Weekly Wishes #9

31 March 2014

Weekly Wishes

Weekly Wishes #9

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Good morning everyone! It is Monday and today I am linking up with Melyssa for Weekly Wishes. This is a great linkup to share weekly goal and receive some encouragement from others who also have wishes for the week! Click the button to join us this week!

Last Week's Wishes Recap ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have to say that this weekend went by really fast! I anticipated with how much time I had to write my assignment, due this morning, and study for my final test that is tomorrow... Hopefully I used my time well. When it came to my child development midterm last week, I feel like I did my best, and there is nothing more I could have done. Now, I have to wait until I get my mark back to feel either great/bad about myself. I have yet to go back to the gym.  I have 3 shifts of work last week, and I feel like that is enough of a workout. I am constantly on my feet at work moving around, and it is just getting hectic with the amount of work that has to get done!
This Week's Wishes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. I hope I get accepted to the Nursing Program. This is probably a wish I am going to be listing until I receive my acceptance letter. Don't get me wrong, I love the psychology program that I am already enrolled in at my current university, but I think I will have more of a future with a nursing degree... 
2. Ace my final anthro tomorrow! The year has quickly come to an end.  This is actually our last week of classes before exams start.  Tomorrow is my last test of the year for my biological anthropology course, and I am quite excited yet sad at the same time.  Who knew that I would have developed an attachment and love to a subject this much!
3. Workout at the gym again! Because my work schedule has been all over the place, I have yet to revisit my daily workout routine at the gym.  I mean I have been doing stuff here and there every so often at home, but I mean, I really am starting to miss challenging myself to stay on the elliptical for 60 minutes that such a high resistance level... I am determined to try and go back to the gym at least twice this week if anything. 
4. Potty Train Penelope. I am making very little progress.  So far, Penelope hasn't pooed/peed on the carpet anymore.. but she is still doing so on my bed. So I still want to train her to poo and pee in her litter box, or even her cage, as opposed to my bed... the smell of her pee is actually getting strong :/
5. Continue to impress my bosses at work! I am absolutely loving work, and because we are ALL new employees at this new store opening up, we are all technically "temporary" workers... so I wanna continue to make a good impression so that I am able to have this job as a permanent one... because I need to money to spoil myself! aha

These are my wishes for the week.  If you're participating and happened to hop onto my blog, leave your link so I can leave some encouragement as well! Have a great Monday, xo!

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Silent Sunday #14

30 March 2014

silent sunday

Silent Sunday #14

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The Liebster Award: Take 3

29 March 2014

The Liebster Award

The Liebster Award: Take 3

It's been a while since I did one of these posts, but I am happy to say that I've recently been nominated by the lovely Eli from Marshmellow's Diary! I am so excited and thankful for her to think of me!
The Liebster Award is given by fellow bloggers to new blogs with smaller followings but huge potential; it is a great way to find new blogs as well as support one another. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

the rules of the award are as follows: mention the person who nominated you with a link to their blog answer the eleven questions the asked nominate eleven other bloggers with a smaller following but a lot of potential create eleven of your own questions for them to answer notify your nominees -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Eli wanted her nominees to: 
"Please tell me and your reader 11 random facts about yourself." 1.  I am 5'1 2.  I am a Filippina and Sri Lankan mixed baby 3.  I am absolutely in love with the colour pink 4. I love learning about the values and traditions other cultures have 5. I cannot leave the house without makeup (even if it is just concealer and foundation) 6.  I say I don't but, I do hold grudges 7. I currently have loving my first real job at Winners 8. I have recently donated 15" of my hair to cancer 9. I have one sister who can literally pass as my twin 10. I am currently in my second year of university 11. I have no idea what I am going to do with the rest of my life!

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I nominate: Pherdita @ Perspective on a Blog Samantha @ Samantha Skye Samara @ Forever and Classy Jane @ Dorky Fizzy and Quirky Stuff --- since this is my third time doing this, I don't have a lot of blogger to nominate since I've already nominated most of them. But don't forget to nominate 11 other blogger!----
Here are my questions for you lovely bloggers: 1. What is your must have accessory that you cannot leave your home without? 2. Any siblings? Introduce them with some pictures please! 3. Favourite season? 4. If you could visit/travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? 5. Must have summer wardrobe item? 6. Best day of your life thus far? 7. Do you have any pets? If so, introduce them with some picture. If not, would you like a pet? 8. What is your favorite weekend activity? 9. Can you speak another language? 10. What is currently your favourite song? 11. Why did you start blogging?

