Thursday Things in Three

Steph over at Life According to Steph came up with a fun three things themed questionnaire. Which combines two of my favourite things; list making and blog prompts and since I'm struggling on the things to blog about front these days I'm taking all the help I can get. 

Three things I'd never give up:
Meat, Dairy, Gluten. 

Three favorite vegetables
Broccoli (preferably cooked), cucumber (raw or pickle form) and potatoes. 

Three shows I watched faithfully from beginning to end
30 Rock, How I Met Your Mother, Parks & Recreation. 

Three places I want to visit inside the US
US: Disney World...other than that my desire to spend a whole lot of time in the US is pretty non-existent.
Canada: As for Canada I'd like to visit Nunavut or the Yukon, make a trip to Newfoundland and visit the Corner Gas set in Saskatchewan.  

Three places I want to visit outside the US
Iceland, Australia, Thailand/Cambodia.

Three things I always have with me
Phone, bandaid, cash. 

Three things that are always in my car
Napkins, extra ketchup and sweet & sour packages and lip balm. 

Three most recent phone calls were to/from
I've been spending lots of time on the phone trying to get paperwork for the office job settled...it's just as frustrating as it sounds. All three most recent calls are related to that mess. 

Three books I read and loved in college
Last Child in the Woods is the only one that sticks out. Honestly, I didn't read a whole lot of books in university, I only took first year English courses and then I read a lot of the Bible for my minor in all my recreation classes we read research and played outside. 

Three most often used makeup products
BB Cream,  mascara and eyeliner.

Three things that make me laugh
Raccoon videos, political satire, 

Three things that make me cry
Adorable engagement videos, Jim & Pam moments, thinking about anything related to the future for more than 30 seconds. 

And because it's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada (and that last question was kind of a downer) I'm adding three things I'm thankful for to this little questionnaire. 

Three things I'm Thankful for
Grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins that live no more than 30 minutes away. 
The very best friends.
Knowing what I'm passionate about in life. 


Linking up with Stuff & Things
SaveSave

You Probably Don't Know...

I've been filling my little corner of blog land with lists, stories and photos for almost three and a half years now. I've shared a lot over the years and there's still so much more about me and my life that hasn't been mentioned. I also love a good list (you probably already knew that though) I'm joining Helene's link up today to tell the world some things you probably don't know about me (yet).

... The primary reason I am organized and prepared is because I hate feeling rushed. I don't like to keep other people waiting and I think being constantly late is flat out impolite.

... I love spicy foods. It has to be a flavourful spicy though, not just throwing a cup of Siracha on everything for the sake of spice.

... I've always loved the idea of having a koi pond in the backyard. I have no idea where this desire came from, but it's always been there.

... I recently discovered a new favourite afternoon snack, cucumber slices with a sprinkle of sea salt. So delicious and so simple.

... I have a really, really good memory for people. I remember names and interests and other things various associations with people without really having to try. Sometimes it's awkward because someone mentions once and then four months later I bring it up in conversation and make myself look like a crazy stalker.

... The second session of camp ended today and then I drove home for the break. My head is consumed with thoughts of bedtime and a sturdy and reliable internet connection.

...I'll be back tomorrow with some of my favourite things from this past week. (You probably could have guessed that.)

The excitement I feel about being able to sleep for a full 9 hours and do so in my own bed is indescribable in this moment.

October Goals

It's been a while since I've set any monthly goals and shared them with blogland but the chaos of summer is behind me, I've eased myself back into the real world and overall things are really coming together. So it's only logical that I get back into the habit of writing out goals and holding myself accountable. 

• Finish Smash Book for Camp 2014
• Publish 20 blog posts
• Mail Halloween Themed Packages to H. & R.
• Read 3 books
• Plan for NaNoWriMo
• Yoga 3 times

I realize none of those goals are super challenging or more than an arms length from my comfort zone. Life is coming together but there are still some variables so I am managing my expectations about what I can accomplish this month. 

Someday (Soon)...

I will find myself working at my dream job (probably in the city) and being the best roommates ever with R.

I will be in a relationship with the guy I'll marry. 

I will follow a tutorial and finish making a button for my blog.

I will write in my prayer/gratitude journal for a month straight without missing a day.

I will clean my car. And my room. And my closet. 

I will finish reading Game of Thrones.

I will stop lying to myself and accept the fact I will never finish reading Game of Thrones.

I will travel outside Canada.

I will start Christmas shopping.

I will reorganize my iTunes.

I will reconnect with old friends.

I will get my MacBook fixed so I can stop relying on my giant desktop computer for all my blogging needs.

