March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. April showers bring May flowers.
Ugh. I am so over it.
Two
Saturday night me and Jeremey went on a friend-date to the symphony. One of the guys in his small group was singing in the choir so we got all dressed up in our classiest clothes and headed down to the Orpheum. I just love the Symphony. When I was little my Mom used to take me to Symphony for Kids and I think that’s when I first fell in love. But since taking orchestration and composition classes in school I find it even more mesmerizing. Orchestral music is beautiful but it is so complex and there are so many intricate pieces that need to fall in place together. Unreal. I wish I got to go more often.
Three
Ummm, guilty?
Four
This. For this crazy month coming up. And for always.
Five
You guys. Vanessa Hudgens won Fug Madness! This is the first year I picked/voted for a winner! I’m so proud, happy and thrilled. It was a super dramatic, down to the wire victory. Check it.
Six
Seven
These Nuge for Calder videos are so hilarious to me. I think it’s the overly dramatic music. You’ve gotta laugh so you don’t cry, right?
Eight
Yesterday there was a major street food announcement at work which meant delicious lunch for me. I tried a Naan Kebab that had mint-cilantro chicken in it. The meat was bright green which sounds totally gross but it tasted amazing. They made the Naan from scratch right in the truck. The truck was called Soho Road and it’s going to be parked on Smithe by the law courts. So if you’re working or on trial in the area I highly recommend the Haviali Chicken Kebab.
Nine
Ariana’s wedding is in less that three weeks and it seems like everything is pretty much ready. Last night I tried on my bridesmaid dress for Michelle to get her expert opinion on fit/can-you-see-too-much-boobs-in-this-dress? modesty and she proclaimed it perfect and not needing alterations. Hooray! Levi said I looked like a “bee-yoot-eee-full princess”. Is there anything better than getting a compliment from an almost-three-year-old? Now I just need some shoes.
Ten
I have started writing this final point/item/thing three times now. I want to write about Easter and words keep failing me. The truth is, growing up in the church and hearing the Easter story every year it becomes easy to take it for granted. That sounds terrible and it is. So I’m not going to leave you with a sound bite or a cool quote I found in a book or something someone wise told me. My prayer is that this Easter and always, I would live life in light of what Jesus has done for me on the cross. Walking in freedom and joy by the grace that saved me. Please don’t let another Easter slip by without thinking about what it really means. He spoke. He created. He came. He lived. He died. He rose again. He conquered. He is Love. For you and for me.
Ben Folds played a show in Edmonton last week. In Edmonton! It was his only Canadian tour date and it was in my hometown. I cannot even begin to explain the injustice of it all to you. A whole bunch of my friends from back home got to go and my facebook newsfeed was filled with updates and photos from the show all, ”BEST SHOW EVER!” One girl even got a picture taken with him. My friend Patrick went and got to sit in the front freaking row. Oh the humanity!!
I first discovered Ben Folds in Grade 11. A boy I had a mega crush on lent me his Whatever and Ever, Amen CD and said I had to check out this bad ass piano player. It was the first time I ever really thought about the piano as a rock instrument or something to write songs on. Up until then all I had ever really played was classical RCM stuff and the occasional Disney song. Oh, and Let It Be, obviously. Ben Folds opened a whole new musical world to me. A world in which I could play piano with other people in a band and write my own music.
So thanks Ben Folds (and dude-I-had-a-crush-on-who-grew-up-to-be-a-rockstar). I owe you guys! Ben, one day I will see you in concert. That’s a promise.
“It’s really not that you can’t see, the forest for the trees/You’ve never been out in the woods alone..”
Today my springtime allergies arrived in full force. I have been sneezy and itchy all day because I didn’t think to take any drugs when I woke up this morning. You know, since it’s still freezing and rainy and gross outside. It seems incredibly unjust to have to suffer through springtime allergies when it is not actually springtime outside.
