Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011!

The New Year Meme: 2010

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

• Landed an audition for a lead in a film!
  
• Filmed the above film
  
• Went to CREATIONFEST!!!
  

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn't make a new year's resolution this past year, and won't again tonight!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No, but there were a LOT of pregnancy announcements this year! 2011 is a big year for babies!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.

5. What countries did you visit?

Just the good ol' US of A.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

Last year I said balance. This year I say 'joy.' 2010 was a much better year than 2009 for joy, but I want to find joy in every aspect of my life. I think with having more acting in my life, this will be a more 'joyful' year!

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

July 20–25 - Travelling down to Enumclaw, WA with the Jens for CreationFest!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Returning to school! Landing my first audition since returning really helped me realize that I have chosen the right career.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I think my biggest failure was not staying true to my heart. Enough said.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Oh did I ever! This year was full of illness! Most of it unexplainable too. Not fun!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I really didn't buy much this year...other than the usual clothes, music, etc.
Can I include my education in this? Although that won't really be paid for for awhile!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Jen, my roommate, for putting up with me all this year! :)

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

There are only a few people who have "made me appalled or depressed" but that is in the past, all has been forgiven and it's a new year.

14. Where did most of your money go?

To an evil credit card company. Also rent.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Creation! Returning to school! Browser! (the film I did) My photo shoot yesterday where I was the photographer this time!

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Oh my goodness! There are so many good songs from this year! I think mainly anything from Needtobreathe!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a) It's a different happy b) about the same c) about the same, maybe poorer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Taken better care of myself financially and physically.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Procrastinating and just being lazy.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I spent Christmas morning with a client and then Christmas evening with my roommate and a friend. It was a pretty chill day.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

Did I fall in love? Well, no. But I've got lots of love, both coming in and going out.

22. How many one-night stands?

Zero.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

It is still GLEE. How can you not love singing, dancing, drama and comedy all in one!

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Nope. I'm not much of a hater, really.

25. What was the best book you read?

Hmmm. Let me see.... I didn't actually read a lot again this year...which is kinda sad. I started reading a few books, I read some that weren't awesome. Maybe that's something I can work on this year...

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Needtobreathe! Hands down my favourite band!

27. What did you want and get?

So many things. I returned to school, began pursuing a passion(acting), did more photography, went to CreationFest, went camping...and oh so much more!

28. What did you want and not get?

zero debt...instead I added to it
finding 'the one' although I realize that this was definitely not a good year for that, it was more about finding myself.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?

hmmm...I just saw Burlesque and quite enjoyed it...I don't remember what came out this year...

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 24. I spent it in the hospital with a migraine, but the nurses were all really nice and gave me nice drugs...

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Not being in debt. again enough said.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

This year was comfy trendy. I found it more important to be comfortable than try and look amazing...but I think I ended up looking alright :)

33. What kept you sane?

My incredible roommate! I don't know what I would ever do without her!!!!!

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I still think Taylor Lautner, although he is now of age he is still far too young for me :)
This year really wasn't a huge year for celebrity "fancying"

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

I don't really follow politics much, unless it is a major issue. I'm kinda in my own little bubble that way.

36. Who did you miss?

Everyone at camp!! I still can't believe I missed another summer!
My family

37. Who was the best new person you met?

My classmates! All of them have made the past few months so incredible!!

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

Follow your heart.
I know it's over said, but it's so true!
Also, healing takes time, but everything heals.


39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
-Needtobreathe

The End.

With the end of November comes the end of NaBloPoMo. For those of you who have read everyday, stopped by every once and a while, or just once, thanks for stopping by! I have actually really enjoyed posting daily. Although I can't promise you anything, I am going to try and post more often, and eventually I will finish 30 Days of Truth.
Enjoy your December and holiday season. Oh and guys, this is also the day you get to shave off those hideous mustaches!

Feelings

Ever feel like you were just left somewhere to rust, forgotten and no longer wanted? I feel for this truck I found in a bush at a park this summer. Makes me think of Toy Story.

My Mommy's Home!!

I had an actual post for tonight but it will have to wait as my mom got back from her two week tour of Egypt and Israel!! SHE WALKED WHERE JESUS WALKED!!! How cool is that?!?!
We spent the last couple hours talking about her trip and what she saw. I'm so jealous and need to go there now!!

Anyway I got a couple presents which I will share with you tomorrow, but for now it's bedtime as I have class in the am.

How's Your Movember Growing?

Chai

I love it! I love the richness of the spices and the cream and the smell! mmmm!!! but yesterday I was told I had to cut all caffeine from my diet until we figure out why I have been lightheaded and dizzy for a week.
I am telling myself this isn't 'goodbye chai' but 'see you soon'.

30DOT will be continued when I actually am able to sit down and think about my answers. Right now any vertical position can only be held for short periods of time. I know...I'm falling apart.

Happy Birthday!!

