thoughts to make you think

in every decade we become a different person --- dorothy livesay

little ones

Just when you think nothing will surprise you, 400 students do...

This fall/winter I am doing my second year Social Work practicum at a local school. Now when I was growing school was much different for me. I had seven people in my grade and we had the biggest class in my school. When we graduated grade 9 there were 27 students in our school, and no-one coming in and this left 20 students for the next year. My school Bindloss school was from 1-9 and has since closed down which is saddening to me.

400 is a lot of students. There was not even that many in my high school which I had to drive an hour to.

So you may be wondering why these students have surprised me. Well one of the teachers is going to Haiti and she has proposed a fundraising event to the students to raise money and collect school supplies for the country that was hit by complete devastation.

Today one of the students came up to me and said, "Ms. Jensen, I am going to raise $500 to send to Haiti because I have a fortunate childhood and these children should too." This child is in grade one.

Now the surprising part...

People still care. People still want to help. And children have the innocence that allows them to imagine.

I love this.

Tragedy strikes when you least expect it

"I would say to those who mourn... Look upon each day that comes as a challenge, as a test of courage. The pain will come in waves, some days worse than others, for no apparent reason. Accept the pain. Do not suppress it. Never attempt to hide grief."


Daphne du Maurier

What I love... styling hairs

This is a glimpse into what I love, what I create, and what part of my heart is passionate about...

those crazy days where you wish everything would just stop

Have you ever had one of those days where someone tells you something and you cant stop thinking about it? You cant fall asleep because you are playing this scenario out in your head that is about to happen, but you have no control over it. You wake up and all you can think is how the heck is this going to go over?

I know I am not alone in this boat, and what is scary about this boat is the element of the unknown. Today I am going to embark on a conversation that I am not really sure what to think about. And trust me, I have been thinking forever. In fact a part of me thinks that I may be going a little bit insane. Life is crazy. The effect that people have on your life is also crazy.

Yesterday I was saying that I miss this friend, and then last night this friend asked me for coffee...

My insides are upside-down. Here's the the unknown. The unexpected. The craziness of life.

just because

No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change.

- Barbara de Angelis

There is always that one person....

I love people. If I could make a living off of spending time with people I would. Just go out for a java here, to a poetry reading there, some live music or for a potluck, anything makes me happy as long as it is with people. I have this unquenchable spirit that never leaves me satisfied, I always want more... if I could rearrange time I would just so I could spend more time with people, perhaps this explains my recent en devours to become a social worker. Now for a person who loves people, I have a lot of really great friends. Each of them contributing to my life in different ways, but each one being unique. As we all know friends do come and go and that's hard. I have learned this lesson more than a few times and not to say it has always been a bad experience but people grow, and they change and sometimes they leave us for a season.


And then there are those friends that will be there, literally until the end of time.

Those friends that sometimes you would like to leave you alone but they don't because if they weren't there for you, who would be? Those friends that will drive 80 miles in a snowstorm into the middle of nowhere because your clutch blew in our car you have had for years because they would rather be put out than have you freeze.

Those friends that will hold you when you cry, laugh hysterically with you until you feel sick, and bring you a tub of ice cream when you have endured the hardest heartache.

Those friends that never judge you on your life decisions but do indeed tell you when you are being an idiot and sometimes offer a punch to the face (I have never gotten one of those, but I have been offered).

Those friends that will take you out on the back roads for hours just so you can catch up, climb in trees with you just so you can get a great photo, and explore mysterious barns.

Those friends that will join you so you don't look like an idiot on your own, who will dance with you into the wee hours of the night and who will listen to you ramble about that wonderful guy you met that will never see again.

Now I am sure after reading this you are probably thinking that I am writing about someone specific and I am. Here name is Beckster. She has been my friend for 6 years. And she has been there for it all. And no matter how far apart we are, or how long it has been since we have seen each it is like we were never apart. There are many old memories to fill books and books, and there are many new memories waiting to be explored.

