2015 in Review

2015 was an interesting year for me. I can't say it was the worst, but it definitely wasn't the best either. Let's go over (in kind of chronological order) what happened this year...

In 2015...

• A relationship that was really important to me ended. What a great start off to the year, right?
• I sent in my university applications and received some early acceptances. This gave me a great boost to my non-existent self-esteem at the time.
• I got a promotion in Air Cadets to the rank of Warrant Officer 2nd Class
• Graduated from Air Cadets, something that I had been a part of since I was 12.
• Graduated from high school. Thank god, that place was a nightmare.
• Moved into my dorm. This was my first time living away from my family, an interesting and fun experience.
• Started university. Realized I wasn't understanding anything in chemistry, freaked out... BUT, eventually it got better, and now, everything is fine. (yay)
• Felt happy. For the first time, I actually felt happy for long periods of time as an individual. As stressful university is, I actually like it! 

I think those are the biggest events of this year... It wasn't the best year, but it was a year of change, and change is almost always hard. 

2015 started bad, but is going to end well. My only hope for 2016 is that it starts well, and ends well. I know that bad things are inevitable, so I know that the new year won't be full of 100% happy things, but I only hope that I approach the bad situations with a good outlook.

Happy new year, guys!

Almost New Year!

I can't believe 2015 is almost over! Feels like the year's barely started, and now its over. Feels like these years just get shorter and shorter, eh?

I feel like many people make many new year's resolutions; at the start of the year, they're super motivated and stick to all of them. But, as the months pass, one by one, the resolutions are forgotten. It's a vicious cycle that gets repeated year after year.

If we concentrate all of our motivation of being a better person towards a few resolutions instead of many, we might actually make it to the end of the year. This year, I've come up with just two resolutions for myself, and I think everyone else should have at least these two on their list, too.

1. Try to see the best in every situation

Often, its pointless to jump to the worst situation. This is something I do a lot, and its draining. And, (obviously) everything is okay in the end, I mean, we made it this far and we're still alive, right? Instead of freaking out, and jumping to the worst conclusions, try to stay calm, and know that everything will be okay in the end.

2. Spend sensitively

By this, I mean to save money, and only buy things you really need. I know that many people say "Money shouldn't matter," and they're right, but, as a poor uni student, I can say that it really does. And I really need to conserve in that aspect.

Care to share some of your resolutions in the comments below?

--J

Christmas Adventures

A few days ago, I went to the Toronto Christmas Market. I mostly went there to see all the festive scenes and admire the Christmas trees and to obnoxiously sing Christmas carols; I already knew everything would be hella expensive (sorry, I'm a broke uni student here lol). Here are a compilation of pictures I took.

The sky was so beautifully clear.

The fairy lights are so amazing!

When I saw that ladybug at a nearby park, I just HAD to go for a ride haha

Loving that cobblestone aesthetic

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how ever green thy branches...

Is it just me, or do these stores look so beautiful? (especially the pastels)

That sunset tho!!

Fairy lights galore!

Goodbye 2015....

Merry Christmas and happy holidays, guys!!

--J

Beauty and Time

Hey guys!

I got the idea for today's post a few weeks ago, actually (I never had the chance to write it, or post it, simply because FINALS) But anyways...

After a particular shower on a particular day, I was putting on what I thought was the world's softest bathrobe, when suddenly, I realized, the bathrobe wasn't soft anymore. When I had first felt it, it was like heaven at my fingertips, but now, a year later, it just feels normal. I mean, it's still soft, it's just not THE SOFTEST THING I'VE EVER FELT anymore; I had gotten used to its texture. And that got me thinking.

So many people lose the ability to see the beauty in the city/town they live in, and the people that they're most often associated with. How often do locals stop and stare in awe of the beauty of their city? When we see the same thing every single day, it starts to lose its lustre. Is getting used to something, being desensitized, just another fact of life or should we strive to see the continuous beauty in everything?

Maybe it's important to have the skill of being able to see the beauty in something old. After all, it's the little things in life that matter the most. The next time you're walking to work, or on the bus, look around; what kinds of things have you overlooked everyday? Perhaps there's a beautiful pot of flowers around the block of your favourite coffee shop, or maybe the cashier at your local drugstore has the most beautiful smile. Just stop, and look around you. There's so much beauty in everything, and it's a shame that we let ourselves get used to it.

