Day 28

A picture of something you're afraid of

I'm afraid of being alone. I like to surround myself with family and friends. When I'm alone I get really freaked out and don't like it.

Day 27

A picture of yourself and a family member

I can do better than that: here's the whole family! And since I used a picture of my dad's side of the family for the last post, here is one of my mom's side!

Day 26

A picture of something that means a lot to you

Family, for sure! This is an old picture, but I tried to find one with as much of my family as possible!

And this guy. He's pretty special too.

Day 25

A picture of your day

This isn't really a picture of my day, but it's close enough. Today was spent opening presents, eating way too much, talking on the phone with distant family members, playing games, staying in our pyjamas and just plain having fun!

Day 24

A picture of something you wish you could change.

I would make Mississauga, Southampton, and Waterloo neighbouring towns. :D

Day 23

A picture of your favorite book

My favourite book is The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. I read it for my english class in grade 10 and I have loved it ever since. I can really relate to some of the things the main character says, regarding innocence, change, love, phoniness, and I love the style of writing, like it's one continuous thought. This book has amazing quotes, an I have included my favourite quote below:

"The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody’d move… Nobody’d be different. The only thing that would be different would be you… Certain things they should stay the way they are. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone. I know that's impossible, but it's too bad anyway."

And here is another good and really famous one:

"Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around - nobody big, I mean - except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff - I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be."

Day 22

A picture of something you wish you were better at

I wish I was more spontaneous. I like to have everything organized and I am not a fan of going outside my comfort zone or changing my plans last minute.

Day 21

A picture of something you wish you could forget

There have been a couple of really good friendships I've had that have fizzled out or have gone totally wrong over the years, and it's hard to let something like that go. I guess that's something I wish I could forget. Sometimes I find myself going over every detail, trying to figure out what happened, but I will probably never fully understand.

Day 20

A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

I would love to travel to Iceland. I'm not exactly sure why, but I think it would be a unique adventure to go somewhere not often travelled to and it also looks gorgeous!

Day 19

A picture of you with no make-up

I took this picture last week in anticipation for today's blog. I had been studying for exams and hadn't worn make up in days, although I have been trying to not wear a lot of it when I do wear make up.

Day 18

A picture of your biggest insecurity

I have quite a few insecurities. I would have to say that I am my biggest insecurity. I can think of so many negative things about myself and can really get myself down. I also think about all the negative things others could say or think of me. I know those are silly things to feel insecure about, but I can't help it.

Photo taken by Linda Kloosterhof

Day 17

A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

This is definitely photography. I had never really been in to it until I took Photo 1 last year in university. I discovered that I really enjoy it and this has given me an amazing hobby which I LOVE, and something to to. Also, contributing to iStock helps me stay on track and continually be taking images that are creative and unique.

Day 16

A picture of someone who inspires you

This one would have to be my mom. She is the kindest person I know and she is also super creative. She started her website, Squigly's Playhouse, over 10 years ago and has never given up on it. She also never gives up on friends or family and always encourages Emma and I to do our best and be the best people we can be.

Day 15

A picture of something you want to do before you die

I would love to visit the Louvre in Paris. I had the opportunity to go to the AGO's "Drama and Desire exhibit" and see some of the paintings I have studied in art history, and the experience was unbelievable. I couldn't even believe they were the real things! Going to the Louvre would be so amazing!

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Yesterday I was able to take more pictures around the house. Here are ones of the tree outside that I am quite happy with:

Day 14

A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Although I have so many amazing people in my life, with questions like this, my family will always win.

Day 13

A picture of your favorite band or artist

For my favourite band, I would have to say Matchbox Twenty. I have loved their music since before my family and I went to see them in concert in grade 7. I like other bands and artists, such as Metric, the Kings of Convenience, Mae, Relient K, Owl City and more, but I will always love Matchbox Twenty's music.

Here's one of my favourite lines from one of their songs:

"Slow dancing on the Boulevard

In the quiet moments while the city's still dark"

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Today was also a day of pictures! I took advantage of the bright winter light reflecting off of the snow to have a Christmas-inspired photo shoot! For my second time ever, I set up the kitchen table like a photo studio. I used a tripod, a white sheet, and my dad's new flash unit to help me get the pictures shown below. I am quite happy with how they turned out! Even if iStock rejects them, I had a lot of fun setting these up and having the experience!

Day 12

A picture of something you love.

Maybe it's just the snow, and the current season, but I love winter and Christmas. The snow is just so pretty and everyone seems to be happy and joyful. I love being home - it feels like I never left! Here is a bokeh-esque picture of this year's Christmas tree:

Day 11

A picture of something you hate

I really don't like to use the word "hate," but something that really bothers me is when people complain a lot. I can see reasons to complain every now and then, but overall, I like an optimistic attitude. I don't really have a picture of anyone complaining, so here is an old picture of happiness!

