2010 Review

It's New Years Eve.

In 8.5 hours, a new year is going to begin. And contemplating this idea, I cannot help but taking a minute (or 10) to reflect back on 2010... the good things, the not so good things, and to recognize how these have influenced me... made me more Christineish.

I'm not big on New Years plans. Never really have been. Most people I know are dead set on the big hall, new dress, $100 ($150 if you're a couple) night out, but it's not so much my thing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this would be a poor way to ring in a brand new year. It just wouldn't be my first choice. I would be perfectly content staying in with some movies, good food, wine/beer, friends, laughing the night away. Lucky for me, this is how I got to start 2010... at Kim's Georgetown abode, with herself, Cassie, and me. We laughed, drank wine in the hot tub (note: you can get PRETT-Y drunk drinking in the hot tub!), ate, and had a blast. It was perfect. (and no one threw up).

I had just started an LTO at Glenwood two weeks prior to Christmas break, and was returning to this school in the new year. Glenwood is a special day school for students with developmental disabilities in the HWDSB. 65% of these students are immobile and in wheelchairs. 75% are non-verbal and use gestures, sign language, picture symbols, or eye gaze to communicate with others. I stayed at Glenwood until March 26th, and it was an incredible place to be. The very next Tuesday, I took a job at R.L Hyslop in Stoney Creek, to work with the darling Joshua in a SK class. He quickly won my heart over... we were a match made in heaven for 3 months. In this time, I managed to help him identify every letter of the alphabet, and put them in proper sequence (up till about H). I was also able to teach him the signs to all of the colours. We'd tour the school in search of particular things.... a letter he was fixated on, or a colour he loved that day. We had many conversations with the Clifford poster in the library, and sang O'Canada to every flag we ran into. We went to the Special Olympics on May 25th, where he was able to collect 10 colourful participant ribbons. He was absolutely precious and I miss him incredibly. I also got to work at Parkview numerous days before the end of the school year, and was able to see many graduate. What a triumph for them, and I got to share in the joy!

I was lucky to see some amazing live music this year. I started with Muse on March 8th, with Kim and Aaron, moved to Dave Matthews Band on June 1st with Kimberly, Dan, and later Gary and Shirley. I got in Michael Buble with Kim, Kat, and Kylie on August 10th, and concluded with Stone Temple Pilots with Aaron, Kim, Mike, and Krystal on August 27th (note: each of the Kim's mentioned here are different Kims, except the Kim mentioned in Muse and STP.. they are the same ;). LIVE MUSIC ROCKS MY WORLD! Especially the performances I was lucky to catch this year.

I worked hard ALL year to improve my running. I am so very thankful, first and foremost, to Julie for taking me (and Breeann) under her wing to train us for Around the Bay in 2010. She is an inspiration to me, and I feel very lucky to have been able to get to know her more this year, and to call her my friend. I am also thankful because she introduced me to Kathy and Don, who have also taught me so much about the sport and training. In 2010, I ran 3 half-marathons (and PB'd in Mississauga, cracking the 2hr mark), Around the Bay (30k), a 5k with my sister, and the Boxing Day 10Miler. I gained so much strength and ability in running this year, and I'm feeling much more strong and confident for the year of running I am facing right now. I've met some of the most amazing people through running. And besides the obvious physiological benefits of the exercise, the people are the best part. Running is one of the only sports that can bring people from so many walks of life. Because of running, I have friends who are my age through to 60+. It's amazing.

Relationships. I was happily single for 83% of 2010. The missing 17% I owe to a fun summer fling with an absolutely ridiculous ending. But, as dumb as it all was, I don't regret it... it was fun if nothing else. That doesn't mean I ever want to see him again. He's still a gigantic asshole. Ok, that's all.

I have the absolute best friends in the universe. I think I've mentioned that once or twice, but it doesn't hurt to say it again. Krystal,  Aaron, Kim, Kylie, and Katherine have constantly been there for me, in every hysterical moment and every moment I had to celebrate. I love them to a degree that is not measurable. And I am SO excited to spend the next year sharing more laughs, tears, and everything with them.

I started thinking of possible resolutions for myself in 2011. I don't smoke, so I can't quit. I'm not overweight, so I don't have to sign up for a diet plan. It's impossible for me to become a millionaire, considering next year could be spent in school (unless 649 finds my numbers... of course you'd have to buy a ticket for that to happen). I could say I'm going to worry less, but that would require loads of medication. But what I can do is work at enjoying life more in the moment. I am very future focused... when___ happens, next year_____, blah blah blah. What about now? Sometimes I deny myself simple pleasures in the moment because I get to thinking of how it could affect me (usually I think of the negative effects) down the road. It's ridiculous, so I am going to give it an honest and genuine try. I'm going to say yes to more things, rather than no. To be quite honest, this is going to test me quite a lot, and it's going to push me out of a very comfortable zone. But growth comes when we challenge ourselves. I am just lucky to have so many awesome people to be there with me along the way.

ALSO, I am making a point to get myself to the cottage more this spring, summer, and fall! I will have to modify the above resolution a bit, so that I can say no to weekend work that would prevent me from enjoying the beauty and blessing of my family's cottage in Bala, Muskoka.

Wishing anyone who reads this all the best in health, happiness, love, and luck in 2011.

Cheers,
Christine