If you let yourself get used to the things around you, what about you, yourself? You have to see and live with yourself every single day. Maybe that's why so many people can't see the beauty in themselves. They've gotten so used to that face staring back at them in the mirror every morning that they can't see how breathtaking they are.

So maybe it IS important to have the skill of being able to see the continuous beauty of things. Don't get used to it, guys. Once in a while, it's a good idea to look at the world with new eyes, and appreciate what it has to offer.



Man, I feel like this post was all over the place, I hope you guys got the gist of this, haha, I'm half asleep as I type this.

Thanks for reading!

--J

Rant||An Unpopular Opinion on Marks and Grades

Hello, everyone!

I can already tell you right off the bat that there will be no lovely eye-drawing images for this post (sorry!), this is purely a rant.

If I were to say "Grades shouldn't matter" in a high school, or even worse, a university/college setting, I would probably get death glares and a suggestion to seek mental help. But it's true, grades shouldn't matter.

The objective shouldn't be to get a 4.0 or a 90% average, or whatever it is you're aiming for. Because, that way, every time you fall short in the semester (and trust me, it will happen), all you'll feel is crap, and you'll be mad at yourself.

I think, the way to approach being successful in school is to not worry about the grades, and instead, tell yourself, "I'm here to learn, and I'm here to do it to the best of my ability." I think these two ways of thinking will eventually get you back to the same results, except the latter will contain less stress.

While aiming for that 4.0, doing your best should be something you're already doing. Except, sometimes, "your best" isn't at the numerical value that you're aiming for. Doing your best forces a mindset where you are always striving to improve yourself, where on the other hand, trying to hit a 85% or 90% does not. Once you get that percent average that you wanted, you've put yourself in a position where you can say, "I'm good enough." With the other method, you're constantly asking yourself, "Can I do better?"

To me, the most important part about school is getting something out of it. What's the point of getting a good mark if you've just hitched a ride with someone else, and you yourself are still very confused on the topic?

If you continuously strive to hit a new "best," the grades will eventually come along. At least, that's what I found to work.

Anyone have different opinions? Comment down below.



Thanks for reading!

Jackie

GIRL ONLINE: ON TOUR || REVIEW

Why does it look like my right hand is a claw?

"Girl Online: On Tour" was published by Zoë Sugg (aka Zoella) on October 20th, 2015.  "Girl Online: On Tour" is a sequel to Zoë Sugg's Girl Online.

The book is a continuation of Penny's life after the online scandal of the first book. Penny, 16 and obsessed with her rock-god boyfriend (who wouldn't be, if they had one at 16?) has been invited to go on tour with him for the summer.

Very quickly, what went from looking like the best summer ever became a summer filled with anxiety, haters... and, you guessed it, boy-drama. In her summer on tour, Penny learns that a relationship isn't always warm and fuzzy, and sometimes, there's nothing she can do to fix that, no matter how much she tries.

Viewers of Zoella (like myself), have known that this book was coming for a while now, and have anxiously waited as we watched her talk about writing it in her vlogs. To be honest, I thought that this book was so much better than its successor. Zoë certainly seems to have matured in her writing style quite a bit since then.

My only real complaint about the book is that Zoë seems to make the characters behave in a way that almost seems unrealistic to me. I don't know about your life, but almost no one is nearly that over-the-top nice in my life (maybe I just have a sucky life haha). For example, Elliot, Penny's best friend often refers to Penny as "Princess P" or "Pennylicious" even in text messages! I don't think I could keep that habit up, it just takes too much effort (please tell me I'm not the only one). As well, I don't know anyone that ends all their texts with "xx" or "xxxxxxx." I dunno, I don't think people are like that in real life, and it almost made me want to roll my eyes a little bit.

I really did enjoy the parts of the book where Penny goes through tough times, and my heart throbbed for her, as I'd gone through the same things, and I think Sugg depicted those emotions nicely.

Overall, this book was muuuuch better than her first, and I really would recommend it to everyone who's read the first one.

