a year of change...

when i look back on it all, it's hard to believe it's only been a year... i remember back in february the thought of moving to the yukon was more a joke than a possible reality... now, although we're quietly and not-so-quietly planning our possible escape, i don't regret a thing... some things i've had to learn the hard way and many things have left me questioning the good in people, but otherwise it's been a professionally and personally strengthening year...

1. freelanced in the big smoke -- writing about shopping, which naturally was simple content to wrap my head around...
2. lived through the whining of fine dining... and realized just how tempting it truly is to survive off a tax-free tip income...
3. rid of some negative baggage, without giving in to reconciliation...
4. entertained the idea of packing it all up and moving north of 60...
5. actually moved north of 60...
6. spent some much needed time embracing those i've come to know and love over the years before shipping off to a new life... goodbyes in both toronto and ottawa nearly broke my heart...
7. stepped in front of the mic as co-host of a morning show on my very first day of work...
8. built a home on a tight budget, in a lonesome arctic city...
9. introduced buffy sainte-marie in concert...
10. grasped the concept of waking up at 4:45 each morning... ugh...
11. learned how to use a soundboard...
12. embraced a setting of mountains over the dwarfing atmosphere of tall city buildings...
13. found new souls bearing similar sentiments -- but missed the ones 5,000+ kilometres away...
14. was reunited with my love... began a life as roommates, with the burden of finances and the pleasure of constant company...
15. realized how painful the distance can be when changes occur...
16. saw the midnight sun and dreaded the winter's darkness...
17. interviewed the governor general, k'naan, douglas cardinal, tons of artistic yukoners and many more...
18. watched 200 some-odd people cram into a tiny park near the end of the work day for an impromptu white stripes performance...
19. participated in a hair show and didn't come out looking like i was donning a wig or persistently prepared for halloween...
20. auditioned for a play...
21. went to los angeles and saw dave navarro trying on dress shirts in a seedy hollywood blvd. retail store...
22. grappled with loving and hating my new surroundings... dealt with the harsh realities of a place that often feels like a whole other world...
23. lost a strong irish woman to her battle with the demons that claimed her infectious personality...
24. pitched, developed and produced a radio show that allows me to be exactly who i want to be...
25. celebrated the one year mark of being in love with one of the most powerful men i've ever known...

now, only one day into 2008, i'm certain it will hold some new and much anticipated changes... growth seems a lot less scary now that i've done something i wasn't sure i could do... moving miles away from familiarity changes you -- and i feel like i've only just begun...