10 for '10

I don't make New Years resolutions but usually I try to just do things that I've been wanting to do for a while. I got the idea from this post by Amber to list 10 things I'd like to accomplish this year. Some of them are planned already and some of them are not. Here we go!

1) Celebrate Chinese New Year in Vancouver - I really wish I celebrated my Chinese heritage more and I really enjoy taking part in Chinese New Year festivities. I haven't done so in two years and I'd really like to take the trip down and visit family. Plus, the food is amazing! I don't know if it will happen this year, with the Olympics making Vancouver crazy and all.

2) Have an amazing time during the Canucks game - Back in September, I bought Kyle and I tickets to see the Vancouver Canucks take on the Detroit Red Wings in March. We've recently booked out hotel room, and I'm super excited to go down. We haven't gone on an overnight trip together since 2008, so I'm looking forward to some good alone time.

3) Buy a house - I know it's a long shot at this point, but Kyle and I have been saving for about two years now for a down payment on a house. In October 2008 we had actually made a successful offer on a house, but the financing fell through as it was right during the time they were cancelling out zero-down payments. We're tired of renting and we really want our own place before getting married.

4) Advance in the workforce - Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but one day I'd really like to move up to a daily newspaper. Times are really tough right now, so it's been hard, especially since I want to stay in Kamloops

5) Go north - One of my best friends is having a baby in March and I can't wait for it to arrive! I really want to go up north and visit her in Fort Saint John, plus another friend in Prince George. Unfortunately time and money never seem to be on my side, so I guess I'll just have to play things by ear.

6) Cook - I'd really like to learn cook a wider range of dishes. My skills are generally limited to casseroles and pasta dishes, so I'd like to branch out a little. I love all types of food, so I'm curious to see what I'm capable of making in the kitchen.

7) Get in better shape - I've had a gym membership since July (or maybe August) of last year but I really haven't been using it to it's full potential. I want to try and hit the gym at least three times a week to start and eventually work my way up to four. It'll take some time, I know it, but I always feel amazing after a good workout and want to continue that!

8) Read more books - Last summer I read a ton of books but slowed down in the winter. There's a 900+ pager that's been sitting on my coffee table since October and I haven't even cracked the first page. I definitely want to get back into great books.

9) Hunt - Yes, some people may not like the idea of hunting animals, but I really enjoy hunting with my grandpa and I plan on getting my license this spring. My grandpa is quite proud of the fact that I enjoy going out into the bush with him and hunting for deer, and I can't wait to go again come fall.

10) Be a better blogger - I first started blogging about a  year ago for one of my journalism classes and I rather enjoyed it. Keeping to such a strict topic for my class was quite difficult but I've really enjoyed exploring the blog world and reading all the amazing blogs out there! It's made me want to work on mine and make it great!

Do you have anything you'd like to accomplish this year? Have any feedback on my blog you'd like to share! Yays or nays?

The List

The year is coming to an end and while I'm awful at keeping to resolutions, I did learn many things.

There was a popular Note theme on Facebook this year where people listed 25 things that their friends may not know about them, such as weird quirks or family history.

Instead of doing that on here, I'm going to attempt to list 25 things I've learned in the past year:

1) While it was stressful at first, moving in with Kyle was the decision I've made. We feel more grown up and it's helped make our relationship stronger.

2) Cooking a roast isn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. Next challenge: A turkey! Maybe next Thanksgiving ...

3) Being done school is the most amazing feeling in the world ...

4) ... but the stress of trying to find a related job isn't so amazing.

5) Shopping for houses is also stressful, especially when you first need a down payment and housing prices are high. I've learned to broaden my desired areas to live in because a lot of areas are out of our budget.

6) It's been really hard for me to get my butt to the gym and get a good workout in. I'd really like to go three times a week but my body disagrees. Twice a week seems to be my usual thing.

7) Budgeting and giving my self an allowance has worked wonders, so I really need to get back on track. I take $40 out of my paycheck and make it last two weeks. It's hard, but I tend to have back spending habits. Kyle hides my debit card and I only use my credit card for emergencies. Some people don't think it's right that he hides it, but I know it's for the best and I'm okay with it, which is all that should matter.

