Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011!

Every year, I post my goodbye post to the previous year and a welcome to the new year to come. I actually kept track of things that happened in 2010. So it's broken down in months. Of course, not everything that happened is listed, just the things that stuck out to me.
January:

• Haiti had a massive earthquake that devastated most of the country. The earthquake was felt in the Dominican Republic. My heart broke when I heard the news due to me being in the Dominican before on a mission trip. We briefly went into Haiti to minister to people.
• I also started Chemistry and Math at school. I was stupid to think I could handle both classes at the same time. It would be the worst semester of my life, ever.
• I found a church that I felt alive again in. A church who had one of their main focus of missions is to speak for children who can't speak for themselves. God started working on my heart for South Africa.

February:

• I celebrated my 33rd birthday by going to a pretty bad bought of depression. It took a friend to smack the truth into to me to snap out of it.
• After Haiti, Chile then had a massive earthquake that broke my heart even more. I know a lot of people in Chile and I was hysterical. I just wanted to get on a plane and do something, anything. I wish it were so easy.
• Captain Phil from the Deadliest Catch passed away.
• I learned a hard lesson about opening the door to my past again and decided to shut the door for good. Not only did I shut it, I nailed it shut, bolted it shut. My past is still managing to creep through.

March:

• I took the HESI nursing test and passed with flying colors. I was so worried about that test and studied very hard for it. I felt so accomplished!
• I decided to go on a walk for an organization called Helping Hands in Africa. God had already started preparing me for South Africa, but I fought it and wasn't going to go. He kept putting more things or people in my path that had something to do with South Africa or Helping Hands. After a lot of fighting with Him and many tears about not wanting anything to do with South Africa, I realized I just wanted to work with kids, no matter where I was. I put my deposit down to go on the trip of a lifetime.
• I moved into my very own apartment after many years of living with people. I love the freedom I have. I love my apartment and the fact that it stays clean. I feel like a grown up now. :)
• One of my favorite stars from when I was a kid passed: Corey Haim.

April:

• We had our second round of layoffs at my job. It was one of the scariest days of my life. I was trying to trust God, but I was finding it difficult. I was very humbled at the end of the day when I still had my job.
• Arizona's history changed when SB1070 started being talked about.
• I was struggling beyond comprehension with Chemistry and Math and two weeks left in my classes, I was failing both. I made the decision to sacrifice one to save the other and dropped Math right before my final. My professor was very forgiving and knew I had struggled the entire semester. I managed to pull my Chemistry grade up to a high C in 2 weeks.
• I spent Easter in California and experienced my very first earthquake. It wasn't very bad because we weren't the epicenter. But I felt it and it scared me silly!

May:

• I passed Chemistry! Yay.
• May brought the deaths of some major stars: Gary Coleman, Dennis Hopper.

June:

• More deaths: Bill, a local radio celebrity here in Phoenix, Rue McClanahan
• I met my teammates that would be joining me in South Africa.
• I went to my very first Yankees game.
• An old worship pastor of mine took his life and rocked everyone hard to the core. Shortly after that, a relationship would deepen with a friend who was struggling with the same thing. God had me and other people surround him with love and understanding to help save his life.
• Eclipse came out, definitely the best of the movies so far.

July:

• My paychecks became lesser and lesser. We had pay cuts start in July as well as furlough days. It's been difficult, but I've survived by the grace of God.
• I went home to Indiana for the first time in 5 years to visit my family and attend my 15 year high school reunion. I decided two things: I was understanding what family was about and what "home" was about and I was missing both desperately. And I also decided that the reunion wasn't all that great and I would never attend another one again.

August:

• This month brought 10 years since my grandma had passed. I can't believe it's been that long. I still miss her every day.
• No school for me, I decided to take the semester off to go to South Africa.

September:

• Our governor completely embarrassed herself as well as the state of Arizona in her debate. Oy vei!
• I found out that a dog I've pet sat for a long time had passed away due to cancer.
• My mother's one year anniversary of her passing. Domestic violence is something I strongly support now due to her death.

October:

• I took the trip of a lifetime and hopped on a very long flight to minister to people in South Africa. I encountered the AIDS epidemic first hand and was incredibly saddened by it and incredibly blessed by it at the same time. I'll never be able to fully explain that. If you were on the trip with me, they would all say the same thing. My world view was completely changed.
• I crossed one thing off of my Bucket List and went on a safari while I was in South Africa.

November:

• My dad went into the hospital with heart problems. It made me realize how much I needed to be near him.
• I celebrated my 8th birthday of giving my life over to Christ.

December:

• First time ever, I actually cared about World AIDS Day.
• This could be my last Christmas in AZ. I am hoping it is.
• God re-opened a door that I thought had closed. I am excited and nervous about it at the same time.

