#Colder Weather

Winter is my favourite.

Kind of.

Well....right after summer....and spring....and autumn.

I know what you're thinking. "Um. Rye. That means winter is your least favourite."

No. No it does not, good reader. It just means that winter is my fourth favourite season.

I still love it. Just not quite as much as the others. But that does not mean I don't love it. Because I do. I'll tell you why.

I love the snow....when it's still white and pretty. Not when it's brown and slushy.

I love skating...it's my favourite date ever. There's something so supremely cute about holding hands and skating. And drinking tea. And having cold noses, and hot kisses.

I love the lights....the Christmas lights up all around the city. Making otherwise bland cookie cutter suburban houses sparkly and glittery and pretty. Setting the one apartment balcony apart from the rest. Brightening up an otherwise dark city.

And with that I love zoo lights....even though they're the same every year. I just love them so much. Too much, even.

I love mittens....especially when they're animals. I have elephant and shark mittens. My elephants are married and they kiss at red lights. My sharks are best friends and do not kiss at red lights. They just munch on my steering wheel.

I love boots....and shuffling my feet when I'm in boots. And having toasty toesies! I also love fuzzy socks inside my boots. Except I get sweaty very very hot toesies when I have fuzzy socks AND boots on.

I love fireplaces....and the smell and heat and look of fireplaces. I could stare into the fireplace for hours.

I love Christmas....because God loved us all so much that He came to earth so that we could know Him as a person and have a real relationship with Him. He humbled Himself in the ultimate way, and for that I am forever thankful.

I love Christmas music....and Christmas movies, and Christmas decorations, and Christmas trees. And pretty much just Christmas. This could have gone under the last one.

I love turkey dinners....this is the last one not the last one about Christmas....I will give you a bit of a break though!

I love tea....I love tea always. Like every single night of the year. But especially in the winter because it warms my belly from the inside out. Big thanks to my Auntie for giving me delicious Holiday Tea last week. It is the epitome of winter tea.

I love hockey....just kidding.

I love ugly sweaters....for real though. They're the best. And they're warm! Who cares if they're ugly, seriously.

I love mugs....to drink my tea out of. Once again, I love this one all the time, but I especially love it in the winter.

I love layering clothes....cause it hide everything I want to hide, and it always makes me feel pretty!

I love New Years....and the chance to start something new. And set myself up for failure by setting resolutions I know I could never keep. Maybe I'll rethink that this year..

I love having a break from school....because even though I love school it stresses me out. And everyone can use a break sometimes.

I love hot dates....on cold days

I love making snow angels....and snow men. And snow forts. And snow balls. Then throwing those snowballs at people and hiding behind my snow fort and letting my snow men and snow angels keep guard.

I love watching snow storms outside....but only if I'm at home and I don't have to go anywhere.

I love television holiday specials.... mostly Community. Pure. Gold.

I love going on outdoor winter adventures....and I really wanna go to the ice caves in Kananaskis. Someone please go on this adventure with me! Like, now.

I love sunny days....and the way the sunshine and brightness contrasts the cold biting air.

I love volunteering....and making someone's day brighter and warmer. Directly or indirectly.

I love winter colours....White and blue and silver and grey. They just always look so good!

I love quality time with family....immediate and extended. Because my family makes me who I am.

I love naked trees....snow kissed naked trees. 

I love red Starbucks cups....because that's when you know it's really winter (ps. has anyone else noticed how coffee has transitioned from being a beverage to an accessory? I'm not cool because I don't really drink coffee)

I love work Christmas parties....especially if there is an open bar.

I love my brother and sister....who were both born in the winter. December to be exact. 5 days short of a year apart.

I love winter.....it's just soqw,,,,,,,,............................rrrrrrrrrrttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt<------Thank you Kinjo, for your input on my blog post.

Take Two.

I love winter....it's just so peaceful and sweet. I love how clean everything looks right after it snows. And I love the way everything just hides under a blanket while it's still chilly, only to come out new and refreshed in the spring. So that's why I love winter, my fourth favourite season. Sigh.

