12 Days of Christmas: A Blog Challenge

It is 99% possible that you have already heard, but there is only ONE MORE DAY until my 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge, guys! We will be starting tomorrow, at midnight (California Time).

If you haven't noticed, I've been looking forward to hosting this Blog Challenge since Thanksgiving.  That seems like so long ago, but really, it has been like a week and a half.  I just can't wait to read everybody's responses to the topics and make some new friends! 

I know that not everybody celebrates Christmas, so I attempted to make some of the topics holiday oriented rather than specifically Christmas so everyone had a chance to participate.  I didn't want to exclude everyone!  I completely understand if you skip certain days because they do not align with your beliefs.

Speaking of skipping days, I didn't make a mistake with the topic dates! I made it so the 12 Days posts are only Monday - Friday so you wouldn't have to worry about posting on the weekends, or so you could post whatever you wanted in between!

Rules Suggestions

1.  You do not talk about Fight Club, but you do talk about 12 Days of Christmas.
2.  Add your links to the link up at the bottom of each post so I can read your posts!
3.  If you miss a day, you can make it up or skip it.
4.  I would love if you include the "12 Days" button to your sidebar or posts, but it is not mandatory.
5.  Have fun.

Topics

December 9: Wishlist
December 10: Would you rather give or receive gifts?
December 11: Is Winter your favorite season? Why or why not?
December 12: Describe the best/worst gift you ever received.
December 13: How do you celebrate the holidays? What are you favorite traditions?
December 16: What is your favorite Christmas song?
December 17: When did you stop believing in Santa Claus?
December 18: What do you think the North Pole is like?
December 19: What is your favorite holiday memory?
December 20: Who/What will you be missing this holiday season?
December 23: What is your favorite Christmas movie?
December 24: Write a letter to Santa. 

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ANNOUNCEMENT: 12 Days of Christmas

It's Black Friday, which means it's officially acceptable to start thinking about Christmas, right? RIGHT!?

I've been really excited about this for the past couple of days and couldn't wait to tell you guys.

Today, I am officially announcing that here at Enigmatic Ambiance, I will be hosting a 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge in December! 

Above, you will find the list of prompts for each day.

Note: The days are not consecutive, but rather Monday - Friday of each week, starting December 9th.

Hopefully, you will be participating too!   Each post will have a linkup so we can read everyone's posts for each day.

If you tell your friends about the challenge, that would be awesome! Tweet about it.  Pin it.  Put it on your Facebook page.  Blog about it.  Whatever you can do to make sure everyone knows this is happening!

Spread the cheer!  Christmas is almost here!

Monthly Goals: January 2013!

Each month, like many people, I give myself a few goals.  Some are the same each month while others are random goals that I think will help me become the person that I strive to be.

For the majority of this month, I will be on winter break, so I have a LOT of time on my hands.  With that time, I hope to strengthen relationships, get my life organized and focus on getting things accomplished that I have been putting off for who knows how long.

1. START BLOGGING AGAIN! I used to blog a lot. At least, it felt like I did, but then my school schedule was so crazy last semester that it felt like I barely had any time for myself, let alone blogging, so that got pushed out of my life for awhile, but I miss it. 
2. FATMUMSLIM'S PHOTOADAY CHALLENGE.  I really loved doing the photo a day challenges on Instagram, but like blogging, I stopped doing them.  I want to start it again, especially because photography is kind of my "thing".
3. CARRY MY CAMERA WITH ME.  Because I had a Barnes and Nobles giftcard, I bought this book of DIY ideas you can do with pictures.  It said that most people don't carry around their DSLR's.  I used to be that person that did though and I want to start doing that again. Having a camera with me at all times is important to me and I feel I would take more pictures if I had it.
4. FINISH TWO BOOKS. At least two.  I'm ashamed to say it, but I have been reading The Hobbit since September. I'm only have way through.  Thank god the movie ended exactly where I left off, but that was just luck.  I really need to finish it and since I have the time at the moment, I really don't have a reason not to. 
5. DON'T COMPLAIN AT THE GYM.  I didn't go to the gym for like three weeks in December because of illnesses.  I missed it so much that today when I went, I told myself not to complain about what my boyfriend told me to do (he's kind of like my personal trainer). I want to keep that up because not only did I feel better when I left, but I actually enjoyed myself while I was doing the workouts.
6. ORGANIZE MY BEDROOM. I don't really have many places to put things in my room, except for in my closet and under my bed, so things tend to stack up on my desk, dresser and clothes are always scattered all over my floor.  I need to get into the habit of putting away my clothes and I need to figure out where to put everything else.  Maybe donate somethings?
7. GO THROUGH 10 MAGAZINES.  Okay, so I have this pile of magazines that I have collected so I can cut phrases out of them, but I never actually do this. I need to go through them so I can get rid of the pile and declutter my bedroom. 
8. ADVENTURE AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK.  I've declared Saturdays Adventure days, meaning I will do something fun, OUTDOORS every Saturday. This Saturday, I'm dragging my boyfriend to the beach.  Because Saturdays are Adventure days, that leaves only one more day a week to do something fun and exciting. I got this! :]

What are you goals for this month?

