2012 grab bag

in no particular order, noteworthy events/websites/memes/obsessions of 2012: 

they made us laugh, broke our hearts, or are just plain memorable.

-1D. those cuties from across the pond, One Direction, stole my sister's heart and when Catherine loves something it's contagious. :) (Omg Taylor Swift and Harry?)

-the Summer Olympics in London. the fact that i was stuck on a ship that prevented me from seeing any of it.

-the IKEA monkey - the custody battle covered our news and memes infected the internet about this little stylish rascal.

-sorrowfully, the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado in July, and the elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut in December. The world is still shocked and our hearts are still breaking over these tragedies.

-New Girl loving (they're into season two now)

- celebrity crush: Chris Hemsworth//Thor//Avengers. watched this during my breaks every day for like a month...or more.

 -Channing Tatum voted People's Sexiest Man Alive of 2012. do you agree?

-movie swoons--the greatest and also the guiltiest of pleasures: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Lucky One, The Vow, Avengers, The Lorax, Rock of Ages, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Hunger Games, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (soon), Breaking Dawn, Skyfall, Les Miserables (soon). more here.

- Gangnam Style by Psy. what the heck?

-Barack Obama re-elected as President of the United States of America. some folks are happy, others not so much.

-my friends are married

-hello giggles

- Luka Magnotta, and the teacher who showed the video to students.

-Instagram Parody

-Wide Awake by Katy Perry. don't care. i love her. most especially as she punches Prince Charming

- Hurricane Sandy devastating the east coast.

- Your LL Bean Boyfriend

-the hundredth "end of the world" prediction since December 21st was a fail.

-grumpy cat

- a more comprehensive list of viral memes here.

i'm sure there's tons more but what an eventful year!

merry christmas

  

Hope yours is filled with lots and lots of cuddles!

hey rosetta!

Hey Rosetta! has a way of making you feel at home and all cozy inside. Seeing them in concert at Mile One on December 20th stood as testament to that. With the band rocking out on stage and the feel good energy coming from the crowd I don't think there was a soul in the room that didn't have a good time. It was a nice surprise to watch them run to the back of the room and play a few songs on a mini-stage set up with lamps a glowing, as though we were all invited over for a jam in their living room. And when sparklers were lit up filling the front of the stage with light during Yer Spring? Magic.

Snow fell from the rafters as we sang the good ole Christmas classic. I went with my friend, Ashley and enjoyed every minute. Turned out we were really lucky in our seating, not too far away from the stage and placed just out of reach of obnoxious spectators, you know the ones who push you around and walk all over your feet unapologetically? There's always at least one or two! It's pretty much guaranteed that the tallest guy in the room will stand in front of me but my luck continued as he was pushed over one seat and out of my view by his friend. Thank you, friend!

joy to the blog

It's hard to believe that we are one week away from Christmas. Already.

I was going to say more but it ended up turning into a pointless rant about 

neglecting this blog so I changed my mind. You're welcome! 

Isn't this print from The Burlap Bungalow on Etsy super cute?

I'm hoping that this is my way of easing back into blog life, at least for the remainder of December.
 

to my dad

(dad and i at elizabeth's wedding on thursday, july 5th)

My father is the most hard working man I know. 

He is always working on a project, or home improvement task, or (before he retired), something in preparation for the summer fishing season. He has a dry sense of humour but mostly is a serious man of few words, or of words that are spoken only when he deems necessary, usually on a topic he feels passionate about. And as much as I find myself a lot like him, there are more than a few instances where I don't think we quite have the same understanding of what kinds of words are "necessary".

In the years growing up, I would work on projects or had reached certain accomplishments. I would turn to Dad and ask him what he thought of a painting I'd just finished or a song I had played on the piano in church and he would take a quick glance and simply go, "mmmhmm" or give a nod and that was it. I'd leave a little hurt, interpreting his response as him feeling indifferent to it when all I wanted was some approval or encouragement. And maybe it was my own fault for asking if he liked my drawing while he was concentrating on his newspaper word search. Sheesh.

I am happy to say that he's gotten much better over the years, partly due to the urgings of mother for a little extra attention to his daughters. He's now added phrases like, "good job," or "mmmhmmm, s'alright" to his lexicon. Considering he once offered, "I'm eatin' it aren't I?!" with a chuckle, to whether or not he liked the new recipe Mom had prepared, maybe I have to come to accept this kind of answer as the best I'll ever get! Oh, Dad. Only you.