However I do not love driving, or freezing, or static-y hair. Also, Valentine's Day. I know I sound like a bitter single, but I've always thought it was stupid, even when I had a boyfriend to share it with. But look at how much stuff I do love!! There's no way I can't look on the bright side for the 10 month winter that's just settling in now :)

#Reflection in the mirror

Thanksgiving came and went like a whirlwind.

My long weekend is already over.

And I'm back to the day-in day-out of every week.

I had a lot of time to think about what I was thankful for this weekend. And in the midst of my anxiety, depression, and dark thoughts I was able to come up with an abundance of things I'm thankful for.

Here's a short list because I could go on and on in detail about why each of these things is important to me but that would bore you into never revisiting my blog..

- My little brother
- My ballerina sister
- My artistically inclined sister
- My amazing mother
- My strong Daddy (RIP) - and the opportunity to know what it means to have a Daddy
- The relationship that my whole family has with each other
- The rest of my extended family
- My awesome friends
- Mostly my FBF who is pretty much my third sister..
- My God, my Jesus - and the freedom to express my love for my God
- The house that I call home
- The food I know I can eat
- The clothes that I wear
- The education I am privileged to indulge in
- And all the little extras...I could be here for hours.

We live in a sweet little corner of the world. I don't need one day to be thankful for all of those things. But it's a good habit to get into to look at your life and know how well off you are. Because despite the "crap" we have to go through, we have so much more than 97% of the world.

#Expect the worst, hope for pie

It's a list kind of day. 4 top 10 lists. Wooooo!!

Top 10 things you learn when you hang out with teenage boys for an evening:

1. It has become socially acceptable for your younger brother to tell you you're "wheelin'"

2. Teenage girls are a lot more......outgoing than back in my day.

3. In pie we crust.

4. It doesn't matter how old you are, you always fear the wrath of the mom, even if she's not your mom. And hiding in the basement under the stairs is a never fail option for avoiding that wrath.

5. 3 teenage guys can down an extra large pizza in 8 minutes or less.

6.  I need approval from my brother AND his friends when I like a guy.

7. Teenage boys are another great distraction from annoying stupid things like homework.

8. TyTy-WyWy-Matt-RyRy

9. Listening to music you grew up on is the fastest thing to age you ever. That, and knowing who Mick Jagger is.

10. Teenage boys revert to young children when surprised with NFL tickets.

Top 10 things you learn when you're trying to write papers:

1. Everything is a distraction.

2. You can read a 3 text message conversation about 50 times and not get bored of it. *note - you must really like this person for this to be valid.

3. You can't tickle your own toes.

4. Even things like working out don't sound so bad when you have to write a paper.

5. Having painted nails is vital to existence.

6. Same with toes.

7. Spoof rap battle videos on youtube are super entertaining...kinda.

8. You don't have to be hungry to eat lots of food.

9. It's fun to look up tattoo designs on the internet.

10. When you drink a lot of water in a short period of time, you have to pee lots.

Top 10 motivational quotes for the day:

1. Do not be afraid of tomorrow, God is already there.

2. The key to happiness is: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, give much. Fill your life with love. Do as you would be done by.
- Buddha

3. Every single person who's drifted in and out of your life is part of your divinely chosen experience. So, give thanks for all of these people, and take serious note of what they brought you.
- Dr. Wayne Dyer

4. What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.
- Ralph Emerson

5. No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch.

6. Nothing's gonna change if we only rearrange the furniture and call it home.
- Andrew Allen

7. The difference is Jesus loves you, I don't.
- Danielle Peck

8. You're my silver medal.
-Peter Griffin

9. Reach for the stars, climb every mountain higher.
- S Club 7

10. ...You're pretty.
-Mama Marji

Top 10 songs of the day:

1. Come Together - The Beatles

2. Alone With You - Jake Owen

3. Hands Down - Dashboard Confessional

4. Two Worlds - Phil Collins

5. Barefoot Blue Jean Night - Jake Owen

6. Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

7. Let It Rain - David Nail

8. Strange Disease - Prozzak

9. I'd Rather Be With You - Joshua Radin

10. God Gave Me You - Blake Shelton

Another great way to put off doing papers? Watch Modern Family and write blog posts with lots of lists. Lists are my kryptonite.

