50 Ways to have an Unforgettable Summer!

HELLO HELLO!!!  It's been almost eight thousand years since I've written anything and I promise to never leave you all for that long ever again (I hope).  But I have officially finished my first year of university and despite the fact that I will be starting summer school and work soon, I will have a lot more time to write posts.

Anyway, since there are four months for us Uni and College kids before school picks up again, I thought I would give you some suggestions on how to spend the summa.  I know that high school students still have a couple of months before their summer begins, but it is never too early to get excited for those hot summer months, and the possibilities that come with them.  Some of these suggestions are most likely what you were already planning on doing this year, but others will hopefully help you get out of your comfort zone, give you some alternatives to your typical routine, and have the BEST summer ever yay!

In no particular order, here are my FIFTY suggestions for spending this summer vacation.

Summer vacation is full of opportunities...how are you going to spend yours? 

Photo from Pinterest 

1. Teach yourself a new language via Google, Rosetta Stone, or even a phone or iPad app.

2. Read at least three books from totally different genres 

3. Muster up the courage to talk to the cute guy or girl at the coffee shop (or confess your love to someone you do know) - and if they don't feel the same way, you have 2 - 4 months to pretend nothing happened ha (just kidding)

4. Do a run or walk for charity - there are so many fun charity walks that you can participate in teams, while also raising money for a cause you really believe in.

5. Spend an entire day doing absolutely nothing - but not, like, everyday...

6. Start a DIY project - cut your jeans, decorate a mug, get creative!  There are so many ideas you can search up on Pinterest.

7. Spend the day with yourself - go to the library, visit a museum or art gallery and become a lil more cultured (or just go to the mall and shop until your heart's content because you really cannot go wrong with that)

8. Go to dinner or a party with the members of all your different friend groups - it might be kind of awkward hanging out with your friends from camp, school, church and your soccer team all at once, but their different experiences and personalities can make for an unpredictable and interesting night

9. Cook an entire three course meal - yes, you'll probably be in the kitchen all day, but the sense of accomplishment you'll feel when you've finished cooking an appetizer, main course, and dessert, will make it all worth it

10. Do something active - and by active, I mean skipping dinner or the movies to play laser tag, go go-carting or paint balling, and get sweaty and even a little messy

11. Have a grade-school style slumber party - complete with pajamas, magazines, nail polish, and a solid game of Truth or Dare (which will probably be juicier now that we're older than 10 years old)

12. Wear something embarrassing out in public, and see what kinds of reactions you get - this for the people who are don't care what anyone thinks, or those who want to stop caring

13. Pull an all-nighter - stay up from the moment the sun goes down, all the way until sunrise the next day

14. Perform a random act of kindness - or many acts of kindness

15. Go to a public event in your area - this could include a sporting event, a music festival, or a carnival

16. Spend the day with your parents doing what they want to do - go grocery shopping, help them run errands,go to the movies; earn your title as Son or Daughter of the Year

17. Don't check your social media accounts for a whole day - and try not to roll over a die...I believe in you!

18. Go on an evening walk or bike ride with a friend around your neighbourhood - the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors and good conversation is when the sun starts to set and the air starts to cool down

19. Have a movie or TV series marathon - choose a series on Netflix or buy a bunch of five dollar movies from Walmart or Target, and park yourself on the couch or in bed with an abundance of food by your side

20. Go to the beach - spend the day frolicking in the water, playing a game of beach volleyball, and having some fun in the sun

21. Go downtown and visit the more obscure and unique shops - support entrepreneurs who are offering one of a kind items and yummy food

22. Go to a local farmer's market - nothing's better than waking up early on a Saturday morning, buying fresh produce, and socializing with the residents of your community

23. Rekindle a friendship - call (or text...or Facebook message...or direct message...) someone you used to be close with, and even if you don't necessarily "rekindle" the relationship you once had, enjoy a nice conversation with an old friend

