Reflecting on 2011.

I just wanted something simple. Here is somewhere simple for me, so I'm back.

Thinking back on 2011, I got a little sad. I read blogs, compared myself to other people's accomplishments and milestones met. I felt like what I had "done" over the past year didn't match up to what everyone else had done.

But that doesn't matter. It never should and I really need to remember that. If I keep living my life in the shadows, on the heels of someone else, I'll never really be living life. One of my greatest fears is to look back and realize that I barely did anything of the things I hoped to do in my life. It's a short life but there is lots of time for me to start accomplishing my goals, no matter how large or infinitely small they are.

My inspiration words for 2012 are: fun & positivity. There will be many other things I'll focus on in the upcoming year but I want to try to incorporate a bit of fun, positivity, love, etc. into every day, if I can. I may not succeed but my intentions and attempts are already small victories themselves.

So after comparing my 2011 and getting sad, I decided (with the help of Lain) to turn my thoughts around and really think about what I/we did and accomplished.

1. Lain proposed! August 19, 2011. This tops the list, of course. :)

2. We took our first "big" trip together to B.C. - this is where number one on the list happened, as well! So many great memories tied together. This was also my first long flight, first time really seeing the mountains, first time seeing (BIG) wildlife in their natural habitat, etc. We both can't wait to go back!

3. Went to NYC! A dream of mine since I was small. It was wonderfully amazing and we're booking our next trip for June 2012. A little NYC every year? I think I could handle that!

4. Paid off my OSAP loans!!! Paying this off warranted a happy dance and some squealing. Obviously, it's great that OSAP was "there" to help fund me through my three years of college but it's the biggest relief to have it paid off. My paycheck now goes to me/bills/savings, etc. and not to them. The feeling can't be matched.

5. Celebrated one year at my job. Wow. I can still remember, sitting at home, writing for my internship in April 2010. I was working at a call centre that I hated and was wondering what the hell I was going to do with my journalism diploma; the job market wasn't looking too promising. By chance, a friend was offered my position and turned it down, then offering the opportunity to me. I will be forever grateful to her! This past year (and a half now!) has been scary, exciting, thrilling, exhausting, frustrating, challenging, maddening (heh), happy, motivating and so much more. I've learned and grown so much, met amazing people and accomplished things I never ever thought I could do.

6. Celebrated 5-years with Lain! <3 We didn't do anything grandiose to celebrate the actual day but B.C./the proposal and all of the other random hotel/dinner trips we had over the year made up for it, and some!

7.Was able to meet the local Mayor(s), Prime Minister of Canada and U.S. Consul General, and many large companies, through work. This may not seem like much but it is to me. I'm just so thankful for the opportunities I've had through my job and the new connections and relationships.

8. Published six issues of a magazine. This is one of my main duties at work and directly correlates with what I studied in college. I love writing, editing and magazine layout so this has been (frustrating as hell, at times) a really fun part of my job. When the boxes arrive with the new issue, my heart beats a bit faster and my palms get sweaty. Leafing through the pages of articles, pictures, news and tips, that I was responsible for.. it's a good feeling to see it all in print.

9. Cut off 14 inches of my hair to donate. Granted, I haven't actually mailed this off yet; maybe I'm experiencing some pre-separation anxiety? This is at the top of my list for 2012.

10. Focused more free time on re-establishing and nurturing relationships. As much as I love Lain and our time together, we all need our time alone or with friends. I've really tried to re-connect with girlfriends over the past year. They've helped me so much. It's been an amazing year of talking, encouragement, dancing, planning, supporting, laughing, crying and celebrating.

11. Participated in one of my oldest friend's weddings. It was an amazing day and I can't believe that I can say I've had a friend for 22 years. A few. I'm really lucky.

12. Celebrated my 28th birthday and many other family and friend's special days. Spent time at the cottage and in NYC with my amazing aunts & cousins. Explored the mountains with my love. Laughed with my nanny over random things. Spent time with my mom, dad, my brother, step-mom, step-dad.. I could go on. Basically, I was able to spend a lot of time with the people I love and that is a great accomplishment, in itself.

2012.. let's see what you have in store for us!

New blog!

If you couldn't tell, I'm not blogging here anymore!

