Making the most of your semester abroad

I know there are hundreds of these kinds of lists floating around the internet, but I wanted to take my own personal experience, both good and things I regret and make my own.

Plus it's the third Thursday of the month which means another Thursday Travel linkup!

Do's

Travel where you can - Obviously you are studying in one city, but make the most of your time there by travelling where your budget and availability allows. The one thing I never stopped telling myself while I was away was "when am I ever going to get to do this again under this circumstance". I don't doubt that I'll be back in Europe but not as a study abroad!

Do a mix of touristy and non touristy - If you've picked a place to visit, chances are there is initially something that you saw somewhere that drew you in. Example, in Paris? Go see the Eiffel Tower. Italy? Go get that leaning tower of Pisa picture. If you want to! Don't get caught up in the "that's too touristy thing." But also, eat at a restaurant so far removed from the touristy area, meet some locals. Go to a pub/bar that isn't crawling with foreigners.

Refrain from buying a lot of clothes - If I could take this back I would haha. I spent so much money frivolously on clothes and shoes. You can buy shoes and clothes at home! Obviously you are going to buy SOME things, but don't go overboard. Not like me to the point where you need to get another suitcase. Whoops.

Don'ts

Don't forget about your study city - I know I know. I just said travel as much as you can. But don't forget about the city you're studying in! Take the time to speak to the people in your classes. You will definitely find some Erasmus students in the same boat as you. This is another regret I have; i made friends, but I didn't actually evolve the relationships the way I wish I had because I was always gone with the people from my home university. It's worth getting to know people!

Then you can have group photo ops like this:

Try NOT to lose your patience - If you're traveling with people for the first time, it's going to take time to get used their personalities, especially their travel personalities. Some people need to be 4 hours early to the airport, some people like the thrill of almost missing the flight (ok I don't actually think it's thrilling but that's part of the adventure right?)

Don't forget to live in the moment - Document your trip, absolutely. But don't get stuck always taking pictures instead of looking at things through your own eyes. Keep a journal, write down jot notes even. Something to remember how you felt, not just what you saw. You will want to look back on this and remember the amazing time you had.

I guess these things don't really JUST apply to studying abroad. They can be used for anyone backpacking or going on a trip (except the study city I suppose!).

What are your tips for travelling? What are things you should avoid doing or things you should do?

Don't forget to link up!

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The Girl On the Train

Hello hello hello.

So last week when I was going to Ottawa , we experience significant delays at every airport. Since I forgot to bring a book with me, my first stop was to the Relay at the Halifax airport and buy one.
I had heard a lot of good things about The Girl On the Train (even the girl at the store said it was amazing) so I picked it up.

Once I picked it up I seriously couldn't put it down. I've never usually been one to go for the thriller type books but I was drawn to this one.

The book follows Rachel, a woman recently divorced whose days are filled with watching people go about their lives from the train. The book involves her ex, his new wife and neighbours down the road. There are affairs, drinking problems, troubled souls, essentially everything to make up a good psychological thrill.

I really love Hawkins' writing style and her story telling. You are seriously kept in suspense until the very end. There are a lot of twists that you wouldn't expect, and just when you think you know the outcome, you don't any more. I've been told this is similar to Gone Girl which is a movie I loved but have yet to read the book.

I would 100% recommend this to anyone!

Since picking this book up, I wonder why I ever let myself get away with not reading. I go through spurts where I just stop for no reason. After I finished this book I went to chapters to find a new one, something on the lighter side.

From what I read, this book is just a light read that is meant to be relate-able and fun. A woman as she tries to find love through different routes and rules, by different books if you must. I haven't started reading it just yet but I am going to dive in tonight.

What books are on your list? I am always in the market for new recommendations (even if I don't pick them up right away!)

Birchbox #1

I was so excited when Birchbox FINALLY opened for Canadians. I had used Ipsy before but had been disappointed one too many times to continue to pay for it. I was always receiving the same products and my skin can't use anything new ever so it was totally freaking out.

I was also way more drawn to BB when my friend Rebecca over at Rebecca likes nails told me they were giving away Beauty Blenders in this box. I have wanted one for so long after watching many Youtubers use them but I could never convince myself to shell out the cash. Thanks for saving my wallet Birchbox!

Anyway here's what the box looks like and what goodies were waiting inside for me:

SO cute!! 

and most importantly:

Products:

Harvey Ageless Perfume - This perfume is a really nice floral one. Which works well since spring is (or should be anyway) on the way! I like this because it's not too overpowering and it just has a nice sweet scent you can wear day to day.

Mirenesse Mattfinity Lip Rouge - This is bright red lip stain that turns matte. I often find stains really drying but never care because I love every lip product ever. I haven't tried it out yet but I'll let you know! It gets really good reviews online!

Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer - This moisturizer smells really nice and it does make my skin super soft. I use it before I go to sleep because I find it quite heavy and for whatever reason I can't handle heavy moisturizers throughout the day. I haven't had any reactions yet! Let's hope I don't haha. 

Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Shampoo - Another one that smells SO good. I have yet to use it because I just recently coloured my hair so I'm just using a colour protectant. I can see anything going wrong with this Fekkai one though. It is shampoo, I don't generally find any brand makes a difference in my hair. The perks of having impossibly thin hair?

The Beauty Blender - I still haven't this but I am so pumped. I might put makeup on tonight just because I want to try it out. That's as good a reason as any right?

Have you tried any of these products? Any more subscription services I should look into? I think I mostly just like getting things in the mail, no one sends letters anymore.

Maybe I should get a penpal.

Whirlwind Ottawa weekend

It's funny how you spend so much time looking forward to a weekend away but you forget just how quickly it goes by.

I was in Ottawa this past weekend for my cousin's wedding (and shopping of course). It was a great time and I got to see so many family members that I usually don't  because they don't come back to Newfoundland very often to visit. I can't really blame them, they are all sisters living in the same city and their parents don't live in Newfoundland anymore.

I met lots of their friends, ate too much food and spent too much money but it was 100% worth it!

Here's what the weekend was like in picture and brief explanation form:

Our flight out of St. John's was delayed (OF COURSE) by FOUR hours. So by the time we arrived in Halifax, our connecting flight to Ottawa was long gone. And the next available flight for us wasn't until 5pm, we were supposed to arrive in Ottawa at noon. This took a huge chunk out of my shopping time and I was less than impressed.

This was my view for 5 hours (minus lunch and bathroom breaks):

Yep the Halifax airport is about as exciting as it looks. On the bright side Air Canada did give us meal vouchers so our lunch was paid for. (the little things am I right?).

Eventually 5pm came and we did make it on that flight and we were finally off. We arrived around 6:30 and then had a quick visit with my cousin before rushing to the mall before it closed. We only had an hour and a half but I definitely did some damage in that time. Sephora and Mac get me everytime. 

Friday was Good Friday so everything was closed. We went to have lunch with a relative in Kanata and just ended up sitting outside enjoying the 15 degree sunny weather and drinking local beers. Quite the relaxing afternoon.

Saturday was the big day - Wedding day that is. It was at the Ottawa Wedding chapel in Kenmore which serves a non-religious wedding ceremony chapel. The wedding itself was short and sweet then there was SO much food afterwards and a lot of wine to be had. It felt off to be sipping back wine in a church pew but it happened.

so did a selfie on the drive over:

And I had to get a picture of my dress obviously:

My mom brought it back from Milan. I am just sooo #cultured (kidding).

The reception was right after the ceremony so after the cutting and eating of the cake, my sisters and I headed off to do more shopping since we lost so much time on thursday. After spending MORE money we went back to my cousins house for a party where we just drank, danced and ate pizza. The best saturday night if you ask me. 

Sunday was our touristy day. We also had brunch at my cousins husband's parent's house and can I just say day, Lebanese homemade food is amazing. 

My sister has a friend who lives in Ottawa so she took us on a little tour around the downtown area. It was only -3 it felt like -50. Wearing a dress probably didn't help.

Smile and pretend it's not -50

National War Memorial

Parliament Hill

  After sight-seeing we headed back to my cousin's house where I took a much needed nap. Then we set out for one last night with our cousins for some food and drinks. And we were not disappointed. If you ever find yourself in Ottawa, make sure you make the time to go to El Camino. It's a taco place, but not your average taco place. I wish I had taken pictures of the inside because it's such a cool atmosphere! I did take pictures of my food though:

 

Bourbon Sour - AMAZING. I could have had 3 of them but probably would have ended up on the floor. A bit strong.

Fish tacos - To die for. If you love spicy food you will love these. I generally don't go for spicy but I powered through them because they were delicious. We also had churros which I didn't get a picture of because I was busy eating them.

All in all it was a great weekend. We had a 6am flight back to NL yesterday and so now it's back to the routine. I wish I was still eating churros though. 

                             

Packing for the weekend 101 with Janet

I will admit that prior to my semester abroad last winter, I would have been the worst person to give packing advice of any kind. I was notorious for overpacking and making my suitcase overweight. Or of the flip side, not packing enough to sustain me for the duration of the trip. But ever since I had to deal with extreme weight limits and short trips, my packing ways have definitely improved.

I'm heading off to Ottawa tomorrow morning for the weekend for a wedding (pending the amazing Newfoundland weather doesn't have other plans for me). Since it is stuck in that awkward still winter/almost spring but not quite phase, I had to vary what I packed.

I always start by taking out my favourites of each type of garment. There are generally 10 of everything; dresses, sweaters, leggings etc. 

