Use this time now reflect on the past year. Not only look back at the good times, but be at peace with the bad times as well. For even the struggles should be appreciated. They were put in your life for a reason even if you are still unsure of what that reason was. Embrace all the new memories you created and new people that have been put into your life. Even strangers can leave an impact. Don't forget to acknowledge the little things, and take note of how much you have changed for the better...it can teach you a lot.
Think of this past year as a book, as well. How did it start? How did it end? Realize that starting tomorrow you will begin a new page. The question is, will your page draw in readers? Or will it turn them away? It's up to you to decide...
So although some of you might be busy thinking up new year's resolutions, also try to think back on how far you have come and what you can do to make your next "book" an awesome one! :)
Enjoy your New Year's Eve everyone and I'll check back in with you all tomorrow! :D
Yes, I know. I haven't published a post in awhile...but it's for good reason! :)
Christmas this year was probably one of my favorites. It was one of those years where, in the middle of all the Christmas festivities, I paused and realized just how lucky I am.
Lucky to have such a wonderful family surrounding me.
Lucky to have a mom that has amazing cooking/baking skills to the point where I have been full since I started winter break, and a dad who can make anyone laugh just by being his goofy self.
Lucky to have both my siblings home for the holidays and still get along with them just fine (most of the time) ;)
Lucky to be able to spread Christmas cheer, and lastly...
Lucky to have a nephew that I can twin with on Christmas eve! :)
What's one thing I'm not lucky for? The cold I just caught. Sore throat + loosing voice= I sound like a guy when I talk. So instead, I'll just write on here!! ;)
Have a good rest of the weekend and I will be sure to blog again real soon!!
I've decided to do a weekend recap every Sunday from now on. Let's see if I can stick to this decision!
Anyways, my weekend was a crazy one.
Friday was spent at home on the couch with the stomach flu...let's just say I am VERY glad that is over with! Despite all that, I woke up on Saturday ready to decorate our Christmas tree!
Threw on a Santa hat...when I was feeling Grinch-like ;)
There's a smile!
By Saturday night I was already feeling better, and enjoyed the movie "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with friends! A few rounds of Just Dance 2014 were played afterwords, and in case anyone is wondering, I'm the champion of that game.
My friend Crystal spent the night, but I wouldn't really say we slept. More like laughed and talked and ran around the house taking pictures with the Santa hat on until it was time to "get up" for church Sunday morning! A trip to Black Rock beforehand was necessary...how could I pass up another opportunity to enjoy a Peppermint Bark Mocha??
My afternoon consisted of brainstorming future blog ideas and studying. Not as exciting as the rest of my weekend, but the good news is that all that fun must have cured my stomach flu!! So back to school it is for all those who missed me! ;)
Curious as to why I haven't posted in a few days?? I was "wrapped" up! Like a present, but instead of wrapping paper, I was wrapped up with Christmas cheer! It hit me... and it hit me hard!
It all started when Vancouver had their first snow on Friday! Believe it or not, us students still had to attend school. It was a huge disappointment for many, including myself. But, I knew it was going to be an easy day. We rarely get much snow here, so when we do no one can focus.
Keeping that attitude, I headed out the door with hot chocolate in hand (of course!). On my drive to school, I noticed the roads had a faint blanket of white over them. When I arrived at school, I noticed that the floors in the hallways had no less. Which means yes...I did slip a total of at least 5 times yesterday. I quickly made the executive decision to not rush through the halls on the way to class, but to slide slowly and carefully. Lesson=learned.
After school, I felt like Buddy the Elf! If you do not know who I am referring to...we can't be friends. That is that. ;) Basically, what I am trying to say, is that my big after school/Friday night plans consisted of throwing on a Santa hat and blasting the soundtrack to both the movie Elf and Polar Express! The fact that it was snowing out made it 10X better!
Then there was today! The picture above explains it all.
Apple Cinnamon tea + favorite flannel shirt + trudging through the snow to find our perfect Christmas tree = pure holiday bliss.
My nephew Noah thoroughly enjoyed our trip to the tree farm, also! Bright red nose and all... :P
...and of course I had to steal a picture with him!!