"The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." - Lucille Ball

Happy Birthday to my dear, lovely cousin! I wish you love, beauty and joy in the years to come!

Sick Again!

And no I'm not pregnant!

But it is supposed to snow 15cm tonight! That is wonderful news!! Let's hope I'm still alive and well enough to enjoy it!

Sent from my iPhone again. No big surprise there.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Tonight I braved this horrible November weather* to join my friend Jared Hazzard in the release of his debut EP Allagash. He's an amazing artist and you should go onto iTunes and download it! It was a great night of music and I'm looking forward to hearing some more of his new stuff Dec 4 at Blenz at Maple and Broadway. Yes that is a plug! Being "married" to a musician has it's perks, access to great local music! Jen Miller, Jared Hazzard, Brandy McCallum, and Freddie Mojallal from Autumn Portrait will be playing some acoustic awesomeness from 7 til 10! Come out!!

Sent from my iPhone again. It's NaBloPoMo and I gotta post somehow!

*For those of you laughing at the "horrible" Vancouver weather you should know I grew up in Northern BC and do know what winter/-35/-40 feels like. I moved to Vancouver for a reason. I am now acclimatized and I'm okay with it.

Did you know...

•that the stomach flu sucks?
•not having an Internet connection sucks?
•both of those at the same time and not having cable really sucks!?
•missing 2.5 days of acting school puts you really far behind?!
•going to bed early because you are really tired only makes you wake up really really early!?
•having somebody come home after you've had a really crappy day to do dishes and then sing/play you really pretty songs is really nice?!

Well now you do.

Again Sent from my iPhone using what little data I have left.

The Internets Have Failed Me Again

But that's probably for a good thing as tonight I finally had absolutely nothing to keep me away from my homework. So for the last hour and a bit I have been memorizing Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a dream" speech. So far I have just over half served to memory! With just less than three weeks to final performance, I think I'm doing pretty well.

NaBloPoMo, I'm thankful we are nearing our departure for another year.

Sent from my iPhone

Snow, snow, snow!

Last night I wished for snow, snow, snow! (Robert Munsch anyone?) All I got was snow, but it was enough to make me smile, giggle with joy, and happily don my boots and mittens to go play in the snow!Frosty the Snowman #1 of 7.5. We had a lot of fun at work today :)

30DOT to be continued...

30DOT: Judgement

Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Please read the whole way through and don't judge on the first couple of sentences.

I am a Christian, thus I believe that the Bible is truth. The Bible says in both the old (Leviticus 18:22) and the new (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) testaments that homosexuality is a sin. Just going by that alone, I would have to say that homosexuality is wrong. I was raised to believe that marriage is for a man and a woman who love each other deeply and are committing their lives to each other.

BUT! If I believe that the Bible is truth than I also have to believe the other verses such as Matthew 7:1-5, Luke 6:37, and Romans 14:1-13 which all command us to not judge are also true. So who am I to judge whether one persons "sins" are greater than my "sins."

I believe that people should be accepted for who they are, not for what they look like, where they are from, who they love. I believe that people should be able to marry whomever they want. Canada and the USA both claim to be free nations, but how can they be when people are not free to be themselves?

Tomorrow's Truth: Religion

30DOT: 10 Things

Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.

Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm

To be completely honest I haven't finished reading this book yet, but what I have read so far really has changed my views on Autism.

Just over a year ago I began working as a childcare worker/behaviour support worker with youth who have autism. I didn't really understand what Autism was then, and I still really only know the basics. This book is a real eye opener.

Ten Things zeros in on the importance of sensory issues and thoroughly explains their direct link to a child's behavior. Ellen reminds parents that "seemingly inexplicable behavior ... all have a sensory cause ... No matter how unprovoked, how random it may appear, behavior never comes out of nowhere." She guides parents through reformatting their own beliefs and suggests ways to identify and work with the child's sensory structure... - Amazon Commenter

The kids I work with are amazing and I really wish people would realize just how unique they are, and not treat them like they have a disease. If you are the least bit interested, go find this book and read it!

Let's Take a Break...

30 Days of Truth will be continued tomorrow. I just needed a break aka I didn't want to answer today's yet.

Photo Break:

A couple of weeks ago I asked Heather if she would be interested in shooting a guy. She said yes of course, and when she came to visit me last week she shot my friend Stu. He needed some new head shots, she needed some portfolio work, I figured they could help each other out. I tagged along with my camera and snuck in a few shots here and there. This is one of my favourites:I'll share more when I have time to edit them.

30DOT: Smoke

Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.

I hate smokers. As people, I'm sure most of them are really swell people, but it's their habit that I do not like. It smells bad in the air. It smells bad on their breath. It smells bad on their clothes. It smells bad on their skin. It's gross, and dirty, and makes me sick. I plan to live a long, healthy life, and if I end up with lung cancer from second hand smoke, I swear someone else will be dying too!

