29

Today is my 29th birthday. It's the first time in 9 years that I've been single on my birthday. (An aside: I realize I need to stop noting all the "firsts" since my break up. It's getting tired. Plus there are so many other firsts that are great to think about. First dates, first kisses...umm, hello! Exciting! I realize this and will get on it soon!) I say this as a fact and not a "please feel sorry me" comment.

I went to bed wondering how I would feel getting up this morning and opening presents from my parents by myself. In reality, it hasn't been that different than any other year. Perhaps even less lonely. Instead of feeling alone knowing that my boyfriend is out there doing something different or leaving me feeling empty and somehow dissatisfied, I'm making my day what I want it to be. I'm enjoying hearing from people that I know care about me. I'm enjoying a relaxing morning at home before going for High Tea with a group I like to refer to as The Ultimate Ladies (ladies that I play Ultimate with...but really, we're the ultimate ladies as well).

I've had several Facebook messages from people so far today. I noticed that two of the first birthday wishes came from ex-boyfriends. Rather short-lived relationships, but boyfriends none the less. If I'm really going to be honest, they were both rebound relationships. But I find it interesting that they're two of the first people to wish me a happy birthday.

I've always said that I've had a thing for jerks. It's always "Just one more asshole and then I'll be ready for a nice guy." But really, nice guys just don't do it for me. I like a little zing in my men. So these guys that made the effort to wish me well on my birthday, are they actually nice guys?

This has me thinking, maybe I don't just go for assholes. Maybe I just seem to date men that aren't quite right for me. And of course, they all won't be quite right until you meet the one that is. The whole point of dating is to meet people and to try and figure out if they are the right match for you.

So maybe I don't just have to date jerks. Maybe there are guys out there that have some "zing" to them and are nice guys too. I guess as I age, or become wiser as the aged like to say, I'll learn to sift through them a bit better and select more suitable men.

So here's to becoming more wise and to finding a suitable, zingy man.

The Wishbone

Here is a birthday card that I made for my good friend L. While cleaning up from Christmas dinner, I carefully cleaned off the wishbone and packed it away to take back home. I had it drying on top of my fridge for the last month, knowing that I would have a special time to use it.

This week while I was trying to think of a good card idea for L's birthday I realized this was the special occasion I had been waiting for.

Some time last year L came over after work one day for a cup of tea and a game of Scrabble. As usual Mittens enjoyed this tea/game sessions because it meant there were two laps that didn't move for a solid 30-45 minutes. (Read: 30-45 minutes of uninterrupted cuddle time.)

On this particular day, Mittens was interested in sitting on L's lap. After much purring, kneading and drooling Mittens wouldn't settle down. She seemed very intent on nuzzling into the pocket of L's hoodie. It was as though L had something more to offer Mittens than just a lap.

Eventually L stopped and said "Oh this is embarrassing, but I think I know why she's doing this." L reached into the pocket of her hoodie and pulled out a wishbone wrapped in plastic wrap. She'd saved it from the home where she nannies and was taking it home to save it for a special wish.

Now not every friend of mine would be so dedicated on such traditions that they would carry a wishbone around in their pocket. So when it came time to make her a birthday card and I saw the dried wishbone, I thought "L needs to have this". I was able to make the card so that the bone can be removed. So not only does the card wish her a happy birthday, but it also allows her to make a wish of her own.

The Tart That Almost Made Me Move

I had my big cousin B over for Sunday dinner this past weekend. We both were functioning on very little sleep. For me, it was the day after a going away party for a friend. For her, it was the day of the annual Bacci Sale (imagine lining up at 4:00 a.m. for a sale on clothing and housewares).

I decided to make this Carrot Cumin Tart from the Williams-Sonoma Cookbook. It had potential to be a weird carroty pie. It wasn't. Instead it was the perfect combination of cheese, egg, carrot and spice, in a perfect tart formation.

As we sat around chatting and cooking in my tiny kitchen the subject of our living conditions came up. I had been browsing Craigslist for the last little while in hopes of coming across the perfect one bedroom apartment. Funny, I never found it. However, B had come across the most gorgeous house. Newly renovated. High ceilings. Fresh white paint. Front loading washer and dryer. And the kitchen. I can't even begin to describe the beauty of the kitchen. And with that, we were off on a dream of living in this house together.

