Beauty loves.

I'm taking a break from the stress of job applying to lament on things which I love and find beautiful. These are some of my top beauty faves:

1. Thick eyebrows.

That's right, put down those tweezers. Thick eyebrows are making a come-back. They are very European, very natural and very easy to maintain. Pencil-thin eyebrows are so out.



2. Freckles

I know so many girls who hate their freckles and even wear oodles of foundation to cover up their freckles. These beauty specks are all the rage in fashion. They add a sparkle to anyone's face and in my opinion, a sign of pure beauty.



3. Natural, curly hair

If you hair is naturally straight, then it's naturally sraight. But if your hair is naturally curly, let those curls go wild, child! Put down the straighteners and go with your natural do.



4. "No makeup" makeup

All you need is some mascara, concealer to cover dark circles / acne, pressed powder in your skin tone and a nude lip balm. Alexis Bledel pulls this look off beautifully.



5. Virgin hair color

Aka. never-been-dyed. Not only are the harsh chemicals of hair dye harmful to your hair over time, they're very harmful to your body and the environment. However, if you do feel like your hair color does need a boost, watch these youtube tutorials on how you can amplify your natural color using natural ingredients from your kitchen(for brunettes. for blondes. for redheads). Also, using products like henna can give you that instant change without exposing your body to the harmful chemicals contained in hair dye.




6. Long, Rapunzel hair or short, Tinkerbelle hair

This season's hottest hair styles incorporate two extremes. Long flowing tresses or pixie-short. Be careful, always ask for advice from a hair-styling professional before you decide to chop it all off. Very short hair is not complimenting to all face structures. Likewise with very long hair. Most girls can pull off very long hair, but for the select few, it is again, best to seek the advice of a hair professional before you decide to let your hair grow out or get extensions.




There you have it :)

Naive and Optimistic

So, I've been praying a lot lately about what I'm going to do with my life in these upcoming months. All I feel God telling me to do is stay strong and keep a positive attitude. It seems enough, but it's hard most of the time. Right now, my main objective is to get a job and hopefully, get out of Newfoundland. It's not happening as soon as I thought though. So far, I have had zero interviews even though I applied for a handful of jobs. But I know that actually getting the job is in God's hands. All I can do is be hopeful and try my best.

I felt very confident today. I used to be very self-conscious about my appearance before. I would cake on makeup and spend hours trying to look "perfect". Today, I threw on a cropped sweatshirt and jeans and the only makeup I wore was some lip stain. I felt confident in wearing hardly any makeup. You don't have to look like Barbie to feel beautiful. Beauty is feeling comfortable in your own, natural skin.



I'm calling it an "early" night. Lots to do tomorrow. I'm setting daily goals for myself so I don't get stuck in a rut. Meeting at the Career Development Centre, gym, revamping my cover letter and resume, and applying for more jobs. Oh, and looking up articles for my assignment and practicing piano.

Good-night, blogworld.

What Next? Part 3

So, I return with the third part of my story. Anyway, all last semester, I dealt with my pain in such as horrible way. Then, towards the end of the semester, early November, my grandfather passed away. I think that was the catalyst to really make me crumble. The only person I felt I could really go to in the midst of my emotional mess, was Matt.

I was a complete and utter emotional wreck. I took Matthew back a month before Christmas. Things were fine, and still are fine, but I feel helpless still.

I think I've completely lost my mind and respect from everyone. I'm so confused. I lack so much trust. I have so much insecurity than anyone will ever want me for a relationship in every sense of the word.

I don't feel pretty or smart or valuable.

I'm waiting for some Godly intervention to help me out...

What Next? Part 2

I've been extremely busy and have had a lot going on. Hence, the reason why it's taken me two and a half weeks to post.

Okay, so to finish off my story, and none of you are very surprised to realize that I had been in an unfaithful relationship. I had been cheated on for the first time in my life, and can I just say, for those of you who have never experienced the feeling of being cheated on, I really hope you never feel this. For those of you who have experienced it, you know that it is the worst feeling in the entire world. Not only have you lost something so close and dear to your heart, you also lose a piece of yourself. You feel like there is something really wrong with you? Why did he chose her over me? What does she have that I don't? You feel helpless, worthless, and broken. Self-esteem is completely out the window.

After all this happened, I sat down and re-evaluated my life. What to do now? Where to go from here? I had not been single since I was 19 years old. I didn't know who I was or what I wanted. My entire world had been built up around Matthew and the life I thought he wanted with me. We were planning to move away once I was done school and perhaps get married a couple years after. But now. I had no idea.

We had booked a trip to BC before we broke up, so we decided to continue to go, but as friends. We had alot of mutual friends that lived in BC, so when I did see Matthew, it was with a group. I was very good friends with Matthew's aunts that lived on the Sunshine Coast, just outside of Vancouver. I ended up going on a camping and surf trip with them as well as Matthew. What happened? We talked and decided we would still be friends.

