When Was The Last Time You Dreamed?

Lately, a recurrent theme has been happening in my life . . . dreaming. Whether it's goals. Whether it's the future. Whether it's practical things in the present. I've been thinking about dreams, wishes, hopes, call it what you may. Then I think . . . 

Do I live as a dreamer?

Do I dream for my family? For my future? For my life? For my faith? We all dream what we want to be when we grow up. What about if we dreamed even though we are already grown up? 

Dreams and desires are a strange thing. Some say you only need to believe for it to be true. Some say not to be unrealistic. I say, find out what your dream is and what it looks like, and then do it. No excuses. No procrastination. Live your dream. Live today. Dream.

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Don't forget about the transition from Google Reader to Bloglovin'.

This is effective July 1st, so don't forget to follow A Silver Snapshot here.

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I Just Want To Do Everything . . .

Have you ever got a case of the I-just-want-to-try-everything-under-the-sun??? Because I've got a serious epidemic going on in my head right now. I feel like it is the pre-spring funk if you will, because nothing is really happening, but everything is about to begin. So want to hear about a few of the life choices I want to embrace? 

I want to be a Grade 6 teacher. Not even joking. I did some work with Grade 6's for my nursing community placement. I turned to the person I was working with and said, "It wouldn't take me that long to get my teaching degree after four years of nursing, right??" What am I thinking? I don't want to go back to school.

I want to be a performer. Whether that be putting on stellar concert performance on the piano, playing in an orchestra, or acting on stage, I have a performing arts itch. Not entirely sure where it came from.

I want to be a traveller. Seriously. I just want to buy a hiking backpack, pack up the necessities, and hit the road {preferably a European road}. I want to meet lots of people, take lots of pictures, and fill journals full of adventures.

I want to be an office assistant. I know, I know. Dream big. It's just been a lot of fun doing administrative stuff for my community placement, and come on, this girl loves organization and sticky notes.

I want to be a full-time blogger/crafter. Wouldn't that be the most amazing life ever? Get paid to create beautiful things and then share them with the world? Oh A Silver Snapshot, what I could do with you!

Those are just a few of the big ones. Some other ones that have crossed my mind include yoga instructor, piano teacher, and fashion designer.

However, despite writing all these ideas down, I know I am pursuing the thing in life I am meant to be, a nurse :)

What about you? Have you ever wanted to be something other than what you are?

Happy Wednesday!

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Current State of Mind

loving // So many things! Clinical. Friendships. Hockey. Yoga. Work {yes, I said it}. This past month {so this past year} has been off to good start, and if every month is as good, then I think I'm set for a great year!

watching // Well, now that Once Upon A Time is on hiatus, I've had to find other TV to occupy my time {although there hasn't been much free time to do that}. It's no secret that I've been keeping up with the Vancouver Canucks {boo to the shoot-out loss last night}. I saw Hansel and Gretel in theatres this past weekend. And to everyone who is just catching up with Downton Abbey {I watched it online when it came out in the UK}, how do you feel now after the "Sybil" episode!?!?!?

wishing // That eating healthy and exercising wasn't so hard to coordinate. I realized that I need a routine in order to get my health in order, but the difficult part is my life is so void of routine due to the school schedule {I know, excuses, excuses}. 

eating // On that note, I went grocery shopping for chicken and penne over the weekend, and now am anxious to try out a good cheese sauce. Yet another area of my life I wish had more forethought {oh the ever looming meal planning}.

reading // My first choice for my 100 Books reading challenge was the Harry Potter series. I'm excited to read all seven books again! Another series I'll be rereading before November will be The Hunger Games. There are some books that deserve to be read over and over and over.

looking forward to // Reading week. I get to go on a mini-vacation, and just spend time not studying or getting up early. Plus after reading week, I will only have a total of 7 weeks left of third year! Booyah!

kudos to much love, illy for the idea

Happy Tuesday!

P.S. I can't wait for everyone to see what is happening here on the blog on Thursday! Make sure to clear your schedule cause it's exciting stuff!

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#oneword {twenty13}

Grab a nice hot cup of coffee {or tea if that is your preferences}, and join me in discussing twenty13. This idea first popped up over at beauty in humble places, but since then I've seen it several times over the bloggy and interwebs world. The idea is to pick one word to encompass your goals and resolutions for twenty13. I had to ponder and research this for a bit, but I settled on a word that I believe matches my current aspirations.