The next day was when I really started thinking about it. There are times when I'm unhappy in my current place. It has a horribly ugly, brown bathroom. And a horribly ugly, brown kitchen. The floor squeaks. The walls are thin. It's messy and disorganized. But I started to notice all the things I do in a day that wouldn't be acceptable as a roommate. The amount of noise I make in the morning. The dishes I leave in the sink. The coffee cup that gets left in the bathroom after I've done my make up. The ultimate cleats left out to dry by the door. The books piled up everywhere.

I realized how much I love living on my own. And how much I've appreciated it since moving out from living with S. Sure he complained about living with me, and his complaints were most likely unreasonable and a sign of other problems between us. But part of me getting back on my feet and figuring myself out, has been aided by me living on my own.

Despite the thought of creating that Carrot Cumin Tart in the most beautiful kitchen I've seen, I feel like I need to continue on the path that I'm on. Adding in moving, a longer commute, and adjustment to roommates is not going to make this journey any smoother. It's time to calm down and focus on what I've already got. My time will come for the huge, amazing kitchen.

Until then, I'm calling in the troops. Mom will be coming for a visit soon. We'll paint my place and get organized. Can't wait! Maybe I'll make the Carrot Cumin Tart when she's here and it will become the Tart That Helped Me Get Organized And Settled.

Loving the Internet

Today was one of those great internet days. A day when all things that made my day great happened on the internet.

I started this morning with a great video posted on Lainey Gossip of a crazy, Italian reporter grabbing David Beckham's balls. She donned a pair of marigold gloves, approached him during a media scrum, and grabbed his balls. This video was responsible for my crazy hair today. Time I'd usually spend on my hair, was spent watching this in disbelief.

I also entered a Twitter contest from London Drugs and won a t-shirt. This is only a little over a month after I won a bag of coffee from them. There's something so exciting when you win a contest, no matter what the prize is.

I came across this slide show on GQ.com on scary Facebook friends. For each stereo type I can pick a friend of mine that fits. I'm sure I'm guilty of a few of them myself.

The conclusion to the Noon News Extra's Slap Chop test came out today. Yesterday I watched Squire Barnes test out the Slap Chop with very little success. Yesterday's clip was long, but quite hilarious to see how much of an epic fail the device was. It's only at about the ten minute mark that they realize a piece is missing. Today's clip had the missing piece installed, yet didn't offer any better results.

The final find of the day was a song. Or rather a lip sync video of a Gypsy Kings song. Growing up with an unusual name, I was always obsessed with finding things with my name on it. I still am. Here's a song with my name in it. I don't actually know what they're saying, but the lip sync video says a lot just through the costume and subtle eye contact. You're going to be jealous that they're not addressing you. Please don't hate me for this.

You Gotta Be Here

Over the holidays I met one of my parents' neighbours. She, her husband, two small boys around 4 and 6, and a one-year old baby moved from Holland to Campbell River a year ago. Apparently they had visited the area, really liked it and then just decided to move.

At the time I couldn't imagine having that much adventure and courage to up and move countries, with a young family, all because you "liked" a place.

I came across this video on Twitter twice today. I think it gave me a bit of insight into how one could fall in love with this part of the world. The last time I watched it I thought to myself "Wow, I want to up and move there." Lucky for me, I'm already here.

One And A Half Weeks

It only took one and a half weeks of regular routine in the new year for me to feel exhausted. Last week was manageable. I felt relaxed and refreshed after two weeks off and a fresh start at it all. New semester, new year, new schedule, new outlook.

I had plans to go snowshoeing on Saturday, but instead I spent the majority of the weekend sick on the couch. Some sort of stomach something or other...I won't go into details. This meant that I was quite rested by the time Monday rolled around. I had missed out on socializing and exercising, but that's life sometimes.

This week has turned out to be rather stressful. Work has been busy and there are demands being made of me for things that I have no control over. There have been some other career related events that have also been stressful.

On the flip side, there have been positive and exciting things going on as well. I got back in touch with an old acquaintance from my home town. We Facebook chatted a few times over the weekend and talked on the phone last night. We've made some tentative plans to go for dinner in the next week.

I also went to my first Quiz Night at the Cascade Room. Very fun times. I almost canceled because I was still feeling a little unwell, but I persevered, drank my ginger ale, and answered one or two of the 60 questions right. I'm not sure what my team would have done without me.

Tonight I was supposed to go for dinner with my cousin and a friend of hers for the Long Table Series at the Irish Heather. I went last month for the Lamb Stew and it was delicious. I was really looking forward to trying the Roast Suckling Pig with with Apple-Rosemary Sauce. However, part way through the day the stomach ache came back, as did a headache. I decided to take this Wednesday as my TRUEsday. I canceled my part of the reservation and came home.

