Week End

Three Things To Love About This Past Week

1. I finally decided where I am going to apply for my preceptorship :) 
2. I bought a new cell phone case.
3. Church this morning was really wonderful!

Two Things To Think About This Past Week

1. I want to start praying more for family & friends in my life. Power of prayer.
2. I am still very confused and frustrated of the the whole hospital student positions & summer job status.

One Thing To Do For Next Week

1. I am going to write as much of my nursing paper as possible this week :)

Happy Sunday!

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The Little "+"s

Kudos to K & R for this idea.

+ Two shifts on Surgery this week. Smiling like an idiot, because it's what I'm supposed to be doing.

+ New standalone Starbucks. 

+ Sleeping in this morning.

+ Late night cuddles & laughs with the siblings.

+ Going to watch Oz The Great And Powerful with Sister. Realizing it's a kid's movie.

+ Sunny weather and spring.

+ Hanging out with 1st & 2nd & 3rd year nursing students. Unite!

+ Dressing up for a banquet.

+ Fun lifeguarding shifts. 

Life has so many pluses. Why focus on the negatives???

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ABCs

Addictions: Definitely certain TV shows, like Once Upon A Time {which is back on this Sunday, woohoo}. 
Bed size: Queen??? Or Twin??? I always get mixed up.
Chore you hate: Dusting. And you have to do it so frequently. Why? 
Dogs or cats: I am a dog person 100%. Cats are slightly evil.
Essential start of your day: Coffee.
Favorite color: Blue or Green {but only certain shades}
Gold or silver: Uh, Silver, duh :P
Height: 5'7.5" {Funny story, my friend measured me cause he didn't believe I was 5'8"}
Instruments you play (or have played): Piano {12 years}
Jobs titles you've had: Babysitter. Clerk. Fitness trainer. Waitress. Barista. Lifeguard. Swim Instructor. Events Coordinator. 
Kids: Someday
Live: Canada
Mom’s name: Rhonda
Nickname: You try finding a nickname for Silver and get back to me. Some of my friends call me Ag {get it? periodic table? aha}
Overnight hospital stays: When I broke my wrist at 13 years. Other than that . . . when I was born??? 
Pet peeve: When people don't replace the toilet paper. Isn't it COMMON SENSE???? {definitely not looking at my siblings}
Quote from a movie: "When you think of him, send light and love his way. Then move on." Future shout out to whoever guesses the correct movie!
Right or left handed: Right
Siblings: 1 sister. 1 brother. Both younger.
Time you wake up: 5 am. Life of a nursing student :(
Underwear: Awkward . . .
Vegetables you dislike: Olives???
What makes you run late: Other people in my family :P
X-rays you’ve had done: Again, when I broke my wrist at 13.
Yummy food you make: Lasagna! Brownies! Mmmm
Zoo animal: Definitely lions and elephants!

Kudos to Emily @ The Freckled Fox for this idea!

Happy Wednesday!

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I Have A Crush On . . .

Okay, so this is how it works in my life {for the lesser important things that is}. I get really into some fad or phase for awhile, and I can't just keep it to myself. So here are my latest crushes ♥

• Hockey - How can you not cheer when it's been such a long process to get the season started? 48 games? Anything can happen! Of course, I'm a Vancouver Canucks fan through and through! Go Schneider!

• Jennifer Lawrence - Come on, who doesn't like this girl? She is one of the funniest and down-to-earth celebrities out there, and I feel as if she has appeal to everyone. 

• Yoga - Every since I found out I can take a Yoga class for a 3 credit elective, I've been sold. Not only do I relax and de-stress, but it's a workout. Yes please! {And yes, I look like this all the time . . . }

• Captain Hook - I have not come across one gal who doesn't like the resident bad boy on Once Upon A Time. You know what they're calling his fans on Twitter??? #hookers . . . I promise, I didn't come up with that one.

• Reading - I wrote about my 100 Books To Read Challenge on Wednesday, but can I just say that there is nothing so wonderful as escaping into the world of fiction and knowledge? I often remind Brother that my choice superpower would be to remember everything I read. 

What do you have a crush on these days???

Happy Friday!

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Five Things {1:30AM Edition}

So what else is a girl to do when she goes to bed at 8:30pm and wakes up full of energy at 1:00am??? Blog!!!! Specifically about her five current things {and cue music: These are a few of my favourite things}.