• to bring to a fine or pure state; free from impurities
• to purify from what is coarse, vulgar, or debasing; make elegant or cultured
• to become pure
• "I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.' Zechariah 13:9b."

Why refine?

Because it is transforming from our human state of thinking and acting, into a Christ-like state. 

Because it is denying our cross and taking His.

Because it is becoming who we are truly meant to be.

When I went to Pinterest for some visual inspiration, I ended up looking at a lot of pictures of ballerinas {bear with me}. To perform ballet is to train your body to do something that is not easy or natural. It takes dedication and time. The same could be said for Christianity. It is not within our human nature to be unselfish, but through training and practice, we can be refined.

{see the entire twenty13 board here}

There it is then. So simple and yet so weighty. In twenty13, I resolve to be . . . refined.

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Dressember 2012

The project: Dressember 2012
The mission: Only dresses for 31 days
The rules: Repeats allowed
The collection: 34 {yes, 34} dresses
The reason: I love dresses and . . . why not?

So I have decided {very last minute, I might add} to participate in Dressember 2012. Am I crazy? Probably. I live in average -25 degrees Celsius weather. I walk a lot to my destination due to a lack of a vehicle. Am I excited and inspired? Absolutely! Those who know me know my love of dresses, and I've been itching for another A Silver Snapshot challenge {I'm all about the challenges}.

Now, I have a total of 34 dresses belonging to my name. This is an assortment of summer dresses, winter dresses, party dresses, short and long dresses, and handmade dresses. Some might say that is a lot, while others would disagree. Either way, this is the starting lot for this challenge.

I am going back to blogging every day, because I will photographing and documenting each of the 31 dress days :). However, fear not, this will not be the only content during this month. Other regular {or irregular, who knows} blog posts will either be in an additional post or combined. 

Furthermore, I'll put some of these pictures on my Instagram asilversnapshot.

Finally, here are ways to particpate . . .

1. Suggest different outfit combinations or specific dresses for certain days.

2. Donate/Lend me dresses {I'm looking at my girlfriends who are approximately the same size as me}.

3. Leave your link in the comments if you are participating in Dressember!

Yay, exciting!

See you tomorrow with the first installment.

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1,000 Things

Awhile ago, I mentioned in an update blog post that a new feature coming to A Silver Snapshot would be the 1,000 Things To Be Thankful For Challenge. Well, I am happy to announce that this challenge is underway, and I am loving it {kudos to Michaela Noelle Designs for the idea}.

This challenge is based out of the verse 1 Thessalonians 5:18. 

" . . . give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

The Lord has really been challenging me lately on topics such as positivity, thankfulness, and contentedness. So look for random updates on this challenge in the future!

So if you noticed, #15 talks about Erin's blog Sweetness Itself. This girl is absolutely amazing, and I have found quite a friend and inspiration through the blogging world. She does weekly blog posts about things to be thankful for and last week I sent her a picture of my list. Check out the blog post!

What are you thankful for today?

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No. 365 - All Good Things Must Come To An End

Three hundred and sixty-five photos - Check

Photography experience - Check

Many documented memories - Check

Life experience - Priceless

And just like that, here are my last pictures in the 365 Photo A Day Challenge. Since my first picture was on the running track, I thought it only fitting to come full circle and do my last picture there as well. 

It's symbolic, isn't it? One year ago, the track represented the start of a new challenge. Now, one year later, the track represents a new journey. I am sorry, but I am getting all philosophical and emotional over this. Tomorrow will be a lengthy explanation for the future, but for right now, let's just enjoy day 365 of the photo challenge :)

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No. 355 - Climb Every Mountain

Alright, so my friend took me rock climbing over the weekend . . .

As some of you may remember, #2 on my 23 Before 24 Bucket List was to go rock climbing.

So yes, I can cross that off my list.

And yes, I was not very good . . . at all.
And that's putting it lightly.

Thanks to Justin for putting up with me and my lack of sports makeup/natural talent.

And to answer your question, yes, I would like to try again.

P.S. 10 more pictures left in my 365 Photo A Day Challenge!!

