I Do This to One Person Everyday

life is a chain-reaction.


i had something very rare happen to me today. i went to Extreme Pita to grab a yummy grilled chicken pita for lunch and as i was about to hand over my cash to pay, the guy behind me says, "i've got this . . .  i do this to one person everyday, don't worry." i of course think, "ok . . . this guy is probably trying to pick me up." so i politely declined and told him "get outta here, no way, absolutely not etc, etc" in the most light-hearted aw-you're-so-sweet-but-no kind of way. however, he insisted (politely) and i could tell from his physical appearance that he in no way thought there could've been any kind of future interaction between us. so i said "well, thank you . . . but at least take a five . . ." again he declined and said "no, no . . . if you see someone begging for change, please give it to them . . . that's all i ask." he paid for my lunch, i thanked him once again, we got in our separate cars and drove off in different directions. he did this out of the goodness of his heart.


therefore, he has inspired me to do this post. it is rare that we see random acts of kindness just for the sake of being kind. they are very special moments. you know i heard once, that when human beings observe other people being kind to one another (especially strangers) it actually triggers a slight chemical reaction in our brain in which we begin to feel happier. aside from being compassionate to random strangers and accumulating wicked karma, anything we can do each day to improve the world is beyond worth it. it's only through small acts like this that we begin to change the world. 


i was with friends the other night, saying farewell to a special young lady who is adventuring off to Ireland to receive her Masters, when one friend brought up an interesting way to dramatically change your life very quickly. the task? no complaining for 6 weeks. 


. . . this would be no easy feat.


it would take a tremendous amount of effort and discipline. two things i can run very short of from time to time. i was thinking about writing a post about how much Wal-Mart disgusts me but when i heard of the notion of "no complaining" i decided against it. all i'm going to say is this. in order to help myself and the world around me, two new things will be added to my list of self-improvement . . .


1. no complaining (um, for 6 weeks)
2. abolish information overload one day a week (probably on Sundays) this means no tv, internet, cell phone, blog, facebook, or email


the reason for the second addition is simple. technology is robbing us of face to face interaction with people and our psyches need periodical breaks from the amount of information that is thrown at us on a daily basis. if it was up to me, i would happily go back in time to live in any era from 1900-1970. unfortunately, we have not cracked the code on time travel.


maybe one day . . . 


be conscious of your actions. be conscious of how you can do one small thing a day to show the world compassion. and be conscious of how it changes your life. too-da-loo!

Eat, Pray, Love

figuring it out.

i find it fascinating how our minds work. it seems as if we can switch from one opposing thought to another leaving us often times baffled and just as lost as we ever were. i've just started reading what's sure to be one of my favourite books of all time. lent to me by a dear friend, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert has captured my heart and attention within the first few pages. i'm not going to sit here and review the book (that would be silly, I've only started reading it) but i will tell you that she puts into words so wonderfully the full extent of what I'm looking for. some people do not look. something I've realized just recently. we are not taught from a young age that happiness is our personal responsibility. as children, happiness comes from getting the toy you wanted for Christmas or stuffing your face with jujubes and twinkies and sometimes getting to stay up past your bedtime to watch that movie you shouldn't be watching. if only this is what real happiness was about! inspired by a recent note from The Universe, getting to the point in your life where you fully accept responsibility for your own happiness may be one of the most crucial and life changing moments in your entire life.

we can all agree that it is much easier blaming our inadequacies, failures, mistakes and disappointments on anyone but ourselves . . . sometimes we even blame God for the place we find ourselves in at this very moment. but because i personally don't believe God has a predetermined plan for each of us (if He did, then wouldn't we merely be puppets in a puppet show?) and because of the element of free will, this leaves the responsibility of our lives up to us. and our responsibility to ask God for help is ours to bare indeed. God is there to aid, obey and guide us . . . i believe He wants us to find the Godlikeness in ourselves and to be comforted in knowing that at the core of that Godlikeness in us, is unconditional and abundant love that we can call upon whenever we need to. understanding that our happiness is completely in our own hands can seem daunting to some but in essence, i don't think God would have it any other way. i think it's completely necessary for our evolution as a species and finding the perfect balance between (as Gilbert puts it) "worldly pleasures and the devotion to God" or the balance between average and extraordinary. 

i guess what i'm trying to say is . . .  you gotta read this book! and keep searching and searching until you find your perfect balance. don't succumb to just the "worldly pleasures" in this life - you'd be missing out on the most magnificent part. and always know, you're never alone.

Nothing beats paradise...

My mini-vacay.


