Out With the Old, In With the New

Due to a shockingly positive reaction to my social experiment at church (wear red people) and holiday madness, I haven't had too much time to do anything but mix n' mingle. The last two weeks flew by in a blur of shopping, cookies and laughter without one dose of reality. All of my pre-holiday, application focus left me and I have been floating to and fro since.

Today I realized that I needed to get back on the reality bandwagon. I have a bunch more apps due this weekend so I actually sat down and the focus came back.

I am pretty confident that this year I was expressive of my gratitude for all of the love, friendship, and guidance I received but in case I missed someone- thank YOU!

The theme of last year was progress. Some of the big happenings were...

1. I rang in the New Year last year surrounded by sexy, unavailable men, my honey and my best friends...as a brunette.
   
2. I hurt my knee and went to physical therapy. I'm still working on it.
   
3. I reconnected with a sorority sister at her birthday party and went with her to Hawaii three weeks later.
4. I fell in love, had my heart broken and acknowledged that I do want a husband...eventually.
5. My grandmother, Mimi, passed away.
6. Since I had to go back East I went back to blond for the funeral, took a train to Baltimore to see CC (for the first time in 8 mths), and got back in time to sing at Mimi's service.
7. I started Mandarin lessons.
   
8. I realized that I needed to have a spiritual & religious component to my life, researched, felt The Spirit, and changed religions.
9. My birthday was a 24+ hour celebration complete with surprises, cupcakes, dancing, and overall, pampering. It was amazing!
   
10. I went to VA to see one of my favorite families and had the privilege of visiting SD to see some wicked cool grandparents.
    
11. I took a 5 hour trip to Oceanside (yes, from Newport Beach) to attend a reunion then hopped back in the car at 4 am the next day to see the energy vortexes of Sedona, AZ with TJ.
12. I lived with my family for 1 full year rent free.
    
13. I almost finished my Marketing Certificate and resumed studying Spanish at UCI Extension.
    
14. I sold most of my worldly possessions and came to find out that if I don't use something in 6 mths I probably don't need it anymore.
    
15. I learned to have patience, acknowledge that I don't have all the answers and that I'm not always right. Also, that by allowing myself to be vulnerable I am the opposite of weak.
16. I became more open and honest with my thoughts, emotions and interactions.
17. I learned to take my time b/c I'm not in a race that I can win.
    
18. I learned to temper my "health issues" with time, money, and access.
    
19. I completed most of last year's resolutions (except, learning Arabic and being in a band).
    
20. I did my grad school prep and applied to 4 grad schools.
21. Most importantly, I had the opportunity to be present in my life. Sure there were goals and plans and dreams set but in general, I had the chance to appreciate things for what they were in that moment. I gained the ability to keep things locked in the perspective of the time they took place, which is helpful. Overall, I grew up more.
    

Overall, I would say that this has been a very good year.

As for next year, I can only hope that it will be more fun-filled, action packed and surprise driven.

Some good things to look forward to, which are not exactly resolutions. (My resolution is to continue being mindful.)

• Going to see the Obama/Biden inauguration
• Finishing my Marketing Certificate
  
• Being in a band
• Completing my prereqs for grad school at IVC
  
• Road trip to SF, Yellowstone, & the Grand Canyon
• Flying to Argentina to volunteer and travel
• Starting grad school

I would love to hear about your reflections, resolutions, hopes, dreams, etc. b/c I think it helps to support friends and keep them accountable for their plans so that they succeed.