January 1st, 2011.

Starting 01.01.11, I will:

BUY SOME NEW GLASSES. Maybe ones like the ones pictured below... if Alex doesn't think I look like too much of a dork in them. Regardless, I need a change. And soon.

Write a positive note to myself and put it somewhere where I see it daily. I'm really wanting to develop a more positive outlook not only on life, but myself as well. Maybe something like this? I'm sure throughout the year, my message will vary.

Make more of an effort with mi familia. More phone calls... letters... cards. Just more.

Save up and actually buy a nice camera so I can put my wishes for photography into action. I've put it off for too long... no longer I say!

And try to see the beauty in every day life.
...because that is part of our reason for being here... for being alive. To recognize all that God has created specifically for us.

Maybe I'll start a photo journal. Take a picture of something beautiful each day.
{You better believe that Alex will make a repeat appearance.}

He's good looking.

Until then, I will thoroughly enjoy the company of my beautiful mother {who arrives here in approximately one and a half hours}.

Hope you all are enjoying the Christmas season!

California Dreamin'

I kinda wish that Al and I lived on the coast so we could have a picture just. like. this.

Christmas

is almost here.

It's coming fast... 11 days and counting... or rather, trying not to count... don't want it to be here just yet.

I really, REALLY want to just savor these next few weeks.

Christmas.... slow down. Let me enjoy the season just a few weeks extra.

And SNOW would be nice, too....

knock it off with this rain nonsense.

Be Proud

I enjoy talking about what I believe and why. I love to have deep, religious discussions with people. I enjoy hearing different experiences and views from those around me-- Mormon or not.


...But there are times when I am viewed as 'ignorant'... or even worse, unintelligent for believing in a higher power than myself. For following a strict moral code. For relying on answer to prayer. Surely I can't be smart if I believe in something that is improbable, impossible, a story from the Bible that is more like a 'fairytale' then real life.


Well.


I am happy. I am smart. I am confident. I have high self-esteem. I care about others. I try to do service. I pray. I read the scriptures. I have faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I have no doubt of the things I know. This does not make me ignorant, nor unintelligent. This makes me whole. It makes me a better person. It makes me who I am... which hopefully-- is a better person than yesterday. It helps me to perfect myself. It helps me to look at others more than myself, and care for my fellow man.


I am not perfect... but I am always trying. Do I fail? Absolutely. Do I get back up and try again? You bet.


I've come to the point where I deem it necessary to stand up and fight for what I know. I won't let critics decide my happiness or my faith. I won't be contentious, but I will be proud.

Baby, you can take my car.

WELL. It's official. The Metro is gone.

After a pain in the butt couple months [it really, really was...] between requesting a duplicate title, and waiting for said title, and getting in contact with KidneyKars, it finally happened. They took the car away and it is officially gone forever. I can't say it's not bittersweet, but not nearly enough to be too sad about it. After all, this car was a crime to drive. No power steering? No air conditioning? No power windows? A drivers side window that was wrecked, but then halfway put back together with a mirror that didn't even fit in the holder? Yeah, the tears are flowing like rain........


I do admit, however, I miss the lack of car payment. We purchased a Hyundai Elantra for the mister... which means another car payment. Yet I know that in the summer when he's turning the steering wheel with minimal effort and his hair is blowing in the air-conditioned breeze, he won't be complaining too much. ;)


We've had a lot of good times, Metro. I really enjoyed it when you got broken into multiple times, and things were stolen. I also look back fondly on the time you were stolen and totalled. I also gained quite the muscle in my biceps from our drives together, plus lost a few LBs from the free sauna you created just for me....but it is time to part ways. Goodbye, and good luck.