Rating: 7/10

Zoë signed it!!!!!!!! (still excited)

Thanks for reading!

Jackie

Sugg, Zoë. Girl online: On tour.  London: Penguin Random House,  2015. Print.
Get it here

We Will Remember Them

Remembrance Day happens every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 month, and has been a tradition since November 11th, 1918, the end of World War I. Remembrance day is a day of remembering and paying respects to military personnel that have paid the ultimate price in combat.

Often, I find that people (especially young people, like myself) don't really care about this day. But it shocks me, because I care so much. So many people have given up their lives fighting for what they thought was right, and keeping this country, Canada (and others, of course) free; remembering them is the least we can do. So many lives lost, so many hearts broken, so many children who were/are forced to grow up without their father/mother, it makes me teary-eyed just thinking about it.

To pay our respects, a two minute silence is given at the 11th hour, a tradition started by King George V. During these two minutes, thoughts should be about those who died and their sacrifice for us. People also wear poppies, a flower that was made famous by the poem "In Flander's Fields." Traditionally, it is worn on the left side of the chest, over the heart.

I think this day is so important. Even though it isn't like the other special days of the year where things are happy and fun, like the ever approaching Christmas, it still should be acknowledged and observed.

We will remember them.

Sources
What is Remembrance Day?
Remembrance Day in Canada
More Info
Remembrance Day

A Change in the Weather

A change in the weather also means a change in lifestyle for most of us. We go from enjoying our summer break back to school. Maybe we go back to the same school and see our old friends, or we might go to a completely new school, in a new city, where we don't know anybody. We might even be moving out for the first time and live without our families. 

No matter the situation, things could get tough. I know it was for me. In the first month, I felt so overwhelmed by all the changes in my life. For example, chemistry, a subject that I never really had any trouble with, suddenly became super difficult, and I found that I was no longer "good" at it anymore. Which, you know, triggered a "WHAT IS LIFE" moment for me for quite a while, haha.

But, I knew that I could not feel that way forever, so I did something that knew would get me out of that rut. I had to quit complaining, and quit feeling crap about myself. (what a surprise, eh?) It seems like common sense, but I feel like so many of my peers don't know that. I did whatever was necessary to get to where I wanted to be, asked the necessary questions, and didn't let the stress get to me.

I guess my point to all this is that change will come. And at first, you will probably have moments where you hate it, but in the end, the only thing that will make the situation better, is if you accept it. When you learn to accept the new "normal" and adapt, that's when you grow.

Taken with the iPhone 6s by him

Taken with the iPhone 6s by him

Hope you liked these photos that didn't really have anything to do with what I wrote, other than the title, LOL :)

---Jakie

Sight-seeing Around the Uni

Ugh. I feel like I'm going to have to apologize every single time I write a blogpost now... but well... Yeah sorry, midterms have rolled around and I seem to have been wiped off the face of my blog.

But here are a couple of photos I took around the university. I wanted to take some photos of the inside of buildings too, but I didn't really get a chance to do that, as I would have needed to take pictures when people weren't around (and people are always around). Maybe that'll be a different blog post... We'll see :)

Honestly, I'm so blessed to live in such a beautiful environment, with so much greenery (although it won't be green for long!) And I just wanted to share it with you all.

Is this not the cutest place ever?

There's this awesome trail on the outskirts of the campus.

Woke up one day and it was super foggy!

On our campus, there are many deer.

They just casually rule our world :P

I just love how modern some of the buildings look.

I might do a few more nature-y shots once all the leaves turn an awesome colour, it'll be sooo beautiful!

Thanks for reading,

--Jakie

6 Steps to an Organized Life

Hello! Long time no post... Sorry :( The first week of uni has been rather overwhelming, haha.

With school back in (most of) our lives, I thought it would be a good idea to share my experience with you on the subject of organization.

Use a Journal/Planner

Some of the text is blurred for my privacy :')

Whether it be a journal the school gives you, or one you buy yourself, it's a good idea to write what you need to do and when it needs to be done down. I personally don't like the planners schools give, I just feel like it doesn't give me enough freedom to write what I want down, and therefore isn't as useful as it could be. If that's the case for you too, then you can try some other journal systems such as: the bullet journal (I use this), filofax, midori (sells good travelling journals).