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This is actually my third time being nominated, which is pretty exciting.
 Click HERE to see my first take for this award.
Click HERE to see my second take for this award.

Thanks again Eli!

Don't forget to link back to my blog with the answers to the questions I have for you!
Let me know when you post it! I can't wait to read your answers! 

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Five on Friday

28 March 2014

Five on Friday

Five on Friday

It is finally Friday! Wohooo! Since I had an 8 hour shift earlier today, I decided to do a quick post before I just lay in my bed for the rest of the night, instead of being post-less like I have been for the last couple of weeks.  It has been I think a month since I've participated in this link-up, so today I'm linking up with April, Darci, Natasha and Christina to share some of my favourites from this week!   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ONE] Tim Hortons has been hosting their Roll-up the Rim to Win event, where you roll up the rim of your coffee up to win a prize! The prizes range from a free coffee or donut to a car!  So for the past 2 weeks, I've literally bought a coffee every single day and have yet to win anything.  But, on Monday, I finally won! I was so excited as I was rolling it that I ripped it... I'm sure that the employees at Tim Hortons will still accept this, but it is still exciting to win a free coffee!!!!

[TWO] My bunny, Penelope is just the cutest.  For the past two weeks, I've been desperately trying to potty train her because right now, she thinks my bed is her washroom area... It is very annoying to constantly change my sheets... so I've been trying to potty train her, and although it isn't working the way I want it to, I am still happy that I have her and I will continue to train her until she learns!

[THREE] Another thing about Penelope.... SHE LOVES ME. And it is honestly so amazing to see the difference between her reaction to when she see's me (or when she is around me), compared to when she is around my sister.  It is honestly completely different where Penelope just loves to be around me, and stay close to me.  This week she has continuously been chilling on my back whenever I am lying down.

[FOUR] On Wednesday was our last biological anthropology tutorial for the school year, and I was so sad because I absolutely am in love with the course, and just all the interesting new things I learn about our human ancestors.  Anyways, I decided to take a picture of the skulls and other fossils that were around the labs because I just find that each fossil/skull has so much meaning behind them. It is honestly amazes me the evolution of humans based on our fossil evidence. 

[FIVE] Lastly, I am so proud of myself for balancing school and work, especially this week! I am a full time student, and this week I managed to work 16 hours! (Including the 8 hours that I did today).  I am proud of myself for getting out of bed, making it to all my classes and shifts on time, and leaving my home looking decent and not a zombie! So wohooo, yay for me!

Sorry for posting late on this Friday! I did have an 8 hour shift today, as I mentioned already, so I just went to bed early last night so that I was able to be energized for the possession day of our store! So excited for the development of our store for the next month before opening day! I am super excited. Anyways, thanks for stopping by, it really means a lot that there are a few of you who actually read my posts on the daily! 
Have a good weekend! xo

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This or That Beauty Tag

27 March 2014

beauty

This or That Beauty Tag

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Good morning fellow bloggers! So as I was doing my daily reads on some of my favourite blogs,  (click HERE to see my favourite blogs), I noticed that a lot of bloggers are doing a "This or That Beauty Tag", and I thought it would be fun to join along! So, if you're here on my blog, I encourage you all to join in on this tag! Let's begin! Makeup:
Blush / Bronzer -Bronzer
Lip Gloss / Lipstick - Lipstick
Eye Liner / Mascara – Eye Liner
Foundation / Concealer - Foundation
Neutral / Color Eyeshadow - Neutral Pressed / Loose Eyeshadow - Pressed
Brushes / Sponges - Brushes
Nails:
OPI / China Glaze - I prefer Essie
Long / Short - Long
Acrylic / Natural - Natural
Brights / Darks - Brights
Flower / No Flower - No Flower

Body:
Perfume / Body Splash - Perfume
Lotion / Body Butter - hmm... both
Body Wash /Soap – Body Wash
Lush / Other Bath Company - I like Bath and Body Works

