2013: A Year In Review- Life Edition

I have mentioned numerous times that this year was flying by...I find it hard to believe that we've reached the last day of 2013! The past few years have been less than ideal for me but 2013 was an amazing year for me!

Last year, when I was reflecting on 2012, I included this quote:

Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book.
Write a good one. - Brad Paisley

I wrote a GREAT one! I made new friends, tried new things, was offered my dream job with my dream organization, I had once in a life time experiences, had quiet moments that were special to me but would seem insignificant to others, I grew as a person, I challenged myself. I was happy.

I feel as if I really LIVED this past year.

I, for the first time in a long time, felt like myself again. Something that two of my closest friends even commented on, saying that they had been waiting for me to go back to my happy, smiling, laughing self. I did and felt/feels really good.

I wish I had my planner so that I could go back and recall everything I did this past year. 

 

I had a great year professionally. I have a boss who empowers me to do my job and makes me feel like a valued member of the team. She recommended me for a provincial committee, green lighted me organizing and hosting a Southwest Regional meeting, and most importantly, took me off contract, made me a permanent employee and entrusted me with a regional position. I've made some valuable contracts in the community, was nominated for two chamber awards, exceeded a fundraising goal by almost $5,000. I took on two major Southwestern Ontario portfolios, one of them being CTV. A highlight of my professional year was definitely working with CTV...including consulting and being very involved with a commercial!

I had the opportunity, in January, to attend a local rally for a cause that I was passionate about and in March, I was invited to Queens Park in Toronto to hear my Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) speak on the issue. 

 

I joined Beta Sigma Phi and found a group of friends that are supportive, fun and offers a variety of social activities; from potlucks to movie nights to touring a chocolate factory!

I've really enjoyed all of my Brock Alumni events; pub social, Sip & Skate, IceDogs game, learn to paddle, Dragon Boating, beer tour, wine tour, Homecoming Weekend, professional development events, bowling, trivia, Christmas party...

I was able to enjoy a vacation to Florida, I learned how to play pickleball and attended several plays (two at the local little theatre, Peter Pan at a larger theatre and The Wizard of Oz in Toronto). I also had the opportunity to attend the National finals for Chartwell's Senior Star competition. I also attended, and was recognized, at an United Way Volunteer Appreciation Night.

 

There were also birthday parties, nights spent with friends, meeting new people, hot chocolate dates, dinner, coffee, shopping, movies, hockey games, Sunday brunch...

Two highlights of my year were:

1. Seeing (and meeting!) David Myles TWICE! It's well documented on this blog what a huge fan I am of his, so getting to see him perform live and meeting him afterwards was pretty amazing. When I saw him the second time, he remembered me from the first time we had met. He's super talented and seems like such a nice guy. 
2. Summering. This was the 4th or 5th summer I spent with Daniel. It was bittersweet...the best summer we spent together and likely the last. He's currently doing his Masters in England and working for an auction house...I think his days of managing an antique storefront in a tourist town over the summer are behind him. We went out for dinner, stayed in and cooked dinner, we prepped for a garden party, attended dinner parties, we had indoor picnics, we kept each other company, we explored the town...we enjoyed each others company, told each other everything, and lived in a television show. I REALLY miss him...but it was the best summer!

2013 was an amazing, amazing year for me. It wasn't a perfect year, there was heartbreak... but overall, it was a fantastic year. I'm sad to say goodbye to 2013 but I look forward to finding out what 2014 has in store for me. 

 

I look forward to filling the 365 page book...I hope it's just as good, if not better, than the last one.

2013: A Year In Review- Blog Edition

It's hard to believe that there are only two days left of 2013 and that we are the brink of starting a new year! I have had so many blog related things happen this past year, from buying my own domain to going on my first blog date aka blate to co-hosting my own swap! It was such a great blogging year for me.

I am not one of those bloggers focused on stats but I do keep track of my stats so that if people ask (and some have), I can tell them. It's crazy how much my blog has grown in the past 12 months!

Every month, it was fun to see what search terms lead people to my blog.

And of course seeing which blog posts were the most popular that month and how they compared to my favourite post from the same month (my favourite post is in brackets).

January: How To Properly Handle Your Baby // (Favourite Thing: These Memories Aren't Gone)

February: An Important Day...Thanks Mom & Dad // (Same post =)
March: Oh So Social: Ravine Vineyard & Brock Alumni // (Dreamy Days & Colourful Nights: An Update)
April: My Blackberry Is Not Working // (Make With Me: Feta & Sundried Tomato Pringles)
May: Project Pinterest: Crockpot Chicken // (Tie between 18 Years...A Letter To My Sister and St Augustine, Florida: The Experience)

June: Update: Life, Bloggers & Giveaways // (Graduation: Sapere Aude)
July: Let It Rain // (That Time I Pumped Gas...)

August: Yours To Discover // (Tie between Dragon Boats: The Experience and Favourite Thing- "The Prairies")

September: Hey! It's Ok- Sept 17 // (Camp/Muskoka Memories)

October: Baby Shower Part I- Theme & Invite // (Life Update: October Happenings)
November: Blogkeeping: Senior Star, I Am Canadian & Cash Giveaway // (First Perceptions)

December: The Night Before Christmas // (Ninja Turtles, Art Supplies & Totally Gross)

2013 was such a great (blog year) for me and I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store!

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Eve & Birthday Wishes

It's hard to believe that Christmas Eve is hear already. The year has gone quickly! It seems like only yesterday, I was getting ready to have breakfast with a my longest (and pregnant) friend, before meeting two of my best friends from high school for lunch, and then heading home to spend some time with my family, visit my grandmother and join a friend and her family for their Christmas Eve celebration. 

Our Christmas Eve traditions have changed as I have aged. I've gone from Christmas Eve visits with Santa to Christmas Eve visits with my dad in his office, where we would toast and reflect on the past year, as well as plan for the coming year; something him and his father did every year and I started doing when my grandfather was no longer able. 

Christmas Day, to me, while filled with family and friends, always seems so hectic and rushed. Christmas Eve seems to be a slower pace, a time to really relax and enjoy the company of others. 

Don't get me wrong, I have a busy day ahead of me; last minute errands with my parents, spending time with my sister, wrapping the last of my gifts, coffee with a friend, welcoming my brother home, visiting my grandma, dinner with my family, celebrating with a friend and her family, home to spend time with family and friends, helping Santa with putting presents under the tree and fill stockings. 

At the end of the day, after the baking and socializing, the music and movies, shopping and wrapping...Christmas is about the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

I remember, as a child, going to Church and having the priest call all the children up to the alter, the only time he did this all year, and he would talk to us about how Christmas was when Jesus was born. He would then lead us to the Nativity Scene- Jesus wasn't placed in the manger until Christmas Eve mass- where we would sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. 

During the hectic times of the holidays, I hope everyone can take a minute or two to remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas...and maybe even sing Happy Birthday.