By
Naomi
May 14, 2014
faith,
friends
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing
1 Thessalonians 5:11
4 hour drive, abrupt subway pit stop, marshmallows and bonfires, late night chats, capsizing, worshiping and sharing, cold rainy days, sexy cowboy pose, MEGAbed times, and an amazing time of fellowship with my brothers and sisters. Even though that doesn't even begin to sum up the weekend that was CCF grad trip, it's a start.
My relationship with CCF started way before I started at Queen's. I had grown up hearing stories about my parent's time at fellowship when they were in University and was familiar with this thing that to me was simply a really big club of Christians. I first went almost as an obligation, like it was something I was expected to do since my parents had gone. More sentimental than anything, but I quickly learnt that CCF wasn't simply just an extracurricular activity, it was a body of Christ who quickly became friends and then my second family.
To be honest, I had my hesitations about going on this trip simply because I had been away for the last two years and everyone had become closer during the time I was away, but I was touched by how quickly everyone embraced me and how it comforting it was to be back in the presence of friends.
So, of course, the first thing we do once we settle into our rooms is take selfies...
Most people joined in on a volleyball and basketball game that was going on, but Sherv, Crystal and I decided to go venturing out into the woods instead. Brought back many memories from when I used to go digging in forests for "treasures"
And the rest of the pictures are pretty self-explanatory... Two definite highlights were first playing Mafia till the wee hours of the morning bringing back many memories of first year, and secondly, capsizing in the freezing water with Angie and Nicole, despite having given a long speech to Rachel about how we weren't going to flip... fail of the century.
But what I've realized through these four years and this past weekend is that it's not the friends who have been here the longest, but the friends who came and never left. Despite not having spent alot of time with these brothers and sisters over the past two years, I can't tell you how lucky I am to have them.
Taken from Jethro
PTL.
naomi.
By
Naomi
April 09, 2014
life,
personal
FINISHING MY SENIOR THESIS
What I imagined it to be like
What it's like immediately after
Three hours after I've handed it in
Remember all the emotional stress I was going through last week and how I broke down. Yeah. All completely related to this thing. I realized that I either feel no stress, or I feel it all at once.
I was actually quite on top of my thesis for the latter part of the semester, but then on Thursday, it really hit me how soon the deadline was and how crucial it was. I think that what pushed me over the top was that coupled with the fact that I had 4 other big assignments due and in one single night, I realized that I had been doing all of them completely wrong. Literally PTL I got through them because I look back now and am not sure what happened that whole entire week. Not my own strength. But thank you to all of you who listened to me ramble on about this, for those of you who listened to me practice my presentation until you could practically give the talk yourself and for the ones who offered to edit my 40 page paper even when you have upcoming exams. Big hugs and lots of SPIN when I see you in 2 weeks.
But I also think I spoke way too soon when I posted yesterday about how I was feeling in a great mood etc etc, because I am currently crashing from that burst of energy. I spent most of my day yesterday with a massive headache and then spent the other parts thinking about whether I should bind my thesis, or just staple it together. Clearly this is an issue. I feel like #SeniorThesisProblems really encapsulates everything I've felt this year. It's technically not even a 'real' thesis. I don't even know why I complain as much as I do. But I've FINALLY handed it in and it's over now. I promise never ever to mention the word again.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
But my head still really hurts.
naomi
By
Naomi
March 17, 2014
dessert
I was sitting at home yesterday, scrolling through instagram, when it hit me that today was St. Patrick's Day! I quickly sent out a mass text to my friends saying something along the lines of 'I can't believe I almost missed it' and then realized that I don't really care about St. Patz, nor do I have any special plans for the greenest day of the year.
There was a time when St. Patrick's meant not having to fight in class for a spot in the front and green pancakes for breakfast washed down with some un-named liquid. I mostly watched as everyone partook in festivities. I remember not even knowing that St. Patrick's day celebrations aka, drink till you can drink no more, was a thing in first year, but coincidentally had worn green on that day. Sixth sense maybe? I did celebrate in second year, my friends and I headed out somewhere, but I was reminded the other night that it didn't end so well either. For reasons other than what you would think.
This year I stayed at home because a) It's Monday, b) It's still Winter Wonderland outside, and c) I don't particularly enjoy the color green.
Nonetheless, I woke up rather late this morning due to late night chats with some sweet people reminiscing about old St. Patz shenanigans, and had an urge to bake something. Seeing as I have a ton of matcha in my pantry right now, courtesy of my Parent's trip to Hong Kong, I realized that there's really no better time to whip up something green!
I started off with a base of lavender buds crushed up into a million pieces and then mixed it in with graham crackers and Bordier butter, which I painstakingly brought back with me from Paris.
Lavender is not the first flavor that comes to mind when you think of things that go well with matcha, but the earthiness of the crushed up leaves pair well with the floral notes that Lavender lends to the dessert.
Mixed in with eggs, sour cream, vanilla, brown sugar, cornstarch, flour, and matcha powder. It doesn't look particularly tasty at this point.
I find that mixing with a whisk while the bowl is on top of the stove set to low gives you the smoothest batter possible. Unfortunately, I was impatient today and didn't add the ingredients one by one... so my cheesecake had lumps.
Oops.
As my cheesecake cooled in the oven, I ran upstairs to slap on a green mud mask, sticking with the green theme. It's officially more than halfway through March which means that the warm weather will be coming soon! This hasn't been the greatest Winter for my skin, but hopefully nothing a few buffers and buffers won't fix!
I hope everyone had a fabulous time celebrating St. Patz whether you diligently went to class or painted your whole body green! After all, there are only two types of people in this world, The Irish and those who wish they were.
naomi
By
Naomi
February 19, 2014
friends,
reviews
There's not many people I can say I've known for 12 years and still maintain a close friendship with, despite all the changes in our lives.
So how do we celebrate 12 years of shenanigans!!? Eating of course; Pastries for breakfast? Yes please!
We started off with drinks. Coffee for those two and blood orange soda for me, before quickly diving into a conversation as if no time had passed.
Our pastries arrived just as we slipped into a conversation about the exciting adventures we were planning on going this year, while reminiscing about our highschool memories and how much things have changed.
Of course, in true invisibles spirit, it took us longer to capture the perfect picture of our pastries (and ourselves!) than it took to devour them up.
Can you guess who ordered what?!
We ended up splitting the pastries three ways, just so everyone could get a taste of each one. Washed it down with the remains of our drinks as we realized we didn't have much time left together.. so we quickly made a list of things we wanted to do the next time we are reunited again.
Of course, selfies clearly don't end in the restaurant. We quickly slipped a few more in before it was time for us to head over to the next destination.
I'm thankful for these girls. For their honesty and openness, their friendship, the smiles and the good times.
Till our next adventure,
naomi.
___
For more information and reviews on the Frenchway Cafe, please visit the following link;
By
Naomi
February 10, 2014
canada,
dessert
I know, I'm bad at blogging.
This month is crazy hectic for me so I won't be posting here as often, but I thought I would start this break off with a little cronut post. Because you know, you can never have too many cronuts.
Let the hiatus begin.
See you in a bit :)
naomi
