Happy August.

Well once again it has been an inexcusable few months. I have felt as though I had little to say, and little energy to put into saying it. But as my last day at Elmwood approaches I thought I would share a bit about my life as of late.

I have quit my job, am moving back to Kitchener and have very little clue what I will be doing. I do have some hopes but I will wait until they are more clear to share them with the inter-web. As my time in Toronto comes to an end. At least for now I want to reflect on the things I will miss.

While I did not for the most part enjoy my job I enjoyed what I learned from it. I also enjoy working downtown. Everything is right outside the door. Whether it be leaving work to the sound of Matthew Good or The Black Keys, or listening to Hollerado play on my lunch break. I will miss the fact that there is always something happening.

My favourite coffee place [Sliced]. I have never had such great coffee. And I have had a lot of coffee. And they know my order (Perhaps I go there too much?).

I will miss being two buses away from my wonderful boyfriend. I will soon be three.

And in general I will miss the hustle and bustle of the city, the friends I've made, and all the interesting things that Toronto has to offer.

I am excited for my new adventure, even though it is to a familiar place. I am returning with a different outlook, and some new ideas about my life. And maybe someday I will return to this city.

A photo from my best friends bachelorette party. Yes we are at Snakes and Lattes. 

- T.

The Man, Lion, & Scorpion.

Well folks its been an inexcusable few months since my last post and to my two maybe three readers my deepest apologies. I have felt as though I had very little to write about, and have been much too exhausted to try. I promise to try and do better.

I have decided to get into shape [at least a little]. My reasons for this are simple. Number 1. I've been feeling very tired all the time. Number 2. I've been feeling very self concious lately. Number 3. Its the healthy thing to do. So its time to get those endorphins flowing.

I'm not going to be going crazy with it or anything, just a little bit more roller blading. A lot more stretching. And maybe a bit of weight lifting [light people,very light]. No I will not becoming as fit as Jillian Michaels or Catwoman. I don't have that kind of motivation.

Also. My favourite book is Fifth Business by Robertson Davies. The second book in the trilogy is The Manticore. It is an account of  David Staunton a lawyer conversations with a Jungian psychoanalyst in Zurich. Leaving off from the end of the first book, with Boy Staunton's [David's father] death. A very interesting book. Especially since I studied counselling. I look forward to finishing and reading the third.

A Manticore

I will leave you with this. Another one of my favourite books, possibly ruined by a movie. Yes. I will probably see it.

- T.

Dear World,

A letter from me.

Dear World, 


There is so much wrong with you. I wish I could fix it all. Unfortunately, I can't. I will begin with healing myself, and pray that others do too. I will stand up for injustice. And ask forgiveness when I make mistakes. Which I will most certainly make. World, this is my promise to you. 


Tina. 


I'm sure most of you by now have seen or heard of the video that has gone viral named Kony 2012. Well if you haven't watched it yet. Please do [here]. Invisible Children is a movement/non-profit organization that is almost a decade old. Raising awareness about child soldiers in Africa. And although I am happy to see the great awareness this is raising, I hope that it does not go out as quick as it came in. This has been going on for years. This and other painful and awful acts. Things in North America we enjoy clothing, jewellery, and we can't live without may be continuing and contributing to these issues.

So take a minute, take a look around you. At what you do daily. Is that diamond ring more important than the war it fuelled in Africa. Are those new jeans more important than the child that was enslaved to make them. I don't believe we can be perfect in this but its taking steps individually, saying I will live my life as an example that can begin to make a change.

"You hypocrite, first take the plank our of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from the other person's eye" - Matthew 7:5 (TNIV)

"Similarly, encourage the young men and women to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us" - Titus 2: 6- 8 (NIV)

There are so many things we can do as individuals to begin to make a change. Research. Research. Research People.* It doesn't mean you have to go and boycott everything. Its okay to take baby steps and see what small areas you can make a change in your own life. This is not my first blog like this. And it won't be my last. I am constantly learning, growing and reminding myself of the need for change.

Gabriella will be 4 years old this month. My prayers are still with her and her mom who I met in the maternity ward of  a hospital in Guatemala.

- T.

*Don't just watch a video and make a decision. Do your research. Read what others have to say. And make an opinion of your own. Not of another. Here's another perspective [link].

Happy 'Love' Day!

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away" - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Happy Valentines Day Folks. To be honest I'm not a big fan of Valentines day. Mostly because I'm not a big fan of consumerism. I love being told I'm wonderful, that I'm loved, and getting flowers and chocolate. However on Valentines day, the flowers and chocolate can be left behind. Wait till the day after and get them half off! So enjoy your loved ones everyday. Make an effort to surprise them. Bring chocolate and flowers but don't get caught up in consumer nature of a day. 

Joel sent me this. I. Love. It. So. Cute.

This weekend I enjoyed time with my boyfriend [He's seriously amazing].  