Two
Did you see the Hunger Games this weekend? Me, Ariana and Jodes went to the midnight showing on Thursday and it very nearly killed me I was so tired the next day. But it was totally worth it. Unfortunately we arrived only two hours before the movie so we had to sit in the second row. I’ll need to see it again at some point when I’m not looking up at them from double chin angle. There were actually kids in the theatre who had been in line since 10am. Egads. There were also a lot of kids who dressed up as characters from the movie. Jodi had been planning on going as Haymitch, but then I talked her out of it she chickened out. It’s too bad because we did not see one other Haymitch. Missed opportunity! Instead we made her stand up when they asked if there were any parents who had brought their kid.
The movie was so, so good. Probably one of the best book to screen adaptations I’ve ever seen. It was all perfect— except for Peeta. Oh you guys, I wanted to like him so bad but it was just so different from how Peeta was portrayed in the books. They made him seem like a little kid, like someone to be pitied! Like Katniss’ kid brother that she had to look after instead of her equal and partner! It wasn’t just how he looked but everything about the way they played him. And look, it didn’t ruin the movie for me and I’m hoping it will get better for the sequels. Everything else was great. Go see it! Go read the book! Just be prepared for a super wimpy Peeta.
Three
On Friday night thousands of Christians converged on Rogers Arena for Passion. It was a whole lot like being at YC and I felt majorly old. Chris Tomlin and Kristian Stanfill led worship for most of the night and lo, there was much fist pumping. They had a few new songs that I really liked and it is always a cool experience to cram that many people into a room to sing praises to Jesus. But I’m pretty glad that church isn’t like that all the time, you know?
My most favourite part was when David Crowder came out and sang hymns with just him and his acoustic guitar. He is kind of a scary looking dude but it was so simple and worshipful. He sang Because He Lives, which is an old hymn I haven’t heard in ages and it was my most favourite thing ever.
Also, you guys. Kristian Stanfill= Phil Dunphy. Just saying.
Four
Speaking of Phil Dunphy…remember that episode where he puts the decal on the family mini van, “I’m not satisfied until you’re satisfied!” with photos of his wife and daughter. That is my most favourite Modern Family episode ever. It’s also the one where Cam directs the kids play. Anyway. This campaign bus in Alberta is just as good. Maybe better, because it’s real life.
Sort of makes me wish I could still vote in their provincial election.
Five
For those of you who have ever wished you had curly hair, I am going to let you in on a little secret. It is impossible to find a perfect product for curly hair. I’m convinced it doesn’t exist. What this means is us curly haired girls spend all our life and all our money looking for something that works. Something that deals with frizz but is not too heavy or greasy. Something that smells good but is not overpowering. Seems like it should be simple, right? Nope. In the words of my hair stylist: “Curls are weird. You find something that works for a bit and then all of a sudden they just stop reacting to the product and you have to look for something else.” See? Professional opinion. I’m not making this up.
A few people had been bugging me to try this Bumble and Bumble curl creme but I resisted because it’s so expensive and also I didn’t want to believe the hype. You guys, I was wrong. I’m sorry. This stuff is aces. It helps with the frizz and is not heavy or greasy so I get three good hair days out of one wash. It’s not quite the Holy Grail of hair products because I need to use a fair amount of it and like I said, it’s pricey. But it’s the best thing I’ve tried in a long time.
Six
Ok I’m probably pretty late to the party on this one, but have you guys read Mark Reads? He reads through books and reviews them chapter by chapter. It’s great if you are bored are bored or looking for something to help you procrastinate. He just finished Lord of the Rings, but I’ve been going back and reading through the Harry Potter archives (IN MY SPARE TIME) and it’s totally cracking me up.
Seven
Way, way back in the day when I first started falling in love with blogs and the internet, I stumbled across My Polaroid Blog. Over the years the blog has kind of fallen by the wayside but I still follow Jen Gotch’s adventures via Twitter/Instagram. She takes the most interesting photos and finds details in ordinary things that my eye would never pick out. This week she launched an online shop, Oh Snap! selling prints of some of her work. As I get ready to move into a new space next month I’m daydreaming about having a few of these on my wall. Specifically the sparkling palm trees. Do yourself a favour and follow her on Instagram (jengotch)
Eight
On Saturday I stopped by to visit dearest Tami at the Beggars Banquet pop up market. She blogged about it over at The Cloven Heart, you should head on over and check out some of her treasures! Unfortunately by the time I arrived it was pretty late in the day and a lot of the vendors were already packing up. There were so many cool things to explore! Next month I’m going to try and get there early.