October Goals

Hey guys! I know you've heard this over and over, but...I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S OCTOBER! It seriously feels like I just started school a week or two ago, but then again it also feels like I've been there forever. I'm so ready for winter break. I was ready for it the day school started! ha! Anyways, to keep my favorite month interesting, I'm going to give myself a few goals like I have been the past couple of months.

BUT FIRST! Let's do a recap of the September Goals.

September Goals Recap

1. ACTUALLY DO READING ASSIGNMENTS. For the most part, I have been pretty good at this. I'm only behind two chapters! I usually read the text books while the boyfriend is watching the second or third football game on Sundays. He watches like all of them and I can only handle so much!
2. STAY ON TOP OF BLOG POSTS. Check. Other than the giveaway winnings post that I put off for foreverrrrr, I've done pretty well with this goal.
3. PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE. I skipped days...but I finished on time and only had to take four pictures to catch up!
4. READ THE HOBBIT.  I started it...and got 12 pages in.  I just need to make time for enjoyment reading is all.
5.  WRITE THANK YOU NOTES. Check, check, and check.  And I even sent them, unlike what my mother would have done.  She has a habit of buying cards, filling them out and then never sending them.
6.START 31 DAYS OF ADVENTURE. This did not happen. Maybe October will be the magic month?
7. APPLY TO FOUR JOBS. That didn't happen. Completely forgot about that. Ha
8. GO TO THE GYM AT LEAST 3X A WEEK. I know, I have no excuses not to do this, but homework was taking over my life.  Especially painting. I couldn't paint at night because I had to use the sun so that cut into my gym time. I really miss going though.

October Goals

1. VISIT A PUMPKIN PATCH.  Seriously, my favorite thing to do for Halloween (besides nearly killing myself with excessive amounts of chocolate) is carving pumpkins, so it's only natural that I want to go to a pumpkin patch. Yes?
2. APPLY TO COLLEGES!  Applications opened on the first, so I need to get this done ASAP so I can transfer!
3. CREATE A BETTER CONNECTION BETWEEN MYSELF AND MY SPONSORS.  I've been taking sponsors for about three? months now and I don't feel like I've gotten the connection that I feel I should be getting. I'm pretty busy, but I want to make this happen! Also, did you know that ALL of the money I earn from sponsorships during the months of October/November/December is going to be donated to charity?
4. HAUNTED HOUSE, ANYONE? I love haunted houses.  The boyfriend would never go with me though because he's a wimpnot into that stuff. I might have to convince some friends to go with me instead.
5. APPLE PICKING AND CIDER. I also want to go to an apple orchard and pick apples.  Then make apple sauce. And drink fresh apple cider. No, not that stuff you buy at a grocery store! (unless you live in a farm town, then you might be able to buy it). The hard part is trying to find an orchard close to where I live...
6. FINISH THE HOBBIT. Definitely need to finish this before the movie is released in December, but it would be nice if I had it done before October ends!
7. SHOW MY GRANDPARENTS HOW MUCH I TRULY LOVE AND APPRECIATE THEM.  With my grandpa in the hospital last week, I realized how much I appreciate things my grandparents do for me.  I also realized that I don't show them nearly enough that I appreciate these things. I'm not sure how I'm going to make it happen, but I will.

What are you goals for this month?

Photo A Day Challenge - September Complete!

YOU, NOW/FATHER//FAR AWAY//MAILBOX//BRIGHT

EVERYDAY//NATURAL//AT NIGHT// MOST WEEKENDS//BLACK AND WHITE

HERO//TOGETHER//TABLE//FAVORITE//FIRST THING YOU SEE

STRANGE//IN MY FRIDGE//PRICE//UNDERNEATH//MANMADE

SOMETIMES//UP//BEFORE BEDTIME//3 THINGS//FRAME

NEAR//LOVE/HATE//A GOOD THING//ERRAND//YOU, THEN

NOW TO TAKE ON THE OCTOBER CHALLENGE!

