January
Returning from Christmas holidays in Vancouver, the year started off with a sense of optimism and hope. I wrote this post as my first of the year and, while I don't remember what particular moment had triggered this rush of optimism, it's amazing how it forecast my year and all the changes that lay ahead.
The city was so cold in January and my photos from this month show grey skies and bare trees. And yet, there was also some coziness as I started my first of what would be three writing classes in 2007, sitting every Saturday in an elementary school classroom in the West Village and letting the pen run across the page. A favourite ritual throughout the year.
February
More cool weather as the year continued: "I drink mugs of hot tea, a small bowl of porridge from the cafeteria with a spoon of brown sugar, a bowl of lentil soup with croutons. More tea. At yoga, I bundle up in aptly-named Polar Fleece and when I get home, I pour myself a glass of pinot noir that is chilled despite not being stored in a refrigerator. I feel the cold wind from the North. It's like a kiss from my home country."(as I wrote in this post)
And then, mid-month, I had a quick jaunt back to the West Coast for a Whistler Microtrip. After the glories of December skiing at my favourite ski resort, I couldn't wait an entire year for another dose and I booked a trip back for the President's Day long weekend. Hitting the slopes with Joe and the cousins and then hitting the apres ski at the Longhorn, perfect trip.
March
Adventures in the month of March: visitors (Michelle & the West Coast girls, my parents), travels (DC), a new job offer (wheeeee!) and a lot of other stuff throughout the month, all of which can be summed up in this post.
April
Spent April wrapping up the old job and looking ahead to the new one, where I started at the end of the month. Having to use up the vacation time from the old place, I had some really great days that felt like summer vacation, exploring NYC.
May
Settled into the new swing of things, exploring the new professional neighbourhood in Midtown West (Hell's Kitchen) and enjoying the warming weather as Memorial Day weekend, the summer kick-off, approached.
June
Summer in full swing, meeting up with friends, new and old.
July
Incredible travels through Turkey!
August
Mom & Joe came to town for a summer visit. I finished the NYC Half-Marathon in a personal best triumph!
September
Incredibly fun month of travel, all over the place, from the Labour Day weekend Rhode-trip to Newport, to the annual birthday bash in the sunny Hamptons, to the dose of Canada with a handful of days in gorgeous Prince Edward Island. Plus, I had a "holiday in New York" when Michelle and Carrie visited and we stayed in the Big Apple. Throw in a bunch of US Open tennis matches, and it was a fabulous month!
October
Unseasonably warm weather meant there was still time for wandering in tshirts and enjoying Sunday brunches under umbrellas in the Village. Soon, autumn rolled in with rain and wind. I signed up for a bootcamp in Central Park which meant that, when my parents came to town for a visit, I met them in a torrential downpour, sopping wet after doing countless push-ups in puddles.
November
New York City marathon at the beginning of the month and lots of other times with friends in the Big Apple. But the highlight was a week back in Vancouver for American Thanksgiving, seeing friends, hiking, and skiing. Perfect.
December
And the best part about American Thanksgiving is that less than four weeks later, I get to turn around and come back for more holidays! The month kicked my ass with long hours at the desk, but it was all worth it to get a super vacation in my favourite city. And New York City is always sparkly and beautiful this time of the year.
Hey Jenn! Sounds like a pretty good year! I've decided that this is the year I visit New York, would you have me for a night or two if I came in February? I might stay with a friend downtown, but either way would love to see you there!!!
Posted by: Gill | January 03, 2008 at 05:22 AM