Dealing with loss

This is a post that I've been holding onto for a while and has made me question whether or not to publish it but I decided to because I feel like it's something that we can all relate to whether it be now or something that has happened in the past.
Dealing with loss is something that we'll all experience at some point in our life and that could be the loss of a family member or a friend. By loss, I'm not just referring to death but also including things like the loss of a friendship or relationship. Previously I've said that this year has been filled with a few obstacles and if I'm being openly honest with you, it all kind of began last year. When I was attempting to complete Year 12, I was also dealing with a sick family member so that made my year a little more "bumpy" than I would've liked but I got through it and I finished my schooling life. At the beginning of this year, I unfortunately lost that family member and that led to a few other family problems and personal problems that I'll keep private and this is basically the reason why I decided to not study this year and that's okay. I truly believe that I made the best decision to hold off on university because my idea of the 'ideal career' has changed and I feel that I now have a better grasp on how I want to spend my life work wise. I know for a fact that if I had begun studying at the beginning of this year, I wouldn't have finished it because I had so much unfinished business and other things to deal with and I used to be completely against taking a gap year but now I would actually recommend it.
Anyway let's get back to the point, loss and grief is something that is swept under the rug and people don't talk about it and that makes it a lot worse because you end up bottling everything up and then exploding, which can push people away when you should really be keeping people close. I think people get the idea of "quick mourning" from movies and TV series because if you actually think about it, a large number of those shows show the initial stage where they're all in disbelief but seem to skip the rest of it and it's so wrong!
I've also realised that after you've experienced the loss of someone close to you, the loss of another person is a lot more emotional and you get more worked up over their death than what you typically used to. As I've said before, I'm an avid blog reader and one of my favourite blogs to read used to be 'A Blonde Ambition' but the writer of that blog recently passed away in July and I took her death a lot harder than what I ever thought was possible considering the fact that I had never met her. She unfortunately left behind her husband, Stephen, and two little girls, Caroline and Ainsley who were just babies. Leslie had made her readers aware of her health problems but I know that everyone was so shocked when the news came out and I pray for her family every day. Leslie was and still is such an inspiration to me, I found her love for the Lord and the unconditional love for her family to be truly amazing and she touched my life just like she did to many others and I'm truly heartbroken by such a tragedy. A GoFundMe account has been set up to start a college fund for Caroline and Ainsley and it'd mean so much to their sweet family if anyone even considered donating.

Even though people claim that society is improving when it comes to support and comfort, I beg to differ. I think people should be able to openly say that they're hurting because it's a part of life and people need to stop acting like it's something that doesn't matter. So ... I'm Jordyn and I am comfortable telling you all that I'm still hurting from the loss of both a beloved family member and sweet Leslie and I still miss them more than words can ever describe but do you know what.... that's okay

Due to a little of this post being dedicated to Leslie, I think it's only fitting that I end this post the way that she always ended hers.

Be Blessed Lovelies

Something New

Am I the only one that automatically started singing the 'High School Musical' song when reading this title? I know you all did so let's just move on ;) Anyway, if you read my confessional Friday yesterday you'd see that I made a tiny little announcement at the end in which I said that I got into a course that I've been wanting to be a part of for about 6 months now. I am so thrilled about finally starting the next chapter of my life; I've been working full time since I graduated school a year ago (still blows my mind by the way haha) and even though I love earning a bit of money, I was starting to feel like I was at a stand still and I needed a change. So long story short, being accepted into this program couldn't have come at a better time! To get into this program, I needed to submit an application and pass that stage, I then got asked to sit an exam and I needed to reach a certain level for each section to pass the exam and be offered an interview; after spending a week stressing, I finally gave in and called them, because apparently I have zero patience, and got offered an interview. After sitting through the interview, I was offered a place in the course on the spot and so began this wonderful change in my life. I'll always be amazed at God's sweet, sweet hand in all of this and I feel like after a long year filled with many obstacles, I can really appreciate any blessings that come my way and I feel as though I am much more grateful.

