2010, whatta year.

Frohes neues all! I hope everyone had a splendid New Years eve and a minimal hangover yesterday! New years eve in Germany is actually loads of fun - they get really into fire works which is always a good time. At midnight everyone goes out on to the street and sets off loads of fire works and fire crackers! I seriously mean everyone too, I saw some like little toddlers out there just lighting em up! This was a little frightening for me, those of you who know me well know that I do not like to be around fire at all and very rarely even light matches. Needless to say I didn't set off any of the fire crackers myself but had a great time watching all the fire works and drinking champagne out of the bottle on the snowy street.

I wanted to write a post sharing some of my hopes and resolutions for the upcoming year but I feel it would be a bit rude to do so without paying homage to the ever so brilliant year that was 2010. Like every year, 2010 certainly had its ups and downs but for me this was a really wonderful year and I will now take the time to list some of my favourite things that happened last year!


1. Travels. I really have done a lot of exploring this year! I got to see Europe for the first time and so far it has been incredible. I have also grown much more relaxed about traveling (usually I am one big stress pot), and am learning to go with the flow a bit more. Aside from Europe I did a little traveling within North America as well, taking my third trip to New York and a few lovely visits to Toronto and Montreal.

2. New friends. Working at American Apparel last year was a bit of an iffy experience but it certainly did deliver in the wonderful people department. That job was absolute shit at times but I am still quite happy to have worked there because I really did make a lot of lovely new friends working there. The silver lining on one big fat cloud.

3. Old friends. I was really happy to keep in touch with some of my old high school pals throughout the year by taking little trips to Toronto and back home to Thunder Bay. It's hard to always keep in touch since we all lead pretty busy lives but it's so great when you finally get together and it's as though no time has passed! I feel quite lucky to have friends who are so funny and kind and loving and just wonderful people all around.

4. Learning to ride a bike again. This may seem trivial but I truly loved having a bike this past summer! My awesome grandparents gave me some bones to buy a bike for my birthday last year and I selected a vintage men's cruiser bike which I then dubbed Emilio (obviously). I had forgotten how much fun bike rides are. Anyways I am back to my bike riding ways and vow to never spend a summer bike-less again!

5. Good music. 2010 was a pretty sweet year for me concert wise! I went to Osheaga in Montreal which was my first music festival and it was a really great day. Also I saw my dearest Belle and Sebastian in concert and it was kinda amazing. My other favourite shows this year were Beach House, She and Him, and Arcade Fire. Honourable mention to Snoop Dogg.

6. Creative gifts. For my 20th birthday last year my parents bought me tickets to go see The Tempest at the Stratford Festival. It was one of the best presents I ever received! Going to the Stratford Festival has always been a goal of mine and I got to see one of my favourite Canadian thespians, Christopher Plummer in the lead role. It was incredible! Other interesting gifts I got this year were my aformentioned bike and my Auntie Ann's old camera - I really wanted a film camera to take with me to Germany and she very generously gave me her amazing old Canon Rebel.


Here are some of the photos I have taken with my new camera thus far! It really captures the colours so much better than my little digital. Big plans to document all of 2011 with this baby - thanks again Auntie Ann!

I really wanted to make this list ten items long (get it? Because of 2010) but I am having a bit of difficulty conjuring up another four things I can write charming little paragraphs about. However I will mention the following things that I am thankful were a part of last year: Mod night, pho, the best boyfriend, my cats Ruby and Olive, home made sushi, cottage days, silly nights at Scuttlebutts, National Gallery membership, my lovely family of course... I think that just about sums it up! Oh and Rib Fest, obviously.

I hope that all of your 2010s were as lovely as mine and wish you all an even better 2011!