A poor photo from my phone, however it is late and I am tired and I just wanted to post something quickly that would show some results of the day. And I apologize for my lack of perfect nails. The right hand looks horrible! I came home to receive a lovely package from Maryland! Inside was a Christmas card and a small box with lip gloss and a charm bracelet! How wonderful! And then a nice craft paper envelope with a lovely glitter card inside and random German words thrown in from S! I also need to pick up a package tomorrow. I wonder if it is the earrings, the mitts or the ring/skirt I ordered.

This morning I woke up early (after my neighbour's phone kept vibrating and ringing for over 30 minutes). I had gotten up by then and gotten to Wal-mart. After finished wrapping gifts and got picked up by M to go to E's house. At E's (who I hadn't seen since September) we had a nice breakfast. Belgian waffles, talks of Tin Tin & Now and Then, Harry Potter, Secret Garden, etc. We then opened gifts like savages. Then M and I left and drove downtown. She gave me the found metro pass and I took it to work. And I caught the new TTC subway! So amazing! I was an hour early so I went to the library to re-read The Great Gatsby. However, I was tired from waking up early and put my head down to rest. Only to get woken up by the security guard "excuse me mam", who probably thought I was homeless, to tell me that there was no sleeping in the library. I stared at him for a moment in shock of how stupid this all felt and just said I had a headache and he left me alone. But then I felt weird fake sleeping so I finished the rest of the book. Thanks security guard for keeping me in order. Why on earth does the library even have a security guard?

Tomorrow off bright and early with mama because she needs to get a gift! Then mail, then M drops off my gifts from S & E and I return the metro pass, last day to use it, then work (short shift) then NYE get together. I wasn't going to do anything as mentioned. I might fall asleep by 12 even, but maybe it'll be nice to go. I just made some camomile tea and added honey, but I added too much so now it just tastes bad. 2 days till Washington! I need to get some snacks for the road. :) And make a sandwich of course! And find my water bottle..ugh sleep 1:30 AM.

Ah and I haven't written about this before but one of my friends from WYD in September joined the convent (oh yes let's go back and watch a little Sound of Music again) and is becoming a sister! How exciting, it'll take around 8 years ago but I thought it was pretty cool, She gets excited about fireworks a lot.

Today I spent the whole day in Kitchener. I picked up some friends from the subway and then we took a trip down to visit a friend and her husband. It was a nice reunion. Some amazing noodles, quinoa and chicken rolls. We had to much fun playing Raving Rabbids, Singstar ABBA & Disney, and Dance Central. I was never into video games or any TV sort of games, you should see how horrible my Guitar Hero skills are, but these were a lot of fun.

Tomorrow morning off to meet up (I hope) with some other friends for another Christmas Exchange and some waffles. And then off to work in the afternoon. Then work the next day as well. Then a birthday, then off to Washington! Then after Washington meet-up with D to go over the UofT projects. New Year's I plan to just sleep haha. Just a quick post on what is happening. Bah need to work on design work.

Today met up wit M & M at a fifties diner for some Christmas gift exchanges. It was lovely, the diner was pretty dead since it was early afternoon. The food was good, there was a jukebox. And I have never seen so many Elvis Presley's in my life. There was snow on the ground as well. Received some beautiful gifts, thank you both! The rest of the night is spent listening to Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Jessie J and zumba music. I might be going to Washington twice this month haha! Thanks also to the nice dad who took a group photo of us.

Some photos from our Wigilia (Christmas Eve) this year.

I was a big girl today and looked up apartments/rooms for rent downtown. I'm getting an itch and looking for a place. I found one in Kensington for the summer and it is looking great so far. But photos/reviews can get you excited until you really see something. But it was nice and I promised I wouldn't stay up late and here I am..then I stopped myself from eating nutella from the jar and moved onto a bowl of chocolate ice cream with chocolate syrup instead. It seemed to be the healthier choice. Sent some Polish e-mails to families. Work was more tiring than usual today was not into anything at all.

It just makes sense to move. I work downtown, even though it is part time. I have my magazine things downtown, I walk a lot, I would pay less or nothing for commuting, I know more people downtown now. Grocery shopping.

I am happy to be working with UofT this winter/spring on their environmental campaign. I don't know what to expect, a bit nervous for the job as well. My friend worked on it last year and it turned out amazing, so it's a lot to look up to.

