I realized I’m a little behind on the whole “New Year’s resolution” bandwagon and tried to find some remnants of a list of things to “work on” for 2009. I found nothing. If I remember correctly, I didn’t want to have any resolutions last year. Or maybe, I just can’t find them. So I decided to steal the idea from my good friends and write a blog so that I will have something to look back on NEXT year.

Bygones. I figured before I could really decide what I wanted to accomplish this year I should first look back at 2009 and reflect.

My great uncle passing away early in the year really set a bad tone. I had one of those, “Oh wow. Is this how it’s going to be this year?” moments. It actually wasn’t. Emotionally it was a tough year, but a good year nonetheless.

I actually feel blessed to have had such a good year. I felt that those closest to me were dealt pretty bad cards last year. I hope they have better years this year. They truly deserve it.

I somehow made it through school with two A’s and one B. The fall semester was the hardest: taking three classes, working full time (including mounds of overtime) and working on my side projects: photography and crafting. During the fall semester is when I really felt I lost myself. I didn’t have time to be with friends, much less do things I wanted to do for recreation. That’s going to change.

I was able to see my brother. That was both exciting and heartbreaking. He is an amazing person and I will always be proud of him and what he stands for. I never would have imagined that he would be doing what he is doing now. In fact, I spoke with him a few days ago and he is working on moving up yet again, this time to a rank that not many others hold. It was heartbreaking to see some of the changes in him and it was heartbreaking to see him leave. It doesn’t get easier and probably never will. I hate that me and my closest family members are so far apart, but that’s life. It really does make those bonds stronger or weaker.

This year, so far, has not started off badly. Although the holidays were probably the toughest this year of the three I’ve been back in Alabama, I was able to close out the year with a smile. I spent New Year’s Eve with some of the coolest and best people I know. And at midnight I got my kiss! J

I started off the year with a wedding photo shoot that went very well and I cannot wait to see what’s in store for me in 2010.

So with all of that said, my resolution: be patient and kind, stopped being closed off, work on my photography, do well in school and get this wedding show on the road!!

Being patient is something that usually comes easily to me, being kind is a different story. I will learn to start “biting my tongue” or “choosing my words” with those I need to. I tend to speak my mind and my emotions tend to show all over my face. I hurt people in doing this. My policy is honesty first, but sometimes you have to be tactful, especially with those you love.

I closed myself off this year, almost completely. I really had lost all interest in everything. That is a scary place for me to go. I’ve been there before and I’m bound and determined not to let myself go down that path again. It’s very destructive and I have worked too hard to pick myself back up again only to allow myself to fall. I am a very strong person. I need to start acting like it.

Working on photography is an on-going project. I have budgeted to obtain some new lenses after wedding and can’t wait to start my ventures again. I was given a new lens for Christmas so it’s time to get out and play! I will be taking trips very frequently over the next few months and documenting my trips and experiences. I have visions already and am incredibly excited. I also want to build on my wedding photography portfolio. Weddings, abstracts and bands are my passions for shooting right now. So I need to expand on all of those avenues and grow as a photographer.

School is also an on-going project at this point! I will be taking two classes in the spring and one in the summer. I will then continue on to Athens State in the Fall 2010 to finish my BS in Accounting. I hope to take three classes every semester until I’m finished.

Last, but not least, the wedding. It’s a little over 9 months away. It feels like it is right around the corner. I’ve made some ground and I’m starting to get things paid which is a great feeling. However, I feel like it’s all a blur and I’m terrified I will forget something!!! All I can do is keep chugging along and saving money! 

Now that my blog is two pages long…hope you enjoyed the read. Until next time…