Whoosh.  Las Vegas was, for lack of a better word, groovy.  I would tell you about it, but you know the rule.  Altho I do have to say: the shows were incredible.  Wow.

As for Cincinnati, I’m back, but everyone else has left/is leaving pretty much.  Which I guess is actually ok because I have *so* much to do this week…I leave for Spain on SATURDAY.  How crazy is that?????  I’m surprisingly not that nervous about actually leaving…I am nervous about getting everything done that I need to before I leave.

But today is relax & recover day   Well, and maybe a little laundry organization…did I mention I haven’t started packing?

I leave for LAS VEGAS tomorrow to spend 3ish days with Lindsey, Matt & Ben!  I’m SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I deserve this little mini-vacation

New Year’s Eve was decent.

My sister is one of the most amazing people on the planet and probably one of the people who loves me the most.  I heart her

Um yeah…this time next week I will be about to leave for Spain.  Awesomeness!!!!!

There is no fear in love–1 John 4:18.  Everything’s going to be ok.

Oh & btw…I don’t know if I’ve informed anyone lately…but Jessica Yasmine is pretty much one of the most awesome people ever.  And I love her

Well, Christmas was absolutely excellent I love my family. There are pictures here.

SIX days to VEGAS!!!! I can’t wait to go–and especially because I really miss Lindsey & can’t wait to see her!!!

And…SIXTEEN days to SPAIN! Omg. I can’t wait.

All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m going to have to reread it like 80 times.

Talladega Nights is so much funnier than I thought it would be.

And because it’s almost the end of the year…here are some end o’ year surveys. Have a good night!

1) DRINKING BUDDY OF THE YEAR
Hmmm…gotta go with my lovable JL

2) LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD – LONGEST FRIEND(s)?
Jessica Yasmine

3) NEWCOMER AWARD – NEWEST FRIEND?
Hmm I gotta go with Rachel Adams.

3) HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR?
Oh wow; way too many…how abou…wow…¦ummmm…well. A lot of good stuff happened, but prob my haircut.

4) LOW POINT OF THE YEAR?
Frustration w/ the other half.  I agree with Candace

5) BEST HOLIDAY?
Christmas and Thanksgiving were both excellent

6) ANTHEM FOR 2006?
Hmmm.  Promiscuous by Nelly Furtado, or I Believe in Love by Indigo Girls

7) ANY REGRETS?
Nothing really. Well, maybe not checking the consulate website before going to Chicago lol. A lot of uneccesary stress right there.

BEST NIGHT OUT?
Well, there were actually quite a few of them. Definitely the night Candace came to visit Wake; oooh no the Salamanca Fiesta J

9) WORST NIGHT OUT?
Oy the weekend before Valentine’s Day; 1^st and last instances of drunk dialing.

10) WHO DID YOU SPEND VALENTINES WITH?
See above

11) BEST RELATIONSHIP?
Friendship: Kristen, & Christine Holcombe Romance: ha Family: Got really close with Bob & Beth sometimes

12) WORST RELATIONSHIP?
You don’t even want to know.

13) FIRST GIG OF THE YEAR?
Gig? I don’t think I had any.

14) Last gig of the year?
Again, no gigs.

15) BEST DECISION MADE THIS YEAR?
To go abroad officially; To cut my hair. To get a tattoo. To walk away.

16.) WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR?
Getting back in shape, seeing the WORLD, having some fun J, making some money, spending time with the family, applying for TFA, and making smart choices.

18) TWAT OF THE YEAR?
.. Where is number 17?!??! Oh. And… I dunno. I agree Candace! lol

19) MOST LOYAL FRIEND?
Beth, Kristen, Jessica Yasmine, Jamie Lee, Rachel Adams, Lauren Gaston, Lindsey, and Christine Holcombe.

20) BIGGEST CHANGE OF THE YEAR?
Oh wow um. There were a ton. Growing up a little more each day. Maybe learning how to say what I need.

In 2006 I…
[x] broke a promise
[ ] made a new best friend
[x] fallen in love
[x] fallen out of love
[ ] been in over 2 relationships
[x] lied
[ ] went behind your parents back
[x] cried over a broken heart
[x] disappointed someone close
[x] hid a secret
[x] pretended to be happy
[ ] kissed in the rain
[ ] kissed on a first date
[ ] slept under the stars
[x] kept your new years resolution
[x] forgot your new years resolution
[x] met someone who changed my life
[ ] met one of your idols
[x] changed your outlook on life
[x] sat home all day doing nothing
[ ] pretended to be ill
[ ] left the country
[ ] almost died
[x] given up something important to you
[x] broke something expensive
[x] learned something new about yourself
[x] tried something you normally wouldnt try and liked it
[x] made a change in your life
[x] found out who your true friends were
[x] met great people
[ ] snuck out of the house
[x] stayed up til sunrise
[ ] pigged out over the summer
[ ] met someone from myspace in person
[x] cried over the silliest thing
[ ] got into a car accident
[x] found a person I never thought I’d become good friends with
[x] had friends who were drifting away from me
[ ] had someone close to me die
[x] had a high cell phone bill
[ ] had a fist fight
[x] went to the beach
[ ] saw a celebrity
[x] gotten sick
[x] liked more than 5 people at the same time
[x] became closer to a lot of people
[ ] kissed someone as the sun set

…was drive 5 hours to Chicago, walk into a building, hand over my license, sit for one minute, stand up, pick up license/passport/VISA, get 1 cup of coffee from Starbucks (a chain of course), pay $16 to get the car from the valet, and then drive 5 hours back to Cincinnati.  Wowwwwwwwww.  Honestly, the VISA process is ridiculous.  Oyyyyyyy!
Academically did well this year; pretty excited about that.  So ready to go to Pittsburgh to see the rest of the family.  And looking forward to Vegas.  And SPAIN!   It’s 22 days until I leave.  Crazy crazy crazy.

Continued prayer please.  I’m trying really hard right now.  Life is mostly good, but still prayer would be awesome.