Jananas

Sometimes we forget how much we’ve accomplished or what we’ve done or how much we’ve changed. For posterity’s sake, here’s my 2009 recap.

• I graduated with my Masters of Bad Assery
• I was editor of our yearbook and turned things around so that we made a profit
• I went on a month long road trip around North America, seeing 22 states, both coasts, and all three countries
• I celebrated Emily & Zach’s and Chris & Kerri’s weddings with them
• I spent time at the cottage and loved it, even if it did nothing but rain
• I taught myself how to can and preserve food – making pickles and jam and salsas
• I knit one afghan, three sweaters, four pairs of socks, one stuffed bunny rabbit, and more hats/mitts/scarves/cowls that I can count. And that’s forgetting a tonne and doesn’t include the list of crocheted items.
• I started going to my local stitch ‘n bitch group and am stoked to have new friends who love yarn as much as I do
• I wrote two knitting patterns, one of which has gotten over 10,000 hits a month since it went up
• I celebrated eight years of being in my house
• I started painting and became more comfortable embracing my creative side and skills
• I visited Montreal, Niagara Falls, and Casa Loma here in Toronto
• I took a chance and was brave and traveled around south east Asia for 9 weeks, seeing Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, and Vietnam. I’m proud that I went, because there were times when it seemed like it wouldn’t happen and because I’m notoriously fond of being at home.
• I lost someone very important to me and whom I’ll miss
• I adopted a dog from Thailand, who arrived the same day as Gerry’s celebration of life was held
• I got better at doing & being, rather than just thinking. I learned how to get up and just do something when the thought crossed my mind, rather than letting it sit on my to do list for weeks.

Most importantly, I loved Jason and spent as much time with him as humanly possible for two people who live in different countries. His student visa was approved this morning and he should be here this evening! After 2.5 years of dating and dealing with borders, being able to be together is an amazing way to end 2009.

And I’m excited for 2010. I’m excited to see where my job search ends up. I’m excited to keep moving and to keep moving forward. I’m excited to grow. I’m excited to keep spending time with Jason, with my mini zoo, with my friends.