2008: A Summary

The year is coming to a close. When I think back over the year, I cannot believe how far I've come. But I can believe it as well, because I worked really hard to get where I am. After the New year begins, I start my grown-up job. I've been sober since July 5, and even though I said it was going to be a six-month thing, I don't know if I do want to start drinking again, even just a glass of wine at dinner. Maybe I'll have a taste of beer when I'm in Germany, but I really have no desire to start drinking again. I know people say "oh, it's moderation," but that was the problem--I couldn't control it. So, I don't think I will start drinking again. Go ahead, call me a quitter. I'm proud of it.

I also feel like I finally know what I want to do with myself. The grown-up job will be a placeholder until I can really get going on my dream, but I also feel like my current career will give me a lot of opportunities.

For you (but more for me) a quick summary of 2008:

January: No longer homeless, finally walking. Shitty New Year's, but that was my bad. I went to Killington with some friends, there wasn't any snow.
February: I had another birthday, then I started seeing someone. It was doomed from the beginning. Finally saw the Spice Girls, and yes I wept when they came on stage.
March: Dominican Republic! I never need to go back, to be honest. But it was good times, I jumped off of a waterfall.
April: I officially became someone's girlfriend this month. It was still doomed, because I really only wanted to hang out with Panic.
May: If I stayed at my first college, I would have graduated this month. I could have been working for a major news network, or writing for a local paper by now. Alas, I finished senior year round one, then went to Switzerland and Italy. Life could be worse.
June: New apartment, new roomies. Spent two weeks too many with the family in SC, but got started on an amazing tan. Broke up with the girlfriend, kept drinking heavily.
July: Nearly 200 lbs. Gross. Celia got married, I decided I needed a life change. Stopped drinking, stopped the nonsense.
August: Started running and acupuncture. Started feeling good.
September: Beginning of senior year: the sequel. More responsibility at work, realized I needed help to get to where I wanted to go. Asked for help, got help. Ran my first 5k.
October: Casey passed away. Became even more dedicated to living the life I want to lead, working hard at resisting temptation, and becoming stronger.
November: Learned how to maximize my happiness. Started being grateful, rather than resentful or jealous. Learned how to accept the love language of others, and more clearly express my love as well.
December: One of my best friend's mom's passed away. It was unexpected, and only a week before Christmas. I grieved for her loss, and mine as well because I love her mom. I reminded myself how blessed I am to have my family, as crazy as they make me. I am lucky that my oldest sister is a part of our lives again, that my parents are both living and healthy, that my other sister and I have a connection that is so strong that nothing could ever break it. I had one of the merriest Christmases on record, even if I did have to be south of the Mason-Dixon.

Beginning sometime in November, I started jotting down 3 things a day for which I was grateful. Here's a short list of some of the things I appreciated throughout the past couple months:

• I am grateful that I have become an optimist. I am lucky to always see the light in situations and the silver lining to every could. Not everyone can do that and I should see that as a gift.
• I am grateful that for my hands. They remind me of my mother. My hands help me create, which is why I'm thankful for my hands.
• I am grateful that I was able to spend a nice night out with my roommates. It was fun being able to hang out with just the two of them without having to compete with any other people.
• I am grateful that this past year and a half--although difficult--has allowed me to appreciate my family the way they should be appreciated. I'm grateful that I have grown and learned so much.

I'm going to keep writing down things that I'm grateful for, although I probably won't post on here when I'm grateful for things like breakfast and internet (which I am, very much). I also plan on challenging myself to express my gratitude more freely. When I love people, like my family and friends, it's hard for me to say it. I'd rather show that I love someone by doing things for them, but I know that it's also nice to hear it from time to time.

New Year's resolutions? No, I don't think it works like that. I just want to continue being a better me, which means taking care of myself the way I should. I want to be a better daughter, sister, friend, roommate, co-worker, boss. If I keep myself on the path I'm on, I know that I will be able to do that.

