Auld Lang Syne

You know how you always hear people say, "oh this year was terrible! I can't wait for it to be over!" or "that was the best year of my life so far! I'm so sad to see it end!"? I've tried to never lump years together that way, but I've lumped this past year together into one giant shaz-bag.

Some may say I'm a pessimist (I prefer the term realist), but I can't help but scroll through all the crappy things that happened this year. It seems like the list goes on and on. Just when I think the list is finished, I remember another crappy thing that has happened.

But in trying to be a more positive person, I decided to look at all the amazing things that have happened this year and all the great things that have come into our lives in 2012.

- I got to go to Oklahoma to see my sweetheart graduate from basic training, and my trip was extended a couple of days, so I got to spend even more time with him!
- I was able to play 3 of the most amazing characters I've ever had the chance to play on stage. I got to work with amazing actors, directors, and crew members, and I've grown leaps and bounds because of the efforts made by these amazing people and from the opportunities I've been given.
- Rich came home to me! He even got to come home a little bit early, and that was the best gift ever. The Army is hard, but my husband rocks at it and he makes me so proud every day.
- Spring semester ended! That was a really rocky semester for me, but I came out of it even stronger.
- In learning what was happening with my mom, our landlords let us out of our contract early so we were able to move in with my parents. We were able to live with them from April - August and it was so amazing to be there with my family through all the hard times.
- Rich got an great job at an amazing company. He loves where he works, he has great co-workers, and the company itself is wonderful. We feel so blessed that he has a stable job, and I'm so grateful that he works so hard for our little family.
- I made it into the musical theatre department at Weber! Freshman year is like a trial year for everyone, and at the end of the year you audition to try and get into the department. And I made it! And I have the best friends I could ever imagine. Weber is such a strength to me. I feel at home there, and it makes me cry when I think of all the amazing people I'm surrounded by while I am there, all the things I am learning, and all the opportunities I've been given.
- After a hard time looking, we got into my favorite apartment of all time. I absolutely loooove where we live. I love the building, I love its location, I love our neighbors, I love how small it is...I love it here. I love, love, love it here. It is home, and I love coming home to this little, cozy place at the end of every day.
- I lost 20 pounds! Take that, fat!
- This past semester was crazy. And I loved it. It wasn't as great as I had hoped (I have to retake a class), but I really proved to myself that I can do hard things and I am a very capable person.
- We went vegetarian, and is has helped us tremendously. I would never expect everyone to do it, but it's been the right thing for us and I feel happy with it every day. It was so hard at first, but I've proven to myself that I can do it. I don't even think about it anymore!
- Dad got two jobs. This is so amazing. A true blessing in our family.
- Mom finished chemo and radiation like a rockstar! Having my mom here with us is the greatest blessing of 2012. Things we so scary, but our family is so much closer than we were before, and I am so happy to have such a great family (on both sides!)
- DISNEYLAND! We got to go on the most amazing vacation of our lives. I had more fun than I've had in years and it was so amazing. I can't wait to go back. I just love it there.
- I am able to be myself a little more around my in-laws. I know that sounds weird, but I've always felt like I can't really be myself when I'm with them. They are amazing people, and I guess in a way I felt a bit inferior. But in the past few months we've grown very close and I'm so thankful. They are the greatest!
- My husband told me that he loves that I'm a feminist. Yep! My hubs is the best!

And there were many, many more great things that happened. I am so glad I've realized that life truly is beautiful, even when there are a lot of icky parts.

So while we are talking about the end of one year, I feel like I have to admit something: I have, literally, never made any new years resolutions.

I've never written anything down that I wanted to accomplish in the coming year. I've always thought that you shouldn't have to wait for a new year to begin accomplishing things or to set goals.

Rich never makes resolutions, either. He thinks it's more like setting yourself up for failure because hardly anyone ever sticks to their resolutions and then you just get more upset that you didn't reach your goals.

But this year I decided to jump on the New Years Resolution bandwagon, but with a little twist.

We had a few friends over for a small party to ring in the new year, and I made everyone their own little resolution sheet, and I thought I would share ours with you.

I don't think my sweet hubs took his as seriously as I did (maybe he did - I know I sure want a sexy 2013!), but I'm glad he goes along with my antics.

I've decided that I am going to display these in our home for the next year so we can be reminded of the things we want to accomplish. There's nothing crazy like losing 50 pounds, running a marathon, or flying to the moon - but I know that these goals are attainable for us.

I know that I can share love, peace, and tolerance; I want to be genuinely happy; I need to be self-motivated and to pass all my classes; and I will succeed in everything I listed. I know it. (did you notice that I put loving on there 3 times? I didn't until just now...)

So while 2012 had it's share of craptastic things, and I know that 2013 won't be without it's hills and valleys, I am feeling hopeful in my endeavors and I'm so grateful that I have all of these beautiful people around me to share it with.

By the way, do you know what Auld Lang Syne means? We sing it at the end of the year, and I don't think most people even know what they're saying. It's from a Scottish poem, and when you sing the phrase, "for Auld Lang Syne" you're saying, "for the sake of old times". I think that's beautiful.

if you'd like a template of my new years resolution sheet just let me know, and I'll be more than happy to send you a copy