I will take a leap of faith and order a pair of glasses from one of those websites with cheap glasses.

I will stop overanalyzing.

I will stop biting my nails. 

I will be incredibly thankful and overwhelmed at just how perfectly all of the details in life have come together.

7 Deadly Sins

All you need to do is copy & paste this list, link-up, and have fun finding out others' guilty pleasures.  

seven great things in your life.

1. God.

2. Amazing Friends.

3. Peyton.

4. Love.

5. Hope.

6. Jogging pants.

7. Technology.

seven things you lack and covet.

1. Serious romantic relationship.

2. A close church community.

3. Friends who live nearby.

4. An engagement ring.

5. Wedding plans.

6. Wedding anniversary.
7. Babies. 

seven things that make you angry.

1. People who make uninformed decisions.

2. Use of the 'r' word as an insult.

3. Immaturity.

4. Selfishness.

5.  Not being able to fall asleep at night.

6. Getting home from the story and realizing you forgot something on your list.

7.  Disrespect.

seven things that you neglect to do.

1. Yoga.

2. Stay Calm.

3. Answer the phone if I don't recognize the number.

4. Wear real pants (even in public).

5. Eat 3 meals a day.

6. Check my voicemail.

7. Shave my legs on a regular basis once winter arrives. 

seven worldly material desires.

1. Fancy Camera.

2.  MacBook Pro.

3.  New iPhone case.

4. My own apartment.
5. Complete Disney DVD collection.
6. Unlimited money.

7. A hairstyle I love. 
*this one was really hard, I don't have a lot of 'wants'.

seven guilty pleasures.

1. Reality TV.

2. Young Adult/Teen Romance novels. 

3. Ice Cold Coke. 

4. Overpriced Caffeinated Beverages.

5. SnapChat.

6. Jonas Brothers & OneDirection.

7. Cosmo Magazine.

seven things you love about love.

1. Butterflies.

2. Stolen glances across a crowded room.

3. Kissing!

   4. Cuddling.

5. Holding Hands.

6. Comfortable silence.

7. Little romantic gestures. 

Fall Bucket List

 

Linking up with Erica to publicly declare my monthly goals!

 

I'm combining my September goals with my Fall Bucket List. I'm really not sure what the next few months have in store for me which means some of my goals may not be fully attainable but between September & December I'm sure I will be able to accomplish them! Goals with a * are ones that are for sure September goals. The others are less time sensitive. 

 

1. Cut & Donate my hair.  I've always wanted to donate my hair to an organization that makes wigs for cancer patients. My hair is pretty long right now and I'm ready for a change so I need to do a bit of research to make sure I have enough to donate and then make it happen!

2. BLOG! There are some fun blog challenges and link ups happening in September and I really fell off the blogging wagon during camp so I'm jumping back on! *

3. Find a Guide Unit I really want to stay involved with Girl Guides even if I can't commit to taking on a unit for the full year. *

4. Read! Again, something that got neglected over the summer! But I want to read at least 12 books between now and December 1st.

5. Complete a Bible Study it's been far too long since I did a study start to finish! I don't have any in mind so recommendations are welcome!

Five on Friday!

Now that I'm home from camp I'm working on getting back into a routine, which includes regular blogging! Today I'm liking up with Five on Friday

{one} I came across this quote a while ago but recently rediscovered it and I love it to bits.

 “I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.” I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

{two} Today is my first full day back in the real world. Instead of being productive by working on my end of summer report or unpacking I made the executive decision to take the day off. So I'm going to sit on my couch with my laptop, watching TV and only leaving to visit the fridge. Tomorrow I will return to productivity!

{three} I got an e-mail this morning asking me to be a Brownie leader again this year. This is a tough one because I love being involved with Girl Guides but the unit I was with last year is a 45 minute drive away. I spent more time driving to the meetings and events than I did at the actual events. I'm hoping there is a unit closer to my house that needs a leader. There's also the possibility that a job opportunity is going to mean I will be moving to the city in a few weeks. The job is dependent on funding though so nothing is set in stone.

{four} I have over 300 pictures from this summer and I can't wait to get back into scrapbooking! Scrapbooking is going to be one of my fall goals, I have so many pictures just sitting in boxes and drawers overflowing with scrapbooking supplies begging to be used. More on that goal tomorrow though!

{five} I am obsessed with www.thoughtcatalog.com I could spend hours reading through articles and thinking about the words, situations and the people who wrote them. If you happen to have some spare time in your day or need something to scroll through while you enjoy coffee at your desk be sure to check it out!

Goals!