Today, I write my last exam of 2010! I am so excited to go home and (hopefully) sleep in tomorrow! I'm excited to be with the fam again and get all ready for Christmas! Plus, we have a ton of snow at home, where as here at university, we have none!

Day 10

A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with

Emma, for sure. We are un unstoppable force when together.... doing insane things and and constantly laughing. This picture is from a very hyper night in the Dominican:

Day 09

A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

I'm going to change this one to "people." And those people would have to be my parents. I can't imagine life without these truly amazing people in my life. They have always been there for me through the good and bad times, and even when I'm away at university, they are still a phone call away and ready to help! I love you two so much!! :D

Day 08

A picture that makes you laugh

I'm not sure if anyone will be able to understand this but me and Emma, but I will try to explain. Emma and I used to always like to make the Jello chocolate pudding packages, and sometimes we would put sprinkles in them to make them yummy. Last month, Emma was visiting me at my house, and I had bought a jello package, and she had bought mini eggs (a treat we also love very much). While eating the chocolate pudding, we were sad that we didn't have any sprinkles, so we decided to throw mini eggs in. That is only part of the hilarity of this picture, as the rest is difficult to explain.

Day 07

A picture of your most treasured item

This one has to be my computer. My computer holds a lot of things I use for communication, school projects, iStock and more. I don't know what I would do without it!

Day 06

A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

I honestly couldn't narrow down my selection of who I would trade places with for one day to one person, so I have decided to go with Ariel from The Little Mermaid. She is probably my favourite Disney princess and I think it would be awesome to be a mermaid (and cartoon) for a day!

Wish me luck! Exam #1 is today! :S

Day 05

A picture of your favorite memory

I have so many amazing memories to choose from for this one, but I would have to say that my favourite memory is my family’s trip to Walt Disney World in 2001. We had so much fun the whole week, but I remember the one day where Emma and I went on Cinderella’s Carousel about 15 times in a row, and each time we got the same horses! SInce all of our pictures from that vacation are on film and video, I grabbed this one from google:

Day 04

A picture of your night

I'm sorry that this post isn't very exciting, but neither was my night! I spent the night and day studying, for my art history and french exams on Monday and Tuesday. I am not feeling very motivated to study, so blogging is a good break for me right now. Thank goodness this term is almost over and I can go home to relax for Christmas break!

Yesterday I was able to meet up with a friend from when I lived in Burlington. She actually goes to the same university as me now, so we get to see each other more often. We went shopping and were able to check lots of things off of our Christmas shopping lists!

Day 03

A picture of the cast from your favorite show

This is a difficult one. SInce I don’t every really watch television at home and only through the school year (thanks to my tv addicted roomates haha), there aren’t many I religiously watch. It’s probably safe to say that The Office and Glee would be my favourites as of now, seeing as I’ve pretty much seen all episodes of each. Another classic I absolutely love is America’s Funniest Home Videos. It will always be able to make me laugh!

Day 02

A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

Emma, hands down. I’m pretty sure this amazing person and I have been best friends since I was born. Nothing can separate us!

Day 01

A picture of yourself and 10 facts.

1. I love tea, and any other warm drink besides coffee. When I'm away at university I drink at least one cup of tea a day. My favourite flavour will always be Sleepytime, but I like trying new tastes too.

2. Purple has been my favourite colour for a long time, and I'm not sure why. I'm just drawn to it.

3. I am generally a very shy and reserved person, but once I get to know someone I can really open up to them.

4. I love my family and friends, probably more than anything else. They are the greatest and most genuine people I know, and I honestly don't know what I would do without them. :D

5. "What if" questions terrify me. I get so perplexed thinking of all the possibilities and how amazing it is that my life has turned out as it is. I think the scariest "what if" is what if my parents never agreed to go on their blind date?

6. I have recently acquired a taste for sushi, and now I love it! I actually really like the ones with salmon and I've also eaten crab and barbecued eel, which are things I never thought I would ever eat.

7. I really like driving, but I am terrified at even the thought of driving in a big city with tons of cars all around me. I know I'll get used to it someday but I don't like the thought of it. Oddly enough, I would prefer to put my life in someone else's hands and take a bus.

8. I absolutely hate the subway. It is the scariest type of public transit. I like getting where I need to be fast, but I can't stand the screechy noises and movement of the trains through the tunnels. I always think something bad is going to happen.

9. I have the hardest time justifying paying full price for clothing. I used to be an awful shopaholic, but now I will usually only buy something if it seems like a good bargain. I love scoping out cheap stores and thrift shops for cute deals.

10. Christmas is probably my favourite time of the year. Not just because of Christmas, but the snow is usually really pretty around then. I love spending time with family and friends and going for walks at night to look at the Christmas lights.