Tuesday, 31 December 2013

An Ode to 2013

T-4hrs till 2014!! Omygoodness, what a year! In a nutshell, 2013 was wonderful :) I always find it really neat to reflect on the changes that happen in one year: what comes, what goes, and what lasts.

Here are some of the things we've learned, our meaningful moments and our hopes for the new year. Thought we'd share!

JBOUN: I learnt to figure out what your priorities are... never putting others first over yourself. I felt like I invested more in others when I had no time to improve myself. I also learnt to keep my goals to myself... found it was the only way to keep myself motivated in the long run. And, you can depend only on yourself, and noone else. I learnt how to become more independent in everything I do. Show who you are no matter who you're with. Let your personality shine wherever you are and don't let others mold you into something you're not.

 2014: I hope to judge less of people, accept them for who they are and be a much more positive person to everyone and myself. 


SPENCE: One of the best quotes from one of the books my prof from positive psychology wrote: "Focus does not stay in the past or in the future for long unless you take it there -- nor does it stay in one specific spot for very long, unless you hold it there." -Terry Orlick

SHAQ: Oh geez. Fine I'll say something cheesy... I learned that it's easier to trust people with secrets than keep it all to myself.
I googled that.
lol jkjk!

2014: To live a balanced life :) 

VIC: I learned a lot about sales and living on my own. And being easier on myself.
  So simple, but do what makes you happy.

BAHAREH: This year I've made a lot of good friends and I feel that no matter how tough life or school can be, we're in this together. Things always get better with time and as long as you stay strong things will come through! Its like they say, things happen for a reason so trust faith that everything will be fine. Also, don't be afraid to try new things. For example this year I really wanted to cook more and now I have a new passion. Set goals for yourself, get out of your comfort zone. Always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. THIS YEAR'S THEME IS FRIENDSHIP.

MARIA: For me it would have to be that I may have made mistakes, but that they're safely behind me and that they won't anchor me in my present or influence my future.
Hahah I may have combined a couple of song lyrics to come up with that statement.


ANIK: 2013 was very eventful for me. Many things happened in my life! I learned to take things easy and enjoy doing things that you really like. I also learned to be more patient and stay calm when things are not going your way! Another lesson is to be kind to people and sacrifice more in life to help others.


TIFF: This year I learned to appreciate the things I'm not good at.  I learned that failing is okay because it's not the worst option. To laugh at myself. I learnt that my friends can push me harder than I can push myself -- and that makes me better. I learnt that strangers can be selfless and the beauties of the world become meaningful because of the people who have meaning to me.

2014: To make every day a Yes Day!


 LIZ: 2013 taught me that I can hold my own through whatever "storm" life throws my way, and still come out the other end smiling and no worse for wear :)


ANDREW: Be willing to take risks even if it pushes yourself far outside your comfort zone. The things that we treasure most in our life are the things that were hardest and usually least comfortable to get.
 
WILSON: Carpe Diem.


What did you learn? What are you goals? What were your moments?
Cheers to 2014! May you be only more brilliant :D

Sunday, 24 November 2013

This is how we do.


Do you remember our first lecture ever in university? It was Houseman’s “How to Study Efficiently 101”.  We were promised that by fourth year, we would have our study techniques down pat. Three years later, we’re still alive and truckin’ along… ergo, we must know what we’re doing… right?! Bahareh, Caitlin, Lei, Jerry, Shaq and I sit down to put together our tips and tricks to tackle this looming exam season. We hope you find these helpful! :D


1. Do NOT study. Studying will only tire you out.

2. Your number 1 priority is sleep. Sleep all day all night.

3. Become BFFs with somebody who stress-bakes. WIN-WIN!!

4. Visit your profs before exams. This way you’ll be less of a stranger in the off chance that you need to ask for that one point booster.

5. Repeat #2 with TA's. Nonchalantly yell something along the lines of "You're the best TA, EVER" intermittently in conversation.

6. Always be on FB. One of your course groups could post something important at any moment!

7. Map out your best coffee routes (Mac’s has $1 French Vanilla!)

8. Take a break every hour.

8. Do the altruistic thing and send your best mates some Ryan Gosling “Hey girl, I believe in you” memes.

9. Reward yourself for good and bad grades using... ahem, this part's not publishable.

10. Change up the scenery and study in different spots!

10. Jerk it and twerk it. 


--if you want to get your mind off school—

1. watch TV.

2. throw a party.

3. have a potluck – you don’t want to be hangry during your exam.

4. think about how you’ve been neglecting all your friendships because of studying.  go through all your friends on Facebook and send them a message. Ask them how they are. Suggest meeting up.

5. Christmas is coming so make sure you do your Christmas shopping early before all the good stuff is gone!

And if all else fails… DO IT LIVE!!

But really....

And don’t forget to come up for air every now and again :D Good luck everyone!!! <3

Saturday, 12 October 2013

Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hello everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and spending time with friends and family. It's been a while since I've baked, so this weekend (which is also the start of reading week :D ) seemed like a good time to start again.



These cookies are based on Monique's recipe from Ambitious Kitchen (you can check out her blog at http://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/) and are chocolate chip with an added surprise, Nutella! Plus, they also work with gluten-free flour!


