I never realized how busy Christmas time is until this year. I feel like although I've really been doing a whole lota nuthin', I'm exhausted! (Isn't that pathetic??)

We changed up our Christmas 'tradition' this year. Since it was the whole 4 of us, it seemed pointless to make a full turkey (contrary to popular belief, I cannot eat that much). So the original plan was to go out for Christmas dinner.

I know, right?

Although I love getting dressed up, going out for dinner and being fancy in general, Christmas just did not seem like the time to be doing that. I have always been home for Christmas dinner, and I didn't want that to change. And once my mom priced dinners around town, that idea got kyboshed. Phew.

So, my Mom, Dad, Gran, and me stayed in all day (except for church in the morning), lazed around, napped, played with our new toys and just hung out together. We then had the BEST Christmas dinner I've ever had in my entire life. Hands down. And to think they all wanted to go out! It was so cozy, happy and safe in my home that day, it was absolute perfection.

Also, I got a new laptop. That definitely helped.

Now I'm back to real life, unfortunately, and back to work and everyday life. I've picked up extra hours starting today covering vacations and the leaving of an employee. At first I was happy; Christmas put me into quite a bit of debt. Now? I just wanna bum around and do nothing!! Of course. This always happens. Weeks before I end up on Christmas vacation, I have the highest hopes for my time off; organizing clothes, donating excess, cleaning out closets, "spring" cleaning everything. What have I done?? Been sucked into the world of reality television and eaten waaaay more than I imagined humanly possible. (I've also gained 4 lbs since my birthday. That's the one reason I hate the holidays) Other than my lack of getting nothing done, I had a fantastic Christmas and holiday. Now on to New Year's!

I've been feeling a lot of pressure from family and been asked a lot by friends and acquaintences what I plan on doing in April after I graduate. And you think I have a freaking clue?! My Gran was giving me her usual talk, and this time she actually made sense (I hate when that happens). She said I should;

                Take a year off, do online/nightschool, and figure out what to do whenever you want.

Huh. I never thought of that.

I could take time to work my behind off, make lotsa moolah, let the wind take me wherever it leads, and go from there, wherever that is. That's the smartest thing I've heard all year! So that's my new plan. For today.

Another thing I'm concerned with right now is my health. Like I mentioned earlier, I've gained 4 lbs, when I didn't really have 4 lbs to gain. I have been so unhappy with myself lately that I guess I am eating the feelings 'away'....but they're still there. I thought I was doing fine, but I've been lying to myself this whole time. My main New Year's Resolution this year will definitely be taking better care of myself, because my body is making it very obvious that she is NOT happy with me. But that's a whole other story.

Happy New Year, internet! 

busy busy busy busy, all day long i'm in a whirl

This has been an intense few days! With Youth Group, work, Work Christmas Party, Church, Dad's work Christmas dinner, and planning the Youth Christmas dinner (which is tomorrow may I add...)  I feel like my eyes are spinning.

And tonight isn't even a night of catch-up!

Well I'm hanging out with the boyfriend, going to Niagara Falls to see the Festival of Lights, so I guess that doesn't count as being "busy". But still.

I cannot WAIT for the Youth Christmas Party tomorrow evening. I have learned 2 very important things while planning this little shindig in the past 2 days...

1. I love my girls in this Youth Group more than I love my books. (and that's saying something)

2. I have a ridiculously large amount of love for planning parties.

Could this be another career option??

I love the Christmas theme, and I've gotten so many cute little Christmas inspirations, gifts for the girls, and just everything Christmas-y, Wednesday I'll have to post pictures! (If I ever learn how.)

Just a short post today, but I'm just getting a chance to catch my breath.

Tomorrow will be full of party prep, cooking, baking, signing cards and making a little soundtrack for some background noise, I think I'll be too pooped to peep by the end. So you'll definitely hear from me Wednesday.

Unless I have some divine intervention before then.    Which I'm doubting.    But you never can tell.

Hi, my name is Taya and I am not an alcoholic.

I guess I should explain a little bit about myself, I just realized I've posted twice and you don't even really know who I am.

I don't even know if I really know the answer to that either.

But I'll try regardless.

As you saw from my last post, I turned the ripe old age of 20 yesterday.

I'm a social work student and you saw from my first post that I'm not exactly loving it.



I live with my boyfriend who at some times drives me up the friggin' wall, but at other times I know he really is my other half.

