Rules for Happiness

Busy, busy, busy

So, I've been very busy lately - go figure. This week is Reading week. You know...the one where you get all this freedom to catch up on lectures/assignments and to study for upcoming midterms? The one where you end up doing none of the aforementioned and instead slack around, sleep for days, indulge in all the movies/shows you've missed and then wonder what happened to the entire week? Yup. That's the one.
I've had a few projects going on though so I haven't entirely wasted this precious time. For one, our house is getting painted so I've had to force myself to clean and pack up my room (which so far has been highly unsuccessful, but I'm going to include it anyway because it makes me feel productive).
Also, I've had to do a bunch of random errands (dentist appointments, etc.). Pleasant, right? ...or not.
I've been writing a lot too (yay!) and have come up with about seven different short stories in the process of completing one short story to enter in a contest. It turned out to be a tougher process than I expected. Ideas kept popping fully-formed into my head and I would write them down, so happily, thinking that this was the one. 
So not the case. Each story ended up being extremely different from the other, but still lacked that "something" that would make me want to send it in. I finally buckled down and wrote a story that made it all the way through, and after furiously editing it for a few days and asking my friends to read it with brutal honesty, I was somewhat satisfied. The only thing is...I had no time left to mail it.

Uncle Vernon: Ahh... it's Sunday. The best day of the week. Why is that, Dudley?

Harry: Because there's no post on Sundays?

Uncle Vernon: Right you are, Harry! No post on Sundays. Ha!

Well, unfortunately for me, Uncle Vernon is absolutely right. I finished the final draft on Wednesday evening. The deadline to enter is Sunday, midnight. The catch? Even though the deadline is Sunday, the offices are closed on the weekend. And even if I did mail it, "no post on Sundays" - or rather on the weekend at all. So I was in a dilemma. Since I live about an hour from the city, chances were slim that even if it was sent Thursday morning...my entry would arrive in time.

But enough about all those technicalities. Basically, I decided to go down there myself and drop it at the office. Now, Thursday was an unfairly glorious day, but I had other commitments that I couldn't miss. So that left Friday (aka today - talk about cutting it close). And turns out there was supposed to be a snow storm arriving. Lovely.

But don't hold your breath, I did make it there. And I did hand it in on time so there's my happy ending. Turns out, the "storm" was milder than expected and because school buses were cancelled I got to have a fun, downtown-day with my little brother.

It was unbelievably chilly and the winds were insane, but we made it to the newspaper building (pretending to be pioneers sort of helped). When I opened the lid to drop my envelope though, I cried a little inside looking at the huge pile of entries. I had this tiny thought in my head to grab a few and toss them in the trash, but the security guard was right there. Totally natural and harmless thinking though :P

After that was over with, we celebrated with some hot chocolate. I love going to Toronto (love my city!) but it was too cold to explore it. So, we walked back to the train station (making a small detour at the Air Canada Centre) and came home to watch some all-star basketball. Overall, a good day :)

Anyway, enough with the oh-so-exciting details of my life. Two quick things: I will post my story eventually because even though I highly doubt I'll win, I'm proud of it nonetheless. But only after the contest ends so I don't get eliminated for breaking some regulation or whatnot.

The second thing (and most important part of this post) is this: I'm a part of my university's chapter of a national charity called Students Offering Support (SOS). It's a student-run organization that provides tutoring to students, makes trips to communities in Latin America, and donates the money raised. While there, we also build homes and renovate local schools. It is an amazing, amazing charity and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. But why am I telling you this? Because I'd like to ask you the favour of voting for SOS in a charity challenge.

Go to this website and VOTE for Students Offering Support to help us win a makeover. It doesn't matter where you're from or who you are, every vote is meaningful. Thank you - I will be forever grateful! :)

As always, thanks for dropping by, have a wonderful weekend and be safe!

xx

Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Dear God, got a minute?

I found this hilarious and adorable list of letters that children have written to God. 

Some of these questions are genius! Kids are so awesome sometimes :)

If you want to read the full list click: 

Happy Valentine's Day!

By Gorgeous Graffiti  http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/gorgeousgraffiti

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm not a huge believer in the holiday - not because I claim all that we-should-love-every-day jazz or that I'm some sort of cynic - I just don't really love it. I mean it's lovely when you're a kid with all that candy and those cards...but any crazy, grand gestures made on V. Day seem fake to me (even if they're not, it's a reflex). I think I would die a little inside (and not in a good way) if I was ever proposed to on Valentine's Day. 

It's also my cousin's 6th birthday so a big shout-out to him down in Australia. I love you so, so much little man. You're the most quirky, brilliant kid I've ever known and you're my all-time favourite cousin...just sayin' ;)

I may not be a fan, but I do hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day. If anything, I wish it brings you happiness and an electric sort of joy. Spend it with people you adore and if you're a anti-affection grump 364 days of the year..be kind today.

xx

Story of my Life

Brrrr-ing me some Butterbeer

It's snowing! I feel like I make that announcement way too often on this blog haha but I love it when it snows. The only thing is...its FREEZING. I'm sitting at home and I can't feel my toes (maybe I should stop ignoring my mom and just wear socks, but for some reason I'm just not into the socks-at-home thing). You know what would be lovely right about now? Down-right heavenly? If I was in my dorm at Hogwarts and it was the day of a Hogsmeade visit. I would brave the gusty winds and blowing snow to make it to Three Broomsticks and I would sit by the fire and ask Madam Rosmerta to bring me some amber-gold, warm, and delicious Butterbeer. Mmm. 

But until the day comes when I wake up at Hogwarts and realize that this life right here...this "reality" is actually a dream, I have this:

Cheers!

Just a thought

Sweet Dreams..literally.