8) Twitter isn't as evil as I thought it was.

9) Living in a house without air conditioning is horrible and having a pool in the backyard doesn't help.

10) Watching people search for parking spots at Costco during the Christmas shopping season is hilarious.

11) Not being engaged after seven years is okay because we have bigger priorities we want to fulfill first. (See #5)

12) I found that I don't enjoy going to weddings or reading about people planning them because it makes me jealous that I don't have one to plan of my own. (But again, see #11)

13) Running is an amazing way to make my anxiety attacks go away. They're refreshing and when I take my dog she benefits too!

14) I love my friends and hanging out but I really appreciate my "alone" time.

15) Mac computers aren't so bad after all (except when they're running on an old OS).

16) You can't throw up in public gracefully.

17) Copy editing is harder than it seems, especially when it's your own work.

18) The North Shore businesses have a whole different attitude than Downtown businesses.

19) There is no comfortable way to pee in the woods.

20) It's really hard keeping track of everything I have to do at work plus several things other people have to do all at the same time.

21) Deleting people I never talked to in high school off my Facebook is okay.

22) Mice are very tricky creatures and shouldn't be underestimated.

23) Two large dogs poop more than you could imagine.

24) Performing world-class cannonballs into the pool is a sure-fire way to lose your bathing suit top.

25) I am perfectly happy with where my live is headed and I wouldn't change a single thing about the past year.

Ten on Tuesday

So I may be a Blog stalker, but I'm really trying to make this lame-o blog of my a bit better. Heck, I'm thinking I may even rename it. Who knows. I do a lot of these survey-like questionnaires on Facebook but dear Amber has some nice little shorts ones. Today, I present to you Ten on Tuesday, which Amber got from Roots and Rings.

1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I really wanted to be a veterinarian but then I changed my mind and wanted to be a doctor, then a pyrotechnician then a marketing specialist then a journalist. I didn't decide on a career until half-way through my first year of university! I was in the Business degree program at TRU but had Journalism as a back-up plan. It's a good thing too, I was horrible at figuring out economics.

2. Name 3 of your irrational fears.

1. Having the wind pick up a tree and hurdling it into my house. Needless to say, I'm afraid of windstorms.
   
2. Spiders. Just thinking about them gives me the heebie jeebies. I can kill the little tiny ones but I can't get within 3-feet of the bigger ones. (Think anything bigger than a pencil eraser)
3. Semi trucks and trailers. I hate passing them, I'm terrified of merging in next to them and I really don't enjoy it when there's one in front of me and one behind me.
   

3. If you had a $200 gift card for any store, what would you want it to be? (Nothing responsible allowed. Can’t be used for groceries or anything.)

Lululemon! I would only be able to buy one pair of pants and one sweater, but I love that store! Kamloops needs one!

4. What is your most (blog-friendly) embarrassing moment?

Being so drunk I was delerious in front of Kyle's best friend's parents. It's a good thing they're easy going.

5. If you were only allowed to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

Carbs. I love pasta and rice to death. I know a lot isn't good for me, but it's delicious.

6. What was your favourite toy growing up?

Probably my Fischer-Price kitchen. I had that and a McDonald's add-on for it with a visor and drive-thru headset. It was amazing. I used to put my cat in the "oven" though ... Oops.

7. Do you have a “go to” outfit? What is it?

My Gap jeans, a comfy shirt, my TRU sweater and my Uggs. I've had my Gap jeans for three years now and they are still perfect! I guess that's why they were so expensive.

8. Who was the best teacher you ever had?

Mrs. Russell-Martin for grade 3 and 4. She made learning fun and she has such an outgoing personality. Ms. Gould, my grade 12 English teacher was amazing too. She had a passion for literature and proper grammar.

9. If you could buy any car right now (something at least SORT OF within the realm of reality…so, you know, a Rolls Royce may not qualify), what would it be?

