Hydrate Me!

Good afternoon, fellow internet friends! This past weekend went by way too fast, but hey, only four more days until Friday! Yay!

It's time for another "Motivational Monday", along with this week's challenge: For every beverage you drink other than water, drink two glasses of water.

A few weeks ago, I had the unfortunate experience of reaching severe dehydration, to the point where I was taken to hospital and given fluids through IV. It will probably make me sound idiotic when I say that I never thought dehydration would be that bad. I am here to tell you that it's bad. It hurts. It hurts in ways I didn't expect. It drained my whole body of energy and made me nauseated and awful. It certainly was a wake up call. I need to drink more water. I live in one of the few places on earth with clean tap water that actually tastes good. That's right. I have easy access to delicious, safe water, and I still am not drinking enough. I used to be really good about it. My friend would sometimes tease me whenever I'd say I was thirsty, declaring that I always was thirsty. I was getting beyond 8 glasses a day, and it was great. For some reason though, this winter, I was so cold for most of the day, that I never really wanted to add to the chill by drinking cold water. Sometimes I would put warm water in my cup; I am such a wuss. I went to drinking coffee, or, some days, a glass of water. One glass. Not even a whole one. A few sips, maybe. That's not good for anyone. So, starting this week, I have a challenge for not only myself, but also those who have similar problems that I do, to drink at least two glasses of pure water for every non-water beverage I have. This is in addition to whatever water I would also be having. It is day one, and I've had one glass of water. Working on my second. I want to have some coffee, so I'd better get a move on. One day I will work my way back up to eight cups a day, but until then, this is my goal.

The dehydration incident also opened my eyes to the water crisis felt around the world. I hate taking things for granted, and here I've been doing just that. Not only that, but I haven't kept on the world news. I know clean water seems to be lacking just about everywhere, but what can I do? Personally, in a group, whatever. A group of close friends and I pooled our money together and were able to donate a fairly large sum to an organization that builds wells. Since then, I haven't really done anything like that. I want to do more. If any of you know of a good, Canadian, or at least international, preferably Christian, organization that helps with providing clean water for people without, please, I beg of you, comment or contact me directly, as this is very important to me. I've heard a little about "The Thirst Project", but don't know much. If you have links you could share, that would also be helpful.

No person should ever have to go without water. Take this challenge with me, pray for those who don't have what we do, and do your own research to find out how you can help out where you are.

I love you guys! Drink up!

Top 5 Movies 2014

And Why I loved Them

Last year, one of the things on my bucket list was to see at least 12 movies in theatre. I figured that it would be easy, seeing as there are twelve months in a year, which would therefore round out to be one movie per month. The first month or so, I saw plenty of movies. Then things started to dwindle. There weren't that many movies being shown that I wanted to see. And the ones I did, I missed, because of being busy or simply unable to make it work. So there I was on December 25th, with three movies left to see. So, that weekend, my mum and I went to three. I have to admit, it was a lot of fun, and I am glad they were all movies we had been wanting to see. Here is the complete list of the ones I saw:

1. Frozen
2. Saving Mr. Banks
3. Gravity
4. The Lego Movie
5. Divergent
6. The F Word
7. If I Stay
8. Dolphin Tale 2
9. Big Hero 6
10. Into The Woods
11. Annie
12. Night at the Museum 3

It's difficult to choose my favourite, seeing as I don't usually go to a movie unless I've heard good things and it's something that interests me. That being said, I of course enjoyed some more than others. And my Top 5 have me slightly surprised. So here you have it. My Top 5:

5. Big Hero 6

Big Hero Six stood out to me, and has just barely squeaked in. It was between it, and "Into the Woods".

And although I much prefer the music of the latter, "Big Hero 6" delivers a better message, in my opinion. The fact that none of the main characters were just born with supernatural powers makes one realize that you don't necessarily have to be born a hero. You can choose to be. The characters are smart, funny, kind, and don't in any way try to bring others down in their own personal goals. On the contrary, they work as a team, developing and creating ideas through the thoughts and opinions of one another. I loved that. And I mean, come on, who doesn't love a soft squishy robot who's sole job is to make sure you are okay, and will go to the ends of the to achieve that? Probably good at snuggling, too.

