Sunday, July 24, 2016

Travel Bug

In the over 7 years Mark and I have been together we have flown for only 3 trips, two of which were in the last 4 months (Mexico in April and Edmonton just this weekend). 

We let so much time pass between our first flight travel together (Hawaii in 2010) that we forgot the excitement that goes along with it. 

Well, thanks to these two trips in the last four months it's safe to say that we've caught it, we've caught the travel bug!

I'm literally sitting in the airport as I write this, and although I'm tired as ever from the busy busy adventures we had this weekend, I wouldn't trade it for the world, and I honestly cannot wait until we book our next flight away! 

Here is to hoping it's sooner rather than later!
-Linds

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Permanent!

You may recall from last year that I started a 30 before 30 list. Today I am proud to announce that I have another item to check off. #4 on that list was to obtain a permanent position at work, and well, today is officially my start date of my new PERMANENT position. 

Although the shifts/hours of the position are not ideal, this is still a huge relief for me because it means even more job security. Basically think of it this way:

When I was working Temp jobs before it was similar to as if I was renting a house. I was in the jobs for a set amount of time, sometimes it would get extended, sometimes cut short, so although I had set shifts and hours, there was still limited security. Someone else owned the home and I was just temporarily living in it until they said otherwise. Now that I own my own permanent position, instead of a temporary one, it's like I own my own home. So now, if I want, I can still rent my home out to others while I temporarily rent someone else's home, but I will always have my own home to fall back into if need be. 

It took just over 2.5 years to get my permanent position and I am so excited to relax and just be happy with the progress I have made in my career. Sure, other younger/newer techs have already surpassed me in my career endeavors, but that's okay. I am content to be where I'm at today. Progress is still progress no matter what others around you are doing. 

-Linds


Monday, July 18, 2016

Weekend Refresh

After spending Saturday working, then staying up way to late at a 40th birthday party BBQ, and then running errands all day Sunday to prep for our upcoming trip, as well as checking out some open houses, by Sunday evening we were pooped. But, thankfully we summoned up some energy and headed down the trails across the street from our house.

It was the perfect nature refresh we needed. 

We stopped at a couple benches, looked out to the ocean, sauntered through the trees along the trails and of course held hands tight. 

Even on the busy days life is beautiful!
-Linds

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Sunday Fashion Fun-Day: Basics!

Last weekend we went to two BBQs: a 50th birthday party for Mark's boss, and a graduation party for my cousin. Both events were relatively casual (some of the older folks dressed up a wee bit nicer for the 50th birthday party), so the dress code was pretty relaxed. 

I had to work both days so honestly by the time I got home and had to get ready, I was in no mood to put effort into looking anywhere next to decent. That being said, I decided to just keep it simple and go back to the basics: Jeans and a tank. 

I went with my boyfriend fit Mavi jeans (which are a little snugger than most boyfriend fits - thanks to my large bottom half), and my black PINK T-back tank top. I paired it with just some slip on flip flops ($6 Roxy brand from Winners), and my new open knit cardigan from Rip Curl and that seemed to do the trick. It was one of the rare times I pulled off my favorite look: "look how cute you look and you didn't even have to try!" I was ready in a total of about 30 minutes (including shower time and lint rolling), and I got complimented twice of my outfit - BONUS!

When in doubt, stick with the basics, they will never fail you!
-Linds

Friday, July 15, 2016

Sweet Potato/Quinoa Patties

I've recently discovered a new recipe using a food I loooooooove.

I absolutely love eating sweet potato, in pretty much all forms: baked, mashed, fried, etc. So, the other day, I was trying to figure out what kind of meal I could make starring the sweet potato instead of keeping it as a "behind the scenes" side dish. 

Then I discovered this: Sweet Potato/Quinoa Patties

I didn't end up using 1 recipe in particular off of pinterest, but instead took inspiration from a few, and decided to just wing it.  

Here is how it went:

Ingredients (Makes about 8-10 patties):
-1 can cubed sweet potato (drained well)
-2 eggs
-1 & 1/2 cups of quinoa (pre-cooked and well drained of moisture)
-1/2 to 3/4 of a large onion
-2 cloves of garlic
-1 tsp-ish of chili powder
-3 to 5 tbsp flour
-drizzle of oil to coat frying pan

Directions:
-Combine all ingredients in bowl (I add the flour last to help soak up any leftover moisture)
-Mix thoroughly (it'll still be a bit chunky because of the onions)
-Coat frying pan with thin layer of oil and heat well
-use 1/4cup size to scoop portions of mixture into frying pan
-Cook until golden brown, flip, continue cooking until other side is golden as well (about 4 to 5 minutes per side).


