We got a letter in the mail where some friends of the family gave a top ten list of happenings this past year. I thought it might be a cool way to muse about the last 12 months and as the year draws to a close, remember the things I am most thankful for. Please disregard how completely random it might be.
10.
An A+. Believe it or not, I got my first A+ in post secondary last spring. That’s pretty huge for me, it was in my Literacy in Education course and it raised my gpa a couple notches.
9.
May found me in Smithers for a few days, for my cousin, Megan, and Steve’s wedding. It was a beautiful weekend full of fellowship and fun and only the types of memories to last a lifetime. Only made more special in the last few months as I have found a deep love and appreciation for these two, as family, but mainly, as friends.
8.
This summer I went back to Penticton, in the hopes of saving enough money to attend university back east for the fall, and I got a job working for the Regional District of the Okanagan. It was fulfilling on two accounts: I learnt a ton (government stuff) and I made some friends that helped the summer pass nicely. Also the visit from Carla, Rae, and Brandon for Peach Fest was fantastic too.
7.
Mid July, I went to Drumheller for my birthday. I have an intense connection to that place as the majority of my friends I’ve made in Calgary are from there so the weekend I stayed at Dori’s and just visited and enjoyed the intense Albertan heat… I guess that’s how it is when there’s no mountains to shield you!
6.
Jes and Mark got married! July 22 in Camrose, 30 degrees and rising, my oldest sister got married. I had the honour of being the maid of honour (haha) and the whole week before and day of was perfect. Aside from the fact that Jes looked positively radiant and Mark has captivated all of our hearts as a new part of the family that now only he can fill…all of our family from Smithers, with the addition of close family friends, made it absolutely amazing… another memory for life.
5.
Eastern schooling didn’t work financially, so I transferred to the University of Calgary for this fall. It has been challenging, fascinating, and downright intense. I also started working at ATB Financial again so I barely get to sleep.
4.
Health wise, this year was odd. In September, I got my wisdom teeth pulled a week after I was back in Calgary… and then in about a period of a month and a half, I had a very, very painful bout of kidney stones and possibly an intestine virus. The doctors weren’t too sure… but when dad had kidney stones about a month later (go figure!) I assumed that it’s what I had. I don’t wish it on anyone. And I was on painkillers I think for avout 2.5 months?
3.
I have had a total of of four visits with Jocelyn (back and forth, me to Vic, her to Calg), one from Paul, two from Ken.. in the last 8 months. I enjoyed the visit to Victoria immensely as it afforded me to see Nadina, Suzanne, Jess, Sue… and a whole bunch of family. It’s moments like these that remind me I am the luckiest girl alive to have friends as these. And blessed as I hope 2007 will afford many more.
2.
I have applied to school in Lethbridge, St. Catharine’s (Ontario), and Victoria for fall 2007. I pray for God’s direction on this as I know in my heart that it is time to move on. So who knows what will result from this… but whatever it is, I will be content.
1.
A Christmas in Smithers hasn’t happened yet, but it is proving to be the most important: as celebrating the season with the whole family, nothing seems to compare.
Here’s to your Christmas. I hope it is filled with sentiment and laughter; hope and anticipation; and the fondest of memories to last a lifetime.
xox your Kate