In the last year or two I came across the book "The Five Love Languages". It was the first time I had considered that there were so many different ways people express and perceive love. The author broke them down into Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical Touch. In reading the content list I could already tell which ones were most important to me, and I realized that I was missing out on the ways others around me had been showing it. I was applying the knowledge of its pages to friends and relationships, forgetting that it could be applied to my parents' relationships with me as well.

Anyway, I went downstairs later on Wednesday morning to see how the progress on the bathroom was going, for sure that he had been up working on it since 8 or 9am. He'd been fixing it up for my sister over the last couple of weeks. I walked in just as he had discovered a slight mistake in the length of a piece of wood that he'd already cut and painted to help finish the wall. So he'd set himself to the task of nailing an inch long piece to the end, then carefully shaving it to the perfect fit. The next task would be to repaint and wait for that paint to dry before he could get back to what he was originally working on. Quite the little setback. Yet he didn't complain. He simply worked.

My eyes stung and I suddenly felt overwhelmed, trying to hold back tears. That man has been showing love in the absolute extreme for my entire life with his Acts of Service. Part of me always knew that he had a different way of showing his love, but I don't think I've ever grasped it as fully as I did that morning. My entire life of living at home, going to grade school, my father was the first to rise so he could turn on our furnace to make sure our home was warm in the mornings. He would make us a sandwich and pack our lunch to make sure we had something to eat every day. He was the one to call up the steps to wake us up. Little things such as these in the mundane routine of life that I definitely took for granted.

I don't think I will ever find a man that loves deeper than my father does, even if it's not my instinctive interpretation of love. I've been looking for it and I don't know if it can be found in this generation where everything is readily disposed and replaced, rather than mended with time and patience.

One day after mom and dad had gone to her retirement celebration in early June, a woman approached my mother and said, "I couldn't help but notice how your husband really loves you." Apparently the lady saw it in how proud he looked as he watched Mom without her knowing. After over 25 years of marriage, I think that speaks much louder than mere words. And it was he who had asked for me to make her a big "happy retirement" sign and made sure to find the perfect card and flowers to go with it, on her last day of work.

I love you, Daddy. 

Thank you for being a good, faithful man to my mother and a good, faithful father to us.

next week

Next week, my sister, Elizabeth is getting married. 

That fact is a little crazy to grasp. 

We are growing up, becoming young women and building our lives.

Being in your twenties feels like either life gets put on fast forward or on hold. You have to make decisions that you didn't think would happen for another lifetime. You have to decide what you want out of life. And you're also thrown into a waiting game or a 'hoping' game that good things will come your way as you keep doing what you're doing, living your life.

For some people good things, like boys that are worth marrying, come their way sooner rather than later and that is what my sister's got going on. She's found herself a good man who would do absolutely anything in the world for her and I can't imagine another girl with a bigger heart that deserves that kind of love more.

Last night we held her bridal shower up in the church's mulitpurpose room and as much as I admittedly don't enjoy those types of things in general, this one made my heart full of gratitude for the ladies that came to celebrate in this exciting time with my sis. We had a good time of games and delicious food and Catherine and I got to make her blush with the present we gave her! Success all around!  

I love you, dear sister. And I hope your big day next week is all you've been hoping for. <3

Almost There!

Sitting in the back of a little photography shop in Skagway that also has wi-fi. In just a few more days I'll be heading home to Newfoundland, ending contract #2. Endings are always so bittersweet. I know that when I come back things will be different again; many good friends won't be coming back and I'll be starting over with half my team being brand new. Looking forward to more Alaska though. Wanted to leave you guys with a little lumberjack candy from Ketchikan last week. It was an entertaining show for Emma and I and gotsta say, it was worth being there at 8am for it. Yo-ho! Anyway, see some of you really soon! Can't wait! 

(Starbucks in Honolulu, Oahu... you'd be surprised how at home I feel having Starbucks in my hand)

Currently sitting in Mcdonald's in Ensenada, Mexico. Our last stop before heading up the coast and back to Alaska. Not much to report other than Hawaii was incredible, the bit I got to see at least. I'll have to fill you all in properly at another time, but wanted to check in and send my love. xo

Hey World!