I've spent this morning drinking my coffee and catching up with all of the blogs I haven't been reading while at camp. I will fully confess that I was relieved to see so many posts about other people feeling a little uninspired and stuck in a bit of a blogging rut. I've been feeling the same way. There are so many stories I want to shareI but I can never seem to find time to write them all down. And when I do set aside some time for blogging I end up staring at a blank screen for 15 minutes, making myself write something down, deleting it and finding something else to do. 

A blogger I've followed since I started this blog, Erica Ashley is hosting a Monthly Goal Link-Up which I am super excited about joining! I'm really going to commit to following through with some things this month and do my best to make August wonderful!

Blog 3x A Week

I may have a hectic and unpredictable schedule during the week but I know that if I really make it a priority I can find the time to post three times during the week! 

Be in the Moment

I'm going to break the rules and be a little vague about this one. I will say that September and the end of camp shouldn't be a big dark grey cloud looming over every moment of August. I need to enjoy the present and not worry about September. I can be realistic and manage my expectations but just because something is going to end doesn't mean I can't appreciate it now while it's happening.

Happiness

Today's prompt is pretty simple 10 Things That Make You Happy!

3 a.m. conversations

I love having real conversations with people. It doesn't have to be a serious topic sometimes a heated debate about the best Crayola crayon colour (it's Cerulean Blue) can be just as much of a bonding experience as discussing the moment you found Jesus. And there's something extra special about those conversations when they happen late at night. Maybe this is just me because I've spent so much time at camp over the years, but all of the best conversations happen late at night. As a camper it's probably because you spend all day doing things and then at night you get a chance to really talk to your cabin-mates. And as a staff member it's because you're really doing things all day (and all night) and the best time to chat is after all the campers are settled and you and your co-counsellor are hanging out in the counsellor room, or you aren't on sleep out, but you do have 12 camper awards to make and colour before morning.

Perfect Mornings

There's just something about starting the day off right that makes the whole day better. My perfect morning first consists of waking up without an alarm and feeling like I got a good night's sleep. Then checking my phone, scrolling through Twitter to catch up on news before checking my e-mail and reading the Internet Cafe Devotion of the day and then getting out of bed. Followed by showering, getting ready and then enjoying coffee and 1/2  an everything bagel with herb & garlic cream cheese. Maybe reading some blogs while I eat or if my some miracle the above steps happen at camp chatting about the upcoming day with my director or if the stars really align sitting with the campers during breakfast.

Snail Mail

Getting mail is the best! One of the only good things about moving home after university is that I get to send & receive cards and letters and packages to my friends still living in my university city. There's something special about opening an envelope and seeing handwritten (or typed!) letters. One of my summer goals is to write more letters to friends. Since the internet connection is pretty unreliable. We had a staff member last year who was always writing letters and receiving mail and I want in on the fun! 

Things that Glow in the Dark

I'm not sure why I have such a love for things that glow in the dark, but I do! I will proudly admit to still having glow in the dark stars on my ceiling, my glow in the dark Nalgene is one of my favourite possessions and it just makes me happy!

Sharpies

This is the camp person coming out in me. Sharpies are wonderful, they come in all different colours and sizes. They write on everything! You can always use a Sharpie. During the summer I usually have one stuck in my hair for easy access. 

Reality TV

I'm a purist when it comes to Reality TV. I love Survivor, The Amazing Race, Big Brother. I have never once watched an episode of The Bachelor/ette and I don't understand why American Idol hasn't been cancelled. I also love 'reality TV dramas' like Deadliest Catch and Ice Road Truckers. Teen Mom used to be my guilty pleasure, but I stopped watching this season because instead of being entertained and sympathizing with the Moms I just felt uncomfortable watching them. I do still indulge in almost all of the TLC reality shows...except the wedding ones. OK, so maybe I'm

 

God Moments

I think I've talked about this before but it really is one of my favourite things/things that make me happy. Everyone has their own definition of God Moment, for me it's those tiny details in daily life that are just so tiny and perfect that the only way to explain them is that it's God at work. It can be anything from hearing your all-time favourite song on the radio even though it hasn't been popular in 10 years or finding the perfect gift for a friend. It's always a humbling and peaceful moment when things just work out.

Neon/Glitter

My love of neon started off innocently with brightly coloured socks and a florescent Lulu Lemon head band, then I bought a few pairs of neon Nike running shorts and now I've acquired a couple of neon shirts. Bright colours make me happy! And I think summer is the perfect time to wear them, so I'm embracing my new found love of neon colours. Glitter goes with this too, there are few things in life that can't be improved by adding glitter! 

