Real, Not Ideal

The amount of times I have changed my mind about what my favourites were over the course of the month is ridiculous. This was a month of work, work, work. As I mentioned, I have finally decided to get my life in order, but the rest of the month was all about swimming lessons. I ended up having a split shift where all I was doing was teaching. I'll admit that I am one of the only ones, but I prefer teaching over guarding any day. Everyone thinks I'm crazy. 1. La-Roche Posay Ultra-Fluid Lotion SPF 60 So I'm a lifeguard. I'm in the sun all day. And I HATE sunscreen. I hate the greasiness, and I hate the way it makes my skin breakout. However, this sunscreen for my face has changed the game. I got this stuff a couple years ago as a free sample in one of the small tester kits, and I was sold. I've been using it ever since, so the label is so worn out.This has a matte finish, and it feels so good. You only need a small amount to cover your whole face. And it works....

My sister is the most important person in my life. We have a weird relationship. I have grilled cheese every Friday. If we have lunch on a Friday, I’m expecting grilled cheese. If you make me watch a scary movie, you’ll have to sleep with me for a week, and the light will stay on. I hate the smell of oranges. If you offer me an orange, I’m probably going to ask you to peel it for me. I enjoy naps. It is my personal opinion that three naps a day is the perfect amount. I am pretty much an expert on cheese. I can identity types just by eating them. I have a happy vein. When I get over-excited, it pops out on my forehead. It takes a lot to get me truly angry. If I’m angry, you really screwed up. I was bullied by exclusion in elementary school. As a result, I often feel out of place in social groups. I’ve been blamed for issues in my household. I often feel guilty for no reason. I am direct, so I will never beat around the bush. I will call you out, and people don’...

This is a longer version of what I wrote two weeks ago.  As an update from then: I have cleaned my room. And that was today, so that barely counts. I had a spur of motivation today and took control. As my floor become more and more visible, I came to a realization: I'm an adult and I need to start acting like one. I have grown so much this past year , and it's about time that the rest of my life catches up. I'm moving to a new continent by myself in less than two months. Time to be an adult. I'm not going to bore you with my huge game plan to accomplish this. Just let me tell you how this will affect you.  The gateway to adulthood is ahead. This blog started as a way for me to put some creativity out there. Since then, I think I've lost that. I am more me than I've ever been, but this blog has not been a reflection of that. I'm not looking forward to writing anymore. It feels like a chore because nothing is truly original anymore. So things are about...

Here's my dessert plight: my family hates sweets. I know. I don't understand how I'm related to any of them. I adore desserts. The thing about this treat was that I made it for a work birthday party. And it was amazing. Everyone loved it. And just look at them. They are a thing of beauty. This is the second time I've made truffles, and there is one thing I don't understand: how on earth do the people who make these make them so perfect? Chef in Training nailed the look, and I really don't get it. If anyone has a tip to dipping truffles, let me know.       Ingredients:   - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1/2 cups sugar - 1 tsp. vanilla - 1 1/2 cups flour - 1/2 tsp. salt - 1 cup yellow cake mix - milk - sprinkles - white chocolate for dipping     1. Mix the butter, sugar, vanilla, flour, salt, and cake mix together.  2. Add as much milk is needed to mix everything together. 3. Mix until it reaches a stick...

I have a day missing. I cannot, for the life of me, remember what I did on Monday. I also went out for ice cream on Thursday with Marlee, but I completely forgot to take a picture. In hindsight, I probably could have used a picture from one of the other times I went out for ice cream. I've been doing that a lot recently. But what else is summer for?       (left to right)   1. On Monday, I met up my best friend Julia for our classic date: Starbucks and Indigo. We hadn't seen each other for a while and had a lot to catch up on. We had coffee first and wandered around Indigo for a while. I went in with the mission to get Mamrie Hart's  book. I came out with a new journal specifically for England and new note cards. It was all necessary.   2. Summer is rough on the skin. I haven't been following my regular skin routine because I'm in the pool for about six hours a day. Because of the sun and chlorine and sunscreen, my skin has become so dry. ...

I have a confession. Organization/cleanliness is my worst trait. Why? Because I am neither organized nor clean. I can fake it very well. In my professional and scholarly lives, I pull everything off. I am always on time. The only time I ever handed essays in late was when I got mono. But the organization lacks in my social and personal life. I am always late for social engagements. I always say that time is my worst math. When I’m getting ready, I misjudge how long it will take to do so. My emails are constantly backed up. I often write blog posts the day of. And, as I look around at the disaster zone of my room, I have this awful feeling bubbling up in the pit of my stomach. I need to pull it together. I love the idea of organization. Sometimes, I’ll find a new technique, and I’ll stick to it for a week or so, but sooner or later, it all falls apart again. I could not tell you how many times I’ve had moments of inspiration and watching it all crumble around. However, I love the i...

Apologies for a day late post. Yesterday was crazy, and I was running around all day. You'll hear about it next week. I started work this past week, and I am just feeling tired. I'm doing early mornings (early by my definition), and I have a split shift, and I'm still trying to get out and do things, so my body needs a sleep break. (moving left to right, top then bottom) 1. There have been so many festivities surrounding my sister's graduation. This is the last one, I swear! Last Saturday, we had a tea party and gave her the presents. She's going into kinesiology this coming fall, and a friend of mine suggested that I buy her a textbook or a book about bones for her. It was great idea, and she absolutely loved it! 2. Sunday night was my Aunt's last night with us. We decided to have a movie night, so we set up downstairs with chips and popcorn and Root Beer. We watched Julie and Julia which is an awesome feel good movie. 3. I started work on Monday. I ...

Bad quality photos alert. Someone (who may or may not be me) forgot that this was the last day of the month. So I rushed to get some pictures done. Forgive me. I can describe this past month in one word: busy. Weekdays were dedicated to promo team, and weekends were dedicated to recertifications for lifeguarding. I have been unable to sleep in for a few weeks, and I am feeling it in my bones. However, it has been a rewarding month. Promo team is one of my favourite parts to my job. So let's see some other favourites. 1. Microsoft Surface 2 I have my computer back. Due to an unfortunate dropping (it wasn't me for once), I have not had this since my birthday. I love the Surface 2. I have found it very easy to use, and technology does not come easy to me. It has been extremely helpful for blogging, and all my setting are saved permanently. It has been brilliant. Since having it back, I have been more productive with it. 2. Coffee As I said, I have been busy. On top...