Thoughtful advice

In the last couple of months, Ian's played this song a few times and every time I hear it, it stops me in my tracks. It literally stops me. I stop talking. I stop what I'm doing and I just listen. Not because it has a good melody. Not because the guy has a great voice—he doesn't really even sing, so that's definitely not it. It stops me because of its message. The words and ideas are so apt. They make you think. They give you pause. They make you smile. (They've even made me cry... how embarrassing!)

Anyway, take my advice and give it a listen. And take Baz's advice and "Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own."

"The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't."

Brilliant. No?

Are you ready to RUMMMMMMBLE!?

So this one time I went to a live wrestling match, and by this one time, I mean Saturday night. No joke, I spent my Saturday night watching men in spandex duke it out in Hulk Hogan fashion. And it was probably one of the most entertaining and ridiculous experiences of my life. I mean, it's not everyday that you get to boo someone in real life. Like, full out, BOO them. But that's what you get to do when you watch wrestling. They set it up so you know who the bad guy is (the one that doesn't high-five you) and you know who the good guy is (the one that high-fives you—seriously, it's that simple) and then you get to boo and cheer for each one. Amazing, right?

And on top of all that, you get to watch men pick each other up and throw each other around in the most over the top fashion. Who knew I'd be into that? I sure didn't expect to enjoy it quite so much. But oh, did I ever enjoy it! The only thing I didn't enjoy was how difficult it was to take photos. The lighting in the arena is always horrendous, but then they turned all the lights off and made it even worse. I had my ISO pumped to the max and still it was nearly impossible to get a good shot. I tell you, that's some kind of annoying... especially since I wasn't just taking photos for the blog. I was taking them for the paper, as well.

Oh! Did I forget to mention that there were girls wrestling, as well? Yeah... there were. In fact, there were three girls who all fought each other at the same time. It was some kind of intense... and equally as hilarious as the men. Although, I have to say, none of the men found themselves in such a compromising position as the ladies...

Have you ever been to a wrestling match?

"Don't play with your food"

Have you ever eaten a lobster? Like, the whole thing, straight from the shell? I hadn't until Friday night and I gotta say, not only is that beast delicious, it's freaking fun to eat. Juice squirts everywhere, all over you and your friends, and claws go flying in shoddy attempts to crack them. Basically, it's an all out mess... which, if we're being honest, has to be the best food experience in the world. You go your whole life being told not to play with your food and then you're handed a lobster and the tune changes. I mean, who can resist playing with these creatures? (When they're dead that is..  I don't know that I'd want this guy so close to my head if he wasn't already cooked.)

The only downside is the juice ends up all over you. Like, ALL over you. So you spend the rest of the evening smelling of a nasty fish market. I also made the mistake of leaving my rings on, so I had all kinds of lobster juice stuck under there, stinking up my hands something fierce. (Needless to say, I was a big hit at the bar later.) But even with the stinky aftermath, I would totally do it all over again just to savour the butter soaked lobster meat. Om nom nom.

Do you have any lobster crushing tips? I could use some if I'm ever going to do this again... as I may or may not have been the girl who had her claw go flying 10 feet from the table.

What to Wear: spring dresses

My dress decided to have a little love affair with that branch...

We're back! And this time we're showing you our spring dresses. When I got dressed for this prompt, I actually had a bit of a rough go. Although we've had some 25 C days in the last couple of weeks, this week has been cold and rainy. So, I had to layer up with a sweater and some nude tights, in an effort to stay warm in my spring dress.

My other challenge was picking a dress. I own quite a few, but none of them seem to be the perfect spring dress. I have the perfect spring skirt (make that skirts, plural), but my dress collection is more tailored to the fall. Weird, I know. Anyway, this is what I came up with. I bought this green dress at Army and Navy last year. I snagged it as soon as I laid my eyes on it. I just love the pattern.