Nine
Taylor Hall is out for the season and he’s going to have major shoulder surgery that will put him out for 5-6 months. Sometimes I think I’m not emotionally stable enough to be an Oilers fan.
Ten
You guys, this is an amazing story. I don’t know Stefan super well but he has played in a few bands with a really good friend of mine and he played drums with our worship band once at Westside. I get so excited when I hear stories like this of Jesus working in the lives of people around me! We’re never too far gone for His love to rescue and redeem us and he’s bigger than everything we’re facing.
Thank you Biebs, for releasing your new single on a Monday. How considerate of you!
What do we think, guys? The raps are not my most favourite, they’re kind of…uncomfortable right? Eating fondue by the fire is not my idea of a good time. Fondue is definitely a table top activity. Too much open flame! Also Buzz Lightyear is not the kind of cartoon character I’d want to be my boyfriend. Aladdin is way dreamier. However: plus one million points for using the word “gentleman” in the chorus. That is an awkward word to sing! Overall, I think this is pretty catchy but it’s not going to unseat U Smile as my favourite Bieber song.
Also. Let’s talk about the cover art for it. Is it just me or is he kind of trying to steal RPattz’s thing with the fingers in the hair? If it’s a marketing plan though it’s genius. The Twi-Hards will love it! Or hate it.
ps— U Smile is PERFECTLY in my range. I can sing it so good. It’s like it was written for me. Next time we’re driving somewhere together I’ll prove it to you.
pps—My friend Tiffany accused me of “tweening out” last week because I went to see the Hunger Games at midnight and then snuck into an event for college kids (with her!). This post is probably not helping anything.
Today is the first day of spring. The cherry blossom trees seem to be really into it, even if the weather isn’t. I can’t wait to be able to wear flats with no socks! I know that sounds like a weird thing to be excited about but I have been rotating between the same two pairs of boots for one million years the past six months and I just can’t wait to wear different shoes to work without being afraid of frostbite.
Two
This past weekend was bestie’s Bachelorette. We got a room at the Westin Bayshore in Coal Harbour and holed up for a weekend of girlyness. We watched movies and painted our nails and jumped on the bed and swam in the pool and ordered pizza. It was the greatest. Like being on vacation. Our room had an amazing view, too.
On Saturday night the Columbus Blue Jackets were in town and they stayed on the same floor as us. In the room next to us, in fact. Nat and Maddie left our door open and turned up Kanye really loud after the game was over. My future roommates, ladies and gentlemen. Luckily, none of the hockey players wanted to join our party.
Three
This is the Mac and More from Burgoo. If you haven’t had it yet you should try it. Macaroni and Cheese and BACON.
Four
Nat found these Limited Edition Birthday Oreos and they are so delicious. The icing inside tastes like the stuff from Dunkaroos. Remember Dunkaroos? My Mom never bought them for us as kids so I would always try and sweet talk my more fortunate friends into sharing. Now that I’m an adult I can buy things like Birthday Oreos, Dunkaroos and Reese Puffs for myself. So I guess there are some perks to being a grown up. The trade off is that you have to do your own taxes.
Five
Tonight I’m signing the lease on my new place. This makes moving officially official. I’ve started going through my bookshelves and closet try to get rid of stuff I don’t need anymore so I don’t have to take it all with me when I move. Even with such a tiny place it’s amazing how much stuff you can accumulate in a year. I really hate the packing up part of moving. Setting up a new place is always fun, but cleaning out the old one is the worst. I’ve now done three moves in three years. Hopefully this will be the last one for awhile. Until I get married? Fingers crossed.
Six
Two more days until the Hunger Games! I can barely contain my excitement. Can you believe that Ariana and Jodes and I are nerdy enough to have bought tickets for a 12:00am showing? Don’t answer that. What I really can’t believe is that we all agreed to stay up so late past our bedtime. Uh, ps they released the Official soundtrack today. There is a new song from the Civil Wars (yay!) but also T.Swift, The Arcade Fire and Kid Cudi (?). Not to mention: The Secret Sisters! And that guy from the Swell Season!