So now the countdown is on and in nine and a half weeks, I'll be starting a once in a lifetime journey and I cannot wait!! I am also so excited to share this experience with you all and I hope to support any of you that are also going through the same thing. 

Happy Saturday to you all! 

Lots of love,

Jordyn xx

Confessional Friday

Hello ladies and gents! What great week this has been and I am welcoming the weekend with open arms as I'm sure you are as well. But as I always do (besides the past two Fridays haha), it's time to confess so take that filter out of your mouth and spill the beans...

1. I confess that the only way that I convinced myself to get up on Monday morning was by telling myself that I could take a nap in 8 hours time. What can I say.... I obviously wasn't ready for the week ;)

2. I confess that I actually changed tops in a busy car park where I could be seen at every angle but I managed to do it without showing skin; I will admit that I felt like I was on top of the world afterwards haha

3. I confess that I actually cried this morning when I realised that it has been exactly one year to the day that I graduated! I don't know why it's so sad because I certainly haven't lost any of my friends from school but it just hit me hard.

4. I confess that I got my Baba to pack extra food for me when I visited her on Tuesday, I shared it of course ;)


That's me done! So you know what that means, start your confessing!

Also, I'd just love to announce that I passed my exam with flying colours and will now be studying nursing starting January 2016!! This should lead me to midwifery, which is my ultimate goal but I am so thankful to be 1 of 50 that were accepted into this unique program so thank you for all of your prayers! God is good :))

Lots of love

Jordyn xx

Life Lately....

Well..... long time, no hear! I hope you  all have had a blessed couple of weeks and that it has been filled with love from your family and friends. I feel like it has been a quiet fortnight here but when I look back on it, it was really quite action packed.
To start off this catch up, I'm gonna flashback to the weekend of the 6th of November. A couple of months ago, my friend Rach and I planned a weekend away with the girls to celebrate Tamika and Olivia's recent birthdays (one on October 7th and the other on November 5th)  so we booked an apartment at Burleigh Heads and the four of us (we were missing Heidi!) headed down on the Friday afternoon. What a fun car ride that was! I nominated myself as designated driver because I'm not a big drinker so watching the girls muck around in the car and singing so so so loudly on the way down was priceless! The weekend was filled with hanging out in the apartment, time at the beach attempting to get a tan (this didn't work out well for someone *cough* Olivia *cough*) and a night out that may have been filled with too many drinks haha.

Rach and I when we were out for dinner on the Saturday night. By looking at the next two photos, you can see that taking nice photos together is not our strong point ;) 

Mika and I waiting for the other two to wake up on Saturday morning 

I sent this photo to my mum after she told me that it was hailing back in Brisbane, what a change in weather!!

You can't see it on all of us but for a couple of us, this was the first time that we got "stamped" at a club

A few of the Polaroid photos taken that weekend  

There were quite a few other photos (and a few videos) taken but I think I would lose my friends if I ever posted them haha.

The week after the weekend away was filled with normality for me so that means that I spent my days visiting members of my family or catching up on things around the house and working as well so nothing new there but on Thursday, I got a call from my Dad while I was at a work meeting saying that he had a ticket for ACDC and if I wanted it then I need to get my booty to his place quickly so I high tailed it straight out of that meeting and went straight over. I was so thankful for this opportunity because it was incredible!! All I can say is that when I'm their age, I hope that I can move around (read: run around) as easily as they can, it blew my mind!! Anyway, it was a great night out with my Dad and his partner, Vicki. 

Dad and Vicki

Vicki and I

Dad, Vicki and I

Don't mind me in the picture but look at all the people! An incredibly busy part of a street was shut down completely for a couple of hours that night so that people could walk to where they needed to go safely. It was such a sight, if you actually click on the picture, you'll be able to see it better!                             

The next day I had to do a glorious open but that was because I had to leave early to sit an exam that will hopefully get me into my dream course so everyone please keep your fingers tightly crossed :)
However, that night my friends and I decided to attend the pre-drinks for the year 12 formal (a.k.a prom for my American readers :) ) and then out to dinner afterwards so I was oh so excited to dress up and put on my heels to go somewhere other than church haha.