24. Get a job - because a lot of these suggestions are gonna cost ya!

25. Make your own cocktails or mocktails and sip them on the porch or patio - homemade popsicles work too

26. Go camping or have a bonfire with a bunch of friends - going camping is still one of my favourite memories and best experiences of my life, and I recommend it 100%

27. Get ready to go out using ONLY Youtube tutorials - we all watch beauty and hair tutorials, but almost never actually try them out...this is your chance

28. Eat something you swore you'd never try - or do something you swore you'd never do, because realistically, I would try any food once

29. Redecorate your room - or your Tumblr, or any type of redecorating

30. Go on a long drive to nowhere in particular and see where you end up

31. Make a new friend - and make the effort to keep them!

32. Go thrifting - don't just buy second hand clothes from the same stores you already shop in...try to find something different or vintage (or something that looks cool and vintage, same thing)

33. Splurge on something you've always wanted - provided you have or got that job I suggested earlier

34. Buy new music - purchase your favourite artist's new album and fall in love all over again

35. Take a class at the community centre - register for cooking, or ballroom, or guitar, or basketball

36. Have a Dare Night - gather up your friends, get into groups of four or five, dress up in matching outfits and complete a set of dares before the end of the night

37. Visit a theme or water park 

38. Learn about a different culture - find out about their customs, rituals, and traditional dishes

39. Go on a last minute getaway or road trip - if you have the funds, why not spend the weekend (or longer) away in a different city, province, or state

40. Hold family or friend Game Night - complete with classic board games, Twister, and those wizard and dragon games like in that one episode of Lizzie McGuire (thumbs up if you know what I'm talking about)

41. Watch all of your Disney movies - because every kid born in the 90's or later has an extensive collection of Disney films that need some lovin'

42. Throw or go to a house party - but be safe and responsible *mom voice*

43. Exercise - because I had to add this on the list (how are your New Year's Resolutions going, by the way??)

44. Strike up a conversation with a stranger - a simple conversation with someone in line at Starbucks or the supermarket can actually make someone's day...even yours!

45. Go on a late night trip to get fast food or candy - for some reason, places like McDonald's and Walmart are so much more fun at 3 am

46. Volunteer - find an organization or even a company that you really admire, and see if you help out by giving up your time for free

47. Update your wardrobe - as I said, you can't go wrong with shopping

48. Try to laugh at something (or with someone) every single day - enough laughter can even burn calories so that's a win-win

49. Record your memories in a journal; on little pieces of paper you stick in a jar and read later; or in the form of a picture or video diary

50. Be a yes (wo)man - spend the summer saying "yes" to things you normally wouldn't, and put yourself in situations where you can learn, grow, meet new people, try new things, gain new experiences and perspectives, and have the best times of your life

How do you plan on spending your summer?

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.  Have a wonderful week!

Weekly Friday Favs - Social Media Edition

1. Favourite Tweet

Definitely my favourite tweet this week!

I love how accurate this tweet is.  As much as some may try to deny it, the majority of us try to post our Instagram pictures during a time where the most people will see and click the "like" button.  Nothing's worse than posting a really good selfie and getting fewer likes simply because of bad timing. HA.

2. Favourite Instagram - TASTETORONTO

How delicious does all this food look?? Follow Taste Toronto for more!

This instagram account is beauty and torture at the same time.  Tastetoronto posts pictures of meals from "restaurants, markets and street corners" in Toronto, and I am being 100% honest when I say I would try every single thing on this collective menu of Toronto's best eats.  Your stomach will grumble and salivation might occur, but I doubt you'll be able to stop scrolling because every meal is perfection.

3. Favourite Vine - Tasia Alexis

If you haven't already, download Vine for the funniest and most random looping videos from normal people! (Run your mouse over the video and click on the speaker for sound)

Vine is definitely one of my favourite apps because it makes me feel good knowing I'm not the only one who thinks, feels, or says certain things (the only difference is that these Vine users are extremely creative and super funny!).  Although this hasn't happened to me, TasiaAlexis is definitely showing one of my struggles of never having friends over.

4. Favourite Youtube Video - Joey Graceffa 

I love this video!  Watch it here.

