Sunday, 13 January 2013

things of note this year and last.


This past year. 

It feels like it went by so quickly, but when I really think about it I recall so many huge personal milestones I know it was a long one. A challenging one. 

It gets easier every year to do the grown-up things. The things that the nine year old inside you whines "Do I haaaavee to?" about. This year, my inner nine year old has done her share of whining.

Not too long ago, I was talking about how much we struggle with a very wise and lovely friend. This year she has gone through more than anyone should have to deal with. She has every right to say a big fuck you to the world and hibernate for as long as she likes and no one would have the right to say a single thing to contest her. If I were her, I'd likely have melted by now. But she remains one of the most positive, beautiful and inspiring people I've ever met. When I asked her why she was able to be so positive despite all the crazy, she was pretty upfront about her attitude. She was choosing to be positive, and choosing to move past it all. 

It's funny to say that I hadn't thought of things that way before, but I truly hadn't. Sometimes I forget that our brains have so much power over us. 

Anyhow.

That being said, despite the hard things that have dropped in front of me this past year, I'm jazzed that I had so many things that were great in there too. Sapfest over!

Below are a few shots to accompany some great memories and some goals for this new year. 

Yea!


Lazy summer days. Lush greenery. We were so lucky to have 
such a delicious, beautiful summer break. Green is good!

Fall. My absolute favourite season. 
Our neighbourhood is so picturesque, and we're 
so lucky to live where we do. Mmm trees.

Too many boots. I officially purchased wayyyy too many boots.
I finally caved and bought my first (and definitely not last) pair
of Blundstones. So amazing - there's no going back! I also 
bought my first grown-up winter coat. And you know what?
Warmth is sexy. Life lesson! Almost 30 what?! 

Speaking of "almost 30"... ha. Sobering.

Learning more things that I love about my best friend.
Although I knew this one, the teacher in me was pretty
into this lovely piece of lost artwork. :)

One of my favourite things about this year was the evolution
of a mural wall created solely by residents of my neighbourhood.
Long story short, when a local arena/stadium began getting torn 
down by the city, they failed to warn the residents adjacent to the
site. A beautiful, peaceful, tree-lined street became a depressing 
construction zone almost overnight, and residents were upset to 
say the least. When the city put up ugly wooden walls to cordon 
off the development, the residents and local kids began painting
their own artwork on the walls, creating the Holmwood Mural Project.
It made my late fall runs so wonderful to see the inspiring, different
work that popped up daily, and really reflected my feeling that art
is for everyone. I have more pictures and shall post soon. They rock.

I had visits with my amazing, Toronto dwelling family members, and got to
love up their adorable children. Adorable. Did I say they were cute? They
totally are. Case in point, my little buddy above covering the majority of
his body in green stripes because he wanted to be a tiger. I mean... yeah.
<3

Ailments. Now hold on a minute, because this is actually positive.
I got sick with more things that I care to list here this fall, but it
prompted me to get my shit together a bit. I finally contacted my
doctor and dealt with some pretty important health issues, making
me feel brave! Also, I've been trying to plan more healthy, balanced
meals for us at home, and to take better care of m'body, not just for
physical reasons, but mental. What did I say? Grown up, right?
This, this, this and this have made me feel better. And never, 
never underestimate the power of a cup of tea. Goes well with books.

(And seriously, if you can say "Tea. Earl Grey. Hot." without a hint of
irony, that my friends is a moment of your life well spent.) 

Right? Right. 
Also, if you haven't seen this (oh my god, or this.), get on it.

This year celebrates a sweet return to fantasy. When I was younger, 
I watched fantasy t.v. pretty much all the time. However, I was shamed into 
stopping this habit, which is tragic. I've recently rekindled my love of the
fantasy, however, so hurray hazzah! Derek and I have been pretty into
watching Supernatural, and I've actually shown him how amazing 
Buffy is. Because hey. It is amazing. Can I just say "Hush?" What 
about "Band Candy?" Boy oh boy, things they are good.


Annnd we managed to celebrate 3 Christmases without getting burned 
out too badly or overeating too much! It was a victory for all involved. 
I find the whole fam jam thing to be a bit overwhelming, and I am very
proud of the way this year went down. My handsome fella and I also 
got to spend 2 glorious weeks together, and it was rad! Mmmm.

And Cricket. He's the cutest. 

Lucky, lucky, lucky.
Now be sure to pull your weight, 2013.

<3 S

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