Day 21 - Favourite picture of yourself of all time. Why?

I am getting pretty random with this blog challenge...but I don't care as long as I finish it eventually.

This is my favourite photo of myself...

(photo by Photograhy by Eiko)

It was on my wedding day right after I finished having my hair done and before getting into my dress. I like it because I was feeling so many different things in that one moment - I was nervous, I was happy, I was sad (it was pouring rain), I was excited, I was scared, I was anxious, and I was (and still am) feeling a lot of love. This was taken in the bathroom at my mom's house. It was important for me to get ready there and to be surrounded by some of the most important people in my life (my mom, Auntie Ninny, Kelli, Marley, Ainsley, Gavin, and Rath too!). This photo just captured a really nice moment in my life.

Do you have a favourite photo of yourself?

Day 20 - Nicknames

I have been called nicknames my whole life. It started when I was very young - I don't remember my dad ever calling me Meghan (or Meg). It was always Little or Medzi. Even in old cards I have from him, they are addressed to those names. Then, I remember my brother calling me Merg, which somehow became Egg. Egg (or some form of it - Egglyntine, Eggelin, Eggo) is something I am called to this day by a couple of friends and my family (my mom often calls me Egg). My sister, Kelli, calls me Sister Bear. And then there is Joe, who used to call me Jiggly Puff but now it is Poo. Sometimes I wonder why was I even given a name!?

What are your nicknames?

Day 19 - Something you miss

(via University of Calgary)

School! I miss it so much! I love to learn, and I miss the classroom environment, I miss student life, and yes, I even miss spending hours upon hours set up at a random table on campus studying for 3 finals and writing 20 page papers. Crazy? Maybe. I would go back if I could, but it is expensive and I already have a hefty student loan that I am paying back. Maybe one day though. And the thought makes me happy!

Go Dinos!

Day 18 - Favourite place to eat

My favourite place to eat is Jonas' Restaurant on 6th Avenue SW in downtown Calgary; a small, family owned Hungarian restaurant. When Joe and I first met back in 2005, we went there to eat because his family is Hungarian and I had never tried Hungarian cooking before. Boy, if you want to go out to eat, have a fantastic home cooked meal, and feel like you are part of the family, go to Jonas'. Try the chicken paprikash - so delicious! On Friday, they have a tasty special of potato pancake stuffed with beef and paprikash sauce. Oh my goodness - it is so good you have to call in to reserve a plate because it goes so quickly! Yum yum!

Day 17 - Something you're looking forward to

In May, Joe and I are off to Las Vegas for 2 weddings! My dear longtime friend (and practically sister), Lindsey, is marrying her love Jesse (they have been together for years and years and years!). I am so happy for her! Then, 2 days later, I will see my friend Jennie marry Lawerance - they are such a cute couple! It is going to be an amazing weekend and so much fun!

Day 16 - Dream house

My dream house is not anything too fancy or big. All I want is to live on the water (the ocean, or a pretty lake). Whether it is a cottage, or even a houseboat. I just love the water so much.

2 summers ago, I went to a family reunion on Pender Island off the coast of British Columbia. My mom's cousin, Murray, has the most beautiful home there and I could have stayed forever. You can sit on the dock and watch the orcas swim by and watch the seals sunbathe. It is so peaceful and so beautiful.

Murray's front yard

The view

His home (we were on his boat when the photo was taken)

Or maybe a houseboat...

In Amsterdam
(via So That Happened)

In Vancouver, British Columbia
(via TrekEarth)


Or maybe on a hot beach in a tropical location. I'm not picky about the actual house, it is allll about location for me!

Day 15 - Favourite quote

(poster via Ten23 Designs)

Day 14 - A picture of you last year - how have you changed?

Haha, I love this fuzzy, snobby photo of Marley and I (she may hate me for posting it). This was almost a year ago at her graduation. I don't think I've changed too much in a year. Last year was a tough one so I guess I have just learned to take things as they come and be patient. And my hair is longer. Years seem to go by so fast and in such a blur!

Day 13 - Goals

(via Valentina Ramos)

Buy a home

Find a job that I love to go to every day
Get my PADI
Start a family
Drop some very unwanted pounds
Complete my intermediate paragliding
Travel more


What are some of your goals?

Day 12 - Something you don't leave the house without

On Monday morning, I drove Joe to the CTrain because he had a doctor's appointment downtown and it had snowed about 30 cm. When I got back home, I realized I didn't have a house key and was locked out. Then I realized I didn't have my cell phone. Then I thought I would get some breakfast at a drive-thru but, oops, didn't have my purse either. On top of all that, it was early in the morning and all I did was roll out of bed and put on my coat. I was wearing pajamas and my hair was alll over the place. My only option was to go back to where I dropped him off and wait for him - about an hour and 15 minutes later altogether. So I left the house with nothing.

But, on a regular day, I would probably take my purse, my phone, my keys, and a quick swipe of mascara.

(via Sephora)

What do you never leave the house without?

Day 11 - Favourite tv shows

Mad Men - my favourite!

