Goodbye 2008

It is so strange how the hours, days, weeks seem to pass. It seems that just yesterday it was the last day of 1999, and I was sporting my Old Navy Millenium shirt and painting my entire hands with glitter nail polish, while partying at the Millingtons... how hard it was to make it all the way to midnight without any naps, and now, here I am nine years later at almost 4 in the morning, on the verge of being 18, and wondering where the days went. Sometimes it felt like life would never change. Sometimes I never wanted it to. However, like I have been told, the only thing that doesn't change IS change. I think people enjoy New Years because it is pseudochange- something they know WILL change. It is constant and reliable, which defeats the definition of "change", but I digress. 2008 was a year of much change, some of it being this good and reliable kind, and some of it turning life on a dime, making my head spin faster than necessary.
So, in honor of 2008, here are the top 8 things that impacted my life LAST year.

1. Girls State- Oh, I will never forget the lessons I learned here at geeky politics camp

2. Close Up- Washington DC let me get away from Boise, meet kids from around the US, and express my feelings while visiting the amazing capital.

3. Sara Shields- her passing affected me & my views on life and the unity of a team.

4. Barak Obama's election- Whether you agree with him or not, his historic election will not soon be forgotten.

5. AP Biology Testing- I studied for 25 hours one weeked for this test, and earned myself a 4 on the test. This just really showed me that hard (very hard) work can pay off greatly.

6. My family- They are the one constant I have in my life & when things are not working out, they are there and ready to listen

7. Senior Year- it's been interesting, and not something I will soon forget.. and it's only half over!

8. College Prep. It's really weird getting ready for the next chapter of my life, but I am ready.

2009- HERE I COME

Thanksgiving

So, this day would not be complete with first, a synopsis of the day, and second, a list of things I am most thankful for.

So, like most years, this Thanksgiving was spent in Meridian, Idaho, at the home of Jeff & Tresa Ball. And, like most years, it was relaxing, fun, and delicious. For those of you who don't know, I am a devout vegetarian, and so when Thanksgiving comes along, I frequently am asked,
"Well, what do you eat?!"
Oh, ask anyone at the table and they will tell you...passing the turkey on down the line never hampers my ability to stuff myself! :) Anyways, after we were all full, we spent the remainder of the afternoon playing cards, sleeping, and, of course, scouring the newspaper ads for the best Black Friday deals followed by periodic trips to the kitchen for leftover snacks. :)

Of course, Thanksgiving would not be complete without my list of top 10 things I am grateful for, and so we begin.

1. Family. They are the greatest source of encouragement and happiness in my life. I love them!

2. Friends. I kind of feel like they should be added to the family category, because that is what they are to me, but alas. They deserve their own specific category. Diana, Cloey, Melissa, Cassie, Britni, Sarah, Hailey, Emily, Rachael, and Lex, thank YOU!

3. The Gospel. How blessed I am to have been born knowing that I am a daughter of God; that I have the tools to return to my Father In Heaven, and that His endless love will never falter.

4. Boise. I never want to leave. This city is the most beautiful place I know. We've got it all within 30 minutes, it's safe, semi-cultured for being in Idaho, and BIKE FRIENDLY! :) :) :)

5. Mouthwash/Toothpaste/Toothbrushes. One of my favorite past-times is brushing my teeth, and I am currently getting my teeth straightened by the help of Invisalign. Let's just say in the morning... and after 24 hours of wearing plastic in my mouth, I am so grateful for the germ killing power of Listerine!

6. My Mac. Once you go MAC you don't go BACK. Oh, how I love my baby and the assistance it offers with school & play.

7. Running. After eating all this food today, I'm grateful for a way to make it all go away, plus I am thankful for the stress relief and focus it offers.

8. School. Well, I wanted to say I am grateful there are only 107 days of it left, but alas... :) I'm thankful for all my teachers, the fact that I am semi-good at it, and the fact that next year I can go to a new one. :)

9. Electricity. I would have been a terrible pioneer.

10. Life. It's good, it's mine, and it's full.