Here's the list if you want to participate in @fatmumslim's PhotoADay Challenge this month. All you have to do is snap a picture each day and upload it via Instagram using the hashtag #FMSPHOTOADAY

Instagram: @caitmonstro
Twitter: @caitmonstro

Photo A Day - August Complete!

OUTSIDE//ONE//COIN//SOMEWHERE YOU SAT//LOGO

WRITING//8 O'CLOCK//GLASSES//MESSY//RING

PURPLE//SPOON//SIMPLE//ARROW//READY

FOOD//FACES//INSIDE//HOLE//TODAY

COOL//HOME//PAIR//PATH//FRESH

DREAM//TAP//CLOCK//DOWN//CARD
HIDDEN

NOW TO TAKE ON THE SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE!

Here's the list if you want to participate in @fatmumslim's PhotoADay Challenge this month. All you have to do is snap a picture each day and upload it via Instagram using the hashtag #FMSPHOTOADAY

Follow along with my August Photo A Day Challenge at:
Instagram: @caitmonstro
Twitter: @caitmonstro

September Goals

Hey guys! Remember last month when I posted Eight August Goals? I'm going to do a small recap of those to let you know how I did and share with you my NEW September goals! Again, there are eight. I was going to do nine and stick with the number of the month thing, but then I realized that in December, that would mean TWELVE goals and that seemed a bit...overwhelming. Anyways, lets get started!

August Goals Recap

1. FINISH READING NARNIA. Okay, so I didn't finish all of it, but I only have like 100 pages left! I will finish in no time.
2. GO TO THE GYM AT LEAST 3X A WEEK.  I did for the most part, I skipped like...three days.
3. LOSE AT LEAST THREE POUNDS. I'm not even going to get into this one. I'm pretty sure my scale is broken. It gave me three different weights today. I've sworn off using a scale.
4. GO TO THE BEACH AT LEAST TWICE. I went once...unless you count the marina as a beach. Things kept coming up.
5. APPLY TO FOUR JOBS. Once I realized I needed to make a resume, things went nowhere.
6.SAVE MONEY WHILE SHOPPING. Pretty much all of the clothes I bought were on sale. :]
7. HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS ONCE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS. Unfortunately, I never got a chance...
8. START A PHOTO SERIES. I didn't even remember this was a goal. Oops.

September Goals

I'm going to keep a list of my goals in my new planner so I don't forget any of them and they are always in sight.

1. ACTUALLY DO READING ASSIGNMENTS. I'm the type of person that buys the books and then never opens them, yet still gets awesome grades. Don't ask me how because I really do not know how I do it. This year however, my books seem a bit interesting because of their subjects: Photography and 2D Design. Even if I just skim, I want to do the assignments.

2. STAY ON TOP OF BLOG POSTS. I noticed last week that I WANTED to blog, but I didn't because I was really stressed out and in need of resting. However, now that my source of stress should be gone, I don't want my blog to suffer anymore!

3. PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE.  I've been doing @fatmumslim's PhotoADay challenges since March and I've yet to do it completely without skipping a day. Let's have September be that month!

4. READ THE HOBBIT.  With the new movie coming out in December, I will be reading this book as quickly as I can in between school readings and other assignments. The boyfriend wants me to go see it with him, but I will have NO idea what is going on if I don't read the book.

5. WRITE THANK YOU NOTES. I won a few giveaways in August and I plan on writing some thank you notes to everyone who sent me things! Blog posts about what I won will come soon, I promise!

6. START 31 DAYS OF ADVENTURE. I subscribed...who knows how long ago and all of the emails have been sitting in my inbox for ages! Need to start them ASAP.

7. APPLY TO FOUR JOBS. Again. But this time, I will do it. I just need to write a resume first, which does not sound appealing. At all.

8. GO TO THE GYM AT LEAST 3X A WEEK. I pretty much did this last month, except for a few days but I feel it still needs to be on the list.

 Wish me luck! What are you goals for this month?

Eight August Goals

I can not believe that July is over and summer is quickly coming to a close. I REALLY don't want to go back to school on the 27th, but at the same time, I know it's my last semester until I transfer (another big step in my education world) and I can't wait to see my friends again. Also, because I took all of the required classes for my GE Credits, I'm taking all art classes! 

I have plenty of awesome things planned for the rest of my summer and I cannot wait to get started! There's a road trip this weekend, my first real photo shoot in a couple of weeks, a Marine World trip and so much more! However, I don't want August to be filled with fun and me not get anything done! (which is pretty much how July went).  I've created a list of EIGHT goals that I want to complete by the end of August(because August is the eighth month. Clever, right?).

