8.31.2012

Finding Me-mo - Patti's Recap Part III

Catch-up. Jan-December, 2011.

So. I've been trying to catch you all up on the stuff that's happened to me over the last two years by writing about it in first person, as if it's happening right at that second.

But my forté is really more creatively related than it is about following tenses and all that jazz, so I figure I'll just write as I chose and fill you in to the best of my abilities.

I was busy. Between booking our wedding venue, finding the dress, and falling in love with theGuy all over again (hey! This is my blog, I can be mushy if I want to), I also left my job (totally a "Hey, everyone - you guys are great, and I'm engaged! YAYAYAYAYA! Be so happy for me....Oh yeah, and um.. here's my two weeks' notice.. I'm an asshole" moment), started the new one, and got moving on freelance stuff.


I love graphic design. I really, really do. And part of working in a corporate environment meant that I had the freedom to pursue the jobs I wanted to pursue, in my spare time. It meant that I didn't have to take jobs that I didn't want to, and that I could really flex my creative muscles when I wanted to. I had a blast. I worked way too much, but it was great.

One of the exciting projects I got to work on was working with a team of super bright guys who wanted to develop a real estate magazine. It was the beginning of an awesome relationship, where I was able to design a lot of logos, design and direct the overall look and feel of their magazine, and work to create ad, etc. It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed their vision and creativity.


It kept me busy. No time to update blogs, no time to socialize. But I felt totally stimulated and creative, and like I knew what I was supposed to be doing with my life. It was a fantastic feeling - I could see my future ahead and it looked so bright (it still does!). For the first time in my life, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be, and that was a totally amazing feeling. Life was looking up!







8.30.2012

Christmas, Christmas time is here - not really: Patti's Recap Part II

It's December 24, 2010.

Christmas Eve has come.

And I'm seriously in outer space, so thrilled to have something new and exciting to look forward to (my new job). My mind is racing with freelance opportunities I want to pursue in my spare time. I can't wait to see where this will take me.

And it's Christmas Eve! The gifts are wrapped and under the tree. I'm packed, I'm dressed, and I'm waiting for my guy to get home so that we can begin our Christmas traditions!

TheGuy and I have been together for 10 years. In those ten amazing (and difficult and challenging) years, we have always had our special Christmas Eve traditions (which is the beginning of our CRAZY Christmas marathon. Like, seriously - it's intense).

First - we meet theGuy's mom, step-dad and brother at Dragon Court, our favourite Chinese restaurant which serves the most FANTASTIC Szechuan EVER. We eat. And eat. And eat. It's fabulous.  I'm still on air. I got a new job! All smiles, all happy. It was a long road to get here, and I'm smiling between mouthfuls of string green beans in hot pepper sauce. Perfect!

Second - we go to church. I'm not a church person. In fact, churches make me feel like a weirdo. I'm super spiritual, you could say, but I'm not into the whole industry of the church. That being said, there's just something about the Christmas Eve service. The smell of pine from the big tree. The twinkling lights. The smiling faces. The Christmas carols. Being there with MyGuy, his mom, his brother.. it's fantastic. Magical. And I can't help but tell everyone that I see that I GOT THE JOB, so it's extra smiles and giggles from me (what can I say? I'm a little obsessive!)(And I really wanted this job).

Lastly - my favourite tradition with theGuy ever - we go to look at the lights. Christmas Eve gives us a chance to reflect on the past year; what we've overcome, what we've achieved and how we've grown as people, as well as a couple. I'm excited about my job, the new place, and theGuy... this gets very mushy (you know I love it!!) so I'll spare you the gritty details.

We arrive at my favourite spot in the park, the gazebo on the island, and we pause to take it all in. TheGuy takes my arms (really tightly!) and I'm blown away when he drops to one knee and reaches for his pocket. When he speaks the words "Will you marry me?", and pulls out the ring box, I think I stop breathing! I can't talk (if you knew me, you'd know this is amazing in itself)! I can't even see the ring for all the tears. I haven't said yes. Oops! I toss my Bailey's on the ground and babble "Yes, yes, yes!"

This isn't the actual proposal - but we re-enacted it for our engagement shoot in the exact spot it took place. Except he was facing the other way, and it was night time. But still. I'm sure theGuy LOVED having to do it again, in public, in daylight, with an audience.
A little dazed, I make it home, (is this even my life?) there are candles, roses, champagne and a bridal magazine (such a smartie!) waiting for me. We spent an amazing evening giggling and smiling, drinking, giggling and smiling. It made for an interesting Christmas morning (a little hung over, okay, maybe a lot hung over, but still absolutely thrilled and excited and giggly), but I couldn't believe it. I'm not lucky like this. Things like this don't happen to me! How was it possible that in less than 48 hours my life could have such big amazing changes take place? What a Christmas gift!

Baby got back - Patti's Recap Part I

Well, I haven`t posted anything in like two years, but I have good reasons.

It's been a very busy couple years and I have so much to share! I miss putting my thoughts in cyberspace. So I'm going to start by sharing where I left off.

 In Sophia, from Golden Girls' voice:

Picture it. It's December 23, 2010. Patti has been shopping, shopping, shopping, in order to prepare for Christmas, mixed with working on her portfolio and attending a series of interviews for a new job. A new job that's going to be THE job, because it would allow her to pursue her own freelance. It's in an industry she loves, and it seems to good to be true. She's beside herself with hope and anticipation:

 I'm sitting here at my desk. It's the last half day of work before Christmas holidays, and I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to find the time to fit all the exciting holiday festivities into the week that I have off. IHOPEIGETHEJOB. Between parents, step parents, the Guy's parents, the friends.. will mom like her gift? IHOPEIGETTHEJOB. Will theGuy be excited? Will it be nice weather? JOB! JOB! What will I wear? JOB! JOB! I'm exhausted already and the crazy antics of the Christmas season haven't even started.

 "Okay! You guys can take off now!" That's my boss. I go to close my browser window where I've been hitting refresh on my email all day, waiting to hear from the potential employer, and I see that there's something waiting for me. Can't look now, it's time to go home.

I run. I really do, I run all the way home. Don't get too excited; I'm not a graceful runner. More of an arms flailing runner. I'm like a cartoon of the most uncoordinated run put into motion. The whole time, in between trying to catch my breath while simultaneously attempting to look like I'm not totally having a heart attack and trying not to slip on ice, I'm thinking "you got the job! NO! Don't get too excited! They could be letting you down gently! You got the job! Don't get your hopes up, Patti. This could be IT. But don't get excited."

I get home, check my email.

They'd like to extend an offer.

WHAT!? I got the job. I got the job! I GOT THE JOB! And I start two weeks after the Christmas break!

I'm walking on air. I got the job.

Things are going to change around here.