2011 is overrrr.

Okay so everyone keeps doing these awesome 2011 in review posts and I have to jump this bandwagon.

January: This was a good month. It had its low points for sure, but high points included seeing a flames game for my birthday, waking up at the crack of dawn to go wake up Cody in the morning because it was funny and I worked nights, and starting my job at the dance studio. I taught my first dance class this month. It was the best.

Flames vs Islanders

February: Welll folks this is when my best friend left. It was a weird month. To be honest, I don't really remember anything specific. Life just kept moving and I just tried my best to keep up. I worked a lot and cried a lot. I also finished my application for TSTC I'm pretty sure. Hard to say. Like I said.. Feb. was a blur.

Okay story time/confession time. The last weekend before Cody left, we decided we wanted to test drive a vehicle. So, in order to be believable, we bought a fake diamond ring from Walmart and pretended to be engaged and went to a car dealership. We almost bought a 2011 Toyota Corolla. It was a lovely day. This photo was taken on our way to the dealership.. Don't tell anyone okay =)

March: I quit my job at Subway this month and it was the best thing I did. =) I fell in love with my little dancers and it was so very rewarding. I applied for a summer job as well and at the end of March, I received my acceptance letter for TSTC-Harlingen in the mail. It was a bit of a relief to say the least. I also believe this is the month that I met Ryann. I can't believe it was that long ago. Crazy business. She came along just in time. =) My friend Dallin also left on his mission this month.

I'm super lame and didn't take any pics in March. This is one Cody sent me in March though from the Dominican Republic.

April: My sister Sheriann and her husband Chad took me to Florida with them. Amazing. I love Florida. We went to Harry Potter World and Disneyworld and jus had a grand old time. Cody also decided to go and turn twenty this month. He also finally made it to Puerto Rico.

Epcot Center - Orlando FL

May: I started my new summer job for Parks Canada and finished my job at the dance studio. The dance recital was great and my little dancers just made me ohsoproud. I started taking courses online for my program at TSTC. I guess you could say it was the start of semester 1/6. I also got to talk to Cody on the phone for mother's day. His family was just so sweet to invite me over.

Jodi's Dance Academy Recital - Bunnies (Tiny Tots Ballet)

June: Does anyone remember June? I don't. Oh wait. I went to the Magrath Ballet and am still inspired. Yeah, it was that good. I also got Lasik eye surgery. Best decision I ever made even though I had to wear creepy little sunglasses and I had creepy little red spots on my eyes for a month after.

Again. Super lame and didn't take any pictures this month so here is one Cody sent in June

July: My siblings came to visit this month but I was working all the time and it was so sad. My bedtime was at about 8:00pm every night. It was so depressing. I slept through the Canada Day fireworks too. Chronic Fatigue or something. Ryan left on his mission and left me on my lonesome for institute. Just kidding. I started enjoying work this month because I finally figured out what I was doing and made some friends.

Jennica and I at Cameron Falls in Waterton in our matchy Pat's sweaters

August: I finished all of my online courses and even passed. I finished my job, packed up my life, hopped on a plane and went to South Texas. Mexas actually. Yes, I moved right by the Mexican border. I moved in with Bailey and Becky and I started college{again}. I met Sarah Jo and Becca and Jordi and Matthew..my new family.

My roomies and myself getting water for the first time. It was monumental k?

September: I went to Schlitterbahn. I fell in love with Blue Bell. I started watching Grey's Anatomy again. I started learning how to clean teeth. I missed my family a tiny bit. I discovered the Forever 21 department store. I ate out too much. It was a good month.

After a day at Schlitterbahn in San Antonio

October:  I took midterms and didn't fail. I started feeling comfortable with my professors and with school. We made Canadian Thanksgiving dinner. I went to the beach with Sarah and Bailey and experienced red tide and sandcastle days. I volunteered at a Boys and Girls club. I also carved my first pumpkin and enjoyed it. We took candy and eggnog to the missionaries for Halloween.