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No. 341 - Unwritten

I have been focusing a lot lately on . . . well . . . YOLO a lot lately {for those of you not familiar with that acronym, it stands for "You Only Live Once", and it has semi-blown up around the world}. 

I just want to embrace life.

I want to look back and know that I gave everything 100%.

I want to purse love and relationships like there is no tomorrow.

I want to live and not just survive.

I want to have a beautiful story.

This song is my inspiration.

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No. 322 - 23 Before 24

So, happy birthday to me. I am twenty-three years old today, which is weird because I feel as if I haven't got the chance to be twenty-two. However, I have a solution to this, and it's the "23 Before 24" challenge. Basically, it's a mini-bucket list of 23 things to complete before I turn 24. Ready? Here they are.

1. Take a dance class {I don't care what type of dance, but just some type of dance}.
2. Go rock climbing {Probably indoor, I don't know of any outdoor opportunities around here}.
3. Wear a classy hat {Think Prince William & Kate's wedding}.
4. Drive the ice road to Fort Chip {Because it's something you should experience in Fort Mac}.
5. Dye my hair red {Long time coming}.
6. Get a piercing {Sorry, no more details}.
7. Eat macaroons {I just need to do it . . . somehow}.
8. Use chalkboard paint {Preferably to make a chalkboard}.
9. Learn a new classical piece on the piano {I have a whole book of Beethoven that I never play}.
10. Send out Christmas cards snail-mail style {Because I love the tradition}.
11. Go snowboarding {I need to get over the "you can only snowboard in BC" attitude}.
12. Co-host a radio show {I have friends in radio . . . you know who you are}.
13. Go to a dance {I don't know where or how, but something other than a wedding or club}.
14. Learn how to change a tire {I just want to be that girl}.
15. Learn how to hang stuff on walls {I seriously have an issue with getting things straight}.
16. Go horseback riding {Because it's been awhile}. 
17. Wear dresses whenever I can {Some girls are addicted to shoes or bags, mine is dresses}.
18. Go golfing {I feel like it's a sport I need to learn}.
19. Go to the Oil Sands Discovery Centre {Just cause it's there}.
20. Buy myself fresh flowers whenever I can afford it {Or whenever people buy them for me}.
21.  Watch all 6 seasons of LOST again {Long overdue, but a year should be a good enough timeline}.
22. Go somewhere outside of Canada {I don't care where}.
23. Be myself {Cheesy, I know, but it's easier said than done}.

 You can be sure all 23 of these things will be photographed and documented!
Happy Birthday :)

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No 276 - Bible In A Year

Well, I did it! I read through the Bible in one year.

On May 9th, 2011, I printed off a weekly Bible reading chart that split the Bible into seven sections - Gospels, Law, History, Psalms, Poetry, Prophecy, and Epistles. So one year later, I finished. It's a crazy, cool feeling. I guess it just shows that if you just start doing something, a year will be over before you know it.

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No. 265 - What's Staying, What's Going, & What's New

Check out the post number . . . 265 photos, which means I only have 100 photos left in my 365-photo-a-day-challenge. Exciting! During this process, my blog has grown and changed so much that I can hardly recognize it from the beginning of the challenge (it used to be all brown . . . yuck). This process has been so rewarding, challenging, inspiring, and life-changing. However as the final countdown is near, I have begun to look to what this blog will look like in the future. I have tried to break it down into three categories . . . 

{1} What's Staying, {2} What's Going, and {3} What's New. 

What's Staying

• College Girl's Fashion Project - This is definitely staying, however, there are some alterations being made. I want to expand this project to include just regular style posts and not necessarily sewing alterations. I think I have a quirky sense of style, so I figured why not share . . . ? We'll see. 
• Awesome/Awkward Thursday - This is not a weekly thing (or biweekly thing for that matter). However, whenever I get around to doing it, it is a bundle of fun! However, I may also be expanding it to a bigger playing field. Details still not fully figured out. 
• Once Upon A Time Reviews - Haha, I don't actually know if this is an appreciated portion of my blog, but I enjoy writing them and the TV show. So let the reviewing continue.
• Original Photography - One thing I want to continue on this blog is original photography. I do not want to resort to Internet photos for blog posts and will try to include one original photograph per blog post (key word: try). 