Rainy Days

Specifically rainy summer days, when it's warm enough to go outside and play in the rain and jump in puddles for approximately half an hour before you get too cold and have to go inside. At which point you go inside and get a warm shower and put on comfy jogging pants & a hoodie and spend the rest of the afternoon snuggled up on the couch sipping tea/coffee reading or watching a movie. 

Brushing My Teeth

For some reason brushing my teeth is an instant stress relief for me! It's so simple and it just makes me feel so much better about life.

I think this has been my favourite prompt of the challenge so far! I love thinking about the things that makes me happy and reading about what makes other people happy!

10 Words

Today's Challenge is to sell yourself in 10 words (or less):

• passionate
• creative
• thoughtful
• caring
• stubborn/determined
• faithful
• compassionate
• quirky

My Saturday morning stared off in my favourite way: Coffee, Everything Bagel wtih Herb & Garlic Cream Cheese and catching up on blogs. In an hour I'm leaving to go sell Girl Guide cookies with my Brownies for a couple of hours and then go through camping gear before taking a group of Girl Guides camping next weekend. Our last Brownie meeting is Monday night so we're having a pizza & ice cream sundae party which means I also need to make a trip to the grocery store. And finishing crafting end of the year gifts for the girls, and find some cute 'Thank-You' gifts for my two co-leaders. And have I mentioned I leave for camp a week from tomorrow?  Which means a whole lot of packing needs to be done, plus finish planning sessions for Staff Training...I feel like my to-do list is multiplying by the second. It will all get done All of the important stuff will get done and if a few things don't get crossed off the list then it's not the end of the world!

250 Words & What I'm Loving

 
Today's blog every day in May challenge is Your Life Story in 250 World or Less:

I was born and raised a small town in Nova Scotia, Canada. When I was 7 my parents sent me to the church's summer camp for a week and that shaped me in ways I can't even begin to explain. After I graduated high school I moved further east to attend university. I studied Recreation and minored in Religious Studies, my ultimate life goal is to operate my own Christian Camp/Retreat Center. When I finished university I moved back to my small town and am currently living with my parents. It's been a long year of adjusting to being so far away from university friends but I've survived. I work as the Assistant Camp Director at a summer camp for children, teens and adults with physical and mental disabilities. The biggest question mark in my life right now is figuring out what I'm going to do in September, after camp. In a lot of ways I'm a stereotypical 20-Something single girl trying to figure out where I'm headed in life.

 

I love that camp in 18 days away!! 

I love that Dollar Drink Days are back at McDonald's! $1 Iced Coffee here I come!!

Speaking of iced coffee...

I love that it's finally iced coffee & ice cap weather! 

I've totally fallen in love with Instagram! I got my iPhone way back in October but never bothered with IG until a few weeks ago. Now I'm totally hooked.

 

Love, Love, Love

This is the first Valentine's Day in possibly forever that I don't feel the bitterness of being single (at least not as much as previous years). I don't think I could be more single than I am right now it's been months since there was even a male on my radar, but I'm okay with that, really I am.

More importantly I'm okay with it without repeating the "someday my prince will come" and "good things come to those who wait" mantras that at one point I considered tattooing on my forehead to save a little time. The truth is someday the mythical guy who loves camp, appreciates Veggie Tales movies, knows how to play both Taylor Swift & David Crowder Band songs on his acoustic guitar and whose career goals either involve farming, RCMP or ministry (I'm flexible) might come along. Or he might not. And I'm slowly learning to be okay with that, but it doesn't happen overnight.

I may not have 'the one' in my life but I do have a whole lot of other things in my life that I love so in celebrating of them a list of just some of the many things I loved today.

1. A conversation with my sweet friend R. about camp this summer and our expectations and how we both went into last summer kind of expecting the worst and although there was quite a bit of staff drama we came out on the other side as more than just camp friends but friends who met at camp. I can't wait to spend another summer working with her!
2. This Song (A Place Called Home by Kim Richey)
3. Ellen. Seriously, best talk show ever. I laugh, I cry, I laugh some more. It's a good way to spend an hour.
4. 10 Ways to Propose at Summer Camp via Summer Camp Culture  the best list of engagement videos ever to hit the internet.
5. Another great conversation with my friend and director, P. about camp this summer and our plans for staff training. We've just started hiring counsellors for this year and I love seeing how the staff comes together.
6. My Valentine's Day evening plans involve some semi-frozen slushy like Pepsi (my favourite) and a new episode of Grey's Anatomy.
7. Within the next 10 days all of my favourite reality shows will be back on the air; Survivor, The Amazing Race, the newly added Big Brother Canada!!