Tomorrow Kris Kringle with M & M at a nice little 50s diner. Then time for the movies, then design work. Then off to Kitchener the next day. It's going to snow and I am not looking forward to driving in that sort of weather. :/ Then work and work again. Then J's birthday then off to Washington for the week! :D

I am done with shopping for this year I believe. Just the few other gifts I need to get people. But I after seeing the store crazy and filled with so many people it makes me not want to shop. I feel like I have so much clothes and at the same time I feel like I don't have enough. I was smart and bought some fancier items, so I can dress up more for church or other special occasions, because I was lacking simple things like a plain skirt or black dress pants. So now I am alright. And I have blouses! Lovely ones. It's time to really start saving for rent/OSAP/Brazil!

I learned a bit of the Hebrew alphabet this week. Very quickly, and what I mean by a bit is like 5 characters in like 2 minutes haha. But I will pick up the rest in a short amount of time. First real snowfall, the snow is actually staying on the ground. Tomorrow it is supposed to feel like -20! I was waiting for my bus today until I realized it wasn't holiday hours like the day before on boxing day. So my 11:08 AM bus didn't exist. I decided to walk to my other bus and took the 11:38 AM bus and surprisingly made it with 10 minutes to spare! I was sort of annoyedof myself because this was not the first 1 PM shift I had had and didn't realize my mistake.

I almost done re-reading the Great Gatsby. Have been thinking of joining the boxing gym again since there is a promotion going on..they are cleaning the snow outside in the little machines.

We have completed two days of holidays. It was a lovely time with my family and there may be some embarrassing photos and videos that cover it all and will never be released. We had some gypsy songs and big butts, English choir boy singing, Goralskie piosenki, ice cream and beer from the backyard, falling asleep after the gifts, some quick Skyping, dropping off gifts at P's house, watching some creepy van, putting together IKEA furniture on the coach because I was too lazy to get up. The food was amazing but since I was eating the whole day little bits and pieces while helping mama I was full by the end. And I have just realized I get to eat more pierogi for work tomorrow! Yay! Boo to going to work, I am not looking forward to the rush of people. And the fact that I still need to buy some gifts...hah.

This week will be a good one I hope. Meeting up for Kris Kringle, movies, Kitchener to visit some WYD friends for lunch, and then J's birthday, New Year's I work and think I'll just end up going home. I was never really excited for New Year's, some people plan months in advance but it's one day ech I don't really care about. I am no longer watching movies on the computer because the streaming can get pricey, so hopefully I will sit less online.

I received some lovely gifts from my family. M got me Fanny & Zoeey. J got me a beanie hat. E got me an IKEA clothes hanger. M & T got me Tin Tin. :) Such lovely things I am so thankful for them all! :) Tomorrow off to work and then to Wujek R's house for more Christmas celebrations. I still need to finish the bulletin and the editorial layouts. And now re-do my room even though I just did it a month or so ago? This new coat horse needs a spot by the wall! I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and wishing a Happy New Year as well. (I just realized I work shorter than I expected yay, sleep in a bit.)

Some recent purchases:

5 random rings. Hope I get a nice batch and nothing duplicates. :)

Pleated black skirt. I am scared because the waist size is bigger than then the actual length of the skirt. 60cm waist and 43 cm height. Ahh it will be so short. :( That's what you get for not reading the instructions. I loved the belt.


Focus mitts to practice boxing with J.


Cross ring. I like that it only has one finger hole, compared to most that have two.


I think I'll just wear one of these. And I hope they are big. Hope they don't turn out small. Ordered off ebay.

Dear Miriam in 2012,

I know it isn't New Year's yet, Christmas hasn't arrive, but before I forget here are my goals for 2012:

1. Stop spending money online, at work, for food. Must have a strict limit on what to spend on. I just bought a shirt (real cute) and dress pants (because I don't have any)..actually 2 pairs of dress pants. You need to remember you: A. Want to move out, save on rent. B. You need to pay OSAP. C. I should only buy clothes from the UK. D. Brazil 2013. E. New DLSR/HD Video.

2. Fitness. Miriam, you have just purchased a boxing ball and have some focus mitts on the way. Time to get back into shape. Good job for buying a zumba class. Start running. And get those flat abs again. Remember cadets and how fit you once were and how lazy you are now. Arms too!