Ch-ch-check out my new blog -- http://www.owlandthepeacock.rachieann.com

We've got something .."cooking" for this little blog, that I've neglected for so long. Along with others, I was really inspired by the movie, "Julie & Julia." I was inspired by it's sweetness, its joy of love, life and cooking and the message was clear to me: "Do what you love and love what you do."

I claim to like doing all kinds of things. Blogging, taking pictures, spending time going on adventures with Lain and a million other things. It's true, I love doing these things.. but I don't do them anymore. It's kind of sad, really. It hit me that I'll be turning 30 in less than five years and I panicked.

I've been a slow, late bloomer and I'm okay with that. I'm alright with being who I am, I just want to be a better version of myself. I know "she's" in there, somewhere and I'm slowly trying to dig the person I really want to be, really crave to be, out from the darkest depths and let her live.

Let myself live.

I'm really excited about 2010 and that's something new for me. I don't usually get excited about having to face scary tasks like graduating college, getting a drivers license, paying back loans, saving for a house.. so many others, but I am. I'm excited that I'm finally ready to be an adult and have a life as well. I've let myself get old and lazy but I want to be young and sassy. And confident.

And gosh darn it, I will be all of those things.

After some persuading on my part, but not a ton because I have a dreamy boyfriend, Lain agreed to work on a (for now) secret project with me. I'm just in the stages of jotting down ideas, thinking back to what I've learned in school so far and what I need to improve upon to succeed in our little adventure.

I feel like 2010 is a whole new chapter for me, for us. It's going to be scary as hell at some points and there'll be others where I'll weep with joy. I'm ready for it all.

Simple beauty.

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous." Aristotle

Spring has sprung

I adore tulips. I might even say they're my favorite flower. Along with orchids, lillies, violets and daffodils. Since the beginning of our relationship, L has brought me home flowers from the store, only once. The first valentine's day we spent together, if I remember correctly. (You'd think for the ONE time it happened, I could remember when it was.. no wonder I never get them anymore) It was my first time receiving flowers from a boy (oo, shame shame) so I was thrilled. 

To be honest, both L and I don't see the point in buying flowers from a store. We both like to garden (him even more than I, but I think that'll change once we have our own place) and I'm all about being natural and saving money, so growing our own beauties is even better. 

This spring/summer we're growing a few different flowers, some herbs and spices & veggies - cucumbers and tomatoes and possibly snow peas. I can't wait because homegrown vegetables always taste that much better. 

These pictures were taken at our local botanical gardens, but wouldn't it be nice to have them in your own backyard? I think so.

What is your favorite flower? Do you have a garden or plan to have one in the future?

Just the way we like it.

L's been working a different shift this week (3-11 p.m.) and frankly, I'm loving it. Since I haven't gotten a job for the summer yet, it's quite boring being at home all day on my own. This week has consisted of us sleeping in, showering together, making each other breakfast/lunch, running errands, me watching t.v. curled up on L's lap, lots of hugs and kisses, silly new nicknames and today, we had greasy pizza from our neighbourhood 'za joint. L suggested we go eat by the lake, so that we did. It was a bit chilly today, so we sat in the car and talked while we ate. I took pictures of course, because the tourist in me is always taking over. 

I love me some 'za, what can I say? Other than the fact that I look freaky because I'm SO excited about eating. Get used to it.

L approves of this pizza. This is him being silly, so I was happy that he "got into" picture time instead of scowling. Not that he ever does. Never-ever. 

After our pizza date by the lake (ooh la la, sounds fancy) we headed home and hung out until it was time for L to head to work. I'm pathetic and maybe a little obsessed with him, so it took some force to pry me off. I almost wouldn't let him leave, but then I had to tell myself that we'll never get a house of our own, if ONE of us doesn't work and so I loosened my grip a little. 

Now, only three and a half hours until he gets home. I said I was maybe obsessed, okay?

It was a good day and tomorrow, I hope, will be the same. We're planning on getting up earlier than we have been & heading out to the RBG to explore some of the trails. I'll have my camera to document every move we make. Literally. 

Before I end this, I'll leave you with some pictures I took this afternoon, only a few steps from our front door. Life is sweet.

$$

I had no idea that you could "earn" money on Blogger, by having ads put on your page. Sorry if this bothers anyone, but really, I'm a broke student without a summer job and I'm ALWAYS looking for ways to make money.

Let's see how this goes!