What you'll need:
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 cup salted butter
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp vanilla yogourt
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Chilled Nutella
Sea salt

One of the keys to this recipe is chilling your ingredients. Before you start, make sure you put the Nutella in the fridge or freezer.

1. Mix together flour and baking powder.
2. Brown butter by melting in a medium heat saucepan. The butter will eventually brown on the bottom and form foam on top. Mix continually for another couple of minutes, then remove from heat and allow to cool.



3. Mix butter and sugar until smooth. Beat eggs and add eggs, vanilla and yogourt.
4. Add to dry ingredients and add chocolate chips.


5. Chill the dough in the freezer. (30 minutes is more than enough!)
6. Preheat oven to 350F.
7. Flatten small balls of dough. Add about 1 tsp of Nutella to the center of each and roll into a ball.


8. Place on a baking sheet and flatten slightly.
9. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, until the edges are golden brown.
10. Sprinkle with sea salt and allow to cool.



ENJOY!

Caitlin

Friday, 23 August 2013

Musings and stuff.

We’re growing up! Most people I know are in their early 20’s, so the subject of “omg, we’re becoming REAL adults” has been a recent hot topic of conversation.  Life goals, Jobs, Marriage, Family – HOLD UP, man!!! “Is this what real adults talk about?” because I’m not even close to ready to think about those words. Yea, big things do happen in our 20’s. And though mine may pale in comparison, it’s still pretty big for me:


I’m going to med school!
I’m moving out!
I’m moving across the country!

“Do you know how  to cook?” “Do you enjoy cleaning?” “Do you own Mace?”
Yea… to those, I plead the fifth.  I know I should be worried, but I have faith I’ll figure it all out in time. As Cameron says, “You can never be lost if you don’t know where you’re going.” For that reason, I am 100% sure I will not get lost, haha.  Plus, Anik has given me a stellar lentil soup recipe – so how could I?

As I pack for the big move, I realize I’m becoming disproportionately emotional, considering I’ll be home for Christmas.  Can one person have this many FeElLinGs?! And all at once?! But I can’t help but feel like I’m leaving something behind. And in reflecting on the summer, my university experience, heck – the whole 21, there are definitely some lessons I will take with me:

1. Parents are the bomb-diggity. APPRECIATE.
2. Try to see the big picture.
3. Say what you mean, mean what you say.
4. Life is hard, sometimes.
5. Priorities are necessary. So are decisions.
6. Don’t waste energy worrying about things you can’t change.
7. Pick the positive route – it’s easier! :)
8. Let people underestimate you. Then prove them wrong.
9. “What does your heart tell you?” Just do that.
10. “Stupid”, “reckless”, “spontaneous”, “impressive” and “amazing” are somewhat synonymous. Tread carefully.
11. Karma is real.
12. Change is okay.
13. Shit makes you grow (like manure!) Take the good with the bad.  
14. All you need is love. And food.
15.***Expect the best in people and they will show it to you.***



It’s crazy, but I really feel like everyone I’ve met, known, or love is BRILLIANT.  They are the people with the big dreams, big minds and big hearts to match. They aren’t going to change the world- they are already doing it. Science, Philanthropy, Technology, Health, Business, Art, Travel – they conquer it all with their unique talents, innovation, guts, and drive to succeed.  And though they’re all different, they all share a common thread: the desire to help and connect people. With what they’re accomplishing, it would honestly be understandable if they were all egomaniacs.   The crazy part is they’re not. Despite all their greatness, they have always been and continue to be so humble, so caring, and so kind. They will give even when they shouldn't and are pee-in-pants-HILARIOUS with their interesting stories.  They are the reason I have a lopsided view of humanity and always trust first, ask later.  They  are INCREDIBLE and they INSPIRE me.  These beautifully KICK-ASS people?  These are my friends. And when their names are all lit-up in billboard lights, I’m going to love saying “I told you so”, ‘cause that’s what I did ;)

 I like 'em because...

They are the cure to cancer. 
They are kind to froshies.
They spend Christmas with me. 
They also spend Valentines with me.
Only real friends can sit comfortably in a photobooth together.  
They "Take Me the Way I Am."
They will pick-me-up.
They are warm and squishy.
They are bright.
They don't leave.
They challenge me.
They are family.
They take me to the club.
They are skilled at cookie smuggling. 
They like to explore.  
They are crafty.
They are giving.
They are silly.
They are so awkward <3.
They are leaders. 
They are pretty.
They are derps.
They are waterproof.
They are seldom blue.
They help me study. 
They don't mind being "those people".
They are creative.
They keep my secrets ;););) *jk*
They see through darkness. 
Ils sont formidables!
They don't let you give up. 
They love to celebrate!
They do good things.
They see beauty in the small things.
They have great ideas.
They make time.
They are crazy.
They are globe-trotters.
They like to listen to my "feelings".
They are best.
They say “People are opportunities.” I used to think this saying was awful until I realized how true it is – I would not be here without my people.

I’m not sure what Vancouver has in store for me, but PLEASE don’t run out on me now, Lady Luck!! LOVE LOVE LOVE <3