She is one of those people that you wish you could tell her how much you love her, and appreciate her but there isn't enough time or words to explain that. She is amazing. She is lovely, has the most beautiful spirit and will never let you down. She is one of the best friends that one could ever ask for. I'm sure if she knew I was writing this she wouldn't want me to because she is all of these wonderful things and also humble.I aspire to love like she does, forgive like she does, and be a friend like she is.

Here is to my amazing friend...

The little things that make you realize who you are again

This weekend was one of the most fun weekends I have had in sometime. A little background information on that is for the last year I have been in this slum. It involved a break up... more than a few deaths and some major life changes. This weekend reminded me of the things I am passionate about.

One of my dear friends that I have known and loved for just over 6 years got married. It was a beautiful day in the little town of Stettler, AB. I am a country girl at heart and I get caught up in the city life and when I escape the grasps of the city, my heart feels free. I loved the time even driving out there this weekend. Just me and my little car, an open road and Adele. I love music. I love fall. I love driving. AND I LOVE BEING IN THE COUNTRY. That of which I had forgotten that I loved.

Now if any of you reading this and know where I am coming from great. If you don't let me invite you into the heart of small towns. Now I was born and raised on a farm until I was 18 years old and ventured away to create my own life. This is what I know about small towns. People gossip, whether it be a good thing or a bad thing. People dropby unannounced for coffee. They chip in during harvest and will come help you pull a calf in the dead of night at -40. There is always some kind of party. You dont feel bad if you crash a wedding, and if you are so and so's friend you are my friend too. I miss this about being in a smaller town.

I will have you know that this wedding I went to I was not in but I was a hairstylist and the B.A.B.A. ( bad ass bride's assistant). This entailed some very random things such as helping the photographer, fetching rings, and putting up with the groomsmen. (The last job I did not mind at all- In my defense I am 23 and single). When I got to Stetts on Friday it was sooooo good to be there. This town holds a special place in my life for I used to spend a lot of time there years ago. Everyone was so welcoming, and it was as if I had lived there my whole life. You see like I said before, if youre their friend you are mine too. I loved it. Every moment of it. From the decorating, to playing pool, to eating delicious homemade food as well as watching fireworks. - interestingly enough, you get some booze in a few guys, some fireworks in their hands, and a dark night and it is more than an entertaining time.

She was beautiful. Stunning really. Saturday was so much fun. I was honored to be running around after my friend and her entourage. There was so much love, and laughter, and amazing memories made. The little things made me smile. Like "BA!!!!!! Will you hold my beer so I can look pretty?" (Groomsman) or "I am glad you are here and you love my wife" (New Husband) I had never met her hubby until I got there on Friday, and it is refreshing to see someone who loves his wife and loves her friends without even knowing them. He is a catch for sure.

It was an eye opener. I remembered why I love the country and all of it's people. I cant wait to spend more time with them. And because of this weekend I have really started to look at the things that were once important to me and need to be again.

Life is this grand gesture. We must use it to enjoy oursleves.


A huge congratulations to my beautiful friend and her new husband. :)

1 of the 98

Soooooo I havent had too much time to do any blogging lately.. Which this is somewhat frustrating

Between weddings, and showers, and bachlorette parties and lingerie parties, working job one and job two I find that there has not been very much extra time. And these are just a few of the things that I have been busy with... In between these things has also been brandings (yes I am a counrty girl), and picking out kittens, you name it and I am busy with it. Life is great

In the midst of all the madness I came across this little book.

What is it might you ask?
Well it is called "98 Things a Woman Should Do in Her Lifetime".

I am a sucker for little things like this. I have a bucket list. And there is not quite a 100 things on it but in the last few weeks I have knocked a few things off that beautiful list. One of which was "See Elton John in concert". I have a love for music that is unexplainable. And while at this concert, it was as if I were having an out of body experience. Call me crazy but it was one of the best moments of my life.

BENNIE AND THE JETS!

