So, here we are. It’s 2013, it’s February, it’s cold; the perfect time to catch up on my blogging.
What the heck have I been doing for the last 12 months?
TRAVEL – Despite my resolve not to mosey around too much while on my leave of absence, I did a solo trip to Thailand, and also visited Iceland and Greece with Darren. Iceland was amazing, I would love to go back, even though we spent an insane amount of the trip driving.
CULTURE – I did a lot of reading. According to the all-knowing Goodreads, I read 66 books in 2012, which is more than one a week and also 26 more books than my reading total in 2011. I’ve set myself the more modest challenge of reading 50 books in 2013, since I’ll be working full time but will hopefully be able to read or at least listen to audiobooks while commuting).
CREATIVITY – I finished 12 knit projects, including 3 cowls, 3 scarves, 2 lace shawls, a hat, legwarmers, wrist cuffs and my first ever cardigan – it is lovely and stripey but seriously warm and it sheds a bit. Need to return to my abandoned Sonnets Librivox project. On the internet, I reached my 1000th tweet.
COMMUNITY – I decided to do more volunteering, so I joined Oakville’s “Friends of the Library” executive in October, and did my first Book Sale with them in November. As of last week’s AGM, I am now their Media & Communications lead.
EMOTIONAL – I celebrated my fourth anniversary with Darren long-distance, as he was in Nepal at the time.
BREWING – After two years of producing homebrewed wines of varying quality – Drunk Robot (yum), Space Madness (good for sangria only) – I am disappointed to report no 2012 vintage. Remedied that last weekend by brewing what I hope will be a nice malbec.
ACTIVITY – I fell down on the physical front. Exercise was not big on the agenda for 2012 – I only ran in one measly 5k, the Ford Race to End Diabetes at Coronation Park, Oakville in April. I did do a lot of long, lazy 20-30km bike rides over the summer, but that’s nothing next to the roster of six races in 2011!
HOUSING – After selling our condo in Toronto back in April 2012, Darren and I took up residence with my Mum in her townhouse in Oakville. Darren went off to travel, and while he was globetrotting, my Mum found an ideal low-maintenance apartment near the lake, and decided she wanted to live on her own again. I took over the mortgage, Mum moved out, and so Darren and I are residing in a townhouse in suburbia and commuting to the city to work… For now.
LOOKING AHEAD
To remedy this situation, I’ve signed up for a couple of runs in 2013: the Harry Rosen High Park Spring Run-Off 8k on April 6, the Sporting Life 10k on April 21, the Midsummer Night’s Run 15k on August 17, and the Oakville Half Marathon 10k on September 22.
The biggest physical challenge I’ll be facing in 2013 is my first ever Ride to Conquer Cancer – 200kms in 2 days on a new Giant Avail 3 road bike I’ve just bought.
2013 is also starting out with the purchase of a new (used) car: a little red 2008 Honda Fit that I’ll pick up from the dealer on Tuesday. I applied for my first Ontario Outdoors Card and fishing license, hoping to fish with my friend Amy now that we can go car camping. I’ve signed up for a Sunday afternoon Boot camp and Monday night Cyclates at the local community centre, and am considering Fencing lessons later this summer. Hoping to pick up a community garden for growing veggies in as well.
That’s 2012 in a nutshell. Looking forward to what 2013 will bring!