A Year in Review

This is one of my favorite parts about January…when I think back about the past year and how good it was to me and for me. 

I am blessed beyond measure and I am thankful each and every day that I have a loving family, supportive friends, and live in a free country with the ability to travel the world. 

So with that, I will leave you with my favorite picture from each month in 2013. 

{January- Hit the course (mainly, the driving range) and started golfing}

{February- Checked an item off of my "things to do in 2013" list and became a Be The Match donor!}

{March- Spring Break Road Trip with Katie from SAS. Below: Grand Canyon}

{April- I studied a lot and entered the 21st century. Bye-bye Blackberry, hello iPhone}

{May- Studied, wrote, and passed my comprehensive exam for grad school}

{June- Gevirtz Graduate School of Education Graduate -- Woohoo Commencement!}

{July- Spent the last couple weeks living with this one. There really is something special about being roommates}

{August- Reunion in Florida with SAS friends. A day at Walt Disney World :) }

 {September- Jean visited me in SB and we made my headboard. Two minds are better than one}

{October- Gave the gift of life! Donated Blood and it felt oh-so good}

 {November- Cross-Country Road Trip with Kelly. Below: Cadillac Ranch in Texas}

{December- SAS Reunion in Nashville for NYE! We shared 5 days/4 nights of relaxed fun and ongoing excitement}

My prayer is that in January of 2015 I will look back on this year and know that I accomplished new things, explored the world a little bit more, was loving and caring to all I encountered, and grew spiritually, personally, and professionally, but not physically (wider, that is).

Thank you, 2013, for being so good!

2013 "Resolutions"

I'm not one for resolutions because they usually don't work out 

(and we all know that I'm not the best with disappointment/failure). So, I've created a "Things To Do in 2013" list. My overall goal is to be a better person. I wake up each morning, say a prayer and declare that it will be a great day!

My List
1. Donate Blood. 
Once would be great, but more than once would be awesome! I've been in the country for a full year now and that's the only thing I was waiting for. And besides donating because it's the right thing to do, I need to find out my blood type!
2. Finish my Master's Degree. 
I haven't read this much since...well, since I can remember. I'm on track to finish in June. Pray that I can keep pressing forward and grind it out.
3. Sign up to donate bone marrow.
This has been on my "to-do " list for a couple years now. It might be painful and require a hospital stay, but it's the least that I can do for someone. We're talking life and death.
4. Read my Bible more, like daily.
I love devotionals and Bible Study's but haven't been in one for a few years. I've been thirsting for a good study so my friend and I went to the bookstore to search for a study we would both love. We found How to hear from God by Joyce Meyer and it's already been purchased and shipped. I can't wait to dig in and start our study.
5. Do all of those things (listed below) on a daily basis. My quest is to be a better person. And that's what I'm working on.

So there you have it. My New Year's Resolutions  
"Things To Do in 2013" list. 

P.S. I think I'm doing a great job on these things so far :)

Hugs and Gratitude

1. This is so special! I used to be the person who didn't like others touching me or getting too close lol Now I look back and just laugh. That's so silly. A hug is a simple but touching, literally haha, gesture that one can give. Not to mention it takes almost no time at all. So, I'll be hugging my loved ones this Thanksgiving break, that's for sure!

2. Don't you just love this quote?! It speaks to anyone, anywhere and that's the best part. Things to remember (and I say this mostly as a reminder to myself): 

Live without regrets or "what ifs" 

When the opportunity arises, express appreciation and thankfulness

Be kind, always

Smile, you never know who's day you'll make

And to sum it all up, here's another goody...

"Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly"

One More...

"For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness!"

This fancy, yet oh-so simple quote comes from a friend via facebook! I like love this one because you can replace "angry" with any emotion (bitter, mad, hostile, etc...). I absolutely LOVE this quote because it is SOOO true! I adore my family, friends and, well, life itself! I have the ability to create my own destiny, so that's what I'm doing. If there is something that you want to accomplish, do it. Find the things that make you happy and get so involved in them that time passes without you knowing it. If there is a goal that you want to reach (whether it be weight loss or earning a master's degree), find supporters, mentors and a team of folks to rally behind you. Don't forget about Jesus! He has the power to feed the hungry, supply clothes for the naked and a way of making us feel comforted and loved each and every second of the day.

So, "Don't worry, by happy!"

Have a great weekend! When life gets you down, find something (or someone) to help you pick it back up.


P.S. While I'm here and thinking about what makes me happy, I will post some song lyrics for you all to read. You should also listen to the song here!! The whole song is awe-inspiring and can be a tear jerker. I know that I have had some jam sessions in my car to this song. It was also my warm-up song when I was competing in college. I knew that I was there for a purpose. I had worked hard. I trusted my coach. Perhaps I had a stumbling block here and there, but I wasn't going to let that override the determination and God given gift that I have as an athlete. There was definitely something inside of me telling me to keep pressing on, and I'm glad that I did!

Keep the dream alive don't let it die 

If something deep inside keeps inspiring you to try, don't stop 

And never give up, don't ever give up on you 

Don't give up 

Every victory comes in time, work today to change tomorrow 

It gets easier, who’s to say that you can’t fly 

Every step you take you get, closer to your destination 

You can feel it now, don’t you know you're almost there? 

To fulfill divine purpose, you gotta answer when you're called 

So don't be afraid to face the world against all odds

Major Relief ;)

For the past month I have been planning for an event at work. The event was today and it went as well as well can go! Planning a breakfast, 4 presentations at different locations around campus and a bbq lunch for 600 people isn't easy. I am relieved beyond belief and can now switch gears...to thinking about how I start GRAD SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!

Anyways, as I sit here browsing the internet/facebook, I stumbled upon a couple quotes that are fun and motivating, to me :) Here they are!

"Dream of life until life becomes a dream"

Whether you write it down or scream it from the rooftops. We create our own destiny. Dreams can come true!

"Name it and Claim it!"

We use this phrase in my family and I love it because I it can apply to anything in life (goals, relationships, finances, etc). If having your name on a hollywood star will signify "you've made it," then I'm all about it. Go after something, name it (the goal) and claim it (as though you've already conquered/achieved it).

"Another Day, Another A"

My roommate in college taught me this one, and it's a true gem! I'm trying to be like this little guy right here, with some A's on my academic record at the end of the quarter. Wish me luck...I've been out of the classroom for over a year now!

I love school. I love preparing a school bag. I love bringing a lunch (or dinner b/c I'm taking evening classes). I love sitting in class with my friends. I love learning. 

I will most likely want to take back each of these phrases at least a handful of times over the next 9 months. But hey, at the end of it all..I'll have a master's degree!!!

My favorite quote is...

So, come on, folks....

Let those you love know how much you love them. Call someone who's been on your mind lately, just to see how they're doing. Stay up late with someone special, and cherish every moment of it. Do something out of the norm, because "you've always wanted to do it".

I'll be making some phone calls and setting up some skype dates tomorrow. We have one chance at this life here on earth. Make the best of it!