29hearts

Life has been eventful. I finally moved out on my own to a loft downtown. Living by myself has been quite nice but it is almost too quiet. There is nothing to distract myself from my thoughts. With the extra time and silence, it feels almost unsettling but I think it is probably a sign for me to try out new things. I’ve been going to the gym regularly, taking the time to curl my hair, putting on some make up – little things that will make me feel better about myself.

I’ve been realizing my independence this last month. I’ve done a number of things around the house – installed a new towel bar, a hanging dish rack (had to research drywall anchors.. I didn’t even know what it was until recently).. I even installed a new shower head! It really feels great that I can do these things on my own. Ironically though, I still require some help with opening up a bottle of barbecue sauce.. but maybe I’ll be able to do that myself too one day.

I also knocked down another course for my degree. Completion still seems far away but I at least I am one step closer. Its hard to work full-time and do a degree program, but I am not in a big rush. I know I will eventually get it. 

The weather in YEG has been incredibly moody lately. Just when we thought spring was here, it begins to rain, snow, and storm. Having lived here all my life, you'd think I'd be used to it by now, but I'm really not. 

In light of this rain, I also realized that I have never owned a pair of rain boots before. The last thing I want this year is to have to walk around with soggy shoes so I went and got myself my first pair!

I celebrated my 22nd birthday this past Saturday. I've always organized a big dinner with all my friends but this year I wasn't feeling up to it. Does anyone else feel like not celebrating as they get older? I used to get super excited when my birthday comes around but this year I just felt content with the idea of staying home.

It's really funny how my not wanting to do anything turned into many things. On Wednesday, M took me out for a birthday date at Famoso's Neapolitan Pizza. 

On Friday, T, K and L took me out to the Cactus Club Café for my birthday. We shared many laughs, delicious food and drinks. Unfortunately, not many pictures were taken that night. 

I didn't want any gifts this year but they surprised me with the Michael Kors Selma Messenger, which I adore.

  On Saturday, S took me out for dinner at Joey's. The food was delicious, I ordered the Ahi Tuna Club and some crispy mashed potatoes and we both split a Chocolate Soufleé afterwards. It was the first time I had tried Ahi Tuna and I'm in love.

I am incredibly blessed to have such great friends. My other friends called me and sang me happy birthday, which made me smile from ear to ear while tearing up at the same time. I am so grateful!

..we spend our whole lives tapping the world on its shoulder and when it finally turns around, we forget what we had to say. I know we often lose sight of why we started to embark on a particular road, things change, circumstances come up, we get distracted. But we need to learn to keep our dreams alive, to make our past selves proud. 

Grilled honey mustard chicken with wild rice and veggies.

Cactus Club Cafe - one of my favorite restaurants.

I love going out to the Cactus Club Cafe when I'm looking for a nice place to dine. It is a little on the pricey side but the food is literally to die for!

I know I've been shying away from tumblr for the past few months but I've been working hard at school and work and I can finally say that all my hard work has paid off! Two weeks ago I was called in for an interview for a post-grad job in programming and design with the government. On New Year's eve, I was offered a full-time permanent position!

My emotions are running wild right now and I can hardly contain myself. Prior to this position, I had never held a career job before so everything is simply so new and exciting to me. I'm still a semester away from graduating but I will be starting this position in two weeks and will slowly work towards graduating through evening courses. It's going to be crazy, but knowing how crazy I am, I know I will be just fine.

I'd like to thank my friends for always supporting me and especially to my manager, who I have been working with for 8 years, for everything. She took the time to sit down with me and do mock interviews and she also helped me with my interview outfit, even going as far as to offering pieces from her own closet for me to wear. I am forever grateful for such a caring manager. 

This past year has been quite a roller coaster for me but it was also the year that I learned and felt the most in. I fell, I crashed, and I burned but I learned to stand up, to keep fighting, and to heal. I experienced love, I felt heartbreak. I made mistakes but I also learned from them and marched on. I travelled and I explored. I felt hate and anger, but I also learned to forgive.

At this moment, I have never felt more alive and grateful for all my experiences, the good and the bad. Without them, I wouldn't be who I am today.

My resolution for 2014 is to continue to live, to strive and to make mistakes. I hope to learn more about myself through life's endeavours and I hope you guys do too.