I feel like in the last week I've canceled too many plans. I look at my calendar and see that I have two evenings in the next two weeks that are free. I've started to panic about being so busy. I thought I had made changes in my lifestyle that wouldn't let this happen. I want to see my friends and meet new people. I want to go do active things, take classes, learn and create. But sometimes I feel like I just can't do it all.

I'm taking this as a challenge. I know I'll handle all of the stress and will experience less anxiety if I'm well rested. I will be in bed by 10:00 and I'll drink only one cup of coffee a day. (Already, I'm off to a bad start...it's 10:01). I'll exercise and eat well, but won't let it get to me if I have to let that slip a little in order to cope. I'll book evenings that are just for me and I'll consider them as big of a commitment as if others were involved. And I'll say no if I need to. I'll reassure myself that it will all be okay. One way or another, it always is.

And now it's time to get started on this challenge. It's time to end this disjointed, rambling blog post and go to bed! 10:06 isn't bad for a first attempt at this new goal, is it?!

Lists, Japa Dogs and Ravishing Beasts

I love making lists. There is something so satisfying about checking items off and seeing all that you've accomplished.

Over the Christmas holidays I checked several things off my lists. I had made a list of fun things to do over my two week Christmas vacation. A few of the things included skating at Robson Square (You'll notice it was the perfect occasion to sport my red Olympic mitts) and eating my first Japa Dog. Mmm...Japa Dog, so good!



I had also heard great things about the Ravishing Beasts exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver. I figured anything that was described as "the strangely alluring world of taxidermy" was something worth an afternoon of my time. I headed out on a Wednesday afternoon to discover the animals that were waiting.

The exhibit explored the world of taxidermy from a cultural and design perspective, as well as a scientific and environmental conservation perspective. The part I enjoyed wasn't so much the educational information presented, but rather immersing myself amongst all these animals that seemed to stare right back at me. The huge moose, "Lucky" the dog, the albino skunk. All of their eyes followed me throughout the exhibit. Around each corner there was a new set of eyes.

Here are a few of the sets. It's on until the end of February and I would highly recommend checking it out if you can.

My First Meme

I've seen this on some other blogs and thought it would be fun to do. I realize I should have probably done it a week earlier, but hey, I like to be different...

2009 was an eventful year. I have a good feeling about 2010.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Started a blog!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I never make resolutions. I would just break them. And then feel guilty. I was raised Catholic, I don't need any more guilt.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope.

5. What countries did you visit?
The United States of America.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
I would like to say for someone to fall in love with me, but I only want that when the time is right.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 27 and August 1. The date S and I decided to break up and the date of my first date with P.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Realizing that I had enough self-respect to get myself out of a bad relationship.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Letting my BBQ rust.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing more than the odd attack of vertigo, anxiety and a broken heart.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
This one's easy...my iPhone!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
All my lady friends. Their support was immense and I celebrate it often.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
S.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Getting settled in a new apartment and eating out. Human contact was what kept me going. Human contact usually meant eating and drinking.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Realizing that someone could actually want to spend time with me. And getting an iPhone.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
It's a tie between "I Gotta Feeling: by The Black Eyed Peas and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" by Beyonce. And "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier.
b) thinner or fatter? hmm...about the same? definitely healthier.
c) richer or poorer? poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sleeping.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Crying and being angry.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my family - Mom, Dad, Brother, Grandma, dog and cats.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Whoa...big question. Sometimes I feel like I don't even know what it means to love. But yes, I think I did.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Glee!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Unfortunately, yes.

24. What was the best book you read?
The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work. Didn't seem to work, but I still learned a lot.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Lady Gaga.

26. What did you want and get?
An iPhone.

27. What did you want and not get?
A tropical, exotic vacation.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I can't pick just one. "500 Days of Summer" and "He's Just Not That Into You."

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Dinner at WaaZuBee with friends. I was 28.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
At the time, I wanted a diamond ring. Now, I know that would have led to a lifetime of dissatisfaction.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
J. Crew with a bit of sass.

32. What kept you sane?
My amazing girlfriends, Z's sangria, and Ultimate.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hugh Jackman. He's dreamy.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Obama taking office.

35. Who did you miss?
My best friend. I think he was gone a long time ago though.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
V. (a great, supportive and funny new friend) and P. (despite things not working out between us, he was able to give me so much...confidence, a sense of humour, hope...and help with calculus!)