Rach and I 

Heidi and Mika 

Mika and I

Olivia and I 

Sinjin and I and he is tall!! I was wearing 5 inch heels that night and I'm 5ft7in without the heels! So thank god for the heels or I would've been wedged in his arm pit haha 

Heidi and I

This is the first time since April that we've all managed to turn up to something that we'd planned so it was so good to be "re-united" again :) 

Mika and Heids again

Heids and Olivia

Rach and I! This is probably one of my photos from that night 

Right before dinner and Rach was so ashamed that Mika turned that camera to selfie mode in front of everyone haha 

I have no way to caption this but can you tell that her feet were sore haha 

We all claim that this photo is "tumblr worthy" haha I did feel like the odd one out being the only one not wearing black heels haha

The weekend was filled with nothing too special, I did however get to babysit this little gem so that made my heart happy 

My goodness, she's so cute!! 

And on Sunday, my cousin and I met up for lunch and ended up walking around the shops for a few hours and happened to get a photo with the man that needs no introduction....

4th time's a charm when it came to getting a good photo haha we were the only people in the line that had no child with us but you're never too old to get a photo with Santa even if  we are 18 and 23 ;) 

Anyway y'all, this has been my life lately and it has been action packed but I have loved every minute of it! And thank god that it's the holiday season because now it's socially acceptable to start the Christmas decorating and repetitive Christmas carols ;)

Lots of love

Jordyn xx

A 21st Celebration

A little while back in September, my step-sister Shannen turned 21 so in her honour, Vicki decided to throw her a little get together with lots of friends and family as well as a lot of food!! If you know me well then you'll know that I LOVE food! My sister and I grew up around a lot of food and I don't think that'll ever change so the first thing that I ask when I hear that someone is throwing a party is "what type of food will be there?" Sometimes I don't even have to ask because people already know that I want to know what to look forward to. Anyway, let's get back on track shall we.....
Shannen was showered with a lot of love from her family and friends and her Dad drove down from Rockhampton and surprised her, it was actually quite an emotional moment to witness. I definitely didn't fail at taking photos this time so get ready for the a little spam....

The birthday girl and myself with some seriously full bellies!

Vicki and me

Dad and I finally taking a decent photo

Al and I cheesing away

Alex and Kyal with one of the cutest little puppy's ever! 

Shannen's cake that tasted oh so good! And yes, that is her dog made of fondant on the top of her cake haha

Shannen with her parents

I can't exactly remember what happened at this moment but all the other photos taken around this time caused a big ol' belly laugh from me 

What a great night this was filled with so many friends and food! And I can't forget about the presents, she received a massive wooden chest filled with a bunch of goodies for when she moves out and everyone kept saying that it was her eviction notice haha Well at least she's prepared for her eviction ;)

Lots of love

Jordyn xx

What a Weekend!

As I said in the title of this post:What a weekend!! I'd been looking forward to the previous Friday-Tuesday for weeks now and it did not disappoint. Usually in a weekend there are some highlights but I honestly can't pick out a favourite part of this weekend because I enjoyed all of it.

FRIDAY...

Friday morning I had to do a "glorious open" (oh man, I wish there was a sarcasm font) but opening early means finishing early so I walked out of the doors at 1:30 and headed home to relax for a little while before I had to attempt to look presentable for a birthday dinner that night. I ended up giving up in terms of make-up and relied on my make-up genius of a Mama to help me out for the night. Since it was my sister's birthday, she was in charge of choosing a restaurant so she decided on Cactus Jack's, which I am all for given my LOVE for Mexican food! 

The birthday girl and myself

Al, myself and our cousin Nick

Kenzie, Alex, myself and Nick

Quite a few other photos were also taken but I don't think they're worth the embarrassment for any of us haha

SATURDAY...

Saturday was honestly a really uneventful day but it was so perfect and peaceful, which is just what I needed. I headed to the gym early in the afternoon to avoid the crowds because I love working out without interruption. I did have to work that night though but it was soooo quiet so it wasn't too bad.

