25 before 25

There are 12 days until my 25th birthday. Holy Swiss f-ing cheese, Batman. Where did my life go?!

I've been reading a lot of "25 before 25" blogs lately, trying to be inspired by what some people have accomplished before they turned 25. I started getting disheartened because I haven't accomplished those things, or those types of things. But I have done some pretty righteous things in my 25 years. I thought, as a tribute selfishly to myself, I would share some things that I've done in my life that I think are pretty cool, as well as a few things that I want to accomplish before I'm 30:

1. Had a leading role in a play.

2. Before I'm 30: I want to pay off my student loans.

3. Got accepted to college and even graduated! (Even after changing majors halfway through!)

4. Moved away from home, out of my comfort zone, to experience life somewhere else. (Actually a few places, Connecticut, Toronto, Arkansas!)

5. Before I'm 30: I want to figure out my career path.

6. Volunteered with middle schoolers, teaching them how to have healthy relationships...which was the hardest 6 months of my life.

7. Been bungee jumping! Not off a bridge but it still counts because it was terrifying!

8. Learned to cook without looking at a recipe! That was a big one for me...coming from the family that I come from!

9. Before I'm 30: I want to take a road trip across the United States.

10. Lost 20 pounds...maybe haven't kept it off but I did it once!

11. Made it through countless heartbreak, just to be a better person on the other side.

12. Before I'm 30: I want to take a dance class.

13. Seen my favorite musical on stage...three times! I saw Wicked on San Fran when I was 17 (paid for it myself!) then saw it again TWICE in Portland.

14. Been to New York, which has been a lifetime dream of mine.

15. Changed someone's life, whether I like to admit it was through a shitty relationship or not. I seemed to be the catalyst in some gentlemen's lives that helped them get their shit together.

16. Found the love of my life.

17. Before I'm 30: I want to get married.

18. Before I'm 30: I want to travel to Europe.

19. Had an article published for reals. 

20. Lived in a foreign country (Canada...still counts!) 

21. Before I'm 30: I want to save $10,000 (which amounts to saving $5.50 per day for 5 years)

22. Run 5k without stopping. 

23. Before I'm 30: I want to come to terms with my body.

24. Rescued a dog: my baby Chasey, rescued her from a Winco parking lot! 

25. Before I'm 30: I want to learn to sew and make an outfit for myself. 

I think it's a pretty interesting list. I'm up for the challenge! 

Spring has Sprung

Well it's officially Spring time. And besides the snow blizzard yesterday morning, it's actually starting to look like Spring around here. Sure, there's snow and ice everywhere still but if you look up into the sky, you see blue and sunshine.

This weekend is my studio's first competition. I'm excited to attend my first competition and support the girls (and boy). They've been working so hard. It's going to be a whole other universe then I'm use to. I'm excited to feel like I belong somewhere.

It's also around the time where I start looking for a new job again. I've pulled out the ol' resume (which isn't so ol' as I've updated it more times this year then I know what to do with) and dusted it off. I've made a list of all the job websites and companies I'm interested in in Arkansas and am hoping for the best. Send me your good thoughts?

I'm having good feelings about this move. I'm really excited to experience a part of the country that I've never been to before. I'm looking forward to warmer weather and exploring a culture I know nothing about. I think a good feeling about finding a job there and if that doesn't pan out, I have back up plans. 

But moving isn't the only thing I'm looking forward to in the next 6 months! My best friend is coming to visit in May (AHHHH!) and it's also my boyfriend's birthday in May (as well as my momma!). In June, Jake and I along with some close friends, are heading to Las Vegas to check out Electronic Daisy Carnival for the first time! I'm so excited, SO EXCITED. Then we move in July! Holy cow.

What are you looking forward to in the next 6 months?

On the Danforth.

This week in Toronto is a rainy one. Not that I mind too much, I get to enjoy jeans and light hoodies, finally. 

New scarf that my mom got me for my birthday.

I'm heading to the Taste of the Danforth. It's a Greek street festival here in TO. Going to try some yummy things and see some fun people.

Tomorrow we bought the cheap seats to see the Blue Jays play with Yankees. I think I'll wear the Yankee jersey I somehow acquired while I was in New Haven. Show a little bit of America pride!

Secretly, the rain inspires me to make some tea, turn on some jazz and dig my sketch book out from the boxes I have yet to unpack. Not that I am any sort of good at drawing, but I pretend.

Weekend In Photos (And a few from last week!)

Oh boy! Is it "Monday" already?! We had a three day weekend in Canada for some Civic holiday, which meant I had a four day weekend since I already have Friday's off! OVer that weekend was my 24th birthday (eek!) and I wanted to say THANK YOU to all of those who wished me a happy day! It turned out so, so great!

I had a job interview, which I am still waiting to hear results, then Jacob took me to MAC and bought me all this new make up, after getting my make up done for the day. I have never owned nice thing, let alone amazing, expensive make up! All I want to do is play with it. Then we went to lunch at an adorable little Italian place on Spadina Ave downtown. 

And after a little bit of shopping (which was unsuccessful), went to cocktails with some new friends at Beir Market, where we were thrilled to see an amazing selection of beer! As you know, we're on a beer quest so I think when we have more time, we'll have to come back and explore the selection here! Then he surprised me with an amazing dinner. And I'm talking amazing. So fancy. Probably the best food I've ever had and, as Jake put it after paying the bill, probably a once in a life time kind of place (hah! What a great guy!). The wine was so delicious, it was like butter in your mouth. I wanted to take pictures so badly but it was the kind of place where you do NOT do that. But I snuck a few, fuzzy as they are, you get the idea! Here are some Instagram's (which you can follow me @FreyaLily88) and some regular photos! 

Breakfast this morning. Getting back on the health wagon!

A lecture at Hotel Ocho. Beautiful.

Where I had my interview (Post Magazine, not Bayview Magazine)

Penne ala vodka, of course.

Scaramouche for dinner, appetizer: goat cheese three ways. Amazing.

Scaramouche: Partridge. Probably the best thing I've ever eaten. 

Birthday outfit: Salmon dress, black belt, diamonds Gram's gave
 me for Christmas, wedges and Armani blazer from Gram's.

Saturday stroll around Harbourfront. I hate the use of "ou".

Harbourfront. So big you forget it's a lake.

Walking up Yonge St past the Russian immigrants. 

Chopstick walrus.

Sunday lunch with friends at the Ultimate Cafe.
Montreal Smoked Meat sammie and a garden salad.

Morning coffee: B-52 (Kailua, Bailey's and Grand Mariner) 

$5 craft beers. Tractor beer.

How was your weekend???

24 Years.

Ah, today is the day. The day when I am one year older. Today, I turn 24 years old. Holy friggin weird, Batman.

On my birthday last year.

Lets be real here for a second. When I was a kid, I loved my birthday. It was the height of summer, the weather was always great and we always had a party of sorts that involved water balloons, swim suits, and cinnamon rolls topped with orange icing (mom only bought those on my birthday). 

But as time went by, birthday's have started to lose their luster. In college, I looked forward to turning 21 and now that that's over...I'm looking forward to retirement. Just kidding :)

This year, I'm spending my birthday in a new city. I'm thanking my lucky stars that Jake managed to get the day off last minute, however! If he had to work, I was going to be spending the day alone. But I think it's going to be a nice day. I just need to get back this interview I have in a hour. I'm crazy nervous, and it's only for an internship!

I will take this day by the horns and make it fun! Even if I have to buy myself a birthday crown ;) And it wouldn't be the first time I did that either...