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
The hardest things in life are the ones that make you a better, stronger person.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"I gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night."

If You Don't Know Me By Now

One of the great things about being single, is that I can still hold out hope for finding someone like this. Someone that will have a glass of wine ready for me as I walk in the door. Someone who is so relaxed he's able to lounge in all white linen. Someone who owns a trendy, spacious loft.

He's out there. I know it.



And if you don't know me by now, I'm totally joking. This made me so uncomfortable that I could barely watch the whole thing.

Happy Cousin Weekend

My dad has two brothers and one sister. Each one of them had one girl and one boy. That means I have three girl cousins on my dad's side and none of us have any sisters.

This weekend I spent it with all three of my Campbell girl cousins. It was the first time that we had ever hung out just the four of us or as adults. When I suggested that we all get together I wasn't sure that it would actually happen or what it would be like. To be honest, the day before the two from out of town arrived, I became anxious that it might be awkward. I wasn't sure if we would have anything to talk about or anything in common. As usual, my anxieties were unnecessary.

I had a wonderful weekend. The two youngest arrived from Victoria Saturday afternoon. We went over to our big cousin's house and made dinner. We made a delicious Mushroom, Radicchio and Smoked Mozzarella Lasagne from the Gourmet Cookbook. The mushrooms and radicchio created a rich meaty texture. The smoked mozzarella was key to the flavour of this dish. We also had a green salad and baked chicken. For dessert I made a baked pear dish with a custard topping. We agreed that we had done a good job cooking, but that we still couldn't fill our mothers' shoes as chefs.

During dinner, I became "that person" who was analyzing each of the ingredients and what role they played in the dish. After a mouthful I'd interrupt the conversation to ask about the salad dressing. A few mouthfuls later, I'd want to discuss the spice rub on the chicken. A few mouthfuls after that, I wanted to know if people thought the dish would be as good with all plain mozzarella (the answer was no).

Today we spent the day around town, going for coffee, ice skating at the GE Plaza at Robson Square, having a famous Japadog and visiting a few stores. We shared family stories and talked about our grandparents. We talked about laughing, whales and Twitter.

It was a great weekend of getting to know each other better and reconnecting with family. I can't help but sit here this evening and remember conversations I had with Grannie and wonder what she would have had to say about our get together this weekend. I think she would have shared a few laughs with us.

It definitely was a happy cousin weekend.

Top Nine Quotes from 2009

It's 2010!! I felt such a huge sense of relief as the clock struck midnight last night. 2009 was finally over. In one sense, I feel 2009 was a horrible, no good, very bad year. In another way, I feel like despite its struggles, it was a great year. I made some huge changes and am a stronger person in a better place.

Over the past few months I've been making note of my favorite things that people have said. Most are from people I actually know. There is only one from television, which is pretty amazing considering all of the great lines in Glee. Sue Sylvester could have had her own list.

I was really hoping from one last brilliant quote from last night, but unfortunately I can't remember one. There was some conversation with the server about how my iPhone is like my new boyfriend. He mentioned something about it vibrating. I think it's best left off the list.

So here it is, in no particular order, my top nine quotes from 2009.

1. "The guys at hockey love it when I do this. I don't know why you don't." You don't want to know what he was doing.
   
   
2. "I'd like to audition for the role of kicker." Oh Glee...you make my Wednesdays.
   
   
3. Me: "Dad, do people ever ask you if you're related to Gordon Campbell?"
   Dad: "Yes, we have the same generic, store bought face."
   
   
4. This one may not be from 2009, but worth including anyway...in reference to choosing Ms. Vickies' Black Pepper and Lime chips: "I feel like the black pecker and lime."
   
   
5. "These are my break up boots. I could have bought a car with the money I spent on them."
   
   
6. "Ugh, my printer is being such a boy. So unstable!!"
   
   
7. "Something terrible happened last night. I couldn't finish my popcorn!"
   
   
8. "He wears a locket that tells him stories" She was referring to an iPod.
   
   
9. After 45 minutes of hearing about the guy that parks his car next to hers, and how his wife had cancer, and the neighbour was always there helping and when the wife died the kids had to ask the neighbour to leave, but then at the funeral he came up to her and said he had to tell her something. For the last six months he and the neighbour had been having an affair, and that they were getting married. But then they wanted to get a divorce and the priest wouldn't give them an annulment so then they switched to the Lutheran church. Near the end of the story, she said, "So to make a long story short..."

Happy New Years! Here's to much health, happiness, love and laughter in the coming year.