Replacing the old with the slightly less old

I am about halfway into my 40 days before Christmas fast... and it's not a fast per se, I just can't think of another word to describe it. It's my Christmas version of Lent, without any religious undertones. Though this one only started a few years ago when I decided that because the holidays tended to be a time when my good habits went out the window, I would give up some of my more offensive habits in the 40 days leading up to the big holiday in hopes of avoiding a completely unproductive/unhealthy/unattractive holiday season.

Last year I painstakingly gave up soda and biting my nails. Both of which I dove right back into feasting on when the mood struck me. This year, I've given up chocolate and biting my nails. Now, I have no intention of kicking chocolate out of my life on a permanent basis - in fact, I don't eat all that much chocolate during the year as it is (however, at this time of year I tend to say "yes" to at least three too many chocolate chip cookies, cups of hot chocolate, chocolate cupcakes, etc. so it seemed like a good time to cut it out) - but biting my fingernails is something I would like to stop permanently.

It shouldn't be so hard to stop biting them, as I have no desire to do so whatsoever during the 40 days that I give up on my annoying habit, but it has proven to be more difficult to stop it indefinitely. There is, however, one trick that seems to work for me: nail polish. As long as my nails are painted, I spend much more time tending to the chips and dents in the polish than I do clipping and filing my nails with my teeth. So, my new habit is painting my fingernails.

In addition, I was shopping last night and came across a lovely ball of yarn and before I knew it I was on my way to knitting myself a lovely, cosy, warm scarf. I will, of course, show off the finished product but for now....

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And now, just for fun, a Christmas Survey:


When do you start Christmas shopping?
- Generally around late October when something with a red SALE sticker on it catches my eye as a cool breeze floats in through an open shop door.

Are you finished shopping?
- No, but I am nearly finished.

How many people are you buying for?
- Ten

What are you leaving out for Santa?
- Most likely nothing (because Santa is usually in bed before I am on Christmas Eve), but I'm considering leaving him a beer and a glass of Bailey's

Name 3 things you want for Christmas:
- Nintendo DS, Foo Fighters Live at Wembley DVD, a job in London

Are you traveling this year?
- Not for Christmas... but my big move is on the 29th!

If so, Where to?
- London, baby

Do you have a fireplace/ chimney?
- Nope

Favorite things to get in your stocking?
- Spearmint chewing gum

Any family traditions?
- The four of us each open one gift on Christmas Eve then mum and dad go back upstairs to finish wrapping presents while Scott and I go downstairs to watch one of the many Christmas movies on TV.

What foods does your family have every year at Christmas?
- Always turkey and some kind of potatoes... everything else changes year to year

Who is the most fun to buy for?
- Scott, because he doesn't specify what he wants. He just says things like, "Some clothes, maybe a DVD or something?" So I get to choose what I think is best!

Who is the easiest to buy for?
- Mum because it's always easy to find a book she'd like to read, or some earrings she'll just love.

Who is the hardest to buy for?
- Dad because he doesn't read and doesn't have any hobbies. He always insists that we don't buy him anything and then a day or two before Christmas when I've finished all my shopping says, "You know what you can get me..."

Who gives the best gifts?
- My family spoils me at Christmas. But I have to say my brother really does buy the things I like. Probably because he asks me what I want, I tell him, and he gets it... sometimes he buys something and forgets he's bought it and buys something else. That's when I get lots of presents!

Any movies/specials you have to watch every year?
- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation or Scrooged or Home Alone.

Who passes out the presents?
- Scott and I take turns crawling under the tree to reach the gifts.

Main stores you have shopped at this year:
- So far Indigo, Gap, The Bay, BMV, and Future Shop

What kind of tree do you have?
- We're going to cut it down this weekend. It will likely be some kind of spruce tree.

What are your 3 favorite ornaments on your tree?
- The red snowflake my cousin Leanne made for us when I was little is my favourite because it's red and Leanne made it. The Eskimo fishing has always been a favourite because it's been around so long. Santa and Mrs. Claus are also special because they have to hang next to each other and it's always a tricky task finding two branches strong enough to hold them that close together.

What adorns the top of your tree?
- Usually my dad because he's the tallest, but I'm pretty sure I climbed on a chair and did it last year.

