Thursday, December 31, 2009

Farewell 2009!

So it seems that the year is indeed coming to a quick close.  This has truly been a great year. I thought I would recap some of the best of my 2009 (in no particular order).

1) Going on exchange-  Spending 5 months abroad in Europe was one of the best experiences of my life.  It was incredible being on my own in a foreign country, being able to jet of to Greece for week, meeting so many amazing  and diverse people, and finally making use of my secondary and tertiary languages.

2) Moving in with my bff at school- It makes life much easier when in a hazed mid-exam week state someone can interpret your odd mumbles and perplexed expressions and can read your mind.
3)First half of senior year-  It's hard to believe I'm in my last year for my Commerce degree.  It has truly been a whirlwind.  I've definitely tried to experience everything my school has to offer this year. I was a leader during orientation week, attended our Fauxcoming football game, went to the engineering Greasepole (see old post for explanation), and tried to become more active in my business school's student government (mostly through bake sales and volunteering. I also made the bake sale sign below)

4) Started my blog- Sure I may not be queen of the blogosphere, but that's not matter.  I've had a great time writing my posts (on the rare occasions I've found the time) and reading those of the many wonderful bloggers out there.
5) Secured my position as the Craft Queen amongst my friends-  With my newly-acquired Martha Stewart craft supplies (and they are truly amazing), I've glittered, painted, and colored my 2009 away, and it has been a blast.  I love arts and crafts, which is why everyone keeps telling me I should accept my fate and become a kindergarden teacher.
6)Michael Buble released a new album- I LOVE Michael Buble.  I think he brought so many wonderful classics back to life and added so great new songs of his own.  I especially love Haven't Met You Yet.  So good!

There are of course many more, but my mind is slightly distracted by the upcoming festivities.

And of course I have new resolutions for 2010 (and beyond):

1)More workouts- Sure this is a staple on most lists, but it's definitely true.  While I tend to work out quite often during routine weeks, during those of stress I tend to lag a bit on my gym visits.  I really do love that post-workout endorphin kick and feeling healthier in general. And of course it's important to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle, which is quite difficult as a student, but equally important.
2)Cook more- as a student who doesn't live on campus I'm forced to fend for myself for food.  I'd love to say that I cook myself a wonderful meal everyday, but unfortunately that is not the case.  I'm unfortunately a frequenter of mac and cheese and frozen pizza.  As a recent vegetarian I'd really like to cook for myself much more often in the new year.  I've come to love tofu so it's definitely becoming a staple of mine.
3)Read more- I've barely enjoyed personal reading over the last year- again the plight of a college student.  So I vow to spend more time reading for pleasure in 2010, rather than only for school.  I have so many books in my personal library that I have yet to read, and I've had a hankering to finally dig into them.
4)Clean!- It's been far too long since I've done real 'spring cleaning.'  I have far to much in my room, and my closet is bursting at the seams. It's about time I take out one of the 365 days of the new year to finally purge my room of the unnecessary.  I also have so much that I really don't use that someone else could need far more than I do.  I foresee a hefty trip to the Salvation Army in my future.
5)Update- my blog, my to do lists, my journal.  It's important to take the time to jot my life down everyday, otherwise I will quickly find myself over my head.  I must remain organized!
6)Less Starbucks- Even though I moved a little further away from campus this year (and a lot further away from my neighborhood Starbucks), I still found myself visiting the coffee shop far too often.  The baristas now know me by name, never a good sign.  Last year I received an actual Starbucks Barista espresso machine for my birthday, so I aim to make my own lattes at home instead of heading to Starbucks everyday.  It's really too expensive of a habit.

And again, I'm sure there are far many more that I need to include on my list, but there's a glass of champagne with my name on it!


Happy 2010!

-MJ

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Vacation So Far and Me and Orson Welles

Greetings from Orlando!  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and is looking forward to ringing in the new year (and new decade)!  I can't believe it was a whole decade ago that everyone was worrying about y2k, and here we are about to enter the 2010s.  Time really does fly by too quickly.

So I have had a great vacation so far.  I spent a week in a condo in Fort Lauderdale.  Our condo was right on the beach, with only an elevator ride and a few steps down to sandy beaches and ocean waters.  Although there were icky blue jelly fish lining the shore, I went on enough walks to find some great shells to bring back to Canada with me.  I also did some great shopping!  The outlet mall in Ft. Lauderdale is beyond amazing.  I found so many great items at the J. Crew outlet for some great prices.
I'm also the proud new owner of a pink Kate Spade Wellesley Quinn.  I LOVE it oh so very much!

We also headed over to West Palm Beach.  I was hoping to pop by the Lilly Pulitzer, but it was a little too far.  But have no fear, I stopped by C. Orrico for some Lilly goodies.  I found some great deals on a swimsuit, a skirt, and I somehow scored Lilly espadrilles for a mere $10!  Deal of the century!  After a lovely time relaxing and reading on the beach, I flew to Orlando yesterday and have been spending time with some old friends from high school. It's so nice to be back. I feel like I'm home again.  Tonight I went to see Me and Orson Welles at the Enzian theatre.

I'm not sure how many of you liked Citizen Kane, but it's one of my favorite movies, and I think it's one of the best movies of all time.  I thought Me and Orson Welles did a great job of showing the big-headedness and ego of Orson.  He was known for being a little unkind. It has also been years since I've seen a Shakespeare play, so it was enjoyable to see the portrayal of Julius Caesar, and a good one at that.  And of course having Zac Efron in it made it a little more enjoyable to watch as well.

Happy Wednesday!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Off to Florida

Farewell bloggers, for tomorrow I fly to Florida to send some time sunbathing in

Miami

Key West

Orlando
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  And for those of you not in Florida, stay warm!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Holiday Break

As of 7 this morning, I am officially done with this the fall semester of my senior year of college!  I can't believe I'm halfway through already!
Now that I can take my mind off school, I can finally be free to think about Christmas and Florida ( my family leaves for Miami on tuesday!).  I have barely started my Christmas shopping, I still have to pack my entire suitcase, and I have yet to send off my holiday cards.

I'm a little sad that my family will be celebrating Christmas in a condo instead of our usual decorated house, but I'm just super thankful to head to warmth.   I  saw this dress at Talbots and think it would be perfect for Christmas dinner.  I only hope I can still find it in stores this close to the holidays.



And I have been making a mental list of what to wish for from Santa.  I've been smitten by the Lilly website.

I think it's time I add some height to my McKims

Pink!

Classic, cheerful, crave-worthy!

I love board games. My housemate and I have a game night coming up, and I would love to whip out this Lilly-good-time!

I would also love the Ugly Betty dvds.  They would be great for study breaks.

Santa, if you're reading this, please feel free to email me if you have any questions.  I think I've been pretty good this year. If I must get a lump of coal, could you please at least make it pink?

I suppose I should go start packing now.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Miss Dior Commercial

Still plugging away, finishing my last essay of the semester (hence my disappearance from the blogosphere), but I saw this commercial on tv and am just drawn to it. Oh to be able to frolic through the streets of Paris!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Southern Proper

www.southernproper.com.png
I love Southern Proper.  They have such adorable items, and really, who doesnt' love their boy in a bow tie?  Well now Southern Proper has blog, titled Pransey Proper: the musings of a preppy southern belle. It has some fun features such as southern stats and Pransey's fancies.  Check it out here:

http://www.southernproper.com/pransey/