52 Lists

I am terrible at finishing things, sometimes I can't even begin things I want to…52 photos. Yikes. I already failed one month in. But lists, I like lists. So I'm going to try to do a bit of catch up here and do January's four right now. (I am really good at procrastinating, and this is the perfect thing to take my mind off of all the other things I should be doing to prep for practicum!)

List One
The Words that Touch Your Soul

Ocean
Sail
Olin
Sparkle
Passion
Engage
Listening
Laughter
Bungalow
Camping
Love
Squid
Dewey
Music
Effervescent
Learn
Will
Mom
Dad
Quynne
Violin
Violet
Awesomesauce

List Two
My Greatest Comforts

Will
Tea
Blankets
Pillows
Books
Music
Sweatpants
Hoodies
James
Joseph
Ivor
Babies in general
Socks
The river
Hiking in the woods
Being enveloped by water
Being enveloped in hugs
Playing music
Lazy mornings in bed
I'm done school! (soooo close, papers, yes, practicum, almost)
Knowing I have a degree in something I love
Knowing I can work with children for my entire career
Love
Reminding myself all I've done so far, and what's till to come
I taught in Africa.
Ice cream

List Three
Things I Should Be Proud Of

I taught in Africa
I've travelled to over a dozen countries
I make things happen
My relationship
Love
Finishing a degree
Going to University
Completing practicums even though I was so scared to apply to the program
Will
Not settling
Choosing happiness over money
We travelled around Europe with no plans at 18
We work on love
My body
My ability to multi-task
The life I'm building and living
My creativity

List Four
Current + Future Goals + Dreams
Visit Iceland
Have my own classroom
Teach internationally
Live in a few more countries
Have kids
Pay off debt
Have a boat capable of sailing around the world
Sail as much as possible
Have small property and grow a garden
Be as self sufficient as possible
See the northern lights
Go through the Panama Canal
Go to concerts and shows
Continue to create (art, jewellery, poetry)

Photos

We met up with @jcougar (now known as Director) and the Kid in New West after helping my Mom empty out her pod. We had a few hours to before we met up so we wandered around in the cold. 

Nathan James

One more nephew, and a sweet one too.

Nathan James was born on January 5th and on the 11th we went up to his house to meet him. He barely made a peep the whole weekend. Just stared, and smiled and slept. What a doll. We are all in love with another boy.

I took a few photos while we were there, and some little videos that I want to put together. 

I also took some pretty adorable pictures of Ivor too…oh my love for these boys.

Dubai 2.0

I meant to write every day I was there, but this felt more like a vacation than most trips I've taken. Sleeping in, shopping, late, late dinners. All the food was the best ever. The creamiest, smoothest most delicious hummus, the styrofoam tea that is sweet and perfectly hot every time. Even in the heat of the day I crave a hot cup of tea. 

We were tourists again, and even though I'd been before I still loved seeing the sights. Dubai just might be in the future. 

^at the Atlantis Hotel^

^Mom had the Aston Martin Experience^

^fastest roller coaster in the world, we went 240 km/hr^

^at the Emirates Palace^

^the madinat's idea of Christmas^

^when in Rome^

^margaritaville^

^some of Mom's crew^

^the Burj Khalifa in the background^

^the mirror^

^optical illusion^

^atmosphere, the top of the world^

^Christmas at Deb's^

Christmas went from four of us to nine of us and it was a fun night. I ate too much, but still had room for our giant fondue dessert. It was necessary for me to be away. Sometimes distance is key, and I have come out of 2013 feeling anxious, excited, and with great expectations for 2014.