5 Little Grins #2

This is my second time joining the link up from Warrior Queen by Raewyn

 J

"Don't wait until you lose something before you start to appreciate it. Don't take for granted all that God has given to you."  - Ps. Paula White

       

1.      On Tuesday I couldn’t fall asleep at all. Next thing I knew, my sister's alarm clock was ringing at 6 am for her to start getting ready for varsity. So I decided to get out of bed and make coffee for everyone while they got ready for their day. And then I made them lunch! Felt nice to do this for them.

2.      While busying myself in the kitchen, I noticed the sunrise over the distant ocean. It was truly breathtaking!

3.      Baked some really delicious Cinnamon rolls

4.      Had a long awaited night out with my bestie J* and a few of her friends. Started the night off with some Wine Tasting at a nice little wine bar and then went dancing at this club (that I semi-frequented back in my younger days…). Stayed over at her place and spent the next day just chilling and rewatching random Mindy Project episodes. Lazy days after nights out are just the best.

5.      Got in touch with *F again. Was good to talk to him after this month long hiatus.  Turns out that the break was good for me. Whatever reasons he had don't matter so much any more. I no longer need him to get through my issues and I think that those feelings I was fighting have fizzled out. But I also now realize that it is easier to accept that I love him (in that platonic-friendly-kinda-way). Our friendship simply is what it is and I don't want it to be complicated anymore.

6.      On Saturday I had a coffee date with J* and we went for a lovely walk along the beach and through the park. I appreciate this girl so much. She is one of my oldest friends and we have been through so much together.

7.      Now that I think about it, I actually spoke to quite a few of my friends this week. I am not the only one struggling to get on with this growing up thing. Being an adult is tough! But I guess we just have to trust the process and take it one day at a time. 

Clockwise: The sunrise; the park along the beach front;A beautiful day for a walk on the beach; Centre: Red Velvet cake with a Mocha :)

Hope you're having a great start to the week!

What made you happy this week?

5 Little Grins

So, I found this really cool link up on Warrior Queen by Raewyn and thought it was a really great idea to inject a little more positivity in to my life, by focusing on the good.  J

"Don't wait until you lose something before you start to appreciate it. Don't take for granted all that God has given to you."  - Ps. Paula White

The Rules! (These are really just kind suggestions)

1. Follow your hosts: Cassandra, Raewyn, and Paulina!

2. Link up your post that includes 5-ish things that made you smile in the past week

3. Comment after you link up

4. Go visit some other blogs and make some friends!

5. Have fun, and don't forget to smile!!

***

1.       I received a phone call from my friend, Kez. I felt so much joy hearing her voice and talking the way we used to, even if it was for just a little while.  We used to chat for hours in my room when we were still living on campus. I miss this. She’s now a newly qualified doctor working in a rural sort of hospital in Pretoria. She seems to be doing well and settling in. I’m so proud of her.

2.      Watched the latest release of The Mindy Project and laughed through almost every minute of it. J

3.      Weekly Skype chat with MCK and her mother. I love these sessions, they are filled with so much encouragement and words of wisdom and guidance.

4.      Decided to make a surprise smoothie by throwing some banana, blueberries and an apple or two together and it turned out delicious!

5.      Started reading Allegiant, the final book in the Divergent series. I really liked the first two, (Divergent and Insurgent) but the jury is still out on this one.

6.   This super amazing link my friend sent me - Because CHICAGO & DISNEY!

Hope you're having a great start to the week!

What made you happy this week?

The New Year Project: Life's little treasures

Write in a stream of consciousness about the things that make you happy. Only write about things/sensations/experiences.

 Day 9 of Toni's New Year Project

  

Laughing with my friends. A warm foamy bubble bath after a long day. Sitting in the sun. Talking about boys with my closest girls. Great big bear hugs. Playing with little kids. Blowing bubbles. Beautiful flowers. Cheesecake. Having deep meaningful conversations late into the night. Watching the waves crashing against the shore. Bright blue skies. Watching the sunset bright orange colours. The glow of candles. Watching a good movie – one that makes me laugh and cry. Reading a beautiful novel. Writing in my journal. Hugging my little pillow tight before I fall asleep. A gentle breeze. Ice cream. Laying outside under the moon and stars. The smell of the sea. Phone calls. Blogging. Cuddling. Learning new interesting and arbitrary things. Nature in all its forms. Getting all dressed up for a night out. Putting on makeup. Dancing the night away. Going on an adventure. Having a picnic. Genuine compliments from strangers and friends. Heart racing moments. Being in love. Hearing my favourite songs on the radio. Discovering new tunes. Singing at the top of my lungs. Making other people happy. Finding a new crush. Spending time shopping with my mother. Bonding moments with my sisters. Being missed. Trying to be all crafty. Making pretty things. Giving gifts to friends and seeing their excitement when opening them up. Goodnight messages. Cold showers on a hot day. Looking back at old photos. Taking photos. Making someone feel special. Laughing 'til my tummy hurts. 

xxx

What makes you feel happy?

Please feel free to comment below. 

Check out the page, The New Year Project, above for the complete list. 

The New Year Project: Happiness

"Do more of what makes you happy." 

What are those activities?

Day 4 of Toni's New Year Project 

Soaking up the sun. 

Watching the sunset. 

Spending time with friends and family. 

Hanging out and talking about everything and nothing at all. 

Having cocktails. 

Deep meaningful conversations.   

All forms of dancing. 

Watching the waves crash along the shore. 

Writing. 

Taking care of little babies and playing with children. 

Making people smile and laugh. 

Listening to music. 

Appreciating the arts. 

Taking photos.  

Watching the clouds pass swiftly along a clear blue sky. 

Going for walks by myself and taking in everything around me. 

Listening to spoken word poetry. 

Laughing. 

Getting all dressed up for a night out. 

Cooking and baking.

Playing cards and board games. 

Reading.

I plan to consciously celebrate the things that make me happy every day.

Please feel free to comment below. 

Check out the page, The New Year Project, above for the complete list. 

If you happen to be reading this...

I want you to know that I will always be here for you, even if we never see each other again. Know that you have been a blessing in my life ever since we met all those years ago. There will always be a place for you in my heart.

I really never thought that anything would ever happen between us. We always seemed to be in different places and going through different things – circling around each other and never on common ground.

A small part of me now wishes that something more had developed between us earlier, but I also know that it really wasn't the right thing for either of us.

There is nothing that I would change about that night. I let my guard down with you and allowed myself to get lost in your kisses without thinking or worrying about my insecurities or the possible implications. It was amazing. 

Happy moments

1. Had tea with one of my best friends. She brought little treats! :)
2. Finally did some laundry! Even though i had to carry it to another res... but managed to catch up with a another one of my best friends at the same time. 2 birds, 1 stone :D
3. Went to church. And God gave me the opportunity to be a blessing in someones life as they renewed their commitment to Christ.
4. Had ice-cream and a brownie <3 - food is my weakness.. Sigh!
5. Made Naan bread and they came out really nicely
6. Spoke to my mother. I miss home so much. But only 3 days until i get there for my self-made mini holiday/weekend break! (Gotta take every gap that you can find in medical school...)
All in all, not a bad day. Praise be to God!