Hello, Beautiful

It's my nature to always try to look on the bright side. I always try to find the up to a down. 

I'm also a Canadian, born and bred. So it's also in my nature to survive. (Though, I'm sure it helps that I'm a Cappricorn; we're known for being stubborn.)

It's winter time in Canada, in case you hadn't heard. We go through this every year. But even still, every year, people seem to be shocked and surprised by winter's arrival with traffic accidents left, right and center, poor clothing choices and negative attitudes. 

Well, personally, I'm tired of it! If you don't like snow and cold, you're in the wrong country. 

Snow is pretty. It has a way of making everything look pretty and dressed up. It gives you the chance to view something from a different angle; in a different light. 

Sure, winter means cold, but I promise you it isn't that bad if you DRESS FOR IT. It's called layers. As I've said before, I am a practical girl and I don't care how funny I may look to you, as long as I'm warm. And I'd rather be too warm than cold at all. 

Once you're dressed, you're ready to properly enjoy winter, instead of being a sourpuss. 

I believe that if you can't change it, embrace it (in most cases). And this is why I embrace winter: 

*happy puppy who loves to run through snow
*snow angels
*snow people
*snowball fights
*snow forts
*sledding
*skating
*snowboarding or skiing for those who know how.. 
*awesome winter attire
*having snowflakes land on my tongue and tickle my face
*snowcones
*Christmas light decorations/displays
*running and sliding across icy sidewalks in shoes/boots
*great workout just shoveling my driveway (for the car that I don't have, mind you)
*the cold seems to keep people away from my scheduled yoga classes and gym, which keeps me relaxed and gets me out faster!
*after said class/workout, the cool air feels THAT much more refreshing! 
*the obvious Christmas/birthday season for me


Christmas is a whole 'nother entry on it's own. I hate people who have nothing better to d0 than to complain about stuff. Christmas is not all commercialized. It's only as bad as you make it. Money makes the world go 'round and if your family having a Christmas dinner depended on you making sales at work.. Well, you bet your ass you'd be out there trying to cash in on the "giving season".


Sure, malls suck, paying for stuff sucks, feeling guilty because you have to/should/can't afford gifts for everyone you know. But you know what? Christmas isn't about spending money that you may or may not have, unless you make it about that. Remember that there is always someone worse off than you. For years now, I have volunteered to "adopt a family" for Christmas, where you put together gifts for families who cannot afford it. And it feels great to be able to do that! But imagine how they would feel without organizations, donations, charities, volunteers, etc.

Christmas to me has always been a magical time. I can still remember feeling completely at peace and completely content lying under my tree, staring up into the blinking lights and sparkling ornaments, at five years old.


Christmas has always been a time of giving and helping others less fortunate than you. It's about spending time with one another. And for me, it's also my birthday. A time that is typically filled with family, stories, gifts and sugar. But ya know what? Because my birthday is after Christmas and before New Years, I've never had a birthday party, but I don't complain. It's a fact, but I don't complain. I broke up with a long time boyfriend on Christmas DAY, but I don't complain. It hasn't hardened me. 

Even though my birthday is supposed to be a day about me, doing fun things I want to do, surrounded by people I want to be surrounded with.. I'll still make it about other people. I'll ask them what they want to do or what time works for them. I know none of them are prepared for winter or like winter like I do, so I know that no matter how much I want to go out and have a snowball fight or go sledding or anything outside, someone will complain and some might not join at all. In which case, I would scrap the idea altogether. My problem is, I care too much and always want to make sure everyone around me is happy. All my life I have thought of others before myself. Even on my day. 

So to me? Winter is a gift and I will enjoy it. With or without you! It is my time to embrace the beauty of mother nature and be a goof in a field full of snow, alone with my puppy, as I look up to the sky with a smile and thank 'god' that I'm alive to witness it and enjoy this moment.. And that is my happy place. True story.