The Bucket List

Back in the summer of 2012 I blogged every day for the month of June, in preparation for my (then) upcoming 24th birthday. I called it my "Quest for Happiness" and shared little tidbits from my life that made me happy. 

During that month of blogging I shared my bucket list, something I had been working on for many years. I can now admit I added a few things that had never been goals to the list, that I had mostly by accident already accomplished so I could cross them off the list and have some sense of success.  

A little sidewalk art from an early morning walk to work last summer.
Maybe this should be a guiding thought in my life?

Yesterday's post alluded to this idea of living a more exciting life, making every day count so in theory a bucket list should be a great way to manage some of these wild and crazy goals and of course make for many great blog posts. 

Plus, who doesn't love a good list?!?! 

Usually I can't stop from making compulsive lists, yet I find myself completely disinterested in the idea of a bucket list. I found the last one put pressure on me to live up to crazy ideals that I may not actually care for in a few months time. 

A bucket list feels too unfocused enough for me at this point in my life. I am going to take some time and come up with some serious goals, and more importantly a plan for how to actually achieve those goals. 

I'll wrap this up with a few rules I think might help me on my way. 

Source

What are your thoughts on bucket lists? Do they help you achieve your goals or place too many expectations on you? 

Keep Smiling :) 

Another Year Gone

Hard to believe 2013 is nearly over, it has been a busy year for us- lots of exciting changes. 

2013 was the year.... 

Winter in Ottawa became a little more fun! 
Snowshoeing in Gatineau Park, skating on the canal, Winterlude - Ottawa's actually not a bad place to be during the Winter months. Winter 2013 also marked the first time K-Fran and I co-habitated. Six weeks and we managed not to drive each other totally bananas. 

2013 was the year....

We went on a pretty awesome road trip vacation!
Giant apples, toonies, beach views, rainy campsites and of course a trip to a tiny little zoo! It was great to adventure together for a few days before I started my big girl job! 

2013 was the year...

We hiked almost every weekend; Finally went to Bluesfest (Great Big Sea was awesome!); Julia visited for Canada Day and my 25th birthday- a trip to Boldt Castle and of course Canada Day at Parliament Hill with Carly Rae Jepsen! 

2013 was the year...

We saw Mo Kenney for free and chatted with her after the show! Jay turned 26 and we celebrated with doughnuts, a trip to the war museum and dinner downtown. The lovely Flippy joined us for a few months and we enjoyed many fun adventures together. Oh, and I cheered for Jay's frisbee team every week, kind of like a groupie. 

2013 was the year...

I became a fully certified Early Childhood Educator. I finished school, had an amazing placement with one of the most brilliant educators I've ever met and finally got my own classroom with my 10 crazy, but wonderful, kindergarteners. Best of all, I am back to actually earning an income! 

2013 was the year...

We set a date for our wedding and started to get serious about planning it. 

I found my wedding dress! 

Jay's frisbee team started winning! 

Jay spent almost 365 days away from the ocean. 

Jay was promoted, took on more responsibility at work and stopped traveling so much. 

We spent a week in February, in Montreal, freezing and shopping.

We started having date nights.

We cancelled cable, and hardly missed it at all. 

What were some of your biggest or best moments of 2013? What are you looking forward to in 2014?

Keep Smiling :) 

Living A Life Filled With Smiles

Life is busy. Life is hectic. Life is exhausting. Life is fun. Life is amazing. 

I had a fantastic week, things are starting to settle down at work and in life which is leaving me more time to enjoy life. 

With the kiddos this week we made a shape book where they used different shapes to make pictures and came up with a story to go with it. We also did some gummy bear science experimenting, seeing what happens when you put gummy bears in cold and hot water -they loved it! Perhaps the most exciting part for me was the discovery that they really want to learn about the Titanic! When I was in elementary school I was absolutely fascinated by all things Titanic, and they appear to have a similar fascination. I have brought in a bunch of books from the library and already their art and free play is showing what they've learned or interpreted. 

In grown-up life news, I had coffee with a friend from school last week. It's always nice to meet and catch up with old friends. I also finally received a long awaited (ok, it was two weeks) box of boots ordered on the internet, they are the definition of super fly. 

A late edition from last week, enjoying some champy in a mason jar. 