Fashion:
Jeans / Sweat Pants - Jeans
Long sleeve /Short Sleeved – Short Sleeved
Dresses / Skirts - Dresses
Stripes / Plain - Plain
Flip Flops / Sandals - Sandals
Scarves / Hats - Scarves
Studs / Dangly Earrings - Studs 
Necklaces / Bracelets - Bracelets
Heels / Flats - Heels
Cowboy Boots / Riding Boots – Riding Boots
Jacket / Hoodie - Jacket
Forever 21 / Charlotte Russe - Forever 21
Abercrombie / Hollister - Abercrombie

Hair:
Curls / Straight – Curls Bun / Ponytail - Bun
Bobby Pins / Butterfly Clips - Bobby Pins
Hair Spray / Gel - Hairspray
Long / Short - Long
Light / Dark - Light
Side Sweep Bangs / Full bangs – Full Bangs 
Up / Down - Down

Random:
Rain / Shine - Sunshine
Summer / Winter - Summer
Fall / Spring - Spring
Chocolate / Vanilla - Chocolate
East Coast / West Coast – West
I hope you enjoyed my take for the This or That Beauty Tag since now you know more about me and my preferences when it comes to different beauty options! Have a great Thursday! Just one more until it is Friday! wohooo!
xo,

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i on Beauty | 7 Piece Brush Set

26 March 2014

beauty

i on Beauty | 7 Piece Brush Set

Last Friday was actually payday for me, and boy was I excited to spend my hard working money! Working in my first retail job, I have to tell you how extremely hard it is to control my shopping impulses at work.  Whenever I am putting merchandise away, or restocking areas of the store, I am always finding and seeing items that I wish I could buy in that moment in time. But, obviously I cannot since I am working, and the customers should be able to purchase items... So I usually have to wait after my shift, or whenever I am not working, to purchase the items that I fell in love in an instant.
So literally, at the end of the week I was so excited that it was payday.  What did I do with my Friday? I literally spent the ENTIRE day shopping at Winners.  And yes, I literally went to THREE different Winners locations just shopping my butt off.  Everything I purchases was actually completely random - but that's the best part of shopping, always finding something new that you love!
I randomly picked up this i on beauty 7 piece travel set.  I think what attracted my attention was the fact that this set is a Geo-Friendly Bamboo Collection.  I'll wait for the ou's and ah's from you all...  I haven't really gotten myself a brush set that I am completely in love with, so I decided to purchase this brush set for only $15.00 at Winners.  (According to the price tag, the original price was $30.00).  

There are 6 brushes included in this travel set, all with different purposes! If you are wondering how this is a 7 piece travel set, the set includes a pouch to keep all the brushes in when travelling - hence why it is a travel set! The brushes are made from super soft synthetic talon hair and recycled material as they were made 100% cruelty free!  The bamboo handles makes controlling these brushes absolutely easy to handle.
Powder Brush: This is a pretty big brush, but it is for the use of powder.  I actually mostly used this brush for my bronzer, which I enjoyed using very much. This brush is also great when it comes to blending as well.
Blush Brush: This is the brush I definitely use the most from the entire set.  I actually use this brush as a concealer brush, since this set does not contain a concealer brush.  It actually works perfectly well as a substitute for a concealer brush.  I find that this brush actually blends the concealer really well under my eye which makes it easier to layer up concealer on my face.
Eye Defining Brush: I love this brush. I use it to apply eye showed on the crease of my eye.  However, I do wish that the brush was more angled to help apply eye shadow on the crease of my eyes more easily.
Angled Eyeliner Brush: What I love about this brush is the fact that it is super thin and angled, so creating the cat eye look using gel eyeliner is really easier! It has to be the best eyeliner brush I've ever used, so I am definitely happy with this!
Eyebrow Comb/Brush:  I actually very much like this eyebrow comb.  It really makes combing my eye brow hair in one direction smoothly.  That being said, this brush is probably the least used brush for me.  Hopefully I'll find more reasons to use the brush more often. 
Smudger: It is a great brush for applying bursts of colours without a mess! So, although I hardly use this brush, it is still a great one!
Pouch: As cute as this pouch is, I personally don't like it too much.  I would have rather have a case for my brushes that have holders, so that I have a specific spot for each brush.  I like keep everything organized and all in one place, and some mornings I get frustrated trying to get a brush that is at the below other brushes.
Overall, I have to say that I am actually pleased with this brush set.  I honestly love using these brushes whenever I apply on makeup, which is pretty much a daily routine for me now.  If you do purchase these brushes at Winners, (or Marshalls), I think it would be a good investment as it is also geo-friendly to the environment! 
Have you ever tried/used i on Beauty brushes? What brushes do you like using? Let me know in the comments! 

