So I made it. I am currently sitting next to my boyfriend, on his couch, in Ohio. And he's playing a video game. Boys. Hehe, oh well, he just got it today, and I don't mind watching, so all is forgiven. Besides, I have writing to do!

The trip was a fairly uneventful one, with the sole exception of my experience with US customs at the Halifax Airport. My carry-on bags were searched *very* thoroughly; everything emptied and I was required to turn on anything electronic. My tablet was held out with a slightly puzzled look until I explained what it was. I was even screened for explosives. The procedure is hands in pockets, held out for a swab which is then run through an analyzer. Interesting screening is all I can say. But, getting on to the customs officer!

The normal questions were asked, why I was going (pleasure-see my boyfriend) and where I was staying (didn't know exact address but knew street). He of course then asked how we met (I said webcomics) and then he gave me a look. This look preceded a mini-lecture on how I should make the right choices about our relationship, and if things were getting serious that I should go through the right channels, and not just stay in the States. I had to pull out my confirmation e-mail (lucky I printed that off) to prove that I was indeed going to come home. He was also concerned that I would be able to support myself for the month. I didn't think it wise to say my boyfriend would be supporting me, and luckily could say without it being a lie that I had money saved. He also questioned my job, and whether I would have one when I came back. Bleh. There was nothing I could think of to say to convince him that I was indeed an intelligent young woman, not some foolish girl who wanted to run off and hide in the States. I was very glad when the conversation came to a close and he stamped my passport.

The actual flying and traveling went well. My panicked cold sweats and nervousness were all for naught. The Chicago airport was quiet and pretty easy to navigate. I had to switch terminals using a bus, and I was the only one on it. I found my gate quickly, and spent enough time there that I calmed down enough to eat some McDonald's. I don't eat when I get stressed normally, but was glad I did this time, was very hungry, and the sandwich was excellent! (for McDonald's mind you) I noticed a lot of military men in the terminal, and was walking near one when another traveler stopped him and thanked him for serving his country and keeping them safe. It made me a tad uncomfortable, and I think it did him as well.

The plane from Chicago to Columbus was the smallest plane I have ever been on. When we landed there was a pretty long walk from the tarmac through the terminal where my boyfriend was waiting for me. I had to bite my lip pretty hard at points to keep a huge foolish grin from appearing. Luckily I was paying attention, because I think he would have let me walk past him! Apparently there was an older security guard on a Segway that he had taken a picture of and was absorbed in that.Pepperoni and onion pizza with a Smokin' Joes crust from HoundDogs! (soo messy!)

We drove back to his apartment, where I e-mailed everyone to let them know I was safe. Dinner was some amazing pizza at HoundDog's, accompanied by beer (of course). Josh got Blue Moon (that's Rickard's White to us in Canada) while I tried a bottled variety, Killan's I think, which was tasty.

We went to bed early and got up at a reasonable time. Sitting on my boyfriend's couch and being able to look over and see him in person is slightly weird, but *very* enjoyable.We didn't leave the house to get food until mid-afternoon, just were content to go through a relaxing morning of surfing the internet and Twitter. Surprisingly it was snowing pretty hard and we had no desire to go out into the cold and wet. When we eventually dragged ourselves out of the apartment we headed to a Bob Evans, where I had some really delicious French Toast with vanilla cream cheese, blueberries and whipped cream. We made a trip to an art store, where I got new Sharpies (neon colours I didn't have) and to Target for some supplies. He took me to his place of work, but only one person he wanted to introduce me to was there, so I imagine we'll be taking another trip back at some point. All in all it has been a very peaceful start to an amazing "vacation"! Tomorrow we are planning to drive to Indiana to spend the weekend with his mother. His siblings are planning on stopping by, and I am hoping to visit another Twitter friend on the way! We are hoping the weather and roads are going to cooperate.

I know all of you who follow me on Twitter know this already, but my boyfriend and I met via Twitter, the social networking site. While I have found people to be incredibly supportive and happy for me, I still get the odd person shooting me disbelieving and often incredulous looks that say "how the hell do you know he's not an axe-murderer or pedophile?" That is why I let the wonderful Lola Augustine Brown do a phone interview to try and capture a bit of our relationship and share it in an article published by More.ca. As with Twitter, it is a fairly short, but accurate reflection of the path our relationship took.

I get a lot of questions about how it works. In my eyes, it is just another long distance relationship. This one however, is working, thanks to technology. We met thanks to it, and we're keeping together because of it. I find when most people think of "internet dating" they think chat rooms, email, TEXT ONLY. This is most certainly not the case. Granted, it started out that way, texting each other with Twitter, adding our cell phones when he went on vacation or when he was at work. Eventually we added cameras, and then voice chatting. Now we are on Skype (video calls) whenever the two of us are home at the same time. He texts my cell to wake me up in the morning (infinitely preferable to an alarm clock- it's on vibrate). We send each other texts while at work. We basically see each other and spend as much time together as any couple who lives together. Which we wouldn't if he were in the same town; I don't believe in living together before getting married.