British Youtube Star SprinkleOfGlitter joins JoeyGraceffa in a short but hilarious game of Would You Rather.  Sooo funny (not to mention Joey dying of laughter the entire time)!!!

5. Favourite Pin

No explanation needed.  Let this be all of our mottos for 2014!

What are your favourite posts from the social media realm this week?  

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.  Have an excellent week!

~

New Year, New Me?

Can someone please find me one person who has stuck with their New Year's resolutions this year...or any year?  Because as far as I'm concerned, a list of 10 things I should (or shouldn't) do for 365 days is really just tiring, stressful, and often unrealistic.  I mean, resolutions like "Stop eating Mcdonald's forever" and "Exercise every single day" are just not going to happen for a a girl like me who loves salty french fries and laying in bed for hours.

But your resolutions don't have to be all talk and no action.  If you write them down somewhere visible, create timelines, and are truly committed to making a change even when things get tough, there is no reason why you can't make this upcoming year the best one yet.

I have come up with a few tips on how to succeed (or at least try) in achieving your New Year's resolutions.

1. Come up with a shorter list

Think carefully when you write your resolutions.  See this photo here.  

I'm sure there are hundreds of things we could all do in order to become perfect people, but it's just not realistic.  Try thinking of 3-5 improvements you would like to make in your life.  That way, you can stay focused on the driving forces of your decisions and changes.  Even one goal is a big step.

2. Put your list in plain sight

Adding little notes on the to the fridge, TV, or even a bag of chips creates a visual that may help you to refrain from bad habits.

As much as I hate to admit it (I rarely write things down...ironic huh?), creating a fun, colourful list on paper, and placing it somewhere you visit everyday can be very motivating, and put you in the right mind-frame for the day. You can even write little notes on significant items to remind you of your goals.

3. Partner up with someone

Teaming up with friends to accomplish mutual goals is always a win-win.  
Find this photo and some fun partner workouts here!

Working on your resolutions with a friend, family member, or even a co-worker can also be a great motivator.  When one of you feel like giving up, you can push each other to keep going.  Not to mention reaping in the rewards together!

4. Don't be afraid of failure or setbacks 

Success can still be achieved after a perceived "failure"...Don't give up!  Photo from here.

Remember that a NY Resolution should be a personal choice; no one should be forcing you to do anything.  During the course of the year, don't be beat yourself up about eating that extra slice of pizza--you're not perfect!  Just be proud of how far you've come, and resume your efforts as soon as you can.

5. Be ready to make the commitment and stay disciplined

What a great quote!  Something we should all think about.  See this photo here.

Although you shouldn't be afraid to fail, make sure to take your resolutions seriously.  Without being committed and truly depriving yourself of indulgences from the previous year, you are bound to quit before next December.  That is why it is important to set goals that you are willing to "suffer" to achieve...and stick with them.

6. Download an App to keep you on track

Evernote is an effective way to keep your life organized and remember everything.  

The Nike Training Club app lets you choose workouts based on your 
personal goals, track your progress, and set your own music while getting in shape!

For 99 cents, iMood Journal is simple and cute, and helps you track what
makes you happy and upset. Rate your mood and add comments on why you're feeling that way.

Since most of us have our cell phones in hand or 2 millimeters away 99% of the time, why not put that to use for your New Year's goals?  There are apps for specific purposes (e.g. quitting smoking, losing weight, or exercising), and some just to keep your thoughts organized.  A few apps I really love are Evernote, Nike Training Club, and iMoodJournal to chart how I feel about my progress!

My New Year's Resolutions:

• Read the bible more often
• Take advantage of my school's gym (I'm paying for it anyway!)
• Get a part-time or full-time summer job that is relevant to my future career
• Respond to text messages quicker 
• Post to this blog regularly and consistently!

It is going to be tough, but when those hard times occur, keep thinking of how great you'll feel when the year is up, and the biggest reward you'll receive: a better you!

What are your resolutions for the new year?

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.  Have a wonderful new year and good luck with your goals and resolutions!

~