As I will be in Seattle at the Space Needle for New Years Eve tonight, and not here blogging, I figured I would take a moment now to reflect on the amazingly life changing year that was 2011.
I started this year with some newly developed friendships that changed and shaped my life in ways I could not imagine. My new (at the time) friends Kelly, Adrian and Julie over the course of the past year, in combination with some old friends taught me things like it is a bad idea to have five birthday parties,and its OK to trust people, to love them, to invest in them.
To create ties with people isn't only to risk tears, its a guarantee them, but its almost always worth it in the end. If it isn't worth it yet, it isn't the end. They taught me new make up and hair techniques, Hunger Games is a great book, SG-1 is an awesome show, and I have a dress style that can include much much more than plaid shirts, sports jerseys, and hoodies.
I learned sometimes people move away, but that doesn't mean you have lost them, sometimes people move out of the singles ward, and you can still be friends, and sometimes people move right back into the singles ward after a couple weeks, because they missed you and still did their visiting teaching any way.
In February, I met Michelle, and she became one of my most awesome friends of all time. I learned sometimes sad and painful things happen in our lives, but they can create new opportunities for beauty and growth, and trials really can be blessings. If Michelle's husband hadn't died bringing her to the singles ward, and I hadn't been having a bit of a hard time and needing someone to talk to when she and I kicked dodge balls and chatted almost a year ago, I would be missing out on one of the greatest friendships of my life, and getting to spend sometime with four of the most awesome kids on the planet.
Ali taught me that its possible to change your life completely, almost over night, and that you never know the impact of doing your visiting teaching, even if its just by chatting and becoming friends over Facebook. She brought me to open mic night, where we learned its best to overcome fears with a friend by your side. She brought little Naomi into our lives, and taught us that we ought to love to see the temple. And this year was a year of going to the temple- with Julie and Isaac, Karen, Carolyn, Tracy,and anyone else we could get to join us.
Toni taught me the importance of a good road trip and the tastiness of edemame. We saw most amazing views and had fun at a tourist trap.
Because I made personal preparations, and went with people who did the same my April trip to Utah changed my life more than I could ever have imagined, and I hadn't even planned to go. I met my new awesome friend Natalie, and got to know her cousin Keegan, and I got closer with sixteen other people who I spent hours driving with. My opinion on family and marriage changed completely, and I learned to love and appreciate my own family in a way I never had before. It didn't hurt to have the cutest and smartest nephew in the world around either.
I went to Sectionals in figure skating, and almost got my Axel this year- a goal 18 years in the process. Next year for sure!!! I also skated the part of a vulture and half of an elephant!!! I got called to serve in two Relief Society Presidencies which I have learned so much from
I dated Colton for three weeks, Went on dates with Aaron for two weeks, Decided I liked Chris just in time for him to move back to Reno, and went on another road trip to Utah with Jon, Tracy, and Jessica.
I wrote a short story that will soon be published, and then I wrote a novel in a month- still being edited. I lived in three places, finally landing in Poulsbo, survived a doggy related financial devastation, and became friends with Jennifer, who I didn't really think I ever would. I became friends with Katie who is the most like me thinking person I have ever met, and who is the funnest person on the planet to play sports with and watch lord of the rings.
I came to realize that Brielle and I were meant to be friends as we make a great team- even to the founding of a book club- people who like to read books and get together and talk about it, and our own independent random acts of service movement that I am pretty sure changed a few lives because Michael keeps mentioning it, to name one more great friend I gained this year.
Derek was here, and he taught me how to fight with Nerf swords and conquer Europe with Diplomacy.
I wish I could go through and mention everyone and everything that has happened and shaped my life this year, but There isn't time, and you don't want to read it, so I will sum it up like this, Last year at Christmas my dad came out and before he left he gave me a priesthood blessing.
All I can remember is that he blessed me that I would find good friends that would help me find my path in life, I found great friends, and I found my path in life. I am more me than I have ever been before. I have found and tapped into the beginning of my true potential.
I started this year with some newly developed friendships that changed and shaped my life in ways I could not imagine. My new (at the time) friends Kelly, Adrian and Julie over the course of the past year, in combination with some old friends taught me things like it is a bad idea to have five birthday parties,and its OK to trust people, to love them, to invest in them.
To create ties with people isn't only to risk tears, its a guarantee them, but its almost always worth it in the end. If it isn't worth it yet, it isn't the end. They taught me new make up and hair techniques, Hunger Games is a great book, SG-1 is an awesome show, and I have a dress style that can include much much more than plaid shirts, sports jerseys, and hoodies.
I learned sometimes people move away, but that doesn't mean you have lost them, sometimes people move out of the singles ward, and you can still be friends, and sometimes people move right back into the singles ward after a couple weeks, because they missed you and still did their visiting teaching any way.
In February, I met Michelle, and she became one of my most awesome friends of all time. I learned sometimes sad and painful things happen in our lives, but they can create new opportunities for beauty and growth, and trials really can be blessings. If Michelle's husband hadn't died bringing her to the singles ward, and I hadn't been having a bit of a hard time and needing someone to talk to when she and I kicked dodge balls and chatted almost a year ago, I would be missing out on one of the greatest friendships of my life, and getting to spend sometime with four of the most awesome kids on the planet.
Toni taught me the importance of a good road trip and the tastiness of edemame. We saw most amazing views and had fun at a tourist trap.
Because I made personal preparations, and went with people who did the same my April trip to Utah changed my life more than I could ever have imagined, and I hadn't even planned to go. I met my new awesome friend Natalie, and got to know her cousin Keegan, and I got closer with sixteen other people who I spent hours driving with. My opinion on family and marriage changed completely, and I learned to love and appreciate my own family in a way I never had before. It didn't hurt to have the cutest and smartest nephew in the world around either.
I went to Sectionals in figure skating, and almost got my Axel this year- a goal 18 years in the process. Next year for sure!!! I also skated the part of a vulture and half of an elephant!!! I got called to serve in two Relief Society Presidencies which I have learned so much from
I dated Colton for three weeks, Went on dates with Aaron for two weeks, Decided I liked Chris just in time for him to move back to Reno, and went on another road trip to Utah with Jon, Tracy, and Jessica.
I wrote a short story that will soon be published, and then I wrote a novel in a month- still being edited. I lived in three places, finally landing in Poulsbo, survived a doggy related financial devastation, and became friends with Jennifer, who I didn't really think I ever would. I became friends with Katie who is the most like me thinking person I have ever met, and who is the funnest person on the planet to play sports with and watch lord of the rings. I came to realize that Brielle and I were meant to be friends as we make a great team- even to the founding of a book club- people who like to read books and get together and talk about it, and our own independent random acts of service movement that I am pretty sure changed a few lives because Michael keeps mentioning it, to name one more great friend I gained this year.
Derek was here, and he taught me how to fight with Nerf swords and conquer Europe with Diplomacy.
I wish I could go through and mention everyone and everything that has happened and shaped my life this year, but There isn't time, and you don't want to read it, so I will sum it up like this, Last year at Christmas my dad came out and before he left he gave me a priesthood blessing.
All I can remember is that he blessed me that I would find good friends that would help me find my path in life, I found great friends, and I found my path in life. I am more me than I have ever been before. I have found and tapped into the beginning of my true potential.
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