So, yes, long distance relationships, even ones based on internet meetings, can work. They take a lot of time, effort and understanding. When physical contact requires a plane ticket, it takes a solid effort to build the trust to get to a meeting. We had a wonderful week in October together (I know I didn't blog about that...sorry guys). The meeting in person is an important step...sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I am not surprised that it worked for us, because we had spent so much time together.

And yes, it may not work out in the end. I'm still waiting for us to have our first fight! But we have some wonderful times planned, and if it doesn't work, I'll still be grateful for the time we've had together.

Everyone makes resolutions when entering the New Year. I have always hated doing that, so I’m going to do one of those lists that look back at what has been accomplished in the past year (and I know, should have posted this what, 9 days ago? I’m trying here!)

1. Was employed by a non-profit org, became unemployed. Drifted into self-employment and went back to my retail job (Staples).
2. Started and registered my own business (still working on that).
3. Met an incredible guy (who I hope will become the only man in my life) on the internet and met him in person! (he came up for a week, which I’ve been meaning to blog about…we’ll see, I’ll have some spare time soon!)
4. Vacationed in  Montreal with my ex-boyfriend for a week (not-recommended) to meet up with fans/creators of the webcomic LICD/LFG.
5. Went to the New England Webcomics Weekend in Massachusetts to meet up with fans/creators of a whole bunch of webcomics!
6. Moved out of the parent’s house and into my grandparents’ apartment. Yay for gaining more independence!
7. Took a hiking trip to Cape Breton with my mother for a vacation (which rocked, we saw moose!).
8. Went to my first drive-in movie. It was a double feature, Transformers: Rise of the Fallen and the new Star Trek.
9. I appeared in a webcomic! I was drawn by 2 webcomic artists and shared a bed with 2 webcomic artists…not telling who *wink*.
10. My sister got married! Okay, so not my accomplishment, but, it was pretty special, and I helped in the planning and execution of it, so it counts.

Also, I started this blog. Which brings me to what I want to accomplish this year that I will record here for posterity:

1. Write more blog posts

Yeah, that about covers it. Thanks for sticking around! Here’s to another year!

Now, I am usually the type of person that keeps quiet. I read, but I don't comment. Perhaps that is why I have only updated this blog a few times. This morning though, I decided to post a comment on Suzie the Foodie's blog. It turned out to be quite a long one, as my fingers wouldn't stop typing.

I thought I would go into a bit more depth on my blog as to why I replied to that post.

The internet has opened pretty much every aspect of life to the general public to view, research and comment on. While many people see this as a good thing, others are not quite so happy about it. When your position within an area of expertise is threatening to become "less important" because knowledge is becoming more "common", you would feel prickly too. On the flip side, those who are doing the exploring and gaining new insight into areas that were once thought of as off-limits are excited at the possibilties now open to them (and I'm not talking about positions as chefs in gourmet restaurants, although, for some I am sure it is possible).

My comment was written based on the fact that I believe everyone has a right to enjoy food. While I respect "gourmet" (knowing that I will never be a pastry chef or sommelier) I do not see the need to nitpick at our title of "foodie" and then blatantly misrepresent us.

"Do not create words for things we all do naturally." Sure, I get that. New words in the English language can be seen as annoying and superfluous. However, a word to describe a trend towards eating healthy and taking enjoyment in food is perfectly acceptable in my mind. Maybe there needs to be discussion on what a "foodie" is, but, really, who cares? I identify myself as one, and to me it is a positive thing. Others may not see it as such, and I will defend what I believe, but in the scheme of things, it doesn't really matter.

As my friend Colin said, "So many things that deserve concern, and people are bickering about what to call people who do stuff with food?"

Point taken.

I was so happy when I (finally!) decided to purchase a ring I saw on Etsy a while ago. The tipping point came when I noticed there was a no shipping promo for MadArtjewelry's shop over Labour Day. It is the perfect piece to highlight my crazy love of insects, so I thought I would share properly, not by simply throwing up a TwitPic.

Behold, the geeky glory that is my ring.

The complete package. I was delighted with the signed business card and the cute travel pouch!Modeling the ring (going to wear it on the opposite hand, but couldn't shoot a photo with my left!) as well as the custom business card from Moo.com.A comparison of art and real life.

It is light, comfortable and very attractive as well as fully adjustable, and I couldn't be happier with it.

Thanks Madelyn!