3. Keep up with German, French and Spanish! You have plenty of tapes and CDs! Just think of the 6 year old who could speak 4 languages.

4. Keep up with teeth whitening and brushing after every meal. And ugh maybe floss.

5. That's it, learn how to use film again.

6. Learn Adobe After Effects. Learn it well.

7. Get a job.

8. Time management. Sleep. Don't be lazy. Stay Organized. Take chances, make mistakes, geeeeet messy. Oh Ms. Frizzle. :) (Watch more Magic School Bus) If mom's can do it, so can you.

9. No more slouching. You don't want to be one of those grandmas with the round backs. You don't want to be living in Notre Dame ringing bells in the towers..actually that's in France and sounds quite nice.

10. Pray.

11. Limit internet hours.

12. Keep up with cooking and eating healthy and bringing your own lunch. Doing good!

13. Send mail.

I finally created some Christmas cards and sent the 4 to America today at the post office. The line-up was long and the post office lady was surprised so many people were still sending Christmas cards. I accidentally stamped all my International stamps onto the Canada envelopes. haha the most expensive stamps onto the envelopes that are the cheapest to ship. But luckily I peeled them off and can reuse them. I was in a rush to pick up my sister from school and half paying attention. I will post the cards up soon, but after Christmas when everyone receives them! I also created some envelopes from some old paper I had still from school. It was handmade paper with flower petals.


I have been getting around to buying Christmas gifts. All the ones I have for Christmas have been completed! I have a few meet-ups with people after Christmas so if anything could finish by then. Buying for 20 people is insane, and then making cards as well. Christmas becomes a very expensive holiday. Which is unfortunate because I wouldn't mind not getting gifts and instead just spending some time with home-cooked meals, why bother with gifts, the holidays are not about that. Maybe next year I can change that. Trying to use up the IKEA wrapping paper I got some time ago as well.






Some recent purchases from the past few weeks. The quality of these photos is very poor, it was an overcast day. I have a new phone, except this is the exchange. Only 2-3 weeks old the first phone already had problems with the battery. I had to exchange it for this one. I have yet to charge it but if it starts acting up like the previous one I am done with this phone! It's sad because it is a simple phone to use. I don't care much for phones, I would be happy without one, but sometimes it does prove to be a bit difficult without one.

The second two images are the Learn German packs I found at the library for only $6! They come with some tapes and booklets. I practiced some of my German today at the laundromat. Then mama came and helped me with pronunciation and other reading exercises. It has been well 23 years since she has had to speak German so it was interesting seeing her remember things again and also she looked to fancy to be at a laundromat in her purple coat. I think I have a good grasp on pronouncing things, even in French, I can fake a language..but that won't get me anywhere. I also keep thinking of all the people I meet in Europe they all can speak so many languages. Like if you go to Europe you are for sure bound to find someone you need to ask directions for and they will have no problem answering back in English. Not everyone, I had to use my broken French and German a few times in situations like this but a great deal of people learn English or other languages at school.

I went to Honest Ed's and picked up some Dove products. There was this face cream and also some face scrub. I don't see much of a difference now, or maybe I should pay more attention. The cream doesn't seem to make my skin moisturized. It always seems to be dry compared to the Nivea cream I use.

I woke up very late today, around 1 PM. I kept waking up during the morning because of a dream but in the end 1 PM it was. Horrible. It was because I came back from work (which we close at 10 PM now! Insane! And there are people still!) and then I started watching The Saint (Simon Templar)..I might have to read the books as well one day. Today after doing laundry we went to do a bit more shopping and I came across the Tin Tin DVDs! I was so happy, I got one and am going to watch it soon! Very excited. It's been a mission to find any in stores.

I rarely take pictures of my sister's dog but once in a while he's kind of alright to be around. He got to sit on the chair today and observe everything we did and feel all mighty. He prefers the window however. Mama and I spent the morning and early afternoon making pierogi for Wigila. I am so happy she waited for Sunday, because I had work yesterday. I love making them with her, I am eating the filling the whole time and we listen to Classical Music on the radio and I just really enjoy it. It's not often we do it so it's a nice change. I also finally sat down and finished some Christmas cards. Printed them, signed them, need envelopes or might make envelopes, and need to get them to the Post Office tomorrow.