Actually Use Said Planner!

It's fine and dandy to have a pretty notebook/planner and all, but for it to actually work, you gotta actually use it! This means spend some time to plan your day out, and at the end of the day, spend some time going over the list, to see if there's anything you've missed. And, throughout the day, use your planner as reference. 

In the picture above, is an example of me using my Bullet Journal, specifically, to plan this post! 

Start the Day Right

Many of us (me included, much of the time) press the snooze button as many times as we can, and groan about having to get out of bed. But, in my experience, starting the day off in a positive way can really help make the rest of it a good one.

For example, many people start the day off by making their bed. Even something as simple as that could set you off on the right foot, and make your day instantly brighter. There are actually studies out there that prove this. Others take it a step further and have a mini meditation session. A great app for that if you want to get into it is "Calm" (available to both Android and iOS). I've tried it out, and it really does help take some of the stress away! :)

Get Help from the Apps

In this age and day, most people have smartphones, and what better to do than let them help you lead a more organized life? Here are a few apps that I use that make my life easier.

1. Evernote

Evernote is a note-taking app that can sync on all your devices. It's great for those of us that go to school. You can make notebooks, jot down notes, draw, take pictures, record, make to-do lists, and many more! If you haven't tried it out, I highly recommend you do.

2. Swipes

This is an app where you can create to-do lists. This app also collaborates with Evernote, so you can get the most out of both apps. What's special about this app is that it organizes your list for you, showing the most important and most upcoming at the top, and ones that are due later, later. Visit here for more information! (this app is available for most mobile devices, it even has an app on the Mac App Store!)

3. Google Now/Siri
Okay, well, neither of these are really apps, but both of them can certainly help you make your life easier!

On Google Now, you can tell google what you would like to see, and it'll pick cards that it thinks are important to you (eg. travel times, interesting articles, weather). You can also tell google now to create a reminder. There are so many things that Google Now can do, so if you have an Android phone, I suggest you read this, this, and this, to help better familiarize yourself.

Siri, in many ways is just like Google Now. However, it lacks the cards, and (no offence to Apple fanboys/girls) also lacks the ability to understand what you're saying. I don't think Google Now has ever misheard me... but it's not the same story with Siri. (those using iOS 9 should experience this less, though, with the new and updated Siri)

Anyways, enough bashing... Siri can take reminders, will listen to your commands to text your best friend, tweet things for you, perform web searches and many more. For all the iOS readers that would like a better insight to how Siri works, go here, here, and here.

Pick One and Stick to It!

Pick one way to do things and keep at it! Whether this be apps or journal systems, or even schedules. Once you find what works for you, stick to it. The key to an organized life is structure. But how can structure be found if you keep on changing things up?

JUST DO IT

This step is the most important of them all! You can make many to-do lists, have many things written down on an agenda, and have tens of reminders, but none of them will actually give you a more organized life unless you DO IT! 

Little things like getting up and making the bed, even if you're thinking, "What's the point? No one's going to see it anyways." Just do it! Even if you don't feel like opening up your math textbook to do practice questions, just do it! There is no way you can make your life more organized and put together unless you take action!

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I really hope this was helpful-ish to you guys, and not just me rambling on and on. Again, apologies for long time no write... Hopefully I can figure out a good balance between uni life and blog.

Until next time,

Jakie

Moving in | Uni Life

On August 30th, I moved into my university, and since then, I've had about a week to settle in. Here are some pictures of my dorm surroundings.

Can you believe this is the principal's house? It's so beautiful!

My current desk setup. (That notebook is my bullet journal) *

Oh look! A shelf! And a DIY clock!

My floral bedsheets and my postcard/polaroid collection.

The view outside my window.

Moving anywhere can come with a lot of excitement and troubles. However, moving into a university dorm is quite unique because everyone else is just as confused, scared, lost, and excited as you are.

The day began with me waking up way too early after a sleepless night. I packed the last few things and anxiously waited around until it was time to leave. Finally, we began our 45 minute drive to my university campus. My family and I were greeted with joyful cheers of "Welcome home!!!" All of the volunteers for the move-in day were so excited and helpful.

