REFRESH BUTTON!
I can't believe how fast last year went and this year just seems to be gaining speed everyday! I've been putting off blogging for so long mainly because I feel like I should post pictures along with my entry. Well, downloading pictures from my camera to the computer, from the computer to this blog is a huge time absorber, and you all are missin out on my adventures in the meantime! LOL! So, this year I've decided to write at least every other day, pictures or not, to keep it fresh in my memory and also to give my family something new to read. I have put a lot of my friends blog pages in my favorites file and so it is easy just to click and I'm there reading all these great stories. I'm not suggesting you all do the same (though I don't know why you wouldn't) ;-) But I do feel before I begin this new goal I should redcap last years activities and goals accomplished!
1. First and foremost, I went on lots of dates...32 to be exact. It's a good thing I keep a planner. ;) That's a record in my book. I don't think before that I had gone on more then 5 in a whole year since turning 18. Sad, but true. It was lots of fun and I met a lot of cool guys that I am still friends with and will be for a long time. Unfortunately, no love connections were made (I'll go into that a little more later) but I learned a lot about myself and what I like and don't like and what works and what doesn't. I also learned about something called "patience". It is a term that is quite foreign to me, but in the upcoming year I hope to somehow master this term in many ways.
2. I traveled a ton! I was lucky enought to be able to travel to Ohio, California (three times) Idaho, Arizona, and lots of places within Utah (Fishlake). I love traveling and so I was so excited to be able to do so even if some of them were very short. I realized that I could drive longs hours as long as I had my tunes, I can pack in a moments notice, I tend to take my entire closet and bathroom with me (even on a 3 day trip) and I have probably visited more bathrooms in different states then some people have their whole life. I am almost tempted to make a book about it, you know, kinda like the Covered Bridges one. ;)
3. I trained for, began, completed and beat my previous time in a sprint triathalon. I even did this all by myself, which at the time was so terrifying to me that I broke down crying on the day I left for the race. I was really proud of myself for doing that and overcoming that fear. It was hard not to have family and friends cheering for me at the end..( people did cheer, they just didn't know who the heck I was!) and I didn't feel the elation I felt the first time I had done it 7 years ago, but I felt relieved to have accomplished a goal that seemed so ginormous at the beginning of the year. I plan to do another one this year, but ask friends to join me in the training and race. It is a lot funnier to have people you care about with you through the challenge.
4. I made 100% of my goal at work. That was cool for me as well because I didn't do it the previous year. I worked really hard and long hours and felt good that I could prove that all my hard work wasn't for anything. I wish I could say I got a huge raise, but it's non-profit and well, that's just how it is.
5. I was able to go with my niece Dallyn to go see "WICKED" in Salt Lake City. I really feel that this was just one of those meant to be things. Essentially, all tickets were supposed to be sold out and I just decided one day to check the theatre website to find out when it was playing. I clicked on each day and sure enough all sold out, then when I clicked on Sunday evening, there were 2 tickets open!! Now I know it was Sunday, o.k. it was Easter Sunday, but we did go to church and I did go with family! :) I had the funniest time with Dallyn and what was even better is, the tickets I got were for 2 row from the front!!! Yup, it was meant to be.
6. My family celebrated all the birthdays and Jaxson got baptized. I love getting together with my family. We seem to find any excuse or holiday to get together. I'm surprised we haven't put Columbus Day or Lent on the calendar....o.k. maybe not Lent, that would defeat the purpose of celebrating, but I'm thinking we should ask mom to start thinking about baking one of her famous cakes for April 22, Administrative Professionals Day! :)
7. I said goodbye to family and friends who passed away. Joyce Anderson- May 5th, Casey Stolz-Feb 3rd, Paul Berg-July 21 and my dear cousin Bonnie King - Nov 14th. As difficult as it was to say goodbye and to see the tears shed, including my own, I know that I will see them again and it will be a fun reunion full of lots of hugs.
8. I helped plan and carry out 2 great reunions. A San Jose reunion with all our friends, from all the stakes in San Jose, that were currently residing in Utah. We even had people who traveled to attend! As crazy as it was, it was all worth it in the end to see familiar faces and dear friends get together and remember some pretty great times living in a pretty great place.
b. The Merritt reunion. I don't think I had seen many of my Merritt cousins for years and years. I was so happy that it all worked out and have to thank all those who helped in making that happen. It was tons of fun and we were finally able to update the 1979 picture, which I think was the last time we had photographed us all together.
9. I saw two temple dedications, which just continued to instill in me the importance of family and the power of the gospel that continues to move forward even with all the challenges and stones thrown at it. I know my family is eternal and having that knowledge is what makes me happy and brings me peace in turbulent times.
10. And finally...... I had a year of personal growth, humbling challenges, sad disappoints, renewal of friendships, an increase in new friendships, goals accomplished, goals postponed, more family memories made, testimony strengthened and many moments that built and improve my character. I look forward to 2010 with a chance to hit REFRESH and look forward to filling this years planner with many more adventures to come!!!
THANKS 2009 FOR EVERYTHING!
Erin