Do you collect anything Christmasy?
- Just cards

Whose kids are you buying for this year?
- Anna's son

Can you name all 9 reindeer?
- Yes

Ever watch Ernest Saves Christmas?
- Yes, ages ago

What's your favorite Christmas drink?
- Mulled wine or hot apple cider

Do you like Eggnog?
- No

What flavor candy canes do you like?
- Peppermint

When do you take your tree down?
- Usually January 2

Is Christmas still magical for you?
- Yes, and I think it always will be

What is your favorite thing about Christmas?
- The excitement of Christmas Eve. That is my absolute favourite day of the year! I love the hustle and bustle of last minute shoppers, I love putting my gifts under the tree, and I love falling asleep at night trying to picture everyones faces as they open the things I got for them.

Do you donate at Christmas time?
- I usually give money to the Salvation Army bell ringers in the malls.

Do you make sure to remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas?
- I celebrate my family and my friends at Christmastime and try to remember that they are what really matters in life. That's what Christmas is to me.

How many nativity scenes do you have in your house?
- Just one.

Have you been naughty or nice?
- I am always nice.

38 for the start of 2008

Stolen, nay borrowed, from Nicole... To sum up 2007 and bring in 2008.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
I went crab and lobster fishing in the English Channel - true, I didn't do any of the hard work, but I was on the boat before 8am in February... brrr (but I'd do it again in a heartbeat)

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make resolutions, but I do try to make changes every so often (as any of you who have read my blog before should know)... in 2007 I made a promise to be more honest about my feelings and to put myself first. It wasn't as easy as I had hoped it would be to do those things, but I am getting better every day.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My wonderful friend Anna gave birth to her gorgeous son Kofi in February. I was so sad to have missed both her pregnancy and her son's birth, but am so proud of her and absolutely adore my little "nephew".

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My granny's sister passed away while I was overseas. It all happened to fast and not being able to say goodbye and not being able to be there to send my love to her husband and children was really hard. But we grow stronger and love deeper with every change.

5. What countries did you visit?
England, Wales, Austria and the United States

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
More motivation to achieve the goals that I set for myself.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
15 January - submission day for fall term papers and my first big drink up at Falmer Bar
18 February - the big fishing day on the sea
3 September - submission day of final dissertations... what a relief that day was
6 September - my final day in the UK, spent in London with Jack, before returning to Canada the following afternoon

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my Master's in Contemporary History

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not really a failure per se, but certainly something I am disappointed in myself for - I wish that I had stayed in England in September instead of coming back to Toronto.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully, no.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My second tattoo... it really does remind me every day to be myself and to not be afraid that I wear my heart on my sleeve.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friend Rupert had a not-so-easy breakup in the fall, and though he calls his behaviour childish and immature I was and still am so proud of his honesty and his willingness to share so much of himself at such a difficult time.


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A friend of mine who will remain nameless.... For constantly disappointing me and for making me feel guilty in times when I was not at fault. For making me question my love, my loyalty and my heart... I am big on forgiveness, but I am not going to forget the hurt that this friend caused me anytime soon.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Food and drinks in the UK... too much booze!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
A lot of little things. Most of which revolved around nights out with the boys of Newmarket Road. Whether they know it or not the four of them made my year so fantastic. Every time I went to their house or went out with them I was happy, and being genuinely happy made me really, really, really excited every time.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
"Heart of Gold" by Neil Young... it's always been one of my favourites, but I definitely listened to it a LOT this past year.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
Sadder, fatter and poorer.... OOPS!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spent more time on the beach in Brighton when it was sunny and warm.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Sitting on my butt in my room watching the sea from inside.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with my family... just like old times.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I thought that I might have, though I can't be sure just yet.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office (US)

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is far too strong of a word, but I will say that I lost a lot of respect for someone....

24. What was the best book you read?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Simian Mobile Disco

26. What did you want and get?
Wonderful new friends

27. What did you want and not get?
The funds and means to move back to England/remain in England.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Juno (go figure I saw it three times in theatres)

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
For my 25th birthday my fantastic friends (mostly new, and two old) filled the main floor of the Fish Bowl in Brighton - what a great night that was!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Ending it with a fabulous job offer for a proper job.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Longing to wear more exciting and sassy clothes, settling for whatever was comfortable and clean.

32. What kept you sane?
Reruns of Friends and Fraser... and late night gab sessions with Dina and Annie and Genti.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Steven Gerrard and Matt Damon

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I'm not going there...

35. Who did you miss?
All of my new friends who are scattered across Europe, Britain, Asia and the Americas

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Jack. My music and club guru, who knows a little something about everything.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
True friends are hard to come by, and once you find that you have some never let them go.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
No, I don't think I can do this.... I can't think of a specific song, but it would go something like this: "What started out great, got better, and then sucked, and then it was Christmas, and now I have something to look forward to."