2010

Alrighty… so today is New Year's Eve. Radio stations are counting down the chart-toppers of 2010, blogs are reviewing their favourite posts of the year and everyone else is making lists of their New Year's resolutions— lose weight, stop smoking, get out of debt.  So, I guess it's an appropriate time for me to look back on this year.

I faced some challenges this year, to be sure… and although they were pretty unpleasant at the time (and when I relive them in my head), I think that those obstacles and difficulties have definitely helped me to learn a lot about myself.

I have also been so blessed to have had some amazing experiences this year!

For example, I was able to explore 5 different countries! In January, I visited Shona in Swansea, Wales and my friends Gail and Little in Milton Keynes. In February, I made a return trip to Wales and in May, I went to Paris to see my Mom and Dad! In June, I made a trip to Chatsworth House (home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire), visited Warwick Castle and took a fabulous road-trip through Devon. In July and August, I visited London, Bath, Birmingham, Bangor, York, Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Highlands with Meg, Jay and Mel AND I went on a tour of Ireland with Aussie.

Also, I read a heck of a lot of books (especially when I was in England), including Affluenza, Peter Pan, Anne of Green Gables, the whole of the Chronicles of Narnia, 'The Mitford Girls'… the list goes on.

I was also on BBC Radio 1 twice (here and here), took tap-dancing classes, attended a weekly quiz, joined the University of Birmingham Choir, volunteered at the local Oxfam, became part of a lovely church family at Oasis (including a wonderful small group). I fell in love with a host of UK bands, including Stornoway (whom I later saw in concert in Toronto). I even tried eHarmony… without success.

When I returned home to Canada, I reunited with friends! I found myself a job and then I found myself a different job! I visited my cousins in Ottawa, rediscovered the CBC, enjoyed 3 parades, and donned a moustache for Movember! I joined a running clinic and ran my first 5k race and I attended the One of A Kind Show in Toronto. I even decided to sponsor a child with WorldVision.

It has been quite a year. I finished it off in style— with my family.

On Christmas Eve, Mom, Dad, Jordan and I went down to the Kitchener/Waterloo area to do the Christmas thing with my Mom's side of the family. It is always great to see my aunts and uncles and my cousins and there is always good food. But this year, there were 3 babies to play with! This year, we had a 7 month old little girl, a 1.5 year old cutie ginger boy and an adorable (and rambunctious) 3-year-old. There were also two puppies in attendance— I didn't know what to play with first!

Christmas day— after we unwrapped gifts— we headed up to the Ottawa Valley to do Christmas with my Dad's side. Boxing Day was the big celebration. After church, we headed to my Aunt Karen's house, where I hung out all day with my cousins. I really have missed them! They are all so much fun! I really do thank God for giving me so many awesome people in my family.

Although I do have quite a few things I want to accomplish in 2011 floating around in my head at the moment, I think the only 'resolution' I want to make is to post more on this here blog!

Happy New Year!