New Years Resolutions

I've never been a person that is good at following through with things. You should see the half finished projects that I have! It's impressive.

I've made resolutions in the past, but I'm not really motivated enough to keep them. This year, my resolution was to read a book a month, which I was doing very good at until my kobo broke a couple months ago (which isn't an excuse I know.)

Side note: I stopped writing this earlier in the day, and just started again (at 11pm) FURTHER EVIDENCE.

I guess what I should do is get to the point! New years resolutions for 2014. Yes. I'm setting some. Will I fulfill them? probably not.

1. Write a blog post once a week
2. Do more creative things like writing, crafting etc.
3. Read a book a month. You can do it!

I've found the goldmine, ladies.

I say "ladies" because I'm fairly certain only about 2 or 3 of my lady friends actually check my blog.

But I've found the most amazing website for cooking on a budget! it's http://www.budgetbytes.com and it's FANTASTIC! This lady has created delicious, yet budget-savvy recipes that make your mouth water! I'm testing our her sesame chicken recipe tonight!

Happy cooking!

Roadtrip 2013!

Recently Jordan and I had the opportunity to go on a road trip with his family through the United States. The plan was 6 states in 10 days. Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Arizona and California, and we made it! the 6 of us were in an Astro van, which was very very comfortable for our long travelling days. Here are some highlights from our trip! If you want to hear more stories, I would love to have you over and make you a coffee!

Bryce Canyon, Utah - This place was absolutely beautiful! 

  Enjoying the Utah sunshine

 Jordan and Ike not paying attention to the guard rails

 Family portait (missing a few lovelies) at the Grand Canyon in Arizona

 Grand Canyon, AZ

Delgadillo's Drive In, Seligmann AZ. One of the most interesting places! 

Our greeter, welcoming us to Oatman, Arizona! (this is called a Burro) 

 Stuck his head right into the van and accepted our present!

Hannah and I make friends with the Burro's who walk around the town 

Our slight detour to see the Hollywood sign led us on a drive through Beverly Hills, Bel-Air and Malibu! 

A beach full of Elephant Seals on the way to San Francisco up the #1 highway 

Exploring Fisherman's Wharf in Downtown San Francisco 

San Francisco's Chinatown 

 Finally found a beach worth stopping and exploring in Oregon on the way home.

Happy to be back at the Pacific Ocean (even though it was a little cold!)

Our Monday Adventure

Jordan and I try to do something fun in the city every Monday, since that is the day in the weekend when Jordan is the most awake. This week we decided to go to the aquarium! Even though we've been tons before, it's still always fun to go see all the different creatures.

The night before we had the opportunity to see Great Big Sea at the Orpheum theatre with our brothers Steve and Ike and my Dad, and in a completely random happenstance... our good friends Dan and Amanda (read their amazing blog here) were sitting right next to us! We bought our tickets at the same time, in separate towns and without knowing, bought the seats that were right beside each other, I would call that divine providence, serendipity or whatever you would say. Anyways, it was an amazing concert, definitely in the top 3 I've seen... though they didn't play a few songs that I was looking forward to... (but I think that I can forgive them)

Great Big Sea!

Waiting to see the dolphins at the Vancouver Aquarium

 My favorite shot of the day from the Aquarium...

IT. IS. FINISHED.

Practicum is FINISHED! I have completed my hours officially and my Mondays and Tuesdays are officially free. This last 4 days was my first break since I started practicum at the end of September, and I already have tons more energy than I have over the last couple months. I feel like I can go to work tomorrow and actually put more energy into my job as a nanny than I ever have before. The other day, Jordan and I got the opportunity to go to the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth park on Cambie St. It was lovely!! It's not too expensive to get in, and you get to see all sorts of tropical plants and birds! at only $7 dollars each to get in, it's a great way to spend a rainy day!

Almost finished...

I'm almost finished! Only 3 days of practicum left to do and I will be free from daycare! (then after that I just need to read 1500 pages and write two huge papers by the end of april, woohoo!)

I unfortunately had to call in sick today because I pulled a muscle in my left leg yesterday when I bent down to tie a child's shoe, leaving me unable to walk without pain today. Fortunately it's gotten better over the course of the day, so I will be able to get back to work tomorrow (at the best job ever, mind you!)

Jordan and I have been doing weekly menus instead of buying random things at the grocery store, and we've actually been really enjoying it! (and spending less money on groceries) Tonight I tried to make one of my favorite recipes that my mom used to make us when we were younger, but it went horribly wrong, which I was very disappointed about. But hey, maybe next time it will work! 

Tomorrow night: one of my favorites! Taco salad!

Photography

I've really been enjoying taking photos with my phone. Since Jordan and I aren't in the place to afford a new camera right now, my phone is all I have! Here are some of my favorite photos I've taken over the last couple months...

Who's terrible at blogging?

ME! ME! pick me!
I have been completely neglecting my blog as of late, I feel like I have no energy to do anything other than cook dinner when I get home and tidy up a little before I go to bed. I have 4 days left of practicum (which sorts out to 2 weeks, because I only do Monday and Tuesdays) and I am very VERY relieved that it is coming to an end, but at the same time I will miss (some) of the kids and the teachers that have taught me so much over the past 4 months. I have one more course to finish and I will be a certified Early Childhood Educator (yay!) By the end of March I have to read 1500 pages, and by the end of April I have to have written a 20 page paper. Just one more push through and I can finally be done.

I have made the transition from extrovert to introvert lately, and find myself being quite the homebody. I never used to be like this, I always went out with friends, hung out with people etc, but lately I'm finding myself dreading going somewhere where I'll have to talk to anyone, and nights spend reading and busying myself at home have become my favorite ones. I've even started to play with poetry. Something I have never even thought about doing before. I am not sure if this is a healthy change, I mean... I still see friends sometimes and I have a great and healthy relationship with my husband. Is it wrong to like to stay home and be quiet? Is it normal to go through phases where you're an extrovert (like I was in high school) then change to an introvert?

I am trying some exciting recipes this week and I am looking forward to posting them!
Falafel tutorial on Saturday!