Happy New Year

Almost every year I try to write some words, words that reflect the mark of a new year. You can view past years here if you'd like.
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Five. Four. Three. Two. One.

People cheer, kiss, sing. Explosions of lights, laughter and confetti.

Celebration.

Those last seconds can be a moment full of insecurities and doubts of the new year. But they could also be a moment of hopes and dreams. However significant the specific moment at the toll of midnight is, use it as a stepping stone for more moments. Better moments. A lifetime of moments, of change.  

Will you fight?

For something broken? For something worth believing in? 

For healing, for sobriety, for you?

Maybe this year was kind, and maybe it wasn't. Regardless, the mark of the new year is another chance to start new, to start over. Or just simply start. Start living, start challenging yourself.

are you ready to make a change? To start a new? To take a leap of faith?

Make an adventure out of everything. Go on road trips, count the stars, laugh. Call in sick, see a show, cross something off that bucket list.

Fall in love. With a place, with a feeling, with a person, with a band.

Fall in love with life.

Find your inspiration.

Chase your dreams.

Life is full of endings. But the beauty of an ending is that there is a beginning attached. Take this beginning and take a chance. A chance to change, to believe, to heal. And someday, those last moments of the year will reflect joy instead of hurt. Hope instead of sorrow.

So live. Not only in that midnight moment, but in the moments hereafter.

Happy New Year.

xoxo

In case you missed it...

Well hey there!

Truth be told I'm a little shameful. As it turns out, I haven't blogged since the beginning of November! GASP! Wowza. Apparently I was busy...?Anywho, I figured I would update you all in cyber land on my happenings over the past 2 months or so. 

Back in November, I won tickets to the Cities 97 Sampler Release Party! I never win anything, ever. The entire show was epic. And honestly, this was something I had been hoping for for years! It featured The Wild Feathers, Matt Hires, The Unlikely Candidates, and Delta Rae. Here's some pics from the show...

And here's a video of The Wild Feathers:

Moving on...
Grad School definitely took a toll on me this semester, and I probably had one too many emotional/mental break downs. But in the end it all paid off.. I am a 4.0 student! Chyeah! Now, my program requires us to take 5 classes as oppose to 3 that a "normal" grad student would take to be full time.  I like to think of myself as relatively intelligent, but I tend to not apply myself  (Ask my mother, she will vouch for that) and I have NEVER gotten straight A's in all my high school or collegiate careers. So this 4.0 thing is big achievement. I should also probably give a shout out to my friends and family, because I've been a crabby little hermit crab and they have lovingly supported me this semester. And I pray they continue to do so throughout this endeavor. 

I volunteer with a group for teenage girls called Braid at Youth for Christ. . We had a retreat last weekend and despite all the leaders being completely burnt out, it went swimmingly. Unfortunately, I cannot continue to volunteer with Braid next semester. The group meets Tuesdays, and I will have class Tuesday nights. Total bummer. However, I have dedicated some time to another ministry on Friday nights called Hoop Time. Maybe you can tell from the title but it basically revolves around basketball. Admist playing, the members develop a sense of responsibility, community and we have speakers that present aspects of the gospel that is relevant to the members. YFC is definitely something I am proud to say I volunteer for. I'm sad to be away from Braid for a couple months, but glad that I can help out elsewhere.

In addition to all the craziness, I decided to get a second job. Yup. Who's idea was that?! I started at JC Penney a couple weeks ago. Holiday time is a ridiculous time to start a job in retail but whatever! Even though I am paid through my graduate assistantship, I needed some additional funds. The chaos of the holidays is dying down now, so I will soon be working one night a week and every other weekend. Not too shabby. The extra cash flow will really help with bills and doggy necessities. The discount isn't bad either!

And that brings us to now. Christmas with my family was.... well... ya know. We were missing Dan this year, however he did surprise us with a visit home over Thanksgiving so I am thankful for that! I love my dear mother to pieces. She spoiled me this year and continues to be a great influence in my life. I cannot express enough gratitude. I wish I was able to stay at home longer during the break and spend more time with her.

So there's my life the past month and a half. I'm planning on decorating, reading and watching a lot of Netflix/Hulu over the next couple weeks. And hopefully posting here!

TWLOHA has a campaign running called Welcome to Midnight. So you'll probably see a post related to that in a couple days. :)

xoxo.