4. Frozen

Yeah, I know, it seems like everyone and their mother loves this movie. Guess what? I'm one of them. I'm a sucker for Disney Princess movies, and this was no exception However, the reason I loved this one especially was because there were two princesses. And they were sisters. And a love story was not the key aspect to the plot. I must admit, having a sister definitely played a part in my obsession (the whole movie, I kept asking myself which princess was more like me, or my sister. Sill don't know.)  Not sure how I feel about how crazy the "Frozen" franchise has gotten, but I'm probably not helping. I just bought myself a "Frozen" mug, and got stickers for my birthday.










3. The "F" Word 
(Alternatively called "What If" in other countries, except Canada)

Before you skip this one, just know that the "F" word is not referring to curse work. It is referring to "Friends". Knowing that, you can sort of understand a bit more of what this movie is about. It isn't a romance. At least, it isn't in the way that most romantic comedies are. Not only does this movie feature quirky characters, random and unique perspective on things most people take for granted, but it also happens to take place in a place near and dear to me-- Toronto, Ontario. I saw this with a few friends, my mum, and her friend. Having lived near Toronto in the past, my mum got a kick out of seeing familiar sights, and it was fun having her tap me whenever she saw one (usually something I'd find annoying in a movie companion.) If you're looking for a very different story about love, choosing which path to follow, or even just want a laugh, this movie is great.







2. Annie (2014)


This was one movie that I was a little apprehensive about, which is why I'm so surprised by how much I loved it. Being a fan of the 1982 version, and growing up singing songs like "You're never fully dressed without a smile" and "It's a hard knock life" and the top of my voice, I was skeptical that this new modern version could be anything other than a cheap knock-off of my beloved little orphan Annie. I am happy to say that I was wrong. From the moment it began, all the way to the credits rolling, I was transfixed into this parallel world. A world where a sassy yet lovable new Annie brought me along in her adventure. Not kidding, I looked around me about 3/4 of the way through, and was surprised I was in a theatre. A movie that completely sucked me out of reality is definitely going into my top five. The story line was similar, yet so different, you couldn't really compare the two. After all, this is modern day New York. The singing, choreography, acting, all was amazing, and I was very impressed by the whole cast. Except maybe Sandy. He didn't do much.



1. If I Stay

Are you surprised? I am. Normally, I hate teen romance stories. I just don't get into them. In fact, when my friend first asked me to see this, I said no. It was only later that I finally did decide to see it. Man, am I glad I did.
As you can probably tell, I'm not into romance of any kind. While this one definitely offers a love story, it is not only a story of the love between a boy and a girl. It shows the love between parent and child, brother and sister, friends, and passion. Probably what struck me most was how the main character was so different from those around her, in that she came across as more conservative. That in itself is something I can relate to. Finding a way to fit in, well, isn't that what we're all after. The movie also was incredible and mixing both the present with memories, yet not being confusing. To sum up, the music, the characters, the actors, the effects, all are incredible. And you really don't know until the very last possible second if she stayed.




Hope you enjoyed this little list of mine. Hopefully you check out all the movies, and let me know your opinions in the comments below! What are your top 5 films from 2014? Do you agree with any of mine? I'd love to hear from you. Until next time,

 

Motivational Monday: Talking to People

Happy Monday and Happy Spring! I hope you all had a great weekend and are ready for the week ahead!
This weekend was a pretty great one for me. I got to hit two libraries, as well as get some craft supplies for some upcoming new projects I hope to share with you. Sunday was, as it always is, my day of resting. And restful it was! Now it is a new week, filled with opportunities and, as always, new ways to add meaning, fun, joy, and encouragement to those around us.

