prolific

*deep sigh*

here we are. at the end of yet another year. and what a year it was. i don't know about you, but this year stretched me, molded me, challenged me, grew me. and i loved it. i had my fair share of tears and frustration. but i had more laughs and contentment. i decided early in the year to play life like a game of pick-up sticks instead of a game of dominoes. to stop waiting for everything to line up perfectly, and instead to just run with it. i would have to say, i've felt more alive this year than i ever have before.

• in JANUARY, i joined the bored at next (which has been surprisingly enjoyable and challenging. it's been cool because i learned things about myself and life i wouldn't have otherwise).
• in FEBRUARY, i got my ipod. i also had the pleasure of being present at my lovely nephew's birth.
• in MARCH, i donated blood for the very first time with a & s. i went to my first sunrise easter service (i'd never seen the sunrise before). i got stranded in the arctic for two days on my way to visit beckie on two weeks vacation on baffin island.
• in APRIL, i got stranded three days in the arctic on my way home from visiting beckie (and did a lot of cool things up north). i took a stain-glass class. mayelin got a new job so i was left with no friends at work. i went to melody's wedding. got my first manicure.
• in MAY, i went to montreal for the first time. i planted my sophomore garden. got a dvd player. went square dancing for the first time (since i was a kid).
• in JUNE, i got a new computer at work. i bought my first bikini. went strawberry picking and did some tie-dying for the first time. and i got my new car (the mojomobile). i also went to parrot bay conservation area for the first time. took shannon to skeleton park music festival and shared a box of donuts.
• in JULY, i got four more dental cavities filled. i started using my diva cup. went camping with the girls. got a new lady doctor and gave up caffeine.
• in AUGUST, i took a week's vacation to chill at home. went to beck's cottage. got a carpooler. learned to crochet. i fasted for the first time and have done repeatedly since then (sidenote: it was a great experience, one i suggest). enjoyed wolfe island music fest with beck & shan.
• in SEPTEMBER, i started going to the stitchn'bitch group at made4you with tracy. went biking on wolfe island with shan, we also went to the demonilion derby and go-karting. i played golf for the very first time.
• in OCTOBER, i went to cirque du soleil. went to TO for a indesign seminar and stayed with david, took the GO for the first time and went up the CN tower with kate. dueled a corn maze with andrew, shannon and chelsea. took a hike at frontenac park with carpooler paul.
• in NOVEMBER, i had my first pedicure. i got a tattoo. went to a casino for the first time. rejoined the YMCA. i sat naked in a sauna for the first (of many) times. started taking a yoga class. played squash with bren.
• in DECEMBER, i got an awesome new drafting stool for my cube. we put together the super-secret special edition of hatch for bren's 40th. paper mached a lovely fish.

i did and experienced many more things not mentioned above (and sometimes not on pspd at all). i've cultivated good friendships. while having to let others go into sleep mode. i've learned about patience and resilience, forgiveness and acceptance. i've discovered things about myself – both good and not so good. i've taken bold steps forward, and probably some backwards too. i've been surprised at ever turn, and enjoyed the mystery of it all.

i love my new year's eve entries. they are my favourite of the year. i feel hopeful and encouraged, and have you all (and many others) to thank for making this year (and the next one) great. i hope you experience satisfaction on your end of things as well [u]

when you look at me do you see someone with a future?