The fall semester, I really wanted to try and find myself. But I did it in all the wrong ways. I never realized how insecure infidelity can make you feel until it actually happens. I wanted to feel justified as a woman. I wanted to feel beautiful. I wanted someone to accept me for who I was. I did the worst thing anyone can possibly do after ending a long-running relationship - look for a rebound.

Well, unfortunately, that is exactly what I did. I casually dated a couple of guys. I did this while staying friends with Matthew, and did not tell him. Of course, he found out on his own and that brought along a whole bag of unneeded drama.

I know what I did was dumb. But coming from this situation, you really don't think about what's good and logical. You think about what you can do to get by. It was my last semester I had in nursing school. I had to have good marks. I did whatever I needed to do to give me the confidence to push through.

I tried going back to church, but I struggled so much with that. I know that people knew where I had come from. I was a party girl, in their mind. I left a position as a music and worship leader because I was running back and forth between my Christian-life and my nursing school-social life. I was so afraid of judgment. I felt so ashamed and little by everything I had done. I just wanted to run away and forget everything.


To be continued...

What Next?

So, I'll be honest. I know some people treat this online blog thing like a diary, documenting every major event in their life. I do as well. But I feel like lately, more specifically, the past 7 months, I've been on an emotional roller coaster ride. I have mentioned some things, in brief detail, but I can't say I've fulled expressed every emotion which I've felt inside to sum up how I REALLY feel.

I live in fear that people are going to judge me for making the mistakes I have. Judge me for allowing myself to hit rock bottom.

I'm the type of person that while everything else is burning around me, I put on a mask and pretend that everything for the most part is okay. I think really, that's all you can do. I mean, I was in my final academic semester of my nursing degree. I simply could not afford to let life's problems get in the way of fulfilling my purpose. At the same time though, I did slip. A lot.

I managed to finish my semester with a 4.0 and ridiculously good grades, however, at the end of it, I was completely emotionally exhausted.

If you keep pounding at a brick wall, eventually it does fall down.

I feel like right now, I need to write down everything that has happened to me, every emotion I've been feeling to fully deal with the hurt and pain I've been experiencing. Bear with me. I'm not looking for pity. I'm not looking for a pat on the back. I don't even care if I gain any encouraging words. I just want to express myself in the way I feel is LEAST harmful.

Okay. Here I go, I guess.

Summer 2011 is a mere blur. So much craziness happened within a span of two short months. I was doing relatively okay up until the second week in July. Prior to that, I had been working hard at my preceptorship in general surgery. I turned 23 in May, had a fabulous birthday party and booked a trip in British Columbia for the end of the summer. Matt and I were doing okay, but we weren't the best after I spent living with him the winter while he had a broken back. We thought that going to BC would be an excellent way of strengthening our relationship, and had things not gone as sour as they did, we probably would have had a better relationship. Matt wanted to attend a French camp for 5 weeks in Quebec for half of June and half of July and I was perfectly okay with that. 5 weeks would fly, I thought. I knew I would be busy in preceptorship for the first two weeks he would be gone, and working full time for the last three weeks. Time would surely fly and I would see him soon enough.

For the five weeks he was gone, I did nothing but have lots of fun with my friends. I knew this could have been the last summer I'd spend in Newfoundland for a while, so I wanted to have as much fun as I could. Everything was fine, however, I did find it strange when it was 5 days and I had not heard from Matt. I didn't have long distance on my phone, so I would wait and wait for a phone call, but they never came. Finally, feeling very weirded out by this, I picked up the phone and called the dorm he was staying in. He answered reluctantly and even asked who was calling. I was thinking, well you have no sisters or no other close girl friends, so what other 20-something year old sounding female would be calling you? He was taken back that it was me, and apologized for not calling. "I've been really busy, babe. I'm so sorry." Last time I checked, a phone call can take as much as five minutes of your time. Even an email. Facebook message? But no, nothing. Not one word. I've never been the type of girlfriend to flip out or cause a commotion really, so I just said, "Okay, well it's a bit odd that you haven't called, but at least let me know that you're doing okay."

Part 2 to come..

2012

Hello, brand new year!

Not going to lie. 2011 was pretty shitty for a lot of people. But hopefully, this year is going to be a lot better. 2012 will be a big year of transition for me as I move from student life at home to adult life in the real world with a real job. Ah, scary!

I kind of long for the days again of Polly Pockets, Barney and Duncaroos.

God is pretty much kicking me in the butt and saying, "It's time to grow up, Evannah".

I've had my share of screw-ups in the last 5 months.

So, I want to post a realistic New Year's Resolution for 2012. But before I begin, I should look at the resolutions I made last January to see if I followed through with them all.

2011 New Year's Resolutions:
1. Learn more of the piano = success!

2. Read at least 10 books outside of school books = unsuccessful :(

3. Become involved in 3 big volunteering events (I have Relay for Life on the 29th, which is the first big event) - Success: Relay for Life, Let's Talk Science, and Nursing Orrientation 2011

4. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits / veggies each day = successful-ish

5. Go to the gym at least 3 times a week = successful-ish

6. Save money to go on a trip at the end of the summer with Matt = success!

7. Get my license by the end of 2011 = unsucessful. In my defense, I did go to driving school, but failed my parking on the first try. I'm going to try again this year!

