!

+ Writing this blog post last night with damp hair from a luke-warm bath, while sipping tea, the rolling sound of cars driving by and the murmur of people's voices drifting in my open window.

Phew, that's a lot of happiness and I know I'm forgetting some! What made you happy this week?

Thursday, March 22, 2012

spring.

"An optimist is the human personification of spring." - Susan J. Bissonette

This is one of my all-time favourite quotations. I spotted it in a friend's room a few years ago and had her write it on a yellow sticky note. I carried it around in my wallet until last year, when it finally lost all of its stickiness and fell out. Luckily for me, the quote appeared on one of the pages of my calendar and it is now pinned to my bulletin board. Not that I need it there; it often pops into my head and I've been thinking of it a lot over the past few days. 

I think I like it so much for two reasons. First of all, I like to think of myself as an optimist, and second of all, spring is my favourite season -- an understatement if ever there was one. 

You've heard of spring fever, causing people to fall in love? (Or at the very least, lust.) Well, I'm head-over-heels in love with spring. The mud. The puddles. The birds chirping. The light breeze and longer days. The damp smell that floats in the air, reminding me that everything is new again. 

Spring is a promise of fresh starts; it is the beginning of all things good. When it is gone, we enjoy summer, fall, and the knowledge that when the snowdrifts of winter melt, we will be rewarded once again.


I celebrated the first day of spring by indulging in a slushee with Melissa, by opening my window, by paying more attention to each step of my walk on the way to and from school.

I celebrated the first day of spring by turning my face towards the sun, by breathing that "new" smell, by having hope that everything will be okay.

How did you celebrate?

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

march photo a day 8-17.

I'm participating in Fat Mum Slim's March Photo a Day Challenge. Here are my photos from days 8 through 17:


8. Window
9. Red
10. Loud (from a favourite Tumblr, Lyrics to Live By)
11. Someone I talked to today
12. Fork
13. A sign
14. Clouds
15. Car (There weren't many cars on the road that morning.)
16. Sunglasses
17. Green

You can see my photos from days 1 through 7 here.

(Find me on Instagram)

Monday, March 19, 2012

hello, monday!

I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello!


Hello, warmer temperatures, melting snow, and sunny skies. I can't believe that spring begins tomorrow!

Hello, being excited to run outside this week. Soon, I won't even need to dodge mud puddles.

Hello, walking in the rain Friday night. I didn't put my hood up because I liked the way the raindrops felt. People walking and driving by probably thought I was crazy; I didn't care.

Hello, tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches at Annie's, a dear friend.

Hello to Annie's new blog, Humble Beginnings!

Hello, Family Game Night. We played Life and my brother won! (He beat me by $5000.)

Hello to zipping through the fifth season of The West Wing. I lost track of how many episodes I watched this weekend.

Hello to the second week of my internship. I've got this.

Hello, Monday!

What are you saying hello to today?

the air I'm breathing smells like spring.


I posted this photo a little over a week ago on Instagram and labeled it "hope." Sunshine always makes me feel hopeful, but I felt especially so that day. I had made a phone call I'd been thinking of making for a long time, filled out important paperwork, and then walked downtown, feeling lighter than I had in a while. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sun is shining again today and my chest feels swollen with hope. I went for a run and was assured that spring is on its way. Children were playing with sidewalk chalk and riding scooters. Teenagers were walking, holding hands. A group of guys were throwing a frisbee. Snow is melting, paths are muddy, and patches of brownish-green grass are visible. 

My chest is swollen with hope and I feel as though I'm able to breathe again. Even better, the air I'm breathing smells like spring. 

Friday, March 16, 2012

happy friday!

I'm not sure if this week passed quickly or slowly. Maybe a bit of both -- if that makes sense? In any case, I'm glad it's the weekend! Here are some of the things that made me happy: 


+ Bussing and walking to school. I thought I was going to hate getting up early in the morning to go to school but I've ended up enjoying the short journey. I take a bus part of the way and instead of transferring to another, I just walk the rest of the way. There aren't many people around that early in the morning and I've cherished the time by myself. I'm able to listen to music, do some thinking, and enjoy the scenery.

+ Walking home after school. Instead of taking the bus, I've just been walking the whole way back. It gives me time to unwind and I count it as exercise!

+ Running outside on Monday. It was my first time running outside since the fall. The sun was shining, it was warm, and the sidewalks were (for the most part) clear of snow. Spring is coming.

+ Playing Draw Something, a fun (and addicting!) game.

+ One of my students asking if she could call me "Miss G."

+ Lisa, who I link up to every Monday, offering free shipping this week on her new pewter jewelry. I ordered this necklace, inspired by one of my favourite poems.