I know last week we didn't have a challenge, but this week, I've got one for all of us. It's pretty simple to understand, but may take a little practice at first, especially if you are a naturally shy person. The challenge is this: Talk to people you wouldn't ordinarily think to. A typical person will come a lot of people in a day, yet we might only talk to our friends, family or, in some cases, no one. You might think "What's to say?" or "I don't come across people I know." Answer me this: How many times do you talk to the cashier in the store? Or the person sitting next to you on the bus? Or even that guy that passed you as you were walking? Ever? That's where this challenge comes in. I myself have dealt with feeling extremely shy, to the point of not saying anything. I still have those days, but I try hard to push against it. Being homeschooled, talking to people of different ages comes fairly easily to me. Also, having parents whose jobs are based on befriending, helping, and teaching international students has helped me in the development of small talk. However, when others are around and are talking, I feel like I don't have to talk, so I don't. My mum is naturally quite talkative, and can make friends with just about anyone. I love that about her. But unfortunately, it can make me feel like I have an excuse not to leave my comfort zone. When I'm on my own, I also tend to be pretty quiet. Lately, though, I have been trying to push myself more. To purposefully greet someone, even if just passing them by. These past few years have been tough as far as friends moving, or losing touch with them, and being far from my cousins and other extended family. Relationships are important. Just because you might feel like you are being left behind, doesn't mean that it's true. It also doesn't mean that you should just give up and buy a million cats. Making friends isn't as easy as it used to be. I miss the days when making a friend was as simple as sitting next to someone and saying, "I like your pencil sharpener" and hearing the reply of "Thanks! I got it at Staples!", and thus going into a deep conversation of what "Staples" was.

Friendship: The Early Years

Friendship: What it feels like now

 Then again, does it really have to be more complicated? What if I told that woman handing me the book I just bought that her nails looked really cool? (I do that a lot, by the way, since I love nail polish and pops of colour). Usually, it will result in a somewhat startled, but then delighted "Thanks!" Or what if, the next time someone passed you in the street, you said "Good morning/afternoon/day"? And that person sitting next to you on the bus? Looks like they have a similar taste in books as you, when you notice your favourite novel peaking out from their bags. You've got ten minutes, why not ask them how they're liking it?
These are just some small ways to bring a sense of community, of relationship, of camaraderie, into your life, as well as theirs. You talking to them might just brighten their day. Even if you don't have anything immediate to bond over, with some practice, you can open a conversation with whatever strikes your fancy.
I'm not saying to go out and make a bunch of new friends this week. What I am saying is to be engaged with the people around you. Talking, listening, and maybe sharing a laugh with someone, live and in person, not via text, or internet, is a great way to boost not only confidence, but positivity in both yourself, and others.
I'm sorry if this seems like a really wishy washy blog post, but it's something to think about. Be safe in your strive for community, meaning don't put yourself or others in danger, but also don't let your own insecurities or feelings of doubt stop you. Take the challenge!

Take care, and have a great week!

Vancouver Fashion Week 2015

My apologies for my absence this week, especially since I had promised to write a new goal and challenge every Monday, and it didn't even make it past the first week. I was visiting Vancouver and Vancouver Fashion Week (where my sister was showing her line). It was all great fun and excitement, but it was also much more busy and hectic than I had anticipated. I had brought books and magazines with me, and never even got through one! I also had planned to write, but didn't even get a chance to check e-mails by the second day. Next time I go there, or anywhere, hopefully there will be some more down time.

Since I actually did something interesting this week, I thought I'd share some of it with you. Please note that these are my personal opinions and should not be taken as the thoughts of an expert. I mean no offense.
My sister, Connally, is a fashion designer, and with that comes fashion shows, interviews, rushing around places, and being very busy for several weeks at a time. She handles it pretty well, considering she also moved twice already this year! She has done a few fashion shows now, but this was the first one I attended. It was different than I expected, in some ways, and just how I imagined in others. Most of the time, I only get to see behind the scenes of the fashion industry, so it was incredible to witness the outcome and glamour and facade of all her hard work, compressed into about an eight-minute stretch, applause, and cameras flashing. My own camera was hard at work trying capture it all.