 (snorkelling in Chileno Bay, CSL with Danielle--this photo is the sole reason 

I bought the CD from the photog on board the boat)

Currently sitting on a couch in Starbucks, sippin' on chai lattes with my friend and coworker, Tatiana. I almost feel like a normal person on vacation right now. Actually, not even on vacation. Just normal. Something about Starbucks feels like home. It's familiar. Since I'm in Cabo San Lucas I could be laying out on a beach or just at the top deck of my ship. But no; I am sitting in Starbucks. To be fair, I haven't done that in a long time. I'm just tired of spending so much money on terrible internet quality and not being able to access blogs while I'm there.

 (candid!)

This contract has been completely different in so many ways. First of all, more stress since there are so many new members to our team. With so many of our oldies sent off to help with the new Fantasy ship, I was grouped as one of the most experienced staff member. No pressure. Suddenly I was the one being in charge of these things called 'transitions' aka, bringing over 100 kids down one deck of stairs hoping that none of them run away down the hallway putting my head on a chopping block. With it came new responsibilities but I saw them as opportunities to learn new things (like using Adobe software to put together the Friendship Rocks slideshow that we show the guests at the end of every cruise). However, I feel like I've made friends more quickly this time around and it feels like everyone is more on the same page. Overall, this contract has been pretty stretching for me--in a good way. At home I'd shy away and let someone else take care of things, but here I've been forced into it and I've found that it's not so bad after all.

This is our last week in Mexico. I'm excited to say goodbye to the tender boat process. On Sunday we kick off our 15-day trip to Hawaii and then it is up to San Fran, Vancouver, Alaska and Seattle. I'm so excited for what the next few weeks have in store.

 (best day of my life! sailor characters with Ivonne, Scott and Becky!)

Despite everything going on, I love and miss you all terribly!
I vote everyone I know comes and takes over the Wonder for a week.

It would be the best ever.

PS. Just wanted to inform you all that this week has kicked off my obsession with Zachary Levi. aka Flynn Rider. Tangled on repeat on my crew TV doesn't hurt.

Love.

christmas cabin tour

Where I lived for four months. I hope I get a room this size when I go back, it was surprisingly one of the bigger ones! I know I'm lame-o but it was good memories. And I love seeing my English friend Mel. She was absolutely lovely.

fresh OJ and guacamole

A friend wrote and asked how my job was. I haven't updated in a while, so I thought I would share it here as well.

The job is going well! It's a different lifestyle on a ship. More like what I'd imagine living in a rez on campus would be like, not that I would actually know. I always lived in apartments or houses during school. But you go to work and then you go hang out with those same people after work. Or sleep. Sometimes you have to sacrifice one for the other which is hard but sometimes if you get enough time off in the earlier part of the day you can get off the ship and do something cool. Mostly we would get off to get something good to eat. Sitting in a restaurant on the beach drinking freshly squeezed orange juice was heaven enough for me!

The first month and a half of working we were in Alaska and then Victoria, BC. I loved the time I spent there. Alaska was gorgeous and reminded me a lot of home...except with bigger mountains and glaciers instead of hills and icebergs. Maybe it was the weather too. It felt like Fall and you had to bundle up in hats and gloves a lot. We spent two weeks in Victoria renovating the ship, so I got to see them turn restaurants into makeshift upholstery shops and watch them wreck then revamp the upper decks. They brought lovely young construction worker men from all over the world. Italy, Spain and even some from Canada. We did odds and ends, like moving chairs and carpets and trash--whatever needed to be done. At the end of September we made our way down to Mexico and I spent the rest of the contract there. Here I got to bust out my shorts and sundresses in my off time. I sorta got a tan, but I didn't really try.

The men in Mexico are kinda stereotypical and guacamole is everywhere. Even in Subway, a familiar food place I was happy to find. I went ziplining one day and you had to help the guides that were up there by holding down the ropes so they could lock you in. I pulled down a little too hard once and smushed one the young guide's hands. He laughed and said "You're gonna make guacamole out of my fingers" I also discovered guacamole (or just plain avocado) hurts my tummy so I can't eat it anymore. Fun fact. What a tease haha.

You would get off the ship and sight see and there would be locals calling out to you to use their business. "Hey Lady, do you need a water taxi?" "Would you like to parasail? I'll give you good price!" or my favourite, when I was walking along by myself one day, "Would you like to go to the beach?" and then as I walked further away called out, "Haha, or do you need a body guard? Hey Lady!" I would have been creeped out except there were lots of tourists around.

I met a lot of people from around the world. Most of the people I worked with were either from the UK or the United States. A couple were from Australia. I was loving all the accents. Kinda wished I had more of a Newfoundland accent to show off. My English friend said that some of our sayings sound Irish to her. Spot on. haha. 

