Welcome, 2014. We've Been Expecting You.

‘Tis a brand spanking new year. Already. Wow… I wasn’t really used to 2013, yet. And now it’s 2014??

My oh my.

Well, I know there’s probably a sigh of relief amongst all y’all triskaidekaphobia people… (;

But in all seriousness, this year has gone by all too quickly. It’s been a great year—I can reflect on so much. I’ve learned so much and grown so much… it’s amazing what one year can do/teach you. I guess I’d like to take a minute and look back on all the stuff that has been rather major this year, and all the things I’m grateful for. In addition to that, I’d like to add a list of things that I really want to improve on, complete with goals I want to set for this year. Yeah, I guess I’ll be making the traditional New Year’s resolution.

A Reflective Look At 2013

-Birth of a blog. That’s right, lovelies! I believe I started this blog in August…? It’s a new thing that I’m so glad I got into… It’s like a venting wonderland! …Just kidding (:
But I have to say, it’s nice to be able to just open your heart and mind into a little space of the world. While not everybody knows about it or sees it, it’s still nice.

-J and I have been together for a year now. One year mark? October 21, 2013. So happy, thankful, and lucky to have him.

-Sophomore year. While I know it technically continues into 2014, I feel like so much of my sophomore experience has taken place in the year 2013. The friends I’ve made, the friendships I’ve strengthened, the friends I’ve had to let go of… it’s all been a part of my school life.

-Pop-Pop’s heart scare. So blessed his surgery worked out, but he really had us all waiting on our toes and falling on our knees… and January 9th (coming up soon) is like it’s starting all over again…

-JMU Choralfest. One of my happier memories from this year. A great time spent with great people making awesome music. Also a great peep into college life, something that’ll definitely help me in the future.

-Sweet 16. Eeyup. Some people have fond memories of their 16th birthday—it’s like,the quintessence of the teen years. While I didn’t have a giant blowout party, it was sweeter still. If I recall correctly, I spent my birthday with J. Awesome day.

-Twin’s Confirmation. Sure, it’s not something related directly to me, but it was a big milestone in their lives, and I was blessed to be a part of it.

-Our school production of “Go Ask Alice.” A great cast, a great show, a great life-lesson learning experience.

-Dory’s 100th Birthday. We visited her over the summer, and it was so sweet. She’s still vibrant and kicking—truly an inspiration and I can only hope I live that long.

-Done with swimming! I became a certified swimmer, and I also became certified via school for CPR. Good stuff.
...

I know for a fact there’s probably many, many other things I’ve done in this past year that I cannot recall at this moment… It’s a whole year to remember—it’s a bit hard. But anyways. Okay. *Deep breath* New Year’s resolutions for 2014.….

Last year, I wrote a ton down on a piece of paper I found recently while cleaning my room. Looking at it, I tried to think of what things I improved on or fulfilled or achieved. I want to put that list here, and then see where I stand. From there, I’ll make another list for this year. For good -‘ol- new 2014. So without further ado… I present to you:

The 2012 Me Making Resolutions For 2013
- be nicer

- do better in school

- don’t be so perverted (verbatim! Lol)

- stop procrastinating!!!

- Do some exploring into the future (in terms of college)

- Don’t go too far (this is applied to a number of topics)

- Get closer to God.


Well. Let’s see how I did, shall we?

-Be nicer. I’d like to think I’m not so crabby anymore… and I do feel like I’m being more open to people and friendlier than last year. I mean, I always strive to be friendly. But sometimes things may come across as sharp or not as intended… and I wanted to fix that.

-Do better in school. Hmm… not sure when I wrote this if I meant in general, grade wise, or by means of applying myself. I feel like there’s been a difference in the way I apply myself, as the workload of this year hasn’t really left me much of a choice. I’m not that happy with my math grade right now, but I will do anything in my power to change that. Other than that, I think I’m in a good spot…

-Don’t be so perverted Hah. I guess I used to have somewhat of a dirty mind? Pfft, USED TO. I feel like I still do… but maybe it’s calmed down a bit? I’d like to think at least I’m not as obnoxious about it as I was… But come on. It’s kinda part of my personality, my sick humour. Just a bit… It’s like vanilla extract… or toilet paper! A little bit goes a long way… (in most cases… XD)

-Stop procrastinating!!! Again, sort of part of who I am. I’ve tried to keep on top of things, and I do all I can, but some things just end up happening rather last minute. But I have improved. I swear it.

-Do some exploring into the future (in terms of college). Yes, yes. The schools, the money, the “how far away” and the “how am I gonna pay”. I have looked into this. Researched a ton, and I’m trying to figure out what I want to do… However, in some aspects, self-discovery is harder than I thought…

-Don’t go too far (this is applied to a number of topics) Don’t bite off more that you can chew. Don’t say things out of anger I’ll regret in an argument. Don’t be tempted. Don’t stray too far away from what’s important. It’s all hard. I’ve tried to abide by most of that.

-Get closer to God. Definitely feeling this one. I feel better at church, more comfortable with my surroundings… I know my limits, and I’m a bit clearer on what I believe. I’d also like to think I pray more.


~Resolutions for 2014~


This is where I am now. I want to accomplish all of this and more in the coming year.

-Be nicer. Yes, I’m adding this one again, because it’s always something I should work on. Random acts of kindness as well as genuine compliments go into this category as well.

-Continue to strive for success in school. Just wanna get good grades and get out.

-Maintain a healthy amount of perverted-ness. I can’t eliminate it completely…

-Stop procrastinating! With one exclamation point… lol. It’s not as severe, but I still need to work on it. Guess who’s going to be trying to get her assignments done AHEAD OF TIME and also in a timely manner? Eeyup—that’s right. Me. We’ll see how long this lasts. Hopefully for a while…

-Do some future exploring. Look into college, but up it a couple notches. Dig deeper. Save up money. Continue to find new things of interest. Get a better idea of where life is going. All of that great amazing scary wonderful stuff.

-Don’t go too far (again, applied to many topics). See above reasons from 2012-2013

-Get closer to God. Can’t stop now, there’s so much more to embrace and take in and understand. I want to expand on my relationship with Him, as much as I can this year, and for all the years to come, come to think of it. 

-Get physically and mentally back in shape. I want to boost my brainpower (memory, knowledge, all that good stuff), and also get my body back on a somewhat rigorous and awesome work out schedule. I want to run more often and do more movement-oriented things during the week. I don’t play a sport currently, so… I need to fit things in when I can. OH and this resolution also caters to my sleep deprivation. Yeah, I want to go to bed earlier and all that great stuff.

-Try to make the world a better place. Every little bit helps—and if this means recycling, biking somewhere, doing a favour for someone else, or simply just lending a hand where needed, then… so be it. Sure, it’s great to receive the love… but it’s even better giving it.

-Eat healthier. Common one… lol

-Be more outgoing and confident. The world is never going to slow down. Time won’t stop, and opportunities will pass. I say I’ll put my ego on the line a little more this year, and take my chances. So what if I embarrass myself a bit. At least I put myself out there and gave it a shot.

I have no doubt that this will be an amazing year… its potential lies in my motivation and my sactions… all of which I want to be awesome and fantastic. How about you guys? Do you guys have any resolutions or hopes/dreams for this coming year?

And now, I'd like to end this post with a bit of New Year's poetry... If only man could "ring out" all of the bad things in the world, and "ring in" joy, hope, peace, and an end to all suffering...


Ring Out, Wild Bells
From In Memoriam A.H.H. by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1849)

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more,
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkenss of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Happy 2014. (:

xoxo