11 in '11 Linky Party

I'm linking up with a bunch of my favorite bloggers (some of whom I often blog stalk) and Hadar and Kristen, for their 11 in '11 Linky Party!

This is a fun little way to re-cap 2011 as it is obligatory and necessary in this blogging realm.  I like doing the cliche lists of things I liked, but this is a fun way to read about a lot of people's favorites and such from 2011. 

Here we go: My 11 in '11

11. Favorite movie you watched:

Defintely "The Help."  This was the best movie I've seen in a really long time! Loved the book, loved the movie, loved the story, loved it all!

 

10. Favorite TV series:

Hmmm...I think I would have to say "Pretty Little Liars."  I'm a sucker for cheesy ABC family type stuff. 

This one has been my favorite since earlier in 2011. 

My most recent 2011 favorite is probably "Pan Am" or "Parenthood"

9. Favorite restaurant:

Tricky...I like lots of little local places including Sawadee Thai Restaurant, The Blue Plate Diner, and The Communal. 

8. Favorite new thing you tried:

Collaging!  I have always loved art but I never found an area of art I was very talented in.  Collaging has been a new experience for me but I really love it!  Thanks to Melody at Brave Girls Club, I found a talent and passion in collaging from my heart.

7. Favorite gift you got:

I've been loving this great hat my roommate gave me, and I am definitely a fan ofthe money I've been able to put toward my Cambodia/Thailand trip!  Plus, I got these fabulous pecans from my New Mexico best friend and they are divine!!!

6. Favorite thing you pinned: 

I've only been on pinterest for a little while and I am not a huge pinning addict, but I do enjoy the neat ideas I've seen.  I think I will say this is my favorite since it and others like it brought me a new business venture with dear friends. 

5. Favorite blog post:

Probably this one.  It is hard to pick, but only because each post reminds me of the things I was feeling or thinking at a particular time in the year.  I like looking back and seeing where I was, where I am now, how I've changed, how life has worked out. 

4. Best accomplishment:

Professionally: Finishing my Reading Endorsement graduate coursework. 

Personally: Learning to run and love it.

3. Favorite picture: 

Ooooh...I obviously don't do "favorites" very well because I always have so many favorites!  Here are my top 3 favorite pictures from this year:

I love this one because it is my family after 3 years of not seeing each other.  3 years is a long time and in June of 2011 we all reunited and took a few family shots.  It was nice being home with all my sisters and my parents again.  It was great to see my niece and nephew and brother-in-law.  I love when I get to be with my family!

I love this one because it represents a lot of things.  I got to go to Mexico and use my Spanish after many years of it laying dormant.  This was my only international trip in 2011! I got to see a wonderful old friend!  I got to spend some time away for Spring Break, when time away was desperately needed. 

I love this one because it reminds me of the amazing and good people I always have around me.  Though this picture doesn't have all my best friends in it, it represents so many of them.  After all these years, we still get together to spend time in the activities we love most.  We reconvene at the Eastern Idaho State Fair to get our huge cotton candy sticks and relive our glory days together.  I love everything about that.

2. Favorite memory:
There are so many memories in a year but I think my favorites would include my trip to Mexico and my trip home to Kentucky.

1. Goals for 2012:
Professionally: Find and apply for a graduate program to pursue.  Grow as a teacher.
Personally: Learn more about collaging.  Travel more.  Visit old friends.  Relearn my languages. 
Spiritually: Read scriptures and pray every day.  Develop more charity. Trust the Lord more. 

Remember how I feel old?

Babies babies babies everywhere!
I swear, everyone in my life is either pregnant, is having babies, or is talking about their babies!
All around me, babies!
I am so happy for all my friends who are having their sweet little babies...I really am!
I love that so many of my friends get to be moms.  I love that so many of my friends get to be dads.
I love that so many good people are having babies and becoming parents. 
I can't think of better people to be having families and raising children.  How lucky this world is that so many amazing people are choosing to be parents!  How happy it makes me for those sweet little children to be blessed by such fabulous people as their parents!  How glad I am that these people are sacraficing for something greater than what the world says they should do!  
I'm truly so excited for them!

I'm just not sure how I am supposed to see my life in comparison. 
Because though I hate comparing, it is so easy to do, so seemingly appropriate.
I'm hundreds of millions of miles away from having babies.
I'm not even sure babies are in my future...who knows what the future holds?
My life is so different from so many of my friends these days and it makes me feel a little...weird, old, left behind, on the wrong path, frustrated, discontent, and defiant.
Being my age and single is not the easiest thing in the world, but sometimes I think it is not so bad.
Sometimes I think it sucks.  Big time. 
Sometimes I think I like it, a lot.  More than the alternative.
Sometimes I don't really care either way.

Life sure is crazy.
Figuring it out is even stranger.

Merry Christmas

Dear Anything-But-Now-Year Old Me

Have you see that PSA about cancer?

Well, it has nothing to do with this post except that it was the only title I could come up with for what I do have to say today.  It has a great message though, so watch it sometime.

Lately I have been feeling...old. 

Old, boring, unfashionable, un-fun, stuck, lost.

A little.

I don't know why...maybe hanging out with my younger sisters, reading fashion magazines, or listening to the radio...but I feel this way.

When did I get too old for the crazy fashions like boots folded over with leg warmers and grunge hair?

When did I get too boring for spur-of-the-moment ideas like bowling at 2 am?

When did I get so un-fun that the kids just younger than me see me as an old maid?

When did I lose my adventuresome, high-spirited, zest for trying new things?

And when did I begin to realize that I am stuck in a life I didn't exactly choose, nor do I exactly want?

Hrummpff.

I think if I could do things over again, I would choose to grow up a little more slowly.  I think I'd bask in having to depend on my parents for rides.  I'd spend my money a little more frivolously on new CDs or shoes. I'd definitely spend more time in college and I'd even probably relish the chances I had to party at 3 am with strangers.  

Okay, well that last one still happens at my house about once a month, but still.

I want to feel young and crazy again.  

I'm not really so old.  Just sorta out of touch. 

And a little old. 

I am beginning to understand why people seek the fountain of youth. 

Kids...

Yesterday one of my students told me something I found funny.
And probably pretty telling.

She said, "You.  You are annoying.  And those kids (pointing to the class) are hil-ar-ious. Yep."

Good to know.

Kids tell the truth, right?  And this one especially does.

I guess it is good to have someone point these things out.  At least now I don't have to wonder what they think of me!

I find this poem so incredibly beautiful. 
It was created by my good friend Elyse Brazel. 
I am lucky to know her and her supreme talent.
The exquisite and straightforward beauty from her words inspire me.

Enjoy.

Influenced

Today I am amazed at all the wonderful people in my life. 
I have been blessed with amazing family, friends, mentors, and colleagues. 
Sometimes I can't believe how very wonderful these people are.
I know some incredible people!
I stand amazed at the wonderful things all these people have accomplished, and I hope to someday be like them.

I hope to be a mom like the good parents I know.
I hope to teach and train like the impactful mentors I've had.
I hope to be as kind and fun and good as the friends I keep company with.
I hope to work as hard and be as dedicated as the colleagues I spend my days with.
I hope to grow and learn as those around me teach me to.
I hope to pray as fervently as I've felt others pray.
I hope to care as perfectly as I've felt friends care for me.
I hope to love as deeply as I've seen others love.

I hope to be the person I have opportunity to be because of the good people I know.