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Weekly Wishes #8

24 March 2014

Weekly Wishes

Weekly Wishes #8

Good morning everyone! It is Monday, and I am feeling soo sick.. I think it is because of the lack of sleep I had this weekend, but I was busy! Today I am linking up with Melyssa for  Weekly Wishes. This is a great linkup to share weekly goal and receive some encouragement from others who also have wishes for the week! Click the button to join us this week!

Last Week's Wishes Recap ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This past week went by really fast! I got little readings done, and because of that, I was playing catch up on my weekend (which is probably why I am feeling sick this morning).  I did get to spend more time with Penelope, which is great because I could tell that she is for sure starting to get used to me and her new environment, and it is always great to have a relationship between the pet and the owner!

This Week's Wishes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. I hope I get accepted to the Nursing Program. This is probably a wish I am going to be listing until I receive my acceptance letter. Don't get me wrong, I love the psychology program that I am already enrolled in at my current university, but I think I will have more of a future with a nursing degree... 
2. Ace my child development midterm tomorrow! I have my second midterm for this course, and I feel so behind when it comes to my studying progress for this test. I’m doing well in this course, so I am hoping tomorrow midterm will maintain the mark I am already achieving… which will eventually help wish #1 come true!
3. Workout at the gym again! Because my work schedule has been all over the place, I have yet to revisit my daily workout routine at the gym.  I mean I have been doing stuff here and there every so often at home, but I mean, I really am starting to miss challenging myself to stay on the elliptical for 60 minutes that such a high resistance level... I am determined to try and go back to the gym at least twice this week if anything. 
4. Potty Train Penelope. As cute as she may be... she is currently pooping all over my bed, my sisters bed, on the floor, on the stairs... it is crazy.  I need to train her to go back into her cage to poop instead of anywhere she pleases -.- I'm sure there is poop hiding underneath my dresser as I write this!
5. EAT NO MEAT! It's still Lent, and for 40 days, I chose to give up eating meat... It is so tempting to eat meat, so this week I am hoping that I can stay strong with fasting.  It is almost 2 weeks... and I just wanna complete this sacrifice the best I can!
6. SLEEP! I am actually so exhausted and feeling super sick... I definitely feeling that sleep can help me get back on my feet, especially since I have a lot going on this week!
7. Continue to impress my bosses at work! I am absolutely loving work, and because we are ALL new employees at this new store opening up, we are all technically "temporary" workers... so I wanna continue to make a good impression so that I am able to have this job as a permanent one... because I need to money to spoil myself! aha

These are my wishes for the week.  If you're participating and happened to hop onto my blog, leave your link so I can leave some encouragement as well! Have a great Monday, xo!

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Silent Sunday #13

23 March 2014

silent sunday

Silent Sunday #13

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What I Love About Toronto

21 March 2014

lifestyle

What I Love About Toronto

Hi hi hi! It's Friday and I am excited for today's post. I've obviously haven't been blogging as often recently, so yesterday I literally spent all my free time trying to catch up with the blogs that I love to read!  When it was time to catch up with Lisa's blog, I realized that her most recent post had a link-up and I was excited to link up with her again!
So today I am linking up with Lisa from Showered with Design posts on "Top 5 Things To Love About Your State".  Because I don't live in the States (although it would be nice to live with all my cousins up in California), I decided to make a post my 5 things to love about my city, Toronto. It is located in Canada for those who don't know... Let begin!

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What I Love About Toronto:

