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.

Papercuts

Yulia Brodskaya, from Russia, has created these beautiful paper illustrations. We did some paper folding and cutting projects in first year (college - design) but it certainly didn't get to this level. I love her work, it's beautiful - and showcases wonderfully how amazing paper can be as a medium. It makes me want to bust out my french curve and assorted exactos, rubber cement and cutting mat and start experimenting again. The delicate way she handles the sculptures is nearly impossible.. and no other effect can come close to mimicking the look of these beautiful pieces.

Also - I realize it's been ten thousand years since I last posted. Christmas crazyness has forced itself upon me. I love Christmas like crazy, but man, am I ever a ball of nerves when it's on its way! I have countless hours of shopping still to do - and all the while doing the Christmas obligatory parties, etc., trying to fit in friends, phone calls and sleep - not to mention Ryan!

I have noticed that there is a LOT of really awesome packaging out there this Christmas.. to the point where you don't even want to wrap some of them (in fact, we're not going to). And recycled material is big in a lot of the packaging - LUSH cosmetics and bath products, for example, use recycled paper and boxes for all their bath supplies. It's pretty cool! Anyway - I'm in the market for a new cellphone - hopefully with a crappy webcam - so then I can take shots of the pretty things I see - which will remind me to post them, or at least remember them for myself!

Anywho - hope your Christmas is awesome and Merry. Take a break for a cuppa tea - it helps me sooth my frazzled nerves! Like a hug from the inside!

Strong, Good, Alive, Calm

Another pretty thing, spotted at thedieline.com - Deluxe Honeydrop by Pearlfisher New York. Deluxe Honeydrop is a 100% organic flavoured water made up of "deluxe" fruit juices, and a drop of honey.

I like how fresh and clean these packages are (my personal fave) - they'd really merchandise well on a shelf - blocking entire shelves with a bold black line - featuring "positive" little bees - and a rainbow of colour below. I give these an a+ for shelf appeal, and for the clean design. Really - isn't that what organic is about? Clean - pure - fresh products? So, I dig these packages as a fresh alternative to the burlap/aged paper designs that float about in the Organix section of my supermarket!

Sorry the posts have been few and far between. There is something about the Christmas Rush that really scrambles my eggs! But excitement excitement! Ryan got a new car yesterday (woohoo), so we have Christmas-Crazyness transportation now. Hello!!!