Then I have to narrow down which ones I'm most likely to wear, that gives me about 5 of each thing. Still too much for one weekend. So then I just go withnt the most comfortable/ones that go with the most things. And voila, down to an acceptable amount of clothes needed for a weekend.

(I did go back and fold them properly I promise)

So here is what is included:

- 3 dresses

- 2 pairs of shoes

- 3 sweaters

- 2 pairs of leggings

- 1 bra

- 5 pairs of underwear

- 5 pairs of socks

3 dresses and sweaters might be an overkill, whoops.

I also have to leave lots of room for new clothes because venturing out of Newfoundland to anywhere is like hitting a gold mine. We don't have H&M, Forever21, Sephora.. essentially we have nothing. 

In my carry-on, I like to keep it pretty light, although I also have to squish my purse in there so it might not be so light. Maybe I'll put that in my checked luggage as well.

Book - Mindy Kaling; I am obsessed with her show I couldn't not read her book.

Kate Spade "Paint the Town Red" journal to document my trip. One of my favourite things to do is to write down things about the people around me on the plane. Sometimes it creates a good story.

Kate Spade pencil case but used as a makeshift makeup bag. Just the basics (foundation, mascara, lipstick and brow gel). 

And of course headphones because I like to tune everyone out and watch movies. 

What does your usual long weekend packing list look like? Are you better at packing than me? (I would say without question you probably are).

Weekend recap: All I did was eat

Welcome back to monday. It always creeps up on me.. Luckily I only have a three day week this week as I am headed off to Ottawa thursday morning for a wedding!

This past weekend was fun, relaxed and full of food.

Friday night I worked my second job then went over to my cousin's house as I was still staying there for the weekend. I watched Greys and ate chocolate covered almonds. The wildest Friday night.

Saturday I just did so many things! 

Got my nails done: (thanks to my pal Rebecca over at rebeccalikesnails)

(please dad, ask me one more time why I have one nail a different colour).

My friend April moved to Calgary on sunday so she had a going away dinner saturday night. We went to a restaurant called The Gypsy Tea Room and the food was AMAZING. I had blackened salmon with a sun-dried tomato sauce. Sun-dried tomato anything is MY JAM.

NOM

We went back to the hotel room she had, had a few drinks then called it a night.

Sunday I met up with a few coworkers at the mall for some shopping. I didn't actually buy anything except this:

Chocolate chip cookie dough hayyy

My weekend ended with more Greys and some puppy cuddles from Toby

How was your weekend? Full of fun and love I hope!

Instagram roll + April goals

Here's what my week has been like according to my Instagram!

The Mindy Project - The season finale was tuesday but I had to get fully caught up before I watched it (I still haven't so no spoilers!). I am so in love with this show and everything that Mindy Kaling does. I refuse to believe she could ever do anything wrong. 

Sunny day in St. John's - FINALLY. It has been snowing and dreary for what seems like ever. I am so over winter and ready for the sun. It wasn't even that warm when I took this picture yesterday but I don't care. There was little to no snow on the ground and none falling so it was a beautiful day.

Toby- This is my cousin's dog. Her mom is gone away for the week so I am staying there with her. The best way to describe Toby would be the dog from Up! He loves to cuddle and LOVES belly rubs. When I'm sitting on the couch he just sits in my lap the whole time. I just need a dog of my own..

"Be there for others but never leave yourself behind"
When I saw this quote browsing through Pinterest, it really hit me. I spend a lot of time helping my friends, or you know doing them favours and making sure they are happy. There isn't anything wrong with that, but sometimes it's easy to get caught up and forget that you are a person too! Time for some more self love on top of the love I have for the people in my life.

New month new me? One can try I suppose. Whenever I try to set goals for myself I want make sure they are actually feasible don't just turn into wishes that I can't actually turn into reality.

So I'm trying to keep it pretty simple this month. Building on previous goals set for myself.

Cool it with the drinking/going out

I'm never one to shy away from going out with friends for some drinks and a good time. However the older I get the more I get over the hangover REAL quick. I also don't need to be spending so much money on going out. I know that I can have a good friday night for a fraction of the price.

Try and eat more healthily

There is a Subway right next to my office. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I am addicted to Subway. The people who work at that know my order off by heart. If that isn't a problem I don't know what is.

Travel somewhere alone

My wanderlust is so bad right now. I had trips booked but had to cancel and it's so depressing. Hopefully I can save up enough money to make this happen. I think I need this sort of independence for myself.

Be more organized

I bought a Kate Spade planner last summer  and started off strong but have fallen off the bandwagon. I know that once I start school again I'll need the planner, I just wish I had been using it all along. I broke it out tonight and added some new things to it so let's just keep it up this time hey janet? 

Do you have any goals for April? I'd love to hear em! 

Happy friday!