Seven
Last week, Ariana and I bought tickets to go see Bon Iver in May. So I am guaranteed to see her at least once after she gets married (kidding)! He’s playing at Deer Lake Park so we are going to have a very romantical friend evening with mini donuts and lemonade. Hopefully it stops snowing by then.
Eight
The enchantment of the drawing game lasted about a week for me. It was fun when I was playing four people. Now I’m up to about ten games and it is just too much. I can’t keep up with everyone. So I’ve stopped trying.
Nine
During a very brief shopping excursion on Saturday afternoon, I got these awesome peachy-pink pants. I am totally in love. And also terrified of spilling something on them. If only spring and warmer weather would actually, finally arrive to match my pants.
Ten
This is my most favorite thing I’ve read so far this week. From You Can Change:
The year after high school I was really into Bethany Dillon. I played her first album over and over. And I marveled that a girl (!) who was younger than me (!) could write lyrics filled with so much wisdom. Also I was in music school at the time and I think I was just mostly happy to listen to something that wasn’t jazz/a transposition assignment. After taking a bit of a break from music to get married and have babies, she released an EP of new material last week. This song really grabbed me. A song, a prayer for a snowy (?!) Monday. Just wait.
It’s the Ides of March this week. Should we celebrate by watching the Ides of March or by reading about Julius Caesar? Serious question: How do they know that Caesar was actually killed on March 15th? Is this a proven fact or just generally accept legend? It seems weird to me that they have a nailed down, exact date for when Caesar was killed but Easter moves around from year to year.
Two
It’s March, and that means it’s time for Fug Madness!! It is the most highly anticipated (by me) tournament of the year. Fug Madness combines some of my most favourite things: celebrity fashion, giving my opinion and clicking on buttons. This year there is a printable bracket for you to hang up on your fridge/bulletin board/over your bed as well as an FAQ Madness page to explain the rules. Ariana and I are both pulling for Miley Cyrus but I feel like Nicki Minaj or Rooney Mara could put up a good fight.
Three
It had been nearly six months since I got my hair cut last and even longer since I’d dyed it. On Saturday I had a long overdue afternoon at the salon. The best part about being friends with your hairstylist is that she knows what you like and your personality and can figure out what would look good on you almost better than you can. I went in knowing two things: I wanted more ombre and to keep the length. She gave me nearly blonde super model hair. In church the next day someone actually asked me if this was all my real hair (Yes!). I’m still getting used to how light it is. Every time I look in the mirror I do a double take.
Note: I would also recommend trying to schedule your hair appointment at the same time as one of your good friends. It makes it more fun for chatting plus there is the opportunity to take fun pictures with sexy hair and bad lighting after.
Four
Are y’all sick of hearing about Kony 2012 yet? Me too. I thought I’d write about it so you know what I think. Kidding! I will spare you any opinions about IC or the Kony campaign. What I find fascinating is how fast the information cycle turns around on the internet. We went from “Everyone Get on Board With This! What an Awesome Idea!” to “Too many people are talking about this! This is terrible! I’m tired of hearing about it!” in about 8 hours. Remember when new stuff could enjoy at least a good few months of popularity before they started getting backlash or exposure fatigue? Sort of makes you wonder if there will ever come a day when we don’t have enough new content to satisfy our information appetites. Probably not. There will always be new cat photos.
Five
I have been thinking a lot about silence lately. There have been a ton of scripture verses jumping out at me about Waiting on the Lord, Waiting in silence, Being still, “Remain in me”… And I am just noticing how much noise there is in my life. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Television, all kinds of stuff to keep up with. Even when I have the time to actually sit and be still I have a hard time with it. The temptation to check my phone or just look quickly look something up on the computer is so strong. I’m going to make a concentrated effort over the next few weeks to unplug a little bit. Not in a “LOOK AT ME I’M SO HOLY I’M GOING OFF SOCIAL MEDIA!!!” kind of way. I just want to make an effort to shut off my phone off for an hour here and there and just be still.
