Yesterday I went over to Hannah and Aislinn and Summer's house. It's been a Sunday tradition for the past few weeks. As usual, we ended up watching movies. One of the movies we watched was Once Upon a Forest. It's super old, and the animation is mediocre, and Michael Crawford gives a subpar performance as a singing badger.

I'm one of those people that pays attention to the soundtracks in movies. Sorry I'm not sorry. As we were watching, I wondered aloud who the composer was. My friends were all like, "Who cares, just watch the movie", but I was like, "NO. I'm going to figure this out!" It was driving me nuts, because not to brag or anything, but I have quite an extensive library of soundtracks, and some of the musical themes seemed really familiar. Finally I just gave up and googled it on my phone. James Horner. Composer of Titanic, Avatar, A Beautiful Mind, etc.

"That's weird", I said. "Because I thought this music sounded really similar to Land Before Time."

"I don't think James Horner would've composed that," said Chelsea.

Dear Self,

First of all, you're doing a pretty good job, so stop beating yourself up.

This week, it is okay to say, "Actually, I'm too busy to do that" or "No thank you" to things that are not already in your schedule. In fact, it's encouraged. Roadshow is over. You don't have to be a superhero anymore.

Don't immediately get out of bed when you wake up. Relish the warmth for a minute or two. Check the window for your forecast, not your phone. Wear something that makes you feel good. Take your vitamins.

Only worry about today. Taking things more than one day at a time will only stress you out more. Make a realistic To-Do list. Add mundane things like 'shower' so that you can at least check one thing off and feel good about yourself. Accomplish things.

Take a ten minute break when you get home. Breathe. Talk with your roommates. They are lovely and won't always be there. Wear comfy clothes. Wrap up in a blanket. Create something.  Listen to music. Call your family. Laugh.

Make sure you eat at least one good meal a day. Prepare it yourself. Don't rush, especially with knives. Remember to pray first! Some people don't have food and you do. Be grateful, however meager it is. Eat slowly.

Go to bed without your laptop. Reflect. You may think about tomorrow, but you may NOT worry about it.  Pray. Remember others in your prayers. Check for stars.

Always, always look for a way to make someone's life a little nicer. If you're too busy to help, you're too busy. Leave both things and people better than you found them.

Be brave. Be kind. Be who you are.

Love,
Chantelle

School is starting to wind down. I'm so glad. Luckily, this week isn't as crazy as last week was. Roadshow is over for another year, midterms are finished, and all that I really have this week is our Christmas choir concert on Saturday. Then things start picking up again as we gear up for finals and Christmas fundraisers and activities.

Here are some inspiring things to get you over the hump this week:


4. 55 ways to take care of yourself when you're really, really busy. I know more than one person who could use this list. (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.)

5. Have you ever heard of the project Humans of New York? A photographer takes pictures of random New Yorkers and shares a bit of their story. I follow their instagram so I can check it out on the go.

Stay warm!

I am roommates with two couples. I say "couples" and not "girlfriends", because their respective gentlemen callers basically live here too. Anyways.

Once summer, our church decided to have a Stake (regional) Young Women's Camp. I was asked to be a Youth Camp Leader. Much to my excitement, each of my five good friends was asked as well! That summer cemented a lifelong sisterhood among us, and also gave us the nickname we use to call the six of us- the YCLs.
Three of us are my age, and the other three are a year younger, so our graduations were staggered. After we graduated, we all ended up in different places. Rachel , Kale, and I headed to Lethbridge, Laura headed to BYU Idaho, Jess went up to Edmonton to school, and Katrina stayed in Saskatoon. Each of us has grown so much since our days in the youth program. Even though we all kind of suck hardcore at keeping in touch, we're still good friends. They're the only friends I've had that I've never had to worry about. I know that no matter how far I move away, or what I end up doing, I will have five girls that have got my back. Always.

A week ago, I had Rachel and Kale over for brunch. It was kind of a special brunch, because Kale was in town to say goodbye. She's leaving in a few days to serve an 18-month mission for our church.

It's cold. Winter's coming, and I'm not ready yet. Today will be spent tidying my house and roasting all the pumpkins left from Halloween. Except for one or two. Those are for Gizette to hurl into a coulee.