The entire year brought many blessings. Many moments of being humbled to tears. I lost relationships, I gained relationships. I deepened some, I pushed some away. Many doors were opened, many were closed. God was with me through it all and I'm ever so thankful for that.
Goodbye 2010, hello 2011! I'm excited about the opportunities that are ahead!

Saying goodbye to another year

Well, here we are. Another year is about to leave us. 2009 will soon be history and just like that 2010 will be upon us. At the beginning of every year I like to look back at my previous post and ponder about the year. My post welcoming 2009 can be found here. 2008 was a bad, bad year for me. But looking back at that post, I realized how much things changed and I grew. So, to sum up 2009, I am posting in my favorite form of bullet points, with some pictures.

• My 2008 post had a dark under theme. Although I didn't discuss it in that post, I was really struggling with depression and it wasn't until October of 2008 that I decided to seek professional help. I welcomed 2009 by making my first counseling appointment to discuss why I was feeling the way I was and why I was pondering taking my life. I was in counseling for 6 months, I went faithfully every 2 weeks until one day in June, my counselor said I didn't need to see him anymore. I wish I could say that I was cured, but I'm not. I just understand how to cope with what's going on.




• To Write Love Her Arms is a organization I support fully and it has a whole new meaning to me in the past year. I participated in my first TWLOHA arms day this year. That ink on my arm opened up the door for people to ask about the organization and for me to remember where I was a year previously.

• 2009 brought the death of my mother, Pam. Her death was hard on me, and I'm not sure why. Some people said it was because our relationship was strained. That's probably true. But either way, I'm still affected by her passing.

• Every year, I follow a Bible plan and read through the entire Bible. This year was no exception. This is the 3rd year in a row that I have followed the plan and read the Bible. It's really a great thing to do every year. I usually follow the One Year Bible plan, but this year, me some gals are going to do it a little differently. We are going to do the One Year plan, but to read it chronologically. I'm excited about this journey, every time I read the Bible, I learn something new. Here is the link for the two plans, http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/


• I think 2009 was the year of the poopie pants. I can't even begin to tell how many poopie pants I have changed with my 3 year olds at church. I've become an expert and I can do it quick!


• I went to my very first midnight premiere of a movie. I skipped my college class one night (gasp) and waited in line 10 hours to see New Moon. Was the movie worth a midnight showing? Meh, it was good, but I am way too old to be around all those teeny-boppers. I started off the year as Team Edward...but I'm leaning towards Team Jacob. If you see the movie, you will understand why.


• I choose my happiness in life over suffering from a so-called friendship and walked away from a relationship that I swore I would never walk away from. It's been the most difficult thing I've had to do, but my life is so much better for it. I made the right decision.


• I said goodbye to Mesa and welcomed myself to Gilbert by moving in with one of my best friends. I moved in just in time, because shortly after, Kristine's life would change forever by a horrific attack from a dog. And although what happened to her was bad, it was something that brought us closer.


• I paid off my credit card debt and officially do not have any credit cards.


• I celebrated my 32nd birthday in February by getting my first tattoo.

• I celebrated 7 years of walking with Christ in November and decided to buy myself another tattoo. This makes #2 in one year. It's "Only God" in Spanish, with Matthew 22:37 as the scripture. I love both of my tattoos, they tell so much about who I am.

• My best friend of 25+ years came to see me in February. It was only for the weekend, but we laughed so much! It was the kind of therapy my soul needed.

• Second time is a charm and by golly I passed my Anatomy and Physiology class with flying colors. I am two classes away from applying for the nursing program. I can't believe it.


• AHCCCS laid off 85 people in May, I was spared and still have my job. Thank God!

Well, I am sure that there is tons more, but that is what sticks out in my mind from 2009. Happy New Year, everyone!

Just for Today

Today as I was reading the paper, I came across these two things in the "Dear Abby". With the new year upon us and everyone making resolutions, I thought it would be something good to post on the blog. The first one is called "Just for Today" and it's actually used to people who are in the Al-Anon program. However it is suggested in the article to take resolutions one day at a time, like Al-Anon suggests for people. I know when I start thinking about my resolutions, I can definitely get overwhelmed thinking about the year.

Just for Today

Just for today, I will live through this day only.

I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow.

I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once.

I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today, I will accept what is.

I will face reality.

I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

Just for today I will improve my mind.

I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

I will not be a mental loafer.

Just for today, I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable.

I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others.

I'll improve my appearance, speak softly and not interrupt when someone else is talking.

Just for today, I'll refrain from improving anybody but myself.

Just for today, I will do something positive to improve my health.

If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I'm overweight, I'll eat healthily - if only just for today.

And not only that, I'll get off of the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.

Just for today, I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone! Yeah so it's 4 days into the new year. Work with me people, I do not have a computer at home, so I can't get on as much as I would like. Between checking it at work, the library, and Jason's house, I'm able to keep up on my emails. Oy vei! I am so missing my computer. I am waiting for it to get fixed, but need to save for a new one. And worst yet, I start school in a week and no computer. One of my classes is an internet class. But I was told I could use one of the many needed computers at the Dewey's house if needed. Hooray for them!