Six
Since I have been so busy the last couple of weeks I got majorly behind on the New Girl (and Modern Family…which I have yet to catch up on). The good thing about this is that on Sunday night I got to watch a whole bunch of episodes in a row. Schmidt is rapidly becoming my most favourite part of this show. Even in the episodes when he doesn’t get much screen time, he still steals the show. This scene had me in tears:
Are you guys playing the drawing game? This is my new most favourite game on my iPhone. My brother seems to be the best/worst at it. He likes to think outside the box and make things way more complicated than they need to be, which is the key to being an interesting drawing opponent. J.Knepps has been using a stylus to draw his pictures which I think is totally cheating.
Eight
Aaaaah, you guys I love this so much! Her voice is so great. I love her Jonas accent. If you ask me, there is not enough accordion in the world.
Nine
Warning: it’s about to get super nerdy up in here. A few of my friends are heading to Florida in June to attend the GC women’s conference. First of all, Tim Keller is speaking. Second of all they are thinking about going to Cape Canaveral on their free touristy day. I nearly died when I heard. I am trying to save up all my pennies and pray that I can figure out the money to go. I literally can’t think of anything more exciting than going to the Kennedy Space Centre and seeing Tim Keller preach in the same week.
Speaking of nerding out… only 9 more days until the Hunger Games! Ariana, Jodes and I are going to a 12:01am show. There is a 50% chance that Jodi might show up dressed as Haymitch. What’s that? You want to watch the trailer again? Ok.
Blame it on the time change, or the extreme blustery weather, but I am in a foul mood today. An I Hate Everyone And Everything Sucks And I Just Want To Rip Up Pieces Of Paper Into Little Bits kind of mood. Gosh you guys, sometimes I wonder if I should rename this blog “The Unending Adventures of Sarah the Grouch”.
To be honest when I get like this the only thing I can stand to listen to is the Learning to Breathe album on repeat. But that’ s not particularly hip and with it. Also that album is now 12 years old. Holy Crap now I feel cranky AND super old.
So I’ll spare you. Instead let me share The Staves with you. Natalie showed me this first video on Friday and I bought the EP from iTunes—with real dollars—about five minutes later. I listened to these girls alllll weekend. Lovely.
HAHAHA. You didn’t really think I was going to pass up an opportunity to post an old Switchfoot video did you!?
March comes in like a lion, out like a lamb that’s how it goes right? I hope so. I have been starting to daydream about wearing shorts and sandals. It’s going to be a Top Five again today y’all. It’ll all make sense when you get to the end.
Two
This cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Silver Springs is so lovely, and so sad. I swear I am not as depressed as my musical taste makes me seem.
Three
Oh hey, speaking of sad songs. Here’s another Civil Wars video! Are you getting sick of me posting about them yet? Too bad, it’s my blog. Get your own.
Serious question: how can I get my hair to look like hers?
Four
Today I gave my landlady notice that I’ll be moving out on May 1st. It was so sad because she is seriously the coolest. This place has been such a wonderful blessing and I’ve loved living here. But I feel like it’s time to move and I’m moving into a better situation. And now it’s official. May 1st is moving day. If you have a truck/muscles/organizational skills and you like me a little, I am accepting moving crew applications.
Five
This video has been making the rounds on Facebook today. Take the time you would have spent reading my last five things (plus erm, 26 more minutes) and watch.
Happy Not The Last Day of February! I have a cousin who was born on February 29th. She has only had 7 birthdays in her whole life. Can you imagine? Personally, I think since it’s not actually a real day we shouldn’t have to go to work. It should be an extra day to get things done. Like sleeping or catching up on your favorite tv shows.
Two
I may be a little late to the party on this one, but I just discovered the CatPaint app. Holy cats, it is so funny. Natalie and I spent a good half hour experimenting with it last night and deliriously laughing until we were crying. Both of us were in that so-tired-that-everything-is-hysterical frame of mind which was great for us but super annoying to Ariana and Maddie who just wanted to watch How I Met Your Mother for goodness’ sakes. Worth every one of the ninety nine pennies I paid for it.
