first out of five.

As I sit here at the computer, I realize this is my first New Year's in 5 years (or is it 4?) that I have not spent it with Dale. I miss my boy! We will be reunited tomorrow afternoon for a New Year's Day brunch at my house hosted by my parents. 

I have been having a good time since I have been home. Vancouver was fun, but a bit overwhelming with all the family gatherings, forced food, a of course, a bit of drama. My family and I spent some quality time in Seattle doing our annual Boxing Day shop. I am happy now, as I indulge into my new wardrobe. Being home I have been catching up with besties and hanging low. I have been watching lots of Jon & Kate plus 8, sleeping lots, and making resolutions for the new year (which I hope are going to stick). Too many people make outrageous resolutions that they can't even keep up until the end of January. I hope mine work out this year (maybe I will keep them a secret?). 

Last night we had a little get together for Chels (she is moving tomorrow, I am soooo exciiited!!). We ate veggies and had a chocolate fondue. I had too many gin & tonics, and laughed quite a bit with the girls as we danced to old memories. Today I spent most of the day in bed (with a sugar hangover). I finally got out of bed to enjoy the annual Knipe & Taylor fondue. It was delish (as always). Then, off to Nicole's to watch a movie, and now back home...just in time for midnight. I am hoping to talk to my boy before I fall asleep! 

Happy New Year's!!

snowy boxing day.

Merry Christmas, and Happy Boxing Day!

Updates:
My fam and I left on the 23rd to drive to Vancouver. The roads were pretty decent except for around Manning Park. We had to help a fellow and his family out, and call a tow truck from a gas station 30 miles down the road from them. Other than that, the drive was pretty boring and long...but we made it! That night we had dinner with my gramma and Aunt, and then later the cousins arrived and we went to Wal-Mart and looking at Christmas lights.

Christmas Eve: My family and I went over to my Chinese Grandparent's house. We had lunch with them and my Uncle. Afterwards we just hung out and watched the Iron Chef. For dinner, we were back to my Gramma's to have roast beef. We did our Secret Santa exchange between the 5 cousins and then watched a bit of a movie.

Christmas Day: We were all up early at my Gramma's to open presents. There was like 13 of us, so it was a pretty crowded house!! At 11 we were off to my Aunt's to do Christmas with the Chinese side of the family. We had a huge brunch, it was delish. We hung out there for the afternoon, and then headed back to my Gramma's to finish preparing Christmas dinner. The cousins and boyfriends also decorated some gingerbread houses. We had 19 people over for dinner last night. All the food was absolutely delicious! We drank a lot, ate a lot, and had a good time. Carli and I helped do most of the dishes, and then did shots of eggnog and rum. We played a secret santa game with all of us ... it was super fun! I ended up with some more alcohol: gin.

Today James and I are heading to the mall (braving the boxing day sales eeps) for something to do. Tonight we have Boxing Day dinner with the Chinese side of the family. Tomorrow we are doing some more shopping, and then off to White Rock for the night. We are making our way home through the states to shop (of course!), and then will hopefully be home on the 28th or 29th.

xxxo

gingerbread men

Today is already my 4th day home. News of the day: I'll be back home in two months and a day. My mom has booked a flight home for me on that February weekend for her bday. Instead of coming home during reading break (because I don't know what my plans are), I'll come home a bit earlier!

Anyways. This weekend was good. I did some baking yesterday with my maj. I helped decorate sugar cookies, and my mom and I made gingerbread men. Yum! My uncle came in the afternoon (hoping to catch the evening flight to Van but it got cancelled last night AND this morning...stupid weather), and so we had dinner with him. Afterwards I went to the movie 7 Pounds with my mom, dad, and uncle. It was sooooo good. It had a really powerful story, and Will Smith was of course, a treat. haha. I came home and then went over to Tasha's to visit with her and Tyler. Then, off to bed for me. Except I was up a bit later because Dale was having a heck of a time getting to Hawaii. He finally arrived at 7:30 this morning (Hawaii time)...he spent the entire day and night yesterday in the airport. yuck!! But now, he is in beautiful Hawaii soaking up the sun! I am jealous. 

Today my brother and I went to the gym, and now I am home just writing some cards and getting ready for dinner at the Taylor's. Tomorrow my family and I are hoping to drive to Vancouver. Fingers crossed for good road conditions. 

xooo

the proust questionnaire

Your most marked characteristic

I think that I'm really good at listening to others when they just want to talk, vent, rant, or  share stories.

The quality you most like in a man

kindness, sense of humor, independence

The quality you most like in a woman

sense of self

What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty (first and foremost) and advice giving!

What is your principle defect?

