Giving Up A Cup of Coffee A Day


I have a terrible habit of drinking too many coffees in one day. I average 2-3, one in the morning, one in the afternoon and occasionally one in the evening if I know I am heading out for a long night.

The one in the morning I make at home but the others are often store bought at Timmies or some other coffee place. This can be up to $2-5 depending on where I get it from and what I get. Often I’m in it for the sugar, other times I need the placebo of drinking it to feel more awake.

I decided to consciously cut of coffee from my day. I can’t cut it entirely, though I did once for an entire month. Even a cup will make a difference in my budget as well as lower my sugar intake.

The only times I will take that second cup is when it involves some social obligations. I never believe in inconveniencing other people just because of something I am doing. So yes, I will still meet people over coffee (because tea is even more of a waste of money).

Think of how much difference even 3 days a week can make on your budget. That’s minimum $6 pocketed, $24 by the end of the month. That’s an extra vinyl, concert ticket or money that can be donated to charity. I can do a lot with a few extra dollars.

Blood Moon Fail

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Remember last weekend when everybody was super excited about a Super Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse that wouldn’t happen again until 2033? Well, I made my way down to Humber Bay, Park in Toronto only to find out that it was way too cloudy for any glimpse of moon. I stayed there for a good hour and a half.

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While I didn’t get to shoot the moon, I found a secret quiet secluded spot where you could see downtown Toronto beautifully from afar and it was super relaxing to just listen to the waves crash the shore. In 2015, it’s nice to have moments where we are disconnected and to just enjoy nature.

Let’s go 

  
Yay it’s Friday! Always remember to leave some time to yourself and not always stop your life from someone else.

Have something you wish you did on your spare time? Just go for it! 

Woofstock 2015

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This year Woofstock got moved to September, maybe because the weather is much more comfortable for dogs than the 30 degree weather we experienced in the past.

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There were a lot of vendors but we found that there were fewer than in the past years. I think a few might have been skeptical about the fall move.

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It was still an awesome time for dogs with activities and things to buy everywhere.

DSCF4927We took our annual photo from President’s Choice.

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We also found this funny photo-op with a truck.

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Teddy went for a ride too!

DSCF4898I was hungry so I totally stopped for a crawfish poutine.

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We found this adorable doggy water fountain at the park.

Teddy also made a bunch of doggy friends!

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It was a fun day! Teddy did too and is warming up to the idea of a billion dogs in one place. He welcomed them all by sniffing their butts!

A First Everything

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I found this adorable journal at BMV for a discount price. It has many blog idea sparking questions that have to do with first times.

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There’s everything from big life decisions to really random things like the first time you cheated in school. I’m looking forward to filling out this journal and seeing what kind of blog posts come out of it!

Owning My Okayness

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I still get anxious in social situations that involve other people. It’s taken time for me to not feel self-conscious, like the entire world is judging my every move.

 

As I grew older, I started to care less about what people thought of me and more of what I wanted to be, for myself.

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this is me sitting in a box
It wasn’t until I was 24 or 25 that I embraced my own quirkiness, personality and openly discussed my anxiety with friends (thank you Static Zine).

Being okay with myself includes the sometimes difficult task of ignoring negativity from people who don’t really have your best interests at heart. After all if they are so quick to react negatively, are they worth keeping around?

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The Internet (twitter) made it easier to make new friends that share similar interests, anxieties and who somehow like the transparent person they see.

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The people I choose to surround myself with are positive people. They are the ones that show up when I need them, the ones that splurge on food with me, unafraid to be silly or lend an ear.

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My best friend and I talk about literally everything including our farts and poops. We can be idiots together or push ourselves to achieve our goals.

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I can own my own Okayness because the people in my life are pretty okay too.

It’s Hard Not to Smile At A Dog

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When I am feeling down, I like to scroll through photos of my dog. It’s hard not to cheer up after seeing his adorable smiling face.

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My First Bunz Trade 

I finally got invited to Bunz Trading Zone, a secret Facebook group where people trade their useless stuff for things they need. No money is allowed. The philosophy behind it is that things aren’t really worth their money value if they are not being used. 

  
One of my first posts was for my Smithers minifigs. I wrote “Have 3 Smithers need to get rid of 2.” I got an overwhelming number of responses. It’s amazing how many people will reply if you post anything, even empty bottles. Your garbage is someone  else’s treasure. 

  

I traded one of the Smithers for this today. An Ionix Ash in the box. I wouldn’t have even know this existed if it weren’t offered to me. Now I can’t wait to build it!

The other Smithers trade will happen over the weekend along with something else. I am just so excited with the possibility of treasure trading! This is so much fun. 

I Think I’m Allergic to the Sun

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Dear blog readers, I think I’m a vampire. The sun makes my arms itchy.

It was a condition that I developed a year or two ago, in my mid-20s. My mom also has a similar condition, but I always assumed she made it up as a ploy to make me wear a hat or sunscreen. Now the latter is mandatory, so I believe it’s hereditary.

From my own google searching (though I don’t recommend you do this) it is very possibly PMLE (Polymorphic Light Eruption). I break out in itchy bumps on my arms which is the area that is most frequently exposed to the sun. I haven’t really had anything show up in my face or legs yet, fingers crossed.

Putting on sunscreen does help but it’s a nuisance to remember and on rainy days I always think I can skip it but the UV rays can still be quite strong in Toronto summers. I was wondering if any of my readers have had such an experience and what sort of tips you guys might have that can help!

I love going outside and I’d rather not be a vampire.

Can Never Find My Name

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My sister custom made me a coke at the CNE with my name. That’s the only way I could get one that said “Tiana”. It’s funny to see my name on something.

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Growing up, it’s always been like that when I visited stores with “personalized” things. I didn’t have a name that was considered common. I could buy a “Tina” or “Diana” and it would be close enough, but that’s not my name. As I progressed through life, I started to like my slightly-less common name more and more.  I was always the only person with my name in my class. There was rarely any confusion.

Now I don’t care that I can never find my name. Besides, personalized stuff is quite lame.