10

as of this morning, it has been 10 years since i came out to live on the left coast.
10!

and just like the first morning when i woke up in whistler, my sleep came to an end with reports of princess diana's death and memorial. it was like a very weird flashback, and it's even weirder that my arrival here is connected with her death. auspicious beginning, no?

anyhoo - am taking the morning off work since i have to work a booth at the PNE (super dogs! mini doughnuts!) so have time to contemplate my 10 years here, and all i can say is, i have survived. and then some.

i have a book that reduces the phases of your life to a pie graph and between 20 and 30, it says "maturing". i concur. lots of maturing has happened (granted, i'm not 30 yet so there is still more to come).

here's a list of my accomplishments in the past 10 years (seriously, 10!!! that is NUTS):
* made it through my extendo university life
* taught myself how to snowboard
* developed a healthy addiction to all things yoga
* lived in 2 university residences and 10 different apartments with a total of 15 roommates
* worked at a host of different non-profits and built my career
* hopefully made a difference in the lives of kids and yutes out here
* made lots of friends and worked on making my urban family
* got my woman-body
* negotiated living 1500 miles away from my family (ongoing)
* remained a good daughter and good granddaughter (for the most part - a couple of glitches along the way)
* dated some good people, some ok people and some people who steal your tv
* recovered from dating people who steal your tv
* became an aunt
* got my driver's license and first car
* went on some great vacations (including a country that is now on fire)
* had some great visits from fine friends and family
* saw some friends / family get hitched
* was amazed by friends / family who had babies
* had 3 pairs of glasses
* found a fabulous hair dresser

yes, all of those accomplishments - from the sublime to the goreblimey, as my mom would say.
and yes, there will be a partay. and it will be HUGE - like the number 10.

as they say, i am in double digits. huzzah!