How was your New Year's? I spent it with Jason and his family. We didn't do anything big, we did watch Kindergarten Cop. That made his day, I think. We listened to the Blazers game and watched 5 minutes worth of fireworks at Tempe Town Lake. I was wondering if I could stay up until midnight, I usually can't. But between the tea I had at dinner and the Chai tea I had from Starbucks, the mix of caffeine kept me up well past midnight, 3 a.m. to be exact! I haven't done that in awhile, but only slept 3 1/2 hours, waking up bright eyed and bushy tailed at 6:30 a.m. Yes, I'm strange, I can actually function on very little sleep. But New Year's night is when I crashed, I feel asleep at 7:30 p.m. to make up for the sleep I had missed. Oh well.

Since we have moved buildings and I'm now in a cubicle, I've decided it's so time to update pictures in my workspace. The ones I have are just older and I'm ready for some new ones. Unfortunately, most of my pictures are on my computer, which isn't working. But I have some in my camera and on my Shutterfly website. I need to download some and print them up. Since I'm here so much, I definitely need to have something to look at when I'm staring off into space.

I went to Ikea and got everything needed for my bed, so tomorrow I shall be moving my room around, setting up the new bed set. I'm excited, I can't wait to get rid of the sun, moon, stars theme on my bed. I was going to paint a wall, but found it not worth it, if I might be moving in April. I love Ikea. Love them!

Anyways, that's all I have for now.

Have a fantastic day!

Brandiesel

Quote of the day: "Whatever you do, do it to the purpose; do it throughly, not superficially. Go to the bottom of things. Anything half done, or half known, is in my mind, neither done nor known at all. Nay, worse, for it often misleads." ~Lord Chesterfield

Hello

Happy Friday everyone! How are you doing? I'm pretty much fantastic! I'm crazy hyper today! This morning as I was driving to work, dancing like crazy in my car (by myself nonetheless), I stopped and pondered if God laughs. I was brought back to a verse that Kaysie loves, Job 8:21, "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." The Bible talks about how God has emotions. So, I'm sure God laughs and I'm willing to bet $ he was laughing at me this morning. I was doing some serious dancing in my car this morning. He was probably laughing and shaking his head. I wasn't trying to impress anyone this morning, I was alone, but having the time of my life jamming to the songs on the radio this morning. *Giggle* I was quite amused.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am the proud owner of my very first Christmas tree. Yes, I've had trees before, but never actually owned one of my own. I bought one yesterday, for $15. Yep, that's it. It's a 6 1/2 foot pre-lit tree. I'm quite proud of my investment. Lisa got home from MA yesterday, she presented me with a little box from her mom. Her mom is so funny, every year I get a present from her, I never know what I'm getting, but she never ceases to amaze me with the things she buys. Every year, I buy an ornament, that's just something I do. After my gram died, my sister got the tree, with all the ornaments. I don't have any of my grandma's ornaments. So Lisa's mom got me a really pretty pewter sand dollar one. I love it! Lisa and I exchanged presents last night. I had no clue what she might of gotten me. Well, there is this duvet bed set at Target that I've been eyeing. I couldn't justify spending the money for a duvet cover and two pillow shams, but getting new sheets, etc. Well...I received it last night! Hooray! I just now have to get some sheets and some red pillows to spruce it up. I'm thinking of now painting one of my walls to accent the bed as well. Hello weekend project!

So, the new year is approaching us in a few days. Got any plans? I've taken the day off and I'm spending it with Jason. Not sure what we are going to do, but we will find something. So have you made any resolutions? I've made some:

• I hate stairs, I really do. But I have been walking up and down those things every day lots of times. I need to lose some weight, not some, a lot. I'm not really dieting, just trying to eat healthier. I want to start walking more, etc. I'm cutting out soda all together, I really don't drink a lot of that, but also need to cut down coffee trips. Especially since I have coffee at home.
  
• Due to the weight problem, I tend to cut myself down. I'm working on changing that as well. I have to have a positive self-esteem. And I'm learning how to accept a compliment. If someone says something nice about me, I will usually have something smart to say back to them. I need to accept the compliment and just say "Thank you"
  
• Oh finances, they are getting better, but I still need to improve.
  
• I have things that are weighing my mind down. Really bad. I need to tell three people some things, I need to get it off my chest. Everything I have to say to these people could potentially destroy any type of relationship I have with them. Two of the people I'm not close to, but one, I'm extremely close to. I resolve to tell these people the things I have to say sometime in 2008.

Be safe this weekend and New Year's Eve, if you're going to drink, DO NOT be stupid and get behind a wheel! Get a designated driver or call a cab. Okay, that's all for now! Have a great day!

Bran

Quote of the day: "We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce