My Happy List

Several years back, while visiting a friends house at lunch I noticed this book called the "Happy List". Inside was just a list of all sorts of things that helped bring a ray of sunshine into the author's day. A while later, I was have a hard time. I don't remember why, but I was down and depressed a lot. So I made myself a happy list. I've since put it away in my desk drawer, and forgotten about it. It came to mind yesterday and I thought maybe I would share it with you! It definitely helped bring a smile to my face in a time of need, and I encourage you to try it someday!

lightening, thunder, cellphones, ipods, tree-forts, hammocks, tree swings, sunsets, sunrises, stars, snowmobiling, sand castles, canoeing, leather couches, mascara, chocolate covered almonds, oreos dipped in peanut butter, car fresheners, brand name clothes, Jones soda, fuzzy sweaters, talking on the phone all night, dolphins, view from mountaintops, high school band trips, water fights, scavenger hunts, iced tea, snowball fights, snow angels, corvettes, fireplaces, hot chocolate, disneyland, the ocean, white water rafting, hot showers, bubble baths, waterfalls, rock walls, jellybellies, hockey, blue eyes, islands, squishing mud between your toes, God's love, my best friend, my boyfriend (at the time), friends in general, family, high school, graduating from high school, cars, swimming, snowboarding, mountains, sunglasses, dresses, sweatpants, chocolate, roses, daisies, springtime, summertime, fresh rain, the smell of rain, buttery popcorn, asparagus, chicken, ice cream, strawberry sundaes, ice cream on cold days!, teddy bears, Stitch (Lilo & Stitch), apple cider, sleep, cuddling, holding hands, kittens & cats, puppies & dogs, pirates, music, acting, musical theatre, drama, movies, babies, lava lamps, snooze buttons, accessories, hats, shopping, paydays, shoes and boots, dancing, dizzy dancing, making snowmen, board games, MSN, shiny objects, candles, trampolines, romance novels, cologne, bowling, mini golfing, autumn leaves, lipstick & lipgloss, sleepovers, big screen TVs, dinner by candlelight, haircuts, weddings, birthday parties, bridges, roasting marshmallows, smores, campfires, camping, beaches, soda pop, thanksgiving dinner, FOOD, card games, class spares, Dance - salsa, tango, music, blank pages, acing tests, burps, black & white pictures, pillow fights, sledding, ice cream sandwiches, rainbows, poodle skirts, exercising, monkeys, archie comics, clear skin, lunch dates, window shopping, smell of spring, slippers, physics class (really?!?! I think it was my teacher), "boring" testimonies, fancy hotel rooms, surround sound, baking cookies, Mike's (my youth pastor) bad drawings, the picture of me in Jesus' palm - safe and sound, kisses, wildflowers, apple pie, cheesecake

Wow, that was a long list. Some of those things are definitely outdated, but they applied at the time. I think if I were to write a happy list again, less than half of those things would still be on there. Maybe I'll have to do that...maybe for my 50th post, which I noticed is coming up soon!

The Pros and Cons of Winter

Pros

• Large quantities of snow
• And thus, SNOWBOARDING!
• Christmas!
• Snow angels
• Snowmen
• Snowmobiling
• Getting pulled on a tractor tire behind the snowmobile
• Snowball fights
• Tobogganing
• Hot tubbing outside, getting out to roll around in the snow, and getting back in
• Hot cocoa by a fire
• Hot apple cider
• Getting tackled by a very excited black retriever who, might I mention, LOVES the snow
• Ice skating on the dugout
• Just how beautiful everything is when it is covered in a blanket of frost and snow

Cons

• -40 with windchill. Need I say more?
• Walking between classes when its freezing cold
• Icy roads full of people that have somehow forgotten how to drive
• BEFORE the snowplow comes out, when I have to use my car as the snowplow to get up my driveway
• Getting stuck because my car can't actually make it up my driveway through those snowdrifts
• AFTER the snowplow comes out, when a two-lane street is really only one and a half

I think it is safe to say that I love winter too.

Turning 20

1. Its pretty cool that I no longer have "teen" attached to my name. I sort of label this as Step 2 as the transition to adulthood. Step 1 was turning 18. Step 3 will be turning 21 - legal everywhere! Step 4...25 feels like a good adult age. :)
2. Thursday I had my birthday dinner with my family. We had pork, cheesy potatoes, almond-orange salad, and seasoned tomatoes. Mmm. (Followed by cake, of course.)
3. Friday I went out to dinner with two of my closest friends. Afterwards we went to Gateway Lanes and played a few rounds of pool, and then out for ice cream.
4. Saturday I had a the same friends over just to chill. We ended up watching Kung Fu Panda and Monsters vs Aliens, and then passing out in a heap on my parents bed. Haha.
5. As a group, we find joy in the simple things. Lying on the floor giving ourselves belly rubs after a big meal (you should try it), and laughing about flatulence. Or playing pool/going bowling/ nights of spontaneity.
6. This last year has been a tiring, stressful, but overall GOOD year. Things have changed, I've changed, and I can't wait to see what happens next!
7. In my future I see: more traveling! There are a lot of places I want to be able to experience.
8. I have the urge to move out. Maybe not all by myself - it would be fun to get a place with a few friends. But traveling complicates matters. We'll have to wait and see!
9. When I'm done my degree I would like to: Maybe move to BC and teach there? My degree should at least be good in AB and BC, hopefully all of Canada by the time I'm done.
10. As sad as I am to see summer go, I am greatly anticipating the coming snowboard season. Looking forward to multiple trips to Jasper (and staying in the hostel with friends), and maybe a reading week trip to Panorama.
11. Next summer: in order to save a few more pennies than this last summer, I'll have to work more, travel less. Instead, I think I'll go camping with friends, maybe a road trip or two?
12. Finding a church family: We've temporarily left the church we've been attending - to give everyone a chance to breathe. It's hard to find a new place where we all fit, a place that satisfies our family's diverse needs. Even a college & career group would be nice...
13. My 3rd year of university is an odd mix of less & more stressful. Let me explain. Less stressful because I'm getting better and better at managing my time and figuring out how I learn and study best. More stressful because the courses are getting harder.
14. It doesn't actually feel any different to be a year older. I like to pretend that I feel older and more mature and all that jazz, but I don't. It is just another day and another year.
15. I'm learning how to do all the "Mom" things, for someday when I DO move out. Such as making salsa, making turkey, etc. It's fun!
16. Here in AB, there are two classes of "normal" driver's licences. GDL, and then your normal Class 5. I took my Class 5 drivers exam on Wednesday, in a blizzard, with my summer tires on. But luckily I didn't hit anything, and I passed. What a relief!
17. Now it is nice out again, but I am getting those winter tires put on tomorrow morning anyways. Ridiculous Alberta weather...
18. Last day of lessons tomorrow! I haven't actually done the report cards yet. Oops. Guess I should get on that. But it means instead of spending the whole class doing front floats and front crawl (depending on the level), we get to go on the slide and go in the hot tub too! It is a good day.
19. So You Think You Can Dance Canada Finale on Tuesday. Can't wait, I love that show! My favourites are Tara Jean and Vincent. Everett is a close second for the guys, but I don't have another favourite in the girls.
20. With the amount of change in the last year, I can't even imagine what will happen in the next. Both good and bad, bring it on!

What have you done in the last day? week? month? year? What do you anticipate in the next day? season? year? What is on your mind right now?

Giving Thanks

I am going to jump on the bandwagon and list a bunch of things I'm thankful for (because I have ALOT to be thankful for!). As many as I am old...well as many as I will be old on Friday.

1. Jesus loves me - always and forever - no matter the stupid things I do.

2. My family - Mom, Dad, Colin, Branden and Bryce - they have stood by my side and loved me through the thick and thin of this last year.

3. My friends - for new friends, for old friends, for friendships that have grown. Colette - my best friend. She's the one who should have been my sister. Michael - he completes our triangle. Stephanie - my God-fearing sweetheart.

4. Opportunities. Having the opportunity to go to Europe and travel for a month. It was the experience of a lifetime. Being able to attend (and excel) at a prestigious university such as the University of Alberta.

5. My job and my coworkers. I think of all the people that hand out a couple dozen resumes in a day and still don't have a job and I am grateful to have a good paying job and people I love to work with.

6. I live in Canada - in contrast to those who live in a country where they are prosecuted for their faith, or in contrast to those who live in a country so poor that they have to fight to survive.

7. Being able to afford luxuries such as my Mac computer, my cell phone, my own car, an ipod, etc.

8. Having a vehicle to drive. I know this sounds like a repeat from #7, but I'm being particularly grateful that I don't have to walk to school - which would be very cold and long.

9. My cats and dog. Molly, Harley, Charlie, Jazz, Ebony and Leia.

10. Being able to live in the country where I can have this abundance of animals.

11. Living close enough to the University that I can live at home affordably.

12. My snowboard, and the luxury of living close enough to the mountains that day trips are feasible.

13. Having a fridge stocked full of food to eat whenever I feel necessary. Especially now at Thanksgiving where I can eat yummy leftovers for a week!

14. A roof over my head and a bed to sleep in.

15. My feather pillow.

16. That I am not married right now. Not that marriage is a bad thing - but I'm not ready to be there, and if God hadn't saved me almost exactly a year ago, I would have been married right now.

17. Not worrying about money. Of course I'm broke - I'm student, I'd have to be loaded to still have money. But I have a job and I have credit - money is not something to be worried about.

18. Bubble baths and massages. After a stressful week of midterms, or after a hard day, nothing could be more relaxing.

19. The changing of the seasons. When it is spring I am grateful for the fresh rain and new flowers. When it is summer I am grateful for the heat and the beach. When it is fall I am grateful for the colours. When it is winter I am grateful for the snow and the arrival of my semester's relief and oxygen: SNOWBOARDING.

20. I am healthy, and I am alive. I have no allergies, I have no terminal illness, I am not overweight or anorexic, and I am not depressed. Physically and mentally I am healthy.

I am so blessed!!

This is...my life.

Again, I realized that it has been days since I lasted posted. Sometimes I really don't know what to write about - there isn't much exciting going on in my life, and any thoughts/emotions I have are basically the same as the last post. Except maybe not as violent. I supposed I need to remember that the daily happenings here are boring to me, but they may still be of interest to you.

• Re: Apologies. Still angry, but getting better. I find my refuge in the Lord, because there is nowhere else to go, no one else to turn to, and no one else can make it better. And even that is a slow process. I wrote him a letter, since that seems to be the only way I can communicate without screaming and crying. Haven't given it to him yet and I don't think it will do any good. But at least I'll have said my peace. He's never going to give me the apology I desire, so I think I just need to accept that.
• I gave my room the most extensive cleaning that it has ever received since we moved to Alberta. I sorted out my closet, under my bed, etc. and I discovered that I'm a serious packrat. For example, I found an old La Senza bag under my bed, and inside this bag were...more bags...and a shoebox. Inside the shoebox were...even more bags! I threw out a large garbage bag of stuff I could burn, and a second large garbage bag of stuff to go to Salvation army. I even found two old backpacks stashed in the back - both broken and unuseable. Why?!
• I finished the end of summer swim lessons. No more being a drowned rat for at least a month! Yay!! We've also started our annual pool shutdown. The pools will be closed for two weeks, and in this time we have the opportunity to do some cleaning that we can only do when there are no public in the building. So far we've: drained all four pools (leisure pool, lane pool, hot tub and whirlpool), scrubbed a few equipment/janitor room floors with grime away (an acid complex cleaner), organized these equipment/janitor rooms, CLR'd the slide (and accidently stripped some paint off it too), and began cleaning/organizing one of our mechanical rooms. As hard of work as it is...I'm enjoying it! I come home exhausted, but I feel like I've accomplished something. Also, it is cool seeing all the pools empty. The lane pool alone holds over 80 million litres of water. Wow.
• At the moment I'm watching American Outlaws (one of my favorite movies of all time - highly recommend it), making supper (marinated salmon and rice), and getting ready for one more day of shutdown before we head off camping in Saskatchewan. Last big excitement before school starts next Thursday. Ugh.

