Appreciate

Appreciate. What's the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?

Toronto. Oh heart of my hearts. Home of my homes. City, friend, lover.

I spent the first 3 months out of Toronto living in a different country and culture. One I had thought and dreamed about for years, wanting to go there, to live there, to BE there. And so I went, planning on sussing it out, and then making the move over there and start again another grand adventure. It was all planned out.

Except for one thing I didn't plan on, missing Toronto with every fibre of my being. I composed love letters to it, I mooned over pictures, I cried for it, I counted the days until I could see it again. And when I landed in Toronto at dusk- the sun, glinting off the CN Tower in the distance and my second favourite Feist song (I feel it All) playing in Pearson International, I really did start to cry and had I been alone, I would have fallen on the floor and kissed the ground a la Kevin Costner arriving home to England in Robin Hood- Prince of Thieves. I was home.

What did I do to appreciate Toronto? I left. And I came back, sure in my knowledge that this is the city for me. That it is Love, big L- L.O.V.E. I have going on here. It makes me squeek and sigh every time I see the CN Tower, and brings a smile to my face when I wake up. It makes me wish my arms were 50km long so I could give Toronto the biggest, squishiest, most wonderful hug I could ever give.

Thank you Toronto, you saved me. You made my life worth living again in so many ways. I'm grateful, you and me- we're soul mates. I'll always be on your side telling the world how great you are. Many might not believe me (they're probably from the west coast anyway...) but we know, that you and I share something special.

This is me expressing my gratitude at the best city in the world.  XOTO

Action

Action. When it comes to aspirations, its not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen. What's your next step?

Eeep, to get a job. To really actually GET A JOB. To be ruthless in selling myself and my abilities. To get out there, put myself out there in the face of the world and suffer rejection and possible humiliation, to make cold calls and shmooze with people.

Pretty spooky, but I can do it. I WILL DO IT.

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!