So I’m not a carefree 36 year old anymore but a mature 37 year old and I find myself trying to complete a challenge that I haven’t done since junior high.

We are flying to Ontario literally in a few hours and instead of waking up in the middle of the night to catch our flight, we are staying up. Needless to say it’s well past my bed time, but a few cups of coffee, packing and some episodes of The Big Bang Theory and surprisingly, I’m staying awake.

It will be interesting to see what kind of shape I’ll be in after a full day of travel with lay overs, winter storms and delays. I just might have to park it at a bar and wait out mother nature. I suppose it could be worse.

My, how the year has flown. 2013 is quickly coming to a close and what a year it’s been. The older I get, the faster the years go by. I hope as you are reading this post, everything in your life is going well and anything that was causing you worry has settled to some degree.

I have already been hearing talk about New Years resolutions. I myself don’t believe in them. I think it’s a great idea to have goals, visions and aspirations to work towards, I just don’t think one needs added pressure.

I’m on vacation. School wrapped up as of yesterday with a Christmas breakfast with the other chef instructors and a gift exchange. The semester has gone by fast and it’s hard to believe that we’re done until the new year. I was asked if I found the semester hard, with it being a new job, a new program and new students. The answer is no. The work was challenging, some days more then others, but it was a very interesting challenge and I was never bored. I actually had fun.

Some people say that they have a feeling that the new year is going to be great, that things are going to be different, and last year will be forgotten about. Great. Good for them. I do look forward to a new year, but I also remember the past year with fond memories.

Here are some things I do plan on working on in the 2014. I will continue to help grow the pastry arts program that I find myself lucky enough to teach. The more I learn about it, and the more I develop as an instructor, the more I realize that this is for me and I am grateful for the opportunity.

I miss being part of a wine club so I’m going to start looking into joining one. I don’t think it will be hard to find one in Kelowna, heart of wine country.

I also need to find another hobby so I’m thinking I will look into an art class of some kind. I always wanted to take one and I think it’s time to put my money where my mouth is and just do it. I need a hobby that taps into my creative side and gets me out. Don’t get me started on scrap booking. Enough said about that.

I’m toying with the idea of taking a beginners class in hot yoga. I tried yoga in the past and I didn’t like it. I found it a little slow and the yoga teacher was pretty tough. However, I recently hurt my back and although it’s healing nicely, I’ve been told I need to do daily stretching and hot yoga is a good place to start.

I will also continue working with a personal trainer who is teaching me how to incorporate a clean, healthy eating style for my body type and although I curse the entire time that I am working out, I’m glad I do it and I’m seeing results. I even went out and bought a juicer and I actually use it on a daily basis.

I thought of volunteer work in the past and I wish I had the nerve to help out at the animal shelters, but I have come to the realization that I would probably bring all those animals home with me, that is of course if I was able to get through my shift without bawling my eyes out. So instead, I think I may consider helping out at the food bank.

The past year was full of great times, and not so great times. Some of the highlights include; working hard and saving up for a new TV (55″ smart TV), landing a dream job in a beautiful city located in a beautiful province, completing some more courses towards a certificate in adult education, a vacation, launching a new pastry arts program and getting a new car (something that was a long time coming).

I regret nothing and life is good. I am also glad that I followed my instinct and refused to settle for second best.

I will end my last post for 2013 here. I hope this past year was good to you and that you are happy, healthy and good fortune has found you. Have a safe and merry Christmas and may 2014 bring you much happiness and peace of mind.