8 ways to rock 2015.

here to share my tips for living the best life in the world because i am an expert because my life is the best and i only have fun.
1. STOP READING LISTS ONLINE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE NO BETTER OR WORSE THAN YOU.
2-8. [fill in your own love and adventure and things that make you smile, here]
(LOOK at all the fun I have!! don't you want to have this much fun!! just follow my 8 steps - years of schooling went into creating them!! you can have fun and adventure and love too!!)

what the holiday brings (alternative title: things i did this holiday; why my stress levels are high)

holidays are awesome. and this is why.....
raptors games with dad; commitments to myself at work; cheers for pod partner successes; snow storms for the first time back in the place that makes me feel whole; tiny christmas trees at grandma's house; ghost stories from grandma; christmas decorating with tiny cars (seriously - my grandma is the best woman alive); the cottage.... never stops looking amazing; my parents like fireball - so, there's that; ring toss games for FUN - for the little ones... i mean; quick trips to denver, and hotel rooms that make me feel pampered; plane trips that make the US look beautiful; snowy walks in ellicottville; attempting to get photos of three of my favourite nuggets - with 1 breakdown, 1 disinterest, and 1 misunderstanding - when you have a phone, what else matters??
but seriously. the holidays are amazing. ALL OF THE THINGS.
(i know, i know. that saying is done. i'll stop using it in 2015).

portlandia (no copyright infringement intended)

despite the fact that everyone i'd ever spoke to about portland, said i would love it, it took me over 30 years to get there (i'll relinquish control over the first 18 years, and blame my parents for that neglect). two friends and i woke up WAYYYYY too early (anything before 8am is too early) and drove down to get as much into a short visit as possible.
portland comes across as a seemingly  lackadaisical community of 'hipsters' - and yet, it does itself well in the manner of nurturing the artistic realm. small shops of locally made product, restaurants of incredibly high caliber without the pretentious air of those in other cities - and BOOKS. oh the books. between the coffee culture of seattle, the rain of vancouver, and the lovely people (minus that one guy in that weird shop who was a complete jerk), i was totally impressed. definitely worth another visit.

in the meantime, there was victoria

destination two of my whirlwind was victoria. having never been, i was pleasantly surprised by its distinguished identity - i anticipated it would be nearly identical to vancouver. what i was confronted with was a wonderful and unique community which embraced a small town mentality, while demonstrating characteristics of a large city.
it may have helped to spend time with a great friend while there, but in addition, i had a chance to just be - my favourite way to vacation. drink coffee, browse in shops, read books and wake up late in comfortable beds. THAT'S what vacation is about.
victoria stole my heart, and reminded me of the art of long and great conversation.