Week 1: New Year, New Me - Should we Make a New Line?

 "During this year I resolve to begin a new life. I do not know what will happen to me during this year, but I abandon myself entirely to you, my God" - St. Gemma Galgani🙏

We always here that punch-line once a new year roles in, don't we? New Year, New Me 💁‍♀️. What does this mean to you? Well, especially what this past year brought, we can all use a new year. One guess is that 2020 was a crazy year and 2021 is a fresh start to our life. Right? Or maybe it is about making resolutions that go good for us in the beginning, but ends up falling through within a week or so (myself included). We feel as though we can take on the world by starting something new or carrying the something that you had in the previous year into the new one. We put on an expectation for ourselves that in order to do this, we will get something in return. That is further from the truth. Or it goes super well and it is a new thing in your life (kudos to those who stick it through!). 

😂😂😂 (Not)

Yes, the year 2020 was a bizarre year 😷, but it was a good year too! This is definitely an unpopular opinion. And yes, we are (people who live in Canada like myself and other parts of the world) who are still in a lockdown. But I can tell you one thing and you probably heard over and over again, it is going to get better. This year is going to be better. Have hope! 😇🙏

Let me introduce myself. Hi, I'm Andrea Li Calzi. Here are some fun facts about me: 

• 
  I am a single, 26 year old woman who currently lives in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada (30-45 minutes outside of the downtown Toronto core, depending on traffic). 
• I am currently a student studying at the University of Toronto pursuing a Masters degree (part-time) in Theology. My background is in Social Work. 
• I enjoy baking/cooking, writing/reading, hiking/sports, hanging out with friends/family, and I play a musical instrument.
• I am pretty much open to trying new things when it comes to food, travel, and sports.
• My last name, Li Calzi, is Italian translated to The Socks. 

I have really been praying and discerning about start up a blog for a little while now. Well, it all started 6 months ago at a Catholic women's conference. I felt a tug at my heart (which Catholics call a call from the Holy Spirit) to start a blog. I was a little hesitant at first because I did not know where to begin. I also thinking, are people even going to read this? 

It was not until I started a Instagram Live feed in the month of December 2020 called, Operation Advent Calendar and 12 Days of Christmas Socks. I honestly wanted to spread some joy to people because of all the circumstances we were under (i.e.: COVID-19 pandemic). Plus, what better way to lift up spirits than during Advent and Christmas. In the segment, I opened a door from each day of the Advent calendar. Inside, there was a piece of paper, that had either a fun fact, riddle, or a pun on it. There was also a piece of chocolate I opened and ate.

To my surprise, I got a lot of positive responses and feedback. When it came to an end about a week ago, I wanted to continue to do something to bring joy to people. Recently, I had come across Blogger from Google. I was a little hesitant at first to sign up. Now that I am here, I am happy and at peace. This is my New Me. 

So, with this being written, this New Year is a New Me. I would love to see what your thoughts are on the phrase, New Year, New Me down in the comment section below👇👇👇. 

You ready?

Whomever you are (faith tradition, ability, etc), Welcome!😄 You are loved and enough! Until then, (like my Grade 9 English teacher used to say), "Be good, be safe, be happy". God bless!

- Unpopular Andrea😊🙏