What's Going

• 365 Photo Challenge - Obviously, IT'S DONE!
• Post Frequency - Here will be the big difference. For a whole year, I have posted EVERY SINGLE DAY, 7 days a week, 52 weeks. While that's been awesome in itself, I definitely will be cutting down on my blogging frequency (at least, I assume that's how it will be). I described it this way to a friend. Right now, out of the seven posts a week, I think maybe three or four of them are really, really good, and the others are just mediocre. My goal in the future is three to four quality posts per week.

What's New

• Bible Study - I would like to blog about my faith on a more regular basis. I know I post about devotional thoughts or verses already, and although the details are not fully worked out. I think it would be cool to have a weekly or biweekly post either about a Bible verse or a devotional topic or something. Look to see that coming!
• 1000 Things I'm Thankful For - Now that the 365 photo challenge is finished, I am starting a new challenge. Although this one will not solely be on my blog, I will definitely share the effects of it throughout. Keep your eyes peeled for more details as well. 
• I would like to expand my blog more. I don't know whether that is linky parties or giveaways or guest blogging or what. However, I have been praying a lot about what my blog is to me and what it's reason is. Again, more on this in the future.
• 30 Items for 30 Days Challenge - As you can tell, I'm all about the challenges. Sometime I would like to pick 30 clothing items from my closet and where only them for thirty days. We'll see how that will all unfold.
• Smaller Photography Challenges - Whether that's a monthly thing or a topic thing. However, nothing near as big as 365 photos. That was really a big thing to bite off.
• 23 Before 24 Challenge - Look for more details around my birthday . . .

So that is a rough idea of what is to come,

and now let's settle in for the homestretch of the 365-day-photo-challenge!

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No. 251 - If I Had One Million Dollars . . .

So when you are in college, you definitely have smaller options in terms of money. Although this post is by no means a complaint or dissatisfaction with my lifestyle, I thought it would be fun to say what I would do if I had $1,000,000 dollars. 

• Give a sufficient amount to Dad for all the "rent" I never paid over the last few years. 
• Budget out whatever amount I need to complete school, including uniforms, books, and supplies.
• Support sister at YWAM.
• Put some in savings or stocks or whatever . . .

Now onto some fun stuff,

• Buy a loft apartment. With big floor-to-ceiling windows. With no walls except for the bathroom. With a big bed right in the middle. With creative decorations and a cozy atmosphere.
• Buy a car. I'm thinking either a VW Golf or a Toyota Highlander SUV. 
• Either go travelling right away or put some money into a someday-I-will-see-Europe fund.
• Open up a business in Fort McMurray. Thrift store with cute clothing and accessory options on the left with a coffee/tea house on the right.
• Invest in a huge craft room with tons of neat little supplies and then host craft parties/tutorials.

Haha, so yes, this is what I think about when I am supposed to be studying for my last final.
So here is what I am actually doing this morning.

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No. 237 - Fifteen Days

April 20th feels so close, and yet SO FAR AWAY! Only fifteen more days until (A) I am done my second year of school and (B) I am halfway done my nursing program. Here are some things I am looking forward to after April 20th!

• SOCIAL TIME! I just want to hang out with people without the looming threat of homework and assignments over my head. So excited to go to church on Sunday morning and then hang out with people all afternoon.
• CRAFT TIME! Lots of time for creativity! Prepare for sewing and scrapbooking and DIYs!
• WORK TIME! I am looking forward to making some money, not gonna lie.
• SUMMER TIME! Bring on the beautiful, warm weather. 
• SLEEP TIME! No more 5 AMers. (With my luck, I'll get a job that will require me to be there at 5, haha). 
• DOWN TIME! With no guilt.
• I guess the point that I'm trying to get across is I feel as if I'll have a lot more time to do things not related to school. Yay!

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Are you ready to go back to Titanic? 100 years.

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No. 144 - New Years Resolutions

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,

streams of living water will flow from within him."

John 7:38

This morning, resolutions, hopes, and goals are on my mind, as is descriptive of everyone. I have done a lot of thinking recently regarding the whole "resolution" habit and have come to some conclusions. In Celebration of Disciplines: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster, he states, "Our ordinary method of dealing with ingrained [habits] is to launch a full frontal attack. We rely on our willpower and determination." He then goes on to propose, "When we despair of gaining inner transformation through human powers of will and determination, we are open to a wonderful new realization: inner righteousness is a gift from God to be graciously received." Now if it is true that outer change is reflective of inner transformation, then could the solution to our resolutions be the old cliche of "let go and let God"? 