I wanted to post some pics from my getaway to the Bahamas! I had a great time with my dad and my brother... it was really nice to get some down time with family. There is something so amazing about family. I come from a very good family. I don't mean well-off or picture perfect, I mean really GOOD people... the people in my family are the classiest people I know. I must have done something wonderful in my previous lives to accumulate the kind of karma to plop me into the family I have. If you believe in that sort of thing. Who knows. All I can say is, I wish everyone had a family like mine.


I won't go through every detail of my trip but the things that stood out were : the cleanness of the air, the clarity of the water, the extremely slow pace of the natives, the outstanding authentic pina coladas, the creamy white sand, the latin music, being spoiled by my dad, and being thankful for all of it. Some people never realize, that the moments you get to spend, having a blast with the people you love, is life's highest peak and the most rewarding honor. As my dad says, "This is what it's all about." Through all the suffering, obstacles, and frustration of just being citizens of this Earth, the moment you get to slow down and feel completely loved is exactly why we're here. For those moments :) Enjoy the pics!

( first day on the beach )

( on our scooter ride )

( look at that water! )

( peace, man )

( happiness )

( the marketplace )

( my brother, jake )

( riding bikes )

( jet skiing )

( love )

NieNie Dialogues...

i <3 nienie!


Hey everyone...
I hope your week has been going well. I've been coming up with several different blog topics lately - it was hard to decide what to write about first!


I wanted to share with you a blog I frequent (I have an "I read" button of hers on my blog) Her name is Stephanie Neilson and she is a wonderful blogger. Her nickname is nienie and so her blog is cleverly titled, nienie dialogues. Stephanie is a special person, a miracle of sorts and I find her strength very inspiring. She has 4 beautiful children and a lovely husband, Mr. Neilson (also known as Christian) Stephanie and Christian were in a near fatal plane crash in August of 2008. They luckily survived however the pilot did not (Christian had gotten his pilot's license and Doug Kinneard was his friend/instructor) It was just the 3 of them in the plane. Stephanie suffered severe 3rd degree burns as did Christian - however nienie had to be rebuilt. She blogs about her recovery, her experience and how adjusting to her "new" self is unfolding. She is in pain all the time. She somehow, still manages to find enough strength to be the beautiful mother, wife, sister, friend, daughter, and blogger she has always been. I think she is one of the most wonderful writers, photographers, and people I have ever come across. If I could take her pain away (as most would agree) I would do anything to make it happen. I hope she knows that she survived for a very good reason. I hope she knows she will always be in our prayers. I hope she knows she has touched so many people's lives.


This song is written and performed by Christina Aguilera and Linda Perry. It was performed at the Hope for Haiti telethon and will be on Christina's new album. It's called "Lift Me Up" and I want to dedicate it to nienie. I think it's beautiful - just like her. I hope that it provides a moment more of strength.


Love, justine xo.

Lots in the works...

It's that time of year!

Life is getting crazier by the day - I guess that means the holiday season is approaching! I have been trying to work so much between 3 different jobs right now, I'm so thankful for the moula but man I'm getting tired and kind of stir crazy. I should prlly get out and dance. This coming Thursday is American Thanksgiving and I am soooooo excited to stuff my face and bake my pumpkin pie. It feels like it's been a while since I've had a big feast. I actually can't remember that last holiday meal I ate...I'm pretty sure it was last Christmas. Dang. It is exactly 4 weeks today that Phil & I fly back home for 11 wonderful days and I am so excited. We put up our little tree up last night and I should get shopping very soon - when I get some spare time!

 ^ little tree ^

 I also have a new endeavor that I'm stoked about starting. For the people who know me well and have been in my life since childhood, they could probably say I've attacked them once or twice with a makeup brush :) I've always loved the art of makeup, and have watched my mom do hers (once a makeup artist as well) since I can remember. I've been doing friend's makeup since we were old enough to wear it and I have plenty of practice under my belt. I'm also hoping to take a class or two in the new year. So. I have decided to start my own makeup business that caters to everyday people for special events & occasions, bridal, and who knows what else. I shall call it, fussyjussy beauty. I will hopefully be launching a website and will have business cards available before Christmas. Since I don't have a portfolio of work, I will be doing nothing but complimentary services until I build up some evidence. Therefore! Ladies in LA - if you need any holiday makeup services done, please leave me a comment! I would be more than happy to be of assistance.

Sorry I have been slightly MIA on the posting - I have dedicated my life to making a buck at the moment to help with the extra holiday costs. I'll leave you with a holiday suggestion spot: TopShop, (which I've talked a little about before) is a UK based store (for the ladies) and has the trendiest, funkiest, clothing, shoes & accerories at fairly reasonable prices. They cater to the States but not to Canada. Sorry Canada :(  If you need party dresses, gift ideas, or a Christmas gift for yourself, check it out!

Hope all the Americans have a wonderful Thanksgiving week...<3