If you are a smoker, please don't be offended. I know that no matter what I say, or the government says, or your loved ones say you won't quit until you choose to do it for you, so please, for yourself (and for the rest of us!) consider quitting.

Tomorrow's Truth: Book Report

30DOT: Fallen Hero and Facebook

Since I missed one day and these work together:

Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)

Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.

Dear Facebook,

When I first discovered you in my first year of university, I was expecting you to be just another MySpace, Hi5, and ummm whatever those other pages were, but you were different. You didn't allow for expression of individuality with your one colour option and lack of music and glittery add -ons (THANK YOU!). You did have lots off different applications though: quizzes, photos, videos, super walls, and games. You enabled me to stay in touch with everyone from my past, present and future. I had a place to show my friends and family what I was up to, both with statuses and photos. I could share that I was in a new relationship. I could share about how awesome our dates were. I could share how classes were going...or weren't going. I could easily find all this information and more about my "Facebook friends." I soon discovered that you were a much better form of procrastination then reading non school related books, playing online games and The Sims 2.

It's been 6 years, and I must say that I have enjoyed you. You have gotten me in contact with people I never stayed in contact with, some for a reason. I was not friends with people in high school who threatened me regularly for a reason, why would I want to be "Facebook Friends" with them now. You have also made it easier for people to stalk me. My privacy settings are as private as I can get them, and yet people still manage to find me. Not cool. I have accepted this as something I will have to deal with in trade for your other better qualities, but you keep changing your privacy settings and make it harder and harder for me. I have almost deleted you so many times! Almost....but then I would lose all the progress on my Farmville, which is a very sad fact in itself.

I spend too much time on you. My life is no longer as private as it once was. I know at some point I will probably delete you, but that time is not yet. I am too dependent on you. I mean, who even asks for email addresses or phone numbers anymore?! It's usually "Are you on Facebook?" "Yeah I am search for 'Lucy Lee'" "Sweet I'll add you when I get home/right now on my iPhone." "Yay we'll be friends forever!" Ok so maybe not quite, but you know what I mean.

Anyway this past month I was disconnected from the internet and have rediscovered the joy of reading, albeit what I'm reading is not great literature it is entertaining. I will not be seeing you as much unless my phone happens to be near a free WiFi (yeah yeah I know, I read the news: hackers etc.) or I get that incredible urge and use my 3G. Damn you iPhone!

Now where is that homework....

Tomorrow's truth: Living Without

30DOT: T.Swizzle

Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)

Dear Taylor Swift,

As much as I hate to say it, I used to not be able to stand your music. I don't especially like your first album, but I must say your last 2.5 have really been enjoyable.

Fearless:
A dear friend introduced me to your Fearless album when I was having a particularly bad experience with a boy. She felt I should listen to the album, especially one song, "Hey Stephen," and after listening to a few more, and then eventually the whole album, I fell in love. You seemed to put exactly what I (and most likely every other 13-30+ single female) was feeling into all of your songs. I began listening to the album over and over, and can actually put a person to almost all of the songs. Fifteen & Forever and Always: my high school sweetheart. Breathe: my "college" sweetheart. Hey Stephen & You Belong with Me: my summer fling. Seriously, how did you get into my head?! Oh and I can't forget that this album now also reminds me of Florida! It played EVERYWHERE while I was there!

Speak Now:
I was very excited for this album to be released. Truth be told, I was a little wary after you released those not so awesome additional 6 songs on Fearless Platinum, but was pleased with this new album. Although I haven't "lived" as many of these songs, I love them.
I have been in a Speak Now situation, but I stayed home instead of speaking out, and it was the right decision! What a mistake that would have been! Haunted....oh haunted. Better than Revenge, The Story of Us: my 'one who got away'. Enchanted: smiles...that's a bit of a current smile :)

You have this wonderful ability to tell a story through your music. So thank you on behalf of all women who listen to you. You have told our story, and helped us feel not as alone as we feel.

30DOT: Please Stop

Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.

Ok so only once in my life can I remember someone asking me to stop this one particular thing, but it has stuck with me ever since. I actually have only recently done it again in public/in front of people. It's always something I have wanted to be good at, especially because I have so many friends and family who are so blessed in the particular way. I've even considered getting lessons, just so I could have the confidence to do it in public.

I would LOVE to be able to sing. Absolutely love it! I have recently taught myself how to play guitar, and one of these days I will get a keyboard and reteach myself how to play, and then, just maybe, I'll have the confidence to share the world, or at least my very close and personal friends, something I love to do in the shower and when no one is home.

Tomorrow Truth: Dear [Musical Artist]....

Internet Fail

Unfortunately my Internet is disconnected and I can seem to uhhh borrow a connection, so I am attempting to post by email through my phone. High tech I know.

Today I enjoyed the company of my mother and didn't get a chance to post earlier. :)

30 DOT will continue tomorrow when I get to a wifi connection.

Sent from my iPhone