2016 was one of those strange years where I knew it was
going to be full from tip to tail in advance; it didn’t disappoint. Almost
every aspect of my life changed, and almost all for the better. That doesn’t
mean it was easy – god, no – but it was rewarding. And, like my friend Kait
asked for after 2008 brought her a marriage, a move, and a new job – I just
want a year where nothing changes. Here’s to the year that made me crazy and
crazy excited.
2016 Year in Review
1. What did you do in 2016 that you'd never done before?
Wore a wedding ring, spoke on behalf of my country in an
international forum, hired a financial planner.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you
make more for next year?
I made them, but didn’t really expect to keep them, given
the chaos that lay ahead. Some were, as always, more successful than others. I
casually kept my classics:
- Read 6 books
- Visit 12 new restaurants
- Make 12 new dishes
And I failed on all but the second one because, fatty. For the first time in forever I didn’t read a
single book last year. Not one. I started some, sure. I half-heartedly picked
up a couple and leafed through them and made a pile of “books to bring with me”
and “books to store” when the movers came, but nothing came of it. I was
disgusted with that revelation so I’m reading a book now and… I’m finding it
hard to get back into the habit. I skim too much, get distracted. My smart
phone has really eaten my brain, I’m afraid. So the new resolution is one book
a quarter, 4 books in all. Just to train myself again. Just to say I can.
New restaurants back in Ottawa didn’t materialize because we
wanted so badly to visit old favourites before we moved. We did, however, enjoy
the clever, tasty food at MeNa but the portions were
laughably small and unsatisfying, even for us and the sister who are used to
delightfully whimsical small plates. Like, 6 courses means I should not be
craving a McDouble at the end of the meal. Unfortunately, it’s a common
complaint, apparently. We went to Heirloom Café in
Almonte a few times this year and they are truly wonderful. Local, fresh
tasting food; cozy, rustic atmosphere, and a menu that consistently presents
too many options. This was the last restaurant I visited as an unmarried gal
and it was an excellent choice for a last meal (get it? Because marriage is
like a death sentence? So fun. ) Over the holidays we tried Bar Laurel, which
replaced our beloved Back Lane Café (will always be the restaurant we went to
the night my mom died, but also the restaurant my sister introduced us to for
her birthday, so good memories, really). It’s another small plate place but
innovative and good quality food. Not cheap but I came away absolutely stuffed
and there were tonnes of things we wanted to try on the menu, which is always a
nice surprise.
Here in DC we were blown away by fancy-pants Jaleo, whose
$25 lunch is a staggeringly good deal. We also fell in love with Mi Cuba Café
which is as unpretentious as it is delicious. I have actual deep in my bones
cravings for their food from time to time.
Other favourites:
- Busboys and Poets
- Tryst
- The Diner
But honestly? My favourite foodie discoveries (other than
being near a Trader Joe’s – thank god!) have been at the Dupont Circle Farmers
Market. So much creativity and deliciousness, we can’t get away from there
without a full bag of something new for us to make (TB) or eat (me.)
In fact, I think the reason I’ve “failed” at making 12 new
dishes this year is because TB is really coming into his own as a cook. And I’m
happy to let him, tbh.
2017 feels like a new beginning, like a chance to really
settle in so I’m really going to try and make some resolutions:
- Take better care of my health. Free access to the American medical system and a new doctor means we are trying to pay more attention to our bodies. TB’s cholesterol /sugar is not good so we’re undertaking to give up pop/juice (harder for him than me, to be sure), eat less sugar in general, and join a gym. I’d also like to be better about flossing. I love that our new doctor didn’t make any comments about weight, just said “try to move 3 times a week, eat less sugar and buy clothes that fit. I’ve been doing this for over 40 years and I’ve never seen anyone have sustained weight loss. Just keep your numbers decent” I love him.
- Eat 12 new ingredients and add 12 new recipes to our arsenal. TB’s been really good about preparing dinners and I’d like to see what we can throw into the weekly mix. Man cannot live by meatloaf alone (though we try)
- Go on more social outings. Our social circle here shrunk down to each other and the dog, which has been an adjustment. We’ve been trying to go out to brunch and events and such with folks here, but even if we just go out together among strangers, it’s the being around people that feels social, so I’m going to advocate for more of that.
- Keep up with Spanish. I have accepted that I am just horrible with languages and need more maintenance than most to keep up. I’m going to try and do something Spanishy – whether that’s my weekly hour long Spanish class, listening to news or telenovelas, or practising online – 3 times a week.
- Drink more water. Because why not?
- Use up more samples. I have so much makeup and toiletry samples lying about that I really need to start pairing them down. I don’t want to be a stockpiler like on “Extreme Couponing”
- Pay off our American credit card by September (coincidentally enough, when it starts collecting interest)
3. Did anyone close
to you give birth?