#A Day In The Life

This is mostly what my weekend consisted of:

work
friends
skype dates
more friends
2 bbq'd meals
shopping
movies with mama
being hit in the face
being compared to mustard
becoming an asian sidekick (sensation?)
playing "get to know Shelby"
watching the weirdest movie ever invented...then being scared to walk to my car alone
quelf
planning some adventures
catching up on hellcats and how I met your mother
being called "babe" by Rosi
prepping for Belarus
dancing around my house
teaching 7 year old boys about Jesus
attempting to bring my poor dead bamboo back to life
cleaning my car

yep. that's pretty much my life. and I wouldn't want it any other way.

#Top Ten

Adventures to go on before I die.

#1 - Climb Kilimanjaro

#2 - Scuba dive in the Galapagos Islands (this is a new one. but I'm loving it.)

#3 - Nursing outreach in a third world country

#4 - Safari through Africa (this can be done in the same trip as #1!!!)

#5 - Stay in a tree house in Belize

#6 - Sail across the Mediterranean

#7 - Go fishing in Cuba *this one's for you Daddy

#8 - Backpack through New Zealand

#9 - Traipse through the jungle in Costa Rica

#10 - Swim in the YS falls in Jamaica

There's so much more I want to do. But these are my top ten. Pick an adventure, people, I could always use a buddy :D

#Love is a many splendored thing

I'm too brain-farty to make a real post so you get a list of a few of the things I love:

-birdhouses
-My family
-JESUS!
-Butt warmers (heated seats)
-Nursing (and everything that comes with it)
-Rooibos tea
-Macaroni and Cheese
-Panda Bears
-Lunch breaks with my Daddy :)
-Dancing in my room
-Talking to my mom about mindless stuff until 4 in the morning
-Not shaving my legs
-creeping Facebook (in the "I just violated your internet privacy" type of way)
-Ice cream - duh
-Skype!
-The smell of fabric softener (no joke, I sniff it before I do laundry)
-Short grocery store line-ups
-Disney Movies

#Off To Never-Never Land

Lately I've been reminiscing (Like I always do) about the good old days. I'm talking the late-night-playground-hide-and-seek-finger-painting-power-ranger-TAG-you're-it-N64-coloring-outside-the-lines-cowboys-and indians-peanut-butter-sandwich-days. And I've been getting uber depressed because HELLO all I wanted was to grow up!!!! I feel like I wasted my childhood wanting to grow up...So instead of wasting my WHOLE adult life wishing I could go back I'm going to make a top 10 list of things I love about being a grown-up.

#10 - You're old enough to understand the "You'll understand when you're older" stories! I hated this. I hated it more than anything in the world. I did not want to wait until I was older to understand. What was shoved so far up your butt that you could not explain in full detail your gruesomely graphic night to a 4-year-old? MAN! This was probably my ultimate piss-off growing up.

#9 - You can DRIVE! Which is short for you have INDEPENDENCE!!!! What? Excuse me? Why would I want this independence you speak of? Let me tell  you good Sir! Would you like to go to your friend's house tonight? Well, go! Would you like to go to the store to pick yourself up some new slacks? Well, go! And here's the best part, you can take yourself!! Nobody has to watch you try on 1375 pairs of slacks to find the one that flatters your pattootie! What a glorious day!