Sarah Jo, Bailey and myself at South Padre

November: I saw Lady Antebellum and met Dave Haywood. I did all my Christmas shopping and became addicted to online shopping. I was robbed on Black Friday. I stil suntanned this month just because I could. I ate a million times too much for American thanksgiving and fell in love with pumpkin pie. I also went to the San Antonio temple and a YSA conference.. YSA is the same everywhere...

Just Bailey and I with Dave Haywood. No big deal. =)

December: I CAME HOME! I started crying all the time. I played with my siblings every day and I had the best christmas ever. I gotta talk to Cody again. Amber chopped my hair off. I got my wisdom teeth taken out. I went rock climbing and it was awesome. Basically I realized how lucky I am to have some an amazing family. I had such a great time with everyone.

Me plus sisters with matching Christmas pjs. =)

2011 was lovely, but I am definitely welcoming 2012 with open arms. =)

let it snow.

I sure feel happy that I am lucky enough to live in a place where I can enjoy a white Christmas.

I am just so happy..

Because Canada is so beautiful in the winter.

Because snow crunches beneath my boots again.

Because I actually have to wear boots.

Because I have to brush my car off in the morning.

Because I can see my breath.

Because I have to wear my ear muffs.

Because my cheeks get pink when I walk outside.

Because snow makes the night silent.

Because my fireplace is so cozy.

Because snowflakes catch on my eyelashes and it looks pretty in pictures.

Because I have to wear long sleeved shirts to bed.

Because I have to wear slippers around my house.

Because it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

source.

christmas gifts.

Today while I was waiting for church to start, I found my mind wandering. It has been doing that a lot. What am I saying. It always does that. Anyway, I started getting all caught up in my self pity and confusion and troubles in life, but then I glanced down to the church bulletin resting on my lap. This little gift was printed right in front of me. It made me smile, and I want to share.

Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
~Oren Arnold

Then I started thinking about new things. My fussing and pity seemed to sink to the back of my mind as I thought about these letters placed together on the page sending such a lovely message.
It's Christmas.

+

So.

To my enemy. Forgiveness.
 I can't exactly think of one particular person. But I do know that there are people that I have struggled to get along with in the past. People who have hurt me or done something that I don't agree with. I'm afraid I have a few grudges that I believe really should just disappear. I am going to do my best to find forgiveness. I know its possible if I stop dwelling on things that have happened in the past.

To my opponent. Tolerance.
To be honest, I don't have any particular opponents right now. Opposition? Yes. There is opposition in all things. So, dear opposition. Come as you may. I will tolerate you, because you exist. I will continue to exhibit a good attitude and do my best not to let the opposition to get the best of me.

To my friend. My heart.
My dear friends. Here is my heart. My heart is honest. My heart is full. It is forgiving. It is healing and growing. Here friend, my heart is yours. Take it. :)

To a customer.  Service.
I am not in any situation where I will be helping customers as I am currently unemployed, but I certainly do not mind giving service. There are opportunities to serve everywhere, inside and outside of the home. I don't mind helping, but I sometimes find myself serving unwillingly. I am going to make a constant effort to serve with a happy heart. It helps. Serving is always rewarding.

And to everyone. Charity.
What is charity? We are often asked this question. Charity is the pure love of Christ. It is loving someone as Christ would. This is a challenge, because I am far from perfect, but keeping the constant remembrance of the Savior and how he would treat others.

To every child. A good example.
Oh my, I have been developing such a deep love for children the past little while. Being in the primary has brought me such joy. They have so much joy and always help me to feel the spirit. I remember when I was little and looking up to the older kids who were in high school or going to college and thinking they were so old. I remember watching them and wishing I was them. I feel so young now, but I believe its the same. The children still watch. Setting a good example for children is more valuable than often realized. I wouldn't be who I am today without the example set by my older siblings and some of my friends older siblings.