{1} Back to School! Or as one instructor put it, "Welcome to the downward slide of your third year". The end of the tunnel draws nearer and nearer every day. {P.S. My blogpost Back To School Study Tips has become extremely popular lately. Check it out!}

{2} Reading! Over the holidays, I've had the time to read! Latest checkmarks include The Bridge, Life of Pi, and Julie & Julia. My current book is The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks, and then I'll {finally} be tackling The Great Gatsby {thanks Bella for the loan}. Lots of blogs have resolved to read one book a month in 2013. I like that resolution :)

{3} Settlers of Catan! My siblings and I have literally not stopped playing this boardgame since Sister moved here. We've all got each other's strategies figured out. Brother always builds cities first. Sister always goes for the wheat port. And me? That's one secret I'll never tell. XOXO, Gossip Girl {wow, this is what happens when I blog in the middle of the night}. 

{4} Aaron Tveit! Probably your latest interaction with this actor is his re-enactment of the character Enjolras in Les Miserables. However, did you know his theatre history includes Rent, Wicked, Catch Me if You Can, and even Gossip Girl???? My favourite though is his role in the Broadway show Next to Normal. Incredible story! Celebrity obsession alert!

{5} More chalkboard love! Check out this Christmas present from Brother. I still can't get over how perfectly he picked out his gifts for me. You can never have too much chalkboard.

There you have it. I'm off to try to sleep again. Besides, what is blogging if not a way to pass the wee hours of the night :) Nighty-night and Happy Tuesday!

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I Got Nominated!!!!

My dear friend {met her during the Dressember activities} over at Bake, Glue and Trend! {seriously check out her blog} nominated me for the Liebster Award!

This award is like a chain mail style letter given to up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers to help promote them.

The Rules

• Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
• Answer the questions that the nominator set for you plus create 11 questions for your nominees.
• Choose 11 people with less than 200 followers and link them in your post.
• Go back to their page and tell them.
• No tag backs.

11 Random Facts

1. I didn't watch Disney movies until I was 16 years old. My first film was Aladdin {still my fav}, and I watched it while babysitting.
2. I took piano lessons for 12 years and competed on a provincial level. 
3. I hated anything zombies until The Walking Dead came into our family's life a week ago. Now obsessed.
4. I refused to go swimming past my knees in the Indian Ocean due to my phobia of sharks. Biggest fear.
5. Once upon a time, I drove a hippie van spray-painted with the phrase "Make love not war" on the side.
6. I grew up in a small country town with a total of four traffic lights and walked around barefoot in the summers. 
7. I am a morning person.
8. Most people think my sister is older than me. A good thing???
9. I have been to all 10 provinces in Canada. So privileged to say that!
10. I have only dyed my hair twice in my entire life. Once blue {don't ask} and then the red it is now.
11. I fall upstairs more than I fall downstairs.

Questions from Janine

What does the last text you received say?

• "Night!" From a friend. Sorry nothing interesting.

Look out of your window. Now tell me what you see (even better take a photo to show me).

• I am currently sitting at my school desk and see a beautiful sunrise and an empty field.

What would your last ever meal on earth be?

• Pizza. Yep. I could eat pizza forever.

If you had to be locked in a room with a song playing on repeat forever, what song would it be?

• Oooo, such a good question! This is a tough one, because I {probably like so many} listen to music according to my mood. I love loud, dance music, but I also love chill music. However, staying true to myself, it would probably be a Taylor Swift song. Maybe Long Live?

Would you rather have brains or beauty? And why?

• Brains. Hands down. Beauty is overrated. Brains last forever and can be used in so many good ways. Beauty fades and is mostly a self-centred thing {I know I'm generalizing}. 

What is your proudest achievement to date?

• The fact that I made it to my third year of nursing school. Post-secondary education seemed so daunting and long when I first began pondering it. Now I have a year and a half to go.

If you could change just one thing in your life right now instantly, what would it be and why?

• Ooo, that's a tough one. Especially since we are our own worst critics. I would change my impatience. I want to be more relaxed and low-maintenance in terms of things happening the way I want them to. I'm a bit of a control freak {first-born-child-syndrome}.

What was the last thing you ate?

• Spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner last night. Speaking of which, I should probably eat breakfast . . .

Comfort or Style?

• Style. Besides if you do it right, you can have a comfortable style. But ya, I'm a dress and heels girl through and through.

If you could give your 13 year old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

• Twofold. {A} Going back to my flaw of impatience, I would tell myself that everything will fall into place. {B} Also I would tell myself that I would find my style and personality and I would love it, so don't waste time trying to live up to everyone else's expectations and opinions.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

• I had to go count and the final tally is . . . 31!!! Wow, I didn't even know it was that many. That's a lot. Yikes.