1. Gays and Lesbians can get married here! Although I am not a lesbian, I do have friends who are either gay or lesbian, and I think it is great that they have the freedom here in Toronto to be themselves, and be with who they want without any restrictions.  They can live "normal" lives like everyone else as an equal... and I think that is a huge thing about Torontoians... we are pretty much accepting of everyone!
2. Weather. Although I usually pretty much complain about the cold all the time, I still have to say, we get to experience both sides of the spectrum.  Our city literally has our Winterlicious and Summerlicious days of extreme cold and heat! Which is a good thing, although a lot of us would love to live in one reason all the time, we just aren't used to it, and love a change between seasons! 
3. Festivals! Believe me when I say that we have festivals for literally everything and for everyone to enjoy! Music, Film, Science, Art... heck we even do Parades celebrating everyones uniqueness, like the Caribana  Parade!  The city has a way of bringing everyone together at one time. 
4. Wonderland! Yes, in Toronto we have the perfect thing to do whenever you are bored - go to Wonderland.  I can honestly say that everyone living in Toronto probably had/has a seasons pass just to get in and ride all the exciting rides.  It's honestly a place I continuously love to go to with my friends during the summer time whenever we feel bored. 
5. DIVERSITY! This is probably one of the main reasons I will probably never want to move out of the city.  Toronto is honestly the best place to just be yourself. No one is ever judged by their religion or culture... each and every one of us is genuinely accepted and treated like everyone else.  We are all free the just be us without the fear of being judged.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fun Facts about Toronto You May Have Not Known:
1) The CN Tower withstands some 50 lightning strikes a year.
2) Toronto is the world's fourth most liveable city.
3) The Toronto Zoo is the largest in Canada. It is home to over 16,000 animals representing 491 species.
4) There are over 1600 named parks in Toronto.
 5) There are 52 outdoor skating rinks in Toronto – open from the beginning of December until the end of February.
6) The Toronto Islands is just a short ferry ride away from downtown Toronto, comprises the largest urban car-free community in North America
7) The coldest temperature ever recorded in Toronto was -31.3C (-24.3F) on January 4, 1981. The windchill on that day was -44.7C (-48.5F), the coldest ever.
8) The highest temperatures ever recorded were 41C (105F) from July 7-9 in 1936.
If you wanna join in on the fun, click HERE to join Lisa!
Well there you go! Have a great Friday everyone!

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Spring is Here!

20 March 2014

currently obsessed

Spring is Here!

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Good morning bloggers! Do you know what day it is? It is the first day of Spring! Wo-hoo, you have no idea how excited I am for just the cold to go away! Although there might be some flurries tonight, I am still very hopeful that we no longer will be experiencing the snow falling down!  Today, I decided to share some styles that I am currently obsessed with! Right now, my closet is full of neutral colours of white, black and beige, and few shades of pink and blue here and there.  Because it has been such a cold winter, I decided to change up my wardrobe and style with some bright colours to celebrate spring! And because I now work at a store with cloths everywhere I look, my obsession to shop and purchase these new colours is getting stronger and stronger each shift I work!  

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

I get paid tomorrow, hopefully I have time this weekend to shop until I drop! Any styles you are excited to wear this spring seasons! Let me know!

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Weekly Wishes #7

17 March 2014

Weekly Wishes

Weekly Wishes #7

It is Monday! Do you know what that means? Today I am linking up with Melyssa for  Weekly Wishes. This is a great linkup to share weekly goal and receive some encouragement from others who also have wishes for the week!
Click the button to join us this week!
Last Week's Wishes Recap ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I had a great week at work last week.  I was actually doing more work than the usual training and absorbing all new information and terms I'm suppose to learn right out the back.  I wrote my Anthropology Test, and I did well, so I cannot complain. Oh! On the weekend, trust me I got all the sleep I wanted, and I am very satisfied, expect this Monday morning where I want more!!!!!

This Week's Wishes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. I hope I get accepted to the Nursing Program. This is probably a wish I am going to be listing until I receive my acceptance letter. Don't get me wrong, I love the psychology program that I am already enrolled in at my current university, but I think I will have more of a future with a nursing degree... 
2. Get some reading and textbook notes done. So, I am feeling EXTREMELY behind in my readings for my Child Development class.  I mean, although I have 1 3-hour lecture a week, my prof likes the idea that we need to read 2 chapters before each of her lectures... It doesn't seem too bad, until you open the textbook and realize one chapter is literally 40 pages long... So right now I am feeling overwhelmed with these textbook readings, and I am hoping to do AT LEAST 1 chapter a day before my midterm next week... LETS GO!
3. Workout at the gym again! Because my work schedule has been all over the place, I have yet to revisit my daily workout routine at the gym.  I mean I have been doing stuff here and there every so often at home, but I mean, I really am starting to miss challenging myself to stay on the elliptical for 60 minutes that such a high resistance level... I am determined to try and go back to the gym at least twice this week if anything. 
4. Spend more time with Penelope! So if you saw yesterdays Silent Sunday post, you would have noticed that I Jay and I got a second bunny! Yes, and she is a girl and we named her Penelope, and we decided to keep her and MJ separate until she is old enough to carry babies.  So for now she is living with me, and I find her so adorable! I really want to spend as much time with her as I can so she doesn't feel neglected!
5. Potty Train Penelope. As cute as she may be... she is currently pooping all over my bed, my sisters bed, on the floor, on the stairs... it is crazy.  I need to train her to go back into her cage to poop instead of anywhere she pleases -.- I'm sure there is poop hiding underneath my dresser as I write this!
6. EAT NO MEAT! It's still Lent, and for 40 days, I chose to give up eating meat... It is so tempting to eat meat, so this week I am hoping that I can stay strong with fasting.  It is almost 2 weeks... and I just wanna complete this sacrifice the best I can!