I have many resolutions this year, but the interesting thing is that I am sensing a pattern from January 1st to January 1st. Usually I have five consistent ones such as getting closer to God, losing weight/being healthy, cultivating deeper friendships, managing my time more appropriately, and doing better in school. Have I succeeded? Maybe. Maybe not. Therefore this January 1st, 2012, I have one resolution based on past attempts and this aforementioned thinking. I resolve,

"To be where God wants me to be in every situation, thought, action, and word, 

and therefore, let Him resolve me."

Consequently, I found the verse mentioned above in my devotions this morning, which spoke so perfectly to my life at this moment. I need streams of life flowing so desperately, but in order to see that, I need to believe! It's a two way street. I so much desire to see that life in my journey through 2012, but I have a role to play as well. 

Well, now that I have preached a Sunday morning sermon, I do have some fun goals (not necessarily resolutions) for 2012 that I hope will happen. 

• Take more pre-planned photoshoots for fun (Portrait, Couple, Baby, whatever . . .).
• Participate in a flash mob (Haha, this has been floating around for awhile).
• Go camping (Something I did not do once in 2011).
• Own cowboy boots (Fashion craving)
• See all 4 Keyano plays (I know the first two are Chicago and The Farnsworth Invention)
• Find new fashion in my existing closet (See my thoughts on the subject here)
• Be more proactive about Christmas presents (In other words, use the other 11 months of the year to plan for this holiday).
• Raise my GPA by 0.1 each semester.
• Get into scrapbooking.

There you have it. Happy New Years 2012!

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No. 135 - To Do List (before I die)

I was cleaning out my room today, and I found this bucket list. I think I originally started this when I was 16, and it's grown and been added to since then. Right now, there are 67 entries on my list. Some of them I have accomplished (22), while some are still out there for the taking (45). Some of them are ridiculous such as have bodyguards for a day, learn to skateboard (not happening), and drive a motorbike. Some are ambitious such as meet someone royal, walk a red carpet, and go to Africa. Some are romantic such as get married or be a grandmother. Some have been completed such as dye my hair with blue streaks, see "The Phantom of the Opera", rescue somebody, and be the voice of an animated character (haha). Anyways, just a nice bit of nostalgia for the day.

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Change The World

Last night, my sister told me about a friend of hers. She told me vague details but enough about this girl to draw the conclusion that her friend had had a hard and abusive life. She told me that she slept on the streets most nights, and she was currently couch hopping not knowing where she would end up each night. She told me that if this girl had $200 in her wallet, she wouldn't hesitate to give it to the broken, homeless man crying on the street side.

Through all of that, Crystal said the thing that stayed with her the most about this girl was how happy she was. How happy she was. I don't pretend to understand it, but I wish that I could.

Crystal then proceeded to tell me this girl's motto for life. Her friend said, "I want to change the world - one person at a time."

On A Mission

Here is my quarterly summer update.

I only have one and a half more months to go before it's time to get back to the books. Although I am excited to get into my second year of nursing, I need to slow down and smell the roses in Summer 2011.

Lately, I feel like I've been getting in my own way regarding my summer plans. I tend to have the tendency to not do anything at all if I can't do it absolutely perfect. What is that? Just cause I can't be at a person's side 24/7, doesn't mean I shouldn't attempt making new friends. Where is the logic in that?

I want to spend my time on things where it doesn't matter what the outcome is. Or just stop treating life like a project all together. Life isn't a project; it's an experience. Someday, it will be a distant memory. So right now, I'm gonna stop striving for the perfect life. I'm on a mission to have a full life.

On the  lululemon bag, there is a quote: "Do one thing a day that scares you." Not a bad motto to have. Well, I'm gonna personalize that.

"Do one thing a day that grows you"

Summer 2011

This summer is going to be good.

I'm going to work hard but relax as well.

I want to develop the friendships I have and meet new people.

I am excited for Shawnas wedding and traveling with Chantelle and Tiffany!

I am excited for hobbies I didn't have time for in the school year (reading, writing, sewing, baking, photography, etc).

I am excited to grow as a person with God.

Bring on Summer 2011!

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