+ A snow day!

+ Finding out that I'm able to go to Montreal over the Easter weekend! I'll be visiting my best friend, Meredith, and seeing Ingrid Michaelson in concert!

What made you happy this week?

Thursday, March 15, 2012

snow day.

Yesterday was a snow day in my school district, which is even better than a sick day because you can enjoy the time away from work without feeling guilty or, you know, sick. I thoroughly enjoyed the day, and went to bed wondering why snow days seem to pass so much more quickly than work days. 


I woke up to my alarm at 5:15 AM and was showered and getting dressed by the time school was officially cancelled. I didn't mind though. I made myself a smoothie and headed back to bed, where I began reading Jodi Picoult's new novel, Lone Wolf. I then went back to sleep, and didn't wake up until 3 and a half hours later! Seems like these early mornings are getting to me. 

Upon waking, I curled up on the couch with a blanket and a cup of tea. Feeling cozy and comfortable (and a little bit lazy compared to the characters I was watching), I watched an episode of The West Wing. Two of my roommates watched it with me and I think they began to understand why I get so into it. 

In the afternoon, Melissa and I went to Starbucks, where I read blogs and sipped a caramel apple spice. Afterwards, we went to Relish and tried their feature of the week ("The Irish Pickle" -- deep fried pickle, mozzarella cheese, sauteed mushrooms, and back bacon). Simple pleasures, but they felt so indulgent for a Wednesday afternoon and evening. 

The rest of the day was spent watching Gilmore Girls, reading, and having a quick visit with my friend, Emily. 

I'm happy spring is on its way, but I'll sure miss the possibility of guilt-free days off. 

(Note: The blog pictured above is Marta Writes, written by the wonderful Marta Dansie. She writes beautifully, making everyday life pop. Her blog is one of my absolute favourites; I look forward to devouring each of her posts.) 

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

live the questions now.

"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer."
- Rainer Maria Rilke


Susan, of 29 Black Street, blogged this quote the other day and I'm so glad she did. I'd seen it before, had even written it in my journal, but of course, wise words seem to disappear from one's mind when they're most needed. 

There is a lot unsolved in my heart right now and I have a lot of questions that will remain unanswered for the foreseeable future. Where will I live? Who will I live with? Where will I work? What career will I choose? Will I be happy? How will I spend my free time? Who will my friends be?

Those are just some of the questions I'm obsessing over lately. Others include worrying about loved ones, wondering where friends will end up, and travel plans. Minor and major things. 

I can try to find the answers. I am trying to find the answers, but perhaps I shouldn't. At the very least, I shouldn't let myself become as stressed as I do. There may come a time that I wish some aspects of my life were unknown. 

So, I will try to be patient and live my life with faith that everything will work out. 

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

bookmarked.

Here are some of the things that have been hanging out in my bookmark folder I've labeled "lovely":


// Is it crazy that I would love to live in a house covered with polka dots? (via sfgirlbybay)

// A two year old doing what she loves -- dancing.

// Why not have fun while we work? This guy does.

// Top 5 regrets of the dying.

// Celebrate who you are.

// 10 ways to show kindness.

// Moment Junkie is one of my favourite photography blogs. Check out the results of their first contest.

// 6 free iPhone wallpapers. I chose the one that says, "Don't worry, everything is going to be awesome!"

hello, monday.

It's late, but I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello to Monday anyway. 


Hello, spending Saturday with my Momma. 

Hello, Magic Bullet. I've only had it for a couple of days and I already get what all the fuss is about! 

Hello, spending Sunday in sweats, doing nothing but watching The West Wing. I made it to the 5th season! 

Hello, waking up at 5AM this morning. 

Hello, moon. (Photo from this morning)

Hello, grade 2 classroom and new students. I think we're going to get along just fine. 

Hello, walking home with the sun shining on my shoulders. 

Hello, first run outside since fall. Even with the mud, runs outside beat the treadmill any day. 

Hello, planning on going to bed early-ish. We'll see how that works out. 

What are you saying hello to? 

Friday, March 09, 2012

happy friday!

I have to admit, I'm a little bit sad that today is Friday because it means March Break is coming to an end. It's been a laid-back week and my happiness has come from small pleasures:


+ Making smoothies in my Nan's blender. The blender may be older than me but it works better than the blender I bought this year!

+ Sipping those smoothies through colourful straws.

+ Running errands with Nan and Dan.

+ Going for an eye exam and being told my vision is still better than 20/20.

+ Having a supper date with Sherry, a friend from my program. We went to Boston Pizza and had the flatiron steak & portobello mushroom pizza.