Anyways, random tangent. Today I did something from the 98 things list. Now for most women, this might not be to big of a deal but for all of you women that have feet on the slightly, how should I say this, larger size, you will understand.

Today I did things 14. " Buy a really expensive, well-made pair of boots"

This is very hard for a lady such as me with size 12 feet. I AM PROUD OF MYSELF!!!

Now I just have to keep up with my blog (which also happens to be on my bucket list)

My apologies. There are great things to come

to busy...awful excuse

Soon I will add something... I promise! Life is busy...wedding season is in full swing

I am currently sitting in Second Cup and I am supposed to be writing a paper, however, I needed a little bit of a break. School is dragging and I can not wait to be done this term.

The thought of this summer excites me.

The weddings, the babies, and young love for the people I hold close to my heart, who knows, maybe me! I am looking forward to warm evenings, and beautiful sunsets, lemonade and great books. I am looking forward to new recipes and visiting with old friends, going to the place I grew up, and will always call my home.

OH how exciting!

Within my next couple of posts, I hope I will have something wonderful to show you, but unfortunately right now, there is papers to be written and book to be read!


Ciao


Speaking of babies. this one is the newest addition to my life... my dear friend D's little man!

A little adventure

This week has been an adventure to say the least

There is something beautiful about a porcelain beauty in a white dress
There is something wonderful about listening to Kings of Leon while driving on the open road with a great friend
There is something so sweet about a new coffee shop on the corner of Broadway and Main.

Vancouver you have stolen my heart.

I have decided that my passion to travel is somewhat dangerous in the fact that every new thing I experience makes me want to venture away from my home. However the roots I have and the people I have keep me coming back.

There is something great about sore legs from walking up and down Robson visiting all the shops that you never see with five of the greatest friends anyone could ask for. There is something so calming about being with those that hold you heart, watching the jellyfish at the aquarium. Candy apples being shared amongst 6 people whom adore their friendships with each other.

Currently I am sitting in a Starbucks on Water and Cambie, sipping my oh so wonderful raspberry/vanilla non fat, xtra hot earl gray tea latte. My friend Squish is aside me. She's so lovely. So sophisticated.

This trip has been refreshing. It's nice to spend time with the faces you love that have since moved on to different things from home. It's been nice to dine, and share confined apartments and to shop on Robson.

The places change, but the people still remain as sweet and as loving as they were when we once lived in the same postal code.

Vancity you seize to amaze me. Your nostalgic beauty encompasses me every time I visit. I will forever hold you dear.

A New Pair of Boots

The sun is finally shinning, but as I look at my beautiful friend across the table, she is not shinning. Broken hearts seem to be a trend in the group of people that I love. It seems as though everywhere I look there is pain, and from my own experience I know that we can make it through, if we choose to.

Life is nothing short of these heart wrenching moments and to be honest I think that God never intended us to have our hearts broken. It makes me wonder how much he hurts when we hurt! God is good though, and that's how I know this season will end..

In 23 days my best friend from my teenage years is getting married...This is exciting. The dress. The lipstick. The flowers. The ring.

That is the love I one day want.

A sunny Winters day

It has indeed been awhile..over a year to be exact. You may wonder what has happened in the last year or you simply may not even care but life has been interesting non the less

This last year has been nothing short of blood pumping.
Sometimes I think that as adults we tend to take things for granted, because there isn't enough time to appreciate the little things. I have come to learn that sometimes the so called little things are indeed the significant moments in life that can ultimately change our lives.

I have learned that sometimes God uses the "little things" to get our attention and tell us to slow down and enjoy the moments of this precious life because all we have is today and we have to decide how we want to live it.

There has been moves...and houses bought...milk spilt...and road trips. There has been broken hearts...and death...alongside weddings...babies...and school.

Its nice to have a heart that races in excitement for life.
God is good.
Life is good.
Sometimes hard and tragic...but more often than not, in my life anyways, the good outweighs the bad...

Until next time...