My friend Kait, mentioned above, gave birth to her third
son, who seems just as adorable and feisty as the first two. A few people I
used to work with gave birth. I mean, I’m 34. This is basically just life now.
4. Did anyone close
to you die?
My dad’s sister died, which was weird because no one really
knew how to react. I didn’t see my dad cry, he didn’t go to her funeral (it was
across the country and 2 weeks before our wedding) and he and his sister had
not lived in the same city or been very close in years. She was a loud, bright
personality, whose ways often clashed with her clan’s, leading to a lot of
extended familial stress. I was able to offer some help to her daughter, my
cousin, which made me feel useful, although that girl has her head on better
about this stuff then I did 2 years ago, that’s for sure.
Also, I cried when leonard cohen died, which surprised me. I
think it was the final straw in what had been a really difficult couple of
weeks.
5. What countries did
you visit?
I went to Costa Rica for three weeks in March where I lived
with a family which was an introvert’s nightmare but they were kind and giving.
We visited Washington DC in June and liked it so much we moved there in August.
Well, not exactly, but how cool would we have seemed if that’s how it happened?
6. What would you
like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?
A dog without seizures and a bladder stone. Clothes that
don’t cling to my ampler-than-usual butt and tummy. A budget. Better sleeping
habits.
7. What date from
2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 21: we done got hitched.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Gosh, there were so many. I think, honestly, the Costa Rica
trip feels like it was the least like me. Going to a country where I don’t
speak the language well, to live in the house of a family I don’t know, going
on trips to beaches and climbing volcanoes and hiking to waterfalls? The most
anti-me trip I can think of. But I did it.
Also, sticking to my guns and not inviting people to my
wedding that I didn’t want there made me really proud.
9. What was your
biggest failure?
I left Costa Rica early, which I don’t regret but it makes
me feel like a bit of a failure. My therapist and I worked on how to silence
those voices, but on bad days they still get me. Also, I bombed my Spanish
final and that has really affected how I see myself in my job so… I wish I was
one of those people who was just good at languages, instead of having to fight
for it. I also wish I’d saved our personal inventory before 1am 2 days before
we moved when the whole thing fucked up. That was… not my best moment.
10. Did you suffer
illness or injury?
For the first time in forever I was sick over Christmas.
Just a cold, but it was a doozy. Couldn’t taste a thing, and didn’t really feel
like myself again until the 3rd. Other than that, I was pretty
healthy this year.
11. What was the best
thing you bought?
Oh man.. how do you pick? I mean, if a wedding can be
“bought” I pick that one- I was literally happy with every vendor and every
purchase made. If that doesn’t count, the doggie diapers we bought saved my
sanity. Don’t you wish you’d stuck with the wedding answer now?
12. Whose behavior
merited celebration?
We refer to my wedding day as “our” wedding day – i.e. my
sisters, Jax, TB and I - because it felt
like that. No matter what I threw at our team- they rallied and made it better
than I could have dreamed. I never was made to feel like a burden or a
Bridezilla and I was just so amazingly grateful. They made our day so magical.
I can’t even answer this question, really, because everyone – our parents, our
friends, our coworkers – so many people reached out in love to us and we just
felt so lucky to have attracted as many wonderful people as we have.
13. Whose behavior
made you appalled and depressed?
That being said – I’d be lying if I said my feelings weren’t
hurt by a family member who seemed to go out of his way to be annoying and
obtuse about the whole affair. But I’m mostly over that now.
Also, the 2016 election was not a highlight for most
people’s behaviour.
14. Where did most of
your money go?
Wedding stuff, Clothing, eating out, and taxis. <--- this answer isn’t that
far off for this year, either. However, the added expenses of moving house and
fixing up a house to rent were far beyond what I was expecting. Especially when
you don’t have an SSN and everyone wants money upfront.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Aw, come on – I gotta answer wedding for this one! I never
once had cold feet about any of it – I’ve never felt so good about a day in my
whole life.
Also seeing a play at
Ford’s Theatre, seeing David Cross live, meeting Alex Trebek, and our big move
to Washington were highlights.
16. What song(s) will
always remind you of 2016?
Take me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
Africa – Toto
Closer- chainsmokers (I heard this song EVERYWHERE when we
first moved to DC)
17. Compared to this
time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder?
ii. Thinner or fatter?
iii. Richer or poorer?
i. Happier, absolutely.
ii. I think about the same, which is still the fattest I’ve ever
been haha
iii. More in debt, but with more in investments and savings
so..maybe even?
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Reading, studying, knockin’ boots.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Ugh, officially addicted to my phone. It’s my number one way
to relax and pass the time and I hatelove it.
20. How did you spend
Christmas?
This was my first time “coming home” for Christmas, and I
finally get all the clichés. It was really really nice. The aforementioned
sickness meant that I was a bit slow and plodding most of the day.
