Still, pretty good year.

It's new year's eve eve.

I have two new year's songs that I like to listen while an old year closes and a new one begins.








I'm going to spend my New Year's Eve getting a pedicure, having dinner at a soul food restaurant I've been wanting to try, and then heading to Lee's Palace to see the always-fun Elliott Brood.  I was disappointed that they didn't play Lee's last year, but I'm glad they are back this year.

I'm looking forward to saying good-bye to 2013.  It's been a roller-coaster of a year.  I can count lots of things that have gone wrong, or that have brought me stress and sadness, but it's probably best to focus on the good, right?

I spent most of the year exercising lots and eating healthy.  I feel strong, and I'm probably in the best physical shape of my life.  I can run faster than I've ever been able to.  I have muscle definition that I've never seen before.  I want to keep working out and eating healthy with the same consistency in 2014, and I'm going to run a half-marathon next year.  (I'm going to register on New Year's Day.)

I started 2013 in Washington DC, which was a super fun trip.  Who knew how much I'd love that city?  The other trip I took in 2013 was to Kenya, of course, which is one of the best things I've ever done in my life.  I got to finally go to Africa, and got to immerse myself in the rural Maasai Mara.  I learned so much about humanity, love, and compassion on the trip, and I'm a better person for it.

Work was pretty good overall.  I always love my classes, and as always, being involved heavily in extra-curricular activities has brought me lots of joy.  I love getting to know students a little bit outside the classroom, where I get to know more about their lives, and it's fun when they get to know me better too.  Like my love of Lorde, and dislike of Walmart, which raises the question "Miss, would you go to Walmart if Lorde was there?"  Answer: I don't know.

2013 allowed me to work a lot for charitable causes, not only in Kenya, but in other places in the world and in my own community.  My friends were kind enough to sponsor me when I ran the Sporting Life 10K, and I raised more than enough to send a kid with cancer to camp for a week.   I was able to help Filipino staff and students raise an amazing amount of money for typhoon relief, and I felt very proud of this effort.  And of course, I continued to support other causes dear to my heart like the Daily Bread Food Bank, the Toronto Humane Society, and my sponsored child in the Philippines.

Even though work and a healthy lifestyle keep me busy, I'm glad that I can keep up with all of the long-lasting close friendships that I've cultivated in my life.  I'm glad that I've spent hours having dinner, drinks, going to shows, skyping, texting, visiting, and emailing all of the wonderful people in my life.  Having great friends makes all of the difference in life.

My mom's health has improved a lot since her fall and surgery in September.  She seemed quite strong while I was there over the holidays, so even though her health was a source of stress for me in 2013, I'm glad that it's turned around after some hard times.

Finally, I've been able to keep up with the things I love like reading and finding new bands and going to shows.  I only (giant eyeroll) went to twenty concerts this year (down from 29 in 2012) but I saw some great stuff.  Probably the high light was Field Trip, Arts & Crafts' 10th anniversary festival, that was comprised of my favourite artists like Broken Social Scene, Feist, Stars, Dan Mangan, and Hayden.  It's fitting that I'm closing out 2013, with a show, and I'm excited that I already have my first concert tickets for 2014 (Blue Rodeo at Massey Hall with my dear friend Elisa).

So, despite any heartache, sadness, and bullshit... still, pretty good year.

I wish all of you the best in 2014 and thanks so much for reading my silly little blog, commenting, and supporting me whoever you all may be.  :)