Author: Christine Elias

“Oh, Christine. You’re not old.”

I don’t feel old but there’s nothing more aging than chatting with a group of twenty-somethings. Smart, creative, funny and fun twenty-somethings — much like I was 20 years ago. (Or so I like to tell myself as I mentally revisit my personal history.)

My colleagues humoured me as I regaled them with tales of the person — yes, the one (1) person — in charge of the electronic mail (that’s what we called it!) at my second job. There was no email at my first job. I mean, I think it existed then at CERN or something — not that I knew that then. I was too busy looking at the glowing orange screen of my word processor trying to squeeze out press releases. (We had those then, too.)

You know, they were right. I didn’t feel old chatting away about whatever it was we were talking about — despite the fact that I was wearing a cardigan — I felt just fine. And that’s just one of the things I love about my workplace; I’m surrounded by vibrant and interesting young people. Sure, I try to tune out when they tell me how old their parents are (the same age as many of my friends) and I am sure they must sometimes think I am a bit out of touch — but overall it’s cool.

Oh wait, do we still say “cool’? I better ask tomorrow.

A new year — again!

I’m not one to make resolutions; I didn’t quit smoking on January 1. Nor did I start a diet.

Oh, I want to quit smoking. I stopped for about 18 months and started again over the summer. I didn’t beat my self up about. Hell, I love smoking and starting again was like reconnecting with an old friend. The kind of friend my Mom didn’t approve of in my high school days — a bad one that got me into a lot of trouble. But boy, did we have a lot of fun. So while I didn’t resolve to quit smoking as soon as the clock struck midnight, I do plan to stop again soon. I know I can do it, it’s just a matter of being ready. I’ll know when I am.

I don’t believe in dieting. I know they don’t work — not for long anyway. The only thing that works is changing your lifestyle permanently — not skipping dessert for a few months. Over the last few years I have lost a fair amount of weight and I didn’t stop eating anything I loved — I just ate more of what I loved less.

Plus, I started walking a lot. I get bored at the gym but I don’t get bored walking around the city, so that was an easy thing to add to my daily routine. I still would like to lose a little bit more. Just enough to go down one size. Maybe I can do it or maybe this is my set point. Either way I’m fine with it.

There are few things I am interested in doing this year. One is volunteering. I’m not sure where yet but I am doing some research.

The other thing I want to do is go to Iceland. It seems like I am the only person I know who wants to go there! But I’ve decided life it too short to not go because I can’t convince any of my friends that it is a great vacation spot. It is and I am going!

Finally, I’d like to take a driving refresher course. I don’t think I’ll buy a car (despite thinking those new Fiat’s are adorable) but joining Auto Share would make my life a little easier. Thing is, I have barely driven in 20 years. I used to drive all over the place in my little Acadian and later in my fancier Olds Calais — on the highway even — so I know I can do it again. I just need to get behind the wheel and get comfortable.

Happy New Year!