Hope

In 2009, my little personal theme was hope. I never really understood what hope was until I heard it explained like this, and it has been a life changer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbsU3b2srQA

Sorry, I can't get the video to go directly on here, you just have to click the link. I'll figure this out... someday.

Debbie Downer

On my way to the gym this morning I was listening to the radio morning show (which is terrible), because I left my iPod at home. They had a guest on who was doing a special series that day for some New England TV Station and wanted everyone to take a picture of themselves and what they were doing that day in New England and send it in. I thought to myself, if only I brought my camera, I would take a picture of myself in my practice cell. Well, it's the end of the day, and I took one anyway.

I'm keeping a gratitude journal this year, which has been fabulous, but I've decided sometimes it's healthy to talk about why you had a bad day, so here we go:

-Everyone in the women's locker room at the gym this morning decided to walk around naked. Seriously, EVERYONE. Except me. It's disgusting. I don't want to see your bottoms, ladies.

-I had to shred paper at work.

-My lesson was not a good lesson. My teacher said a few times, "Wow, you really are tired." I got 7 hours of sleep last night. Just one of those lessons where I felt like I was back at square one.

-As you can see from the picture, I had a horrendous hair day. It was windy and raining.

-I had to play the Firebird in Orchestral Techniques class. I practiced it maybe 30 minutes before class. It sounded like crap. When I finished, in an effort to lift my spirits, my teacher said, "Well your rhythm is perfect!" It doesn't matter if you have perfect rhythm if you can't play the notes right.

-My co-worker asked me for a ride home at about 8:45 at work. He said his car broke down. He lives on the South Shore about 45 minutes away. I couldn't say no. I just got home from taking him home. There went my night.

-To top it all off, I got home and found a ticket on my bed that I tried to appeal and it obviously didn't get appealed. Goodbye $50.

-My love life feels like a crapper.

-I have a huge zit on my cheek and my nose. I don't get those.

Good things about today:

-It's pretty warm for Boston. The snow melted.

-I found out I'm getting paid to go play in a mini-opera in New York over spring break. Woohoo.

-Jesus loves me still.

Something From 2009 That I Forgot To Blog

So in 2009 I was actually at home in Texas for the first day of school for S, L, M. My mom is such a star, she had this all set up for them along the driveway when they got home. Hope you can read the signs. She is a crack up.

(yes, this is a tomato plant thing)

Who wouldn't like to be like that weirdo in the picture? She's my idol. And a hottie. Hello sweater vest.

Cute boy.

Remember the best post ever from May or June or something where I posted all of the funny things the boys I babysat said? Well I got to play with them for a little bit over the break and there were several funnies, but I can only remember one. We were playing an intense round of the lady bug game and ryan randomly looks at me and says:

R: Do you pick your lips?
A: Nope. Do you?
R: Yeah. And then sometimes you can put your finger up and touch it and you get some bleed on your finger but it doesn't even hurt and you don't even need a bandaid!
A: Woah.
R: Yeah. I do it all the time.

Doesn't this just make you smile? Love those boys.

A is for Ambitious

So I realize my list of resolutions are a little bit ambitious, but I figure if I write a bunch down I am more likely to keep just a few of them. And actually, this is totally not ambitious considering we are 9 days into the New Year. My next post will be dedicated to 2009. Out of order, I know, but that's just how I roll.

In 2010 there will be more:

1. Laughter.

2. Protein.

3. Gratitude.

4. Fingernails. Because I will bite them less. Or hopefully not at all. Just watch me.

5. Friends.

6. Budgeting.

7. Confidence.

8. F.U.N. i.e. reuniting with the best girls on the planet, skydiving?, summer-ing in Boston, flying a kite-- I really need to do this. And much more.

9. Purpose in Prayer

10. L-O-V-E.

In 2010 there will be less:

1. Judging.

2. Portion Sizes (not less, just smaller).

3. Facebook. Ugh. I really don't get on very much, but vacation brings out the worst in me.

4. Thinking about Annie.

5. Uncertainty. Please?

6. Complaining.

7. How about awkward dates? Please? Please. Or maybe more dates that I want to go on?

8. Worrying.

9. Bad food going into my body.

10. Scripture reading when I am basically already asleep.

2010. I have two words for you:

I get better looking every year.