So where did the decade go?

So far, my last 24 hours of this decade have been spent by;

1. Being on msn from at least 12-12 am, and doing nothing on the laptop.

2. Reading "Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging" at 3am. I got it for Christmas, and it's hilarious. I remember reading a bit from it back in Grade 7, but I never owned it or got past the first chapter. It's great.

3. Sleeping until around 10am, when my brother dearest woke me up and told me to get out of bed and say goodbye to my grandfather and his wife (not my grandma). Which I did of course, but adjusting to the sudden sunlight by the door was quite difficult. Now the house is ours again!

4. Having a complete Green Day rock out session in my room while getting ready for the day. Including massive headbanging and doing the whole shaking the hair in a circle thing. Never will I ever dance like that in public.

5. Going snowboarding into the front yard ditch with my brother, on his board. I've never boarded once in my life, but I've been skiing since I was really young. And I actually made it down each time without falling. Next pro boarder? We'll see ;). (haha, obviously not).

I still need to actually write down my New Years resolutions before tonight...

I know one of them is to start eating healthy again, especially after the holidays (uggggggh). Also, I need to procrastinate less. I have a whole list going on in my head, haha, but I'll narrow it down and summerize later.

So I wish you all a happy new year in advance, let's make it a good one :). But as if this decade's done already, they were like, my childhood years! Sigh. Ah well, I have a good feeling about the next decade, so many things are gonna be happening. Hah, I keep ranting.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! xox :).

That's what you do, baby.

So guess who's taking up knitting? Oh yeah, yours truly. Haha, I swear I knew how to knit when I was a little kid, but I suppose after all those years I ended up forgeting. But anywhom, during today's holiday family dinner, my mum and my grandma taught me how to knit *thumbs up*. So now I'm in the process of making myself yet another (very simple) scarf. I'm quite excited actually, I'm getting the hang of it now. My yarn and whatnot is actually sitting by my laptop right right this moment. It's going to take forever to finish though, sigh.Current state of my scarf. I'm turning into an old lady already.

And speaking of my laptop, it was my baby's one year anniversary on Christmas day! Haha, I love my laptop, not gonna lie.

While I'm on the topic of my life at the moment, I went shopping today at the biggest mall in the city, and ohhh my god, there were some amazing deals going on. I spent the majority of my time (and money, hah), at Aritzia. I don't know if they have stores outside of Canada, but it's amazing. Mostly everything was still on sale from Boxing Day, thank goodness. But the amount of people in the store was insane. There was a super long lineup to the changerooms, and an even bigger one at the cash. I even willingly decided to try on the clothes in the "communal" change room... besides changing in front of like, 15 people and piling all your junk on the floor, it was actually decent, huge time saver. I ended up getting 3 tops, an oversized black tee, a purple/grey blended oversized tee (I'm really loving the loose look), and a flannel plaid button up, soooo comfy. All by TNA. I should really get pictures up eventually, I wouldn't mind getting some style/fashion stuff incorporated in here actually. And I got coverup and gold eyeshadow pigment at MAC. Their eyeshadows are brilliant.

Oh, and for the record, this is my 5th night on the couch, due to my room being taken by relatives -_-. The spare room's taken too, jeezy. Normally I don't mind being kicked out of my room for a couple nights (at least not too much), but it's getting borderline ridiculous. Gotta love family gatherings (I actually do, but I also want my room back. Badly.)

Hope you guys are doing well! :) xox.
Gorillaz - Dare

Turning back, she just laughs.

Makes me wish I grew up during this time.
Almost Famous.

(Elton John - Tiny Dancer)

Merry Christmas! :)

Our tree and whatnot :).
Oh, and my brother and I found this video highly amusing on Christmas Eve... but it's an inside joke so I apologize if you don't find it too funny....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjzrNWPul9E
Merry Christmas again, xoxo.
Ps, check out this ballin' hat I got for Christmas today;Love it.

Countdown To Christmas!

Hello everyone! :)

Christmas is exactly half an hour away where I am now... and I'm quite pumped.

I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays while I had the time, holidays have been kind of busy...

But yeah, I hope you guys have a great one! Enjoy it :).

Just a few quick little updates de moi...

1. Gave myself another piercing on my ear, so now I have 3 in one earlobe and 1 in the other. Strange? Maybe just a bit... But I'm likin' it.
2. Had my first synchro show of the year. The team that I'm on is doing pretty well, and I was so proud of the team I coach, they're young and they're so cute and they totally rocked it :D. And here's a couple pictures of the crazy hair/makeup I had to do for the show, haha.