Lost - I know it isn't on anymore, but it is the only show I started watching from the pilot to the very end.

Anything on the Food Network - especially Chopped.

America's Next Top Model - it is my guilty pleasure. Joe usually watches it with me too.

30 Rock - I love Alec Baldwin.

What are some of your favourite shows?

Day 10 - Something you're afraid of

I am scared of a lot of things. When I was little, there wasn't much I was afraid of, now I'm grown and a wuss! I'm scared of my house burning down, being buried alive, not being successful, my family or friends being hurt...and spiders. The sight of them is enough to get me sweaty and nervous and leave the room. I would always get my little brother to kill them if I found one in my bedroom, and then I would be too scared to even sleep there. Ugh, I hate them.

But, my sister, Kelli, doesn't. These photos are of her spider, Tobey. She is a tarantula and her and I are not friends. I don't know where Kelli has her stashed in the home now, especially with her 2 kiddies (soon 3 - her due date is today, c'mon baby!) around. I don't remember seeing it in her living room last time I was there, which is where it used to be. Gross, I just don't like her. Sorry, Kelli.

*shudder*

She shed her skin! The top left corner is her old skin (it looks like another spider!) and she is at the bottom in that web. I am not really sure why she did it. I know Kelli was pretty excited when it happened. Yuck. It looks like 2 spiders and that = not cool.

Day 9 - A favourite picture of your best friend

Day 8 - A place you've traveled to

It wasn't hard to pick a place I've traveled to to talk about. I've been across Canada, spent a lot of time all around the eastern United States, I've been to England, France, and Ireland. But my most favourite place I have been is Oahu, Hawaii. Each time we are there we discover something new, we have our favourite restaurants, our favourite parts of the island, and we are getting pretty good and knowing our way around. We step off the plane, breathe in the air, and just let everything go. Make sure you go one day. Maui soon (probably with an Oahu side trip - love it)!

Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head behind me.

Hanauma Bay - one of my favourite places ever. I love to snorkel and here is a little friend I found (I found many more, there are all different kinds everywhere).

On the east side - near Kaaawa

There are lots of cool shops and shrimp shacks along the North Shore.

View of Honolulu from the top of Diamond Head. Worth the climb (which isn't so bad).

Around Kualoa Ranch

I don't remember where this was...we stopped and took a photo.

Waikiki

Waikiki - home of the ABC store

Day 7 - Favourite movies

Robin Hood

Love Actually

Goodfellas

Fiddler on the Roof

The King's Speech

Rio Bravo

The Big Lebowski

And a few others...

Up in the Air
Snatch
The Little Mermaid
The Lord of the Rings
Frost/Nixon

But if I had to choose one, it would be Fiddler on the Roof.

What are some of yours?

Day 6 - A picture of something that makes you happy

I have 2 pictures! Me with my favourite ladies. I love them so much and don't know what I would do without them. Seeing their beautiful faces always makes me happy!

(Mary, Teira, me, and Jen)

(Teira, Mary, me, and Jen)

Day 5 - A song to match your mood

Ok, I know, I know, The Wiggles? Whaaat? Well, today I am going back to Brooks (come on new baby! We are waiting for you!) and I am going to surprise Ainsley and Gavin. With Ainsley and Gavin come The Wiggles. They LOVE them. This song is especially fun because we do the actions together and Gavin gets so excited.

Day 4 - Your parents

Here is my mom (with me at my University graduation):


And here is my dad:

There are photos of them together, I just don't have any at my house, they are all at my mom's. I should really steal one from her, I would love to have one. My favourite is the one on their wedding day. They eloped in February to Montana and got married by a Justice of the Peace.

My favourite memory of my parents is when we were living in Red Deer. My mom was wearing a button-up purple dress with small white polka dots all over. It went right past her knees and had a big white collar. I remember her being in the kitchen and I went to go see her (I was probably 5). My dad pulled her behind him and said that she was his and he wouldn't share her. My mom didn't say anything and pretended to look horrified. He kept saying that he loved her and he just wanted her all to himself. It was really sweet and I remember just thinking he was silly.

My dad had a funny laugh and I always thought he was just like Fred Flintstone. He loved Westerns and the 3 Stooges. He would listen to really old country music from the 50s. He passed away in March 1996.

I admire my mom so much. She is so strong and has raised an amazing family. I love them both so much and they were perfect together.

Day 3 - Your first love

My first love is still my love. His name is Joe and he is my husband. I love him with my whole heart!

(photo by Photography by Eiko)

(via A Cup of Jo)

Day 2 - Worst habit

Oh habits, I have many. My worst though is probably that I never put the laundry away. I have no problem washing it, folding it, and bringing it to the bedroom - but then there it sits, in the laundry basket. I practically live out of it. By the time the next week comes around, I still have a basket full of clean laundry. The worst part is, I will sort everything out onto the bed to put it away, but then I just leave the room and I don't finish. By the time I am ready for bed, I just throw it all back into the basket. One day, I will get better.