The end is near...

I can see the light! Only one week until work placement and then one semester left until I graduate!!!!!

Five exclamation points is not enough to express how excited I am. After 14 years of school (including pre-school and kindergarten), 4 years of university, and 2 years of college I will finally be done! 

This last semester has been extremely hard. Trying to balance homework, my IPP, teaching dance, working at the Mint, and my friends and family has left me little time to relax. I found it hard to keep up with all of the assignments I had this semester, and I am definitely looking forward to a month without homework. 

I feel like I have learned so much but I haven't had time to stop and digest the information. It wasn't all bad though, I created some cool projects that I am proud of, and worked with some awesome classmates! 

I am really looking forward to a break but also to next semester. The three new courses I am excited about are documentary film making, live television production, and photography. I love taking pictures and making videos, so I think those subjects will be right up my alley!

Over the break I am going to hopefully have time for some reading, knitting, and practicing my guitar. My mom, boyfriend's mom, sister-in-law, and myself all have birthdays between December 10 and 21, and combined with Christmas I know it will be a busy month with lots of family parties! I am happy to have some extra time to spend with my family and I am planning on going to my grandparent's house for lots of delicious meals! :) 

I hope you all have a wonderful winter break and a very happy holiday! 

What a wedding!

My brother James and his fiancée Jenn got married last Friday and it was the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to!

The ceremony started at 3 p.m., so at 2:30 I made my way to the church to get ready with Jenn and the other bridesmaids.

Jenn looked absolutely beautiful. She wore a stunning white lace gown with a key-hole back and a gorgeous
train.

Before we knew it, it was time to head down the aisle. I was the first bridesmaid to walk and I was nervous that I would trip!

Everything worked out fine and then Jenn came down the aisle, it was a beautiful moment.

After the ceremony we stayed at the church to take pictures, and then we took a limo to the Legislative Building.

We took photographs there on the grand staircase, it was the perfect place for a wedding photo shoot.

After the photos were done we made our way to the Gates on Roblin for the reception.

The venue was amazing. It was a nice, comfortable venue that was just the right size for the wedding. We
had a delicious meal, tasty drinks, and heard some heartfelt speeches.

Then we  danced the night away! My boyfriend Jesse and I did quite the duo to Dean Martin’s Ain’t That  a Kick in the Head, and we’re pretty sure it was amazing.

I could not ask for a better brother and sister-in-law! I love them both so much!

It was a beautiful wedding and I wish them a lifetime of love, laughs, and happiness!

Wedding Week!

My brother James is getting married on Friday and I am so excited! He is marrying Jenn, a lovely girl that he met while working at MPI.

They are such a wonderful couple and I am so happy for the two of them. I am also so thrilled to be gaining a sister-in-law!

The ceremony is at North Kildonan United Church and the reception is at the Gates on Roblin.

I am one of Jenn's bridesmaids and I will be wearing a navy satin Calvin Klein dress, with nude coloured pumps.

After the ceremony we will be going to the Legislative Building to take photos with the wedding party. Hopefully the weather cooperates and it isn't too cold out!

I am in charge of the music for the reception and I want to make the perfect playlist. I have a pretty eclectic taste in music so I think the music will have something for everyone. I've got songs by James Brown, Elvis, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, the Spice Girls, and the Black Eyed Peas just to name a few.

I love to dance and I can't wait to tear up the dance floor with my family!

I'll make sure to post some pictures after the wedding!

-Sarah

Kick-start your morning!

During the dark and cold fall mornings it can be extremely hard to get out of bed and start your day, especially when you have a full eight hours of work ahead of you. Most people reach for the coffee pot to shake off the morning sleepiness but I’ve done my research and found four surprising ways you can get up and feel energized.

 1.)  Breathe deep

Before you get out of bed, stay lying down and take a deep breath in through your nose, filling your lungs with oxygen and then slowly release the air out through your mouth. Do this for three to five minutes, or until you feel relaxed. Sending high levels of oxygen to your brain can boost your energy level and your mental alertness.