I'm looking forward to more good times when I go back this weekend. Kind of hard to believe that my vacation time at home has already come to a close. If this big storm actually happens and I can't catch my flight, I wouldn't mind another day or week at home. I'm at peace with whatever happens.

Can you believe it's already February?

ode to nail polish

Ever since I've been home I've been wearing the brightest nail polish combinations I can think of. Then last week I remembered these wee beauties I'd bought ages ago. Turned out pretty well, huh? Stick on. File to shape. Done. When you work a job that allows only natural or mute toned nailpolish you begin to desire something a little more adventurous. Going to embrace my freedom of nail art expression 

in as many different ways as I can before I go back!  

It's all about the little things, you know.

joy of books

Saw this today. The things people do with a little bit of time and creativity amazes me.

thank you for being a friend

Had such a good weekend. 

A few farewells: Mandy was off to Toronto early Saturday morning and then Sarah and Brandon 

went back to Scotland on Sunday evening. 

But while they were here we had fun celebrating Caitlin's birthday Friday evening, 

then later we got refused at 24 hr Celtic Hearth (unspeakable!), Subway was out of bread (unbelievable!) 

and thus had hotdogs and wedges freezing outside instead (unbearable!). 

Saturday was sleeping in, brunch with Tony, hanging out with Catherine (and Alicia) 

at her apartment watching Brandy's Cinderella (remember that one?) 

and then some late night take out from "Momma Bellies" aka "Mohammed Ali" 

nom nom for falafel pita sandwiches and Golden Girls. 

Sunday was more hanging out with everyone listed above, 

driving home in time for church, visiting a recovering Aunt Dorothy, then having soup & grilled cheese 

and a movie with Aunt Ollie & Uncle Frank.

Basically my heart is aching right now because so many of my favourite people are everywhere but here. 

I'm on moons and clouds 

where worlds wrap around

 

circlescarvesforever

I haven't figured out how to make this circle scarf look good yet.

Imma juss wear it like dis instead.

I miss taking pictures with my fraands--it leads to self-portraiture boredom.

On the surface today seemed rather uneventful, but I quite enjoyed myself. 

I had a quality heart to heart with Elizabeth; filled out passport renewal paperwork; 

tormented my puppy and kitty cats, a lot; played Super Mario Bros on Wii; 

finished off the day catching up with my friend Matt in North Carolina. 

Overall, it was a lazy feel good kinda day.

a glance out the window

christmas morning

year in review

Read the entire Harry Potter series for the first time (yes, that deserves to be first!)

Took over the school with Brittany

Had the best Winter day ever

Strolled along Quidi Vidi with Tony

Spent Valentine's Day with some lovelies

Finally let go of a rollercoaster relationship

Had a time at the SASF Paris Ball - some of the decorating crew priming with some Mickey D's haha

Sister survived a car accident without a scratch

Two cuties got married

I quit my job and moved home for the summer

Had many fun sister roadtrips.

Started sketching again 

We lived long and prospered

Many new baking experiments

Weekend in St. John's

Another beautiful wedding

A fun Canada Day in PDG

My favourite family picture to date taken at my cousin's wedding

Early morning fishing trips//whales!

Volunteered at VBS at church

Lantern Festival

Hey Rosetta concert with a few pals

Girls nights

Spent four months living "the Disney dream"

Had amazing roomies- Jenni from Canada and then Melanie from England

Travelled more than I have in my entire life: 

Canada: (Vancouver, Victoria); 

USA: Alaska (Skagway, Ketchikan, Tracy's Arm, Juneau), California: (LA, San Pedro); 

Mexico: (Puerta Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada)

Experienced 'dry dock'

Crossed jetskiing, ziplining and parasailing off my bucket list

Danced like a pirate with friends from around the globe

My sister got engaged!

Came home in time for Christmas

Got to spend a day with Robz while she was back in town

Rang in the New Year with these lovely folks!

I have mixed feelings about 2011. I debated whether or not I even wanted to do this but in looking back, despite the constant shadow of the bad, I can see that there was a lot of goodness to be found as well. The second half of the year certainly redeemed the first and I am so very thankful for that. I am incredibly grateful for the friendships that helped me through it. I said goodbye to certain dreams but now have a more exciting future set for myself than I'd had at the start of 2011. As painful as it was, in many ways I am relieved; 

I've learned that I am strong. I look forward to more happiness in 2012!