These are my wishes for the week.  Before I go, here is a picture of the lovely Penelope so you know the amount of cuteness I am dealing with!

If you're participating and happened to hop onto my blog, leave your link so I can leave some encouragement as well! Have a great Monday, xo!

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Silent Sunday #12

16 March 2014

silent sunday

Silent Sunday #12

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Life Lately: 40 Days of Lent

14 March 2014

Faith

Life Lately: 40 Days of Lent

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Happy Friday everyone!
I know I have been somewhat absent when it comes to blogging during the past two weeks, but I have to say, being a full-time student and worker is actually not that easy... I am just exhausted all the time, and don't really have the energy to sit in front of my laptop and blog... So I've been catching up on sleep.  But, since today is Friday, I decided to just briefly talk about something that I totally forgot to blog about last week. 
Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday.  For those of you who are do not know what Ash Wednesday is, it is the first day of Lent, which begins 40 days where many Christians prepare for Easter by either fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.  Not many Christians participate in Ash Wednesday or Lent, but as a Roman Catholic (which is basically a subset of Christianity), my family and I try our best to participate every year.  And by participating, I mean by choosing to "give up something" for 40 days. 

Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." - Luke 9:23

So what does that mean? The way I interpret this verse is quite simple actually.  40 days of Lent is about self denial, and carrying our cross while following Jesus wherever he may lead us.  This can be done in many ways.  For many of us, it is through our prayful ways, and for others it may be through our loving actions towards ours. 

For 40 days of Len this year, my family and I chose to fast by not eating meat.  This is actually something very big for my family.  You can basically call us carnivores, that's how much meat we eat on the daily.  So giving up meat for 40 days... I thought this would definitely be a challenge.  

But it has just been over a week, and I am actually doing fine.  I had no idea that there would be a wide variety of substitutes to eat other than meat, and I am actually okay with eating and trying new things.  Yes, I have had some temptations to defrost some ground beef to make sheppard's pie or even spaghetti, but somehow... this year I am able to restrain myself. 

I guess there is just a lot that I am hoping for in my life, and I think sacrificing meat for 40 days isn't that hard. I am honestly learning a lot about myself through this entire journey.  Who knew I would honestly have the self restraint to not eat meat even when it is in front of me.

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. - Daniel 9:3

In hopes of the next 40 days, I am honestly hoping for a change in both my family and I as we come together as one through this journey.  I am hoping for the best, considering the best has yet to come for us.

If you are participating in Lent this year, I would love to hear some of the things you have chose to "give up" for 40 days! Leave a comment below! Have a great weekend!

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Searching for Joy

12 March 2014

Faith

Searching for Joy

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I'll just get straight to the post... if it seems as though the idea of this post seems to be all over the place, please bare with me.  I just have a lot on my mind, and I feel like I need to express it ALL... somehow, regardless of its organization.  So here we go...

We all go through ups and downs... Most of the time, it is easier to recognize all the negative and bad things that are happening in our lives.  Trust me, I know what that is like.  I don't mind getting a little personal here, but as someone who has been suffering from anxiety, it is easy to get overwhelmed and depressed, so I know that it is extremely easy to forget that there is always a positive to every negative that comes along. 

Lately, I feel like I have been searching for joy in my life.  There is just so much that is going on in my life, I just don't know how to absorb anything anymore.  It is so easy for me just to dismiss anything, because I am the type of person who doesn't talk about my problems to anyone anymore... So I guess it has become a habit to not even reflect on anything in my life... the good and the bad. 

It seems as though I try to "live in the moment".  Which is good, because I used to stress out all the time planning every single part of my day and life.  So, just being spontaneous and going with the flow has definitely taught me a few new things about myself.  But because I have become more spontaneous, I feel like it has only given me temporary happiness... which is something that is great for that moment... but afterwards... it is just another search for that spark of joy.