Not only did I see her show, but the few right before her as well. They all had a theme, which would make sense, since it is, after all, the designer's fall/winter line. It would only natural that they would flow together nicely. But it wasn't merely the articles of clothing that were similar. How the models wore their hair, the makeup used, and the shoes worn were also coherent to one another. For instance, the show right before Connally's had the models all wearing bold red lips, with hair that hung down their backs.

Designer unknown

 In my personal opinion, the hair looked somewhat greasy, with a slight texture of wave to it. I also noticed that most were blonde. Most of them also looked like walking was a very difficult thing to do (probably due to the heels). One of them looked like she might collapse, and I felt for her. They didn't smile. They had sultry, angry faces that almost seemed to be saying to the cameras "I dare you to argue with me".

The designer before my sister has models with fierce faces

 I don't know how these people do it! Hearing from some of my sister's models, I've gotten to know some of the stuff she deals with, regarding how rigid the rules are for how she must look, like not being allowed to cut or colour hair without approval. However, she, and other models I've met, seem pretty happy, and are some of the sweetest men and women I've met. 

My sister's show was different. She had both female and male models, showcasing her new line for men as well as women. From what I could tell, the models mostly wore their hair in braids, pulled up in a low side bun. Their lips were darker, and some of the models had sort of an impish look behind the solemn, serious faces they wore. 

Connally McDougall Design

Connally McDougall Design

Connally McDougall Design

As the show drew to a close, my sister came out and joined all her models in a group as the audience cheered, and the music slowly faded away.

After the show, my mother and I, as well as her roommate's (also one of her models) sister waited for them. There will still pictures being taken, mostly between the models, Connally, and friends. They all seemed overjoyed at how it all turned out.

Connally McDougall with Models and Friends

The Jovial group behind Connally McDougall Design

It was a lot of fun; way more fun than I imagined. The music, the lights, the energy is enough to make a person feel wide awake (and later, due to such a late night, fall asleep sitting up, and jerk their head up several times, causing their mother to have to hold the back of their head, just case....okay, maybe it was just me.) 

I did do a few other things while I was in Vancouver (three words: Seven Story Library... at one point I realized I wasn't breathing and had to remind myself to close my open mouth.)  

Vancouver is a beautiful city and a wonderful place to stay. I just love how easy the public transit is, as well as the lovely foliage and interesting architecture. I was impressed at how well and quickly I adapted to it all. I'll dig deeper into the topic of being adaptable at a later date. For now, I want to thank you for putting up with my tardiness and hope you enjoyed.

Have a fabulous weekend, loves.

XOXO,

P.S. For information on Connally and her designs:
www.connallymcdougall.com
connallymcdougalldesign@gmail.com


And be sure to follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook:
@connallymcd

Enjoy Today

Before I begin, how was your week? How'd that little challenge go? I am happy to say I managed to do it, even though it was actually harder than I anticipated (who knew waiting to check my messages on Wednesday would be so hard?! Wow...what have I become??)
In all seriousness, this week has gone pretty well for me. Uneventful, perhaps, but great! How? That's where I'll be kick starting today's topic: contentment.

Have you ever realized how incredibly ungrateful most of us are? Whoa, there! Don't exit out! This isn't meant to make you feel guilty! When I say "ungrateful", I mean more "oblivious" or "unaware". Just what are we oblivious, or unaware of, you may ask. Life. Simplicity. Needs being met. Let me paint you a little picture.

When you are born, you cry when something in you is upset or in need of attention. Sometimes it's a cuddle, or a changing, and other times it's a need for food, or a warm blanket. Assuming you have caring parents or guardians, you will be fed, changed, cradled in someone's arms, etc. You don't have to do anything to show your gratitude. You naturally will stop crying as soon as your needs are met.
You grow to be a toddler, and are soon taught to ask nicely for what you would like, say please and thank you, and not to whine or carry on. The reason we need to be taught this is because we no longer need to cry and whine and wail for what we need. Unless you have a disability or specific circumstances that prevent you from speaking, you can now ask and make your requests known. As much as we may want to whine and have a fit when we don't get our way, our initial needs can be met by just speaking. Things like gratitude, patience, and being polite are added to our somewhat cave-man-like mannerisms.

