2011?!

I remember long ago when I would think of future years such as 2011, they seemed impossibly far away, so the fact that this year is upon us, is just crazy to me. Even though it's hard to get used to, I love the start of a new year, all the possibilities. I love wondering what I will be reflecting on when the year comes to a close. As of right now my life plan is pretty wide open; I don't have definite happenings in the near future set in stone. It seems all of my goals are at least a few years down the road, so trying to figure out what to do in the here and now can get a little overwhelming.

This year I hope to continue working as much as possible while continuing my online courses. I'm not so set on getting a degree, but I like learning and if I feel like getting a degree (a 2 year one, if anything) I'll be well on my way.

I'm going to get more serious about saving money (which for now, sadly, means no extravagant trips). Eventually I'll have to do SOMETHING, so I want to have the money saved for whenever my random self gets an idea.

It's possible that I won't be in Watford by fall or the end of the year, but that's all very undecided as of now.

Another big event that I have no choice in the occurrence of, is my twentieth birthday. The thought of completely waving goodbye to by childhood and teenage years terrifies me more than it probably should, but as of August 26th, 2011, I'll have no choice but to face the facts.

Other then that, my expectations for the year are pretty wide open. We'll see what happens!

2010 is over....?!

I can't quite grasp the fact that 2010 is over. This year went SO fast. I feel like I've probably thought that about many years past, but I think I can honestly say this year went the quickest for me. It's been a jammed packed year full of so many things, most of which have been wonderful.

New Years Eve is just about my favorite holiday. There's just something about looking back on what has taken place in the last 365 days that I love. Here's a little recap...

Started off the year with possibly my biggest adventure yet (Toss up with China) by heading off to Europe. It was an amazing trip full of so many good memories. I fully intend on going back in the next couple years; there are still so many places I need to see!

Only a few weeks after returning, I got another job - church secretary! It's been a lot of fun.

Spring was dominated by prom planning and then the actual event. It was so much fun and an experience I'm so thankful for.

I went to Alaska in May, what an amazing trip that was! Such a beautiful place.

The summer consisted of working, hanging out with friends and family, and a roadtrip with friends. It was a good summer overall.

In the fall I started up online classes again, and the balance between work, school, and free time, has been somewhat of a struggle, but I've managed.

Winter has been basically the same as fall, very busy but also full of a lot of good happenings.

Overall, my year has been wonderful and busy! The first half of the year was more eventful in the bigger ways, but the second half was amazing as well! Can't believe it's all over with.

Last few pictures of 2010

Christmas break was really nice and relaxed for the most part. Good friends were home from college and I was able to spend more time with them than I was anticipating. North Dakota has been getting blizzards like crazy (at least weekly this month, or so it seems) so that's added to the coziness of being with friends and family indoors :)

I didn't take too many pictures, but here's some I did manage to get.

Kyle and I on Christmas Day.

Myself and Eloise on Christmas Day.

Poor Eloise ventured under the stairs and got herself stuck. I heard her whimpering but didn't think anything of it till it kept happening. I felt terrible when I saw her panicked face in the midst of all the barriers.

Kyle and I on New Years Eve :)

Tis the season...

My favorite time of year has arrived - Christmas season! So far it has been busy with work and school but after this week I'll be finished with classes till January and work will only take away 16 hrs a week. My friends from college get home at some point this week and my friends that are here in school get out next Thursday. I can't wait to have cozy Christmasy nights with friends and family. Hot chocolate, a christmas movie perhaps, and being cozy inside while winter rages on outside. Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks.

Eloise cracks me up on a daily basis.

Kyle and I had one of those Christmasy nights last week, except no movie and we freezed a bit outside to take these pictures. We cooked dinner together, started doing a panda (!!!) puzzle, then set out with a big thermos of hot chocolate, parked somewhere we could enjoy the winter scenery, and drank the hot chocolate. We talked and then took these pictures. It was a really fun night.

And now, I'm off to study for finals...

Fall=Fun!

I've been slacking in the picture department lately, but for the most part life has consisted of work, school, and friends and family squeezed in between. However, I did manage to get a few pictures of some of the fall events that have become somewhat of a tradition for me.

I went to youth convention October 21st - 23rd. It was my 7th year going, but my 2nd year going as a chaperone. I went every year 7th - 12th grade, except my 8th grade year. It is always a lot of fun, but being a chaperone has made it more of a responsibility. It is still an awesome and fun weekend, the experience is just different when you are in charge of people. I had intentions of taking all kinds of pictures, but basically all I ended up taking were 50+ pictures of me and Jessica.

Here we are posing with our new Dino friend :)

We entertained ourselves on the trip there (about 5.5 hrs) by taking all kinds of pictures. She's 4 years younger than me, but one of my closest friends and I am so so blessed to have her in my life. <3

Another event that has become somewhat of a tradition in the fall is the fall play, put on by the high school. I've felt almost every year for the past 5+ years or so, and it is a lot of fun. It was this past week, Thursday-Saturday night. Kyle was in it and since it's his last year, I went every night. I didn't get sick of seeing the same thing three times, in fact I was bummed out when the end of the performance came Saturday. I feel like I'm graduating all over again, dealing with all of these nostalgic 'lasts' with Kyle.

His part was a French woodsmen, and after the performance Friday, we took this picture. :)