Later that day, after my family had left, after I'd met up with a friend that I'd gone to high school with, after I'd met my roommate, it dawned on me how quiet my room could be. Sure, the walls of my dormitory are thin, but there was an overwhelming sense of calmness and quiet (which I grew to like) and for the first time, I missed home.

The first few nights were very strange. Back at home, I have a set routine to most aspects of my day. For example, my first time showering at the dorm was SO strange! I had no idea where to do what, when to do what, and where to put what. The process ended up taking so much longer than it usually does at home.

But now, after a week, I think I've got it handled pretty nicely. I sort of have a routine going on, and hopefully it'll only get better. :)


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More to come,

Jakie

*If you want more detail on my bullet journal, please comment down below c:

Packing my Bags | Moving for Uni

Today is my last day in my house before I move into my dorm at university (pics coming as soon as i settle in!) and I don't really know what to feel. I think everything is just a mixture of feelings right now.

There's the feelings of nervousness from having to leave everything I know and venturing into an unknown and potentially scary place. As an anxious person, I don't like being in a place where I don't know exactly what's happening to me, or being in places where I'm not in total control. Being in a foreign place forces me to experience both of those at the same time.

I also feel excited and adventurous. At university, I'll be able to reinvent myself, find new friends, and experience "adult" life. (I put adult in quotes because who am I kidding? I'm not an adult :P ). I can feel the sense of freedom at my fingertips. I'll be able to do whatever I want, whenever I want, with reason, of course. (Midnight snacks galore!)

There's also stress. University is so DARN expensive! Whyyyyyy >.< But also, apart from the price tag, there's also the stress to do academically well. School hasn't even started and I've already received emails from profs on quizzes and evaluations happening in September. 

I think all endings and beginnings, like this one, are faced in a similar situation—one with many mixed feelings. So, it's time to put behind my childhood (at least for now), and start moving in the direction of something new—university!

Ipsy Bag Review | August 2015

Briogeo Volumizing Spray (mini), OZ Naturals Mask (mini), Trust Fund Nail Polish (Elegantly Wasted), Hikari Lip Gloss (Merlot), Doucce Eyeliner (Black)

August was the first month I've ever received an Ipsy subscription, and it was pretty good. I don't think I'm going to do it again, though, since, for me, living in Canada, it is a bit pricier. (The Canadian to US Dollar SUCKS right now, and I also have to pay shipping :( ) Maybe I'll do it again around Christmastime.

Side note: I do love how everything appears to be vegan and natural! 

The Flops

Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Volumizing Blowdry Spray

This didn't really volumize anything, for me. Maybe it's because I have such long, heavy hair, that it pulls it down anyways.... It does smell nice, though!

OZ Naturals Amino Herbal Hydration Mask

This mask has many ingredients that work together to supposedly hydrate your face, but I personally didn't see any ground-breaking results after using this. 

My Favourites!

Doucce Cosmetics Eyeliner

This thing is AWESOME. Maybe it's because I don't have too many kohl eyeliners and my standards are lower, but I really enjoy using this. Its dark, goes on smoothly enough, and waterproof, making it perfect for the waterline/tightline!

Trust Fund Beauty Nail Polish in Elegantly Wasted

This nail polish has one of the nicest formulas I've ever tried. Elegantly Wasted is a two-coater that evens itself as it dries, making my job much easier, as I don't have to worry about uneven streakiness that I sometimes have to with other nail polishes. :)

Hikari Lip Gloss in Merlot

This lip gloss is a dark reddish colour (the picture above isn't that accurate in terms of colour, it is closer to the first picture above, sorry!) Even though this is kind of an "out of my comfort-zone" colour for me, I was pleasantly surprised when I put this on. It somehow doesn't look as bold as a dark red would, and I can't wait to start wearing this more often when autumn comes!

Sorry I didn't get any pictures of the bag :( If you want to see what it looks like, go here.

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Thanks for reading!

Jakie

Blog Lovin'!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Hey guys, I actually want to be serious about this blogging thing, so I thought that I would make more of an investment into it, so it would be lovely if you went and followed me on Bloglovin' :)

Thanks!