To myself. Respect.
I am deserving of respect. I deserve to be treated as a Daughter of God. I don't deserve to be looked down upon or mocked. Unfortunately, life isn't that simple. I will not always be treated with respect. But I can respect myself enough to remember that I am a Daughter of God, and remember not to let the opinions of others affect the self image I have of myself.

wishful thinking

{I wish} I was already home for Christmas

{I wish} I had an unopened envelope sitting in my mailbox

{I wish}  I was lying in my king-sized bed instead of sitting on a futon

{I wish} my upstairs neighbours didn't insist on getting drunk all the time so I didn't have to wake up to them throwing up every morning

{I wish} I was finishing my last semester of college.. not my first

{I wish} I had enough money to buy Christmas gifts for everyone I know

{I wish} online shopping wasn't so easy...

 {I wish} my car was here

{I wish} people could see their own potential so they would stop doing stupid things

{I wish} Amber was here to make my hair cute

{I wish} people didn't steal things out of cars

{I wish} I was at home for the alumni games in my cheer uniform

{I wish} the U key on my keyboard wasn't popped off. (really can anyone fix it for me?)

{I wish} the hot tub outside my apartment was working

but then.. life would be uninteresting

and I wouldn't have very much to look forward to in the future.

source.

MistletoeMusicMonday

A Day for the Music Monday Blogging Books.

I think this is most appropriate for today. It being Music Monday and Mistletoe Monday all in one day? What a celebration.

Mistletoe - Justin Bieber

Released Monday October 17, 2011

 Go buy it!

christmas tree.

I.

Love.

Christmas.

More. Every.Year.

Favorite Gifts This Year:

Having most of my family home.

Sincere messages from caring friends.

A hug that I missed more than I realized.

Nine words that let me know you still remember.

Love

Love

Love

source undisclosed.

OH. just a little sidenote.

You just go ahead and keep doing what you are doing. If you are waiting for a reaction, you aren't going to get one from me. =)

to wherever.

This is me, hoping your Christmas is cozy and sweet.

This is me, praying you feel love from family and friends.

This is me, sending my heart, to wherever it needs to be.

I guess it's all I can do.

=)

source.

&& I hope you can feel it.

the season is a gift.

Me, I'll be just fine and dandy.

It's like a hard candy Christmas.

I'm barely getting through tomorrow,

but still I won't let sorrow bring me way down.

Hard Candy Christmas - Leigh Nash

♥

.eight.days.

christmas singles.

Something I have always enjoyed at Christmas, but never quite enough is when artists make Christmas singles. Albums are better, but both are appreciated. Even just a remake of an original Christmas song is fabulous. I have discovered some lovely music the past few days while searching for music fit for the season. Combined with the few songs I found last year, I am making myself quite the December Mix. If you have any more songs, please suggest them! 

Please don't mind my choice of music videos. 

I just used the link from the first one I ended up on. =)

Hard Candy Christmas - Leigh Nash

Eternal Gifts - Leigh Nash

All My Bells Are Ringing - Lenka

Maybe This Christmas - Ron Sexsmith

Christmas for Two - Sixpence None the Richer

Wishing for This - Leigh Nash

Wonderful Christmastime - Jars of Clay

The Christmas Song - The Raveonettes

So This Is Christmas - Acceptance

source

this winter-ish day.

All about me on this winter-ish day.

source.

What do I miss?

I miss Spring. Not the season though.

If you read that post, you'll know why.

Spring? A parrot is perfect.

What makes me frown?

Oh. Just the smell of Subway.

It's so gross.

Why is it like that? 

What is the best?

New blogs.

I love when people I know get blogs.

It is a Christmas morning sort of feeling. Almost.

What did I get?

Just the WriTeen 2010. 

With a short story I wrote in Grade 12 printed inside.

It's black and shiny and small and I like it.

What am I looking forward to?

A visit with an old friend.

Catching up.

It's been too long.

What makes me smile?

The new curtains in my room.

Best naps ever.

They are dark. My room is night, all day long.

What came in the mail?

A whole bunch of money.

It's about time I got my tuition refunded, I think!

Christmas shopping anyone?

What do I love?

I love finding good new music. 

Today I found. Parachute by Ingrid Michaelson.

I love Ingrid.