11 Questions for My Nominees

1. What did you get for Christmas this year?
2. If you could instantly pack up and move somewhere tomorrow, where would that be?
3. Candy or Chocolate?
4. What is your favourite song as of right now?
5. Which reality TV show would you go on? And why?
6. Do you think Prince William & Kate's baby is a boy or a girl?
7. Where were you five years ago at this time?
8. Where do you want to be five years from now?
9. What is the last thing you pinned on Pinterest?
10. How long have you been blogging?
11. What is your life motto?

My Nominees

a Secondary Heartbeat
Cattails, Rabbit Trails, and Thistlefish
Create Hope Inspire
Gingersnap

iisabellaanne

Life of a Pint-Sized Mama
Look.Feel.Be

She Said He Said
The Inspired Rose
{beauty in humble places}

*~Not All Who Wander Are Lost~*

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5 from 500

I cannot believe this day is here. Who would have thought two years ago when I sat down and decided to write a review on a favourite movie that I would be sitting here writing my . . . wait for it . . . FIVE HUNDREDTH POST!!!!!!

That's right. Welcome to my halway-to-1,000 blogpost. I think I am more excited about this number than I was about my two year anniversary. I am so thankful for this blog that I cannot even begin to put it into words. So in the spirit of American Thanksgiving, here are five things out of the five hundred that I am so very grateful for.

{1}  I feel as if I've grown in my hobby with photography. Still not to the point where I would call myself a photographer, but I definitely know more and view it in a different light. I'm grateful for this.

{2} I'm grateful for how creative and crafty and "DIY"y {made-up-word-alert} I've become. This was definitely an inner hobby waiting to come out.

 

{3} I am grateful for all the personal growth I've experienced. Having a blog really forces you to find out who you are and what your likes and dislikes are. This is one of the best rewards of blogging.

 

{4} What an amazing community! Every blogger will tell you that when you begin blogging, you are so unaware of the amazing friendships you'll form and people you'll meet {virtually, of course}. I have been blessed numerous times by the many other bloggers out there.

{5} The biggest thing I'm grateful is my growth in the Lord. I feel like professing your faith in a virtual way is a form of accountability. Maybe I don't write about my faith as often as I should, but I feel as if it influences every aspect of blogging. I am so thankful to the Lord for the last 500 posts!

 

Thanks for sticking with me through all the crazy and adventure! Here's to 500 more!

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Six Things Saturday

1. I took this picture when I took the pictures for my blog header, and I just really liked it. Hence, I'm sharing it with you :)
2. I ROCKED my final exam for 390. Now, if only I can pass my practical exam {OSCE} on Monday, I will be on to bigger and better things!
3. My sister is in Columbia! Yep. Can you believe it?
4. I have never seen Home Alone, Top Gun, or Forest Gump in their entirety. 
5. First snowfall of the season. Cra-azy!
6. I have been obsessed with trays lately. You know, like the ones you put stuff on to transfer from room to room. Or the decorative ones. Either way, here are some Pinterest finds.

Christmas wishlist maybe?
Check out my Pinterest profile here.

Happy Saturday!

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Awkward & Awesome Thursday

I don't always do this feature {via Sydney from the daybook}, but every odd Thursday, I like to pull it out and tell you what is awkward and awesome about my life :)

Awkward:

• Walking in those bad boys at Flaxee's wedding.
• At same wedding, changing into my dress in the backseat of a vehicle and frantically looking around to make sure no one is coming by. 
• Thinking I had locked the door at a Grassland's bathroom when really I hadn't. "Oh, hello, Jocelyn. Nice that we got that close this soon."
• Getting told by the Air Canada representative at the airport that I was going to lose my seat on the airplane. Um what??? First time hearing that, EVER!
• Being asked to remove my hat at airport security. "Ok, security guard, I will comply, but you run the risk of viewing the world's greasiest, dirtiest, unkept, knotted hair . . ."
• Getting asked by five different Chapters' employees if I needed help, which I didn't at the time. You think I could find one of them when I had a question????
• Rainy/Windy weather equals Silver-walking-to-school-while-umbrella-blows-inside-out . . . why even carry an umbrella at this point????

Awesome:

• In Red Deer, we had the friendliest McDonald's drive-thru attendant. All of us in the vehicle were quite appreciative {and blessed}.
• Um, . . . Flaxee's wedding :)
• Hanging out with Tim at Flaxee's wedding.
• Great school & tutoring sessions so far. So far, third year is rocking!
• My rental SUV, Stephan. He was awesome.
• Pumpkin spice lattes.
• New music: Some Nights by fun. and 50 Ways To Say Goodbye by Train.
• Seventeen more days until the season premiere of ONCE UPON A TIME {check out the promo below}!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Dear World . . .

Here are my thoughts on this end-of-summer-Saturday-morning . . .

