And a Happy New Year

Can you believe that it is already 2007? I'm still recovering from all the hype around the millennium and all of sudden its seven years later. Fantastic. Well I guess I should also wish anyone out there reading this a belated Merry Christmas. It was quite a different Christmas for me this year. I didn't go home and I didn't celebrate a French Canadian Christmas. This has been the pattern over the last few years, but this year I decided to celebrate a Jewish Christmas. Well part of it anyway. I actually spent Christmas Eve, the most important part of the Christmas celebration for Finlanders, with my boss' family. It was actually pretty good and I had a great time. We had a simple meal of finger foods, we went skating and played some video games. I also had to deal with the regular onslaught of attacks from his kids. I do enjoy my time hanging out with his kids no matter how annoying they can be. I think this may have been one of the more fun Christmases I have had in a long time because it was real easy like. I didn't have any of the stresses I have dealt with in the past few years when I was going to a place where I really didn't know too many people and didn't want to step on any traditions. It was fun even though not too crazy. Thanks Drew et al for taking me in.

The Jewish part of my Christmas came on Christmas Day when I hung out with Amanda, Danijela and REBECCA! Rebecca was the friend whom I went to the Motley Crue/Aerosmith concert with. I didn't mention her by name then because i didn't know how comfortable she would be being associated with the Crue. She made a big deal about her absence from my tale so she can expect to enjoy some spotlight here. SO Rebecca, Amanada, Danijela and I went to see a movie. Apparently my Jewish friend Amanda did this a lot when she was growing up and so I have named this the Jewish Christmas. We also went out for Chinese food, which in my family was more of a New Year's tradition. So we went to see 'Dreamgirls', starring Beyonce, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx and American Idol runner-up Jennifer Hudson. I wasn't as keen on seeing this film, but I was outvoted by the ladies. All in all it wasn't a bad film and we all enjoyed are time. Although feverish movie critics REBECCA and Amanda were not completely enthused by Beyonce's performance. Some things just never change.

So this was my Christmas experience. I'll say it again that it was one of the better Christmases I have had and I have to thank REBECCA, Amanda, Danijela and Drew for helping me enjoy this time of year.

Of course I wish I could have spent part of the holidays with my family back in the Bay, but Florida just seems so much more tempting. I missed you guys.

Since Christmas I have been pretty busy at work and didn't have a chance to really celebrate New Year's Eve, but in reality I never really do anything to ring in the New Year. I think I'm just more amazed at the year I have had. It started out pretty uneventful with a federal election and less than exciting January. That was until I came to Calgary for a visit to see B and his crew. I enjoyed my time in Alberta, but didn't know I would be coming back so soon. When I returned to Ottawa I was met with the news that a certain someone didn't like me the same way anymore and that sent me into a bit of a tailspin and re-evaluation of what I was doing with my life. But all in all it was probably a good thing. I made the decision to come to Calgary and with the help of some really good friends I was able to make that decision and the trip out with a lot of confidence. I spent the first two months dealing with the dramatic change and got a great deal of support from B and his family and I appreciated it greatly. Since then you pretty much know what I have been up to if you have been following my blogging. I can't believe how fast the last 8 month have flown by since I came to Calgary. Its been a great time and I have met some great new people and I'm looking forward to the adventures ahead. There already a couple of big events planned. I'll be heading to Florida shortly and I'm looking forward to a potential visit by mon ami Emilie. What else is in store for me in 2007? We will just have to wait and see.

Thanks for following me along this journey and I look forward to your thoughts and continued support.

Happy New Year Everyone