Jay had a good week at work, he got to have lunch with some of his bros which he enjoyed. He also has had a few frisbee practices in preparation for the fall season. I'm going to make a sign to cheer them on next week. 

Some shots from our street festival adventures. 

Yesterday the three of us (Nicole, Jay & me), spent the day at street festival in the area. Lots of free food, lemonade and music. It turned out to be a reasonably warm day, which was good because we walked, a lot. After a brief rest we then headed to IKEA which was also fantastic. We spent two hours adventuring around the store, trying out furniture we will probably never buy and eating fro-yo. 

Today we went to Costco, baked bread and brownies, made mashed potatoes and meatballs and Nicole and I went on a coffee date. It was a busy, relaxing Sunday. 
Ok, enough chatter. I have been snap happy this week, so lots of pictures for your viewing pleasure. 

A few of the Titanic books I've been sharing with the kiddos.

Jay carrying my box of boots! It was huge!

Free Pizza at the street festival!

How amazeballs is this?!?!

It's like I think I'm a fashion model- Check out the boots! 

Love this girl. Check, check, check out her blog here.

Chocolate cake balls, $1 for charity!

I will own one of these Poang chairs from IKEA (this colour). I dream of them. 

Trying out a new look at Chapters.

Keep Smiling :) 

Newfoundland, A Love Story: The Final Chapter

Ok, here's the last batch of our Newfoundland vacation pictures. Hope you've enjoyed them! 

Signal Hill: May be hard to tell but that's a baby eagle.
Apparently only the second time it had left the nest. 

Signal Hill: The mama eagle.

Jay & his Momma at Signal Hill.

Jay & I at Signal Hill.

Jelly Bean Houses. 

Maddox Cove/Petty Harbour

Another selfie while at Maddox Cove.

Maddox Cove/Petty Harbour.

Ocean view at Maddox Cove. 

One of Jay's parents adorable dogs. 

Jay's parents second adorable dog.  

Signal Hill: We climbed down all those stairs no problem, going back up was HORRIBLE!

At Signal Hill (again)! We loved it there.

Another view from Signal Hill. 

That's the end of our Newfoundland adventures, and wraps up our summer travelling. This summer has been lovely, but way too fast!

Keep Smiling :) 

Newfoundland, A Love Story Part II

Ok, here are the second batch of pictures from our Newfoundland adventures. I have decided to share one more batch tomorrow (they are all so pretty I just can't choose)!

Pretty ocean views at Green's Harbour, near Jay's parents trailer. 

Searching for beach glass.  

We took a lot of selfies. Every time I said selfie like it's a real word.
Classy, right? 

Middle Cove Beach 

Jay's tower of rocks. 

Me, climbing rocks at Middle Cove, and Jay's
 Momma in the background!

Another view at Middle Cove

Cliffs at Middle Cove.

Jay's Momma & I at Signal Hill

Jay & I at Signal Hill 

View at Signal Hill. 

Hope your Monday treated you well! Stay tuned for the final round of photos tomorrow. 

Keep Smiling :) 

Newfoundland, A Love Story

I mentioned earlier this week that Jay & I spent 4 days in St. John's Newfoundland visiting his parents. Neither of us had ever been before and after 4 days I didn't want to leave. 

I was in constant awe of the beauty of the scenery, a great departure from the ocean views I grew up with in Halifax. Apart from the first day, we had gorgeous sunny weather which allowed us to explore many of the trails around the city. 

If the opportunity presents for you to visit this beautiful city I highly recommend you do. If Jay's parents can be your tour guides, even better! 

We took over 200 (ok, 202) photos, so I'll share some today and some more tomorrow. We were just using a point-and-shoot camera and pictures don't quite capture the true nature of the city. It was absolutely breathtaking.

Quidi Vidi Fishing Village.

View from Signal Hill

View from Signal Hill

Jay at Signal Hill

Signal Hill. It was very windy and very cold!

Me at Signal Hill. Nice hair right? 

Jay & I at the top of Cabot Tower. 

Jay at Cape Spear, the most eastern point in North America.

Waves at Cape Spear.  

Being in love. Clearly it was windy at Cape Spear too!  

Cape Spear Lighthouse.

Jay's parents at Cape Spear being adorable. 

Keep Smiling :)