I ended up buying 5 more rings online without even thinking. I was just in a zone and found myself clicking a button. They had a discount so got them for around $11 only! They are mixed however, so it's a surprise what I will receive! Exciting.

There was a family that came into work this weekend and I was on the phone for awhile trying to find their item. They had a 6 year old son and I tried to play some games with him so he wouldn't go crazy from waiting so long. And after talking to them for awhile they mentioned that he speaks English, French, Arabic and is learning German. He is only 6! I have got to get started! He even told me I should learn French. ;) Talented kids.

A Schwarzenegger (I love that his name is in Spell check) night. Went over to M's house and we watched Jingle All the Way which we both never saw before, one of those movies that are so bad they are good, it was a funny, cheesy Christmas movie. We also watched The Snowman..with narration by David Bowie! What blonde hair. We were supposed to make oreo cupcakes, but we just sat and ate pizza and wings and sunflower seeds and mandarins.

I spent the morning working on getting my Christmas list from 20 people to 10.5. In the very morning went with tata to Costco and it was packed! The whole parking lot was full and the store had opened 20 minutes before, it was like a Saturday. I enjoyed shopping on my own, it's so much faster and I am not distracted. I also ended up buying some chip & dip bowls for $5, they are so clever. I had to go pick up J from school, so didn't get to finish everything.

Yesterday a long day at work and then met up with L after work, we talked for a long time and then took the streetcar and encountered a detour. Had a staff meeting where we wrote haiku's about Naomi Campbell and then a little party in the apartment. We were both pretty tired so we left pretty early and it was a Thursday night.

For some reason watching One Tree Hill, because M & I discussed it, but don't know if I can get into it. I missed out on a lot of shows in high school. I watched Gilmore Girls for the first time in the past few years. Pierogi weekend and I think I'll be away for a lot of it. :( Maybe all of it. I cannot believe Christmas is next Sunday. Last day of Advent this week already.

Booked my ticket to Washington for the new year and I am very excited to see everyone. Tomorrow I am off to work and maybe take a look at some work at a gallery I submitted my work to and got accepted. It's exciting. The posters people created are beautiful! They can be found on this website.

I am sitting working on some magazine posters and layouts. I sent some resumes out today as well. Vanilla candles are burning. Practiced with my sister for her driving test. Mama is making oatmeal raisin cookies on a Wednesday night and I am wondering why?! This never happens, or hasn't in a long time and definitely never oatmeal-raisin? Friday is Christmas gift shopping, I have around 15-18 gifts I believe, so it has to be a productive day. I also am attending the Toronto Christmas Market at the Distillery District. A friend from work mentioned it a few weeks ago and very happy that she did! I forgot about it this year and found out too late last year to attend. It was raining today that was the initial plan but before it closes this week I am going to visit. Also cleaned my room a bit. Am still very happy I bought those winter boots two months ago. Listened to some MIKA (The Boy Who Knew Too Much) which I borrowed from the library along with The Saint and What's Eating Gilbert Grape, since my sisters haven't seen it yet!

I need to get started on some business cards. Re-print my 83 book, get in contact with a past reference (can't find e-mail)! Create some new design work! Print and send Christmas cards! ASAP! At the library today I quickly scanned the books for sale and came across a heavy duty 3 pack tape set to learn German. It was only $6 and bought it right away. The librarian said it belonged to another lady who worked there who had bought it for her son but he barely used it and she had spent $250! Got the Walkman out and bus rides are going to get very interesting. Looking also into bus/plane tickets to Washington/Maryland for the new year. Also trying to also find time to learn I See You, Heartbeat & Pachbel's Canon (before Christmas) on piano.

My sister and I stopped by Zellers today to check if there were any Crest Whitestrips for sale. And good thing we stepped inside, they were on sale for $19.99 (with tax around $22.59)! Compared to the other prices which can range from $40-50. My sister had bought some last year and it was only for 7 days but the results were really nice. And she had paid $30. So this was a great deal for 20 strips for 10 days. It is only day one of testing them out so I can't make a full review yet until day 10.

I had bought a no name brand (because that's what I always do) at the beginning of summer. It was very annoying to use however. Sticking it on would become difficult sometimes because it wouldn't come off the other layer. Then it would be very slimy and it felt like I was foaming at the mouth all the time. I just looked crazy. And the taste was not the best. I also began to see random white patches on my teeth as well so I discontinued using them.