From head to toe: 

Earrings: Etsy

Dress: Army and Navy

Sweater: Army and Navy

Tights: Walmart

Shoes: Walmart

Purse: Thrifted

Bracelet: Elysian Flowers (in Jasper)

Now this bracelet is my outfit's piece de resistance. I just bought it last weekend and I am in mad love. It's leather. It's a flower. It's colourful. I can put it on myself (yay for snaps!) and it's just downright perfect for spring and summer.

Well folks, that's it for this edition of What to Wear. Be sure to check in throughout the day to see the outfits that link up. I'm sure the ladies have some gorgeous spring dresses to show off. If you have one you'd like to show off, feel free to link up with us today. We'd love to see what you've got on. If you can't make it this week, but you want to join the What to Wear party in the future, be sure to link up with us on May 30 when we each show off our "power outfit." My wheels are already turning on this one! Hmmm... what to wear!?

Do you have a favourite spring dress?

An ode to coffee

You open my eyes
Wake my senses
Clear my mind

You're my morning companion
My tasty treat
Your first sip, a bitter kiss
Your second, a warm embrace

I love you, dear coffee
With your rich, bold taste

Please be there for me
As I'll be there for you
For I need you this morning
And this afternoon, too

Have you had a cup of Joe today?

On being a scaredy cat

Scaredy Squirrel

In my day, I've put myself in all kinds of uncomfortable, terrifying positions. I've been on airplanes alone. I've moved across the country alone (three times!). I've applied for school. I've gone to school. I've graduated from school. I've applied for jobs, interviewed for jobs, turned down jobs, accepted jobs, negotiated wages and I've said, "Forget it. I'm worth more than that." I've left boys behind. I've taken a boy with me (hi Ian!). I've jumped out of a tram car. I've ice climbed. And I've killed spiders. But even with all of those accomplishments under my belt, I still suffer from the occasional—twice daily—bout of fear. I am seriously scared of damn near everything. Half the time I'm scared to pick up the phone for an interview—and that's MY JOB! I'm scared to ask the tough questions. I'm scared of rejection. I'm scared to get on the back of a motorcycle or to trust myself enough to drive one. I'm scared of saying the wrong thing or publishing the wrong thing. I'm scared of burning bridges. I'm scared of trying new things. I'm scared of putting myself out there and I'm scared of accepting praise or recognition.

It's an interesting life, constantly living in fear and analyzing every little thing. Some days my fear holds me back while, other days, my fear of failure is enough to push me through everything else.

I assume I'm not the only person out there living in fear, either founded or unfounded. And I'm sure I'm not the only person who's constantly overcoming that fear. That's a part of life, I guess—getting scared and making decisions based on that fear. I just hope I never miss out on one of life's adventures because I was too scared to embrace it. I mean, what would my life have been if I hadn't hopped on a plane to London, Ontario to attend university? Or to Fredericton, New Brunswick for my first job, or to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories for my second job? Where would I be if I hadn't met Ian or if I hadn't moved to Jasper? I can honestly say I'm glad that I didn't have to find out.

What are you scared of?

European dreamin'

Fifteen-year-old me hanging out in Amsterdam. No big deal.

As I write this, my big brother and my dad are chilling out in Holland with all of my extended family... and right now, as I write this, I am JEALOUS. I can't deny it. I mean, of course, I'm totally stoked for them. This is, after all, my brother's first time in Europe and, in some cases, it's his first time meeting some of the fam jam. I, on the other hand, had the pleasure of going through all of those new experiences nearly 12 years ago when I was a wee little 15-year-old girl. But, even though I've done it all once before, I am still incredibly jealous of their adventure. I want to go back so badly, especially now that I'm an adult. My mom was pretty great when we were there, letting me go off to the "disco" with my older cousins—the two evenings I did that were my first ever bar experiences—but, still, I think it would be so amazing go back as a full-blown grown-up. I'd have more control over my money. I'd get to call the shots and see exactly what I want to see. I'd get to pick all the restaurants and places to stay. I'd get to fly by the seat of my pants and chill out a bit. Yeah, that all sounds pretty great.

So I guess what I'm saying is, I think it's time I start saving for my next European adventure.

Have you been to Europe as an adult?