I'm an only child, which I do not resent at all, because I am very close with my family and appreciate everything they have done for me. If anyone tries to call me a spoiled brat, you better start running. 

I love to read. Fiction, non-fiction, biographies, romance, historical, sooome fantasy; you name it, I'm probably going to love it. I don't even think some of those things are real genres but you catch my drift.

You obviously know I love to write, it's always something that I've enjoyed doing. I think my problem was I was expecting to wake up and be the next Jane Austen. Sorry to burst your bubble sweets, but it ain't going to happen.

I love romantic movies, walking on the beach, and candle light dinners (And that isn't a joke). I have a dog named Moose that we adopted in April of last year and whom makes me happy no matter how crappy I feel. Country music is my absolute favourite and don't ask me to play board or card games very often because I'll admit it, I hate losing.

I'm a receptionist at a car dealership. I love this job and am so glad it found me.

I'm not a big drinker. It's just not my thing. I don't like the taste of it and don't like the way I feel the next day. That isn't to say that I don't go out the odd time, have a fruity drink or two and dance the night away. (Another fact about me: I love to dance...although I suck at it.)

Over the Christmas break, I'm going to try and learn to cook properly and possibly become a vegetarian. It's something I've always been interested in doing, not only for the animal rights aspect, but also the health reasons as well; I'm definitely not the healthiest person on the planet.

I'm finding that my group of friends is really starting to whittle away. I would call most of them 'acquaintences'. I'm seeing people's true colours and noticing that I only have a few people in my life whom I can call friends. Thank goodness for them. But I'll explain more about them a little bit later.

I am a Christian, Presbyterian to be exact but who's keeping track, and I think that is one of my favourite parts about myself. I am happiest when I am at church, either in a service or running youth group or helping out in whatever way. I know I am certainly not perfect but I think that's what I love about it so much; there's 'someone' out there that loves me for me because I'm not perfect. In today's day and age, you just don't find that anymore.

I don't know what else to tell you, I'm sure you'll learn more about me and what makes me tick as we go along this little journey together. Unless you've read the above, realized I'm a nutbar and hit the road. But that's cool, no judgement. Because although it may not be yours,

this is my symphony.

here today, gone tomorrow

Yesterday I was a teenager, today i'm 20!

This is such a strange feeling. Throughout the day I've had the realization that I'm no longer a teenager, I'm a full fledged adult. There's something about saying, 'I'm 20' that is a bit daunting.

Am I really ready to be an adult??

I hope so because I can't exactly go back now.

I sometimes wonder if I'm ready to be a total grown-up. I feel very prepared for the world sometimes, and other times I'm ready to have a total break down.

I'm hoping that with having so much time off from school for Christmas break I can take time to reflect, learn about myself, and make sure that this New Year will be a successful, happy one.

I love having New Years Resloutions, any ideas for me??

sym·pho·ny : harmony of sounds.

Having had a mid 'mid-life crisis' has made me take a second look at what I want to do with my life.

I don't think social work is what I want to do.

Having spent the past year and a half learning about almost everything there is to know about social work, I'm feeling a bit lost. Well a lot lost...but in a good way. I think. Realizing what you thought you've wanted to do for the rest of your life for the past 3 years wasn't right is a frightening moment. But I also think I've realized what it is that I'm really supposed to be doing and what I've really always wanted to do, I just never realized it.

I absolutely love to write.

So of course the first thing to do is start a blog (duh) and get comfortable again with writing and getting feedback from those reading it to see if this is an entertainable thought or I'm really just a shitty writer. Whether I'm shitty or not it's something that I love to do and it is definitely my symphony. Isn't that all that really matters?

I'm glad I finally realized it.

So as much as I want feedback and constructive criticism and all that other crap, I guess if I love to write it doesn't really  matter what you think does it? (Although when I think about my livelihood for the next 40 years, I guess you do get a bit of a say in the matter.)

But this blog isn't just for me, it's also for you.

I love social work because I love helping others. All my life all I really ever wanted to do was to make others happy and help in any way I could. Although I don't think I'm strong enough emotionally to be a social worker for the next million years, I still want to help and make others feel as great as possible. I'm writing this blog mainly to work on myself, but I also hope that even just one little thing that's said will make you think, make you take a look at yourself and your life and figure out what it is that really is

your symphony.