3. I was going crazy from school and was SO glad when holidays finally arrived. The last week was half great and half painful. We took a field trip for Science out of town, just like I did last year, which is always fun ;). The painful part was that for the very last period of the last day, I had to sit in class, and write my Physics unit test. Very freaking last thing I did before the holidays. It was absolutly brutal. Not to mention, I was kiiiiinda slacking school-wise recently, I was just exhausted. Glad I have time to recharge now.
4. I just rediscovered television a couple days ago. Just got a brand new tv in the renovated basement, and I was actually spending the night watching it. I haven't sat in front of the tv for hours in years. Literally.

But "chyeah", things are going fairly decently. Hope whoever's reading this is doing well too.

Best wishes, have an AMAZING Christmas!!

xox.

Oh, and ps, it's now 12:06, Dec. 25, aka, it's Christmas!!! Ahhhh! :)

Cynical Motivation

"She can do anything she wants to do,"

"No, she can't,"

Yes I freaking can.

Facebook Applications...?

Self-explanitory.
Haha, this is from a couple months ago now, I was scrolling down my Facebook news feed (or whatever it's called now) and what do I come across?
Needless to say, it was pretty funny.
...but I'm definitely not stupid :).

Just thought I'd share that with "y'all" ;).

I need you so much closer.

Time passes too quickly. Make the most of it while you can.
Sometimes I miss being young, and sometimes I can't wait until I'm a little bit older.
Sometimes I miss the past, and sometimes I can't help but yearn for the future.
Start living for the now. Start living for the present. Because one day, in the future you've been yearning for, you'll be looking back on the days that have already passed you by. And you can't get those back.
Life's tricky sometimes.
Much love, xo.

(Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism)
And yes, that is me at about two years old :).

You've Gotta Make It Happen

Gotta love totally lazy/messy/I-don't-care updos :) ...

Taken on webcam like 10 minutes ago... when I should be doing homework, of course. (Definitely a somewhat-lazy day)

(title: Oasis - Cigarettes & Alcohol)

Sunday

(tumblr)

Time for another fanfrickintastic (note the sarcasm) week of school. Thank goodness there's only 3 more weeks til holidays!
Ps, today during practice we had a "swim-a-thon", and I swam 100 laps in under 50 minutes... crazy-ness.
And I'm currently watching Home Alone on TV right now... favourite Christmas movie for sure! And I'm in a major shopping mood after going to the mall for the first time in awhile before coaching yesterday.... ahhhh. Just an update :)

Anywhoooom, take care :).

It's 1966, the greatest era for British Rock & Roll, but BBC Radio plays less than 45 minutes of pop music a day.

So this past weekend, my mum and I had a "mother/daughter" night on Saturday, because my dad and brother were out of town. Our house is so nice and peaceful when that happens! Anyway, our night consisted of staying at home to have scrambled eggs and toast for dinner (mmm), then heading out to catch a movie at the theatre. We were originally going to see "The Blind Side", but that was sold out (suprisingly), so we had to choose from the rest of the movies playing. Obviously New Moon was way past being sold out (even with the 5 shows still coming up), and there wasn't that great of a selection left. I suggested we might as well see "Pirate Radio", because we're already all the way out here, we might as well see a movie. Now, neither of us had really heard about this movie, or what it was about, but oh my god, am I ever glad I picked it (more on that later). So after picking up the tickets, we went to Starbucks and Chapters (one of my faaaavourite combinations). Nothing puts me in a good mood like browsing through isles of books (and discount tables, obviously) with a White Chocolate Mocha in hand. Only this time I got a holiday-inspired (speaking of holidays, I only have 25 more days til I'm off!) peppermint white chocolate mocha, which was just as good if not better.
So after wandering around the store, we purchased some books, and headed back to the theatre where I witnessed the funniest movie I've seen in an insanely long time. Like, too long, trust me.

Pirate Radio had me PEEING myself (well, not literally, but you get what I mean). It was absolutly hiiiiiilarious. And British, which just added to the overall appeal of it. Honestly, if you're going to the movies in the near future, forget about New Moon (psssssh, Robert Pattinson isn't even that good looking), AND GO SEE PIRATE RADIO.

I can't get over how great this movie is. Great music, great actors... and it's British and set in the mid 60's. Brilliant much? I think so. Seriously, see it. :)

Ps, isn't the guy in the sweatervest a cutie?

James Franco

Oh hello there...
Man, I need to learn to update this more often.

And that'll come eventually, but for now, I'll leave you with some more James Franco goodness...

Ah, I can't get over how goodlooking this guy is!! How can anyone even be that gorgeous?

Haha, he's the reason why I'll watch Spiderman on DVD :).

I'll try to update more (incase anyone happens to read this every once in awhile), promise! Take care, xo.

I couldn't care less, I'm transfixed in this absolute bliss.