SUNDAY...

Well to be completely honest with y'all, I may have hit snooze too many times and completely missed church so I didn't get to start my Sunday off how I wanted to. My Sunday was pretty much filled with re-runs of my favourite shows whilst folding clothes that once covered our spare room floor (I know you all have a room just like this!) and after the clothes were folded and put into piles, our lounge room resembled a maze where we literally had to think about where to stand without knocking something over haha. After such a wonderful afternoon, I had to head off to work all while trying to figure out whether or not I needed to call someone in to cover my shift so I could take one of my nearest and dearest to the doctor so it was a stressful night but thankfully, the store was quiet meaning that I could focus on what was more important than work. 

MONDAY...

Monday was actually classified as my Saturday so that means that I did what I usually did and tried to fit as much as I possibly could into my weekend (can I still call it a weekend if it's a Monday?). A few months ago, one of my absolute favourite girl's asked me to come with her to a tattoo place while she got a new tattoo so of course I said yes and began to count down the days until it arrived. Thankfully by Monday morning she was "less sick" (she'd seriously disagree with me on that one haha) than what she had been on Saturday and Sunday so our plans remained the same. I ended up having to get up at 6 because I had a two hour drive ahead of me and I'm a slow riser and I also had a couple of errands to run so I couldn't hit snooze like I did on Sunday ;) I got up there by 10 and it was so hot!! I had to change clothes as soon as I got there because what I was wearing was not helping the situation at all! When we went in, she showed the tattooist a photo of the tattoo that she wanted so he went and sketched it and created the stencil and then it was go time. The nerves started as soon as she walked to the table but I really don't think I helped at all considering the fact that I jumped when he switched the device on haha. 

Her eyes are closed and at this point, I think I was freaking out more than her haha

After hours of tattooing, shivering from the air conditioning and many tissues later, it was finished and was she thankful that it was over!! Even though I wasn't the one going through it, I think it was completely worth it because it looks incredible 

I've shown it to so many people and every one can't get over the detail of it! I'm definitely ready to go again because it was a such a great experience and I got to catch up with this brave one. Is it bad that I'm already counting down until I see her again, maybe it is but oh well haha 

Once the tattoo was completed, I hopped back in the car and drove for a little longer to Coolum to visit my Dad and his fiance. They were up at Hervey Bay for the day so I decided to go for a walk along the beach instead of sitting in the apartment until they got back later that night. It was beautiful weather so I took a few photos but they didn't do it justice, it was just too gorgeous.. 

Dad and Vicki arrived home later that night so Dad and I sat down and watched re-runs of Big Bang Theory...

Again with the bad lighting and serious need of make-up for me but it was the only smiling photo that we actually took so here it is. 

Dad's request and my golly it was so hard to not laugh!

TUESDAY...

Can I just start this off by saying that there is no better sound to wake up to other than the ocean, such a peaceful sound! Today was spent at the beach soaking up some rays (maybe a little too many ;) ) and lounging around. Dad did however decide that it would be a good idea to go for a nice stroll along the beach, which turned into an 11.2 km and it was during that little adventure that we saw a stingray and experienced guilt after a dog begged (not even kidding!) for our food at the dog-friendly cafe we ate lunch at.

These photos were taken at the halfway mark before our lovely sunburned shoulders made an appearance; at first it looked like I was getting a tan (haha what was I thinking, I never tan!) but never mind, can someone please tell me that sunburn looks better than tan lines? Anyone? 

I had to head back to Brisbane mid-afternoon to go out for another birthday dinner but this time it was all in the honour of my sweet Mama! I completely failed at taking photos but it was so lovely to sit down and share a meal with people who are so close to my heart. 

I'm going to say it again: WHAT A WEEKEND!! Now you can understand why I would do it all again in a heartbeat so if you've created a time machine or know of anyone who has, can you please give me your/their number because I want to go back to Friday afternoon.

Lots of love, 

Jordyn xx