Catching up and whatnot

So, easily the biggest thing going on with me right now is that there's a possibility that I'm going to be moving to Canada (specifically, the Vancouver area) sometime in the next year or two. Ok, that sounds really out of the blue, so I should probably explain.

My boyfriend and I have been planning on doing this at some point for various reasons, but he's had absolutely no luck finding jobs here. I mean, not even retail or food service jobs. While he's still looking here for now, we're formulating our own plans of him moving back and me following him.

It's exciting precisely because it's so vague; I can be all giddy that I won't have to have a long distance relationship anymore, get to marry the man I love, and explore a new country, but I don't have to work out all the financial details yet or deal with my parents' reaction (I'm trying to slooooowly work into it, so that by the time we're ready to move it won't be a surprise), or the stresses of trying to gain citizenship.

Other than that, I've found a part-time job to supplement my meager income, though the new job still hasn't trained me yet so I can't start. I've been cutting back on spending - both due to only part-time work and now to start saving - and have been surprised to find that it's kinda fun.

Sometimes it can be an interesting challenge, like "here's what's in my fridge, what can I make for dinner tonight?" I realize that it's fun to me because I know that I do have a little extra if I need to grab something from the store, whereas if I didn't have that option this probably would be depressing instead.

I've been returning to my less expensive hobbies like knitting, playing through video games I own, reading, writing, exercising (which is much needed), learning French, and as mentioned above, cooking. While I enjoy a fancy meal or going out to the movies just as much as the next person, it's nice to have something simple to do, and since I'm introverted I don't mind being on my own for it. Though I'm totally splurging to go see The Avengers this weekend, whooo!

Speaking of cheap hobbies, I knit my first pair of socks! Well, err... my first single sock, I'm still working on the other one. It's a family tradition to give each other silly socks every year for Christmas, and this year I've decided to make them by hand - and I'm starting now so I don't freak out in November. While some of the yarn is more expensive, even at $10 a ball, a pair of socks takes me easily 20 hours, so all things considered that's still a good deal, and I find it fun and relaxing too.

My first post of 2012 is late!

I'm late, I'm late, for a very important... blog!

Sorry guys, I've gotten so out of the habit that it totally slipped my mind this week.

Anywho, I've had a pretty good holiday season. I'm all moved in now, though still trying to find my way around a bit - there are some great things about living right here, like that I'm right by the freeway and there's stores to suit most of my needs right over the overpass, but things like not having an affordable grocery store nearby annoy me.

I had a really low-key Christmas since the sister I was exchanging gifts with and I are both pretty broke. Though she did give me a six-piece set of sparkly nail polish, which makes me wonder who exactly she thinks I am. I know some people are into that, but the last time I was into really fun nail polish was about four years ago.... Ah well, I can save them to use if I get a teenage girl client again.

I got to visit one of my older sisters between Christmas and New Year's, which was fun, and also a relief since it's only a 2 hour drive now instead of 3 1/2. Also, we fulfilled our tradition of all-you-can-eat sushi which was delicious but a LOT of freakin' sushi.

I started work again last week, so I finally felt like a productive member of society, but there's something else I'm really excited about:

I get to go to my first Nerdfighter gathering! Well, almost/for sure/probably I do. On Tuesday (the day TFiOS comes out) there's a meetup at a local Barnes and Noble, and since I haven't made any new friends in this area I'm really excited to meet other Nerdfighters. Unfortunately, I just got notice that they're adding a new case to my Tuesday/Thursday rotation, so I'm just reeeeaaaally hoping it doesn't start until Thursday.

Anywho girls, I'll see you next week (and I'll let you know how the meetup went if I get to go to it)

DFTBA

Happy New Year!

Sorry this is late I still have my holiday brain on. (Also, there is something stuck under my S key so if there is any missing I apologise.)

