I'm back!

After a lengthy hiatus, here I am again. I suppose it's high time I updated this blog a little, since so much has been happening. What a roller-coaster! Let me tell you why.

Well, it's official - the email has been circulated at work that my last day is Friday. I have terribly mixed feelings about this. As someone who is often resistant to change, I'm not ready to say goodbye to all my coworkers of the last five years. I'm not ready to be really under-employed while going to school and going into more debt than I would like. But it appears I don't have a choice. In two days, I'll be done, and despite knowing this would happen eventually, it still seems really abrupt.

Part of this stems from the fact that it's not really kind to say goodbye so suddenly to people, and not give them time to absorb the idea. I don't say this from some inflated sense of self, but I've come to realize how important this is, and how it kind of can rob you of something if you don't get to say your goodbyes the way you want to. For me, this is a big deal, anyways, and I know several people who feel that way. So, the fact that I'm just taking off makes me feel like a big jerk. Part of it is the timing with the holidays, but that doesn't really help. That's always fun.

On top of that, I am planning to move into my own apartment in the next couple of months, which is a) exciting, and b) terrifying, because I will have significantly less income than before. However, it doesn't hurt to learn how to live more frugally than I have been, which is an area I can certainly improve on. (I do enjoy my creature comforts.) Time to get creative- it can be a good challenge. I look forward to having my own space even though I've always lived with other people and I hope I don't get too lonely. Growing up in a large family contributes to that, I think. I'm just not used to it, but hopefully it will be better for studying and will be a positive change.

As for work, I'll be picking up a few hours with the French daycare through which I already do the playgroup, and doing one solid day of childcare with three children three and under, once a week. It's not much but it will hopefully get me by for the next few months. Since I'm taking four courses this semester, that's about all I can do probably, but I'll be doing some occasional childcare too. Lots of kid stuff! Good thing I like working with kids, eh? The good thing about this type of work is it's a bit more flexible but still in a routine, so I can plan schoolwork accordingly. Now that I have one semester done, I have a better idea of what's expected of me and hope to boost up my marks a little more.

I know, everything you wanted to know and lots you probably didn't...sorry so wordy today.

Now, about Christmas- it was wonderful! I had a couple weeks off from work, which was timely since my boyfriend came to visit for two whole weeks. Even though there were lots of visits, there was also time to just hang out, so I think a pretty good mix when you factor in travels and the general busyness of the holidays. We headed to my family's house for a few days along with my younger brother, then came back here for the remainder of the visit. I'm really glad that he got to meet some dear friends and family and that they could meet him.

Now it's back to real life, and plenty of it! That's how it goes. I'm so thankful for that time, and I think it will carry me through the next crazy while...God is good.

Okay, now for some photos:)

Someone had my camera, not sure who took this...

 With Megan and Lisa- just missing Laura :( All in the same province at once- a rarity these days.

 Got my hair straightened when I had it cut.

 Some scrumptious pasta my boyfriend concocted:)

 Ooh, culinary butane torch! Caramelizing the sugar on the crème brûlée.

 So much fun.

 My friend Ruth at New Years Eve.

 Two games of Dutch Blitz at once.

Self-portrait when we were dressed the same, haha.

Hope you enjoyed this post! Happy New Year! Many blessings this year. ~ xo ~