However, that was okay since it was our
first ever Christmas with no visitors in the morning, which was actually great.
We made devilled eggs and cinnamon buns and smoked salmon dip and gorged while
taking our time opening presents. My family was far too generous yet again, and
we laughed lots. Due to a last minute change in plans, my cousin was able to
make it up for dinner with my uncle so we had dinner together. Still the usual
amount of family irritation, but it was made up for by a healthy dose of family
gossip, which gave me life. The snow was plentiful, we walked the dog in the
snow, the turkey was cooked perfectly for once (since my mom died, my dad has
not got the hang of turkey making. This was his first absolute success after
two Christmas attempts and a thanksgiving) and everyone liked their gifts. A
total success.
21. How did you spend
New Years?
We had rented a hotel room just in case, since TB’s sister
had mentioned her friends would be partying together downtown and we were
invited. However, the illness that felled me, got all four of us in the end, so
I cancelled the room last minute (saving myself a bundle, honestly) and we all
hunkered down at my in-laws (I have in-laws!) where we drank cheap sparkling
wine, watched the ball drop, played games and nibbled at food. It turned out to
be quite nice, even amongst our Kleenex towers.
22. Did you fall in love
in 2016?
Legally, yes.
23. How many one
night stands?
I could use a new night stand actually. <---- Never
changing this answer.
24. What were your
favorite TV programs?
Another year for good TV. Bloodline, Stranger Things (which
inspired our Christmas card!), Better Call Saul, plus this amazing channel we
get with our basic cable that only shows classic game shows from the 80s and
earlier. I’m in love.
25. Do you hate
anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nah, perpetually annoyed, of course, but no one I really
hate. Some of the things said by certain people who will be taking over a
certain high-powered position however, pushed me to my limits…
26. What was the best
book you read?
We've talked about this.
27. What was your
greatest musical discovery?
I got the Hamilton LP and that’s been a fun discovery,
though we’re only now starting to get into it. We got our record player set up
this year so I’m looking forward to actually having to listen to the vinyl
we’ve been amassing lately.
28. What did you want
and get?
A beautiful , hilarious, love-filled day with almost all of
my favourite people, a house in a lovely neighbourhood in DC, renters for our
house back in Canada
29. What did you want
and not get?
The first female president of the United States. All my international
folks at the wedding.
30. What was your
favorite film of this year?
Ghostbusters made me cry, because I would have loved it so
hard when I was a little girl. Really fun, funny movie. Fantastic Beasts and
where to find them I technically saw January 2nd but I loved it,
too. Was not expecting much, but was so pleasantly surprised. Totally beautiful,
engaging movie.
31. What did you do
on your birthday, and how old were you?
The actual day we had *just* gotten back from Washington
hours earlier, so we were basically braindead. My dad and sister came over,
they made me a flaming dessert, we put the dog in a Canada onesie- it was lovely. The next day, we threw a party
at the house, and we drank flaming shots and had such a lovely time that I
remember nearly none of it. And then I was 34.
32. What would have
made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A bigger kitchen or a basement in this place (our house is
bigger and has two washrooms but the downgrades in some respects are
irritating), more sleep, if I had the ability to concentrate on anything ever.
33. How would you
describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?
You really have to split the year in two: from January –
August (and on weekends now), it was a continuation of what I called “business
grunge”. I had to pick it up starting in September so now I’ll call it
“professional funk”. Basically a lot of
booties, some sequins, and pants that are probably just leggings with a button.
34. What kept you
sane?
My therapist and I parted ways in August when I moved, but
the work we did over those 18 months was some of the hardest, best stuff I’ve
done for myself. My wedding party/tribe made me believe everything was possible
and had fun while we got it done. They sacrificed time and money to make sure
things went smoothly and I love them for it forever.
35. Which
celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
16 years running: Paul Rudd. Also, lame duck Obama is my
everything.
36. What political
issue stirred you the most?
It’s hard to pick one aspect of the American election, but
it feels incorrect to say the election as a whole was just one issue. I believe
in the innate goodness of the American people and I was admittedly shaken by
the result. Seeing that 3 million more people did not vote for trump than voted
for him made me feel marginally better, but the level of discourse around the
whole event… it’s so depressing. I’m still not really over it. And I feel so
badly for my American loved ones.
37. Who did you miss?
My mom and my grandparents until the end of days. <--- why change what’s
true?
Time with Jax just made me ache when she left. I love that
girl. Having everyone around for the wedding actually made me feel their
absence more acutely right after.
38. Who was the best
new person you met?
Probably Jen, a girl I went on training with but then became
a friend once we both moved here. My colleagues are really nice people, too.
It’s hard making friends as an adult – you feel so vulnerable.
39. Tell us a
valuable life lesson you learned in 2016.
That you can’t control everything – only your reaction to
it.
40. Quote a song
lyric that sums up your year.
God only knows what I’d be without you
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