This year I've had a great time. I started off with a Chritmas get together with my old school friends, every year we do secret Santa a way to save money. This year we all helped make a mini Christmas dinner, roast chicken and veg, soup and a lot deserts. I love seeing my friends this time of year since we all go to university in different places and its hard to get us all in the same place now.

On the eve of Christmas eve I went to visit my nonna with my dad, luckly my two great uncles were there too so that saved us a trip to see them too. It was really nice to get to see my nonna, she's 83 now and hasn't been very well lately so I'm trying see her as much as can now. She was still doing her best to fill us all full food a usual though.

The only real tradition we have now in my family is after dinner on Christmas eve me and my brother get one present, this is usual chocolate or something small and silly. I remember for years we would get glitter glue pens, and if I'm totally honest I would still have the most amount of fun with them if I still got them.

I spent Chritmas morning with my mum, brother, aunt and her greyhound, Mandy. We spent the morning opening presents and saying, "oh, you shouldn't have! You really didn't!" I spent the the afternoon watching tv cuddling up to Mandy. After we had dinner I headed round to my boyfriends so we could watch Doctor Who together but I ended up missing most of it because I was too busy asking his family how they were and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

The weather where I am has been super windy, like upto 90mph. On the 28th my mum, brother, aunt, dog and I where meant to be going to Arran, an island not far where we are but because of the weather all the ferries had been cancelled. We managed to get the first ferry the next day but my brother and I only got to stay one day because of this. I hadn't been to Arran in years and it is honestly one of the mot beautiful places in Scotland, if you ever make this side of the Atlantic you should put it on your places to vist list.

My new year was pretty standard. I went to a party and had a few drinks, manage just in time to switch on the tv to count down to the bells, hugged and kissed and wished everyone a happy new year.

I have no real resolutions other than to be better this year than last. It seems to me to be the easiest to keep and most achievable.

Holiday Catch-up

Today the holidays are officially over for me, since I left home this morning to come back to Halifax, and had my first class of the semester this afternoon.  It was a really nice break.

The whole break was pretty chill.  I spent most of the week before Christmas just lazing around recovering from exams, although I also finished up my Christmas shopping and baked a bunch of Christmas cookies.

On Christmas Eve morning, I got together with my friends from home to do our annual gift exchange.  My secret Santa donated a flock of chicks in my name through Heifer International, which I thought was a really excellent idea.  After the exchange we played a few board games before all going home to spend the day with our families.  

I went home and helped mom make supper, then in the evening we went to visit my grandfather.  We don't really have a lot of Christmas traditions any more, but our Christmas Eve is usually pretty much the same.  We visit with my grandfather for a few hours.  On the way home we drive through town and then take the scenic route instead of the highway so that we can see everyone's Christmas lights.  When we get home we have a glass of egg nog and watch whatever classic Christmas special happens to be on TV (This year it was Scrooge (the 1951 version)).

For Christmas I got a new camera, and a few clothes, and a ton of chocolate.  I also used the Christmas money I got from a few of my relatives to buy a new iPod.  Both my old camera and iPod were over 6 years old, so the sudden technology upgrade is kind of incredible.

My brother got home on the 27th, so then we had a smaller second Christmas for all the presents to and from him.  He got me Munchkin, which is one of my favourite games and I've considered buying it for myself several times, so it was nice to have it for myself and be able to introduce it to my friends who've never played before.  His flight got in pretty early in the morning, so we still had the whole rest of the day after that, so we went to visit my great-aunt, did a little shopping, and went out for dinner.

On New Year's Eve my family always has fondue for dinner, which is one of my favourite meals of the year.  It's delicious, plus it's a nice slow meal, so you appreciate each other's company more rather than just sitting down and stuffing your faces.  One of my friends always hosts a party, so that's how I spent my New Year's Eve this year, as usual.  He has three younger sisters between the ages of ten and twenty, and all four kids have friends over and usually a bunch of their aunts and uncles are there too, so it tends to be a little crowded and crazy (they also have a hyperactive dog, and five cats, which just makes it even more ridiculous), but I think New Year's Eve is better when there are lots of people.  We played a few board games, had some snacks, and then it was time for fireworks.  Their firework displays are always pretty impressive; they seriously must spend a few hundred dollars on fireworks every year.  I love fireworks.  After that there's always a glass of champagne for the adults and sprite for the younger kids, and after making a few toasts and talking a bit about the past year and the new year and everything, we all head home.

