Jet-setter: Ottawa, Ontario - December 28, 2013 - January 1, 2014

I had mentioned in this post that I was headed back to Ottawa at the end of December for the annual New Years conference hosted by Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO). After major delays and baggage being purposely left behind by Air Canada, I finally made it to Ottawa!

The conference took up nearly all of my time while I was there, and my breaks were used for catching up with people that I haven't seen in a really long time. I had many wonderful coffee and lunch visits that left my heart full and my spirit at peace. I have some of the most amazing people in my life, and I am so thankful for each and every one!

I actually didn't take many photos while I was in Ottawa this time, I was really focused on being present and experiencing every moment with people that are important to me.  There were over 800 people at this conference, and while I don't know more than half of them, there were still so many people to hug, laugh with, and catch up with.

We celebrated Mass each day. On the first day we walked to the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica.

I actually spent most of my evenings with Amanda and other people from Saskatoon (and area).  It was a great balance of catching up with lots of different people at the conference and during the day breaks and then spending time with those that I would get to see back at home too.

My entire parish team from Impact Halifax was at the conference, but we didn't manage to get a photo together.  It was pretty great being able to see all of them so soon after David's wedding!  

One super exciting part about the conference was seeing most of the wonderful women that were my housemates on Impact.  There were nine of us that lived at Waterloo (most of the houses on Impact were just referred to by the street they were located on) and seven of us were at the conference!  We live across the country so this is a pretty fantastic ratio!  I had seen some of them while making road trips to Calgary or while visiting Ottawa for David's wedding, but I hadn't seen my old roommate Rachel since our last day in our house. It was a wonderful moment being able to hug her and actually talk to her face to face!  Over the course of the summer while living in Halifax we grew so close.  It was kind of funny actually, when we first moved into the house I was shocked to have been placed in a room with her, because we were the most different out of all of the people in the house. But things totally happen for a reason and I could not have been more blessed than I was by having Rachel as my roomie.

Waterloo Ladies

The conference ended with a banquet and dance on New Years Eve.  This is my third year ringing in the New Year with hundreds of young adults at Rise Up, and I loved every minute of it!

Have you ever been to Rise Up? What did you do for New Years this year? I would love to hear about it!

Five Tips for Getting Through Airport Security Smoothly

I have been very fortunate in the last few years to travel quite a bit. With that traveling I have come to figure out little tips and tricks about making the whole process a bit smoother.  Today I want to share my tips for getting through airport security. This can sometimes be super stressful, so if you prepare and know what you're going into, you can totally minimize the stress and get through the line nice and quick before heading to your gate.

1. Dress Appropriately
Everybody likes to dress differently when flying. I personally like to dress in what I call a "comfy-chic" way - a cotton dress, tights, cardigan, and an infinity scarf. I look put together but feel super comfy. Other people like to wear yoga pants and a sweatshirt, or somewhere between the two.  Whatever your style, make sure your outfit doesn't have too many parts. By this I mean don't wear clothing, accessories, or footwear that is going to prolong the security process - excessive chunky jewelry that you'll have to remove and put back on, layer after layer after layer that you'll also need to remove and put back on all while the bins pile up behind you but no one can get to them because you're still dressing, tall boots that you have to unlace and lace up again, you get the idea.  There are many things you can wear that can make your experience more difficult, and why would you want to do that? Really think about what you're wearing - do you need to have it on your body while travelling, or could you pack it in either your checked bag or carry-on?

2. Know Your Electronics
Different airports have different requirements when it comes to electronics going through security.  I have found that most Canadian airport security departments only require you to remove your laptop from your bag but let you leave your iPod, iPad, cell phone, kindle, camera, etc. in your bag while it gets scanned.  I haven't found consistency in whether they expect you to remove your laptop from the protective case, so I just always do to avoid holding up the line.  What is important to note about this point is that this can vary between airport security personnel; one person may be fine with you only removing your laptop and leaving it in the case, while another might expect you to place every single electronic you are carrying into the bin with no cases.  To avoid issues with this I always make sure I know exactly where my other electronics are, in case I am asked to remove them.

3. Pack Your Liquids
I almost always see that one person frantically searching through their carry-on(s) to find their liquids and squish them into the bags just before security (if you're at an airport that provides them). To avoid delays or not having enough room in the bag for every liquid you have on you, pack your liquids ahead of time. Take only those that you will actually need during your time in the airport, on the plane, or if your bag were to be delayed in reaching your destination.  This all should very easily fit into the 1 litre (1 quart) bag that is allowed. Everything else can go in your checked luggage.

4. Do Not Feel Rushed
It is very easy to pick up on the nervousness or rushed-feeling that other passengers portray, it is also very easy to feel like the airport security personnel are trying to rush you through the line. Yes, you need to keep the line moving, but you do not need to feel as though you are going too slow. If you are prepared and you are following the rules, then you are doing what you are supposed to do. Do not stress yourself out by worrying and trying to rush through the line. You're traveling after all, enjoy yourself!

5. Do Not Be Afraid
This one kind of goes with #4, but I felt it was necessary to emphasize. No matter how prepared you are, going through airport security can actually become quite terrifying, especially if you do not do it often. For every nice person working airport security it seems as though there are two or three not-so-nice ones.  If you suffer from anxiety or anything similar, the interactions that airport security presents to you can be a lot to handle. Just take things one step at a time, breathe, and think about your final destination. Soon you'll be through the line, through the scanner, in possession of your scanned items, and relaxing at your gate with plenty of time to spare.

This is definitely not a comprehensive list, but things that I have noticed time and time again while making my way through security. What are some tips that you have? I would love to hear them!

Simplify Sunday: Sweaters

I did another mini Simplify Project this week. This time I decided to tackle my sweater shelf.  It has been overflowing for months and I seriously forgot about some of the sweaters that were at the bottom of the piles.  This first photo is of the shelf when I was about to start laundry, with a large portion of the sweaters already in the laundry hamper.

As you can see, even without the third that is hanging out in the hamper, my shelf is totally full. So, since I obviously wear the ones that were in the hamper, I started in on the remaining sweaters and sorted them into one of four categories:

1. Wear a lot (keep)

2. Doesn't fit (donate)

3. Don't really like (donate)

4. Totally forgot I had, but still kind of like (keep, at least for now)

The fourth category was not one that I had originally planned on having, but I found a couple sweaters that had managed to remain hidden away for far too long. I wasn't sure if the reason that I hadn't worn them in a long time was because I just don't like them, or because I just couldn't see them, so I have put them on probation - if I wear them in the next three months, they can stay.

Left - sweaters I am donating, Right - sweaters on probation

I didn't get rid of many sweaters this time around, I tend to wear sweaters often, so I actually do use most of the ones I own. I do plan on being a little more conscious of my sweaters though, it's so easy to forget that I dislike something about a sweater when I am no longer wearing it.

Once I had finished laundry I organized my remaining sweaters on the shelf. There are still a lot, but at least it's a bit more tidy!

Have you completed any mini organization projects lately? What do you want to simplify? I'd love to hear!