Before I end this blog post, I have to give a lot of credit to my dad! Heading out in the morning in 23 degree weather and climbing on the slippery roof to put up Christmas lights is not something easy to do... so here we are. At the tree farm. And no, I don't trust him with that hand saw ;)
Well, that's the update! Now off to watch my favorite Christmas movies!! Have a great rest of the weekend everyone. :)
When I woke up today, I can honestly say I didn't have the best attitude.
Being that it was my first day back to school from Thanksgiving Break, and the fact that I didn't get much (if any) sleep last night, you can probably predict that I wasn't real "pumped" to start the week. I was tired, my head was slightly pounding, but I decided to get out of bed and start the day with a smile regardless. Typically I struggle to turn around my attitude like that, but today was different. I had a weird feeling that my day wasn't going to turn out as badly as I was expecting at the moment. A sort of hope, a rush of strength, or just a little feeling that made me think "let's do this".
My intuition was, in fact, correct.
Just minutes after I got up, things were already looking better! I went upstairs to check my phone (only thing I can check anymore! :P) and was greeted with a message from one of my best friends, Alyshia. She informed me that she had started a blog and that I should check it out! Indeed I did! It put a smile on my face knowing that I inspired just one person already... and the day hadn't even really started yet!
After filling up my new camera lens coffee cup I got for my birthday with my favorite Harvest Peach Black Tea, I headed out the door ready to take on whatever came my way!
Surprisingly, it felt good to be back! I was greeted with hugs, smiles, and hello's from people I hadn't seen all break! Also with a few late "Happy Birthday's" and a trip to Wendy's for lunch with a group of some of my most goofiest friends!
When I came home, I knew I had to focus on my goal and not go on any social media sites. I had to actually find things to do, and I didn't have homework either! So, I grabbed a quick snack and called up one of my other best friends, Crystal! Yes...I actually called her. Which is not normal for me. I am a texter and typically nothing more but I wanted to try out the calling thing. It was actually quite fun! And when Crystal and I have a conversation, there is NEVER a dull moment!! :)
Shortly after my phone conversation, I was greeted by my sister and my 1 year old nephew, Noah! Enjoyed playing with him and visiting with my sister!
Today definitely turned out a lot better than I had thought it would! Just goes to show how attitude is everything. How no matter how bad of a morning you have, you need to shake it off and have faith and hope that your thoughts alone can change everything for the better!
I think that what we all need to do, is wake up smiling. Jump out of bed and say "let's do this!". Wake up each day with the attitude that something amazing is about to happen, and it will!
As most of you probably heard, I had a Birthday on November 29th and am now 18 years old. Technically, an "adult". Do I feel older? No. Do I look older? No. Do I blog any better? We'll see... ;)
What I do know is that I had a birthday that I will remember forever. Why? Because I shared it with friends and family who made me laugh from 5:00 until midnight...but that's a whole other blog post itself!
The one thing that stood out to me the most, though, was a card I received from the kids I used to babysit. They are also our backdoor neighbors. I consider them my siblings because they are like second family to me. So many memories have been made with that entire family. They have always been there for me and hold a special place in my heart. I can honestly say they are the most kind, fun, and caring family you will ever meet (besides mine ;). Here is the birthday card I received from the two kids...
"Dear Sarah, Happy Birthday! I can't believe you're an adult now! You'll still always be the best neighbor/friend in the world! No matter where you go or live. I know you will be very successful no matter what you do in life. You have taught me so many lessons that I will remember and use. Time goes by too fast and I will miss you when you leave after high school but no matter where you go, I will always be your back door neighbor. Love, Lilah"
"Dear Sarah, Happy b-day! You're already 18? That's unbelievable! It feels like you started driving only a month ago! You're a great friend and I have learned many things from you. I won't forget you even after you leave our neighborhood. Love, Theo"
I will never, ever forget my "backdoor neighbors" and how much of an impact I made and continue to make on them!
For those of you who don't know me, I am Sarah and this is a blog about my day-to-day life and the things that make it an awesome one! Decided to venture out and work on my writing skills...so enjoy and check back often! :)