1. FINISH READING NARNIA.  I've been reading this series since before summer even started! I'm ready for it to be over so I can move on to other things.  I think the next series I will be reading is Lord of the Rings.  The boyfriend loves LOTR and I think I would have a better understanding of it's awesomeness if I were to read the books.  The movies always put me to sleep!
2. GO TO THE GYM AT LEAST 3X A WEEK.  The boyfriend and I just got a new fancy gym membership a few days ago and I want to take FULL advantage of it.  If you don't remember, I had never been to a gym before June, when my mom took me to hers.  Our new gym is only about a 10-15 minute walk from my house, so there is no reason for me not to go, even if it is just to use the treadmill for 30 minutes.
3. LOSE AT LEAST THREE POUNDS.  I don't think I've ever talked about my weight on my blog, other than mentioning that I went to the gym with my mom...  Well, I have a goal of losing 15 pounds by the end of the year. There is five more months of the year, so that means 3 pounds a month.  Of course, I would love to lose more, but I'm trying to be realistic here! 
4. GO TO THE BEACH AT LEAST TWICE. If  you haven't noticed...I LOVE THE BEACH. One of the awesome things about me living where I do, is I can go pretty much whenever I can get someone to take me! It's about an hour away. I need SUNNNN before I go back to school and am forced to sit in dark, depressing buildings all day. 
5. APPLY TO FOUR JOBS.  That is one a week.  I'm not desperate for a job or anything.  I NEVER spent my money when I actually had one, except on school and my phone. Occasional fast food trips. However, real college is more expensive than community college and a girl's gotta work if she doesn't want to be in debt! I really want to get a job at a photography studio, like Sears Portraits or something.  I feel it would aid in my future plans of becoming a real photographer.
6. SAVE MONEY WHILE SHOPPING. Because I don't have my job anymore, I have been trying to be super careful when spending money. Especially since I just bought a car, which emptied my pockets and requires me to pay for a bajllion things, like insurance and GAS. I REALLY want to freshen up my wardrobe with some new school clothes.  I mean, I barely bought any for summer, even though I had every intention to.  The jean jacket that I want, I will be scouring Goodwill for one There is no point in paying a lot of a jacket that I won't wear often. California just isn't cold enough and I have a hoodie obsession. 
7. HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS ONCE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS.  So, I haven't seen my school friends since right before I left for Ohio in June.  It's kind of depressing.  I miss them quite a bit.  I want to plan...something for us all to get together before school starts so we can just chill and enjoy the end of summer together.
8. START A PHOTO SERIES. You know....when a photographer has a ton of photos that have a common theme, but they aren't the same? I've seen one that was of a man watering his plants, but it was never the same man. Never the same plants.  I want to start something like that.  I could easily do a beach themed series, but I want to challenge myself. 

So, there you go.  My  Eight August Goals.  Wish me luck! What are your goals for August?

Photo A Day Challenge - July Complete!

SELF PORTRAIT//BUSY//BEST PART OF YOUR DAY//FUN//ON THE FLOOR

CHAIR//GARDEN//LUNCH//BIG//FAVORITE COLOR

LETTER//TEXTURE//OPEN//BUILDING//FINGER

SIGN//ADDICTION//PLATE//ANIMAL//EYES

9 O'CLOCK//UPSIDE DOWN//MIRROR//STRANGER//HEART

SUNSHINE//ON THE ROAD//CUP//LAST THING YOU BOUGHT//CALM
TOOTHBRUSH

Considering I started this challenge in the middle of July, it was messed up from the start.  I'm pretty sure none of the days were taken on the correct days and I took multiple photos on days and none on others.  You would know this if you followed me on Instagram.  However, I'm proud to say that I finished before August! All of these photos were taken in the month of July (except for the building. I could never remember to take a building picture, so I used one of late June. Oops).

NOW TO TAKE ON THE AUGUST CHALLENGE!

Here's the list if you want to participate in @fatmumslim's PhotoADay Challenge this month. All you have to do is snap a picture each day and upload it via Instagram using the hashtag #photoadayaug

Follow along with my August Photo A Day Challenge at:
Instagram: @caitmonstro
Twitter: @caitmonstro

Photo A Day - June Complete!

Better late than never, right?