As we grow older still, (hopefully) the bad habits of whining and carrying on in a childish manner have been left behind. Also with time, unfortunately, our levels of fascination and gratefulness seem to drop. We are no longer awed by the sight of clouds, or a rainbow. We just don't apreciate things the same way. In other words, we aren't as grateful about the simple things. Unless something is stimulating us, amazing us, amusing us, we devalue it. If asked how a person's day was, unless something like a plane ticket to somewhere exotic was given to them, or they got a perfect score on an exam or assignment, that person would likely respond with a simple "Okay" or "Fine" or maybe even a "pretty good". These kinds of days we consider boring, useless, a waste of time. Yet the next day, that same person may have the misfortune of being in an accident, causing them to need a cast put on. That would be considered a "bad" or "terrible" day.
One thing I've learned in the more recent years, is to appreciate the days for their lack of unfortunate events. I've had some ups and downs, both emotionally and physically in my past, the present, and more than likely my future. Days where I am not in hospital, or crying in bed, or else hearing terrible news about a loved one, are not always in abundance, depending on what's going on. I now am finding myself able to make light of some misfortunes (not all, I am still learning!) and I absolutely LOVE days when nothing "bad" happens. I feel so happy and so at peace. In fact, it's these days that are starting to stay in my mind more than other days from my past, like my birthdays, or holidays, etc. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy them. I just now realize how important it is to live and love what we are given, as well as what we aren't given (the flu, rainy days, falls, etc.)

My point I'm trying to make is one that is often told, over and over. But it's only just starting to make sense to me now, and that is to enjoy the simple things; the quiet, our day-to-day lives, and also the lack of things that could be, but aren't. For on those days, I pray and I thank God for making me alive, giving me breath, and taking away the bad.


Hope you all have a fantastic week!
Love,

Mondays

Hello Loves, and a very Happy Monday to you all.
A bright fresh start to a new week.

I know what you may be thinking: "Mondays are the worst! It's five whole days until the weekend, and I still don't feel rested!" You want to know how I know that at least some of you feel that way? Because it's how I feel. But, while pondering what to write about in today's post, I realized something: Mondays can either be full of dread, or full of promise. And that choice is mine. But how do I choose the latter? For me, what gets me pumped are challenges. When I was younger, I used to get my mum to time how long it would take me to take a shower, and get ready for bed. I think my record was around two minutes (pretty impressive if I do say so myself!) This not only made a boring task more fun, but also allowed me extra time for reading, or whatever suited my fancy before having to actually go to sleep. Another challenge I heard was to make your bed every morning. Not quite sure how or when I developed the habit, but I now make my bed every morning, as soon as I get up.
Now, why am I telling you this? Because this week, I have a challenge for you, and for me. Ready for it? Here it is: Every day this week, I challenge you and myself not to check any mobile device, computer, tablet, or any electrical device, until you are dressed, have teeth brushed, face washed, hair done, and any other part of your morning routine. If you really want to step it up, and if your job allows, don't check Facebook, Instagram, e-mails, or any other social media until you are done everything you need to do in the day. Think of it as a way to clear your mind and make it ready and sharp for the tasks at hand, making you better able to focus your attention on the things going on in the moment they happen. Who knows? You might actually enjoy the reprieve from constantly knowing and hearing about what others are doing, and you might feel more appreciative of the "live action" things right in front of you.

Remember, it's just for a week. I'm not even saying a whole week. Just until Saturday. I think we can do that, don't you?

You hold me accountable too, okay? You can write to me in the comments, or e-mail me.
I'd also like to use this week as a kind of trial run. I was thinking that maybe, at the beginning of each week, I'd have a new challenge for us. At the end of the week, maybe I'll write saying how it went. Feel free to send me your ideas and opinions; I'd love to hear them!



Stay strong, and I wish you well.

-Morrigan Shay