I didn't really make any New Year's resolutions this year.  Usually I do.  Last year I had a whole spreadsheet of resolutions, and they were all specific and measurable and everything, so that I could keep track of my progress and make sure that I actually did them instead of giving up after a month like I usually do.  I guess it helped somewhat, since I didn't give up until April.  I don't know.  This year I just don't know what to resolve, I guess.  I'm not sure what direction I want to go.  I guess my resolution would be to actually do things that I want to/mean to/feel like I should do, instead of just saying I'm going to do them and then being too lazy.

Christmas Endings and Beginnings

It really doesn't feel like Christmas now. There's no tree up this year, and the weather is surprisingly warm, so all of the usual signals that it's Christmas are absent. I'm just about done with my gift making/wrapping and have tried putting on Christmas music to get myself in the mood but it feels a little forced.

I'm hoping that getting down to the new place - which is decorated and Christmas-y - will help get me into the spirit, as will having a lot of time with family over Christmas and the following week; I get to go visit my boyfriend's family, my sister and new nephew, and finally come back to the city for New Year's Eve.

While I wouldn't necessarily wish it on anyone, it's kind of nice that my family's all broke because there isn't a large expectation for presents. I think the consumeristic Christmas bubble broke last year, when I spent the holidays stressing out because I couldn't afford both to buy all the things asked of me and afford food, and one elder sister was having trouble coming up with money for bills but didn't tell anyone.

The only thing I'm nervous about is one particular present this year. I've felt really hurt by one of my siblings who has inexplicably given me a hard time for making presents and expressed the expectation that one day I'll grow up and buy more things (this is inexplicable because she also makes some presents, isn't exchanging gifts with me this year, and just listened to me have a conversation about what to buy with my present partner).

I'm sending her a package filled with handmade gifts (well, except for the customary lotion-as-stocking-stuffer).

I'm not being passive-aggressive, I promise! I made sure they were all things that suit her tastes and needs, and I'm hoping to make the whole thing into a joke to ease some of the tension. But I realize that it's a tricky line to walk and that this could all blow up in my face, so I'm still trying to figure out whether to call or leave a letter in the package, bring the gift with me when I visit or send it in the mail, etc. It's tricky.

Wish me luck, nerdfighters, and DFTBA over the holidays! I'll see you guys just before the end of 2011.

Making Christmas

I love Christmas.  I love everything about Christmas.  I love Christmas decorations, and Christmas food, and Christmas music.  I like the weather here around Christmas - refreshingly cold but not freezing, with just the right amount of snow.  I like family get-togethers, and I like all the time spent baking and cooking and getting ready, and I like the general cozy and cheerful atmosphere of Christmas.

This year is kind of odd in that it doesn't really feel like Christmas yet, even though it's less than two weeks away.  This year is actually the latest that I've had to do exams since high school, so I haven't been able to indulge in Christmasness as much as I usually do.  And the fact that we've had an abnormally mild December and only got one snowfall, back in November, really hasn't helped.  Also since I live with strangers I don't have a ton of Christmas decorations like I always did at home and when I had an apartment with friends.  I do have these two little friends on my windowsill though:

I also tried to make a TARDISflake during a study break earlier, but I gave up because I didn't have anything that was sharp and small enough to cut out all those fiddly little windows.  Here it is anyway:

I am listening to Christmas music now and it's helping a little bit.  Plus on Saturday I'm going to see the Nutcracker, so if I'm not in a Christmas mood after that there must be something wrong with me.