The last we left off I was remembering why I began this blog in the first place. A lot has happened since I started this little piece of work of mine, so maybe I should let you in on what this crazy cat lady has been up to.

I left my glamorous city life behind and moved back to my home town. I suppose what they say really is true-- much like this blog, home is always where the heart is. While I loved living in Toronto (and man did I love it), I always felt like something was missing. I thought it was because I just hadn't gotten used to a new city-- and maybe that was the case-- but I found myself going back home an awful lot, and the more I went back, the more I missed it. Nothing beat being back home with my friends and family. When I started this blog, I thought that I was a big fish in a little pond, but as it turned out, I was just the right size for my pond, I just needed to figure it out first. Funny how that works, eh?

So here I am, back in my hometown. I am working in a job that I genuinely love, (and it's not retail, YAY!) and I'm finally starting to feel like I have some things figured out. I'll be turning 26 in a few weeks, and for the first time since I've been in my 20's, I feel totally happy with where I'm at!

So there you have it, just a small update from me. So much more has happened since I've moved back home (which will be a year ago in week, YIKES!) but I'll leave those stories for another time!

Here's to you, and to me, and to whatever happens tomorrow.

I remember when I used to love writing. When I looked forward to sitting down at my computer, or my journal and just writing out my feelings. When journaling felt less like a task, and more like free therapy. I've missed those days.

Oddly enough, (pun intended) I became passionate about writing-- journaling in particular when I was 13. I had read a very thought-provoking story told by a young Jewish girl through her diary entries. "Dear Kitty," she would write, telling her experiences of life in hiding during the most intense and traumatizing period a young girl could live through.

I carried that passion all through high school when I excelled in English classes, and continued to love writing when I first went to university and majored in English. Even when I changed majors, I knew my love for writing was still present when I started this blog, almost two years ago. Writing anecdotes about my life and opinions was fun for a while, but I'd noticed I had become obsessed with building my blog more than I was about sharing my craft. You know why I loved Anne Frank's diary so much? Because it was genuine. She wasn't writing for an audience, she was writing for herself. I had become so involved in the blog, that I'd forgotten the real reason why I had started it to begin with-- to write. Not for views, for me. And maybe for a few other people who might find inspiration in my life the way I had in so many other's blogs. So I quit.

I quit the blog-- cold turkey. I put away my metaphorical pen and paper and didn't look back. Until now. My theory is, when you're passionate about something, you don't ever lose that. Sometimes you can't find it for a while, but that doesn't mean it's gone.

Have you ever misplaced something? Ever go looking for that item in a frenzy trying to figure out where you could have placed it? Only to feel total relief when you've found it again? That's how I feel about writing-- I've misplaced it for a while, but now it's back. Now I'm back.

How about them apples?

This past weekend I attended the wedding of Jess' little sister, and it was so much fun! I'm totally pooped and require copious amounts of coffee today, and you better believe I'll be taking a cat nap with Leia (who by the way has been very clingy lately, what up?)

You guys were really into the video I posted last week, so I have another one for ya! When I was a kid I had a pet hamster named Elmo. He lived a very fulfilling three years spinning on his little wheel and chasing after my dog in his fluorescent pink ball, but before he was ridin' dirty, Elmo went straight up Houdini...

Hey guys!

I have some exciting news. Since I've been having such a hard time getting my words out on here, I've decided to join Youtube.

Y'all know how I love to tell my stories, and sometimes, just rambling it out on camera is the best way to do it. So if you want to keep up with me, subscribe to me on there, and I'm going to try and do a video once a week!

Here's my first "vlog" about my awkwardness on the TTC.

I have not forgotten you-- I could never forget you. I have missed you all, and while I've been gone for what seems like forever, I needed this break and I hope you understand. Things have been crazy with me, and now, while some things seem to get crazier, I've realized how much I needed this blog to "let it out" and how much I needed to you spur me on.

Please be patient with me, I'm sorry we haven't spoken in a while, but I promise we'll catch up soon.

Image source.

Let me tell you something, if you are a student who works and who also has the time, and creative power to write a blog on a daily basis-- I have mad respect for you. Last week was rough for me, and it was great getting so much support from y'all, but I've miss you! I'm finally out of the Fire Swamp that is final papers, and free to write about things that don't give me hernias. Metaphorically speaking.

I celebrated my new freedom Friday by going to this vegetarian/ vegan restaurant here in the city. I had never heard of it before, and I am no vegetarian, but my friend recommended it and said it was amazing and since I'll eat practically anything, I went and met up with her. 

The restaurant in question is called Fresh. Forgive me now, because I am partially a bad blogger and also because I was so hungry I could have eaten my left hand, but I failed to take any pictures, so I've stolen these wonderful images off of the Fresh website. 

That's what the little place looks like at the location I went to on Spadina. There are four of them across the city, all listed on their website.

It's a nice-sized place, but is often very busy (it has a great reputation). The seating is a little cozy-- my butt nearly knocked over my neighbour's glass of water trying to squeeze into my booth. And of course, because it is busy it does get a little loud, but I didn't mind that.

They also have a very large menu, which I loved! There was so much to choose from and it all sounded so yummy! They had salads, fresh bowls, pastas, wraps, juices and so much more! I ordered the delicious soup of the day, which was a barley-based soup with a small salad and some corn bread. It looked a little something like this...

The service was fantastic-- our server was very kind, offered helpful suggestions to the newbie at the table, and the food came out very quickly. I didn't feel rushed to eat and get out (which often happens in busy restaurants in the city) and literally could have reordered my meal and ate it again (not because it didn't satisfy my hunger, but because it was just so. dang. good.)

Wanna hear something even cooler? The folks at Fresh have also published a number of cookbooks! So if you go and end up loving some of the delicious vegetarian dishes, you can go home and try your luck at making it yourself!

I would definitely recommend anyone who lives in the city, or plans on visiting to check this place out, it's super yummy--even if you love you'r meat.

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Here's something cool that's happening! I'm participating in a giveaway this month hosted by Christine at Life With A Side Of Coffee!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

First of all, you guys are so amazing! I received so much support after Friday's post, and it really pumps me up to have you guys encouraging me! I definitely needed it! I tell ya, working five days a week and trying to fit in two major papers on top of getting a never ending cold is exhausting and so stressful. This is what my life is like right now and it's awful.

I'm writing this post partially to give you a heads up that I may or may not be MIA for a few days this week as I finish out my papers from hell, and also because I'm the queen of procrastination and I just want to write anything other than my paper. Seriously, I'm writing this post on Monday night, and as we speak I'm watching How I Met Your Mother and scrolling through Tumblr.

What is it with procrastination anyways? Why is it as soon as we need to sit down and focus we suddenly remember fifty million things, and have the desire to clean the house from top to bottom (even vacuum the corners of the floor).

Earlier I was searching through my iTunes to try and find a good jam to start of my writing, and it turned into me Youtube-ing karaoke versions of Pharrell Williams' "Happy".

I'll just be glad when these papers are done. And while we're talking about things being done, I'll be even HAPPIER when this stupid winter is over. Seriously, do we live in Westeros?

Tootlepip! Wish me luck on these awful papers!