V-Day

Single people generally hate Valentine's Day. Surrounded by couples holding hands, exchanging sappy cards and cheap chocolates it's like having a sign pinned to your back exclaiming "I'm single!". When your cubicle neighbour receives a beautiful bouquet and the only thing you've received is a text from your dad wishing his "cute daughter a Happy Valentine's Day", it's tough not to be bitter.

I choose to look at Valentine's Day as an opportunity, rather than a sad day. It's a great excuse to ask out that guy in your class or someone you've been friendly with at the office. Maybe you've been chatting online with someone for a few weeks but no dates have materialized thus far. What single guy isn't looking for an easy answer to the question "what are you doing for Valentine's?"

A few years back I started a relationship this way. I was working part-time and one of our shifts landed on the big day. Rather than go home alone, I got take-out and watched a movie with a cute co-worker. I proposed the idea to him the week prior, with the context of neither of us having plans, and no one wants to be alone that night. We had a great time and ended up dating for several months after.

I'm not suggesting you ask someone out to an uber-romantic dinner, or expect the guy you're casually seeing to present you with a dozen roses and a blue box. I am merely reminding you to keep your options open and always see the silver lining!

Year in Review...Days Before My 27th

I can't believe it's been a year since I started this blog. I remember doing a year-in-review last year at the end of March when I hit my 26th birthday. This year was another great one. Although I didn't have quite as many changes or adventures this year, it was still great. Please excuse me for a moment while I publicly reflect on everything I accomplished, learned and enjoyed as a 26-year-old.
- I visited Winnipeg a few times, which although not exotic is a wonderful place where the people who love me most in the world live. Two of the highlights were spending quality time with my Granny and her great stories, and becoming closer with 5 of our family friends' tiny kids. Visiting more often means they don't have to re-meet me each time and I can be important to them like their parents are to me!
- I had a few weekends away and many weekends in town with great friends and family who came to visit.
- I had a 2 week wonderful adventure in Brazil, with two of my closest friends. What a beautiful, amazing, exciting country! I'm planning to return for World Cup 2014!!
- I moved in with my boyfriend who continues to amaze me with his kindness, patience and sense of humour.
- I was promoted at work which has made my job about 100 times more interesting and challenging.
- I got two different, challenging positions at United Way Toronto and am loving being back in the community service scene.
I realize this seems like a blatant opportunity to brag , but that isn't the purpose. I think it's important to reflect at the end of a year, and to set some goals for the coming year.
Aside from my quantitative accomplishments, I feel like I have become a more confident, attractive and fun person. I worry less about the physical things beyond my control (I'm under 5'0"...) and have found some good ways to make myself look and feel better. I enjoy dressing up, love my sense of fashion even if it's different sometimes, feel hot wearing high heels, and love buying new make-up. I don't think I would have admitted to any of those things a few years ago. So far I love getting older and in turn, more comfortable in my own skin.
And in case anyone is wondering, goals for my year as a 27-year-old include completing a good chunk of my first book, spending more time with my family, and planning a Russian adventure with my mom for next spring!

Getting Comfy

How do you avoid getting 'too comfortable' with someone after dating for a while? Getting comfortable is an upside to a long-term relationship, because that's when you can really be yourself and get close to another person. I hear quite often of relationships that just fizzle out though...and I've experienced it too. I guess doing the 'little things' can help...there definitely does seem to be a negative correlation between length of relationship and flower deliveries in my experience. What else do you do to keep things exciting? I think you still need to make some effort to look good, go on dates, and show them that you're happy to spend time with them. Sometimes I take it for granted that my BF will be around when I want him to, so I make plans all week with others. I think relationships get a bit of a boost when you put special time aside and make sure that person knows you really value special time with them. OK I'm a cheese ball but as I hear of more and more relationships fizzling out I value your input as to what works to combat this.