8. Quit binge drinking (I don't drink alot as a rule, and when I do, lately, it's been heavvvvyyy. Need to stop that, pronto!) = ahh, probably about the same before, sooo unsucessful :(

9. Eat less processed foods (Cereals, pasta, juice and yogurt are the only exceptions) = successful-ish

10. Befriend someone I normally wouldn't - success. Her name is Angie. We both worked at the Med Quest Summer Program in 2011. Honestly, I thought she was going to be a mega beyotch when I met her. But she is sweet as pie and we hang out a lot! :)

Okay, so New Year's Resolutions for 2012. *Drum Roll*:
1. Gym three times a week
2. Get a job as a nurse (Hopefully in BC *fingers crossed*!)
3. Be wise about my money. I have vowed not to buy another item of clothing unless it is absolutely necessary for me to have it. I have way too many clothes already.
4. To eat out no more than twice a month
5. Successfully graduate from university
6. Pass my RN exam in June
7. Spend less time on the internet. (eek!)
8. To go out (ie. to a club) no more than once a month (unless it's karaoke, which is free!)
9. Gain a better relationship with God
10. Stay positive :)

I think these are all manageable. With a little faith, trust and pixie dust, I'll be on my way. God has big plans for me this year. I just have to trust in Him. :)

Do you remember me, I sat upon your knee?

This has been a wonderful yet different Christmas. It is quite possibly the last Christmas I spend with my family and friends here at home in Newfoundland in a long while. Depending on where I go to work, it's very hard for nurses starting off to get alot of time off work for the holidays. It's hard to imagine spending Christmas without my mom, dad or brother around. All a part of growing up, I guess. Eventually, there will come a day when I'll have a family of my own and bringing the Christmas traditions I grew up with to my new family.

Mom and I were reminiscing last night on some of the earlier Christmases we had together as a family. I'll never forget the first time I sat on Santa Clause's knee at 4 years old and specifically asked him for, "a Polly Pocket and a mermaid dolly".
These days, my Christmas wish list has changed quite a bit. After all the events of this year, I feel like I've had to grow up a lot. I'm asking for more practical things such as a lunchbox and coffee travel mug to take with me to work. After haing three friends being diagnosed with cancer this year as well as three parents of friends die from that horrible disease, I wanted a part of my gift to have donations made to the Canadian Cancer Society. In return, I receive a beautiful "Sparkles of Hope" bracelet. It's on the way in the mail now.



Tis' the season of giving.

I had a lovely last couple of days, despite the fact for leaving all my shopping for the last possible minute. Funny thing about that, I actually was interviewed by CBC News for being a "Last Minute Shopper". My 6 seconds of fame can be aired at this link here. You can see me at 17:35. I pretty much got hauled aside in the mall while shopping and got asked to tell the entire country why I was a last minute shopper and my experiences with last minute shopping. How embarrassing. I'm usually on top of it early and get most of it finished by mid-November. I think I'm going to start after Halloween next year.

I spent the last couple days rushing around, getting the perfect gift for everyone and then finally, spent last night doing the most relaxing thing in the world - baking cookies while listening to Frank Sinatra's Christmas CD. Last night, I made a delicious batch of star shortbread and chocolate chip and candy cane cookies.





My Mom also made an AMAZING tasting ham. Okay guys, I actually HATE pork, but this ham was to DIE for! She made some kind of a brown sugar and molasses sauce to go over it and we ate it with bread and sliced tomatoes as sandwiches. As an annual tradition, we all watched the cartoon "Grinch Who Stole Christmas" before heading off to bed.

We all woke up bright and early this morning as it is the one morning out of the entire year where my brother and I do not feel the compelling urge to sleep-in on a holiday. Every Christmas morning, Mom is always the first one up. She then gets George up. I usually hear the coffee perking around 630, slowly crawl out of bed and then wake my brother up. We go downstairs and open our stockings together in the living room as a family. We do not open a single gift under the tree until everyone has completely unloaded their stockings. Then we proceed to the gift opening. Usually, myself and Jonny go first. We open the gifts from our grandparents first, the gifts to each other, then gifts from Mom and George. While this is going on, a million pictures are being taken by my mother. Then, once my brother and my gifts are opened, Mom and George open their gifts.

Some highlights of the morning:




My Michael Buble Autobiography :)



Jon gave George a can of "instant snow" for when he goes back to Florida


Me & Mom


Jon & Mom


Stocking time!


The lunchbox I asked for. Yes, I did ask for a lunchbox Christmas! LOL


New nursing shoes!


Then, my brother and I went to my Dad's house to deliver Christmas gifts there. My dad lives very close to a farm. The countryside looks so beautiful this time of year.






Mom made a lovely traditional Christmas dinner with all the fixings



Merry Christmas, everyone! I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season! Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season! <3