2.) Have a hearty breakfast

Starting your morning off with a big breakfast can help you feel more satisfied throughout the day. When you don’t have to think about how hungry you are you free up your mind to focus on more important things. Studies have also shown that eating a big breakfast and smaller meals throughout the day can help you lose weight.  Try having steel cut oats with fresh fruit and honey, and a protein like turkey bacon on the side to fill you up and get you ready for a productive day.

3.) Work out your brain

While you’re having breakfast try doing a crossword or a Sudoku puzzle. This small amount of thinking can help you feel more alert and awake. Puzzles are also good for brain health, especially for older adults. So instead of turning on the TV in the morning, reach for the newspaper instead.

4.) Exercise

You don’t have to go for an hour run or have an intense workout to gain the benefits of exercising in the morning. Even just 15 minutes of light jogging, stretching, or walking can wake you up. Getting your muscles moving can make you feel more alert and can boost your mood in the morning.

So next time you feel like you are dragging in the morning, try these four easy steps and feel awake and ready for your day!

Green Goddess Salad Dressing

Over the summer I went out for lunch at Resto Gare in St. Boniface and I had the most amazing salad! It was just a mix of greens but the dressing was fantastic. It was called Green Goddess Salad Dressing and until then I had never heard of it.

The flavour was delicious and I wanted to have more of it. I googled it and found tons of recipes for the dressing so I decided to try making some myself!

The dressing is simple it contains:

1/4 cup pesto
1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 tbsp mayo
1 tsp lemon zest
2 tsp lemon juice

The main flavour comes from the pesto and the yogurt makes it so creamy. The lemon adds a bit of acidity and a zingy flavour. To make the dressing you just combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and whisk them together.

This bright, flavourful salad dressing is the perfect way to break up all of the heavy comfort foods that we tend to eat in the fall and winter.

Try this dressing and let me know what you think!

Scary Movie Season!

Halloween is just around the corner which means it's scary movie season! I have a love/hate relationship with scary movies. Sometimes I get so terrified and I think "what on earth made me watch this?" But then when the terror is over and the sun comes up I forget how scared I was and everything seems fine. 

I have made a list of the top 5 Halloween movies/shows that you must watch. Some are scary, some are quirky, but all of them are entertaining!

1.) Sinister

This one is terrifying, I could barely sleep after watching it. But that's what scary movies are supposed to do right?

2.) Hocus Pocus

Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy star in this spooky yet funny film. It is the one movie I make sure to watch every Halloween!

3.) The Paranormal Activity Series

These films are bone chilling! They make me terrified that I have ghosts living in my house. I would never watch any of these movies alone. 

4.) The Shining

Jack Nicholson gives an amazing performance in this classic movie! Stephen King just released his sequel to the book The Shining so hopefully there will be a new movie out soon! 

5.) American Horror Story

This is a TV series not a movie so it offers hours and hours of terror! The first season is the best and I recommend you watch it if you are looking for a scare with a bit more of a plot. 

What are your favourite Halloween movies?

NFL Sunday Snack

I love spending my Sunday's watching the NFL with my boyfriend Jesse and his family for 3 reasons:

1.) I love cheering for the Detroit Lions
2.) I love spending time with Jesse and his family
3.) I love the snacks!

So sure the football is great but the snacks come in a pretty close second. Something about Sunday's just make me want to eat all day! I found this recipe for bean dip and it tastes delicious! It is perfect served warm with some taco chips and pairs perfectly with football.

Ingredients:
1 can of pork and beans with molasses
1 cup of velveeta cheese chopped into cubes
1 stick of pioneer farmers sausage (taken out of the casing)
1 cup of salsa

First you fry the sausage in a pan until it is cooked. Next you add the beans, cheese, and salsa to the pan. Stir occasionally until the mixture is warm and the cheese is melted. Pour into a bowl and serve with taco chips.

This recipe is fast and delicious! I highly recommend you serve it at your next party!