Body integration

Body integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn't mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?

I have these moments a fair bit. I try to have one at least once a day. But I realized just the other day something more important,  I don't dislike my body anymore. Couldn't say when exactly it happened, although I suspect for a long while now I've been only hating my body out of habit, because that's what you're "supposed" to do.

Thing is, my body is just fine. At the moment it's not as strong as I'd like it to be, as exampled by my back going out, and being sick for the past few weeks. But on the whole, I look good. I'm pretty cute, I dress well, stylishly, ok- except for that one time when I went to the coffee shop in yoga pants, but it was only ONCE, and I realized then that I was really depressed and I snapped the hell out of it. Plus a stinky person sat beside me, my punishment- I guess.

I like my body best when I'm in motion, because I'm strong and I'm efficient and I'm a force to be reckoned with. My goal this coming year is to push my activity level on a daily basis. Walking, then running, then weights. Because I am.... BEEFCAKE!

Things

Things. What are 11 things your life doesn't need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

I'm not sure if I have that many things that need to go? I come from generations strong purgers so I tend to go through my house at least twice a year and get rid of junk. Not to mention I just don't have that much space for anything that isn't streamlined.

One thing I am going to get rid of is my uncomfortable couch, and that will GREATLY improve my life. Everyone needs a comfortable place to sit and read!

And I'll continue getting rid of negativity, negative influence and negative thoughts.

Wisdom.

Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

To be happy. And just be. 

Party!

Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

Well- as some of you may know, I'm a bit of a party animal. I loooooove a party. I love hosting parties, planning them out, being an (notso)innocent bystander at them.

Hard to narrow it down to just one- so let's go top 3 (in no particular order)

1.Pili and Clif's Australian engagement party. We had a delicious dinner on the docks at Wallamalloo, were dressed up all very fancy and having champagne, there were great people, great conversations!

2. My Birthday! My birthday is always the most fun, because I decided a long time ago, that I was always going to plan to do what I wanted to do on my birthday and be selfish! It's the one day you really REALLY can just do what you want and sod anyone else's opinions. I've decided since my 30th I'll be spending every other year in NYC, this year was a Toronto year. And it was great fun, dressing up and wandering the Junction with Gwen and meeting up with Isabel for dinner, having drinks with them and Stu on a Yorkville patio. It was a delicious sunny and warm day.

3. Anything where I can dress up fancy and socialize. It is clear that I must become a socialite because I'm good at it, and I like it!

Beautifully Different

Beautifully different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different - you'll find they're what make you beautiful.

Things that make me different:

• I like to fold things. A lot!
• I name the spiders that live in my bathroom and I don't kill any of the ones that live in my house.
• At restaurants I must organize creamers in bowls on the tables. (well just my table, I don't walk around to ALL the tables- that would be crazy)
• I believe you can have a relationship with a purse and/or a shoe that is just as, if not more, satisfying than a romantic relationship.
• My best boyfriend was my cat Sky.
• I like to watch White Christmas, but usually not at Christmas time, unless I'm spending Christmas alone, and then it's what I do on the day.
• I really like spending Christmas by myself, I just never get to.
• I don't define success by power, money or fame. But by love, health and happiness.
• I think I'm very successful.
• Really, I don't need to be the best at anything. As long as I'm happy- I'm good.

Yup I'm a unique little snowflake, just like all the other snowflakes out there!

Community

Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

Maybe that means that this is an important topic for me? I think in 2010 I reaffirmed my communities. Spending the first 3 months in Australia really reaffirmed for me that Canada, specifically Toronto, is where I need to be in my life and that is where I am happiest. I always rave and rave about this little neigbourhood I live in (probably because it's the best neighbourhood ever!!), but when I'm out and about I get a real sense of connection to the people around me, that we look out for each other. I know my upstairs neighbour really well- I'd definitely ask for sugar if I needed it. In fact, I have! 

Online, I've started using Twitter a bit more, and reading some new blogs which seem to mingle a bit. I "tweeted" to one writer of a blog I admire about her help in something and she replied! I felt very warm and fuzzy. And our recent ex-mayor @iamdavidmiller replied to a tweet and said hello to the ocean for me!! (seriously I loved our old mayor. I would see him in the subway and have to fight the urge to go up and hug him). 

Another blog I read recently posted an article on how to deal with the death of an ex- which is a timely topic, that I have been dealing with and not many people can understand. We had a little chat about it on her website and it was so helpful. 

I have great friends here in Toronto, who I try to see on a regular basis. The only time I really can sometimes feel a bit lonely is Sunday mornings. I think I'd like, in my heart, for that to be family time- where I could meet up with my parents for brunch and talk about the week. But time differences mean I can't call them when I wake up (I've already forgotten about it and called VERY early a few times- yes I am one of THOSE Ontario people now- go me!!!). So my good friend suggested I find a walking group on Sunday mornings? Which I think is a great idea!

Another good friend of mine will be moving to Toronto in the New Year, so my Toronto family is expanding and thus my sense of community. 

I also briefly worked up in the Junction, and got to know a few people there and frequent the shops there more. I'd like to do more of that in 2011. Meet more people- as always. I think the colours of life is in the people we weave into fabric.

Make

Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

I have a few works in progress, some paintings that I do need to finish up.Must tear myself away from the computer.

Things that I DO want to make are more like home organizing projects to enhance the awesomeness of my abode. There is some shelving I want to put in the kitchen which I will make. Possibly some shelving in my nook as well to house my books ( I always seem to have more books than shelves). I want to paint my place a bit and get a new couch and fix up my bed.

So I guess I do need to make time for these things to make my place as fantastic as possible!!