+ Skyping with Cara, who lives in Vermont, for almost 3 hours.

+ Texting Meredith, who lives in Montreal.

+ Watching the finale of Parenthood. I highly recommend this show! One of my favourites, ever!

+ Reading blogs and sipping a caramel macchiato at Starbucks.

+ My friend, Matt, meeting me at Starbucks on his lunch break.

+ Wandering around the mall, eating at the food-court, and people watching.

+ Buying this Yellow Pantone Notebook from Chapters. I got so excited when I saw it! It seems silly that an object could make me light up, but it did. (Even better, I used a giftcard leftover from Christmas.)

+ Buying new underwear from Aerie. They were on sale 5 for $16 and I couldn't resist the cute patterns and feminine colours.

+ Curling up with a blanket, sipping tea, and reading a book or watching The West Wing.

+ Having all of this free time! I finished reading The Happiness Project, read Now You See Her, and will probably read Lone Wolf by Sunday.

+ Waking up without an alarm!

What made you happy this week?

march photo a day 1-7.

I'm participating in Fat Mum Slim's March Photo a Day Challenge. Here are my photos from the first week: 


1. Up
2. Fruit
3. [Nan's] neighbourhood
4. Bedside
5. A smile [x3]
6. 5PM
7. Something I wore

See my photos from February's challenge here.

(You can find me on Instagram.)

Thursday, March 08, 2012

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin


I've finally finished reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Here are the parts that I highlighted:

"I wanted to change myself but accept myself. I wanted to take myself less seriously -- and also more seriously. I wanted to use my time well, but I also wanted to wander, to play, to read at whim. I wanted to think about myself so I could forget myself. I was always on the edge of agitation; I wanted to let go of envy and anxiety about the future, yet keep my energy and ambition."

"Hugging relieves stress, boosts feelings of closeness, and even squelches pain. In one study, people assigned to give five hugs each day for a month, aiming to hug as many different people as they could, became happier."

"'When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.' -C. S. Lewis"

"Eliza said to me, 'You know what I was just thinking? 'I'm in the pool, it's summer, I'm seven years old, I'm wearing a very cute bathing suit, and my grandmother is asking me if I want anything to eat or drink.'' By which she meant: Life doesn't get better than this."

"When I made the effort to reach out for them, I found that the ruby slippers had been on my feet all along; the bluebird was singing outside my kitchen window."

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

John Burroughs was a genius.


"The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are."

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see."

"If I were to name the three most precious resources of life, I should say books, friends, and nature..." 

"The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention."

"Joy in the universe, and keen curiosity about it all - that has been my religion."

And my resolution for 2012: "One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things."

(Photo via Library of Congress

Monday, March 05, 2012

hello, monday.

It's Monday, so I'm linking up with Lisa to say hello. 


Hello, March Break Monday. You promise a whole week ahead and I'm looking forward to it. 

Hello, reading for fun. With limited internet access, I'm reading more books. 

Hello, watching The West Wing. I should be able to finish the fourth season this week. 

Hello, cups of tea. 

Hello, chats with Nan. 

Hello, relaxing without feeling guilty. 


What are you saying hello to? 

Friday, March 02, 2012

happy friday!

It's Friday! Better yet, it's the Friday before March Break! That's happy! Some of the other things that made me happy this week:


Finding the words "Je t'aime" in the snow on campus. People spreading love will always make me smile. 

Meeting my students and teacher for my next internship. I'm with a grade 2 class and I think it will be fantastic. 

Receiving an A+ on my classroom management paper. 

Crossing items off the "to do" list. 

Going to Snooty Fox for half price apps with friends. 

Finishing the February Photo a Day challenge and beginning the challenge for March. 

Knowing that today is the last day of the second semester of my BEd. 

Knowing that I'm going to my Nan's tonight.*

What made you happy this week?

*I'll have limited internet access while I'm at my Nan's. I've scheduled a few posts for next week, but depending on when I get back, I might miss one or two. I might also be slower at answering comments. 

Thursday, March 01, 2012

february photo a day.

I participated in Fat Mum Slim's February Photo a Day challenge and it was a lot of fun! 

The first photo in the collage below is by Fat Mum Slim; it's the list of prompts for the month. The rest of the photos are ones that I took with my iPhone camera and processed with InstagramI shared my photos there, on Twitter, and on Tumblr


I'm participating in the March Photo a Day challenge, which starts today. I think I might share the photos I take here more often, maybe once a week. Of course, I'll still post them on Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr.

If you're interested, you should participate, too! You don't need to have an iPhone or Instagram. Just challenge yourself to snap a photo every day and follow the prompts if you want to.
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