2008 was such a whirlwind of a year…I can’t believe it’s actually already drawing to a close.  Altho I am extremely excited to see what 2009 will bring.  I’m itching to start making some lists of goals and aspirations etc…and Real Simple’s latest issue thus was irresistable to me, as it is the “List Issue”.

And speaking of lists, here are some of the more interesting things to happen to me in 2008 in no particular order:

1.  Going to South Africa – too much to possibly include here
2.  Being cussed out…and being used to it?
3.  Following the 2008 presidential election more closely than I have ever followed any sort of political thing
4.  Moving into my own apartment
5.  Dating Michael Whatley
6.  Graduating from college
7.  Learning how to cook
8.  Learning how to do physical restraints
9.  Going from a partying social butterfly (i.e. lots of alcohol) to an introverted, boring adult (i.e. pretty much no alcohol)
10.  Beginning training for a 5k (me!  The world’s worst runner!)
11.  Becoming totally enamored of yoga
12.  Learning how to knit
13.  Becoming addicted to podcasts
14.  Being a maid of honor in the coolest, most multicultural, most politically correct, most colorful, most beautiful, and most sheer fun wedding ever.

Sooooo…it’s been a year of growth, overall, I’d say.  Obviously, one thing I have failed at that is thus not on the list is keeping my blog updated and interesting.  I wistfully long to do so, but for some reason it seems so elusive.  As it is, I am beginning to feel sleepy and am afraid I shall depart from this post soon.  Here are just a couple of updates:

1.  Michael and I went to Charleston!  It was a brief, brief trip, but it was a lot of fun!  It really is a beautiful city.  I think it would have been more fun, in some ways, if we had been on a for real weekend and had some events or festivities to go to.  As it was, being a normal person’s work week, we just kind of roamed around on our own in anonymous tranquility (except for the fact that I kept pulling the camera out).  Then again, you all should know that I prefer to see the locals live in their standard fashion, rather than through the eyes of a tourist.  Plus it was cool to actually plan and pay for a trip on my own, even if on a small scale.  And we didn’t get all that lost!  Even more exciting.

2.  Christmas was good, albeit it kind of rushed due to work.  Lots of cooking lessons & family time.  It was also very nice to finally be able to actually buy Christmas presents, so I had a lot of fun with that.  However, I am so emotional on the holidays and I hate that, but it was ok.  Probably necessary as well.  I take so damn long to process things.  Sigh.

3.  I’m officially on vacation!!!!!!!!!  I’m taking a week off of work in order to head to the Wyche Oyster Roast, which of course promises to be a proper New Year’s Eve extravaganza.  Also, one word:  babies.  Huzzah!

4.  I’m finally on the last book of the Twilight series, which is Breaking Dawn.  I have very mixed feelings about this series.  On the one hand, I am a hopeless fool for vampire stories.  On the other…what decade/century is it in?!?!  The gender roles and views on male-female relationships is just absurd.  Also, the main character is the most annoying main character ever written.  Maybe it’s just because I work with teenage girls who aren’t healthy…maybe it was because I was once an unhealthy teenage girl myself…but honestly.  She just needs to stop.  Too dramatic.  And completely unbelievable as a character.  The vampires and werewolves are more believeable.  Sigh.  But thankfully I’m almost done, because I am addicted to the plot.

And with that…see you on the other side of 2009!

It has been raining and cold for awhile now.  And I am currently sick.  I hate being sick, but especially when it’s wet and cold outside.  I’m really over being sick.  I don’t think my body is over it tho; it seems to be getting worse.

But aside from all of that.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Mine consisted in a lot of movie watching and a lot of Sudoku puzzles while waiting around the cottage.  Fun times.  However, while it sucked not to see my family or go anywhere for the holidays, it was kind of nice to just not be doing much and relax.  I got my apt cleaned, which was good.  I did not, however, get much reading done.  Sudoku seems to have taken over my life.  It’s terribly addictive.

I did get my apt decorated for Christmas tho!  And did a little bit of shopping.  Sadly, I’m kinda poor and not able to purchase all of the wonderful presents for people that I would like to.  I do, however, need to get started on my Christmas cards.  Also, I’m trying to be kind of creative with gifts this year.  Which is fun.

In other news, I am re-applying to grad school.  Which is a completely annoying process.  For the second time.  It’s also nerve-wracking; doubly so than last time.  However, I feel like I know more of what I’m doing.  And I’m much more focused.  I’m only applying to one program: Wake Forest’s MA of Counseling program.  From there I can either do school or community counseling.  It’s a 2 year program…I’m hoping I get in.  It would really work well for me I think…we’ll see.  Prayers & fingers crossed please!