#8 - You can be anything you want to be, right now! What did you want to be when you grew up? Well, I'm on my dandy-pants way to becoming a nurse, but do you know what I wanted to be when I was 5? A tiger. No, you did not read that wrong. I wanted to be a tiger. OBVIOUSLY I can't be a tiger, but I will be a nurse, I also could have been an astronaut, a teacher, a cowboy, a pilot, a lawyer, an accountant, an ice cream store owner, a zoo-keeper....well you get the idea. Now is the time to start DOING people! What do you want to be when you grow up? You should just do it.

#7 - You can tell hilarious stories that have more depth than farting (although, farting will always be funny)! Let's get real, how many of my conversations start with "So the funniest thing ever happened" or "You will never guess what happened" or, my personal favorite, "Have I told you about the time I threw up on a cowboy?". My life is an abundant source of hilarious stories (usually at my expense, sometime's at a cowboy's), and my friend's lives also seem to be an abundant source of hilarious stories. This is probably why we get along so well! Anyways, the point of this one is we understand more = we find more things funny. However just because I'm 15, 20, 30, or 50 years older, does not mean farts become any less funny. I'm older, not more mature.

#6 - Your parents don't get mad at you anymore(kinda)! This one is great. My parents have become my bestest best friends. They give me guidance (which I need a lot of, because let's get real, I have no idea what I'm doing), and they respect you. Because now you're old enough for respect as an equal! Yay, equality! They actually laugh at my misfortune and wrong-doings now, not scold me. Mostly they don't get mad because when I screw up, it's not their fault anymore. Didn't learn your lesson when you were 16? Sorry buddy, it's jail time for you! (That was a joke - as of today I have never been in jail)

#5 - You get to travel the world and experience life! I understand that travelling is wicked expensive and stuff, but it's so WORTH IT! To dive into another culture, to experience first hand the other side of the world, not in pictures, but in really real life. It's something everyone should do, and it's something you don't appreciate until you're older and understand and LOVE the experience of seeing things, and doing things you would never see or do anywhere else. This is a must have on a list of things to love about growing up.

#4 - You can use the oven! And the stove! And every cooking device that is not a microwave. And you are STILL allowed to use the microwave! Now you can make the most delicious meals, because you have the tools essential for good meal prep! Now all you need is a recipe book, and some ingredients, and you can make me some supper :) (if all else fails - Kraft Dinner with Hot Dogs and Ketchup, it's the never fail meal.)

#3 - You can buy things for yourself! This seems like it would not be so cool. But it totally is! I used to have to ask my mother every day for $1.06 so that I could walk to the 7-11 by my house and buy myself a slush. I used to have to ask my mom for $20 to go to a movie with my friends because I didn't have money to go myself. I used to have to ask my mom for money for everything, and I'm pretty sure the most liberating feeling to me now is when I go out, and whip out my OWN money that I earned MYSELF and buy things for ME. Because I depend on my mom for a lot of things, but money for my slush and movies? Not any more. (except it is still AWESOME when she pays ....)

#2 - You can have desert for dinner! Cookies before supper? Sure! Ice cream for breakfast? Who says you can't?? It's a dream come true! The first time I ever had ice cream for breakfast I'm pretty sure I peed a little bit I was so excited. End of story. Completely awesome. You just have to be prepared to live with the consequences....

#1 - NO BEDTIME!!!!!!* Ummmm hello! The bane of my existence growing up was my bedtime. It slowly started going up 8 oclock ---> 9 oclock ----> 10oclock....until finally IT DIDN'T MATTER! If I wanted to stay up late, I could! No questions!! What's this you say? My favorite movie is on TV at 2:30 AM? The one I have on VHS, DVD, and Blu Ray? SURE! I'd love to stay up and watch it! Work in the morning? Psshhh by the time I'm done the movie it will be time to get up to get ready anyways :)

So there you have it! I had a great childhood, and it's looking like a bright future. Growing up is completely awesome, so let's embrace the day and make it something worth looking back on!

*Now that I don't have a bedtime I find myself getting into bed at like 7:30...it's nice to have the freedom to stay up until whenever though!