I was really pleased with myself for just winging it on a recipe I had never tried before, and it was a major bonus that they turned out delicious! Mark and I each ate about 4, and ended up dipping them in sirracha sauce to give em a little extra kick of flavour! Now granted, they definitely weren't filling enough to be an entire meal on their own so we had a salad on the side, however these would be more than enough for a little afternoon snack when you have a starch heavy craving (ie. me after my workouts). 

I plan on next time making a bigger batch, and seeing how well they freeze so that I can have an easy ready to go snack. 
-Linds

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Truth (2005)

A beautiful bird with wings so free
A girl with dreams for you to see
She spoke her heart, with emotions so wild
You would think she was still just a little child

A brave young girl, for she knows this well
Not everything is perfect, but you must not dwell
So enjoy her laugh, with such happiness and love
But don't forget the tears, because we can't always have fun

So then you ask, "Is she truly happy? She must not know the truth.
In a world full of hurt and heartache it must just be her youth."

But no, she reply's, "all you need is to believe
because as we all know, nothing is for free. 
The secret lies within us all
The strength in knowing that you might just fall"

Now you must decide, do you trust this young girl?
She hasn't lived 100 years, nor has she seen the world.
But maybe knowledge isn't always that kind of smarts,
Just dig a little deeper and you will see that some things are better found by the truth in our hearts




-Linds 

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Sunday Fashion Fun-Day: Celebrating!

I already featured this dress once but I couldn't help but feature it again, this time all dolled up! 

Last weekend we attended the wedding of Josh (Mark's childhood friend) and Ashley at the Whonnock Lake Centre in Maple Ridge. It was a beautiful venue, with a beautiful couple, celebrating a beautiful endeavor. 

I wore my new Monk & Lou dress from Plenty with a open knit cardigan from Rip Curl. I dressed it up with my glittery Guess sandals and then some silver jewelry. It was pretty effortless, if I do say so myself!

Mark wore his grey Volcom dress pants with a lilac button up from Le Chateau, which happened to be on sale for $39.95.  I must admit he was looking quite dapper (although he always cleans up nice ;))! 

We had a wonderful time at the wedding - lately his friends' weddings seem to feel more like reunions than anything else, simply because it's not very often that every gets together anymore these days (everyone has their own busy lives going on).

Throughout the night we all had some drinks, ate some amazing food, cheers-ed to the bride and groom, and of course danced the night away! We even got to enjoy the calm of the lake in the late evening, as the venue had a dock right out to the water, it was perfection!

Do you have any weddings aka reunions to attend this summer?
-Linds 

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Feeling It

I feel good today. Simple as that.

I woke up groggy so I decided to stay in bed and sleep a little longer. 

I went for a walk with Captain in the rain, it was super cleansing and refreshing.

I tidied the house, which brings me a sense of calm and order. 

I worked out, covered in sweat and shaky muscles, edorphins pumping.

I showered, feeling relaxation come over me.

I lounged on the couch...simplicity. 

I feel good today. I made choices that made my day satisfying. I like the way my body works hard for me yet relaxes when the opportunity arises, and no one can tell me that what I did wasn't enough. 

How are you feeling today? Are you feeling it?
-Linds

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Monthly Mayhem: June 2016

Here is how I spent my month:

Travel:
-Nothing

Volleyball:
-PFAC Co-ed Grass Reverse 4s Tournament at Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School June 5, 2016 - 2nd place in C pool - 9th out of 16 total

-Finished Indoor Co-ed Reverse 4s Aldergrove Volleyball league - 1st place!!
-Top Gun Womens/Mens 2s Grass Tournament run by Cambie Sports June 12, 2016 - came in 3rd place in the AA\A+ pool

-Finished Co-ed 6s POCO Volleyball league -3rd place!

Events\Activities:
-Into The Thao Friday June 3, 2016 (a friend of ours from volleyball, Bryce "Wonderbread" Koebel, performed in it) - AWESOME!
-Dad & Sister's birthday Dinner get together, Saturday June 4, 2016 
-Niece, Ryan's 3rd Birthday - June 11, 2016
-Go-Karting for Father's day at Fast Track Indoor Karting -June 18, 2016


Fitness:
-Finished FBFlex and FBBooty Round 2
-Started FBabs (again + adding in some "extra credit" impromptu workouts)

Food:
-Did some muffin baking again but haven't tried any new recipes

Ink:
-Still working through the French version of "This Lullaby" by Sarah Dessen (about 95 pages in)

How was your June?
-Linds

Friday, July 1, 2016

To The Greatest...

...Country on this planet: Happy Canada Day!

Spent the day at Cambie Sports SalmonFest volleyball tournament and had a blast! Captain enjoyed cheering us on too!

How did you celebrate Canada Day?
-Linds