Resolutions...

Ah, the dreaded resolution. It's the time of year for crowded gyms and sudden spikes in water bottle and diet pill sales. But... not for me. No ma'am. Every year on December 31st I take a look at myself and say "What is wrong with me?" or "What do I need to fix?" And how often have I been able to answer/solve those questions? Never. I am tired of superficial and shallow resolutions. I am tired of focusing on bodily imperfections and personality flaws. This year my resolutions are different. No more "Stop drinking caffeine" or "Lose 5 inches." This year it's all about happiness and living life. I decided to look back on 2009 and find out what could have made it better. Would it have been better if I were 10 pounds lighter? NO! Would it have been better if I craved Mountain Dew every second of every day? NO! 2009... was 2009. No regrets, no confessions. However, my experiences of 2009 have contributed to my guidelines for the wilderness that is 2010.



1. Stop procrastinating! Do your work. Get it over with...


2. Trust...


3. Stop being jealous. He loves you. Really...


4. Be healthy.


5. Take a picture of yourself and write everyday.


6. Practice, practice, practice.


7. Call home more often.


8. Save your money. Don't be stupid.


9. Be creative.


10. No Stress. Just let go.

I am not sure why January 1st feels like a new beginning. Yesterday was yesterday and today is today. Life does not change simply because the numbers on the calendar are different... Or does it? Today was fabulous. Yes. I said it. Fabulous. I have said it before and I will say it again: New Year's is my favorite holiday! No matter what you feel on December 31 at 11:59 pm, the minute the ball drops you feel renewed. Like the planets are aligning for you and you alone. It is a new day and a new chance. And we all know, I am a sucker for second chances. Maybe sucker isn't the right word...

I spent the first hours of my new year lying in bed with my sweetheart. We stayed up until 3 this morning. The party was so much fun. I took so many pictures and I plan to spend the entire year taking more! I love pictures.

2009

What a wonderful new year! I had a wonderful Christmas Break and an awesome start to the Spring '09 semester. My parents gave me a camera for Christmas! I have been taking pictures of EVERYTHING






This is a picture of my boyfriend, Frank, at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.





Unbelievable house we found in Mountain Brook!





The Bamboo Garden.


These are just a few of the hundreds of pictures I have taken! I am so excited to be able to document my experiences of 2009!