So, that was the year-end blog wrap-up. Expect bigger and better things from me in 2009, and I hope the same for you.

Just for shits 'n giggles

Because everyone loves a weird cat video:



Thanks to the folks over at The Internet is Terrible.

Christmastime is Here

For the first time, probably ever, I am ready for Christmas. Presents are wrapped and ready to go. I only have a couple more things to pick up (they've already been ordered). This year is weird for me, though. This year, I'm a grown-up. I've been promoted at work (wahoo) and I'm living in the apartment where I'll probably spend the next 2 years. I'm very happy about all of this, but it's also new and a little bit scary. I'm going to my parents' house in South Carolina for a few days, then I'm coming back up North to go back to work. Not to come back to school, but work.

My Christmas spirit is still high, and I look forward to baking treats for my friends. I haven't decided which charity to donate my yearly alms to, any thoughts?

Why has this been missing from my life?

I don't know why I'm so behind the times, but I am officially obsessed with this song. It's a Lil Wayne song, sung by cute rocker boys. All my favorite things happen at once! When I discovered this song on my way out to have (mis)adventures with my shortest roommate and friend, I declared that it was the best thing ever in the world. I dare you to tell me I'm wrong, because I'm pretty sure I'm not.



Call me so I can get it juicy for ya.

Exactly what I've been trying to say

As you may or may not know, I kinda don't like Michael Phelps. Yeah, yeah, 8 gold medals, whatever. But that's doesn't mean it's cool to be a dillhole. Remember your roots, bro. Anyway, even though I boycotted the Olympics this year, I've seen the butterfly race where Phelps won by 1/100th of a second a few times. Because it's amazing. As a swim coach, I always stress the importance of finishing strong: head down, etc. Even though the dude is clearly douchey (please download the following article from U of M's Every 3 Weekly: media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper851/documents/08q9rj57.pdf) Phelps is a talented athlete and in the following video he says exactly what I've been saying to my swimmers for forever.



And for your viewing pleasure, more Anderson Cooper-ness. He's just being adorable and his freestyle isn't too shabby.

I am thankful for Rick Rolling

Yesterday, as I was watching (read: napping through) the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, I experienced a special treat. The Foster's imaginary friends somethingorother Rick Rolled me. And it was glorious.



Outrageous.

p.s. it's true; I'm never gonna give you up, let you down, run around and/or desert you.
p.p.s. Rick Astley looks pretty hot.

The Best Chester

Today, I made peppermint pals with the little girl I used to nanny. I'm back in the town where I grew up for the weekend, babysitting. Anyway, the peppermint pals were adorable. For those who enjoy minty things, I'll probably make them again. Alas, I only like minty in my toothpaste. Check it out:

The dough started melting towards the end, so some of the penguins and polar bears are slightly droopy. Whatever, they're still the cutest dessert ever. I couldn't finish mine (I ate the tiny green penguin), so Ben the dog took care of the rest of it.

Ben the dog has been pretty awesome. Yesterday, he was annoying the crap out of me, jumping and barking at me. But today, after I found out that a friend from high school lost her battle to leukemia, he completely changed his tune and was totally there for me. So thanks, Ben the dog. Lacey the cat was also very sweet to me. Animals pick up on that stuff, the emotions I was trying to hide from the kids--I'm supposed to be taking care of them, I didn't want to be crying and upset in from of them. So the animals were there in their sweet way. Even Curtis the dog, who is very sick himself made sure to nuzzle me a few extra times.

Even though it had been a while since I had talked to Casey, I always thought of her. Sometimes she drove me crazy--how could anyone be so happy and smiley all the time? But she was, it was genuine and that's why we love her. The funeral is on Tuesday, and I'll be going to say goodbye. Last night, I had a dream about Colin, who died a few years ago. I couldn't bring myself to go to his funeral, and I've always regretted it. Today, when I found out about Casey's passing, I knew that I couldn't rationalize myself out of going to her memorial service. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends who love her so dearly.