Good bye 2016!

Posting here rather than doing up a little Christmas newsletter. Oh, man.... 2016.... not sorry that it's coming to a close. And that's just in my life, not even considering all the stuff going on in the world!

Nothing terrible, just a lot of little stresses. I'll get the complaining out of the way first:

• I'm in Regina (this will show up on the happy list, as well). 4 hours from my mom and sis, 6 1/2 hours from Omar and everyone in Winnipeg. And because I'm here, I'm spending $14,000-ish a year that I wouldn't need to if Omar and I could just manage to live in the same house for once. 
• And speaking of money. Always money. Just taking me longer to get my finances in order than I had hoped. But getting there!
• Sweet Cleo (she'll also be on the happy list). The treatments aren't so bad but watching her become more frail makes me incredibly sad. 
• Health stuff. Again, nothing major but as Leonard Cohen says, "I ache in the places where I used to play."

On the other hand:

• Regina is good! 
• Have been getting out and doing lots of stuff. Took kayaking lessons in the summer, taking curling lessons now. Visited Moose Jaw and the Corner Gas set twice. Have been to the Legislative Building, Government House, the RCMP Heritage Centre, the museum, the botanical garden and the MacKenzie Art Gallery. Hiked at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park. Went to a Riders game. Am a regular at the Farmer's Market and public library. Go to Wascana Park all the time.
• Now that I'm in the middle, I've had lots of visitors. Waaay more than when I lived in Winnipeg. Lindsay and Valerie from school. Nicki from Calgary. Colin and the boys. Alison. Mom. Clark and Jasmine. Adam and Ayva. I love it!
• I also really like my job. Always interesting. Work with great people. And I like my apartment.
• Cleo. That little cat makes me so happy. We've gotten into a nice routine and she is enjoying being an only pet. She's an awesome traveler so whenever I head East, I strap her crate into the front seat and turn on the heaters and we're good to go. I know that our time together is limited but that just makes it more special. She's really gotten me through the last two crazy years.
• And yes, getting older and creakier but started running again in the spring and was part of our work marathon relay team. Was super fun. Have fallen off the wagon the last couple of weeks now that it is cold out but my gym membership at work kicks in tomorrow so will be back at it this week.

Here are the highlights in pictures:

Cleo under cover.

April - Corner Gas set with Lindsay.

June - In London with Mama for grad.

July - Chillin' with Lexi.

August - the fam damily.

August - my one and only Riders game!

August - girls camping weekend at Spruce Woods.

September - crossing the finish line.

That's about it! Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and the best for 2017!

officially official

Yesterday I "graduated in absentia" which means that I woke up this morning to my first official day as a librarian.

I wasn't really expecting to feel much of anything when this day happened. I actually didn't even know it happened until 10pm last night when I read an email from one of my classmates. The moment our last class was done, I started calling myself a librarian. I've been working as a librarian for two months. And yet...

I feel strangely emotional about graduating. This is the end of fifteen years of school. The goal I started towards in January 2000 has been reached. FINALLY!! It feels good. Really good. But mostly it feels like a huge relief. There were many moments when I thought I wouldn't make it and wondered what the hell I was doing this for. And look at me now!

Loading up on student loans and just getting 'er done probably would have been the easier way to do things but I don't regret my long and twisty path. I learned a lot and I met so many amazing people who would not have come into my life if I'd done things differently.

I'm celebrating today by going to the bank to set up a repayment schedule for my student line of credit. Woo. I wish I could get together with some of my classmates and celebrate properly but hopefully that will happen in June.

january song of the month

I was thinking that it was too bad that I had already used Changes since it pretty much sums up my last six weeks.... six months..... six years.... But David Bowies passing today has me remembering all of his songs that have been the soundtrack to specific points in my life.

My introduction to Bowie was in 1981 when I borrowed Scary Monsters on cassette from the public library and then listened to the crap out of it. Ashes to Ashes was the song that got the most play. I have no idea why it struck a chord with my 11-year old self but it remains one of my favourites.