I hate, hate, hate public speaking. I am definitely not looking forward making presentations in the education program

What is your favorite occupation?

fashion designers, magazine editor, person who does magazine layouts, and of course teachers (I don't know if this means an occupation I have that is my favorite....cause I've only had jobs, not really occupations).

What is your dream of happiness?

being absolutely content and in love.

What to your mind would be the greatest of misfortunes?

not following your dreams, having to get a divorce (I only want to marry once)

What would you like to be?

thinner

In what country would you like to live?

the United States

What is your favorite color?

all.

What is your favorite bird?

none, I really don't like birds!

Who are your favorite poets

e.e. cummings, most definitely

Who are your heroes in real life?

As my icon, Audrey Hepburn

What is it you most dislike?

being cold, working hard and seeming like there is no reward, disloyalty, job interviews

What natural gift would you like to possess?

I used to always dream that I could fly. I would fly to get away from the bad guys in

my nightmares. Flying just seems so cooool.

How would you like to die?

old, peacefully, in my sleep

To what faults do you feel most indulgent?

I procrastinate like no other

What is your motto?

always love, and dream big

Your Name or Pseudo

Tay

role play

"A muse is ever evolving, every changing, ever elusive. The perfect woman is out there, and she is many things, many moods, many women."

-j.g.

knowledge.

"I want to be a wise woman."

-Lauren Hutton

the wrap dress

"... and the other thing is that you have to be your best friend. And very early on I was lucky to become my best friend. That gave me so much strength: No matter what happens-the ups, the downs, the this, the that-I'm always with me. And I have a great relationship with me. And I think that's probably my best thing: the relationship I have with myself"

-D.v.F.

wise woman

I am home. It feels so good! 

Dale and I had our Christmas celebration last night. We went out for dinns to Il Terrazzo. It was super yummy. But we were so stuffed that we had a lot of leftovers (which was given to a homeless man outside the restaurant). Afterwards, we went back to Dale's to open presents. Dale got me the book that I wanted most: Influence by MKO and AO. It's so good so far! He also got me a loot of new work out gear from Lululemon. So stoked. Dale's gifts are exactly what I need for a new year with new beginnings (and New Year's resolutions that probably won't work out). Afterwards, Dale loaded my ipod with movies, and I fell asleep for a short sleep of 3 hours. 

Dale and I left around 3:45 am, and I had to go back to my place to grab my glasses and an extra pair of contacts. Then, we were off to airport. For a 5:00 am flight, the airport was pretty busy. Two busloads of carolers got off the bus, so I booted it to the self check-in, and got myself to the beginning of the line. The flight to Van went smoothly, but we were a bit late because of first-flight-of-the-day checks. I had about 2 and a half hours to wait for my flight to Cranbrook. It ended up taking a bit longer because of some maintenance problems...but the flight home was good. I slept most of the way. I am still extremely tired!

I came home and had brunch with the family. Afterwards I loaded up my ipod with James' new music . I got my bangs trimmed, and went to the gym with my maj. Then we came home for a yummy supper. After dinner was the decorating of the tree. We have a pretty smashing tree this year. 

Tomorrow is finishing up some Christmas shopping, and lazing around. Can't wait.

xxooo

silver bells

I am officially done my first semester! I just had my History of WWII exam. It went okay. I think it went better than the midterm. I am really hoping for a B- overall in the course. Maybe that is wishful thinking? I am not sure. I am still waiting for my math mark to be posted. But yesterday, I got two of my grades. I got an A- in psych (!!) and a B in sociology. I am pretty darn happy with these grades.

So, I have wrecked my computer. I stepped on it the other night, and now the display is pretty fucked up. I sent it in to a tech to look at it. He said it would cost roughly $430 to repair. This will all be coming out of my own pocket. HOpefully my job (yes, I think I need a job in January) will pay this off. Me and electronics should not even come in contact with each other. I wreck everything. fack.

Tonight, Dale and I are having our Christmas celebration. We are going out for dinner in a few hours, and then back to his place to exchange gifts and have a few hours of sleep. I have to leave for the airport at 3:30 am. I am hoping that everything is on time, and that I get home at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning for Christmas festivities to begin!

I can't wait.

xxxooooo

sleepyhead.

I had my Math 360 final today. I woke up super early to prep and get a good breakfast in. I left the house before the sun rose, and waited at the bus stop in the chilling winds. It is SO cold here today. The wind is just unbearable. However, there were some snow flurries just a bit ago!!
The exam went alright. There were definitely some questions that kicked my butt, but others that I knew what I was doing. So hopefully we get a marks for it soon!

Other than that, I came home and slept for a couple hours. I mean to start studying for history, but was way too tired. Now, I'm over at Dale's eating dinns and diving into my history textbook. I have so much learning and memorizing to do. I'm really nervous for the final. eeps. However, I am home sooo soon!

xoooooooooooooooooooo