Starting With ...

Here's how my 2014 started ...

It started with cardamom cookies, fragrant and soothing, enjoyed with a homemade London Fog on top of a never-ending pile of reporting ...

There were large lattes, giggles and a bit of exciting news shared over waffles and coffee...

There were chewy, homemade granola bars full of spelt flakes, coconut and cranberries ...

And a puckery, herby fruit salad ...

There were also fancy french lentils, perfect, fluffy vegan coconut cupcakes and lots and lots of dill ...

And the most important start to my 2014? Remembering ..

While everyone was looking ahead and planning for the future, I took a moment to remember my first cooking experiment, my first blog post and my first taste of literary freedom ..

I dabbled in the memory of stressing out over marks in high school and university, applying for and accepting my first full time job, and the first time I went into a restaurant alone.

I remembered the tragic loss of a friend and finding his memorial many years later. I remembered singing and playing clarinet in high school musicals, and writing something that I felt was worth publishing. I remembered the first time I went to a concert, my first patio beer, my first road trip as an adult and my first experience voting.

I remembered the first time I felt like I was making a difference in my teaching career, and the time I met a friend who would stand by me, share everyday musings and life-changing-milestones, develop a love and obsession with coffee with me, and allow me to be me without judgement or criticism.

Januarys and first days aren't just a time to look ahead -- they can be the perfect time to reflect, look back and smile about the past so you can finally think freely about the future.