MORNING//EMPTY//ON YOUR PLATE//CLOSE UP// SIGN

HAT//DRINK//SIX O'CLOCK//VIEW//WEEKEND

DOOR//LOW ANGLE//ART//TIME//YELLOW

OUT AND ABOUT//IN YOUR BAG//SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW//IMPERFECT//FAVE PHOTO

WHERE YOU SLEPT//HIGH ANGLE//MOVEMENT//ON YOUR MIND// SOMETHING CUTE

WHERE YOU SHOP//BATHROOM//ON THE SHELF//SOFT//FRIEND

This month's challenge was a little more...challenging.  For some reason, I stopped with five days left! I didn't find that acceptable, so I quickly found things to take pictures of the remaining prompts.  Okay, I filled some in with some extra pictures I took in June, but it still counts, right? 

I'm half a month late, but....

NOW TO TAKE ON THE JULY CHALLENGE!

Here's the list if you want to participate in @fatmumslim's PhotoADay Challenge this month. All you have to do is snap a picture each day and upload it via Instagram using the hashtag #photoadayjuly

Follow along with my June Photo A Day Challenge at:
Instagram: @caitmonstro
Twitter: @caitmonstro

Photo A Day- May Complete!

PEACE // SKYLINE // SOMETHING YOU WORE TODAY // FUN // BIRD

YOU // SOMEONE THAT INSPIRES YOU // SMELL YOU ADORE // SOMETHING YOU DO EVERYDAY // A FAVORITE WORD

KITCHEN // SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY // MUM // GRASS // LOVE

WHAT YOU'RE READING // SNACK // SOMETHING YOU MADE // FAVORITE PLACE // SOMETHING YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT

WHERE YOU STAND // PINK // TECHNOLOGY // SOMETHING NEW // UNUSUAL

12 O'CLOCK // SOMETHING SWEET // WEATHER // NUMBER // PERSONALITY

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

 

Completing this challenge this month left me with a great feeling of accomplishment.  I had tried every month since February,but I always seemed to forget and then not start back up again. This month, I'm not going to lie,I did miss a few days, but then I just made up for them the next day and moved on. I made so many small memories that I wouldn't have remembered if it weren't for the challenge and I enjoyed documenting parts of my life that I would usually deem insignificant if it weren't for this challenge.

Here's a brief description of each picture!

I found peace in a bible verse pinned to the bulletin board outside of the Biology lab. While waiting for bible study, the airplane across the skyline reminded me that I'll be going home soon, but made me wish the boyfriend could come with me. I wore my favorite pair of flats. I saw Avengers on opening day. A crow made me think it was a hawk when I first looked at it. I have been sick for a majority of the month. I inspire myself, but my cousins and my boyfriend also play a large part in that area of my life. The smell of oranges makes me happy. Brushing my teeth is something I do everyday, and hopefully you do too! RAWR is my favorite word. Self portrait in my kitchen mirror. Chocolate makes me happy and the fact that my aunt gave it to me to make me feel better makes it that much better. I miss my mother, but I'll see her soon. GRASS. I love cheese, but I'm lactose. Been reading Chronicles of Narnia all month long. Pizza rolls, was more of a quick lunch before work. I made the dream catcher in third grade. My bedroom is one of my favorite places. I cannot live without God and his forgiveness. I used to stand at the Blockbuster register all day, but not anymore! I got to take home some pink markers that I found while cleaning out Blockbuster. Without technology, my career would have no future!  Bought this new dress to wear on my birthday. At 12 o'clock, I was still in my pajamas! It's really sweet when my boyfriend buys me food. The weather was perfect for a barbecue! My order number at Taco Bell was 200.  My personality is like a box of crayons: colorful, bright, dull, sharp, etc. Last, but not least, I know I'm beautiful!

Now to take on June's PhotoADay Challenge!

Here's the list if you want to participate in @fatmumslim's PhotoADay Challenge this month. All you have to do is snap a picture each day and upload it via Instagram using the hashtag #photoadayjune.

Follow along with my June Photo A Day Challenge at:
Instagram: @caitmonstro
Twitter: @caitmonstro

Photo A Day - May

 FUN // SOMETHING YOU WORE // SKYLINE // PEACE

This is the month that I will complete the Photo A Day challenge via Instagram created by @fatmumslim! I've tried for a couple of months now, but have unfortunately fallen quite short. However, this is the month that I will prevail!

If you haven't joined in a photo a day challenge, consider joining @fatmumslim's.  The project really makes you stop and think about what inspires you and the best part is, it doesn't even take more than two minutes a day!

To join, use the list below and the hashtag #photoadaymay when uploading you pictures via instagram!

 Don't forget to follow me to see my Photo A Day Challenge!
Twitter: @caitmonstro
Instagram: @caitmonstro