apply for graduation: check!

Well, I did it! Today I applied for graduation. April 2014 will mark the end of my undergraduate chapter and my post-graduate self will starting a brand new chapter in a new city! I'm beyond excited after my 5-year journey and at the same time a little nostalgic. No more University life. I only have seven months left and that's it. It all seemed to go by so quickly and yet it seems so long ago that I started my undergraduate journey. I think I'm ready to graduate though, I'm at a good place in life - kinda sick of school, but still trying to enjoy the beauty of campus. 

life passes so quickly; the days are long but the years are short - write it down.

it's not the critic who counts.

Today I finished Brené Brown's latest book, Daring Greatly. What an unbelievable read. I just got lost in the book over and over again. Needless to say, I'm now blogging about it instead of doing my tax homework. Shame on me! Interesting that I would use the word "shame", for Brene Brown is a shame and vulnerability researcher - did you even know those existed? 

I've read one of her other books, The Gift of Imperfections and loved it. I've also watched her TED talks (boy would I love to attend a conference) and again loved it. I have to say I really enjoy Brené Brown's work and I can't wait to read the next book of hers I have waiting for me at the library.

I would recommend her books to anyone and everyone. I know they sound kinda silly and full of "self-help" but seriously you guys, they are great. As "silly" as it sounds I've learned so much about myself - we're all in a tough battle, why not open one of these books if not to understand other better?

Brené ended the book with a quote by Theodore Roosevelt that really resonated with me, remember... 

it's not the critic who counts. 

home is where my heart is: wooden decor.

Well this is long and over due and frankly it's actually kind of embarrassing. Well over a year ago Andrew and I were in Canmore. We stayed at a condo unit which had an item in it that I desired.

I called up (texted) someone I knew who I believed could help me with my predicament.

& Voila!

A year later we had picked out stain, and this summer we finally got around to staining the dang thing.

Now with the combines efforts of our friends (Keegan and Steven) it is hanging up where it belongs.

<3

home is where my heart is: my travel gallery wall.

You saw the list I posted yesterday. An attempt to work on our home and make it into a beautiful place we love coming home to. I love to travel, so perhaps this one was more for me than it was for him. 

I've taken my favorite pictures that I've taken and printed them out with iPhoto. I then wandered into Walmart and found $5 frames I liked (simple black).

So that's the start of my travel gallery wall. I still have pictures to print from Hawaii and Seattle so stay tuned! 

home is where my heart is.

I would say that in the past year or so I haven't really payed much attention to making the condo, well a home. A home is something you enjoy coming well home to. Don't get me wrong, I love living downtown, it's close to everything and while I painted a few of the walls last fall we really haven't done much else. After being away in Calgary for 4 months and reading The Happiness Project by Gretchin Rubin I decided there is no time like the present to get going on making our home a place where we get the warm fuzzies. I'm putting my heart and soul into our home this year.

So naturally I made a list.

Fill our home with beautiful scents

Hang up the pictures

Clean the fridge

Hang up the wooden thing

Purchase curtains

Find new lights

Fix espresso maker

Hang up curtains 

Clean out the office 

Have more date nights

Find benches

Get a new toaster

Do something for Andrew 

Cull my wardrobe (again)

Stop procrastinating when it come to school

Get rid of all the clutter 

So far we've managed to cross a few things off the list and I plan to update you on the beauty of our home in an orderly fashion of posts.

Stay tuned! 

day zero.

It's kind of funny isn't it. 3 years ago I started my first Day Zero list and was able to complete it June 8th of this year (you can read about bits and pieces of it on my other blog) and I immediately started creating a second list. Then I kind of forgot about it, until today... my boyfriend and my three year anniversary. Funny hey? I started my first list the day we decided to start "dating". I put dating in quotations because we were really seeing each other well before it's just that we decided months later to celebrate on this day.

If you don't know about Day Zero you really should look into it. You set 101 goals to accomplish in 1001 days and looking back on how far you've come is eye-opening.

Anyways, I'm looking at my list and I've changed a couple things and I still have a few goals I want to update but I've decided I'm starting my second list today because well, why not?

I'll be tracking it on this page and updating you as I cross goals off my list.

I'm hoping by June 8th, 2013 I'll have accomplished a whole lot, have a degree under my belt and be healthy, wealthy and living the life of my dreams with the man of my dreams.

Here's a little peak:

Where do you see yourself in 1001 days?

three.

3 years ago today I started dating the love of my life. 

He's my best friend, my partner in crime, my everything.

Not a day goes by where I'm not thankful for the amazing man in my life.

Three years goes by pretty quick, 1095 days seems like a lot. 

It's not though, because I'm hoping we have at least another 80 or so years together.

The days are long, but the years are short.

Thank you Andrew for always being there to comfort me, listen to me, hold me, kiss me, love me and understand me. I don't know what I'd do without you. 

I love you.

j.e. + a.r. 

<3 

09.11.10