I've been craving something sweet and delicious all day...and didn't get to eat any :( 

Maybe tomorrow?
I love this picture! What's your favourite cake?
I'd have to go with: German Chocolate, Boston Creme Pie, Red Velvet, Chocola- wait..
I think it'd be easier if I just said all of them.

Have a sweet day! 
xx

Honestly, it's just honesty

The following picture was sent to me by my best friend after she found it somewhere on the internet. I realize that it's controversial, but I honestly agree with every word written here. All my life I've been teased about being "too skinny" and although many find that flattering, it can be said in a way that really isn't a compliment at all. Some people are just born skinny - trust me. We eat and eat and don't gain any weight. There's no reason to hate us for that because it's not actually as wonderful as it sounds. People who can't gain weight have a whole range of problems open to them such as iron deficiency, anemia, decreased immunity, etc. Their skinniness might be genetic, but it could also be the outcome of depression or another clinical disorder.

The point is, everyone's beautiful. Being skinny shouldn't make you an easy target for taunts and condescending comments. Not all of us are anorexic or consciously counting calories at every meal. 

So, all you ladies out there who have called me, or any other girl, anorexic and giggled as if it was the most gracious compliment in the world, this one's for you:

Winter Essentials

Every time winter rolls around, I feel like it's a battle - me vs. Mama Nature - who will come out alive? Winters are different all over the world, but here in Canada we're used to the fierce. I'm very vocal about hating winter because it's cold, dark, depressing, and makes you feel all gross and shivery every morning. But to be honest, I kinda dig the whole seasons-changing thing. I'm actually very blessed to live in a country where I can experience the beauty of all four seasons (and fashion specific to each; boots, flipflops, skirts, and coats all in one year..I mean c'mon people!). 

So, I guess winter is overall awesome. Especially when the white, fluffy stuff is falling from the heavens while I'm sitting inside drinking hot chocolate and wearing fuzzy booties - awesome. Oh, and also the fact that it makes my neighborhood look like Hogsmeade. If only Three Broomsticks was around the corner...

It's a love-hate relationship between me and my friend Winter, but I've learned to suck it up and just enjoy it while it lasts. Although, the following things do make life a whole lot easier.

Bath and Body Works, $7.50  

Lips
I cannot begin to express how badly I've wanted a lip balm that actually does its job and protects my lips in the harsh weather. I always come close to finding "the one" and then there's a drawback. Either it leaves residue, or it's sticky, or it's dry, or it makes no difference whatsoever. I really wanted to find an affordable, amazing lip balm and this year I found it. Introducing CO Bigelow's Lip Balm No. 1421

Trust me on this! You will love this lip balm with your heart & soul (is that too dramatic?) I don't think I ever want to try another. It's available in a variety of flavours, but I personally prefer the lemon. It's so soothing and delicious (like you rubbed your lips in lemon meringue pie). Did I mention that it's 100% natural? And it's also available in a Lip Cream version.

Nails

Any drugstore, $3.00

Oh nails. I wish I had those picture-perfect shaped nails, but unfortunately my nail bed's small and round. So naturally, I was never a huge nail person. But I find that especially in the winter, my cuticles need some serious love. So, I've tried to look past their lack of manicured perfection and given my nails some TLC with Burt Bee's Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (I feel like I have a serious lemon obsession...)

Use it before you sleep every night and you'll have well-moisturized and grateful fingers in a week :)

Any drugstore/major retailer, $7.00

Skin
Here comes the major one. Skin. It's all over you so it goes without saying that your skin is the one thing that's damaged easily by the weather. Sunscreen is the obvious answer in the summer, but you should also use it on those deceivingly bright winter days (especially if you have a lighter skin tone). I'm not a huge fan of sunscreen - actually, what am I saying, I hate it. Loathe sunscreen. It's gross and slimy and doesn't go away no matter how much you rub it into your skin. End rant. 

What I do love to use are moisturizers every day before I head out. One of my favourites is Aveeno's Stress Relief Moisturizing Lotion. Now, before you wonder if I'm stressed, I probably am, but that's not the reason I use it. I picked it out once upon a time because compared to the other Aveeno bottles, it was the prettiest (it's lavender themed and I have a weakness for purple). Plus, it was the best smelling one :)

So there you have it folks. I'm no beauty expert, but I am a Canadian and extremely OCD when it comes to skincare. These products are tried & true, natural, and have been my saviours, so hopefully the reviews will help you too :)

J'espère que vous avez un bon hiver!

So you had a bad day...

Where is the moment we needed the most 

You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost 

They tell me your blue skies fade to gray 

They tell me your passion's gone away 

And I don't need no carryin' on 

You stand in the line just to hit a new low 

You're faking a smile with the coffee to go 

You tell me your life's been way off line 

You're falling to pieces every time 

And I don't need no carryin' on 

Because you had a bad day 

You're taking one down 

You sing a sad song just to turn it around 

You say you don't know 

You tell me don't lie 

You work at a smile and you go for a ride 

You had a bad day. 

So here, 

Song lyrics by Daniel Powter 

Picture from tumblr

Memorable Words

Quote of the Day

In a World of Colour

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in those chalky, blue towns on a hill in some exotic country? No? Maybe it's just me. (Maybe I've watched Mamma Mia too many times haha)

I believe that while contemporary living has it's own beauty in terms of structure and cleanliness...there's a whole different world of beauty in colourful, traditional living. Brightly coloured walls, flowers, and linens all add life to your day.

I would LOVE to live in Greece or Turkey; have my door open up to cobbled streets and hanging flower baskets with sunshine above and an ocean not too far away. Sometimes I seriously think I was born in the wrong part of the world...not to mention in the wrong era :P 

What's your take on colourful living? Exotic and romantic? Or tacky and old-fashioned?

Quote of the Day