• I miss posting on my blog everyday. Yes, yes I do. I thought I would be relieved and thankful for the break, but really it just makes me feel like I am forgetting to do something. I'm not sure what the remedy to the situation is.
• I have been spending a lot of time thinking about the past. Maybe it's because of our whole family being together again for the past two weeks. Or maybe it's because I saw Mr. R.'s memorial video. Either way, many memories have resurfaced over the past couple of days.
• People ask me if I'm excited to go back to school, and I don't know how to reply. It's not that I'm not excited, but I wouldn't say I'm excited . . . Help?
• Everyone needs to listen to Come to Me by The Loft Sessions. We did it at The Experience last night. When I listen to it, I think of the words "violent love". Does that make sense? I know it's an oxymoron, but no other word describes the passion with which the song is sung.
• I feel like this year is a game-changer. And I'm not even sure what that means.
• The house is very quiet now. I enjoy the quiet, and I enjoy the full house. So which do I prefer? I have no sweet clue.
• Have you watched The Hunger Games yet? Because I did. And convinced Dad to watch as well. Still slightly obsessed with the movie. Once my DVD copy comes in the mail from Amazon I'll be watching it again. How many days until Catching Fire?
• So in the past few months of swimming lessons, I have {a} been kicked in the eye, {b} gotten serenaded by a 3 year old singing Big Green Tractor, {c} been bitten in the shoulder, {d} been asked where my bed is by a 3 year old {she thought I slept at the pool}, and {d} received four hand-drawn pictures. Verdict: A successful summer of teaching :)

No. 349 - Currently

This picture is me imitating the skin care products commercials where the girls splash all this water over their face. Kudos to Pinterest for figuring out that that would get the bathroom all wet. Kudos to Chantelle for taking the picture :) Kudos to much love, illy for the blog idea :) Lots of kudos today.

obsessing over// DIYs and crafts and creativity and trying to figure out how I am going to let all my creative juices out once school starts up again. One month and a bit, people. Eeeeeek.

working on// Still trying to get a move on Sociology . . . wait . . . wasn't that my answer last time I did one of these blogs. Yep, yep, it was. Says a lot :P

thinking about// Something really weird and different happened to me at work a couple days ago. It's been weighing heavily on my heart because it was hurtful and surprising all at the same time. Lots of prayer has happened. 

listening to// Recent music purchases include the album Lungs by Florence + The Machines, Yellow by Coldplay, Wide Awake by Katy Perry, Dark Side by Kelly Clarkson, and At Your Name (Yahweh, Yahweh) by Tim Hughes.

watching// LOST! Wooohooo, my re-watch journey has successfully begun and I am loving it. Expect some sort of post in the future.

eating lots of// Food from the cafeteria at work. Why can't I just pack lunches? Or if I do, why can't I just eat them? Oh the puzzlement of life . . .

wishing//  For the opportunity to travel. I have been longing to go somewhere lately and have been scrounging websites for package and flight deals. However, I have this feeling it isn't meant to be.

Now, ya know :)

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No. 333 - Four Things Spiderman

 

So, if you haven't seen the newest {and bestest} Spiderman yet, no apologies for the spoilers. It's been out for over a week, and it's amazing. Go see it! Here are four things that make it awesome.

1.  Andrew Garfield & Emma Stone {technically that's two, but together, they are awesome}
2. It is a lot more believable than the first three.
3. I felt like the first three were always SO slow moving. This one sucked you in from the get go.
4. Some of the storylines were the same, but they redid them so much better and added new parts and scenarios.

I didn't give away too much, just go see it!

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No. 325 - 5 Things Canada

 

Here are five reasons why I am thankful for Canada.

1. Um, it's absolutely beautiful, and there is scenery for everybody. Mountains. Flatland. Rain. Snow. Shine. Lakes. Rivers. I love my country.
2. Free health care. I know, I know. With free health care, quality goes down and waiting time goes up. However, my personal opinion is that I would choose free health care over alternatives any day.
3. We are known for our multiculturalism. In fact, I would risk to say that that is one of the foundational ideologies of Canada.
4.  We have awesome affiliations. Shout out to England & Australia!
5. We are such a prosperous and rich country. How blessed am I to have grown up and spent the majority of my life in such an environment.

Now get out there, enjoy the festivities, and Happy Canada Day!

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No. 309 - Currently

First, the photo of the day is a snail-mail letter from Bella!