I had the most peaceful Saturday morning that I've had in a long time...
After swimming for an excruciating four and a half hours last night (as per usual), coming home and doing the usual laptop check/getting ready for bed routine, I finally tucked myself into my freshly cleaned flannel sheets, in my perfectly made bed (thank goodness for my amazing cleaning lady). After my cold hands and feet started to thaw under the heat of the covers, I drifted off into sleep.
It was a lovely sleep too, not waking up every once in awhile during the early morning like I usually do, instead actually being asleep until around 9am.
Once I was in a more conscious state, I was in total bliss as I stayed tucked under my warm sheets, shielded from the brisk November cold, with the white sunlight creeping through my mostly closed blinds and onto my duvet.
I love moments like these, when all's quiet and it's just you, without any obligations or commitments. It's in these moments where I find true inner calm.
I wish I had more moments like these.
Enjoy your weekend! :)

(Imogen Heap - Between Sheets)

Summer Daze

Summer photoshoot with one of my best friends. (a girl we know was the photographer, I'm wearing the black cardigan)
It's incredible how quickly seasons change. Summer, where'd you go?

Studying Abroad

Sometimes I honestly get the urge to really change things up. Sometimes I just feel the need to "get out". Get out of this routine that's my life, meet new people in a new place. To be even more independant, get culture, and be part of a new experience. It's a huge feeling! I'd love to have the experience of living in another country, somewhere forgein to me. It's all really tempting actually, meeting new people from all over the world, going to a high school in a different country... just wow.

I can just imagine myself in a British school in England, in a cute uniform surrounded by handsome English boys, (LOVE those accents, hahaha). Oh my fantasies. On the English countryside, soaking up the culture. Not to mention, the shopping and things to do! Fashion, rock & roll, Harry Potter... Ahh, wouldn't that be a great experience?

Or even in a crazy city like Tokyo, where I don't even understand the language, but man, what a unique culture. I just want to do something crazy like live on the other side of the world, with my friends and family thousands of miles away. I want that rush, that experience.

The only problems I can think of is that I'd miss my family and friends back home, and the programs are kind of pricy... But it's beyond tempting. (Oh, and I also have a fear of flying, even though I've flown many, many times in the past). I've talked to others who've done student exchanges in the past, and they say it's the most amazing thing, and I definitely wouldn't regret going on one.

If I were to go on one, I would go next year (Grade 11). I would not want to go on a full year exchange, one semester (5 months) at most. And I'll have to decide if I'm serious about this soon, because deadlines will come up eventually... and spots will fill.

But I think sometimes we just need a change to find ourselves.
To let go.
To live.

(Does anyone have any opinions/experience on studying abroad or the urge to get out? I'd love to hear them. Thank you)

Guilty Food Pleasures of the Moment

1. Smartfood Popcorn - When I have the munchies, I want Smartfood Popcorn. I was just having some actually, mmm. Perfectly cheesy and tastes amazing. Not too too horrible for you either. Much better than those chips you know ;).

2. Hot Chocolate - Oh hot chocolate, where do I begin? There's nothing better than getting in on a chilly night, boiling a cup of water, and making yourself a hot chocolate. It's just so warm and indulgent. A cup of hot chocolate from Starbucks or Tim Hortons would do just fine (if not better).


3. Chicken Shawarma - Chicken, lettuce, tomates, and garlic sauce all wrapped up in a... wrap (haha). Even though you'll have the worst garlic breath after eating one of these, it is so worth it, especially when it's still warm. Just had one of these last night, and it was aaaaamazing.

4. Toast - Gosh I just love toast. It's one of my weekend pleasures, waking up and poppin' some whole wheat/grain (or whatever) bread in the toaster. Complete with margarine that melts into the bread when put on... Mmmm. Call me plain, but I like my toast with just that on it. So simple and yummy. And two slices of the bread I use are 100 calories, so I don't feel too guilty at all! :) (though I bet the margarine brings that number up quite a bit, but no worries).

If anyone's actually reading this, what are your "guilty pleasure foods of the moment"? :)

Procrastination...

Isn't always the greatest thing to have...

Especially when you have your final Chem test tomorrow...

And you've waited til the night before to attempt studying.

Luck? I need you.

Nothing can compare to...

Not many things feel as good as finally stepping into a steaming hot shower after a 3 hour practice at the coldest pool in your city. Just standing under the shower head savouring the heat... Gotta love being a synchronized swimmer.

Happy Halloween!

Have lots of fun, and eat lots of candy! :)

As of last night, I've definitely had my share of chocolate. Walking into the house only to find that your parents bought candy to give away on Halloween night can be quite tempting.

I currently can't get enough of Mars Bars. Mmm. Good thing I swim 24/7!
xo, Leanne.