Three
I have majorly dropped the ball on the February Photo a Day Challenge. So I lose, je s’pose. Or you lose because you don’t get to see the inside of my bathroom cabinet? Here is the last one I took, from February 23rd. New shoes and a new piano pedal.
Four
Did you guys watch the Oscars? Tami, Michelle and I watched them Chez Gadd. Watching Levi dance around the living room every time the music played was more entertaining than the actual show. Ben fell asleep on the floor for most of it, and only woke up long enough to ask if The Artist was a movie about a mute guy. Of course, of all the best picture nominations I had only seen The Help and War Horse, so I wasn’t particularly invested. I used to love movies and watch so many of them. What happened to my life that I don’t have time for movies anymore? Where are my priorities!?
Five
Did anyone pay attention to NHL Trade Deadline Day? I hope not because it was a snoozefest. The Oilers traded Tom Gilbert to Minnesota for Nick Schultz. I have no feelings about this whatsoever. I never hated Gilbert or called him a girl like some people. But he was certainly not my favourite by a long shot (eberle. hearts!). Time will tell how this all shakes out. The Oilers have been better the last few games but Exciting (Next-To) Last Place Hockey is still (Next-To) Last Place Hockey. It’s hard to keep getting excited about the draft. If an actual, real life person disappointed me as much as the Oilers have disappointed me in the past five years would I have given up on them a long time ago? An interesting philosophical question to ponder. Note: Probably not. I am fiercely loyal. To a fault.
Six
Yesterday was my baby brother’s birthday. Mike is hilarious and so caring and so smart. What an awesome guy. It makes me feel ancient that he is 22. I remember being 22 and moving to Vancouver and thinking I was a real grown up. Now I look at 22 year olds and think, “They are such babies have so much to learn!” I am sure I will have this same kind of reflection when he is 27 and I’m 32. THIRTY TWO!!! Let’s not think about that, yet. Happy Birthday, Bud.
Seven
I’m sure you have all seen this already, because the Jolie leg bombing thing is all over the internet. But how hilarious is Dowager Countess Jolie-Grantham? Also, Darth Jolie. Leg-endary.
My bridesmaid’s dress arrived late last week so Ariana and I made a quick trip down to Bellingham to pick it up. I tried it on and the fit is amazing! I am so excited to have something to wear that I feel pretty in. Now I just need to get shoes. This is my favourite part. I love shoes! Thus far these sparkly peep toe ones are my favorite:
Since we were in the States already, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to load up on cheap groceries. I stocked up on Nutter Butters. And Apple Cinnamon Life cereal. Americans really have the best snack food. It’s a good thing I don’t live there. Between Nutter Butters and Pay Days I’d probably be about 800 pounds. Absolutely everything is cheaper there too. Cheese! Wine! Breakfast Cereal! Laundry Detergent! Not health insurance.
Ten
It’s been a good long while since I’ve done a Wednesday Words post. Sorry about that. Let me leave you with something to chew on, then. I’ve been reading You Can Change and this really stuck with me this week. Worrying about what other people think of me and comparing/measuring myself against others is a huge struggle in my life. This was such a good reminder of the grace of the gospel. Hope it encourages you too!
“One of the problems with trying to prove ourselves to other people is that they set the standard. Their standards may be ungodly, but we adopt their behaviour to fit in. Or their standards may be godly, but we’re living in obedience to people rather than in obedience to God. Often what happens is that we settle for living like other people even when that falls short of living like Jesus. Or we measure ourselves against other people and decide we’re more righteous. We may point the finger at others’ faults so we can feel better about ourselves. Instead we should be comparing ourselves to Jesus, finding we fall a long way short of God’s standards and discovering that we desperately need a saviour…When you feel the desire to prove yourself, remember you’re right with God in Christ. You can’t do anything to make yourself more acceptable to God than you already are. You don’t need to worry whether people are impressed by you because you’re already justified or vindicated by God. And what makes you feel good is not what you’ve done, but what Christ has done for you.”
—Tim Chester