Orillia Winter Carnival

Finally to Whitney. A sad ending to a women with a beautiful voice. 

- T.

To All The Engaged...

As some of you may know. Recent [and not so recent] events have made me slightly afraid of marriage, and more specifically a wedding.

I have loved attending many weddings over the years. Seeing how the bride and groom combine there desire to spend the rest of their lives together with a budget and adorable centre pieces.

I have loved the weddings where the love for Christ and each other was the most memorable part of their wedding.

I have loved being able to help wherever needed, and make the day as special as possible for the couple. And not once have I wished it was my own. Perhaps this is why I have enjoyed them so much. I have had no jealous wanting it to be myself.

This is evening as I was searching through Etsy because I could not sleep and the hours before I must once again rise to go to work are becoming less and less I stumbled upon this article. And it made me fear just a little bit less that one day that perhaps may come in my life.

Take a Read: A Wedding on Your Terms 

So if your engaged enjoy and remember its a day for you and your future spouse.

And for the rest of you, that are like me don't fear [or at least try not too]. You can do a wedding on your terms.

Precious LaPlante Photography

A photo from a recent wedding I was one. A winter wonderland.

- T.

Its Time To Get Organized...

I continually say to myself. I do not need to completely organize my life. I use excuses like "I'm either going to move sooner or later", "I will do it tomorrow" or "I can't afford the furniture needed".

Well the time for excuses is over. I have a plan and it starts today.

#1 De-clutter - I do not own a lot but I own more than I need, and more than I have space for its time to de-clutter.

Yes. I still somewhat live out of suitcases and boxes.















See why I need this list.













#2 Get storage - Something to keep thing neat and organized. Something to organize my make-up, mail and everything else.

Source

#3 Get Furniture - Find something cute and paint it to my liking. Something to put things in and my sowing machine on.

Knackstudio

If my future dresser looks anything like this. My heart will be happy.

That is the plan. The first step De-Clutter. Today I will begin to take that one on. 

- T.

Happy New Year!

As 2011 was beginning to finish I heard on the radio stories about what different people do to celebrate a New Year. This New Years I thought I would tell you all the ways I never plan to celebrate the New Year.

#1. With Fire Arms. Rule #1 is always DON'T GET SHOT. This does not change on New Years for this girl. However in Colombia this is apparently the way to celebrate. Shooting loaded guns into the air. Not Safe. [Link].

#2. Polar Bear Dip. The idea of entering freezing cold water under any circumstances does not sound appealing. And no New Years Day does not make pneumonia seem worth it.

#3. Spend New Years in a Graveyard. I will not bring in the New Year with the dead as some would in Chile. I prefer to hang with those with a heart beat. [Link].

These three things you can be sure I will not be doing.

2011 was a challenging but great year. And if I look back. I don't think I would have had it any other way.

Joel and I spent New Years Eve first at a lovely New Years Party at his Sisters apartment, followed by a countdown celebration at Nathan Phillips Square [Something in my opinion you only need to do once].

And by far the best way to spend New Years Day, building a Ginger Bread Train. 

-T.

Merry Christmas!

Its time to celebrate. With family, friends, or simply with the Lord.

We celebrate the birth of Jesus. God incarnate.

December 25th is a reminder of that fact. Christ is here.

I may decorate a tree, but simply because its fun and pretty.

I may give presents, but only because people are a precious gift. And because we received the greatest gift of all. Grace.

I may eat candy canes, but only because their delicious [and should be eaten year round].

We may spend time with family and friends but it does not change why we celebrate.

"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel ('God with us')" - Matthew 1:23 (NIV).

Christmas can be a hard time for many of us. The feeling like we are missing something. But I celebrate because of Christ Jesus. Born to save my [and your] life. So whether I am alone on Christmas or not, I know He is with me.

So I pray a Merry Christmas for all. No matter the circumstances of your life. Lets never forget Christ. Let us worship Him each and every day.

- T. :)

Merry Christmas from the Queen. It seems she's got it right.

This song has fond memories for me. 

A Cone in the form of a Necklace.

Lately I have been loving Pine Cone Necklaces. I first stumbled across this little gem while browsing Etsy [my favourite website to browse]

KGarnerDesigns

I then became obsessed. All the sudden I was in Pine Cone Heaven!

I believe this one is my favourite. 

IvoryCove

Or this one.

MadeByMoe

Either way Pine Cone necklaces are adorable. And the options are endless.

- T.

  

A Christmas Story...

Well Folks, We did it. Candice and I made are apartment a little bit more Christmas like. That's right. A Tree. Stockings. A Wreath. And even a Candy Cane 'Stripper Pole' [No, no stripping happens anywhere near this pole]. And we did it all listening to Christmas Music. A little Mariah Carey, Hymns, and Where Are You Christmas.

Candy Cane Pole

All Decorated [Yes its not much but its just perfect for us]

A Christmas Wreath

I hope your holiday decorating is going as well as ours.

- T. :)