I personally don't know what is going on in my head, but I know that I am again starting to have thoughts that I know I shouldn't have.  It's kind of weird... I want to talk about my issues, but then I feel like I shouldn't.  There are so many people in my life that I know who love and care... but sometimes I feel like I just shouldn't trust them with my problems.  I guess I fear they might use it against me? I don't know. 

So what have I been doing to help myself?  A method I used to do when I was younger, was to just see the positive in every situation; no matter how great or bad it may be.  It worked for me before, so I think it would be a great idea to revisit this tacit.  For example, it is snowing like crazy outside... it could be a negative thing since driving in the snow is absolutely chaotic.  On the other hand, I am living in a home that can keep me warm from the cold. 

But, I think what helps me the most is the words of encouragement from God.  I have yet to leave my home without my rosary.  It is always either in my bag or my pocket, in quick reach whenever I am feeling at my lowest.  I'm not sure exactly what it is, but when I pray, or just talk to God, I could just feel that He is listening... which is something I want, for someone to just hear me and listen. 

It isn't always easy to hear what He may be saying, but he expresses his care and love through subtle actions around us, and through His words.  One particular verse that I absolutely love, is one I think anyone can take and just take a personal meaning from it.

The pain that you have been feeling can not compare to the joy that is coming. - Romans 8:18.

This "simple" verse speaks volume.  God has a plan for us, and he wouldn't be putting us through things he know we would not be able to handle.  He would never intentionally try and hurt us... Absolutely not.  There is always a good at the end of every outcome, and this is something I think we all need to realize. 

Joy is coming, and I am confident in His words and promises. He knows how to restore us when we are at our lowest, we just have to listen and have trust in Him that he will do so.  

Lets all remember His words, and use it as encouragement, for he is always there, guiding and helping us through the best and worst of times.  

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Weekly Wishes #6

10 March 2014

Weekly Wishes

Weekly Wishes #6

Joy.... it's Monday...  Today, I'm linking up with Melyssa for Weekly Wishes. This is a great linkup to share your goals and receive some encouragement from others in completing those goals! 
Click the button to join us as this is a weekly link up!

Last Week's Wishes Recap ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last week I made a wish about acing my abnormal midterm, and I think I actually did really well! I am really proud of myself, and I am really excited to see my test this week to see how well I really did!  I also made a wish last week that I would be impressing my managers on the first week of my job, and I really think I made a big impression. I think it is a really good thing if ALL 3 of my managers know my name out of the all the 84 new employees they've recently hired! Wohoo! And as for sleep... yes, I've actually caught up with all my sleep... except for last night... losing one hour of sleep actually sucks -.-
This Week's Wishes -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. I hope I get accepted to the Nursing Program. This is probably a wish I'm going to be listing until I receive my acceptance letter. Don't get me wrong, I love the psychology program that I am already enrolled in at my current university, but I think I will have more of a future with a nursing diploma.

2. Start studying for my Anthropology quiz this Thursday! I have an anthro quiz this Thursday, and one of my wishes is to start studying ahead of time... that means probably start tonight when I get home.  It is one of the last quizzes I have for this course, and I really want my GPA to go up if I want to get into the nursing programs (for wish #1).  So everything counts, and I will start studying... asap! 

3. Be more sociable at work. This is actually the second week I have for work, and it is a good thing that all of us new employees are on the same boat.  We are all starting this new job together, doing training together, and just working together.  My wish for this week is to be more sociable to make more friends with those who have the same shift as me.  I think time will pass by faster if I have company. 

4. Workout! Because of my work and school schedule, I really thought I would have time to work out.  Turns out I didn't get a chance to work out last week.  Our new store for work is still being built, so for the next 2-3 weeks, us new hired employees are currently being trained/working at another store location... which is literally so far away from my school.  So the drive isn't too bad... but it is bad when I'm coming from school, which is in a different city! YIKES.  So this week I really want to try to fit in some workout time.. even if its just going a few of those 30 challenges.... Something I am seriously considering! 

Those are basically my wishes for this week! If your participating as well, and you've happen to come across my post to leave me some encouragement, leave your link below so I can return the favour and encourage you!

Have a great Monday!

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Silent Sunday #11

09 March 2014

silent sunday

Silent Sunday #11

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