Second, I saw this idea on much love, illy and knew I had to do it!

reading / / I have three books on my "To Read" line up: Divergent by Veronica Roth {the word is if you liked The Hunger Games, you'll like this book}, The Help by Kathryn Stockett {loved the movie, so I'll probably love the book}, and Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo {my coworker actually lent me this book, I have my suspicions but I'll still read it}.

watching / / Ok, don't judge me, but I'm really into Emily Maynard's season of The Bachelorette {don't worry, I already know that's judge-worthy}. Every season I say I won't watch, but I always get hooked. But if it would work for anyone, it would work for her because she asks all the right questions and sends home the drama. I hope she ends up with Jef.

anticipating / / Third year, believe it or not. I got my schedule in the mail yesterday, and I'm excited to go back to school.

laughing about / / A practical joke I am playing on a friend.

listening to / / My latest playlist includes Drive By by Train, The A Team by Ed Sheeran, We Found Love and California King Bed by Rihanna, Glad You Came by The Wanted, Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men, and I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz.

working on / / Well, can this be a "I'm supposed to be working on . . ." my online Sociology course from Athabasca. No motivation.

wishing / / For a good summer full of productivity and rest.

There you go, little fun update of my life.

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No. 283 - Six Things Sunday

1. Somehow between home, the library, and the pool, I lost the book in the picture above, which is really unfortunate because I wanted to see how it ended. My hope is that someone picked it up and realized it was a library book and returned it, so I don't get charged.
2. One of my favourite things to do on a rainy day is read. It's just so fitting.
3. I have been loving the "green" in Fort McMurray. It is just so sudden and vibrant. 
4. The DJ at the pool last night was good times. A mix of dubstep and club style with a few hits thrown in.
5. Happy May Long Weekend! This weekend brings back lots of memories of traditions back home such as the parade and inter-congregational church service at the Rec Centre.
6. This morning is a pancake morning. Yep, yep it is.

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No. 275 - Seven Things Saturday

1. I am not a big cat person. I would choose a dog any day over a cat.
2. I saw The Avengers twice this week.
3. Today is the pinning ceremony/convocation for the Keyano graduates, and I am picturing myself in two years.
4. The season 3 Vampire Diaries finale blew my mind. 
5. I had a lot of coffee yesterday - a large double double from Tim Hortons, a travel mug of home-brewed coffee, and a venti carmel macchiato from Starbucks.
6. Every girl needs her girlfriends. That is all.
7. I have a desire to go camping by myself for a weekend. Maybe I should invest in basic camping supplies?

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No. 242 - 9 Things Easter Monday

Today dawned bright and beautiful (although still a bit nippy outside). 

I just thought I'd update you on nine things in my life.

1. I made a beautiful smoothie (pictured above). I love healthy choices that taste delicious.
2. Yesterday, the Lord and I had a special moment at the Easter Sunday service. I am not going to share the specifics, but let's just say, He takes care of me like no other.
3. I am finally getting over the head cold/body aches/nauseousness that plagued me all weekend.
4. No OUAT last night makes me sad, but not enough to completely dampen my mood.
5. Today, I am busy doing my school assignment project. I am going into an elementary school next week to teach about healthy snacking, so I'm busy researching the Canada Food Guide and Grade 2 Growth & Development.
6. Last week of my brother being 18. Yep.
7. Bella will be here this weekend. Yep.
8. Two more weeks of school. I can literally taste the freedom.
9. I got a summer job! More details to come in a separate post :)

Enjoy the day off!

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No. 212 - Six Things

Here are six awesome things this Saturday.

1.   Having my stethoscope in my purse results in all my friends listening to their heartbeats in            Earls at 11:00pm on a Friday night (picture above). Ya, we're crazy!

2.  I don't think I have Seasonal Affective Disorder, but let me tell you, when the sun comes out, I         am happy, happy, happy. The weather has been gorgeous!

3.  The following conversation:

            Dad: Silver, I've noticed a difference in you since Isaac has been here.

            Silver: I'm more immature???

            Dad: Ya, that's it.

            It's SO true!

4.  Having the whole weekend off to do homework and just relax. (Now, I know many of you               might never use the words homework and relax in the same sentence, but I get stressed out           when I don't have enough time to catch up on my homework. Hence, completing my                         homework is relaxing. Yep . . . )

5.  Having my brother pray for me. Best thing in the whole world.

6.  Having a friend pray for and reaffirm me when I was at a low spot. You know who you are              and how much I appreciate you!

Happy Weekend ☺

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No. 199 - 5 Things

5 Things I'm Happy About Today

1. The sunny weather on this Sunday afternoon.
2. Pastor Glen's sermon on The Marriage Covenant at church this morning.
3. Going to Kaos 91.1's skate at Mac Island.
4. Hanging out with Flaxee and having awesome heart-to-hearts (picture above).
5. My brother will be here in T-minus 25 1/2 hours.

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