Well that sums up my life for the past few weeks...hope you enjoyed the brief insight to my life. Ciao till next time.

Anticipation

In reflection of my last post, I find myself in a state of anticipation. Not necessarily a state of looking forward to anything, as in being excited about everything that is to come. Some things yes, I'm excited for. But some things not so much. In the next few days, weeks, and months, here are some of the things I am anticipating:

• The end of summer swim lessons. I enjoy teaching, this is why I am taking Education at the University. However, I am tired of being wet and chlorinated every day. I look forward to being dry for more than 3 days in a row.
• Leduc Recreation Centre Pool's annual shutdown. I still have to go to work, partially because I am a supervisor at the pool, and I am (surprisingly) of use to them at this time. This one is more of an anticipation because it involves alot of cleaning. Not just every day wipe the windows type of cleaning. Actual dirt-on-your-knees cleaning. However, I do look forward to possibly learning something new about how the pool works though.
• Camping! Last camping trip of the summer before I head back to school and we're headed to Saskatchewan. Yes!! Saskatchewan has better lakes than Alberta - by far. We are joining another family from our church for a few days in Meadow Lake.
• The start of the 09/10 school year. Definitely just an anticipation. This means studying, lack of a social life, and more moths in my wallet.
• Taking my IPT (first education practicum) second semester. Not sure yet if this is just an anticipation or something more exciting. I'm nervous, yet excited to do something more related to my career.
• SNOWBOARDING! Please do not be upset with me, and understand that I LOVE summer. But I can not wait to shred some powder and get back on the mountains. I'm planning a trip to Panorama in BC for reading week with some friends.

That is all that is on my mind at the moment. I know there is probably more, since I tend to stress and worry about needless things. Big breath...one step at a time. Here we go.

Something New and Exciting

It would seem there are quite a few of us struggling with writers block. I noticed that I hadn't blogged in a few days, and I felt the need for an update. However, I don't know what to write on either!! Even browsing a few of your blogs I didn't pick up any ideas in particular. I don't even do anything overly exciting to tell you what I've been up to. :( For example... Since I last blogged I have:
- been to work
- taught adorable children how to swim
- completed some
- incompleted others
- seen Transformers 2 (for the second time) in IMAX (for the first time)
- cleaned my room,
- let it get messy again
- paid bills
- got depressed at my lack of spending cash
- cheered up at the thought of getting paid on Friday
- got depressed at my debt from travelling such that getting paid does not result in spending cash
- browsed pictures from Europe and cheered up again
- gone shopping anyways
- had a weiner roast with Colette
- started planning "Kyra & Colette in Europe - take 2"
- slept in
- stayed up late
- watched most of the first season of The Mentalist (strongly recommend it)
- added to and counted up my movie collection (I'm at 80 - averaging each at $20 that would be $1600 worth of movies - wow)
- baked cookies
- baked cookies again
- got a swimsuit sunburn
- read the Twilight saga for the second time
- reminded myself why I dislike the lane pool at work so much (pool chemistry is frustrating sometimes...most of the time...always)
- got the oil changed in my car
- went camping at a friends cabin
- went camping with the fam

etc....

Tonight I'm going to see The Proposal with my Mom. We are in much need of a Mother/Daughter date. I'm no longer a little kid (even if my outward appearance deceives you), and we need time to work on being friends instead of just parent & child. I've wanted to see this movie for a while, but since all the other movies I want to see I've already made plans to see with friends, this one is for my Mom. I guess that's all I really do each week - work, sleep, and go see movies with friends. It's the easiest thing to do when you want to hang out - no matter how different your work schedules are, usually there is a late enough - or early enough - show playing somewhere in Edmonton. However, I seriously need something spontaneous to do. Something completely random that I can go camera happy with and just have a grand ol' time.