I'd love a Volkswagen Jetta or Golf TDI. The new models are sharp looking and they're quite zippy. I do love my car though. It's quite lovely.

10. How do you reckon that Chelsea comes up with 10 of these questions every week? It was hard! What’s your theory on how she’s so creative? Are you going to help her?

I have no idea. I know I certainly couldn't do it.

Just the two of us.

Kyle and I just celebrated our anniversary a couple days ago and while it was low-key, it was absolutely fantastic.

To make my blog seem less boring, I've taken the following from Amber.

What are your middle names?
Michele and Thomas

How long have you been together?
Seven wonderful years. People keep asking us, "When are you going to get married?" and really, we're tired of being asked. We have other priorities to sort through first, like buying a house.

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
Since grade one/two. We're the same age, but Kyle was a grade ahead of me.

Who asked whom out?
I told him that if he were to ask me out, I'd say yes, so he did.

How old are each of you?
We're both 23.

Whose siblings do you see the most?
Together we probably see his sister more, even though she lives in Williams Lake.

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
There have been many situations where it's been hard. High school was tough because it was high school, but right now it's finding a house to live in where we're both comfortable financially and domestically.

Did you go to the same school?
We sure did - the joys of living in a small town! We both attended TRU as well, Kyle for a little bit of the Business program before switching to welding and I took the journalism program.

Are you from the same home town?
We sure are. When I was little I lived less than a block away! Then I moved across town, but it was still only a 5-minute drive.

Who is smarter?
Haha - Well, we're both smart in different ways. Kyle really knows his math and mechanical stuff, and he knows a lot of random trivia. I'm more handy when it comes to writing and current events and I know lots of trivia about music and whatnot. Overall I think Kyle's smarter though.

Who is the most sensitive?
Me, by a long shot. It's called hormones and I have a lot of them!

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
That's a good question! We like to eat at a variety of different places, but usually we go to a place that serves steak. We do love Greek food though!

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Vancouver last summer for the Top in Trades awards. It was an amazing trip together! I can't wait to travel with him again :)

Who has the craziest exes?
I don't think either of our exes are crazy. We don't talk to any of them any more.

Who has the worst temper?
We both have bad tempers, but in different ways. I get mad at stupid little things like the cable being out during my favourite show and Kyle gets angry and the ridiculousness of Kamloops' drivers.

Who does the cooking?
Kyle does most of the cooking, but he's an amazing cook! I do my best but Kyle is more talented in the kitchen by far.

Who is the neat-freak?
We both seem to go through random spurts of "OMG WE NEED TO CLEAN!" One day I'll randomly gut out the panty and fridge and sometimes Kyle tidies the counters and coffee table.

Who is more stubborn?
I am.

Who hogs the bed?
Probably me. I like to sprawl across the bed when Kyle leaves for work in the morning.

Who wakes up earlier?
Kyle does during the week, but I do on the weekends, only because Kyle needs his rest after a hard week at work. I dont' blame him though, I'd need it too.

Where was your first date?
As I recall, we bought a bunch of 5-cent candy from the convenience store and then went back to his place and playing online computer games. It was fun!

Who is more jealous?
Probably me.

How long did it take to get serious?
You'd have to define "serious". We didn't move in together until a year ago, but we were too busy with school and wouldn't have been able to afford it. But I think we got more serious when we both finished high school and didn't have drama that goes along with it.

Who eats more?
Kyle eats more than me at one sitting, but I eat way more throughout the day.

Who does the laundry?
I do some laundry on Wednesdays when I don't work and we both pitch in on the weekends. I think we both hate doing laundry.

Who’s better with the computer?
I think we both have equal skills but neither of us are nerds. We usually end up asking Dave for help if we can't figure something out. Kyle's better at Excel than me though. Excel makes me want to cry.

Who drives when you are together?
I usually do because my car is better on gas. Sometimes Kyle drives though, usually when we're going down a dirt road. As much as I like to think that my car has 4x4 capabilities, it really doesn't.