So at the moment I am using Arms & Hammer Whitening toothpaste and these 3-D Crest White Vivid Strips. The only thing that I am worrying about is sensitive teeth. When you apply these strips it's pretty easy, I put the bottom strip on first. They are gunky while sitting on your teeth but the taste in your mouth isn't a bother at all. It is a bit harder to talk in them. Leave on your teeth for 30 minutes each day, and avoid putting them on after you have brushed your teeth.

I got my braces off in the summer and have been on and off on trying to get things done. I got a free whitening kit from my dentist but it just made me gag leaving the retainer in. And it didn't work! It left patches, but it was free. The 3-D Vivid box also came with some coupons for the whitening toothpastes, mouth wash, etc. So that was a nice bonus. I might pick up the toothpaste. Here is hoping for a nice smile for Christmas. :)

Update: I was really excited to use this product but was left feeling not so happy with it. I got no results. My teeth were not very sensitive to the product which was very good. Overall, I will not be using it again.

I apologize (I don't know how to spell that word, it always has to be spell checked) for the lack of good pictures. My phone has become my best friend again, after going 4 or so months with an old phone that was passed down generation to generation. I believe it started off with my sister, then my mom, then my other sister, perhaps my brother and then ended up in my pocket. I had come back from Spain and was fine going a month without a phone but that's only easy overseas. Back home it became a necessity again which is unfortunate, I wish I could stay a hippie forever.

This phone was pretty beat up and I was able to send 5 texts before the battery decided to die. We had a very angry relationship and in November I finally got to the point that I had to buy a phone. I even had a Rogers Wireless moment on the bus one time. The guy beside me wasn't blonde but bald but the same scenario. He was babbling on his phone while I struggled to send my text 2 letters: OK...so during my lunch break I bought a phone in 10 minutes and since I was doing so well bought a watch after as well. It was a very productive lunch break. So now I have a new phone, with lot's of texting and for some reason I enjoy taking photos on it. It's quick and the phone is small compared to my DLSR which is so annoying to carry around. So the quality is the worst but for quick memories I find it to be alright.

So as the photos above show, I took part in the City of Craft show today. I never take part in these sorts of events (because I can't count) or attend them (because I find out too late), I always wanted to however! It was nice, we had a table and listened to music, traded music, got free cookies and sold a lot of magazines! People coloured and it was overall a cute event. I wish I did more of these things when I was downtown during school more. I also realized I need to start using my film camera. For real, I am tired of just editing photos because I like the effects and feel like a fake and lazy person. It's been almost 8 years though! I have forgotten everything.

Tomorrow I am off to pick up a punching bag and some boxing gloves as well. I need to also work on my editorial spread, bulletin, intern campaign poster, do Christmas shopping, make pierogi this weekend, put up Christmas lights in my room, exercise, design & print Christmas cards, mail cards & packages.

Signed up for Zumba classes starting next year.Tried it once and it was difficult, but this darn Sean Paul song (which I listen to on repeat, I learned the lyrics so quickly) just makes me want to dance all the time. Like at work..on cash..and it's embarrassing so need to put all that shaking to a different environment.

I have been listening to Sha Na Na today for over an hour, because of Grease..it just got me back into all the oldies that I missed out for some time now. So much energy, so funny, I would be dancing in my seat if I was in the audience. This is not my favourite song but Bowzer and Elliot seem so great here. Great performers. :)

01. & 02.
There was a photo shoot at the magazine I volunteer at this week. I was so tired. Had a cup of hot chocolate and a fresh chocolate chip & oatmeal muffin. :) Delicious. I sat in the comfy chair.

03.
From the photo shoot I walked up to work and came across this lovely vehicle.

04.
Preparing a sandwich for a mini road trip to Brockville. Mmm avocado. My friend from Peterborough taught me this special sandwich.

05.
At a hotel in Brockville waiting for the Grease musical. I tried hard to read the Great Gatsby but didn't succeed even two pages. I never watch TV so it was a nice break.

06.
After the show back in the dressing room, stealing Hershey Kisses.

07.
First real snowfall I have seen. Alright maybe the second one this year. Very nice to wake up to.

08.
Had some breakfast at this diner/restaurant in Brockville today. Pancakes & bacon & orange juice! And there were so many old people, I was so happy.